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Success for Efforts to Bring Mobile Sports Betting and Resort Casinos to Texas

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The campaigns to bring resort casinos and mobile sports betting to the southern American state of Texas have been given significant boosts via news that a trio of associated legislative efforts have made it beyond the committee stage.

The Texas House of Representatives’ 13-member State Affairs Committee recently voted to advance House Joint Resolution (HJR) 155 and its enabling House Bill (HB) 2843 to the floor of the Texas State Capitol for a full vote. The successful passage of these proposals from Republican legislators Charlie Geren and John Kuempel respectively could see casino gaming brought to a limited number of destination resorts across ‘The Lone Star State’ including two for the area around the city of Dallas.

These two measures are now destined to be put to a vote before the 150 members of the Texas House of Representatives in hopes of being able to organize and hold a referendum on an associated constitutional amendment for as soon as November 7. Should residents of the giant state subsequently support this plebiscite and Texas would be permitted to license as many as eight Las Vegas-style resort casinos featuring high-class entertainment complexes, restaurants and gaming floors in addition to four or five-star hotels, convention facilities and retail elements.

Adding to this and the members of the State Affairs Committee have similarly approved a proposal from local Republican legislator Jeff Leach that is seeking permission to bring mobile sports betting to Texas. This measure is now destined to go for a vote before the full Texas House of Representatives and calls for individual operators to pay a 10% betting revenues tax after stumping up a $500,000 licensing fee.

The pro-casino Texas Destination Resort Alliance lobby group applauded the former moves and explained that millions of Texans currently travel to casinos in neighboring states such as Louisiana and Oklahoma where they annually spend an estimated $5 billion. The group’s spokesperson, Matt Hirsch, furthermore asserted that bringing such gambling-friendly facilities to cities such as Dallas, Houston and San Antonio would engender massive economic growth, create thousands of jobs and allow the jurisdiction to collect billions of dollars in tax that could be used to support a range of public safety, infrastructure and education programs.

“The efforts to bring destination resorts to Texas made significant progress with today’s vote,” Hirsch said. “Texans have made it clear that they want destination resorts in Texas and we are now one step closer to ultimately allowing them to decide on this issue. Our members thank and applaud the State Affairs Committee members for advancing Representative Geren’s and Representative Kuempel’s legislation.”

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AGLC

AGLC Announces New Board Chair

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Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has announced the appointment of Larry Spagnolo as the new Board Chair, effective August 15, 2025. This announcement follows the official Order in Council issued by the Alberta Government and marks a new chapter in AGLC’s ongoing commitment to support communities, encourage responsible choices and position Alberta as the best place to do business.

Larry brings a wealth of experience in technology and business leadership to the AGLC Board and will play an integral role in guiding AGLC’s strategic direction. He is currently serving as VP and GM of Emerson’s SaaS SCADA business and has held senior roles at Zedi and Telus, driving innovation, growth, and global success.

A strong advocate for education and community, Larry serves as Vice Chair of Athabasca University’s Board of Governors and has held board roles with NAIT and Polytechnics Canada. He was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his community contributions.

AGLC and the Board of Directors extend their heartfelt thanks to Len Rhodes for his leadership and dedication as Board Chair since August 2019. He decided not to seek a third term and will continue to serve in this role until August 14, 2025. Len led AGLC through some significant milestones, including reducing red tape by 51%, growth of the emerging cannabis industry and ensuring AGLC delivered a balanced approach to business development, social responsibility, and regulatory oversight.

The post AGLC Announces New Board Chair appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Pinnacle Ontario live with CasinoEngine in North America debut

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EveryMatrix has expanded its partnership with tier-1 operator Pinnacle powering its new casino in Ontario, Canada, using CasinoEngine platform technology – the first time its platform solution has gone live in North America. 

The latest agreement builds on the two companies’ previous collaboration that saw EveryMatrix’s CasinoEngine productivity platform power the well-known brand’s global casino offering.

The new launch takes the relationship to North America, marking EveryMatrix’s debut CasinoEngine platform integration in that market.

BonusEngine, EveryMatrix’s cross-vertical bonusing tool will be integrated in the second phase of launch. This will equip Pinnacle Ontario with a host of bonus types as well as AI-powered bonus abuse solution Bonus Guardian.

BonusEngine is the first of multiple engagement tools from EveryMatrix’s EngageSuite that Pinnacle plans to integrate.

With this comprehensive toolkit at its disposal, and the opportunity to add even more casino products in the future, Pinnacle Ontario can tailor campaigns, segment audiences, and reward players more effectively, creating a world-class digital entertainment experience for its customers.

EveryMatrix has more than 300 global customers and holds North American licences in Ontario, New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

Stian Enger Petersen, CEO, Casino, EveryMatrix, said: “This launch marks a key milestone for EveryMatrix as we bring our market-leading CasinoEngine platform to Canada for the first time.

“We’re delighted to expand our partnership with Pinnacle and support their ambitions in Ontario with a powerful combination of platform, content, and engagement tools that are proven to drive success.”

The post Pinnacle Ontario live with CasinoEngine in North America debut appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Prime Skill Games Inc. Official Response to AGCO Press Release

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As CEO of Prime Skill Games Inc., I feel compelled to address recent comments made by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario regarding so-called unapproved gambling machines in convenience stores across the province.

Let me be perfectly clear

Our machines are not gambling devices. They are entirely skill-based, fully compliant with the law, and built on the fundamental idea that players are in control. The outcome of every session is determined solely by the player’s ability, not by random chance.

Prime Skill Games is proud to be the only true skill game operating in Ontario today.

We categorically reject any suggestion that our products fall under the definition of unregulated gambling. Such statements are inaccurate, misleading, and fail to recognize the critical distinction between games of skill and games of chance.

We stand firmly behind the legality of our machines and the integrity of our operations. We will demonstrate this through every available means, whether through legal documentation, expert analysis, or, if necessary, before the courts. We are prepared and unafraid to defend the truth.

To our players, partners, and business community, we want to reassure you that our mission has not changed. We are committed to offering a responsible, transparent, and innovative entertainment experience. We will not be intimidated by broad and baseless accusations, and we will continue to move forward with strength and clarity.

 

Sincerely

Matt Zamroźniak

Chief Executive Officer

Prime Skill Games Inc.

The post Prime Skill Games Inc. Official Response to AGCO Press Release appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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