Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – November 16-22

Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! It was again an eventful week in the USA, despite the still-active virus attack.

Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news, new partnerships and new acquisitions. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

Score Media and Gaming Inc. has introduced Bet Section, its new integrated and personalised suite of betting features. According to the firm, the new dedicated home within theScore’s media app takes its innovative cross-platform media and betting experience with theScore Bet to the next level. Bet Section delivers suite of new personalised betting features, further deepening theScore’s industry-leading media and gaming integrations. Personalised betting features include prioritised and tailored markets, live bet tracking and exclusive promotions.

The Cordish Companies has celebrated the opening of Live! Casino Pittsburgh. The eagerly awaited $150 million Live! Casino, located at the Westmoreland Mall in Pennsylvania, is scheduled to open its doors to the general public at 6:00 am on 24 November 2020. The Cordish Companies’ Principal Jon Cordish, Managing Partner Joe Weinberg and Cordish Gaming Group President Rob Norton were joined at the ribbon-cutting ceremony by incoming state Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward and state Representative George Dunbar.

The Argentina government has decided to raise the online gaming tax rate for 2021. Online gambling has barely been regulated in Argentina, but that hasn’t stop authorities from approving a tax increase for the sector. As contemplated in the 2021 Budget, the rate online operators pay will rise from 2% to 5% next year.

Partnerships

Online gaming platform developer LatamWin has entered into a partnership with edict egaming, a subsidiary of Gauselmann Group, which will bring new benefits to Merkur game users in Latin America. One of the main goals of the agreement is to engage online gaming operators and all those new companies of the industry, LatamWin said in a press release.

Scientific Games Corporation has signed a new five-year deal with the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission (MSLC). As per the deal, Scientific Games will supply its world-leading instant games, second chance promotions and digital engagement programmes to the Massachusetts Lottery. Scientific Games’ new contract, which may be extended up to two years by MSLC, includes consumer digital services that will engage players through exciting second chance game features and help the Lottery protect and grow revenues for the Commonwealth.

JCM Global and The Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs have expanded their partnership again. As per the deal, JCM will upgrade all 450 games in the casino to its award-winning iVIZION bill validator with ICB Intelligent Cash Box system. Also, JCM will install its iVIZION with ICB and GEN5 Thermal Printer in the newly expanded casino area, which houses approximately 600 games and opened in September.

New Appointment

GVC Holdings PLC has appointed Martin Lycka as its Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling. In this role, Lycka will be responsible for expanding GVC’s licensing and regulatory structure in the US and underscoring the company’s commitments to responsible gambling, sports integrity and regulatory compliance. Lycka will also lead regulatory affairs in Canada and support GVC’s Latin America regulatory strategy as the company looks to establish state-regulated offerings in these regions.

New Acquisition

Bally’s Corporation has completed the acquisition of Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino from Caesars Entertainment Inc. and Vici Properties Inc. The purchase price of the acquisition was $25 million, subject to customary adjustments, and was funded with cash on hand.

Compliance

The Virginia Lottery has received 25 applications for mobile sports betting permits. The names of the companies that applied are not revealed by the Lottery. Big-name companies like DraftKings, FanDuel and Penn National Gaming, affiliated with Barstool Sports, and major casino operators have already shown interest in Virginia’s sports betting industry and may be among the applicants.