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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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22Bet

22Bet and 22Bet Partners Shortlisted in Three Categories at AffPapa iGaming Awards 2026

Published

3 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

22bet-and-22bet-partners-shortlisted-in-three-categories-at-affpapa-igaming-awards-2026

22Bet and its affiliate program, 22Bet Partners, have earned a place on the shortlist of the AffPapa iGaming Awards 2026 across three competitive categories: Affiliate Program of the Year, Casino Operator of the Year, and Sportsbook Operator of the Year.

More Than a Brand—A Track Record

22Bet Partners has been operating as an affiliate program spanning more than seven proprietary products across distinct audiences and markets. The program maintains a regular presence at key industry events — including SiGMA, iGB Live, and Affiliate World — and has previously received recognition across multiple industry award ceremonies.

The Nominations Tell a Story

22Bet’s shortlisting for Sportsbook Operator of the Year underscores the brand’s continued momentum across competitive sports betting markets. The platform has strengthened its position through expanded market coverage, a sharp odds offering, and a consistently refined user experience that caters to a global audience of sports bettors. Meanwhile, the nomination for Casino Operator of the Year adds further weight to what has been a standout awards cycle for the brand.

The nomination for Affiliate Program of the Year recognises 22Bet Partners’ commission structures, account management, marketing tools, and operational transparency — the practical factors that define working conditions for affiliates on a day-to-day basis.

Partners at the Centre of It All

The 22Bet Partners team has been deliberate about one thing: treating affiliate relationships as genuine partnerships. The Affiliate Program of the Year nomination reflects the results of ongoing collaboration with the affiliate community. 22Bet Partners regards the shortlist as a recognition of the partnerships built over time and the mutual effort that has contributed to this outcome.

Cast Your Vote

The AffPapa iGaming Awards 2026 are open for community voting, and every vote counts. Industry professionals, affiliates, and iGaming enthusiasts are encouraged to support 22Bet and 22Bet Partners at the official voting page.

The post 22Bet and 22Bet Partners Shortlisted in Three Categories at AffPapa iGaming Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AML

eyeDP closes late seed round to fund product and team expansion

Published

3 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

eyedp-closes-late-seed-round-to-fund-product-and-team-expansion

eyeDP has closed a late seed funding round, the company said, with the round closing on 28 March. eyeDP did not disclose the amount raised or name its investors, describing them as a network of experienced angel investors and strategic industry figures.

The company, which launched in 2025, said it has seen early growth through pilot deployments and increased demand for document intelligence tools as AI-driven fraud rises.

Over the next 12 months, eyeDP said it will focus on product development, including expanding the range of documents the platform can process, improving accuracy, and progressing toward “fully automated, dynamic intelligent document processing.” It also plans to grow its team to support scaling.

eyeDP also pointed to partnership activity aimed at accelerating adoption, including an integration with the Provenir Data Marketplace, a reseller agreement with Devcode, a distribution partnership with Crucial Compliance, and a collaboration with IDVcheck focused on strengthening anti-money laundering capabilities.

Warren Russell, CEO at eyeDP, said: “We’ve been building towards this for some time. This investment gives us the ability to stay focused on what matters, improving the product, scaling the team, and solving a problem that’s only becoming more complex as fraud evolves. Our goal is simple: to give regulated organisations clarity and confidence in every decision they make.”

The post eyeDP closes late seed round to fund product and team expansion appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BMM Testlabs

BMM Testlabs’ Marzia Turrini wins Best Executive Leadership at 2026 Italian Gaming Awards

Published

3 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

bmm-testlabs’-marzia-turrini-wins-best-executive-leadership-at-2026-italian-gaming-awards

BMM Testlabs said Marzia Turrini, Global President, iGaming & Cybersecurity, has won the ‘Best Executive Leadership’ award at the 2026 Italian Gaming Awards. The company said the award was presented last week during the Italian Gaming Expo & Conference (IGE) in Rome.

According to BMM, Turrini was selected from a shortlist of eight other industry executives. The company said the award recognizes her leadership and her role in growing BMM’s digital product compliance and cybersecurity services across regulated markets.

BMM said its digital services business gained momentum in 2025, growing nearly three times faster than the overall iGaming and sports betting market. The company also said Turrini led the expansion of BMM’s iGaming Center of Excellence in Barcelona to more than 120 professionals supporting compliance testing, cybersecurity services, and quality assurance.

Turrini said, “I am honored to receive this recognition from the Italian Gaming Awards. Italy has always been an important part of my professional journey, and I am proud to contribute to the continued growth and integrity of the regulated gaming industry both in Italy and around the world.”

BMM also noted previous recognition for Turrini, including ‘Leader of the Year’ at the 2025 SBC Awards Americas and inclusion in the iGB 2025 ‘Most Influential Women in Gaming’. BMM has an office in Bologna and said it tests and certifies regulated gaming products in Italy across land-based AWP and VLT machines and systems, retail sports betting and horse racing systems, lotteries and instant gaming, and online casino and sports betting technologies.

The post BMM Testlabs’ Marzia Turrini wins Best Executive Leadership at 2026 Italian Gaming Awards appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.