NCLGS Announces Multi-State iGaming Bill

The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) met last week in Pittsburgh for its summer conference. The multi-state model iGaming legislation was a key topic on the discussion board. 

The model iGaming legislation is expected to be published on August 1. It is a state-wide blueprint for jurisdictions wishing to legalize and launch 360 iGaming from 2025 onwards. 

Focusing on online casinos (with only 12 states left to legalize sports betting, this frontier is long past), which have only been legalized in seven states (Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, Connecticut, and Rhode Island), the blueprint will cover tax rates, the optimal number of licenses and skins, revenue generation, responsible gaming, advertising, age limits, and data sharing. 

The document is also expected to address the question of land-based casino cannibalization, which has been a key argument for U.S. states to avoid legalizing online casinos.

DraftKings Makes Moves On D.C.

DraftKings has announced plans to launch in Washington, D.C., subject to regulatory approvals. D.C. will become DraftKings's 29th U.S. jurisdiction. 

The announcement follows news earlier this month that Washington, D.C., is opening its mobile sports betting market and adopting a competitive, multi-operator model.

"It has been incredible to see legalized sports betting grow rapidly over the past six years, and with plans to launch our online sportsbook in D.C., DraftKings looks forward to expanding its presence in more than half the country," said Matt Kalish, President, DraftKings North America. 

He continued, "We would like to thank the D.C. Council for creating a path to bring DraftKings' top-rated sportsbook to the nation's capital. Together with D.C. United, we look forward to delivering fans a best-in-class experience through our customer-friendly product."

Until now, FanDuel was the only sportsbook with full mobile market access in D.C. BetMGM, and Caesars had limited access linked to their retail locations. FanDuel and DraftKings are the two biggest operators in the USA, holding around 80% of the total market share.

Galaxy Gaming And Evolution Strike A Price

In a US$85 million deal set to close by 2025, Evolution Gaming will shore up its U.S. business by expanding its physical footprint and acquiring Galaxy Gaming, a Las Vegas-based table games specialist.

Going for a stock price per share of US$3.20, Evolution will pay a premium price, up 124% compared to Galaxy Gaming's closing share price on July 17. 

Galaxy Gaming is a strategic U.S. acquisition for Evolution Gaming as it supplies games and technology, like dealer terminals, to land-based casinos in 28 states. Under the plans, Galaxy Gaming will remain an independent brand post-acquisition.

Evolution Gaming has focused on becoming a supergroup in recent years, strategically acquiring online game developers NetEnt, Red Tiger Gaming, Big Time Gaming, Live Spins, NoLimit City, and DigiWheel.

Mohegan Gaming's Reputation Slammed: New York City Casino Bid

Former New York City official Kamal Bherwani has called on Governor Katy Hochul to reject Mohegan Gaming's New York City license bid as the competition heats up for the three new casino permits.

Bherwani has argued Governor Hochul should reject the Mohegan/Soloviev Group's Freedom Plaza bid (a US$4 billion, 6.7-acre casino resort on Manhattan's East Side) after his son, Ethan, died of a fentanyl overdose at Mohegan Sun Casino, Connecticut on May 18.

The incident was filmed on CCTV - which has since been made publicly available - and shows Bherwani's son motionless on the floor after collapsing at a blackjack table, left unassisted by staff for more than four minutes. It took 11 minutes for medics from the Mohegan Tribe to arrive. 

By the time Ethan arrived at Hartford Hospital, he was already brain dead.

Bherwani has told the New York Post, "If they had gotten to him in three minutes, he'd be completely alive,"

"My son was going to law school. He was cooped up during the pandemic and celebrating his graduation; he made a mistake … but it should not have cost him his life," 

Mohegan Gaming is one of 11 bidders for one of three New York City retail casino permits.

Pennsylvania iGaming Grows 27% In F.Y. 23-24

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has reported total gambling tax revenue generated during the combined Fiscal Year 2023/2024, with taxes hitting record levels of US$2.54 billion.

According to the PGCB, the tax total resulted from the combined revenue generation of over US$5.89 billion from casino slots, table games, iGaming, sports wagering, video gaming terminals, and fantasy sports contests.

For F.Y. 23-24, Pennsylvania iGaming grew an incredible 27.16% year on year, with Hollywood Casino in first place for revenue, up 15.89%, Valley Forge (FanDuel) in second, skyrocketing 55.99% YoY, and Rivers Casino (BetRivers) in third, up 7.79%.

Overall, sports betting decreased 1.10% year over year, retail slots fell 0.56%, and retail table games were down 1.64%, meaning iGaming alone kept the PA iGaming market growing in 2023-24.

In other good news for PA players, Bet365 announced this week that it will become the latest operator to join the Pennsylvania iGaming scene.

Homepage Paid: Mirage Las Vegas Closes With Bang After 35 Years

Crowds gathered outside the Mirage Las Vegas for one last time on Tuesday night before the casino closed its doors for the last time.

The Mirage, home to the iconic Volcano, was one of the largest casinos in the world when it first opened on the Las Vegas strip on November 22, 1989. It was also one of the most expensive casinos, costing US$630 million to build.

As history records, The Mirage was a game changer, launching one of the first integrated resort models that now dominate Macau, Singapore, and the Philippines. With its 2,000-seat theater, the Mirage is also accredited with reimagining casino entertainment in a more "egalitarian" approach that all consumers could enjoy!

The Mirage, which was bought by the Seminole Tribe for US$1.08 billion from MGM Resorts in December 2022, will be replaced by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas. 

The new Hard Rock Guitar resort is expected to be double the size and open in Spring 2027. It will be the Seminole's debut on the Vegas Strip.

Illinois Tax Hike Comes into Force

At the start of July, Illinois launched its new online sports betting tax rate, bringing into force a sliding scale system that starts from 20% and goes up to 40% of gross gambling revenue.

With taxes increasing from the previous flat rate of 15%, both DraftKings and FanDuel will be hardest hit by the new system, as both operators fall into the highest tax category. 

Illinois is now the USA's second most expensive competitive sports betting state for operators, lagging behind New York, which charges operators 51% (New Hampshire and Delaware both have 50% tax rates but are not competitive markets). 

The tax hike is controversial as it threatens the Illinois market, which reported a betting handle of over USD$1 billion for the ninth consecutive month (May 2024). At the 15% rate, this created US$15.1 million in tax revenue for the state.

Betway US Closure: No "Long-Term Path to Profitability"

Betway's parent company, Super Group, has announced it is withdrawing its sportsbook product from the USA market.

Speaking on July 10th, CEO Neal Menashe said, "As a global business, we constantly evaluate the optimal use of our resources across all markets in which we operate. We have recently concluded an extensive review of our U.S. operations and, at present, we do not see a long-term path to profitability for the sportsbook product."

It's not the end of the road for Super Group in the US. Instead of completely withdrawing, the company is doubling down and planning to focus on iGaming. 

According to Menashe, "The vast majority of Super Group's revenue is generated in iGaming and, in line with that strategy, we will continue to offer our leading casino product in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We are open to expanding our U.S. footprint if the right investment or strategic opportunities arise."

BetMGM Double Awards Whammy

BetMGM won a double whammy at this year's EGR North America Awards on June 27th in New York. Taking both the Sports Betting Operator and Employer of the Year awards, company CEO Adam Greenblatt said, "Winning two EGR North America Awards is a tremendous honor. We have a passionate team at BetMGM dedicated to delivering best-in-class betting experiences, which saw exponential leaps in capability this year with unparalleled omnichannel opportunities, enhanced user interface, and increased brand visibility. These awards are a tribute to all the hard work and the strong culture that we are building at BetMGM."

2024 is the first time that BetMGM has won EGR's North American Sports Betting Operator of the Year Award. But the operator, active in 29 markets, is no stranger to the EGR Awards stage, winning North American Casino Operator of the Year in 2022 and 2023 — Caesars Entertainment stole this title this year.

Evolution Live Dealers Land in Delaware

Delaware's gaming scene just got better as Evolution's live dealer titles have arrived at DE online casinos for the first time. 

The available collection is set to shake up the market, offering Live Blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold Em, American Roulette, Craps, Lightning Roulette, Three Card Poker, Power Blackjack, Infinite Blackjack, and Baccarat.

Delaware's gaming market was recently considered largely stagnant following a ten-year license deal with 888 Holdings (now evoke), which only broke the state's revenue sharing benchmark (under this licensing condition, the first $3.75 million of all online gaming revenue goes straight to the state) in 2020.

Rush Street Interactive took over the license at the beginning of 2024, providing all three of the state's online casino platforms. Revenue has increased significantly month over month since.

DraftKings Gets NJDGE Fine Financial Misreporting

DraftKings has landed on the wrong side of the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) for failing to comply with the Casino Control Act. The company over-reported money wagered on parlays while under-reporting other types of bets for December 2023 and January 2024. The NJDGE has issued DraftKings with a US$100,000 fine for the breach.

Alongside the sanction, DraftKings received a letter from NJDGE acting director Mary Jo Flaherty explaining the penalty. This letter has now been made public.

According to Flaherty, DraftKings' financial misreporting caused the NJDGE to correct financial records, which hasn't happened since 2011. It also placed them in the "difficult position of responding" to inquiries based on the industry data, specifically the parlay handle. 

Of particular concern for the Division was that DraftKings did not inform them of the issue when they became aware of it, only correcting the error following an inquiry, upon which DraftKings told the Division that the errors occurred due to a coding issue in their then-new database. 

Summarizing, Flaherty wrote, "These types of gross errors and failures cannot be tolerated in the New Jersey gaming regulatory system. They evidenced weaknesses in DraftKings' business abilities and casino experience and unacceptable conduct in dealing with regulations and requisite reporting and financial systems".

DraftKings' has responded to media inquiries with the following statement, "We value our relationship with the DGE and are committed to ensuring compliance with all regulatory guidelines. There was an error in the reporting of our wagering mix breakdown to the state that we have corrected by implementing additional controls."

Tribal Gaming Growing Strong - FY23 Results

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) has released the full-year gross gaming revenue (GGR) figures for FY23, revealing a new record of $41.9 billion, a 2.4% year-on-year increase.

The report includes data from 527 gaming operations from 245 tribes in 29 states. Revenue growth was seen across all regions, with Phoenix and Rapid City experiencing the most significant GGR increases at 5.5% and 4.9%, respectively. Still, Sacramento led the way in GGR, with 87 facilities creating $11.9 billion.

According to Sharon Avery, NIGC's acting Chairwoman, "This year's gross gaming revenue results demonstrate how a strong regulatory framework and diversity of tribal gaming enterprises generate growth in the gaming industry."

"Again, this year, tribal gaming operators and regulators have proven that their ingenuity and tenacity are catalysts for growth, even in the face of an ever-changing gaming landscape. This steadfastness will ensure that tribal gaming remains a valuable resource for continued economic sustainability in tribal communities."

Vice Chair Jeannie Hovland added, "I congratulate the industry regulators, operators, and tribal leadership on another successful year. Their hard work in meeting and overcoming the challenges presented by an increasingly competitive market is evidence that tribes are resilient, and their gaming expertise is yielding benefits for their nations as IGRA intended."

Ohio: New Rules for Bonuses After Fanatics Mech Flop

The Ohio Casino Control Commission has taken action, submitting Ohio Adm.Code Chapter 3775-16-09 to the state's Common Sense Initiative Office. The amendment covers new rules for bonuses in the Buckeye State, which has already implemented a ban on risk-free terminology.

The proposal aims to ensure that bonus terms and conditions are clear and not misleading, stating, "Terms and conditions that are full, accurate, concise, transparent and do not contain misleading information."

According to the new rules, bonus T&Cs must also include the date and time the promotion is active and expires, rules of play and cancellation, any eligibility restrictions, the nature of the prizes of awards, the wagering requirements, and the eligible events.

What's more (and taking a direct shot at Fanatics, who have landed in regulatory hot water with the OCCC after breaking the rules by tying bonus bets to merchandise purchases), the amendment states, "Sports gaming proprietors must not offer a promotion or bonus in connection with or as a result of a non-gaming, consumer transaction." Unless the promotion does not "target individuals under the age of twenty-one, other individuals who are ineligible to participate in sports gaming, individuals with gambling problems, or other vulnerable individuals."

The proposal is open to public consultation until July 12th.

Funding the Board: Michigan's RG Efforts

In more good news for US responsible gambling in the USA, Michigan lawmakers have passed the new FY25 budget, which provides new funding for the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB).

The FY25 budget includes doubling the Michigan Gaming Control Board's (MGCB) annual contribution to the compulsive gambling prevention fund from $3 million to $6 million (the money funds research, the 24/7 gambling helpline, education projects, and treatment for compulsive gambling), providing $3 million for the "Don't Regret the Bet" responsible gambling awareness campaign, and using $1.9 million to hire 14 new MGCB staff.

The MGCB's press release stated, "These positions are necessary to support the agency's internet gaming and sports betting regulatory operations in one of the fastest-growing U.S. gaming markets, expand the MGCB's regulatory capacity, and enhance protections against illegal activity."

MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams also said, "I extend my deepest gratitude to Governor Whitmer and the Legislature for their commitment to enhancing the Michigan Gaming Control Board's operations with their support of additional FTE positions, underscoring their dedication to strengthening the agency and its regulatory efforts." 

"Moreover, the MGCB's increased contribution, from $3 million to $6 million, to the Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund demonstrates our proactive approach towards responsible gaming. Together, we are safeguarding the integrity of the industry while prioritizing the well-being of Michigan citizens."

The new budget awaits Governor Whitmer's sign-off and will come into force on October 1st, 2024.

Google: Changes to Gambling Ads

Google has updated its gambling ads and games policy for DFS and lottery operators across the USA. From July 15th, DFS ads will run in 17 states, and the lottery will be in 33 + Washington D.C.

The 17 states listed for DFS advertising are Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The new rules establish the principle of parity that does not currently exist among state regulators in the US; "If advertisers are targeting their ads in a state that does not require a license, the advertisers must be licensed in at least one other US state that does require a license to operate Daily Fantasy Sport services."

This allows DFS adverts to go live through Google Adverts in states without regulated gaming or established licensing regimes, like Utah.

It's All Kicking Off in California, Again

More than 100 demonstrators gathered in Sacramento on Tuesday to voice their opposition to SB 549, a bill currently in the general assembly. If passed, the bill would grant California tribes the ability to take legal action against privately owned cardrooms for infringing on their exclusive rights to Las Vegas-style gaming.

At the protest, attendees heard speeches from local politicians and city representatives. They discussed how the bill could negatively impact cities where cardrooms operate and provide tax revenue and as many as 32,000 jobs.

The mayor of the City of Gardena, Tash Cerda, also emphasized the significance of card rooms in her community, stating that they employ over 1,200 residents and individuals from neighboring areas and create annual wages totaling over $47 million.

Strong opposition to the bill has been evident, and the Hawaiian Gardens Casino in Los Angeles and Chevron Corporation have provided significant financial support for lobbying efforts.

Meanwhile, in Delaware…

Delaware's most talked about bill of 2024, HB 365, which proposed a multi-licensed system for the state's gambling market, has died at the committee stage as the state's legislative session ends for the year. 

The bill, which never made it out of the House Appropriations Committee, proposed up to six betting skins, two per each of the state's retail casinos. 

As the bill has failed, BetRivers (Rush Street Interactive) maintains its monopoly on the state after taking over the contract from 888 Holdings (now evoke) at the start of the year. Since BetRivers took over, revenue has increased massively month on month across Delaware's three online casinos.

U.S. Supreme Court Refuses Florida Sports Betting Case

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has reaffirmed its monopoly on sports betting in the Sunshine State, as this week, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the West Flagler case in a full hearing. 

This effectively means that the most recent ruling stands, which upholds the 2021 Florida State Gaming Compact and gives Hard Rock Bet - the Seminole Tribe - the full go-ahead to continue taking bets in the state. Hopefully, the Supreme Court's decision will close this matter for good.

Illegal Betting Still Dominates US Market

Speaking of money, Yield Sec has used predictive analysis to estimate the U.S. black market for online sports betting in 2023. Despite the spread of sports betting legislation since the repeal of PASPA, their estimates show that most of the money is going offshore, with 65% of all wagering gross gambling revenue (GGR) taken by illegal gambling sites.

According to Yield Sec, the market split between illegal and legal GGR is US$19.1 billion in illegal bets to $10.4 billion in legal wagers. Looking at total online spending, the largest revenue generators are parlay bets (54%).

U.S. States Ramp Up Protective Measures

With the U.S. still in the throws of illegal gambling, we decided to look at which states have been busy implementing more robust protective measures for players and encouraging safer gambling.

According to the American Gaming Association, in 2023, the U.S. gambling industry made concerted efforts in this respect, with new rules for sports betting ads adopted in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.

Connecticut, Louisiana, and Maryland policymakers also put limits on marketing partnerships between sports wagering operators and local colleges and universities. While Ohio, Maryland, and Vermont banned prop bets on college games.

In the same period, the American Gaming Association also beefed up its Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering, updating the voluntary operator code to add further limits on marketing to college-aged audiences and prevent the use of specific misleading terms in all ads.

U.S. Bettor Behavior: 59% Wager Daily

Betsson, GambleID, and Sports Handle have partnered to undertake new research, surveying 97 sports bettors. The respondents, which were 98% male, and with 62% aged 25-44, showed that:

• 59% of the group bet daily, 33% weekly.
• 43% had downloaded more than 5 betting apps, 21% had 4, and only 5% were loyal to a single app.
• When asked about bet preference, 81% said they prefer to bet on the point spread, 69% on money lines, and 63% on over/under bets.
• 37% of respondents said they deposit less than $100 a month, 10% said $1000-4,999, 1% spent over $10,000, and 9% decided not to answer.
• 92% chose football as one of their top three sports to bet on, 66% basketball, and 27% golf. Esports and boxing were among the most unpopular markets to bet on.
• More than half of respondents choose to bet via an app, with 93% selecting DraftKings as the most well-known, FanDuel in second (92%), and Caesars in third (89%). 74% also selected BetRivers.
• When asked what the top factors for bettors in picking an app were, 74% said odds, 70% said the UX and 62% said promotions.

Bovada Banned in MI

Meanwhile, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has successfully become the first state gambling commission to take enforcement action against an offshore gambling site, Bovada. Last week, we reported on the MGCB's issuance of a cease-and-desist order to Bovada, which we can now share has been successful.

Bovada has now stopped accepting bets from Michigan and Connecticut (which followed Michigan's approach by sending their own letter a week later). Their website reads, "Bovada is available to U.S. residents, "except for those living in Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, Michigan, and Colorado."

This is undoubtedly a win for the MGCB, which takes enforcement against illegal and unsafe gambling operators seriously.

Playtech Goes Live From MGM Grand and Bellagio

MGM Resorts and Playtech are partnering in a one-of-a-kind deal that will see the latter stream live dealer games from inside the MGM Grand and Bellagio in Las Vegas. Titles will include single and double-zero roulette and baccarat, available to consumers in regulated markets outside the USA, starting with the U.K. and Mexico.

Bill Hornbuckle, Chief Executive Officer & President of MGM Resorts, said, "The launch of this new and exciting live casino offering, in partnership with Playtech and directly from Bellagio and MGM Grand in Las Vegas, furthers our strategic vision to be the world's premier gaming entertainment company. This collaboration amplifies our commitment to providing unparalleled experiences and expands our global reach to our customers. 

"We believe the content, celebrity talent and sophisticated gaming experience that we will offer – all from the trusted and highly reputable brands of MGM Resorts – will be unmatched in the industry."

Mor Weizer, Playtech's Chief Executive Officer, added, "We are thrilled to partner with MGM Resorts, a world-renowned gaming and entertainment brand. This alliance combines the strength of MGM Resorts' global prestige with Playtech's extensive international market knowledge and innovative games. 

"As a leading technology provider in regulated markets, we are delighted that this partnership is pioneering a new live entertainment category and product offering for players in these regulated territories. 

"Our alliance is built on a shared vision to create an innovative and unique customer experience alongside our commitment to safer gambling. Both Playtech and MGM Resorts are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of player protection and ensuring our offerings are enjoyed responsibly."

Illinois Tax Hike Will Hit Online Operators Hardest

Illinois' new state budget bill is currently on the Governor's desk. It includes a controversial tax hike for sports betting operators, raising the levy from 15% of adjusted gambling revenue to 40%.

The new sliding scale sees the largest operators pay the most:

• Revenue up to $30 million would be taxed at 20%
• From $30 million to $50 million would be taxed at 25%
• From $50 million to $100 million would be taxed at 30%
• From $100 million to $200 million would be taxed at 35%
• AGR above $200 million would be taxed at 40%

Illinois has seven online sportsbooks, with FanDuel and DraftKings leading the market and exceeding $200 million in AGR yearly. Both operators will now pay an increase of over 160% in taxes.

Operators, stakeholders, and some state senators have fiercely opposed the increase. Lawmakers debated the issue until 4:30 a.m. and voted three times before it passed.

The tax revenue created (an estimated $200 million) will help balance the state's budget, which is currently reported to have an almost $900 million deficit for FY25.

Experts and operators have warned that the tax increase will negatively affect the market, with players ultimately paying the price through reduced promotions, products, and investments.

Two Gaming Giants Go Head to Head: Evolution Sues L&W

Evolution Gaming filed a case with the Nevada District Court, accusing Light&Wonder (L&W) of using Evolution's intellectual property to reproduce games.

The case concerns Lightning Roulette and dates back to 2021 when Evolution asked L&W (then Scientific Games) to create a land-based version. While the partnership was never realized, Evolution claims that while in talks, they supplied L&W with confidential data relating to the game, which Evolution says L&W used to create Roulette X and Power X.

Evolution is now seeking compensation and to prevent L&W from creating more similar titles. This is the second time in 2024 that L&W has been accused of creating copycat titles.

Florida: Supreme Court to Discuss West Flagler Case

On June 13th, nine justices will discuss whether West Flagler and Associates vs. the state of Florida should be heard before the court. It will proceed if four of the nine justices decide the case has merit.

The US Supreme Court only hears cases with national implications. While the Tribal Compact being challenged applies to Florida, West Flagler and Associates have argued that it meets this criterion as it covers online gambling and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which is a federal law. 

We'll bring you more news on this groundbreaking case after June 13th.

New Research: Illegal Gambling in the USA Still Raking in Billions

New research published by The Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG) and conducted by Yield Sec has revealed the vast scale of illegal gambling in New York, New Jersey, and Minnesota. 

According to the report: 

• 62% of the total online Gross Gambling Revenue (GGR) in 2023 in New Jersey, which has iGaming and sports betting, went to the legal market, while 38% was spent offshore (16% on iGaming and 22% on sports).
• In New York, where only online sports betting is legal, 24% of spending is done via legal channels, with 76% being spent offshore (49% on iGaming, 27% on illegal sportsbooks).
• And in Minnesota, where all forms of online gambling are illegal, 100% of the $2,444 million GGR generated in 2023 was spent offshore. 

Interestingly, despite sports betting being legal in New York for two years already, more is still spent on illegal bookmakers than on the state's legal options ($1,690 million VS $1,906 million), suggesting the state's high tax rate, which is 51%, could be driving offshore gambling, where players can find more competitive but unregulated gambling options. In comparison, New Jersey, which charges a 13% tax on Gross Gambling Revenue, has a much lower rate of illegal sports betting.

This research builds on the American Gaming Association's previous work, which estimated that "Americans bet more than $510.9 billion a year with illegal and unregulated operators. This costs the legal industry $44.2 billion in gaming revenue and state governments $13.3 billion in lost tax revenue."

Legality of Sweepstakes Challenged in Georgia

Sweepstakes casinos are incredibly popular in the USA, as they essentially allow players (almost) nationwide to access online casino games via a legal loophole. 

However, the number of states looking to close this loophole is steadily growing (Michigan and Idaho have already taken action), and this week, Georgia joined the ranks as a class action suit was brought against VGW (operator of Luckyland Casino, Global Poker, and Chumba Casino).

Destiny Kennedy, a Georgia resident who claims VGW offers illegal gambling in the state, filed the case to recoup her losses. So far, VGW (one of the largest sweepstakes operators in the USA) has yet to respond to the case.

AGA: The State of the States

Commercial gaming is stronger than ever, according to the American Gaming Association, which released its 2024 State of the States Report this week. Coming hot on the heels of the market's 13th consecutive quarter of growth, the research showed that:

• Commercial gaming revenue reached a record $66.66 billion in 2023, 10.3% higher than in 2022.
• 30 of 36 states set annual records for commercial gaming revenue.
• Commercial gaming operations generated $14.67 billion in direct gaming tax revenue paid to state and local governments, not including billions more paid in income, sales, or other taxes. This is a 9.7% increase year over year.
• In 2023, 32 of the 36 jurisdictions with commercial casinos, iGaming, or sports betting operations saw a rise in annual gaming revenue, with only the District of Columbia, Florida, Indiana, and Mississippi contracting.
• Sports betting saw a 46% YoY increase, with Ohio, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Kentucky, and Maine joining the legal side of the market. This caused revenue to skyrocket from $7.56 billion in 2022 to $11.04 billion in 2023.
• The six (now seven)  iGaming states continued their “explosive growth,” making US$6.17 billion in revenue, +28.2% YoY.

Delaware Opening or Still a Stale Hope?

HB 365, which seeks to open Delaware’s sports betting market to operators, has progressed to the House Appropriations Committee. Estimates have said that if the market is allowed to expand, the handle could top as much as US$186.1 million in FY25, with a compound annual growth rate of 5% after that.

The current handle for FY23, which includes the four months Rush Street Interactive operated as the state’s sole online sportsbook provider, has shown promising figures: US$65.3 million. The online sportsbook was launched shortly after RSI took over from 888 as Delaware’s exclusive online gambling provider.

The bill would allow each of the state’s three racecourses to operate two online skins. Licenses would cost US$500k and last for five years. Revenue would be taxed at 18%—a steep decline from the current rate of 50%.

Delaware has had a restricted market since it launched online gambling in 2013. Until the start of 2024, 888 Holdings was the sole online platform. The current laws in Delaware state that the first US$3.75 million of online gaming revenue is given straight to the state, after which revenue is taxed at 62.5%

Delaware broke this benchmark for the first time in 2018, meaning it was a profitless market for the first five years. This week, the bill was resigned to the new committee after it saw no progress at the House Administration Committee. 

Like other interested parties, we will patiently wait to see if there is any more movement before the close of this year’s legislative session in Delaware.

WSOP.com Launches

WSOP has launched the first online shared liquidity cross-state poker network this week. Accepting players from Michigan, Nevada, and New Jersey, the platform brings to life the essence of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement. 

The platform went live on Tues. Caesars Digital Vice President of Online Poker Danielle Barille said, “This platform upgrade is long overdue and is a big win for our players.”

 “The best is yet to come for WSOP Online tournaments, and we’re thrilled to bring Michigan players into the fold with Nevada and New Jersey, resulting in a better experience, more value, and the biggest prize pools of the year.”

Alongside pooled prize pots, the prospective player pool is massive: MI has a population of 10M, NJ 9.3M, and NE 3.2 M.

Evoke (888) US Exit Continues

It’s been reported that evoke has said they will complete their Michigan exit of the SI brand by Q4 2024. The move comes after the brand failed to grasp even 1% of the Michigan market share in each month of Q1 2024.

evoke, which rebranded from 888 Holdings, is exiting the entire US market (not long after its Delaware exit at the start of the year) after announcing a strategic new corporate plan that doubles down efforts in its key markets—the UK, Spain, Italy, and Denmark.

It’s All Boom, Baby: AGA Reports 13th Consecutive Quarter of Growth

The American Gaming Association is reporting record revenue highs for Q1 of 2024, which marks the 13th consecutive quarter of growth for the US commercial market. The balance sheet stands at $17.67 billion, $6.09 billion of which was generated in March alone, now the second-highest-grossing month on record. 

Retail accounted for approximately 70% of the revenue generated, with just under 30% coming from online gambling. 

Breaking that down per product:

• Land-based gaming generated $12.34 billion (+0.3% YoY)
• Sports betting created $3.33 billion in quarterly revenue (+22.0% year-over-year and partly driven by new market launches in Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, and Vermont).
• And iGaming generated $1.98 billion (an all-time high, +26.1%, with Rhode Island launching in the quarter).

AGA President and CEO Bill Miller commented, “While gaming’s momentum remains strong, 2024 will be the new baseline for future growth after several years of sports betting legalization and post-pandemic consumer shifts.

“Gaming’s continued growth relies on maintaining our commitment to innovation and responsibility.”

Entain Secures Unconditional Nevada Green Light

Entain has secured unconditional approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) to operate in the state. The UK company, which operates BetMGM in the USA as a joint venture with MGM Resorts, was already licensed in the Silver State but under short-term agreements (first under a two-year and then a three-year license, which recently expired).

The Commission’s earlier reluctance to issue Entain with a full-term license reflected its concerns over Entain’s operations in other jurisdictions, specifically those where gambling is not regulated.

In response, Entain took the necessary steps required by the NGC, including, according to Chairman Barry Gibson, withdrawing from 140 unregulated markets, which cost the company approximately $100 million in profit.

Entain attorney Erica Okerberg also told the Commission, “The company has taken great strides not only to move past some of the historical issues but to accept responsibility for them and find ways to learn and grow.”

Happy with Entain’s commitment and progress, the NGC granted the operator unconditional approval to operate on May 1st and issued their new license on May 16th.

Virginia Governor Vetoes Bill on Games of Skill

Virginia’s Governor, Glenn Youngkin, made headlines this week by vetoing SB 212, which was set to legalize games of skill in the state. The bill, which had already passed Senate (32:8) and House (51:45) approval, is now dead in its tracks.

Commenting on his decision to prevent the bill, Governor Youngkin said, “In recent years, the Commonwealth of Virginia has authorized casinos, sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering, on top of longer-standing gaming options like the Virginia Lottery, horse racing and charitable gaming. When it comes to additional gaming options, such as games of skill, we must proceed with a robust set of safeguards. 

“I sent over a package of amendments which addressed my many concerns with the bill. While it is regrettable that my recommendations were not adopted, I remain open to working with the General Assembly going forward on this subject.”

Lawmakers now have until June 28th to draft a new bill and bring it before the state, after which Virginia’s legislative session closes for the year. While this is a tall order with such scant time, Governor Youngkin has made it clear he remains open to the possibility.

Commenting on the veto, the American Gaming Association’s Bill Miller said: “We applaud Governor Youngkin’s veto of SB 212, which will protect communities from illegal gambling machines and uphold not only the original ban passed by the General Assembly in 2020 but subsequent judicial determinations in Virginia’s courts.”

Miller refers to the fact that Virginia banned skill game kiosks in 2020; however, implementation was paused in response to COVID to assist small businesses. More recently, in Q4 of 2023, Virginia’s Supreme Court ruled to reinstate the ban, hence renewed efforts to approve skill games.

No Sports Betting Bill for Minnesota 

Minnesota was tipped as one of the USA’s most likely states to legalize sports betting in 2024. Unfortunately, the state’s legislative session has now closed, and no new sports betting bill has been approved, meaning it’s back to the drawing board for legislators, who can make their next attempt in 2025.

Not only did the session close without passing sports betting, but it also ended in a complete meltdown as senators threw insults across the chamber, had shouting matches on the floor, and convened for sessions, some of which went on until 5 am.

2024 is now the first year since the repeal of PASPA in which no state has approved new sports betting legalization, pointing to a slowdown in the pace of gambling expansion in the USA.

April Revenue Reports: New Jersey and Pennsylvania

In more good revenue news, New Jersey has reported a 10.4% increase YoY for April 2024, with the total revenue hitting a whopping $510.9 million. 

Land-based casinos were the primary driver, generating $216.8m (-6.3% YoY) while iGaming accounted for $187.9 million (+18.9% YoY). Golden Nugget took the top spot for NJ online casinos, followed by Resorts Digital in second and Borgata Casino in third. 

New Jersey sports betting revenue also increased by a massive 46.9% YoY up to $106.2 million, with FanDuel in first place, Resorts Digital in second, and DraftKings in third.

Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, total gaming revenue was just behind New Jersey, hitting $504.7 million for the month (+5.87% YoY). The largest share came from retail slots, followed by online slots and table games. Incredibly, online slot revenue grew by over 30% compared with April 2023.

iGaming generated $173.4 million in revenue (+26.39% YoY), with Hollywood Casino in the top spot, FanDuel in second, and Rivers Casino in third. For sports betting, the total market hit $42,4 million in revenue (+14.5% YoY).

If you love your stats and want to dive deeper into the PA market, we thoroughly recommend looking at the full press release from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). 

4ThePlayer Secures Pennsylvanian Licensing

Rounding off a good note, 4ThePlayer secured PGCB licensing. The ground-breaking studio, creators of hit slot games 9K Yeti and 4 Fantastic Lobsters, is now available in four US markets (New Jersey, Michigan, and Connecticut).

Business Development Director and Co-Founder Chris Ash said, “I am thrilled we can bring our unique gaming experience to the players of Pennsylvania. After the success we have seen with these titles in other states, we are excited for players in Pennsylvania to play them!”

Goodbye 888, Welcome Evoke plc

888 Holdings has officially rebranded to evoke plc as part of a plan to reset the business and improve falling profits. The rebrand follows a challenging year for 888, which saw revenue rise by 37% but continued year-on-year losses.

Finances have not been the only issue, and the company was also subject to a UK Gambling Commission investigation after the attempted takeover as CEO of Kenny Alexander (who has reappeared from retirement and established FS Gaming). While Alexander, whose reputation remains in tatters from his time at Entain, did not make the top spot, FS Gaming now holds 6.6% of the company's shares.

Announcing the rebrand on LinkedIn, evoke said, 

"Today, we officially start our next chapter as evoke plc. Evoke is a symbol of our new direction. A direction that builds on our strengths and allows us to move forward as one multi-brand group with a united strategy, vision, and identity. 

"It also better reflects our mission to make life more interesting and vision to delight players with world-class betting and gaming experiences."

FanDuel Takes the Top Spot in the US Market

FanDuel has officially become the USA's number one sportsbook and iGaming operator. According to its gross gaming revenue share, the operator now accounts for 27% of the market.

The news comes at the same time FanDuel has announced the launch of its new FanDuel TV Extra free sports streaming channel. FanDuel claims the new ad-supported channel shows more sports than competitors, making it the premier destination for bettors. The channel is available via Pluto TV, Roku, and FanDuel TV+. 

New York Online Betting Handle Hits New High of $1.96bn

Bettors in the Empire State have raised the stakes, betting more in April than any other month with an online sports betting handle of $1.96bn (£1.56bn/€1.82bn). That's a massive 27.3% year-on-year uptick for the month and a 6% month-on-month increase. 

FanDuel remained the most popular choice by player spending in New York, followed by DraftKings trailing in second and Caesars in third. Since the launch of legal online sports betting in January 2022, the New York market has gone from strength to strength despite having the highest rate of operator tax in the country, at 51%.

Moreover, last week, an online poker bill was introduced to the state Senate by, you guessed it, our favorite gambling advocate, Senator Joseph Addabbo. 

The Bill, SB9226, proposes to authorize the "New York State Gaming Commission to license certain entities to offer for play to the public certain variants of internet poker which requires a significant degree of skill, specifically 'Omaha Hold 'em' and 'Texas Hold 'em.'"

If passed, the bill would create ten licensees (valid for ten years and costing $10m), taxed at 15% on gross revenue.

DoJ Weighs in on Florida Supreme Court Betting Case

On Monday, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) filed its response in the Supreme Court regarding Florida's disputed gaming compact. 

In its response, the DoJ stated that the case had no place before the Supreme Court and that the compact was within the law, not violating the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act, or the Fifth Amendment as argued by the appellant (West Flagler and Associates).

If you're behind on this protracted conflict, it boils down to the 2021 Seminole-Florida gaming compact, which was brokered at the state level and approved by the Department of the Interior (DoI). The compact gave tribal operators exclusive rights to online gaming, which did not sit well with commercial forces, hence the ongoing legal challenge.

In Other News

• Hard Rock has announced plans to redevelop The Mirage Hotel & Casino, which will be renamed Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas after the development. Work is scheduled to begin after July 17th.
• 1x2 Network is now live at BetMGM Michigan with further plans to expand into Ontario.

US Sports Betting Adds Down by One-Third 

Responsible gambling policies and how operators are allowed to advertise their products are currently hot topics of conversation in the USA. 

With more states joining the sports betting movement, problem gambling figures are rising, and many states are reporting increased problem gambling helpline calls, leaving regulators to look at ways of increasing player protections and RG awareness.

Restricting advertising is often seen as a way forward because while it usually includes responsible gambling messaging, its broad targeting means it frequently reaches vulnerable audiences and glamourizes gambling, especially in the USA, where celebrity and influence sponsorship is common. 

This week, the American Gaming Association released the results of a Nielsen study investigating sports betting advertising. The study reported a drop in spending and TV spots:

• "Total advertising spending related to sports betting (excluding DFS) declined by 21% from 2022.
• Sports betting ad volume was down 4% year-over-year across all channels, having contracted 20% from the 2021 peak.
• Advertising volume across TV—the largest category for sports-betting advertisers—declined more—11%—and has decreased 33% since 2021.
• Sports Betting's share of total TV advertising volume was 0.4% in 2023, slightly lower than Alcohol (0.5%), Telecom/Wireless (1.5%), Fast Food (3.8%), and Pharmaceuticals (14.1%).
• For every sports betting advertisement on TV in 2023, there were more than 3 telecom/wireless commercials, 8 TV spots for fast food, and 31 pharmaceutical commercials."

According to the report, the drop in volume and spending reflects more localized campaigns based on the state-by-state approach and decreased requirements to onboard players as markets mature.

YouGov Polling Data Puts Bet365 Ahead with Young Bettors and Reveals New Market Trends

New YouGov polling data of 2,000+ US sports bettors in January 2024 is in, and the results are fascinating. The poll's respondents were 71% sports bettors and 29% prospective bettors. 

The poll assessed which bookies are most popular with which age groups, which in-app features matter most, and the next frontier in sports betting. The headline results showed:

• Of the current bettors, 72% were male. 65% were aged 25-44.
• 73% of sports bettors used more than one app. 43% used three or more.
• While DraftKings, FanDuel, and bet365 are the most used sportsbook apps/sites overall, younger sports bettors are more likely to use emerging sportsbooks like ESPN BET more frequently.
• DraftKings is the most popular option for those aged 35-55+, followed by FanDuel, then BetMGM in third.
• For those aged 21-34, bet365 is now the most popular option, followed by DraftKings and FanDuel.
• The number one reason for creating a new account is a good welcome offer, followed by good bonuses and promotions. Similarly, a good welcome offer was the number one reason for prospective bettors to get started.

Bet365 has been credited with taking a slow and steady approach in the USA. Compared with other big brands that have already folded to stiff competition and market pressures, like Wynn, Pointsbet, and Kindred, Bet365 has the winning approach.

The entire YouGov report, with data visualizations, is well worth reading, especially if you're keen to learn more about player sportsbook preferences and the importance of live streaming—check it out here.

DraftKings and Rush Street Gaming: The Q1 Rankings

DraftKings has raised its full-year revenue guidance after an "outstanding" Q1 performance. Revenues increased 52.7% year on year (YoY) to $1.18 billion (£936.2m/€1.09bn). 

DraftKings' CEO and co-founder Jason Robins attributed the growth to customer engagement, the acquisition of new players, expansion into new jurisdictions, a higher hold percentage on sports, and better promotional reinvestment.

Meanwhile, Rush Street Interactive also recorded revenue increases, which led the company to adjust its full-year guidance. The company hit a new quarterly revenue record of $217.4 million (£173.7m/€203.0m), up 33.9% YoY for Q1. 

RSI CEO Richard Schwartz said the growth is due to more new players joining RSI platforms, which tended to be high-value players. He also spoke positively of Delaware's early impact (RSI took over as the platform provider in DE at the start of 2024) and the company's performance in Mexico and Colombia.

ESPN Bet and PGA Championship Partner Up

This week, the PGA Championship became the first major golf tournament to partner with a sports betting brand after signing a three-year deal with ESPN Bet.

Under the deal, ESPN Bet will become the official sports betting partner of the PGA Championship, which will take place between 16 and 19 May at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville.

ESPN Bet will have special access to broadcast and content offerings. It will also have an on-site lounge providing refreshments, betting, and a view of the par-4 13th hole.

AGA Releases Gaming Industry Outlook Report Q1

The USA’s primary gaming association, the AGA, has released this year’s first quarterly CEO industry outlook report, showing both the highs and lows of a “slower but more sustainable” industry.  The study examines the industry’s growth and future expectations.

According to the AGA, the Current Conditions Index pegged the market at 102.8 for Q1 2024 and “indicates solid annualized real economic growth in the industry of 2.8%. This includes gaming revenue, employment, and employee wages and salaries. 

“Notably, the Current Conditions Index shows gaming expanding faster than the overall U.S. economy which last week reported 1.6 percent GDP growth in Q1 2024.” The Future Conditions Index measured 102.2, meaning the gaming sector is expected to increase by 2.2% in the next six months.

Compared with Q4 2023, which saw an index reading of 108.8, the market is slowing, tempered by high inflation. The study, which also details responses from 32 executives, operators, and tribal operators, found that:

• Most characterized the current business environment as good (44%) or satisfactory (50%).
• Executives are more optimistic about future conditions, with 32% of CEOs expecting business conditions to improve over the next six months, up from 20% in Q3 2023.
• In terms of evolving macroeconomic challenges, execs named inflation (28%), geo-political risks (34%), and uncertainty of the economic environment (34%) as the most significant limiting factors.

CEO and President of the AGA, Bill Miller, commented, “Gaming’s record-setting growth over the last three years has set a new standard for industry success. However, as we enter a period of market normalization, continued investment and innovation in offering world-class, responsible entertainment experiences will be required to maintain industry momentum.”

Minnesota Senator’s Arrest Threatens OSB Bill Progress

Minnesota Senator Nicole Mitchell was arrested on April 22nd in a burglary case that is now being cited as a threat to the progress of Minnesota’s sports betting bill.

Mitchell was arrested in connection with burglary, which she says is a “family situation blown out of proportion.” Mitchell claims she was retrieving her father’s ashes and checking in on a family member with Alzheimer's.

The situation has led to Senator Mitchell's removal from her committee and caucus assignments. The Democrats now need Republican votes to pass any new sports betting legislation during this session.

Caesars Online Casino App Gets Upgrade

“The newly upgraded Caesars Palace Online Casino app delivers on our player promise to raise the bar in terms of functionality, ease of use, and enjoyability.”

Caesars online casino app has a brand new UX, and it’s lightning-fast (near instant loading times). It streamlines the experience by prioritizing games into collections, allowing players to save favorites, and showing the last played titles. Players will find familiar favorites alongside the new design, like great bonuses and the loyalty rewards club.

Michael Mastrangelo, Vice President of Product, iGaming at Caesars Digital, said, “Caesars Palace Online Casino’s refresh is centred around giving our online casino players an experience that stands out from the ordinary. 

“Our new mobile app redefines the online casino player experience with seamless functionality and product innovations that are brand new to the industry.”

Fanatics Partners with Continent 8 Technologies

Fanatics Betting and Gaming has swept across US states faster than you can blink, and now they’ve partnered with Continent 8 Technologies in a tech deal that will see Fanatics roll out the former’s betting platform and infrastructure in 20+ states! 

Michael Tobin, Chief Executive Officer and Founder at Continent 8 Technologies, said: “We have worked with Fanatics Betting and Gaming – a top-tier US operator – from day one of their launch, supporting them as they have grown state-by-state.

“Fanatics is a high-caliber operator that understands the importance of infrastructure in delivering the top-quality player experience it is building its reputation on. Our leading digital infrastructure solutions provide the reliable connectivity operators need to deploy their online sportsbooks and casinos in regulated US states quickly and compliantly.”

With such fast growth, the tech behind Fanatics’ betting experience must be flawless, scaleable, and adaptable to the varying compliance regulations in different states, also highlighted by Bob Pascucci, Vice President of Technology, Fanatics Betting and Gaming: “Infrastructure is the foundation upon which we build our sports betting and casino experience [...] In Continent 8, we have a partner with an unrivaled reputation for supporting its customers, enabling us to continue to drive growth at pace.”  

Missouri Residents Rise Up

A Missouri Group's (Winning for Missouri Education) petition, backed by six of the state's influential pro sports teams, has gathered more than the 180,000 verified signatures required for sports betting to appear on the state's November ballot, putting the choice to regulate in the hands of residents. 

The call to legalize online sports betting in Missouri has garnered significant support. A staggering 325,000 residents have signed the petition; polls indicate that 60% of Missourians support legalization.

There have been attempts to pass sports betting legislation through the formal process—introducing a bill to the House and then Senate—the latest of which is still in consideration (House Bill 2835). However, no significant progress has been made through these channels. 

Winning for Education has now circumvented the formal process after filing several motions with the Secretary of State to allow the matter to appear on the November ballot on the matter if enough signatures were gathered to support the motion.

Jumping straight to the public vote, which would approve a constitutional amendment allowing sports betting, makes it far more likely that Missouri will see online sports betting pass.

DraftKings Back at the Bench

In the same week that DraftKings appointed its first-ever Chief Responsible Gaming Officer—welcome Lori Kalani—the company has also been the subject of yet another court case. 

This time, the Massachusetts-born sports betting brand is in front of a judge's bench in New York, being sued in a class-action case brought by players over the use of the "risk-free" bonus language.

The case hinges on DraftKings' promotional language, representing their new player welcome bonus as a risk-free offer that would refund any lost first bet as a free bet credit. According to the case, instead of having their original amount returned, consumers received less than half, making the offer "anything but risk-free."

In December 2023, DraftKings was sued in its home state of Massachusetts for unfair and deceptive bonus terms and conditions. DraftKings is also embroiled in legal action against an ex-employee, Michael Hermalyn, who is counter-suing the company.

With so many legal troubles on the horizon and apparent issues with bonus texts and player understanding/effective communication and demonstration of the terms, we're pretty surprised it's taken them this long to take action and appoint a Chief Responsible Gambling Officer.

Countrywide Self-Exclusion Comes to the USA

Responsible gambling company idPair has announced the upcoming launch of the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Programme (NVSEP), which will be rolled out across the US this summer, starting in New England. 

NVSEP is the first countrywide self-exclusion list for US players. It will cover online and land-based venues and integrate individual state systems already in use. The system also collates current regulatory information and public health resources from different states, making it more easily accessible.

Researchers have said that providing consumers with a single tool makes it easier for those seeking help to self-exclude. It also offers the ability to exclude across multiple jurisdictions, which hasn't been available until now. 

While responsible gambling resources and services are provided in each state, provisions are currently based on the regulatory model in place, meaning varying levels of availability and resources in different locations (aside from the National Council on Problem Gambling's 1-800-GAMBLER helpline, which launched nationwide in 2022). This and a lack of a national framework for player protection create confusion for consumers.

idPair is now providing the solution in the hope of driving player engagement. While states must still join the scheme, integration is straightforward. 

Jonathan Aiwazian, CEO of impair, said, "While current self-exclusion protections don't travel, people do, and we look forward to working with more states to use technology to provide a more comprehensive level of protection for those who need it most."

Colorado Launches New RG Campaign

More good news for responsible gambling efforts in the USA: This week, Colorado launched a new campaign titled "Play Legit. Gamble Only Where Legal."

The campaign aims to educate residents about the risks associated with using illegal gambling sites and the importance of using licensed platforms and venues.

As part of this initiative, the Division of Gaming has launched a dedicated site (playlegitco.com) where consumers can learn more and check which operators are licensed as fair gaming locations.

Colorado's Director of the Division of Gaming, Chris Schroder, said: "With many certified and legal gambling sites available, it's never worth it to put yourself in danger [...] Together, let's play by the rules and ensure that Colorado remains a safe and responsible gaming destination. By recognizing and preventing illegal gambling, we all win." 

MGM Goes After US Federal Trade Commission

MGM Resorts is suing the US Federal Trade Commission to prevent a probe into the impact of last year’s massive cyber hack, which caused tens of millions of dollars in damages. The lawsuit was filed on Monday, the 15th, in Washington, and claims the probe would violate the operator’s Fifth Amendment rights. 

MGM’s lawsuit states that the probe should be blocked because MGM is not a financial institution and, therefore, doesn’t fall under the jurisdiction and remit of the US Federal Trade Commission. The case also highlighted a conflict of interest, as the FTC’s Commissioner, Lina Khan, was checking into an MGM property during the ransomware period and was asked to write down her credit card details as payment systems were down.

Interestingly, Caesars International was also subject to the same ransomware attack as MGM, but unlike the latter, Caesars paid the ransom, and its systems were restored quickly. Currently, there are no reports of the US Federal Trade Commission approaching Caesars.

iGaming Jumps 8.1% in New Jersey

March is a month that usually sees sports betting revenue skyrocket in the USA, as it’s the NCAA March Madness tournament. Surprisingly, according to the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement’s latest revenue figures, iGaming stole the show in the Garden State last month, with figures up 19.9% YoY.

The total revenue for all sectors in March was $487.4m, up 14.1% on the previous month. Land-based gaming accounted for $239.8m ($172.7m from slots), with iGaming not far behind, accounting for $197.2m ($194.8m from slots). Meanwhile, sports revenue fell by 3.6% to $89.7m.

Delaware’s Drive to Competitiveness?

Lawmakers in Delaware have filed a bill proposing to expand the state’s sports betting market. While iGaming and sports betting have been legal in Delaware since 2012, the market has been limited by rules that only allow a single operator to provide services. The current operator is Rush Street Gaming, which took over the contract at the start of 2024, before which it was held by 888 Holdings. 

Delaware is home to only one million residents, and the online gambling model is a revenue-sharing deal that sees the first $3.75 million of all gaming revenue go straight to the state. After that, the tax rate on revenue is a whopping 62.5%. Between 2013 and 2019, Delaware’s revenue did not pass the $3.75 million benchmark, meaning the state received all profits during this time.

The new bill—HB 365—proposes to allow each of Delaware’s video lottery agents to partner with two sports operators at a licensing cost of $500,000 for five years and an 18% tax rate. Delaware’s legislative season ends on June 30th.

Up in Smoke

New Jersey’s casino workers are up in arms about the state’s new Smoke-Free Air Pact. The workers (under the United Auto Workers union) have brought the complaint as a legal case against the state’s governor and health commissioner, claiming the rules are unconstitutional because they allow casino owners to decide whether to allow smoking on their premises and expose workers to secondhand smoke.

Workers have also been protesting, highlighting the issue by entering the State House Annex and smoking. The regional director of the union stated, 

“We’re not allowed to smoke in your workplace, but you’re allowed to smoke in ours…They say it’s OK for secondhand smoke to be blown in our faces all day, every day. We wanted to know if it’s OK if we did that in their workplace. They said it was inappropriate and not allowed here.”

Connecticut Looks at Restricting Gambling Ads and Limit Affiliates

A new bill —File No 271—has surfaced in Connecticut that seeks to limit gambling ads and affiliate partnerships. If passed, the bill would restrict the use of celebrities in gambling ads, require 21+ messaging on ads, prohibit ads where the majority of the audience is likely under 21, and ban them on social media if they would primarily appeal to those under the legal gambling age.

Interestingly, the bill also takes a shot at affiliates, stating, “No master wagering licensee, online gaming operator licensee or sports wagering retailer licensee may enter into an agreement with a third party to conduct advertising or marketing on behalf of, or to the benefit of, such licensee that provides that compensation is dependant on, or related to, the volume of individuals who become patrons, the volume or amount of wagers placed or the outcome of wagers.” It does continue that compensation based on referrals would be allowed, so long as it is not based on “creating an account or placing a wager.”

If the bill is passed, it will certainly shake up the books for both operators and affiliates.

In Other News

• 1x2 Network enters Michigan via Rush Street Gaming.
• Fanatics completes its PointsBet US takeover after going live in Illinois.
• Greentube is live at Caesars Online Casinos in NJ and MI.
• Maryland’s online casino bill fails to pass the Senate and dies for another year.

North Carolina: Bettory Spend Almost $200m in First 7-Days Betting 

The stats are in from The North Carolina State Lottery Commission, and its official bettors spent a massive ​​$198m in the first week of sports betting, which kicked off on March 11th. Of the $198m, $142m was returned in winnings, and $43m was gross profit. The state collects an 18% tax on operator revenue. 

The market in North Carolina is off to a roaring start, with eight platforms launching in time for March Madness, which began on March 12th. From noon on the 11th to the 13th, Geocomply recorded a staggering 5.4 million checks from 370,000 accounts in just two days. This is roughly 3.5% of North Carolina's population of 10.8m. 

Hard Rock Buys 888 US

888 Holdings has agreed to sell certain US assets to Hard Rock Digital this week after assessing its US operations. Details are thin on the ground, including the specifics of which assets they have agreed to sell and for how much. What we do know is that the acquisition will occur in phases and is expected to be finalized in Q4 of 2024.

Following in the footsteps of PointsBet, Wynn Interactive, and other operators who have struggled to break the US market, 888 (once Delaware's sole iGaming provider) conducted a strategic review of its US operations last month, which considered both full and partial sales alongside other options. 

When the review was announced, the official press release read, "888 is active in four states, with SI Sportsbook and SI Casino in Michigan, SI Sportsbook in Colorado and Virginia and 888casino in New Jersey. The gross profit margin in the US is lower than the group level, reflecting significant direct costs of operating in the market, including duties, market access fees, and license fees, in addition to intense competition from well-capitalised incumbent participants." (cue market leaders DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM).

Per Widerström, CEO of 888, added: "In the US, the intensity of competition and requirement for scale means huge investment is required to reach profitability."

The US market has often been cited as the new gambling gold rush. Still, with varying licensing regimes, high tax rates, considerable brand recognition and loyalty rates, and covering vast territories (physical and political), it's also proved more challenging than many operators first imagined.

New Jersey Tax Hike for Online Casinos?

Speaking of more challenging operating environments, legislators in New Jersey are considering a tax hike in one of the hottest iGaming markets in the USA. Bill S3064, introduced by Senator John McKeon, seeks to double NJ online casino and sports betting revenue taxes from 15% and 13%, respectively, to 30%.

In 2023, gambling industry taxes accounted for $414 million, but as one of the earliest adopters of internet wagering, New Jersey has some of the lowest tax rates in the US. It's now argued that leveling these out should defuse arguments on regional competitiveness (New York's rate is 51% and Pennsylvania's 36%). The Casino Association of New Jersey strongly opposes the bill.

Evolution Goes to Delaware

Evolution Gaming and Rush Street Gaming have struck a new deal that sees Evolution games live at online casinos in Delaware. Under the agreement, Delaware players can access top NetEnt, Reg Tiger, and Big Time Gaming slots at Delaware Park, Harrington, or Bally online casinos.

Evolution's CEO for North America, Jacob Claesson, commented, "Going live in Delaware is a great milestone for Evolution. It is our sixth US state and further solidifies our place as the market leader in online gaming.

"We are excited to partner with Rush Street Interactive, one of the most respected online gaming companies in the US, to bring online games to BetRivers players in Delaware."

NCAA Wants All Prop Bets Banned 

Prop betting is one of the most popular sports betting products after live betting markets. However, there's one place where it's not popular, and that's with the National College Athletics Association, which is seeking to ban prop betting on collegiate games across the country.

Prop betting involves betting on specific stats that can increase or decrease during a game. In basketball, we're talking over/unders on points scored by a player, how many rebounds a player gets, the number of three-pointers, and so on.

Prop bets on collegiate games are problematic because an NCAA survey conducted last year revealed worrying stats regarding intimidation and betting on campuses. Due to their age, inexperience, and lack of pay, collegiate athletes are more vulnerable to intimidation, and due to the nature of prop bets, they are easier to influence than, say, the overall game outcome. 

Since publishing the survey results, the NCAA has been campaigning for more protections for athletes and coaches, restrictions on prop betting, and launched an education campaign for students.

Colorado, Arizona, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Oregon already banned prop bets, while Ohio, Vermont, and Maryland joined the ranks this year and removed prop bets on college athletes and games. The NCAA is now working with legislators across the US to raise awareness of the issue. According to NCAA President Charlie Baker, many states respond by banning prop bets on college games.

Other News:

• Nevada gambling revenue was up to $1.34b in Feb 2024 -  +8.5% year on year and +4.7% on Jan 2024's figures. Slots accounted for the most revenue.
• Georgia's sports betting efforts failed as this year's legislative session is closed, killing the bill.

AGA: March Madness Bet Predictions 

The American Gaming Association's 2024 March Madness bet predictions estimate a total handle of $2.72b across the tournament (almost double what was spent at the Super Bowl and 2.2% of 2023's total revenue). 

The NCAA basketball tournament is one of the most significant events in the sports betting diary, with 67 games played over 18 days and a high betting volume.

Research from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming has similarly estimated a $2.68b handle and that around 35-40% of this handle will be placed on in-play bets, showing the growing popularity of live betting.

DraftKings "character assassination"?

DraftKings might be the OSB market leader in the US, but its reputation isn't all that golden. This week, it's taken another potential reputational hit in the form of another lawsuit (the last was brought by players based on misleading bonus texts) that's set to get messy, but this time it's self-filed.

DraftKings alleges a former employee, Michael Hermalyn, stole company secrets and attempted to persuade employees to his new employer. Michael Hermalyn was Senior Vice President of DraftKings' business development and growth departments from 2021-2024. In 2024, he accepted a new position at Fanatics as the President of VIP and Head of LA Office - Fanatics. 

DraftKings has said that Hermalyn stole company secrets and solicited customers and colleagues. An injunction has been placed as part of the ongoing case prohibiting Hermalyn from doing the above. The judge did not approve DraftKings' full request to stop Hermalyn from working at Fanatics during the case period.

The filing largely depends on a small number of cases where relationships crossed over - two instances of DK employees who reached out to Hermalyn with questions about Fanatics' roles they'd already applied to and another where he introduced a customer to a Fanatics VIP employee at the Super Bowl - turns out the customer was already a long-term Fanatics account holder.

As for stealing company secrets, this is easily explained by the fact that DraftKings does not provide employees with work phones, meaning they all download company documents on their handphones.

In response to the case, Hermalyn has accused DraftKings of "aggressive smearing" and "character assassination." He has called for the case to be dismissed because he fears his career will be ruined. He stated that it is built on "fabrications designed to malign and destroy the reputation of a senior employee who had the audacity to seek out a better opportunity."

Florida Settles with Seminoles 

Florida's Supreme Court has settled with the Seminole Tribe in a protracted challenge brought by companies including West Flagler Associates and the Bonita-Fort Myers Corporation.

The main issue was that the plaintiffs said that the gaming compact agreed to and approved by the Florida Legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis in 2021 exceeded the office's authorization capabilities by allowing betting outside of Tribal lands, creating a de facto sports betting monopoly in the state.

The case also stated that the compact went against a 2018 constitutional amendment, which requires a citizens' initiative to allow casino gambling outside of tribal lands.

However, under the compact, the Seminole Tribe can offer mobile sports betting in Florida but must pay the state $2.5bn over the next five years. 

The contradictions and the Seminoles' launch of Hard Rock Bet quickly led to legal challenges. However, DeSantis' attorneys have been quick to point out that sports betting is not casino gaming and, thus, isn't prohibited under the amendment. 

With the Supreme Court now settling on the side of the Seminoles, Hard Rock Bet has the green light to continue trading in Florida.

Pennsylvania iGaming Hits Record High for Revenue - Feb 2024

While revenue might be slipping in other verticals, online casinos in Pennsylvania hit record highs for revenue, with a total of $184.9m.

Total gambling revenue for the month was $499.1m, up 9.3% year over year (YoY) but down from January 2024's $464.4m. Retail slots remained at the top of the charts, accounting for $202.7m. 

Online slot revenue was $125.9m (up 35.6%), with online table games up 56.7% to $56.6m. Hollywood Casino took the top spot for revenue, followed by FanDuel, then Rivers Casino.

Possible Louisiana Gambling Ad Ban

Louisiana is joining Pennsylvania in discussing a gambling ad ban. House Bill 727 was introduced this week and currently sits in the committee. State Representative Shaun Mena crafted it and seeks to prohibit sports betting and daily fantasy advertising on TV.

Sports betting is legal in 55 of Louisiana's 64 parishes (retail from October 2021 and online as of January 2022). In 2023, more than $2.9 billion was spent betting on sports in the Pelican State, and the industry employs thousands.

Despite responsible gambling concerns, the Bill has been called "unlikely to make it" and "bad for business."

New York Delays New Casino License Decision

There's been a lot of news and hype lately regarding New York's three new casino licenses. However, under Commission executive Robert Williams, the New York State Gaming Commission has cautioned that a decision will likely not be reached until late 2025 due to the complex approval process and requirements.

New York opened applications and bids for the three new licenses in January 2023, and to date, MGM, Wynn, Hard Rock, Sands, and Caesars have all submitted plans for new establishments. However, under the regulations, bids must meet specific city environmental quality standards and land use procedures and prove they have the money to fund the development before approval. This makes the approval process lengthy, meaning applications will likely need to revise their bids. 

In preparation, the Commission has warned all applicants to ensure their proposals are water-tight and fulfill all regulations to prevent further delays.

In other News

• Hacksaw Gaming and BetMGM extend a content deal to a West Virginia online casino, with Joker Bombs and Outlaws Inc. live to play now.
• Flutter Entertainment has released its full-year records for 2023, showing FanDuel's US revenue grew by 40.7% YoY in 2023. Sportsbook revenue improved by 45.9 percent, while iGaming revenue grew by 47.2 percent with 3.7m new players.

Pennsylvania Considers Credit Card Gambling Ban

Pennsylvania’s lawmakers are progressing in a bill to ban credit cards from being used in sports betting, daily fantasy contests, lottery, and online casino payments. If enacted, the bill aims to improve responsible gambling protections for players by limiting credit availability.

Only three states—Iowa, Tennessee, and Massachusetts—currently ban credit card use for gaming transactions. The move also follows in the footsteps of the UK, which banned credit cards in 2019 and is now introducing affordability checks for players.

DraftKings and Golden Nugget Debut New RG Tool

DraftKings has released a new onsite tool called My Stat Sheet that presents players with their data. The data is presented as user-friendly, helping players make informed choices regarding their gambling and spending.

Consumers can view bets placed, deposits, withdrawals, contest involvement, time spent on the platform, and wins across time. Jennifer Aguiar, DraftKings Chief Compliance Officer, said: “As sports betting technology continues to evolve, DraftKings remains committed to continuously enhancing our robust responsible gaming program. The My Stat Sheet tool will help customers evaluate their play and make informed choices.”

Rhode Island Online Casino Open for Business - All the Business

Rhode Island has become the USA's seventh iGaming state after Bally Casino launched in March. Bally Casino offers players access to over 170 online games, bonuses, and a cutting-edge mobile gaming experience through its app.

The Ocean State joins Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, and Connecticut as the USA’s iGaming states. Akin to Delaware, in RI, the state retains “complete regulatory control of iGaming, with nearly 62 percent of slot revenue and 15 percent of table gaming revenue direct to the State, " making operating conditions difficult for Bally. 

RI is not an open market; it only allows one operator -Bally, licensed for 20 years on a no-bid contract- to operate the state’s land-based and online casinos.

Craig Eaton, President of Bally’s Rhode Island Operations, said of the launch; 

“We are pleased to launch this new gaming product, which is borne out of our partnership with the General Assembly, Governor McKee and our regulators, the RI Department of Revenue, Division of Lottery, Department of Business Regulation, and RI State Police to enhance state revenue and better position the State’s casinos in the competitive New England gaming market.”

Maryland Online Casino Bill Moves to Senate

Just two days short of the cross-over deadline, Maryland’s House has passed the state's latest online casino bill (HB 1319) by 92-43. The bill now progresses to the Senate, which has under a month to pass it. 

The bill would put the choice to regulate online casinos in voters' hands on the November Ballot if the bill passes the Senate (the Senate’s deadline is April 8th). 

Maryland has been tipped as one of the most likely US states to legalize online casinos this legislative session. However, the bill has already been subject to many changes, including a restrictive tax on gaming revenue of up to 47% on electronic games and a credit card ban on gambling transactions.

PlayStar Casino Embraces Twitch

PlayStar Casino has announced it is embracing a new marketing strategy and launching a Twitch Casino Stream in partnership with SGG Media. The content will feature NJ streamers playing casino games via PlayStar, with the casino providing the account and budget. 

Jon Bowden, CEO of PlayStar said, “PlayStar Casino is excited to partner with SGG Media in allowing New Jersey casino enthusiasts to watch and play our online slots and games. 

We provide the excitement of live, legal, casino games to be played online by New Jersey residents while a large viewership can view the action in real time.”

North Carolina’s Sports Betting Market Live

During the market pre-launch, Caesars Sports was the first operator to go live in North Carolina on March 4th. The whole market opened on March 11th, with six other operators (FanDuel, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, BetMGM, Fanatics, and Bet365) going live.

Sports betting in North Carolina was legalized by HB 347, signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper in June 2020. To obtain a license, operators must partner with a state-based sports team, venue, or league. DraftKings has partnered with NASCAR and counting North Carolina is now active in 27 locations across North America.

Georgia’s House Considers Sports Betting Bid

The online sports betting debate is raging on in Georgia, where two complementary bills have passed the Senate and now sit with the House. Both bills aim to support education in Georgia, with 80% of sports betting tax revenue allocated to the pre-K and HOPE scholarship programs; the other 15% would fund responsible gambling and 5% for sports promotion. 

If agreed, and upon passing a public ballot, the bills would allow up to 16 licenses, nine of which would be tied to a local team or entity and include 20% tax rates on revenue.

Michigan Reports $218.5m in Betting Revenue - Feb 2024 

Michigan's gambling revenue for February 2024 is $218.5 million; when adjusted for gross receipts, it totals $182.1m - $169.2m from iGaming and $12.9m from sports betting. According to the Michigan Gaming Control Board, this provided the state with over $9m in gambling tax revenue.

The American Gaming Association recently stated that Michigan is the USA’s most active market, and in 2023 - “Michigan outperformed New Jersey by just $115,500 to become the largest iGaming market in the country. Pennsylvania rounded out the top three iGaming markets with $1.74 billion in annual revenue.”

New Jersey Hits $461.5m in Betting Revenue - Feb 2024

New Jersey hit a 12% YoY increase in total gambling revenue in February, taking $461.5m. The yearly total has already reached the $1 billion mark. For the month, land-based casinos took $211.6m, online casinos $182.3m and sports betting $67.6m. iGaming increased by 27.9m YoY.

In Other News

• FanDuel signs White Hat Studios in Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
• Caesars Digital signs White Hat Studios in four states, including Pennsylvania.
• Supremeland Gaming (distributed through EveryMatrix in the US) scores a hat trick with NJ, WV, and PA gaming licenses.
• Hacksaw Gaming gets Michigan supplier license.

News and Analysis

Fanatics Enters Michigan

Fanatics Sports and Online Casino is live in Michigan, replacing PointsBet to become the Wolverine State’s newest gambling site. Michigan is the 13th US state where Fanatics has launched, but only the third online casino location. 

Players who are members of PointsBet MI don’t need to take any action, as the account data, balance, and responsible gambling settings have been migrated to the new platform. 

Resorts Workers Up in Arms Regarding NY iGaming Bill

It’s an argument often made by the land-based industry, but rarely proven, that online gaming removes players and revenue from brick-and-mortar casinos rather than bringing in a new sector of players. 

This week, Resorts World Workers have been sounding alarm bells across NY in protest to the latest attempt by Senator Addabbo to legalize online casinos in New York. Nearly 700 workers have come together to support a letter from the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council Union, which, according to the New York Post, stated:

“We find it appalling that you are pushing legislation that would hurt workers like us and our industry in order to benefit a handful of companies who are seeking massive profits at our expense”.

“When customers come to a racino, VLT [Video Lottery Terminal] parlor, or casino, they support all of our jobs, including cooks, bartenders, servers, maintenance workers, and hotel workers”.

“We know that if, instead, they were to game from their homes, workplaces, or elsewhere, their dollars would go straight into the pockets of gaming companies, rather than to support the livelihoods of thousands of New Yorkers who support the state’s gaming industry.”

Senator Addabbo has been proposing iGaming bills in the Empire State each legislative session since 2019, and while none have passed, he’s collected over $75,000 in campaign contributions from iGaming companies.

Addabbo’s stance held firm under criticism from Resorts workers as, in his view, iGaming is inevitable and will contribute $800 million to $1 billion a year in revenue. He added that he has no interest in “cannibalizing” his constituents' jobs. Addabbo further sought to reassure workers, insisting that online gaming will increase employment and pointing to studies that concur. 

Ohio Bans Prop Bets on NCAA Games

Ohio’s regulator, the Ohio Casino Control Commission, has responded to NCAA calls to ban player-specific prop bets on its games. The new rule will come into force on March 1st. The ban aims to protect student-athletes after research published last year showed they were subject to harassment. 

Ohio’s governor, Mike De-Wine, who supported the ban, said: “The Ohio Casino Control Commission took quick action to protect student athletes from unnecessary and potentially harmful threats.

“Amending rules to focus bets on the team and away from individual athletes will improve the marketplace in Ohio and properly focus betting attention on the teams and away from individual student athletes.”

The NCAA is further advocating for greater protection of college athletes and more responsible gambling education after the earlier study revealed that 27% of schools from Power Five Conferences had dealt with sport wagering problems among their athletes or staff in the preceding year.

Jackpocket Gets ICAP Cert 

Jackpocket Casino has broken a double record within weeks of each other. Earlier in the month, the NJ brand became the first US lottery provider to become an online casino operator. Now, it’s the first US operator to be awarded the National Council on Problem Gambling’s Internet Compliance Assessment Program Certificate. 

The certificate accredits that Jackpocket has proved its dedication to player safety and provides the highest standards of responsible gambling care and provisions. Accreditation is based on thorough evaluation and auditing and lasts two years.

Jackpocket CEO and Founder Peter Sullivan said, “Our mission to provide a fun and responsible online casino experience rests on ensuring the highest levels of safety and security. Every step we take is with the goal of safeguarding our users.”

Will Iowa Lawmakers Lower Casino Taxes?

A new Bill, 719, which seeks to lower casino taxes to become more competitive with neighboring states, has been passed by Iowa’s House and now moves to the Senate for further consideration. The Bill suggests dropping the tax rate by 1% annually until 2027. The current rate is 22%, and the bill could reduce it to 19%.

There is significant support for lower taxes, and Iowa’s governor is also seeking tax breaks for individuals and corporations alongside casinos.

In Other News:

• White Hat Studios goes live at Caesars Online Casino West Virginia.
• AvatarUX debuts in the USA Caaesars Online Casino Michigan with KokeshiPop Slot.
• Design Works Gaming joins BetMGM Casino Pennsylvania games lobby.

Game of the Week: Zodiac Lantern Tiger Slot, Light & Wonder, RTP 95.87%

This week, we’re discussing a new online slot by Light & Wonder that’s hitting the charts hard. Light & Wonder has heavily invested in Asian themes over the last couple of years, and this game does not digress. Set on 5x3 reels with 50 pay lines, it is filled with Golden Tigers, Lotus Flowers, Drums, and Scrolls. Plus, there is a bonus Dragon Wilds, Lanterns, and a Yin and Yang Scatter.

The mythical Dragon is Wild, and it can land as a single or expanded tile. Lanterns come in red and gold and are connected with several bonus features, but these features only pay in the Hold & Spin Feature.

• Credit Lanterns: Can land showing the Mini or Minor jackpots or a multiplier of 0.5-4x the bet.
• Game-in-Game Lanterns: These land with the Mega or Major jackpots or a multiplier of 20-150x the bet. The amount continually changes, only settling and paying out at the end of the Hold & Spin Feature.
• Glow Lantern: The amount this lantern shows increases from 0.5 up to 100x depending on how and when it lands.

To trigger the Hold & Spin Feature, you must land 6+ Red Lanterns. If there’s a Gold Lantern in the mix, you’ll enter the Golden version of the bonus round. The round occurs on new reels, and only Lanterns count towards pays. Every time a new Lantern lands, the spins are re-set to 3—the round ends when you fill reels. 

The difference between the Red and Gold bonus is that the Red round starts with only one reel array unlocked (to unlock more, you need to collect Lanterns), whereas the Gold Round has all reel arrays unlocked, making it easier to stack up the symbols.

Lastly, the Yin and Yang Koi Symbol is the Scatter. You need to land 3 on reels 2,3 and 4 to trigger a Free Spins round; the options are (it’s the player’s choice):

• 10 FS with 40 Red Lanterns added
• 8 FS with 80 Red Lanterns added
• 5 FS with 100 Red Lanterns added.

The advantage of Lanterns in this round is that you can trigger the Hold & Spin round as you play. Additionally, the Dragon expands to cover all positions on any reel it lands on during Free Spins.

Zodiac Lantern Tiger Slot is an epic new slot, and our only complaint is that it takes a bit of patience to trigger the Hold & Spins round. Otherwise, it offers non-stop action and high potential payouts of up to 10,000x the bet. Speaking of, stakes start from $0.20, raising up to $40 a spin, and you can find Zodiac Lantern Tiger Slot at these Light & Wonder Casinos in the USA.

AGA: Records Third Year of Growth for US Gambling Market

The US commercial gaming market hit new records in 2023, recording a total of $66.5 billion (bn) and contributing an all-time high of $14.4bn in taxes (up 9.7% on 2022). The figures cement what most of the industry knows: it was a knock-out year for US gambling.

Year on year (YoY), the figures were up 10% on 2022's $60.5bn. The biggest quarter was the fourth, which accounted for $17.4bn of revenue, underpinned by December's performance, which rounded things off with an impressive $6.bn in revenue, the highest-grossing month recorded.

Here's how each sector contributed:

• Traditional Casinos: Land-based slots and tables accounted for $49.4bn, up 3.3 YoY.
• Sports Betting: Sports revenue accounted for $10.9bn, up 44.5% YoY. The growth was accounted for due to maturing markets and the launch of legal betting in Massachusetts and Ohio.
• iGaming: Online casinos contributed $6.2bn, showing a 22.9% uptick YoY, generated from just six iGaming states.

AGA President and CEO Bill Miller commented, "From the traditional casino experience to online options, American adults' demand for gaming is at an all-time high…Sustaining our momentum will take unified industry efforts around combating pernicious illegal operators and growing responsible gambling efforts in tandem with the growth of the legal market—both of which the AGA is committed to lead on throughout 2024."

Revenue isn't the only metric that's been growing in the USA, so have rates of problem gambling, which garners much less attention. Hopefully, with renewed tax revenues, the benefiting states will double down their support and education systems for gamblers, helping US gambling markets to grow sustainably.

Tribal Gaming: DOI Announces New Regulations to Allowing Gaming Off Reservation Land

The Department of the Interior has announced updated federal regulations that increase the "clarity and transparency" of Indian gaming compacts, making way for states to agree to compacts that allow for internet gaming outside of reservation land.

The new regulations (set to come into effect on March 22nd) result from proposed rule changes brought by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which sought to clarify how the DOI reviews "Class III Tribal-State Gaming Compacts". 

This change delivers clarity for the first time on whether tribal gaming sovereignty covers online gaming in cases where servers are located on tribal lands but the product is offered outside of reservation grounds. It confirms this is possible (as in Florida) if state compacts are agreed upon. 

The new regulations are a huge move forward for America's gaming tribes. Currently, tribal sovereignty extends to Class I and II but not Class III (full casino gaming). Tribes wishing to offer Class III gaming must first negotiate a state compact, which is then approved by the DOI. Before this update, it wasn't clear how the DOI approved or disapproved a compact and what factors they considered. 

At this time, there are 250 federally recognized tribes operating 519 tribal casinos or other gaming facilities in 29 US states. Tribal gaming revenue is a critical source of income on reservation land as it is used to drive economic growth and fund education, health, and other development projects.

Research has recorded that in locations where a tribal casino has been open for at least four years, the positive economic and social impacts include:

• Young adults moving back to reservations, fueling an 11.5 percent population increase
• Adult employment increased by 26 percent
• There is a 14 percent decline in the number of working poor
• And a reduction in mortality rates

Caesars Acquires WynnBet MI 

Last week, we covered news of the sale of Wynn Interactive's New York license sale to Penn Interactive and the closure of its Massachusetts platform. This week, it's Michigan's turn, as the company has made public the sale of its last online presence, WynnBet MI, to Caesars Interactive.

Caesars is entering Michigan for the first time, partnering with Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Matt Sunderland, SVP & Chief iGaming Officer for Caesars Entertainment, said, "As we continue to grow our iGaming franchise, the assumption of WynnBet's iGaming operations in Michigan allows us to tap into a significant market and customer base, providing a crucial step forward in growing our digital products and offering players more ways to play. We are honored to work with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and look forward to growing with them in Michigan." 

NJDGE Announces Total Gaming Revenue Up 28% and Drops Evolution Case 

It's a double headline from New Jersey this week, as the Division of Gaming Enforcement has announced that iGaming revenue for January has smashed previous records and that it is dropping its misconduct casino against Evolution Gaming.

Finances first: Total gambling revenue for January reached $559.1m, a 28% increase from January 2022. Land-based venues contributed the lion's share at $205m, down 3.1% YoY, while iGaming generated $183.3m, up 19.9%. Lastly, sports betting created a record of $170.8m, up by a jaw-dropping 136.1%. What a fantastic and record-breaking way for New Jersey bettors and operators to start the year!

Turning to Evolution Gaming: the NJDGE has dropped a misconduct case against the live games provider that dates back to November 2021 and alleged that the company's products were available in multiple countries where US trade sanctions existed (including Iran, Syria, and Sudan). 

Evolution fiercely denied the claims, saying they were an attempt to discredit the business, which now seems likely as more than two years on and after financial and reputational damage has been incurred, the NJ regulator has concluded its investigation, finding no fault. 

Concluding the matter, an official statement from Evolution Gaming states, "The NJDGE found no evidence that Evolution sanctioned, promoted, permitted, or otherwise materially benefitted from its content offered by operators in any market that the NJDGE considers a prohibited jurisdiction".

Evolution and Caesars Collaborate to Meet Live Dealer Demand

The end of this ongoing investigation isn't the only reason Evolution Gaming has to celebrate this week, as the company has also signed a new strategic partnership with Caesars Digital throughout North America. The deal will see Evolution and Caesars work together to open a series of dedicated live dealer studios across multiple US states, including one in Caesars NJ Tropicana Casino (Evolution's third Atlantic City location). Evolution and Caesars will also collaborate to launch branded studio spaces within Evolution's Pennsylvania and Michigan studios.

Game of the Week: 4 Fantastic Fish, 4ThePlayer, RTP: 96%

This week, we’re talking about a slot game topping the US charts from one of our favorite game developers, 4ThePlayer. It’s a fishy number, set on 6x4 reels with 4,096 ways to win, jackpot prizes, and a substantial max potential prize haul of 15,000x the bet.

The action starts with line wins paying for 2+ matching symbols from left to right. As well as premium and lower paying symbols, there’s a Fishing Boat Wild, which subs for other symbols in line wins.

Fish Ways Cash Prizes and Giant Squid Feature

Fish Symbols fall in different sizes, with varying amounts of cash on the symbol. These pay when you land a winning combo of matching fish sizes. Linked to the cash Fish is the Giant Squid Feature, which is randomly triggered and sees a squid’s tentacles drop onto the reels and rearrange the Fish Symbols for a guaranteed payout.

Big Game Fish

Jackpot symbols, the Big Fish, can only land on reel 6. If the Big Fish is used in a regular Fish winning line, you’ll win the jackpot on the symbol - Big (100x), Super (500x), Mega (2,000x), and Ultra (10,000x).

Fishing Re-Spins

The last feature is the bonus round and its Re-Spins, which you can trigger by getting 3+ Marlin Bonus Symbols on the reels. You’ll start with 3 Re-Spins, and only the triggering reels are active (you can unlock the rest by getting additional Bonus Symbols). 

During the round, only Fish Cash Symbols or blanks land. The Fish Symbols are sticky, and each new one resets your total to 3 spins. When you fill a reel with cash symbols, a shark will appear, clearing the reel and multiplying everything by 2x.

This slot packs a punch with loads of new features, meaning the gameplay might feel a little unfamiliar at first, but don’t worry; it takes all but a couple of spins to get the hang of things! Ready to play? Then set your bets from $0.10 to $80 a spin at these US Yggdrasil and 4ThePlayers Casinos!

News and Analysis

Number of Legal Super Bowl Bets Smashes Records

First and foremost, a massive congrats to the Kansas City Chiefs, who stole the show, trophy, and prize pot from the grips of the San Francisco 79ers in this year's action-packed Super Bowl game on Sunday. 

Turning toward the betting stats, GeoComply, which collects data from states with legal sports betting, registered new records, with a whopping 14,750 transactions per second pre-kick-off (almost double that of last year).

GeoComply also reported a 15% uptick in active betting accounts (8.5m across 28 states), with 1.7m new users registering in the two weeks before the Super Bowl.

GeoComply founder Anna Sainsbury commented that the figures were a credit to the achievements of the legal betting market, the progression and growth of which laid the groundwork for the historic Super Bowl figures. 

While we're still waiting on the exact handle and revenue figures, last week, the American Gaming Association forecast the event would create a betting handle of approximately $23.10bn.

Alabama House Approves Casino and Sports Bill

Alabama's House of Representatives has passed HB 151 by a considerable margin of 70-32. The bill seeks to approve legal casinos, lottery, and sports wagering and will now move to the State's Senate. 

As the bill requires a constitutional amendment, it will require approval via public referendum later in the year if it progresses past the Senate. If and when Alabama citizens vote in favor of the bill, it will create a regulated gambling industry in the state for the first time.

HB 151 is accompanied by HB 152, which includes the provisions for a gambling tax regime and details of revenue distribution and regulatory enforcement.

Wynn Interactive Sells New York License

Wynn Interactive has agreed to sell its New York operator license to Penn Entertainment and ESPN Bet, which plans to launch in The Empire State later this year. 

While this is a monumental move for Penn Interactive and ESPN Bet as it gives the company access to one of the most prominent sports markets in the US, it's a further reduction for WynnBet in what has already been a punishing 12 months.

In August 2023, Wynn Interactive announced that its US division was "underperforming" and closed its digital platforms in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Louisiana, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, leaving Michigan, Nevada, Massachusetts and New York open but under review. 

The news of the company's NY license sale comes almost simultaneously with WynnBet announcing the closure of its Massachusetts platform, instructing players they have until March 13th to withdraw their funds.

With things not looking good for WynnBet, which now only remains active in Nevada and Michigan, it seems there's no stopping ESPN Bet, which is already live in 17 states since taking over as Penn International's sports betting partner in late 2023.

Stakelogic Gets Green Light in Rhode Island 

Games provider Stakelogic has secured provisional supplier approval in Rhode Island ahead of the market launch, which is expected next month. Stakelogic is already approved in Michigan and Pennsylvania, making Rhode Island its third US state.

Stephan van den Oetelaar, CEO of Stakelogic, commented: "Gaining the Rhode Island license is a significant achievement in our ongoing US market journey. Our team is excited to introduce our content and technology in Rhode Island.

This expansion is a testament to our commitment to excellence and our strategy to be at the forefront of the online casino industry in North America. We are grateful to the Rhode Island regulators for their trust and cooperation and look forward to making a positive impact on the local gaming scene."

BetMGM and X Become Exclusive Partners

In the first-ever partnership of this kind, BetMGM has become the official US Live Odds Sports Betting partner of social media platform X. The agreement will see the social media platform integrate BetMGM's odds on the platform, with live betting links available, creating a seamless user experience.

BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said, "X is the center of the sports world's conversation 24 hours a day, seven days a week…Being directly accessible within that forum is an unprecedented opportunity to expand our reach to a passionate and engaged audience. We look forward to adding intel and content that enhances the platform's interaction around sports."

While this provides an unparalleled opportunity for BetMGM, already the USA's third-largest sports provider with a 17% market share, it also sparks questions regarding responsible gambling and age-gating on social media. More specifically, whether X's current age-gating practices on content are up to the job of protecting underage audiences from viewing this content and how the platform aims to protect vulnerable users from this seamless, 24/7, and integrated service.

Game of the Week

Raging Rex 3, Play'n GO, RTP: 96.20%

Set on 6x4 reels with 4096 ways to win, Raging Rex returns players to the Cretaceous period in a race against time and nature for survival. You'll spin to win as the Raging Mama Rex stomps across the reels, creating chaos and potentially huge prizes of up to 30,000x in this new and action-packed prehistoric online slot.

Aside from making base game wins, from left to right for 3+ matching symbols, you'll also get the chance to earn a selection of bonus features, including:

Re-Spins

This base game bonus triggers when the Rex hits the reels. The number of Re-Spins corresponds with the reel that Mama Rex lands on (6 for 6, 5 for 5, and so on), and during the spins, she acts as a Stacked Wild, subbing and increasing the chances of line wins.

Free Spins

Get 3-6 Scatter to trigger 7-13 Free Spins. Before the round starts, you'll get to pick between the three Free Round modes explained below.

• Feeding Frenzy: One dinosaur symbol will be selected as the prey for the round, and the Rex is active on the reels. During this round, the Rex stalks the prey, and if they land on the same reel, the Feeding Frenzy meter is filled one point. For each point in the meter, a multiplier is added.
• Hatchling Mania: Mama Rex's baby Hatchlings are leaning to hunt in this Free Spins round. During the game, Hatchlings can drop onto the reels, stick, and walk with each spin; they can also come with a 2x or 3x multiplier.
• Survival: This is a new type of round, and it's played on 12 individual reels with a 2x2 Rex collector symbol in the middle. You start with 3 lives and need to survive as long as possible. Each spin costs one life and presents a new challenge, while each win resets your lives to 3. This round is a high-stakes experience that you should try at least once!

Ready to spin and see if you can win up to 30,000x your bet in this epic slot? Then it's time to set your bets from $0.10-100 and see how long you can survive the reels. You can check it out now at these Play'n GO casinos in the USA.

News and Analysis

American Gaming Association Super Bowl LVIII Predictions

This Sunday's Super Bowl is being held in Las Vegas for the first time and sees the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers go head-to-head. 

Based on survey data collected from 2,204 adults, the AGA predicts the game will generate a total betting handle of $23.10bn. That's $16.0bn more than the preceding year, with 67.8m people expected to bet - a 35% increase on 2023.

The AGA expects that: 

• 42.7 million American adults plan to place a traditional sports wager online, at a retail sportsbook, or with a bookie, up 41 % from 2023.
• 36.5 million plan to bet casually with friends or as part of a pool or squares contest, up 32% from 2023.
• Americans continue to migrate to the legal market: 28.7 million adults, or 11%, intend to place online wagers using a legal U.S. sportsbook.
• Bettors are nearly split on the game's outcome, with 47% planning to bet on the Kansas City Chiefs and 44% planning to bet on the San Francisco 49ers.

Additionally, the AGA reported gains for responsible gambling, with 75% of bettors reporting seeing a responsible gambling message in the last year, up 71% from 2023.

If you, like most of us, plan to bet on this year's big game, remember to bet responsibly!

NCLGS and UKGC Partner to Improve US Gaming Legislation

At the end of 2023, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) announced that as part of its global strategy to cut offshore gaming, reduce the black market, and increase player protections globally, it was opening the doors and extending the hand of friendship to any other regulators that wanted to learn from it.

One of the first to accept this offer is the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NGLGS). The UKGC will be a special advisor to the NCLGS as it develops model iGaming legislation for the US via a committee. 

The Committee has been created to encourage states considering iGaming legislation to learn more about best practices from those that have already taken the leap. Only six US states allow iGaming, with Rhode Island set to join in March, but other states are expected to legalize online casino gaming over time. 

Shawn Fluharty, NGLGS President, commented: "It is an honor to announce the UK Gambling Commission's involvement in this project. It is also a reflection of the magnitude of this opportunity and the seriousness that comes with it. 

"NCLGS will now have the unique opportunity to leverage the wisdom and expertise of one of the most respected regulatory bodies worldwide in an effort to produce model legislation to strengthen the US market, shrink the black market, and protect consumers."

Tim Miller, Executive Director of the UKGC, added: "Gambling is an increasingly global industry with many of the same risks, opportunities and challenges seen on both sides of the Atlantic.

"It's therefore essential that jurisdictions, which will often regulate the same companies, work together to share knowledge and best practices to deliver fair, safe, and crime-free gambling markets. I am pleased that this important project with NCLGS will allow us to further strengthen our collaborative efforts to deliver on those aims."

We're particularly pleased to hear that US regulators are making the most of the opportunity proffered by the UKGC. Comparably with the US, the UK is a mature gambling market that's already learned many lessons of having a liberalized gambling market the hard way. 

As well as regulating many areas that US states don't (such as bonus terms, operator transparency, and rules for sports advertising and sponsorship, to name but a few), the UKGC is also amidst a regulatory review aimed at reducing problem gambling rates. Meanwhile, with more liberal sports betting regulations sweeping the US as more new states legalize the activity, the US is witnessing considerable increases in problem gambling rates, meaning there's never been a better time to reflect and improve.

Jackpocket - NJ's Newest Online Casino Opens

New Jersey has a brand new online casino that opened its virtual doors this week! Jackpocket Casino launched in partnership with Caesars Interactive Gaming New Jersey, LLC, and has made history as the first US lottery platform to enter the online casino space. 

The casino offers hundreds of slots, jackpots, Slingo, tables, and live dealers from leading software options. NJ players can effortlessly switch between the lottery and gaming apps. The operator also offers new players a $500 match bonus and a $10 lottery credit. 

Jackpocket became the USA's first lottery courier service to launch in 2019 when New Jersey legalized the activity. Like many lotteries, it's not run for profit, and ticket sale proceeds go toward the state's pension fund for public service employees. Since the lottery began, it's raised over $69m for the fund and awarded over $82m in winnings to over 300,000 residents! 

We can't wait to see what this trailblazing operator adds to the New Jersey gambling market once the platform has settled in.

Nevada Revenue Tops $15.5bn in 2023, Putting Macau Ahead at $22.8bn

Total gambling revenue figures for Nevada 2023 are in and have hit new record highs of $15.52bn. This put the state 4.6% ahead of revenue figures for 2022 but behind Macau's monumental $22.8bn figures for 2023. These two global gambling locations are often compared, both vying for the top spot of best gambling destination, but going by figures alone, Macau is standing clear as the winner.

Game of the Week: Blazing Bison Gold Blitz, DGC, RTP: 96% (Ranges)

Enough with the headlines; let's talk games. This week's top title that players cannot put down is Blazing Bison Gold Blitz by DGC. This game is a reskin of Gold Blitz Slot but with a new and wilder theme to reel players in.

It's set on 6x4 reels with 4096 ways to win. In addition to the main symbols, there are Wilds, which can land on reels 2-6 (or 2-4 in Free Spins), Lightning Bolt Collect Symbols, and Bonus Scatter Symbols.

Cash Collect

When a Lightning Bolt Collect Symbol lands, it collects the regular cash symbols and the minor (25x), major (250x), or mega (2,500x your bet) jackpots if any of these symbols are on the reels. 

Bonus Rounds

You'll need to land 3+ bonus symbols to make it to the bonus round. Before the game starts, you'll get to pick which bonus you want: Gold Blitz Spins or Free Spins:

• 3 Scatter = 8 FS or 2 GBS
• 4 Scatter = 12 FS or 3 GBS
• 5 Scatter = 20 FS or 5 GBS
• 6 Scatter = 30 FS or 7 GBS

The difference between the two rounds is that regular Free Spins come with Multiplier Wilds of 2-5x. In Gold Blitz Spins, you can only land cash symbols or blanks, and you're guaranteed 1 Collect Symbol per spin.

Ready to play? Then, it's time to load up the reels and start spinning from $0.20 up to $50 a spin at these DGC Casinos in the USA.

News and Analysis

North Carolina: Market Open for Legal Online Betting from March 11th

The North Carolina State Lottery Commission has set the date that the legal sports betting market will open, and it's midday on March 11th. Pre-registration will begin on March 1st. 

Commission Chair Ripley Brand commented in local news that; "The plan approved today means that North Carolinians will be able to place bets on their favorite teams in many of this year's college basketball conference tournaments, including men's tournaments in the ACC, Conference USA, the MEAC, and the AAC, as well as throughout the men's and women's NCAA tournaments.

"Bets on sporting events have been made for as long as those events have taken place, but this time they will be legal, they will be done securely and fairly, and they will be made under rules designed to encourage responsible gaming."

There are 12 operator licenses available in North Carolina, and nine applications have been received so far. Operators seeking permits must partner with a sports team, league, or venue in NC.

BetMGM (with Charlotte Motor Speedway) and DraftKings (with Nascar) have already announced they will launch. On Wednesday, Caesars joined the rabble, announcing it will go live on March 11th after expanding its relationship with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Fanatics also plans to launch after agreeing to a partnership with the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, and ESPN Bet has joined forces with Quail Hollow Golf Club.

Two Online Sports Betting Bills Introduced in Mississippi

In-person sports betting has been legal in Mississippi since 2018 (this also allows gamblers to place online bets, but only at licensed casino premises). Still, state legislators continue pushing online betting, as two new bills were introduced this week -HB271 and HB635.

This is the sixth consecutive attempt by lawmakers in the state to extend gambling laws. Last year's attempt passed, making way for a comprehensive analysis of sports betting in the state, but its reach, which initially included online sports betting, was significantly reduced at the committee stage.

Let's hope Mississippi lawmakers have better luck this legislative session and we can finally see some movement in the Magnolia State.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board Hacked

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has announced via X that it has been hacked, resulting in the Board taking down its site until it can restore control. Until then, the Board is working on getting a temporary site up and running for those seeking information and relevant web links regarding gambling in Nevada.

This is Nevada's third major hack after MGM and Caesars were attacked last year. The NGCB has not announced any more details or disclosed what information has been compromised.  

Atlantic City Casinos To Ban Smoking Inside

This headline almost seems like a blast from the past - hasn't everywhere already banned smoking inside? Apparently not, because the word on the legislative string this week is that New Jersey's Atlantic City Casinos are finally considering prohibiting indoor smoking.

While the rest of New Jersey banned indoor smoking in 2006, currently, it is permitted on 25% of the casino floor. Health-conscious Atlantic City workers have long been fighting for reform, but concerned stakeholders are worried about the effect of a casino-wide smoking ban on businesses.

The Senate health committee has already approved the proposed smoking ban bill, and NJ Governor Phil Murphy has said he will sign it, bringing it into force, should it pass the final hurdles.

EveryMatrix Gets Supplier Approval from the PGCB

EveryMatrix has secured interim Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approval. This is the content aggregator's fifth US iGaming state, as it's already approved for online casinos in Connecticut, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Michigan. 

Erik Nyman, President of EveryMatrix US, said, "EveryMatrix's goal has been to obtain direct partnerships with leading operators and to ensure full market access. With regulatory approval in Pennsylvania, we have obtained just that. 

"This is a great start to 2024. We will continue to roll out our games portfolio and aggregation services to fill both the content gap while also adding rich bonus and gamification features that will be completely new to the US market. 

"This will significantly boost our customers' portfolios with proven, localized revenue-generating titles and present US players with the ultimate user experience that they can only receive via EveryMatrix."

In Other News

• FanDuel collaborates with YouTube and TikTok content creator Vegas Matt to promote US content and responsible play.
• David Highhill (NFL's general manager for sports betting) confirms three sports betting ads (DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM) will be shown during the Super Bowl on February 11th. The number of sports betting equates to less than 5% of the total during the match.
• Flutter Entertainment (FanDuel) debuts on New York's stock exchange.
• Hacksaw Gaming goes live with Hard Rock Digital in New Jersey, and its titles include Chaos Crew and Om Nom.

Game of the Week

DraftKings' Rocket, RTP:97%

This week, we're talking about an exclusive in-house game title that's reaching new heights of popularity with US players: DraftKings' Rocket. Rocket is a simple crash game, which means all you've got to do to win is set a bet and cash out before it blows - easy peasy.

It's a unique live title that tests your risk perception and offers max prizes of up to 1,000x your bet, which is an impressive one million dollars. The higher the rocket climbs, the higher the multiplier payout gets, but if you hang in too long, you'll lose the round when the rocket explodes.

Rocket is a live game, so you can only join during the betting period, which is around 30 seconds (if you're too late, don't worry; just wait for the next round to start). You can set either manual or automatic bets, and the same applies to cashouts. The advantage of using the auto cashout or bet features is that you don't need to be too hot on your timing; sit back and watch the action.

When the bet countdown reaches zero, the rocket launches, steadily rising as the game continues. If you cash out before the crash, you get the bet multiplier shown at the time. Fly too long, and you'll sacrifice your astronaut.

You're not playing alone; other gamers are betting on the same flight, which adds the perfect community element, and you can see details of their bets and when they cash out at the top left of the game screen. Moreover, if you want to up the ante, you can play the DraftKings progressive jackpot side bet and take the chance to win even more!

As an in-house title created by DK, this game can only be played at DraftKings Casinos. Still, the good news is that they're active in every casino state - New Jersey, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Connecticut - so everyone can play. Plus, new members can claim a 100% cash match welcome bonus, meaning if you're not already a DraftKings player, there are plenty of reasons to sign up.

News and Analysis

New Revenue Records for Internet Casino States in 2023

• New Jersey: In the race for revenue in 2023, New Jersey has officially come out on top, just slightly ahead of Pennsylvania, with total revenue of $5.78bn - a 10% increase from 2022. IGaming grew by 15.7% up to $1.92bn, while sports betting increased by a whopping 31.9% with a total revenue of $1.01bn.
• Pennsylvania: Meanwhile, Pennsylvania had a solid year, starting ahead of NJ and taking a total gaming revenue of $5.69bn, up 9.3% on 2022. The Keystone state saw a massive jump in iGaming, which increased by 27.7% yearly (total revenue at $1.74bn), and sports betting increased by 14.31%.
• Michigan: The Wolverine state also smashed through previous iGaming and online sport betting records with total revenue 18.3% higher than the preceding year, totaling $1.98bn. $1.90bn was generated from iGaming, with $420.4m from sports betting - both new annual highs.

Wazdan Live at Hard Rock Bet, NJ

Wazdan and Hard Rock Bet New Jersey have forged a new deal this week that will see classic Wazdan games, like Magic Starts and Sizzling Eggs, live at Hard Rock Bet. In the last few months, Wazdan has expanded across the USA under Light & Wonder and created partnerships with BetMGM and Tipico. 

Wazdan’s Head of Account Management for North America, Izabela Slodkowska-Popiel, said, “We’re thrilled to partner with a brand as impressive as Hard Rock and deliver some of our top-performing content to its customer base. Our partnership with Light & Wonder has driven us to new heights across North America, and we’re confident that this will be another exciting expansion for us.”

Hacksaw Gaming and RSI Extend Partnership to NJ

In more top news for New Jersey players, Hacksaw Gaming and Rush Street Interactive have extended their North American agreement to cover NJ. Top-rated Hacksaw titles, including Chaos Crew, are already live at BetRivers Casino in the Garden State, with more to follow over the coming months.

Marcus Cordes, CEO of Hacksaw Gaming, stated: “We are delighted to announce another successful launch with Rush Street Interactive. Securing New Jersey, a highly significant jurisdiction and pioneer on the American igaming front, should add to the already proven insightful and triumphant venture.” 

MGCB Sends Cease and Desist Orders to Three Illegal Operators

The Michigan Gaming Control Board is one of the most active regulators regarding enforcement action, especially against illegal operators. This has previously led to several legal cases and the destruction of thousands of illegal gaming machines. 

This week, the regulator has again hit the headlines for sending cease-and-desist orders to three unlicensed companies operating within Michigan’s state lines.

The companies are PredictionStrike, New York; Sweepstakes Limited, Cyprus; and VGW LuckyLand, Inc., California. The MGCB’s investigation concluded that:

• PredictionStrike “offered internet gaming and internet sports betting in Michigan without being licensed in the state as an internet gaming operator and a sports betting operator.”
• Sweepstakes Limited promoted “an unlicensed online lottery and/or raffle for customers that buy its products through its internet website (Stake.us).”
• VGW was “conducting illegal gambling by offering an internet game in which a player wagers something of monetary value for the opportunity to win something of monetary value.”

In the press release, MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said, “Gambling regulations are in place for a reason, and illegal gambling operations are not welcome in Michigan. We do not want businesses who skirt the law having access to Michigan citizens and leaving them vulnerable because they are playing on unregulated sites that leave them with no recourse, and that siphon funds away from communities because they are not paying taxes like a regulated, legal gambling establishment would.”

Game of the Week

Crazy Time - Evolution Gaming, RTP 95.5%

Crazy Time isn’t a new title (it was initially released in 2020), but it’s making its debut in the USA after gaining approval to go live at BetMGM, Borgata, and Party Casinos. 

Crazy Time isn’t complex, so anyone can play. It provides nonstop action and great prize potential, making it a hit title with players worldwide.

It’s essentially a money wheel game, but it comes with four epic bonus rounds that boost the payouts and excitement levels. The wheel is the main game, and it has 54 segments. Each bet gets you one spin, and the segment you land on is what you win. 

A top slot reel sits above the wheel and spins before the main round, randomly applying an extra multiplier to one of the numbered segments.

The wheel is divided as follows:

• 21 segments = 1x your stake.
• 13 segments = 2x your stake.
• 7 segments = 5x your stake.
• 4 segments = 10x your stake.
• 4 Coin Flip segments = the Coin Flip bonus round with a max win of 5,000x.
• 2 Cash Hunt segments = the Cash Hunt bonus round with a max win of 10,000x.
• 2 Pachinko segments = the Pachinko bonus round with a max win of 10,000x.
• 1 Crazy Time segment = which can pay out up to 20,000x.

Let’s go through the bonus rounds:

• Coin Flip: A multiplier is picked for each side before the coin is flipped. The outcome of the flip decides which multiplier payout you win.
• Cash Hunt: 108 multipliers are shown on the screen and then shuffled. You get to pick one, which is the payout.
• Pachinko: This is a traditional Pachinko game, and the payout for the round is determined by which multiplier hole the puck lands.
• Crazy Time Bonus: This is the most challenging and most profitable round to trigger, with only one segment on the wheel. It’s the main attraction and takes you to a new money wheel containing massive multipliers. The round starts with you picking the green, blue, or yellow picker. The host then initiates the wheel spin, and the outcome is the segment your picker stops on, with max payouts up to 20,000x your bet. You can also hit the double or triple segments, which gives you a new spin and doubles or triples! 

Ready to play the USA’s hottest new live dealer game show? Then get in on the action at BetMGM, Borgata, or Party Casino (players who cannot use the listed sites due to state restrictions should use BetRivers.Net). Stakes start from $0.50 a round!

News and Analysis

Maryland Considers Greenlighting iGaming

Maryland Senator Ron Watson has announced he will introduce an iGaming and Poker proposal for the second year running during Maryland’s 2024 legislative session, which opened on Wednesday (17th Jan).

According to the state’s legislation tracker, the bill hasn’t yet been registered, but local newspapers are already reporting on it. This year’s bill edition differs from the 2023 version as it features significantly increased taxes, up from 15% to 46%+. 

The tax increase likely aims to satisfy opposition from the land-based casino industry. However, it doesn’t look good for online operators, as markets with a similarly high tax rate (Delaware) have stagnated since approving online gaming.

Should the bill pass (through the House, Senate, and then a public referendum), it’s expected to help relieve the state’s $400 million budget deficit.

Pennsylvania Contributed $8+m for Responsible Gambling in 2022-23

According to the Compulsive and Problem Gambling Report for 2023 (covering from July 2022 to June 2023), Pennsylvania contributed $8.3m towards responsible gambling. The report states that:

• Approximately 48% of the funds were used for “the purpose of problem gambling needs assessments and prevention, outreach, and education programs, and other DDAP-approved services.” 
• 17% was distributed directly to gambling treatment providers to provide outpatient gambling counseling. 
• The remaining 35% was used for administration, oversight of the programs, training, and Helpline services associated with problem gambling.

During the period, 2834 helpline calls were made, an increase of 433 from the previous period. Additionally, “most callers were White men calling for themselves. The most frequently reported precipitating problem was financial hardship due to gambling (68%), and the most frequently identified type of problematic gambling was internet (30%).” 

iGaming off the Table? New York Hopes Dashed for 2024-2025

Alongside Maryland, New York is working hard to legalize iGaming as Senator Joseph Addabbo has again introduced an iGaming bill (S 8185). However, Governor Kathy Hochul released her executive budget yesterday (17th Jan) for the financial year 2025 without inclusions for NY online casinos, which means it’s now much more challenging for Senator Addabbo’s bill to gain traction.

S 8185 is similar to the 2023 draft and includes provisions for ten licenses at the cost of $2-$10m per application, a 30.5% tax rate of which 0.025% would be contributed to responsible gambling. The proposals estimate that New York could benefit from $1bn more in annual tax revenue should the bill pass.

NJ Report: iGaming “Detrimental” to Economy

A report conducted by the National Economic Research Associates (NERA) has concluded that iGaming is a “net negative” to the New Jersey economy. The report cautions that the cost of problem gambling cancels out tax contributions made by the industry, causing overall losses to the state.

Additionally, as the sector employs fewer people than the land-based industry, less money is reinvested in the New Jersey economy than expected. According to NERA, iGaming paid $110m in NJ wages in 2022, generating $22m in spending. If the same expenditure was seen in another industry, like dining, the report projected it would lead to $1bn in wages and generate $200m in spending.

While recognizing the powerful tax benefits the industry brings, the report argues that the cost of responsible gambling negatives (including healthcare, welfare, homelessness, and criminal justice) outweighs the tax benefits, based on economic studies and evidence from the UK.

The report is enlightening and should prompt lawmakers and regulators in NJ as well as across the whole of the US to consider more carefully the legitimacy of the gambling boom as well as protection measures for US players, especially in light of the growing problem gambling rates (NJ has a 6% rate of problem gamblers, three times the national average). However, it’s important to note that the UK has a very different public healthcare and welfare system from the states and, therefore, different spending.

New Jersey Revenue Smashes Records for 2023

NERA’s report comes alongside news of the New Jersey market breaking revenue records for 2023 and reporting an all-time high of $5.78bn. With total revenue up 10.9% in 2022, the NJ market grew across all three major verticals - land-based casinos, online casinos, and sports betting.

The land-based industry remained at the front, taking $2.86bn in revenue (up 2.2% YoY), iGaming stood at $1.92bn (15.7%+ YoY), and sports betting hit over $1bn for the first time ($1.1bn to be exact, up 31.9% YoY).

Other News

• Vermont races towards OSB success: The Vermont legal sports betting market went live at midnight on 11th Jan with DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics open for bets. 
• Curb NJ ads and allow racetrack slots: Two bills have been introduced to the NJ Senate for consideration. The first seeks to allow slot machines at horse racing tracks, and the second wants to restrict gambling advertising in the Garden State to protect vulnerable players better. Both bills have failed to pass in previous years.

Game of the Week

Book of Armadillo Slot - Armadillo Studios, RTP:94.1%

Book of Armadillo Slot is brand new and based on the player-loved “book of” theme, except, in this title, it’s a cheeky armadillo taking to the Maya rainforests as the explorer extraordinaire.

Set on 5x3 reels with 10 lines, the game includes Free Spins, Wilds (also the Scatter), Expanding Symbols, Armadillo Cash Symbols, and Golden Book wagers. To start making line wins, you’ll need to land 3+ matching symbols from left to right on a payline. 

You can play either in regular mode or the Golden Book Wager mode, which increases the bet by 70%. In return for the increased wager, Golden Armadillo Cash Tokens of 1-1000x become available on the reels, and there’s a supped-up “Golden” version of Free Spins. 

• Regular Free Spins: 3+ Scatters trigger 10 Free Spins with Expanding Symbols. You can re-trigger the round by getting another 3 Scatter on the reels. 
• Golden Armadillo Spins: 3+ Scatter and 1 Armadillo Book gets you 10 Golden Spins with up to 3 Expanding symbols. Get 2+ regular Scatter or 1+ Armadillo book for 5 extra spins.

Are you ready to join the reels and unearth hidden treasures? Then it’s time to spin. Bets start from $0.20, and the maximum win with this high volatility slot is 5,733x stake. You can play this title at EveryMatrix online casinos in the USA.

News and Analysis

Delaware Rising - First Sportsbook and RSI Takes Over Online Casinos

Rush Street Interactive has officially taken over the Delaware market, powering and relaunching the state's three online casinos (Delaware Park, Harrington Online, and Bally's Dover) under the BetRivers brand, as well as launching online sports betting at each site. 

Players can now place online sports bets for the first time in the Diamond State, with betting open on professional and collegiate games across 28 sports and markets, including spread bets, moneylines, futures, parlays, and props.

RSI has taken over from 888, which has been running the Delaware market since 2013. RSI and the Delaware Lottery have agreed to an initial five-year term, which can be extended. 

Helene Keeley, director for the Delaware Lottery, said, "RSI's successes in other jurisdictions, including neighbouring New Jersey and Pennsylvania, are impressive, along with the company's overall reputation and experience.

RSI's commitment to responsible gaming, quality products, breadth of gaming content and customer service are key reasons we are so excited to partner with them.

Together RSI and the Delaware Lottery are devoted to successfully delivering best-in-class products and services to our customers."

We certainly can't wait to see what happens to the Delaware market as RSI revitalizes it. As one of the first states to legalize online gaming, there were big hopes for online casinos in DE, but due to the high tax rates on gaming and restrictive licensing setup, the market has stagnated over the last ten years.

Maine Proposes Exclusive Tribal Gaming Rights

Lawmakers in Maine will hold a public hearing on Wednesday to decide whether to grant exclusive online gambling rights to tribes. Federally recognized tribes in Maine have been offering legal online sports betting since LD 585 legalized the activity, and the market launched in late 2023. However, some parties now seek to extend this to cover iGaming.

Three proposals will be heard (carried over from the previous legislative session), with opposition expected from current state governor Janet Mills. We'll bring you more on this story next week.

Detroit Casino Revenue Down 3.1% in 2023 

The yearly totals are in for Detroit, Michigan, showing a total revenue decline for the city's three land-based casinos of 3.1%. The drop is less significant than expected, given that Detroit's casinos were shut for over a month as staff struck in October and November, demanding better pay and working conditions.

MGM, the casino affected the longest by strike action, remained the market leader with a 46% share. MotorCity Casino placed second with a 31% market share, and Hollywood came in third with 23% of the market.

Prospect Georgia

SB 172, which seeks to legalize online sports betting in Georgia, has passed the Senate Regulated Industries vote by 8-4, meaning it will now advance to the full Senate for debate.

Legalized sports betting would require an amendment to the Georgia constitution and thus requires a two-thirds vote from the House and Senate to pass, after which it must be approved during a state-wide ballot.

Georgia is one of few US states where almost all gambling activities (lottery and charity-based gaming aside) remain illegal, including sports betting and land-based casinos.

Game of the Week

Mega Diamond Slot - AGS, RTP: 94%

This week, we're discussing a golden oldie and one of the most popular online slots on the market right now, AGS's Mega Diamond. Mega Diamond is a classic, three-reel slot game that's traditionally only been available at brick-and-mortar casinos until recently. 

This no-frills, all-action title is now available at US online casinos and offers high-roller fun with bets starting from $0.05 and reaching up to $360 a spin, with max payouts of $450,000. 

Like all true classics, the gameplay is simple, and all you need to do to start making wins is line up matching Mega Diamond, 7, or Bar Symbols. There are 9 paylines and some features to explore, including a progressive jackpot prize.

• Multipliers: These can be randomly added to some number 7 symbols, increasing any line by 2-5x.
• Wilds: The Mega Diamond symbols can act as Wilds, subbing for all other symbols except multipliers or other Mega Diamonds (there are three types of Mega symbols in total).
• Jackpots: If you match 3 red Mega Diamond symbols on a payline, you'll get the largest jackpot; 3 blue and you get the second tier; 3 purple, you get the third tier payout; and lastly, if you get 3 mixed Mega Diamond symbols on a payline, you'll win the fourth tier (smallest) progressive jackpot.

And that, Folks, is all you need to know to play and win Mega Diamond online slot. Aside from that, the higher your stake, the higher your chances of hitting a jackpot payout! Ready to spin? Then, set your bets and check it out at these AGS online casinos.

News and Analysis

Bill Miller Shares AGA Achievements in 2023

Rounding up 2023, AGA CEO and President Bill Miller highlighted the organization's work in fighting illegal gambling, leading responsibly, shaping conversations through research, advancing priorities in Washington, and gathering gaming leaders. 

Of particular interest to gaming executives is the research undertaken by the AGA in 2023, which revealed the organization to be a heavyweight in this respect as it leveraged resources and produced reports detailing the gaming contributes $330 billion to the US economy, supporting 1.8m jobs and generating $53 billion in taxes. Additional research into social attitudes also showed that 71% of Americans now recognize the positive economic contributions made by the gambling industry. 

Miller also focused on achievements for responsible gambling, stating the AGA had strengthened its Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering, developed an anti-human trafficking guide in gaming, and launched a new effort to bring together a responsible gambling initiative that can keep pace with the ever-changing industry.

Wazdan Hits PlayStar Casino Lobby

Wazdan has made further strides into the New Jersey market after going live at PlayStar Casino. The popular developer, already present at DraftKings, BetRivers, and Tipico Casinos, is distributed via Light & Wonder's aggregation division. The available Wazdan games include the smash hit 9 Coins, Sun of Fortune, Power of Gods: Hades, and the studio's in-house mechanics, including Hold Jackpot.

The Chief Commercial Officer for Wazdan said, "Our growth in New Jersey has been extremely positive for us, and we're delighted to be partnering with our latest operator in the state. Our engaging, immersive content has proven to be a hit with players and we're looking forward to delivering even further great experiences to end users." 

MGM Donates $360K to ICRG

MGM Resorts rounded up 2023 by donating $360,000 to the International Center of Responsible Gaming. The funds will be used for two projects that will help understand, prevent, and address gambling addiction and problem gambling. 

ICRG President Arthur Paikowsky said, "We salute MGM Resorts for supporting our research that will answer the many questions we have about the impact of gender on gambling disorder and address the health risks of casino employees."

While we also salute any contributions from gambling operators made towards improving responsible gambling research and treatment, we're also left wondering if US operators are doing enough. In 2022, MGM Resorts netted over $6.475 billion in profit, making this donation a drop in sea, at under 0.0055% of that figure. It also pales in comparison to Bally’s record-breaking $1 million donation two months ago.

Game of the WeekSmash Nudge Skillstar by Lightning Box, RTP: 96% (ranges)

Smash Nudge Skillstar is a 5x4 reel slot that comes with 40 lines, top prizes of 5,044x the bet, Skillstar Mini-Game, Wild Nuges, Multipliers, and Free Spins! Let's dive straight in and talk about how to win.

Set at a retro roller skating rink, this game is packed with action, and awards wins for matching 3+ symbols from left to right on any of the 40 fixed lines. There are two Wild Symbols: the Trophy, which is the regular wild, and the Wild Nudge, which always lands stacked and can expand across entire reels and move left or right (nudging).

Star Symbols are the scatters and 3-5 triggers 8-20 Free Spins. During the round, an extra multiplier reel is added, which can randomly dish out 2-10x multipliers on each spin, seriously increasing the prize potential. That's not all; before you enter the Free Spins round, you can play the Skillstar Mini-Game, which doesn't offer any prizes but is great fun. The aim here is simple: avoid collisions with other players while skating and preserve your lives (you have three).

Ready to play? Then, it's time to get your game on with this arcade-styled number. It's available from $0.40 a spin at these Lightning Box Casinos.

That's it from us for this week, folks. It's great to be back, and we hope you've all had a great festive break. We'll bring you more of the latest iGaming headlines from the USA next week.

News and Analysis

Relax Gaming Hit the Reels at BetMGM NJ 

The US gaming market is heating up, with more content suppliers getting regulatory approval this year than ever before. This time, it’s the turn of Relax Gaming, which has received a transactional vendor waiver from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and has announced its upcoming launch at BetMGM in the Garden State.

Relax Gaming is an award-winning and leading aggregator and content studio world-renowned for its unique game content, with hit titles including Temple Tumble, Money Train, Hellcatraz, and The Great Pigsby. They are also the creators of the Dream Drop Jackpots mechanic, which made 11 millionaires in the space of a year.

Here’s what Simon Hammon, Relax Gaming’s CEO, had to say, “Launching in New Jersey is a landmark moment for our company…We have enjoyed many successful launches across a number of key regulated markets in the past few years. This one is no doubt one of the biggest to date. BetMGM’s ethos perfectly aligns with our vision and we expect our partnership to truly flourish.”

Kentucky OSB Market Takes $300m+ in First Month

The figures are out, and it’s official: Kentucky residents spent $323.6m betting online in October and the final three days of September (online sports betting launched on September 28th). 

Adjusted gross revenue totaled $54.2m, with FanDuel leading the market and accounting for $20.3m (total betting $131.2m). DraftKings rolled into second place at $19.5m (total bets $124.9m), and Bet365 in third, accruing $8.6m in revenue (total bets $31.2m).

The retail market, which opened earlier than online wagers, was outshined with total betting from September 7th - October 31st reaching $17.1m and revenue at $2.2m.

Fanatics Launches Straight out of the Gate and into the Connecticut Market

Just last week, we brought you news that Fanatics has been named the new official partner of the CT Lottery, taking over from Rush Street Interactive. It didn’t take long for Fanatics to make its move, as yesterday, the powerhouse operator announced its soft launch in the state.

The platform is open and accepting 2,000 customers before the full launch, which is scheduled for the 18th. Its ten new CT retail locations are also available. Since June, when Fanatics acquired PointsBet, the sports betting platform has launched in eight states, with Connecticut the ninth. 

DraftKings (current frontrunner in revenue) and FanDuel (Mohegan Sun) also offer online sports betting in CT, so Fanatics is going head-to-head against some of the best US operators. We can’t wait to see how the market share levels out. 

The Importance of Transparency: DKs Faces Lawsuit Over Bonuses in Massachusetts 

Transparency is significant in gambling, especially regarding bonus wording, representation, and wagering requirements. However, in the US, a much younger gambling market, it hasn’t garnered the same level of attention as in other markets, but things might be about to change. 

This week, DraftKings MA has found themselves subject to a class action lawsuit brought by MA’s Public Health Advocacy Institute on behalf of two players. The case accuses DraftKings of not being clear regarding the terms of their sign-up bonus, which the plaintiffs claim was “deceptive.” It goes even further, claiming DraftKings knowingly and unfairly designed its sign-up bonus to trick players into depositing and spending large amounts, knowing many would not receive it. 

The terms of the deal, which the plaintiffs say they were not aware of, included that players must make an initial deposit of $5,000 to receive a $1,000 non-withdrawable bonus. According to the case, players must also stake $25,000 in qualifying bets during the promotion’s validity period. 

Both plaintiffs have said they were confused after making the initial deposit when they did not receive the bonus. The lawsuit states that; “DraftKings’ advertising of the bonus is unfair and deceptive because an eligible consumer who, by definition, is a new participant in Massachusetts sports betting, like the plaintiffs, would be unlikely to understand the cost and risk involved in qualifying for the $1,000 bonus.”

“DraftKings knew, or should have known, that its advertisement and promotion was deceptive to its target customers, who were customers new to sports betting and who were extremely unlikely to understand the details of the promotion, even if it were in readable English on the company’s platform or in a font size that a reasonable consumer could be expected to actually read.”

It continues, “Marketers of a known addictive product should take special precautions to minimise addiction risk, not require $25,000 of gambling to qualify for a promotional offer to new customers who are likely to be gambling-naive. DraftKings’ promotion is an unfair business practice for this reason as well.”

For gambling to be fair and safe, players must understand what they are partaking in, which means complete transparency and player-centered, responsible terms from operators. While this is one of the first cases of its kind in the USA, bonus terms and conditions have been receiving more attention from global regulators as they are linked with gambling addiction. Last year, the UK Gambling Commission called out wagering requirements as potentially “encouraging excessive play” in that they bind players to gamble unsustainable amounts to meet bonus terms.

Problem gambling is a growing problem in the USA. We recently took a look at rates of gambling addiction in online casino states, which showed figures way above the national average. You can check out our findings here.

FanDuel on the Wrong Side of Responsibility 

In another strike against responsible gambling efforts in the USA this week, it’s been revealed that FanDuel lobbied against new rules introduced to New York in October that stop the advertising of sports betting near college and university grounds.

This was not the only measure FanDuel appealed against; they also said that responsible gambling messaging on advertisements took up too much space and spoke against making operators directly accountable for false, deceptive, or misleading statements made by marketing companies advertising their services.

While there were some clear arguments regarding the practicality of some of the new rules made by the operator, it is still disappointing news. In other markets where FanDuel operates, the company has been regarded as a forward-thinking operator, often inputting responsible measures ahead of regulation. If you want to read more about this case, you can find the full text in the New York State Register.  

Slot Game of the Week

Team Santa Power Combo Slot by Aurum Signature Studios, RTP 96.4%

We’re keeping on theme with the festivities and celebrating an Aurum Signature Studios Slot this week. If you’ve not heard of this studio before, don’t panic; it’s because they are distributed under the EveryMatrix label in the US. 

Set on 5x4 reels with 40 lines, this game can deliver with max payouts of 10,000x available on a single spin, multiple Free Spin modes, and jackpot prizes. 

The high-paying symbols are everything you’d expect from a Christmas-themed slot, and you’ll find a Jolly Santa, Reindeer, Present List, Santa’s Snacks, and a Stocking at the top paytable, followed by A-9. The Wild is a cute snow globe that can appear on reels 2-4 and sub for non-bonus symbols. There’s also a Pocket Watch, which awards a multiplier or letter symbol.

There are three Scatters: the Green, Red, and Blue Presents. These can be collected to trigger different Free Spins rounds:

• Green Scatter: This awards 5 Free Spins on 5x6 reels with 100 lines. Every Wild that lands nudges and fills that reel. Landing more Green Scatter increases the spins.
• Red Scatter: This grants 10 Free Spins with the chance to win a jackpot. Pocket Watch symbols can award multipliers between 1-10x or letters. You win the corresponding pot if you spell out a jackpot (Grand, Major, Minor, or Mini).
• Blue Scatter: This gives 5 Free Spins with a random prize multiplier (2-10x) applied to each spin.

If you land a combo of different color scatters, you’ll get a special Free Spins round that combines features for epic action on the reels!

Ready to play? Then check out Team Santa Power Combo at any of our recommended EveryMatrix US Casinos and load up the reels from $0.20 to $20 a spin.

News and Analysis

Fanatics Replaces RSI as the Official Partner of the Connecticut Lottery

The Connecticut Lottery has named Fanatics its new sports betting partner after news earlier in the year that they would be winding down their partnership with Rush Street Interactive. Fanatics sports will be available across ten retail locations and to players via mobile app. Fanatics CT is expected to go live in mid-December.

Greg Smith, President and CEO of the CT Lottery, said, “Fanatics is the only true sports brand in the gaming space and has established itself as an innovator in the industry. We have been impressed with the Fanatics team, their aggressive entry into the US sports betting market and we are excited to see how they redefine the sports betting customer experience here in Connecticut. CLC anticipates notable market share growth as a result of this partnership.”

This agreement rounds up what has been an unbelievable year for Fanatics, who acquired PointsBet US in the spring and has since launched it in 14 US states. Fanatics will go head to head against DraftKings and FanDuel (Mohegan Sun) in the state.

Only three operators are allowed in CT, with one sports betting license for the Mashantucket and Mohegan tribes and one run by the CT Lottery. The Mashantucket and Mohegan tribes also have the right to operate one CT online casino skin each.

North Carolina Takes One Step Closer to Opening Sports Market

Sports betting operator and supplier license applications are open in North Carolina. Once an application is submitted, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission has 60 days to review each. Operators then have ten days to rectify any issues highlighted if a license is not approved.

Sports betting became legal in North Carolina in June when HB 347 was signed into law. However, the Commission is still hard at work creating the regulatory regime for the state. According to HB 347, the rules must be finalized by January 8th. The market launch date is still to be set, but regulators have said it won’t be before 2024’s Super Bowl. The original deadline is June 14th, but there’s hope things will be ready before this.

Cari Boyce, Chair of the Sports Betting Committee, commented, “It is too soon to tell when betting will start … we want to get a fair and responsible programme up and running as soon as possible before the June deadline. We also want to make sure we get as much right up front as possible.” 

We’ll bring you more on the story and let you know which operators get the green light as soon as the information is available.

DGC Joins Caesars Online Lobby

It’s been a big month for games at Caesars Casino as last week they added EveryMatrix to their online platform, and now it’s been announced that gaming supplier DGC is joining the ranks in Pennsylvania. DGC is already live at Caesars Michigan, but not in other states.

DGC games are some of the most iconic titles online, and Caesars PA players will soon have access to Thunderstruck, Adventures of Doubloon Island, Gold Blitz, Book of Oz, Assassins Moon, and others. 

The Chief Commercial Officer at DGC said, “Each of our titles has been developed specifically to hit the mark with U.S. players, and this is why they are so sought-after across regulated states and it’s great to see Caesars Digital extending its partnership with us to ensure its players in Pennsylvania can fire up the reels on the most thrilling slots in the market.”

Detroit Casino Strikes Finally Over

Our last headline for this week is news that MGM Grand Detroit workers have left the picket line and returned to work after 47 days of strikes. Workers from Hollywood and MotorCity Casino have already returned to work, signing new contracts on November 17th, but MGM workers strung out negotiations longer. 

The finalized MGM contracts are valid for five years and include the largest-ever wage increase for workers in the history of the casino (an 18% rise), alongside a host of other benefits. The new contracts were ratified on December 2nd.

Game of the Week

A Christmas Full of Wilds, Greentube, RTP: 94.69%

This week, we’re getting in the festive mood and talking about a new slot game hitting high notes with players - A Christmas Full of Wilds by Greentube Gaming. Set on 5x4 reels with 30 lines, it comes with Cascading Wins, a Lock and Spin Bonus, four types of Wilds, and a unique Trail Win feature that delivers plenty of Christmas treats. Let’s dive in and take a look at how it works.

Image credit: Greentube Games

To start winning coins, you need to match 3+ symbols, from left to right, on one of the 30 betlines. When you do, you’ll trigger a payout and a cascade, with the winning symbols leaving the reels and new ones falling, giving you a second shot at winning.

Trail Win

Above the reels is a trail of wooden symbols; with each consecutive winning spin, you’ll move one spot on the trail. Non-winning spins send you back to the start and reset the trail. Each time the trail resets, the length and available bonuses (Wilds or Lock and Spins) change, meaning sometimes you can win a feature quickly, and other times, it’ll take a little longer.

Wilds

There are 4 types of Wilds available in Santa’s trail, and each is designed to increase the win potential:

• Wild Guns: Santa shoots at the reels, sending several Wilds loose and potentially causing betline wins.
• Wild Drones: This is the same as the above, except it’s drone randomly dishing out the Wilds.
• Wild Phones: Santa picks one symbol using his phone, causing all the matching symbols on the reels to be replaced with Wilds.
• Wild Cameras: When Santa takes a photo of a symbol, all matching characters can turn into Colossal Wilds of 2x2, 3x3, or 4x4.

Lock and Spins Feature

If you land on the Lock and Spins Feature, you’ll kick off an epic bonus round. The round starts with 3 spins, and each reel position acts as an individual reel. Every time a new symbol lands, the total spins resets to 3, and symbols are locked during the round. There are only bauble Multipliers (0.5-9x the total bet) and Golden Presents on the reels. 

At the end of the round, golden presents reveal one of the four wilds, and all your wins are added up. If you fill the reels, you’ll get a bonus present of 1,000x the total bet! The round ends if you hit 3 consecutive spins without adding a new symbol to the reels.

Ready to bring in the festive cheer and take this brand-new game for a spin? Then load up a Greentube Casino and start playing.

News and Analysis

Caesars Online Casino ups its Game

It's been a busy week for Caesars online casino as they've added not one but two iGaming giants to their online platform. Both IGT and EveryMatrix have joined the ranks and bolstered the number of games available to US players. 

The deal with EveryMatrix sees titles from the aggregator's substantial collection alongside its in-house studio, Armadillo, go live at Caesars in New Jersey, Michigan, and West Virginia. Pennsylvania and Connecticut will follow once full regulatory approval has been secured. 

EveryMatrix President Erik Nyman commented, "Caesars is one of the most iconic brands in the US and we are very excited to bring our unique games and aggregation capabilities onboard with them enabling them to elevate their already strong momentum in igaming."

In the second deal of the week, IGT and Caesars have also joined forces to provide West Virginia players with access to the studio's iconic and vast library of games. This includes titles specifically adapted for the platform, like Caesars Cleopatra. This partnership, alongside an agreement brokered earlier in the year between Caesars and Inspired Gaming is excellent news for WV players, as to date, the platform has been limited, offering under 100 titles.

New York Launches VSE Support Program

"Assisting those in need of help through providing care and concern is at the core of what NYCPG does, and the launch of this new program exemplifies that care and concern by breaking down barriers. The new online notary services make it easier for individuals to complete remote VSE while also connecting to one of our caring staff members who are knowledgeable about the process."

NY Council on Problem Gambling Executive Director James Maney

New York's Responsible Play Partnership has doubled down, improving its Voluntary Self Exclusion (VSE) program to better direct gamblers experiencing compulsion to support services. According to the New York Office of Addiction Services and Support (OASAS) in 2020, their Problem Gambling Prevalence Survey reported that "4.4 percent of adults in NY are at risk for developing a gambling problem and an additional 0.7 percent meet the criteria for problem gambling or a gambling disorder." 

Since the last survey, problem gambling rates have likely grown, coinciding with the 2022 launch of online sports betting in the state. Providing a support program alongside VSE programs is the right way to go, as gambling support charities recommend that additional support with longer-term exclusion leads to a higher success rate in reducing return gambling.

OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham also commented, "OASAS oversees a robust system of prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery services for those affected by addiction across the state, including problem gambling. Voluntary self-exclusion can be an effective prevention strategy to reduce gambling harms, and this new support program not only provides a way for people to complete the self-exclusion process, but also offers an opportunity to connect to OASAS local problem gambling community support services to assist in mitigating further harm."

Problem gambling is becoming more salient in the USA. Most recently, the NJDGE announced that the state had a problem gambling rate of almost 6%, which prompted us to create the most comprehensive responsible gambling guide currently available to US players. If you've not caught it, check out the link.

Hacksaw Hits New Jersey

Hacksaw Gaming has been awarded a provisional license to supply games in New Jersey with plans to launch content before the end of the year. The approval follows the studio's earlier launch at BetRivers Casino in West Virginia. Hacksaw is distributed under Light & Wonder in the US.

The studio is a worldwide hit and rising star of the industry that launched in 2018 and has already created over 40 games. Their most popular titles include Cash Quest, Joker Bombs, R.I.P City, Book of Time, and Chaos Crew.

In the official press release, Marcus Cordes, CEO of Hacksaw Gaming, commented: "Hacksaw is unstoppable in its ventures. We are ecstatic to see the rate at which we are broadening our horizons, and the headway we are making in getting the recognition our content deserves. There is no doubt that Hacksaw will thrive in the US."

As big fans of this studio, we cannot wait to follow their progress with US players.

European and North American Gaming Regulators Unite

Over 100 regulators in Europe and North America are joining forces to share information and exchange knowledge in one of the most significant collaborations ever seen in gaming. Brokered between the Gambling Regulators European Forum (GREF) and the North America Gaming Regulators Association (NAGRA), the partnership will strengthen links between jurisdictions and improve regulation while sharing information on risks and challenges experienced in both continents. It presents an attitude shift in the way regulators are approaching the market and regulation.

NAGRA president Ryan Winfield commented, "The power of partnership and collaboration between GREF and NAGRA is important in this ever-evolving industry. The changing landscape and the future of gaming makes it imperative that we reach out to other organizations in the industry in order to remain informed as we tirelessly serve our communities. This commitment to collaboration and communication will serve people across the globe."

This regulatory collaboration comes not long after the UK Gambling Commission's Tim Miller extended similar sentiments for worldwide gambling regulators to work together to combat illegal gambling and improve industry regulation.

Playtech Unveils Third US Live Dealer Studio

In yet another nugget of supplier news for the week, Playtech has launched its third live casino studio in the US, this time in Pennsylvania. The studio started streaming on the 28th, beginning with Blackjack and Roulette tables. Playtech already offers live content to online casinos in Michigan and New Jersey.  Additional live dealer options at Pennsylvania online casinos will provide more choices for players, as currently, only Evolution Gaming titles are offered.

Game of the Week

Chaos Crew, Hacksaw Gaming, RTP 96.3%

Celebrating the launch of Hacksaw Gaming in New Jersey, our slot game of the week, Chaos Crew, is one of the studio's most popular and innovative titles. Initially released in 2020, this punky slot promises all the action you'll need for a top-class weekend and is set on 5x5 reels with 15 paylines. The game showcases what Hacksaw Gaming is all about and excellent stats, including an over-the-average RTP, a hit rate of 23%, and maximum payouts of 10,000x the bet.

While mayhem controls the reels, there are some rules you need to know, like how to activate the bonus rounds to win the max payout potential. The first bonus symbol is the Wild, AKA Cranky the Cat. This symbol subs for others to make a bet line win, and when it does, it adds a Mystery Multiplier of 2, 3, or 5x. Use more than one Wild in a winning line, and the multipliers multiply each other.

The second bonus symbol is the Scatter. To trigger the Free Spins, you must land 3+ Scatter Symbols. This awards 3 Free Spins; every time you score a winning symbol, the number of spins resets to 3. The round will only end when you hit 3 non-winning spins in a row.

You're not aiming for line wins when you play this round, and the regular symbols don't count. Instead, only Stetchy Skulls, Epic Sketchy Skills, Cranky Cats, and Epic Cranky Cats award payouts. The good news is these symbols award supped up, multiplier payouts, adding between 1-20x your reel total.

The reel total is the number above each of the 5 reels during free spins, and it's how the total payout from the round is calculated. At the end of the round, these numbers are all added up and multiplied by the current bet level for the total payout!

If you're ready to try out a different type of slot that's a little bit wild, this is the game for you. Bets start from $0.20 and go up $100 a spin, and you can find it at BetRivers online casinos!

News and Analysis

American Gaming Association: US Remains on Course for Highest-Ever Grossing Year

The American Gaming Association has released figures for quarter three, 2023, revealing it as the industry's best third quarter on record and the 11th quarter of consecutive growth for the US. In total, $16.17 billion was generated, according to the AGA's commercial gaming revenue tracker, which is up 6.1% YoY. This quarter is also the second-highest grossing on record.

Increased revenue was witnessed across all verticals, particularly iGaming, which was up 26% YoY. Meanwhile, in-person and online sports betting saw a 22.8% increase caused by new states legalizing the activity (Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Ohio). 

AGA President and CEO Ben Miller commented, "With growth across land-based and online gaming, we are delivering career opportunities for millions of Americans and strong economic contributions to communities across the country through increased tax revenue."

He also reminded stakeholders that while record numbers of bettors were using legal platforms and migrating away from offshore options as new states opened their markets, there was a "need for federal and state enforcement against illegal, offshore operators."

The State of Play: Revenue Round-Ups for October

Continuing on the financial theme, revenue figures are in for New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Delaware for October 2023 - let's take a look.

New Jersey

Gambling revenue in NJ was up 9.3%, with online casinos and sportsbooks steaming ahead. Total revenue reached $487.1m for the month, up on last year but down 6.6% on September's figures. Revenue from online games also increased by 13.3%. The most popular NJ online casino was Golden Nugget, then Resorts, with Borgata in third. Sports betting revenue increased 18.4% YoY.

Pennsylvania

Total gambling revenue in PA increased 7.3% YoY, hitting $483m. Retail slots contributed almost 40% of the total. iGaming also showed a substantial yearly increase, up 24.3%, totaling $154.8m, but fell short of September 2023's record-breaking $159.5m. Hollywood Casino was the most popular PA gambling site, followed by FanDuel and BetRivers.

Michigan

In Michigan, online sports bettors broke records, placing a massive $533m in bets. It was the first time online wagers in the state have exceeded $500m. However, when accounting for promotional spending, adjusted gross receipts (AGR) looked quite different; the market posted a total of $167.7m for iGaming and sports, which was up 5.8% YoY. Breaking it down, iGaming grew by 13.9%, while sports AGR fell by 26.1% YoY. Land-based casino revenue also declined, down 19.5% compared with October last year. However, this is in the context of Michigan's ongoing casino worker strikes (more on this below)

Delaware

Lastly, Delaware witnessed a 173.1% monthly increase in sports betting revenue, with the total peaking at $2.6m, up from $958,547 in September 2023. Sadly, the same increase was not visible in iGaming, as revenue dropped 18% YoY and 11.3% compared with September this year. Delaware Park remained the most popular online casino in Delaware for sports betting and iGaming.

PariPlay Joins Hard Rock NJ Games Lobby

PariPlay becomes the latest content aggregator to join the casino ranks at Hard Rock Bet NJ. Under the agreement, PariPlay will provide its full suite of games, along with titles from its popular in-house studio, Wizard Games.

This move will bolster Hard Rock’s lobby (currently home to around 500 options) and provide players with hit titles, including Dragons of the North, Wolf Riches, Wildwood Buffalo, and Book of Eternal Romance. 

Senior Casino VP at Hard Rock, Grant Williams, said, "We're thrilled to be adding Wizard Games' expansive and innovative portfolio to our highly rated Hard Rock Bet platform in New Jersey. With a huge selection of slots, table games, and live dealer options, Hard Rock Bet is entertaining our players like no one else can."

Detroit Casino Strikes Continue

On Monday, after 32 days of strike action, news broke that a tentative deal had been struck between Detroit's three land-based casinos and union workers. However, despite scoring the largest pay increase in the history of Detroit Casinos (18%), employees from MGM Grand have turned down the deal, deciding to stay put at the picket.

In contrast, 2,100 employees from Hollywood Casino and Motor City Casino voted in favor of the new contracts, leaving MGM to return to the negotiation table alone.

In other news:

• The Florida Supreme Court rejected a motion to stop the re-launch of Hard Rock Bet.
• Fanatics West Virginia is now live and offering sports betting and casino games. Players who previously held PointsBet WV accounts can use the same login details. Accounts have been automatically migrated, including balances, reward points, and responsible gambling settings.

Game of the Week

Electric Jungle - Bragg Gaming (Atomic Slot Lab), RTP: 95.57%

You might be wondering how a slot game with a slightly below-average RTP made it to our slot game of the week rankings. Well, the answer is simple: this new game provides action-packed gameplay, and a re-spins feature that we can't stop talking about. 

Set on 5x4 reels with 50 lines, it takes players deep into the rainforest for electrifying wins, and it's all about the Re-Spins and Free Spins features. Let's start with the Re-Spins. 

To unlock the round, you must land 6 or more Golden Gorilla Scatters, which provides 3 Re-Spins. This round is epic, as each row can expand and has positions that spin individually. During the round, you aim to collect more Golden Scatters. Each new one that lands sticks then expands the reel to create an extra reel position. It also resets the spins to 3. If you grow the reels to the maximum potential additional prizes, including Free Spins, multipliers, or one of four fixed jackpots, are up for grabs.

If you don't hit Free Spins through the Re-Spins round, don't worry; you can also trigger it using the second Scatter symbol, the game logo, in the base game. Simply land 3, 4, or 5 scatter for 10, 20, or 50 spins. You can also re-trigger the round while you play, and line wins of 6 or more symbols transform into Gem Wilds!

Ready to take this thrilling new slot for a spin? Then stakes start from $0.50 to $200, the max payout potential is 5,680x your bet, and you can play it at these Bragg Gaming Casinos.

All right, that’s it for this week, folks. From the Casino Cabbie team, we wish you all a fantastic Thanksgiving - enjoy celebrating!

News and Analysis

ESPN Bet Live in 17 States with Online Casino in MI, NJ, PA, and WV

In the biggest story of the week, it’s official: ESPN Bet is live. The platform opened its virtual doors on Tuesday under Penn Entertainment. The brand new sports betting site has gone live in 17 states, with online casino verticals under Penn’s Hollywood Casino brand, offered to players in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Jay Snowden, CEO and president of PENN Entertainment, said, "We're extremely proud to introduce ESPN BET and look forward to delivering an exceptional customer experience to fans across the U.S.

Our successful launch is the culmination of months of hard work across both teams and we could not be more excited to roll out ESPN BET in partnership with ESPN. PENN’s operational excellence paired with ESPN's unmatched brand and reach is a powerful combination that will drive this compelling new sportsbook.”

The original Hollywood online casino platform, currently available in Pennsylvania, will close permanently on December 14th. There’s no automatic migration in place, and players must sign up for a new account using ESPNbet.com.

West Virginia Goes for Poker Gold and Joins The Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement

In the second biggest story of the week, West Virginia has become the fifth official signatory to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). 

The first and only of its kind, MSIGA, was created in 2014 and applies to poker. It allows for cross-border games and shared prize pots, meaning poker players in WV can soon go head-to-head against those in New Jersey, Delaware, Nevada, and Michigan. With more players adding to the pool, it's set to increase the competitive quality of games and the size of prize pots, so this is excellent news. 

According to West Virginia Lottery Assistant Director Randy Burnside, the next steps involve WV online casinos, like BetMGM and FanDuel, getting MSIGA members' approval and testing the product before going live. 

New York Becomes the First State to Pass the $2bn a Month Mark

October revenue figures are in, and New York has officially become the first state to process more than $2 billion in internet sports wagers across a single month. The total was $2.1 billion, a whopping 30.5% increase YoY. FanDuel remained the market leader, followed by DraftKings, which placed second, and BetMGM in third.

Strikes in Michigan See Revenues Fall Almost 20%, While Nevada Avoids Walk Out

We’ve talked a lot about strikes over the last month as Michigan and Vegas casino employees have been fighting for higher wages and benefits and more job security. The Vegas saga finally drew to a close last Friday, with BetMGM, Caesars, and Wynn all negotiating in the final hours before staff hit the picket line.

But, things are not looking so rosy in Michigan, where 3,700 workers from Detroit's five land-based casinos have been on strike since October 17th. Figures have now revealed that casino revenue has dropped 19.45% YoY.

There’s no end in sight for Michigan, as earlier this week, workers doubled down efforts and called on residents to boycott Michigan’s online casinos and sportsbooks.

Social Casinos Under the Hammer

A class action suit by Nevada resident Steven Horn seeks legal address against Amazon for supplying social casino apps. The lawsuit argues that social casino apps are, in fact, akin to illegal gambling as they offer highly addictive games that are profitable and use virtual coins, which players can buy and, therefore, equate to real money. 

The lawsuit targets Amazon for supplying the apps and demands the company, which it says takes a 30% cut of each bet, to return the illegal proceeds it has made. The legal text reads, “By utilizing Amazon for distribution and payment, the social casinos entered into a mutually beneficial business partnership. In exchange for distributing the casino games, providing them valuable data and insight about their players and collecting money from consumers, Amazon takes a 30% commission on every wager, earning billions in revenue.

The result (and intent) of this dangerous partnership is that consumers become addicted to social casino apps, maxing out their credit cards with purchases amounting to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Consumers addicted to social casinos suffer a variety of non-financial damages ranging from depression to divorce to attempted suicide.”

Social casinos are considered legal in most US states because players do not have to buy coins, and they provide free virtual gaming. However, past challenges have set the standard, such as the 2018 IGT case in Washington, which ended in a $415m settlement and social casinos refusing players from this state.

NJ Casinos in to Forfeit $75K in Illegal Winnings

NJ land-based casinos are in hot water after the NJDGE revealed several violations dating back to 2020. Ocean Casino, Resorts, Golden Nugget, Ballys, Harrah’s, and Parx were named as accepting illegal bets from underage or self-excluded players. Resorts was the biggest offender in financial terms and was ordered to forfeit $51,643 in winnings, $33,590 of which came from one single, self-excluded player. 

Meanwhile, online casinos in NJ have also been flouting rules, as both DraftKings and Rush Street Interactive have received fines. DraftKings received a $7,500 fine for allowing a self-excluded player to make an account, and BetRivers (Rush Street Interactive) was handed a $2,500 sanction for accepting wagers on unapproved events.

This information adds to research published by the NJDGE in October, showing NJ’s problem gambling rate stood at 6% and points to serious, responsible gambling compliance issues in the state.

Game of the Week

Triple Wild Thanksgiving Slot: Everi, RTP 95%+

If you’re getting ready for Thanksgiving and ready to bring home the Turkey, this is the perfect slot game to get you in the mood, and it’s brand new, released just three days ago!

Set on 5x3 reels, this charming number delivers warm holiday vibes to your mobile or desktop device. It comes with classic graphics and gameplay that’ll reel you in, plus a triple wild symbol that adds a twist and bonus rounds to increase the win potential.

Ready to find out more? You’ll need to load up this slot and give it a spin, as we won’t give away the holiday secrets! It’s already live, so check it out at these Everi Casinos.

News and Analysis

Maine Legal Sports Betting Goes Live

Maine legal online sports betting is live! DraftKings and Caesars launched on the first day of legal betting, November 3rd, almost 18 months since Gov. Janet Mills signed LD 585 into law. Genius Sports has also secured temporary approval from the Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU) but is yet to launch.

LD 585 allows Maine tribes to apply for online sports betting licenses or to partner with one online operator per tribe. Meanwhile, racetracks, retail wagering operations, and off-track services may apply for retail licenses.

A spokesperson from the Maine State Police thanked local authorities and the sports betting industry for their patience and input in creating the state's gambling rules and infrastructure. 

Meanwhile, Caesars Digital President Eric Hession said, "Maine sports fans deserve an elevated sports wagering experience that matches the pedigree of sports fandom in New England. The launch of Caesars Sportsbook delivers on that pedigree.

We have a platform built for the modern sports fan 21 and older with exciting ways to wager responsibly on the sports they love. 

We'd like to thank Governor Janet Mills and the Maine legislature for making this launch possible, as well as the Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU) for all they have done throughout this process."

This is excellent news for players and the state coffers, which will be significantly bolstered by tax revenues generated from sports betting legalization.

Wazdan Games Live at Tipico NJ 

Wazdan content (via Light & Wonder) has gone live at its third New Jersey online casino this week after striking a deal with Tipico Casino. The games provider is already available at BetRivers and DraftKings, with this new deal extending its presence in the Garden State.

Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan, Andrzej Hyla, commented, "Our partnership with Light & Wonder has been a vital part of our growth in North America, and we're confident that this will be another boost to all parties."

The entire Wazdan suite will be available at Tipico NJ, including hit titles like Power of Gods: Hades, Magic Spins, 9 Lions, 9 Coins, Sizzling Eggs, and Mighty Wild Panther. Alongside the studio's proprietary mechanics, like Hold the Jackpot and Cash Infinity. 

Wazdan is well-known in the slot industry as an innovative creator favoring bold and engaging themes. Thus far, their games have proved wildly popular with BetRivers and DraftKings NJ players.

Seminole Tribe, FL, Relaunches Sports Betting

Despite ongoing legal challenges, the Seminole Tribe in Florida has made the most of a window provided by the Supreme Court to relaunch sports betting under Hard Rock Bet. 

Early access has been open since Tuesday to any player who has previously held an account with Hard Rock Bet FL, with the complete service planned to go live between December 7-11th.

Since Hard Rock Bet made the early access announcement on X (formerly Twitter), the pari-mutuel betting companies involved in the ongoing legal challenge in the Sunshine State have petitioned the Supreme Court to "immediately suspend the sports betting provisions."

Oklahoma Online Sports Betting Proposal

In more sports betting news, Oklahoma has joined the movement, announcing plans for legal sports betting. This week, Governor Stitt set out his proposals to legalize both online and retail betting.

In line with the state's tribal gaming compacts, retail betting would be limited to the 38 Federally recognized tribes. For online betting, all operators can apply at an initial cost of $500,000 (+$100,000 annual renewal fees) and a 20% tax rate on revenue.

Oklahoma is one of only 15 US states yet to legalize sports betting. Plans include protections for college sports banning prop bets on college competitions. Stitt has also contacted the National Collegiate Athletic Association for their input and guidance.

A similar bill (HB 1027) was introduced in February 2023, passing the House of Representatives but failing to progress through the Senate. Thus, it's uncertain how this new proposal will fare.

Las Vegas Workers Ready to Hit the Picket Line

Despite Caesars reaching a provisional agreement with The Culinary and Bartenders Unions, Las Vegas workers are ready to walk out tomorrow, November 10th, in response to stalled contract negotiations. 

The Union has warned as many as 35,000 workers from 18 casinos will take action in what has been called the "largest hospitality strike in US history" if further headway is not made. The negotiations have been ongoing for seven months, with workers demanding better pay and benefits.

The Union has been busy preparing for tomorrow's strike, which looks ready to go ahead, with 45 strike stations and multiple picket lines set up throughout the strip.

Slot Game of the Week

​​Merlin: Journey of Flame, Play'n GO: RTP 96.26%

Looking for a red-hot new online slot to spin? Then it's time to check out our game of the week, Merlin: Journey of Fire by Play'n GO. Set on 5x3 reels with 10 pay lines, the backstory to this slot is the famous magician Merlin. 

As the young wizard, Merlin traverses an unforgiving, mysterious land, uncovering a series of dragon eggs in a swampy, enchanted lake. Using his Spell Book, Merlin uses his skills to crack open the winged hatchling – only to end up in a trial by fire. Your mission is to assist Merlin in surviving his quest. You'll have several features in your spellbook to help you:

• Magic Ruins: The Magic Ruins, Spell Book, Staff, Potion, and Merlin symbols make up the main game characters. You'll need to match 3+ to make a win. There's also a Dragon Egg Wild and a scalier version, the Scatter symbol.

• Free Spins: Land three Hacked Dragon Egg Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels, and 8 free spins are yours. These come with an extra reel and expanding symbols in play. Plus, the round is retriggerable with an unlimited number of times if you land an additional 3 scatter while playing.

• Expanding Symbols: Before the Free Spins start, a special expanding symbol is chosen to add more magic to the round. Anytime this symbol features in a win, it expands to cover the entire reel.

• The Gamble Spell: Lastly, any time you make any win under 2,500 coins, you can try your luck casting a spell to double or quadruple your win. Simply hit the gamble feature and guess the color or suit of the next card. Be careful how you wield this power, as it may not pay off, leaving you with nothing.

What's at stake if you succeed and help Merlin survive? Up to 7,500x your bet in fiery golden coins. Where can you play? At these Play'n GO online casinos at the cost of 10 cents up to $100. But remember, if you want to make it out alive, don't wake up the dragons!