Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – February 22-28

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

Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news, new partnerships and compliance updates. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

Jackpot Digital has announced that it is reviewing and intending to spin-out its online gaming software assets to a newly incorporated company (Spinco). As consideration for the assets, Spinco will issue shares which shall be distributed to Jackpot’s shareholders. The purpose of the spin-out shall be to leverage and monetise the Company’s online digital assets and commercial relationships in the gaming sector. Also, the spin-out will allow a more streamlined regulatory process by separating the Company’s respective business operations and allow the Company to attract specialised management to run the online operations.

JCM Global has installed the upgraded version of its award-winning ICB Intelligent Cash Box system at two Sac & Fox Nation casinos in Oklahoma. The 623 slot games at Black Hawk Casino in Shawnee and the 148 slot games at Sac & Fox Nation Casino in Stroud now have the added boost of technology of JCM’s sophisticated ICB 3.0, further enhancing security and efficiencies. Both properties also benefit from JCM’s industry-leading iVIZION bill validators and a combination of GEN5 and GEN2U thermal printers.

Digital Gaming Corporation is entering the US online sports betting and iGaming market using the globally recognised “betway” brand. The betway brand operates in over 20 regulated markets across the world, and with global recognition it is both distinct and memorable. The high regard in which DGC Betway is viewed within the US gaming industry is demonstrated by the fact that DGC has secured market access agreements for 10 US States, for online Sports Betting, and where allowed by law, iGaming. DGC will continue to strive towards expanding its footprint across the US and is committed to finding partners that fit with its strategic objectives.

Multinational stadium designer Populous has revealed the designs for a $500 million convention, entertainment and esports centre in downtown Toronto. The venue is still unnamed but will sit on 4.5 acres of the Canadian National Exhibition grounds, a waterfront site on the northern edge of Lakeshore Boulevard that would also see a hotel tower rise at the project’s rear. OverActive Media (OAM), an international media and entertainment company, is serving as the project’s developer.

Helicon One Digital Ltd, the marketing company behind the UK casino portal The Slot Buzz, is set to launch its latest gaming site in Canada. The new website, thecasinoheat.ca, will focus on providing reviews and game guides for Canadian gamblers looking to place bets online. Reviews of more than 50 casino brands will be published on the site with operator and licensing information as well as informative and expert opinion on the games, software and payment services available.

Enthusiast Gaming Holdings is going to launch a new premium online publication dedicated to the growing needs of today’s esports fans. Combining content elements from the Company’s two existing esports coverage outlets, Upcomer and Daily Esports, Enthusiast Gaming will relaunch one unified esports publication later this spring. The new publication, which will operate as Upcomer, will leverage its existing user and prediction engine, to create one of the most complete esports fan engagement experiences.

New Partnership

Bally’s Corporation has become an Official Sports Betting Partner of the National Hockey League (NHL). This multi-year deal represents Bally’s first sports betting partnership with a professional sports league. The partnership provides Bally’s with rights to use NHL marks and logos as well as use of the League’s official data across its expanding portfolio of sports betting products. Also, through its media partnership with Sinclair Broadcast Group, Bally’s will create engaging content for NHL fans and integrate that content into live NHL game coverage spanning 19 regional sports networks.

Compliance Updates

Rush Street Interactive (RSI) has secured market access opportunities in Ohio, Maryland and Missouri through a strategic partnership deal with Penn National Gaming. Under the terms of the deal, RSI will have the ability to offer its BetRivers.com real-money online casino and sports betting platform for up to 20 years in Ohio, Maryland and Missouri through potential second skins in each of those states, subject to license availability, state law and regulatory approvals.

The North Dakota House of Representatives has passed two resolutions that could put sports betting and online poker on the November ballot. The legislation may allow North Dakota to join Michigan in legalising interstate poker. Since the state does not have any commercial casinos, all gaming and sports betting would take place online. The resolutions will now go to the Senate, where the Republicans hold a strong majority.