Gambling in the USA
United States is land of esports and sports betting opportunity, states Betinvest
The American people’s enthusiasm for sports, inclusivity of esports and the increased roster of sporting events in the USA are just some of the reasons why Betinvest’s VP of Business Development, Valentyn Kyrylenko, believes the American market presents unlimited possibilities in 2019 as the company prepares to exhibit its Sports Betting, iFrame, eSports and AI solutions at the first ever ICE North America in Boston (May 13-15).
As a leading sports betting provider in both Europe and the US, what are the key differences to operating in North America?
When it comes to European sports, a number of famous championships can be held in just one year, as was the case in 2018, but it’s not always the case and despite lots of engaging annual tournaments taking place it can have an impact on betting. If you look at US sports, every bookmaker will be pleased to learn the country has top sporting events both monthly and annually and as Americans are real sports enthusiasts, it doesn’t end there! In addition to this regular season, before the final they have playoffs and knockout competitions which last all year, so it goes without saying there are always a lot of opportunities for betting.
Another important aspect to note is, whereas in Europe, we often bet on one of three outcomes – a victory, draw or defeat. With NBA, NHL, baseball and American football, there is no ‘draw’ option. This is an attractive prospect for customers who can focus on placing bets on the winning team which is an important detail for bookmakers to understand when heading to the US market.
What does the US market represent to your company?
The American market presents unlimited possibilities, but bookmakers wishing to get started there need to consider their how own goals line up with the specificities of every state. Regulations and player preferences vary from state to state. Let’s take Pennsylvania as an example: it’s a northern state where people tend to like ice hockey, so it’s important to offer NHL events. We also know that this state has professional basketball and American football teams, so customers living there are sure to be interested in those sports.
Another thing to consider about the US market is that college games are very popular and attract enough fans to fill huge stadiums. This could be another interesting direction with lots of potential for betting.
The younger millennial market is a key focus for esports. How is Betinvest targeting this part of the US population responsibly?
The recent tremendous growth in esports is evident across the world. This is partly thanks to its appeal to the younger generation, but also because esports provides a new opportunity for anyone and everyone to become a sportsperson. This type of sport has a real sense of competition, so people enjoy it and have fun for the same reasons they do with traditional sports.
The popularity of esports depends on the region. In Europe, it is still not as popular as a football, for example, but in Asia, the prize funds for esports tournaments are on a par with those of tennis matches. Interest in the tournaments is therefore very high. The popularity of esports is equivalent to that of Rugby in England and Eastern European countries. Last year, the US and China generated over half the global esports revenue. These two markets are the largest when it comes to esports.
One of the most appealing things about esports is that it promotes inclusivity. Even if you have an unsportsmanlike figure or a disability, you can still be an athlete: you are one of us. I think this is a great idea. People succeed in this sport without having any special physical abilities/gifts.
You’re making waves in the esports world with your new technology and solutions. Can you discuss your strategy for investment in US eSports?
As you know, we formed a new esports department at Betinvest to develop this aspect of the business. Everyone in the team has their own experience of being casual esports customers which helps us to better understand our esports audience. We know which games attract the biggest audiences, and this helps us to design our products. What’s more, we’ve assembled a strong team of traders and analysts who spend hours analysing esports data and new information from various games. Our live traders keep their eyes peeled, offering a wide selection of live odds which are made available to the end customer.
At present, we offer odds for over 20 esports games. It’s important to remember that, although there might not be monthly tournaments running for all of those games at the same time, you’d be guaranteed to see at least six disciplines offered on our partners’ websites at any one time. Of those, the top three are Dota 2, CS:GO and League of Legends. We offer approximately 2,000 pre-match and up to 1,000 live markets for these three major games.
As for our next steps, we will invest in developing our esports products. Our goal for 2019 is to become one of the top three leading esports odds providers in the world.
What’s the significance of Clarion consolidating its US events into ICE North America and what are you preparing to showcase there?
It’s great that the ICE event is coming to North America to bring together gaming providers and operators from all over the world. Our team will be attending the event, offering our Sportsbook product as well as a variety of other solutions, all of which we are constantly improving. We understand that the US market is different from the European one in terms of sports and seasons and already have a very competitive Data Feed with pre-match and live odds for the top American championships and sports: NHL, AHL, NBA, NCA, NLB, etc. We have gained our expertise through 20 years’ experience in the betting industry and our selection of odds is very strong. It’s even better than that which local bookmakers are offering in the States, and it won’t be difficult for us to add more American sports to our selection.
Recent changes in legislation means that the American market has opened up, making this exhibition an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to seize the chance to start a betting business in the States.
Betinvest will be exhibiting at ICE North America. For more information or to arrange a meeting, contact Valentyn Kyrylenko, [email protected], +38 95 231 30 44 .
Gambling in the USA
Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort Rising in Kings Mountain as First Year of Construction is Completed
Significant construction has been completed during the first year of work on the $1 billion Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, N.C., a site off Interstate-85 only 35 miles from Charlotte and close to the South Carolina border.
Construction on all aspects of the project is in full swing, with the foundations for the casino complex and hotel completed several months ago, the casino complex at its full height and expanding horizontally, and steel continuing to rise for the 24-story, 385-room hotel. The hotel tower framing is now 10 stories high, with an additional floor being added nearly every week. At completion, the hotel will be connected to the casino complex.
The casino complex includes the introductory casino on the first level, three levels of covered parking, a back-of-house level and top level with the main casino floor and restaurants. The introductory casino, set to open in spring 2026, will include 1350 slot machines, 20 table games, a 40-seat restaurant, a bar, sports betting kiosks, and Lucky North Rewards desk.
The introductory casino will replace the current temporary (prelaunch) casino, which continues to grow in popularity as it nears its fourth anniversary on July 1.
The main casino complex is targeted to open in 2027. It will be about 2 million square feet and feature:
• 4300 slot machines
• 100 table games
• 11 dining outlets, including a steakhouse, Italian restaurant, marketplace with six venues, café, and grab-and-go outlet
• A players lounge
• 11 bars, including a center bar and sports bar
• A 2700-space parking garage built under the casino complex and 800 surface parking spaces
The project has created hundreds of construction jobs. Upon completion, the casino resort will employ an estimated 2200 regional residents and citizens of the Catawba Nation.
“This casino resort will be an economic game changer for Catawba citizens and a force to drive the economy of Cleveland County and the City of Kings Mountain. This project is a testament to our resilience, our commitment to self-sufficiency, and our determination to build a better future for ourselves and our future generations,” Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris said.
Harris noted the temporary casino is contributing to many community and charitable organizations in the region, and that will only increase as the full casino resort opens.
The project is being led by the Catawba Nation Gaming Authority under Vice President Trent Troxel, with Yates-Metcon as the construction general contractor; Delaware North as the gaming management, development and hospitality consultant; and SOSHNY Design architects.
“Once again, I want to thank the Cleveland County, City of Kings Mountain, federal and state leaders who have supported the Catawba Nation’s efforts develop the casino resort in its ancestral lands in North Carolina,” Harris said.
Work has also been completed on two key infrastructure projects for development of the permanent casino resort that were funded by the Catawba Nation: doubling the size of the Dixon School Road Bridge over I-85 near the casino entrance and installing new sewer lines near the casino.
Gambling in the USA
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa Named Luckiest Casino in US by Casinos.com
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa has been named the luckiest casino in the US according to a recent study conducted by Casinos.com. The resort claimed the top spot based on an in-depth analysis of Tripadvisor reviews, measuring the frequency of luck-related keyword mentions.
With a 25.49% luck rate, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa topped the list thanks to glowing guest feedback, including frequent mentions of jackpots, hand pays and bonus wins. 50 reviews mentioned the word “jackpot,” and 19 even referenced a “hand pay.”
Casinos.com tracked keywords such as lucky, luck, won, winning, success, jackpot, hand pay, winner, bonus, profit to determine which U.S. casinos inspired the most winning moments among visitors.
“I hit 4 jackpots. I stayed one night. I had a blast. The machines are as loose as anywhere else,” wrote one Tripadvisor reviewer, noted Casinos.com, capturing the essence of why the casino landed in the No. 1 spot.
“We’ve always known this was a lucky casino, but it’s exciting to see that recognized through data-driven research. It’s a testament to the vibrant energy on our casino floor and the unforgettable experiences we strive to create for every guest,” said Steve Bonner, President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.
The ranking reinforces Seminole Hard Rock Tampa’s reputation as one of the premier gaming and entertainment destinations in the US. Seminole Hard Rock Tampa was not involved in the study and was unaware of it until the results were publicly released.
Over the past year, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa has paid out nearly 839,000 jackpots totaling more than $2.45 billion, continuing to deliver thrilling high-stakes gaming. Since May 1, 2024, the casino resort has awarded 375 jackpots of $100,000 or more, amounting to an impressive $61 million in winnings. Notably, 47 of those massive wins stemmed from bets of $5 or less and nine came from wagers of $3 or less.
Seminole Hard Rock Tampa offers a fully integrated casino experience with a sleek, modern design and welcoming atmosphere of 245,000 square feet of gaming space and entertainment. With 5230 of the hottest slot machines and a full range of table games such as poker, blackjack and baccarat, there is no shortage of opportunities to win. Additionally, guests can enjoy live craps, roulette, and sports betting at their leisure.
Gambling in the USA
California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives
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:
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500 Club Casino (K & M Casinos, Inc.) received both initial and renewal owner-type license approvals through January 2027.
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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.
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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:
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Jeffrey Thompson was approved with a condition prohibiting involvement in illegal gambling activities.
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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:
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HCAL, LLC
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JCM Global
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Konami Gaming, Inc.
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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.
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