Gambling in the USA
Pace-O-Matic reports that PA Lottery Sales Show Impressive Growth — Not Negative Impact From Legal Games Of Skill
The Pennsylvania Lottery continues to see substantial growth among its games despite its unfounded public complaints of negative impacts regarding legal games of skill.
A report released by the state Revenue Department shows that scratch off ticket sales increased in total funding from purchasers and in the percentage of total overall Lottery sales — from 65.7 percent to 70.04 — in the last year. Keno and Xpress Sports also increased in both funds going to the state and in the percentage of overall sales. Lottery officials have wrongly testified at legislative hearings that the sales of these three products are suffering because of legal skill games.
“We congratulate the Pennsylvania Lottery on its impressive boost in sales from last year to this year,” said Tom Marino, Vice President for Pace-O-Matic, the entity that markets Pennsylvania Skill games. “We have been clear that our economic forecast numbers show legal games of skill will not negatively impact the Lottery. We are glad to know that the Lottery’s data is showing that as well.”
In addition, the statistics show that there is an increase in online lottery ticket sales. This would mean people are increasingly purchasing their lottery tickets online and not from stores that sell lottery games, Marino said.
Pennsylvania Skill has been operating legal games of skill across the state for five years, and all the while, the PA Lottery games have increased in popularity.
Marino said like the Lottery, games of skill give back to communities. They do so through charity work. Supporters of legal skill games also are asking state lawmakers to pass legislation so that they are regulated and provide increased tax revenue for the state.
Pennsylvania Skill, through the locations that have the machines, provide tens of thousands of dollars across Pennsylvania to fraternal organizations, volunteer fire departments, veterans groups, schools and community groups. All of the games, and most of the parts of the machines, are made in Pennsylvania.
Through the charity work and gaming manufacturing, funding from legal games of skill provide assistance and jobs all over the commonwealth.
“Legal games of skill are important to Pennsylvania and you will discover just how much by talking to one of the VFWs that has been able to keep its doors open now because they offer legal games of skill,” said Marino. “There is clearly room for both the Lottery and legal games of skill in Pennsylvania.”
Click here to view the Lottery’s Report which illustrates growth in scratch off tickets, Keno and Xpress Sports. The report clearly indicates the loss of lottery revenue has resulted from a drop of sales of Power Ball and Mega Millions. Revenue has been impacted by lack of large jackpots and its effects are being experienced by lotteries across the nation.
SOURCE Pace-O-Matic
Dr. Jennifer Shatley
New Trade Association Launches Unprecedented Effort to Strengthen Responsible Online Gaming, Promote Best Practices
The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA), an independent trade association launched by seven of the largest U.S. legal mobile gaming companies, will actively promote a new industry-wide best practices charter, overseen by one of the world’s foremost experts in the field of responsible gaming (RG).
This unprecedented effort will be led by Dr. Jennifer Shatley, a deeply respected responsible gaming executive with more than 25 years of experience in the industry. She will serve as ROGA’s full-time Executive Director, and her role will be to facilitate widespread education to all relevant parties on the subject of responsible gaming.
ROGA will embark on a series of initiatives under Dr. Shatley’s direction. These include research, consumer and industry responsible gaming education and awareness, promoting responsible gaming best practices, an independent data clearinghouse, and an independent certification program.
Demonstrating their commitment to this endeavor, initial member companies – who together represent more than 85% of the legalized online sports betting and iGaming industry – have pledged more than $20 million in support of ROGA’s mission in year one. ROGA’s member companies include BetMGM, bet365, DraftKings, Fanatics Betting and Gaming, FanDuel, Hard Rock Digital, and PENN Entertainment.
“I am humbled, honored, and excited to be selected to lead ROGA during this important period of growth in legalized mobile gaming. Many of America’s largest legal mobile gaming operators will be establishing a framework that helps to aid in responsible gaming education and awareness. Together, our members will work alongside researchers, experts, regulators and stakeholders to promote responsible online gaming and maximize our efforts to support additional responsible gaming education and awareness. By coming together with a clear set of objectives, ROGA and our members will work to enhance consumer protections and help provide easier and more efficient access to responsible gaming tools for consumers to enjoy the entertainment of online gaming,” said Dr. Shatley.
Compliance Updates
Play’n GO awarded Pennsylvania license
Play’n GO has continued on its upward trajectory in North America by landing its latest US iGaming licenses and will soon supply its award-winning content portfolio to operators and players in Pennsylvania and Delaware
These licenses are the fifth and sixth obtained by the Swedish gaming giants in the USA, following New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, and Connecticut.
Play’n GO have taken a dual-pronged approach to its strategy in North America, with these US licenses being complimented by the company’s success north of the border in Canada, where Play’n GO was one of the first suppliers to be licensed to supply slot games in the province of Ontario.
Although early in its American journey, Play’n GO games such as Piggy Blitz, make regular appearances in the top 15 most popular titles in all of North America*.
Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer for Play’n GO, said: “Play’n GO content is the most conducive to player retention across the industry. With player acquisition costs sky high in the US, we’re pleased to be able to offer operators in Pennsylvania access to our content which will keep players coming back for more.
“We are determined to be the number one casino gaming supplier in every regulated market in the world, and given that we are thriving in more than 25 jurisdictions around the world where we have a license, we fully expect a similar success story in Pennsylvania in the coming years.”
Play’n GO is set to release more than 50 online slot titles in 2024 and is active in more than 25 regulated jurisdictions worldwide, including Ontario, New Jersey, Michigan and West Virginia in North America.
Experi-MENTAL
Lightning Box concocts scientific experiment with new release Experi-MENTAL
Light & Wonder, Inc. (NASDAQ and ASX: LNW) (together with its subsidiaries, “Light & Wonder” or “L&W”) announced the launch of its new game, Experi-MENTAL, stacked with features, modifiers and a clash with the mad scientist.
Experi-MENTAL has two in-game features to enhance the overall player experience.
This 3×5 title, exhibits the distinctive Expanding Wild Feature, which can award huge prizes for players should the Wild Brain symbol expand and replicate by five times during the Free Games round.
When players enter the mad scientist’s lab, they will stumble across the Upgrading Feature, which zaps the 9, 10, J, Q, K or A symbols into high-paying icons, including Test Tubes, Power Switch, Cat, Pug or Man. The wins are then accumulated and paid out once the reels have stopped spinning.
The Barrel Pick Feature can radio-activate the feature by awarding an extra 15 Free Games, as players are presented with highly dangerous barrels with an unknown material.
A meter appears when players select a barrel, with a red area and a green area in view. Landing on the meter’s green area ensures the Free Games round is triggered and additional games are awarded but landing in the red zone activates only the round itself.
The classic Free Games mode is unlocked when Scatter symbols appear, with five Scatters granting the maximum of 10 Free Games and the Barrel Pick Feature. During the round, Free Games can be retriggered at any time.
Experi-MENTAL is set to go live with Caesars in New Jersey, Michigan and Ontario initially, and will be available at a later date to customers of Light & Wonder’s industry-leading OPENGAMING platform.
Michael Maokhamphiou, Studio Director at Lightning Box, said: “Experi-MENTAL is one Wacky slot game, and we believe it can propel our slots onto the next level.
“During this game, players can unlock some new features, which add a dramatic element to this slot and classic round that are a cornerstone of Lightning Box’s portfolio. We are in no doubt will love taking on the mad scientist in this epic title.”
Rob Procter, VP of Game Development at Light & Wonder, said: “2024 is going to be a big year for Lightning Box and the launch of Experi-MENTAL gives players the opportunity to showcase this thrilling game.
“With a variety of different features exhibited on this captivating title, it sets Lightning Box apart from its competitors, ensuring the player experience is unrivalled.”
-
Central Europe7 days ago
HIPTHER’s Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024 reaches new milestones with record registrations and prominent sponsors
-
Africa7 days ago
A Comparative Analysis Of Land-Casinos and Online Casinos in South Africa 2024
-
Africa7 days ago
A Comparative Analysis Of Land-Casinos and Online Casinos in South Africa 2024
-
Latest News7 days ago
Svenska Spel Strengthens Management Team
-
Central Europe7 days ago
HIPTHER’s Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024 Boasts All-star Sponsors and Record Registrations
-
Asia7 days ago
Crane Payment Innovations partners with Mohegan INSPIRE’s Casino
-
Canada7 days ago
iGaming Ontario Seeks Proposals for a Centralized Self-exclusion Solution Until April 24, 2024
-
Latest News6 days ago
Week 12/2024 slot games releases