Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – June 22-28

Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! It was again an eventful week at the USA, despite the still-active virus attack.

Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which includes casino reopening, partnerships, acquisitions and recruitments. Read on and get updated.

Casino Reopening

Horseshoe Casino Baltimore has reopened its doors to the general public on June 28. However, Caesars Rewards Seven Stars and Diamond card holders were able to start gaming at the casino from June 26.

Acquisitions

SciPlay Corporation has acquired casual mobile games developer Come2Play. This acquisition brings the company into the fast-growing casual gaming segment. Financial details of the transaction are not being disclosed.

New Partnerships

Aquarius AI, the Vancouver-based consumer acquisition technology firm, has signed a letter of intent to enter a partnership with RPGG Media, owner and operator of UK-based esports wagering platform Puntt.

Bespoke games studio Espresso Games has partnered with leading iGaming platform provider BtoBet to expand its presence in Latin America and Africa.

Tecnalis, the Madrid-based platform provider for iGaming sites, has partnered with Betsoft Gaming. According to the deal, Tecnalis will integrate Betsoft’s slot portfolio on to their ground-breaking platform, Alira.

ROAR Digital and Sportradar have extended their US partnership through September 2026. Sportradar will continue providing data for all US sports plus a range of other events to ROAR Digital for use on BetMGM, its leading mobile sports betting app.

New Recruitments

Online gambling blocking software provider Gamban has appointed Jody Bechtold as a member of its US advisory board.

Bechtold is the CEO of Better Institute in Pittsburgh, VP of the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board and board member of the National Council on Problem Gambling.

New Deals

The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) has entered into an agreement with NeoPollard Interactive to build and maintain Alberta’s legal online gambling platform. The online platform will provide a secure, age-controlled environment that promotes healthy gambling behaviour.

New Launchings

Global Lottery Monitoring System (GLMS) has opened a new operational hub at the Loto Quebec premises in Montreal, Canada to analyse detect, prevent and report irregular and suspicious betting activities.

Employee Protest

Casino employees have protested against their job losses due to coronavirus and receiving a limited amount of healthcare benefits. They put together a caravan of more than 600 cars as a form of protest and drove to the casinos where they used to work before the pandemic.

Tax Break

The Louisiana Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee has approved legislation to give the gaming industry an $83 million tax break over five years after the major hit it took from the COVID-19 shutdown.

New Reports

On June 16, the American Gaming Association (AGA) released a report titled “Principles for Casino Gaming Payments Modernization.” Last week, boutique research and consulting firm Eilers & Krejcik Gaming has released a document providing further insights and comments on each one of the AGA’s principles.

New Approvals

Nevada-based casino content provider Spin Games has received an Interactive Gaming Manufacturer License from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

After receiving the license, Spin has successfully launched its ROC platform and numerous i-Gaming titles on Parx Casino’s real money online platform pa.parxcasino.com.

Compliance

The Georgia Senate Special Judiciary Committee has approved a legislation that aims to authorise the Georgia Lottery to manage an online sports wagering system.

Top Republicans in the Pennsylvania State Senate are pressing sweeping gambling legislation that would allow slot machine-like terminals in bars, restaurants, non-profit social clubs and other businesses that hold liquor licenses.