Gambling in the USA

RISQ joins forces with Chalkline Sports to deliver jackpot-enabled free-to-play sports games

Published

6 years ago

January 18, 2019

Innovative iGaming insurance platform and US-based turnkey customer acquisition and engagement tool for operators and media, team up to offer engaging acquisition and retention games

RISQ collaborates with Chalkline Sports to deliver jackpot-enabled free-to-play sports gamesJanuary, 2019: RISQ, the iGaming Insurance Platform iGiP™, used by operators to power successful jackpot-based marketing campaigns, has joined forces with Chalkline Sports to scale up incremental revenue opportunities for sports betting operators within new player and existing player segments.

Chalkline Sports provides fun, simple live-odds free-to-play (F2P) sports games backed by rich data visualisation and customer personalisation software, which is powered by proprietary Bettor BI. Engaging, topical F2P games platform drives new sign-ups, re-monetises dormant database segments and predicts future customer behaviour. By using rich data visualisation and employing BettorBI, operators can run campaigns that target higher margin bets and bets struck per session.

Chalkline’s games, which cover all US sports (40+leagues), essentially increase operators’ incremental revenue opportunities by boosting game conversion rate to more than 72% and email open rate to over 45%. Overall this leads to a cut of acquisition costs by 80%.

RISQ’s iGaming insurance Platform iGiP™ gives operators and platform-providers access to some of the biggest non-networked jackpot payouts in the industry. Customisable jackpot size can be used to create winning anticipation among targeted segments of the database.

The combination of RISQ’s audience-pulling customisable jackpots, and Chalkline’s turnkey player engagement platform, predicting players future behaviour make this a very competitive marketing tool in a very cutthroat industry. Chalkline’s social media channel strength and the allure of substantial jackpots create a powerful proposition to penetrate the millennial audience.

RISQ’s iGaming insurance platform (iGiP) leverages the capacity of over twenty global reinsurance markets. The platform includes a range of insurance backed applications which are constantly developing, including: Game Jackpots, Sports Jackpots, Promotional Jackpots, Numbers Betting, and High Stakes Coverage for Sportsbooks and Casinos.

Julian Borg-Barthet, Director of Business Development at RISQ, said: “I am thrilled about the collaboration with Chalkline Sports, one of the best customer engagement platforms featuring all US sports. By offering such a wide choice of US sports events, Chalkline’s personalised and BI powered fun F2P games in combination with RISQ’s strong jackpot-based marketing campaigns, put operators in a strategic position to dominate the market by achieving higher than average customer conversion and incremental revenue increase.”

Daniel Kustelski, CEO, Chalkline Sports said: “At Chalkline we have operated regulated sports books on three continents and built an intelligent F2P sports game platforms around this. Our aim is to get US-based operators a head start in a post PASPA landscape. Being the front-runner in the race for market share boils down to strong performance in important key metrics like reducing customer acquisition costs and retaining and engaging existing customers. Chalkline Sports integration with RISQ is a partnership that places operators in pole position when it comes to acquiring and retaining new players. We’re launching RISQ with the 2019 Super Bowl and have big plans beyond that.”

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About RISQ:

RISQ is the leading iGaming insurance platform iGiP™ creating new levels in player acquisition and retention via scalable jackpots of up to £150m. These flexible solutions offer operators and platform-providers access to some of the biggest payouts in the industry. RISQ also provide prize coverage for Numbers Betting (including national, state and provincial lottery betting) as well as free-to-play sports jackpot games for event-based competitions. RISQ’s insurance platform provides scalable technology and contracting solutions, backed by a team of innovative and experienced professionals in both risk and sporting analytics, and leverages over a dozen global reinsurance markets.

About Chalkline Sports:

The Chalkline Free-to-Play (F2P) Sports Game platform provides turnkey customer acquisition and engagement tools for operators and media. Chalkline F2P mobile-first live-odds competitions engage and educate sports bettors and fans of all experience levels, and the platform has quickly deployed over 1,000 F2P games from over 100 leagues in 40+ sports. Players can challenge friends in season-long games or enjoy snack-sized pop culture favorites like 2018’s Royal Wedding Game. Chalkline is an approved gaming vendor in NJ and PA.

Gambling in the USA

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

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2025

Zoltan Tundik

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.

Gambling in the USA

NEW YORK CASINO IN MEXICO WELCOMES CONCEPT AND NEW GAMES FROM ZITRO

Published

3 weeks ago

April 8, 2025

Peter Tolan

The renowned Mexican operator Logrand has installed Zitro’s new CONCEPT cabinets and a selection of its latest games at the New York Casino in Monterrey.

Building on its global success, the CONCEPT cabinet line stands out for its Magic Lighting, immersing players in a synchronized light display, resulting in a unique sensory experience. Furthermore, the cabinet’s large Screen Deck blends comfort with intuitive functionality, optimizing the experience for players and operational teams.

The installation of the CONCEPT cabinets is complemented by the addition of the medieval-themed multi-game Legendary Sword, in which players can double their prizes through unique mechanics with the help of a magic sword.

On the other hand, Fairyland Quest takes players to an enchanted forest where Magic Mushrooms give access to a different bonus each, while a friendly Fairy will give a special bonus that doubles the playing area.

Juan David Baracaldo, Director of Operations and Product, highlighted: “The addition of Zitro’s CONCEPT cabinets is a great step to continue offering unique and high-quality experiences to our players. The unique combination of technology, spectacular graphics, and the experience these cabinets offer will further elevate our casino’s entertainment offering.”

For his part, Johnny Ortiz Viveiros, founder of Zitro, expressed: “We are very excited to strengthen our partnership with Logrand, a strategic partner that shares our vision of providing exceptional gaming experiences. The new CONCEPT cabinets and games like Legendary Sword and Fairyland Quest are just the beginning of what will transform how players enjoy entertainment.”

Gambling in the USA

Sky River Casino Guest Wins Half-million Dollars Playing Progressive Blackjack

Published

3 weeks ago

April 8, 2025

Niji Narayan

Sky River Casino has announced that an Elk Grove resident has won a whopping $511,311 while playing progressive blackjack on March 31, 2025. The Sky River Rewards member hit the big win after playing the table game for less than an hour.

“Our progressive table games and slot machines continue to be really hot here at Sky River Casino. Our players have had an impressive number of life-changing jackpots and our winning streak continues. We look forward to the next big win and welcome adults near and far to visit to explore and enjoy our high-energy atmosphere, lively promotions, exciting gaming, and unparalleled dining experiences,” said Michael J. Facenda, President of Sky River Casino.

The lucky local guest plans to use her winnings to renovate a kitchen and build a house back home.

“Without question, the best part of my job is watching our valued members and guests experience jaw dropping wins like this one. We all share in the incredible excitement that is absolutely contagious and can be felt throughout the casino,” said Charleen Ripley, VP of Casino Operations for Sky River Casino.