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Gambling in the USA

What We Can Learn From the US States That Have Legalized iGaming

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For many, gambling is an emotive subject. Some people love it. The anticipation, the thrill, and what-ifs that form while waiting for the result. However, some people and communities object to gambling on moral grounds; these could be related to religion, morals, or traditions. The USA has always had a strange relationship with gambling ranging from total prohibition to Las Vegas marketing itself as the world’s gambling capital. Ever since the Supreme Court overturned the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act that had served as a blanket prohibition on state-sponsored sports betting, state after state has opened up to legalized gambling. Before the ban was lifted, it was estimated that Americans wagered $150 billion illegally every year.

That $150 billion figure illustrates that banning something does not make it go away; it simply drives it underground. While some states like Utah and Hawaii will never legalize gambling, many others are looking at the trailblazer states like New Jersey or overseas to Europe and seeing that regulated gambling can bring significant revenue to state coffers.

The state of New Jersey pushed for the change to the law, and New Jersey immediately passed laws that allowed Monmouth Park to begin to take sports bets. The state had licensed legalized online casinos and poker rooms in 2013, and by August 2018, the first online sports books in the state were opened.

We can learn from New Jersey alone that gambling is big business. In September 2018, the state handled $1.01 billion in wagers. The lion’s share of this came from igaming at nine casinos and three racetracks. In addition, according to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, $92.7 million was spent online.

What really matters to the states that have legalized online gambling is the revenue it generates for private operators and their shareholders and the taxes levied for the state. For example, the latest figures from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement are as follows:

“For the month of June, Internet Gaming Win reported by casinos and their partners was $133.1 million, reflecting growth of 24.4% compared to $107.1 million for the prior period. For the year-to-date period, Internet Gaming Win reported by casinos and their partners was $814.5 million, reflecting growth of 28.4% compared to $634.2 million for the prior year-to-date period.

Sports Wagering Gross Revenue: Sports Wagering Gross Revenue reported by casinos, racetracks, and their partners was $39.2 million for June 2022, reflecting a 44.9% decrease when compared to $71.3 million in the prior period. Sports Wagering Gross Revenue reported by casinos, racetracks, and their partners was $308.7 million for the year-to-date, reflecting a 16.2% decline when compared to $368.3 million for the prior period. ”

UK companies had highly developed gaming software and technology.  The best NJ online casino was able to integrate the existing games onto its platform to get it up and running quickly. The European operators had been working in legalized markets for years. So rather than try and reinvent the wheel, states that have legalized iGaming have imported the technology and business acumen from businesses that already knew what they were doing.

This model was followed up by all the states who went on to legalize iGaming. There are now 21 states where sports betting is legal. In  Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, residents can play online casino games, including table games like blackjack and roulette and a wide variety of online slots. The technology behind these games comes from European brands. They already have an extensive portfolio of games backed up by the top software providers in the world. They also have developed the best algorithms to spot potential gamblers and prevent gambling harms where possible.

There is constant innovation in this market. Companies are constantly bringing out new slot games to ensure that there is something for players to enjoy. In addition to the enhanced graphics and animations which make exciting virtual gaming online possible, gamblers can now play games with a live dealer without leaving the comfort of their own homes.

While the US might have been behind the UK and other countries in legalizing online gambling, the US land-based casinos are now looking to buy up the European pioneers. MGM has recently agreed to purchase Stockholm-headquartered online slots company LeoVegas.

The states that have legalized iGaming are finding that they are not only gaining revenues through taxation but are attracting tourists’ money too. Americans no longer have to go exclusively to Las Vegas to be able to enjoy a flutter. To gamble legally, a player must be physically present in their gambling state. They do not have to be permanent residents. This means that sports fans can enjoy a gamble on the game’s outcome. As well as the revenue from the gambling tax, a state like Pennsylvania can also benefit from hotel revenues from people attending the game or placing a bet from their holiday accommodation.

The most significant barrier to entry for operators is the high cost of doing business in a state like Pennsylvania. The tax rate in the state is effectively 36%, and operators have to pay an upfront $10 million licensing fee. As more states open up, will they need to start competing against each other?

Gambling in the USA

New Trade Association Launches Unprecedented Effort to Strengthen Responsible Online Gaming, Promote Best Practices

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New Trade Association Launches Unprecedented Effort to Strengthen Responsible Online Gaming, Promote Best Practices

 

The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA), an independent trade association launched by seven of the largest U.S. legal mobile gaming companies, will actively promote a new industry-wide best practices charter, overseen by one of the world’s foremost experts in the field of responsible gaming (RG).

This unprecedented effort will be led by Dr. Jennifer Shatley, a deeply respected responsible gaming executive with more than 25 years of experience in the industry. She will serve as ROGA’s full-time Executive Director, and her role will be to facilitate widespread education to all relevant parties on the subject of responsible gaming.

ROGA will embark on a series of initiatives under Dr. Shatley’s direction. These include research, consumer and industry responsible gaming education and awareness, promoting responsible gaming best practices, an independent data clearinghouse, and an independent certification program.

Demonstrating their commitment to this endeavor, initial member companies – who together represent more than 85% of the legalized online sports betting and iGaming industry – have pledged more than $20 million in support of ROGA’s mission in year one. ROGA’s member companies include BetMGM, bet365, DraftKings, Fanatics Betting and Gaming, FanDuel, Hard Rock Digital, and PENN Entertainment.

“I am humbled, honored, and excited to be selected to lead ROGA during this important period of growth in legalized mobile gaming. Many of America’s largest legal mobile gaming operators will be establishing a framework that helps to aid in responsible gaming education and awareness. Together, our members will work alongside researchers, experts, regulators and stakeholders to promote responsible online gaming and maximize our efforts to support additional responsible gaming education and awareness. By coming together with a clear set of objectives, ROGA and our members will work to enhance consumer protections and help provide easier and more efficient access to responsible gaming tools for consumers to enjoy the entertainment of online gaming,” said Dr. Shatley.

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Compliance Updates

Play’n GO awarded Pennsylvania license 

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Play’n GO awarded Pennsylvania license 

 

Play’n GO has continued on its upward trajectory in North America by landing its latest US iGaming licenses and will soon supply its award-winning content portfolio to operators and players in Pennsylvania and Delaware

These licenses are the fifth and sixth obtained by the Swedish gaming giants in the USA, following New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, and Connecticut.

Play’n GO have taken a dual-pronged approach to its strategy in North America, with these US licenses being complimented by the company’s success north of the border in Canada, where Play’n GO was one of the first suppliers to be licensed to supply slot games in the province of Ontario.

Although early in its American journey, Play’n GO games such as Piggy Blitz, make regular appearances in the top 15 most popular titles in all of North America*.

Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer for Play’n GO, said: “Play’n GO content is the most conducive to player retention across the industry. With player acquisition costs sky high in the US, we’re pleased to be able to offer operators in Pennsylvania access to our content which will keep players coming back for more.

“We are determined to be the number one casino gaming supplier in every regulated market in the world, and given that we are thriving in more than 25 jurisdictions around the world where we have a license, we fully expect a similar success story in Pennsylvania in the coming years.”

Play’n GO is set to release more than 50 online slot titles in 2024 and is active in more than 25 regulated jurisdictions worldwide, including Ontario, New Jersey, Michigan and West Virginia in North America.

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Gambling in the USA

Lightning Box concocts scientific experiment with new release Experi-MENTAL

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 Light & Wonder, Inc. (NASDAQ and ASX: LNW) (together with its subsidiaries, “Light & Wonder” or “L&W”) announced the launch of its new game, Experi-MENTAL, stacked with features, modifiers and a clash with the mad scientist.

Experi-MENTAL has two in-game features to enhance the overall player experience.

This 3×5 title, exhibits the distinctive Expanding Wild Feature, which can award huge prizes for players should the Wild Brain symbol expand and replicate by five times during the Free Games round.

When players enter the mad scientist’s lab, they will stumble across the Upgrading Feature, which zaps the 9, 10, J, Q, K or A symbols into high-paying icons, including Test Tubes, Power Switch, Cat, Pug or Man. The wins are then accumulated and paid out once the reels have stopped spinning.

The Barrel Pick Feature can radio-activate the feature by awarding an extra 15 Free Games, as players are presented with highly dangerous barrels with an unknown material.

A meter appears when players select a barrel, with a red area and a green area in view. Landing on the meter’s green area ensures the Free Games round is triggered and additional games are awarded but landing in the red zone activates only the round itself.

The classic Free Games mode is unlocked when Scatter symbols appear, with five Scatters granting the maximum of 10 Free Games and the Barrel Pick Feature. During the round, Free Games can be retriggered at any time.

Experi-MENTAL is set to go live with Caesars in New Jersey, Michigan and Ontario initially, and will be available at a later date to customers of Light & Wonder’s industry-leading OPENGAMING™ platform.

 Michael Maokhamphiou, Studio Director at Lightning Box, said: “Experi-MENTAL is one Wacky slot game, and we believe it can propel our slots onto the next level.

 “During this game, players can unlock some new features, which add a dramatic element to this slot and classic round that are a cornerstone of Lightning Box’s portfolio. We are in no doubt will love taking on the mad scientist in this epic title.”

 Rob Procter, VP of Game Development at Light & Wonder, said: “2024 is going to be a big year for Lightning Box and the launch of Experi-MENTAL gives players the opportunity to showcase this thrilling game.

 “With a variety of different features exhibited on this captivating title, it sets Lightning Box apart from its competitors, ensuring the player experience is unrivalled.”

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