Pace-O-Matic (POM), creator of Pennsylvania Skill games, has congratulated the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) which saw an 8.7% increase in gambling revenue in May 2024 over revenue in May 2023.

The funding comes from slot machines, table games, internet gaming, sports wagering, fantasy contests, and video gaming terminals (VGTs). The May revenue total is $520,997,868.

As the PGCB celebrates yet another enormous financial win, small businesses, veterans groups, volunteer fire companies and other fraternal clubs across the state also are pleased with the income they receive from operating legal skill games.

“The increased revenue for casinos and other gambling enterprises under the jurisdiction of the PGCB is good for the commonwealth. These numbers show that there is room in the state for both casinos and small businesses that operate skill games to be successful. There is no competition between the two,” said Mike Barley, spokesman for Pennsylvania Skill.

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Barley questions why casinos, especially Parx Casino, are fighting skill games when they continue to see increased revenues month after month and year after year. He added he is disappointed the giant casino industry wants to destroy family businesses and organizations that count on skill games for supplemental income by seeking to impose a crushing tax rate on the games. Legislation to regulate skill games calls for a 16% tax on skill games while casinos say the tax should be 52%.

“Sadly, $521 million a month is not enough to satisfy the greedy casino industry. Instead, they want to kill small businesses, American Legions, volunteer fire companies, Moose Lodges and other places that count on income from skill games. These locations could never afford to pay the same tax rate that wealthy casinos pay. Casinos know that but they simply don’t care,” Barley added.

Barley explained that POM supports legislation sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw and Rep. Danilo Burgos that will regulate and tax skill games. There is bipartisan backing for the legislation that will put guardrails around skill game operations and provide $250 million in skill game tax revenue for the state in the first year alone. Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to see skill game tax revenue as part of his 2024-25 state budget. But, Barley added, that revenue is generated only through a reasonable tax on skill games.

Several courts have ruled Pennsylvania Skill games are legal, including a unanimous Commonwealth Court in November. In addition to providing supplemental income to small businesses, the games are manufactured in Williamsport and 92% of the income they generate stays within the local economy or the state.

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has announced that Michael Lilly has been promoted to President of TwinSpires Horse Racing, the leading provider of legal online horse betting sites and the official wagering partner of the Kentucky Derby. In this role, Lilly will be responsible for the overall strategy and operation of the TwinSpires Horse Racing business within CDI’s TwinSpires Segment.

Lilly brings over 20 years of financial experience and organizational leadership experience to the role. Lilly joined CDI in 2018 as the Senior Director of Finance at Arlington Racecourse before his promotion to Vice President of Finance of CDI’s TwinSpires Segment in 2020 and subsequent role as Vice President of Finance and Operations of the Company’s TwinSpires Segment in 2022. Prior to joining CDI, Lilly held several financial leadership roles in the Chicago area. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Business Administration from DePaul University.

The Chicago Blackhawks announced a multi-year partnership agreement with sports betting venture Circa Sports to be the official jersey patch sponsor for the Blackhawks home red jerseys. The home jersey patch will be worn beginning in the 2024-25 season, marking the first time a partner will be added to Blackhawks game jerseys.

“Sports betting has continued to grow in popularity among our fans and offered new ways for them to engage with our game. We couldn’t be prouder to be adding Circa Sports to the Chicago Blackhawks roster of partners as they share in our goals to grow interest in our game and offer fans exciting and original experiences,” Blackhawks President of Business Operations Jaime Faulkner said.

Circa Sports is an American sportsbook operator based out of Las Vegas. Currently available in the state of Illinois via the Circa Sports Illinois mobile app and a physical book at American Place in Waukegan, the brand offers sports fans an innovative betting platform. Its sister venture is Circa Resort & Casino, an adults-only casino-resort in historic downtown Las Vegas. The property is home to the world’s largest sportsbook – a three-story, stadium-style venue with a 1000 person capacity – as well as Stadium Swim – a multi-level pool amphitheater featuring six pools and a 143-foot screen for fans of all sports to enjoy the biggest games.

“Growing up as a hockey fan, I’m overwhelmed with the opportunity, and the responsibility, that goes along with partnering with an Original Six team and a team with the most iconic home jersey in sports. We are ecstatic to showcase the new Blackhawks jersey with such a young and exciting team,” Circa Sports CEO Derek Stevens said.

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Circa Sports will debut on the Blackhawks jersey later this week at the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft. The partnership also includes the Blackhawks 2024-25 regular season schedule release, anticipated for early this summer.