Gambling in the USA

Casinos Across the U.S. Continue to Close as COVID-19 Spreads

Published

6 years ago

March 26, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

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.

BetMGM

BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Bring Luxury Lifestyle to North American iGaming

Published

7 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

betmgm-and-fashiontv-gaming-group-bring-luxury-lifestyle-to-north-american-igaming

BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, has officially partnered with FashionTV Gaming Group to launch a curated portfolio of luxury-branded games. This strategic collaboration marks the entry of FashionTV’s iconic aesthetic into the North American iGaming market, exclusively through BetMGM’s platforms.

The partnership merges FashionTV’s global prestige in the worlds of fashion and high-society entertainment with BetMGM’s award-winning digital casino infrastructure.

Immersive Luxury Table Games

The initial rollout features two high-gloss table games designed to provide players with an “immersive, lifestyle-driven” experience that mirrors the sophistication of the FashionTV brand.

FashionTV Blackjack: A premium take on the casino classic, featuring refined visual assets and high-end production values.
FashionTV Roulette: A sleek, stylized version of the iconic wheel, bringing a “fashion-forward” energy to every spin.

The titles are currently live in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with a wider rollout planned for all jurisdictions where BetMGM Casino is active.

Strategic Vision and 2026 Roadmap

For BetMGM, the partnership is part of a broader “branded content” strategy that includes previous successes with major TV and movie franchises.

“At BetMGM, we have redefined what it means to deliver entertainment in iGaming,” said Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming at BetMGM. “By partnering with FashionTV Gaming Group, we’re creating experiences that go beyond gameplay and connect players to the brands they love.”

Moshe Cohen, Founder & President of FashionTV Gaming Group, added: “BetMGM’s leadership and scale make them the perfect partner to transform our vision into a North American success story.”

Looking ahead, BetMGM has confirmed that additional FashionTV-branded titles—including slots and potentially live dealer variants—will be released throughout 2026 as part of an expanding content pipeline.

The post BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Bring Luxury Lifestyle to North American iGaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BetMGM

BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Unite to Bring Luxury and Style to iGaming

Published

7 hours ago

January 6, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

betmgm-and-fashiontv-gaming-group-unite-to-bring-luxury-and-style-to-igaming

Partnership brings FashionTV Gaming Group to North America with exclusive branded games

BetMGM, a leading sports betting and iGaming operator, announced a partnership with FashionTV Gaming Group, to launch a portfolio of FashionTV-branded games exclusively on BetMGM Casino platforms. This strategic collaboration brings Fashion TV’s global luxury aesthetic together with BetMGM’s award-winning online casino experience.

“At BetMGM, we have redefined what it means to deliver entertainment in iGaming. By introducing iconic TV and movie titles to iGaming and now partnering with FashionTV Gaming Group, we’re creating experiences that go beyond gameplay and connect players to the brands they love,” said Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming at BetMGM.

Moshe Cohen, Founder & President of FashionTV Gaming Group, said, “We are proud to bring FashionTV’s luxury lifestyle universe to the heart of online gaming in North America. BetMGM’s leadership and scale make them the perfect partner to transform our vision into a North American success story.”

FashionTV-branded table games offer players an immersive, high-gloss experience that merges casino action with the style, sophistication, and global prestige of FashionTV. FashionTV Blackjack and FashionTV Roulette are now available to play at BetMGM Casino in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and will be available in all jurisdictions where BetMGM Casino is live soon. Additional titles will be released throughout 2026.

FashionTV, broadcast in over 200 countries and reaching billions of viewers worldwide, stands as the definitive voice of global luxury. With unmatched reach across television, digital, and social media, FashionTV continues to captivate audiences through its celebration of fashion, travel, and high-society entertainment.

BetMGM’s award-winning online casino is home to over 5,400 titles across North American markets and one of the largest state-by-state exclusive progressive jackpot networks. BetMGM’s jackpot network currently consists of over 25 games including popular titles such as MGM Grand Millions, Bison Fury, and 15 Lanterns. Players can earn BetMGM Rewards Points and Tier Credits by playing at BetMGM Casino. BetMGM Rewards points can be redeemed for digital bonuses, MGM Rewards Points, and Marriott Bonvoy Points.

As BetMGM continues to expand into new markets and introduce new features, responsible gaming remains a key focus. Additionally, BetMGM is proud to provide resources to help customers play responsibly including GameSense, an industry leading program, developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Through the integration within BetMGM’s mobile and desktop platforms, customers can receive the same GameSense experience they have grown to rely on at MGM Resorts properties nationwide. This complements BetMGM’s already existing responsible gambling tools which serve to provide customers with an entertaining and safe digital experience.

The post BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Unite to Bring Luxury and Style to iGaming appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

California

CGCC Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) Meeting: Jan 20, 2026

Published

9 hours ago

January 6, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

cgcc-gaming-policy-advisory-committee-(gpac)-meeting:-jan-20,-2026

The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) has scheduled a meeting of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) for 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

The committee is established under Business and Professions Code Section 19817 to provide advisory recommendations to the Commission on regulatory policy, with a specific focus on integrity and problem gambling.

Meeting Attendance Information

The meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and remote participation.

In-Person Location: 2399 Gateway Oaks Drive, Hearing Room 100, Sacramento, CA 95833.
Virtual Access: Zoom Meeting Link
Phone Access: 1-888-475-4499 (Toll-free) | Meeting ID: 285 757 8614

Key Agenda Items

The agenda focuses on internal governance, regulatory controls for third-party providers, and administrative updates:

GPAC Roles and Responsibilities: A review of the mission statement, adherence to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, and expectations for member conduct and responsiveness.
Current Projects: Update and discussion on Third-Party Providers of Proposition Player Services (TPPPS) – Internal Controls, led by subcommittee members Kirill Yermanov and Michael Hill.
New Discussion Items:
- Third-Party Provider Employee Table Coverage.
- Procedures for Lost or Damaged Employee Badges.
Administrative Updates: An update on the Category G vacancy (Public Member with accounting/business background).

2026 Committee Composition

The committee consists of 10 members (expanding to 12 if pending legislation like AB 77 is finalized), split equally between the cardroom industry and the public.

Member Name	Category / Role	Term Expiry
Trevor Dewar	Category A (Bureau of Gambling Control)	12/31/2026
Sosha Marasigan-Quintero	Category B (Problem Gambling/Addiction)	12/31/2026
Michael Hill	Category C (TPPPS Representative)	12/31/2027
David Fried	Category D (Cardroom with 25+ Tables)	12/31/2026
Michael Koniski	Industry Representative	—
Emmanuel Macalino	Industry Representative	—
Linda Ng	Public Representative	—
John Stacy	Industry Representative	—
Kirill Yermanov	Public Representative	—