iGaming Industry
Rhode Island Could Consider Online Casino Expansion to Boost Gambling Revenue
The state of Rhode Island could follow the example of Pennsylvania and use online casino gambling expansion as a way to fill in the budget gap it has been facing for some time now.
The state has been dealing with some budget problems, which is one of the main reasons why the Governor Gina Raimondo could be looking forward to seeing a change in the gambling revenue structure of Rhode Island by seeking to legalize online gambling.
Over the past few years, the gaming revenue generated across the state of Rhode Island considerably declined, with the RI Lottery Commission’s revenue falling and the construction of the Tiverton location of Twin River being delayed. The gambling operations’ performance in the state also felt the negative impact of the significant competition of online gambling in Massachusetts.
Rhode Island Suffers from Gambling Revenue Decline
As mentioned above, the RI Lottery reported a massive revenue decline in May 2017. This was taken as the first clear sign that the gambling revenue stream generated in the state was hurt. Many of the lottery’ categories reported disappointing results.
According to the last report revealed by the RI Lottery, almost all categories featured suffered a decline. Online lottery performance suffered a nearly $9-million decline, with its revenue falling from $164.5 million in 2016 to $155.6 million in 2017. A $2-million decline was also registered in instant games revenue, while video lottery operations at Twin River and Newport Grand suffered a $6-million decline. On the other hand, the expenses of the Rhode Island Lottery increased by over $3 million.
Probably the largest positive side of the situation was the fact that table games revenue was boosted by $14 million.
The registered decline caused concern in the local budget office, as gaming has been one of the major revenue sources, not to mention it was a segment that has generated continuous profit. That is exactly the reason why local authorities have been seeking ways to boost revenue. According to some media reports, the state of Rhode Island could seek to expand its gambling market in order to do that.
Online Casino Expansion Could Face Challenges
For the time being, online gambling expansion has been widely discussed in relation to the sports betting case of New Jersey’s Governor Chris Christie and NCAA in the US Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court rules in favour of the state, the federal ban on sports betting could be dropped, which could bring exciting opportunities to the gambling landscape. The decision of the US Supreme Court could be expected in the late spring of 2018.
However, except for the new opportunities that a large gambling expansion, and more specifically online casino expansion, could bring to Rhode Island, there are also some downsides. The opponents of gambling expansion in the state have raised a red flag that implementing online casino gambling in the state could seriously hurt the Twin River project, which Tiverton facility construction has already been hurt by a number of delays. Moreover, competition from two Massachusetts casinos that are expected to start operating is expected to further hit the Twin River performance.
In any case, online casino expansion would bring new challenges to Rhode Island if state authorities decide to try filling the existing gap in the budget.
Source: European Gaming Portal
Bradley Khoury
eCOGRA Approved to Operate in Arizona, Indiana and Panama
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
BetConstruct to Showcase Latest Innovations at G2E Las Vegas 2024
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.
Amusnet
Amusnet Sets the Stage for Global Gaming Excellence at G2E Las Vegas
Amusnet has announced its participation in the 23rd edition of G2E Las Vegas (Global Gaming Expo) at The Venetian Expo from October 7-10. As one of the largest expos globally, G2E provides a platform for the company to showcase products across its Online Casino, Live Casino, and Land-based verticals, positioning Amusnet as a prominent all-casino provider in the competitive iGaming industry.
“We are excited to attend G2E Las Vegas 2024 to present our latest online casino portfolio and Type S slot cabinets: our first-ever product series for Land-based casinos, designed to offer a competitive edge by combining Amusnet’s top-notch game portfolio with an immersive player experience. Our focus is on delivering solutions that maximize performance and cater to the evolving needs for both online and land-based casinos,” said Borislav Marinov, Head of Business Development, Land-based, at Amusnet.
Alongside its technical excellence, the premium Type S series showcases the company’s award-winning titles, including 20 Golden Coins, Extra Crown, Fruits & Gold, and Cocktail Rush. It also features Amusnet’s popular four-level bonus game, Jackpot Cards, along with other exciting features like Free Spins, Buy Bonus, Pick Me Bonus, and Symbol Upgrade.
Amusnet will host an activation featuring its premium slot cabinets at the upcoming expo, offering attendees the opportunity to experience the thrill of Type S in real time and win exciting gifts.
-
gaming2 years ago
ODIN by 4Players: Immersive, state-of-the-art in-game audio launches into the next generation of gaming
-
EEG iGaming Directory8 years ago
iSoftBet continues to grow with new release Forest Mania
-
News7 years ago
Softbroke collaborates with Asia Live Tech for the expansion of the service line in the igaming market
-
News6 years ago
Super Bowl LIII: NFL Fans Can Bet on the #1 Sportsbook Review Site Betting-Super-Bowl.com, Providing Free Unbiased and Trusted News, Picks and Predictions
-
iGaming Industry7 years ago
Rick Meitzler appointed to the Indian Gaming Magazine Advisory Board for 2018
-
News6 years ago
REVEALED: Top eSports players set to earn $3.2 million in 2019
-
iGaming Industry7 years ago
French Senator raises Loot Boxes to France’s Gambling Regulator
-
News7 years ago
Exclusive Interview with Miklos Handa (Founder of the email marketing solutions, “MailMike.net”), speaker at Vienna International Gaming Expo 2018