Latest News
1/ST CONTENT expands its reach to add elite Moroccan racing to burgeoning international portfolio

1/ST CONTENT, the leading provider of premium content for North American horse racing, has broadened its dominant global footprint outside of the Americas with the announcement of a new venture into Moroccan racing.
Having won the international distribution rights, courtesy of Société Royale d’Encouragement du Cheval (SOREC), for this Saturday 18th November’s prestigious Morocco International Meeting (MIM) at the famous Hippodrome de Casablanca, 1/ST CONTENT will continue to widen its influence across a raft of global racing content in 2024 with a burgeoning international portfolio of racetracks and marquee meetings.
The Morocco International Meeting is now in its ninth year, and this breakout deal begins as as a one-year agreement relating to tote betting into local pools across 8 elite international races this weekend (featuring prominent horses, jockeys and owners from the UK, France and Spain) with scope and an option to renew and evolve the partnership across other pools and fixed-odds formats in the years ahead.
Aside from 1/ST CONTENT’s unrivalled network of North American racetracks, which provide over 3,300 race-days each year, the company also manages the international distribution rights for many of the top tracks in LatAm amongst an ever-growing portfolio. Accordingly, Morocco’s Hippodrome de Casablanca now joins other world-renowned venues, such as Hipódromo de San Isidro in Buenos Aires and Hipódromo da Gávea in Rio de Janeiro. It’s the latest move in 1/ST CONTENT’s unfolding strategy of locking up more and more cornerstone tracks and big-race meetings across emerging markets as it widens its international footprint.
A spokesperson for Société Royale d’Encouragement du Cheval (SOREC), said: “We are glad to announce our partnership with 1/ST CONTENT, a collaboration that underscores our commitment to elevating Moroccan horse races on the global stage, which will enhance our ability to attract international participants for our prestigious races.
“The data and wagering technology from 1/ST CONTENT, along with broadcast and video streaming rights, make them the most suited provider for betting formats via their EasyGate integration, thus contributing to growth in the international racing sector.”
Simon Fraser, Senior Vice President International at 1/ST CONTENT, added: “We’re delighted to announce to our growing group of worldwide partners that we’ve secured the distribution rights for this jewel in the emerging Moroccan horse racing scene. The opening day of the festival features 8 elite international races, comprised of many intercontinental challengers for a more familiar feel, as raiders from Europe, backed by a truly global ownership group, all converge on Casablanca.
“Our friends at SOREC have pulled together the best resources to organize this event in accordance with the highest equine-welfare standards, as MIM continues its mission to bolster awareness of Moroccan horse racing on the world stage. The racing data and broadcast media are all set from the usual sources, with a simple integration available via our market-leading EasyGate API.”
Gambling in the USA
New Jersey Gambling Revenue Increases in July

This summer is shaping up to be a strong one for Atlantic City casinos and their online gambling operating partners. According to the latest data collected by the state, the total gambling revenue for the casinos and their operating partners from in-state online gambling was nearly $250 million during July. That represents a nearly 27% increase over last year’s total revenue for July, and it comes on top of a more than 23% year-over-year increase measured during the month of June.
In all, revenue this year from online gambling through the end of July topped $1.6 billion, up 23.3% compared to the same period last year, according to a report from the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement, which regularly tracks gambling revenue earned legally in New Jersey.
The revenue gains from online gambling do not appear to have come at the expense of in-person gambling this summer, according to the DGE data. Revenue from gambling at the casinos also grew in both June and July, although at more modest rates, with year-to-date collections totaling $1.66 billion through the end of July, the report said.
Amid the online-gambling revenue upswing, state policymakers decided earlier this summer to increase the state tax levied on legal online gambling offered by casinos and their operating partners.
The online gambling tax hike, as well as an increase in the state tax levied on mobile sports betting, came as part of a broader plan to raise an additional $600 million in annual revenue for the state budget.
The two gambling tax hikes, which went into effect on July 1, are projected to increase the revenues the state collects from casino taxes and fees by more than $200 million annually, according to estimates from the Department of the Treasury.
According to the report issued by Stockton University, which is based in Atlantic County, the casino industry’s gross gambling revenues totaled nearly $5.7 billion in 2024.
Last year, the total from taxes and fees levied on casino operators in New Jersey topped $880 million, according to a report issued earlier this year by Stockton University.
This included $572 million in revenue that went directly into New Jersey’s Casino Revenue Fund, the report said. That fund, by law, benefits programs and services for senior citizens and disabled residents.
In all, online gambling on traditional casino games, like poker and blackjack, netted casino operators $2.4 billion in gross revenue last year, followed by slots, $2.1 billion; table games, $699.7 million; mobile sports betting, $486.5 million; and in-person sports betting, $6.5 million, according to the report, which cited state data.
And even before the increased state tax rates that were put in place earlier this summer, the tax revenue generated by casino gambling in New Jersey was trending up, the report said.
Gambling in the USA
Virginia Lawmakers Debate Creating iGaming Agency

Virginia lawmakers are actively debating whether to establish a new regulatory agency to oversee iGaming. The joint subcommittee discussed a bill to create the Virginia Gaming Commission. It would manage all gambling verticals beyond the lottery.
Delegate Paul Krizek said: “The Virginia Gaming Commission is a step we need to preserve the good.”
Currently, the Virginia Lottery regulates sports betting and casinos, while other agencies manage charitable gaming and horse racing. Lawmakers also considered legalizing online casinos, including real-money platforms.
Delegate Marcus Simon introduced HB 2171 earlier this year. The bill aimed to authorize a real money online casino market under casino-lottery oversight. While the bill failed, Simon explained that the aim remains to curb illegal offshore platforms.
“My goal is to bring it under a regulated umbrella where we can have some oversight and supervision,” Simon said.
The subcommittee reviewed revenue projections estimating up to $5.3 billion in taxable income from online casinos over five years. The estimates included increased land-based casino revenue of 8.4%.
Experts raised concerns about real money online casino risks. Keith Whyte from Safer Gambling Strategies urged strong enforcement and safer gaming tools. Whyte noted: “Players could be encouraged… to take control through deposit limits, time limits, budget calculators, and personalized dashboards.”
Mental health advisor Brianne Doura-Schawohl backed up Whyte’s statement, warning that such products are dangerous without safeguards.
Former New Jersey regulator David Rebuck testified that iGaming complemented land-based casinos there. He pointed to New Jersey’s market, where online play boosted tourism and in-person casino revenue.
However, some Virginia legislators expressed skepticism, citing fears of cannibalization. They questioned whether online casinos might draw customers away from brick-and-mortar venues.
Industry experts countered that New Jersey and Michigan showed the opposite effect. Rebuck explained: “The evidence demonstrates iGaming expands the player base rather than cannibalizes physical casinos.”
Supporters argued that Virginia’s land-based operators could benefit from cross-promotion, loyalty programs, and expanded reach to players in rural areas.
The subcommittee must make recommendations by November 30, 2025. Officials expect the commission’s creation will precede legalization of online casinos. The Virginia lawmakers will review feasibility and revise HB 2171 before the 2026 legislative session.
Gambling in the USA
DraftKings Introduces Credit Card Deposit Ban for US Customers

DraftKings has introduced credit card deposit ban for US customers. This decision aligns them with other major gambling operators, such as Fanatics Betting & Gaming, Betr, and Sporttrade, which have already banned credit card funding for wagering accounts.
It also comes on the heels of another major announcement by DraftKings. Starting September 1, DraftKings will charge a 50-cent fee for every mobile and online bet placed in Illinois using its Sportsbook platform. This change follows a similar move by FanDuel.
DraftKings CEO, Jason Robins, expressed his disappointment with Illinois policymakers for significantly raising the tax rate. He is worried that this could hurt the legal sports betting industry, while the illegal market continues to operate without paying taxes or providing any consumer protections.
DraftKings has informed its users that any saved credit card information will be disabled.
Moving forward, players will need to utilize alternative payment methods, including:
• Debit Cards
• ACH and wire transfers
• PayPal, Venmo
• Apple Pay
• Gift Cards
Bettors can also use cash at physical locations to fund their accounts.
DraftKings describes this step as a “strategic business decision” aimed at shielding customers from the high interest rates and cash advance fees usually associated with credit card deposits in gambling. Unlike regulatory demands, this decision was internally driven but coincides with growing scrutiny from regulators.
DraftKings has decided to stop accepting credit cards for deposits in the US due to worries about customer safety and more scrutiny from regulators. Recently, the company faced a significant fine in Massachusetts, where it is based. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission fined DraftKings $450,000 for allowing credit card deposits, which goes against state laws.
-
Latest News6 days ago
BMM Innovation Group to Spotlight Product Compliance, Cybersecurity, and Training Expertise at CGS Recife in Brazil This Week
-
Latest News6 days ago
MixRift Appoints Former Meta VP Ingrid Cotoros to Board of Advisors to Accelerate Mixed Reality Gaming Innovation
-
Canada5 days ago
Casino ATM Scam in Edmonton Reveals Money Laundering and Drug Links
-
Gambling in the USA5 days ago
PA Online Casinos Generate Nearly $280M in July Revenue
-
Latest News5 days ago
Betano and Flamengo Seal Historic Principal Partnership
-
Gambling in the USA5 days ago
Scientific Games Wins Three 2025 International Business Awards for Supply Chain Sustainability and Technology Innovation
-
Gambling in the USA5 days ago
Delaware Casinos Generate Revenue of $34.8M in July, Down 4.5% YoY
-
Latest News5 days ago
Vote now for N1 Partners in two EiGE Awards 2025 nominations!