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Georgia Resident Files Class Action Lawsuit Against VGW

admin — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 13:46:53 +0000

A Georgia resident has launched a class action lawsuit against Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) and its subsidiary companies, claiming they are operating illegal online gambling websites within the state. The lawsuit, initiated by Destiny Kennedy, targets VGW Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries, VGW Malta Limited, VGW Luckyland Inc., and VGW GP Limited, for allegedly violating Georgia’s gambling laws by running internet gambling platforms such as Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and LuckyLand Slots.

VGW Falsely Marketing Online Gaming Platforms as ‘Just for Fun’

Kennedy’s complaint, filed in the Georgia Northern District Court on May 17, 2024, asserts that VGW’s activities breach the Georgia Code stipulations. She argues that the company falsely markets its platforms as “just for fun gameplay,” misleading users into believing that the sites are legal and purely for entertainment, according to information published by Top Class Actions.

However, Kennedy claims that the real purpose of these sites is to facilitate illegal gambling, as users wager and lose real money through a dual-currency system involving Sweeps Coins and Gold Coins.

Kennedy’s legal action seeks to represent a broader class of Georgia residents who have lost money on VGW’s platforms. Kennedy reports a personal loss of approximately $1,150 from playing games on the implicated websites. The lawsuit demands monetary compensation for these losses and requests a jury trial to address the grievances of all affected consumers in Georgia.

VGW’s model, which includes both free-to-play currency and a purchasable Sweeps Coins system that can be redeemed for cash, is at the core of the allegations. Kennedy argues that while the sites allow for gameplay without real money, the primary goal is to encourage users to buy Sweeps Coins, thus disguising the gambling aspect under a veneer of legality.

Kennedy Opted Out of VGW’s Arbitration Agreement

The case also highlights Kennedy’s proactive stance in opting out of VGW’s arbitration agreement, which typically redirects disputes to private arbitration rather than court trials. This move distinguishes her case from similar lawsuits that have been compelled to arbitration due to the terms agreed upon by users.

VGW has a history of legal challenges in the United States, having previously settled a lawsuit in Kentucky for over $11 million concerning its LuckyLand brand. The outcome of the current lawsuit in Georgia could have significant implications for VGW’s operations in states where online gambling remains heavily regulated or prohibited.

Last year, VGW also had to withdraw from the Michigan market, discontinuing its social gaming brands Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and Luckyland Slots, after facing regulatory pressure.

As the Georgia case proceeds, VGW has yet to respond to the allegations.

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Senator Beach Wants to Legalize Gambling in Georgia

admin — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 13:10:41 +0000

To this day, Georgia remains one of the most gambling-unfriendly states in the US. However, pro-gambling advocates seek to change that as they believe that launching casino gaming and sports betting would bring tons of benefits to the state.

Senator Brandon Beach is one of the most avid supporters of gambling in Georgia. He commented on the matter during the recent Joint Committees on Economic Development and Tourism meeting, saying that he plans to introduce gambling legislation for the next legislative session.

The legislation would allow locals to vote on a constitutional amendment that would usher in casino gaming, sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering. Beach said that the legalization of gambling could generate as much as $900 million in taxes annually. According to him, this money would support the state infrastructure, healthcare initiatives, education and gambling addiction treatment.

In addition, the legalization of sports betting would bring other benefits and will help the state attract major sporting events.

Beach clarified that he doesn’t want to create a Vegas Strip-style destination but rather to allow the creation of casino resorts that would attract tourists and create multiple new jobs. This format would also nurture the economy through non-gambling means since resorts usually sport many shops and restaurants.

The Senator also pointed out that Atlanta lacks nighttime activities, which is another thing that casino resorts could change.

Under Beach’s proposal, Georgian gambling would be regulated by a new commission under the Georgia Lottery Corporation. The Senator plans to propose his legislation on the first day of the 2024 legislative session. Beach also noted that dozens of states already allow betting, meaning that Georgia is missing out on millions of dollars in revenue.

Georgia Is Missing Out on Thousands of Dollars

The future of gambling in Georgia remains uncertain as opposition is still strong. Because of that, a previous effort to legalize betting was shut down by the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee, preventing the measure from reaching voters.

Supporters of gambling have argued that thousands of dollars are drained from Georgia each weekend as gamblers visit Alabama and Mississippi to wager instead. According to proponents of the industry, legalizing gambling would allow Georgia to keep much of this money.

This was already proven in Nebraska as its fresh gambling industry allowed it to retain many customers who would previously go to gamble in Iowa. While this trend means bad news for Iowan casinos, it would allow Nebraska to remain competitive and channel consumers’ money toward its own economy.

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Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Georgia Bulldogs SEC Title Game Odds, Time, and Prediction

admin — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 06:34:59 +0000

The 2023 SEC East champions Georgia Bulldogs are without a single loss in college football in almost exactly two years. Bookies think they’re going to prolong this run on December 2. They’re seen as five-point favorites against the champions of the SEC West, the Alabama Crimson Tide.

In this Georgia vs. Alabama preview, we’re going to explain why that’s the case. We’re also going to examine whether bookies are right to think of the Bulldogs as the favorites.

#8 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. #1 Georgia Bulldogs SEC Championship Odds

Spread	Odds
Alabama Crimson Tide +5.0	-110
Georgia Bulldogs -5.0	+110

Moneyline	Odds
Alabama Crimson Tide	+175
Georgia Bulldogs	-210

Totals	Odds
Over 55.5	-110
Under 55.5	-110

*Odds taken from Caesars Sportsbook on Monday, November 27.

When, Where, and How to Watch?

Place: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
Date: Saturday, December 2, 2023
Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: CBS

Georgia Bulldogs Going for Their 30^th Straight Win

The No. 1 ranked team in the 2023 NCAAF is 12-0 this season, but their impressive run goes beyond this season. This team is on a 29-game winning streak, which started after the loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2021 SEC Championship game.

The Bulldogs got their revenge for that loss last year. They destroyed the Crimson Tide 33-18 in January 2022 in the CFB Playoff National Championship. Their defense was brilliant in that game, scoring two pick six TDs.

Their defense is at least as equally amazing in the 2023 NCAAF season. With 16.5 points conceded per game, they’re the 8^th-best team in the nation.

Georgia’s offense is 8^th in the nation, with 38.8 points per game. Quarterback Carson Beck has been doing alright in his first NCAAF season as a starter, throwing for 22 TDs in 12 games. The Bulldogs’ offense has also been dangerous running the ball, with running backs Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton recording double-figure rushing TDs.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama’s sophomore Jalen Milroe is in good shape right now, completing more than 65% of his passes in the last three games. In those games, we also saw him throw for eight TDs in total.

Thanks to his efforts, the Crimson Tide was able to beat the Auburn Tigers in the 2023 Iron Bowl last Saturday. The 20-year-old threw for a touchdown in the final minute of the game, which brought Alabama a win.

It was arguably his best performance since coming to Alabama, but he’ll have to do even better this time for the Crimson Tide to win the 2023 SEC Championship.

#8 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. #1 Georgia Bulldogs Prediction

The Georgia Bulldogs are way better than the Alabama Crimson Tide so anything but a win for the No. 1 ranked team would be a surprise. But will we see them cover the spread in the 2023 SEC title game? We think we will. The thing is that the Alabama vs. Georgia game is played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, where the crown will be on the side of the Bulldogs.

Pick: Georgia Bulldogs -5.0 (-110)

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Momentum Grows for Sports Betting Legalization in Georgia

admin — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 08:04:45 +0000

Sports betting has emerged as the front-runner in the race to legalize gambling in Georgia, overshadowing discussions on casinos and horse racing.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones Foresees Smooth Sailing for Sports Betting

Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, a staunch supporter of sports betting, believes it should be an “easy lift” compared to other forms of gambling, reported The Macon Telegraph. Jones, who introduced a sports betting bill in 2020, asserts that sports betting enjoys more popularity than casinos and horse racing among Georgians.

The recent legislative session saw a significant development when former Georgia Chief Justice Harold Melton opined that sports betting could be legalized without amending the state’s constitution. Melton categorized sports betting as akin to a lottery game, allowing oversight by the Georgia Lottery Corp., already incorporated into the constitution in 1992.

Despite this, divisions emerged among lawmakers regarding the best approach. Some favored a constitutional amendment to involve Georgia voters in the decision, while an alternative Senate measure aimed to include sports betting in the constitution. Both measures were defeated, postponing any decision until 2024.

Georgia’s Upcoming Legislative Session Poised for Sports Betting Breakthrough

Lt. Gov. Jones anticipates that the Senate will lead the charge on sports betting in the upcoming legislative session, with the Metro Atlanta Chamber once again throwing its weight behind the cause. The chamber, closely aligned with Atlanta’s professional sports teams, sees legalized sports betting as a catalyst for increased fan engagement.

Marshall Guest, senior vice president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, emphasized the potential economic benefits, citing that 38 states have already legalized sports betting since a 2018 US Supreme Court decision granted states that authority.

Lawmakers are considering various avenues for legalization, with State Rep. Ron Stephens advocating for a constitutional amendment. Stephens argues that the tax benefits of sports betting make the constitutional amendment route more appealing, even though it requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate.

Supporters highlight the potential tax revenue, earmarked for Georgia’s popular HOPE Scholarships and Pre-Kindergarten programs, as a compelling reason to move forward with sports betting legalization. Advocates believe that emphasizing these educational and community benefits could sway the necessary two-thirds majority in an election year.

While some have floated the idea of combining sports betting, casinos, and horse racing into a single constitutional amendment, skeptics like Stephens argue that such a comprehensive approach might be overly ambitious. As Georgia gears up for another legislative session, the push for sports betting legalization appears stronger than ever.

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CreedRoomz Partners with Lider Bet, Offers Live Casino in Georgia

admin — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 12:27:15 +0000

CreedRoomz, a tech company providing high-quality live casino solutions, has unveiled a new partnership with Lider Bet/Leader-Bet, a Georgia-based iGaming and betting operator. Under the agreement, the former party will fuel Lider Bet’s leading platform with live content.

As announced, CreedRoomz’s full catalog of live casino titles will be integrated into the gaming operator’s platform, expanding both companies’ presence in the local market. As a result, Georgian players will be able to try out some of the supplier’s best games, which include classics such as baccarat, blackjack and roulette.

The current partnership is in line with CreedRoomz’s expansion strategy which has seen it actively seek out partnerships with major gambling operators and distributors. Agreements, such as the current one, allow the live casino company to remain ahead of its competition and expand its influence.

Both CreedRoomz and Lider Bet have a wealth of experience in the iGaming sector. Their newly-formed alliance is sure to help them expand their footprint in Georgia while providing local players with engaging and modern iGaming experiences.

Lider Bet has been on the Georgian market since 2008. At first, the company was primarily focused on land-based gaming but in 2010 broadened the scope of its operations and launched online casino gaming products. Currently, Lider Bet owns a number of land-based gambling properties in all of Georgia’s major cities.

CreedRoomz, on the other hand, continues to expand its global presence. In May, the supplier penned a similar live casino agreement with Tom Horn Gaming, an online gaming software provider with an extensive portfolio of casino titles.

The live casino specialist also announced that it will be present at the SiGMA Asia Event on July 20-21, 2023.

Georgia Continues to Evolve as a Major Gaming Hub

In other Georgia-related news, Bragg Gaming Group just launched content in the country thanks to a newly-minted agreement with the Flutter Entertainment-owned operator Adjarabet. Under the deal, Bragg agreed to supply the gambling company with a selection of proprietary and aggregated iGaming titles.

The deal was praised by Bragg Gaming, which was excited by the opportunity to reinforce its existing relationship with Flutter.

Several weeks ago, OnAir Entertainment launched a new studio in Georgia, solidifying the country as a major hub for the flourishing online casino industry. The new studio, located in Tbilisi, Georgia, is the company’s third one in Europe and was hailed as a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion plans.

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7777 Gaming Gets Certified to Offer Games in Georgia

admin — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 23:37:02 +0000

This will grant 7777 gaming an outstanding reach in the country and also continue to add to the company’s ambition of expanding Eastward.

7777 is a global supplier of advanced content and this is the first time that the company has had the chance to enter the regulated Georgian market, which the developer has hailed as progressive and a significant milestone in its own global journey.

Embarking on a New Journey in Georgia

The company, which provides content to Balkan operators, and has been expanding outside of its stomping ground, has found many similarities between its stomping ground in Bulgaria and Romania on the one side and Georgia on the other.

7777 gaming hopes that it will attract and convert players for partner operators in the new market in Georgia, and also help boost retention rates for partner operators through the deployment of innovative and immersive titles. The supplier has some 100 games to bring to bear, which is an excellent opportunity for the company to present its capabilities to local operators.

Commenting on this opportunity 7777 gaming CCO Elena Shaterova had this to say:

Following our years of experience in the Balkan markets, we have developed a great sense of understanding what the players want and enjoy in an online casino game.

7777 gaming CCO Elena Shaterova

Shaterova was similarly pleased to be entering the Georgian market, which has been long in 7777’s sights. She confirmed that the company would seek to differentiate its offer in the market and ensure that it wins players’ hearts and mind through the deployment of creative, innovative, and worthwhile content.

7777 gaming has been a lot in the news recently. The company launched its content with Bitcasino and Sportsbet, two of the world’s most innovative iGaming and casino brands that have a very strong focus on crypto gaming.

The company also joined 1×2 Network to further expand its reach and ensure that it can introduce its products to a larger audience. The company also doubled down on its reach through a partnership with EveryMatrix, and the company’s CasinoEngine solution.

The company similarly strengthened its executive lineup with the appointment of Mitko Mitev as its new chief executive officer in April.

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Georgia Introduces New Laws For Online Casinos In The Country

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 04:53:01 +0000

Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili, has signed off on a fresh list of restrictions for the country’s gambling industry. Notable among the list is the new directive that only land-based casinos can hold online casino licenses, leaving just three players in the field.

Ever since Prime Minister Garibashvili took on the reins of the country, he has introduced some stringent conditions to operators in the country’s gambling industry. For instance, last year the government decided to make operators pay for licenses for each verticals, instead of a blanket license. This means operators have to pay separate permit fees for each vertical they want to offer such as slots, online casino and betting. An annual permit fee for each vertical is set at ₾100,000 (€35,580).

Asides that, the prime minister also raised legal gambling age from 18 to 25 while putting a 10% tax on gross gaming revenue and a 2% tax on player winnings. In addition, he banned individuals who are on government payroll either as a civil servant or receiving financial aid.

Meanwhile, the latest set of rules would allow just Iveria, Crystalbet and Adjara Group to offer casino gambling in the country. But the government is also planning on selling exclusive rights to operators looking to offer online casino in the country for the fee of ₾5m (€1.6m).

The prime minister explained that his strict rules were to curb gambling addiction in the country. He added that the rules are to protect Georgian players from being exploited by gambling companies either at home or from abroad.

Operators are however protesting the draconian laws of the prime minister citing them as stifling the industry, and even unlawful. Some operators, such as PokerStars, have started pulling out of the country.

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