Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 19-25

Published

2 years ago

April 28, 2021

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 and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

Betsson Perch Investments AB, a subsidiary of Betsson AB (publ) (Betsson), has acquired a 50% stake in the software development company JDP Tech Ltd, which owns a proprietary technology platform for handling LatAm payments. The consideration payable for the shares amounts to EUR 8.8 million. This allows Betsson to secure customer payment flows for the continued expansion in Latin America.

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak has announced that the casinos in the state can operate at full capacity from June 1. Nevada is one of the leading tourist destinations in the world and has dramatically suffered due to the coronavirus pandemic. At one point last year, the entire state was shut down for three months until mid-June. But even then capacity limits were in place and hotel casinos were begging to return to full capacity. Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said the vaccines played a huge role.

According to PlayMichigan, the online sportsbooks in Michigan set fresh records for handle and revenue, reaching nearly $400 million in online and retail bets in March and surpassing $30 million in online revenue, while online casino revenue approached $100 million. The NCAA Tournament spurred Michigan’s online sportsbooks to $359.5 million in handle, according to official data released. That total was up 19.1% from $301.9 million in February. Combined with the state’s $24.2 million retail handle, Michigan’s online and retail sportsbooks collected $383.7 million in bets. That overall total is up 17.8% from $325.6 million in bets in February.

Caesars Entertainment has revealed its plan to invest $400 million into its Atlantic City resorts by 2023. In Atlantic City, Caesars owns and operates three of the region’s preeminent casino destinations – Caesars, Harrah’s Resort and Tropicana Atlantic City. The plans include remodeled room towers; freshly appointed interior design elements; enhancements to the casinos’ gaming floors; new dining concepts with acclaimed restaurant partners; and many more exciting additions within the next three years.

Argentine organisation KRÜ Esports has selected international marketing agency Vanquish as its exclusive commercial agent. KRÜ Esports was established in October 2020 and is founded by Manchester City striker Sergio Agüero. KRÜ Esports currently has three partners in the form of GIGABYTE gaming brand AORUS, streaming platform Twitch and American multinational semiconductor company AMD.

Scientific Games Corporation has signed an agreement with Gold Dust Casino to install its iVIEW displays across 233 slot games and seven table games in addition to SDS and CMP core systems. iVIEW technology enables operators to show dynamic marketing content, animations and videos on the gaming machine while providing an instant response through a sophisticated multi-touch display. iVIEW uses player-friendly graphical widgets to enable marketing teams to easily update content throughout the property, significantly enhancing the player experience.

Betsson Perch Investments AB, a subsidiary of Betsson AB (publ), has acquired a 35% stake in Strive Platform Ltd (Strive) for a total amount of USD 6.5 million. Upon launch in the US, planned for the second half of 2021, Betsson has an option to increase its shareholding in Strive by another 5% for the consideration of USD 1 million. Betsson will also grant to the company a convertible shareholder loan facility of USD 2.5 million.

Partnerships

Phoenix Suns and FanDuel Group have announced a multi-year market access partnership designating America’s #1 Sportsbook operator as the Suns’ Official Sportsbook and Daily Fantasy Sports Partner. As part of this new commercial arrangement, FanDuel will open a luxury sportsbook retail location inside the Phoenix Suns Arena. The sportsbook is expected to be completed in time for the 2021-22 NBA season.

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced a new, multi-year partnership that designates DraftKings as the Official Sportsbook and Daily Fantasy Partner of the PFL. The partnership will give MMA, daily fantasy and sports betting fans a truly unique viewing and gaming experience utilising PFL’s proprietary SmartCage technology.

Ainsworth Game Technology has partnered with Konami Gaming to launch historical horse racing machines (HRMs) for Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI). Konami’s newly engineered historical horse racing machines will operate on Ainsworth’s proprietary Historical Horse Racing System. Konami’s HRMs include a suite of popular game titles and cabinet platforms. The machines will be deployed at CDI’s HRM facilities in Kentucky, including Derby City Gaming, Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel and Newport Racing & Gaming.

New Appointments

Rush Street Gaming has announced that Justin Moore, former general manager of Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, has been named general manager of Rivers Casino Philadelphia, pending approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Justin joined Rivers in Schenectady soon after the property opened in 2017. He helped establish the Rivers Casino brand in a new and competitive market, operated The Landing Hotel and debuted New York’s first sportsbook—all while leading dynamic teams and earning a market-leading position.

Scientific Games Corporation has announced that Victor Blanco will join the Company in 2022 as Chief Technology Officer. In this role, Blanco will oversee Scientific Games’ technology strategy to support the Company’s leadership across gaming, lottery, sports betting and iGaming as well as support the development and execution of the Company’s great games.

DraftKings has appointed Gisele Bündchen, an environmental activist, philanthropist and former super model, as a special advisor to the company’s CEO and board of directors for environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. Bündchen has been recognised in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World and 100 Fashion Icons lists, appeared in hundreds of campaigns for the most prominent and iconic brands, graced more than 1200 magazine covers worldwide and walked the runway in close to 500 fashion shows. She is a prominent supporter of numerous environmental and social projects.

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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.