Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – March 15-21

Published

2 years ago

March 24, 2021

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 4 minutes

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

Konami Gaming’s DIMENSION 49J video slot cabinet and All Aboard video slot series have got nominated in three separate categories in the Annual EKG Slot Awards by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming. DIMENSION 49J has been nominated for Top Performing NEW Cabinet, while All Aboard has been nominated for Top Performing NEW Premium Game and Top Performing Proprietary Branded Game.

Caesars Entertainment has announced a $32.5 million expansion to its Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. Construction is set to start on April 1 and the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The expansion is expected to create more than 100 new casino jobs. Currently, Indiana Grand has about 100,000 square feet of gaming space. The 25,000-square-foot expansion will provide space for 100 new slot machines and 25 additional gaming tables.

NASCAR partner WynnBET, the digital gaming division of Wynn Resorts, has launched the WynnBET mobile app in the Commonwealth of Virginia in conjunction with being awarded an online sports betting permit in the state. With the recent announcement from the Virginia Lottery, WynnBET is now a legal gaming operator in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the WynnBET mobile app has been launched for sports betting enthusiasts to register and use throughout the state. Players who are 21 years of age or older can now download the app on Apple or Android devices with a $500 risk-free bet.

Inspired Entertainment has generated total revenue of $71.7m and adjusted EBITDA of $34.9m in the fourth quarter of 2020. These results include a payment from a UK LBO customer related to the company’s contractual revenue share of their value-added tax rebate, which positively impacted revenue by $32.5m and adjusted EBITDA by $31.7 million (in conjunction with third party fees).

Gross gambling revenues at MGM Springfield rose in February to $16.89 million, up from $14.5 million in January. But gross gambling revenue at the downtown casino still lags pre-pandemic figures in a pattern that holds true elsewhere and reflects the hospitality industry’s continued efforts to rebound from COVID-19 and the shutdowns necessary to prevent its spread.

Partnerships

Sportsbet.io has signed a two-year sponsorship agreement with Copa do Brasil. The agreement involves collaboration between the two brands, visibility on signs (LEDs and static), panels and rugs on the lawn, in addition to the traditional backdrops and materials in digital media. According to Justin Le Brocque, Head of Marketing at Sportsbet.io, this association with the national tournament is more of a connection with the Brazilian fan and a reason for pride for the company.

Pragmatic Play, a leading content provider to the gaming industry, has extended its presence in South America through its new partnership with Grupo Cordialito in Venezuela. The operator, one of the largest in the South American nation, will soon gain access to the supplier’s complete collection of Slots, including its latest titles, such as Eye of the Storm and Joker King, as well as its leading Live Casino products and the Virtual Sports offering.

FanDuel Group has announced a new multi-year partnership with two-time NBA champion and Inside the NBA analyst Kenny “The Jet” Smith. This new partnership designates FanDuel as the exclusive sports betting and daily fantasy provider for Kenny Smith. Additionally, Smith will appear in FanDuel advertising and TNT promotions featuring FanDuel’s free-to-play contests. Smith will also provide unique content for FanDuel Group’s social media channels.

Dignitas and HyperX have renewed and extended their partnership. The renewed partnership is the continuation of HyperX and Dignitas’ relationship that dates back to 2013. HyperX will continue to be the official peripheral partner of Dignitas. Through the partnership, HyperX and Dignitas will collaborate on exciting new content for Dignitas’ die-hard esports fans. HyperX Cloud Comms, a new and recurring content series, will bring Dignitas fans closer than ever before to their favourite players.

Kindred Group has teamed up with Gamban to offer Unibet customers in the US the ability to block online gambling sites across devices. Kindred has a long-standing cooperation with Gamban since 2017 across Europe and Australia. Gamban’s gambling blocking software works as an online gambling self-exclusion tool, preventing access to any online gambling site on individual devices.

Scientific Games Corporation has announced that its instant scratch games are coming to the Idaho Lottery. Scientific Games will design and manufacture Idaho Lottery scratch games under a new two-year contract, which begins in March 2021 and may be extended by the lottery for up to six additional years.

New Appointment

Everi Holdings has appointed Kate C. Lowenhar-Fisher as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer – General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, effective 22 March 2021, subject to customary regulatory approvals. She will have responsibility for the Company’s legal and regulatory compliance affairs and will report to Everi’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Rumbolz.

Compliance Updates

Nuvei Corporation has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Nuvei Technologies (Nuvei) has been approved to support the sports betting industry in Virginia. The Virginia Lottery has issued a sports betting vendor registration to Nuvei in accordance with the state’s sports betting regulation. The Company can now offer its innovative payment technology and industry expertise to provide an optimised payment experience and increased revenue opportunities for licensed gaming operators across the State.

Golden Nugget Online Gaming Inc. has announced that it has received a temporary permit to commence online sports wagering in the State of Virginia.

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Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – January 16-22

Published

3 days ago

January 24, 2023

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

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

Betr has officially launched its real money gaming product in Ohio. After a successful soft launch in the state beginning January 1 – Ohio’s first legal day of sports betting – Betr has activated account deposits and withdrawals statewide. The company set a U.S. online sports betting record for fastest launch from company founding to a fully licensed & regulated real money betting product.

Great Canadian Entertainment, Canada’s leader in gaming and hospitality, announced that the brand new 275-room Pickering Casino Resort Hotel is now open and accepting reservations.

Century Casinos Inc. announced that it will attend the Jefferies 12th Annual Winter Restaurant, Foodservice, Gaming, Lodging & Leisure Summit in Bachelor Gulch in Avon, Colorado, USA, on January 23, 2023. Peter Hoetzinger, President & Co CEO, will present the Company and hold one-on-one meetings with selected institutional investors.

Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook is set to host “The Big Game” viewing party on Sunday February 12 for this year’s Super Bowl. Football fans can catch all the action on the 140-foot wide video wall at the premier sportsbook in the Northeast, while also enjoying a Big Game Buffet, a fantastic drink menu and various betting options for both pre-game and live betting.

PointsBet USA and PointsBet Canada announced they have been approved for accreditation under the RG Check programme, provided by the Responsible Gambling Council.

Partnerships

Gaming Society, the new betting education platform, and the International Gaming Institute (IGI), a nonprofit academic centre at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) that offers research and educational programmes for the global gaming industry, have joined forces to help shape the future of sports betting and gamification through industry data and insights.

Homestand Sports has announced a strategic content alliance with SportsGrid to produce and distribute exclusive original programming across the network’s streaming connected TV platforms in Canada.

Pragmatic Play has expanded its reach within Latin America after going live with Nekobet. The operator will now gain access to the provider’s prominent slots vertical including recent hit tiles like Starlight Christmas and Sweet Powernudge.

Tipico, a leading global sportsbook operator, and Rhinegeist Brewery debuted the Tipico Sports Deck in the Rhinegeist Taproom as part of their new, exclusive brand partnership. Located in the city’s historic Over-the-Rhine district, the Cincinnati brewery will join forces with Tipico to enhance the Cincinnati fan experience with watch parties and events throughout the year.

New Appointments

The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) has announced that its Board of Directors has elected a new slate of officers effective February 1, 2023, including a new President, Robert “Bob” Parente, EVP and Chief Business Development Officer for Light & Wonder.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has appointed Bruce Band as Director of its newly established Sports Wagering Division. Band, a longtime gaming industry professional, has served the MGC as Assistant Director of Investigations & Enforcement Bureau and Gaming Agents Division Chief since 2014.

Bally’s Corporation announced the appointment of Tracy Harris as an independent member of its Board of Directors. Tracy’s term is effective upon receipt of regulatory approvals.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – January 9-15

Published

1 week ago

January 17, 2023

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Latest News

Elys Game Technology Corp announced that the company’s wholly owned subsidiary Elys Gameboard Technologies LLC received approval for Type C sports gaming proprietor licensure from the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC).

Penn Sports Interactive and its Barstool Sportsbook have received a temporary mobile sports betting licence for Massachusetts. The US state’s Gaming Commission voted unanimously to hand PSI a Category 3 Sports Wagering Operator Licence following meetings.

FanDuel Group, the premier online gaming company in North America, announced the “Kick of Destiny,” a campaign featuring four-time Super Bowl Champion and five-time NFL Pro-Bowler, Rob Gronkowski, who will attempt to kick a field goal during a live Super Bowl LVII television commercial.

Hard Rock International continues to proactively combat human trafficking by implementing several programmes this month. The company kicked off its programmes on January 11, as part of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

VICI Properties Inc. announced that it has acquired the real estate assets of PURE Casino Edmonton in Edmonton, Alberta, PURE Casino Yellowhead in Edmonton, Alberta, PURE Casino Calgary in Calgary, Alberta, and PURE Casino Lethbridge in Lethbridge, Alberta, from PURE Canadian Gaming Corp. for an aggregate purchase price of approximately C$271.9 million (US$200.8 million).

Tipico USA Technology Inc. announced it has received approval to launch from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission and that it is now live and accepting bets in the Hawkeye State.

Partnerships

Jackpocket has announced its launch in Arizona in partnership with Circle K. Lottery players in the state can use Jackpocket to play a variety of online games, including Powerball, Mega Millions, The Pick, Fantasy 5 and Pick 3.

Pragmatic Play has further expanded its footprint in the Brazilian market by signing an agreement with experienced operator BetBastet. The deal sees Pragmatic Play continue its expansion plans in Latin America, bringing its Slot, Live Casino and Virtual Sports content to BetBastet’s customers, delivering a variety of player-favourite titles that are proven to boost engagement.

Pollard Banknote Limited announced that it has entered into a joint venture operating agreement with respect to NeoPollard Interactive LLC and amended the parties’ Michigan Joint Venture Agreement with NeoGames S.A. The Agreements reinforce the long‐term approach to ensure the continued success of NPI and accordingly, the operations of its market leading customers.

Everi Holdings announced it was selected by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation to provide its Everi Compliance Anti-Money Laundering solution in support of BCLC’s gaming and online operations.

Brelyon, the MIT spin-off that’s invented the first-ever, headset-free virtual display technology for gaming and enterprise applications, is partnering with Velocity Esports to bring Brelyon Ultra Reality to Velocity locations, the ultimate venues for gamers, from casual to competitive gamers and esports enthusiasts.

Aruze Gaming, a leading developer of gambling entertainment solutions for the global casino market, announced the launch of four Aruze slot titles on BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator.

Exacta Systems continues to expand its best-in-class Historical Horse Racing install base through a new deal with Wyoming Downs, an operator of fourteen off track wagering facilities across Wyoming.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – December 19-25

Published

1 month ago

December 26, 2022

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Latest News

Underdog Sports has been awarded a license by the Ohio Casino Control Commission to operate as an online sports betting service provider in the state once legal wagering launches in 2023.

After successfully completing a 6-month slot trial, Competition Interactive’s Running Rich Reels Slot Game received recommendation for Final Approval from the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) launched “Are You Really Winning?” – a campaign to build awareness of problem gambling and to promote helpline services for people experiencing gambling problems.

Leadstar Media has expanded its product portfolio with a new website focused on the French Canadian market. With this launch, Leadstar Media offers its first French-language project targeting a market outside of France.

Passport Technology announced the selection of Passport’s Lush loyalty and rewards platform and Mira player enrollment kiosks, at Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort: Deadwood Casino and Gaming Hotel (Tin Lizzie). This relationship marks Passport’s entry into South Dakota.

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement under which CDI would acquire all of the outstanding equity interests of Exacta Systems LLC for total consideration of $250 million in cash, subject to certain working capital and other purchase price adjustments.

Black Oak Casino Resort and Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) jointly announced that the casino in Tuolumne, CA has selected the QCI Platform. The Unified Gaming Platform aligns marketing, player development and casino operations around one view of the casino’s data.

ViewSonic Corp will be holding its second annual United by Play Battle for Charity Esports Tournament. Hosted by ViewSonic, this in-person and virtual event will be held at the HyperX Esports Arena at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 5, 2023, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, followed by an industry mixer.

New Partnerships

CT Interactive has announced that it has signed a deal with Planet Gaming NV. This deal will allow the global provider to operate in а number of new markets.

Loudoun United FC and Betfred announced a multi-year partnership to make Betfred the team’s official sports betting partner. As part of the partnership, Betfred will be the back-of-jersey sponsor for the Red-and-White home and away kits beginning with the 2023 USL Championship Season. This marks Betfred’s first partnership with a soccer club in the US.

Canadian-based premium online sports betting, casino and free-to-play company BET99 and the National Hockey League (NHL) announced a new multi-year partnership naming BET99 an Official Partner of the NHL.

Pragmatic Play has partnered with Brazilian operator Aposta Ganha. The latest agreement continues Pragmatic Play’s dominance of the Latin American market and sees the simultaneous delivery of both its Slots and Live Casino portfolio to the operator.

GAN has signed an exclusive national partnership with WynnBet for GAN Sports and Super RGS. Following a highly competitive analysis, WynnBET chose to integrate the GAN Sports technology to power its online sportsbook operations across future U.S. jurisdictions, including the highly anticipated retail launch of the WynnBET Sportsbook at Encore Boston Harbor in Massachusetts in early 2023.