BetMGM
At $300 Million, This is Expected to be California’s Most Expensive Ballot Fight Ever. And it Just Got More Intense
In a sign of the bruising, expensive fight to come, two Native American tribes are coming out in support of a newly qualified ballot measure to allow online sports gambling — instead of a separate gaming measure backed by dozens of other tribes.
On Wednesday, two tribes — the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians and the Big Valley Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians — will announce their support for the online gaming measure that proponents call the Californians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act.
Backed by commercial operators including FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM, the measure would legalize online sports betting in California, with 85% of the revenue going toward housing for the homeless and mental health services. The rest would go to the Indian tribes that will be partnering with major gaming operators in running the operation.
On Tuesday, Secretary of State Shirley Weber announced that the measure had gathered enough valid petition signatures to be eligible for the ballot in November. A report from the state’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office said new tax revenue from the proposal “could reach the mid-hundreds of millions of dollars annually.”
“We’re supporting the Solutions Act because it gives us an opportunity to protect our sovereignty and also create opportunities for economic wealth for the next seven generations for our tribe,” Jose “Moke” Simon, chair of the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians, said.
“It also helps the state of California deal with some of the biggest problems that it has here, that is affecting every community, which is homelessness and mental health issues,” said Simon, who stars in a new online ad for the proposal.
It is a sign that what’s expected to be California’s most expensive ballot measure battle ever is heating up. Analysts have predicted that more than $300 million could be spent between the warring parties. That’s far more than the $224 million spent by both sides over 2020’s Proposition 22, which asked voters to decide whether app-based transportation and delivery drivers should be classified as independent contractors.
Both sides believe that the jackpot that awaits is worth it: California’s estimated sports gaming market is estimated to be around $3 billion. At least.
A proposal supporters call the Tribal Sports Wagering Act, which is backed by dozens of Native American tribes, already qualified to go before voters in November. It would allow only in-person sports betting to occur only at tribal casinos and qualified horse racetracks. Proponents say they have secured the endorsement of roughly one-third of California’s 109 Native tribes.
Kathy Fairbanks, a spokesperson for the Tribal Act, said that measure represents a more responsible approach.
“It’s allows sports betting to patrons over 21 and older. You have to be there in person, show your ID, people can look you in the eye and make sure that you match the ID in front of you,” Fairbanks said.
The decision for voters, said industry analyst Brandt Iden, is “retail-only sports betting versus mobile.”
“That’s what this is going to come down to do for consumers,” said Iden, a former Republican Michigan state representative who is now head of government affairs at Sportradar, a sports technology company that provides data and content to the betting industry. “Do I need to walk into a sports book to place a wager, or can I do it from a mobile device anywhere in the state?”
Proponents of the online-only measure touted Wednesday’s endorsement from two smaller tribes as a sign that all of California’s Native tribes aren’t fully on board with the in-person-only measure.
Simon, from the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians, which operates the Twin Pine Casino and Hotel in Middletown (Lake County), said the online proposal helps smaller tribes that are far from major population centers. If sports betting were confined to only in-person betting at tribal casinos and racetracks, casinos like the one his tribe operates wouldn’t see much uptick in foot traffic.
“We are looking to obviously move into e-commerce, and this gives us an opportunity to do that,” said Simon, who is also a Lake County supervisor.
But Fairbanks, who represents the in-person proposal, discounted the impact of a few tribes supporting the online proposal, noting that more than 60 tribes oppose it.
“The vast, vast majority are opposed to the (online) measure, and we will make sure that voters are aware of that,” Fairbanks said.
Iden, of Sportradar, said it “isn’t surprising” that some smaller tribes are partnering with the commercial operators. He has seen that happen in other states, including Michigan, where he served. The California online gaming proposal requires a commercial operator to be paired with a Native tribe to be able to enter the market.
Iden said that sort of partnership model has been used in other states “where commercial operators enter the market through a tribal brick-and-mortar operation. Traditionally, smaller tribes really benefit from that because of the money that’s involved.”
The larger question will be whether Californians — particularly the younger generation of digital natives who grew up doing many of life’s activities online — will support a measure that would force them to travel to a casino or racetrack to legally bet on a sporting event.
“That is a huge challenge because everything is really online these days,” said Geoff Zochodne, who covers the gaming industry for Covers, an online site. “That’s where the customer is increasingly located for all businesses.”
Fairbanks didn’t dismiss the tribes pursuing online gaming in the future but said that the current online measure isn’t the way to go “at this point in time.”
“Maybe technology will change. But right now, there’s no 100% foolproof way to ensure that kids under 21 aren’t gambling,” she said.
Iden said the real challenge will be for voters, who will see a blizzard of competing ads. Some ads opposing the online-only proposal have been running for weeks online and on TV — even before the measure officially qualified for the ballot.
“The real question becomes how much confusion is created by these two initiatives,” Iden said. “If you’ve got lengthy ballot proposals that you have to sit there and read, you sort of question whether or not people just get confused and they vote no on both.”
Swedish gaming giants’ games now live with leading US operator in Michigan, West Virginia, New Jersey, and the Keystone State
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced further expansion of its partnership with leading US operator BetMGM,with the Swedish gaming giant’s content now available with the group in Pennsylvania.
Play’n GO and BetMGM’s US partnership has already proven stunningly successful in Michigan, New Jersey, and West Virginia, and this expansion sees the partnership extend to a fourth US state. Having secured its Pennsylvanian gaming license in March, Play’n GO is now live with two operators in this key state. BetMGM players in Pennsylvania now have access to classic Play’n GO titles, such as Reactoonz.
Play’n GO is now licensed in six US states and is aiming to be active in every regulated market, in the US and around the world.
Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer at Play’n GO said: “We’re pleased to expand our partnership with BetMGM into a fourth US state, and look forward to continued success together. We have always been committed to a safe, regulation-led industry to secure a sustainable future for us all. BetMGM share our vision, and so are a perfect partner for us. We will continue our mission of being active in every regulated market around the world, and we’re excited for further growth opportunities well into the future, in the US and beyond.”
BetMGM has announced a partnership with GameCode, a distinguished iGaming company focused on the North American market. The partnership includes the launch of Boom Boom Boom, HammerCash, Gold Gold Gold and Super3 series which are now live at BetMGM in Michigan and New Jersey through direct integration. BetMGM plans to offer GameCode’s full portfolio of games in all jurisdictions where the operator’s iGaming platform is live pending regulatory approvals.
GameCode’s portfolio of slot titles are built on innovative and one-of-a-kind mechanics. They develop a deep understanding of players’ tastes, and it enables them to develop games that deliver a unique and immersive experience. The initial lineup of titles includes Gold Gold Gold Miners Way, Gold Gold Gold Lions Way, HammerCash, CashPile, Triplestones, and the top performing Boom Boom Boom. Boom Boom Boom is an American-themed 5-reel, 3-row video slot featuring Wild Multipliers and the hold and respin feature on multiple reel sets.
“Boom Boom Boom and other GameCode titles have already proven to be strong performers in their first few weeks of launch at BetMGM. Our mission is to always innovate with in-house, exclusive content with Entain and partners like GameCode to provide our players with an iGaming experience that rises above the rest. This will continue to position us as a destination for players and first choice for suppliers of premium content,” Oliver Bartlett, Vice President of Gaming Product & Content at BetMGM, said.
“At GameCode, we focus on creating good games rather than disposable online gaming content. With experience gained in North American land-based casino, we provide a unique understanding of the market and player needs. We aim to make an impact with each title we release and so far we do so. We innovate at a pace that is difficult to catch up with, providing something new every time we launch a title that players have not seen before. So far, in the states we are live, GameCode’s titles are at the top of the rankings. More is coming,” Matt Hanski, Chief Executive Officer at GameCode, said.
“I’m excited to announce our launch with BetMGM, introducing advanced online slot games powered by our robust in-house technology. These games are hosted on our state-of-the-art Remote Gaming Server (RGS) which is the backbone of its performance and security. It is a long-term play to develop and maintain a RGS that is designed with multiple layers of protection, ensuring the highest standard of data security and integrity in compliance with U.S. regulations. This launch is a testament to our dedication to providing secure, reliable, and immersive gaming experiences,” Wojciech Ziniewicz, Chief Technology Officer at GameCode, said.
Prove Identity Inc., the global leader in digital identity, announced a strategic partnership with BetMGM, a sports betting and iGaming leader, to enhance the security and user experience for BetMGM customers through the cutting-edge Prove Pre-Fill identity solution.
Prove Pre-Fill accelerates digital consumer onboarding by up to 79% and is used by more than 1000 businesses globally across diversified industries, including 9 of the top 10 banks. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Prove’s journey toward providing seamless and secure digital sports betting and casino services in the U.S. states where BetMGM operates, pending regulatory approval.
“BetMGM is an innovator in the space, always looking to find new and compelling ways to improve the online gaming experience. Prove Pre-Fill is the latest example of that and allows customers to get access to the content they desire faster than ever before through the identity verification process, enabling them to take full advantage of BetMGM’s vast product offerings,” Tom Hill, Director of Digital Identity and Head of Sports Betting and iGaming at Prove, said.
“We’re committed to providing customers with a seamless and secure sports betting experience, and our partnership with Prove is a testament to that safe bet. Prove Pre-Fill adds an extra layer of security, reduces sign-up abandonment, and improves the overall user experience by streamlining the identity verification and authentication processes. Users can now enjoy the BetMGM sports betting and casino experience faster and with greater peace of mind,” Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM, said.
Key Highlights of the Partnership:
- Streamlining User Onboarding: Prove Pre-Fill technology will revolutionize the onboarding process for BetMGM users, minimizing sign-up abandonment rates. By simplifying and expediting account creation, BetMGM aims to provide a frictionless experience from the start.
- Preventing Bonus and Promotion Abuse: Prove’s solutions will be crucial in preventing rampant bonus and promotion abuse – for example, using the same bonus code multiple times normally intended for only first-time users – within the BetMGM digital sports betting and casino platforms. This ensures a fair and secure user environment, fostering a trustworthy and enjoyable gaming experience.
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