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.
Affiliate says it has upgraded its Media Cruiser platform to support prediction market acquisition as partners expand beyond sports betting and casino.
Media Troopers said it reinforced its focus on prediction markets during the 2026 Bitcoin Conference, held April 27 to April 29 at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
The digital marketing and customer acquisition group said it is seeing demand from long-standing operator partners that are expanding into prediction markets alongside sports betting and casino gaming, and positioned its attendance at the event as an opportunity to engage with platforms operating at the intersection of gaming and crypto.
“We’re seeing sustained demand from our partners in this space,” said Shmulik Segal, Chief Executive Officer at Media Troopers. “Prediction markets are no longer experimental. They’re becoming a meaningful part of the ecosystem, and we’ve been aligning our capabilities accordingly.”
The company said it has updated its infrastructure in recent months to support prediction market traffic across its network, including enhancements to its proprietary marketing technology platform Media Cruiser. Media Troopers said the updates are intended to provide operators with more detailed targeting, audience segmentation, and acquisition strategies.
“Prediction markets live exactly where gaming and crypto meet,” Segal added. “Being at Bitcoin 2026 allows us to connect with the operators and platforms shaping that future.” Media Troopers said it aims to support operators expanding into prediction markets across North America and other markets.
The post Media Troopers highlights prediction markets focus at Bitcoin 2026 Las Vegas appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Affiliate says it upgraded Media Cruiser to support prediction market acquisition as partners expand beyond sports betting and casino.
Media Troopers used the 2026 Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas (April 27–29 at The Venetian Resort) to highlight its growing focus on prediction markets and its work with operators moving into the category.
The affiliate and customer acquisition group said it is seeing demand from existing partners that are expanding into prediction markets alongside sports betting and casino gaming.
Media Troopers said it has updated its infrastructure in recent months to support prediction market traffic across its network. The company also cited enhancements to its proprietary marketing technology platform, Media Cruiser, aimed at “more detailed targeting, audience segmentation, and acquisition strategies.”
“We’re seeing sustained demand from our partners in this space,” said Shmulik Segal, Chief Executive Officer at Media Troopers. “Prediction markets are no longer experimental. They’re becoming a meaningful part of the ecosystem, and we’ve been aligning our capabilities accordingly.”
“Prediction markets live exactly where gaming and crypto meet,” Segal added. “Being at Bitcoin 2026 allows us to connect with the operators and platforms shaping that future.”
The post Media Troopers spotlights prediction market push at Bitcoin 2026 in Las Vegas appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
betting platforms
US Public Health Debate Intensifies as Boston Hosts Landmark Online Gambling Symposium
As scrutiny around online gambling intensifies in the United States, a landmark symposium in Boston is set to bring the issue of public health and regulation into sharper focus.
The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) has announced it will host the country’s first international symposium dedicated to the public health impact of online gambling on April 24, 2026, at Northeastern University.
The event comes amid growing concern over the speed at which digital betting has expanded across the US, particularly in the years following the legalization of sports betting in multiple states.
From Market Growth to Public Health Debate
What began as a state-driven expansion of sports wagering has evolved into a broader ecosystem that now includes:
- Mobile-first betting platforms
- Micro-betting and in-play wagering
- Algorithm-driven and AI-supported betting tools
Public health experts argue that these developments have outpaced regulation, raising concerns about addiction risks, accessibility, and consumer safeguards.
Survey data continues to reflect mixed public sentiment, with a significant portion of Americans expressing concerns over the integrity of sports and the social impact of betting.
Policy Momentum Building Across States
The symposium will also highlight a wave of legislative efforts aimed at tightening controls on the industry. Proposals such as the SAFE Bet Act, alongside state-level initiatives in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Ohio, indicate a shift toward stricter oversight, including potential limits on high-risk betting formats like micro-betting.
Bringing Together Key Stakeholders
The Boston event will gather a broad coalition of stakeholders, including:
- US lawmakers and regulators
- Public health professionals
- Academic researchers specialising in gambling behaviour
- Policy advocates and legal experts
Key discussion points will include the limitations of current responsible gaming models, the need for federal safety standards, and strategies to reduce gambling-related harm.
Legal Pressure Adds to Industry Tensions
The symposium follows recent legal action involving major operators and sports stakeholders, underlining the increasingly complex relationship between rapid market growth and regulatory accountability in the US gambling sector.
As the conversation evolves, the Boston gathering is expected to play a role in shaping how policymakers and stakeholders approach the next phase of online gambling regulation in America.
The post US Public Health Debate Intensifies as Boston Hosts Landmark Online Gambling Symposium appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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