Gambling in the USA
Pennsylvania Skill Congratulates Casinos on $504 Million in April Revenue
Pennsylvania Skill, powered by Pace-O-Matic (POM), applauded the April revenue reports that show the gaming industry in the state made more than $504 million for the third time since April of last year. Pennsylvania gaming grossed nearly $1.7 billion in commercial revenue in just the first three months of 2024, second only to the casino capital of the United States, Nevada.
The funding comes from slot machines, table games, internet gaming, sports wagering, fantasy contests and video gaming terminals (VGTs).
As the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) celebrates yet another big financial month, however, casinos continue to falsely claim their revenue is impacted by skill games.
“We want to know what the revenue number is that casinos need to hit, or the next record they need to break before they stop claiming skill games are competition,” said Mike Barley, chief public affairs officer for POM. “Every month, we read about their incredible revenue gains, and then the casino industry turns around and claims they are losing money because of skill games. Their arguments don’t pass the smell test.”
Instead of battling skill games, Barley said casinos should support legislation sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw and Rep. Danilo Burgos that will regulate and tax skill games. There is bipartisan backing for the legislation that will place guardrails around skill game operations and provide as much as $250 million in skill game state tax revenue in just the first year. Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to see skill game tax revenue as part of his 2024-25 state budget.
Given the casino industry revenue gains so far this year, it is hard to understand why they are crying wolf. “It’s difficult to see how skill games are causing hardship for a billion-dollar industry,” Barley said, adding that there is room for both gambling and skill games in the Commonwealth. Since skill games entered the marketplace, gambling revenue has increased and broken records.
Several courts have ruled Pennsylvania Skill games are legal, including a unanimous Commonwealth Court last year. In addition to providing supplemental income to small businesses, many Pennsylvania Skill games are manufactured in Williamsport, and over 90 percent of the income they generate stays within the local economy and the state.
The baseless accusations, Barley explained, are an assault on small businesses, veterans groups, volunteer fire companies and other fraternal clubs across the state that count on legal skill games to make ends meet. Small business owners with skill games in their establishments are saying the revenue has saved their businesses.
Many of these locations rely on income from skill games to offer competitive wages and benefits to their employees, who are often heads of households supporting their families. This is what struggling families need right now, not another roadblock, Barley explained.
The proposed legislation limits the number of skill games per establishment to no more than five in LCB and lottery-licensed locations and up to ten at fraternal clubs.
Skill game distributors, operators and locations will be licensed and regulated through the Department of Revenue. The Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control & Enforcement and local law enforcement in counties of the first class would be responsible for policing the skill game industry, helping to crack down on illegal games encroaching on communities across the Commonwealth.
“Backing this legislation means speaking up for the little guy – volunteer fire companies, VFW posts, mom-and-pop shops, fraternal clubs, small businesses and their employees. I believe Pennsylvanians can sleep comfortably knowing that the big internationally owned casinos will continue to survive on their record profits.” Barley said.
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
Golden Entertainment Inc. reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30. The Company reported third quarter revenue of $161.2 million, net income of $5.2 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $34.0 million. In addition, on November 5, the Company’s Board of Directors authorised the Company’s recurring quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share of the Company’s outstanding common stock payable on January 7, 2025 to shareholders of record as of December 20, 2024.
Snoqualmie Casino has announced its rebranding to Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel, reflecting an exciting new chapter in the venue’s history as it embarks on a much-anticipated expansion. Set for completion in mid-2025, this project promises to elevate the guest experience, making Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel a premier destination for entertainment, relaxation and culinary excellence. The cornerstone of the expansion is the construction of a luxurious hotel, which will offer guests unparalleled comfort and stunning views of the Snoqualmie Valley and Mount Si.
Galaxy Gaming Inc., the world’s largest independent developer and distributor of casino table games and technology announced, at a special meeting of its stockholders held on November 12, 2024 (the Special Meeting), Galaxy Gaming stockholders voted to approve the Company’s acquisition by Evolution Malta Holding Limited (Evolution), Evolution AB (publ)’s wholly owned subsidiary. Galaxy Gaming will file a Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reporting the final voting results of the Special Meeting.
Caesars Virginia has announced that its highly anticipated opening date will be Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. The resort will welcome its first guests beginning at noon. Additional details on the opening festivities will be announced at a later date. Caesars Virginia is a 587,000 square foot casino resort with more than 90,000 square feet of gaming space.
Partnerships
NGX has entered into a strategic partnership with Sportradar, a global leader in sports integrity solutions, which collaborates with more than 180 sports federations and leagues. The agreement aims to support the Brazilian football federations of Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná and Pará, providing detailed reports to ensure the integrity of sporting events and combat fraud.
EvenBet Gaming has announced the launch of its advanced poker solutions in partnership with JugaMax, one of the largest and most respected casino operators in Paraguay. This strategic collaboration marks EvenBet’s debut in the Paraguayan iGaming market, solidifying the company’s expansion within Latin America. The newly established partnership enables the integration of EvenBet Gaming’s poker offering on the JugaMax platform.
Jackpocket, the leading lottery app in the US, and Barstool Sports announced a new collaboration naming Jackpocket as the “Exclusive & Official Digital Lottery Partner of Barstool Sports”. The deal with Barstool follows Jackpocket’s parent company, DraftKings, announcing a similar agreement with the media company in February 2024. This collaboration centers around the integration of Jackpocket in Barstool’s content. Fans can participate in the lottery alongside some of Barstool’s biggest names such as Dave Portnoy, Big Cat & PFT from Pardon My Take – the leading sports podcast in America, Wallo & Gillie from Million Dollaz Worth of Game and more.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – November 11-17 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Gambling in the USA
Snoqualmie Casino Announces Exciting Rebranding to Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel Ahead of Major Expansion
Snoqualmie Casino has announced its rebranding to Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel, reflecting an exciting new chapter in the venue’s history as it embarks on a much-anticipated expansion. Set for completion in mid-2025, this project promises to elevate the guest experience, making Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel a premier destination for entertainment, relaxation, and culinary excellence.
The cornerstone of the expansion is the construction of a luxurious hotel, which will offer guests unparalleled comfort and stunning views of the Snoqualmie Valley and Mount Si. With a focus on sustainability and modern design, the hotel will feature upscale accommodations, a full-service destination spa, and amenities that cater to both leisure and business travelers. Plus, there are architectural details inspired by Snoqualmie culture from a modern slant roof hotel design representing the original longhouses of the Snoqualmie Tribe’s ancestors to carefully chosen artwork placed throughout for guests to enjoy.
Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel’s destination spa will offer an immersive escape that blends relaxation with the healing power of nature. Nestled in the serene landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, the spa provides a range of rejuvenating treatments. Experience the perfect blend of wellness and nature where luxury, tradition and innovation come together for an incredibly transformative experience.
“It is my honor and privilege to announce that Snoqualmie Casino has now become Snoqualmie Casino and Hotel. Over the past three years, the Snoqualmie Tribe and Casino have been diligently working to bring a one-of-a-kind, world-class hotel to the Snoqualmie Valley,” said Interim CEO Mary Lou Patterson.
In addition, Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel will expand its gaming floor, introducing an array of new options to enhance the entertainment experience for guests. This expansion will include the latest slots, electronic and traditional table games, as well as a dedicated high-limit gaming area for discerning players seeking a more exclusive gaming experience.
One of the highlights of the expansion is the development of a state-of-the-art 2000-seat entertainment and convention center. This versatile venue will host a variety of events, from concerts to conferences, positioning Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel as a key player in the region’s entertainment landscape. With cutting-edge technology and a focus on guest comfort, the center will attract top-tier talent and events, making it a must-visit destination.
In addition to the award-winning Vista Prime Steaks & Seafood, 12 Moons, and Falls Buffet, a new sports bar and grill will be introduced to provide patrons with the ultimate game day experience. Other new dining options, set to open later, will showcase local ingredients and flavors, ensuring a memorable culinary experience for guests.
Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel recently launched a brand-new valet garage. The dual level indoor and outdoor structure, with 600 additional spaces, doubles the previous capacity for valet parking creating easier access into the casino. This is the first piece of new development at Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel that has opened for immediate use. The entire project anticipates creating numerous job opportunities for local residents, contributing to the economic growth of the Snoqualmie area.
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
PENN Entertainment and ESPN announced that account linking between ESPN BET and ESPN is now available for customers, creating an even more deeply integrated media and betting experience. By linking accounts, fans now have the ability to seamlessly track upcoming, live and settled bets within the ESPN app and on ESPN.com. With this product enhancement, ESPN BET will soon bring fans more personalised bets and timely promotions based on their favourite sports, teams, players and fantasy rosters.
Accel Entertainment Inc. has announced that it has completed the acquisition of 85% of the ownership interests of Toucan Gaming LLC and LSM Gaming LLC, two Louisiana-based route operators and owners of multiple licensed video poker establishments (collectively, “Toucan”), for approximately $40 million. The combined business will operate as Toucan Gaming throughout Louisiana and will be led by Stan Guidroz, an industry-leading gaming executive and current CEO of Toucan Gaming. Mr. Guidroz owns the remaining 15% of Toucan’s ownership interests and will lead the Accel team supporting Toucan’s continued growth.
INTRALOT S.A. has announced the undertaking of a new project between the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the sole lottery operator for the Government of British Columbia in Canada, and INTRALOT, its US subsidiary, for the provision of an online lottery platform. The project also includes the digitalisation of the existing land-based network. The solution will be based on the Player X platform, part of the Lotos X ecosystem, and adds to the company’s overall partnership with BCLC, which has been extended until 2028.
BetMGM Poker has become the third US operator to offer multi-state online poker. The company has merged its player pools in Michigan and New Jersey. Both states are a part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, which allows online poker networks to share liquidity and players in participating markets. The two-state network went live Wednesday afternoon after morning maintenance.
Betsson Group has celebrated its success at the SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2024, winning two prestigious awards: Sportsbook Operator of the Year and Leader of the Year, which was awarded to Kevin Saliba, Commercial Director (Business Development) for Latin America. This marks the second consecutive year Betsson has earned the Leader of the Year accolade, following Andrea Rossi’s win in 2023 – an achievement that underscores Betsson’s consistent leadership in the region.
Partnerships
Play’n GO has announced a new operator partnership with renowned gaming brand Hard Rock Digital for their top-rated Hard Rock Bet online casino platform in New Jersey. The Hard Rock brand is synonymous with entertainment worldwide, and this partnership will see Hard Rock Bet players in New Jersey gain access to hit Play’n GO titles such as Piggy Blitz, Book of Dead and Rise of Olympus 100.
SCCG Management, a global leader in gaming innovation and advisory, has announced a strategic partnership with Chata.AI, a technology provider specialising in self-service, proactive analytics that enables businesses to access real-time insights without requiring extensive technical expertise. This partnership introduces Chata.AI’s technology to the gaming industry, providing operators with powerful tools to streamline decision-making and increase operational efficiency.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – November 4-10 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Africa6 days agoSouth Africa: Tribunal Grants Lottoland Interim Relief – Orders Google to Grant Lottoland Access to its Advertising Platform
-
Balkans6 days ago
CT Interactive Shortlisted in Two Categories at BEGE Awards 2024
-
21VIRAL6 days ago
21VIRAL Integrates Air Dice Group Games
-
Balkans6 days ago
NOVOMATIC Presents New Gaming Highlights at the BEGE
-
Latest News6 days ago
Stakelogic Wraps Up Deal with Bet25.dk
-
Amusnet6 days ago
Amusnet Expands Latin American Presence Through Strategic Partnership with bet365 in Peru
-
Chris Christie5 days ago
Chris Christie bets on Texas to approve OSB in 2025
-
Asia5 days ago
Macau Foresees Gaming Revenue Growth to $30 Billion by 2025
