Gambling in the USA
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – March 1-7
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! It was again an eventful week in the USA, despite the still-active virus attack.
Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news, new partnerships and compliance updates. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
Wynn Resorts has entered into a deal with Blue Wire and invested $3.5 million in the sports podcasting network. The deal includes the build-out of a podcasting studio in the Wynn Las Vegas lobby. That studio will host Blue Wire podcast personalities as well as star athlete guests to entice people to visit the hotel, get excited about sports and hopefully place bets on them. Wynn runs a subsidiary business called WynnBet, which handles sports betting, and the team specifically eyed Blue Wire to promote that brand.
PR agency 5W Public Relations (5WPR) has announced the launch of an online gambling public relations division. The creation of the new division will allow a focused and strategic approach to online gambling, casinos, lotto and sports betting clients. PR services for online gambling and lottery clients include messaging and positioning, media relations, visibility programmes, content creation, partnerships and celebrity relations, digital media campaigns, event planning, thought leadership and speaking opportunities.
Torstar Corporation has announced that it intends to launch an online casino betting brand this year in the regulated Ontario online gaming market. Torstar also announced key additions to its iGaming team, including Gil Steinfeld, a gaming industry veteran with expertise across all product verticals; Don Bourgeois, former General Counsel for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, who will oversee compliance, regulatory and legal matters; and Jim Warren, a senior executive and entrepreneur with 25 years of progressive leadership experience in politics and the gaming and lottery industry.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has announced that the state has reached an agreement with the Mohegan Tribe, owners and operators of the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville, to allow new gaming options, including online wagering and sports betting. The deal includes a 20% tax rate on new online gaming and a 13.75% tax rate on sports wagering. The governor’s office said this new agreement will generate “tens of millions of dollars” in additional revenue for the state.
Payments platform PayNearMe has announced enhancements to its iGaming solution that enable U.S. operators to dramatically speed up the market and simplify the deposit and payout experience across a wide range of payment types through a single integration. PayNearMe’s expanded iGaming solution makes deposits and payouts easy for both players and operators.
The National Council on Problem Gambling has officially commenced Problem Gambling Awareness Month. In Ohio, the growing impact of gambling on families and businesses will be the focus of several events during this Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
Partnerships
Vegas Golden Knights has signed a multi-year deal with UpickTrade, a sports betting recommendation service. Through the deal, UpickTrade has become the Official Sports Pick Service Partner of the Knights. The partnership marks the first sponsorship deal between a Mexican-based company and an NHL club, as well as the first partnership between a professional sports franchise and a sports betting recommendation service.
BetMGM has entered into a deal with Borussia Dortmund and become the exclusive Regional U.S. Partner of the club. The partnership features cross-marketing opportunities as well as fan-focused assets such as social media promotions, and BetMGM customer sweepstakes awarding special Dortmund prizes.
Gambling technology company Playtech has signed a non-exclusive sports wagering deal with Novomatic Americas, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NOVOMATIC AG. The agreement builds on the long-term partnership between Playtech and NOVOMATIC, which jointly operates more than 10,000 kiosks worldwide. The strategic partnership will see Playtech’s sports wagering kiosk systems delivered through Novomatic ActionBook, the US market’s most popular sports wagering kiosk.
New Appointment
FanDuel Group has appointed Amy Howe to the newly created role of president. Howe joins FanDuel from Live Nation Entertainment, where she served for seven years, most recently as global chief operating officer of Ticketmaster.
Compliance Updates
International Game Technology and Scientific Games Corporation have announced that they have signed a cross-licensing agreement for patents related to cashless slot gaming technologies. Under the agreement, Scientific Games and IGT will be able to offer patented cashless gaming technologies from the companies’ combined portfolios of casino management systems solutions to the U.S. gaming industry.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board has recommended approval of licenses for both William Hill and Bally’s. William Hill US, which has more than 120 sportsbook and kiosk locations across the state and is a subsidiary of the UK-based William Hill Plc, would become the centerpiece of Caesars’ sports wagering operation if the board’s unanimous recommendation is adopted by the Nevada Gaming Commission when it meets March 18.
CEO of Expanse Studios
Expanse Studios (GMGI) Enters the U.S. Sweepstakes Market
North American Expansion Kicks Off Through Strategic Partnership with Moozi
Golden Matrix Group’s game development division, Expanse Studios, has officially entered the U.S. sweepstakes market, marking a significant milestone in its North American growth strategy. This move is powered by a strategic content partnership with Moozi, one of the most dynamic sweepstakes social casino platforms in the region.
With Moozi now featuring over 50 of Expanse Studios’ top-performing games—including immersive slots, crash games, and table games—this partnership positions GMGI to capture a share of the $5.6 billion U.S. sweepstakes market, projected to more than double to $11 billion by 2025 (Eilers).
Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios, commented:
“This partnership signifies our formal entry into the U.S. market, showcasing the innovation and player-first experiences that define Expanse Studios. Collaborating with Moozi enables us to deliver advanced gaming content to a growing audience in North America, a key region for our global growth.”
James Anderson, Moozi’s CCO, added:
“Expanse Studios has set a high bar for engaging and innovative gaming experiences. Their addition to our platform elevates Moozi’s offerings and strengthens our mission to lead the U.S. sweepstakes social casino space.”
This launch underscores Expanse Studios’ commitment to innovation and its long-term growth trajectory in regulated markets. By entering the North American sweepstakes market, Expanse Studios takes a bold step in expanding its footprint while delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences.
Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG)
Arizona’s Tribal Gaming Contributions Reach $42.5 Million in Q2 FY2025
The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has announced an impressive $42,508,200 in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2025. This milestone reflects the continued growth and success of the state’s tribal gaming industry, achieved through strong collaboration between the state government and tribal communities.
A Record-Breaking Year for Tribal Gaming
“This achievement is a testament to the strength of the partnership between Arizona and its tribal communities,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of ADG. “Consecutive record quarters in FY2025 highlight our shared commitment to fostering a thriving gaming industry. Since FY2004, total tribal contributions have exceeded $2.3 billion, significantly benefiting the state and its residents.”
Supporting Arizona’s Communities
The Arizona Benefits Fund receives 88% of tribal gaming contributions, channeling these funds into key areas that directly impact the state’s residents and natural resources. The Q2 FY2025 contributions will be allocated as follows:
- Instructional Improvement in Schools: $21,186,087
- Trauma and Emergency Services: $10,593,043
- Wildlife Conservation: $3,026,584
- Tourism Promotion: $3,026,584
- Problem Gambling Education, Treatment, and Prevention: $850,164
- ADG Operating Costs: $3,825,738
These contributions reflect the state’s commitment to using tribal gaming revenue for meaningful community support, from enhancing education and emergency services to preserving wildlife and promoting tourism.
A Growing Gaming Landscape
Arizona currently hosts 26 Class III casinos, regulated under the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact. These casinos contribute a percentage of their gross gaming revenue to the Arizona Benefits Fund as well as to cities, towns, and counties. This model of tribal-state collaboration has proven instrumental in bolstering local economies and funding critical programs.
About the Arizona Department of Gaming
Founded in 1995, ADG is Arizona’s regulatory authority overseeing tribal gaming, racing, event wagering, and more. Beyond regulation, ADG is deeply committed to problem gambling education, offering support and resources to affected individuals and families through its Division of Problem Gambling and 24-hour helpline, 1-800-NEXT-STEP.
Looking Ahead
As tribal gaming contributions continue to break records, the partnership between Arizona’s government and tribal communities stands as a model for sustainable growth and mutual benefit. These contributions not only fuel essential state programs but also underscore the lasting value of collaboration in driving economic and social progress.
For a detailed breakdown of contributions by year and further information, visit the Arizona Department of Gaming’s official website.
Delaware North
Industry veteran joins North American operator as chief interactive gaming officer to drive growth in iCasino states and efficiencies in its online sportsbook
Delaware North, a global hospitality and entertainment company with a significant gaming division, has named industry veteran Lee Terfloth as chief interactive gaming officer as it pushes ahead with ambitious plans for its digital offering.
Terfloth has an impeccable track record across some of the biggest land-based and online gaming operators in North America, including Borgata, Resorts Digital, Hard Rock and, most recently, Prime Sports, where he was chief executive officer.
As chief interactive gaming officer at Delaware North, Terfloth will be responsible for two core objectives: Expanding the operator’s Betly mobile sportsbook and casino brand into additional iGaming states while also reviewing its sportsbook business to improve operational efficiency.
The appointment of Terfloth comes hot on the heels of news that Delaware North has chosen to migrate to Playtech’s powerful online sportsbook and casino platform in the states of Ohio, Arkansas, Tennessee and West Virginia.
Jason Gregorec, president of Delaware North’s gaming division, said:
“Lee Terfloth is a high-caliber senior iGaming executive who has played a key role in launching and growing interactive gaming divisions at some of the most established and renowned gambling operators in North America.
“We are delighted to be able to leverage this experience and knowledge as we ramp up our own online gaming division via our Betly brand, which has already gained traction in key online sports betting and iGaming states such as Ohio, Arkansas, Tennessee and West Virginia.
“I’d like to officially welcome Lee to the team and look forward to working with him as we deploy our ambitious plans for online gaming across regulated U.S. states,” Gregorec said.
Lee Terfloth, chief interactive gaming officer at Delaware North, added: “I’m thrilled to join Delaware North at a pivotal time for the business as it shifts up a gear with its activity in the online gaming space.
“Betly is an incredibly strong brand and now that we are migrating to the Playtech platform, we have the technological foundation to really level up our activity in terms of markets and the quality of the experience we offer to players.
“I have plenty of experience working with operators at this stage in their lifecycle and look forward to working with the incredible team we have in place to not only meet but exceed the goals the business has set for its interactive division,” Terfloth said.
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