US Online Casinos End 2023 on Target With $6.5B Revenue, Pennsylvania Posts First $200M Month
US online casinos generated a combined total of $6.5 billion in 2023 across six states, just as I predicted for Bonus one year ago. In fact, the industry did slightly better than the prediction: my $6.5 billion estimate was rounded up from $6.46 billion, while the actual total exceeded that by 1.1%, coming in at $6.53 billion now that regulators have posted […]
Union Opposes New York Online Casino Bill — Addabbo Believes Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
A key retail casino workers union is “firmly opposed” to the 2024 New York online casino bill, a leader told Bonus on Jan. 18. In response, the proposed legislation’s sponsor said to Bonus that he believes any issues with the bill can be resolved “by working together.” On Jan. 11, state Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo […]
GambleAware-Backed Research Seeks Understanding of Drivers and Burdens of LGBTQ+ Gambling Harm
An upcoming GambleAware study will examine the LGBTQ+ experience of gambling and gambling harms. According to the Request-for-Proposal (RFP), the research will expand on the results of a recent scoping review that found evidence of “compounding” gambling harms among groups within Great Britain’s LGBTQ+ community. The yet-unpublished review highlighted the need for further study into […]
The Federal Excise Tax—a Ball-and-Chain for Regulated Gambling
A difference of opinion over modes of taxation could sink what should otherwise be a very popular proposal to allocate more money to problem gambling harm reduction. One of the most common arguments presented by gambling expansion proponents is that a portion of the tax revenue generated by legal gambling can be used to mitigate its […]
Illinois Representative Plays the Long Game With His Online Casino Bill, Senate Measure Moves Ahead
Illinois Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. is playing the long game to legalize online casino gambling. He believes state lawmakers may decide to play it safe in 2024 and not pass it. However, he thinks the Internet Gaming Act (IGA) will eventually become law. Gonzalez, D-Chicago, told Bonus on Jan. 13: I’ll be requesting the bill […]
Maryland Bill to Repeal Prohibition on Casino Lobbying Gets First Committee Hearing
Maryland State Delegate Jon Cardin has again tabled legislation to allow state casino operators to contribute to the political campaigns of state legislators and political parties. Cardin reiterated the bill’s importance during a Wednesday afternoon Ways and Means Committee Bill Hearing. This is about consistency, transparency and elections, clear rules and meaningful policies. Cardin introduced […]
Fliff Lawsuit—Court Deems Sweepstakes Site’s Compelled Arbitration Clause Valid
The proposed class action lawsuit against sweepstakes sports predictions site Fliff won’t happen, as a California federal judge ruled it must proceed to arbitration per the operator’s terms and conditions. It’s an important decision and one that might signal that the flurry of litigation against social gaming sites is coming to an end. The plaintiff in the […]
‘Yes!!!!!’ Addabbo Says He Plans to Continue His Effort to Legalize New York Online Casino, Poker, iLottery
“Yes!!!!!” state Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. said he will continue to push for legal New York online casino, poker, and iLottery via SB8185. He told Bonus on Jan. 17 that he would do so despite his bill not being included in the executive budget published on Jan. 16. His affirmation with five exclamation points […]
GRIT Act Proposes Dedicated Federal Funding for Gambling Harm Prevention, Treatment, and Research
New legislation introduced last week, the Gambling Addiction, Recovery, Investment, and Treatment (GRIT) Act, earmarks funding for the treatment, prevention, and study of gambling addiction in the United States. If passed, the bill, backed by House Representative Andrea Salinas (OR) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), will establish dedicated federal funding for gambling addiction for the […]
New Jersey Senator Still Pushing for Mandatory Education & Treatment for Underage Gamblers
A bill to allow courts to order mandatory enrolment in a gambling prevention, education and treatment program for those caught gambling underage is back in the New Jersey Senate as of last week. The bill, S1242, was referred to the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee. The law applies to anyone under […]
