Gambling in the USA
Casinos Across the U.S. Continue to Close as COVID-19 Spreads
More and more casinos across the United States are closing their doors as the nation goes into shutdown following the coronavirus outbreak.
Over the past few days, the rapid spread of the virus has forced millions of citizens to quarantine themselves at home. Offices, hotels, and venues across the country have had to cease operations, unclear when they can open again. The country is facing an economic crisis as a result and the gambling industry could be one of the worst-hit.
Both Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International shuttered their Las Vegas casinos last week. However, full-time employees have been given assurances that salaries will continue to be paid during the period. The move follows recommendations from the CDC to limit public gatherings to no more than 10 people.
Speaking to CNBC, Vegas-based race and sports manager Duane Colucci of Rampart Casino highlighted the industry’s struggle to prepare for such a situation. “It’s so hard to fathom. You can’t prepare for something like this, especially in the race and sportsbook industry,” she said. She hopes that work-from-home regulations will be relaxed to allow casinos to take bets online.
On the east coast, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has closed all casinos, bars, and restaurants in Atlantic City, rendering the popular gambling hub a ghost town.
A move online
Online gambling has managed to continue through the struggles largely unaffected, with many digital casinos accepting US players around the world. Virtual horse racing also continues to operate online, along with certain sporting events in less-affected countries like Mexico and Russia.
Sportsbooks across the country have begun taking bets on all-and-everything in an attempt to pick up the slack. For example, the popular Costa Rican-based betting site Bovada has even been taking bets on the maximum temperature in various U.S. cities.
Sports betting sites like FanDuel and DraftKings are investigating new events on which to take bets. They both took some bizarre wagers on last week’s U.S political debate, including the amount and frequency of Trump’s tweets. Some other online betting sites have come up with some questionable solutions, like hosting simulated versions of real-life sports events that have been canceled.
Across the pond in the United Kingdom, physical casinos are also feeling the pinch. However, with the UK’s more favorable online gambling regulations, many are surviving through their online partner sites. eSports, where players compete entirely online, is another industry that has garnered increased popularity. Many sports betting sites are now enticing players to redirect their bets to eSports as a way to mitigate lost revenue on real-life sports.
A drain on savings
While online gambling might solve the problem of social distancing that COVID-19 presents, it doesn’t solve the problem of dwindling capital in most households. The longer that citizens are kept away from their work, the less likely they are to spend their savings on unnecessary activities. While gambling may be a favorite past-time for many, risky investments tend to reduce significantly during times of crisis.
The overall casino and gambling industry will struggle to survive this outbreak if the lockdown continues for too long. According to the UK paper The Guardian, around 35 companies are currently investigating a COVID-19 vaccine. However, it’s an arduous process that involves several critical testing phases in order to gain regulatory approval.
Annelies Wilder-Smith of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine believes a COVID-19 vaccine will take at least 18 months to develop, under the best possible conditions. During that time there is no telling how far the virus could spread and how devasting the effects on the economy could be.
FanDuel Casino
Wazdan Strengthens US Footprint with FanDuel Pennsylvania Launch
Wazdan has continued to accelerate its North American expansion after going live with FanDuel Casino in Pennsylvania through Light & Wonder’s aggregation platform.
The latest launch marks another important milestone in Wazdan’s growth strategy across regulated US markets, extending the supplier’s partnership with one of North America’s leading online gaming brands. The rollout follows Wazdan’s successful launch with FanDuel in Ontario and Michigan earlier this year and further reinforces the developer’s commitment to delivering engaging gaming experiences to players across the region.
As part of the initial Pennsylvania deployment, FanDuel Casino players will gain access to two of Wazdan’s popular titles, 12 Bells and Hot Slot: 777 Crown. The first wave of content will be followed by additional game releases across several subsequent launch phases, steadily expanding Wazdan’s presence on the operator’s platform.
Powered by Light & Wonder’s industry-leading aggregation technology, the integration provides Pennsylvania players with seamless access to Wazdan’s innovative slot portfolio, renowned for its engaging gameplay and player-first mechanics.
The launch represents another key step for Wazdan, building on the company’s established presence across regulated markets.
Magdalena Wojdyla, Head of Account Management at Wazdan, said: “Launching with FanDuel in Pennsylvania marks another significant step in strengthening our North American footprint and further builds on a successful partnership with one of the industry’s most recognised operators.
“FanDuel’s strong brand, extensive reach and deep understanding of its player base make it an excellent strategic fit for Wazdan. We are delighted to expand our collaboration into another key regulated jurisdiction and look forward to delivering additional content to Pennsylvania players in the months ahead.”
The post Wazdan Strengthens US Footprint with FanDuel Pennsylvania Launch appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Delaware North
Ember Ignites Delaware North’s Next Chapter in Digital Gaming with New Jersey Launch
Delaware North, a global hospitality and entertainment company with a portfolio of casinos and other gaming venues, announced the launch of Ember Casino in New Jersey, marking the first phase of a broader rebrand of the company’s gaming business under a unified brand identity.
The New Jersey debut represents the first step in this transformation as Delaware North transitions its existing digital gaming operations from the Betly brand to Ember across current and future markets. Additional brand integrations and market expansions are planned throughout the year as Ember becomes the unified identity for the company’s gaming portfolio.
“Ember represents the next chapter for our gaming business. We are building a connected platform that integrates our digital and brick-and-mortar expertise, creating a seamless experience for players while positioning us for long-term growth in highly competitive regulated markets,” said Jason Gregorec, president of gaming for Delaware North.
New Jersey, one of the nation’s most established and competitive iGaming markets, serves as the launchpad for Ember’s broader rollout strategy. In 2025, online casinos in the state generated nearly $2.9 billion in gross gaming revenue, reflecting continued growth in internet gaming. The performance underscores the scale and opportunity within the sector as Ember enters the market.
As part of the launch, Ember is introducing a Play to Earn promotion designed to reward early player engagement. Players who register and participate will have the opportunity to earn entries for a chance to win a Toyota GR86, a Ford Mustang or a Ford Bronco, with a series of vehicle giveaways planned during the platform’s initial launch period. The promotion introduces players to the new Ember experience while reinforcing the brand’s focus on engagement and value.
Ember Casino is powered by leading online gaming platform and services provider Playtech. The platform features Playtech’s responsible gaming solutions, including BetBuddy, along with a diverse portfolio of content that includes slots and live dealer games, supported by high-quality streaming and real-time gameplay designed to deliver an engaging and reliable player experience.
In recent months, Delaware North has expanded relationships with leading online gaming content providers, including IGT, White Hat Studios, and Light and Wonder, leveraging those partnerships to support the Ember launch in New Jersey and future markets. The company also works with Vegas Kings for platform design and AquireBet for user acquisition and experience optimization.
“Our mission has always been to deliver exceptional experiences. These partnerships are fueling our expansion in the digital gaming space with the same level of precision, personalization and innovation our players have come to expect,” said Lee Terfloth, chief interactive gaming officer for Delaware North.
Delaware North’s broader gaming portfolio includes properties across seven states and Australia, including the superregional Southland Casino Hotel in Arkansas. The company also serves as developer and gaming and hospitality consultant for the Catawba Nation’s $1 billion casino resort project in North Carolina.
The launch of Ember Casino in New Jersey positions Delaware North for sustained growth in digital gaming, uniting its hospitality legacy with a modern, scalable online platform built for expansion across regulated markets.
The post Ember Ignites Delaware North’s Next Chapter in Digital Gaming with New Jersey Launch appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Gambling in the USA
SkillOnNet rolls out Ready Play Gaming slots in Ontario, Canada and Mexico
SkillOnNet has launched Ready Play Gaming’s slot portfolio across Ontario, Canada and Mexico, with additional international markets planned to follow later this year.
The content is now available across SkillOnNet’s iGaming brands including PlayOJO, PlayUZU, Slingo, Mega Casino and LuckyNiki.
Titles going live include Ready Play Gaming’s Reel Jackpots series, including Reel Bingo and Reel Triple, which the studio describes as “soft slot” experiences aimed at the bingo generation.
Jani Kontturi at SkillOnNet said: “We are proud to welcome Ready Play Gaming as we continue to strengthen our global content offering with innovative and high-performing studio partners. In a crowded market, they’ve focused on building games with personality and strong entertainment value, and we believe that’s exactly the kind of content today’s players respond to.
Christoph Härtel, COO at Ready Play Gaming said: “Partnering with SkillOnNet is a major milestone for Ready Play Gaming as we continue to expand our international footprint. SkillOnNet’s strong presence in regulated markets and extensive operator network make them an ideal partner to help bring our games to even more players globally.”
The post SkillOnNet rolls out Ready Play Gaming slots in Ontario, Canada and Mexico appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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