Gambling in the USA
Mattress Mack Doesn’t Expect Legal Sport Betting In Texas Soon, But Eyes March Madness, Astros Bets
![mattress-mack-doesn’t-expect-legal-sport-betting-in-texas-soon,-but-eyes-march-madness,-astros-bets](https://recentslotreleases.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/132925-mattress-mack-doesnt-expect-legal-sport-betting-in-texas-soon-but-eyes-march-madness-astros-bets.png)
Multimillion-dollar sports bettor Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale doesn’t expect sports wagering to be legalized in Texas in the next few years — but he’s happy placing his bets next door in Louisiana.
The Houston furniture store owner spoke to Gambling.com’s Larry Henry this week, and he “seriously” doubts Texas lawmakers will approve a measure to legalize sports betting when they next meet in Austin in 2025.
“They can’t pass anything,” McIngvale, 73, said in a telephone interview. “It’s a fractured group.”
McIngvale, whose major bets in Louisiana and elsewhere usually attract media attention, said he has no problem making the drive over to Louisiana. The state line is about 100 miles from Houston.
“I’m perfectly happy going to Louisiana,” McIngvale said. “All I do is sell furniture and go to Louisiana and bet.”
McIngvale, owner of Gallery Furniture, said he probably will bet this year on the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament and on Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros.
He said it’s too early to decide which team to bet on to win the March Madness tournament. He noted that the Houston Cougars (21-3), ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, have a talented team this season.
McIngvale also said the Astros are expected to be contenders this season. The team recently signed star second baseman José Altuve to a new contract. The Astros open the regular season March 28 at home against the New York Yankees.
Louisiana Thanks Texas For Sending Bettors Their Way
Ronnie Johns, chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, previously told Gambling.com he doesn’t think Texas lawmakers will approve sports betting soon. At one Control Board meeting in 2022, he thanked Texas for sending its gamblers to Louisiana.
The casinos in Lake Charles, Louisiana, only about 2 1/2 hours from Houston, typically generate more gaming revenue than the state’s other metro casino markets, including New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Houston is the fourth most-populated city in the U.S.
Johns is a former state senator from Lake Charles.
Missouri Voters Could Decide On Sports Betting
As in Texas, sports betting is illegal in Missouri. Its Legislature also has shot down previous efforts to approve sports betting. These efforts have run into a legislative battle over the video lottery games operating in places such as convenience stores and bars.
In Missouri, Gary Jenkins, an attorney former Kansas City Police Department intelligence detective, recently told Gambling.com on “The Edge” that he doubts the Legislature, now meeting in Jefferson City, will approve any measures this year that would lead to legal sports betting.
Jenkins noted Missouri is losing millions in tax dollars to bordering states where sports betting is legal. Every state that borders Missouri, except Oklahoma, has legal sports betting. Missouri’s two largest cities are border cities — — St. Louis (Illinois) and Kansas City (Kansas).
The initiative’s organizers need more than 170,000 signatures from registered voters by May 8 for the issue to appear on the November ballot this year.
Source: gambling.com
10 Ten Gaming
US-Based 10 Ten Gaming Launches SmilesCasino.com
![us-based-10-ten-gaming-launches-smilescasino.com](https://recentslotreleases.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/139571-us-based-10-ten-gaming-launches-smilescasino-com.jpg)
10 Ten Gaming has announced the launch of SmilesCasino.com, a new social casino poised to transform social casino gaming.
Smiles Casino aims to offer an unparalleled free-to-play social gaming experience to users across the US via innovative technology, exceptional customer service, and exciting promotional offerings.
The proprietary platform is designed to be easily accessible for all users without the need to download or purchase, providing a thrilling Vegas-style experience from home or on the go.
“We are delighted to launch SmilesCasino.com and look forward to providing the ultimate social casino experience for our users. Smiles Casino transports users to a wonderland of fun and entertainment, while providing safe and secure gameplay in a responsible social gaming environment,” said Carly Sawers, Head of Marketing at 10 Ten Gaming.
Among the many features available on Smiles Casino, users receive a welcome bonus, daily complimentary coins, tailored promotions, a vibrant social media community, and outstanding customer support.
New games are added weekly to an already expansive portfolio of popular game titles spanning a multitude of genres.
The launch of Smiles Casino is the first step in 10 Ten Gaming’s vision to stand at the forefront of the social casino landscape in the US.
Gambling in the USA
Proposal for Lake of the Ozarks Casino will Appear on the November Ballot
![proposal-for-lake-of-the-ozarks-casino-will-appear-on-the-november-ballot](https://recentslotreleases.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/139478-proposal-for-lake-of-the-ozarks-casino-will-appear-on-the-november-ballot.jpg)
Missourians will get to vote on whether to authorize a casino at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Backers of a casino in the popular tourist destination need to go to statewide voters to build the casino, because the Missouri Constitution only authorizes those gaming facilities on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft initially rejected putting the ballot item before voters, contending that the measure didn’t collect enough signatures in the required six out of eight congressional districts. Ashcroft found that the plan did receive the necessary signatures in five districts but fell short in Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District.
Cole County Judge Daniel Green ruled on Friday that proponents of the casino ballot item did actually gather enough signatures in the 2nd District, which encompasses parts of St. Louis, St. Charles and Warren counties, and all of Franklin County. He then ordered Ashcroft to place the proposal on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Ashcroft spokesman JoDonn Chaney said the GOP statewide official does not plan on appealing Green’s ruling.
“During the initiative petition review process local election authorities were tasked with checking well over 1 million signatures,” Chaney said in an email. “From their reporting, the secretary of state’s office determined the Osage River Gaming petition was just short of the required signature count for ballot certification. After a challenge by the petitioner it was determined that enough additional signatures could be verified to place the petition on the November ballot.”
Backers of the plan to build the Lake of the Ozarks casino say the facility will spur 500 construction jobs and create 700 to 800 permanent jobs. State revenue from the casino would go toward education programs, with a specific emphasis on early child literacy efforts.
Missourians are also to vote on a measure legalizing sports betting, though opponents of that proposal filed a lawsuit contending that it didn’t get enough signatures in six out of eight districts.
Gambling in the USA
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – August 26-September 1
![gaming-americas-weekly-roundup-–-august-26-september-1](https://recentslotreleases.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/139426-gaming-americas-weekly-roundup-august-26-september-1.jpg)
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new appointments. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
Hard Rock Digital and Hard Rock Casino Rockford announced that Hard Rock Bet has been launched in Illinois, with its highly rated online sports betting app now live throughout the state and in-person wagering began on August 29 at Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s sportsbook. Hard Rock Bet recently launched its ‘Roll With Us’ fall campaign, welcoming players of all types to play on its easy-to-use app and online sportsbook by visiting HardRock.bet. New Illinois players can take advantage of Hard Rock Bet’s signup offer and receive $100 in Bonus Bets instantly following their first cash bet of at least $5. Hard Rock Bet offers pre-game, live betting, futures and multiple parlay options (including Same Game Parlays) as well as a free online rewards programme and engaging promotions.
Table Trac Inc. along with TransAct Technologies Incorporated, a global leader in software-driven technology and printing solutions, shared the results from the first six months of the SlotSUITE deployment. The floor-wide, single-wire printing solution, announced in December 2023, was recently implemented in a large regional casino in the American Southwest. SlotSUITE was developed through a partnership between CasinoTrac and TransAct Technologies. It integrates TransAct’s Epicentral SE with PromoTrac, CasinoTrac’s unified promotions administration and management system, using a single-wire solution that works on existing CasinoTrac gaming floor networks.
Related Companies/Oxford Properties Group and Wynn Resorts revealed new project details for the next phase of Hudson Yards, including new renderings and animations as well as additional testimonials of support. The $12 Billion total project proposal to build Hudson Yards West on top of the undeveloped western rail yards, is a once-in-a-generation commitment that, if approved by City and State officials, would provide significant quality-of-life improvements for the neighborhood and enormous economic opportunity for the entire city.
New Appointments
Rush Street Gaming announced that casino and hospitality veteran Cliff Ehrlich has joined the company as its chief operating officer. Ehrlich assumes the role of Rush Street COO from Bill Keena, a longtime company and industry leader, who plans to retire later this year. Ehrlich’s career began in marketing at the Catskills’ Pines Resort Hotel in the 80s and transitioned in the 90s to casino development and operations. In 1996, he became co-owner of the Monticello Raceway and helped recruit the Oneida Indian Nation to build a casino on the property. Since 2022, Ehrlich has been Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise’s chief operating officer, with oversight of four casinos, a resort destination hotel, travel plaza and food & beverage manufacturing.
Wanna.com, in August, announced the appointment of Chuck Bowling, former President and COO at MGM Resorts International, to its Board of Directors. With an impressive career overseeing prestigious properties such as the Mandalay Bay, Delano, Four Seasons Las Vegas and Luxor, Mr. Bowling brings a wealth of experience and strategic insight to the burgeoning enterprise. As Wanna.com prepares for its initial launch in approximately 25 to 30 states, Mr. Bowling’s extensive expertise in hospitality and gaming will be instrumental in guiding Wanna.com and Wanna Parlay, through this exciting phase of growth and development.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – August 26-September 1 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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