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Gambling in the USA

Is there a future for gambling in Augusta?

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s there a future for gambling in Augusta
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The complicated stance on gambling taken by local governments across America could have limited life, with more dialogue than ever, as well as a pro-gambling president incumbent in the White House. Although certain states have a very relaxed approach to gaming, Georgia isn’t one of them, forcing any sort of gambling to remain part of the underground industry worth billions of dollars.

For Augusta, this means arrests and jail time, with four people put under duress in 2016 following unlicensed lottery sales. In a state where gamblers can visit Indian reservation casinos, it seems a little extreme to enforce gambling so strictly, especially when other states are reaping the benefits associated with a more liberal approach to gambling.

Las Vegas and Atlantic City are anomalies which are deeply rooted in the history of gambling in the US, but Michigan, Delaware and Pennsylvania are all well on the way to creating a regulated and controlled gaming industry that will open up new tax generation and employment opportunities. So the big question is why Georgia, and especially Augusta, isn’t getting a piece of the action?

Augusta’s prominence

Detroit is still struggling with bankruptcy, unemployment and a severe lack of public funding. To combat this, 3 major casinos are allowed to operate in the downtown area, generating hundreds of millions of dollar for the state of Michigan every year. This tax funding is pumped straight back into the local community, promoting regeneration and also creating new jobs.

Augusta isn’t in the same situation as Detroit (in fact it’s quite the opposite), but the opportunity that exists is a strong one. Detroit isn’t known as a holiday hotspot, the weather isn’t great all year around and to be brutally honest, rust belt visitors will take their tourism dollars to Chicago or across the border to Toronto. For Augusta, visitors from the coast, Atlanta, Charlotte and even the North East would be more than enough to turn Augusta into a premier gambling destination.

Naturally, the Masters tournaments is the big opportunity. Thousands flock to Augusta every year to see the world’s best, spending upwards of $200 million in the process. Imagine if these visitors were hosted in casino resorts designed to generate even more cash that could be used for public services and improvements across the city, instead of placed in the pockets of private organisations and international hotel chains that don’t have Augusta’s economy at the forefront of their operations. Sports gambling is an underground industry worth $700 billion and it would be naïve to think that no gambling takes place at all during a masters tournament, so why not tax it?

The way online gambling is performing in other states and countries is definitely a point for consideration too. In the UK, online gambling now makes up 33% of the £13.8 billion industry, growing year on year and allowing online casino operators and bookmakers to become some of the biggest earners and employers. Wink Bingo, one of the UK’s market leading online bingo providers, has seen record growth, allowing them to build a trusted website that benefits from the laws on gambling in the UK. As well as an improved offering thanks to reinvestment, Wink is also creating jobs and contributing to the UK’s economy via tax, something that both cities and states could be and are doing in states like Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Trump’s key role

The president has a background in casinos. After raising millions of dollars in capital through the sales of junk bonds, Trump basically transformed Atlantic City, New Jersey back in the 1980s, constructing and operating several casinos and plastering the Trump brand onto the city. Although the casinos he operated weren’t a success, it has left a lasting legacy that has turned Atlantic City into a gambling hotspot on the East coast. Although legalised gambling at a national level is on the cards, we’re yet to see an official stance from the president’s office, possibly due to the other fires he is busy fighting both internally and externally. What is certain however is the fact that any changes to gambling laws will be a drawn-out process, with conservative law makers, judges and of course local government need to align, a process which will not be as straightforward as many gaming companies and gamblers will be hoping for.

Augusta would also be impacted greatly. Gambling in the US is starting to shake its dark past, and regulated gambling would certainly be free from ties with organised crime. If Augusta were to become a casino hotspot, the dynamic of the city could change completely, something that many residents wouldn’t be in favour of. New visitors may bring additional revenues, but it may all of a sudden become more difficult to get to work in traffic, or even book a restaurant.

The trade-off between tax revenue and additional tourism problems would need to be considered in depth, but it still feels that taking advantage of golf visitors is a no brainer. On-site bookmakers or even concession stands that offer odds could be a simple solution that would bump up golf revenues considerably.

With the president’s official decision to come and some guaranteed backlash from lawmakers in Georgia if the US does decide to legalise gambling at a national level however, it may still be some time before we can enjoy gambling without having to leave Augusta.

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Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – July 15-21

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Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

Instant Win Gaming (IWG), a leading supplier of eInstant games to NASPL and WLA-member lotteries, has congratulated the Pennsylvania Lottery on becoming the first in the US to launch eFastPlay, a new eInstants category offered by IWG. In Pennsylvania, the Lottery is branding this new category as EZ “eInstants”. The Lottery’s new EZ category broadens the appeal of its online programme to players who prefer a more simplified instant play experience.

Advanced Casino Solutions (ACS), a leader in targeted marketing and player engagement solutions for the gaming industry, announced a significant upgrade to its cutting-edge product, the Precision Insights & Engagement (PIE) platform. This enhancement further refines the capabilities of PIE, providing even more detailed insights into visitor behaviour and setting a new industry standard for data-driven marketing.

Relativity Acquisition Corp. announced that it has entered a letter of intent (LOI) providing for a proposed business combination (the Transaction) that will result in Relativity acquiring 100% of the outstanding equity and equity equivalents of Mazaii Corp Ltd. The Transaction values the Company at an initial enterprise value of $500 million.

Innovative Technology Americas Inc. has appointed Jeff Tash as its Business Development Manager for North America. Jeff will focus on the amusement and vending industries, identifying and generating new sales opportunities. Innovative Technology specialises in note handling equipment and age and identity verification technology.

A subsidiary of Betsson AB has obtained its first local licenses for the newly regulated market in Peru. The licenses cover online casino and sports betting for the Betsson and Betsafe brands. Further, licenses for the Inkabet brand are expected to be obtained soon.

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has launched the Tribal Advisory Council. While NCPG has worked with Tribal gaming entities for many years, the formation of the Tribal Advisory Council represents a deeper level of collaboration to address matters of responsible gambling and problem gambling that are of importance to Native American communities.

Partnerships

Bally’s Twin River announced that it has partnered with nationally recognised Maverick Gaming to elevate the poker room experience and rebrand the poker area to the Bally’s Maverick Poker Room. The collaboration aims to create the ultimate poker experience for players of all levels, increase revenue generated by the Bally’s poker offering and create new jobs. Bally’s will continue to operate and manage the poker room which consists of approximately 23 tables, all located on the smoke-free second floor of the casino.

CT Interactive has launched its games on Juegalo.com, a prominent Chilean online casino brand. This partnership marks a significant step in CT Interactive’s strategic expansion within the Latin American market, extending the company’s footprint in Chile. The integration of CT Interactive’s diverse game portfolio on Juegalo.com offers players in Chile access to a wide range of high-quality, engaging and regulation-compliant gaming content.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has entered into a partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee and has become the Official Ontario Lottery Partner of Team Canada for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – July 8-14

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Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

The CT Lottery has launched its iLottery platform. Players can participate in the fun of online lottery and their favourite draw games by visiting ctilottery.org or by downloading the CT Lottery mobile app on the iOS platform (Android app to follow next month). The app comes with exciting new features that allow players to personalise their lottery experience, such as saving favorite numbers and wagers, grouping preferred games for easy purchasing and setting limits for wagering and time spent on the app.

Talking Stick Resort, an enterprise of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC), announced that it was named “Best Casino” in azcentral.com’s 2024 Community Choice Awards. The casino-resort was nominated along with three other casino properties in the Valley by the public as part of the East Valley, Best of the Desert portion of the awards programme.

International Game Technology PLC announced that IGT PlayDigital recently added the highly anticipated Prosperity Link game to its iGaming content library in the US. This development makes the widely recognised casino game available for commercial iGaming operators in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, Connecticut and West Virginia.

Raketech has announced that the Company has reached an agreement to divest its non-core US advisory business. The total sale proceeds amount to USD 2.25 million settled partially on closing and via an ongoing revenue share agreement.

Partnerships

NetBet Mexico and popular online gaming provider Octoplay have announced an agreement that will make Octoplay’s games available for NetBet Mexico customers to enjoy. Despite only being founded in 2022, Octoplay has rapidly established itself as an influential member of the iGaming industry, developing multiple entertaining and popular slots such as Lollicat, Eternal Clash and Shaolin Panda Chaos Reels – which are among the flagship new Octoplay titles being made available to NetBet Mexico customers.

SCCG Management, a leading global advisory firm in the gaming industry, has announced a sponsorship partnership with Blurify, an award-winning expert in software development with a niche focus on the iGaming sector. This collaboration aims to leverage SCCG’s extensive client partner ecosystem and deep market insights with Blurify’s technological expertise to explore new opportunities and drive innovation in the gaming industry.

International Game Technology PLC has announced that its subsidiary, IGT Global Solutions Corporation, has signed a seven-year contract with the Colorado Lottery to install all-new world-class products and solutions. The contract is expected to run through July 12, 2032, and includes seven, one-year extension options. As part of the new contract, the Colorado Lottery will receive IGT’s Aurora central system, replacing the current lottery central system.

JCM Global (JCM) has installed its award-winning iVIZION bill validator and ICB Intelligent Cash Box system at the historic Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans. JCM upgraded its UBA bill validator to iVIZION and installed ICB on each of the 620 slots at Fair Grounds. Previously, JCM installed its GEN5 Thermal Printer at Fair Grounds, and now with iVIZION and ICB, the path is open for the property to take full advantage of JCM’s FUZION technology in the future.

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Gambling in the USA

Innovative Technology Americas welcomes Jeff Tash, Business Development Manager

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Innovative Technology Americas, Inc. welcomes Jeff Tash, Business Development Manager for North America. Jeff will focus on the amusement and vending industries, identifying and generating new sales opportunities. Innovative Technology specializes in note handling equipment and age and identity verification technology.

Welcoming Jeff to the US team, Lauren Fabbri, Business Development Manager for the gaming side of the business, said, “Jeff joined us back in March and hit the ground running spending his first day in the Innovative booth at the Amusement Expo show in Las Vegas!  Jeff has settled into life at Innovative Technology and is already connecting with our amusement and vending customers across America and Canada.”

Commenting on his role, Tash said, “I am really enjoying working for Innovative! The overwhelming support and enthusiasm from both the team and our customers on my first day at Amusement Expo validated my choice to join ITL. I’m up to speed with all our products and really enthusiastic to share them with the many contacts I have in the industry.”

Fabbri continued, “Jeff has 15+ years in the amusement industry, primarily with OEMs in a sales and business development role, so has an extensive book of contacts including manufacturers, distributors, route operators and parts providers. He will be responsible for monitoring industry trends, identifying growth opportunities and emerging markets, conducting product demonstrations and facilitating strong client relationships.  Jeff has phenomenal relationships and has already demonstrated his ability to motivate decision makers when representing us at trade shows, meetings and events.”

Concluding Tash said, “I am eager to provide reliable and innovative product solutions to the amusement industry and customers, and continue to ensure note handling remains at the forefront of the amusement and vending industries. I am excited to collaborate with Lauren and the rest of the North American team in the growth of the GAV (Gaming, Amusement, Vending) markets. Innovative is an organization with a strong sense of purpose and a passion to support its employees, and I am privileged to be a part of this.”

 

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