frank-ammirante Page 4 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights
High 5 Casino Pulls Out of California After Court Defeats
Sweepstakes casinos are facing increasing challenges in California, with anti-sweeps bill AB 831 being fast-tracked and brands dealing with lawsuits. In response to these legal pressures, prominent sweepstakes operator High 5 Casino has exited the California market. High 5 Casino’s exit from the Golden State has come amidst the ongoing legal battle over AB831, which seeks to ban sweepstakes casino ...
Mechoopda Tribe Opposes AB 831 as Tribal Divide Over Sweepstakes Casinos Widens
The Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria has formally voiced opposition to California’s Assembly Bill 831, which aims to ban sweepstakes casinos, joining the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation and Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians as other tribes that have raised concerns about the proposed legislation. The move highlights growing divisions among tribal nations as debate over the bill continues. ...
Louisiana Lawsuit Targets VGW & WOW Vegas for $44M in Taxes
Louisiana has taken a new step in its ongoing battle with online sweepstakes casinos. The state’s Department of Revenue has filed a lawsuit against VGW Holdings, which operates Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker, and MW Services, the operator of WOW Vegas, escalating efforts to address how these platforms operate within the Pelican State. The Louisiana Department of Revenue ...
California Senate Unanimously Passes AB 831
The California Senate has unanimously approved AB 831, a bill aimed at banning sweepstakes-style online casino games. Passed with a 36-0 vote, the measure now returns to the Assembly for concurrence before it can advance to Governor Gavin Newsom. Since the Senate made significant amendments to AB 831 through a gut-and-amend process, the bill now returns to the Assembly for ...
FAIR BET Act Rejected By House Rules Committee - 100% Tax Reduction Not Restored
The FAIR BET Act, a federal proposal aimed at restoring the full 100% tax deduction for gambling losses was officially rejected as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by the GOP-controlled House Rules Committee. Under current law, gamblers may only deduct losses up to the amount of their winnings, but changes in the 2017 Tax Cuts and ...
NBA Continues to Investigate Malik Beasley for Betting Violations
The NBA continues to investigate Malik Beasley following concerns about possible gambling violations while he was with the Milwaukee Bucks. While Beasley was mentioned in earlier federal inquiries involving other players, he has not been charged and is not currently a target of federal prosecutors. In 2024, at least one undisclosed sportsbook flagged unusual betting activity tied to Malik Beasley’s ...
NCAA Permanently Bans Three Fresno State Basketball Players for Betting Violations
The NCAA investigation ruled three former Fresno State players, Mykell Robinson, Steven Vasquez, and Jalen Weaver, as permanently ineligible after discovering that they were involved in sports betting. The ruling underscores the NCAA’s ongoing efforts to address gambling violations across college athletics. Together, Robinson, Vasquez, and Weaver placed approximately $2,200 in wagers and collected around $15,950 in winnings. This came ...
Ruby Sweeps Shuts Down Sweepstakes Casino for Arizona Users
Ruby Sweeps has announced it will no longer offer sweepstakes play in Arizona, which came into effect on September 5, 2025. The decision comes as state regulators increase scrutiny of online sweepstakes casinos, prompting several operators to exit the Arizona market in recent months. While Ruby Sweeps did not receive a cease-and-desist like Pulsz and Thrillzz, their exit was a ...
AB 831 Moves Forward as California Is Close to a Ban on Sweepstakes Casinos
California’s Assembly Bill 831, which seeks to ban sweepstakes casinos statewide, has cleared its final committee hurdle and now heads to a full Assembly vote. The measure, already approved by the Senate, could move to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk as soon as a few days, setting the stage for the ban to take effect in early 2026 if enacted. Based ...
California Anti-Sweeps Bill AB 831 Moves to Governor Newsom’s Desk
California lawmakers have voted to ban sweepstakes casinos that use virtual coins to mimic real gambling, and Assembly Bill 831 (AB 831) is now on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. Supporters say the move protects tribal gaming rights and stops unlicensed gambling, while critics argue it could hurt innovation and take away a popular form of online entertainment in one of ...
11 Top Game Providers Leave Stake.us in California
California’s legal action against sweepstakes casino operator Stake.us is already reshaping the industry. In the weeks following the lawsuit, 11 major game vendors have blocked their titles from the platform for players in the state, signaling broader concerns about regulatory risks and the future of sweepstakes gaming in one of its largest markets. The full list of game providers that ...
Spree Casino Returns to Georgia and Alabama
Sweepstakes casino operator Spree has reopened its platform to players in Georgia and Alabama, removing both states from its list of excluded markets. The decision comes amid shifting regulatory and legal landscapes for sweepstakes casinos in the United States. Spree initially excluded Georgia and Alabama due to the increased legal risks in both states. In Alabama, Stake.us faced a lawsuit ...
SPGA Merges into SGLA, Creating a Unified Voice for Sweepstakes Advocacy
The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA) has merged with the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA). This consolidates two industry advocacy groups into a single organization. The goal is to coordinate policy and regulatory responses on behalf of sweepstakes and social gaming operators. The SGLA launched in 2025, representing leading sweepstakes operators, including VGW (Chumba Casino and Luckyland Slots), Publishers ...
What to Expect When Missouri Sports Betting Launches on Dec. 1
Missouri will allow licensed sportsbooks to accept legal wagers beginning at 12:01 a.m. local time on December 1, 2025, with users able to deposit into approved sportsbook accounts starting 12:01 a.m. on November 17, 2025. While the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) is expected to publish the full list of eligible sportsbooks by Oct. 22, 2025, here are the latest confirmed ...
New Jersey Gaming Authorities Propose New Responsible Gaming Protocols
New Jersey regulators are preparing to introduce mandatory standards aimed at strengthening responsible gambling safeguards in the state’s online betting industry. The proposal, put forth by the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), would replace the current patchwork of voluntary practices with uniform rules requiring operators to identify and act on signs of risky behavior. These efforts come after a report ...
PayNearMe Secures $50 Million in New Funding, Safer and Easier Payments for Players
PayNearMe has raised $50 million in new funding to expand its payment technology and is rebranding to PayXM, a move that could have a direct impact on the iGaming industry. This platform is widely used by regulated iGaming operators to facilitate deposits and withdrawals. With the additional investment, PayNearMe says it will strengthen its PayXM user experience, aiming to streamline ...
Vivaro.us Exits U.S. Market, Smaller Sweeps Operators Struggle Amidst Regulatory Challenges
Vivaro.us, a sweepstakes casino operator, has announced it will shut down its U.S. platform on October 1, 2025, due to growing regulatory uncertainty. The decision comes as state lawmakers and regulators increase scrutiny of sweepstakes casinos, with new legislation and lawsuits raising questions about the future of this segment of online gaming. Players at Vivaro.us have until the end of ...
Petition Keeps Momentum Alive for Nebraska Sports Betting
According to Nebraska Public Media, iGaming supporters are launching a petition to let voters decide whether to allow online sports betting in 2026. Their push comes after a similar plan in the Legislature failed to get enough support earlier this year. Supporters say legal mobile betting would keep potential tax revenue within the state, while critics worry it could lead ...
New Jersey Introduces Free Financial Counseling Initiative for Problem Gambling
New Jersey officials have launched a new program offering free financial counseling to residents affected by gambling-related stress. The initiative, called GamFin, provides confidential one-on-one sessions with certified counselors to help individuals and their families manage debt, create budgets, and regain financial stability. State leaders say the new counseling program underscores New Jersey’s ongoing commitment to responsible gaming. Attorney General ...
Baba Casino Re-Opens in Six States With Less Legal Opposition to Sweeps Casinos
Baba Casino has reopened access in six U.S. states, including Ohio, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas, reducing its list of excluded states from 23 to 17. The move comes shortly after AB 831, which seeks to ban sweepstakes casinos in California, reached Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. By reopening in six states, Baba Casino is reshaping its U.S. strategy. The ...