Gambling in the USA
PlayMichigan.com: Michigan sportsbooks live, but best is yet to come
Michigan bettors will have their first opportunity to place a legal sports bet with today’s opening of two Detroit-area sportsbooks, a momentous first step in the state’s fledgling industry. But with online sports betting and internet casino operations still a year away, the most significant leap forward is still months away, according to PlayMichigan analysts.
“Today is something that sports bettors across Michigan have been waiting for for years, which makes it a moment to celebrate,” said Dustin Gouker, chief analyst for PlayMichigan.com. “But much work remains, particularly with the launch of online sports betting still months away, if Michigan is to reach its potential as a market.”
Greektown Casino and MGM Grand Detroit are expected to accept their first sports wagers today, and MotorCity Casino likely won’t be far behind. The launch comes less than three months after HB 496 was signed into law and just in time for the tip of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, one of the largest sports betting holidays in the country.
Michigan, which was the 13th state to legalize online sports betting nationwide and just the fifth state to legalize online casino gambling, should eventually be one of the nation’s largest markets. Once mature, PlayMichigan expects the Wolverine State to generate $7 billion to $8 billion in sports bets each year and produce $500 million in annual gross operator revenue.
But until online sports betting launches, which appears unlikely to happen until 2021, Michigan won’t come close to those targets. More than 85% of all sports bets in New Jersey, the nation’s largest sports betting market, are made online. In neighboring Indiana, 77.9% of sports wagers were made online in February.
“With the NCAA Tournament just ahead, the timing of the launch is good, but it would have been better if both retail and online sports betting could have launched together,” Gouker said. “The high expectations for the market should remain relatively muted until online sportsbooks get off the ground. Once that happens, though, Michigan should ramp up rapidly.”
Michigan is well-positioned for its future once the state finalizes regulations for online sportsbooks. With a rate for sports betting gross revenue at 8.4%, in addition to 1.25% city tax for Detroit casinos, the tax structure is reasonable. And Michigan casinos have already struck smart partnerships with some of the biggest and best-known sports betting brands in the country, including FanDuel, PointsBet, and William Hill.
“Michigan has put together a balanced framework that is fair to operators and should yield significant tax revenue for the state,” Gouker said. “By being thoughtful in their approach, Michigan lawmakers avoided some of the growth-stunting policies that will likely slow down states such as Illinois.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Michigan, visit PlayMichigan.com/news.
BetMGM
BetMGM Named US Home of Gold Blitz™ by Games Global
Games Global has named BetMGM the official “home of Gold Blitz
” in the US, with BetMGM Casino and Borgata Online Casino set to debut new titles from the popular franchise ahead of a wider market rollout.
As part of the agreement, BetMGM players will benefit from early access to upcoming Gold Blitz
releases, allowing them to experience the latest gameplay features and innovations before they are introduced across the broader US market.
The partnership builds on the continued success of the Gold Blitz
franchise, which has become one of Games Global’s most recognisable and high-performing mechanics.
Leading the rollout, BetMGM will be the first US operator to launch Gold Blitz Express
, the fourth instalment in the series. The new title introduces the Blitz Express feature, further enhancing gameplay depth and win potential. Additional releases, including Blazing Bison Gold Blitz Ultimate Double X, are scheduled to follow, reinforcing the ongoing expansion of the franchise.
Globally, Gold Blitz
has delivered strong results, consistently ranking among Games Global’s top-performing game families and attracting over one million active players in 2025 across partner operators.
The agreement further strengthens the relationship between Games Global and BetMGM, supporting the operator’s efforts to drive player engagement across regulated US markets.
Joann Pierce, Chief Commercial Officer US at Games Global, said:
“Gold Blitz
has become a cornerstone of our portfolio, delivering strong performance across multiple markets. Partnering with BetMGM to bring new releases to players first reflects our shared commitment to premium, engaging content. Early access initiatives like this allow us to showcase innovation while supporting our partners’ growth.”
Oliver Bartlett, Senior Vice President of Gaming at BetMGM, added:
“We’re committed to delivering top-tier gaming experiences, and Gold Blitz
represents one of the most exciting game families in the market. Being first to launch these new titles ensures our players enjoy cutting-edge gameplay ahead of the wider industry.”
Responsible Gaming:
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, support is available. In the US, call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, or visit BetMGM.com for full terms and eligibility requirements. 21+ only. Please gamble responsibly.
The post BetMGM Named US Home of Gold Blitz™ by Games Global appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Cryptocurrency
Paysafe Introduces “Pay with Crypto” to Meet US iGaming Demand
The new product powered by MoonPay allows players to easily deposit using stablecoins and cryptocurrencies at iGaming and daily fantasy sports companies.
Paysafe, an international payment platform, today revealed the introduction of Pay with Crypto, a novel cryptocurrency payment option for iGaming operators and daily fantasy sports companies in the U.S. market. Enabled by MoonPay, the top provider in worldwide crypto payments and stablecoin systems, Pay with Crypto enables customers of iGaming brands to conveniently use their chosen stablecoin or cryptocurrency to fund their player accounts, where allowed.
Approximately 70.4 million American adults are said to own cryptocurrency, and Paysafe’s research shows that 83% of U.S. players are interested in crypto payments, prompting the company to introduce Pay with Crypto to satisfy this demand. A player wishing to fund their iGaming account with USD Coin (USDC), another stablecoin, or any leading cryptocurrency can now use Paysafe’s new payment option for operators’ cashiers, which allows for quick conversion of their crypto deposit to U.S. dollars for gameplay.
Upon choosing Pay with Crypto and their desired stablecoin or cryptocurrency, players just link their crypto or custodial wallet to complete the deposit, while the MoonPay Commerce Checkouts technology also facilitates transactions through QR code using users’ mobile devices. After verifying the transactions, Pay with Crypto immediately converts crypto deposits into U.S. dollars to credit the player’s account.
The flexibility inherent in the Pay with Crypto solution also applies to operators, who can opt to settle payments nearly instantly in stablecoins within their business crypto wallet, or in U.S. dollars or other major fiat currencies via MoonPay’s Virtual Accounts driven by Iron.
Operators can enhance their cashiers with Pay with Crypto via a single, seamless integration of the Paysafe Gateway, designed specifically for iGaming and utilizing the company’s 30 years of worldwide expertise. The Gateway, which already features seamless card payments, the Skrill digital wallet, the PaysafeCash eCash option, a Pay by Bank service, and over 30 local payment methods, is further diversifying its services by introducing Pay with Crypto to cater to changing transactional preferences.
Zak Cutler, President of Global Gaming at Paysafe, said: “Galvanized by the growing popularity of stablecoins, cryptocurrency is evolving in the U.S. from an investment asset into a unit of value for payments, and we’re seeing this shift gather pace in the country’s iGaming market. Against this backdrop, we’re delighted to unveil Pay with Crypto, a forward-thinking solution that strongly positions U.S. operators for their customers’ changing transactional preferences – the future of how they pay when they play.”
Ivan Soto-Wright, Founder and CEO of MoonPay, commented: “Crypto rails are making payments faster and more efficient, and our job is to close the gap between this technology and real-world utility. People shouldn’t have to convert their digital assets just to make a purchase – they want to use what they already have. Paysafe brings that experience to more people through trusted, regulated platforms.”
The post Paysafe Introduces “Pay with Crypto” to Meet US iGaming Demand appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Andrea Mata
Teamsters at Park MGM Unanimously Ratify Strong First Contract
Front desk workers at Park MGM, represented by Teamsters Local 986, have unanimously ratified a strong first collective bargaining agreement. The two-year contract protects and rewards 82 workers, delivering higher wages, improved benefits, and stronger workplace protections.
The bargaining unit includes front desk clerks, head cashiers, rooms controllers, lobby ambassadors, and guest service representatives. They play a critical role in delivering a seamless and welcoming guest experience from check-in to check-out.
“Organizing with Local 986 was an easy choice that led to overwhelmingly positive results. This contract allows me to provide a better future for myself and my family. I’m very grateful for all the support throughout this process,” said Andrea Mata, a front desk clerk and proud member of Local 986.
Under the new agreement, workers will receive a 10% wage increase, improved benefits, and an enhanced pension plan. Workers will now have access to the Teamsters Health and Welfare plan that reduces their deductibles by lowering co-pays and out-of-pocket costs.
“This agreement shows what’s possible when workers come together and organize. Strong contracts are built on solidarity, and this victory delivers real improvements that raise standards across the industry,” said Tommy Blitsch, Director of the Teamsters Convention, Trade Show, and Casino Division.
“These members showed strength and determination from day one and it paid off. Winning a first contract like this is a big milestone that delivers immediate improvements while building lasting power for the future,” said Tim Vera, President of Local 986.
The post Teamsters at Park MGM Unanimously Ratify Strong First Contract appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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