Harrah’s Northern California entered uncharted territory with the HotSeat Jackpot, making it the first US casino to offer a player-funded drawing game. The feature lets guests play their favorite table games in addition to competing in an hourly jackpot drawing, with bets ranging from $1 to $100.

Harrah’s Brings Interactive Gaming to Northern California

Some regions call it HotSeat Lotto, others know it as HotSeat Jackpot. Whatever the name, the concept takes traditional hot-seat games and enhances them through digital technology and a community-based approach. Each table on the gaming floor is equipped with a tablet that connects to all other tables within the casino. Once every hour, a four-minute betting window opens when the tablet signals for wagers to be placed. Each dollar bet represents an entry into the drawing, which means that as more people play, the pot grows.

Harrah’s Northern California senior vice president and general manager Jeff Cutri said: “We are excited to be the first to offer HotSeat Jackpot, which provides our guests with a convenient digital hot seat drawing experience every hour. At Harrah’s, we are always focused on elevating our guests’ experience by providing unique and fun gaming opportunities they can’t find anywhere else.”

During the four-minute betting windows, participants can see how much money has been bet across all players’ accounts in real-time and watch the amount climb higher and higher toward what will eventually become someone’s life-altering payday before their eyes.

After those four minutes are up, there will be no more bets taken. Instead, one lucky winner will be chosen at random by computer software designed specifically for this purpose — ensuring fairness for each round — then displayed prominently throughout all screens positioned above every table scattered throughout Harrah’s Northern California floor space so that everyone playing within its walls knows exactly when somebody scores the big bucks.

HotSeat Jackpot Brings its Winning Formula to the US After Success in Mexico

HotSeat Jackpot CEO Lance Lietzau spoke highly about partnering with Harrah’s Northern California for the US debut of this new product. Lietzau commented: “We’ve realized international success with a dozen properties in Mexico currently offering our revolutionary HotSeat game. The experience gained in rolling out both our single casino, as well as wide area progressive system, which allows multiple casinos under the same brand to link players across multiple properties, has ensured a seamless launch for guests at Harrah’s.”

HotSeat Jackpot was created in response to common player complaints about hot seat promotions being too few and far between or only happening during certain hours of the day when most people cannot participate because they are at work or school. 

By turning what used to be an intermittent event into something that takes place hourly and is available at all tables simultaneously throughout Harrah’s Northern California gaming floor space, HotSeat Jackpot revolutionizes this type of promotion while also maximizing player engagement levels.

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A few years after an unsuccessful attempt of the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe to secure land and build a casino in Ridgecrest, California, the Tribe is now moving forward with another casino project. The project in question proposes the development of a casino in Inyokern, on Highway 178 and near Highway 395.

Judging by a notice by the Indian Affairs Bureau, the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe received a green light from the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs for the acquisition of land that would be used for “gaming and other purposes.” The land is described as a County Land Parcel in Kern County that is approximately 20 acres.

The recent notice reads: “The Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs made a final agency determination to acquire in trust 20.03 acres, more or less, of land known as the County Land Parcel in Kern County, California, for the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe for gaming and other purposes.”

The decision marks a major milestone for the future of the Tribe’s casino project in Inyokern. Ultimately, the casino is expected to propel the growth of the Tribe. At the same time, the casino project is anticipated to deliver economic benefits to the region by creating new jobs and boosting local businesses.

The New Casino Would Benefit the Tribe, Deliver Economic Stimulus

George Gholson, the Tribal Chairman, who was recently quoted by CocoaDocs, highlighted the importance of the project. He explained that the new casino in Inyokern is expected to play a key role for the Tribe’s growth.

At the same time, Gholson predicted that the casino would deliver economic stimulus to the region. Moreover, he explained: “This casino will provide a much-needed boost to our economy, and will help us preserve and honor our cultural heritage.”

As noted, the casino project in Inyokern comes after an unsuccessful attempt by the Inyokern for the development of a casino in the city of Ridgecrest. The efforts toward that project date back to 2018 and 2019.

At the time, the Tribe faced strong opposition. Combined with the shutdowns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the progress of the casino project in Ridgecrest faced significant delays. In the end, the Tribe wasn’t able to purchase land for the project within a specific deadline which ultimately resulted in the project falling through early in 2022.

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In a recent commentary, Assemblyman James Ramos emphasized the pivotal role of California’s Native American tribes in any potential expansion of sports betting within the state. 

Ramos Highlights Tribal Role in California Gaming Policy

Assemblyman James Ramos, a member of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, underscored the historic agreement between the state and tribes in 1999, which granted tribes exclusivity over casino gaming, confining such activities to tribal reservations.

Highlighting the significance of this agreement, Ramos stressed the need for a similar approach to be taken with sports wagering, emphasizing principles of responsibility, community benefit, and respect for past commitments, reported Cal Matters. 

Ramos urged policymakers not to perceive the issue solely as the legalization of sports betting but rather as a matter of aligning any gaming expansion with the values that have guided tribal gaming since its inception.

Ramos’s commentary comes amidst ongoing discussions surrounding the future of sports betting in California. Notably, tribes have played a decisive role in shaping the trajectory of such endeavors. In 2022, a coalition of influential tribes, including San Manuel, successfully defeated a ballot proposition supported by commercial sportsbook operators, thereby maintaining control over gaming activities within the state.

The assemblyman’s remarks serve as a reminder that any potential progression towards regulated sports wagering in California hinges on the consent and leadership of the tribes. Ramos emphasized the tribes’ steadfast commitment to protecting gaming revenues within California and maintaining responsible, community-oriented enterprise practices.

Ramos Foresees Challenges in California’s Sports Betting Journey

While Ramos refrained from making predictions regarding the timeline for potential sports betting approval, it is evident that the issue will not be on the ballot shortly. Recent polls have indicated limited public appetite for revisiting the topic, particularly following the setbacks of 2022.

Looking ahead, the 2026 midterm election remains a possibility for reconsidering sports betting legislation. However, factors such as a gubernatorial election could complicate the process, diverting attention and resources from gaming-related initiatives.

Furthermore, discussions surrounding the approval of mobile betting suggest a phased approach, with retail sportsbooks potentially preceding online platforms. This approach could necessitate travel to tribal casinos for sports betting enthusiasts, particularly those residing far from major population centers.

Notably, a sports betting initiative in California, spearheaded by Kasey Thompson of Eagle1 Acquisitions Corp. LLC, was withdrawn due to opposition from tribal groups and a lack of sufficient support. Thompson initially aimed to gather signatures for the initiative, but faced backlash from tribes, leading to its abandonment.

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The California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) announced its unwavering opposition to two proposed sports wagering initiatives, marking a united front against what they deem as deceptive measures. 

CNIGA Chairman Raises Alarms Over Deceptive Sports Wagering Initiatives

CNIGA Chairman, James Siva, expressed concerns about the initiatives, highlighting their disingenuous nature. Chairman Siva stated during a press conference in Sacramento that the proponent of the measures was attempting to divide and conquer tribes by pushing an initiative that sought to legitimize illicit offshore operators and put their governments at risk.

The 52-member coalition, representing federally recognized tribal governments and associate members, is dedicated to preserving and protecting Indian gaming on federally recognized Indian lands. Their firm stand against the sports wagering initiatives stems from a commitment to safeguarding tribal sovereignty and integrity.

In a letter addressed to Eagle1 Acquisition Corp. executives Kasey Thompson, Reeve Collins, and petition signer Ryan Tyler Walz, CNIGA, along with 28 individual tribes, urged the proponents to withdraw their initiatives immediately. The letter emphasized the strong opposition from more than half of California tribal nations, condemning the proposals as offensive and deceptive.

California Tribal Heavyweights Rally Against Latest Sports Betting Push

The sports betting initiatives, filed on October 27, face significant resistance from tribes, including some of the state’s largest casino operators such as the San Manuel, Pechanga, Graton Rancheria, Agua Caliente, Barona, and Rincon tribes. 

These tribal heavyweights, collectively spending over $220 million in 2022 to defeat a previous sports betting proposal, remain steadfast in their opposition to what they perceive as an attempt to hijack tribal goodwill for personal gain.

The CNIGA also voiced concerns about a plan to transfer offshore assets to tribes, characterizing it as a cynical and deceptive attempt to cleanse illegal offshore online gambling corporations with a track record of illicit activities. They pledged to launch an aggressive campaign against the initiatives, akin to their successful efforts in 2022, resulting in an 82% vote against a similar proposal.

Despite the proponents’ amendments to the initiative, removing language deemed problematic by some tribes, the CNIGA remains resolute in its opposition.

The tribal coalition firmly believes that 2024 is not the right time for sports betting in California, viewing it as a 2026 issue at the earliest. They underscored the importance of tribal sovereignty and the support it enjoys among California voters, reinforcing their commitment to defeating the proposed sports betting measures.

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Proponents of the California sports betting initiative have submitted crucial amendments to their proposal to the state attorney general. The revised initiative not only addresses concerns raised by tribes and regulators but also introduces key changes that promise to enhance revenue sharing and inclusivity among California’s diverse tribal communities.

California Sports Betting Initiative’s Key Transformations

One of the pivotal alterations includes an increase in the revenue share for limited- and non-gaming tribes, a move that aims to rectify the disparities among different tribal groups. The amended initiative eliminates provisions that larger tribes found problematic, fostering a more unified stance among stakeholders.

The original proposal faced criticism from three California Indian tribes in 2021, who highlighted concerns related to offshore online gaming operators. In response, the proponents removed the contentious provisions, demonstrating a commitment to addressing the specific needs and worries of the tribal leaders.

Key modifications in the finalized initiative involve a boost in the percentage of operator revenue allocated to Revenue Sharing Trust Fund (RSTF) tribes to 25%. This replaces the previous 10% allocation to homelessness and mental health funding. 

Additionally, the initiative now limits the in-person sign-up requirement for online sports betting accounts to the first two years, allowing mobile sign-ups within a 10-mile radius of tribal casinos.

The initiative also introduces a five-year sunset for promotional credits, starting at 15% in the first year and gradually decreasing to zero. Furthermore, the start date for California online sports betting has been pushed to no earlier than July 1, 2025.

CNIGA Firmly Rejects California Sports Betting Proposals

Last month, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) formally opposed two sports betting proposals, introduced by Kasey Thompson and Reeve Collins in October, aiming to regulate online and in-person sports wagering in the state. Following a vote by 52 CNIGA members, the association expressed irrevocable opposition, criticizing the handling of the initiatives and emphasizing the Tribes’ expertise in deciding what is best for their communities, urging the proponents to drop the proposals as promised in case of tribal opposition.

The next steps for the California sports betting initiative involve the state producing a fiscal estimate by December 18 and the attorney general releasing a circulating title and summary by January 2. Proponents, confident in tribal support, are prepared to fund the initiative entirely, from signature collection through the potentially costly ballot campaign, reinforcing their commitment to a zero-cost initiative for the tribes.

The California sports betting initiative, if successful, would amend the state constitution to permit sports betting on professional, collegiate, and select amateur sports. Tribal compacts with the state would include sports betting, and the initiative will legalize craps and roulette at tribal casinos.

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Californian voters continue to show little interest in sports betting. Data shows that consumers in the state continue to be reluctant to introduce the vertical to the state, although some people seem to be warming up to the idea.

Such were the results of a study led by FM3 Research, a local polling company. According to its findings, only 13% of Californians are strongly supportive of the idea, while 17% only somewhat support betting. According to the results, 17% somewhat oppose sports betting and 46% strongly oppose it. The remaining 7% are neutral.

While these results are not thrilling, they still show that people are a bit more likely to support betting now than they were a year ago. For reference, last year, FM3 Research learned that 13% strongly support betting while 15% somewhat support it.

Tribes Oppose the New Measures

While the results show a modest warming up to the idea of sports betting, they still show that more than half of the voters in the state are opposed to the idea. These results are favorable to the local tribes, which are wary of competition from commercial operators.

The tribes were also unhappy that the most recent measures were not communicated to them before the filings. This further amplified their animosity, providing extra challenges to the legalization of sports betting.

Most of the local tribes are firmly opposed to the introduction of sports betting, with some remaining neutral on the matter.

California Is Not Ready

Last year, two other bills tried to usher in sports betting but failed to gain traction. This year’s measures, the Sports Wagering Regulation and Tribal Gaming Protection Act and the Tribal Gaming Protection Act seek to give sports betting another chance.

Unfortunately, the time for collecting comments concluded yesterday. The due date for both measures is December 1.

The outlook for sports betting in California seems to remain bleak. As voters and tribes alike oppose the two amendments, any significant change is unlikely. California will likely need a few more years before sports betting becomes a relevant matter, according to the local tribes.

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Amid the pandemic, indoor smoking was prohibited in casinos across the United States. This temporary measure became the new reality for some brick-and-mortar casinos, but others, such as Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, have resumed smoking, lifting the three-year ban.

As announced by the Palm Springs Desert Sun, the casino is only one out of three Agua Caliente venues that has taken the decision to resume indoor smoking. Reportedly, the smoking ban was lifted after Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs received “a substantial number of requests.”

While Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs returned smoking on the casino floor, two of the tribe’s other venues, Rancho Mirage and Cathedral City, continue to enforce the smoking ban. The lifting of the smoking ban allows vaping and smoking while smoking cigars and using pipes remains prohibited.

Visitors to Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs can engage in vaping and smoking while on the casino floor. However, the casino doesn’t allow those activities at the sports bar and Cascade Lounge. Additionally, smoking is not allowed within dining areas or at table games.

Undoubtedly, smokers who visit the casino will enjoy seeing the lifted smoking ban. Yet, not everyone agrees with the lifting of the prohibition on smoking on the casino floor. Tim Sigle, a visitor of Agua Caliente went on social media to share his concern about the resumption of smoking at the casino. “They are allowing smoking once again in the casino after four years of stopping it. Shame on them for bringing it back and risking people’s health,” posted Sigle on Facebook.

Smoking Causes Harm to Employees, Visitors

Sigle encouraged people to submit complaints about the return of smoking at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs. He warned that the resumption of smoking impacts the health of employees who are forced to breathe contaminated air. Moreover, Sigle said that secondhand smoke can cause harm to visitors who are also forced to breathe smoke. “If they want to cater to smokers, they can build a separate room with just smokers can go. The 360 sports bar and lounge have no walls around it and people will be smoking on three sides,” added Sigle.

More than two decades ago, in 1998, California implemented a smoking ban, effectively prohibiting activity in indoor spaces, including casinos. However, the sovereign status of the Tribe meant that the ban did not apply to its casinos.

Similarly, in New Jersey, there is also a smoking ban in effect, but casinos are exempt. While lawmakers in the state are trying to close that loophole, operators across the United States continue to fear smoke bans, claiming impacts on their revenues.

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The California Lottery has solidified its collaboration with International Game Technology PLC (IGT), securing a seven-year extension that promises to reshape the future landscape of the state’s lottery experience. 

California Lottery Chooses IGT’s OMNIA Lottery Solution for Unmatched Gaming

Under the freshly-inked contract, IGT’s subsidiary, IGT Global Solutions Corporation, will be the primary technology provider for the California Lottery, marking a continuation of their fruitful partnership. This agreement allows for a potential extension until 2033, with the option of five additional one-year renewals.

The centerpiece of this collaboration is the adoption of IGT’s innovative cloud-based platform, seamlessly integrated into its OMNIA lottery solution. This move replaces the existing second-chance platform and extends to the migration of the lottery’s operational management tools and applications into the cloud. By doing so, the California Lottery aims to enhance flexibility, and reliability, and accelerate innovation, ultimately offering players an unparalleled gaming experience.

Jay Gendron, IGT chief operating officer, Global Lottery, highlighted: “IGT’s enhanced second-chance promotions platform will provide maximum flexibility for the California Lottery to create a variety of exciting promotional drawings and bonus capabilities for its players.” 

He further expressed the company’s commitment to driving increased sales for the California Lottery, ultimately supporting the state’s public schools.

IGT Will Keep Providing Uninterrupted Comprehensive Services

Beyond the technological upgrades, IGT will continue to provide comprehensive services to the California Lottery. This includes supporting and maintaining the central system, communications network, and managing over 140,000 point-of-sale hardware across 23,000 retailer locations. 

Additionally, IGT will offer instant-ticket games and services, field services, marketing, research capabilities, and call center support, ensuring a seamless gaming experience for players statewide.

This groundbreaking partnership reaffirms IGT’s position as a global leader, serving 25 lotteries in the US, eight of the world’s largest lotteries, and 16 of the world’s top 25 lotteries. The collaboration between IGT and the California Lottery promises a future where technology meets entertainment, setting the stage for an exciting era in the state’s gaming industry. 

Another major expansion in the US came with IGT securing an eight-year contract with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) to provide its iLottery gaming system and related components. The deal allowed CLC to offer online Keno and draw-based lottery games for the first time, including popular games like Lotto!, Cash5, Play3 with Wild Ball, and Play4 with Wild Ball.

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In July, a lucky player from California won the grand prize from America’s favorite lottery, Powerball. At the time, the lucky winner won a mouth-watering $1.08 billion grand prize. Now, after nearly 40 consecutive draws, another lucky player secured a life-changing jackpot. The drawing on Wednesday saw a single ticket from California guess correctly all drawn numbers. As a result, the winner hit the $1.765 billion jackpot, the second-largest prize in the history of the game.

To secure the grand prize, the lucky player guessed correctly all white balls 22, 24, 40, 52, 64, as well as the red Powerball 10, from the drawing on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. The $1.765 billion-dollar prize can be secured via annual installments or a lump sum.

If the lucky lottery player selects annual installments, they will be able to collect the full sum via an initial installment followed by 29 annual payments with a growing interest rate of 5%. Sacrificing more than half of the sum, the lucky ticket holder can also collect a lump $774.1 million payment. Still, it’s important to note that the aforementioned payments are before taxes.

As noted, the recent jackpot marks the second-biggest prize from Powerball. The only time a bigger prize dropped was back in November last year when a lucky winner, again from California, secured the staggering $2.04 billion grand prize. The latest win marks the second time the Powerball jackpot is won after surpassing the billion-dollar mark.

Besides the grand prize, Wednesday’s Powerball drawing saw seven lucky lottery players take home $1 million each. Thanks to the Power Play multiplier, which was 2x, two winners took home $2 million each.

More than 5.3M People Secure Wins from Wednesday’s Drawing

Drew Svitko, Powerball product group chair and executive director of Pennsylvania Lottery, was excited about the recent drawing. He congratulated the new billionaire and the millions of players who were lucky and secured prizes from the latest drawing.

“For 31 years, some players who have dreamed about winning a Powerball jackpot have defied the odds, and in doing so, have helped generate critical funding for public services and programs supported by US lotteries,” added Svitko. Finally, he explained that a portion of the Powerball tickets from the latest jackpot run will contribute toward good causes in the states where the players live.

Overall, there were more than 5.3 million winning tickets from Powerball’s Wednesday drawing. Considering that the grand prize was won, it was now reset to $20 million or $8.8 million cash value for the upcoming drawing set for Saturday, October 14, 2023.

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In a bid to settle a contentious and long-standing dispute between California Indian tribes and cardrooms, the California Bureau of Gambling Control (BGC) has introduced proposed regulations that could significantly alter the landscape of the state’s gambling industry. 

California Cardrooms to Undergo Major Changes as Blackjack Faces Ban

Under the proposed rules, any form of blackjack, including player-banked versions, would be expressly prohibited in cardrooms across the state. The regulations also mandate that player-banked games rotate the dealer position at least twice every 40 minutes, a change meant to address concerns raised by tribal communities regarding the rotation of the bank between third-party proposition players and regular players at the table.

Although the regulations prohibit traditional blackjack, they do allow for a modified version of the game where players aim to get closest to a target point, similar to 21. However, unlike blackjack, players cannot exceed the target point, and the winner is determined based on proximity to the target, regardless of whether the player’s card total exceeds the specified number. These modified games cannot use the term “blackjack” or incorporate the number 21 in their names.

The proposed changes come in response to a protracted dispute over house-banked games between California Indian tribes and cardrooms. Tribal communities have exclusive rights to offer house-banked games in the state, a privilege that excludes other gambling establishments from offering games involving a “bank” or “percentage,” specifically referencing the game of “21.”

BGC Seeks Public Feedback Amidst Brewing Legal Battle between Cardrooms and Tribes

The BGC has invited public feedback on the proposed regulations until October 26. While the fate of these regulations remains uncertain, it is evident that the proposed changes could have a profound impact on California’s gambling landscape, leading to further debates and discussions among stakeholders in the coming months.

At the same time, in July, the California Assembly Judiciary Committee passed a bill, SB 549, allowing Indian tribes to sue cardrooms, aiming to resolve a longstanding conflict. California’s cardrooms use third-party proposition players (TPPPs) who act as banks in games. The bill enables tribes to file a one-time lawsuit, asserting that cardrooms’ games breach the state constitution. 

Tribes have a three-month window starting January 1, 2024, to sue. The move comes after years of dispute, with tribes claiming cardrooms’ banked games infringe on tribal casinos’ exclusivity. Cardrooms opposed the bill, arguing the approved games should not be subject to lawsuits, and that they cannot countersue competitors under this arrangement.

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