Gambling in the USA

LEGAL SPORTSBOOKS IN INDIANA TO JOIN NEW JERSEY AT THE MOVIES WITH ODDS ON 92ND ACADEMY AWARDS

Published

6 years ago

January 23, 2020

Indiana Gaming Commission opens door for sportsbooks to bank on Oscars interest, according to PlayUSA.com

Sportsbooks in Indiana have joined New Jersey as the only states 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, both Indiana and New Jersey will be 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 PlayIndiana.com, as well as a movie historian who earned a master’s degree in Film and Media Studies from Indiana University Bloomington and a bachelor’s in Cinema-TV Critical Studies from the University of Southern California. “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. Now that the Indiana Gaming Commission has authorized betting on the Oscars at the state’s sportsbooks, which happened on Wednesday, Hoosier State bettors will have the same chance.

The Indiana operations of FanDuel and DraftKings are expected to be the first in Indiana to offer odds in the state, but more will likely follow.

“It is exciting that Indiana has opened the doors to Oscars betting,” Welman said. “The Academy Awards will likely only generate a fraction of the bets of the NFL’s big game, but the interest should still be significant. For Indiana bettors, it will make a fun and new way to enjoy the Oscars.”

DraftKings in New Jersey became the first sportsbook to post the Oscars, followed by FOX Bet, and more are expected soon. DraftKings New Jersey 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 polarizing 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.”

BetMGM

BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Bring Luxury Lifestyle to North American iGaming

Published

15 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

betmgm-and-fashiontv-gaming-group-bring-luxury-lifestyle-to-north-american-igaming

BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, has officially partnered with FashionTV Gaming Group to launch a curated portfolio of luxury-branded games. This strategic collaboration marks the entry of FashionTV’s iconic aesthetic into the North American iGaming market, exclusively through BetMGM’s platforms.

The partnership merges FashionTV’s global prestige in the worlds of fashion and high-society entertainment with BetMGM’s award-winning digital casino infrastructure.

Immersive Luxury Table Games

The initial rollout features two high-gloss table games designed to provide players with an “immersive, lifestyle-driven” experience that mirrors the sophistication of the FashionTV brand.

FashionTV Blackjack: A premium take on the casino classic, featuring refined visual assets and high-end production values.
FashionTV Roulette: A sleek, stylized version of the iconic wheel, bringing a “fashion-forward” energy to every spin.

The titles are currently live in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with a wider rollout planned for all jurisdictions where BetMGM Casino is active.

Strategic Vision and 2026 Roadmap

For BetMGM, the partnership is part of a broader “branded content” strategy that includes previous successes with major TV and movie franchises.

“At BetMGM, we have redefined what it means to deliver entertainment in iGaming,” said Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming at BetMGM. “By partnering with FashionTV Gaming Group, we’re creating experiences that go beyond gameplay and connect players to the brands they love.”

Moshe Cohen, Founder & President of FashionTV Gaming Group, added: “BetMGM’s leadership and scale make them the perfect partner to transform our vision into a North American success story.”

Looking ahead, BetMGM has confirmed that additional FashionTV-branded titles—including slots and potentially live dealer variants—will be released throughout 2026 as part of an expanding content pipeline.

The post BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Bring Luxury Lifestyle to North American iGaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BetMGM

BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Unite to Bring Luxury and Style to iGaming

Published

15 hours ago

January 6, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

betmgm-and-fashiontv-gaming-group-unite-to-bring-luxury-and-style-to-igaming

Partnership brings FashionTV Gaming Group to North America with exclusive branded games

BetMGM, a leading sports betting and iGaming operator, announced a partnership with FashionTV Gaming Group, to launch a portfolio of FashionTV-branded games exclusively on BetMGM Casino platforms. This strategic collaboration brings Fashion TV’s global luxury aesthetic together with BetMGM’s award-winning online casino experience.

“At BetMGM, we have redefined what it means to deliver entertainment in iGaming. By introducing iconic TV and movie titles to iGaming and now partnering with FashionTV Gaming Group, we’re creating experiences that go beyond gameplay and connect players to the brands they love,” said Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming at BetMGM.

Moshe Cohen, Founder & President of FashionTV Gaming Group, said, “We are proud to bring FashionTV’s luxury lifestyle universe to the heart of online gaming in North America. BetMGM’s leadership and scale make them the perfect partner to transform our vision into a North American success story.”

FashionTV-branded table games offer players an immersive, high-gloss experience that merges casino action with the style, sophistication, and global prestige of FashionTV. FashionTV Blackjack and FashionTV Roulette are now available to play at BetMGM Casino in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and will be available in all jurisdictions where BetMGM Casino is live soon. Additional titles will be released throughout 2026.

FashionTV, broadcast in over 200 countries and reaching billions of viewers worldwide, stands as the definitive voice of global luxury. With unmatched reach across television, digital, and social media, FashionTV continues to captivate audiences through its celebration of fashion, travel, and high-society entertainment.

BetMGM’s award-winning online casino is home to over 5,400 titles across North American markets and one of the largest state-by-state exclusive progressive jackpot networks. BetMGM’s jackpot network currently consists of over 25 games including popular titles such as MGM Grand Millions, Bison Fury, and 15 Lanterns. Players can earn BetMGM Rewards Points and Tier Credits by playing at BetMGM Casino. BetMGM Rewards points can be redeemed for digital bonuses, MGM Rewards Points, and Marriott Bonvoy Points.

As BetMGM continues to expand into new markets and introduce new features, responsible gaming remains a key focus. Additionally, BetMGM is proud to provide resources to help customers play responsibly including GameSense, an industry leading program, developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Through the integration within BetMGM’s mobile and desktop platforms, customers can receive the same GameSense experience they have grown to rely on at MGM Resorts properties nationwide. This complements BetMGM’s already existing responsible gambling tools which serve to provide customers with an entertaining and safe digital experience.

The post BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Unite to Bring Luxury and Style to iGaming appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

California

CGCC Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) Meeting: Jan 20, 2026

Published

17 hours ago

January 6, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

cgcc-gaming-policy-advisory-committee-(gpac)-meeting:-jan-20,-2026

The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) has scheduled a meeting of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) for 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

The committee is established under Business and Professions Code Section 19817 to provide advisory recommendations to the Commission on regulatory policy, with a specific focus on integrity and problem gambling.

Meeting Attendance Information

The meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and remote participation.

In-Person Location: 2399 Gateway Oaks Drive, Hearing Room 100, Sacramento, CA 95833.
Virtual Access: Zoom Meeting Link
Phone Access: 1-888-475-4499 (Toll-free) | Meeting ID: 285 757 8614

Key Agenda Items

The agenda focuses on internal governance, regulatory controls for third-party providers, and administrative updates:

GPAC Roles and Responsibilities: A review of the mission statement, adherence to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, and expectations for member conduct and responsiveness.
Current Projects: Update and discussion on Third-Party Providers of Proposition Player Services (TPPPS) – Internal Controls, led by subcommittee members Kirill Yermanov and Michael Hill.
New Discussion Items:
- Third-Party Provider Employee Table Coverage.
- Procedures for Lost or Damaged Employee Badges.
Administrative Updates: An update on the Category G vacancy (Public Member with accounting/business background).

2026 Committee Composition

The committee consists of 10 members (expanding to 12 if pending legislation like AB 77 is finalized), split equally between the cardroom industry and the public.

Member Name	Category / Role	Term Expiry
Trevor Dewar	Category A (Bureau of Gambling Control)	12/31/2026
Sosha Marasigan-Quintero	Category B (Problem Gambling/Addiction)	12/31/2026
Michael Hill	Category C (TPPPS Representative)	12/31/2027
David Fried	Category D (Cardroom with 25+ Tables)	12/31/2026
Michael Koniski	Industry Representative	—
Emmanuel Macalino	Industry Representative	—
Linda Ng	Public Representative	—
John Stacy	Industry Representative	—
Kirill Yermanov	Public Representative	—