Gambling in the USA
Dan Haar: Legalized sports gambling a strong bet as debate takes shape
If you think Connecticut already depends too heavily on gambling, between the two tribal casinos, the lottery, a robust off-track betting network and an approved casino plan in East Windsor, wager this: The state will embrace legalized (and lucrative) sports betting this year.
The topic will have an airing at a forum on casino expansion and sports gambling in mid-February organized by Rep. Joe Verrengia, D-West Hartford. He’s co-chairman of the committee that oversees gambling and favors expansion into sports.
Even with many open questions on how it might happen, even as the U.S. Supreme Court decides whether to let states take sports book action, top legislative Democrats favor the idea strongly. Deep budget shortfalls will do that.
The state’s take could reach $100 million to $300 million a year if Connecticut gets a jump on nearby states, and if it were to tap into the wildly popular NFL football fantasy leagues, said House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin.
“I would like it to be one of the first bills voted out of committee and I would like for the General Assembly to act on it quickly after that,” Aresimowicz said Monday, 16 days before the start of the 2018 legislative session. “It’s another area where if we don’t act, I’m sure neighboring states and other areas will.”
Sen. Martin Looney, the state Senate president pro-tem, is also behind it.
“I believe that Connecticut should move very speedily ahead on sports betting if we are authorized to do so by the U.S. Supreme Court,” said Looney, D-New Haven. “We need additional sources of revenue.”
That court case could change the national picture. For now, only four states sanction legal sports betting — Nevada, mainly, and also Delaware, Oregon and Montana, in more limited ways. They all beat a federal ban in 1992.
New Jersey passed a law challenging the ban in 2012, over opposition by the NFL, NCAA and other opponents. That’s what the Supreme Court is set to decide by June, in a case the justices heard last month.
Legislators who support it say Connecticut would be wise to have a law ready by June. Others say that’s a fool’s rush.
“This is just lunacy. Just deal with the problems that you have and stop pretending that legalizing drugs and expanding gambling is the panacea,” said Sen. Len Fasano, R-North Haven, the Republican senate leader.
Fasano said he might support sports betting if it’s done carefully, not rushed. He cited numerous hurdles that would take at least three years to clear.
Supporters, too, ask the same questions, though they see a faster result.
Would the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes, which own the casinos, run the sports action? If not, would their compact giving the state 25 percent of slot revenue in exchange for exclusive casino rights be in jeopardy?
What if the Supreme Court finds some aspects legal and others not? Would Connecticut offer betting online? Who, exactly, would take the bets and how would the rules work?
In fact, the General Assembly last year asked the state Department of Consumer Protection — which regulates gaming — to draft rules for sports betting. That was part of the approval for the East Windsor commercial casino.
The department now wants details on how to make it work, Aresimowicz said.
One option would be to bring in the tribes to run sports betting. Another would be to turn to the 16 off-track betting locations (soon to be 17 with a Danbury opening) run by Sportech, a British firm with its U.S. base in New Haven.
“We absolutely think that we’re in a good position to be involved in that,” said Ted Taylor, president of Sportech Venues, whose Stamford and Windsor Locks locations are co-branded with Bobby Valentine’s Bobby V’s restaurant and sports bar.
Taylor’s point: Gambling growth is online, largely illegally, and the way to grow sports betting legally is with bricks-and-mortar locations.
The bid for a casino in Bridgeport, by MGM and perhaps the tribes, is bound to complicate any debate on sports betting and lobbying heats up in that battle.
Another issue: Would gambling include college games?
Opponents say gambling, which accounts for more than $600 million in state revenue, is already too pervasive and leads to addiction problems.
“This is another slippery slope that we’re undertaking,” said Sen. Tony Hwang, R-Fairfield. “But this is far more insidious. … When gambling gets into the game it affects the integrity of the athletic action… turning what is a passionate athletic endeavor into a possibility of a financial gain one way or another.”
Verrengia said he wants to hear from opponents as well as supporters at the forum, not yet scheduled. But sports gambling is already so widespread — $155 billion a year wagered, he said — that the state could do well to tap into existing markets.
“Sports betting is very big in Connecticut right now,” Verrengia said. “I think it should be regulated and taxed.”
That’s the view of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who came out in favor of regulated gambling on NBA games three years ago, citing its undergound prevalence. Other sports networks and the NCAA still oppose it.
Verrengia said Connecticut’s sports networks — ESPN and NBC Sports — could benefit from the higher viewership that comes from legalized gambling on games. The networks are fighting declining cable revenues among younger viewers.
The forces of opportunity combined with need are lining up for Connecticut to lead the way in this. If and when it happens, it’s likely the state will impose strict controls.
Aresimowicz, head coach of the Berlin High School football team, said, “I don’t want anybody gambling on my high school games.”
Source: ctpost.com
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
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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.
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
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.
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
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
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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.
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