Latest News
Five Years Post-PASPA: The Spread of Legal Sports Betting in the USA
Five years ago, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was repealed by the Supreme Court, kicking off one of the fastest periods of gambling legalization ever seen in the USA.
The repeal of PASPA, which had prevented all but a handful of states from regulating sports betting, started a revolution in real money betting that has forever changed the US gambling industry.
Five years later, it’s time to look back at how the market has developed and the legal, economic, and social effects of this monumental change.
The Context: The Downfall of PASPA
PASPA was a federal law that came into effect in 1992. It included all states except Nevada, Oregon, Montana, and Delaware, which were excluded because their laws already had sports betting provisions.
PASPA outlawed sports betting in all other states, effectively banning it nationwide. This didn’t mean that sports betting wasn’t happening; it was just an underground, offshore activity.
PASPA remained in force until May 2018, when the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional. This was thanks almost entirely to the efforts of New Jersey, under the leadership of Governor Chris Christie, who brought the legal challenge after trying to legalize online sports betting in 2011 and 2014. New Jersey argued that part of PASPA violated the anti-commandeering doctrine (the tenth amendment), which, in overly simple terms, prevents the federal government from coercing states to adopt or enforce federal laws.
The District Court first heard New Jersey’s case, then the Third Circuit, with both ruling against them. However, upon appeal, the case was heard by the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) on May 14th, 2018. SCOTUS agreed that PASPA violated the anti-commandeering principle, rescinding the entire act and stating that PASPA was meant to work as a whole, meaning that if part of it was not legally viable, the whole act must be struck down.
Legal Outlook: 38 States Legal, 12 To Go
With PASPA gone, each state now had the right to decide whether to legalize sports betting, with a majority opting to. As of November 2023, 38 states have said yes, passing new laws that allow retail sports betting. Online sports betting is also available in 26.
There are 12 states left to legalize. Three of them (South Carolina, Alabama, and California) face strong opposition, and the remaining nine are looking to introduce bills in the 2024/2025 legislative sessions. North Carolina and Minnesota are tipped to be the next to join the fray, and Oklahoma introduced a new proposal two months ago.
The legal landscape remains complex, with different rules, regulators, and taxation regimes in each state. On top of this, in certain locations, the presence of tribal gaming compacts has conflicted with commercial interests (the ongoing case of Florida sports betting and tribal opposition in California serve as perfect examples).
Growth of Online Casinos – Not Going As Planned
While there was no guarantee, many industry experts and commentators hoped that the legalization of sports betting would soon be followed by online casino regulation. However, thus far, only six states have legalized online casinos: New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, and Connecticut, the latest to join the ranks, passing HB 6451 in 2021. Since then, there’s been no further movement for online casinos.
Players outside the mentioned states may only use land-based casinos or free social gaming sites where available. Sweepstakes casinos are also available across the country, Idaho and Washington aside. As a legitimate gaming option, sweepstakes are taking the US by storm, but just like with real online casinos, players should use a review site to find the best options.
As sweepstakes casinos don’t require a license in the USA, expert advice such as Casino Cabbie’s Wow Vegas Online Casino Review highlights any security issues and the benefits and pitfalls of each site as well before players sign up, making them an invaluable resource.
Economics: More Than $220 Billion Spent On Sports Betting Since 2018
One of the biggest drivers of sports betting legalization is the promise of potential tax revenue. The US sports betting industry is enormous, and since 2018, more than $220 billion has been spent on wagers, contributing over $3 billion in state taxes. The revenue earned by states has been instrumental in funding local projects and new initiatives, as well as responsible gambling research and support.
More in-depth and up-to-date research focusing on the exact economic contribution of sports betting is thin on the ground, and the last comprehensive study by Oxford Economics was published in 2017. At the time, it detailed that the entire sports betting industry created over 216,671 jobs.
Due to the lack of current data, we’re left to turn to figures charting the impact of the entire gambling industry, which includes casinos and sports betting. According to statistics from the American Gaming Association in 2022, US gambling is a powerhouse industry, creating, in total, 1.8 million US jobs, with $104.2 billion in wages (these figures include the entire supply chain).
There can be no argument that over the last five years, US sports betting has been a substantial economic contributor, helping state governments recover from COVID-19, creating jobs, and stimulating economic growth.
Social: 77% of American Adults Support Legalization in their State
Legally and economically, things have changed rapidly in the States since the repeal of PASPA, but what about the social impacts?
Research shows that 85% of Americans think the removal of PASPA was correct, with 77% now supporting sports betting legalization in their state. Moreover, the number of Americans open to placing sports bets has grown by 24 million since 2019. With many enjoying the newly legal betting options available to them, public attitudes towards gambling as a whole have seemingly softened.
With many states also benefiting from increased government budgets brought through sports betting tax revenue, it’s important to recognize the benefits this has made to social provisions. Many states have used the influx to contribute more money to education funds and other social causes, like reducing homelessness.
A proportion of the money is also used to fund state problem gambling assistance, with many running state-based hotlines and counseling services. Nonetheless, in many cases, this funding is not enough to offset the increased rates of gambling harms caused by legalization.
Future Outlook: Challenges and Concerns
Looking forward, the US online sports betting industry has a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.33% for 2023-2027, meaning there’s much more to come. However, this rapid growth will lead to some challenges.
Offshore gambling has been a considerable issue for the legal sports betting market. In 2022, The American Gaming Association estimated that Americans wagered $63.8 billion with illegal bookies, costing $3.8 billion in lost gaming revenue and $700 million in state taxes.
While offshore gambling is reducing, the latest data shows that 77% of online sports bets are now placed through regulated operators, compared to just 44% in 2019. However, things are not all rosy, and 48% of those who bet offshore believe they are placing legal wagers.
Gambling addiction also poses a considerable threat to the sustainability of the entire US gambling industry, with some states recently reporting problem gambling rates over 6%, which is three times the national average (to contextualize this figure better, the UK has a problem gambling rate of 0.2%). High rates of problem gambling twinned with rapid growth potentially represent a ticking time bomb that could rock the entire US industry.
It’s undoubtedly been an incredible five years for US bettors and sportsbooks; as a newer gambling market, the US must now look to more mature gambling jurisdictions to see what player protection methods work best and implement them sooner rather than later.
Tusk Casino proudly announces another thrilling win for one of its players, Trace, who secured an impressive R2.3 Million on the Secrets of Cleopatra slot, crafted by PG Soft. This notable win is proof of the exciting potential of Tusk Casino, supported by www.SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za, the leading online gambling guide for South African players.
Trace’s Winning Moment at Tusk Casino
Trace’s victory highlights the engaging and lucrative nature of Tusk Casino’s extensive game selection. Secrets of Cleopatra, renowned for its captivating gameplay, proved to be a game-changer for Trace. His winning journey began with SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za, South Africa’s top portal for mobile casinos and gambling insights, which has consistently guided players to secure and enjoyable online gambling experiences since 2003.
SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za: Gateway to Winning Opportunities
As a premier guide for mobile casinos enthusiasts, SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za has earned the trust of countless players. Trace, after his significant win, commented, “Coming across Tusk Casino thanks to SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za was a turning point.” His experience mirrors that of many others who have benefited from the platform’s professional advice and well-researched recommendations.
About Tusk Casino
With its sophisticated design and user-friendly interface, Tusk Casino features an extraordinary collection of over 3000 online slot games from renowned developers worldwide. This online casino is dedicated to offering an outstanding gaming experience, highlighted by its impressive free no deposit casino bonus offerings and extensive game variety. Licensed by the Government of Curacao, Tusk Casino promises a safe, engaging, and highly rewarding online gaming environment for all South African players.
A Bright Future for Online Gambling in South Africa
Thanks to the support from SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za, Tusk Casino reaffirms its position as a leading venue for safe and exciting online gaming. This partnership provides players with the most up-to-date information and prime gambling opportunities, ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience for all participants.
About SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za
SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za, South Africa’s largest and most reputable online casinos south africa and gambling guide has been offering top-notch casino recommendations and detailed gambling insights for ZAR casino players since 2003. It remains a vital resource for players looking for secure, high-quality, and rewarding online gambling experiences.
Trace’s impressive win at Tusk Casino not only transforms his life but also underscores the exciting possibilities available through SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za and Tusk Casino, marking a significant moment in the South African online gambling landscape.
The post Tusk Casino Celebrates Trace’s R2.3 Million Jackpot Victory appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
From golden reels to big money pots and pearls, Swintt’s Big Max games have always pushed the boundaries in terms of what’s possible from a Premium slot – and this month the popular series is back with a major bang in the brand-new release, Big Max Door. Featuring an extra-large 5×4 reel set and 20 fixed paylines, the slot uses the same mix of fruit symbols, BAR logos and lucky red sevens that have become such a hallmark of Big Max games, only this time around a new mystery reveal feature adds an exciting element to base game play.
Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of unique content, has transported its portfolio of tumbling titles to the Ice Age in The Tumbles. This immersive 6×6 prehistoric-themed slot sees players in with a chance of winning up to 5,000x their stake via lucrative multipliers and a free spins feature. The base game sees snow and ice cover the surfaces, but sunnier surroundings soon appear for the free spins round, with the ice giving way to grasslands, hills, and rivers.
The new release from MGA Games, a leading provider of casino games for over 20 years, will take players on a journey to the beach of their dreams, immersing them in the beauty of Cancun from the comfort of their own home. Tropical Beach themed reels are filled with fresh fruit and toucans and transport players to a corner of paradise filled with prizes and fun in the sun.
The new release from MGA Games immerses players in a world of riches and excitement under the sea. Brightly coloured fish and coral backdrops provide the scenery for this exciting journey that offers plenty of opportunities to win as the reels spin with themed symbols such as sharks, octopus and chests full of coins. The game features the Wild figure, the best ally in this treasure hunt, and the Scatter figure, which will lead the player to a Free Spins screen full of surprises. In addition, Golden Ocean Megaways offers the possibility to buy Free Spins to increase the chances of winning.
Play’n GO invites players into their hall of mirrors to seek the fabled Mirror Joker and their reflective powers. Players will step foot into this reflective realm alongside the mischievous Mirror Joker with the aim of securing some big wins. Fans of other Joker titles, including games like Fire Joker (2016), Chronos Joker (2019), and Joker Flip (2024) are sure to love this new addition to the iconic series. Mirror Joker ventures into the dazzling world of mirrors where not all is as it seems while some rewards are even more than they first appear.
Spinomenal has added Majestic Spirit to its stable of stunning slots. Majestic Spirit is part of Spinomenal’s Wildlife Series that features a 5×3 design set against a backdrop of sweeping valleys and rugged mountains. Players embark on a ride across this wilderness hunting for special symbols to unlock big returns. A Black Stallion symbol represents the Wild and substitutes for any symbol except double symbols, free spins, and bonus symbols. Five Wild symbols on a winning line will pay x200.
Hölle Games has released “Book of Holla: Bonus Spin”, a new entry in the Holla die Waldfee franchise. This 5×3, 10 payline slot revisits the fairy in her magical forest home while unleashing the power of Book Spins and Bonus Spins! During Book Spins, as well as the usual special expanding symbol, the game adds a progressive collection bar.
The post Week 36/2024 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Atlaslive Celebrates Multiple Nominations for EIGE 2024, Including Best Marketing Campaign
Atlaslive, a B2B software provider delivering high-quality solutions for the iGaming industry, has been shortlisted in all four of its nominated categories for the upcoming European iGaming Excellence (EIGE) Awards 2024. This recognition underscores Atlaslive’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and leadership in the iGaming industry.
The nominations include:
- Best Marketing Campaign: Our rebranding campaign has been recognized for its strategic approach and impact, reflecting Atlaslive’s dynamic evolution and our continuous efforts to connect more deeply with our partners.
- Best eSports Betting Provider: This nomination highlights our cutting-edge eSports offerings, which are designed to meet the growing demand for immersive and reliable eSports betting experiences.
- Innovation in iGaming Technology: At Atlaslive, we thrive on challenges and excel in high-pressure, high-traffic moments. Our peak performance technology, which ensures seamless operations even during the most demanding periods, has earned us a spot in this category.
- Best iGaming Supplier: Being recognized as one of the leading suppliers in the iGaming industry is a testament to our comprehensive and scalable solutions, which continue to set new standards for reliability and excellence.
The final vote for the EIGE 2024 Awards will take place during the European Gaming Congress, held on October 15-16, 2024, in Warsaw. Atlaslive is proud to attend as an industry leader, contributing its expertise in two key panel discussions:
- The Future of Esports: Opportunities and Challenges – October 15
- Optimizing Sportsbook Operations for Enhanced Performance – October 16
Atlaslive’s CEO, Maxim Slobodyanyuk, commented, “Our success is built on a foundation of relentless innovation and a deep understanding of the iGaming landscape. Every solution we develop is designed with our partners’ growth and success in mind, ensuring they have the tools they need to thrive in a competitive market. These nominations validate our strategic direction and the trust our partners place in us. We’re not just reacting to industry trends; we’re actively shaping the future of iGaming. By staying ahead of technological advancements and continuously refining our offerings, we aim to lead the industry in delivering exceptional value. Our vision is clear: to be the go-to partner for businesses seeking not only cutting-edge technology but also a collaborative and forward-thinking approach to long-term success.”
Join Atlaslive as the company shares insights and shapes the future of iGaming.
The post Atlaslive Celebrates Multiple Nominations for EIGE 2024, Including Best Marketing Campaign appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Africa5 days agoSouth African Casino Hits R4 Million Jackpot on Mega Fire Blaze 3 Slots
-
Australia5 days ago
Regulating the Game Announces Dr Bo Bernhard as 2025 Conference Speaker
-
Africa6 days ago
Amusnet Announces Strategic Partnership with BetFounders
-
CGS Recife5 days ago
Salsa Technology wins Best Game Aggregator award at CGS Recife
-
Balkans6 days ago
EGT is ready for another memorable Entertainment Arena Expo show
-
Latest News6 days ago
Finnplay and Mindway AI Partner to Elevate Safer Gambling Practices
-
Brazil4 days ago
Salsa Technology Announces Thiago Valadão as Country Manager for Brazil
-
Evoplay4 days ago
Winpot.mx adds Evoplay to well-stocked game lobby
