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Comparing US Gambling Regulations with Other English Speaking Markets

Published

4 years ago

July 4, 2021

Comparing US Gambling Regulations with Other English Speaking Markets

The iGaming market in the US is poised for huge growth in the near to medium-term, with this projected to grow from $74.17 billion in 2021 to a whopping $158.20 billion by the end of 2028.

This represents a CAGR of 11.4% during the forecast period, while the expected GGY for online gambling stateside is likely to double over the course of the reporting period.

This is despite a relatively complex set of regulatory stipulations in the US, as America’s laws are different in each state. But how exactly do the regulations stateside compare with other English speaking markets in the world? Let’s find out!

The Lack of a Central Point of Control

If we look at prominent English-speaking markets such as the UK, Australia and New Zealand, we see that each one is governed by an omni-potent and central point of control.

More specifically, the UK Gambling Commission, the Australian Communications and Media Authority and the New Zealand Gambling Commission comprehensively regulate iGaming in their relevant jurisdictions, while single bodies of legislation also exist to help license and oversee operators.

Conversely, iGaming laws pertaining to online casino gameplay and sports betting are determined at state level in North America, meaning that local authorities have the autonomy to legalise and regulate specific verticals while monetising them for tax purposes.

Interestingly, the last main federal law pertaining to gambling in the US (namely the PAPSA legislation of 1992) was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2018. This had previously prohibited sports betting at a national level, and more than 20 US states have since legalised this practice fully.

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The Prominence of Gambling Affiliates

Given that most US states have only moved to legalise sports betting since the decision to reverse the PAPSA legislation a little over three years ago, this burgeoning market is still in its infancy stateside.

This also means that the market for iGaming affiliates remains relatively underdeveloped for now, especially when you consider the size of the North American market and the fact that the average punter loses just under $400 per annum through wagering.

Gambling affiliates operate by promoting selected gambling services and platforms, earning a fixed rate of commission when their customers click on a relevant link and open an account.

The market for gambling affiliates remains huge in countries such as the UK and New Zealand, from large-scale programs that apply huge commissions to independent entities such as Online Casino New Zealand (which also works as a reliable comparison site and serves as an affiliate for some of the leading online casinos in New Zealand).

However, operators in the US may be about to begin closing this gap, especially as brands continue to engage in high-profile mergers and acquisitions with UK firms.

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. recently acquired the iconic William Hill PLC brand for approximately $4 billion, for example, offering them access to the UK firm’s proprietary technology, intellectual property and cutting-edge affiliate strategies.

The Approach to Responsible Gambling

When the UK Gambling Commission announced its core strategic objectives through 2021, at the heart of this was its commitment to safeguarding vulnerable players on these shores.

Make no mistake; responsible gambling remains a huge priority for mature markets such as the UK and Australia, whereas it’s a concept that’s still in its infancy on the other side of the Atlantic.

Once again, this is a key reason why US brands are looking to strategically partner with UK operators, with the latter having invested huge amounts of cash in developing cutting-edge responsible gambling technology.

This includes William Hill, who previously procured the independent Mr. Green brand that had developed its own proprietary responsible gambling tool. This enabled players to monitor their activity in detail and measure this against insights from the operator, in addition to affording them direct controls over deposit limits and the time spent wagering online.

We definitely expect the US to make further strides in this respect in the years ahead, particularly as the not-for-profit Entain Foundation recently launched its new responsible gambling app called “Gamble Responsibly America”.

This app is the first of its kind in the US, and may well emerge as a trail-blazer for similar entities to follow!

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MGM Resorts International and Technology Partner Playtech Expand “Live from Vegas” Offering with Launch of Family Feud

Published

3 hours ago

September 2, 2025

Niji Narayan

MGM Resorts International and Playtech announced that they have expanded the “Live from Vegas” offering with the launch of Family Feud, a licensed adaptation of Fremantle’s classic gameshow, streamed live and in real time from a studio located on MGM Grand’s casino floor in Las Vegas.

This is the first interactive game show of its kind to be broadcast live from a Las Vegas casino floor and is available to operators in regulated markets, outside of the US. The studio also broadcasts a variety of interactive table games, including blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, all hosted in a fully transparent glass studio visible to the public 24/7.

“MGM Resorts, with Playtech and Fremantle, is at the forefront of digital gaming bringing the iconic Las Vegas experience to people around the globe. The live dealer studio marks a major step in our growth strategy and pursuit of being the world’s premier gaming entertainment company. We will continue working to create unforgettable moments and new ways to enjoy what the Las Vegas Strip has to offer,” said Gary Fritz, President of MGM Resorts International Interactive.

Building on the successful launch of “Live from Vegas” in June 2024, which saw the introduction of multiple live dealer table games being broadcast from both MGM Grand and Bellagio Resort & Casino, this marks the second phase of MGM Resorts and Playtech’s strategic partnership, a significant milestone in the delivery of new and distinctive live gaming experiences.

Mor Weizer, Chief Executive Officer at Playtech, said: “We’re proud to unveil our full suite of live-streamed experiences from Las Vegas, now featuring Family Feud. This next phase of our collaboration with MGM Resorts and Fremantle represents our shared ambition to redefine live gaming entertainment. Together, we’re introducing a new category of immersive and engaging content to support growth in regulated markets, built on a foundation of robust compliance and player protection.”

Suzanne Lopez, Chief Operating Officer at Fremantle, said: “Our partnership with MGM Resorts and Playtech brings together world-class entertainment, technological innovation, and gaming excellence. For the first time, Family Feud has been integrated into a live dealer environment, powered by actual survey questions from the official Family Feud franchise. This collaboration delivers a truly unique and authentic game show experience.”

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FanDuel Debuts New Peer to Peer Fantasy Product “FanDuel Picks” in Select States

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3 hours ago

September 2, 2025

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FanDuel, North America’s premier online gaming company, is introducing FanDuel Picks, a new peer-to-peer fantasy sports product. FanDuel Picks offers fans a simplified way to engage with their favorite athletes and a chance to win up to 1000x their entry fee by building lineups and selecting whether the athletes will beat their projected stats during games. Customers new to FanDuel Picks who play $5 will get $60 in bonus funds.

With FanDuel Picks, customers can pick three to six players, select “more” or “less” on the players’ projected stat lines and set their contest entry amount. Customers earn points for every correct selection, and customers with the highest score win a share of the prize pool.

“Just in time for NFL season, we are excited to bring fans a social way to engage with the sports and athletes they love with the launch of FanDuel Picks. The ‘more’ or ‘less’ selection model offers a streamlined fantasy sports experience, and we look forward to offering our customers another way to interact with games this season,” said Rob Cullen, FanDuel Picks General Manager.

FanDuel Picks is now available in 17 states, including Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin.

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iGaming Ontario Appoints Joseph Hillier as its New President and CEO

Published

4 hours ago

September 2, 2025

Niji Narayan

The iGaming Ontario Board of Directors has announced Joseph Hillier as the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 8, 2025. Joseph’s depth in the Ontario igaming market combined with successful public and private sector careers make him the ideal President and CEO at this critical point in iGaming Ontario’s growth.

Joseph was most recently Chief Strategy Officer and Corporate Secretary at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), where he delivered significant strategic and regulatory initiatives across the province’s alcohol, cannabis, gaming, and horse racing sectors. Prior to the AGCO, he served as Chief of Staff to Ontario Attorney General Hon. Doug Downey and led the development, launch and implementation of Canada’s first private sector-driven igaming market and the creation of iGaming Ontario. Joseph also spent more than a decade working in the financial and legal services sectors.

The Board expressed its sincere thanks to David Smith for serving as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer since Martha Otton’s retirement.