This has been made possible through Bally’s, which has been offering interactive casino games of chance since Tuesday, and is the first time the country has seen a new expansion and a subsequent launch of iGaming since Connecticut became the sixth state to do so in October 2021.

Rhode Island Lifts the Curtain on Online Casino Gaming

The key event here is not so much the arrival of interactive gambling, as online sports betting has been available in Rhode Island since late 2019. Last year, the state gave its go-ahead to Bally’s to operate an exclusive live casino with Stakelogic, a supplier with a global reach and a unique blend of live dealer games.

Rather, it’s a matter of introducing online casino games. Bally’s features 170 slot games and it also offers live dealer tables for blackjack and roulette, both of which are popular segments.

However, the online casino does come with some conditions. For one, to play online, players would have to be 21 years of age, as opposed to 18 years for the commercial casino. There are also a host of responsible gambling measures designed to ensure that online players are protected and have access to all they need to engage responsibly with gambling.

That includes session limits, spending and betting restrictions, cool-off periods, and of course self-exclusion. Rhode Island, a small state by any meaningful measure in the United States, has decided to pursue growth in yet another important gambling vertical.

Bally’s is hoping to continue adding to its online casino offer, although there may be a fast-reached ceiling for the actual growth with not that many players to go around. The Ocean State and the latest introduction of online casino games, though, begs the question of how soon before we see others follow suit. The gambling bill that made online casino gambling in Rhode Island is far from ideal, though.

Who May Be Next in the Race for iCasinos?

It only allows Bally’s to offer such products, and this is understandable as Rhode Island operates an exclusive based on an exclusivity model with the brand. Other states though are bigger, and there are already several potential targets for further expansion. Among the names that have openly discussed the idea are both Indian and Illinois.

Florida, which managed to push online sports betting through a tribal compact, has been openly tinkering with the idea of using the same arrangement and introducing online casinos, although all of these are rather far-fetched.

There is a compelling case to pursue growth in Indiana, too, as according to a recent study, the state stands to rake in millions worth of tax windfall, not to mention the added value to the economy. Anything new coming out of Illinois this year, though, is more likely to do with a proposed tax increase, however.

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The Wynn Las Vegas patron’s family is now stepping in to demand what they insist is justice. In their allegations, the family of Billie Sakkab, 74, insists that there was a lack of proper intervention on behalf of the casino. A lawsuit has been filed with the Clark County District Court, with the family represented by Christian Morris Trial Attorneys.

Unfortunate Accident at Wynn Sets Family on Quest for Truth

Sakkab was playing slots on her own during Wynn’s Super Bowl on February 13, 2022, when she went into cardiac arrest. The plaintiffs allege that Wynn employees were not sufficiently trained nor intervened in time to prevent the occurrence with a portable automated external defibrillator.

Las Vegas Review-Journal, which obtained a copy of the lawsuit and did the original reporting, confirms that the plaintiffs allege a number of oversights on the part of the resort, including negligent hiring, training, retention, and supervision. The lawsuit alleges negligent security, gross negligence, and not least wrongful death.

Sakkab passed out at the slot machines, with the plaintiffs arguing that none of the Wynn employees were able to assess her situation and intervene to save her life, pointing to the lack of sufficient training.

Wynn did not prepare adequately for such medical emergencies, and the lawsuit added, ignored the fact that there would be an increased guest presence on the gaming floor, which could lead to an emergency of this sort.

Wynn Resorts employees only called 911 at 5:54 pm, although it’s not immediately clear when Sakkab passed away in the first place. It took six minutes for the Clark County Fire Department and another nine minutes for the Medic West ambulance to arrive on-site.

Sakkab, however, died at 6:47 pm. The lawsuit is spearheaded by a number of family members, including Sakkab’s widower, Nabil Y. Sakkab Sr., as well as Nabil Sakkab, Nabil Sakkab Jr. and Tiffany Pond.

A Wynn spokesperson was cited by the Review-Journal, with the person saying that Wynn would present the facts about the unfortunate accident and ensure transparency in the matter.

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The leading provider of technology catering to the global gambling industry, Playtech, announced a new groundbreaking partnership. The company confirmed Wednesday that it signed a new exclusive deal with the owner of rights to formats developed by Mark Goodson Productions, Fremantle. Under the terms of the new exclusive deal, Playtech Live will deliver the iconic Family Feud franchise to the live casino gambling sector.

The strategic collaboration covers global markets and includes the US version of the famous Family Feud franchise. Moreover, the company secured the intellectual property (IP) for Family Fortunes, the UK counterpart of the famous franchise. Under the latest collaboration, with Fremantle, Playtech significantly boosts its offering, delivering unique experiences for customers across the globe.

The deal with Fremantle comes after earlier this week, the company announced a partnership with the leading bingo provider in the UK, Buzz Bingo. The duo strengthened their partnership, effectively extending it through 2031 and confirming they will focus on delivering seamless and innovative gaming experiences.

The Collaboration Represents a Game-Changing Partnership

Aaron Berndtson, Playtech’s head of strategic partnerships and entertainment, revealed that the company is delighted to join forces with Fremantle for this strategic collaboration. “The partnership with Fremantle is another milestone to deliver unique and captivating experiences to players worldwide,” he added.

Erica Gadecki, Fremantle’s SVP of partnership solutions, was similarly thrilled regarding the new exclusive deal with Playtech. She outlined that the new partnership complements Fremantle’s ongoing goal to deliver exceptional, unique and thrilling experiences to players across the globe. Finally, Gadecki said: “Playtech’s Live platform is a perfect opportunity to expand into the interactive entertainment landscape while building upon the Family Feud legacy.”

“This partnership with Fremantle is a game-changer. By integrating the iconic Family Feud franchise into our offerings, we are bridging the worlds of game show entertainment and online gaming, promising our users an immersive experience.“

Edo Haitin, CEO at Playtech Live

Edo Haitin, Playtech Live’s CEO, spoke about the importance of the new collaboration with Fremantle. He confirmed that the integration of the famous Family Feud franchise will strengthen the company’s offering, helping iGaming and game show entertainment get closer and continue to provide engaging experiences. Haitin said that the partnership marks a thrilling moment for Playtech. Finally, the CEO highlighted that this deal complements the company’s ongoing goal to deliver supreme entertainment.

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In a significant development in the world of Asian gaming, the billionaire Cheng family from Hong Kong has officially taken over the management of the Hoiana casino resort in Vietnam. The resort, located near the vibrant Vietnamese port city of Da Nang, was formerly operated by the Suncity Group, a business empire led by the now-jailed Macau gambling tycoon, Alvin Chau. 

A Lavish $4B Joint Project by Chow Tai Fook, LET Group, and VinaCapital

The Hoiana resort is a joint venture between Chow Tai Fook, LET Group, and investment management firm VinaCapital. Boasting an impressive array of amenities, the resort includes a sprawling casino with 140 gaming tables and over 350 gambling machines, a luxurious golf course, and opulent hotels carrying the renowned Cheng family brands, New World and Rosewood. Currently, additional facilities are under construction, bringing the total investment in the resort to an estimated $4 billion.

The Cheng family’s takeover of the Hoiana resort comes in the aftermath of Alvin Chau’s legal troubles, leading to his imprisonment in Macau. Chau, who previously ran Macau’s most prominent junket operator, spearheaded an immensely profitable industry that attracted affluent players from mainland China through the provision of private jets, lavish suites, and generous gambling credits. However, the entire sector faced a severe blow following Beijing’s stringent crackdown, citing concerns over capital outflows and potential money laundering.

Following Chau’s fall from grace, Suncity Group Holdings Ltd., the listed unit of his empire, underwent a transformation under the leadership of executive director Andrew Lo. Rebranded as LET Group, the company has since distanced itself from junket operations.

Hoiana Resort’s Management Shift Reflects a Growing Trend

The shift in management at the Hoiana resort aligns with a broader trend among Macau junket operators. Faced with stricter regulations and higher taxes on home soil, many of these operators are actively seeking opportunities in Southeast Asia, with Vietnam standing out as one of the most attractive destinations as reported by Bloomberg. 

Vietnam offers more relaxed regulations and the opportunity to share VIP revenue with casinos, a model that was abandoned in Macau following China’s crackdown. Additionally, since Vietnamese law prohibits local residents from gambling in most facilities, casinos in the country heavily rely on high-rolling foreign players.

Vietnam’s tourism industry is also experiencing a post-pandemic boom, with visitor arrivals bouncing back to 66% of pre-pandemic levels in the first six months of the year. The country’s resilience in attracting tourists is particularly impressive, given that Chinese tourists, who previously comprised nearly one-third of Vietnam’s visitors, are yet to return en masse due to a shortage of international flights.

Beyond Vietnam, the Cheng family‘s foray into the international gaming scene has also extended to Australia, where they have become key investors in the Star Entertainment Group. Collaborating with another Hong Kong-based conglomerate, Far East Consortium International Ltd., they are jointly developing a formidable $3.6 billion gambling resort in Brisbane.

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The latest partnership will allow BoyleSports to benefit from the launch of dedicated and proprietary content from Wizard Games through the Fusion platform. This new content launch will strengthen BoyleSports’ operations in both Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Fusion will not just stop at content by Wizard Games, though, as the platform is also expected to deliver on more than 14,000 products, part of its aggregation platform presently. Apart from aggregating content, Pariplay has been equally keen on adding new clients which can benefit from its curated offer of iGaming products.

The Fusion platform does not just offer games, though, as it creates powerful experiences backed by the company’s back and front-end tools that boost conversion and retention. Some of the solutions Pariplay deploys include its Fusion Tournaments, Raffle Rocket, and Spin that Wheel promotional tools.

Bringing New Games and Experiences to BoyleSports Players

Commenting on the new partnership BoyleSports gaming director Steve Payne has hailed the opportunity to add a trusted and reliable partner such as Pariplay, capable of bringing some of the best titles to the operator. Payne added:

We’re very happy to see key games go live in the UK and Ireland, as we look to further grow our footprint in our core markets and beyond.

Pariplay VP of sales Andrew Maclean was similarly pleased with the partnership and said that the company was delighted to be teaming up with BoyleSports, a brand that is “supremely well-known in the UK and Irish markets.

“Taking both proprietary content and third-party games live across multiple jurisdictions highlights the agility and scalability of our Fusion platform,” Maclean added. Pariplay has been working to actively strengthen its partner and third-party programs as well as strike important partnerships with prominent brands.

The company has been able to add Jelly Entertainment to its Ignite program earlier in February. Similarly, the company added Mancala Gaming as one of its latest Fusion platforms, seeking to expand its list of new titles. The company also struck a partnership with Kiron this year.

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