Pioneering iGaming technology company becomes the latest member of North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries trade group, reinforcing its commitment to advancing the lottery sector through innovative digital solutions

Bede Gaming, the data-driven iGaming technology provider known for its market leading software and full-service platform solutions, announced this month that it has officially joined the prestigious North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries trade group as an Associate Member.

NASPL is the largest trade association in the lottery space, representing 53 state and provincial lottery members throughout North America. The group plays a pivotal role in advocating for lottery organisations on matters of general policy and best practice, while also leveraging collaboration, communication, education, and information for the betterment of the industry.

“NASPL is pleased to have Bede Gaming as our newest Associate Member Partner; we look forward to collaborating this year and beyond with the goal of strengthening our industry.” Jake Coy, Director of Partner Relations, NASPL.

Reflecting on the company’s new NASPL membership, Colin Cole-Johnson, Chief Executive Officer at Bede Gaming, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be joining NASPL as an Associate Member. As a company that’s passionate about supporting lottery customers in achieving their digital transformation goals, this membership provides an opportunity for us to further demonstrate our capabilities and do so in alignment with the highest industry standards.

“Bede is looking forward to working closely with NASPL members and partners to learn about the challenges that they face. Our goal is to explore how our pioneering platform technology can best support their needs, while also contributing to the broader advancement of the lottery industry.”

The NASPL ’25 Annual Conference and Tradeshow this month presents the first opportunity for Bede to do precisely that, with many NASPL members attending, including event host and current Bede partner, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).

As existing members of both the World Lottery Association and European Lotteries, Bede holds a strong commitment to supporting the future of the industry through innovative digital solutions. In the North American market, this is exemplified by the company’s ongoing successful partnership with OLG, which was a key factor in the decision to pursue NASPL membership and a move that was wholeheartedly supported by the provincial lottery.

“Bede has been a trusted partner to OLG for five years, providing us with innovative products and technical solutions that continue to enhance the digital lottery experience for our players in Ontario,” confirmed Andrew Darley, VP of iCasino and iLottery at OLG. “We were happy to recommend them for this esteemed membership and believe that by joining NASPL, they’ll now have the perfect platform to showcase how their expertise can assist the industry going forward.”

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Genius Sports Limited has expanded its long-term partnership with Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook (Hard Rock Bet) to power the top-rated platform with its market-leading official data, trading and marketing solutions, as well as its ground-breaking BetVision product.

Genius Sports has worked in partnership with the leading operator since 2021, providing the highest quality official data and pinpoint trading solutions across top tier leagues globally, including the Premier League, Serie A, European Leagues, Liga MX, NFL, and more.

Hard Rock Bet will be able to provide its customers with Genius Sports’ first-of-its-kind BetVision low latency streaming solution. BetVision is the world’s first immersive live betting product, giving Hard Rock Bet customers access to real-time stats, augmented viewing options, and an integrated betslip from a single interactive player.

Hard Rock Bet will also deploy BetVision’s new “Touch to Bet” capability, allowing users to immediately access player stats and betting markets in real-time by simply tapping on a player during live games. This feature allows fans to wager without navigating away from the low latency live stream. BetVision will give fans a new way to enjoy global soccer leagues, including Serie A, as well as in-market and national NFL games on phone and tablet.

Through its proven advertising technology, Genius Sports will also help Hard Rock Bet to attract, engage, and retain bettors.

“Sports fans don’t just want to watch — they want to engage, interact, and be part of the action. This expanded partnership with Genius Sports and the addition of BetVision will help us deliver a dynamic, more entertaining experience for every player on our top-rated app,” said Matt Primeaux, Executive Managing Director & President at Hard Rock Digital.

“By providing Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook with the highest quality official data and immersive live viewing modes across the world’s biggest sports leagues, Genius Sports is supercharging the live betting experience. We’re excited to roll out the latest version of BetVision across Serie A and the NFL, providing a compelling platform for fans to watch and bet on live matches,” said Sean Conroy, Executive Vice President, North America at Genius Sports.

Members of Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, the Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians, the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria and Big Lagoon Rancheria gathered outside the State Capitol in Sacramento to protest Assembly Bill 831 (AB 831).

If passed, the bill would limit economic opportunities available to less wealthy tribes in the state by banning legitimate online social games using sweepstakes promotions. It would also eliminate more than $1 billion of existing economic activity generated by the industry in California, and close off a potential new revenue source for the state via sensible, modern regulation and taxation.

“AB831 is a flawed and rushed bill that lacks broad tribal consensus. As Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, the Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians, the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria and Big Lagoon Rancheria have made clear, this bill would limit economic options available to tribes and worsen already fragile economic conditions. What California lawmakers should focus on instead is creating proper regulation that supports online social games, creates new revenue sources for the state and protects economic opportunities for all tribes,” said Jeff Duncan, Executive Director of SGLA and former Congressman.

The tribes’ protest focused on the following themes:

• Economic Disparity. Tribes in more geographically isolated areas often lack the scale and resources of wealthy, established gaming tribes. The policies proposed in AB 831 would eliminate digital commerce opportunities for economically disadvantaged tribes to partner with social gaming operators that could provide essential supplemental revenue streams to fund essential services such as healthcare, education, housing, food security, and social programs.

• Lack of Tribal Unity. The increasing number of tribes coming out in opposition to AB 831 highlights the growing divide amongst tribal nations when it comes to the legislation.

• Violation of Tribal Sovereignty. AB 831 contains broad criminalization language that would impose criminal penalties on those who “support directly or indirectly the operation, conduct, or promotion of an online sweepstakes game.” As written, AB 831 also applies to tribal nations. Extending State criminal jurisdiction into Indian Country violates federal law and is an encroachment on tribal sovereignty.

“For communities long overlooked and geographically isolated, digital commerce is not a luxury – it is a lifeline. AB 831 would sever that lifeline. Tribal members gather at the State Capitol today to ask lawmakers to stand for tribal equity, sovereignty, and economic justice by voting NO on AB 831,” said Eric Wright, Tribal Administrator of Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation and CEO of Kletsel Economic Development Authority, the tribe’s economic development arm.

“We were proud to join with other tribes at the Capitol in Sacramento to tell lawmakers that eliminating legitimate, regulated digital enterprise will only deepen the disparities our people face, erode our tribal self-sufficiency, and contradict California’s stated commitment to equity and inclusion for all tribal nations. We call on California legislators to reject AB 831 and instead advance inclusive policies that support digital innovation, economic diversification, and tribal self-determination. The future of our communities depends on it,” Buffey Bourassa, Secretary of the Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians, said.

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“This bill has moved forward without meaningful consultation with our tribes, and it threatens to even further entrench a two-tiered system that benefits wealthy gaming tribes while marginalizing more rural nations like ours. We urge California lawmakers to reject AB 831 and stand firmly for tribal sovereignty, equity, and economic justice,” said Dennis Ramirez, Chairman of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria.

Previously, Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, the Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians, the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, and Big Lagoon Rancheria have sent letters to state legislators, including President pro Tempore Senator Mike McGuire and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Senator Anna Caballero, voicing their opposition against AB 831 and the harm the bill would cause their tribes.

AB 831 was introduced as a last-minute “gut-and-amend” bill in July. The members of these tribal nations and others are urging California lawmakers to reject AB 831 and instead pursue policies that expand economic opportunity, respect tribal sovereignty, and preserve access to popular forms of digital entertainment for all Californians.