Gambling in the USA
PlayIllinois.com says launch of sports betting first step in what could be $10B-a-year industry
Illinois officially has joined the ever-growing list of legal sports jurisdictions in the U.S. with the launch of BetRivers Sportsbook at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, and by doing so took the first step in what could be one of the largest markets in the U.S.
If the Illinois market fully matures — which would have to include the widespread launch of online sports betting — the state could generate from $9 billion to $11 billion in wagers annually and $650 million in operator gross revenue, according to projections from PlayIllinois.com, which tracks regulated online and retail gaming in the state.
“Illinois’ potential is enormous, but it has a long way to go to become a major player relative to the largest markets in the U.S.,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst at PlayIllinois.com. “Launching the industry is obviously a momentous first step. But because of regulatory roadblocks to online sports betting, it will be years before Illinois can enjoy the same kind of boom that we’ve seen in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.”
On Monday, Illinois became the 15th state to allow legal sports betting. Of those, only New York and Pennsylvania have a larger population from which to draw. And Illinois’ retail sportsbook market is expected to ramp up quickly, with five more expected to open soon, including sportsbooks at Argosy Casino Alton, Hollywood Casino Aurora, Hollywood Casino Joliet, Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, and Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino in East Peoria. Fairmont Park Racetrack in Collinsville, near St. Louis, has also been approved for a temporary operating permit.
Significant hurdles remain, though, particularly for online sports betting, which isn’t expected to launch until later this year. And when it does launch it will require in-person registration for mobile accounts.
The Illinois law, passed in December, allows for three “stand-alone” mobile operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel. But because of the state’s in-person registration requirement, those would-be operators will not be able to accept a bet for at least 18 months. And with a hefty $20 million fee to obtain one of those three licenses, it’s not clear which operators will apply.
“Illinois’ high licensing fees for online operators and its in-person registration requirements will undoubtedly stunt the growth of the industry,” Gouker said. “Even with the high fees, the appeal of the Illinois market will eventually be too much to resist for the country’s largest operators. But neighbor Indiana will be able to continue to cash in on the Chicago market until Illinois gets up to speed.”
Online sports betting is by far the most significant revenue driver in the major U.S. markets. In New Jersey, which has quickly grown to become the country’s largest market, 87% of all sports bets in January were made online. By contrast, Rhode Island, which put in place a similar in-person registration requirement as Illinois, draws just 15% of its bets from online sources.
Illinois’ 10 existing casinos, three racetracks, and as many as seven sports venues are eligible to apply to open retail sportsbooks. Those sportsbooks will also be able to set up mobile sports betting apps.
“The Illinois model isn’t ideal, but for Illinois bettors today is unquestionably a good day,” Gouker said. “Most of the state’s residents should be able to place a bet in relatively close proximity. And that is much better than the alternative.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Illinois, visit PlayIllinois.com/news.
G2 Digital
G2 Digital launches Vegas Club Casino in New Jersey on White Hat Gaming PAM
G2 Digital, the iGaming operator founded by industry veterans Greg Carlin and Dan Alexander, has launched Vegas Club Casino in New Jersey on White Hat Gaming’s Player Account Management (PAM) platform. The site is now live at NJ.PLAYVEGASCLUB.COM, with apps available for iOS and Android, the companies said on July 22, 2026.
Under an exclusive agreement, White Hat Gaming will provide its PAM solution to support G2 Digital as it targets regulated jurisdictions across the United States and Canada. The platform scope includes CRM marketing support, a proprietary cashier, RGS integrations, and White Hat’s Travelling Wallet
feature, positioned by the supplier as enabling cross-state flexibility and scalability.
Phil Gelvan, CEO at White Hat Gaming, said: “Greg and Dan are incredibly well-respected in the industry, so we are proud that they have chosen White Hat Gaming’s first-class PAM solution to supplement G2 Digital as it expands its operations in the US iGaming space with Vegas Club Casino. We are dedicated to delivering a highly optimized PAM product that ensures G2 Digital provides its players with a seamless, high-performance gaming environment.”
Greg Carlin, Co-Founder and CEO at G2 Digital, said: “After conducting a thorough analysis of all available platforms approved in the US market, White Hat’s PAM solution stood out as the winner, both in terms of the technology and the leadership team behind that product.”
White Hat noted its PAM is also used by operators including Bally’s, Jackpocket, and Choctaw Nation, and framed the deal as expanding its presence in regulated US markets.
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Gambling in the USA
AGS Reflects on Their Class II Roots at OIGA 2026
AGS today announced it will be attending the 2026 Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) Conference and Trade Show, taking place July 20-22 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.
With deep seated roots in Oklahoma, where AGS was founded and where its primary warehouse and production facility is located, AGS is eager to return to OIGA with a continued commitment to serving the needs of tribal operators.
”Oklahoma is not just another dot on the map for us. It’s where we started and where we learned how to be a true gaming supplier,” said David Lopez, CEO and President of AGS. “You can’t fake it in Oklahoma. Tribal customers know the games, they know the math, they know service, and they know who shows up every time. That has been great for AGS, because it forced us to get better. It made us more disciplined while keeping us honest. We’ve grown a lot since then – Class III, tables, interactive, offices all over the place – but our history in Oklahoma and Class II is not something we moved on from. It’s part of the AGS engine.”
The Company’s product showcase will include the large-format, specialty cabinet Spectra SL75+
. Designed to support the entire Spectra game library, including premium titles when leased, Spectra SL75+ gives operators added flexibility to mix and match content to fit their unique casino floor.
The cabinet acts as the perfect canvas to highlight five new titles including Rakin’ Bacon! Fu Zhu Bao Bao
and Rakin’ Bacon! 5 Prosperity Pots
, Cash Carriage Looter
, Da Da Luo Boom
, and Frightful Fortunes Popping Pumpkins
.
AGS’ high-performing mechanical stepper cabinet Revel® – available in both Class II and Class III – is redefining the category by blending traditional mechanical gameplay with video-inspired features, creating an engaging experience for all player types. The latest Revel portfolio includes Crystal Reels® and Royal Reels®, available in both Class II and Class III. Expanding the lineup, Jackpot Legends
– a new cash-on-reels title featuring an exciting Jackpot Bonus Wheel – and So Hot Cash®, which delivers classic stepper gameplay and can be linked to the So Hot Grand progressive, are set to debut in Class III later this year, with Class II launches following in 2027.
On the table side, AGS’ award-winning progressive platform Bonus Spin Xtreme® (BSX) has been hugely successful in turning small side bets into massive jackpots throughout the tribal casino market. Linking all table games – from the pit to the poker room – BSX has been elemental in allowing operators to offer the flexibility at the tables to make these life-changing wins become more common.
AGS’ participation in OIGA reflects the Company’s history in Oklahoma and its longstanding commitment to the tribal gaming community. More than a trade show presence, OIGA is an opportunity for AGS to reconnect with valued partners, strengthen relationships, and reaffirm its respect for the Oklahoma Tribes that have played such an important role in the Company’s growth.
Attendees are invited to visit AGS at booth 732 throughout the show.
For more information, visit newsroom.playags.com.
©2026 AGS LLC. All® notices signify marks registered in the United States. All
notices signify trademarks which are currently not registered on any country-wide basis. Products referenced herein are sold by AGS LLC or its affiliates.
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Gambling in the USA
UpUp Casino Opens to U.S. Players with Premium Games Free, Faster Redemptions, and a Player-first Rewards Program
UpUp Casino, a free-to-play social sweepstakes platform built on player-first principles, officially launched in the US at upupcasino.com. The platform debuts with a premium game library, independently audited systems, and a legally compliant sweepstakes model that never requires a purchase or deposit to play or redeem real cash prizes.
UpUp Casino features a diverse collection of social and live games from globally recognised studios that power leading international iGaming brands — premium titles that are traditionally paid-to-play, now available free within the UpUp Casino sweepstakes experience. The platform operates using two virtual currencies: Gold Coins (GC) for entertainment gameplay and Sweep Coins (SC), which can be redeemed for real cash prizes.
Built around a player-first rewards experience, UpUp Casino offers every new player a welcome gift upon signup, alongside a wide range of ongoing promotions and benefits. Players can enjoy daily rewards, weekly bonuses, coin package bonuses, limited-time coin boosts, refer-a-friend incentives, and more. The platform’s VIP program further enhances the experience with boosted promotions, priority support, and exclusive tier-based rewards.
All eligible SC balances can be redeemed for real cash prizes through a redemption process designed for speed, security, and low minimum thresholds — ensuring rewards remain accessible to players.
UpUp Casino has been independently audited for security and fair-play integrity prior to launch and operates in compliance with U.S. sweepstakes promotional regulations. Player accounts are protected through industry-standard encryption, identity verification systems, and dedicated 24/7 customer support staffed by real people.
“Players deserve more — premium games without paywalls, faster redemptions, better rewards, and support from real people who genuinely care. We built UpUp Casino around those principles. This is what a modern player-first sweepstakes casino should look like,” said Angelina Upton, Founder of UpUp Casino.
The post UpUp Casino Opens to U.S. Players with Premium Games Free, Faster Redemptions, and a Player-first Rewards Program appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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