iGaming Industry
Rome City leaders target gambling
You can guess there’s illegal gambling going on, Rome City Commissioner (Georgia) Bill Collins said, when there’s a parking lot full of cars but no visible customers in the convenience store.
“They know to go to the back room for the machines,” Collins said. “It’s odd that the state is not paying more attention.”
City commissioners are pressing for more control over video gaming machines, which are licensed by the Georgia Lottery Corp. They asked local lawmakers for help during a meeting last week ahead of the 2018 General Assembly session slated to start in January.
The Legislature considered banning the machines in 2013, but ultimately decided on stricter regulation that includes a direct connection to the state lottery’s centralized accounting system. The information also can be cross-checked with reports to the Georgia Department of Revenue.
Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome, said complaints from municipalities are escalating but he hasn’t yet seen much legislative support for a change.
“I don’t think the system works, but I lost on that vote in the Senate,” Hufstetler said. “They knew there’s a lot of illegal activity, but the argument was the DOR would control it. It wasn’t a workable solution, and we’ve seen this around the state.”
The law limits prizes to store merchandise, fuel or lottery tickets — but there’s no dispute that cash is paid out in some places. The illegal payouts draw more players, which makes the legal machines more profitable for both the merchant and the state.
Mayor Jamie Doss noted an increase in crime around stores that keep large sums of money to pay winners under the table. And local governments own neither the power to license the machines nor a share of the revenue.
“Convenience stores pop up all over, and it seems like their primary purpose is putting these machines in,” Commissioner Craig McDaniel said. “We’re hearing some of them get $20,000 to $30,000 a month from the Lottery. The cities aren’t getting any of that.”
The Lottery Corp., established to help fund HOPE Scholarships and Pre-K education, keeps a share of the monthly proceeds from each machine and distributes the balance to the licensees. It also gets annually a $5,000 base license fee from the owner of each business with video gaming machines, plus $125 a machine, along with $125 per machine from the holder of the location license.
As it stands, however, there are no local reporting duties. City Manager Sammy Rich said allowing cities to require permits would help track the activity and enable them to address complaints from residents.
“We feel like we need to have some role in the regulation of our town,” City Clerk Joe Smith added.
But Hufstetler said that argument may be a hard sell, since the state already knows where the gaming machines are.
“It’s not that it’s an illegal machine. It’s being used illegally,” he said.
Rep. Katie Dempsey, R-Rome, said that, for now, the best suggestion to “clean up Rome” is to ask for a state investigation at the stores where cash payoffs are suspected.
“Illegal machines are absolutely the enemy of the DOR. They want to know,” Dempsey said. “The DOR would be glad to swoop in. You have an ally there.”
She and Hufstetler said they favor banning the machines but complaints to state lawmakers haven’t been loud enough to outweigh calls to keep them, as revenue-generators for businesses and schools.
City commissioners said they would continue trying to rally support through the Georgia Municipal Association, whose members are seeing the fallout in their communities as well..
“The families who can least afford to be impacted are the ones who are most affected,” McDaniel said.
For a link to a Georgia Lottery Corp. video on gaming machines: Click here.
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Source: EEGaming.
Alejandro Navarro
Betski Secures $345,000 in Pre-Seed Funding for First-ever Tokenized Casino Ownership Platform
Betski is set to launch its online casino ownership platform in Q1 of 2025, enabling users to earn casino profits through digital tokens. The system will allow anyone to receive a share of casino earnings without managing casino operations, marking a new chapter in the multi-billion-dollar iGaming industry. Supported by a $345,000 pre-seed funding round, the platform aims to democratize access to casino earnings and reshape the multi-billion-dollar gaming industry.
Opening Casino Ownership to Everyone
The platform’s tokenization system reshapes traditional casino business rules through an automatic profit-sharing program. Token holders receive a percentage of every bet placed on the platform.
This system eliminates steep entry costs, such as operational expenses, licensing fees, and administrative management. Users can start earning returns without previous casino experience or large capital investments.
“A small group have exclusively enjoyed casino industry profits until now. Our platform opens these earnings to everyone through our tokenized profit-sharing system, turning users into online casino owners,” said Alejandro Navarro, founder and CEO of Betski.
Direct Profit-Sharing Through Tokens
Through a verified digital system, the ownership program distributes Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) among token holders. Investors have recognized this potential, contributing $345,000 in pre-seed funding that combines gaming entertainment with digital asset ownership. The platform maintains strict security protocols and automated distribution systems for reliable profit sharing.
“The platform distributes real money to token holders from every bet placed by players. This creates a steady income stream for online casino owners – something the traditional casino structure has never offered,” said Navarro.
Global Growth of Online Casino Ownership
The platform has attracted 2400 active Discord members and over 20,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter). These early adopters are expected to participate in test runs of the profit-sharing system once it goes live. Over the next 24 months, the platform will roll out first in Latin America, followed by expansion into European and select Asian markets.
Betski offers casino games, live casino experiences, eSports betting, global lotteries, fantasy sports, and traditional sportsbooks. This variety creates multiple revenue streams for online casino owners. Players can access all gaming options through a single interface, which streamlines the betting experience and maximizes potential returns for token holders.
The team has partnered with major payment processors and marketing agencies to support the platform’s global expansion. These collaborations will facilitate smooth transactions and user acquisition across different regions. The platform meets all regulatory requirements in its target markets, certifying long-term stability for token holders.
New Opportunities for Investment
Following the successful pre-seed round, Betski is now opening its seed funding round to welcome additional participants into its casino ownership platform. This investment opportunity enables individuals and entities to join the platform’s growth journey ahead of its official launch in Q1 2025.
eCOGRA, a leading international authority in Testing, Inspection and Certification services for the iGaming industry, has secured new regulatory approvals across three key jurisdictions: Arizona, Indiana and Panama. With these developments, eCOGRA strengthens its position in the U.S. and Latin American markets, offering excellence in compliance through their Quality, Speed, and Service promise.
This strategic expansion allows eCOGRA to conduct independent compliance audits and certification services in each region, addressing the growing demand for rigorous regulatory oversight in the fast-evolving global iGaming industry.
Securing approval in Arizona, where eCOGRA has now been licensed as an Event Wagering Ancillary Supplier, enables the International Testing Laboratory (ITL) to audit event wagering licensees in line with Arizona’s expanding regulatory landscape. Indiana, which introduced online sports betting in September 2019, has authorised eCOGRA to perform regulatory compliance audits, providing licensed operators with crucial assurance in meeting the state’s high standards.
In Panama, the Board of Gaming Control officially recognised eCOGRA as an Authorised Entity for Compliance Certification, specifically for slot machines and gaming software. This endorsement reinforces eCOGRA’s role as a trusted partner for operators seeking to meet stringent regulatory requirements in Latin America’s emerging iGaming sector.
“Our recent approvals in Indiana, Arizona, and Panama underline our dedication to continually expand our offering, to support our growing portfolio of clients with their global growth plans. We are committed to ensuring that we bring the same quality, speed and service that marks us out to both our clients and regulators in these dynamic markets,” said Will Shuckburgh, Group CEO of eCOGRA.
Bradley Khoury, Chief Technology Officer at eCOGRA, said: “Securing licensure as an Event Wagering Ancillary Supplier in Arizona and an Authorised Entity in Panama underscores our dedication to supporting responsible and sustainable iGaming operations. We are committed to driving trust and accountability within the industry by providing compliance solutions that uphold the highest standards.”
BetConstruct, a global leader in the iGaming industry, is going to showcase its cutting-edge solutions at the highly anticipated Global Gaming Expo (G2E), taking place from October 7-10.
As the premier event for the global gaming industry, G2E serves as a hub for innovation, driving growth by bringing together industry professionals from around the world to foster business opportunities.
Taking place at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, this all-in-one event features both an education program from October 7-10 and an expansive expo hall running from October 8-10.
BetConstruct’s stand is 5230, where the team will showcase an exciting range of products, including the newly launched the Last Battle, a novel loyalty system that is the byproduct of BetConstruct’s commitment to innovation. The company will also demonstrate its comprehensive Sportsbook and Casino Suite, along with DECA, its next-level decentralised casino platform, and Umbrella, an AI-powered risk management solution. These offerings are designed to meet the needs of a diverse range of operators, ensuring seamless and engaging experiences for players across the regulated market.
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