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Promoting Responsible Gaming a Must for 2023

2022 has been another good year for American gambling companies. More states have made sports betting legal and several have also gone across the border to launch in Ontario. Will 2023 be as good?
The new year is guaranteed an exciting beginning for American gamblers. After a long wait, legal sports betting will be launched in Ohio on January 1.
With a tax rate of 10% (far lower than the 51% in New York), the top gambling businesses are all ready to enter the Ohio betting market. That includes DraftKings, BetMGM and FanDuel. The long awaited launch comes just in time for the NFL play-offs and of course the Super Bowl.
That should guarantee a busy start for legal sports betting in Ohio. It won’t quite mirror that seen in New York when they launched mobile sports betting at the start of 2022. The frustration of not being able to legally place bets in Ohio will be over.
It’s not just the gamblers who will be relieved. It has been a frustrating time for the state with neighbors Pennsylvania, Michigan and Indiana already having made sports betting legal and receiving millions in tax revenue.
Gamblers in the state will be eager to place bets on teams such as the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. There will also be plenty of wagers on college sports too. The estimates are that there will be around $90 million in taxes earned per year from sports betting, particularly online.
No longer will gamblers have to use offshore sports betting sites, again denying the state of Ohio tax revenue. That’s one of the most important factors in the sports betting revolution that has been taking place in the US.
When gamblers were unable to legally bet on sport, they registered with offshore sites. The problem with this was the lack of protection for customers. Now that an increasing number of US states have made sports betting legal, it is a different story.
Customer protection is important because sadly there are still some rogue sites out there. They have welcome bonuses that are nowhere near as good as they look. Wagering requirements or odds restrictions can be so strict that it’s hard to withdraw any cash from the bonus received.
With gambling companies having to be licensed they cannot get away with such behavior. If they do, then they are in serious danger of losing the license they have been waiting so long to receive.
Another important area is that of responsible gaming. It is a worry that this new world of sports betting will lead to an increase in the numbers that become addicted to gambling.
Recently the leading gambling companies in the US agreed a 12-point pledge that sets up an industry benchmark re responsible gaming standards.
It’s an important step with the aim of ensuring that players are treated well. The main aims of the pledges are to produce a situation where online gaming is seen as fun and entertainment not a way of making money. It is important also to recognize the fact some players will develop problems and they need to be given support, particularly those who opt for self-exclusion.
The prevention of underage gambling is at the top of their pledges list. Others include having rules to games that are actually understandable. Online slots players will know that isn’t always the case.
Hopefully the pledges will see a safe gambling industry created in the US. Showing that the members of the industry can work together is important. There are still many states that are yet to make sports betting legal.
More will go down that route in 2023 but there are still several that are resisting the idea of doing so. The lure of tax revenue from gambling sites may become too strong for some states. If the industry can show that they wish to promote responsible gaming, then that will help persuade some states to take the plunge.
One area is ensuring that customers are given the message to only gamble what they can afford to lose. Equally important is that the gambling sites themselves take swift action when they see customers spending and losing high amounts.
In the UK, there have been cases where betting companies haven’t been doing this. The UK Gambling Commission have issued fines worth millions of pounds to companies such as Entain (who are also active in the US market) and 888 who have been guilty of allowing customers to bet far too much and not always question where the funds are coming from.
2023 looks like being another successful year for the US gambling industry. Betting sites know that this is an opportunity they cannot blow. Ensuring that they are seen as an industry that cares for its customers is a New Year’s resolution that has to be kept.
Compliance Updates
Blitzcrown Secures GLI Certification for Three Crash Games in Brazil

Breaking New Ground in Brazil: Blitzcrown’s Crash Games Now GLI Certified
Blitzcrown, MVG’s pioneering games studio, has secured Brazilian Certification as well as GLI-19 Certification from GLI(Gaming Laboratories International) for its industry-changing three Crash titles. This landmark achievement marks a significant milestone in the company’s expansion into Brazil’s thriving online gaming market, positioning Blitzcrown at the forefront of the region’s rapidly evolving iGaming landscape.
The license comes at an important time for Brazil’s gaming sector, following the launch of the new licensing regime that started on January 1, 2025. The regulatory framework, signed into law in December 2023, has transformed the industry’s prospects.
The certification encompasses 3 innovative crash games: Crash, Fast Crash, and Twin Crash. This strategic milestone establishes Blitzcrown as the premier provider of certified Crash games in the Brazilian market, demonstrating the company’s unwavering commitment to regulatory excellence and gaming integrity. With the GLI-19 and Brazil certification process successfully concluded in March, Blitzcrown has solidified its position as an industry pioneer in this dynamic and emerging market.
Crash games are a recent addition to the global iGaming market, featuring the dynamic evolution of real-time multipliers and immediate reward structures. Blitzcrown has stood out by establishing groundbreaking game mechanisms that offer different and exciting gameplay experiences. Standard Crash provides players with a standard multiplier-based gaming experience, and Fast Crash is optimized for users seeking quick, intense multiplier experiences. The Twin Crash is an original format allowing players to place simultaneous bets on two separate multipliers.
Building on this momentum, Blitzcrown has announced plans to expand its certified portfolio with two additional versions of its innovative Plinko games, demonstrating the company’s strategic commitment to market expansion. This forward-looking initiative underscores Blitzcrown’s dedication to continuous innovation and sustainable growth in the regulated gaming markets.
Blitzcrown is MVG’s edge-game studio focused on pushing game ideas beyond their norms through innovative and non-traditional gaming experiences. The studio has been particularly recognized for its groundbreaking approaches in various game categories, including its successful Crash and Plinko series.
George Cho from MVG said: “This GLI certification testifies to Blitzcrown’s unwavering commitment to offering top-quality, fair gaming systems. We are well placed to take advantage of Brazil’s exciting new regulatory environment and the vast growth potential of the online gaming industry.”
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Belatra excited to present LatAm innovations at BiS SiGMA Americas 2025

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, is set for its latest appearance at BiS SiGMA Americas in São Paulo, Brazil, from April 7-10, 2025. The company will be based at Stand M30, where it will not only showcase its LatAm innovations but also celebrate its 32nd birthday.
This major milestone brings an extra layer of excitement to Belatra’s time in Brazil. iGaming professionals visiting the stand will enjoy an immersive experience inspired by the studio’s popular classics Make it Gold and Mummyland Treasures. Belatra’s stand includes a smoky bar for a mysterious touch, a prize-filled game for visitors, and a live Mummy roaming the event floor to bring the experience to life.
Belatra’s extensive portfolio of award-winning titles brings together timeless hits with powerful, innovative themes, providing unforgettable entertainment for players.
With a strong foothold in LatAm, Belatra’s regional team, based in Buenos Aires, and Belatra’s global team will be in São Paulo to explore new collaborations and showcase its localised approach to the market.
Andrés Troelsen, Belatra Games’ Commercial Director for Latin America, said: “Our Latin American presence grows ever stronger with the region forming a major part of our growth strategy. We’re happy to be back in São Paulo for BiS SiGMA Americas to connect with partners and explore new opportunities. This year is extra special as we celebrate our 32nd birthday, so come raise a glass with us at our smoky bar!”
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Workers at Caesars Southern Indiana Casino Authorize Strike

More than 140 workers at Caesars Southern Indiana Hotel & Casino, represented by Teamsters Local 89 and Operating Engineers Local 399, have voted by a 98% margin to authorize a strike. The overwhelming vote is a direct response to management’s refusal to offer a fair contract.
“Our members are united and ready to fight for the strongest possible agreement. This vote sends a clear message — we will not back down. If management won’t negotiate in good faith, we’re prepared to take action,” said Avral Thompson, President of Local 89.
Caesars Southern Indiana, owned and operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), pulled in more than $240 million in revenue last year, making it one of the most profitable casinos in the state. Workers are demanding a contract that reflects their essential contributions to that success.
“I’ve worked at Caesars for over seven years, and we deserve a contract that values our hard work and dedication. No one wants to strike, but if management keeps disrespecting us at the bargaining table, we’re ready to demand what we’ve earned,” said Sandra Ramirez, a slot attendant at Caesars Southern Indiana and a member of Local 89.
After months of negotiations, management at Caesars Southern Indiana continues to refuse to offer fair retirement benefits and remains far apart on other key economic issues.
“At this point, the ball is entirely in management’s court. If Caesars faces a strike, management will have no one to blame but themselves for the fallout. We stand ready to back our members every step of the way,” said Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman.
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