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Sportsbooks begin to reopen – just in time for MLB and NBA seasons
There is no hiding from the fact that the past few months have been particularly hard for land-based casinos and gambling houses. While online operations have largely benefited from lockdown rules and stay-at-home measures during the coronavirus pandemic, it has been quite the opposite experience for brick and mortar businesses.
Even as the outbreak continues to hit large parts of the United States, casino companies have begun reopening under strict health and safety measures in an attempt to get the industry’s economy moving once again. Reduced capacities and opening hours, temperature checks, face masks, and sanitization stations have all become the norm.
Among the areas of the gambling sector to begin reopening over the past few weeks has been sportsbooks across the United States.
The past two years have been an exciting time for sports betting in the US after the Supreme Court ruling that legalized sports betting in all states, and while 18 states have begun operations, others are expected to soon follow suit.
The coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent shutdown of America’s professional sports leagues made sportsbook all but useless for the past few months. But as the return of pro sports fast approaches and federal and state restrictions continue to ease, sportsbooks have started to reopen the doors.
Sportsbooks in Las Vegas, Delaware, New Jersey, Michigan, Colorado, Indiana, and Mississippi have all been welcoming visitors back over the past few weeks, while just this week, Betfred USA Sports – the US subsidiary of UK-based Betfred – announced it was set to launch its fourth sportsbook in Las Vegas at the Mohegan Sun Casino.
The timing of the widespread reopening of sportsbooks across the US is certainly not coincidental. While economically damaging to be closed for months, sportsbooks served little purpose with sports all-but nonexistent.
However, there is about to be an explosion of sports action in the coming weeks as North America’s four most popular sports all take to the field/court/rink.
What to look for: MLB, NBA, NHL
The Major League Baseball season, initially scheduled to begin in March, makes its long-awaited start on July 23 and will play out a significantly reduced regular season of just 60 games. The World Series are set to start on October 30.
The NBA season gets back underway in new surroundings from July 30 with 22 teams competing in a sort of mini league located exclusively at Walt Disney World Resort on Florida. Eight teams have been excluded on account of their inability to reach the playoffs. The Finals are scheduled to begin on September 30.
Just two weeks after the NBA kicks into gear, the NFL will start its pre-season games from August 14, with the regular season beginning on September 11. The Superbowl is scheduled for February 7.
Meanwhile, the NHL will take to the ice at the end of the month with exhibition games getting the delayed season back underway on July 28 before Stanley Cup qualifiers begin on August 1. The Stanley Cup itself will start on September 22.
As well as the “Big Four” generating plenty of interest for sports fans – and plenty of business for sportsbooks – North American horse racing has been able to continue hosting races, albeit on a reduced schedule.
The Triple Crown is going ahead after a change in the running order, with the Belmont Stakes already taking place. The Kentucky Derby will follow on September 5, with the Preakness Stakes staging the finale on October 3.
Other sports to bet on
All of this only highlights the packed sports schedule the United States is about to experience over the coming months. There will not be a day that goes by when baseball, basketball, football, hockey, or horse racing will not be happening, presenting an opportunity for sportsbooks to take advantage.
By offering visitors, the latest lines and futures bets on the “Big Four” sports and the latest Kentucky Derby odds and Preakness Stakes odds, sportsbooks across the United States will view the next few months as the ideal antidote to months of financial strain and inactivity.
You can bet on the Kentucky Derby odds online too through here: https://www.twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/odds
There is plenty of damage to be undone from the coronavirus pandemic, but the return of US sport and its constant presence for the foreseeable future will allow fans and sportsbooks to at least breathe a collective sigh of relief.
The excitement is building for G2E Las Vegas 2025, and TCSJOHNHUXLEY is proud to announce its participation, showcasing a range of revolutionary products and solutions designed to elevate the gaming industry in the Americas. The team will be located at a new space on Booth #4439 in The Venetian Expo, Las Vegas from October 7-9, 2025.
G2E 2025 marks a pivotal moment as TCSJOHNHUXLEY presents a comprehensive portfolio of innovations. A major highlight will be the highly anticipated US debut of the A Plus Shuffler®, the company’s automated card shuffling machine designed to dramatically increase game speed and enhance security on the casino floor. Visitors will have the opportunity to see this advanced shuffler in action, demonstrating its ability to deliver a continuous, rapid supply of perfectly shuffled cards. The A Plus Shuffler®’s untraceable shuffling process strengthens game integrity and security, while its versatile design allows it to accommodate 1 to 8 decks with interchangeable shoes for both Poker and Blackjack.
Attendees can also see new developments across its wider portfolio. A particular highlight will be the groundbreaking Ora Blackjack Vue Display Controller, a revolutionary technology that is unlike anything else on the market. This display, which is the Blackjack equivalent of its popular Baccarat and Roulette displays, utilises advanced camera recognition for automatic card entry. It provides players with real-time data such as dealer hand history, live dealer odds, and historical statistics, making the game more accessible and enjoyable for everyone from novices to seasoned pros. The company will also be presenting the Supernova Progressive Jackpot System, TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s unique customisable platform that adds excitement to any live table game, and significant software updates to the popular digital game wheel Lumin8, which features an enhanced interface and new capabilities such as Promotion Mode and a bonus game sub-mode.
In addition to these new products and developments, TCSJOHNHUXLEY will be demonstrating its full range of market-leading solutions. This includes the Chipper Champ 3, the industry-standard for automated chip sorting known for its speed, accuracy, and reliability. For Roulette, the company will showcase its world-renowned solutions, including SaturnTM Velocity Auto Roulette wheel that delivers faster game speeds setting a new industry standard for speed and efficiency as well manual SaturnTM Roulette Wheels and the popular game Roulette Xtra. This game incorporates the company’s patented Blaze LED Surface Technology, which displays eye-catching animations and highlights winning numbers, adding a thrilling random multiplier bet of up to 500 to 1. The company will also present the next generation of its electronic gaming terminals, Qorex 2 with a suite of impressive new features.
The showcase of TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s world-class core product range will underscore the company’s renowned manufacturing expertise. From the precision of its globally recognised Roulette wheels and the superior craftsmanship of its Gaming Tables to the reliability of its Dice Shakers, visitors will witness firsthand the quality and dedication that define TCSJOHNHUXLEY products. This comprehensive portfolio demonstrates the company’s ability to create an end-to-end solution for all live game requirements.
Phil Lee, TCSJOHNHUXLEY Chief Financial Officer & Managing Director Americas comments, “This year’s G2E is a pivotal moment for us as we showcase our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence. We are bringing some of our most significant innovations yet to the Americas market, underscoring our long-term commitment to our customers in the region. G2E provides the perfect platform to demonstrate how we are not just keeping pace with the industry but actively shaping its future. Our team are looking forward to discussing how our new solutions can directly address business challenges and drive growth.”
To secure your free pass and to learn more, please visit please visit tcsjohnhxuley.com and be sure to visit Booth #4439 where the TCSJOHNHUXLEY team look forward to welcoming you.
EveryMatrix has agreed its largest ever global casino aggregation deal supplying bet365 with both its own exclusive content and titles from more than 40 premium games providers.
SlotMatrix, part of the EveryMatrix Group, is the largest aggregation platform in the world with more than 37,000 games from 350+ global suppliers including the Group’s own, Armadillo and Fantasma Studios.
It will offer bet365 more than 40 vendors across multiple regulated markets including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Mexico with further territories slated for future release.
The business unit was further bolstered in 2024 by the acquisition of Fantasma Games and, earlier this year, by a new management team focused on accelerating aggregation and content services expansion across both existing and new regulated markets.
This includes Mark Hothersall, Head of Business Development and Carl Gatt Baldacchino, Head of Account Management, both previously from Evolution Gaming.
They are responsible for driving forward the commercial success of SlotMatrix by accelerating the unit’s in-house games development, continually strengthening its third-party content offering and ensuring SlotMatrix provides exceptional customer service.
Ebbe Groes, Group CEO & Co-Founder EveryMatrix, said: “Today is very significant for the Group highlighting both just how much of a ‘must-have’ product SlotMatrix is for tier-1 brands across multiple markets and how far ahead it is compared to its rivals.
“We’re thrilled such a world-renowned brand such as bet365 has put their faith in us to drive their content strategy. SlotMatrix has truly come of age and, with an increased focus on ramping up our own games development and attracting even more premium vendors to the platform there really is no ceiling as to how far it can go.”
A bet365 spokesperson, added: “We are thrilled to partner with EveryMatrix. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in our commitment to providing exceptional products to our customers.”
Slot Games has unveiled its latest promotion, the Daily Wheel, a feature that gives players one daily free spin every 24 hours. Each spin provides the chance to win free spins on well-known slot titles, adding an extra layer of entertainment to the daily player experience.
The Daily Wheel is available to all registered users and resets every 24 hours. To participate, players simply log in, head to the promotions section, and take their single spin for the day. Outcomes from the wheel may award free spins on leading titles.
The management team at Slot Games explained:
“This launch demonstrates our ongoing commitment to building features that enhance everyday gameplay. A single free spin each day might sound simple, but it creates anticipation and gives players something consistent to enjoy. The Daily Wheel is a retention tool as well as a reward system, and we believe it will quickly become a favourite.”
All free spins awarded are credited as bonus funds. Wagering requirements of 65x apply, and winnings are capped at a conversion equal to a player’s lifetime deposits up to a maximum of £250. Full details are outlined within the terms and conditions.
Daily rewards like the Daily Wheel represent an important trend in digital gaming. Features that encourage regular logins are proven to improve engagement, creating a steady connection between players and platforms. Slot Games has recognised this and designed the Daily Wheel as a clear, easy-to-use feature that requires no deposit.
The platform itself remains focused on balancing player enjoyment with regulatory compliance. Operating under the UK Gambling Commission, Slot Games ensures that all bonuses, promotions, and mechanics align with industry standards. By combining compliance with innovation, the team aims to set Slot Games apart in a competitive market.
Alongside the Daily Wheel, Slot Games continues to expand its offering of slot titles and casino classics, partnering with top developers to deliver fresh content. The launch of this feature adds to the promotional mix, strengthening Slot Games’ appeal among both new sign-ups and long-time users.
The management team added:
“We see features like the Daily Wheel as part of a bigger picture. They contribute to retention, give players something enjoyable to return for, and showcase some of the slot titles we’re proud to offer. We’re excited to see how players respond.”
The Daily Wheel is now live at SlotGames.co.uk, with one free spin available per player each day.
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