Compliance Updates

Florida Targets Fantasy Sports Firms Over Possible Illegal Betting Games

Published

2 years ago

September 26, 2023

Florida gambling regulators have sent cease-and-desist letters to three daily fantasy-sports operators accused of offering potentially illegal mobile betting games and threatened legal action if the sites don’t immediately stop.

Commission Executive Director Lou Trombetta sent letters warning the three companies that they “may be offering or accepting illegal bets or wagers” from Floridians and “may be promoting and conducting an illegal lottery.”

The alleged conduct is “strictly prohibited in Florida and constitutes criminal activity,” Trombetta wrote.

The letters targeted Underdog Sports, LLC, which is based in Brooklyn, N.Y; SidePrize LLC, also known as Performance Predictions LLC, doing business as PrizePicks, which is based in Atlanta; and Betr Holdings, Inc., which is based in Miami.

In fantasy sports, players can draft rosters of actual athletes, with the winners of fantasy games determined by the statistics of the athletes. Many games, like office pools, last all season.

The three companies offer what are known as “parlay-prop-style” games that could be more similar to sports-betting games that are off-limits in Florida.

“Under Florida law, betting or wagering on the result of contests of skill, such as sports betting, including fantasy sports betting, is strictly prohibited and constitutes a felony offense unless such activity is otherwise exempted by statute,” Trombetta’s letter said. “Accordingly, in Florida, sports betting may be lawfully conducted only pursuant to a gaming compact. … Further, receiving such illegal bets and wagers and aiding or abetting such criminal activities constitute separate felony offenses. … Lotteries are also strictly prohibited in Florida.”

A gaming compact is an agreement reached with the state.

The commission did not send letters to DraftKings and FanDuel, which have dominated the fantasy-sports market in the decade since the online games launched.

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It was unclear Friday if the commission would crack down on other operators in the future, but emails show the gambling overseers could be casting a broad net.

“As you might imagine, my exec team asking what the letter means and seeking actionable advice, pretty urgently. Would like to discuss the substance at some point, but if you can help with one question, it would be great. Namely, Underdog operates multiple paid fantasy formats (season-long drafts, daily drafts, pick’em) and I just want to confirm my reading of the letter, which is that the legal conclusion applies to all paid fantasy contests — e.g., all of our contests — and not just particular types,” Nicholas Green, Underdog’s general counsel, wrote Friday to Ross Marshman, the commission’s general counsel.

“Your reading of the letter is correct,” Marshman replied.

John Lockwood, an attorney hired by multiple operators, warned that other companies could be swept up in the crackdown.

“The commission staff confirmed to me that the language in the letter broadly applies to all paid fantasy sports contests, and they are not aware of any paid fantasy sports company operating legally in Florida. We disagree on the merits and will be working with the commission and potentially the Legislature so we can ensure Florida sports fans can continue to play,” Lockwood said.

State lawmakers in the past have grappled with creating regulatory oversight for the fantasy-sports industry, to no avail. Proponents of fantasy sports have insisted that the contests are games of skill, not chance, and thus are legal under state gambling laws.

Trombetta issued the letters as a legal battle continues over a 2021 compact reached by the state and the Seminole Tribe. That deal gave the tribe control over sports betting in Florida.

A “hub and spoke” plan in the agreement would allow gamblers anywhere in the state to place bets online, with the wagers run through servers located on tribal lands. The deal requires sports betting to be “exclusively conducted” by the Seminoles but allows other operators to run fantasy sports contests.

Owners of West Flagler Associates and Fort Myers Corp., doing business as Bonita Springs Poker Room in Southwest Florida, filed a lawsuit challenging the compact, saying it violated federal law and would cause a “significant and potentially devastating impact” on their operations.

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., in November 2021 ruled that the deal violated a key Indian gambling law. But a three-judge panel of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in June reversed that decision. The appellate court last week denied a request for what is known as an “en banc” rehearing before the full court.

The pari-mutuel owners filed a motion saying they would ask the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in, arguing the panel’s decision conflicts with other appellate rulings and “enables an extreme shift in public policy on legalized gaming that, once started, may be difficult to stop.”

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Compliance Updates

HIPTHER Launches Responsible Gambling Assessment Tool Across Its Global Gaming Media Network

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2025

George Miller

HIPTHER Launches Responsible Gambling Assessment Tool Across Its Global Gaming Media Network

HIPTHER, a leading media and events brand in the Gaming and Tech industries, has launched a new Responsible Gambling Assessment Tool, now live across all of its gaming media platforms. This quick, anonymous self-test is designed to help players better understand their relationship with gambling, encouraging safer play through awareness and early self-checks.

The “Play Responsibly” tool is backed by clinical research and built with user privacy at its core, based on the globally recognized Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) – a 9-question framework used to assess gambling risk levels, from low to moderate or high.

No sign-up needed. No Cost. No data collected. No Judgement. Just honest insight.

Whether you’re simply curious or looking to take a proactive step toward support, this free tool delivers instant results and practical next steps – all in under two minutes.

Key Features:

Completely anonymous – no registration or personal data required
Instant results with tailored guidance
Available in 5 languages
Mobile-first and accessible across all devices
Fully GDPR compliant

Designed to meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards, the tool ensures a smooth and inclusive user experience for everyone. With multilingual support and local resource integration, it helps diverse populations connect with trusted support networks in their region.

“While our media platforms primarily serve the B2B side of the industry, we know they’re also visited by players looking for insights and updates. That’s why it’s important for us to go beyond headlines and contribute real tools that support safer play. This assessment is one small, meaningful step toward that.” – Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER.

Take the assessment today and share it with your community.
Because gambling should always be safe, informed, and fun.

Try it now on any of HIPTHER’s gaming media platforms:

By launching this tool, HIPTHER reaffirms its ongoing commitment to promoting transparency, responsibility, and player well-being in the global gaming industry. Together with our partners and audiences, we continue working toward a safer, more informed future for players everywhere.

Compliance Updates

Aristocrat Gaming Wins Land-based License to Develop MONOPOLY Slot Games

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2025

Niji Narayan

Aristocrat Gaming and Hasbro announced that Aristocrat Gaming is the winner of a competitive RFP to create MONOPOLY slot games for worldwide land-based gaming venues, securing a multi-year agreement. The landmark partnership will see Aristocrat Gaming launch all-new MONOPOLY-themed slot titles, beginning in early 2026. The company is excited to reintroduce one of the world’s most iconic brands to land-based slot games.

“To be selected as Hasbro’s land-based slots partner – after a highly competitive process – is a proud milestone for Aristocrat Gaming. Our commitment to innovation and bold creativity sets us apart, and we’re excited to reimagine MONOPOLY slot games for today’s players around the globe,” said Craig Toner, CEO of Aristocrat Gaming.

“It was evident through our selection process that Aristocrat Gaming was the natural fit for the next evolution of the Monopoly brand in the gaming category. We can’t wait for Monopoly fans to experience all new premium gaming content on casino floors,” said Claire Hunter Gregson – Director, Gaming Relationships of Hasbro.

Compliance Updates

Statement from NYSGC Chair O’Dwyer Regarding Casino Applicants

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2025

Niji Narayan

NYSGC Chair O’Dwyer has released the following statement regarding casino applicants.

“On behalf of my fellow Commissioners and the Gaming Facility Location Board, I welcome the eight applicants to Develop and Operate a Gaming Facility in New York State to the competition. The Commission and Board are committed to ensuring the casino siting process is fair, transparent, competitive, deliberative, and beneficial for the State of New York.

“This is a tabula rasa – there are no frontrunners or favorites. These eight proposed projects represent billions of dollars in private investment, thousands of jobs, and amenities in addition to a world-class casino – all things that can transform a community. That’s why each project must obtain all local entitlements, including zoning approval, and be approved by a specific Community Advisory Committee of appointees of the elected officials representing the proposed facility’s location. Only those projects that meet both statutory requirements – zoning and Community Advisory Committee approval – by September 30, 2025 will be considered by the Gaming Facility Location Board. This ensures that only those projects embraced by the community are placed before the Board for consideration.

“Appointing authorities for all eight projects have been notified of their obligation to make appointments to the Community Advisory Committees as soon as possible, as Committees are expected to be up and running in the coming weeks. Through the summer, Committees will hold public hearings to gauge support and/or opposition to their respective project, and formally vote whether to advance the project for Board evaluation. Those projects that are not approved by their Community Advisory Committee will not advance.

“The Board will evaluate those projects approved by their Community Advisory Committee and select up to three projects by December 1, followed by Commission licensure. This ensures that New York State will collect the already-booked casino license fee(s) ahead of schedule.

“As the Board has stated in the Request for Applications, the revenue from new gaming facilities is expected to benefit New York’s public schools, mass transit, local governments, and problem gambling treatment services. The jobs created by these casinos are expected to deliver livable wages to help families live, stay, and prosper in New York.

“We look forward to a competitive process with active community engagement for all proposals.”