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

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2 years ago

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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.

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.

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.

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. 

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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AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor

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June 30, 2025

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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued monetary penalties totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto for multiple violations of provincial gaming standards. The penalties follow an impromptu after-party that was permitted to take place in the pre-dawn hours directly on the casino’s gaming floor.

On September 27, 2024, an electronic dance music event attended by thousands of people was hosted in the theatre adjacent to the casino at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. The event was marked by widespread intoxication, disorderly behavior, and numerous criminal and medical incidents – both inside and outside the venue – including alleged assaults, drug overdoses, and acts of public indecency. Although paid duty officers were present, additional police and emergency services were required to manage the situation.

In the midst of this high-risk environment, casino management approved an unscheduled request by the performing artist to host an after-party on the active gaming floor. The artist and more than 400 guests were permitted onto the gaming floor where the artist was allowed to perform amidst operational table games and gaming machines – without any prior risk assessment or planning.

As a result, security personnel were unable to effectively control the casino floor, including witness reports that an attendee was seen climbing onto slot machines. Failure to maintain appropriate control compromises the security, safety, and integrity of the casino floor. Following the conclusion of the event, the operator failed to promptly report these incidents to the AGCO as required.

Based on the findings of its review, the AGCO’s Registrar has issued an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. These penalties address critical failures in their operations, incident reporting, employee training, and the management of disturbances.

A gaming operator served with an OMP has 15 days to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative tribunal that is part of Tribunals Ontario and independent of the AGCO.

“Casino operators have a fundamental duty to control their gaming environment. Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto’s lapses in this incident compromised the safety of patrons and the security and integrity of the gaming floor,” Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of AGCO, said.

The post AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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IGT and Atlantic Lottery Sign Eight-Year Video Lottery Central System Technology Agreement

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June 30, 2025

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International Game Technology PLC announced that its subsidiary, IGT Canada Solutions ULC (hereinafter “IGT”), signed an eight-year agreement with Atlantic Lottery to supply its IntelligenEVO video lottery central system technology across Atlantic Canada. The agreement includes the option for multiple extensions and positions the Atlantic Lottery to become the first World Lottery Association (WLA)-affiliated lottery operator to deploy IGT’s next-generation central management system in a game-to-system (G2S) distributed market.

“By leveraging IGT’s IntelligenEVO technology, Atlantic Lottery will power its video lottery network with the industry’s best-in-class central system and position itself to maximize future contributions to good causes. As an organization that prioritizes system security and exceptional player experiences, Atlantic Lottery believes that IGT’s IntelliegnEVO solution will help generate high player satisfaction and optimal network performance,” said Michael MacKinnon, Atlantic Lottery VP, Product.

“As a long-time supplier to Atlantic Lottery, IGT looks forward to helping the Lottery achieve its growth and player engagement goals with our leading-edge IntelligenEVO video lottery central system. IGT’s IntelligenEVO is a scalable technology for the WLA market that is backed by decades of experience and operator feedback, and maximizes the benefits of real-time data, cloud-based technologies and in-depth analytics,” said David Flinn, IGT SVP Canada, EMEA and LATAM, Gaming Sales.

With peak system security, network availability and responsible gaming functionalities, IntelligenEVO is a reliable, scalable solution that can meet the needs of today and in the future. The solution will accelerate time-to-market and enables the Atlantic Lottery to benefit from the system’s suite of player-focused functionality. The technology’s G2S and open API design optimizes data collection and delivery and will enable Atlantic Lottery to customize their program for evolving player needs.

The post IGT and Atlantic Lottery Sign Eight-Year Video Lottery Central System Technology Agreement appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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NetGaming Goes Live in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive via BetRivers Platform

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2 weeks ago

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June 20, 2025

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NetGaming, a fast-growing online casino content supplier, is proud to announce its launch in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive, Inc., a leading online casino and sports betting company in the United States, Canada and Latin America. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone for NetGaming as it continues to expand its footprint across regulated North American markets.

As part of the launch, Ontario players on BetRivers can now enjoy a diverse portfolio of NetGaming titles, known for their high-quality graphics, immersive gameplay, and unique themes. Standout games such as Zeus’s Thunderbolt, Bison Gold, and Fireball Inferno are among the first to go live, with additional titles set to follow soon.

This partnership is just the beginning. NetGaming plans to extend its collaboration with Rush Street Interactive into Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Mexico over the coming months.

Pallavi Deshmukh, CEO of NetGaming, commented: “We are thrilled to go live with Rush Street Interactive, a powerhouse operator with a strong presence and loyal player base. This launch marks a significant milestone in our
North American expansion strategy and underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences tailored to local player preferences across the region.”

Richard Schwartz, CEO of Rush Street Interactive, commented: “We are pleased to partner with NetGaming to bring innovative, premium games to our players in Ontario. This collaboration aligns with our strategy to offer world-class
entertainment through engaging, action-packed online casino games. We look forward to expanding this partnership into additional regulated markets in the months ahead.”

This strategic partnership highlights both companies’ dedication to providing high- quality, innovative, and responsible entertainment to players in regulated markets.

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