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Sports-Betting Boost Expected With Texas, Oklahoma In SEC

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With the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners now in the Southeastern Conference, legal sports betting soon could jump by double digits in the region, says one bookmaker.
Starting this season, Texas and Oklahoma are in position to challenge for the SEC football championship — and championships across all SEC sports — in a collegiate conference loaded with rich traditions and annual national title contenders.
The Longhorns and Sooners joined the SEC in July. Both moved over from the Big 12.
This new conference (alignment) leads to better games for the book and better opportunities for the player,” Casey Lewless, manager of two Louisiana sportsbooks, told Gambling.com.
Legal sportsbooks in Louisiana are popular with bettors from neighboring Texas and nearby Oklahoma. Sports wagering is illegal in Texas and Oklahoma.
Because of this, the Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City, Louisiana, expects to see a bump of about 30% in college wagering, Lewless said. That sportsbook already was anticipating more action because of its recent expansion.
The Margaritaville sportsbook is one of two in Northwest Louisiana that Lewless manages for Penn Entertainment. The other is at the nearby Boomtown Casino Hotel.
Lewless pointed to Texas’ rivalry years ago with the Arkansas Razorbacks in the former Southwest Conference as a matchup that will stir interest now that both are in the SEC. Sports betting is legal in Arkansas.
Also, every clash between the two Texas SEC schools — the Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies — will stir emotions and boost sports betting in close-by states like Louisiana where wagering is legal, Lewless said.
Sports Betting Illegal In Half Of SEC States
The addition of Oklahoma into the SEC means six of the 12 states with schools in the conference do not have legal sports betting. Texas already had a school in the SEC — Texas A&M.
Those six SEC states make up the largest geographic region in the U.S. without legal sports betting. Combined, the six states have a population of more than 62 million, representing about 19% of the U.S. population.
Nationwide, sports betting is legal in 38 states and Washington, D.C.
The SEC states without legal sports betting are:
  • Texas (Texas Longhorns, Texas A&M Aggies)
  • Oklahoma (Oklahoma Sooners)
  • Missouri (Missouri Tigers)
  • Alabama (Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers)
  • Georgia (Georgia Bulldogs)
  • South Carolina (South Carolina Gamecocks)
  • The other six SEC states have either in-person or mobile sports betting — or both. Tennessee is a mobile-only state, while Mississippi has in-person sports betting at casinos but not off-site mobile wagering.
The SEC states with legal sports betting are:
  • Arkansas (Arkansas Razorbacks)
  • Louisiana (LSU Tigers)
  • Kentucky (Kentucky Wildcats)
  • Tennessee (Tennessee Volunteers, Vanderbilt Commodores)
  • Mississippi (Ole Miss Rebels, Mississippi State Bulldogs)
  • Florida (Florida Gators)
College Football Kicks Off In August
The overall college football schedule kicks off Aug. 24, including a matchup overseas between Florida State and Georgia Tech in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland.
In the SEC, the Oklahoma Sooners, led by head coach Brent Venables, begin their season on Aug. 30 against Temple at OU’s Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium.
The SEC schedule gets fully underway over the Labor Day weekend, highlighted by an Aug. 31 contest between Clemson and Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
On that same day, the Steve Sarkisian-coached Texas Longhorns host Colorado State in Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.
The next day’s schedule, on Sept. 1, features another SEC school, LSU, in a matchup against Southern California in the Vegas Kickoff Classic at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
SEC Divisions Abandoned
The addition of Texas and Oklahoma brings the number of teams in the SEC to 16. This season, the conference football championship will be decided between the top two teams. The 2024 SEC title game is set for Dec. 7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
In previous years, the conference was split into two divisions, with the East and West winners battling it out for for the SEC title.
The 2024 arrangement with no divisions is a departure in the conference structure dating back more than three decades.

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Sports Betting Operator Names Mark McGuinness Editor-in-Chief

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Peter White, Publisher of Sports Betting Operator, has announced the appointment of Mark McGuinness as the publication’s new Editor-in-Chief.

A highly respected figure in the global iGaming, crypto and digital marketing sectors, McGuinness brings more than 30 years of international experience in high-performance marketing, brand strategy and growth leadership across regulated markets in the UK, EMEA and Latin America.

Currently operating as a Fractional CMO and strategic advisor, McGuinness has built a reputation for scaling brands, transforming underperforming channels and delivering measurable commercial impact across B2B, B2C and D2C environments. His expertise spans user acquisition, retention, lifecycle marketing, affiliate and SEO strategy, as well as AI-driven growth initiatives.

In addition to his advisory roles, McGuinness is Co-Founder of the iGaming Roundtable, a fast-growing industry forum designed to foster meaningful, solution-led discussions among senior leaders across the sector.

Peter White, Publisher of Sports Betting Operator, said: “Mark’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Sports Betting Operator. His depth of experience, industry credibility, and forward-thinking approach to marketing, AI, and emerging technologies align perfectly with our vision to deliver authoritative, insightful, and commercially relevant content to the global betting community.”

Mark McGuinness, Editor-in-Chief of Sports Betting Operator, said: “I’m delighted to join Sports Betting Operator at such a pivotal time for the industry. The convergence of AI, data, and player engagement is reshaping the landscape, and there is a clear need for intelligent, honest, and forward-looking editorial. I look forward to working with Peter and the wider network to build a platform that informs, challenges, and connects the industry.”

As Editor-in-Chief, McGuinness will lead the editorial direction of Sports Betting Operator, focusing on high-value content, expert insights and in-depth analysis across sports betting, iGaming, technology and regulatory developments. His appointment signals a continued commitment to innovation, editorial integrity and industry leadership.

The post Sports Betting Operator Names Mark McGuinness Editor-in-Chief appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Amusnet’s Type S27 Slot Cabinets Debut in Ireland

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A new gaming experience has arrived in Ireland. The first Type S27 slot cabinets powered by Amusnet were successfully installed across two Premier Casinos locations by Elite Gaming Distributions (GRUPO ORENES). The machines were deployed across venues in Cork and Dublin, marking the first time this platform has been introduced to players in the country.

The rollout was facilitated by Elite Gaming Distributions (GRUPO ORENES), who partnered with Premier Casinos to bring the latest Amusnet technology to players in Ireland. This launch represents an important step in expanding access to modern, high-quality gaming solutions across the country.

The introduction of the new slot machines brings a fresh selection of engaging content to Irish players. Among the featured titles are 20 Power Hot, Candy Palace, Extra Crown, Bulky Fruits and Diamond Plus, each designed to deliver fast-paced gameplay and vibrant visuals. The installation also includes Jackpot Cards Plus, adding an extra layer of excitement and anticipation for players visiting the venues.

Guillermo Ruipérez, Business Development Manager at Amusnet, said: “Bringing our Type S27 slot cabinets to Ireland for the first time is an important milestone for us. Our partnership with Elite Gaming Distributions Ltd has allowed us to introduce a platform that combines reliable hardware with engaging game content. This launch marks the beginning of what we hope will be a strong and growing presence in the Irish market.”

For Elite Gaming Distributions Ltd (GRUPO ORENES), the launch reflects its continued commitment to enhancing the gaming experience. By working closely with operators such as Premier Casinos, the company continues to introduce new technologies and high-performing content to the market.

Benjamin Fernandez, Head of Sales for Elite Gaming Distributions Ltd, said: “We are delighted to introduce the Type S27 slot cabinets with Amusnet to the Irish market. This rollout in Cork and Dublin represents an exciting step forward, bringing fresh games and new features to players. The early response has been extremely positive, and we look forward to expanding this platform further across additional locations.”

The post Amusnet’s Type S27 Slot Cabinets Debut in Ireland appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Compliance Updates

Ukraine Launches Online Portal for Gambling Licence Applications

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Businesses can now obtain licenses for organising and conducting gambling activities online through the Diia portal, without paper documents or in-person interaction with the state, according to a statement by PlayCity, the state agency regulating Ukraine’s gambling and lottery market.

According to the release, applications can be generated in the Diia electronic cabinet and signed using a qualified electronic signature (QES). Some data will be automatically retrieved from state registries, including information about the company, its owners and beneficiaries.

PlayCity will review submitted applications, and applicants will receive decisions on license issuance or refusal online via Diia.

Companies will be able to apply for licenses covering casino operations, bookmaking, slot machine halls, online poker, as well as B2B services in the gambling sector.

Acting Minister of Digital Transformation Oleksandr Borniakov said on Telegram that the ministry, together with PlayCity, has also prepared amendments to sector-specific legislation aimed at strengthening entry checks for companies in terms of reputation, integrity, ownership structure and absence of ties to the aggressor state.

“Our goal is to create a transparent and controlled market in which digital tools ensure both convenience for businesses and trust in the state,” Borniakov said.

The post Ukraine Launches Online Portal for Gambling Licence Applications appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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