Chicago officials are considering adding a new tax on every sports bet placed in the city. This would come on top of Illinois’ statewide betting tax, which began in July. Sportsbooks and industry groups argue that the extra charge could make betting more expensive for players and harm the state’s legal market. In an August 31 report, the Chicago Financial Future Task Force recommended a new 50-cent tax on every … Underdog is stepping up its Responsible Gaming game following an agreement with Sportradar Group to incorporate Bettor Sense into its product. Bettor Sense is Sportradar’s AI-powered responsible gaming solution to identify high-risk players. According to the press release, Underdog is the first U.S.-based operator to leverage Bettor Sense. Underdog is a daily fantasy sports operator. The company, which launched in 2020, is a licensed North Carolina sports betting operator. Underdog … The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) is ramping up efforts in New York to oppose legislation that would ban sweepstakes casinos. The group has launched a grassroots campaign urging Governor Kathy Hochul to veto the bill, which passed the legislature in June, but remains unsigned. As the industry awaits Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision following the passage of AB 831 in California, the SGLA has turned its attention to New York. … The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) remains busy issuing cease-and-desist letters to unlicensed operators as another eight online gaming operators have been ordered to stop offering gambling in Michigan. The latest brands ordered to stop offering gambling to Michiganders are: Bspin Casino Everygame Casino Evergame Sports Casino Kudos Casino PlayCroco Online Casino Slots of Vegas Spin Dimension Super Slots MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said that “unlawful operators” may present … A study by University of Mississippi researchers shows that 39% of Magnolia State college students have gambled over the past year. The research includes seven Mississippi universities. Out of the students who participated in sports betting, 6% met the criteria for problem gambling as defined by the American Psychiatric Association. The six other Mississippi colleges represented were: Alcorn State University Delta State University Jackson State University Mississippi University for Women … Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin says sports betting could account for nearly 40% of Fanatics’ profits by 2027, a dramatic shift for a company known for sports merchandise and that only entered the wagering market in 2023. The projection comes as Fanatics works to grow its market share in a field dominated by FanDuel and DraftKings, while absorbing heavy short-term losses in pursuit of long-term gains. Fanatics has built its reputation … A recent court ruling could reshape how Americans access help for problem gambling. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has been ordered to stop managing the national helpline 1-800-GAMBLER after September 2025. The NCPG says the court’s decision could disrupt the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline, which has served as a nationwide lifeline for more than 20 years. The number connects people struggling with gambling problems to confidential support, no matter where … The Better Gambling Forum (BGF) has announced new guidelines, known as the Responsible Gambling Practice and Policy Pillars (RG3P) Framework, with a plan to improve player safety worldwide. The BGF’s goal is to set clear standards for responsible gaming by working with regulators, casino operators, and researchers. Their focus is on making gambling safer and more transparent, while still allowing the industry to grow. The BGF is a global initiative … Carnival Citi, which is considered to be a prominent sweepstakes operator, has exited California. This comes at a time when Governor Gavin Newsom is considering AB831, a bill that would ban online sweepstakes casinos in the state starting on January 1, 2026. Gov. Newsom’s decision will come by October 12, 2025. The move signals growing pressure on the industry as the legislation awaits Newsom’s decision. Carnival Citi decided to leave … Allywyn International, a lottery-led gaming entertainment company based in Europe, is acquiring a majority stake in PrizePicks, North America’s largest daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator. The two companies announced this week that they have entered into a definitive agreement. Allwyn has agreed to purchase an approximately 62.3% stake in PrizePicks for an initial cash consideration of $1.6 billion. It implies an upfront enterprise value of $2.5 billion. If PrizePicks achieves … Roblox is urging a federal judge to dismiss claims that its platform facilitated illegal gambling through third-party virtual casinos. The lawsuit, brought by parents in a proposed class action, alleges that children were able to use the company’s in-game currency, Robux, to place wagers on external sites. Plaintiffs state that Roblox charges a 30% fee when users buy virtual content (Robux), which can then be used on these virtual casinos. … The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWC) has directed Blazesoft’s Sportzino platform to cease operations in the state, citing concerns that its sweepstakes-based casino and sports prediction offerings violated gambling regulations. The decision marks another step in the SWC’s ongoing efforts to limit unlicensed wagering activity in Tennessee. SWC Executive Director Mary Beth Thomas stated that “offering sports wagering in Tennessee is a taxable privilege, and we’re exploring every tool available …
Chicago Considering Additional Sports Betting Tax
Underdog Enhancing Player Protection Measures With Sportradar’s Bettor Sense Solution
by
Bill Gelman
SGLA Pushing Back Against New York Sweepstakes Ban
MGCB Sends Cease-And-Desist Letters To Eight More Online Casinos
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Bill Gelman
Ole Miss Study Shows Gambling Is Prevalent Among Nearly 40% Of College Students
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Bill Gelman
Sports Betting Could Become 40% of Fanatics Revenue by 2027
NCPG Disputes Court Ruling to Hand Over 1-800-GAMBLER Hotline Operations Back to New Jersey State Council
Better Gambling Forum Releases New Responsible Gaming Framework for Players Worldwide
Carnival Citi Exits California Amid Regulatory Concerns
Allwyn International, PrizePicks Reach Agreement On $1.6-Billion Deal
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Bill Gelman
Roblox Requests Dismissal of Illegal Gambling Claims
Sportzino Forced to Leave Tennessee Sweepstakes Casino Market
Michigan regulators have fined Caesars Sportsbook $100,000 after a bettor exploited a system flaw to make more than $2 million in fake deposits back in 2023. The vulnerability allowed him to place thousands of wagers without using real funds, ultimately withdrawing nearly $600,000 before the activity was detected. Caesars self-reported the issue, and the bettor has since been charged and sentenced, while the company accepted responsibility for the violation. The … 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 company is stepping back into markets where legal challenges have … 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 Matthew J. Platkin noted that while legalized gambling brings economic … 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 to addiction and financial problems for Nebraskans. Supporters of mobile … FanDuel is doubling down on the West Virginia sports betting and iGaming markets thanks to its new market access deal with Delaware North. The market access partnership announcement ties one of North America’s premier online gaming companies with Delaware North’s Mardi Gras Casino & Resort. “This partnership represents the best of what Delaware North strives for, bringing trusted, innovative experiences to our customers – and FanDuel is an incredible ally … Playing the lottery online is getting easier for players based in Minnesota and Arizona thanks to TheLotter US launching its new website. The lottery courier service debuted its new site in August, highlighting an optimized ticket-ordering process, modern design, and improved user performance. TheLotter US is planning to expand this new offering to additional states, but did not share specifics regarding when. TheLotter US also services online customers based in … 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 September to redeem their balances before the site closes. Vivaro.us … 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 transactions, reduce costs for operators, and provide a smoother experience … 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 to the governor on responsible gaming that was released earlier … 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 operators: DraftKings Circa FanDuel bet365 BetMGM Fanatics Underdog Caesars ESPN … Rush Street Interactive (RSI) is debuting the online gambling industry’s first integrated debit payments solution. It’s being rolled out on RSI’s BetRivers platform. The company announced it teamed up with Sightline to design and launch a “groundbreaking program that enhances the way BetRivers customers interact with its proprietary online gaming platform.” According to the press release, it is doing the initial rollout in New York where the company offers mobile … 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 Clearing House (ARB Interactive), PLAYSTUDIOS, and Yellow Social Interactive. This …
Caesars Sportsbook Shows Compliance to Michigan Gaming Authorities, $100,000 Fine for Payment System Glitch
Baba Casino Re-Opens in Six States With Less Legal Opposition to Sweeps Casinos
New Jersey Introduces Free Financial Counseling Initiative for Problem Gambling
Petition Keeps Momentum Alive for Nebraska Sports Betting
FanDuel, Delaware North Team Up For West Virginia Sports Betting, Gaming Partnership
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Bill Gelman
TheLotter US Rolling Out New Site Featuring Upgraded Dashboard for Online Players
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Bill Gelman
Vivaro.us Exits U.S. Market, Smaller Sweeps Operators Struggle Amidst Regulatory Challenges
PayNearMe Secures $50 Million in New Funding, Safer and Easier Payments for Players
New Jersey Gaming Authorities Propose New Responsible Gaming Protocols
What to Expect When Missouri Sports Betting Launches on Dec. 1
Gambling Industry’s First Integrated Payments Debit Solution Launched by RSI and Sightline
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Bill Gelman
SPGA Merges into SGLA, Creating a Unified Voice for Sweepstakes Advocacy
The NCAA enforcement staff is investigating alleged violations of sports betting rules and/or related failure-to-cooperate violations for 13 former men’s basketball student-athletes. According to the press release, the alleged behaviors in each case vary. The violations being reviewed include: Student-athletes betting on and against their own teams Sharing information with third parties for purposes of sports betting Knowingly manipulating scoring or game outcomes Refusing to participate in the enforcement staff’s … 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 earlier this year, which alleged that the platform was running … Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) have introduced the Withdrawing Arduous Gaming Excise Rates (WAGER) Act. The bipartisan legislation would protect legal sportsbooks and gaming businesses. It would also help states like Nevada and Tribal communities reinvest gaming revenues into their local economies. The WAGER Act would exempt legal sports betting from “outdated handle and head taxes.” “In Nevada, legal sports betting is a thriving industry that … 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 have removed their titles from Stake.us includes some of the … 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 the country’s biggest markets. Gov. Newsom now has 12 days …
NCAA Investigating Alleged Sports Betting Violations Against 13 Former Student-Athletes
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Bill Gelman
Spree Casino Returns to Georgia and Alabama
Bipartisan WAGER Act Would Modernize Outdated Federal Taxes on Sports Bets
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Bill Gelman
11 Top Game Providers Leave Stake.us in California
California Anti-Sweeps Bill AB 831 Moves to Governor Newsom’s Desk
