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Louisiana Gaming: Threat From Texas, Plus More Parishes Could Legalize Sports Betting

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If Texas ever approves commercial casinos and sports betting, Louisiana could see a big falloff in gaming revenue, says the Bayou State’s top regulator.

“It’s going to be a huge blow to Louisiana,” Ronnie Johns, Louisiana Gaming Control board chairman, said.

Johns, who is retiring at the end of June after three years as chairman, spoke with Gambling.com in a wide-ranging interview on “The Edge.”

Johns also said additional parishes in Louisiana could approve sports betting within a few years. In addition, he expressed doubt that a tax hike is coming on sports wagering in the state.

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Texas Might Not Expand Gaming Until 2030s: Johns

A 75-year-old former Republican state senator, Johns noted that Louisiana has already gone 35 years with legalized commercial gaming, while Texas still doesn’t have it. Louisiana has since seen the build up of first-rate casino resorts in the state, he noted.

In Texas, sports betting and Las Vegas-style commercial casinos are prohibited. Efforts at the Texas Legislature to expand gaming have been unsuccessful. To date, sports betting is legal in 38 states and Washington, D.C.

Currently, Louisiana benefits from Texans like “Mattress Mack” traveling next door to the Bayou State to gamble. Houston, the fourth most-populated city in the U.S., is only about two hours from Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Johns said he sees gaming expansion happening one day in Texas, the nation’s second most-populated state. However, that might not occur until well into the 2030s because of opposition from anti-gaming lawmakers and others, he said.

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When it does happen, it will have a negative impact on Louisiana.

“We’re predicting a 50% decrease in state revenue, should that happen,” Johns said. “It’s going to be big.”

No Tax Hike On Sportsbooks, Some Parishes Might OK Sports Wagering

During the interview on “The Edge,” Johns also addressed other gaming-related issues facing Louisiana, including:

A national conversation about an increase in sports betting taxes in some states.

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Johns said he has not heard any rumor or discussion about a tax hike in Louisiana on sports wagering.

“Sports betting’s been highly successful in Louisiana,” he said. “It’s actually brought in more money than projected. With that being said, I just don’t see any movement at this time to increase taxes.”

Legalizing sports betting in the nine parishes where it is currently prohibited.

Johns said he anticipates a public vote will occur in some of those parishes to legalize sports betting. Those nine parishes previously rejected sports betting, while 55 parishes approved it.

“I’m not sure that all nine will get there,” he said. “I predict over the next, say, four to five years you could probably have half of those attempting to approve sports betting again.”

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The implementation in Louisiana of online casino gaming, known as iGaming, allowing bettors to play casino games such as slots and craps on their smart phone or computer.

Johns said there is a conversation in the state about the issue, but the casino industry itself is divided — some want it, others don’t. That sort of division makes legislative approval difficult, he said.

“The other aspect is going to be those legislators who view it as an expansion of gaming,” he said. “You’re going to have some pushback from some of the traditional Christian-based organizations, such as the Family Forum here in Louisiana and others who are traditionally anti-gaming.”

More riverboat casinos moving their operations ashore.

Johns said he does not think all 15 riverboat license holders will ultimately build casinos on land. A handful already have moved ashore or are in the process of becoming land-based.

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“I see a point where we’re going to have a number of them do it,” he said. “I don’t think we’ll ever get to the point where all 15 are going to do that. Just from the economic standpoint, is it feasible for them to do that?”

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Are You Watching This?! partners with Optimove to deliver Real-Time fan engagement

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Are You Watching This?!, the leading provider of real-time Sports Excitement Analytics data for global sports, announced a new collaboration with Optimove, the leader in Positionless Marketing.

Are You Watching This?!’s technology empowers operators and sports media companies to present perfectly-timed, emotion-driven engagement through Optimove’s CRM Marketing Hub workflows. RUWT?!’s pre-integrated Excitement Analytics identifies when a game gets thrilling – whether heading into overtime, a no-hitter, or a major upset – and automatically triggers contextual push notifications and personalized campaigns.

As part of the agreement, Optimove will also gain access to MetaBet Odds which allows operators and sports media to display live lines to customers. With RUWT?!’s data feed and Meta Odds embedded into Optimove’s platform, personalized real-time player interactions are instantly supercharged – giving brands the ability to connect with fans at the moments that matter most.

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This integration establishes RUWT?! and Optimove as leaders in event-driven marketing – creating smarter, intuitive, and meaningful fan experiences across multiple platforms.

Are You Watching This?! Founder, Mark Phillip, said: “Partnering with Optimove means they can super-serve their network by helping marketers engage with users at the most impactful moments. Our Excitement Analytics tool understands when sports events are becoming unmissable and drives users to the action – boosting engagement, loyalty, and revenue.”

Optimove’s Adi Dagan, Senior Director of Partnerships, added:We’re thrilled to partner with Are You Watching This?! — a true pioneer in real-time sports excitement. Their data is unmatched and combining it with Optimove’s marketing platform unlocks a new level of contextual, fan-first engagement. Together, we’re giving operators the power to connect with players at the exact moment excitement strikes, driving loyalty and lifetime value”

The post Are You Watching This?! partners with Optimove to deliver Real-Time fan engagement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Belatra signs partnership with Aardvark Technologies

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Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has agreed a new partnership to integrate its portfolio of casino titles onto Aardvark’s software platform.

Aardvark has an exceptional track record of providing specialist omni solutions for online and retail betting recognised for a high-performance transaction engine with extremely high bet acceptance rates. For more than 10 years, Aardvark has expanded its global customer base and offers a huge breadth of online betting content ranging from sports, lotteries and virtual games, to table games, keno and casino games.

Aardvark’s casino offering will now feature a wide selection of Belatra’s standout content including beloved hits Mummyland Treasures, Rise of Zeus, Golden øks, Make it Gold, and the most recent instant game, Mummy’s Mines

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Misha Voinich, Belatra’s Head of Business Development commented: “We’re excited to bring our growing games catalogue to a broader audience through Aardvark Technologies’ network. Our shared philosophy for delivering exceptional gaming experiences makes this the perfect collaboration.”

Arijus Denisovas, Commercial Director at Aardvark Technologies, said: “It’s vital that we always look to enhance our casino offering with the best content available so our partners can present the most engaging titles to their players. Belatra’s library of games is the ideal way for us to build on this belief.”

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Dragonfate’s Favor unleashes Wild power with walking dragons

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Play’n GO unveils Dragonfate’s Favor, a 6×4 video slot where ancient dragons stir and the lost power of the Alpha is yours to command.

In Dragonfate’s Favor, players are transported to a land where dragons once soared and their sanctuary shimmered with power. With the realm lost to time, only the Dragon Amulet can rekindle their might. Now, players join Goldar, the formidable golden guardian, and his fiery Hatchlings on a quest to restore the dragons’ strength and unlock riches buried in myth.

Blending folklore and fire, this game stands out with its narrative cohesion and choice-led gameplay. Three distinct Free Spins paths mirror the dragons’ unique traits, offering replayability and strategy within its 4096 payways.

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The Re-Spins mechanic ignites when Goldar lands fully in view. He becomes a sticky Wild that walks leftward across the reels – a commanding force followed by agile Hatchlings, who may join the fray, overtaking their leader for unexpected wins. These Re-Spins can precede Free Spins, ensuring layered engagement.

Players then choose from three Free Spins modes. Alpha Blessing focuses on Goldar’s might; Hatchling Reward turns to the smaller dragons with walking, multiplying Wilds; and Dragon’s Gift fuses both for maximum impact. This blend of interactivity, character-driven mechanics and volatility choice gives Dragonfate’s Favor lasting appeal.

Players who enjoyed titles such as Raging Rex 2 or Beast of Fire will recognise the studio’s commitment to rich worlds and dynamic mechanics. The walking Wilds and layered volatility recall previous hits, yet Dragonfate’s Favor carves a niche all its own through narrative depth and the interplay between characters on the reels.

Magnus Wallentin, Games Ambassador at Play’n GO said: “Dragonfate’s Favor isn’t just about big wins – it’s about meaningful choices. Players can shape their experience with distinct Free Spins paths, making every game session feel truly unique.”

With walking Wilds, fiery mechanics and character-led gameplay, Dragonfate’s Favor offers a fresh take on fantasy slots – one that players will return to again and again.

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