Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 12-18

Published

2 years ago

April 20, 2021

Reading Time: 3 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

Rush Street Interactive (RSI) has launched its flagship brand and award-winning online casino platform BetRivers.com in West Virginia. Through RSI’s partnership with Century Casinos Inc.’s (Nasdaq: CNTY) Mountaineer Park Inc., West Virginians can now play a fun array of online slot games and popular table games such as blackjack, roulette and baccarat. Similar to other markets where it operates, BetRivers.com plans to consistently add fan-favourite casino games to its site in West Virginia to provide players with fresh content and the same robust library of games it is known for in other states.

Rhode Island-based Bally’s Corp has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel and Casino from Gaming & Leisure Properties Inc for about $308 million. The agreement for the nearly 1500-room hotel, casino, theatre and convention property also involves a sale-and-leaseback transaction relating to Bally’s Black Hawk, Colorado and Rock Island, Illinois, casino properties. The Bally’s-Tropicana transaction is expected to close early next year.

Leaders from the global games industry who participated in #PlayApartTogether have committed to reactivate the initiative launched one year ago, which encourages gamers everywhere to follow World Health Organisation (WHO) health advice on COVID-19 prevention. As part of #PlayApartTogether, a large number of gaming companies agreed to disseminate evidence-based health messages from WHO to help slow the spread of COVID-19. To promote these messages, hundreds of game industry leaders in the interactive entertainment space have encouraged their vast network of users to follow the WHO’s health guidelines.

Wynn Las Vegas has announced a new COVID-19 vaccination and testing policy for its employees. As per the new policy, all employees must get vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 tests. The company said that 60% of its employees have already been vaccinated. The announcement comes as the Nevada Gaming Control Board says it will only consider expanding capacity beyond the current 50% limit if casino-resorts take “measurable and material steps” to get employees vaccinated.

Financial Results

Sports wagering revenue in Iowa reached a new record of $13.5m in March, while the US state’s handle also hit a new monthly high of $161.4m. The revenue total represented a 1,025.0% increase on the $1.2m reported in the same month 2020, the month in which the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic shuttered the state’s casinos and saw major leagues suspended. It also marked a 75.3% month-over-month rise on the $7.7m posted in February this year, as well as breaking January’s $11.3m revenue record.

The casinos in Atlantic City saw an 80% drop in profits last year. According to the state Division of Gaming Enforcement, Atlantic City’s nine casinos collectively posted $117.5 million in gross operating profits in 2020, down from nearly $594m in 2019.

New Partnership

Online casino content developer Spinmatic has entered into a new partnership deal with the Mexican operator BigBola. Through the deal, Spinmatic has strengthened its presence in Latin America, particularly in Mexico, where Big Bola has twenty casinos, apart from the Big Bola Online platform. Spinmatic has a strong interest in the Mexican market, with several of its games already dedicated to this country’s culture. Some of these Mexican-themed slots are El Fuego, Mayanera Return, Día de los Muertos and the most recent 3 Amigos.

Appointments and Promotions

Leading US gaming company DraftKings has appointed Brian Angiolet as its first-ever Chief Media Officer. Most recently, Angiolet served as SVP and Chief Business Officer at Verizon Communications. During his tenure at Verizon, Angiolet spearheaded a number of high-profile, multi-billion-dollar content and advertising initiatives including broadcasting, sports and digital entertainment deals across Verizon’s Fios and media properties, partnerships with premier sports leagues like the NFL and NBA, and oversight of Verizon Wireless’ advertising and media portfolio.

Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has announced multiple promotions within the company. Promoted to senior vice president are Christine Gallo, Compliance and Quality Assurance, and Kevin Mullally, Government Relations and General Counsel. Promoted to vice president are Elizabeth Harrison, Human Resources; Mackenzie Haugh, Engineering; Sangeeta Reddy, Engineering; and Angela Zografos, Vice President, Legal, Corporate and Regulatory Compliance. Throughout the company’s global laboratories, dozens of engineers have also been promoted.

Compliance Update

A pair of bills in the Florida Senate would create a state gaming commission and allow pari-mutuel facilities to offer certain forms of gambling without holding live horse races or jai alai games to bet on. Senate President Wilton Simpson announced that the Regulated Industries Committee will consider SB 7076 and SB 7080 during their meetings next week. The move comes while officials are engaged with negotiations with the Seminole Tribe over a new gaming compact. SB 7076 would create a five-member “Gaming Control Commission” which would oversee all of the state’s gaming activities. Currently, the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering oversees Florida’s commercial gambling market.

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Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – May 22-28

Published

3 days ago

May 30, 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

Tipico Sportsbook announced the launch of “Swing for the Fences,” an MLB contest in which bettors play for a chance to win their share of over $100,000 in monthly prizes. The contest is available to customers in Tipico’s operating states of Ohio, New Jersey, Colorado and Iowa.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has nominated Michelle Gillcrist as Director of the Ohio Lottery Commission. Gillcrist was named interim director in April. Prior to her appointment as interim director, Gillcrist served DeWine in various capacities during his tenure as Governor, Ohio Attorney General and United States Senator, most recently as Governor DeWine’s Northern Ohio Regional Liaison and the Governor’s Aerospace and Defense Liaison for Northeast Ohio.

Maverick Gaming announced the launch of its new “Ace’s Poker” room in the city of Mountlake Terrace, Washington. This exciting new poker brand is the first in the state and represents the continuous investment in Maverick Gaming’s strategy to redevelop and connect its properties across its regional footprint.

DoubleDown Interactive, a leading developer and publisher of digital games on mobile and web-based platforms, announced a $10,000 donation to the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in support of its mission to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the US.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort is going to celebrate its 20th anniversary this June. The casino opened its doors in 2003, and since 2011, has been rated as a AAA Four Diamond award-winning resort.

Partnerships

SimWin Sports, the first AI-driven digital sports league and one of Web3’s most anticipated new gaming platforms, announced its new partnership with The Boston Legends, an ownership group spearheaded by Autograph. The latter is renowned for its co-founder, Tom Brady, an iconic NFL quarterback.

Canadian Elite Basketball League and BetVictor announced a national partnership that will see the international sports book align with the CEBL as its official Sports Betting Partner for the 2023 season as it expands its presence in Ontario and across Canada. The partnership will include a groundbreaking sports betting experience for CEBL fans across its broadcasts and media platforms.

Play.Works, the number one provider of Connected TV games and original TV channels, announced a partnership with Authentic Hendrix LLC and Experience Hendrix LLC to launch casual slots and video trivia games inspired by the lyrics and music of legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix.

Baha Mar, the leading luxury resort in The Bahamas, and Quick Custom Intelligence announced the successful upgrade to version 5.2 of Quick Custom Intelligence’s Enterprise Platform. Version 5.2 enhances the award-winning QCI Platform with the automation of operational tools that become a central part of the daily management of a gaming facility.

Vegas Stats and Information Network (VSiN) is launching a new 24-hour sports radio format in New Hampshire. VSiN is launching the channel alongside Binnie Media, New Hampshire’s largest locally-owned media company. The new VSiN Radio 106.3 FM HD2 will deliver sports betting programming 24/7 year-round to the more than 1.5 million people Binnie Media reaches each week in New England and beyond.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – May 15-21

Published

1 week ago

May 23, 2023

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Latest News

International Game Technology PLC announced that Keith Cash, the Company’s Vice President and General Manager of Global Instant Tickets will be inducted into the Lottery Industry Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2023. Cash will be honoured later this year at an event hosted by the Public Gaming Research Institute.

Hard Rock International is bringing its unique brand of world-class entertainment to the historic city of Deadwood in the heart of the Black Hills National Forest. The Rocksino by Hard Rock project will celebrate a grand opening on August 8. The Rocksino by Hard Rock Deadwood is a boutique hotel & casino experience, which includes most of what fans of the Hard Rock brand have come to know but on a smaller scale than its famous integrated resorts in gateway international cities.

The online lottery ticket platform Jackpot.com has launched in Ohio, its second US state after it launched in Texas in January. Jackpot.com is also launching with a marketing partnership with one of the country’s premier professional sports franchises, the Cleveland Guardians.

BCLC is enhancing identification requirements at B.C. casinos this summer to support people enrolled in BCLC’s Game Break self-exclusion programme. While players will receive the same friendly, welcoming experience that they are used to when arriving at a B.C. casino, the enhancements will require every individual to present government-issued photo identification for entry.

NOVOMATIC has confirmed its attendance at the upcoming Peru Gaming Show (PGS) 2023 event, set to take place on June 14-15 at the Jockey Exposition Centre in Lima. At stand #53, the company will showcase its latest highlights for the region.

Partnerships

Las Vegas-based, cross-platform global games leader, Light & Wonder, has been selected to bring its portfolio of systems solutions driven by comprehensive technology to Mohegan INSPIRE Entertainment Resort.

Galaxy Gaming has announced that it has signed an agreement with Evolution Group for the licensing of Galaxy table game content across their portfolio of studios. The agreement runs for ten years and strengthens Evolution’s collection of online table games.

Major League Soccer announced that The Game Day, a leading sports betting entertainment website, will provide fans with expert tips on MLS bets and match preview highlights each week on the new Betting Hub on MLSsoccer.com.

IMG ARENA has extended its partnership with Major League Soccer to provide tracking data to MLS NEXT Pro. The extended agreement will see IMG ARENA integrate its deep tech, cloud-based platform to provide player and ball tracking data to MLS NEXT Pro to enhance their player performance analysis.

Appointments

The Board of Directors of the Campo Kumeyaay Nation’s Economic Development Corporation “Muht Hei Inc.” announced the appointment of Michael J. Broderick as the new General Manager of Golden Acorn Casino and Travel Centre.

Industry sales leader Lisa Carmona has joined the JCM Global (JCM) sales team, bringing with her a rich background and deep knowledge of digital signage and its impact on casino gaming customers. Carmona will be based in Las Vegas and will serve JCM customers in the Midwest.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – May 8-14

Published

2 weeks ago

May 16, 2023

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Latest News

WarHorse Gaming has announced plans to begin construction on its new gaming facilities in Omaha and continue with the next phase of construction at its Lincoln facility. WarHorse Gaming Omaha will feature roughly 1300 slots and 20 tables games once complete, of which more than 800 will be available when the first phase of the casino opens about a year after the start of construction.

Chasing Poker Greatness has announced that it has officially launched its first live cash poker course known as Live Cash Preflop Bootcamp. Chasing Poker Greatness is a well-known online poker website that publishes poker podcasts, sells online poker courses, offers private poker coaching, produces poker training videos and runs a coaching-for-profit (CFP) poker stable (the CPG Wolves).

ALT Sports Data, the leading source of official and unofficial alternative sports trading data unlocking millions of participatory fans and potential bettors for sportsbook operators, media platforms and event producers, has been named the winner of the third annual Ifrah Pitch Competition.

NorthStar Gaming Holdings Inc. announced it has closed its previously announced acquisition of Slapshot Media, a Canadian iGaming marketing and managed services company that specialises in providing managed services to Spreads.ca, an iGaming site owned and operated by the Abenaki Council of Wolinak.

Paysafe announced the launch of its revamped Skrill digital wallet for online betting in the Canadian province of Ontario. Developed specifically to meet the payment preferences of iGaming players, the upgraded Skrill wallet allows Ontarians to instantly fund wagers and effortlessly cash-out winnings while enjoying a streamlined and intuitive user experience (UX).

Scientific Games Chief Marketing Officer Jennifer Welshons has been named a 2023 Lottery Industry Hall of Fame Inductee, joining an elite group of global professionals. A pioneer in the area of analytics and insights, Welshons will be honored at a ceremony this fall during the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries 2023 Annual Conference.

Partnerships

GG.BET has partnered with Brazilian esports streamer Gaules, in doing so securing an official agreement with a broadcast of the BLAST Paris Major. The Ukraine-founded company will become the official betting partner of the Brazilian Portuguese language streams of the BLAST Paris Major, which will be distributed via Gaules’ – real name Alexandre Borba Chiqueta – Twitch channel.

Pragmatic Play has strengthened its foothold in Brazil after signing an agreement with local operator Vem Betar. As part of the deal, Pragmatic Play’s extensive portfolio of Slots, Live Casino and Virtual Sports content will be available to Vem Betar’s player base.

DraftKings Inc. announced the launch of the DraftKings Network on Samsung TV Plus, Samsung’s free ad-supported TV service (FAST), the first FAST service with DraftKings Network that also delivers over 250 live channels in the US and thousands of shows and movies on demand to millions of Samsung Smart TVs Galaxy devices, Family Hub appliances and on the web.

Liga FUTVE, the top-flight professional football league of Venezuela, announced that Stats Perform, the sports tech leader in data and AI, will be the competition’s official data partner for the next three years.