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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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B2B iGaming

Logifuture Joins Forces with BetConstruct AI to Expand Virtual Sports

Published

8 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

logifuture-joins-forces-with-betconstruct-ai-to-expand-virtual-sports

Logifuture, a leading B2B provider of virtual sports and instant gaming solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with BetConstruct AI, a global iGaming platform powering hundreds of operators worldwide. This collaboration integrates Logifuture’s flagship products, Zoom Sports and Simulate, into BetConstruct AI’s platform, significantly expanding access to innovative engagement tools for operators.

Expanding Global Reach

The partnership enables operators to offer next-generation virtual sports and instant betting solutions, enhancing player activity and generating incremental revenue.

Zoom Sports delivers ultra-realistic virtual football and tennis events in both full-length and turbo formats, offering thousands of daily betting opportunities.
Simulate allows players to instantly simulate the outcome of betslips, removing waiting times and creating immediate engagement.

These tools extend player retention, increase betting activity beyond live events, and create cross-sell opportunities across the BetConstruct AI network.

Innovation at the Core

Both Logifuture and BetConstruct AI prioritize innovation and product differentiation, helping operators stand out in a highly competitive market.

Niccolò Cassettari, Chief Business Development Officer at Logifuture, commented:
“Partnering with BetConstruct AI is a major step forward. Their global reach makes them the ideal partner to scale Zoom Sports and Simulate worldwide. This collaboration is just the beginning of a long-term partnership to deliver new experiences and stronger operator performance.”

Looking Ahead

The partnership will focus on expanding distribution, delivering new gaming experiences, and introducing innovative products to keep players engaged while helping operators grow revenue worldwide.

The post Logifuture Joins Forces with BetConstruct AI to Expand Virtual Sports appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

automated payouts

Infingame Launches Enhanced Tournaments and Challenges for Player Retention

Published

8 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

infingame-launches-enhanced-tournaments-and-challenges-for-player-retention

Infingame, a leading game aggregator, has rolled out major upgrades to its Tournaments and Challenges promotional tools, offering operators advanced ways to engage and retain players.

Instead of introducing new products, Infingame focused on refining its most popular gamification features, enhancing flexibility, performance, and campaign management. These improvements cater to operators increasingly prioritizing long-term player engagement over acquisition.

Enhanced Competitive Tournaments

Infingame’s Tournaments tool transforms regular gameplay into competitive experiences, boosting interaction through real-time progression. Optimized for web and mobile, the tool now allows operators to:

Customize tournaments with brand-specific banners
Segment players for whitelist participation
Add timed promotions like Happy Hours
Select from five tournament formats: bet race, win race, multiplier race, highest multiplier, and highest win

The updated reward system supports monetary and non-monetary prizes, free spins, optional wagering requirements, and automated payouts, reducing operational workload while maintaining campaign flexibility.

Challenges for Mission-Based Engagement

The Challenges tool guides player activity with structured tasks and rewards, creating mission-based engagement journeys. The upgrade enhances flexibility and precision, supporting:

Short-term promotional boosts
Recurring engagement strategies
Daily and long-term challenges for consistent player activity

This approach helps operators sustain engagement across the entire player lifecycle, creating meaningful, repeatable experiences.

Operator-Driven Development

Jana Filagina, Head of Commercial at Infingame, commented:
“The goal wasn’t to reinvent Tournaments and Challenges but to make them more powerful and user-friendly. Operators need tools that drive engagement continuously while keeping operational complexity low.”

Fully integrated into Infingame’s aggregation platform, the updated tools can be deployed instantly across thousands of games via a single API, enabling a unified ecosystem where content, analytics, and engagement mechanics work seamlessly together.

The upgrades reflect a broader industry trend toward gamified, retention-focused strategies, helping operators maximize player activity while simplifying management.

The post Infingame Launches Enhanced Tournaments and Challenges for Player Retention appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Canadian iGaming market

Hugo Casino Teams Up with CasinoCanada to Expand in Canada

Published

9 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

hugo-casino-teams-up-with-casinocanada-to-expand-in-canada

Hugo Casino, a popular online gaming platform operated by Kawaii Partners, has officially partnered with CasinoCanada.com to strengthen its presence in the Canadian market. The collaboration will focus on editorial coverage, analytical reviews, and SEO-optimized content tailored for Canadian players.

Under this partnership, CasinoCanada will produce detailed reviews, comparison guides, and data-driven insights, aimed at delivering transparent, research-based evaluations of Hugo Casino’s platform. The content strategy is designed to attract high-quality, search-driven traffic, helping players make informed decisions while enhancing Hugo Casino’s digital visibility.

Eugene Ravdin, Head of PR at SEOBROTHERS, which operates CasinoCanada, commented:
“Partnering with Hugo Casino aligns with our strategy of working with operators who prioritize compliance, security, and quality user experiences. Hugo Casino has a strong operational foundation and clear product vision. Our goal is to provide objective, data-driven content that drives sustainable long-term traffic and measurable results.”

Hugo Casino operates under a Curacao license and offers a wide portfolio of online entertainment, including slots, table games, and a fully immersive Live Casino. Security is a priority, with advanced encryption safeguarding players’ personal and financial information. Customer support is available 24/7 via Live Chat and email.

Players can access over 10,000 casino games, featuring top titles from leading providers such as Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, and Yggdrasil. Hugo Casino supports 10 fiat payment options and 12 cryptocurrencies, making deposits and withdrawals simple and convenient.

Kawaii Partners, launched in 2023, also operates Spinzen Casino, expanding its portfolio in the online gaming and affiliate marketing space.

This partnership with CasinoCanada highlights Hugo Casino’s commitment to transparency, high-quality content, and a growing Canadian audience.

The post Hugo Casino Teams Up with CasinoCanada to Expand in Canada appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.