New Jersey could become the fifth state to ban the platforms if Gov. Phil Murphy signs a recently passed bill into law. Meanwhile, a regulatory crackdown in Arizona and a dozen lawsuits in Alabama could force operators out of the two states.

Furthermore, a bill seeking to ban sweepstakes in California, the nation’s largest state, will have its first hearing next week.

NJ Could be The Fifth State to Ban The Sweepstakes Casinos

On Monday, June 30, the New Jersey Assembly voted 69-10-1 to ban sweepstakes casinos. A few hours later, the Senate passed A5447 by a similar margin, 34-5.

The bill defines illegal gambling as any game in which players pay for entries to win prizes, including online sweepstakes casinos. Exceptions for traditional sweepstakes apply, such as free contests and those with specific entrance and odds rules.

The bill was introduced in March and saw little movement until June. However, factors like an endorsement by the New Jersey Responsible Gaming Task Force and bans in other states have seen the proposal quickly move through the legislature this past month.

If Gov. Murphy signs A5447 into law, New Jersey will join Montana, Connecticut, New York, and Nevada in banning the platforms in the past two months.

Unlike the rest, Nevada doesn’t explicitly ban sweepstakes platforms. The recently passed bill, however, gives state gambling regulators more power to target and prosecute unlicensed out-of-state operators.

The Louisiana legislature also passed a ban bill. However, Gov. Jeff Landry vetoed it, stating it was unnecessary. Since then, the state has sent a cease-and-desist order to 40 offshore and sweepstakes operators, with approximately 20 having already left the state.

Meanwhile, ban bills in Maryland and Mississippi passed one chamber but failed in the other. In both states’ cases, the Senate advanced a ban, but it failed in the House.

Elsewhere, ban bills remain active in Ohio and California. The Ohio proposal has not made any progress, but the legislative session doesn’t end until the end of the year. Then, it carries on to 2026.

Meanwhile, the proposed legislation in California will have its first legislative hearing on July 8.

Arizona is Joining the Regulatory Crackdown

While some states have chosen a legislative path to pursue sweepstakes casinos, others have taken a regulatory approach through cease-and-desist orders.

Michigan successfully implemented the tactic in early 2024, and as a result, no notable sweepstakes casinos permit player registrations in the state. As mentioned, Louisiana’s recent crackdown has led to a mass exodus, and similar actions by the Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement and the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency have proven successful.

On the same day that Louisiana issued the regulatory orders, the Mississippi Gaming Commission followed suit. However, the scope was much smaller and only a handful of operators have left.

Arizona is also ramping up its efforts. While it has targeted mostly offshore casinos in the past, in recent months, it has sent cease-and-desist letters to a few sweepstakes platforms.

In April, it ordered Modo.us and several offshore operators to cease operations, which Modo has complied with. Last week, the Arizona Department of Gaming sent another wave of similar orders, including to Stake.us and High 5 Casino.

The two have not yet complied, but given that the regulatory tactic is paying off in other states, Arizona could become the latest jurisdiction to see a growing number of sweepstakes casinos exit.

13 Active Lawsuits Against Sweepstakes Casinos in Alabama

Sweepstakes casinos face a different threat in Alabama, one of the strictest anti-gambling states. While others target the platforms with legislative bans or regulatory cease-and-desist letters, Alabama has 13 active lawsuits against sweepstakes casinos.

In May, an Alabama woman accused Stake.us of running an illegal gambling operation. Since then, a dozen other similar lawsuits have appeared in the state.

According to US gaming and sports betting attorney Daniel Wallach, eleven of those were filed in June alone. In addition to Stake, most major operators, including VGW and High 5, are being sued.

In most of these cases, the plaintiffs argue that sweepstakes casinos violate Alabama laws because they require payment in exchange for a chance to win, employ gaming-style mechanics, and, despite the availability of free play, involve real-money gaming.

Despite the lawsuits, most defendants, except Pulsz Casino and Pulsz Bingo, have not yet left Alabama. Still, the number of sweepstakes casinos now listing Alabama as an ineligible jurisdiction is growing:

• McLuck Casino and sister sites Hello Millions, Mega Bonanza, Jackpota, and SpinBlitz
• Play Fame
• Sidepot
• Spinfinite
• Spree

The post Sweepstakes Casino Crackdown Spreads: New Jersey Ban Passes, Arizona and Alabama Target Operators appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Perhaps most notable was House Bill 490, filed by Rep. Jeremy Gray. This bill was referred to the House Committee on Economic Development and Tourism with the aim of creating an Alabama Gaming Commission, legalizing sports wagering, electronic games of chance, and implementing a new state lottery.

Alabama still remains one of just five US states without its own lottery. A key argument weaponized by proponents of broader gambling legislation is the state-level economic benefit that legalized wagering can bring. States such as New York generate substantial tax revenue from betting, and advocates strongly believe a robust legal system significantly reduces the likelihood of consumers opting for offshore bookmakers, which are not regulated by the state and as such, lack adequate consumer protection measures. 

The bill intends to introduce a 10% tax on sports betting revenue. Of the tax generated,  40% would go to the General Fund, 40% to the Education Trust Fund, and the remaining 20% to a newly created NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) Trust Fund for high school athletes. 

Two Alabama Bills, One Standoff

Despite the fact that five Democrats are backing HB 490, Alabama’s House leadership insists that gambling legislation must originate in the Senate – primarily because a similar House-led proposal was rejected by the upper chamber only last year.

This dynamic has embodied the state’s struggle to progress a sports betting agenda, creating an uneasy political tug-of-war as the legislative session races toward its May 15 deadline.

In the Senate itself, veteran Republican lawmaker Greg Albritton brought about a far broader proposal that inserted a constitutional amendment for a state lottery and bid to expand tribal gaming and sports betting. The senator also plans to tax gambling at 24%, which would include excise taxes on gaming machines and individual wagers.

Albritton’s bill would incorporate legislation authorizing electronic gambling at six locations and require a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians for tribal casinos in an attempt to bring a unified gambling structure to the state.

A Vote Unlikely in 2025

In spite of the Republican’s proactive solutions, Albritton has admitted his bill still lacks the support needed to progress. “We’re closer than we want to admit,” Albritton told Alabama Daily News. “But it’s easier not to make a decision… why stick your head out of the trench if you don’t have to?”

Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston was decidedly less optimistic, noting that the Senate lost a key vote after Sen. Reed’s resignation in November, which, in all likelihood, has reduced last year’s 20 votes to just 19.

Should Albritton’s proposal reach the 21-vote threshold needed before May 15, then the issue could reach the public referendum in a September 16 special election, something Gov. Kay Ivey fully supports. However, without the required votes in the Senate, it’s unlikely the bill will make the ballot until at least 2026.

Notwithstanding the public interest in passing a motion and the mounting pressure from industry lobbyists, with just 12 session days remaining and countless major budget issues still to be resolved, it would appear that Alabama lawmakers are going to give up the fight—for now.

The post Dueling Bills Reignite Alabama Sports Betting Debate, but 2025 Vote Unlikely appeared first on CasinoBeats.

In a bid to ensure the full stability of the regulatory framework in the region, there would also be the establishment of the Alabama Gaming Commission. 

It comes following continued efforts to progress gaming legislation in the region, with House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter putting together a committee to advocate for gambling legislation in Alabama last year. 

In HB 152, there would be a state tax on net gaming revenue from casino-style gaming and sports betting. The measure would levy a 24 per cent tax rate on casino-style gaming, which is paid by establishments within 20 days after the end of each calendar month. 

About 95 per cent of the tax revenue generated from casino-style gaming will be allocated to a gaming trust fund, while a portion will go to the General Fund Budget Reserve Fund and also back to gaming establishments across the state.

Funds will be donated to the General Fund until it reaches $300m. Today, it sits at around $150m, according to Blackshear. HB 152 sees retail and online sports betting in Alabama taxed at a 17 per cent rate with 90 per cent of revenue allocated toward the gaming trust fund and another 10 per cent toward each county commission of the state. Funds given to counties are to be allocated toward law enforcement.

The post Casino legislation makes progress in Alabama  appeared first on CasinoBeats.

312.9

Kindred CEO Nils Andén has stated that the revenue growth across the fourth quarter and 2023 is a sign that the company can “grow profitably within highly regulated markets”.

In addition to describing Groupe Française des Jeux’s recent public cash offer for Kindred as “good news”, Andén has also been appointed as permanent CEO of the group after holding the position on an interim basis since May 2023.

Publishing its Q4 and full year 2023 financial report, Kindred declared a Q4 total revenue of £312.9m, a two per cent increase year-over-year (Q4 2022: £305.5m). 

For the full year, revenue grew by 13 per cent to £1.21bn (2022: £1.07bn). 97 per cent of the revenue was generated from B2C operations, while three per cent came from their B2B Relax Gaming operations.

Q4’s gross winnings revenue improved by two per cent YoY to £301.6m (Q4 2022: £295.1m), while for the full 2023, revenue rose by 12 per cent to £1.17bn (2022: £1.04bn).

Kindred noted that growth in the Dutch and UK markets, as well as a strong performance in casino operations, helped B2C revenue in Q4 in comparison to the previous year. 

Andén commented: “The final quarter of 2023 saw a sustained above-market performance in the Netherlands, UK, and Romania, which combined with continued growth in our B2B segment (Relax Gaming) generated total revenue of £312.9m and underlying EBITDA of £56.8m for the period, an increase of 45 per cent compared to the same period last year.

“During 2023, we provided guidance of £200m in underlying EBITDA, and I am very pleased that we have delivered on that target. Our performance demonstrates that Kindred is able to grow profitably within highly regulated markets. During 2023, 82 per cent of gross winnings revenue was generated from locally regulated markets.”

152

Alabama state Rep. Chris Blackshear and Andy Whitt have introduced House Bill 152, which would authorise the regulation and taxation of casino gaming, sports betting and lottery in the state.  

To ensure the full stability of the regulatory framework in the region, the Alabama Gaming Commission will also be established.

It follows continued efforts to progress gaming legislation in the state after House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter put together a committee to advocate for gambling legislation in Alabama last year. 

In HB 152, there would be a state tax on net gaming revenue from casino-style gaming and sports betting. The measure would levy a 24 per cent tax rate on casino-style gaming, to be paid within 20 days after the end of each calendar month. 

About 95 per cent of the tax revenue generated from casino-style gaming will be allocated to a gaming trust fund, while a portion will go to the General Fund Budget Reserve Fund and also back to gaming establishments across the state.

Funds will be donated to the General Fund until it reaches a total of $300m. Today, it sits at around $150m, according to Blackshear. 

Retail and online sports betting in Alabama would be taxed at 17 per cent, with 90 per cent of tax revenue being allocated to the gaming trust fund and another 10 per cent toward each county commission of the state. Funds given to counties are to be allocated toward law enforcement.

1.96

BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt has stated that the operator can focus on player acquisition and retention, as well as strengthen its market position, following strong organic growth in 2023.

The company’s FY23 net revenue from operations has grown by 36 per cent year-over-year to $1.96bn, the upper end of its $1.8bn to $2bn guidance range.

A same-state growth of 14 per cent was also reported in net revenue from digital operations, in addition to key metrics improving YoY across igaming and sports betting including average monthly actives, first-time depositors, hold percentages, bonus levels, NGR per active and cost per acquisition.

BetMGM also stated that it achieved positive EBITDA in the second half of the year, with an expected FY23 EBITDA loss of approximately $67m.

Greenblatt commented: “Our performance in 2023 demonstrates our commitment to delivering on our promises. We were able to achieve strong organic growth while executing against key strategic initiatives that lay the foundation for 2024 and beyond.”

Across North America, BetMGM is now live in 28 markets – five igaming and online sports betting markets and 23 solely sports betting markets – with four market launches in the past year: Ohio, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico and Kentucky.

The operator has a 14 per cent market share in US igaming and sports betting, as well as a 22 per cent market share in Ontario.

Greenblatt added: “The attainment of EBITDA profitability over the last three quarters of 2023 validates the effectiveness of our business model and provides the basis from which to invest further in expanding our sports offering through the integration of Angstrom and leveraging our largely untapped Las Vegas omni-channel advantages.”

5

Evolution has completed the acquisition of slot streaming provider Livespins, purchasing its entire issued share capital for a total up-front cash consideration of €5m. 

Initiating the deal through its subsidiary company Evolution Malta Holding Limited, Evolution has also agreed to pay an earn-out based on Livespins’ performance in 2026. 

Subject to certain closing conditions, the transaction will be completed in the second quarter of 2024.

“Livespins is a unique proposition that has shown solid engagement metrics and adoption by players and one we believe will be a great addition to the Evolution portfolio,” stated Martin Carlesund, CEO of Evolution.

“Over the years, we have garnered a reputation for identifying new and interesting technology which is why I’m thrilled that we have reached an agreement with Livespins.”

Keeping its branding within the Evolution Group, Livespins allows players to “bet behind” their favourite streamers, influencers or brand ambassadors as they play, creating a social betting experience.

Chris Scicluna, CEO of Livespins, noted: “This is an unprecedented milestone for Livespins and we couldn’t be happier to be joining the Evolution Group.

“We are still in the start-up phase of our business and to attract the attention of Evolution is incredibly rewarding. It also is a reflection of all the hard work that our team has poured into this concept since we launched and the unwavering belief that this product would revolutionise the industry.”

50

EveryMatrix closed 2023 with a third consecutive quarter of profit margin being above 50 per cent, contributing towards a record-breaking financial performance.

Reflecting on the fourth quarter and the historic full-year financial results, Group CEO Ebbe Groes has described the past year as “mind-blowing”, adding that “the future is very bright” for the company in 2024 and beyond.

Publishing its results, EveryMatrix declared a Q4 revenue of €76m, up 92 per cent year-over-year, while net revenue came in at €36m, an 87 per cent improvement YoY and a new quarterly high.

EBITDA stood at €20m, up 194 per cent YoY thanks to “strong sports trading margins and significant growth across its casino segment”. EBITDA margin was 56 per cent, with cash position at €51m.

For the full year, EveryMatrix posted revenues of €240m, up 89 per cent YoY, while net revenue rose by 75 per cent YoY to €114m (2022: €65m) and was four times better than 2019’s €28m.

Off the back of the sports trading margins and casino growth, 2023 EBITDA improved by 155 per cent YoY to €60m, with a margin of 52 per cent.

Groes stated: “2022 was phenomenal but this year’s numbers are mind-blowing. Every business unit and every one of our employees has contributed to a stellar set of financials proving we really are among, if not, the industry’s fastest-growing igaming technology supplier.”

The post Kindred, Evolution and Alabama: the week in numbers appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Striving to generate billions of dollars in new revenues to the state, create thousands of new jobs, and regulate and tax gaming interests, the move comes after what the tribe describes “a public misinformation campaign funded by an anonymous group”.

Last month PBCI emphasised its commitment to economic development in its home state, lauding local successes amid current expansion, as local media reported that a new group intended to hold the group accountable for how they spend revenue, stressing concern at a perceived growing influence statewide.

In a media release PBCI  emphasised a belief that “the sole purpose of that group’s work was to misrepresent the tribe’s position on gaming in the state, confuse the issues surrounding gaming regulation and taxation, and damage Poarch’s reputation”.

“We have long believed that the economic power of gaming should be strategically harnessed to create opportunities for everyone who lives in Alabama,” noted Stephanie Bryan, Poarch tribal chair and CEO.  

“This plan does that, and we are committed to making sure that our positions on gaming and our commitment to helping improve the quality of life in Alabama are clear. ”  

The plan also calls for the construction of two deluxe tourist resorts in the northern Alabama, and supports citizens’ rights to vote on gaming issues, including whether the region should also have the kind of traditional lottery that other neighbouring states have in place.

Furthermore, the group is to also reveal publicly what they propose in the way of a plan for gaming in the state through a public awareness campaign, including a policy-focused website www.winningforalabama.com.  

It is hoped that through this introduction citizens utilise a platform to voice opinions of gaming issues, as well as giving an opportunity for communities to alert the tribe and state leaders about wider critical needs.

“We hope that the information we are making available will prompt both citizens and our state’s legislators to seriously consider a solid plan for gaming that can have real economic benefits for Alabama,” added Bryan.  

“We believe that it is important everyone in the atate has access to honest information and constructive ideas so they can make the best decisions about an issue that is critically important to Alabama’s economic well-being and quality of life.”

The post PBCI repeats Alabama stance with economic plan appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The move comes as local media reports that a new group is striving to hold the group accountable for how they spend revenue, stressing concern at a perceived growing influence statewide.

Owning and operating a number of properties across the US and further afield, the tribe stress that a solid foundation in its home market made it possible to invest and expand across the country and internationally.

However the PBCI says that it remains committed to a long-standing offer to negotiate a compact with Alabama’s Governor that it believes will provide a stream of revenue, benefit the citizens of Alabama and provide a fair and well-regulated framework for gaming across the state.

Commenting: “For more than forty years, we have suggested options to both the Governor and state legislators. Most recently, we have proposed detailed plans that include us working with the state to provide more than a billion dollars in new revenues to Alabama.”

Poarch Creek has invested in excess of one billion dollars on three gaming entities within the state, namely Wind Creek properties in Atmore, Montgomery and Wetumpka.

Furthermore, the tribe is also currently investing a further $250m in OWA, meaning ‘big water’ in the Muskogee Creek language, as well as additional $100m for the construction of an indoor water park and hotel.

It’s three casino properties stand on tribal land and come under the regulatory arm of the National Indian Gaming Commission, therefore the state has no authority and the tribe zero obligation to pay state taxes on gaming revenue, according to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Continuing its statement in a media release, the tribe added: “While our offers have not been accepted, we continue to pay taxes, like all legal, responsible businesses do. We also continue to donate millions of dollars across the state and the region, which is not required by law but is part of our commitment to be a good neighbour.

“Unfortunately, there is now an organised effort by entities that do not share our commitment to be good corporate citizens to undermine our well-regulated enterprises and our good works. 

“We cannot begin to understand their motivation for spending funds on a website and paid advertising built on lies and misinformation. We would suggest they consider refocusing their attention on making Alabama a better place to work and live for all of us who love our state.”

The post Poarch Creek reiterates commitment to Alabama appeared first on CasinoBeats.

It is said that two tornadoes hit a roughly one-square-mile area of Beauregard, causing the highest tornado death toll in the United States since 2013, with all 23 people dying from the first.

After initially offering a donation of $50,000, the tribe, who are the only federally recognised tribe of Native Americans in Alabama, agreed to cover the full $184,000, with Casino.org quoting Bill Harris, the Lee County coroner, as stating: “The coroner’s office received word that they wanted to help and reached out to them and they agreed. Their first commitment was for $50,000.

“They called back and asked me what it would take to cover the costs, and I gave them a figure and they graciously made it happen.

“The monies will be deposited with the East Alabama Medical Center Foundation, to be dispersed to the funeral homes to cover the cost of the funerals.”

Via its gaming subsidiary Wind Creek Hospitality, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians own and operate nine gaming venues and greyhound tracks across Alabama, Nevada, Florida, Curacao and Aruba, with a $1.3bn deal also in place to make an entry into Pennsylvania via the acquisition of the Sands Bethlehem property from Las Vegas Sands.

Stephanie Bryan, CEO and chairman of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, told ABC News: “This disaster occurred so quickly, and affected so many families who had no way to prepare to cover the cost to put their loved ones to rest.

“We live in an area that is prone to tornadoes and other natural disasters, so this a tragedy that strikes close to home in many, many ways.”

The post Native American tribe to cover funeral costs after Alabama disaster appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Following its intro through class III markets in May of this year, the Orion Slant is now approved in more than 42 jurisdictions across North America.

The first cabinet installations recently recently took place at the Poarch Band of Creek Indians’ Wind Creek Hospitality locations in Atmore, Montgomery, and Wetumpka, Alabama, which a total of 15 class II slot titles currently available, with more currently in development.

Trenton Daughtry, Wind Creek Hospitality corporate director of class II gaming operations, commented: “We appreciate the opportunity to be the first property to install the class II version of AGS’s Orion Slant.

“We pride ourselves on striking a good balance between player favourite classics and new products, this is an exciting opportunity to offer an eye-catching new platform and new game content to our players.”

Launched via class III markets earlier in the year, there’s currently in excess of 630 Orion Slant units currently installed across 62 casino properties in North America.

AGS details that it initially launched the platform with three titles, namely the Asian themed Dragon Fa, Phoenix Fa, and Tiger Fa, with the company recently adding a further four titles, Aztec Gold, Fu Nan Fu Nu Lucky Dragons, Toro Gordo, and Vegas Gold, with a library of 30 the target before the end of 2018.

Andrew Burke, AGS Senior Vice President of Slot Products, added, “We soft-launched the Orion Slant a couple months ago and it is already outpacing our expectations.

“The Orion Slant’s presentation package, with its unique starwall design in a lower-profile cabinet, attracts players from across the casino floor, and the games available for the platform combine to deliver an exceptional player experience.”

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