Gambling in the USA
HAWKS TALON GC SET TO PLAY IN NBA 2K LEAGUE’S ‘THE TIPOFF’ ON ESPN2
Hawks Talon to Compete Using Remote Gameplay in League’s First In-Season Tournament of 2020 Season
ATLANTA – Last week, the NBA 2K League announced details of the league’s first in-season tournament, THE TIPOFF powered by AT&T. The four-day tournament will air live on ESPN2, ESPN’s digital platforms and the league’s Twitch and YouTube channels and will begin on Tuesday, June 16. All 23 teams will compete in the tournament remotely from their local markets for a total prize pool of $160,000. Hawks Talon GC, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, is scheduled to play best-of-three series against Magic Gaming (Orlando Magic) and Kings Guard Gaming (Sacramento Kings) for a chance to advance to the playoff rounds of the tournament.
“We know that the stakes are higher during tournament play, and we are excited to have an opportunity to compete,” Hawks Talon GC’s Team Manager and Head Coach Wesley Acuff said. “Both Magic Gaming and Kings Guard Gaming are talented teams, and we are looking forward to playing against some of the league’s elite competition.”
Hawks Talon will play their first series of THE TIPOFF against Magic Gaming at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 16. KEL (Mykel Wilson), Hawks Talon’s second-round pick from the 2020 NBA 2K League Draft, was originally drafted to Magic Gaming last season and played several games for them before being traded. The team’s second series will be against Kings Guard Gaming, the affiliate of the Sacramento Kings, at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday. This has been one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the season as it features Hawks Talon’s BP (Michael Diaz-Cruz) against Kings Guard Gaming’s DAT BOY SHOTZ (Connor Rodrigues) who were traded for each other along with two draft picks this past offseason. BP was named one of five finalists for the 2019 Intel Performance NBA 2K League Most Valuable Player Award.
At the conclusion of pool play, the seven teams with the best records in each group as well as one wild card entrant will advance to the playoffs set to begin on Thursday, June 18, with tiebreaker scenarios applying if needed. Each matchup in the playoff rounds will be a best-of-three format and a champion will be crowned on Friday, June 19. More information about THE TIPOFF powered by AT&T can be found here.
The NBA 2K League also announced that remote gameplay for the regular season has also been extended for at least four more weeks (through Week 11 of the regular season ending Friday, July 17). Information about the remainder of the 2020 NBA 2K League season schedule will be announced at a later date.
To stay up to date on Hawks Talon Gaming Club, visit HawksTalonGC.gg and follow the team’s social channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Compliance Updates
Arizona Department of Gaming Releases October Sports Betting Figures
Bettors in Arizona wagered approximately $791 million on sports in October of 2024, according to a new report by the Arizona Department of Gaming. This represents an approximate 22% increase when compared to October of 2023.
The state collected approximately $2.35 million in privilege fees in the month.
Gambling in the USA
Neosurf & Betting Hero to reveal results of their in-depth study into US online gambling and payment habits in exclusive two-part webinar series
Neosurf, the globally trusted provider of swift and secure cash-to-digital payment solutions, has announced it will be sharing the findings of a recent study into the online betting habits, preferences and frustrations of US players in an exclusive two-part webinar series beginning on January 14th.
Neosurf commissioned the research via Betting Hero – a leading US-based iGaming portal with expertise in casino, sports betting and DFS. The webinars will see Neosurf CEO Americas, Sue Page, Betting Hero’s Co-Founder and President, Jai Maw, and Senior Director of Product and Research, Ernie Ropas, dive into the report’s key findings and discuss what some of the more surprising results could mean for operators.
The survey, which featured respondents from New Jersey, Colorado and North Carolina, aimed to help operators and regulators within the gambling industry better understand the typical US bettor – how and why they bet, what tools they use to manage their budget and what Responsible Gaming means to them. The findings will be revealed in the webinars and used to identify areas where Neosurf’s products can help operators provide a better user experience.
The research highlighted several aspects of payments and responsible gaming that bettors felt could be improved. Problems with payments remain an issue – 52% of respondents said that they’d experienced payment issues in the past year, and with over 50% depositing and withdrawing multiple times each month, there is a significant cost impact to the operators.
Additionally, respondents indicated they’d be in favour of using a service that could share pre-verified ID information with operators, with ease of use for new payment methods and seamless integration across multiple platforms identified as important factors in their choosing and remaining loyal to a single sports betting platform.
Sue Page, Neosurf CEO Americas, said: “It was important to us to gain a more detailed insight into the US sports bettor. We wanted to talk to the players and ask questions that no one else is asking, and through our collaboration with Betting Hero I’m delighted that we now have a comprehensive piece of research.
“Offering valuable insights into player habits – how and why they bet, the ongoing pain points they’re experiencing with payments and their thoughts on Responsible Gaming—we’ll be taking a deep dive into the results of the survey in our two-part webinar series starting at 10:00 ET on January 14th, and we encourage all US-focused operators and regulators to join us.”
Gambling in the USA
Saracen Casino Resort Chooses QCI Chatalytics to Enhance Casino Operations with Integrated AI Solutions
Saracen Casino Resort has selected Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Chatalytics, an integrated AI-driven suite, to revolutionize its casino operations and elevate guest experiences. The QCI Chatalytics solution, which includes Slot Copilot, Player Copilot, Dashboard, and the Robot Button, leverages OpenAI integration to provide real-time insights and streamlined decision-making across the casino floor.
QCI Chatalytics offers a powerful blend of AI-powered tools designed to optimize both player and slot management. With Slot Copilot, operators gain enhanced capabilities for real-time slot performance monitoring, predictive analytics, and dynamic task assignment. Player Copilot delivers personalized player engagement by analyzing customer data to inform service decisions and reward recommendations. The Dashboard component offers an intuitive, real-time display of key metrics, enabling data-driven insights at a glance. Additionally, the innovative Robot Button automates routine processes, allowing staff to focus on higher-value tasks and improve overall efficiency.
Clayton Mason, Senior Director of Marketing of Saracen Casino Resort, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “Integrating QCI Chatalytics into our operations marks a significant step in our strategy to harness the power of AI. With advanced tools like the Robot button, Slot Copilot and Player Copilot, we can deliver a more tailored and efficient experience for our guests while gaining deeper insights into our gaming operations.”
Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI, shared his vision for the collaboration: “We’re excited to bring the capabilities of QCI Chatalytics to Saracen Casino Resort. By integrating OpenAI technology, our solution provides unprecedented levels of automation and insight. We believe Chatalytics will play a crucial role in optimizing floor operations and enhancing guest satisfaction through real-time, data-driven decision-making.”
The QCI Chatalytics platform is part of Quick Custom Intelligence’s commitment to driving innovation in the gaming industry, offering a comprehensive suite of solutions to streamline operations and enhance the player experience.
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