Gambling in the USA

Illegal Gambling Opponents Call on State, County Health Departments to Order Immediate Shutdown of ‘Games of Skill’ Machines

Published

5 years ago

March 23, 2020

An advocacy group battling against the explosion of illegal gambling across Pennsylvania is calling for an immediate shutdown of so-called ‘games of skill’ due to public health concerns related to spread of Coronavirus.

The unregulated and illegal machines, which have proliferated in gas stations, corner stores, restaurants, clubs and bars throughout Pennsylvania, pose risk as conduits of the Coronavirus. The National Institutes of Health this week released a study that found that virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is stable for several hours to days on surfaces. The scientists found that the virus survives for up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel.

“At a time in which Pennsylvania casinos have made the difficult but appropriate decision to shut down to protect the health of their patrons, employees, and the public, these machines continue to attract gamblers of all ages,” said Peter Shelly, spokesperson for Pennsylvanians Against Illegal Gambling (PAIG). “You don’t have to be a health expert to know that the extended period of times in which players interact with these machines could accelerate the spread of Coronavirus to some of our most vulnerable citizens.”

PAIG is calling on the Pennsylvania Department of Health as well as county health departments throughout the Commonwealth to order business owners to immediately shut down any machines operating in their establishments.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

While Gov. Tom Wolf has ordered the closure of non-essential businesses, many of these machines exist in businesses that remain open because they offer essential products and services. Shelly noted that the Governor’s order (issued on March 19) mandates that “Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries” must close.

Shelly emphasized that the emerging threat underscores the risks associated with unregulated gambling, which likely is being magnified by gamblers having fewer options amid the crisis.

The estimated 20,000 illegal machines operating in Pennsylvania divert revenues from the Pennsylvania Lottery that provide vital programs for older Pennsylvanians as well as casino revenues, a portion of which is distributed to counties for public improvement projects and programs.

Lottery officials recently testified that the machines could divert $200 million in funding this year for senior centers, low-cost prescription drugs, and programs such as Meals on Wheels. Lottery officials estimate that for every games of skill machine placed in a Lottery retailer, the Lottery loses approximately $2,284 per machine per month.

“With casinos shuttered and Pennsylvanians making the wise choice to stay at home we are already facing a perfect-storm scenario that will negatively impact revenues available to help older Pennsylvanians and our communities,” Shelly said. “The continued operation of these machines pose enormous risks to the short-term health of Pennsylvanians and the long-term health and stability of the entire Commonwealth.”

SOURCE: Pennsylvanians Against Illegal Gambling

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Gambling in the USA

Gambling.com Group Completes Acquisition of Odds Holdings, Inc., Parent Company of OddsJam

Published

16 hours ago

January 2, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

gamblingcom-group-completes-acquisition-of-odds-holdings,-inc.,-parent-company-of-oddsjam

Gambling.com Group Limited (Nasdaq: GAMB) (“Gambling.com Group” or the “Company”), a leading provider of digital marketing services for the global online gambling industry, announced today that it completed the previously announced acquisition of Odds Holdings, Inc., the parent company of OddsJam, on January 1, 2025, as planned and on schedule.

The completion of this acquisition underscores Gambling.com Group’s ability to execute strategic transactions efficiently and without delay. This acquisition expands Gambling.com Group’s footprint in the online gambling ecosystem by adding complementary recurring revenue streams from consumer subscription products and enterprise clients. The Odds Holdings platform, powered by state-of-the-art technology for real-time odds data, strengthens the Company’s position as a leader in the global online gambling ecosystem.

Canada

Revolver Gaming Partners with Blazesoft to Expand in the Social Sweepstakes Market

Published

4 days ago

December 30, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

Revolver Gaming, a leading developer of premium online slot games, is excited to announce its latest partnership with Blazesoft, a leading provider of online social casinos with sweepstakes elements. This partnership will see Revolver Gaming’s acclaimed portfolio of slot games delivered to Blazesoft’s brands, enriching their offering and providing players with cutting-edge entertainment.

Blazesoft is a well-established leader in the social sweepstakes market with leading brands in Fortune Coins, Zula Casino, Sportzino, Yaycasino.com who deliver engaging and compliant gaming experiences to players. By introducing Revolver Gaming’s innovative titles, Blazesoft strengthens its position as a prominent group operating the largest online social casinos in the U.S. and Canada for players seeking immersive and high-quality content.

As part of the collaboration, players on Blazesoft social gaming platforms will gain access to Revolver’s top-performing titles, including Badlands, Irish Coins, and Thor of Asgard. These games, celebrated for their stunning visuals, unique features, and dynamic gameplay, align perfectly with Blazesoft’s mission to offer exceptional entertainment to its users in North America.

Ryan Lazarus, CEO of Revolver Gaming, commented:
“We’re thrilled to partner with Blazesoft, a standout operator in the social sweepstakes sector. This collaboration highlights our commitment to bringing top-quality games to players in innovative and growing markets. The social sweepstakes space is booming, and Blazesoft’s platforms provide the perfect home for our titles to reach and engage new audiences.”

Yuliya Ivanisova, Chief Commercial Officer at Blazesoft said: “With Blazesoft’s established reputation and Revolver’s innovative content, this collaboration sets the stage for enhanced player experiences and strong market performance.”

The partnership underscores Revolver Gaming’s dedication to supporting operators in the social sweepstakes gaming industry, a market that continues to experience tremendous growth. With Blazesoft’s established reputation and Revolver’s innovative content, this collaboration sets the stage for enhanced player experiences and strong market performance.

co-founder of Real Gaming

Terrible’s Mobile Gaming Introduces 5-Card Draw Poker in Nevada

Published

7 days ago

December 27, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

terrible’s-mobile-gaming-introduces-5-card-draw-poker-in-nevada

Renowned for its deliberately different philosophy, JETT/Terrible’s Gaming is now revolutionizing mobile gaming with the launch of Terrible’s Mobile Gaming. Offering Nevadans fast-paced Multi-Player 5 Card Draw Poker on mobile devices statewide, this groundbreaking multiplayer app enables real-money games anytime in Nevada, complete with thrilling features like Royal Flush bonuses of up to $4,500, Four-of-a- Kind payouts of up to $175, and more.

“JETT/Terrible’s Gaming and the Terrible’s brand in general have been making life more convenient for Nevadans for over 65 years. Now, we are excited to bring that same level of convenience to mobile gaming—delivering the excitement of Multi-Player 5 Card Draw Poker directly to our customers, wherever they are, and within the palm of their hand,” said Tim Herbst, President, JETT Gaming & Terrible Herbst Inc.

To celebrate the launch, Terrible’s Mobile Gaming is offering a *deposit match of up to $500 every week. Download the Terrible’s Mobile Gaming app on the App Store and Google Play Store for *details:

In collaboration with Real Gaming, one of Nevada’s pioneering licensed iGaming operators, Terrible’s Mobile Gaming integrates state-of-the-art technology to provide an unparalleled gaming experience across the state.

“Nevada players know that both the JETT Gaming and Terrible’s Gaming brands mean convenience, and that’s exactly what we’ve delivered,” said Lawrence Vaughan, co-founder of Real Gaming. “Players are loving it!”

For more information, visit terriblesmobilegaming.com.