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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.
Kick and TikTok stream runs June 11–July 19, covering 15,000 miles and promoting fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK.
Paysafe (NYSE: PSFE) and its digital wallet Skrill are sponsoring a 39-day US “In A State” soccer road trip led by creators Woody & Kleiny, with live coverage starting June 11 from Jacksonville. The tour is set to run 15,000 miles and stream 24/7 on Kick and TikTok.
Paysafe said the tour will include creator-led content and in-person activations designed to spotlight payment processing for local merchants—such as bars, restaurants, hotels and retailers—along the route. The company is positioning its merchant acquiring and POS-related offerings alongside Skrill consumer wallet use cases during match-day and fan events.
The trip also includes fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK, with donations directed to the official Woody & Kleiny GoFundMe page. The press release notes prostate cancer is “now the most common cancer in the U.K. and the only major cancer without a screening program.”
“This tour puts Paysafe and Skrill at the heart of the action, powering the moments that matter most,” said Alisa Barber, Chief Marketing Officer at Paysafe. “Woody & Kleiny have an extraordinary ability to turn everyday life into must-watch content and combining that with our technology demonstrates how seamless payments can lift every experience.”
Stops listed include Los Angeles (June 12), Arlington, TX (June 17), Boston (June 23) and East Rutherford, NJ (June 25 and 27), with additional cities planned as the tournament progresses. Paysafe said the livestream will be supported by daily YouTube recaps and short-form social content.
The post Paysafe and Skrill sponsor Woody & Kleiny’s 39-day US soccer road trip livestream appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
Paysafe and Skrill get on board with Woody & Kleiny’s Outrageous US Soccer Road Trip: 39 Days, 15,000 Miles, Streamed Live 24/7
Spotlighting business payments and consumer digital wallet experiences for soccer fans, the ‘In A State’ tour brings viral creators together for a live celebration of soccer and fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK
Paysafe (NYSE: PSFE), a global payments platform, is taking its technology to the heart of America’s biggest soccer summer, fueling a 39-day, 15,000-mile streamed road trip powered by viral creators Woody & Kleiny.
Known as the ‘In A State’ tour, this record-breaking journey streams live on Kick and TikTok from June 11, as Woody & Kleiny tear through major cities including Los Angeles, Arlington, Boston and East Rutherford, engaging soccer fans and shining a spotlight on the businesses that make these places tick. The tour will also raise awareness and funds for Prostate Cancer UK, supporting life-saving research, earlier diagnosis and better outcomes for men affected by prostate cancer, which is now the most common cancer in the U.K. and the only major cancer without a screening program.
Paysafe is the payments engine sponsoring the tour, putting its processing solutions for businesses and its consumer facing digital wallet, Skrill, center stage. Through 24/7 live streaming, in-person activations and creator-led content, Paysafe’s technology will come to life in the most authentic setting imaginable: the real-world energy of America’s biggest soccer tournament.
Woody & Kleiny have built one of the world’s largest creator communities, reaching more than 50 million followers across online platforms and generating over 45 billion views.
Paysafe Spotlights Local Businesses
Paysafe will spotlight local businesses, including bars, restaurants, hotels, and retailers, across the route. Woody & Kleiny will showcase Paysafe-powered payment solutions for local merchants via live interactions.
As part of its broader commitment to supporting businesses, Paysafe provides integrated payment solutions tailored to the needs of local merchants. This includes POS technology such as payment devices, competitive payment processing offerings, and value-added services designed to help businesses operate more efficiently. Through these activations, Paysafe will demonstrate how its solutions enable businesses to streamline operations, manage peak demand, and deliver seamless payment experiences.
Skrill: The Wallet That Moves at the Speed of the Game
Paysafe’s digital wallet Skrill will be front and center across the entire ‘In A State’ tour. From fan giveaways to real-time digital payments, Skrill will enable fast, secure transactions within high-energy environments. Fans will interact with Skrill through on-the-ground activations, digital rewards, and integrated content moments — proving that a great digital wallet doesn’t just make payments easier, it makes every experience better.
Through these activations, Skrill will play a visible role in powering fan engagement, from rewarding participation to enabling seamless transactions in real time, demonstrating how the digital wallet can enhance every moment of the fan journey.
“This tour puts Paysafe and Skrill at the heart of the action, powering the moments that matter most,” said Alisa Barber, Chief Marketing Officer at Paysafe. “Woody & Kleiny have an extraordinary ability to turn everyday life into must-watch content and combining that with our technology demonstrates how seamless payments can lift every experience.”
The stream will be complemented by daily YouTube recaps, short-form social content, celebrity appearances and real-time fan engagement — reaching audiences across the globe. Paysafe branding will be unmissable throughout: on the tour bus, across activations, and at the center of every major match-day moment.
For Paysafe, this tour shows how world-class payment technology, the right partners and the biggest sporting event of the decade can come together to create something genuinely extraordinary, while also raising vital awareness and funds for prostate cancer. Fans can donate to Prostate Cancer UK via the official Woody & Kleiny GoFundMe page.
Follow, watch and engage with the tour across Woody & Kleiny, Paysafe and Skrill’s social channels.
Tour Route and Key Stops
Woody & Kleiny will travel through major U.S. cities, where soccer fans will be gathering throughout the tournament.
Key stops include:
- Los Angeles (June 12),
- Arlington, TX (June 17),
- Boston (June 23)
- East Rutherford, NJ on June 25 and 27
Other cities as the tournament unfolds.
The post Paysafe and Skrill get on board with Woody & Kleiny’s Outrageous US Soccer Road Trip: 39 Days, 15,000 Miles, Streamed Live 24/7 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Deal covers travel and hospitality packages across BLAST’s event slate, starting with BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals in November.
BLAST has signed a one-year partnership with MATCH to develop premium fan travel experiences and related commercial opportunities across BLAST events in 2026 and 2027, including the BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals 2026. The companies said the work will start immediately, with an initial focus on the BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals event in November.
BLAST VP of Destinations and Market Development James Woollard said: “We’re thrilled to partner with MATCH, a company with an unrivalled track record in delivering top-tier fan travel experiences at the biggest sporting events in the world. As BLAST continues to grow globally and attract growing numbers of travelling fans, this partnership represents an exciting opportunity to further elevate the live event experience for fans and audiences across esports.”
MATCH is best known for hospitality and accommodation programmes at major sports events, including four consecutive FIFA World Cups
from 2010 to 2022, as well as Ryder Cup tournaments, Formula 1 Grands Prix and ATP tennis tournaments. MATCH Director of UK Events and Business Strategy Richard Parker said: “Esports is one of the most exciting growth frontiers in live entertainment, and BLAST stands out as a world-class platform with incredible potential. At MATCH, we see a tremendous opportunity to bring our expertise in creating premium fan experiences into the esports arena. We are very enthusiastic about the possibility of working together with BLAST to deliver innovative, unforgettable experiences for esports fans worldwide.”
BLAST said MATCH will also bring its network of clients, sponsors, federations, agents and media partners to support international attendance and partner activation, alongside MATCH’s technology and operational infrastructure. The announcement follows BLAST’s 2025 live events activity, where the organiser said it delivered 15 arena shows across 10 countries spanning five titles and sold 194,421 tickets.
The post BLAST partners with MATCH on premium fan travel for 2026-27 events appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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