Gambling in the USA
Expected Economic Benefits Help Grow the Popularity of Online Gambling

The swing to a more favorable attitude towards online gambling businesses is noticeable across the board. According to data published by the American Gaming Association (AGC), Americans’ views of the casino gaming industry improved in 2020 as voters increasingly recognize the industry’s economic benefits and commitment to local communities. Nearly 7 in 10 (69%) Americans say that gaming provides a positive benefit to the U.S. economy and 63% agree that the industry provides high-quality jobs. Dustin Gouker, Lead Analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com, explained that “there are a lot of positive signs right now as sportsbooks and online casinos continue to gain steam, and hopefully, the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos begin to regain their footing. If things do return to normal, the gaming industry should see significant gains across the board in 2021. Casino closures have certainly spurred online casinos and online sportsbook betting, which will provide some long-term benefits for the industry.” Bragg Gaming Group Inc., Scientific Games Corporation, International Game Technology PLC, DraftKings Inc., Elys Game Technology Corp
The more favorable attitude towards sports betting and online gambling is a trend that had started before the pandemic but was accelerated due to its effects. To illustrate just how popular online sports betting is in states where the market can already operate, according to data from Odds.com, which was published by Forbes, Illinois was poised to generate upwards of USD 73 Million in taxable revenue if the estimates of a USD 488 Million annual market come to fruition.
Bragg Gaming Group Inc. announced this week that Richard Carter will be assuming the role of CEO from the company’s founder Adam Arviv, effective May 1st. Carter brings five years of experience as CEO at the interactive sports betting provider SB Tech. In april of 2020, Carter left after a successful 3.3 billion dollar merger with DraftKings and a major American acquisition corp.
With years in the industry under his belt, Carter is well equipped to take on this new role.
“I’m excited to lead Bragg on our mission to become a significant force in the B2B gaming space.” Said Carter in a statement this Wednesday. “2020 has been a very successful year for the company and we are well-positioned to maintain this momentum into 2021 and beyond.”
2021 has definitely been a busy year for Bragg Gaming Group so far with significant expansion into European markets and major partnerships including the largest Swiss casino operator. Carter made it clear the company has plans to maintain this growth.
“We will continue to grow and broaden the business in our core European markets, while at the same time starting to accelerate our investment and focus on the fast-growing North American iGaming market. Now is the right time to break into this market, and we look forward to building our cutting-edge technology, data insights, and exclusive casino gaming content to the market.”
The innovative gaming solution provider has been making waves in the iGaming industry with their unique business model. Bragg offers “plug and play” style gaming solutions which has allowed them to expand on a global scale. This scalability has evidently been effective for the company which has seen impressive returns. In the past 2 years alone, Bragg Gaming has increased its customer base by over 300% with revenue growth up 74% in the first 9 months of 2020. As a further testament to Bragg’s success, the company says they haven’t lost a customer in 5 years.
The field iGaming is one to watch this year and Bragg Gaming Group is quickly establishing itself as a leading force in the industry. You can find out more about their financials on the companies “investors” page.
Scientific Games Corporation and International Game Technology PLC, announced on March 1st, that they have signed a cross-licensing agreement for patents related to cashless slot gaming technologies. Under the agreement, Scientific Games and IGT will be able to offer patented cashless gaming technologies from the companies’ combined portfolios of casino management systems solutions to the U.S. gaming industry. Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed. “This cross-licensing agreement provides casino operators access to the gaming industry’s most compelling portfolio of cashless gaming technologies. We have made significant R&D investments over many years to develop this comprehensive suite of intellectual property in the cashless space. It makes revolutionary improvements to the player experience and represents the greatest advancement in cashless payments since the introduction of Ticket-In, Ticket-Out (TITO),” said Renato Ascoli, IGT CEO Global Gaming. “Cashless gaming is here to stay, and this strong portfolio of cashless IP can help casino operators ensure the safety of players by reducing cash handling and points of contact with slot games, while considerably improving casino operating efficiencies.”
International Game Technology PLC announced last year that its leading PlaySports platform will power world-class retail sports betting at Maverick Gaming’s three Colorado-based casinos as well as interactive sports betting throughout Colorado via Play Maverick Sports. Through a multi-year agreement with Maverick Gaming, IGT will provide its proven PlaySports turnkey solution including user-friendly self-service PlaySports kiosks, to Grand Z Casino and Johnny Z’s Casino in Central City, Colo. and Z Casino in Black Hawk, Colo. The IGT PlaySports platform, complete with a fully integrated Player Account Management (PAM) solution, will also power Maverick Gaming’s “Play Maverick Sports” mobile sports wagering app.
DraftKings Inc. reported last month fourth quarter and full-year 2020 financial results. For the three months ended December 31st, 2020, DraftKings reported revenue of USD 322 Million, an increase of 146% compared to USD 131 Million during the same period in 2019. “With a favorable fourth quarter sports calendar and strong marketing execution, DraftKings was able to generate tremendous customer acquisition and engagement that propelled us to USD 322 Million in fourth quarter revenue, a 98% year over year increase,” said Jason Robins, DraftKings’ co-founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board. “In the fourth quarter of 2020, we saw MUPs increase 44% to 1.5 million and ARPMUP increase 55% to USD 65. We are raising our revenue outlook for 2021 due to our expectation for continued growth, the outperformance of our core business and newly launched states that were not included in our previous guidance.”
Elys Game Technology Corp commented last month on the status of legislation, Bills C-218 and C-13, to legalize single-event sports betting in Canada. The Company is continuing to monitor legislative developments regarding Bill C-218 that passed on February 17th with overwhelming bi-partisan support by a margin of 303 votes in favor to 15 votes against. Bill C-218 is now proceeding to hearings before the Justice Committee. Meanwhile, Bill C-13, an Act to Amend the Criminal Code, a similar bill regarding the legalization of single-event sports betting, is anticipated to be taken up by the House of Commons in the near future with additional hearings set for March 9th and 11th.
SOURCE FinancialBuzz.com
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.
Gambling in the USA
NEW YORK CASINO IN MEXICO WELCOMES CONCEPT AND NEW GAMES FROM ZITRO

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

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.
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