Gambling in the USA
Elys Game Technology and Cloakbook DC Granted License to Open Sportsbook in Washington, D.C.
Elys Game Technology, Corp. (“Elys” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ELYS)(BER:3UW), an interactive gaming and sports betting technology company, and the Cloakbook, LLC (“Cloakbook”) a D.C. Certified Business Entity (“CBE”) joint venture established by the Company and the Cloakroom Gentlemen’s Club DC (“Cloakroom”) an independently owned business situated at 476 K St NW, in Washington, D.C., today announced the grant by the District of Columbia’s Office of Lottery and Gaming (“DCOLG”) of a Standard Class B Joint Venture Sports Wagering Operator License to commence sportsbook operations. A soft launch is expected ahead of the busy New Year’s Eve sports weekend with first wagers planned at the Cloakroom and Over Under Sportsbook Rooftop Lounge (“Over Under”) at 4:00 P.M. (EST) on Thursday, December 29, 2022.
“We are delighted to have been granted the first joint venture license with our partners at Cloakbook to commence sports wagering services within the Cloakroom Gentlemen’s Club and the Over Under rooftop lounge, our second small business sportsbook installation in Washington, D.C.,” stated Michele Ciavarella, Executive Chairman of Elys Game Technology. “Elys firmly believes that this segment of retail sports betting within neighborhood establishments could become a key driver for local employment and economic recovery at the community level throughout the United States and Canada. This retail distribution model offers an alternative to mobile betting that has not commonly existed in the United States other than very limited access in a few grandfathered states prior to the repeal of PASPA in 2018. We are very grateful for the patience and determination of our partners at Cloakbook and the detailed oversight of the Department of Small and Local Business Development (“DSLDB”) and DCOLG, and along with our experiences at Grand Central Restaurant and Sportsbook (“Grand Central”) that helped us identify areas of improvement needed to maintain compliance, public safety and provide an effective end-to-end sportsbook solution for our small business partners. We look forward to scaling our U.S. expansion through ongoing collaborations with these partnerships to foster the viable and long-lasting economic advancement of the small and local business community.”
“We are eagerly looking forward to commencing our sportsbook operations within the Cloakroom and all-new Over Under lounge on the rooftop above the club, and to provide a whole new experience to our patrons in D.C.”, stated Tony Cavasilios, Managing Member of Cloakbook, LLC. “This new venture has given us the opportunity to create 15 new jobs in D.C. and offer customers a chance to parlay an evening of enjoying a meal and beverage in the Over Under lounge while wagering on their favorite team, and to top it off with a celebration within the award-winning Cloakroom Gentlemen’s Club. After a long process that started for us almost two years ago, we have gained a deep respect for the compliance framework of installing the sportsbook and the importance of working closely with regulators to provide not only a great product but also a safe environment for our customers to play their wagers. The Elys installation and technology teams were simply outstanding and walked us through the arduous process step-by-step, helping us to navigate the challenges of setting up this comprehensive sportsbook within our business establishment and we are thrilled to provide this ancillary service for our well-established patron relationships.”
The Cloakbook establishment ushers in a new licensing framework developed through extensive cooperation and collaborative efforts of Elys, Cloakroom, the DSLDB and the DCOLG and the experiences gained through the Grand Central operation. This licensing framework, pioneered in the District of Columbia, could set a precedent model for other states and jurisdictions to replicate economic opportunities of neighborhood sportsbooks in the community. In connection with the new licensing framework with Cloakbook, and to continue the success of our first small business deployment at Grand Central in the Adams Morgan district, Elys expects to play a key role in the community business ecosystem by hosting bi-annual seminars on the process of being licensed for sports wagering, dedicating a section of the Company’s website at www.elysgame.com to list subcontracting opportunities for D.C. Certified Business Entities directly related to management of the sportsbook, communication through e-mail alerts from Elys directly to the CBE community for relevant contract opportunities related to sports wagering, participating in events that the DSLBD may host throughout the year as it relates to sports wagering, and among other ancillary services – aid local businesses by serving a mentorship role for the duration of the partnerships to provide support and training to each establishment in D.C. concerning:
- An Introduction to the Gambling Industry;
- Regulatory Controls: From Applicant to Operator;
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML);
- Sports Betting Platform Technology and Operational Model;
- Responsible Gaming: Myths, Facts, and Where to Get Help;
- Problem Gambling and Player Protection;
- Fraud and Security Awareness: Anti-Bribery and Corruption;
- Regulatory Oversight: Walkthrough and General Guidance; and
- Risk Management and Player Engagement.
Gambling in the USA
Aristocrat Interactive™ to Showcase Innovative iLottery Solutions at NASPL 2025 Annual Conference & Trade Show
Aristocrat Interactive™, the Real Money Gaming (RMG) division of Aristocrat, today announced its participation as a Level II Sponsor at the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) 2025 Annual Conference & Trade Show.
NASPL, the leading trade association representing 53 lottery organizations across North America, serves as a platform for collaboration, research, standards, and best practices that drive the future of the industry. Taking place September 8–11, 2025 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center in Ontario, Canada, the event, themed “Here to Play”, will gather lottery leaders from across North America to explore the evolving future of the industry.
Aristocrat Interactive will be showcasing its latest innovations for the iLottery sector through an interactive booth setup, one-on-one director’s dialogue sessions, a product and services showcase, and more. Attendees will get a first look at new eInstant titles, featuring fresh game mechanics and the business’s first cross-over game with its iGaming & Sports division. Aristocrat Interactive will also highlight its successful omnichannel solutions, which connect retail and online play to enhance player engagement and experience.
Building on this momentum, Aristocrat Interactive recently launched the New Hampshire Lottery’s new digital platform, signed long-term contracts with the Michigan Lottery and the Massachusetts Lottery, and secured a two-year extension with its NeoPollard Joint Venture in North Carolina—where Aristocrat Interactive provides the iLottery platform. These partnerships underscore Aristocrat Interactive’s commitment to helping lotteries deliver engaging digital experiences and sustainable growth.
“NASPL always sets the table for engaging discussions that can advance our customer-driven strategies to drive real digital growth for lotteries,” said Chris Shaban, Managing Director, iLottery at Aristocrat Interactive. “We’re looking forward to another opportunity to showcase Aristocrat Interactive as a solidified, future-ready unit with global gaming expertise.”
Attendees can connect with Aristocrat Interactive at Booth #209 and meet the team for one-on-one discussions in Room #205. Aristocrat Interactive will also hold a showcase on Wednesday, September 10 at 1:30 p.m. at its booth.
For more information about Aristocrat Interactive and its iLottery solutions, please visit aristocratinteractive.com.
Gambling in the USA
Scientific Games Introduces Obsidian, All-Black Holographic Lottery Scratch Games
Premium Instant Scratch Game Innovation Adds Luxury and Uniqueness at Retail with Exclusive Play Experience
Scientific Games announces Obsidian, its latest breakthrough in instant scratch game innovation. A revolutionary addition to the global lottery company’s holographic product offerings, Obsidian will debut at the North American Association of State & Provincial Lotteries 2025 Conference taking place September 8 to September 11 in Ontario, Canada.
With 18 unique design concepts, Obsidian games feature a dramatic combination of all-black tones and holographics to create a sleek, glasslike appearance. Named after naturally occurring volcanic rock, the Obsidian line offers a bold, ultra-premium look and scratch experience.
Obsidian is one of a number of new product designs from Scientific Games to be unveiled at NASPL 2025. The new products were developed by Scientific Games’ Innovation and Discovery teams at its metro Atlanta global headquarters, the largest lottery instant game production facility in the world. Obsidian games will also be produced at the company’s Canadian and UK facilities.
“Our game innovators have followed holographic trends on high-end luxury items and were inspired to create fresh, new games centered on value proposition design for our lottery partners,” said Danielle Hodges, Senior Director, Global Product Innovation & Development for Scientific Games. “At a time when the market basket average is increasing, holographic games allow lotteries to differentiate their games by adding a touch of luxury and uniqueness. In sneak previews of Obsidian with several lotteries, the response we’ve received is pure excitement.”
The company continues to lead the industry in scratch game innovation, using holographics to heighten retail appeal and create immersive player experiences.
Scientific Games, the world’s largest creator, producer and manager of lottery instant games, offers more than 100 strategic enhancements for its world-leading scratch products. The company’s products represent 70% of global instant game retail sales.
Innovating products and solutions that move the global lottery industry forward since 1973, Scientific Games provides retail and digital games, technology, analytics and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries around the globe, including nearly every North American lottery.
Obsidian™ is a trademark of Scientific Games, LLC. © 2025 Scientific Games, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Gambling in the USA
ETPL APPOINTS LONDON-BASED OAKVALE CAPITAL AS EXCLUSIVE INVESTMENT BANKER TO LEAD CAPITAL RAISE AND GROWTH STRATEGY
The European T20 Premier League (ETPL), an ICC-approved T20 league co-owned by Abhishek Bachchan and backed by Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association, has appointed Oakvale Capital as its exclusive investment banker.
“Oakvale’s deep expertise in sports finance will be a game-changer for ETPL’s long-term vision. We look forward to working closely with their expert team to help bring our event to fruition,” said Warren Deutrom, CEO, Cricket Ireland.
“Oakvale is one of the leading London-based investment banks in the sports and gaming ecosystem. Their sector depth, global network, and track record advising rights-holders, clubs, and technology platforms make them the right partner for ETPL as we scale,” said Saurav Banerjee, Co-owner and Director, ETPL.
“We’re excited to support ETPL’s bold and innovative approach to cricket. The vision to elevate the sport in Europe with a premium, differentiated offering aligns well with Oakvale’s strategic focus in global sports properties,” said Sandford Loudon, Partner, Oakvale Capital.
Blending world-class cricket with a distinctively European experience, ETPL aims to redefine the sport through elite talent, immersive fan experiences, and data-driven innovation. In addition, KPMG in India has been appointed as ETPL’s strategic advisor.
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