New York Judge Rules DFS is Gambling
New York Supreme Court Justice Gerald Connolly (l.) has ruled that daily fantasy sports contests are a form of gambling and the state needs to adopt a constitutional change to allow the contests. However, it is not expected that the state will move to shutdown DFS sites as the case moves through appeals. The ruling came in a challenge to the state’s 2016 law that allowed the contests and classified DFS as a game of skill.
Evolution Live Casino to Join PokerStars Casino NJ
Evolution Gaming will offer its dealer-assisted online table games in New Jersey from its Atlantic City studio through an agreement with PokerStars Casino NJ. The company also announced a totally scalable dealer-assisted live online table game called Infinite Blackjack. Todd Haushalter (l.), chief product officer, says the company finally “broke the code.”
Penn National Taps IGT, NetEnt for Hollywood Online Casino
Penn National Gaming is preparing to launch its online casino in Pennsylvania through partnerships with IGT for its digital platform and NetEnt for games.
China Blocks Online Poker Apps
The Chinese government has moved to block several online poker apps, including Poker King, an app which reportedly takes in about $7.1 million in daily bets from the country. The move continues a Chinese crackdown on “inappropriate” online content for the country’s 700 million users.
NCAA Forms Sports Betting Committee
The NCAA announced the formation of a committee to examine sports betting and its potential impact on collegiate athletics and student athletes.
William Hill Offers $308 Million for Mr Green
William Hill Plc is seeking to acquire Swedish-listed Mr Green & Co AB for about $308 million. The UK Bookmaker is seeking to expand its digital businesses and European operations ahead of Brexit. The acquisition would combine William Hill with MRG’s Mr Green and Redbet brands in an effort to lessen the bookmakers on UK operations as the country tightens its gambling regulations.
Massachusetts Wynn Investigation May Extend to December
The 10-month investigation of Wynn Resorts by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission could extend into December. The investigation’s documentation will help the panel decide whether to pull the license for Wynn to operate the $2.4 billion Encore Boston Harbor (l.) that it is building.
Pennsylvania Fantasy Sports Betting Nears $1 million
With the NFL season under way, fantasy sports betting under Pennsylvania’s new gaming expansion law has generated nearly $1 million in tax revenue.
PA Board Approves Three More Sports Betting Applications
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approved petitions to offer both live and online sports books to Harrah’s Philadelphia, Rivers and SugarHouse casinos.
Crickets at Lucky Dragon Auction
Lucky Dragon (l.), the closed Las Vegas casino hotel, failed to attract any bidders and has been repossessed by its principal lender, Snow Covered Capital. The firm said it will continue to shop for a buyer for the off-Strip resort, promising that with the “right operator” it will be a success.
New Mexico Sports Book Wagering Begins; Lottery Joins In
The first week of making book at the Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel (l.) in New Mexico actually lost money. But this is a good thing, according to Vic Salerno of USBookmaking. It means the customers will be returning. Meanwhile, in a move to attract younger players, a game tied to sporting-event outcomes soon will be available from the New Mexico Lottery.
MGM Launches Talks with Shooting Victims
After failing to sue victims of the 2017 mass shooting on the Strip the gaming giant has switched course and now hopes to settle with them out of court. The two sides are expected to postpone lawsuits in federal courts in seven states while they pursue mediation.
