Gambling in the USA
Rev. Al Sharpton Urges Lawmakers To Halt The Legalization Of Mobile Sports Gambling In Colorado
Civil Rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton says new legislation has the potential to cause job loss and enforce racial stereotypes in the state
Civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton urged Governor Jared Polis, Speaker of the House Kathleen Becker, and members of the Colorado Gaming Commission to pause legislation that seeks to legalize mobile sports gaming. Rev. Sharpton emphasized that lawmakers should not move forward until the impact on casino workers and people of color is understood. He calls on these leaders to take this into consideration as they work through the various types of stimulus to handle the impact of coronavirus.
Service industry workers, many of whom are low-income and from communities of color, are among the most vulnerable in this global pandemic. They are more likely to suffer financially from unexpected scheduling changes or sick days than those in other professions. He argues that now, more than ever, we must be thinking about inequality.
The Colorado Limited Gaming Commission approved nine sports betting rules for permanent adoption in early February, and regulators remain on target to reach the state’s projected May 1 rollout. Rev. Sharpton says the problem does not lie in the rules changes, but in the subsequent attraction of “unsavory out-of-state hedge funds who profit off of job loss” due to this legislation.
Sharpton says that casinos need to consider the unintended consequences of opening their doors to these new opportunities.
The text of the letter is below.
Dear Governor Polis, Speaker of the House Becker, and members of The Colorado Gaming Commission,
As you are considering various types of stimulus to deal with the impact of the coronavirus, I sincerely hope you will consider the following. I write to you to express serious concern for the hasty move to legalize mobile sports gambling in Colorado. Even a cursory look at the parties pushing the legislation gives me pause about the wisdom of the legislation and it should give you pause too.
Online gaming in Colorado will inevitably attract unsavory characters who profit off of job loss. That’s almost a given. But in looking at who specifically benefits from the legislation, it’s difficult to understand why the state would want to reward bad behavior. Out-of-state hedge funds with long records of mass firings and shady dealings have come into the state to capitalize on mobile sports betting and based on their track record—middle class workers and minorities will be the first to be negatively impacted. My job is to spot those problems before they occur and to speak up about them before it’s too late.
You don’t need to look any further than Rhode Island-based Twin Rivers to start understanding the harm and the forces at play. Twin Rivers, which is owned and run by Soohyung Kim, a New York based hedge fund manager, purchased three Colorado casinos earlier this year. Twin Rivers has a long history of failing to support its employees and Kim and his fund, Standard General, has a long track record of investing in deals that have caused mass layoffs for workers — especially workers of color. Whether it’s the 6,000 people who lost their jobs at Radioshack or the 2,400 people who were fired at American Apparel by Kim’s mismanagement and disregard for working class people, Standard General does not seem like the type of company Colorado should automatically entrust with mobile sports gambling.
Twin River has time and time again operated with only the bottom line in mind. In 2017, Twin River announced it would slash healthcare benefits for workers, which tripled out-of-pocket costs for certain employees, just weeks after Massachusetts cleared the way in 2017 for the company to open a new casino in Tiverton. That same year, they threatened to layoff staff and replace them with private contractors, and to cut the remainders’ healthcare benefits.
As this track record shows, if Mr. Kim, who already over-extended Twin River in his pursuit of potential mobile betting licenses, fails to make a profit, you can be sure that it will be the workers of the Colorado casinos that suffer. Colorado needs to pay full attention to who is profiting off of this new law to legalize online betting —otherwise, jobs WILL be lost. This is a real issue affecting real people.
Please take a deeper look at who is supporting the legislation to legalize online sports betting before you enact it into law. It’s the least that Colorado’s workers can ask of you.
Sincerely,
Reverend Al Sharpton
SOURCE Reverend Al Sharpton
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: Florida is a “monopoly market” controlled by the Seminole Tribe, meaning there is only one door in: Hard Rock Bet. By securing vendor registration here, BETER gains access to one of the most populous states in the U.S. without the fragmentation of competition seen in states like New Jersey. The immediate deployment of Setka Cup (table tennis) fills a crucial need for 24/7, fast-paced content during U.S. daytime off-hours.
The Full Story
BETER, the provider of next-gen betting content and data, has officially entered the Florida sports betting market after securing Vendor Registration from the Seminole Tribe of Florida (dba Seminole Gaming).
The regulatory approval allows BETER to supply its fast-paced betting products to the state’s sole authorized operator, Hard Rock Bet.
Day One Impact: Table Tennis Following the approval, BETER has immediately launched its exclusive Setka Cup table tennis tournaments on the Hard Rock Bet platform.
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The Product: Setka Cup provides 24/7 live streaming, real-time data, and odds.
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The Reach: Florida becomes the fifth U.S. state where Setka Cup is available to bettors.
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The Metric: BETER covers approximately 700,000 fast-paced events annually, offering up to 50 betting markets per event with margins often exceeding market standards.
Next Phase: Esports While table tennis is live now, BETER has confirmed that its esports portfolio—specifically ESportsBattle—will be integrated into Hard Rock Bet in the “near future.” This will bring round-the-clock eFootball, eBasketball, and other fast-market disciplines to Florida bettors.
Management Commentary Chuck Robinson, Chief Revenue Officer at BETER, emphasized the strategic value of the exclusive Hard Rock partnership:
“Launching Setka Cup with our partner Hard Rock Bet is particularly significant, as it allows us to introduce our fast-betting content to Florida bettors through a highly trusted sportsbook platform. We see strong long-term potential in Florida… Our esports content, particularly ESportsBattle, will also be going live soon.”
Valeriia Tarchynska, Chief Legal Officer at BETER, noted the complexity of the approval:
“Obtaining vendor registration in Florida reflects the strength of our regulatory strategy… We are grateful to the Seminole Tribe of Florida dba Seminole Gaming for their cooperation throughout the registration process.”
This approval is part of a wider U.S. expansion strategy for BETER, which has already secured access in key states including Ohio, Arizona, and Kentucky.
The post BETER Cracks Florida Market: Setka Cup Now Live on Hard Rock Bet appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
BETER, the award-winning provider of live streaming, real-time data, and odds for fast-paced esports and sports content, has continued its U.S. expansion by securing Vendor Registration in the state of Florida.
The registration was granted by the Seminole Tribe of Florida dba Seminole Gaming, the regulatory authority that also oversees sports betting operations in the state.
Following the approval, BETER’s exclusive Setka Cup table tennis tournaments, featuring live streams, live data, and odds, are now available to bettors via the Hard Rock Bet. This launch marks BETER’s official entry into the Florida market, making Florida the fifth U.S. state where Setka Cup is available.
BETER delivers 24/7 live streaming, real-time data, and hyper-accurate odds for approximately 700,000 fast-paced events each year across a range of esports and sports disciplines, offering up to 50 betting markets per event and an average operator margin higher than the market standard. BETER expects to unlock much of this additional value through the integration of its exclusive ESportsBattle content into the Hard Rock Bet platform in the near future.
All matches are thoroughly monitored by BETER’s dedicated Integrity team, ensuring strict adherence to transparency standards and the rules of fair play.
Chuck Robinson, Chief Revenue Officer at BETER, said: “Securing vendor registration in Florida is another major milestone for BETER and a clear signal of our growing momentum across regulated U.S. markets.
“Launching Setka Cup with our partner Hard Rock Bet is particularly significant, as it allows us to introduce our fast-betting content to Florida bettors through a highly trusted sportsbook platform. We see strong long-term potential in Florida and are excited to continue building our presence here. Our esports content, particularly ESportsBattle, will also be going live soon, further enhancing the overall betting experience in the state.
“Our teams are looking forward to fruitful collaboration.”
Valeriia Tarchynska, Chief Legal Officer at BETER, added: “Obtaining vendor registration in Florida reflects the strength of our regulatory strategy and the expertise of our legal team in navigating the complex U.S. regulatory landscape.
“We are grateful to the Seminole Tribe of Florida dba Seminole Gaming for their cooperation throughout the registration process. This approval further supports our broader U.S. expansion plans as we continue securing licenses and launching our products in key regulated states, including Ohio, Arizona, Kentucky, and others.”
The post BETER Secures Vendor Registration in Florida appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Greentube, the NOVOMATIC Digital Gaming and Entertainment division, has strengthened its presence in Latin America after partnering with Brazino777, an online casino and sports betting brand known for its player-first experience and fast withdrawals, to roll out a selection of its top-performing titles to the Brazilian market.
Following the agreement, Greentube’s platform is now live with Brazino777 in Brazil, marking an important milestone in the supplier’s regional growth strategy and reinforcing its commitment to delivering market-relevant content in newly regulated jurisdictions.
As part of the collaboration, Brazino777 players can enjoy some of Greentube’s most popular new releases, including Piggy Prizes
:Wand of Riches 2, Trinity Treasures Wukong Buy Bonus, and Caichen Triple Blossom.
Alongside these titles, a curated selection of Greentube’s iconic classic games have also been integrated, including Book of Ra deluxe, Diamond Link: Mighty Sevens, and Cash Connection – Golden Sizzling Hot.
These games were selected for their proven performance in regulated markets and their strong appeal to Brazilian players, making them an ideal fit for Brazino777’s growing casino offering.
Now, with Brazil’s regulated online gaming landscape offering fresh opportunities, the collaboration is well positioned to reach new heights as the region continues to thrive.
Greentube’s latest Brazilian partnership further reinforces its strategic focus on Latin America as a key growth market. With a diverse portfolio of innovative slots and well-established fan favourites, the company continues to strengthen its position as a leading supplier worldwide.
Wilson Francisco, Sales and Key Account Manage at Greentube, said: “Our launch with Brazino777 is a major step forward for our strategy in Brazil. Their deep understanding of the local audience, paired with Greentube’s commitment to delivering top-performing, culturally relevant content, is a powerful combination.
“We’re confident that this partnership will elevate the player experience and help set new standards in the market.”
Andre Medeiros, Country Manager for Brazil at Brazino777, said: “Greentube’s portfolio is recognised globally for its quality, performance and player appeal. As a brand rooted in Brazilian culture, Brazino777’s focus is simple: a fun, smooth experience our community can enjoy every day.
“Partnering with Greentube reinforces that promise by expanding the entertainment options available to our players in Brazil.”
The post Greentube expands Latin American footprint with Brazino777 partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
