Gambling in the USA
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – December 14-20
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! It was again an eventful week in the USA, despite the still-active virus attack.
Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news, new partnerships and new acquisitions. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
New Jersey has become the first state in history to post a legal sports betting handle of more than $900 million. NJ sportsbooks generated $931 million in wagers in November, breaking the previous record of $803.1 million set in October and marking the fourth consecutive month the state has set an all-jurisdiction record for handle.
iTech Labs, a testing and certification laboratory for the global online gaming industry, has added Buenos Aires and Panama to its growing list of online gaming jurisdictions. With over 16 years of specialising in the online gaming space, iTech Labs has built a solid place for itself in the industry, with many of the world’s leading online gaming companies turning to iTech Labs for their certification needs.
Further to the announcement on December 11 from the Ontario provincial government that certain businesses in certain regions, such as casinos, will be restricted further for indoor gathering limits, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation has suspended the gaming operations at Elements Casino Grand River from December 13. Currently, only seven of the Company’s 26 properties are open with the 5 Ontario properties operating with a guest capacity of fifty, Casino New Brunswick operating with 25% of pre-closure capacity, and Casino Nova Scotia Sydney operating with 20% of pre-closure capacity.
Casinos in Pennsylvania have once again been ordered to close their doors as part of the new Covid-19 restrictions in the state. Governor Tom Wolf ordered the casinos to close until January 4. Wolf’s mandate covers other indoor entertainment venues, theatres, museums, gyms and activities in public gathering spaces. Indoor dining at restaurants is also prohibited.
Wind Creek Bethlehem casino closed for the second time this year, but it plans to continue to pay its active employees throughout the three-week shutdown. Wind Creek issued a statement pledging to pay its 1600 “active salaried and tipped employees.” The closure includes the casino, its restaurants and hotel. The Wind Creek Event Centre and Vision bar remain closed. The Outlets at Wind Creek Bethlehem will be open at a reduced maximum capacity of 50% in line with the new state requirements.
New Partnerships
BetWinner has entered into a partnership with ESPN’s flagship programme SportsCenter, a daily national and international sporting events highlights show, to increase its footprint in Brazil. The four-month partnership will see BetWinner’s imagery and QR code appear in the Sportscenter programmes.
FanDuel Group has entered a strategic business deal with The Cage Companies to launch online and retail sportsbooks in South America and the Caribbean. The new relationship brings together Cage’s experience in the region with FanDuel’s premier brand and industry-leading sports betting platform.
Las Vegas-based gambling firm GameCo has entered into a partnership with sports betting solutions company USBookmaking. The partnership will launch the first-ever dedicated esports sportsbook in the US and will be available digitally at Sky Ute Casino Resort for all players in Colorado.
New Acquisition
Genius Sports Group Limited has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Sportzcast, a leading manufacturer of sports scoreboard data distribution systems. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
New Appointment
Lia Nower, JD, PhD, Rutgers University Professor and Director of its Centre for Gambling Studies, has joined the Board of Directors of the National Council on Problem Gambling. Nower is currently Chair of the NCPG Research Committee and has served on several other committees. She is also Director of the Addiction Counselor Training Certificate Programme in the Rutgers School of Social Work and a research affiliate with the Gambling Treatment Unit at the University of Sydney Brain and Mind Centre.
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CEO of Expanse Studios
Expanse Studios (GMGI) Enters the U.S. Sweepstakes Market
North American Expansion Kicks Off Through Strategic Partnership with Moozi
Golden Matrix Group’s game development division, Expanse Studios, has officially entered the U.S. sweepstakes market, marking a significant milestone in its North American growth strategy. This move is powered by a strategic content partnership with Moozi, one of the most dynamic sweepstakes social casino platforms in the region.
With Moozi now featuring over 50 of Expanse Studios’ top-performing games—including immersive slots, crash games, and table games—this partnership positions GMGI to capture a share of the $5.6 billion U.S. sweepstakes market, projected to more than double to $11 billion by 2025 (Eilers).
Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios, commented:
“This partnership signifies our formal entry into the U.S. market, showcasing the innovation and player-first experiences that define Expanse Studios. Collaborating with Moozi enables us to deliver advanced gaming content to a growing audience in North America, a key region for our global growth.”
James Anderson, Moozi’s CCO, added:
“Expanse Studios has set a high bar for engaging and innovative gaming experiences. Their addition to our platform elevates Moozi’s offerings and strengthens our mission to lead the U.S. sweepstakes social casino space.”
This launch underscores Expanse Studios’ commitment to innovation and its long-term growth trajectory in regulated markets. By entering the North American sweepstakes market, Expanse Studios takes a bold step in expanding its footprint while delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences.
Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG)
Arizona’s Tribal Gaming Contributions Reach $42.5 Million in Q2 FY2025
The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has announced an impressive $42,508,200 in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2025. This milestone reflects the continued growth and success of the state’s tribal gaming industry, achieved through strong collaboration between the state government and tribal communities.
A Record-Breaking Year for Tribal Gaming
“This achievement is a testament to the strength of the partnership between Arizona and its tribal communities,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of ADG. “Consecutive record quarters in FY2025 highlight our shared commitment to fostering a thriving gaming industry. Since FY2004, total tribal contributions have exceeded $2.3 billion, significantly benefiting the state and its residents.”
Supporting Arizona’s Communities
The Arizona Benefits Fund receives 88% of tribal gaming contributions, channeling these funds into key areas that directly impact the state’s residents and natural resources. The Q2 FY2025 contributions will be allocated as follows:
- Instructional Improvement in Schools: $21,186,087
- Trauma and Emergency Services: $10,593,043
- Wildlife Conservation: $3,026,584
- Tourism Promotion: $3,026,584
- Problem Gambling Education, Treatment, and Prevention: $850,164
- ADG Operating Costs: $3,825,738
These contributions reflect the state’s commitment to using tribal gaming revenue for meaningful community support, from enhancing education and emergency services to preserving wildlife and promoting tourism.
A Growing Gaming Landscape
Arizona currently hosts 26 Class III casinos, regulated under the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact. These casinos contribute a percentage of their gross gaming revenue to the Arizona Benefits Fund as well as to cities, towns, and counties. This model of tribal-state collaboration has proven instrumental in bolstering local economies and funding critical programs.
About the Arizona Department of Gaming
Founded in 1995, ADG is Arizona’s regulatory authority overseeing tribal gaming, racing, event wagering, and more. Beyond regulation, ADG is deeply committed to problem gambling education, offering support and resources to affected individuals and families through its Division of Problem Gambling and 24-hour helpline, 1-800-NEXT-STEP.
Looking Ahead
As tribal gaming contributions continue to break records, the partnership between Arizona’s government and tribal communities stands as a model for sustainable growth and mutual benefit. These contributions not only fuel essential state programs but also underscore the lasting value of collaboration in driving economic and social progress.
For a detailed breakdown of contributions by year and further information, visit the Arizona Department of Gaming’s official website.
Delaware North
Industry veteran joins North American operator as chief interactive gaming officer to drive growth in iCasino states and efficiencies in its online sportsbook
Delaware North, a global hospitality and entertainment company with a significant gaming division, has named industry veteran Lee Terfloth as chief interactive gaming officer as it pushes ahead with ambitious plans for its digital offering.
Terfloth has an impeccable track record across some of the biggest land-based and online gaming operators in North America, including Borgata, Resorts Digital, Hard Rock and, most recently, Prime Sports, where he was chief executive officer.
As chief interactive gaming officer at Delaware North, Terfloth will be responsible for two core objectives: Expanding the operator’s Betly mobile sportsbook and casino brand into additional iGaming states while also reviewing its sportsbook business to improve operational efficiency.
The appointment of Terfloth comes hot on the heels of news that Delaware North has chosen to migrate to Playtech’s powerful online sportsbook and casino platform in the states of Ohio, Arkansas, Tennessee and West Virginia.
Jason Gregorec, president of Delaware North’s gaming division, said:
“Lee Terfloth is a high-caliber senior iGaming executive who has played a key role in launching and growing interactive gaming divisions at some of the most established and renowned gambling operators in North America.
“We are delighted to be able to leverage this experience and knowledge as we ramp up our own online gaming division via our Betly brand, which has already gained traction in key online sports betting and iGaming states such as Ohio, Arkansas, Tennessee and West Virginia.
“I’d like to officially welcome Lee to the team and look forward to working with him as we deploy our ambitious plans for online gaming across regulated U.S. states,” Gregorec said.
Lee Terfloth, chief interactive gaming officer at Delaware North, added: “I’m thrilled to join Delaware North at a pivotal time for the business as it shifts up a gear with its activity in the online gaming space.
“Betly is an incredibly strong brand and now that we are migrating to the Playtech platform, we have the technological foundation to really level up our activity in terms of markets and the quality of the experience we offer to players.
“I have plenty of experience working with operators at this stage in their lifecycle and look forward to working with the incredible team we have in place to not only meet but exceed the goals the business has set for its interactive division,” Terfloth said.
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