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Canada

Flop, turn, river; how has US gambling evolved in the last five years?

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Gambling has been a part of American culture since the colonial era. Would you believe that the first recorded gambling activity in the US was purportedly in 1620 when the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock and held a public lottery to finance their colony.

Safe to say then, gambling has been a popular pastime in the US, particularly considering the strength of their sporting industries, which are bastions of the continent’s financial and social landscape. 

The federal government had a strict stance on gambling, and it was mostly illegal except for a few states like Nevada. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) prohibited states from authorizing sports betting, with a few exceptions.

But in May 2018, in the case Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, the US Supreme Court overturned a federal ban on sports betting, which had been in place since 1992. The decision declared PASPA unconstitutional, giving individual states the power to legalize and regulate sports betting as they see fit.

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The move to legalize sports betting has had a significant impact on the gambling industry. It has opened up a new market for sports betting, creating opportunities for casinos, sportsbooks, and online betting platforms, much like casino sites and affiliates in the UK that have been legal in the UK for many years. 

This year’s Super Bowl was the first played in a state — Arizona — with legal sports gambling and online sportsbooks reportedly received 100 million “pings” through betting apps during the game, bringing in an estimated $1 billion.

This leap in activity has been pounced on by major sports leagues too, sportsbook sponsorship driving overall NFL sponsorship revenue to a record $1.8 billion in the 2021 season.

Thirty three states, including Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico have legalized the practice and reaped billions of dollars of previously untapped revenue. In fact, the American Gaming Association estimates that the sports betting market could be worth up to $150 billion annually.

Online sports wagering is available in 23 states and one territory.

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The legalisation of sports betting has not only created new revenue streams for the gambling industry but also for the economy as a whole. Casinos and sportsbooks have created jobs in local communities, with some states experiencing a surge in tourism. Moreover, the tax revenue generated from sports betting has been significant. For example, in New Jersey, sports betting has generated over $100 million in tax revenue since its legalization in 2018.

The Supreme Court’s decision on sports betting has also paved the way for the legalisation of online gambling, which had previously been illegal in most states. But now, several states have since opened their doors to it, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Online gambling has become a popular option for many people, and it has the potential to generate significant revenue for states that legalise it.

While there have been many positive economic effects, it has also raised concerns about its social impact. Gambling addiction is a serious problem that affects millions of people worldwide, and some fear that the legalization of gambling could exacerbate the problem. However, states that have legalized gambling have implemented measures to address gambling addiction, such as education programs and support groups.

Despite the potential benefits of gambling legalisation, there are still those who oppose it. Some religious groups argue that gambling is immoral and should be banned, while others fear that it could lead to an increase in crime and other social problems. 

“The legalization of sports gambling requires an important policy choice, but the choice is not ours to make,” Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. wrote in the case’s decision, highlighting the moral imperative behind the choice to gamble or to not.

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Ironically, the states that are furthest away from permitting online sports betting may be the three biggest states by population: Texas, California and Florida. Texas could possibly legalize in the near future but there has been pushback from the state officials, including Governor Greg Abbott. 

California and Florida have had difficulty passing legislation due to Native American tribes, which see the emergence of gambling legalisation as a siphon into their profits. This battle in particular could be one to monitor in the coming months and years. Challenges have already begun in the relations between casino operators opening in states where Native American operations have historically held the monopoly. 

However, supporters of gambling legalization argue that it can be regulated and controlled, and that the benefits outweigh the risks. The increased cash flow would bring in funding for essential public services like healthcare and education.

It’s clear that this is a new era for the industry in the US. With more states expected to legalise sports betting and online gambling, the industry is poised for significant growth. 

In a recent interview with The Conversation, Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, said roughly 25% of American adults bet on sports, up from 15% before the Supreme Court ruling. 

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Does that mean that even when more states legalise the practice, will a significantly higher percentage of the US population start and continue betting or has the ceiling been reached?

“I think it’s changing the market in a lot of ways,” Whyte said, “but my guess is it’s mainly to increase the intensity – and associated risk of problem gambling – among fans that were already engaged fans.”

The future of gambling in the US is still uncertain, with debates about its social impact and regulation ongoing. Where the UK is arguably reeling back in the power gambling companies hold over advertising and market activity through the government’s upcoming White Paper, the US is taking off. 

As the industry continues to evolve, it will be essential to strike a balance between economic benefits and social responsibility but one things for certain, the US has a baked-in love for gambling and given the stratospheric success of sportsbooks across the nation since the 2018 ruling, it is unlikely to dampen anytime soon.

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Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

Fennica Gaming Granted Supplier License for Ontario Market

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Fennica Gaming has announced that it has been granted a gaming supplier license in Ontario, Canada. This milestone marks a significant step in the company’s expansion strategy, allowing it to offer its cutting-edge gaming experiences to gaming operators in one of North America’s most dynamic regulated markets.

The supplier license, granted by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), enables Fennica Gaming to introduce its portfolio of entertaining and high-quality games to gaming operators across the province. This registration empowers Ontarian operators, whether online or land-based, to access the omnichannel offerings developed in the Nordics.

“We are thrilled to receive our B2B supplier license in Ontario and to offer our advanced gaming solutions to operators in the region. After a thorough application process, we can now proudly and prominently display our registration and achievement. We have followed the market in North America for a long time and Ontario is an excellent example of market that is well organized. It represents an exciting market with immense potential, and we are committed to delivering secure, entertaining, and trustworthy gaming experiences tailored to local preferences,” Timo Kiiskinen, Managing Director of Fennica Gaming, said.

Fennica Gaming’s Nordic gaming experience and heritage as an omni-channel gaming operator through its parent company Veikkaus offers a broad range of entertainment for Ontarian operators with a player-first attitude. This registration supports Fennica Gaming’s commitment to a sustainable industry, enabling operation in compliance with Ontario’s local regulatory framework.

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Canada

GeoComply welcomes Kip Levin as CEO, driving customer-focused innovation and growth

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GeoComply, the global leader in geolocation security and fraud prevention, today announced the appointment of Kip Levin as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective Tuesday, March 4th. This strategic move reinforces GeoComply’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions and driving success for its customers.

Kip Levin brings a wealth of experience to GeoComply, having served in various senior leadership roles at Flutter Entertainment over the past decade including CEO of the US business and President of FanDuel. Prior to that he spent 12 years at Ticketmaster where he led the product and ecommerce teams and oversaw the company’s expansion into mobile and resale. His proven track record in driving growth and innovation within dynamic, technology-driven markets positions him to enhance GeoComply’s ability to serve its customers.

This transition allows co-founder Anna Sainsbury to step into the role of Executive Chairman, where she will focus on strategic vision and governance, ensuring GeoComply continues to anticipate and meet the evolving needs of its customers. Co-founder David Briggs will shift his focus to Product and Innovation, leveraging his expertise to drive cutting-edge solutions as he moves from his previous role as CPTO.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kip Levin to GeoComply,” said Anna Sainsbury, Executive Chairman. “His extensive experience and strategic vision are perfectly aligned with our commitment to delivering exceptional value to our customers. I am confident that under his leadership, GeoComply will continue to innovate and expand its global footprint, ensuring we remain at the forefront of geolocation security and fraud prevention. This transition enables me to dedicate more time to our long-term strategic direction, focusing on how we can better serve our partners.”

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Kip Levin expressed his enthusiasm for joining GeoComply, stating, “I am incredibly excited to join GeoComply, a company with a strong reputation for innovation and a commitment to customer success. The opportunities in this space are immense, and I look forward to working with Anna, David, and the entire GeoComply team to build on the company’s success and drive further growth for our clients. My experience in scaling businesses and driving product innovation will be instrumental as we navigate the evolving landscape of geolocation technology, ensuring we provide our customers with the most reliable and effective solutions.”

David Briggs, focusing on Product and Innovation, added, “With Kip joining us, I am eager to dedicate my full attention to driving innovation and developing groundbreaking solutions that directly address our customers’ challenges. This is an exciting time for GeoComply, and I am confident that our combined expertise will enable us to deliver even greater value to our clients, strengthening our partnerships.”

GeoComply is poised for continued success as it leverages Kip Levin’s leadership and the founders’ renewed focus on strategic vision and innovation. The company remains committed to providing its clients with the most reliable and advanced geolocation security and fraud prevention solutions, acting as a trusted partner in their success.

The post GeoComply welcomes Kip Levin as CEO, driving customer-focused innovation and growth appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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BCLC

BCLC Reminds Public to be Cautious of Illegal Online Casino Scams

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BCLC has reminded the public to be cautious of a series of social media scams that imitate B.C. casinos and trick individuals into providing their financial details on illegitimate websites.

Highly deceptive, these scams share fraudulent posts and advertisements exploiting the logos, names, and exterior images of local B.C. casinos, and may claim to offer players exclusive bonuses and promotions if they register with their website or mobile application. BCLC warns that none of these sites are associated with casinos in B.C. or BCLC.

PlayNow.com is the only online gambling website permitted to operate in B.C. BCLC’s official apps are BCLC Lotto!, PlayNow Poker BC, and PlayNow BC Sportsbook. All BCLC-operated social media accounts, such as BCLC, PlayNow BC, PlayNow Sports, Lotto BC and Casinos BC, are verified with a checkmark.

While BCLC and its casino partners continue to work on having the posts removed, British Columbians should stay vigilant when it comes to these predatory and sophisticated scams.

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To protect themselves, individuals are encouraged to:

• Be on alert when a website or app asks for personal or financial information. BCLC’s verified websites and apps will never ask for your social insurance number (SIN), banking information or credit card details online to claim a prize from a B.C. casino.

• Carefully check the URL and domain of the website to verify its legitimacy. Often, scammers will use a similar URL and domain to legitimate websites with a minor spelling difference.

• Always verify the company and its services are real before providing any personal information.

• Look out for other red flags, such as the suggestion of fees or taxes to be paid on a prize. There are no fees or taxes on prizes won in Canada.

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If individuals feel unsure about an account, post or advertisement claiming to represent a B.C. casino, they can contact BCLC directly by calling the Customer Support Centre at 1-866-815-0222, or using the live chat resource on corporate.bclc.com or PlayNow.com.

The post BCLC Reminds Public to be Cautious of Illegal Online Casino Scams appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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