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New Study Reveals Economic and Social Risks of iGaming

Published

1 year ago

February 14, 2025

new-study-reveals-economic-and-social-risks-of-igaming

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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ELA Games

ELA Games launches King and Flame slot with Hold and Win coins and Bonus Wheel

Published

27 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

ela-games-launches-king-and-flame-slot-with-hold-and-win-coins-and-bonus-wheel

The 5×3, 20-payline fantasy title includes expanding wild events, Mystery Chests, Free Spins, and a 5,000x max win.

ELA Games has released a new fantasy-themed slot, King and Flame, built on a 5×3 layout with 20 paylines.

The game includes a Hold and Win-style coin mechanic where coins “paying exactly their visible face value,” according to the company. ELA Games also highlighted “Queen’s Mercy” and “Mystery Chests,” which it said can deliver instant prizes or trigger the Grand Jackpot.

On the feature side, ELA Games said the “Tamed by the Crown” event can turn the Dragon Queen into a full reel wild. A “Bonus Wheel Coin” can also appear to unlock a bonus wheel with extra prizes, jackpots, and Free Spins.

The Free Spins round is triggered by three Scatter symbols. During Free Spins, ELA Games said any coin that lands expands to cover the entire column. The title’s maximum win is capped at 5,000x, with a stated maximum exposure of €250,000.

King and Flame is rated mid volatility (2/5), according to the company.

The post ELA Games launches King and Flame slot with Hold and Win coins and Bonus Wheel appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Inside GEO

Inside GEO: Slovenia As the Next Emerging Goldmine

Published

27 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

inside-geo:-slovenia-as-the-next-emerging-goldmine

Slovenia is definitely one of the most promising GEOs for the iGaming niche.

That is why the N1 Partners team has collected insights that will help to work more accurately with the audience, increase ROI and build effective advertising campaigns for the GEO.

Let’s look at the big picture to understand the potential of the region better. Slovenia is a small country in Central Europe with a population of about 2.1 million people and its capital in Ljubljana. The official language is Slovenian, the currency is euro, and the time zone is CET (UTC+1).

With the background of a high living standard and a stable economy, the market creates favorable conditions for online gambling: the iGaming sector is already showing steady growth, and its volume was estimated at about $497 million by 2025.

Reasons to test Slovenia

Slovenia is a promising region, but it often turns out to be underestimated in the iGaming niche.

Top 3 reasons to drive traffic to Slovenia right now:

Low competition.
Slovenia is the country with a low share of online gambling in the market. For partners, this is a signal: with proper localisation and strategy, you can enter a less competitive environment and make a long-term profit.
Solvent players.
The GDP per capita in Slovenia is about $35.3 thousand, which confirms the high level of audience solvency and the potential for stable LTV.
High potential.
Slovenia is not an overheated online market: in European comparison, the share of online gambling in the overall revenue structure remains relatively low. This means that the market has not yet fully realised its digital potential and there’s a room for growth.

Players’ behaviour

Slovenian users are more likely to choose online platforms due to their convenience, wide choice of games and accessibility from mobile devices.

In this region, smartphones account for the majority of iGaming traffic — 86.45%, which requires the adaptation of all funnels to mobile devices.

Gender and age

Men — 63%, average age 31-35 years
Women — 37%, average age 26-30 years

According to N1 Partners, the iGaming market remains predominantly male, which is confirmed by external research: the main audience is men aged 25-44. At the same time, the proportion of women is gradually increasing, expanding the segment’s potential.

Top 10 slots Among N1 Partners Players in Slovenia

N1 Partners team notes that players prefer slots with recognizable series, bonus features and adventure themes — this directly affects retention and LTV.

Legacy of Dead
Book of Dead
Heist Stakes
Book of the Fallen
Gates of Olympus Super Scatter
Lucky Lady’s Charm Deluxe
Magic Apple 2
Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness
Gonzo’s Quest II: Return to El Dorado
More Magic Apple

Conclusion

Slovenia is a GEO with strong and sustainable potential and a high share of mobile traffic, as well as a growing iGaming market, ideal for those working with gambling traffic.

N1 Partners analytics confirms that with the right localisation strategy and taking into account the characteristics of the audience, this market is able to bring stable profits and long-term growth within the framework of iGaming partner programs.

Wanna scale and increase your income? Work with N1 Partners!

N1 Partners is a multi-brand affiliate program and direct advertiser, bringing together 14+ casino and betting brands with high conversion (CR) and Reg2Dep across Tier-1 GEOs.

N1 Partners offers competitive terms for top partners, including CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 55%, ensuring stable and scalable performance.

Trusted by 14,000+ partners, N1 Partners stands out for its transparency, flexibility, and focus on long-term partnerships, supported by a strong product portfolio and advanced retention systems.

The post Inside GEO: Slovenia As the Next Emerging Goldmine appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

3 Oaks Gaming

3 Oaks Gaming adds Must Drop JACKPOT mechanic to 4 Pots of Egypt slot

Published

27 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

3-oaks-gaming-adds-must-drop-jackpot-mechanic-to-4-pots-of-egypt-slot

New variant pairs Hold & Win gameplay with two daily progressive jackpots designed to drop before a capped maximum value.

3 Oaks Gaming has released Must Drop JACKPOT 4 Pots of Egypt, extending its Must Drop JACKPOT series by adding the time-limited jackpot mechanic to its 4 Pots of Egypt slot.

The 5×3, 20-line title uses a Hold & Win format and a four-pots bonus structure, with a progressive jackpot that the supplier says is guaranteed to drop before reaching a defined maximum value. 3 Oaks Gaming said two progressive jackpots are available daily.

According to the company, the Must Drop JACKPOT prize is set at network level within the game, meaning operators can deploy the promotional feature without additional administrative setup.

The game is built on the original 4 Pots of Egypt, with three smaller pots—Boost, Collect and Multi—and a fourth pot that can add Mini to Major jackpot values on up to three random symbols during the Bonus Game.

Victoria Vashukevich, Acting CCO 3 Oaks Gaming, said: “Must Drop JACKPOT 4 Pots of Egypt builds on the strength of proven Hold & Win gameplay with the added excitement of our Must Drop JACKPOT feature.

“The game’s layered bonus features, engaging Egyptian theme and progressive jackpot functionality make it a valuable addition to our portfolio and an attractive proposition for operators seeking high-performing content.”

The post 3 Oaks Gaming adds Must Drop JACKPOT mechanic to 4 Pots of Egypt slot appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.