Gambling in the USA

Online Gambling in Illinois Scrutinized in House Committee Debate

Published

3 years ago

May 21, 2021

Online Gambling in Illinois Scrutinized in House Committee Debate

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Illinois legislators have pushed forward with their promise of considering the legalization of online betting. In a recent House Executive Committee meeting, they talked about matters regarding sports betting.

The proposed Internet Gambling Act could change the landscape of sports betting in the state. Some of the proposed issues are getting rid of in-person registration, and betting on collegiate sports. During this meeting, the committee discussed almost a dozen proposals.

The Future of Illinois Online Gambling

From the eyes of onlookers, the future of online gambling in Illinois is bright. The Illinois General Assembly seems to be favoring the act. If there is any cause of doubt, it probably is regarding the launch date. Even though sports betting was legalized in 2019, the first app wasn’t launched until June 18. Illinois is looking to speed up the timeline for iGaming legalization. Some of the best Illinois online gambling sites can be found here.

The law on sports betting demands that gamblers register at local retail casinos within the first six months. This law is contained in the Internet Gambling Act. Betting enthusiasts in Chicago will be forced to travel out of the municipality to register.

The city has been considering proposals to establish its first retail casino. However, it won’t be choosing a winner until the beginning of 2022. It isn’t clear how long the construction process may last. Luckily, there are a few casinos close to the official city limits.

In-Person Registration Still Receiving Critical Support

The head of William Hill government relations, Trevor Hayes, proposed the removal of in-person registration requirement. His proposal was backed by John Pappas, a spokesperson of the trade group iDEA Growth.

Both of them believe that in-person registration is unnecessary and a waste of time. According to Hayes, 75 percent of all the bets at William Hill are placed online. In some states, the number goes beyond 90 percent. Penn National Gaming official, Jeff Kaplan also proposed the removal of this registration requirement.

In-person registration isn’t good for the market. As an illustration, Gov. JB Pritzker suspended these registrations twice during the peak of the pandemic. The suspension may have propelled the growth of sports betting in the state. The numbers quickly surpassed Pennsylvania in February. It is pretty clear that in-person registration is not necessary anymore.

Iowa, the state next door, is another great example of in-person registration and why it is bad for the industry. Its handle leaped to $149.5 million in January. It was a 42.7 percent increase from $104.8 million in December. This improvement was only recorded after ending the in-person registration requirement.

The House Committee Chairman Concerned Over Retail Casino Layoffs

In a long sitting, Committee Chairman Rep. Bob Rita stated that the opinions of stakeholders were welcomed. They would shape the gaming package of Illinois. The chairman specifically raised concerns that the Internet Gaming Act may cause many employees to be laid off.

When pandemic restrictions were enforced, retail casinos were forced to either close or lower their capacity. This caused a massive loss of employment. Speaking on behalf of iDEA Growth, John Pappas acknowledged that the question of layoffs was difficult to speak answer.

The association represents sports betting and online gambling operators. It supports the idea of legalizing online poker and iGaming.

Before the hearing, John Pappas expressed his appreciation for input from industry representatives. These representatives were from 30 companies in the association. They include Sports radar, and Daily Fantasy Sports leaders FanDuel, and DraftKings.

According to Pappas, iGaming may actually increase employment opportunities. Jeff Kaplan agrees that iGaming is unlikely to cause the ‘cannibalization’ of retail casino revenue. He points to Pennsylvania as an example of this. According to Kaplan, it will actually be beneficial to land-based casinos.

Trevor Hayes of William Hills explains that iGaming may be great for land-based casinos. Since online bettors are generally young, they are likely to visit casinos to supplement their online play.

Some Representatives Aren’t Receptive

A few representatives, including committee chair Rep. Robert Rita, aren’t in support of the new legislation. They continue to defend the 2019 legislation requiring in-person registration.

The 2019 law had an 18-month period within which you could sign up in person. The committee chairman insisted on the importance of supporting land-based casinos. However, there is no evidence that online registration may hurt their operations.

The Possible End of In-State College Sports Betting Ban

Rep. Michael Zalewski is proposing the removal of the ban on in-state college sports. He reports that even though the prohibition may be well-intentioned, it isn’t meeting its goal. He uses offshore books and the neighboring states as examples to illustrate his point.

According to Pappas, this ban limits the betting market by up to 15 percent. He supports Zalewski’s remark that the ban isn’t meeting its purpose. It isn’t upholding the integrity of betting or protecting college players.

However, Josh Whitman, University of Illinois Athletic Director, opposes these sentiments. According to him, student-athletes are susceptible to bad influence. They need to be protected. According to him, the ban is good for protecting athletes’ mental health. It limits negative messages from fans.

IGaming Could Help Illinois Generate $1 Billion In Five Years

According to Pappas, the revenue from Illinois operators may hit $250 million in the first year if iGaming is legalized. He anticipates that the state may receive direct and indirect benefits amounting to $1 billion within the first five years.

These sentiments are echoed by Kaplan, who also believes that iGaming will be profitable to the state. He estimates that the revenue may surpass Michigan’s. He believes that it will be a good way to make up for the money lost when the pandemic struck.

Brendan Bussmann of Global Market Advisor, has the same testimony. He believes that the demand for iGaming is high, and it is time for the State to meet it.

Even though the bill has received a lot of support, it has received its share of criticism. However, the most appealing part of it, for most proponents, is the removal of the in-person registration requirement.

They believe that bettors shouldn’t have to travel when they need to register. Since online operators have plenty of safety measures in place, there is no need to believe that in-person registration will make bettors safer.

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Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – November 4-10

Published

4 days ago

November 12, 2024

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

PENN Entertainment and ESPN announced that account linking between ESPN BET and ESPN is now available for customers, creating an even more deeply integrated media and betting experience. By linking accounts, fans now have the ability to seamlessly track upcoming, live and settled bets within the ESPN app and on ESPN.com. With this product enhancement, ESPN BET will soon bring fans more personalised bets and timely promotions based on their favourite sports, teams, players and fantasy rosters.

Accel Entertainment Inc. has announced that it has completed the acquisition of 85% of the ownership interests of Toucan Gaming LLC and LSM Gaming LLC, two Louisiana-based route operators and owners of multiple licensed video poker establishments (collectively, “Toucan”), for approximately $40 million. The combined business will operate as Toucan Gaming throughout Louisiana and will be led by Stan Guidroz, an industry-leading gaming executive and current CEO of Toucan Gaming. Mr. Guidroz owns the remaining 15% of Toucan’s ownership interests and will lead the Accel team supporting Toucan’s continued growth.

INTRALOT S.A. has announced the undertaking of a new project between the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the sole lottery operator for the Government of British Columbia in Canada, and INTRALOT, its US subsidiary, for the provision of an online lottery platform. The project also includes the digitalisation of the existing land-based network. The solution will be based on the Player X platform, part of the Lotos X ecosystem, and adds to the company’s overall partnership with BCLC, which has been extended until 2028.

BetMGM Poker has become the third US operator to offer multi-state online poker. The company has merged its player pools in Michigan and New Jersey. Both states are a part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, which allows online poker networks to share liquidity and players in participating markets. The two-state network went live Wednesday afternoon after morning maintenance.

Betsson Group has celebrated its success at the SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2024, winning two prestigious awards: Sportsbook Operator of the Year and Leader of the Year, which was awarded to Kevin Saliba, Commercial Director (Business Development) for Latin America. This marks the second consecutive year Betsson has earned the Leader of the Year accolade, following Andrea Rossi’s win in 2023 – an achievement that underscores Betsson’s consistent leadership in the region.

Partnerships

Play’n GO has announced a new operator partnership with renowned gaming brand Hard Rock Digital for their top-rated Hard Rock Bet online casino platform in New Jersey. The Hard Rock brand is synonymous with entertainment worldwide, and this partnership will see Hard Rock Bet players in New Jersey gain access to hit Play’n GO titles such as Piggy Blitz, Book of Dead and Rise of Olympus 100.

SCCG Management, a global leader in gaming innovation and advisory, has announced a strategic partnership with Chata.AI, a technology provider specialising in self-service, proactive analytics that enables businesses to access real-time insights without requiring extensive technical expertise. This partnership introduces Chata.AI’s technology to the gaming industry, providing operators with powerful tools to streamline decision-making and increase operational efficiency.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – October 28-November 3

Published

2 weeks ago

November 4, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Latest News

Elray Resources Inc. has announced a significant milestone in the company’s growth strategy. The company has completed the sale of proprietary technology to 180 Life Sciences Corp. (NASDAQ:ATNF), a NASDAQ-listed company in exchange for preferred stock convertible into a 40% stake in ATNF and warrants to purchase 3 million shares of ATNF common stock, the conversion/exercise of which is subject to stockholder approval. The technology stack contained within Elray’s technology package will assist ATNF in launching an iGaming Blockchain casino.

PrizePicks, the largest daily fantasy sports operator in North America, has announced that it has been awarded Daily Fantasy Sports Operator Licenses in Delaware and Missouri. The company will launch Arena, its innovative peer-to-peer fantasy sports contest, in both states. With these new state launches, Arena will now be available in 15 states across the US.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (Board) unanimously voted to renew the Category 2 stand-alone casino license of Wind Creek Bethlehem LLC, operator of Wind Creek Bethlehem casino in Northampton County. In making the decision, the Board determined that Wind Creek Bethlehem LLC had fulfilled the obligations under its previously approved casino operator’s license and therefore qualified to have its license renewed for an additional five-year period.

Aristocrat announced that the company was the first international slot and online technology company to be granted a Gaming-Related Vendor license by The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the federal entity overseeing commercial gaming activities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This announcement grants Aristocrat the ability to provide the company’s land-based electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and online games and technology solutions to commercial gaming operators licensed by the GCGRA.

Partnerships

SCCG Management, a leading global advisory and consulting firm in the gambling industry, has entered into a strategic partnership with Slot Machines Unlimited, a premier provider of refurbished slot machines and gaming equipment. The partnership between SCCG Management and Slot Machines Unlimited leverages both companies’ strengths: Slot Machines Unlimited’s expertise in refurbished gaming equipment and SCCG’s deep industry insight, global network and strategic growth capabilities. The collaboration will enhance Slot Machines Unlimited’s international sales and service operations, ensuring gaming establishments worldwide have access to high-quality slot machines and support.

Galaxy Gaming Inc. has announced that the Galaxy Operating System (GOS) is now live on over 50 ships worldwide with Carnival Corporation & PLC, the world’s largest leisure travel company. Since the installation, tables powered by GOS have awarded over $5 million in jackpot payouts to players. GOS is the jackpot progressive system for all Carnival Corporation ships, including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises. Launched in 2024, GOS is the next-generation game management system developed by the industry’s leading table game experts.

The hottest new game from Aristocrat Gaming, Phoenix Link, is now live on casino floors, with Yaamava’ Resort & Casino being the first in North America to offer the highly-anticipated game. As the next evolution of the international hit game, Dragon Link, Phoenix Link features player-favourite mechanics from top games with all-new themes, features and bonuses.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – October 21-27

Published

3 weeks ago

October 28, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Latest News

Bally’s Interactive, the digital and sports betting division of Bally’s Corporation, announced the official launch of the Bally Bet Sportsbook app in Tennessee, marking its expansion into the tenth state. This milestone comes on the heels of recent successful Bally Bet launches in Massachusetts and Maryland. Sports enthusiasts across the Volunteer State can now revel in the comprehensive offerings of the Bally Bet sportsbook app. With a wide array of betting options, including spread, money line and total bets, as well as in-game betting and same game parlays, Tennessee sports fans will have an unparalleled wagering experience.

ESE Entertainment Inc., a gaming company that provides a range of services to leading video game developers and publishers, has announced that it has acquired Bombee Global Entertainment (Bombee Americas), the North American arm of Bombee Event Production AB, (Bombee), a global production company specialised in live production, special effects, broadcast and event management for the gaming sector. Bombee has successfully collaborated with ESE to bring its premier event production services and world class customer service to North America and beyond. The North American arm of Bombee, Bombee Americas, will continue to grow and scale in this new organisational structure under ESE, while maintaining its entire team and global support.

Matthew Wantman has become the overall champion of the PokerGO Tour PLO Series II presented by PLO Mastermind. Wantman secured the prestigious honor after an impressive showing at PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas, outperforming a talented field of the best PLO players in the world to earn the $10,000 PGT Passport bonus. The PGT PLO Series II featured a series of high-stakes pot-limit Omaha tournaments. Wantman’s consistent performance set him apart from the competition and solidified his spot atop the leaderboard.

Partnerships

SYNOT Games has announced its further expansion into the Colombian market through a partnership with BetPlay. This alliance highlights SYNOT Games’ commitment to increasing its presence in Latin America and providing its engaging and innovative games to a wider audience. Through this partnership, BetPlay’s online platform will feature a curated selection of SYNOTGames’ top-performing titles, including fan favourites like Aztec Jaguar, Diamond Fever, Realm of Lions.

Internet Sports International, a global provider of turnkey race and sportsbook software solutions, announced its partnership with the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort in Fort McDowell, Arizona. Through this consultancy, ISI is powering the casino’s sportsbook and retail sports wagering operations on its gaming floor with its award-winning system. WKP Sportsbook is currently operating, allowing patrons to elevate their excitement by wagering on their preferred sporting events with up-to-the-minute odds and live action. The automated sportsbook kiosks provide access to a wide range of sports propositions for both the beginner and expert bettor.

Aristocrat Gaming, a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of regulated slot games, announced it is now a promotional partner for Princess Cruises, one of the world’s most iconic cruise lines. Through this exciting collaboration, Aristocrat Gaming will design innovative gaming experiences for guests onboard Princess ships as well as create promotions with land-based casinos that offer Princess cruises as rewards.