The Lincoln Policy Group, founded by Sen. Lincoln, received $180,000 in payments from Kalshi, and Lincoln registered as a lobbyist for Kalshi last year. 

Lincoln’s letter to the CFTC supports the argument Kalshi has frequently made in court cases against state regulators, that prediction markets are governed at the federal level and beyond state control. 

“It is crucial that the CFTC make clear that all prediction markets fall entirely under its domain with no interference by states,” Lincoln wrote in the letter. 

“If a formal rule is necessary to achieve this goal, then the agency should not hesitate to act.”

Lincoln Implores CFTC to Let Markets Decide

After a change in administration, the CFTC has softened its stance towards the expansion of prediction markets into political and sports markets. 

Incoming Chair Brian Quintenz, a board member at Kalshi, indicated his openness to further expansion at a Senate hearing last month, despite opposition from state regulators and tribal groups. 

In a court case against Kalshi in New Jersey, 34 states, as well as over 60 tribal groups, and the American Gaming Association (AGA), all submitted briefs against sports prediction markets. 

The case is ongoing, as are legal battles in Nevada and Maryland, but Kalshi has so far secured favorable rulings from judges, allowing its markets to be offered in all 50 states. 

Lincoln believes that the CFTC should not cave to increasing pressure from states and tribes, among others. 

“Not surprisingly, the CFTC faces a lot of pressure right now to ban prediction markets, especially contracts tied to political elections or sporting events,” she wrote. 

“This would be a grave mistake for a number of reasons, and it would fly in the face of the agency’s long-standing policy of letting the markets decide.“

Lincoln Letter Contradicts Previous Comments

As highlighted by InGame, Sen. Lincoln’s recent letter to the CFTC stating support for sports prediction markets is in contrast to previous comments. 

During a 2010 Senate conversation, Lincoln said: “It would be quite easy to construct an ‘event contract’ around sporting events such as the Super Bowl, the Kentucky Derby, and Masters Golf Tournament. These types of contracts would not serve any real commercial purpose. Rather, they would be used solely for gambling.”

These words have been used in briefs filed against Kalshi in its legal fight in Maryland. However, in the letter, Lincoln writes a direct contradiction, stating that she now believes the Super Bowl does have a real commercial purpose.

From the letter, Lincoln states, “Sporting events like the Super Bowl also have strong commercial value because they have major impacts on advertising, apparel sales and the hospitality industry to name a few.”

The change in stance from Lincoln may well indicate that Kalshi’s lobbying efforts are paying off. According to Dustin Gouker at the Next Event Horizon, the company has spent $1 million on federal lobbying over the past five years. 

The post Lobbying Bet Pays Off for Kalshi as Former Senator Supports Prediction Markets appeared first on CasinoBeats.

GambleAware’s 2023 Audience Segmentation Report indicated that around 4.5 million UK adults want to reduce or stop gambling, with 93% of individuals preferring informal self-guided methods of support. 

In a statement on its website, GambleAware states: “The app, which offers free and anonymous support to those looking to quit or reduce their gambling, is designed to prevent the escalation of gambling harm, and allows users to set their personal goals.”

The app includes features like activity tracking, goal-setting, motivational reminders, podcasts, educational content, and referral options.

App Aimed At Young Adults

The app is primarily aimed at young adults, with the 2024 Treatment and Support Survey released by GambleAware showing that they suffer from gambling problems at double the rate of the general population. 

The survey reported that 29% of 18-24-year-olds who gamble want to reduce or quit, compared to 15% of all respondents. 

Alexia Clifford, Chief Communications Officer for GambleAware, indicated that there is an increased risk of problem gambling in the digital age due to having a “casino in our pocket”. 

Clifford commented: “Whether individuals want to reduce, manage, or stay gamble-free, the GambleAware Support Tool is here every step of your journey.” 

“The digital age means we essentially have a casino in our pocket, and we know increased accessibility leads to increased participation and therefore increased risk of harm.”

The organization reported a 10% rise in individuals accessing the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) last year, compared to the previous year. 

“These harms are a growing public health issue, but early intervention is key, and the GambleAware Support Tool app is designed to give people a timely insight into their gambling, with the aim of supporting their journey to reducing or quitting their activity.”

Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines Central to the App

The app has been developed in accordance with the Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines (LRGG), which were created by academic experts in gambling worldwide. 

As stated by GambleAware: “The LRGG highlight three limits that should be followed if an individual wants to keep gambling, but reduce many of the risks that come with it: 

• Gamble no more than 1% of your income 
• Gamble on no more than four days per month 
• Avoid more than two types of gambling per month.”

The GambleAware Support Tool is the only available app in the UK that uses the LRGG to suggest limits for users to reduce their gambling. 

Lived Experience Council Voice Support

Catherine Adams, a member of the GambleAware Lived Experience Council, believes the app will be invaluable to individuals who suffer from the same problems as she once did. 

The Lived Experience Council (LEC) is made up of a variety of people whose lives have been impacted by gambling harm.

Adams said that “I would be gambling on the computer from six in the evening until six in the morning, and I just was not sleeping.”

By reminding users of their progress, Adams thinks the app will be of great benefit to users. 

She stated: “It’s positive being able to monitor your progress yourself and to see how well you’re doing in reducing or quitting your gambling if you’re goal-oriented. To see ‘I’ve done this many days now ‘or ‘I’ve saved this much money, I think it really does give variety of choice in your recovery.”

The post GambleAware Launches Support Tool, A Self-Help App For Problem Gamblers appeared first on CasinoBeats.

In an official statement, the CMA stated it aims to discover if the deal “may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.”

The government agency has issued an ‘invitation to comment’, designed to allow interested parties to “submit to the CMA any initial views on the impact that the transaction could have on competition in the UK.”

Addition of IMG Arena Portfolio Could Result In Monopoly

IMG Arena controls media and data rights for over 70 significant sports properties, including Wimbledon, the PGA Tour, three Grand Slam tennis tournaments, MLS, and UFC.

With Sportradar already holding the data rights to the NBA, MLB, and UEFA soccer competitions, the CMA is concerned that this could result in a monopoly of sports data. 

A monopoly on data could lead Sportradar to drive up prices and squeeze out smaller data providers and startups. 

If the CMA deems the threat to competition too severe, it may require Sportradar to license certain rights separately, or even block the merger completely.

Sportradar and IMG Arena Agree $225 Million Deal

In March this year, Sportradar and Endeavour, the owner of IMG Arena, announced they had reached an agreement for Sportradar to acquire IMG and its global sports betting portfolio. 

The deal is worth $225 million, and under the terms of the agreement, Endeavour pays $125 million to Sportradar, with a further $100 million going toward cash prepayments for various rights holders.

Pending the outcome of the CMA investigation and approval of the transaction, it is set to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year. 

Company Aims To Be ‘Engine of the Sports World’

Sportradar CEO Casrten Koerl commented on the deal, stating: “Our acquisition of IMG ARENA is a strategic move to accelerate revenue growth while integrating seamlessly into our platform, enhancing our relationships with key leagues and sportsbooks.” 

The aim of the company is to become “the engine of the sports world” and Koerl noted that  “Sportradar’s success is driven by the breadth of its sports coverage, a broad product portfolio, the leading technology, and a global distribution network.”

He is confident that the acquisition of IMG Arena will be a success, commenting, “Given our proven track record of maximizing ROI through our global betting rights deals and our strengthened position across tennis, basketball and soccer, we are confident in our ability to realize the full economic potential of this portfolio.”

US Market Driving Increases In Revenue

Sportradar reported substantial growth in revenue in Q1 this year, up 17% year-on-year to €311 million ($363 million). 

Revenue in the US jumped 31%, primarily due to leading sportsbooks FanDuel and DraftKings using more of the data provider’s services.

The company invested heavily in new technology, staff, and the expansion of services last year, leading to a €1 million ($1.1 million) loss in the first quarter of 2024. 

This was reversed in Q1 this year and turned into a €24 million ($28 million) profit.

Sportradar is expected to release Q2 2025 results on or before August 12. The invitation to comment on the merger at the CMA is open until July 25. 

The post UK Watchdog Investigating Sportradar Acquisition of IMG Arena appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The main change sees the removal of Registrar approval for responsible gambling training programs. However, as stated in a press release from the AGCO, “Training must still be mandatory, regularly updated, and based on best practices.”

The AGCO goes on to state that, “This change reduces red tape, encourages innovation, and maintains Ontario’s high standards for player protection.” 

“This also aligns with AGCO’s outcomes-based regulatory approach and brings greater consistency across gaming sectors, including iGaming.”

The intention is that operators can update their training programs quickly, without the need to wait for approval. 

AGCO Responsible Gambling Standards

Although operators will no longer need approval for responsible gambling training programs, they will still be held to the AGCO’s high standards to protect players. 

The standards state that “All employees who interact with players shall receive mandatory training, which is refreshed regularly to include current best practice research and employee feedback.”

A new section added this month says that: “Support shall be provided to persons showing signs of potentially problematic gambling behavior, including providing players with easily accessible contact information of at least one organization dedicated to treating and assisting problem gamblers.”

In April this year, the AGCO also provided new guidance for companies to monitor player behaviour and identify those who may be at risk of problem gambling. 

Staff should be trained to recognise the signs of problem gambling and offer timely support once signs of risk emerge.

Operators Face Fines For Not Protecting Players

The AGCO issued a fine to Casino Days last month for failing to protect players. The company was accused of using a deceptive bonus to encourage players to incur substantial losses and was fined CA$54,000 ($48,000). 

Karin Schnarr, CEO and Registrar of the AGCO, emphasized the regulator’s focus on player protection, commenting: “Player protection is a non-negotiable priority for the AGCO.”

“We expect operators to be truthful and transparent about their promotions, and we also require them to ensure that those promotions do not encourage reckless or harmful patterns of play.”

Ontario iGaming Seeing Rapid Growth

Ontario’s online gaming revenue has experienced rapid growth since the province regulated iGaming in 2021. 

In its first year of operations, gross gaming revenue (GGR) was CA$1.26 billion ($920 million), which grew to CA$2.20 billion ($1.61 billion), and subsequently, CA$3.20 billion ($2.34 billion). 

This year, the industry continues to thrive. In April, GGR was CA$313.5 million ($228.4 million), a 25.3% increase from April 2024. 

May saw a new record in GGR at CA$338 million, surpassing the previous high in January by 2.9%. This was a 40.3% increase from May 2024. 

With online casinos accounting for around 78% of GGR, responsible gambling training to recognize when players are exceeding their limits is essential. 

The AGCO hopes the removal of the need to approve training program changes will lead to companies introducing measures that protect players during this period of rapid growth. 

The post Ontario Updates Responsible Gambling Training Standards For Gaming and Lotteries appeared first on CasinoBeats.

On June 27, Norsk Tipping, Norway’s state-owned gambling operator, notified 47,000 lottery players that they had won amounts far exceeding their actual prizes. 

A coding error had caused the mistake to send out the inflated prizes, although no mistakes were made in payouts. 

In a statement on the Norwegian Lottery Authority’s website, Anya Therese Markhus, Senior Advisor at the organization, stated: “Norsk Tipping has violated the Gambling Act. People should be able to trust their games. The fact that several thousand players receive a notice of excessive winnings is clearly harmful to trust.”

Norsk Tipping CEO Resigns After Disappointing Players

Norsk Tipping CEO Tonje Sagstuen resigned a day after the error, commenting: “I am terribly sorry that we have disappointed so many, and I understand that people are angry with us. Criticism is justified given the breach of trust.” 

Sagstuen continued: “To them I can only say: Sorry! But I understand that it is a small consolation.”

Ole Fredrik Sveen, a teacher, recounted being abroad in Greece when he received a message declaring a NOK 1.2 million ($120,000) win, when in fact he’d only won NOK 125 ($12). 

Sveen said, “At first you’re ecstatic… then thankfully we kept our heads cool and realised it wasn’t meant to be this time either.”

He added that he had “lost confidence in the lottery and would think twice about playing in future.”

A Series of Errors From Norsk Tipping

Erlend Hanstveit, State Secretary to Norway’s Culture Minister, Lubna Jaffery, commented that the error was “serious and indicates that the company does not have adequate control procedures.”

He added that it is not the first time Norsk Tipping has made a mistake, stating, “Unfortunately, this error is part of a series of incidents at Norsk Tipping in recent times.”

“Ever since the first errors were uncovered, the ministry has closely followed the matter, and we have an ongoing dialogue with both Norsk Tipping and the Norwegian Lottery Authority. We need to understand how such errors can happen and how we can prevent them from occurring in the future.”

The operator is also under investigation for reportedly allowing minors to engage in gambling activities. The Norwegian Lottery Authority received an alert from a bank that a large sum of money had been transferred from a minor to Norsk Tipping.

The investigation is ongoing with Tore Bell, Department Director at the Norwegian Lottery Authority, stating: “It is too early to determine what has happened. We will investigate the matter further and have asked Norsk Tipping for more information.”

This investigation comes after the regulator issued a fine of NOK 4.5 million (approximately $440,000) for a payout error, which resulted in a player being paid NOK 25 million (approximately $2.5 million).

Norsk Tipping had not realized the error until the player alerted the operator. In line with its customer agreement, the player paid back the money.

After ruling that the recent error is also in violation of the country’s Gambling Act, another fine is likely to be forthcoming. 

The post Norsk Tipping Broke Law By Inflating Lottery Winner Prizes, Rules Regulator appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The ban came into effect on July 1 and prohibits all gambling sponsorship in sports, including shirt sponsors, advertising in public places, and any promotional materials. 

A statement on the KSA website noted: “After the ban took effect on July 1st, virtually all public displays disappeared.”

In July 2023, the government approved a ban on gambling advertising in sports, giving organizations a two-year transition period to end existing contracts.

KSA Ready to Clamp Down on Offenders

Some minor violations of the new rules were observed, such as the sale of merchandise with gambling company logos in club shops. 

Violators were sent warning letters, and if there are repeat occurrences, the KSA stated it may issue fines. 

KSA Chairman Michel Groothuizen commented that the regulator will take a strong stance against any violators of new regulations around gambling sponsorship. 

He stated, “In other countries with similar bans, we’ve seen operators attempt to creatively circumvent the law. That will not be tolerated in the Netherlands.” 

The regulator issued a fine to BetMGM last month over using FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal in its promotional materials. 

The 17-year-old is under the legal gambling age of 18 in the Netherlands, and rules prohibit companies from using any role models that could be seen to appeal to minors. 

Groothuizen emphasized that the new regulations are aimed at protecting young people, among others, commenting, “This legislation was enacted to protect young adults and other vulnerable groups by preventing their exposure to gambling advertisements, regardless of the source. We will be vigilant in upholding that protection.”

Tax Increase Driving Out Operators

In addition to the ban on gambling advertising in sports, the Netherlands has also raised taxes on gambling companies. 

This year, the Dutch government’s Ministry of Finance increased the tax on gambling from 30.5% to 34.2% and it will be raised again to 37.8% in 2026.

In response to the increases, LiveScore Bet withdrew operations in the country. CEO Sam Sadi commented, “Unfortunately, the planned tax increase means that this market is no longer viable commercially.”

The government projects the tax increase will generate over €200 million ($233 million) annually from 2026 onwards. 

However, critics argue it could lead to more companies following LiveScore Bet and withdrawing from the market. 

Ban On Sports Sponsorships: The Negative Impact

The stricter rules around advertising in sports could also greatly hinder betting companies and impact sports teams’ revenues. 

Betting companies frequently rely on promoting their brands through front-of-shirt sponsors on sports teams, such as soccer clubs. 

In total, 33 out of 34 professional soccer clubs in the Netherlands had at least some form of gambling sponsorship in the previous two years. 

Eredivisie CV, the organization that represents the interests of the clubs at the highest level in the Netherlands, estimated that clubs will lose an average of 40 million euros ($41.1 million) directly. 

In addition, approximately 30 million euros ($30.8 million) will be lost indirectly due to the limitations on gambling advertising with media partners.  

In response to the change, the Eredivisie, the Netherlands’ top soccer league, has partnered with the state lottery, which is exempt from the ban on gambling sponsors. 

Other Countries Banning Betting Sponsors

Other countries have made similar moves to limit gambling sponsorship in sports. 

The Premier League in England voted in favor of a ban on front-of-shirt sponsors by betting platforms, which will come into force from the 2026-2027 season. 

Additionally, soccer clubs in Brazil have opposed plans to implement a ban on betting sponsorship, citing the grave financial consequences it would have on the teams. 

The clubs also referenced similar moves in Spain and Italy that have harmed the leagues. The Italian Senate is working on lifting the ban in the country.

Meanwhile, a Supreme Court ruling in Spain last year also reversed some restrictions about gambling promotions, although a ban on sports clubs being sponsored by betting companies is still in place. 

The KSA’s statement shows the regulator is optimistic that its ban is having a positive impact. 

Still, the financial impact on sports teams may have implications for future economic stability in Dutch soccer. 

The post Netherlands Gambling Sponsorship Ban Going Smoothly, Reports Gambling Regulator appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto is set to introduce the FULL HOUSE Act (Facilitating Useful Loss Limitations to Help Our Unique Service Economy), which will reverse the amendment in Trump’s OBBB that limits the amount of losses gamblers can deduct from their winnings to 90%. 

The FULL HOUSE Act follows the FAIR Bet Act, which was introduced by Rep. Dina Titus in the House earlier this week. 

A spokesperson for Sen. Cortez Masto commented, “Any one senator can object to the bill’s passage, but we’re hopeful it could pass given the bipartisan support for fixing this issue.”

Senators Unaware Of Gambling Tax Amendment

It was revealed that many Senators were not aware of the content of the amendment that introduced the tax limitation on gamblers.  

The Huffington Post reported that Sen. John Cornyn of Texas admitted, “I don’t know anything about it. I’m not sure what it does.”

Similarly, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa revealed in an interview, “If you’re asking me how it got in there, no, I don’t know.”

Senators were under pressure to pass the bill, which Elon Musk has famously called “a disgusting abomination,” before Trump’s deadline of July 4. 

The size of the legislation meant some parts, such as the gambling tax, went unnoticed. 

Sen. Thom Tillis called the gambling tax “bad policy”, but stated, “I was so focused on Medicaid, I wasn’t looking for other reasons to be against the bill.”

FAIR Bet Act and FULL HOUSE Act: The Same, But Different

Both bills would effectively do the same thing and restore the ability of gamblers to deduct all their losses from winnings before paying tax on the profits. 

A spokesperson for Sen. Cortez Masto stated, “It is slightly different than Representative Titus’ language, but does effectively the same thing.”

Rep. Titus posted on X that Cortez Masto’s bill is “just for show”.

A reminder for my friends in the Senate: Revenue bills must originate in the House, per the Constitution. Any bill or unanimous consent action in the Senate would be just for show. My FAIR BET Act is the real fix to the Senate’s error in lowering the gambling loss deduction to…

— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) July 8, 2025

There appears to be support for the addition of Cortez Masto’s legislation, however. 

John Pappas, State Advocacy Director at iDevelopment and Economic Association, commented: “It’s great to see support building to reverse this policy.” 

“Nevada lawmakers are consistent champions, but it will be critical to broaden bi-partisan support from lawmakers across the country whose constituents and industries are impacted by this new tax law.”

The American Gaming Association (AGA) has also expressed support for lawmakers reversing the controversial tax change. 

An AGA spokesperson said, “We are committed to working with Congresswoman Titus, other congressional leaders, and the Trump Administration to restore the long-standing tax treatment of gaming losses.”

After the tax change was added to the bill, professional gamblers also spoke out against the legislation, which could change profits into significant losses. 

The reaction to the bills in both chambers will determine whether lawmakers will reinstate the ability of gamblers to fully deduct losses before paying tax. 

The post Second Bill Will Target Gambling Tax That Senators Unwittingly Approved appeared first on CasinoBeats.

In other broadcast news, political commentator Tucker Carlson has urged young men not to pay their gambling debts.

In a stream posted on Kick two days ago titled “Max Win or Week Break – Pray Please”, he racked up more losses to add to the previous four losing sessions. In total, his losses over the five days added up to $19.5 million. 

He then stated, “I gotta force myself to just get off for the next f*cking week or something,” 

“Yeah, I lost 19.5 mil… 19.5 mil in the last five streams. I can’t even see straight, I’m shook, I’m actually fully shook, I’m fully f*cking shook.”

His sponsorship deal with Stake offsets the streamer’s losses. The exact amount of the deal has not been officially revealed, but Trainwreck has indicated that it exceeds $19.5 million.

In a stream in October 2022, he stated, “I’ve been paid $360 million for 16 months of gambling.”

He has over 400,000 followers on Kick, a platform under the same ownership group as Stake. 

Celebrities Revealing the Other Side Of Gambling

Stake also sponsors Drake in a deal reportedly worth $100 million a year. The rapper is estimated to make around $3.4 million per weekly stream on Kick. 

He recently also revealed big gambling losses on the platform, showing his monthly losses of over $8 million. 

Like Trainwreck, Drake emphasized how his gambling losses were affecting him. He commented in a story posted on Instagram, “Gotta share the other side of gambling… Losses are so fried right now. I hope I can post a big win for you all soon cause I’m the only one that has never seen a max these guys max once a week.”

It is unclear whether the two influencers are under any sort of directive from Stake to highlight the dangers of gambling, as well as showcase their wins when they occur. 

Similarly, Fanatics Sportsbook recently showed Jay-Z losing $1 million on a bet on the NBA Finals. The rapper, who holds a significant stake in the company, wagered the huge sum on the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Indiana Pacers 4-1 in the series. 

Oklahoma eventually won the series, but in seven games, thus seeing Jay-Z lose his bet.

Don’t Pay Your Gambling Debts, Says Tucker Carlson

While Drake, Trainwreck, and Jay-Z offset their gambling losses with their ties to the gambling companies, Tucker Carlson this week urged bettors not to pay their gambling debts. 

Speaking on a recent episode of The Tucker Carlson Show, he said, “I really do want to start a political party: ‘Don’t Pay Your Credit Card Bill.’ ‘Do Not Pay Your Gambling Debts.”

Carlson blamed the gambling companies for preying on young men to lead them to big gambling losses.

In comments noted by Awful Announcing, he said to guest Saagar Enjeti, “Why not just say it’s disgusting and it’s predatory?”

Fellow journalist Enjeti agreed before Carlson continued, “And by the way, they’re preying … on the frustration and sadness of young men who know they’re never going to be able to afford a wife, kids, and a house.”

Drake and Trainwreck have received similar criticism for promoting gambling, but the recent revelation of significant losses has gained some praise for highlighting the dangers of the activity. 

The post Trainwreck Loses $19.5 Million on Stream, Carlson Says “Don’t Pay Your Gambling Debt” appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Rep. Titus of Nevada posted on X that she would be introducing the “the FAIR BET Act, the Fair Accounting for Income Realized from Betting Earnings Taxation Act, to permanently restore the 100% loss deduction from gambling winnings.”

On Monday I’m introducing the FAIR BET Act, the Fair Accounting for Income Realized from Betting Earnings Taxation Act, to permanently restore the 100% loss deduction from gambling winnings.

I welcome all other members to join this common sense fix.

— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) July 5, 2025

The proposal aims to combat what many have highlighted as an unfair tax placed on gamblers by Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The bill passed in both chambers in narrow votes last week and now only requires Trump’s signature to be enacted at the start of next year. 

New Tax On Gamblers Could Erase Profits

In an amendment in the Senate, the BBB now contains a clause that will no longer allow bettors to offset taxes on winnings with losses completely. 

Currently, gamblers can deduct 100% of losses from winnings and then pay taxes on the remaining profits. However, the amendment limits deductions to 90% of losses, meaning that gamblers who are only breaking even, or making a small profit, could pay more in taxes than they win, resulting in net losses. 

Professional poker player Phil Galfond spoke out against the tax, commenting that it will drive gamblers to offshore betting sites. 

Galfond gave the example that if a gambler won $5.2 million but lost $5 million, then the current rules would tax the $200,000 profit. However, the change means gamblers can only deduct 90% of their losses ($4.5 million), meaning they would pay tax on $ 0.7 million. 

At the current gambling tax rates, the winning gambler would pay $74,000 in taxes, leaving a net profit of $126,000. The change in the deduction rule would see the gambler paying $259,000 in taxes, leaving a net loss of $59,000. 

FAIR BET Act Gains Traction But Faces Opposition

The FAIR BET Act would restore 100% deductions and seems to be a popular policy. In a post on X following the amendment, Titus wrote, “I’m working on a legislative fix that fairly treats gaming losses in the tax code.”

The post received over 1 million views. Speaking to KNTV News, Titus said this was more than any other post she has made. Her latest post, confirming that she would be introducing the bill on Monday, July 7, has almost reached 1 million views at the time of writing. 

Most responses are in favor of reversing the rule change; however, not all comments are positive, with some objecting to any deductions for gambling. 

For example, one user commented, “Hold up. I can’t get my student loans forgiven, but some grandma in Jersey can write off her losing from her addiction?!”

Others called for earlier intervention to prevent the amendment from being included in Trump’s bill in the first place. 

Nevada Democrat Titus said she had tried to suggest an amendment to the bill, but House managers refused to accept any. Instead, she will introduce new legislation; however, whether Republicans, who control the House, will support the proposal remains to be seen.

It is estimated that the tax change could generate over $1 billion in federal revenue over eight years, but Titus believes this estimate is overstated. 

Gambling A Target For Tax Collectors

Lawmakers across the country have also been introducing additional taxes on gambling. 

Illinois’s controversial decision to tax both gross gaming revenue and every bet placed has been met with strong opposition from gambling companies. 

In response, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics have all stated that they will pass the cost on to users and introduce a betting surcharge. 

Elsewhere, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Maryland have also approved an increase in gambling taxes. The states’ rates rose from around 15% to around 20%.

The Sports Betting Alliance (SBA), comprising five of the country’s leading sportsbooks, has spoken out against the hikes, warning that bettors will turn to illegal gambling sites if regulators continue to target gambling as a source of tax revenue. 

It is estimated that the country collected over $15 billion in tax revenue from gambling last year, representing an 8.5% increase from 2023. 

The post FAIR BET Act Aims Reverse Gambling Tax Rule In Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Evolution is now live with its online slots on Bally’s platform in Rhode Island, featuring titles from NetEnt, Red Tiger, and Big Time Gaming. This provides Bally Casino players with access to games already available in other regulated markets.

The deal also sees the company running live dealer Blackjack tables in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Evolution now has a live presence in all seven U.S. states where online casino games are currently legal: Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Delaware, and Connecticut.

In a press release, Jacob Claesson, CEO of Evolution North America, commented: “This agreement represents a significant step forward for both Evolution and Bally’s Corporation. 

“We’re thrilled to deepen our collaboration with Bally’s by delivering world-class gaming experiences and extend our reach into Rhode Island, a first for Evolution. This partnership showcases our shared commitment to driving innovation and providing exceptional entertainment for players.”

Evolution Joins Bally’s Exclusive Deal In Rhode Island 

Rhode Island granted Bally’s exclusive rights to operate iGaming in June 2023. Bally Casino initially partnered with Stakelogic to run its live casino games, which was seen as a cost-effective option. The deal with Bally’s marked Stakelogic’s first venture into the US casino space.

Bally Casino is limited to games that already exist in the state’s casinos, which include slots and live dealer table games. 

If the state wanted to introduce new games, a referendum would be required under its gambling laws.

Evolution has extensive experience in online casinos across global markets. A partnership with EveryMatrix, signed earlier this year, expanded the company’s presence in the US market. 

What Games Will the Deal Bring to Rhode Island?

While the new partnership won’t include Evolution’s live dealer games, the company’s slot subsidiaries, NetEnt, Red Tiger, and Big Time Gaming, produce some of the most popular slots across US online casinos. 

NetEnt produces two of the most frequented progressive jackpot slots, Divine Fortune and Mercy of the Gods. Another player favorite by the company is the Starburst slot. Other player favorites include: 

• Bloodsuckers
• Dead or Alive
• Fruit Shop
• Gonzo’s Quest
• Jungle Spirit
• Mega Fortune

Big Time Gaming is the creator of the super popular Megaways mechanic. The company does not produce all Megaways slots; instead, it licenses the name and mechanics to other studios, including other Evolution subsidiaries. 

While arguably not as famous as NetEnt, Red Tiger also creates many popular slots. Some examples include the 777 Strike, Astronaut, Cash Volt, Egypt Megaways, and Alexander the Great.

Red Tiger also supplies daily timed jackpots in some states, such as New Jersey, which could eventually be introduced to Rhode Island as well. 

While unconfirmed, other titles that could eventually come to Rhode Island include the edgy and urban-style slots by NoLimitCity. Additionally, Evolution has recently signed a deal with Hasbro for Monopoly-themed slots, which are set to release sometime next year. 

Evolution’s Content is Now Available in All iGaming States

The partnership with Bally’s in Rhode Island marks a significant milestone for Evolution in the US. The company’s content is now available in all seven US iGaming states: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. 

That means that Evolution’s content is available at over 50 online casino platforms across these states. 

With that, Evolution joins a small list of content providers that have achieved this milestone. IGT, which recently went through a significant restructuring, was the first. 

In March 2024, White Hat Gaming entered the state of Delaware, marking its seventh state. Notably, the company, which is significantly smaller than Evolution and IGT, has expanded rapidly in a relatively short time, having debuted in the US in 2022. 

Another content provider that has expanded to all seven states is Light and Wonder. 

Can Evolution Help the Underperforming Bally’s Casino in RI?

The addition of Evolution’s subsidiaries to Bally Casino’s game portfolio could give it a significant boost. The platform, the sole iGaming operator in the state, has struggled to meet initial revenue forecasts despite recent growth. 

Bally Casino generated $4.8 million in revenue in May, an impressive 113% year-over-year increase. Slots accounted for $3.7 million, a 129% yearly increase. 

While May was the second-highest revenue month (after March’s $5.1 million), Bally Casino has yet to catch up to initial forecasts. 

Before its March 2024 launch, Christiansen Capital Advisors (commissioned by the Rhode Island Department of Revenue) projected that the platform would generate $58.9 million in net revenue for 2024. However, Bally Casino generated under $22 million, less than half of the initial estimates. 

For the trailing year (July 24 – May 25), the platform generated $40.1 million. By comparison, Delaware’s single operator system has generated $77.5 million in the same period. 

Meanwhile, West Virginia, with a population less than twice that of Rhode Island’s, but with 10 platforms, saw $34.6 million in revenue for May alone.

The decision to limit online gambling to one single operator was the subject of debate among lawmakers in Rhode Island recently. 

IGT holds exclusivity in sports betting and has formed a partnership with Bally’s to supply and operate slots for the state’s casinos. 

A bill proposing to expand the gaming options received support in the Senate, which passed it with a 30-3 vote. However, it died in the House at the end of the legislative session in June. 

House Speaker Joe Shekarchi indicated that he was not interested in discussing the matter this year. Lawmakers are likely to revisit the topic in 2026 when the sports betting exclusive deal is up for review. 

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