Compliance Updates
Gaming CEOs Optimistic on Industry Outlook, Report Evolving Industry Challenges

Amidst an evolving economic landscape, gaming executives report a positive outlook on future industry business conditions while remaining satisfied with the current business environment, according to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Gaming Industry Outlook.
Nearly all gaming executives surveyed characterized the current business environment as good (44%) or satisfactory (50%), mirroring similar sentiment from Q3 2023. Meanwhile, executives are more optimistic about future conditions, with 32 percent of CEOs expecting business conditions to improve over the next six months, up from 20 percent in Q3 2023.
“Gaming’s record-setting growth over the last three years has set a new standard for industry success,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “However, as we enter a period of market normalization, continued investment and innovation in offering world-class, responsible entertainment experiences will be required to maintain industry momentum.”
Gaming Executive Panel
Gaming executives have become more positive in their views that overall balance sheet health will improve over the next 6 months (42% net positive), but they expect the pace of revenue growth (13% net negative) and new hiring (22% net negative) to slow. These expectations for decelerating growth have influenced expectations for increases in capital investment and gaming units in operation, with smaller net positive sentiments than before.
- In contrast to past Outlooks, gaming equipment suppliers are slightly pessimistic about the sale of gaming units for replacement use and new or expansion use (both 13% net negative). However, they remain optimistic about the pace of capital investment (38% net positive).
- Half of operator CEOs expect capital investments in hotels over the next year to be higher than normal, and compared to last fall, more also expect higher than normal levels of capital investment in meetings and conventions and table games (28%). Meanwhile, 44 percent of CEOs expect increases in food and beverage investment, down from 67 percent in Q3 2023.
These expectations are also informed by evolving macroeconomic challenges. Executives report that inflationary or interest rate concerns continue to be a major factor limiting operations (28%), but these have been overtaken by geo-political risk (34%) and uncertainty of the economic environment (34%) as the biggest limiting factors in the most recent Gaming Executive Panel.
Current Conditions Index
The Current Conditions Index of 102.8 for Q1 indicates solid annualized real economic growth in the industry of 2.8%. This includes gaming revenue, employment and employee wages and salaries. Notably, the Current Conditions Index shows gaming expanding faster than the overall U.S. economy which last week reported 1.6 percent GDP growth in Q1 2024.
Future Conditions Index
The Future Conditions Index stands at 102.2, indicating annualized industry economic activity, after controlling for underlying inflation, is expected to moderately increase over the next six months. This outlook reflects Oxford Economics’ forecast that the U.S. economy will slow during 2024 but avoid recession. Despite a projected economic slowdown, consumer survey results continue to indicate that more than one-third of adults expect to visit a casino during the next 12 months, consistent with prior quarter results.
About the Outlook
The AGA Gaming Industry Outlook is prepared biannually by Oxford Economics. It provides a timely measure of recent industry growth and future expectations. The Q1 2024 survey was conducted between March 28 – April 10, 2024. A total of 32 executives responded, including executives at the major international and domestic gaming companies, tribal gaming operators, single-unit casino operators, major gaming equipment suppliers, and major iGaming and/or sports betting operators.
Compliance Updates
Responsible Online Gaming Association Releases Guidelines for Operator VIP Programs

The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA), an independent association representing 90% of the legal U.S. sports betting industry by handle, published its guidelines for operator VIP programs. These evidence-based recommended practices are intended to support members’ VIP policies to further incorporate robust responsible online gaming. These can help players maintain a balanced, enjoyable gaming experience within their own personal limits.
“Like in many sectors of entertainment, leisure and hospitality, sportsbook’s VIP programs aim to reward and retain loyal players, and it is essential that these programs are operated with a strong commitment to responsible gaming. These programs should support a shared understanding between hosts and players on the value of responsible gaming that fosters long-term loyalty and player well-being. There is a robust conversation ongoing regarding VIP programs, which is why we have prioritized this issue, as it is essential to provide research-driven guidance to adequately support these programs to help keep VIP players’ experience fun and recreational,” said ROGA Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Shatley.
Guided by existing evidence, ROGA found that the most effective VIP programs combine proactive education, personalized engagement, and periodic program evaluation. Pursuing these objectives, ROGA identified the following recommended practices for operating VIP programs, many of which have already been implemented by some operators:
• Role-specific Training for VIP Hosts: Provide ongoing education specifically tailored to the unique needs of VIP Hosts.
• Automated Review: Operators will take advantage of technology to attempt to detect potentially risky behavioral patterns among VIP players, such as increased deposit frequency, extended play sessions, or repeated failed withdrawal attempts.
• Escalation Process: Operators will implement measures to escalate to a responsible gaming specialist when the operator identifies that a player might be exhibiting potential signs of problematic play. The specialist should conduct a review of the player’s behavior and take appropriate action on a case-by-case basis, such as connecting with trained behavioral health personnel.
• Integrate RG Messaging into VIP Communications: Communicate responsible gaming messages to VIP players using a range of tailored engagement channels.
• VIP Engagement Protocols: Establish protocols to guide interactions between VIP hosts and VIP players, with a focus on transparency, support, and responsible gaming.
• Promotions, Bonuses, and Incentives: VIP Hosts should not offer any VIP promotions, bonuses, or incentives to VIP players who are on a cool-off period, have self-excluded, or have a suspended or banned account, and must also provide all VIP players with the ability to opt out of receiving such incentives.
• Making Data Available: Provide VIP players with access to player data that show player activity, including deposits, wagers, and withdrawals.
• Confirm Awareness of Tools: Require VIP players to confirm their familiarity with responsible gaming tools and resources upon onboarding.
• RG Education for VIP Players: Regularly provide VIP players with responsible gaming educational materials to support responsible gaming behavior.
• Regular Program Evaluation: Conduct annual reviews of the VIP program. This can include feedback from both VIP players and VIP hosts, as well as tracking the success of engagement strategies.
• Development and Updates: Operators should keep apprised of new tools and methods for responsible gaming as they are developed.
This non-exhaustive list of recommended practices is a critical step toward further supporting these programs. ROGA’s members have independently made the decision to commit to implementing these guidelines within a commercially reasonable timeframe.
With its members’ support, ROGA continues to identify and publish research-based recommended practices for responsible gaming across a variety of priority topics.
Compliance Updates
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Announces Settlement with High5Games over Operation of Illegal Online Casino

The Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division announced a settlement with Online Gaming Service Provider, High5Games, following an investigation into the licensee’s operation of an unlicensed online casino, High5Casino.
High5Games is a licensed service provider that develops and provides online slot content for the legal gaming platforms in Connecticut. High5Games license was summarily suspended on March 14, 2025, for alleged violations of Connecticut’s gaming laws.
High5Games has ceased operation of its online casino in Connecticut, and its Online Gaming Service Provider license has been reinstated, effective May 22.
High5Games has agreed to pay nearly $1.5 million as part of the settlement. That includes more than $643,000 in restitution to consumers who lost money to High5Casino, and nearly $800,000 for use in consumer complaint resolution programs, consumer education, consumer protection enforcement and litigation.
“This case is just one example of the hard work our Gaming Division does to ensure a fair, safe and legal gaming market in Connecticut. We are pleased the Connecticut consumers who were lured into placing wagers on an unlicensed platform will be made whole, and that this company has ceased operations of its unlicensed casino in Connecticut,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli.
“We are satisfied with the outcome of this investigation, which has resulted in the return of funds to consumers who were harmed by the unfair marketing of an unlicensed sweepstakes casino. If you’re going to gamble, Connecticut is the best state to place a wager. We work hard to ensure fairness in our licensed market, and when violations do occur, we make every effort to make sure consumers are made whole,” said DCP Gaming Division Director Kris Gilman.
Canada
High Roller Submits Gaming License Application in Ontario

High Roller Technologies, operator of the premium online casino brands High Roller and Fruta, announced the submission of its Internet Gaming Operator license application in Ontario, Canada, targeting the launch of its flagship brand HighRoller.com in the second half of 2025.
“The submission of our licensing application to access Ontario’s regulated online gambling market is an important milestone in our Company’s journey. Once our application is approved, we anticipate that we will have the opportunity to launch our online casino product into the market later this year,” said Ben Clemes, Chief Executive Officer at High Roller.
Ontario is one of the largest regulated online gambling markets in the world as measured by gross gaming revenue. In 2024, regulated online gambling operators within the province generated approximately $2.3B in gross gaming revenue, and growth continues to be recorded in the first half of 2025. Recently, the province of Alberta passed enabling legislation to establish a regulatory framework for online gambling. Once available, the Company also intends to pursue licensure in Alberta to expand its regulated market footprint in Canada.
“Ontario is missing an elegant brand like High Roller. We’re excited to roll out the red carpet for our new customers, and we’re looking forward to showcasing our tremendous product,” said Clemes.
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