Compliance Updates

The Edge Interviews Steve Bittenbender: Discusses Sports Betting in Georgia, Alabama and Missouri

Published

1 year ago

March 1, 2024

Half of all SEC states do not have legal sports betting. On The Edge with Larry Henry, Gambling.com Group’s Steve Bittenbender predicts sports betting legislation could be approved during this year’s legislative sessions in Alabama and Georgia in part because of ‘more acceptance among some conservative’ lawmakers.

Sports betting then would require a public vote in Alabama and possibly Georgia. Bittenbender said those two states stand a good chance of legalizing sports betting. “Those are the two, I think, I’m most bullish on,” Bittenbender said of Alabama and Georgia.

In Missouri, ‘rancor’ in the state Senate means a sports betting bill probably won’t pass, Bittenbender said, but the state’s major sports leagues are circulating a petition among registered voters to let the public decide on the November ballot.

The pro sports teams aren’t waiting for the Legislature, Bittenbender said.

“They’ve been down that road before and they’ve seen how that story ends up,” he said. “The best chance that it’ll have is through this referendum process.”

On Alabama and Georgia:

“In Georgia, it passed the Senate and it’s now going over to the House. And in Alabama, it’s the other way around. It cleared the House first and now it’s going to the Senate. The Senate in Alabama; there’s going to be some opposition to it (sports betting legislation), some conservative opposition.

“But you’ve got Governor Ivey who’s a big supporter of this and I think that’s going to help tip the scales in gaming’s favor.

“And it’s not just sports betting in Alabama, it would give them a lottery. They’re one of five states that don’t have a state lottery so it would give them that. It would give them fully-fledged casinos. There’s a couple of tribal casinos in the state but now they would have, I think, seven Class 3 casinos across the state. And then you would also have sports betting as well.

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“That kind of omnibus legislation, especially with the people that are supporting it, will help get that through in Alabama.

“Georgia is a similar situation but they’ve actually scaled it down. There had been talks in recent years about doing casino resort legislation but they’re just focused right now on doing sports betting, getting that through and maybe looking at other expanded gaming later on down the road.

“In Georgia the question is going to be whether or not it will need a constitutional amendment. There are proponents for it that cite a former Supreme Court judge from the state, who says: sports betting is a lottery game, the lottery is legal under the constitution, so you don’t need an amendment.

“Some people though are kind of concerned, they fear a legal challenge might happen. So, they want to see a referendum on it.

“If it requires a referendum, that would require essentially two votes in the legislature. One to pass the enacting legislation, which would need just a simple majority in both chambers. But a second one for a resolution calling for the referendum, that would require a two thirds majority in both chambers. That’s a little trickier.

“The way the vote came down in the Senate earlier this month, they had the votes for the two thirds majority in Georgia in the Senate, but I don’t know if they would have that in the House and that’s a key concern that needs to be addressed.”

On Missouri:

“I think it’s happening already (the sports betting petitions having success). The proponents have already started in St Louis, right around the time of the Cardinals FanFest event earlier this month.

“So, they’re not waiting for the legislature, they’ve been down that road before and they’ve seen how that story ends up. And with the way that there’s a lot of rancor right now in the Missouri Senate, not just about sports betting but a lot of things in between, there’s a real fracture between Republicans in that chamber and that’s stalling a lot of things.

“I’m not optimistic at all that a sports betting bill would pass the legislature even though there’s support for it in Jefferson City. The best chance that it’ll have is through this referendum process.”

Source: Gambling dot com

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

Published

4 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.

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
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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

4 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

4 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.”