Latest News
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.
Abigail Welch Editor of iGaming News
Press Box PR Becomes Official Sponsor of Women in iGaming, Backed by iGaming News
iGaming News is excited to reveal Press Box PR, a top digital and conventional PR firm for the iGaming and sports betting sector, as the official Women in iGaming sponsor of the publication. This collaboration backs iGaming News’ Women in iGaming initiative, a program focused on honoring, showcasing, and elevating the accomplishments of women leaders advancing the industry.
To launch the partnership, iGaming News has unveiled a new category, sponsored by Press Box PR, at its first iGaming News Awards: “Woman of Influence,” highlighting outstanding women who are transforming the industry and fostering innovation.
Abigail Welch, Editor of iGaming News, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Press Box PR as the official sponsor of our Women in iGaming initiative. Their expertise in digital PR will help us bring the incredible stories of women across the industry to a wider audience. This partnership is about celebrating women every day, supporting their achievements and inspiring the next generation of leaders.”
Sarah Williams, B2B account manager for Press Box PR, said: “We’re thrilled to be a part of iGaming News’ Women in iGaming initiative! With International Women’s Day coming up this Sunday as well as March being Women’s History Month, there’s no better time to announce this fantastic partnership. By putting our time, money and effort behind initiatives like Women in iGaming, Press Box PR is showing support all year long, not just on certain days or months.
“While we are certainly seeing more women excelling and leading in the industry, only about 16% of executive-level roles in the sector are held by women, according to the latest 2025 data from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain. I hope that by shining a light on the skilled women in this industry, we can see that representation increase.”
The partnership will feature editorial pieces, interviews, podcasts, and campaign material highlighting women who are shaping history in iGaming, their professional paths, and how they are progressing the industry. Uniting iGaming News’ industry influence with Press Box PR’s digital communication skills and client network, the collaboration aims to amplify women’s voices and enhance recognition for female leaders.
The post Press Box PR Becomes Official Sponsor of Women in iGaming, Backed by iGaming News appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
HAPPY MONEY HENS
INSPIRED UNVEILS HAPPY MONEY HENS™, GOLDEN WINNER GRAND CHANCE SUPER WHEEL™ & GOLD CASH FREE SPINS RISING WINS™ ACROSS ONLINE & MOBILE
Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: INSE), a leading B2B provider of gaming content, systems, and solutions, has unveiled three new online and mobile slot releases—Happy Money Hens
, Golden Winner Grand Chance Super Wheel
, and Gold Cash Free Spins Rising Wins
—now live across the UK and Maltese iGaming markets.
Happy Money Hens
launches the new Happy Money
series with a vibrant, hen-themed slot packed with Easter charm and big-win potential. Players interact with three animated hens, represented as pseudo-persistent feature bags above the reels, triggering multiple bonuses including Double Coins, Pot Fill, and the unique Happy Boost. Fast-paced action continues through a three-life Win & Spin Bonus, delivering expanding-win excitement and setting a playful tone for the broader Happy Money
family.
Golden Winner Grand Chance Super Wheel
builds on the award-winning Golden Winner Grand Chance series with a shared Super Wheel feature powered by patented Player Link
technology. High-energy reels, golden bells, and the iconic Grand Chance Cherry come alive with reel “dings” that activate wheel spins, instant cash prizes, and Super Bonuses. Shared prize pots, multiplier-boosting trails, and surprise modifiers create a community-driven, pulse-pounding slot experience designed to keep players returning.
Gold Cash Free Spins Rising Wins
is the latest chapter in the renowned Gold Cash
franchise, introducing fresh mechanics while retaining the series’ signature style. The base game features random reel expansions, while the bonus round lets players choose: more spins at lower reel heights for steady wins, fewer spins with taller reels for high volatility, or a mystery option. Additional features include Fortune Bet, Fortune Spins, a Gamble option, and Bonus Buy where permitted, giving players control over risk and reward while enhancing overall excitement.
Claire Osborne, Managing Director of Interactive at Inspired Entertainment, commented:
“These new releases reflect our commitment to delivering diverse, engaging entertainment while supporting responsible play. By blending innovative mechanics with familiar formats, each game offers exciting and balanced gameplay. Inspired remains focused on creating high-quality, innovative, and enjoyable entertainment experiences as we continue to expand our portfolio.”
The post INSPIRED UNVEILS HAPPY MONEY HENS™, GOLDEN WINNER GRAND CHANCE SUPER WHEEL™ & GOLD CASH FREE SPINS RISING WINS™ ACROSS ONLINE & MOBILE appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
Isle of Man Govt Publishes its National Risk Assessment (NRA) Covering Money Laundering Risk in Gambling Sector
The Isle of Man government has published its updated National Risk Assessment (NRA) for the gambling sector.
The assessment identifies key threats of Money Laundering (ML) to the island’s Gambling sector (both Terrestrial and Online) and the materiality and impact of those threats. Both terrestrial and online gambling have been given a risk rating, with an overall rating for gambling as a whole. These risk ratings and key findings of the NRA feed into the wider NRA work, ensuring the Island has a comprehensive view of the entire threat landscape.
The NRA aggregates, compares and weighs the findings across all sectors to determine which risks drive national exposure. This ensures the NRA is not hypothetical: it reflects actual sector-level dynamics so that the Island can understand the “bigger picture” with each sectoral assessment piecing together a border threat picture.
It is important that the island has a comprehensive understanding of risk at all levels, which does not reflect poor standards but instead outlines structural features of a sector. A robust NRA demonstrates that the jurisdiction understands its ML risks and applies targeted controls that are appropriate.
Risk Ratings are as follows:
• The gambling sector overall is assessed as medium-high risk for money laundering.
• The online gambling sector has a medium-high risk, reflecting a large number of international customers and transaction volumes.
• The terrestrial gambling has a medium-low risk, reflecting its smaller size, domestic profile and lower transaction volumes.
Key Takeaways
The Sectoral NRA highlights core threats in both the online and terrestrial sectors, including:
• Criminal ownership and control of gambling businesses or B2B services, via front companies and complex corporate structures.
• Exploitation by organised crime groups, including those from East and Southeast Asia, for money laundering, cyber-enabled crime and other illicit activities globally.
• Criminals use false or stolen IDs, synthetic identities, and mule identities to access gambling services and obscure their true identity to bypass due diligence controls.
• For terrestrial gambling, cash-intensive operations and casino-specific instruments remain primary channels for laundering domestic predicate offences.
It also highlights potential emerging threats such as:
• Use of advanced technologies (AI, deepfakes, virtual assets) to obscure identities, automate fraud, and facilitate cross-border transfers.
• Use of “turnkey solutions” (pre-packaged business setups) allowing rapid establishment of operations and access to banking services with minimal experience.
Importantly, the NRA makes it clear that these risks arise in specific circumstances with the sector operating legitimate international structures, strong governance and applying high standards of AML/CFT compliance. Those features that make activity higher risk for misuse should be considered within that context.
The post Isle of Man Govt Publishes its National Risk Assessment (NRA) Covering Money Laundering Risk in Gambling Sector appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Comatel6 days agoCOMATEL CELEBRARÁ UNA FIESTA PARA CIENTOS DE OPERADORES TRAS FINALIZAR EL PRIMER DÍA DE LA FERIA ESPAÑOLA, INTERAZAR
-
Brasil7 days agoBrasil evita choque fiscal y apuestas entran en fase reputacional en LATAM
-
Fotini Matthaiou6 days agoOctavian Gaming Titles Go Live with Novibet in Mexico
-
Compliance Updates6 days agoSpillemyndigheden: New Guidance on Responsible Gambling
-
Amusnet6 days agoAmusnet Introduces its “Jackpot Cards Plus” Island at Casino Adjara
-
Fast Track6 days agoFast Track Spark Lands in São Paulo for Advanced Retention Workshop
-
Betting and Gaming Council6 days agoBGC: Government Tax Hike Boost for Black Market
-
Conferences7 days agoBetConstruct AI to Redefine the Brazilian iGaming Landscape at SBC Summit Rio 2026



