Leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of regulated land-based slot and electronic games worldwide, Aristocrat Gaming, has announced the all-new and highly anticipated House of the Dragon slot game will hit the casino floors on October 7-10. 

This is the time the studio has chosen for the global debut of the new slot via their state-of-the-art King Max booth at the Global Gaming Expo that will take place in Las Vegas.

The Launch, in Time for the Season 2 Series Finale

The game will reach casino floors right in time for the Season 2 finale of HBO Original’s drama series of the same name.  

Fans of the iconic show will be given a new opportunity to experience the action and excitement of their favorite series built on Aristocrat Gaming’s premium licensed game portfolio in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment (WBDGTE).

The portfolio also features the ever-popular Game of Thrones slot game family with a plethora of different titles spanning several seasons.

WBDGTE belongs to Warner Bros. Discovery’s Revenue & Strategy division and is a global leader in the creation, development, and licensing of location-based entertainment, theme park experiences, exhibits, and live events based on important franchises, characters, and stories from Warner Bros.’ games, TV, film, and animation studios. 

The list includes Discovery, HBO, DC, Cartoon Network, and others. 

Aristocrat, “Thrilled to Further the Epic Entertainment” of the Hit Series 

Aristocrat Gaming’s chief executive officer, Hector Fernandez, spoke about The House of the Dragon TV series that “has broken records and engaged a legacy of fans in a new way” while expressing their thill to “further the epic entertainment of this hit series with the creation of the new House of the Dragon slot game.”

CEO Fernandez also took the opportunity to express their pride regarding the “previous successes” recorded by the release of the Game of Thrones slot games while anticipating the fresh release will carry on the “excitement and appeal to an even larger audience.”

New episodes of the series’ Season 2 will be airing at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. The episodes are also available to stream on Max.

Aristocrat Leisure Limited-owned Aristocrat Games creates award-winning games and hardware serving unique game mechanics, delivering premium end-to-end experiences to customers in over 300 worldwide jurisdictions. 

At the end of April, Aristocrat Leisure Limited completed a $1.2 billion acquisition of Neo Group.

At the start of July, Aristocrat’s new iGaming division, Aristocrat Interactive, signed an agreement with Hard Rock Digital for the launch of online games in New Jersey.

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Full House Resorts’ American Place Casino in Waukegan, Illinois, remains blocked by an ongoing legal challenge. A rival operator continues its lawsuit against the city, claiming that the bidding process had been rigged.

Development of Full House’s American Place Casino has been mired by challenges as the Forest County Potawatomi of Wisconsin continues to block the venue’s construction. The tribe was one of the candidates for a license in 2019 but sued the city after losing the race.

The Potawatomi claim that the process had been rigged and that the tribe didn’t receive a fair shot at the tender. While the lawsuit was originally dismissed, the complaint was revived in 2023, allowing the tribe to have its say.

According to the Potawatomi, the city council underestimated the tribe’s contribution, basing its decision on an outdated and inaccurate third-party report. Additionally, the suit suggests that mayor Sam Cunningham told Waukegan City Council members which bids to approve.

Construction of the permanent American Place property has been on hold ever since, although Full House Resorts did open a temporary venue in February last year.

The Future of American Place in Waukegan Is Still Uncertain

Unfortunately for Full House, the future of its property remains shrouded in uncertainty.

Alex Stolyar, SVP and chief development officer at Full House Resorts, told The Chicago Tribune that the litigation continues to delay the company’s plans. For now, he was unable to say anything for certain but thanked the city and state for their effort to quickly solve this issue.

As long as the litigation is ongoing, there is too much uncertainty around the development. Unfortunately, this litigation has delayed our plans, but we appreciate the effort of the city and state working as quickly as they can to get this restarted.

Alex Stolyar, SVP and chief development officer at Full House Resorts

Since the Illinois Supreme Court is in recess until September, a decision is unlikely to be reached before the end of the year. Should Full House Resorts emerge victorious, the gambling company would likely need at least two or three years to get its permanent casino running.

In any case, proving that the process had been rigged would be an uphill battle for the Potawatomi, considering that the city says the allegations are “factually suspect.”

In the meantime, Illinois continues its efforts to legalize online gambling. State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. hopes to see iGaming reach Illinois in 2025, saying that there is a lot of momentum for an iGaming measure.

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Last year, Full House Resorts inched closer to turning its American Place casino in Waukegan into reality. Now, the company awaits the Illinois Supreme Court’s final decision.

Previously, the company secured a positive recommendation from the Waukegan Planning and Zoning Commission to the City Council. This doesn’t mean there wasn’t trouble, however, as previously a lawsuit against the City of Waukegan and the Illinois Gaming Board by Forest County Potawatomi Community tried to prevent Full House Resorts from getting a license.

In 2021, the case was dismissed, providing the casino developer with the green light it needed. The company’s triumph, however, was short-lived as last year, the Illinois First District Appellate Court reversed the dismissal, forcing Full House to put its plans on hold once again.

The company is currently involved in a third-party lawsuit and cannot proceed with the beginning of its construction work for as long as the litigation over the license persists. According to attorney Stewart Weiss, the court should reach a decision by the end of 2024.

Full House Resorts Is Optimistic about the Lawsuit’s Result

Full House Resorts’ goal is to create a luxury resort that would attract customers from the Chicago area and bring economic stimulus to Lake County. According to the company and local leaders, the American Place casino would create many new jobs while providing guests with premium experiences.

The final property will boast a 5-star hotel with 20 suites, as well as a casino with some 100 gaming tables and 1,640 slots. Furthermore, American Place Waukegan will have a 1,500-seat entertainment venue. According to officials, the property “is for everybody,” not just for high rollers.

For reference, American Place’s president and CEO, Daniel Lee, expects the permanent property to open in 2027. He firmly believes that the ongoing lawsuit lacks merit and would be eventually dismissed, after which his team would need approximately two years to finalize the casino hotel. Lee is furthermore convinced that his team has the capacity to finance the construction.

Lake County officials and experts are looking forward to the finalization of the venue, arguing that it would be another attraction. Visit Lake County president Maureen Riedy praised the temporary property and expressed his enthusiasm about the permanent one.

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The Florida House of Representatives has taken a significant step in combating illegal gambling operations within the state by advancing a bill aimed at cracking down on such activities. However, despite its progress, concerns linger regarding potential unintended consequences and the clarity of certain provisions.

Rep. Michelle Salzman’s Bill Advances in Florida House Despite Concerns

House Bill 189, sponsored by Rep. Michelle Salzman, garnered approval from the House Appropriations Committee following a thorough debate that highlighted various concerns, reported media outlet Florida Politics. 

One major issue raised during the discussion was the possibility of inadvertently ensnaring unsuspecting individuals, particularly night managers, into legal trouble due to the broad language of the bill.

The proposed legislation seeks to impose harsher penalties for operating illegal gambling establishments, including those housing unauthorized slot machines. Additionally, it aims to deter such activities by prohibiting the advertising of unlicensed betting venues. 

Rep. Salzman emphasized the importance of protecting consumers from the dangers of unregulated gambling, citing its links to illicit trades such as drug trafficking and human exploitation.

While the bill received committee approval, several members expressed reservations about its potential ramifications. Rep. Dan Daley, Christopher Benjamin, Mike Gottlieb, and Patricia Williams raised concerns ranging from the broad scope of the language to the potential impact on unwitting individuals, such as low-level managers, who may not be aware of violations occurring on the premises they oversee.

Rep. Salzman Defends Controversial Bill Amidst Criticism Over Unintended Consequences

In response to these concerns, Rep. Salzman defended the bill, highlighting provisions intended to protect managers who are unaware of illegal activities taking place under their supervision. However, critics argued that despite potential legal defenses, the mere accusation of involvement in illegal gambling could have severe repercussions for individuals, affecting their future prospects and reputations.

Representatives of the amusement machine industry echoed these concerns, emphasizing the potential strain on local resources resulting from legal disputes arising from unintentional violations. Jonathan Zachem, representing the Amusement Machine Association of Florida, warned against the detrimental effects on small-scale operators caught in the crossfire of enforcement efforts.

Despite opposition, supporters of the bill argue that enhanced penalties and stricter enforcement are necessary to curb illicit gambling practices. Rep. Randy Fine emphasized the importance of maintaining regulatory oversight to prevent the proliferation of unregulated gambling activities.

As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it faces further scrutiny and deliberation. With similar legislation progressing in the Senate, the issue of illegal gambling remains a focal point of legislative action in Florida.

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Full House Resorts, Inc. has been happy to confirm the arrival of its latest gaming destination that will bring together the well-established company tradition for innovative experiences and its advanced understanding of excellent accommodation practices.

More Full House Resorts in Cripple Creek

The new property opened doors in Cripple Creek, 45 miles from Colorado Springs, and 80 miles from Denver, making it well-positioned to draw crowds and excite the attention of travelers from far and wide.

The new property is adjacent to Bronco Billy’s Casino, which is owned by Full House Resorts, pointing to early-day synergies between the two properties, which is precisely what the Chamonix property is looking to achieve.

Yet, the Chamonix venue also hosts an elegant casino floor that features tons of slot machines, and a high-limit slot saloon for those players who wish to pursue something more exciting. The venue was also built to offer excellent views to guests which adds to the charm and the desirability of the destination.

Full House Resorts has made sure that the property features all the bells and whistles customary to a good expeirence, including garage and surface parking, a convenient valet, individual guestrooms and more. Chamonix is confident that the occupancy rates will be strong from the very start, although it will take some time to gather traction with visitors.

Bringing Visitors from Far and Wide

Meanwhile, there are more worthwhile aspects of the casino and property that will do much to seduce hesitant tourists, owing to the Chamonix Spa and rooftop pool all adding to the comfort and exclusivity of the property.

Commenting on the introduction of the property, Chamonix Casino Hotel general manager Baxter Lee said:

“Chamonix is a special place, unlike any other casino hotel in the state. It offers a high-end, Las Vegas experience in our beautiful Colorado mountain setting. We are overjoyed to open Chamonix’s doors on 27 December and to welcome our friends from Colorado and beyond.”

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The poker tournament series that takes place at different locations all across the US, The Moneymaker Tour, has announced a new and exciting partnership with Texas Card House in Houston.

The newly inked deal will allow the Tour which strives to help players “have their own ordinary to extraordinary moments” to host its first scheduled event in 2024 in Texas. 

The Lone Star State will, therefore, help the Moneymaker Tour kickstart the new year with 12 days packed with action at the tables, between January 10 and January 22. 

Over $500,000 in Prize Money Announced

Texas Card House Houston, which is one of the locations of Texas Card House, the state’s first private poker club, will host no less than 12 trophy events.

The buy-ins will start at $150 and go as high as $1,500. The Moneymaker Tour, which was created by 2003 World Series of Poker Champion and ACR Team Pro, Chris Moneymaker, along with Moneymaker executive manager Tony Burns, has also announced over $500,000 in guarantees across the series. 

The Main Event will take place between January 16 – January 22 and will feature a buy-in of $1,500 and a guaranteed prize pool of $250,000. The event’s final table will be streamed live on January 22.

The Moneymaker Tour’s executive manager, Tony Burns, expressed excitement for being able to step into the new year “in a new state with a new partner”. 

He also discusses Texas’ transformation into a state that offers “great action” while expressing their eagerness to have their “first-ever stop in Houston” on January 10.

The Partnership, “a Key Highlight” for Texas Cas House

At the same time, Texas Card House’s chief operating officer, Victor Leone, called the new partnership “a key highlight” in their continuous efforts to provide premium experiences for poker players in the state. 

Leone added that their community should expect “a dynamic and thrilling tournament series” that will put “high-stakes play and intense competition synonymous with Chris Moneymaker” on full display. 

The Moneymaker Tour was inaugurated at the Poker Room at Palm Beach Kennel Club in May 2023 and has been growing in popularity ever since. 

Its third series was held at the Hard Rock Casino in Cincinnati a few months ago, in September, and it was the first series to draw a $1 million guaranteed Main Event. 

The event gathered 788 participants and was won by Joseph Bakun who took home over $208,000.

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The Australian House of Representatives, the lower house of the country’s parliament, has passed a bill that would ban the use of credit cards for online gambling. The bill is called “The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Credit and Other Measures) Bill 2023” and it was submitted for approval in September.

The bill would also ban the use of other credit-related products and digital currencies for gambling online in Australia. The bill did produce a significant debate in the Australian parliament, with members of the lower house introducing several amendments. Eventually the amendments were not approved, and the bill passed on November 14 after having received support from both major parties. The debate is not over yet, though, as the bill will move forward to the Australian Senate, the upper house of parliament.

More Measures Included

The bill does not only deal with the use of credit cards for gambling online, it also includes other important measures such as significant fines for casino operators that fail to properly enforce the ban. These fines can go all the way up to 234,750 Australian dollars, which would roughly convert into almost 150,000 U.S. dollars.

The bill would also give the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) new powers, including enforcing penalty provisions and issuing penalties for those that break the law. There will be a six-month transition period before the bill would come into full effect, enough time for operators, payment providers and players to adjust to the new rules.

Before submitting this bill to parliament the Australian government consulted with several stakeholders, including harm reduction advocates, online casino and sports betting operators and banking payment organizations.

In Line with Land-Based Gambling

The move would eventually lead to Australia’s online gambling sector getting in line with land-based operations, where gambling with credit cards is already banned. The debate regarding applying this rule to online gambling has been going on for several years.

In November 2021, recommendations to this effect were made by the parliamentary joint committee on corporations and financial services. Before that, in December 2019, the Australian Banking Association (ABA) held a consultation on the use of credit cards in gambling. Some banks decided to act before the government and put in place their own prohibition on using credit cards to gamble. Bank Australia for instance announced in October 2021 that all account holders would no longer be able to use its credit cards for gambling.

In the spring of 2020 such a ban was introduced in Great Britain, and that led to an increase in calls for the Australian government to settle the issue. Online casino and sports betting operators which are members of Responsible Wagering Australia, including Bet365, Betfair and Entain, expressed their support for such a ban.

Source: “Australia lower house passes credit card gambling ban bill“. iGaming Business. November 14, 2023.

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Pennsylvania’s House Health Committee is set to vote on a measure that would ban smoking at the state’s 17 casinos. Under House Bill 1657, known as the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act, all kinds of smoking, including electronic cigarettes, would be banned from casinos, bars and private clubs in Pennsylvania.

The bill seeks to patch a loophole in the Pennsylvania Clean Indoor Air Act that exempts casinos, private clubs, bars and tobacco shops from the indoor smoking ban. Introduced in 2008, the original law allows casinos to designate up to half of their gaming area as a smoker’s area.

However, the original law doesn’t sit well with all casino workers as many claim that the exemption exposes them to secondhand smoke and endangers their health.

Under House Bill 1675, the smoking exemption for casinos, bars and clubs would be eliminated. However, tobacco shops would still be allowed to offer indoor smoking.

Frankel Is Optimistic about the Measure

The bill is promoted by Rep. Dan Frankel, chair of the House Health Committee. The committee will convene in Harrisburg today to vote on the bill but Frankel is fairly confident that the body will pass the measure.

Earlier this month, Frankel said that it is high time to create legislation that doesn’t jeopardize the health of club and casino workers, forcing them to “choose between their paycheck and their health.”

Fifteen years ago, this commonwealth took an enormous step forward in ensuring that our workers are not forced to breathe in toxic smoke — it’s time to finish the job.

Rep. Dan Frankel

Echoing the discussion in New Jersey, Pennsylvanian casinos have expressed their concerns about the measure, claiming that it can hurt their revenues. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, gambling properties remain convinced that smoking bans would alienate casino goers.

However, proponents of the ban in Pennsylvania have pointed out that Parx’s Bensalem casino prohibits smoking and still generates more revenue than its local competitors. In addition, the prohibition the Bensalem and Shippensburg casinos have adopted has significantly bolstered employee morale.

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In a significant development, the Maine House voted in favor of a bill that would enable Native American tribes in the state to benefit from federal laws, overriding a previous land claims settlement. However, the proposed legislation specifically prohibits the application of certain federal laws related to casinos, making it necessary to obtain state approval for their establishment. The bill will now move to the Senate for further consideration.

Maine Bill Seeks to Extend Federal Benefits to Wabanaki Tribes

The tribes in Maine have long been governed by the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980, which subjected them to state law and limited their access to federal legislation. This contrasted with the autonomy enjoyed by the other 570 federally recognized tribes across the country.

The proposed bill seeks to address this disparity by allowing most federal laws that benefit other tribes to extend to the Wabanaki tribes in Maine, reported New England Cable News. However, it is important to note that the bill falls short of granting full sovereignty to the tribes.

The legislation specifically excludes certain federal laws pertaining to casinos, requiring state permission for their establishment. This provision aims to strike a balance between tribal interests and state concerns. Despite the exclusion, tribal leaders and supporters of the bill have expressed optimism about its potential benefits.

Passamaquoddy tribal representative, Rep. Aaron Dana, shared a troubling incident to illustrate the urgent need for change. He highlighted how his tribe was unable to seek aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) when a cold snap caused pipes to freeze at a health clinic. Dana stated that he believed the bill could be considered the single most important in recent history due to the immediate and critical impact it could have on the Wabanaki tribes.

Critics Voice Concerns as Maine Tribal Bill Raises Potential for Conflicts and Lawsuits

However, critics of the bill have raised concerns about potential conflicts and lawsuits that could arise from its implementation. Governor Janet Mills’ chief legal counsel urged the tribes to collaborate with the administration to find mutually agreeable solutions rather than pursuing a bill that may create new complications.

The bill’s passage in the Maine House reflects a significant step forward in rectifying the inequities faced by Native American tribes in the state. While it falls short of full sovereignty, it represents progress toward achieving greater parity with other federally recognized tribes.

The Senate will now deliberate on the bill, and its fate will be closely watched by tribal communities and supporters throughout Maine. The Native American tribe bill comes at a time when the state of Maine is preparing to launch its sports betting market. The head of the state’s gambling regulator, Milton Champion, suggested that sports betting could go live in time for Thanksgiving, pending the review and approval of the revised rules.

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As sports betting continues to expand in the United States, more and more states are trying to get the vertical legalized. One such battle is being waged in Vermont where an online sports betting bill moved closer to getting written into law.

House Bill 127, which was recently introduced by Democratic Rep. Matt Birong and nine other House members, seeks to legalize online wagering on sporting events. Under the law amendments outlined in the bill, the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery will serve as the state regulator.

Operators will be able to enter the Green Mountain State through a contract with the Department of Liquor and Lottery. Operators will be taxed 20% of their revenue and will also have to pay an annual fee that will depend on the number of companies that enter the state.

Vermont will allow for a total of six sports betting operators. If six companies join the local market, each of them an annual operating fee of $125,000. If fewer operators opt to enter Vermont, each of them will have to pay a bigger fee.

Following the latest amendments to House Bill 127, the measure was passed by the House with overwhelming approval. The Bill will now be handed to the Senate, which will decide whether to send it to the Vermont Governor to be written into law or not.

The Bill Addresses Problem Gambling

Proponents of gambling have argued that the legislation will benefit Vermont as it will create an alternative to the dangerous black market. Citing geolocation data from GeoComply, they said that thousands of players in Vermont are wagering illegally. As a result, the state is losing millions in taxes, pro-betting lawmakers claimed.

Others, on the other hand, are concerned by the dangers of gambling harm. Currently, Vermont lacks the framework to address the issue if problem gambling becomes the norm. Because of that, some agree that even if House Bill 127 makes the vote, Vermont ought to secure problem gambling resources and education before launching online sports betting.

The bill itself outlines a number of safer gambling regulations, such as the creation of a Responsible Gaming Special Fund, which will be used by the Department of Health to address and treat gambling harm.

Vermont is not the only state fighting for the legalization of sports betting. Currently, Texas lawmakers continue to debate the legalization of wagering on sports. A few days ago, HB 1027 passed the House vote in Oklahoma and is now headed to the Senate. Elsewhere, a North Carolina bill proposes the expansion of the state’s betting industry.

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