Gambling in the USA
Detroit Cannabis Company Takes A Gamble
Gambling is not new to those in Michigan. The state has passed laws that now allow for the operation of online casinos as well as sportsbooks. With the growing number of people placing bets, a cannabis company in Detroit has taken advantage of the popular pastime. Online casinos launched in Michigan at the beginning of 2021 and since then, many brands have entered the industry, generating millions in revenue. Today, residents enjoy having safe and secure access to trusted casino sites that host a plethora of exciting games.
Aside from new laws for online gambling, Michigan also provides access to recreational marijuana by visiting local dispensaries. There is one company that has taken things to a new level and has started to offer a casino concept for customers that make dispensary purchases. Ready to combine the excitement of playing casino games with high-quality products from The Reef? Read on to learn more!
Welcome to Reef
The Reef Dispensary has launched a unique concept that is one of the first in the country. A new cannabis casino is an opportunity for customers to play games by earning rewards points for making purchases. This is a type of loyalty program that combines the love of gambling with recreational cannabis use.
The Reef was one of the initial dispensaries to operate in Detroit and is now using this new concept to attract customers. By spending a certain amount of money, customers can receive reward points that can then be used to play a variety of casino games. Points can be accrued and used at a later date. This exciting casino concept is one way for The Reef to stand out in Michigan. There are many dispensaries that have started operating and with the chance to play some exciting games, including blackjack!
In addition to the casino promo, The Reef also has a Monopoly-like game promotion where customers stand the chance to win free pot for life, a $100,000 cash prize, and even Caribbean vacations. There are other promos that are always running, such as scratch cards and pull tabs. The Reef has decided to combine a bit of gambling with marijuana sales to attract younger users and those that have a love for placing bets on casino games.
The Dope and Dopamine Connection
The casino games featured at The Reef are not a form of real gambling. Customers will not be able to win cash on slot games or walk away with jackpots. However, the games all provide a chance to win discounts on purchases, gifts, and more. The dispensary currently hosts various slot machines, a 10-foot Craps table decorated with store logos, and other games that provide a Vegas feel.
The idea comes from the feeling people get when they smoke weed and engage in gambling activities at the same time. The combination has been very successful in generating business and this is one of the only places in Detroit that is offering such a unique experience.
The great success at the Detroit location has paved the road for similar casino concepts at other retail locations. The dispensary located in Muskegon Heights will soon offer the same casino concept and the company plans to expand the same thing to other locations.
Michigan’s Gambling Industry is Booming
The online industry in Michigan is one that cannot be compared to many other states. There was a revenue increase of 33.5% and online casino operators continue to take in massive amounts of revenue, making up for a decline in sports betting. In March 2023, igaming in the state recorded a massive sum of $171.8 million, which beat the previous record that had been set just in January. The adjusted revenue for online casino operators was $154.6 million, showing that many operators in the state have been spending a lot of money on promotions to attract new gamblers.
The first quarter of 2023 has been a successful one for online casinos, which is another reason The Reef has found their promo concept to be a huge hit. More people are gambling and younger players are becoming interested in a variety of casino games. Combine this with the group of people who also smoke weed regularly, and there is a powerful combination of loyal customers.
With nearly $2b in revenue generated in 2022, online gambling continues to be an appealing pastime for residents. Major brands have entered the market all offering access to top-rated games, exceptional promotions, and some of the best possible payouts.
Not looking to risk any money but still want the thrills of casino games? This is where The Reef comes into play. Just by making a purchase, customers will be able to play a variety of casino games for a chance to win store discounts, vacations, TVs, and even a lifetime supply of bud! The company has found a great concept that focuses on the popularity of gambling while providing a calm environment to play some games and win some swag.
PENN Entertainment announced that its stand-alone Hollywood Casino app has launched in New Jersey. The new Hollywood Casino platform is available on Android, iOS, and desktop and can also be accessed via the ESPN BET app. Customers can login to Hollywood Casino using their ESPN BET credentials, allowing for a seamless experience across PENN’s online betting and casino platforms.
Ranked by Eilers & Krejcik as the #2 overall iCasino product in the US, Hollywood Casino offers a variety of online slots, table games, and live dealer content, including original titles from PENN Game Studios, the company’s in-house casino game development studio. Hollywood Casino also includes bespoke live dealer tables and exclusive games such as the recently launched Devils Blackjack, an original title leveraging PENN’s partnership with the New Jersey Devils.
“We’re thrilled to introduce our dedicated, casino-first experience to customers across New Jersey. Hollywood Casino delivers a best-in-class experience with an extensive game library, seamless gameplay, and exclusive content from our in-house studio. This launch builds on the strong momentum we’ve gained since introducing our enhanced standalone app in December,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer of PENN Entertainment.
The stand-alone Hollywood Casino platform debuted in Pennsylvania last December and is also available in Michigan.
Gambling in the USA
Bitline and Everi Announce Crypto Liquidity for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts in Industry First Development
Bitline, the only provider for casino chip access directly from cryptocurrency, has announced its first major collaboration in the U.S. casino market, teaming up with Choctaw Casinos & Resorts through its collaboration with Everi, a premier provider of financial technology and gaming solutions. This collaboration introduces cryptocurrency and digital assets as a new source of liquidity for casino patrons and marks the first time that such a functionality has been enabled within the American gaming industry.
Leveraging Everi’s CashClub’s comprehensive payment infrastructure, Bitline’s solution is able to efficiently board, screen and verify patrons looking to leverage their digital assets whilst also allowing patrons to move screened assets into custody within minutes. Bitline’s integration with Everi Cash Club, the leading financial access services suite for casino payments, will enable the technology for the benefit of Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, and is the first time that such a functionality has been possible in the U.S. regulated casino market.
Catering to the growing demand for greater cryptocurrency and digital asset integration within the casino industry, the collaboration between Bitline and Everi’s forms a transferable blueprint that offers casino operators and their patrons an alternative way to manage funds, access liquidity, and leverage the benefits of cryptocurrency and other digital assets.
This milestone reflects a strategic shift in how casino operators view and manage financial interactions with their guests. The introduction of cryptocurrency as a liquidity solution provides additional options for guests and lays the foundation for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts as it looks to the future of gaming sector finance, setting a new standard in financial accessibility and convenience.
“Working with Choctaw Casinos & Resorts and Everi to make this a reality is a historical moment for both the casino and blockchain industries. Bitline was conceptualized to advance the gaming sector and offer a wider variety of financial options for the casino industry,” said Richard Jones, CEO at Bitline. “We’re entering an era where digital assets can fundamentally enhance the gaming experience, providing casino operators with a future-ready financial framework that can expand and evolve as the industry does. This collaboration is just the beginning of our vision to modernize casino payment capabilities on a global scale.”
Victor Newsom, SVP Product Management, Payments Solutions at Everi comments “This unique integration combines BitLine’s additional payment accessibility options with Everi’s ability to enable seamless, secure, and regulatory compliant financial transactions for casino patrons. Designed from the ground up to exceed the rigorous compliance demands of the industry as well as the discerning expectations of gaming VIPs around the world, Choctaw’s patrons are now no longer limited to the access, times, amount, and speed constraints of the legacy financial systems. This also significantly reduces risk for our casino customers, such as Choctaw.”
“We are excited to be the first casino in North America to offer our guests another way to play,” said Thomas McDonald, Senior Director of Cage and Credit at Choctaw Casinos & Resorts. “Through our long-term relationship with Everi, a leader in fintech solutions, we will continue to invest in innovative offerings that provide the discerning gaming VIP access to funds in a safe and secure manner.”
The Choctaw Casinos & Resorts integration represents only the first phase of Bitline’s broader mission to bring cryptocurrency solutions to casinos and casino patrons worldwide. As cryptocurrency and digital assets continue to gain traction in the gaming sector, Bitline’s easy to integrate and patented payment model stands poised to become a key player in transforming gaming finance. Future plans include expanding services across other major casinos and gaming markets, both domestically and internationally, establishing cryptocurrency as a new standard feature of the gaming experience.
The solution is to be formally rolled out on March 7, 2025, with the first transaction taking place at Choctaw’s Durant, Oklahoma, location.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has taken decisive action against five offshore online casinos, sending cease-and-desist letters for violating state gaming laws. These websites offer a variety of casino games, such as slots, poker, blackjack, Keno, bingo, and game show games, in addition to sports betting.
The following unlicensed operators are now under scrutiny following the MGCB’s action:
BetWhale Casino, Curaçao
Black Lotus Casino, owned by TD Investments Ltd., Belize
Coins Game Casino, Curaçao
Love2play Casino, Curaçao and Costa Rica
Orion Stars 777 Players, Sichuan Province, China
“These illegal platforms not only violate Michigan’s gaming regulations but also put consumers at risk by offering unreliable withdrawal options and lacking essential consumer protections. Our top priority is safeguarding Michigan residents by ensuring that all online gaming activities are conducted legally and safely. These operators must stop their activities or face additional legal consequences,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said.
Investigations into these illegal activities have revealed that the operators are in violation of multiple Michigan state laws.
Despite offering various payment options like Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies (e.g., Bitcoin and Ethereum), these illegal operators impose strict withdrawal conditions, often requiring players to wager their initial deposits multiple times before they can access their winnings.
The MGCB has given these operators 14 days from the date of receipt of the cease-and-desist letters to halt their illegal activities.
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