Compliance Updates

Nebraska: Proposal to Legalize Mobile Sports Betting Advances

Published

3 months ago

April 16, 2025

Mobile online sports betting would be legal in Nebraska under a bill advancing in the Legislature, but trouble could still lie ahead for the proposal.

Sen. Eliot Bostar introduced the proposed state constitutional amendment that would let people make sports bets on their phone from anywhere in the state. Bostar says Nebraskans are already betting, either by going to a casino, a neighboring state or using illegal, unregulated platforms.

“I introduced this not because I think gambling is a great thing, not because I want everyone to do it, not because I think you should like it, or anyone should, but fundamentally because it’s already happening. Our prohibition on mobile sports betting here in save Nebraska is not stopping anyone from engaging in that activity,” Bostar said.

Sen. Jason Prokop has made the proposal his priority this session. Prokup talked about Nebraskans who cross the Mormon Bridge into Iowa and congregate at the first off I-680 to place bets during the football season.

“There’s no reason why a corn field in Iowa, just off the interstate, should be touted as the busiest corn field in America. Senators, those are your and my constituents using this product, spending their money and paying taxes in another state, simply because our Constitution does not provide for it,” he said.

Bostar said Nebraska is losing tax revenue.

“Nebraska is currently missing out on a $1.6 billion state online industry and $32 million in annual tax revenue, which instead goes to neighboring states like Iowa, Colorado, Kansas and Wyoming. Legalizing online mobile sports betting through LR20CA could significantly boost state revenues dedicated to the property tax credit fund, helping to address the burden of high property taxes,” he said.

Sen. Jared Storm seemed unmoved.

“I’ve been in the body for three months. I’m a freshman senator, and it seems like the common thread I keep seeing here is, if you want to pass your bill or get something through here, you say it’s going to lower property taxes. That’s kind of the buzz word,” he said.

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Strong offered a different interpretation of any tax revenue.

“I would view this as taxation by exploitation. We’re going to exploit people to get tax revenue out of them, mainly young men. So you’re going to have students at UNL, students at UNK, other universities, who are going to gamble away their tuition on online sports betting. They’re going to gamble away their rent online sports gambling. I think as state senators, we have to stand up for those people,” he said.

Sen. Rob Clements read a letter from a mother whose son got in financial trouble from sports betting and died by suicide last year.

“The $10,000 bet my son frenetically placed on a losing NHL Stanley Cup game during the last 48 hours of his life, was followed by a series of still more frenetic bets placed in isolation on his phone as he tried to win back his massive loss. It is clear that he died alone,” Clements read.

But Sen. Ben Hansen argued incidents like that should not be enough to prohibit sports betting.

“How far do we restrict people’s liberties and their rights? This is always a tough one, because we do see some of the ills, the pitfalls some of our citizens can fall into. But do we take that right away from them for that reason? If we take away that right because of addictive factors, we better get rid of alcohol. We better get rid of smoking. We better get rid of refined sugar, one of the most addictive things that we legalize here in Nebraska. We better get rid of a lot of addictive behaviors in the state of Nebraska,” he said.

Sen. Rick Holdcroft read a letter from former Congressman Tom Osborne, former Gov. Kay Orr, Sen. Pete Ricketts and State Auditor Mike Foley opposing the proposal.

“Legalizing online sports betting in Nebraska would turn every cell phone, laptop and tablet into a gambling device available 24 by seven, online sports betting can lead to new people developing gambling disorders, puts young men in the addiction bulls eye and will take money away from the main street Nebraska businesses,” he said.

Gov. Jim Pillen has supported legalizing online sports betting in the past. And Sen. Tom Brandt said the proposal should be approved.

“In Nebraska, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, guns, whether you wear a helmet, we let grown ups decide that. We let our people decide that. Does everybody make a good decision? They do not. There are consequences to some bad decisions, but we let them decide for themselves. Mobile betting should be the same way,” he said.

But Sen. Brad von Gillern said mobile betting was an especially threatening form of gambling.

“My opposition to LR20CA is not from a moral position against gambling as a whole. I provided tons of data to you that illustrates that this is a predatory process that primarily pursues young men,” he said.

After about three hours of debate, senators voted 27-16 to give the bill first-round approval. But von Gillern vowed to filibuster it at the second round of debate, when opponents need only talk for four hours, instead of eight, before supporters can try to cut off debate and vote on the bill itself. That takes 33 votes, and von Gillern predicted it would be close.

Related Topics:Eliot Bostar Jim Pillen Mobile online sports betting

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

Published

3 days 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.

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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.

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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

3 days 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

3 days 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.”