Gambling in the USA
PlayIllinois.com says launch of sports betting first step in what could be $10B-a-year industry
Illinois officially has joined the ever-growing list of legal sports jurisdictions in the U.S. with the launch of BetRivers Sportsbook at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, and by doing so took the first step in what could be one of the largest markets in the U.S.
If the Illinois market fully matures — which would have to include the widespread launch of online sports betting — the state could generate from $9 billion to $11 billion in wagers annually and $650 million in operator gross revenue, according to projections from PlayIllinois.com, which tracks regulated online and retail gaming in the state.
“Illinois’ potential is enormous, but it has a long way to go to become a major player relative to the largest markets in the U.S.,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst at PlayIllinois.com. “Launching the industry is obviously a momentous first step. But because of regulatory roadblocks to online sports betting, it will be years before Illinois can enjoy the same kind of boom that we’ve seen in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.”
On Monday, Illinois became the 15th state to allow legal sports betting. Of those, only New York and Pennsylvania have a larger population from which to draw. And Illinois’ retail sportsbook market is expected to ramp up quickly, with five more expected to open soon, including sportsbooks at Argosy Casino Alton, Hollywood Casino Aurora, Hollywood Casino Joliet, Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, and Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino in East Peoria. Fairmont Park Racetrack in Collinsville, near St. Louis, has also been approved for a temporary operating permit.
Significant hurdles remain, though, particularly for online sports betting, which isn’t expected to launch until later this year. And when it does launch it will require in-person registration for mobile accounts.
The Illinois law, passed in December, allows for three “stand-alone” mobile operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel. But because of the state’s in-person registration requirement, those would-be operators will not be able to accept a bet for at least 18 months. And with a hefty $20 million fee to obtain one of those three licenses, it’s not clear which operators will apply.
“Illinois’ high licensing fees for online operators and its in-person registration requirements will undoubtedly stunt the growth of the industry,” Gouker said. “Even with the high fees, the appeal of the Illinois market will eventually be too much to resist for the country’s largest operators. But neighbor Indiana will be able to continue to cash in on the Chicago market until Illinois gets up to speed.”
Online sports betting is by far the most significant revenue driver in the major U.S. markets. In New Jersey, which has quickly grown to become the country’s largest market, 87% of all sports bets in January were made online. By contrast, Rhode Island, which put in place a similar in-person registration requirement as Illinois, draws just 15% of its bets from online sources.
Illinois’ 10 existing casinos, three racetracks, and as many as seven sports venues are eligible to apply to open retail sportsbooks. Those sportsbooks will also be able to set up mobile sports betting apps.
“The Illinois model isn’t ideal, but for Illinois bettors today is unquestionably a good day,” Gouker said. “Most of the state’s residents should be able to place a bet in relatively close proximity. And that is much better than the alternative.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Illinois, visit PlayIllinois.com/news.
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
International Game Technology PLC announced that its dynamic Wheel of Fortune DiamondRS Premium Wheel cabinet recently launched in casinos across the US. Guests of Sky River Casino in Elk Grove, Calif. and of Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. were among the first players in the world to enjoy the Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Reels Double Diamond and Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Reels Double Gold games on IGT’s new ultra-high-tech, mechanical-reel cabinet. Designed exclusively for Wheel of Fortune game content, the Wheel of Fortune DiamondRS Premium Wheel cabinet boasts a 20-inch physical wheel, a 32-inch LCD top box and a 23-inch transmissive display.
CT Gaming continues its strong momentum from the first quarter of 2025 with a new wave of installations in Panama. Strengthening its position in the Latin American market, the company has partnered with leading operators to introduce top-performing products, including the EZ Modulo 32/32/32 slot cabinet and the highly successful Diamond King series. Among the highlights of the installation is Diamond King 3—CT Gaming’s bestselling multigame featuring 50 captivating titles. Players can enjoy a diverse mix of content, including the legendary Mega Jack trio: Aztec Gold, Slot-O-Pol Deluxe and Champagne Party. The experience is further enhanced by the Diamond Tree progressive jackpot, which delivers elevated gameplay and exciting reward potential.
Las Vegas Sands has contributed $100,000 through the Sands Cares global community engagement programme to 100 Black Men Las Vegas in support of the organisation’s youth mentorship, scholarship and community service offerings. The 2025 donation will enable 100 Black Men Las Vegas to offer new programmes including a science, technology, engineering and math initiative; the Pathways to Public Service programme, which focuses on developing a pipeline of law enforcement and first responder professionals; and Realtist Academy, which prepares participants to become licensed real estate agents or mortgage brokers. In addition, Sands Cares funding will help 100 Black Men Las Vegas pursue efforts to identify a permanent location for the organisation.
Partnerships
SCCG Management has announced an expanded partnership with AWARE, a global leader in biometric verification software. Under this agreement, SCCG becomes a preferred reseller for AWARE’s biometric and identity verification solutions within the global gaming industry. AWARE’s advanced biometric technology offers a future-proof solution for iGaming and gambling platforms—empowering operators to ensure compliance, prevent fraud and protect players, all while delivering a seamless and secure user experience. With growing regulatory scrutiny and rising demand for frictionless onboarding, AWARE’s adaptive biometrics provide a scalable and trusted identity framework for modern gaming environments.
The Brazilian Football Confederation and Sportradar Integrity & Regulatory Services, a unit of Sportradar AG announced the extension of their long-standing partnership, set to begin with the 2025 season. The new agreement aims to enhance efforts to combat match-fixing in Brazilian football and safeguard the integrity of the sport. Sportradar, through its industry-leading Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS), will deliver integrity monitoring for more than 8200 men’s and women’s matches organised annually by the CBF. Through this renewed partnership, the UFDS will now cover all Brazilian national championships.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 21-27 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
California Gambling Control Commission
California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives
Sacramento, CA — In a meeting packed with regulatory updates and licensing decisions, the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) convened on April 24 to advance numerous agenda items impacting the state’s gambling landscape—from tribal gaming approvals to responsible gambling programs and operator renewals.
Problem Gambling & Public Health Takes the Stage
The Commission meeting opened with a presentation by Sosha Marasigan-Quintero from the California Department of Public Health, offering an overview and update on the California Problem Gambling Treatment Services Program. While no specific staff recommendations were provided, the update underscores California’s continued focus on behavioral health in gambling.
Tribal Revenue Distribution Approved
The Commission approved the quarterly distribution of payments from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund to eligible recipient Indian Tribes. This routine, yet vital, procedure ensures the equitable distribution of revenue to support tribal sovereignty and infrastructure across the state.
Cardroom Licensing: Approvals and Extensions
Among key licensing matters:
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500 Club Casino (K & M Casinos, Inc.) received both initial and renewal owner-type license approvals through January 2027.
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Casino Chico, Hollywood Park Casino, and Lake Bowl Cardroom were granted renewals and short-term extensions, some with conditions such as improving record-keeping systems or ensuring regulatory compliance ahead of reopening.
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Hotel Del Rio & Casino was granted a 60-day extension under several strict conditions, including updated safety plans and the restatement of commingled financial records.
Key Employee Licensing Actions
The Commission approved several initial and renewal key employee licenses. Notably:
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Jeffrey Thompson was approved with a condition prohibiting involvement in illegal gambling activities.
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Kevin Lee and George Rahme received 120-day extensions for renewal processing.
Third-Party Proposition Player Services Under Scrutiny
The Commission approved both initial and temporary licenses for Fortune Players Group, Inc., with a lengthy list of conditions tied to the conduct of a former associate, Rene Medina. These conditions highlight the Commission’s ongoing vigilance in monitoring third-party player services and maintaining compliance across operations.
Progressive Gaming, LLC was also approved for an initial license, further expanding third-party service provider capacity.
Gaming Resource Suppliers & Tribal Approvals
Initial suitability findings for several prominent tribal gaming resource suppliers were approved, including:
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HCAL, LLC
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JCM Global
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Konami Gaming, Inc.
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PDS Gaming, LLC
Dozens of tribal gaming employees were also approved for key positions at tribal casinos across California, reflecting the Commission’s continued support of tribal gaming operations and the necessary workforce to support it.
Notable Withdrawals and Denials
In two notable cases, requests to withdraw license applications—Josephine Hoang and Jesus Bojorquez—were denied, signaling the Commission’s increased scrutiny and emphasis on applicant accountability.
A Broader Look Ahead
With regulatory reform on the horizon and ongoing efforts to promote responsible gaming, the April 2025 CGCC meeting showcased a mix of routine license management and deeper engagement with emerging compliance issues. As the Commission prepares for the next quarter, the groundwork laid in this session will likely influence policy developments and enforcement trends across California’s gambling sector.
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Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
H. Betti Industries Inc, the leading distributor of amusement and gaming equipment and parts, has announced the appointment of Todd Cravens as President of Betson Gaming. In this expanded leadership role, Cravens will oversee all aspects of its growing gaming division, with a focus on expanding market share, building the product portfolio and accelerating growth in new and existing markets. Since joining the Company in January 2025 as SVP of Gaming, Cravens has made an immediate and measurable impact across the business. His leadership has helped sharpen Betson’s gaming strategy, align the team and focus on new revenue streams, while also bringing operational discipline and strategic vision to other areas of the company.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board has initiated investigations into unlicensed sports prediction markets operating within the state. These platforms, which bypass Michigan’s regulatory framework, have raised significant concerns about consumer protections. Michigan’s investigations align with similar actions already taken by other state regulatory bodies and focus on how this form of unlicensed sports betting may jeopardize the integrity of Michigan’s legal sports betting system. The unlicensed platforms offer what they describe as innovative financial products that allow users to trade their predictions on the outcomes of sports events. By sidestepping the regulatory protections of Michigan’s legal sports betting market, these platforms pose a serious risk to consumers. They create potential confusion among bettors and blur the line between sports betting as entertainment and sports betting as a financial trading vehicle.
Partnerships
Bragg Gaming Group announced the acquisition of a strategic equity stake in, and the signing of an exclusive content partnership with RapidPlay, a specialist Brazilian game development studio renowned for its localised, high-performance online casino content tailored to Brazilian and the broader Latin American market. Under the terms of the agreement, Bragg receives an equity stake in RapidPlay and has entered into an exclusive commercial distribution agreement with RapidPlay at standard market terms. The agreement allows Bragg to integrate and offer RapidPlay’s full content portfolio through its expanding base of licensed Brazilian operators.
PrizePicks has renewed its partnership with the Atlanta Braves, reaffirming its position as the club’s Official Daily Fantasy Sports Partner. This new three-year agreement reinforces the longstanding relationship between the two Atlanta-based powerhouses, building on a successful collaboration that began in 2020. As part of the partnership, PrizePicks branding will be prominently featured throughout Truist Park with a combination of static and LED signage. The company will also retain access to exclusive VIP experiences for business needs and will continue its popular “PrizePicks Pick of the Game” segment, which airs on the Braves Radio Network pregame show before all regular season games.
SCCG Management has become the sponsor of SFT Combat, one of Brazil’s premier MMA promotions. As a long-time client partner, SFT Combat continues to push boundaries in the world of professional fighting, delivering high-quality events that captivate both local and global audiences. The sponsorship reflects a strategic investment in Brazil’s sports and gaming ecosystem, where MMA plays a central role in both cultural identity and entertainment value.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 14-20 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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