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Gambling in the USA

Pennsylvania Skill Congratulates Casinos on $504 Million in April Revenue

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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.”

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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.

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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.

 

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Gambling in the USA

Rush Street Appoints Susan Foster as General Manager of Rivers Casino Philadelphia

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Rush Street Gaming announced that international gaming executive Susan Foster has been appointed general manager of Rivers Casino Philadelphia.

“Having worked in various gaming jurisdictions in America and several other countries, I’m both an advocate for and an example of the tremendous opportunities casino gaming provides. I’m very excited to be back in Pennsylvania at such a dynamic property,” Foster said.

Foster began her casino career as a table games dealer in the UK, Nigeria, and the Bahamas. She later spent 14 years in Mississippi at Grand Casino & Resort and Bally’s Entertainment, where she led table games and poker operations. She then served as director of table games for Odawa Casino in Michigan, before accepting her first Pennsylvania job with Harrah’s Philadelphia.

While at Harrah’s, Foster received Caesars Entertainment’s highest award for excellence in leadership. Thereafter, Foster transitioned from the gaming floor to casino operations in 2015 with Hollywood Casino, where she served as vice president of operations at multiple Penn Entertainment properties for nearly a decade. Her direct responsibilities included the performance and operations of slots, table games, poker, food and beverage, environmental services, security, facilities, and various hotels.

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Foster joined Rivers Casino Philadelphia in April 2024 as assistant general manager. She succeeds Eric Althaus, who recently departed the Philly property.

“Susan’s broad worldview of gaming operations has significantly benefited Rush Street since she joined last spring. Her history and familiarity with the southeastern PA gaming market has proven to be a great advantage for Rivers Philly,” Tim Drehkoff, CEO of Rush Street Gaming, said.

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Gambling in the USA

National Council on Problem Gambling Launches Tribal Advisory Council

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The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), the only national nonprofit organization that seeks to reduce the economic and social costs associated with gambling addiction, has launched the Tribal Advisory Council. While NCPG has worked with Tribal gaming entities for many years, the formation of the Tribal Advisory Council represents a deeper level of collaboration to address matters of responsible gambling and problem gambling that are of importance to Native American communities.

The Tribal Advisory Council seeks to increase awareness and respect for Native cultures as they relate to all facets of gambling so that these cultural practices can help other Native and non-Native communities. The Advisory Council will provide expertise and momentum for NCPG’s culturally specific work while recognizing the importance of Native American history and sovereignty in consultation with Native American leaders and experts.

“Our work with tribes is based on a deep respect for Tribal sovereignty and our core values of neutrality, collaboration, respect and credibility. We have a responsibility to listen and learn, as well as the opportunity to share our knowledge as we seek to reduce the social costs of gambling addiction and improve health and wellness in all communities. The relationships and partnerships we have forged over the years are the strong foundation for this exciting new project,” said Keith Whyte, NCPG Executive Director.

To help facilitate the work of the Tribal Advisory Council, NCPG has partnered with Valerie Spicer and Sheila Morago of the Trilogy Group. The Trilogy Group is a Native American-owned and operated organization with over 50 years of combined experience in governmental affairs, business, economic development, and Tribal gaming.

“We applaud the formation of the NCPG’s Tribal Advisory Council and look forward to supporting stronger connection with the Tribes. This work acknowledges the significance of Tribal Gaming in the gambling sector, the impacts of Tribal gaming on communities, and ways we can support finding balance in helping people heal from gambling-related harm respectfully amid the complexity,” said Valerie Spicer, Trilogy Group Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer.

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Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – July 8-14

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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

The CT Lottery has launched its iLottery platform. Players can participate in the fun of online lottery and their favourite draw games by visiting ctilottery.org or by downloading the CT Lottery mobile app on the iOS platform (Android app to follow next month). The app comes with exciting new features that allow players to personalise their lottery experience, such as saving favorite numbers and wagers, grouping preferred games for easy purchasing and setting limits for wagering and time spent on the app.

Talking Stick Resort, an enterprise of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC), announced that it was named “Best Casino” in azcentral.com’s 2024 Community Choice Awards. The casino-resort was nominated along with three other casino properties in the Valley by the public as part of the East Valley, Best of the Desert portion of the awards programme.

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International Game Technology PLC announced that IGT PlayDigital recently added the highly anticipated Prosperity Link game to its iGaming content library in the US. This development makes the widely recognised casino game available for commercial iGaming operators in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, Connecticut and West Virginia.

Raketech has announced that the Company has reached an agreement to divest its non-core US advisory business. The total sale proceeds amount to USD 2.25 million settled partially on closing and via an ongoing revenue share agreement.

Partnerships

NetBet Mexico and popular online gaming provider Octoplay have announced an agreement that will make Octoplay’s games available for NetBet Mexico customers to enjoy. Despite only being founded in 2022, Octoplay has rapidly established itself as an influential member of the iGaming industry, developing multiple entertaining and popular slots such as Lollicat, Eternal Clash and Shaolin Panda Chaos Reels – which are among the flagship new Octoplay titles being made available to NetBet Mexico customers.

SCCG Management, a leading global advisory firm in the gaming industry, has announced a sponsorship partnership with Blurify, an award-winning expert in software development with a niche focus on the iGaming sector. This collaboration aims to leverage SCCG’s extensive client partner ecosystem and deep market insights with Blurify’s technological expertise to explore new opportunities and drive innovation in the gaming industry.

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International Game Technology PLC has announced that its subsidiary, IGT Global Solutions Corporation, has signed a seven-year contract with the Colorado Lottery to install all-new world-class products and solutions. The contract is expected to run through July 12, 2032, and includes seven, one-year extension options. As part of the new contract, the Colorado Lottery will receive IGT’s Aurora central system, replacing the current lottery central system.

JCM Global (JCM) has installed its award-winning iVIZION bill validator and ICB Intelligent Cash Box system at the historic Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans. JCM upgraded its UBA bill validator to iVIZION and installed ICB on each of the 620 slots at Fair Grounds. Previously, JCM installed its GEN5 Thermal Printer at Fair Grounds, and now with iVIZION and ICB, the path is open for the property to take full advantage of JCM’s FUZION technology in the future.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – July 8-14 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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