Canada
Flop, turn, river; how has US gambling evolved in the last five years?
Gambling has been a part of American culture since the colonial era. Would you believe that the first recorded gambling activity in the US was purportedly in 1620 when the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock and held a public lottery to finance their colony.
Safe to say then, gambling has been a popular pastime in the US, particularly considering the strength of their sporting industries, which are bastions of the continent’s financial and social landscape.
The federal government had a strict stance on gambling, and it was mostly illegal except for a few states like Nevada. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) prohibited states from authorizing sports betting, with a few exceptions.
But in May 2018, in the case Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, the US Supreme Court overturned a federal ban on sports betting, which had been in place since 1992. The decision declared PASPA unconstitutional, giving individual states the power to legalize and regulate sports betting as they see fit.
The move to legalize sports betting has had a significant impact on the gambling industry. It has opened up a new market for sports betting, creating opportunities for casinos, sportsbooks, and online betting platforms, much like casino sites and affiliates in the UK that have been legal in the UK for many years.
This year’s Super Bowl was the first played in a state — Arizona — with legal sports gambling and online sportsbooks reportedly received 100 million “pings” through betting apps during the game, bringing in an estimated $1 billion.
This leap in activity has been pounced on by major sports leagues too, sportsbook sponsorship driving overall NFL sponsorship revenue to a record $1.8 billion in the 2021 season.
Thirty three states, including Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico have legalized the practice and reaped billions of dollars of previously untapped revenue. In fact, the American Gaming Association estimates that the sports betting market could be worth up to $150 billion annually.
Online sports wagering is available in 23 states and one territory.
The legalisation of sports betting has not only created new revenue streams for the gambling industry but also for the economy as a whole. Casinos and sportsbooks have created jobs in local communities, with some states experiencing a surge in tourism. Moreover, the tax revenue generated from sports betting has been significant. For example, in New Jersey, sports betting has generated over $100 million in tax revenue since its legalization in 2018.
The Supreme Court’s decision on sports betting has also paved the way for the legalisation of online gambling, which had previously been illegal in most states. But now, several states have since opened their doors to it, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Online gambling has become a popular option for many people, and it has the potential to generate significant revenue for states that legalise it.
While there have been many positive economic effects, it has also raised concerns about its social impact. Gambling addiction is a serious problem that affects millions of people worldwide, and some fear that the legalization of gambling could exacerbate the problem. However, states that have legalized gambling have implemented measures to address gambling addiction, such as education programs and support groups.
Despite the potential benefits of gambling legalisation, there are still those who oppose it. Some religious groups argue that gambling is immoral and should be banned, while others fear that it could lead to an increase in crime and other social problems.
“The legalization of sports gambling requires an important policy choice, but the choice is not ours to make,” Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. wrote in the case’s decision, highlighting the moral imperative behind the choice to gamble or to not.
Ironically, the states that are furthest away from permitting online sports betting may be the three biggest states by population: Texas, California and Florida. Texas could possibly legalize in the near future but there has been pushback from the state officials, including Governor Greg Abbott.
California and Florida have had difficulty passing legislation due to Native American tribes, which see the emergence of gambling legalisation as a siphon into their profits. This battle in particular could be one to monitor in the coming months and years. Challenges have already begun in the relations between casino operators opening in states where Native American operations have historically held the monopoly.
However, supporters of gambling legalization argue that it can be regulated and controlled, and that the benefits outweigh the risks. The increased cash flow would bring in funding for essential public services like healthcare and education.
It’s clear that this is a new era for the industry in the US. With more states expected to legalise sports betting and online gambling, the industry is poised for significant growth.
In a recent interview with The Conversation, Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, said roughly 25% of American adults bet on sports, up from 15% before the Supreme Court ruling.
Does that mean that even when more states legalise the practice, will a significantly higher percentage of the US population start and continue betting or has the ceiling been reached?
“I think it’s changing the market in a lot of ways,” Whyte said, “but my guess is it’s mainly to increase the intensity – and associated risk of problem gambling – among fans that were already engaged fans.”
The future of gambling in the US is still uncertain, with debates about its social impact and regulation ongoing. Where the UK is arguably reeling back in the power gambling companies hold over advertising and market activity through the government’s upcoming White Paper, the US is taking off.
As the industry continues to evolve, it will be essential to strike a balance between economic benefits and social responsibility but one things for certain, the US has a baked-in love for gambling and given the stratospheric success of sportsbooks across the nation since the 2018 ruling, it is unlikely to dampen anytime soon.
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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has updated several lottery policies to remove the cap on seller commission for Paper Raffles and Media Bingo, along with removing the prohibition on Catch the Ace paper lotteries, to align with other charitable lottery products.
Licensed charities may now negotiate commissions directly with sellers and determine commissions, provided they are reasonable and tied to the cost of service provided by the seller.
These updates further the AGCO’s commitment to adopt an outcomes-based regulatory approach and reduce burden for the charitable gaming sector. Local charitable organizations will have greater flexibility to make decisions that best serve their fundraising objectives.
Important Reminders
• Charities must still receive approval for other expenses incurred under their licence and retain receipts for seller commission paid.
• Licensing authorities will not require documentation to be submitted as part of the application process, however, charities are still subject to audit to determine compliance.
• Charities are reminded of their legal requirement to meet their obligations under the Criminal Code and with respect to conducting and managing a charitable gaming scheme.
• As with all licensed charitable lottery events, charities must take the necessary steps to ensure that they are conducting and managing the lottery event within Ontario.
For charitable gaming-related inquiries, email an AGCO Eligibility Officer at [email protected] or call AGCO Customer Service at 1-800-522-2876, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The post AGCO Removes Cap on Seller Commission for Charitable Lottery Products appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Leading business, technology, finance, and gaming law firm, Segev LLP, is proud to announce its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, Segev has evolved from a bold idea into a multi-jurisdictional firm serving clients across Canada, the U.S., and beyond.
Built for innovation-driven industries, the firm is widely recognized for its work with companies at the forefront of gaming, crypto, technology, and emerging sectors. “Our 10-year anniversary is a defining moment,” said Founding Partner, Ron Segev. “It’s a testament to the strength of our team and our culture of teamwork, self-improvement, and growth – all of which is directed at scoring wins for our great clients.”
As industries like fintech, crypto, iGaming, and AI have matured, so has the firm, often in parallel with its clients. “We’ve all grown together with our clients from one success to the next, whether it be helping clients complete financings or helping them close business,” said Managing Partner Alon Segev. “I look forward to continued growth for us and our clients in the next 10 years!”
The firm’s client-first approach has consistently earned recognition from top legal ranking guides. Segev LLP is ranked by Chambers and Partners as a “Leading Firm” and “Band-1” in Canada for Gaming Law and are also recommended by The Legal 500 and Lexology. These rankings reflect the team’s ability to deliver strategic, high-quality legal solutions that align with their clients’ business goals.
Recognized for their unique ability to exceed expectations and deliver out-of-the-box solutions, Segev LLP’s clients have affirmed: “The firm demonstrates its capability not only to understand complex matters, but also to offer solutions that are practical, pragmatic, and value-adding.”
“Segev possesses outstanding resources and maintains global partnerships, enabling it to deliver precise and informed responses to any queries related to the iGaming industry.”
“Epic service, very good, I won the case!”
“Great service, friendly atmosphere, and support.”
Several Segev team members also reflected on the milestone: “There was a moment early in my time here when I realized I wasn’t just being brought in to help; I was expected to contribute, take initiative, and run with big ideas. That stuck with me,” said Negin Alavi.
“Together with our clients, [Segev] has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade. I’m honored to have contributed to this journey and to celebrate these shared successes,” said David McHugh.
“Segev has cultivated a thriving law practice on the principle that challenges are to be embraced as opportunities. The approach has enabled us to grow as lawyers, but more importantly, it has enabled us to ensure the success of our clients,” said Mark Balestra.
“Since joining through Segev’s Ontario expansion, I’ve had the chance to work alongside some of the sharpest and most collaborative lawyers in the gaming space,” added Manav Bhargava. “As a full-service firm and industry leader, Segev stands out for its ability to support innovative businesses with practical, forward-thinking legal advice.”
Segev LLP will commemorate the anniversary with a series of internal and external initiatives throughout the remainder of the year.
The post Segev LLP Celebrates 10 Years of Business-Focused Legal Innovation appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Incentive Games, a leading B2B games provider, is proud to announce that it has been awarded an Ontario Gaming License by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), effective today. This achievement enables the company to offer its portfolio of real-money games to licensed operators and players across the province.
The license underscores the Incentive Games’ commitment to meeting the highest standards of compliance, security, and operational excellence. The rigorous application process demands robust security protocols and comprehensive responsible gaming measures and affirms the company’s readiness to enter one of Canada’s most dynamic iGaming markets.
The North American market is a strategic focus for Incentive Games, and this milestone follows closely on the heels of the company receiving its Provisional Michigan gaming licence from the Michigan Gaming Control Board earlier this month.
Incentive Games will distribute its real-money gaming content in Ontario through Incentive Studios, the company’s dedicated Real-Money Gaming division, ensuring a focused and tailored approach to the market.
“Ontario represents a huge opportunity for us, and securing this license is a proud moment for the whole team,” said John Gordon, Chief Executive Officer at Incentive Games. “It reinforces our dedication to meeting the highest standards while delivering compelling real-money content. We’re looking forward to building strong relationships in the region and continuing our momentum across regulated markets worldwide.”
The post INCENTIVE GAMES SECURES ONTARIO GAMING LICENSE appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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