Gambling in the USA
Legal Sportsbooks Set To Spend Another Night At The Movies With Odds On 92nd Academy Awards
Sportsbooks in New Jersey are the first offering movie buffs the opportunity to join their favorite actors, actresses, and directors as big winners from the 92nd Academy Awards. A year after New Jersey’s retail and online sportsbooks broke new ground in the United States by offering legal betting on the Academy Awards for the first time, the Garden State is once again offering odds on the Oscars, which is set for Sunday, Feb. 9.
To prepare for the movie industry’s star-studded night, PlayUSA has created a complete rundown of the Oscars at www.playusa.com/sports-betting/oscars, including odds on every major category, a pick sheet, what sites are accepting bets, and analysis on the races.
“Oscars betting was a hit in its first year in New Jersey, and we suspect that interest will only grow,” said Jessica Welman, betting analyst for PlayUSA.com and a movie historian who earned a degree in Cinema-TV Critical Studies from the University of Southern California, and a master’s in Film and Media Studies from Indiana University Bloomington. “We saw last year that bettors were less motivated by the favorites and more interested in backing their favorite films and movie stars. This year’s field of nominees has star power in front of and behind the camera, so that should help drive interest.”
New Jersey sportsbooks accepted an estimated $1 million in bets in the first year that it was offered, according to PlayUSA. And the Garden State is the only legal jurisdiction so far offering odds in 2020.
DraftKings became the first sportsbook to post the Oscars, followed by FOX Bet, and more are expected soon. DraftKings is offering odds on all 24 categories at the Academy Awards. In 2019, most books limited action to the six major Oscars categories, including best picture, director, actor, actress, supporting actor, and supporting actress.
“The top categories will undoubtedly draw the most interest,” Welman said. “This year, in particular, is shaping up to be a controversial one. Again, critics can point to a lack of diversity in nominations and some films, such as Joker, have received polarized audience reactions. But instead of fighting with friends about a movie’s merits, New Jersey movie buffs can quietly put their money where their mouth is.”
The four major acting categories all feature prohibitive favorites. Joaquin Phoenix (-1,667), for Joker, and Renee Zellweger (-1,000), for Judy, are the clear frontrunners for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively. Brad Pitt (-1,000), for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Laura Dern (-1,000), for Marriage Story, are the favorites for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively. Sam Mendes (-134), for 1917, and Bong Joon Hoo (+225), for Parasite, are leading a tight race for Best Director.
The closest major race appears to be for Best Picture, led by Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (+160) and 1917 (+200).
“Best Picture seems like a two-horse race between the two Golden Globe picture winners, 1917 and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” Welman said. “While no one is arguing that Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is Quentin Tarantino’s best film, the Academy is typically concerned with ensuring deserving nominees get rewarded. This could be the Academy’s last chance to give Tarantino the top prize, and that often carries a lot of weight.”
For more information and analysis on regulated online gaming in New Jersey, visit PlayUSA.com/news. For more Oscars information, visit www.playusa.com/sports-betting/oscars.
affiliate marketing
Media Troopers highlights prediction markets focus at Bitcoin 2026 Las Vegas
Affiliate says it has upgraded its Media Cruiser platform to support prediction market acquisition as partners expand beyond sports betting and casino.
Media Troopers said it reinforced its focus on prediction markets during the 2026 Bitcoin Conference, held April 27 to April 29 at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
The digital marketing and customer acquisition group said it is seeing demand from long-standing operator partners that are expanding into prediction markets alongside sports betting and casino gaming, and positioned its attendance at the event as an opportunity to engage with platforms operating at the intersection of gaming and crypto.
“We’re seeing sustained demand from our partners in this space,” said Shmulik Segal, Chief Executive Officer at Media Troopers. “Prediction markets are no longer experimental. They’re becoming a meaningful part of the ecosystem, and we’ve been aligning our capabilities accordingly.”
The company said it has updated its infrastructure in recent months to support prediction market traffic across its network, including enhancements to its proprietary marketing technology platform Media Cruiser. Media Troopers said the updates are intended to provide operators with more detailed targeting, audience segmentation, and acquisition strategies.
“Prediction markets live exactly where gaming and crypto meet,” Segal added. “Being at Bitcoin 2026 allows us to connect with the operators and platforms shaping that future.” Media Troopers said it aims to support operators expanding into prediction markets across North America and other markets.
The post Media Troopers highlights prediction markets focus at Bitcoin 2026 Las Vegas appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Affiliates
Media Troopers spotlights prediction market push at Bitcoin 2026 in Las Vegas
Affiliate says it upgraded Media Cruiser to support prediction market acquisition as partners expand beyond sports betting and casino.
Media Troopers used the 2026 Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas (April 27–29 at The Venetian Resort) to highlight its growing focus on prediction markets and its work with operators moving into the category.
The affiliate and customer acquisition group said it is seeing demand from existing partners that are expanding into prediction markets alongside sports betting and casino gaming.
Media Troopers said it has updated its infrastructure in recent months to support prediction market traffic across its network. The company also cited enhancements to its proprietary marketing technology platform, Media Cruiser, aimed at “more detailed targeting, audience segmentation, and acquisition strategies.”
“We’re seeing sustained demand from our partners in this space,” said Shmulik Segal, Chief Executive Officer at Media Troopers. “Prediction markets are no longer experimental. They’re becoming a meaningful part of the ecosystem, and we’ve been aligning our capabilities accordingly.”
“Prediction markets live exactly where gaming and crypto meet,” Segal added. “Being at Bitcoin 2026 allows us to connect with the operators and platforms shaping that future.”
The post Media Troopers spotlights prediction market push at Bitcoin 2026 in Las Vegas appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
betting platforms
US Public Health Debate Intensifies as Boston Hosts Landmark Online Gambling Symposium
As scrutiny around online gambling intensifies in the United States, a landmark symposium in Boston is set to bring the issue of public health and regulation into sharper focus.
The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) has announced it will host the country’s first international symposium dedicated to the public health impact of online gambling on April 24, 2026, at Northeastern University.
The event comes amid growing concern over the speed at which digital betting has expanded across the US, particularly in the years following the legalization of sports betting in multiple states.
From Market Growth to Public Health Debate
What began as a state-driven expansion of sports wagering has evolved into a broader ecosystem that now includes:
- Mobile-first betting platforms
- Micro-betting and in-play wagering
- Algorithm-driven and AI-supported betting tools
Public health experts argue that these developments have outpaced regulation, raising concerns about addiction risks, accessibility, and consumer safeguards.
Survey data continues to reflect mixed public sentiment, with a significant portion of Americans expressing concerns over the integrity of sports and the social impact of betting.
Policy Momentum Building Across States
The symposium will also highlight a wave of legislative efforts aimed at tightening controls on the industry. Proposals such as the SAFE Bet Act, alongside state-level initiatives in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Ohio, indicate a shift toward stricter oversight, including potential limits on high-risk betting formats like micro-betting.
Bringing Together Key Stakeholders
The Boston event will gather a broad coalition of stakeholders, including:
- US lawmakers and regulators
- Public health professionals
- Academic researchers specialising in gambling behaviour
- Policy advocates and legal experts
Key discussion points will include the limitations of current responsible gaming models, the need for federal safety standards, and strategies to reduce gambling-related harm.
Legal Pressure Adds to Industry Tensions
The symposium follows recent legal action involving major operators and sports stakeholders, underlining the increasingly complex relationship between rapid market growth and regulatory accountability in the US gambling sector.
As the conversation evolves, the Boston gathering is expected to play a role in shaping how policymakers and stakeholders approach the next phase of online gambling regulation in America.
The post US Public Health Debate Intensifies as Boston Hosts Landmark Online Gambling Symposium appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
-
Booming Games6 days agoBooming Games targets South American dominance with major investment, flagship partnerships and exclusive Ronaldinho content
-
Compliance Updates7 days agoELA Games scales up its presence in Europe by certifying a suite of 9 hit games in 5 key markets
-
Betfred6 days agoBetfred Enters into Partnership with BR-DGE
-
Baltics6 days agoHIPTHER Baltics: Vilnius 2026 Agenda Sets the Stage for the Region’s Next Era of iGaming Regulation & Fintech Integration
-
Affiliate Succes6 days agoReferOn Secures “Best Affiliate Software 2026” Title at SiGMA South America Awards
-
Australia6 days agoRWA: Gambling Ad Crackdown Threatens Shift Offshore
-
Betoro6 days agoSoft2Bet Launches its New iGaming Brand Betoro in Denmark
-
Africa5 days agoHollywoodbets partnership drives Tom Horn Gaming’s expansion in South Africa



