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New Study Reveals Economic and Social Risks of iGaming

Published

1 year ago

February 14, 2025

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In response to the increasing concerns over the social and economic risks of iGaming, the gaming and entertainment business leaders have joined forces to launch the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG).

The organization is formed in opposition to the expansion of iGaming and its well-reported economic and social dangers and urges other local businesses, employee unions, and community groups to mobilize in their effort to protect local communities.

A new study for NAAiG by The Innovation Group, a research and advisory firm specializing in gaming, hospitality, and tourism that has previously conducted multiple studies of online gambling for state governments and industry stakeholders, debunks the myth that iGaming offers easy revenue for states. Instead, the study uncovers the damaging effects of iGaming expansion, exposing widespread job losses and significant declines in economic output across multiple states.

Main findings of the report:

Land-based casino revenue drops by 16% on average after iGaming is introduced, leading to substantial job losses, hundreds of millions of dollars in lost economic output and reduced tax contributions that fund public services.

States introducing iGaming face significant economic losses, with projected job cuts reaching 4921 in New York and 4733 in Illinois by 2029.

iGaming results in significant losses for states in economic output. All states analyzed would see massive GDP reductions, including Ohio ($602 million), Indiana ($428 million), Maryland ($372 million), and Colorado ($313 million).

States’ net tax gains from iGaming are limited, even before accounting for the increased social costs associated with its high rates of problem gambling and related social ills. For instance, Louisiana, Maryland, and Mississippi could all see negative net tax revenue due to displaced in-person gaming dollars and related impacts on state and local economies.

Brick-and-mortar casinos in every state would face significant revenue losses due to iGaming cannibalization. Projections reach up to $983.7 million in New York, $545.3 million in Illinois, $522.6 million in Ohio, and $342.6 million in Maryland by 2029.

The introduction of iGaming reduces in-person casino employment, with an estimated 2818 jobs lost in Ohio, 2642 in Louisiana and 1906 in Mississippi.

The job losses caused by iGaming will result in massive reductions each year in employee wages and related taxes for states. Annual labor income losses would reach nearly $110 million in Colorado and Maryland, $204 million in Ohio, nearly $300 million in Illinois, and nearly $450 million in New York.

States with iGaming experience an 8.3% decline in distributed gaming revenue, impacting taverns and small gaming establishments.

Projected U.S. gambling losses from iGaming are expected to surpass $1 trillion by 2028, straining local economies and public health resources.

“These statistics underscore the urgent need for action. iGaming’s unchecked access to gambling on cell phones is bad public policy that threatens local jobs and businesses and will cost states. When increased social costs caused by iGaming higher rates of underage and problem gambling are considered, the net tax revenue results are uniformly negative for every state,” said Mark Stewart, EVP & General Counsel of The Cordish Companies and NAAiG board member. “

“Beyond the lack of any real upside for states, iGaming puts vulnerable individuals at greater risk of problem gambling and financial instability. NAAiG is uniting stakeholders to push back and stop the spread of these harmful trends and advocate for responsible gaming policies,” said NAAiG board member Jason Gumer, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Monarch Casino & Resort Inc.

“iGaming is eroding our communities. This isn’t just about responsible gaming—it’s about protecting local family-sustaining jobs and preventing financial harm. In Maryland alone, iGaming could cost $372 million in economic output, $342.6 million in lost casino revenue and nearly $110 million in annual wages. We must act now to protect our state and local economies nationwide,” said Shannon McCracken, Senior Director of Government Relations at Churchill Downs Incorporated and NAAIG board member.

The post New Study Reveals Economic and Social Risks of iGaming appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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CT Interactive

CT Interactive Launches New Titles on Ifortuna.sk

Published

36 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

Wladimir P.

ct-interactive-launches-new-titles-on-ifortuna.sk

CT Interactive has announced the expansion of its presence in the regulated Slovak market through the launch of a selected portfolio of the company’s top-performing games on Ifortuna.sk, part of the Fortuna Entertainment Group.

Slovak players can now enjoy some of the company’s most popular titles, including 50 Treasures, Fruits & Sweets Buy Bonus, 100x Crypto Magic, Duck Of Luck Buy Bonus, 20 Mega Star, 100x Fresh, Dancing Dragons, Nanook The White Ghost Buy Bonus and The Big Chili. Several of these games feature the company’s engaging Buy Bonus mechanics, offering players enhanced interactivity and greater control over their gameplay.

“The expansion of our content offering on Ifortuna.sk represents a major step in our broader international growth strategy. We are delighted to provide our valued partner with a compelling and diverse portfolio of games, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the Slovak market,” said Martin Ivanov, Chief Operating Officer at CT Interactive.

“Our newly certified portfolio brings a fresh and dynamic gaming experience tailored specifically to the Slovak audience. Each title has been carefully developed to boost player retention while delivering a more personalized and engaging gaming experience,” added Ivan Zoumpalov, Regional Manager for the Czech Republic and Slovakia at CT Interactive.

The post CT Interactive Launches New Titles on Ifortuna.sk appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Amusnet

Connecting Business and Diplomacy: Amusnet Supports BBLF’s Annual Meeting of the Diplomatic Corps

Published

36 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

Wladimir P.

connecting-business-and-diplomacy:-amusnet-supports-bblf’s-annual-meeting-of-the-diplomatic-corps

Amusnet has supported the 10th Annual Meeting between the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF) and the Diplomatic Corps, reaffirming its commitment to initiatives that foster dialogue, responsible business and Bulgaria’s long-term economic development.

Held at InterContinental Sofia, this year’s high-level forum brought together ambassadors, senior government officials and executives from leading Bulgarian and international companies under the theme “Bulgaria: Prospects for Rapid Economic Transformation”. The discussions explored the country’s potential to accelerate economic growth through innovation, digitalisation, strategic investments and stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors.

As a long-standing partner of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum, Amusnet continues to support initiatives that create meaningful dialogue around the future of Bulgaria’s economy and business environment. The annual meeting serves as one of the country’s most important platforms for exchanging ideas between the diplomatic community, institutional leaders and the business sector.

“Supporting initiatives that encourage collaboration and forward-looking dialogue is part of our commitment to responsible business. We believe that sustainable economic growth is driven by strong partnerships and a shared vision for the future,” said Ivo Georgiev, CEO of Amusnet.

This year’s forum focused on topics including Bulgaria’s investment attractiveness, technological advancement, talent development and the opportunities created by closer cooperation between business, government and international partners. The event once again highlighted the importance of building an environment that encourages competitiveness and sustainable growth.

For Amusnet, supporting the BBLF Annual Meeting reflects the company’s broader commitment to contributing to Bulgaria’s business ecosystem beyond its core operations. As one of the country’s leading software companies, Amusnet continues to stand behind initiatives that promote responsible leadership and long-term economic progress.

The partnership further strengthens Amusnet’s collaboration with BBLF and underscores the company’s belief that sustainable growth is achieved through dialogue, shared expertise and collective action.

The post Connecting Business and Diplomacy: Amusnet Supports BBLF’s Annual Meeting of the Diplomatic Corps appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Andrzej Hyla

Wazdan Launches First Stage of Summer Network Promotion with Mystery Drop

Published

36 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

Wladimir P.

wazdan-launches-first-stage-of-summer-network-promotion-with-mystery-drop

Wazdan, the leading gain-focused developer, has launched the first stage of its summer-long Network Promotion campaign to partner operators from 29th June to 19th July 2026.

As part of a wider three-stage seasonal campaign running throughout the summer, the opening phase centres around Mystery Drop, one of Wazdan’s established promotional tools designed to enhance player engagement through an additional reward layer during gameplay.

During active game sessions, Mystery Drop gives players the opportunity to win cash or physical prizes. Once the feature is triggered, players select one of nine Mystery Boxes to reveal their reward, adding an extra level of anticipation and entertainment to the gameplay experience.

Designed as a ready-to-use promotional solution for operators, Mystery Drop requires no additional integration and does not impact the RTP of the base game. Powered by a certified independent RNG engine, the tool can also be tailored to meet the requirements of individual casinos and regulated markets.

The first stage of the Wazdan Summer Drop marks the beginning of a wider summer initiative, with additional campaign phases featuring further engagement mechanics set to launch later in the season.

Andrzej Hyla, Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan, said: “Remaining an innovative supplier in an increasingly competitive market means continuously delivering engaging experiences that resonate with both players and operators.

“Mystery Drop has proven to be an effective promotional tool for our partners, adding an extra layer of excitement to gameplay while remaining simple to activate and fully customisable for different markets. We are excited to launch the first stage of this summer campaign and continue supporting our partners with memorable promotional experiences throughout the season.”

The post Wazdan Launches First Stage of Summer Network Promotion with Mystery Drop appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.