Gambling in the USA
High 5 Casino Wins Social Gaming Operator of the Year for Second Consecutive Year
![High 5 Casino Wins Social Gaming Operator of the Year for Second Consecutive Year](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_8202.jpg)
High 5 Casino is thrilled to announce its consecutive win as Social Gaming Operator of the Year at the EGR North America Awards 2024. This prestigious award reaffirms High 5 Casino’s exceptional performance and innovation in the social gaming sector.
“We’re honored that High 5 Casino has once again received the Social Gaming Operator award,” said Tony Singer, CEO of High 5 Games. “Beyond our growth in users, it’s the happiness our players find in the H5C community that motivates us to continually improve. Our commitment is to provide players with top-notch casino content, and we’re determined to solidify H5C as the leading social casino brand worldwide.”
An independent panel of judges selected High 5 Casino for its outstanding performance and innovation over the past year. The award recognizes High 5 Casino’s notable commercial success and community-building efforts in the social gaming market.
“The recognition from EGR North America Awards is a testament to our team’s dedication and the support of our players,” added Tony Singer. “We are excited to continue pushing boundaries in social gaming and delivering unforgettable experiences to our community.”
The winners were announced on June 27 at an awards ceremony held at Midtown Loft & Terrace in New York City. High 5 Casino secured the Social Gaming Operator of the Year award due to its outstanding product quality, revenue growth, and leadership in innovation across product differentiation, marketing, and technology.
Gambling in the USA
FBM® brings Asian fortune to the United States with Jí Hǎo Link™
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15.jpg)
FBM® is ready to spread the golden wealth in the United States with the four slot themes of Jí Hǎo Link™ – Golden Lóng™, Fortunate Héping™, Eternal Fènghuáng™ and Great Weiyan™. This product line of Asian inspiration presents a new gaming experience to American players, merging captivating graphics and alluring sounds with amazing payouts offered by an attractive feature set.
The FBM slots portfolio keeps growing in the United States. After successful introductions of the Easy$Link™ and Mythic Link™ game suites, the global gaming brand takes another step in its growth path in the USA by installing Jí Hǎo Link at Hialeah Park Casino in Miami.
The brave white tiger, the powerful dragon, the wise turtle, and the eternal phoenix are the mythical creatures of the Jí Hǎo Link game suite united by a lucky pagoda that is deeply connected with ancient Asian culture.
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THE JÍ HǍO LINK GAMING EXPERIENCE?
Jí Hǎo Link delivers a vibrant entertainment experience to slot players in the US. The new games offer a diverse selection of features to ensure every moment is a thrilling adventure.
Heading these features is the astonishing Jí Hǎo Link bonus – a special feature triggered by the games’ pagoda which is sure to entice lucky slot players with potential riches. This bonus allows players to get a Mini, Minor, Major, or Grand jackpot and may also result in another fantastic prize. If players fill all 15 positions available on the reels, they will double the non-progressive prize amounts collected during the bonus rounds.
Players may also get their hands on the golden coins spread by Jí Hǎo Link through the activation of the Triple Wild and Wild Multiplier game features in free spins mode. Triple Wild is available on Golden Lóng and Fortunate Héping making the Wild symbols fill all the positions of reels 2, 3 or 4 to guarantee better chances for big wins. Wild Multiplier is available on Eternal Fènghuáng and Great Weiyan multiplying earnings up to 30 times with the X2, X3 or X5 factors in the Wild symbols.
EXPANSION IS FBM’S WATCHWORD
Expansion continues for FBM with the Jí Hǎo Link product line, also available under the trademark Jin Qián Link™ in other markets. Following successful installations in Spain and impressive expansion in Mexico, FBM launches the slots suite in the United States at Hialeah Park Casino with a promising introduction and immense growth potential.
In the sequence of this remarkable step, Mike Medlin (Sales & Operations Manager at FBM) expressed his gratitude to Javier Fernandez (Slots Director at Hialeah Park Casino) and Steve Calabro (General Manager at Hialeah Park Casino) for their continued loyalty and support to FBM’s operation in the market, once again proved with the Ji Hao Link debut in the United States through the Hialeah Park Casino facilities.
FBM strengthens its position in the United States adding a new option to its game portfolio. This new step reaffirms the global gaming brand’s commitment to growing its market presence in the US with reliable and innovative games that add value for casino operators and provide thrilling entertainment experiences to their players.
Gambling in the USA
MGCB to Increase Regulatory Capacity with Additional Staff, Contribute $6M to Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/13.jpg)
On Thursday, June 27, the Michigan Legislature reached an agreement on the state’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget which includes $1.9 million of funding earmarked to support the addition of 14 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff positions at the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). These positions are necessary to support the agency’s internet gaming and sports betting regulatory operations in one of the fastest-growing U.S. gaming markets, expand the MGCB’s regulatory capacity, and enhance protections against illegal activity.
Additionally, the Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund and its associated programs will receive a $3 million funding increase from the MGCB. This increased allocation of proceeds from internet gaming and sports betting funds will enhance the 24/7 Gambling Disorder Helpline operated by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, and support gambling research and education for youth about gambling, as well as existing treatment options to assist those with gambling addiction and related problems.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to Governor Whitmer and the Legislature for their commitment to enhancing the Michigan Gaming Control Board’s operations with their support of additional FTE positions, underscoring their dedication to strengthening the agency and it’s regulatory efforts. Moreover, the MGCB’s increased contribution, from $3 million to $6 million, to the Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund demonstrates our proactive approach towards responsible gaming. Together, we are safeguarding the integrity of the industry while prioritizing the well-being of Michigan citizens,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said.
The MGCB will use another $3 million in its FY2025 budget to support the continuation of the agency’s “Don’t Regret the Bet” responsible gaming messaging campaign. Launched on March 1, 2023, the campaign provides tips and information to Michigan citizens that can help them play it smart and keep gambling from getting out of hand.
The bipartisan budget agreement is now headed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk for her consideration and signing into law, with funding allocations expected to take effect Oct. 1, the start of the state FY2025 budget calendar year.
Gambling in the USA
Pennsylvania Skill, Powered by Pace-O-Matic, Congratulates PA Gaming Control Board and Casino Giants on Surpassing 2023 Revenue Numbers
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/10.jpg)
Pace-O-Matic (POM), creator of Pennsylvania Skill games, has congratulated the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) which saw an 8.7% increase in gambling revenue in May 2024 over revenue in May 2023.
The funding comes from slot machines, table games, internet gaming, sports wagering, fantasy contests, and video gaming terminals (VGTs). The May revenue total is $520,997,868.
As the PGCB celebrates yet another enormous financial win, small businesses, veterans groups, volunteer fire companies and other fraternal clubs across the state also are pleased with the income they receive from operating legal skill games.
“The increased revenue for casinos and other gambling enterprises under the jurisdiction of the PGCB is good for the commonwealth. These numbers show that there is room in the state for both casinos and small businesses that operate skill games to be successful. There is no competition between the two,” said Mike Barley, spokesman for Pennsylvania Skill.
Barley questions why casinos, especially Parx Casino, are fighting skill games when they continue to see increased revenues month after month and year after year. He added he is disappointed the giant casino industry wants to destroy family businesses and organizations that count on skill games for supplemental income by seeking to impose a crushing tax rate on the games. Legislation to regulate skill games calls for a 16% tax on skill games while casinos say the tax should be 52%.
“Sadly, $521 million a month is not enough to satisfy the greedy casino industry. Instead, they want to kill small businesses, American Legions, volunteer fire companies, Moose Lodges and other places that count on income from skill games. These locations could never afford to pay the same tax rate that wealthy casinos pay. Casinos know that but they simply don’t care,” Barley added.
Barley explained that POM supports legislation sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw and Rep. Danilo Burgos that will regulate and tax skill games. There is bipartisan backing for the legislation that will put guardrails around skill game operations and provide $250 million in skill game tax revenue for the state in the first year alone. Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to see skill game tax revenue as part of his 2024-25 state budget. But, Barley added, that revenue is generated only through a reasonable tax on skill games.
Several courts have ruled Pennsylvania Skill games are legal, including a unanimous Commonwealth Court in November. In addition to providing supplemental income to small businesses, the games are manufactured in Williamsport and 92% of the income they generate stays within the local economy or the state.
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