This follows an investigation by the AGCO in which a player complained that over CA$8,500 in winnings had been seized by the operator. The platform was offering a “welcome bonus” that promised new players up to CA$2,000.

However, in order to qualify for the full amount, players had to fulfill numerous requirements that investigators say were overly stringent and difficult to find.

• Deposit CA$2,000 of their own money
• Wager CA$70,000 (35 times the deposit)
• Keep each wager at or under CA$5
• Complete all wagering requirements within seven days

“Player protection is a non-negotiable priority for the AGCO,” Karin Schnarr, CEO and Registrar of the AGCO, said in a statement. “We expect operators to be truthful and transparent about their promotions, and we also require them to ensure that those promotions do not encourage reckless or harmful patterns of play.”

Investigation Found Platform Failed to Protect Players

Analysis conducted by the AGCO revealed that the average player would initially lose approximately $3,640 when attempting to earn the $2,000 bonus.

Ontario’s iGaming rules prohibit licensed operators from offering bonus promotions that could foster harmful gambling practices and fail to outline key qualifying conditions properly. Operators are also prohibited from enticing players with promotional offers that cannot be reasonably achieved without experiencing significant losses beforehand.

The AGCO determined that Well Played Media violated all these terms.

“An offer that requires a player to sustain substantial losses for a perceived benefit is not a fair offer,” the AGCO said. “This penalty sends a clear signal that we will not hesitate to take action against operators who fail to meet their obligations to protect Ontario players.”

As with any operator served with an Order of Monetary Penalty by the AGCO, Well Played Media may file a formal appeal to the Licenses Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an independent body associated with Tribunals Ontario.

‘Ensuring the Integrity of Game Play’ a Priority for AGCO

Casino Days advertises itself as the “premier online casino destination in Ontario,” featuring over 6,000 different games, including slots, table games, and live dealers.

Although it is regulated in Ontario, the AGCO’s recent action highlights the challenge of protecting players to promote market integrity.

In April, the AGCO fined the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto CA$120,000 for failing to detect cheating and dealer collusion.

The penalty came after charges were brought against five individuals following an investigation into alleged collusion between a group of casino patrons and two table dealers. A subsequent AGCO compliance review confirmed that the dealers had engaged in the scheme, allowing patrons to win over CA$20,000 illegally within a seven-day period.

The same casino was fined CA$80,000 in 2023 after failing to detect a similar scheme.

Following the most recent violation, Schnarr said Ontario’s registered operators “have an obligation to ensure the integrity” of game play – including detecting and preventing collusion and cheating – and promised the AGCO would “continue to monitor and take all necessary steps” to ensure it happens.

The post Casino Days Operator Fined CA$54K by AGCO for Deceptive Bonus Practices appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) recently announced that as of July 1, hundreds of companies connected to sports betting in the state will no longer need licenses to offer their services.

This comes after Gov. Mike Braun ordered all state agencies to eliminate any licensing rules that were deemed duplicative, burdensome, or not in the public’s or industry’s best interests.

Commission officials contend these companies pose minimal risk and are already adequately covered by state and federal laws.

As part of the change, companies will no longer be required to pay annual licensing fees to the state, which averaged approximately $60,000 over the last five years. Officials say that money can be reallocated to foster growth and innovation in other parts of the industry.

Marketing Affiliates, Payment Processors Among Indiana Suppliers Covered

The updated policy relaxes the requirements for sports wagering registrants (SWRs), which are companies that provide goods or services related to sports betting but are not directly involved in operations. This includes entities such as marketing affiliates, payment processors, and gaming data firms, as well as global media brands (Facebook, Google, TikTok, Twitter) and professional sports teams (Indianapolis Colts, Indianapolis Pacers). 

What it does not include are core technology platform providers like geolocation tools, compliance services, and anti-money laundering specialists.

States Seek to Speed Up Supplier Licensing

Whereas online sports betting expansion has been rapid, iGaming is still only legalized in seven states: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.

As more states like Indiana seek to join the market, lawmakers have proposed regulations with varying levels of complexity. Many recent iGaming bills, for instance, have included provisions that suppliers — and specific games — who have already been approved in other states with a strong regulatory track record should receive provisional approval immediately.

In Illinois, under the Illinois Internet Gaming Act, the regulator is required to issue a temporary license within 30 days to a company that “holds an equivalent license or temporary license under hte Sports Wagering Act or, otherwise, has equivalent licenses in connection with Internet gaming in another U.S. jurisdiction with licensing standards similar to those established under this Act.” 

Similarly, Nevada, the gambling capital of the United States, has sought to expedite regulatory approvals for retail games. Gaming manufacturers stated in 2023 that delays in the approval process had caused significant financial harm.  

Indiana Lawmakers Push to Legalize iGaming

Earlier this year, lawmakers also discussed introducing iGaming and a digital lottery to the Hoosier State, but House Bill 1432 stalled in the Ways and Means Committee.

Rep. Ethan Manning, the bill’s author, estimated that the online casino games and digital lottery, coupled with proposed betting tax hikes, could generate more than $300 million annually in additional revenue.

House Speaker Todd Huston described the bill as complicated, noting there were a lot of conflicting industry interests. Opponents also expressed concerns about potential revenue losses for retail casinos and the physical lottery due to cannibalization. 

The post Indiana Eases Licensing Requirements for Sports Betting Suppliers appeared first on CasinoBeats.

U.S. Central California District Court Judge James Selna granted Sweepstakes Limited’s motion to compel arbitration.

This was after California resident Dennis Boyle sued the company, alleging it was running an illegal gambling website in violation of the state’s Unfair Competition Law and Consumer Legal Remedies Act.

The lawsuit claims that Stake.us’ currency system, which uses virtual coins or tokens, functions as real-money gambling as opposed to a promotional sweepstakes platform.  

Boyle’s complaint was initially filed in Orange County Superior Court in February but was later transferred to federal court. Subsequent efforts by Boyle to return the case to the state court were denied.

Stake.us Arbitration: Federal Judge Finds No Evidence

Stake.us argued that Boyle, an admitted gambling addict, agreed to arbitrate all disputes when he created an account with the company on Nov. 29, 2022, and accepted its terms and conditions.

While the agreement included an opt-out provision for arbitration, the company said Boyle did not provide any written notice, thereby confirming his acceptance of the terms and conditions.

According to the court, the arbitration clause “clearly and unmistakably” delegates the question of arbitration to the arbitrator, not the court. Boyle challenged the validity of the arbitration clause, claiming it was unconscionable and part of an allegedly illegal contract.

However, the judge found no evidence to support those claims.

“The Court can only conclude that there is no procedural unconscionability as Boyle has failed to meet his burden,” the judge ruled.

As a result, the judge ruled that Boyle must arbitrate his claims with Sweepstakes Ltd.

Advocacy Group Celebrates Ruling

The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA), an advocacy group for representing sweepstakes and social gaming platforms, celebrated the ruling in a statement.

“This ruling affirms what we’ve long said: Social sweepstakes sites are not gambling.”

“They are free-to-play games enjoyed responsibly by millions of American adults, and no purchase is ever necessary to play or have a chance to win prizes,” continued the group. 

The SPGA continued: “Anyone can file a lawsuit making any claims they like. This ruling is a reminder that facts — and the law — still matter.”   

Sweepstakes Casinos Continue to Attract Regulatory Pressure

A separate lawsuit in Alabama also centers on allegations that Stake.us is deceptively marketing itself as a legal sweepstakes platform.

Laura Hall, her minor child, and other affected Alabama residents are named as plaintiffs in the complaint, which was filed last month in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.

Hall claims that Stake.us, which allows users to play casino-style games such as slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker, operates similarly to internet café gaming establishments, which have been shut down throughout the U.S.

“Stake will ask the Court to disbelieve its own eyes and conclude that Stake.us is not really a gambling operation, but instead offers legal ‘sweepstakes,’” the lawsuit states. “That is an old gimmick that was once popular among criminals in the early 2000s.” 

Instead of real money, sweepstakes gaming sites allow players to use virtual currencies such as coins or tokens, which can then be exchanged for prizes or additional credits.

The complaint also claims that Stake.us operates under the guise of Sweepstakes Ltd. and promotes over 200 games, including slots, poker, and table games.

Anti-sweepstakes bills have already been filed in 12 states. Last month, Montana became the first state to ban sweepstakes casinos. In addition, both Louisiana and Nevada are set to join Montana, with bills awaiting their respective governors’ signatures. 

The post Federal Judge Sends Stake.us Gambling Lawsuit to Arbitration appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Threats Came From Intoxicated Overseas Bettor Who Lost MLB Wager

A spokesperson for the Houston Police Department (HPD) told multiple outlets that the man, whom they declined to identify, admitted he had bet on a Houston Astros game, lost money, and was intoxicated when he angrily sent threats to McCullers.

The man expressed remorse for his actions and asked that investigators relay his apology to McCullers’ family, the spokesperson said.

Police determined the threats were not credible. However, charges are still being considered, and the case remains open.

 McCullers, 31, said threats to “find my kids and murder them” were sent following his start on May 10 against the Cincinnati Reds. He allowed seven runs and retired just one batter in a 13-9 loss.

“I understand people are very passionate and people love the Astros and love sports, but threatening to find my kids and murder them is a little bit tough to deal with,” McCullers told reporters postgame.

The Astros hired 24-hour security for McCullers following the threats.

Threats to Athletes Not Limited to Overseas Bettors

McCullers’ incident follows a concerning trend of athletes receiving abuse from angry sports bettors.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks revealed recently that he and his wife had also been subjected to death threats.

“Comments telling me to commit suicide and how you wish I died from cancer is disgusting and vile,” Hendriks, who previously battled non-Hodgkin lymphoma, wrote on Instagram. “Maybe you should take a step back and re-evaluate your life’s purpose before hiding behind a screen, attacking players and their families.”

Appearing on the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast, the 36-year-old Hendriks said fan abuse is “rampant” in baseball, and that it has only gotten worse since the expansion of legal sports betting.

“Unfortunately, that tends to be what it ends up being — whether it’s Venmo requests, whether it be people telling you in their comments, ‘Hey, you blew my parlay. Go (expletive) yourself’ kind of (stuff),” he said. 

College Player Props Are Banned in Many States

Legal sports betting is now operational in 38 states, plus Washington, D.C. Several of these states have taken measures to protect athletes by restricting the markets on which bettors can wager.

College player proposition bets, for instance, are prohibited in more than a dozen states. Places like New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have banned them altogether, adhering to requests by NCAA President Charlie Baker. Others prohibit wagers on in-state schools.

A study released by the NCAA in 2024 found that someone with a betting interest had harassed one in three student-athletes.

“The horrific messages we are seeing across online platforms is absolutely unacceptable,” Baker said. “Angry fans are sending numerous abusive messages and threats to  student-athletes, publicly and privately, because of lost bets placed on the athlete’s performance in a game.”

NCAA Considers Lifting Ban on Pro Sports Betting

Despite its strict stance on gambling, the NCAA is reportedly moving closer to easing rules that ban athletes, coaches, and athletic staff members from gambling on professional sports.

The proposal to “deregulate the prohibition” passed by a 21-1 vote by the Division I Board of Directors in April. It has since been forwarded to the D-I council for further discussion. If approved, NCAA members could be allowed to bet on professional sports by June. 

Those same members would still be prohibited from wagering on college sports. 

The post Overseas Bettor Behind Threats to MLB Pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., Houston Police Say appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Gambling sites BC.Game and DEBET have lost their UK gambling licenses yet remain accessible to British users, according to the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA), which shared its findings with Sky News.  

BC.Game lost its license in December 2024, while DEBET lost its license on May 15.

The Gambling Commission has warned clubs that they could face severe penalties, including fines or jail time, for promoting unlicensed gambling services. Despite this, neither club has indicated it plans to end its sponsorships.

More than half of this season’s Premier League clubs have a gambling company as their sponsor.

Unlicensed Gambling Firms Still Accepting UK Customers, Sponsoring EPL Teams

As part of the investigation, CEGA told Sky News it was able to place deposits on both without issue, despite not having proper licensing for UK customers.  

CEGA Director Will Prochaska said he alerted representatives from Leicester City on March 13 that BC.Game is still accepting UK customers.

“In fact, (BC.Game) was one of the easiest for me to gamble on — there were very few checks whatsoever,” Prochaska said via Sky News. “But Leicester don’t seem to have done anything about it, and it’s still on the front of their shirts.”

BC. Game, DEBET and Burnley FC sponsor 96.com were formerly licensed under TGP Europe, an Isle of Man-based company. However, TGP Europe opted to forfeit its license after being told it needed to pay over $4 million in fines for failing to “carry out sufficient checks on business partners and breaching anti-money laundering protocols.”

According to the Commission, this included failure to:

• Carry out effective due diligence on each entity involved in the ownership of the third party
• Carry out due diligence on the source of funds for business arrangements
• Sufficiently consider money laundering risks
• Sufficiently consider any activity by an illegal third party, in either Great Britain or the territory in which it is conducted.

At that time, the commission said it contacted representatives from AFC Bournemouth, Fulham FC, Newcastle United FC, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, and Burnley FC to warn them about the risks of promoting unlicensed gambling businesses.

Everton Forced to Cut Ties on Record Sponsorship with Stake

Everton was also caught in the crosswinds when its front-of-shirt sponsor, Stake, ceased UK operations in March. This followed an investigation by the commission into a widely distributed social media video that displayed Stake’s logo. The video featured an adult actress outside Nottingham Trent University. 

In line with regular protocols, the commission issued a letter warning Everton about the risks associated with promoting unlicensed gambling sites. 

Everton first announced the sponsorship agreement with Stake in June 2022. At the time, reports estimated the deal at more than £10 million per season. Stake then took over as the club’s main shirt sponsor before the 2022-23 season. 

The record-breaking deal was met with some controversy among Everton supporters, who feared it would lead to children and other young fans being overly exposed to gambling advertisements. 

A petition by an Everton supporter calling on the club to drop the sponsorship received more than 20,000 signatures, but to no avail. 

Clubs Asked to Carry Out ‘Due Diligence’ on Accessibility

Additionally, the commission asked clubs to “carry out sufficient due diligence” to ensure that the sites were no longer accessible to consumers in Great Britain. This includes geo-blocking.

“This case involves a gambling company that was unwilling or unable to meet the regulatory standards we expect from our licensees,” John Pierce, Head of Enforcement at the Commission, said in a statement. “It is right that they have now exited the British market.”

He continued: “Following TGP’s exit, several online gambling operators can no longer lawfully offer gambling facilities to consumers located in Great Britain. These sites, previously operating under TGP’s license, may not provide adequate protection against criminal activity or gambling-related harm and should not be available to GB consumers with immediate effect.”

Pierce stressed that EPL clubs must protect consumers from unlicensed operators, and harmful or exploitative advertisements associated with gambling.  

“We would like to warn consumers that sites operated by TGP are now unlicensed and may not provide protections against criminality or gambling-related harm,” he said. 

The post Unlicensed Gambling Firms Still Promoted by EPL Clubs, Probe Reveals appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The Irish News reports that the Dundalk-based online betting company, has rewarded gamblers deep in the red with tickets to the sporting spectacle, despite the GAA’s strong anti-gambling stance. 

The GAA has implemented a ban on betting advertisements, yet BoyleSports still holds a corporate box at Croke Park. The Irish News said it reviewed documents that showed many of the tickets it had issued went to bettors who had lost hundreds of thousands of euros with the bookmaker.

BoyleSports and Advertising With the GAA

This is not the first time that BoyleSports’ promotional practices have drawn controversy. Last year, the Irish News reported that BoyleSports retained an advertising hoarding on the Hogan Stand of GAA headquarters, and that it was visible during the All-Ireland Finals and other significant events, including concerts.

At the time, a spokesperson for GAA told the Irish News that box holders at Croke Park were free to use the front of their boxes for promotional activity within ASA guidelines.

A spokesperson for BoyleSports commented: “As a suite holder at Croke Park, along with every other suite holder, BoyleSports is permitted to use the front fascia of its suite for branding purposes.”

The Irish News cited a source who said that BoyleSports’ box, for which prices start at €50,000 per year, is used as “an incentive for people to gamble more.”

Gambling Issues in GAA Well-Documented  

The GAA has made concerted efforts to address gambling problems amongst its players. This includes awareness campaigns where players, supporters, and their families can learn about the effects of gambling issues.

Tyrone star Conn Kilpatrick has been open about his struggles. The All-Ireland winner said his gambling addiction started when he was 15 or 16, and by 2018, at the age of 21, he had racked up £15,000-£20,000 of debt.

“I was just thinking everyone is going to see my mum and dad and think, ‘Their son is the gambling addict,’ which hurt as it was nothing to do with them, they didn’t lead me down that path,” Kilpatrick said on the GAA Social podcast: “I brought shame onto the family and that was the thing that I was most wary of.”

It wasn’t until Armagh legend Oisin McConville, who had overcome gambling issues of his own, convinced him to attend Gamblers Anonymous (GA) meetings that Kilpatrick got the help he needed.

A 2023 University of Limerick study found that gambling was “pervasive” among elite intercounty GAA players. Of the 608 players who responded to an anonymous survey, 79% admitted to being current gamblers. One contributor called gambling the “biggest problem in the GAA.”

Bank of Ireland Takes Stand Against Illegal Gambling 

Concerns about problem gambling are severe enough that the Bank of Ireland recently introduced voluntary card-blocking tools restricting access to online casinos, slot machines, and lottery websites. It also prohibits payments to gambling operators.

This comes as data provided by the Bank of Ireland shows a significant rise in local gambling expenditures, especially among young males. For customers between the ages of 18 and 25, spending rose 19% between January and March despite a 2% drop in total card spending. Males accounted for 71% of the wagers.

As the industry continues to evolve, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), a new entity responsible for licensing and regulating gambling services, said it expects other banks to introduce similar card-blocking features soon.  

The post Controversy as BoyleSports Rewards Heavy Gamblers with GAA Final Tickets appeared first on CasinoBeats.

He recently revealed on the social media site X (formerly Twitter) that he purchased $98.76 worth of contracts on prediction market Kalshi to win the state’s gubernatorial race in 2026. Langford, the Executive Director of the California First PAC, also requested his followers to place bets of their own as a sign of support.

Reflecting the steep odds Langford faces in the deep-blue state, Kalshi showed a 6% chance of him winning at the time of his bet. It also revealed a potential payout of $405, equaling $306.32 in profit.

Kalshi Continues to Face Scrutiny from State and Federal Regulators

Kalshi, an online platform where users in all 50 U.S. states can buy and sell contracts on the outcome of future events, began allowing election betting in the U.S. in October 2024. 

The timing was significant, as it came weeks before the U.S. presidential election. It also introduced markets for major sporting events, such as the Super Bowl and March Madness. The company now offers markets on single matches, which has sparked major debate across the United States. 

Despite being regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Kalshi and other prediction markets such as Robinhood and Crypto.com have faced intense scrutiny from both state and federal regulators. 

Seven states — Arizona, New Jersey, Nevada, Maryland, Montana, Ohio, and Illinois — have issued cease-and-desist orders against the markets, claiming they circumvent rules, regulations, and tax policies.

Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour, meanwhile, has long touted such markets as “quintessential truth machines,” claiming their growth is representative of “how important they have become to the American people.”

Kalshi scored a significant victory last month when the CFTC withdrew its appeal against the legality of election markets.

“Election markets are here to stay,” Mansour said on X. “Prediction markets have been banned, censored, limited, and pushed out for decades. This win solidifies their right to exist and thrive.”

Potential Governor’s Wager Ignites Debate About Ethics

While Langford’s bet may be technically legal, it has raised questions about market integrity and the role of prediction markets in future political elections.

Shortly after, Kalshi acknowledged the bet in a statement: “We are aware of the recently publicized circumstance regarding a candidate trading on a market regarding their candidacy, and our compliance and surveillance teams are acting accordingly.”

“As required of all CFTC-regulated exchanges, Kalshi investigates and, as appropriate, adjudicates all potential violations of its Rules,” it continued. 

The company concluded: “Kalshi does not give public comment on the status of ongoing investigations. The outcome of such an investigation, or any pursuant notice of charges or discipline, may become public via exchange notice.”

Langford Remains a Longshot to Win Governor Despite Wager

Langford unquestionably faces an uphill battle to victory in California.

As of Saturday night, Democrat Toni Atkins led Kalshi’s prediction market with odds of 15% to become California’s next governor. Close behind were fellow Democrats Eleni Kounalakis (14%) and Antonio Villaraigosa (12%), followed by Xavier Becerra (7%) and Katie Porter (6%). 

At 6%, Langford did have the highest odds among Republican candidates. 

The post Republican Kyle Langford Places Wager on His Own Election Victory, Sparks Ethics Debate appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Financial news service Bloomberg, which last week broke news of the partnership, has since deleted its original story on the deal.

Social media posts on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn by Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour, touting the announcement, have also been scrubbed.

“I could not be more excited to announce Kalshi’s upcoming partnership with xAI,” Mansour said in a now-deleted post. “Together, we’ll shape the future of news and information.”

Hours later, amid much confusion, Bloomberg posted a retraction, reporting that the agreement between Kalshi and xAI “had not been mutually confirmed.”

Kalshi and Musk’s xAI Share Political Ties

It remains unclear if a deal was ever actually agreed upon between Kalshi and xAI. Whatever the case, Mansour spelled out his vision for both sides, writing in a since-deleted post that “Together, we’ll shape the future of news and information.”

Mansour also shared his affinity for Musk, saying he has “inspired me at every step,” and explained that prediction markets, social media, and AI are deeply aligned in how they operate.

That Mansour and Musk both have ties within U.S. President Donald Trump’s inner circle only fueled speculation about the potential partnership.

In January, Kalshi took on Donald Trump Jr. as a strategic advisor.

Meanwhile, Trump nominated Kalshi board member Brian Quintenz to head the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the federal agency that oversees prediction markets such as Kalshi.

As for Musk, he was appointed by Trump to head the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a program focused on cutting government spending.

Prediction Markets Continue to Attract Regulatory Pressure

Whereas sports betting is legally operative in only 38 states and Washington, D.C., prediction markets like Kalshi, Robinhood and Crypto.com are accessible throughout the country.  

Because they are not considered sports betting, these platforms lack specific safeguards and do not pay state taxes on betting. This has motivated gaming regulators to shut them down, claiming they circumvent rules, regulations, and tax policies.

This week, Arizona became the seventh state to issue a cease-and-desist letter to Kalshi, joining New Jersey, Nevada, Maryland, Montana, Ohio, and Illinois.

“The Department recognizes Kalshi’s attempt to legitimize its conduct by labeling it as an “innovation” regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission,” Douglas Jensen, Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG), wrote in a letter addressed to Mansour on Wednesday, according to multiple reports. 

“In fact, there is no meaningful difference between buying one of your offered contracts and placing a bet with any other sportsbook,” he continued. 

He concluded: “Given the lack of licensure and compliance with Arizona statutes and regulations related to event wagering, online gambling as operated by Kalshi in Arizona, whether through a website … the Kalshi mobile applications, or otherwise, is illegal.”

The ADG sent similar letters to Robinhood and Crypto.com.

Kalshi scored a victory earlier this month when the CFTC moved to drop its appeal of a federal judge’s decision allowing the platform to offer election-based event contracts in the United States.  

The post Kalshi and Musk’s xAI Partnership Announcement Retracted appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) is now accepting applications for sports betting licenses, setting the stage for a Dec. 1 launch — a little more than a year after voters OK’d sports betting.

Regulators had hoped to launch this summer but faced resistance from lawmakers such as Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, who rejected a series of emergency licensing rules aimed at expediting the process in February.

The application deadline for untethered online sportsbooks is July 15, while all other applications must be submitted by Sept. 12. Operators can either apply independently or partner with one of Missouri’s six professional sports teams — Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), St. Louis Cardinals (MLB), Kansas City Royals (MLB), St. Louis Blues (NHL), St. Louis SC (MLS), Kansas City Current (NWSL) — or 13 retail casinos.

The fee for a physical sportsbook license is $250,000, while mobile licensing will cost $500,000. A 10% tax will be imposed on gross revenue, with proceeds benefiting K-12 public education and gambling addiction programs.

Missouri Sports Betting Supporters Tout Revenue Potential

When Missouri finally launches sports betting, it will be the first new entrant since North Carolina in March 2024 and the 39th state overall. It’s a long time coming for residents of the Show Me State, who narrowly approved Amendment 2 during the November 2024 election. The measure, which amended the state constitution to allow retail and online sports betting for individuals 21 and older, passed by fewer than 3,000 votes.

Organizations such as the Sports Betting Alliance celebrated the approval, with President Jeremy Kudon releasing a statement calling it a “huge victory for Missouri fans.”

According to a report by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, it could generate up to $560 million annually, making it a potentially huge revenue driver.

“We’ve been working on this for years,” Kansas City Councilman Wes Rogers said via KSHB 41 Kansas City. “The state needs the tax revenue. We’re about to benefit from that, especially, as we’ve talked about for years, with Kansas and Illinois already (launching legal sports betting). They’re taking a lot of revenue from us, so I’m looking forward to keeping that home.”

Caesars Expresses Concern Over Bill’s Language

In addition to Hoskins, the commission also received pushback from Caesars Entertainment, which contributed $4 million last September to a newly formed committee called Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment.

While Caesars operates three retail casinos in Missouri — Isle of Capri in Boonville, Horseshoe St. Louis, and Harrah’s Kansas City — it opposed changes to the bill’s language.

Despite that, Caesars is widely expected to apply for an operating license along with FanDuel and DraftKings, which already both provide daily fantasy sports (DFS) to Missouri residents. Bet365, which inked a sports betting deal with the Cardinals in March, is also expected to apply.  

The post Missouri Sets December Launch Date for Legal Sports Betting appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The adjusted cap, set to take effect July 1, is part of the territory’s 2025-26 budget and is projected to generate an additional AU$13.1 million (US$8.5 million) in revenue annually. Total revenue is expected to rise 25.5% year-over-year to AU$145 million (US$93.8 million).

The government plans to implement a flat 50% tax rate on online gambling and lottery ticket reselling and matching profits. Government officials say this will generate more revenue and help level the playing field across all digital platforms.

“Taxation and royalty revenues are expected to increase by A$142m in 2025-26,” Treasurer Bill Yan noted, “driven by improved royalties and reforms like the new gaming tax arrangements. That’s more funding to invest in safer communities, better services, and real economic growth.”

Responsible Wagering Australia Lambast Reckless Northern Territory Economics

Not everyone is on board with the new tax rates. Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA) expressed its concern, calling the move “economically reckless” and arguing that it was finalized without any industry consultation.

Kai Cantwell, the organization’s CEO, said: “RWA have participated meaningfully in the review and eagerly anticipated a new strategic vision for racing in the Territory. This decision, made before the Review has had a chance to lay that strategic vision, has blindsided (Wagering Service Providers) and materially undermines any outcome of the Review.”

Furthermore, Cantwell cautioned that doubling the tax rate may discourage future investors and weaken the Territory’s stability. As such, Cantwell called Yan and Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro to reconsider the change and talk with stakeholders before advancing further.

“This tax hike preempts the outcome of the Review, a process that was meant to guide long-term, evidence-based and sensible reform,” Cantwell added. “It sends a message that consultation, process, and industry sustainability have taken a back seat to short-term revenue grabs.”

Efforts to Tackle Problem Gambling Continue

As Australia’s betting market continues to grow, policymakers have been faced with concerns of problem gambling. A survey released in 2023 by the Australian Institute of Family Studies found that 68% of Australians described gambling as dangerous for family life, while 59% thought gambling should be discouraged.

Addressing worries about the addictive tendencies associated with betting, the Australian Alliance for Gambling Reform has called for federal advertising reforms. However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shelved the policy last year, essentially stalling efforts. 

Conversely, the government did institute a ban on credit card transactions for online gambling last year. The Australian Parliament updated the country’s Interactive Gambling Act 2001, bringing online gambling more into line with land-based gambling. 

Any company that fails to comply with the regulation, which includes credit-related products and cryptocurrencies, is subject to fines of up to AU$234,750 (US$151,270). 

The post Northern Territory, Australia, to Double Wagering Tax Cap appeared first on CasinoBeats.