Tag: Gambling in the USA

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 new appointments. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

888 Holdings has announced new market access deals in Indiana, Iowa and Colorado. Its presence in each of these states will initially be through the 888Sport brand in 2021. In Colorado, 888Sport will launch under the license of the Colorado Grande Casino based in Cripple Creek. In Iowa, the Group will launch under the license of Catfish Bend Casinos II LLC. In Indiana, the Group has signed an agreement with Harrah’s Hoosier Park, which is owned by Caesars Entertainment, to launch 888Sport in the state.

The Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa is going to launch cashless wagering in California. The casino has entered into a partnership with Marker Trax to introduce cashless wagering markers to its floor. Marker Trax will run through the Konami Synkros casino management system and will allow Morongo guests to conveniently and securely apply, get approved and begin using their digital marker. Rather than retrieving physical cash for a casino marker, guests enrolled in a PIN-protected Synkros cashless wagering account can use their Marker Trax credit line to play electronically on any slot or video poker machine in the casino.

Online gambling could launch in Michigan by the end of the year after the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules voted to waive a 15-day waiting period to approve regulations. The vote means the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) will be able to officially file the final draft of online betting regulations to the department of state. The next step in the legalisation process will be for the MGCB to receive license applications from casinos along with their vendors and suppliers. It will review applications and approve those that meet requirements.

New Partnerships

Scientific Games Corporation has partnered with Genius Sports Group to provide in-game content to its wagering customers worldwide, excluding US leagues. Sportsbooks operating on Scientific Games’ OpenSportsTM platform will gain access to Genius Sports Group’s LiveData and LiveTrading services. Genius Sports Group’s entire portfolio of official data rights is included in the agreement, featuring content such as the English Premier League, NASCAR, Serie A and German Bundesliga, as well as dozens of FIBA basketball and FIVB volleyball leagues.

DraftKings Inc. has become the exclusive Official Daily Fantasy Sports Partner, as well as an Official Sports Betting and iGaming Partner, of the Detroit Pistons. In addition to access to Pistons’ trademarks and logos, the deal includes DraftKings-branded courtside LED signage and in-game basket pad branding. The agreement comes as DraftKings prepares to launch mobile sports betting and online gaming in the state of Michigan, pending licensure and the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals.

New Appointment

Colombian regulator Coljuegos has appointed Cesar Augusto Valencia Galiano as its new president. The appointment will see Valencia Galiano replace Juan Pérez Hidalgo, who resigned from the role last week following a tenure that saw the launch of regulated igaming in the country. Valencia Galiano will join the regulator after 40 years with Smurfit Kappa, which specialises in the production of corrugated cardboard and paper packaging. During his time with Smurfit Kappa, Galiano served in a number of senior roles, most recently as vice president for Central America and the Caribbean. He also served as president of the Association of Corrugators of the Caribbean, Central and South America.

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 new acquisitions. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

Score Media and Gaming Inc. has introduced Bet Section, its new integrated and personalised suite of betting features. According to the firm, the new dedicated home within theScore’s media app takes its innovative cross-platform media and betting experience with theScore Bet to the next level. Bet Section delivers suite of new personalised betting features, further deepening theScore’s industry-leading media and gaming integrations. Personalised betting features include prioritised and tailored markets, live bet tracking and exclusive promotions.

The Cordish Companies has celebrated the opening of Live! Casino Pittsburgh. The eagerly awaited $150 million Live! Casino, located at the Westmoreland Mall in Pennsylvania, is scheduled to open its doors to the general public at 6:00 am on 24 November 2020. The Cordish Companies’ Principal Jon Cordish, Managing Partner Joe Weinberg and Cordish Gaming Group President Rob Norton were joined at the ribbon-cutting ceremony by incoming state Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward and state Representative George Dunbar.

The Argentina government has decided to raise the online gaming tax rate for 2021. Online gambling has barely been regulated in Argentina, but that hasn’t stop authorities from approving a tax increase for the sector. As contemplated in the 2021 Budget, the rate online operators pay will rise from 2% to 5% next year.

Partnerships

Online gaming platform developer LatamWin has entered into a partnership with edict egaming, a subsidiary of Gauselmann Group, which will bring new benefits to Merkur game users in Latin America. One of the main goals of the agreement is to engage online gaming operators and all those new companies of the industry, LatamWin said in a press release.

Scientific Games Corporation has signed a new five-year deal with the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission (MSLC). As per the deal, Scientific Games will supply its world-leading instant games, second chance promotions and digital engagement programmes to the Massachusetts Lottery. Scientific Games’ new contract, which may be extended up to two years by MSLC, includes consumer digital services that will engage players through exciting second chance game features and help the Lottery protect and grow revenues for the Commonwealth.

JCM Global and The Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs have expanded their partnership again. As per the deal, JCM will upgrade all 450 games in the casino to its award-winning iVIZION bill validator with ICB Intelligent Cash Box system. Also, JCM will install its iVIZION with ICB and GEN5 Thermal Printer in the newly expanded casino area, which houses approximately 600 games and opened in September.

New Appointment

GVC Holdings PLC has appointed Martin Lycka as its Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling. In this role, Lycka will be responsible for expanding GVC’s licensing and regulatory structure in the US and underscoring the company’s commitments to responsible gambling, sports integrity and regulatory compliance. Lycka will also lead regulatory affairs in Canada and support GVC’s Latin America regulatory strategy as the company looks to establish state-regulated offerings in these regions.

New Acquisition

Bally’s Corporation has completed the acquisition of Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino from Caesars Entertainment Inc. and Vici Properties Inc. The purchase price of the acquisition was $25 million, subject to customary adjustments, and was funded with cash on hand.

Compliance

The Virginia Lottery has received 25 applications for mobile sports betting permits. The names of the companies that applied are not revealed by the Lottery. Big-name companies like DraftKings, FanDuel and Penn National Gaming, affiliated with Barstool Sports, and major casino operators have already shown interest in Virginia’s sports betting industry and may be among the applicants.

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 new acquisitions. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

Americas Cardroom, the US-based online poker site, is bringing back its Mini Online Super Series (MOSS) from November 22 to December 6. The series includes over 150 events, with over $2.5 million in guaranteed prize money. There are two Main Events on the docket, Sunday, November 29, and Sunday, December 6. Both start at 3 pm ET and feature $250,000 in guaranteed prize money and $55 buy-ins.

Enthusiast Gaming Holdings is preparing to list its common shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market (NASDAQ). In advance of the anticipated listing on the NASDAQ, Enthusiast Gaming will file a Form 40-F Registration Statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The listing of the Company’s common shares on the NASDAQ remains subject to the approval of the NASDAQ and the satisfaction of all applicable listing and regulatory requirements.

FlowPlay has announced that it has raised an additional $65,000 for the American Cancer Society (ACS) through its Vegas World in-game October fundraising campaign. The fundraiser is part of FlowPlay’s broader corporate giving programme and ongoing support for the ACS. This follows FlowPlay’s major fundraising milestone with the ACS over the summer, lifting its total raised for the organisation to $315,000.

The US gambling industry has won big at the polls, with three states authorising legal sports betting and three others either approving or expanding casino gambling. Among the states who are going to approve sports betting are Maryland, South Dakota and Louisiana. In addition, Virginia approved casino gambling in four locations, while Nebraska authorised adding casino games at its horse racing tracks, and Colorado expanded the number and type of casino games it can offer, along with eliminating some wagering limits.

Partnerships

Gaming-industry payments provider Mazooma has entered into a partnership with the leading financial data network, Plaid. The deal aims to bring an Instant Bank Transfer payment solution to igaming and sports wagering operators in certain regulated US states.

Crane Payment Innovations (CPI) has entered into a deal with the newly opened Circa Resort and Casino to supply its CPI SC Advance banknote validators and Easitrax Web Management System across the casino’s slot machines for the next seven years.

Sports streaming service DAZN has announced leading sports betting and gaming platform BetMGM as the exclusive odds provider for United States boxing broadcasts.

New Acquisitions

Affiliate marketing firm Raketech has announced an acquisition of US-based affiliate site americangambler.com (American Gambler). As a result of the acquisition, Raketech’s revenues within the US are expected to reach approximately 5-10% of the group’s total revenues in Q4 of this year. The agreed purchase price is EUR 5m.

Live audio content provider Entercom Communications Corp has acquired sports data and igaming affiliate platform QL Gaming Group in a $32m deal. The acquisition brings unrivaled data, analytics and insight-driven content to Entercom’s best-in-class sports broadcast stations, influential podcasts, and RADIO.COM, the fastest growing digital audio platform in America.

New Launchings

A new Hollywood-based esports team, which is backed by high profile celebrities, has announced its official launch. Named Team 33, the esports team is planning to enter major tournaments in popular games like Call of Duty, CS:GO, Valorant, World of Warcraft, Fortnite, League of Legends, Dota 2, Madden and FIFA. The team will have players from all over the globe.

BetMGM, a joint venture of GVC and MGM Resorts International, has successfully launched its new live casino product in partnership with Evolution. This complements BetMGM’s already market-leading gaming portfolio, and is further strengthened through the recent addition of industry-leading slot content from Playtech, DGC and Ainsworth.

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 new acquisitions. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

Sandra Douglass Morgan has resigned as chairwoman and executive director of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. She has served as the board’s chair since January 2019. Gov. Steve Sisolak announced Sandra’s departure in a news release, noting that she is “resigning to pursue an exciting professional opportunity.”

Twin River Holdings is going to invest $90 million to upgrade Bally’s Atlantic City. The Company is in the process of buying the casino from Caesars Entertainment for $25 million in a transaction that is expected to close by the end of this year.

Australian sportsbook and fantasy sports operator PlayUp has secured $25 million through the completion of an oversubscribed capital placement. PlayUp said that it has secured the $25 million funding on terms related to a “non-renounceable entitlement offer” underwritten by Investorlink Securities AFS, which the company will use to launch its US wagering proposition.

Casino table games developer and distributor Galaxy Gaming has received a loan of $4m from Zions Bancorporation through the Nevada State Bank (NSB) and the Main Street Priority Loan Programme that was enacted as part of the US government’s CARES Act in March.

Casino Reopening

Great Canadian Gaming Corporation has announced that Casino Woodbine will be reopening at 10 am EST on 14 November 2020, as a result of the Ontario provincial government’s announcement allowing the reopening of certain businesses. The casino will be reopening with the significant and comprehensive health and safety protocols it introduced as part of its first reopening on September 28.

New Partnerships

WynnBET, the digital gaming division of Wynn Resorts, has entered into a multi-year national sports betting partnership with NASCAR to create and promote engaging sports betting experiences for racing fans in the US. Also, WynnBET is going to submit an application to become a legal gaming operator in the state of Virginia.

PXP Financial Inc., the US subsidiary of PXP Financial Ltd., has partnered with the US division of the global sportsbook operator Tipico. With this new partnership, PXP Financial Inc. has deployed a full-service gateway, offering multiple connections to different providers, and a full managed service including reconciliations and a risk monitoring service for Tipico.

Awards

Monkey Knife Fight (MKF) has won the EGR award for Fantasy Sports Operator. MKF received the award through EGR North America’s virtual award show, with Nic Sulsky, President, accepting the award on the company’s behalf.

Sportsbook operator PointsBet was recently honoured by eGaming Review (EGR) as the top sports betting operator, most socially responsible operator and US rising star, at the EGR North America Awards 2020.

NeoPollard Interactive LLC has congratulated the Michigan Lottery for its recognition as the Lottery Operator of the Year at the 2020 EGR North America Awards.

New Launching

William Hill US has launched its sportsbook app and website in Indiana. The William Hill Sportsbook App offers a seamless betting experience that is easy and quick to find, make and track one’s bets. The app is available for download on any Apple or Android device.

Acquisition

Stockholm-listed iGaming affiliate Acroud has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire a fast-growing company active on the US Sports Betting market for an initial consideration of approximately EUR 2.2m The acquisition would also be followed by a potential additional earn-out consideration that may be payable by Acroud to the sellers in an aggregate minimum amount of approximately EUR 2.2m.

Compliance

The Argentine Chamber of Deputies has approved the Budget for the year 2021, which raises taxes on online gaming from 2% to 5%. Now, the budget is pending full Senate approval.

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 new appointments. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

Score Digital Sports Ventures (theScore Bet), a subsidiary of Score Media and Gaming, has joined the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) as a Platinum Member. NCPG is a leading national organisation for people and their families who are affected by problem gambling and gambling addiction.

The Argentina government is going to impose a higher rate of tax on online gaming for the forthcoming year. The initiative from Minister of Finance Martín Guzmán, which increases taxes on online gambling from 2% to 5%, was included in next year’s draft budget.

North American organisation Cloud9 has announced the signing of an all-female VALORANT roster. The team formerly known as Team MAJKL will now compete as Cloud9 White. Moreover, the organisation’s all-male team will be rebranded to Cloud9 Blue.

John Levy, Founder and CEO, Score Media and Gaming Inc., joined his team and Dani Lipkin, Director, Global Business Development, TMX Group, to celebrate the company’s graduation from TSX Venture Exchange to Toronto Stock Exchange and open the market.

Nevada State Sen. Keith Pickard, President of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States, is leading an effort to expand the national organisation’s reputation as the primary source of best practices in gaming law and regulation.

Partnerships

The FanDuel Group has entered into a multi-year partnership with DC United and has become the exclusive sports betting sponsor of the club. The deal marks the first sports betting partnership for FanDuel with a Major League Soccer team.

Caesars Entertainment has expanded its partnership with IBS Software to transform digital distribution and sales across its entire portfolio of properties. Caesars is using IBS Software’s iHospitality distribution platform to provide real-time access to a global audience as it looks to fuel its recovery from the COVID-19 downturn. By centralising operations and extending reach, iHospitality allows Caesars Entertainment to reduce costs while increasing revenue.

The Detroit Red Wings has renewed and expanded its strategic partnership with BetMGM. As per the deal, BetMGM will continue to have an on-ice logo at Little Caesars Arena, along with in-venue signage, fan promotions and a sponsored presence on the Red Wings’ digital platforms. The District Detroit mobile app will also feature the BetMGM Stats Module, providing Red Wings fans access to betting odds and statistics next season.

New Appointments

Riot Games has appointed Jason Bunge as its first Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Jason brings years of experience in gaming and global product marketing at a time when Riot is making its transformation into a multi-game publisher.

eQube Gaming Limited has appointed Amy Janko as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective following regulatory approval. Ms. Janko brings more than eight years of senior financial accounting experience to the eQube team.

Acquisitions

Twin River Worldwide Holdings has entered into a deal to acquire the Tropicana Evansville casino operations from Caesars Entertainment. As part of the acquisition, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI), a publicly traded gaming-focused real estate investment trust (REIT), will acquire the Evansville casino real estate for $340 million and lease it back to Twin River for $28 million/year in rent, subject to escalation.

Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company has signed definitive documents to acquire three additional franchisee-owned esports gaming centres in California and Washington. The closing of these acquisitions gives Simplicity a total of nine corporate-owned and 20 franchisee-owned gaming centres open and operational.

Compliance

Golden Matrix Group Inc. has entered into a software licence and services agreement with a leading sports betting software and trading services provider to market and distribute a white label sportsbook platform for online betting.