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Louisiana Gaming: Threat From Texas, Plus More Parishes Could Legalize Sports Betting

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If Texas ever approves commercial casinos and sports betting, Louisiana could see a big falloff in gaming revenue, says the Bayou State’s top regulator.

“It’s going to be a huge blow to Louisiana,” Ronnie Johns, Louisiana Gaming Control board chairman, said.

Johns, who is retiring at the end of June after three years as chairman, spoke with Gambling.com in a wide-ranging interview on “The Edge.”

Johns also said additional parishes in Louisiana could approve sports betting within a few years. In addition, he expressed doubt that a tax hike is coming on sports wagering in the state.

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Texas Might Not Expand Gaming Until 2030s: Johns

A 75-year-old former Republican state senator, Johns noted that Louisiana has already gone 35 years with legalized commercial gaming, while Texas still doesn’t have it. Louisiana has since seen the build up of first-rate casino resorts in the state, he noted.

In Texas, sports betting and Las Vegas-style commercial casinos are prohibited. Efforts at the Texas Legislature to expand gaming have been unsuccessful. To date, sports betting is legal in 38 states and Washington, D.C.

Currently, Louisiana benefits from Texans like “Mattress Mack” traveling next door to the Bayou State to gamble. Houston, the fourth most-populated city in the U.S., is only about two hours from Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Johns said he sees gaming expansion happening one day in Texas, the nation’s second most-populated state. However, that might not occur until well into the 2030s because of opposition from anti-gaming lawmakers and others, he said.

When it does happen, it will have a negative impact on Louisiana.

“We’re predicting a 50% decrease in state revenue, should that happen,” Johns said. “It’s going to be big.”

No Tax Hike On Sportsbooks, Some Parishes Might OK Sports Wagering

During the interview on “The Edge,” Johns also addressed other gaming-related issues facing Louisiana, including:

A national conversation about an increase in sports betting taxes in some states.

Johns said he has not heard any rumor or discussion about a tax hike in Louisiana on sports wagering.

“Sports betting’s been highly successful in Louisiana,” he said. “It’s actually brought in more money than projected. With that being said, I just don’t see any movement at this time to increase taxes.”

Legalizing sports betting in the nine parishes where it is currently prohibited.

Johns said he anticipates a public vote will occur in some of those parishes to legalize sports betting. Those nine parishes previously rejected sports betting, while 55 parishes approved it.

“I’m not sure that all nine will get there,” he said. “I predict over the next, say, four to five years you could probably have half of those attempting to approve sports betting again.”

The implementation in Louisiana of online casino gaming, known as iGaming, allowing bettors to play casino games such as slots and craps on their smart phone or computer.

Johns said there is a conversation in the state about the issue, but the casino industry itself is divided — some want it, others don’t. That sort of division makes legislative approval difficult, he said.

“The other aspect is going to be those legislators who view it as an expansion of gaming,” he said. “You’re going to have some pushback from some of the traditional Christian-based organizations, such as the Family Forum here in Louisiana and others who are traditionally anti-gaming.”

More riverboat casinos moving their operations ashore.

Johns said he does not think all 15 riverboat license holders will ultimately build casinos on land. A handful already have moved ashore or are in the process of becoming land-based.

“I see a point where we’re going to have a number of them do it,” he said. “I don’t think we’ll ever get to the point where all 15 are going to do that. Just from the economic standpoint, is it feasible for them to do that?”

 

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BETesporte Reinforces Commitment to Sports with Major Investments Across Brazil

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Investment in championships, clubs, and national teams expands media assets and positions BETesporte as a key player in Brazil’s sports market.

BETesporte, a betting platform that proudly carries “sports” in its name, is reaffirming its leadership in the industry by reporting consistent investment results over the past four months. While most betting platforms generate the majority of their revenue from online games (virtual casinos), BETesporte stands out as one of the few where sports betting leads the way — accounting for 65% of its total revenue, compared to 35% from online games. This figure directly reflects its brand strategy and commitment to strengthening Brazilian sports.

Over the last four months, we’ve consolidated our presence on multiple fronts, focusing on strategic returns and high-quality visibility. We’ve sponsored several state championships in all regions of the country, including the Paulista, Paranaense, Carioca, Alagoano, Gaúcho, Pernambucano, Cearense, Catarinense, Baiano, and Mineiro tournaments, as well as the highly engaging Copa do Nordeste. We’ve also invested in Series A and B of the Brasileirão, placing our brand on Brazil’s biggest football stages and ensuring mass exposure with a high value per impression. It’s a strategic allocation of resources designed to generate brand impact and strengthen the Brazilian sports ecosystem,” said Thiago Carvalho, CFO at BETesporte.

Among the platform’s most notable recent acquisitions is brand exposure during Brazil’s national team matches in the World Cup Qualifiers — a move that reinforces BETesporte’s presence on the global football stage and strengthens its connection with fans during highly visible moments.

We truly believe in the power of sports as a driver of connection and engagement. At BETesporte, we’re constantly investing in improving our platform with new features and more real-time betting options. Our marketing plan is performance-oriented: we aim to energize Brazil’s sports scene through active sponsorships in Series A and B of the national league — with master sponsorships, LED field displays, and direct club support. We bet on sports both as a passion and a business,” added Danylo Campos, CTO of BETesporte.

Beyond football, BETesporte is expanding its social impact by supporting up-and-coming athletes, providing financial assistance to help them compete and grow in sports like kickboxing, table tennis, and jiu-jitsu — an initiative that helps uncover new talent and democratize access to high-performance sports.

The company also maintains partnerships with traditional clubs like CRB, CSA, and Volta Redonda, reinforcing its regional presence and boosting local fanbases with strong community ties.

BETesporte’s credibility is further strengthened by the presence of legendary Brazilian football figures as brand ambassadors, including Zico, Vampeta, Diego Souza, and Macaé — personalities who bring even more legitimacy to the company’s presence in the sports world.

The post BETesporte Reinforces Commitment to Sports with Major Investments Across Brazil appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives

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Sacramento, CA — In a meeting packed with regulatory updates and licensing decisions, the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) convened on April 24 to advance numerous agenda items impacting the state’s gambling landscape—from tribal gaming approvals to responsible gambling programs and operator renewals.

Problem Gambling & Public Health Takes the Stage

The Commission meeting opened with a presentation by Sosha Marasigan-Quintero from the California Department of Public Health, offering an overview and update on the California Problem Gambling Treatment Services Program. While no specific staff recommendations were provided, the update underscores California’s continued focus on behavioral health in gambling.

Tribal Revenue Distribution Approved

The Commission approved the quarterly distribution of payments from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund to eligible recipient Indian Tribes. This routine, yet vital, procedure ensures the equitable distribution of revenue to support tribal sovereignty and infrastructure across the state.

Cardroom Licensing: Approvals and Extensions

Among key licensing matters:

  • 500 Club Casino (K & M Casinos, Inc.) received both initial and renewal owner-type license approvals through January 2027.

  • Casino Chico, Hollywood Park Casino, and Lake Bowl Cardroom were granted renewals and short-term extensions, some with conditions such as improving record-keeping systems or ensuring regulatory compliance ahead of reopening.

  • Hotel Del Rio & Casino was granted a 60-day extension under several strict conditions, including updated safety plans and the restatement of commingled financial records.

Key Employee Licensing Actions

The Commission approved several initial and renewal key employee licenses. Notably:

  • Jeffrey Thompson was approved with a condition prohibiting involvement in illegal gambling activities.

  • Kevin Lee and George Rahme received 120-day extensions for renewal processing.

Third-Party Proposition Player Services Under Scrutiny

The Commission approved both initial and temporary licenses for Fortune Players Group, Inc., with a lengthy list of conditions tied to the conduct of a former associate, Rene Medina. These conditions highlight the Commission’s ongoing vigilance in monitoring third-party player services and maintaining compliance across operations.

Progressive Gaming, LLC was also approved for an initial license, further expanding third-party service provider capacity.

Gaming Resource Suppliers & Tribal Approvals

Initial suitability findings for several prominent tribal gaming resource suppliers were approved, including:

  • HCAL, LLC

  • JCM Global

  • Konami Gaming, Inc.

  • PDS Gaming, LLC

Dozens of tribal gaming employees were also approved for key positions at tribal casinos across California, reflecting the Commission’s continued support of tribal gaming operations and the necessary workforce to support it.

Notable Withdrawals and Denials

In two notable cases, requests to withdraw license applications—Josephine Hoang and Jesus Bojorquez—were denied, signaling the Commission’s increased scrutiny and emphasis on applicant accountability.


A Broader Look Ahead

With regulatory reform on the horizon and ongoing efforts to promote responsible gaming, the April 2025 CGCC meeting showcased a mix of routine license management and deeper engagement with emerging compliance issues. As the Commission prepares for the next quarter, the groundwork laid in this session will likely influence policy developments and enforcement trends across California’s gambling sector.

The post California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Trends in affiliate marketing in 2025 from Boomerang Partners: AI, Personalized Engagement, Crypto, Betting, and Tournaments

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Affiliate marketing in 2025 has evolved far beyond just boosting traffic or generating clicks — it’s now all about building value-rich ecosystems and partnerships where each user interaction is fine-tuned for maximum relevance and effectiveness.

Boomerang Partners, a rapidly growing global brand behind the annual Golden Boomerang Awards for affiliate teams around the world, shares insights about the key trends of 2025 in the affiliate marketing industry. These trends are driven by advancements in AI, blockchain, and personalization technologies.

AI-powered optimization

Advanced AI tools empower affiliates to launch highly personalized campaigns on a large scale. By analyzing user behavior in real time, these tools help marketers anticipate user intent and deliver customized content that speaks directly to distinct audience needs.

With AI-powered tools, affiliate managers can plan, execute, and evaluate campaigns with minimal human intervention. This saves time when adjusting strategies and making data-driven decisions.

Personalized engagement

Using data on user behavior and preferences, affiliate managers tailor content, advertising campaigns, and product recommendations. This leads to increased engagement and conversions.

AI-powered personalization relies heavily on real-time insights into user behavior. Key elements include maintaining contextual relevance, steering clear of excessive segmentation, and optimizing content dynamically. Instead of relying on fixed strategies, marketers now continuously refine campaigns using live data. To maximize impact, marketers should combine AI solutions with A/B testing processes, forming a feedback loop that enhances content effectiveness with each iteration.

Crypto betting boom

In 2025, integrating cryptocurrencies into iGaming affiliate marketing will become increasingly prominent. This trend is fueled by industry growth and the increasing adoption of blockchain technology. Using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum increases the security of transactions and provides exposure to an international audience. Cryptocurrencies also open up new revenue streams and foster innovation in the field.

Affiliates integrating cryptocurrency into their platforms have seen advantages like quicker payment processing, reduced transaction costs, and enhanced security. Built on decentralized technology, crypto promotes greater transparency, helping to foster trust compared to conventional centralized financial systems.

Affiliate tournaments

Industry tournaments boost brand visibility and help build strong affiliate communities. Affiliate tournaments have become a trend in the industry. They are mainly organized by affiliate programs and feature valuable prizes — from iPhones and MacBooks to luxury cars and cash rewards. Boomerang Partners took it a step further by launching the annual Global Boomerang Partners Awards.

This year, Boomerang Partners is hosting its second annual tournament for affiliates worldwide, the Golden Boomerang Awards 2025it runs through May 11. More than 400 teams are participating.  Monthly prizes are given out for completing intermediate tasks. The top 30 contestants will reach the finals and compete for 11 awards, including the Grand Prix. They will also be able to attend the global networking event in Milan at San Siro. Registration for the tournament is open until May 5. There’s still time to register before the final prize drawing on May 3. The organizer will ensure the fulfillment of dreams. The winner will choose how to use the prize – for travel, education, or a top device.

Join Boomerang Partners and the Golden Boomerang Awards 2025.

About Boomerang

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global brand offering a wide range of services. Boomerang is the Official Regional Betting Partner of AC Milan and collaborates with women’s football star and influencer Alisha Lehmann. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards 2024, the first annual global affiliate tournament. Boomerang Partners’ betting segment surged 5x, and gambling — 2x in 2024. Its affiliate program demonstrated a 120% increase in partners, and the number of sports betting offers surged more than 6 times. Six new products were launched by Boomerang in 2024, which contributed to an almost 1.5-fold increase in product users.

Boomerang’s portfolio contains 15+ gambling brands, including sportsbooks. They cover over 35 GEOs and offer a wide range of betting options with favorable odds. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.

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