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Gambling in the USA

Pennsylvania Sportsbooks Surpass $2 Billion in Lifetime Bets, But Cancellations Weigh on Future, According to PLAYPENNSYLVANIA

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A busy February pushed Pennsylvania’s retail and online sportsbooks past $2 billion in wagers since the industry was launched. But with every major U.S. sport suspended indefinitely, the immediate future for Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks and online casinos is far less certain, according to analysts from PlayPennsylvania.

“The next few months are impossible to predict until we get a better handle on how long the coronavirus will affect, not just sports and the gaming industry, but all of daily life,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. “The immediate outlook of sportsbooks is secondary right now. But there is little doubt that the industry will be affected significantly, at least in the short-term.”

Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks produced $329.8 million in wagers, just short of the $348.4 million record set in January, according to official data released Wednesday. Pennsylvania has now collected $2.1 billion in online and retail wagers since the state’s industry was born in January 2019. By doing so, the Keystone State joined Nevada and New Jersey as the only states to have crossed the $2 billion threshold.

February’s handle produced $4.7 million in gross revenue, down from January’s record $31.6 million. Sportsbooks rebounded from a $3.3 million loss on the Super Bowl, which generated $30.7 million in bets. The revenue resulted in a $1.6 million injection into state coffers. Online betting produced $294.1 million, or 89.2%, of the state’s February handle. The online handle generated $4.7 million in gross revenue, providing all of the state’s taxable revenue.

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That revenue will be difficult to replace over the next few weeks.

“Revenue from online casinos should help fill in the gaps, at least in part, while sportsbooks and land-based casinos feel the impact from COVID-19,” Gouker said. “In New Jersey, online casino revenue already tops $50 million per month, and revenue could really leap forward in Pennsylvania, too. But it will be impossible to completely replace all the revenue lost from the sports world going dark.”

FanDuel Sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino dominated the online market with $138.5 million in February bets, down from $153.1 million in January. That yielded $146,080 in taxable revenue.

Rivers-Philadelphia’s $7.2 million handle, down from $7.4 million in January, led the retail market. That yielded $383,793 in revenue, down from $1.1.

“After a slow start, Pennsylvania sportsbooks have continually matured into the market that we all thought it would be when the state first legalized sports betting,” Gouker said. “The state has only begun to scratch the surface of its potential. In fact, Pennsylvania was on track to reach $4 billion in lifetime handle by the beginning of the NFL season. But it would take a quick recovery from the coronavirus outbreak to reach that milestone now.”

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Online casinos

Pennsylvania’s online casinos and poker rooms generated a record $19.5 million in February gross revenue, up from $14 million in January. Casinos and poker generated $672,097 per day in the 29 days of February. February yielded $4.7 million in tax revenue for the state, and online casino games attracted $547.6 million in bets.

“Online casinos have dealt with headwinds that have been more forceful than anything that New Jersey operators have had to face,” Gouker said. “These are mostly just growing pains, and it is a near-certainty that online casinos will take off.”

For more, www.playpennsylvania.com/revenue.

About the PlayUSA.com Network:
The PlayUSA.com Network and its state-focused branches is a leading source for news, analysis, and research related to the market for regulated online gaming in the U.S.

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SOURCE PlayPennsylvania

California Gambling Control Commission

California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives

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Sacramento, CA — In a meeting packed with regulatory updates and licensing decisions, the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) convened on April 24 to advance numerous agenda items impacting the state’s gambling landscape—from tribal gaming approvals to responsible gambling programs and operator renewals.

Problem Gambling & Public Health Takes the Stage

The Commission meeting opened with a presentation by Sosha Marasigan-Quintero from the California Department of Public Health, offering an overview and update on the California Problem Gambling Treatment Services Program. While no specific staff recommendations were provided, the update underscores California’s continued focus on behavioral health in gambling.

Tribal Revenue Distribution Approved

The Commission approved the quarterly distribution of payments from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund to eligible recipient Indian Tribes. This routine, yet vital, procedure ensures the equitable distribution of revenue to support tribal sovereignty and infrastructure across the state.

Cardroom Licensing: Approvals and Extensions

Among key licensing matters:

  • 500 Club Casino (K & M Casinos, Inc.) received both initial and renewal owner-type license approvals through January 2027.

  • Casino Chico, Hollywood Park Casino, and Lake Bowl Cardroom were granted renewals and short-term extensions, some with conditions such as improving record-keeping systems or ensuring regulatory compliance ahead of reopening.

  • Hotel Del Rio & Casino was granted a 60-day extension under several strict conditions, including updated safety plans and the restatement of commingled financial records.

Key Employee Licensing Actions

The Commission approved several initial and renewal key employee licenses. Notably:

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  • Jeffrey Thompson was approved with a condition prohibiting involvement in illegal gambling activities.

  • Kevin Lee and George Rahme received 120-day extensions for renewal processing.

Third-Party Proposition Player Services Under Scrutiny

The Commission approved both initial and temporary licenses for Fortune Players Group, Inc., with a lengthy list of conditions tied to the conduct of a former associate, Rene Medina. These conditions highlight the Commission’s ongoing vigilance in monitoring third-party player services and maintaining compliance across operations.

Progressive Gaming, LLC was also approved for an initial license, further expanding third-party service provider capacity.

Gaming Resource Suppliers & Tribal Approvals

Initial suitability findings for several prominent tribal gaming resource suppliers were approved, including:

  • HCAL, LLC

  • JCM Global

  • Konami Gaming, Inc.

  • PDS Gaming, LLC

Dozens of tribal gaming employees were also approved for key positions at tribal casinos across California, reflecting the Commission’s continued support of tribal gaming operations and the necessary workforce to support it.

Notable Withdrawals and Denials

In two notable cases, requests to withdraw license applications—Josephine Hoang and Jesus Bojorquez—were denied, signaling the Commission’s increased scrutiny and emphasis on applicant accountability.

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A Broader Look Ahead

With regulatory reform on the horizon and ongoing efforts to promote responsible gaming, the April 2025 CGCC meeting showcased a mix of routine license management and deeper engagement with emerging compliance issues. As the Commission prepares for the next quarter, the groundwork laid in this session will likely influence policy developments and enforcement trends across California’s gambling sector.

The post California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 14-20

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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 partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

H. Betti Industries Inc, the leading distributor of amusement and gaming equipment and parts, has announced the appointment of Todd Cravens as President of Betson Gaming. In this expanded leadership role, Cravens will oversee all aspects of its growing gaming division, with a focus on expanding market share, building the product portfolio and accelerating growth in new and existing markets. Since joining the Company in January 2025 as SVP of Gaming, Cravens has made an immediate and measurable impact across the business. His leadership has helped sharpen Betson’s gaming strategy, align the team and focus on new revenue streams, while also bringing operational discipline and strategic vision to other areas of the company.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has initiated investigations into unlicensed sports prediction markets operating within the state. These platforms, which bypass Michigan’s regulatory framework, have raised significant concerns about consumer protections. Michigan’s investigations align with similar actions already taken by other state regulatory bodies and focus on how this form of unlicensed sports betting may jeopardize the integrity of Michigan’s legal sports betting system. The unlicensed platforms offer what they describe as innovative financial products that allow users to trade their predictions on the outcomes of sports events. By sidestepping the regulatory protections of Michigan’s legal sports betting market, these platforms pose a serious risk to consumers. They create potential confusion among bettors and blur the line between sports betting as entertainment and sports betting as a financial trading vehicle.

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Partnerships

Bragg Gaming Group announced the acquisition of a strategic equity stake in, and the signing of an exclusive content partnership with RapidPlay, a specialist Brazilian game development studio renowned for its localised, high-performance online casino content tailored to Brazilian and the broader Latin American market. Under the terms of the agreement, Bragg receives an equity stake in RapidPlay and has entered into an exclusive commercial distribution agreement with RapidPlay at standard market terms. The agreement allows Bragg to integrate and offer RapidPlay’s full content portfolio through its expanding base of licensed Brazilian operators.

PrizePicks has renewed its partnership with the Atlanta Braves, reaffirming its position as the club’s Official Daily Fantasy Sports Partner. This new three-year agreement reinforces the longstanding relationship between the two Atlanta-based powerhouses, building on a successful collaboration that began in 2020. As part of the partnership, PrizePicks branding will be prominently featured throughout Truist Park with a combination of static and LED signage. The company will also retain access to exclusive VIP experiences for business needs and will continue its popular “PrizePicks Pick of the Game” segment, which airs on the Braves Radio Network pregame show before all regular season games.

SCCG Management has become the sponsor of SFT Combat, one of Brazil’s premier MMA promotions. As a long-time client partner, SFT Combat continues to push boundaries in the world of professional fighting, delivering high-quality events that captivate both local and global audiences. The sponsorship reflects a strategic investment in Brazil’s sports and gaming ecosystem, where MMA plays a central role in both cultural identity and entertainment value.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 14-20 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 7-13

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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 partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

WyoLotto’s COO, Robin Medina, has been named to join a national committee to support problem gambling initiatives. The committee is through the National Council on Problem Gambling and will manage the annual selection of nominations and election of the Board of Directors that oversees NCPG. Last year WyoLotto applied for and was accepted to the NCPG and NASPL’s (North American State and Provincial Lotteries) Responsible Gambling Verification Programme. WyoLotto’s Responsible Gambling Programme includes an in depth plan to ensure the organisation honours its commitment to educating players, retailers and the general public about how to gamble responsibly and what to do if gambling becomes a problem for yourself or someone you know.

As Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon moves closer to its highly anticipated grand opening, the company is engaging with the Kern County community through exclusive informational sessions at Bakersfield College’s Renegade Event Room located at 1801 Panorama Drive. The first session, held on April 4, provided local leaders and invited guests with insights into upcoming job and vendor opportunities in the region. The second session took place on April 5 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Job opportunities for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon will be posted on the recruitment site, www.gotoworkhappy.com, starting in May.

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An investigation by the Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) into VGW Luckyland – a subsidiary of the Australian-based VGW Holdings – revealed that VGW Luckyland was operating illegal online gaming. Delaware officials concluded that VGW misrepresented its services as a promotional sweepstakes while enabling players to purchase coins for casino-style games, leading to potential cash winnings. These types of real-money games offered to Delaware residents by an unlicensed entity violate the Delaware Constitution, the Delaware Penal Code and the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act of 2012. With the support of the Delaware State Lottery, DGE issued a cease-and-desist order to VGW.

Partnerships

AC Milan announced a new partnership with Reals, a company renowned for its excellence in Brazil’s sports betting and online gaming market, which will become Official Regional Betting Partner of the Rossoneri’s Club in Latin America. Elected in 2024 as the “Best Sportsbook Operator” in Brazil by SiGMA World – the largest international authority in iGaming – Reals has been consolidating its position in the sector, reinforcing its growing trajectory of ascent. The brand is aligned with the best market practices, presenting sustainable growth based on innovation, strategic partnerships and sports engagement.

Scientific Games’ SciQ retail technology is set to roll out at North Carolina Education Lottery retailers as part of the Lottery’s focus on improving the retail environment for its Scratch-Off games. The company will deploy 1000 SciQ units at lottery retailers across North Carolina. NCEL Scratch-Off games represented more than $2.9 billion in retail sales in fiscal year 2024, anchoring NCEL among the world’s top 15 performing instant game lotteries (La Fleur’s 2024 World Almanac). Offering real-time scratch game inventory management data that amplifies the power of Scientific Games’ SciTrak predictive ordering system used by NCEL, SciQ creates supply chain efficiencies proven to lift scratch game sales.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 7-13 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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