iGaming Industry
Is there a future for gambling in Augusta?
The complicated stance on gambling taken by local governments across America could have limited life, with more dialogue than ever, as well as a pro-gambling president incumbent in the White House. Although certain states have a very relaxed approach to gaming, Georgia isn’t one of them, forcing any sort of gambling to remain part of the underground industry worth billions of dollars.
For Augusta, this means arrests and jail time, with four people put under duress in 2016 following unlicensed lottery sales. In a state where gamblers can visit Indian reservation casinos, it seems a little extreme to enforce gambling so strictly, especially when other states are reaping the benefits associated with a more liberal approach to gambling.
Las Vegas and Atlantic City are anomalies which are deeply rooted in the history of gambling in the US, but Michigan, Delaware and Pennsylvania are all well on the way to creating a regulated and controlled gaming industry that will open up new tax generation and employment opportunities. So the big question is why Georgia, and especially Augusta, isn’t getting a piece of the action?
Augusta’s prominence
Detroit is still struggling with bankruptcy, unemployment and a severe lack of public funding. To combat this, 3 major casinos are allowed to operate in the downtown area, generating hundreds of millions of dollar for the state of Michigan every year. This tax funding is pumped straight back into the local community, promoting regeneration and also creating new jobs.
Augusta isn’t in the same situation as Detroit (in fact it’s quite the opposite), but the opportunity that exists is a strong one. Detroit isn’t known as a holiday hotspot, the weather isn’t great all year around and to be brutally honest, rust belt visitors will take their tourism dollars to Chicago or across the border to Toronto. For Augusta, visitors from the coast, Atlanta, Charlotte and even the North East would be more than enough to turn Augusta into a premier gambling destination.
Naturally, the Masters tournaments is the big opportunity. Thousands flock to Augusta every year to see the world’s best, spending upwards of $200 million in the process. Imagine if these visitors were hosted in casino resorts designed to generate even more cash that could be used for public services and improvements across the city, instead of placed in the pockets of private organisations and international hotel chains that don’t have Augusta’s economy at the forefront of their operations. Sports gambling is an underground industry worth $700 billion and it would be naïve to think that no gambling takes place at all during a masters tournament, so why not tax it?
The way online gambling is performing in other states and countries is definitely a point for consideration too. In the UK, online gambling now makes up 33% of the £13.8 billion industry, growing year on year and allowing online casino operators and bookmakers to become some of the biggest earners and employers. Wink Bingo, one of the UK’s market leading online bingo providers, has seen record growth, allowing them to build a trusted website that benefits from the laws on gambling in the UK. As well as an improved offering thanks to reinvestment, Wink is also creating jobs and contributing to the UK’s economy via tax, something that both cities and states could be and are doing in states like Delaware and Pennsylvania.
Trump’s key role
The president has a background in casinos. After raising millions of dollars in capital through the sales of junk bonds, Trump basically transformed Atlantic City, New Jersey back in the 1980s, constructing and operating several casinos and plastering the Trump brand onto the city. Although the casinos he operated weren’t a success, it has left a lasting legacy that has turned Atlantic City into a gambling hotspot on the East coast. Although legalised gambling at a national level is on the cards, we’re yet to see an official stance from the president’s office, possibly due to the other fires he is busy fighting both internally and externally. What is certain however is the fact that any changes to gambling laws will be a drawn-out process, with conservative law makers, judges and of course local government need to align, a process which will not be as straightforward as many gaming companies and gamblers will be hoping for.
Augusta would also be impacted greatly. Gambling in the US is starting to shake its dark past, and regulated gambling would certainly be free from ties with organised crime. If Augusta were to become a casino hotspot, the dynamic of the city could change completely, something that many residents wouldn’t be in favour of. New visitors may bring additional revenues, but it may all of a sudden become more difficult to get to work in traffic, or even book a restaurant.
The trade-off between tax revenue and additional tourism problems would need to be considered in depth, but it still feels that taking advantage of golf visitors is a no brainer. On-site bookmakers or even concession stands that offer odds could be a simple solution that would bump up golf revenues considerably.
With the president’s official decision to come and some guaranteed backlash from lawmakers in Georgia if the US does decide to legalise gambling at a national level however, it may still be some time before we can enjoy gambling without having to leave Augusta.…
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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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