Mike Dunleavy, the Governor of Alaska, has proposed and introduced legislation (Senate Bill 188 or SB 188), which would create a new state-run lottery corporation. It would allow the introduction of state-run lottery draws and scratch-offs, as well as participation in some multi-state lotteries.

“In the face of low state revenues, my administration has been actively seeking new revenue sources to diversify our economy. Not only does this legislation have the potential of creating new business opportunities, the profits generated from lottery activities will be designated to K-12 education, domestic violence prevention programs, drug abuse prevention programs, foster care, and homelessness,” Mike Dunleavy said.

When comparing Alaska with Vermont, the population of Alaska is around 731,000 and Vermont has about 624,000 residents, 107,000 fewer. The fiscal year 2018 saw lottery revenue of $132.41 million, of which $27.1 million went to the state’s Education Fund, according to Vermont State and players took home $87.4 million. Around $8.1 million was paid to employees and Just $3.02 million was for administrative costs.

Based on the above return, Dunleavy’s estimates from the lottery and sports gambling of between $5 million and $10 million each year seem to be actually low. The number could go much higher with the additional approval of electronic lottery terminals sought by SB 188, and would facilitate lottery and sports gambling activity “through the use of any media, including electronic terminals, computers, and the internet.”

Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has continued its expansion into the regulated US space by securing authorisation from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to provide affiliate services in the Keystone State.

Pennsylvania becomes the fourth state in which GiG’s Media division is active through its US-facing websites the World Sports Network (WSN.com) and CasinoTopsOnline.com.

GiG was granted an affiliate vendor registration in New Jersey in January 2019, which was followed by a certificate of registration for sports wagering in Indiana in December 2019. WSN.com is also operational in West Virginia, where there are no licensing requirements for sports betting affiliates.

Richard Brown, CEO of GiG, comments, “The Pennsylvania authorisation comes at an opportune moment for us as our flagship website, WSN.com, continues to climb in Google rankings in the US. This will provide us with more opportunities to convert visitors into players and we’re fully prepared to enter more states as they allow legal operators to start accepting customers.”

About Gaming Innovation Group (GiG): 

Gaming Innovation Group Inc. is a technology company providing products and services throughout the entire value chain in the iGaming industry. Founded in 2012, Gaming Innovation Group’s vision is ‘To open up iGaming and make it fair and fun for all’. Through its ecosystem of products and services, it is connecting operators, suppliers, and users, to create the best iGaming experiences in the world. GiG operates out of Malta and is dual-listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GIG and on Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker symbol GIGSEK. www.gig.com

Listeners will get inside scoop on the latest in downtown Las Vegas, gaming and entertainment

Eager to share the latest and greatest news and happenings in downtown Las Vegas, the Plaza Hotel & Casino has launched “On the Corner of Main Street,” a new weekly podcast offering listeners an inside scoop on gaming developments, exciting events, and the amazing people making downtown Las Vegas unique and a fast-growing destination.

On the podcast, Plaza CEO Jonathan Jossel will be joined by special guests, including entertainers, gaming industry leaders, local officials and partners who will share their own exclusive and often entertaining perspective on where Vegas got its start – downtown – and where downtown is going now.

“I regularly greet guests and residents, alike, who are amazed by everything going on at the Plaza and in downtown Las Vegas,” said Jossel. “Not since the heyday of the Rat Pack era has downtown Las Vegas been so exciting. This podcast will be a fun way to highlight downtown’s developments, including new shows, restaurants and attractions and introduce listeners to the people behind the projects that are setting downtown Vegas apart. From my personal anecdotes of running a downtown Vegas hotel/casino to the stories of downtown’s iconic past and the perspectives of current Las Vegas leaders, On the Corner of Main Street will be the place to hear all about downtown Las Vegas.”

The initial 12-episode series of On the Corner of Main Street will be available on the Plaza’s website at https://www.plazahotelcasino.com/podcast/ as well as on Spotify and the Apple Podcast App, airing weekly on Wednesdays starting Feb. 19. Special guests will include downtown developer Sam Cherry; former mob attorney and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman; the Plaza’s bingo manager, Weldon Russell; and William Hill US CEO Joe Asher.

On the Corner of Main Street will be produced by Utter Clarity LLC, a podcast production company comprised of seasoned professionals from business, broadcasting, entertainment and professional sports. It will join the long list of Utter Clarity’s shows that entertain and educate, such as “Seinfeld” alum Steve Hytner’s guy-talk podcast “That’s Gold! with Steve Hytner” and the expert injury analysis of former NFL Team Doctor David Chao in his podcast “ProFootball Doc.”