Pennsylvania iLottery Hosts $50K Pot of Gold Prize Draw Through March 17
The Pennsylvania iLottery is hosting a $50,000 Pot of Gold Prize Draw through St. Patrick’s Day, with weekly prize drawings awarding 100 players $50. The iLottery also offers lots of exciting games. Here’s our overview.
States May Sue To Overturn New Wire Act Ruling
Frustrated at a recent Department of Justice interpretation of the federal Wire Act of 1961 that could threaten online sports betting, several states are threatening to take the DOJ to court. They include Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where Senate President Steve Sweeney (l.) asked the DOJ to rescind the new memo.
Icahn Moves on Caesars
After buying a pile of Caesars Entertainment stock, corporate raider Carl Icahn wants the gaming giant to put itself up for sale to boost its value. With little choice, Caesars says it will “carefully evaluate” his wishes. Icahn also wants a seat on the Caesars board.
Golden Nugget Atlantic City Launches Online Sportsbook
Golden Nugget Atlantic City (l.) has launched its own branded sportsbook making it the 13th online sportsbook in the New Jersey Market. The casino also operates a live sportsbook. The sportsbooks, however, cannot take bets on NBA games as Golden Nugget owner Tilman Fertitta also owns the Houston Rockets
PayPal Criticized in UK for Fueling Gambling Debt
PayPal has come under fire in the UK where it is estimated that UK gamblers spend up to £150,000 a day. The UK is about to review whether to ban credit card payments to bookmakers and the online payment system is being accused of allowing problem gamblers to circumvent banking limits. UK officials are calling on PayPal to be more responsible in protecting problem gamblers.
France Sees Online Gambling Growth in 2018
France’s online gaming market grew at all levels in 2018 led by sports betting. Revenue grew 25 percent over 2017 to €1.2 billion ($1.4 billion) with €691 million coming from sports betting. Players wagered €11.4 billion on all gambling products, up 24 percent from 2017.
Netherlands Adopts Remote Gambling Act
The Netherlands has finally approved a Remote Gaming Act more than two years after the country’s lower house had approved the bill. The new laws will go into effect next year and will include a license application process. The bill sets taxes at 29 percent of gross gaming revenue.
Malta Suspends Gambling Licenses
The Malta Gaming Authority has moved to suspend licenses for gambling firms Betixx Limited and Morpheus Games. The authority has also moved to terminate the operator license of World-of-bets EU Limited and Bet Service Group.
Bangladesh Blocks 2,200 Gambling Websites
The government Bangladesh has moved to block thousands of websites in the country including about 2,200 sites associated with gambling. About 15,000 websites wee also blocked for pornographic material. Government officials said the internet was created to help young people and gambling and porn websites hurt that effort.
D’Arrigo Out at MGM
Dan D’Arrigo (l.), the chief financial officer at MGM Resorts, retired last week in connection with the MGM edict to cut $100 million in staffing costs before 2020. D’Arrigo’s job will be taken by COO Corey Sanders and Bill Hornbuckle will add the COO role to his president title.
U.S. Casinos Post Best Year Ever
Commercial casino gaming revenue was up more 4 percent in 2018, topping $42 billion. A new report on the performance credits a host of factors—major new resort openings, more machine games, the rise of sports betting—for the increase.
Pennsylvania Sports-Betting Revenue Modest
Pennsylvania’s six retail sports books generated a modest $32 million in handle for January, with wagering still exclusively confined to casinos and off-track betting facilities. Only three sports books, including Rivers (l.) in Pittsburgh, operated the full month.
