In the wake of casino legalization and the growing influence of gambling in the sports and entertainment industry, a group of Nebraska lawmakers is urging caution. As the debate over property tax reduction enters its 14th day, the potential expansion of gambling in Nebraska has become a contentious issue, prompting 13 state senators to release a unified statement opposing the legalization of mobile gambling.

The senators—John Lowe, Ray Aguilar, Joni Albrecht, Robert Clements, Robert Dover, Steve Erdman, Steve Halloran, Brian Hardin, Rick Holdcroft, Loren Lippincott, Rita Sanders, and Julie Slama—expressed their concerns, stating, “Nebraska very recently legalized casinos largely on the promise of property tax relief that has failed to manifest itself. Expanding gambling further will inevitably lead to expanding the associated addictions and adds to more suffering in our communities. Online sports betting turns every cell phone into a 24/7 handheld gambling device, leading to new addictions.”

The Rise of Mobile Gambling

Mobile wagering has surged in popularity since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to overturn a federal ban on sports gambling. Previously, legal sports betting was confined to Las Vegas, but now, 26 states have made mobile sportsbooks and online casinos accessible at the tap of a screen. Nebraska’s neighboring states, Iowa and Kansas, have already embraced mobile gambling, with Iowa legalizing it in 2019 and Kansas following in 2022. In these states, sportsbook apps have evolved into full-fledged mobile casinos, offering games like poker, blackjack, and roulette.

Despite this trend, Nebraska lawmakers have largely resisted the entry of mobile gaming within the state. The group of 13 senators remains committed to keeping these platforms out, citing data from the National Council on Problem Gambling. The council reports that online sports betting has increased the risk of gambling addiction by 30%, with their helpline seeing a 150% surge in calls. Moreover, 20% of college students reportedly use financial aid dollars to fund their gambling activities.

The Financial Argument for Mobile Gambling

Opponents of the senators’ stance argue that the financial benefits of mobile gambling are too significant to ignore. States that have legalized these platforms have seen substantial tax revenue gains. For example, since Iowa legalized mobile gambling in 2019, the state has recorded over $9 billion in wagers, generating $44 million in tax revenue with a 7.3% hold—the lowest rate outside of Nevada. In Louisiana, a higher hold percentage has converted $6 billion in wagers into $108 million in tax revenue.

While Nebraska has not completely shut its doors to gambling—casino licenses have been issued in several locations, including the WarHorse Casino in Lincoln and a new venue in Omaha—the 13 senators worry that the legalization of mobile gambling could be the next step, following the path of other states.

Looking Ahead

As Nebraska’s property tax debate continues, the issue of mobile gambling remains at the forefront. The stance taken by these 13 senators highlights the ongoing tension between the potential financial benefits and the social risks associated with expanding gambling in the Cornhusker State. Whether Nebraska will ultimately follow its neighbors in embracing mobile gambling or maintain its current restrictions remains to be seen.

Source:

“13 Nebraska Senators Assert Stance Against Mobile Gambling as Tax Debate Continues.” wowt.com. August 16, 2024.

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Since 2018 when the US Supreme Court struck down PASPA, sports betting expanded rapidly across the country. By now, 38 US states along with DC offer some form of legal wagering, leaving a handful of states that are currently trying to legalize the activity and a several that do not have any active legislation.

Currently, Nebraska offers only retail sports betting options. The state borders Iowa, Colorado, Kansas and Wyoming, all of which offer mobile sports betting. While nearby Missouri is anticipating legalizing wagering, South Dakota, another bordering state, is offering only retail sports betting.

With some Nebraskans choosing to visit a nearby state and place sports bets online, efforts toward the legalization of mobile betting in the state continue. Besides a bill proposing the legalization of online sports betting, industry stakeholders are also exploring options to push for the legalization of the activity.

Once such effort is led by a coalition with the participation of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska’s economic development arm, Ho-Chunk Inc., in collaboration with leading sports betting operators, a new report reveals. As announced by the Journal Star, the coalition that supports the legalization of online sports wagering includes Ho-Chunk, along with industry giants, FanDuel and DraftKings, Caesars and BetMGM.

Support of the Public Is Important

The efforts of the coalition seek in Nebraska to evaluate the likelihood of the residents of the state to support the addition of mobile betting. This can be achieved either via efforts by lawmakers or by adding a poll to the upcoming ballot in November.

To determine the support of Nebraskans, the coalition launched a public opinion poll on the topic. The poll launched on Monday this week and will conclude at the week’s end with the results expecting to shed light on the residents’ views about mobile wagering.

Lance Morgan, Ho-Chunk’s CEO, revealed that the coalition has “big plans” that can only be achieved with support from the public. “We don’t want to do anything until we see what happens,” he explained, joking that mobile betting is “something people want.”

Moreover, Morgan spoke about a growing number of requests from bettors for online sports wagering at WarHorse’s retail betting outlet. He explained that many people would rather use their smartphone to place a wager instead of driving miles to visit a retail sportsbook or go across the border to a nearby state.

According to Morgan, a petition drive to put the issue up for a vote in November would require significant expenses. Yet, he expressed hope that if the public opinion supports the expansion of gambling with the addition of mobile betting, lawmakers will take the initiative and add the matter to the upcoming ballot.

Provided that supporters try to legalize mobile betting through a petition drive, they would need to collect approximately 122,000 signatures from residents in the state. The deadline for the collection of the valid signatures is July 2024.

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North Carolina’s tribal operators legalized retail sports betting in July 2019. Then, last June, state lawmakers legalized online sports betting as well, with the launch of the activity expected next month. So far, there are eight online sports betting operators that are expected to roll out their services with the opening of the market in North Carolina in March.

The list includes industry giants, DraftKings and FanDuel, as well as BetMGM, bet365 and Caesars Sportsbook. Moreover, Underdog Sports, Fanatics Sportsbook and ESPN Bet are also planning to launch their services with the opening of the legal mobile betting market next month. According to a recent report, the number of mobile sportsbooks is expected to grow further with the addition of another operator.

As announced by SportsHandle, Catawba Two Kings Casino, the premium gaming and betting venue in Kings Mountain, is also anticipating entering the mobile sports betting vertical. The venue is one of three that currently offer retail sports betting. The other two are Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee as well as Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River in Murphy.

The Casino Is Expected to Select a Partner Soon

Reportedly, Catawba Two Kings Casino is currently exploring options for teaming up with a mobile betting partner. The venue would need to apply for a license with the North Carolina gambling regulator, the NC State Lottery Commission, but that can happen once it has selected a suitable betting partner.

Given that Catawba Two Kings Casino is in the process of selecting a betting partner, it is uncertain if the venue would be able to go through the licensing and be ready for the launch of mobile betting in the state. According to Tylee Tracer-Anderson, Catawba Indian Nation’s director of communications, the venue is currently assessing different options for a mobile sports betting operator to team up with. “We hope to have one chosen within the next few months and are looking forward to launching our new gaming venture,” he added.

Currently, 38 states along with DC offer some form of legal sports betting. The statewide expansion of the activity started back in 2018 after the US Supreme Court struck down PASPA.

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FanDuel, a North American online gambling powerhouse, unveiled a $1 million donation supporting the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The money, according to the announcement, will help the latter organization build a robust and nationally recognized pipeline for under-represented students.

UNCF is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization and helps young people from under-represented communities become highly qualified college graduates. The organization will use FanDuel’s money to provide financial support to students at 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across Ohio.

This is notably FanDuel’s third donation to the UNCF in three years. Previously, the gambling company provided similar donations to support UNCF’s initiatives in Virginia and Maryland.

The donation will see the organization provide direct aid to help students in a variety of areas. This will notably include technology, housing, food security, tuition and other education-related expenses, the announcement says. In addition, FanDuel will work with the philanthropic organization to recruit students from the schools to join its internship program.

According to the announcement, FanDuel’s decision to support UNCF’s efforts in Ohio celebrates the one-year anniversary of the launch of mobile sports betting in The Buckeye State.

For reference, the 10 colleges that will benefit from the donations include the following:

• Case Western University
• Central State University
• Chamberlain University
• Franklin University
• Herzing University-Akron
• Ohio State University-Newark Campus
• Union Institute & University
• Ursuline College
• Wilberforce University
• University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College

UNCF Thanked FanDuel for Its Support

Maurice E. Jenkins, UNCF’s executive vice president and chief fundraising officer, praised FanDuel’s ongoing support, saying that his team truly appreciates the gambling company’s backing. He added that financial and academic support like this is what makes a real difference for HBCUs and their students.

We look forward to continuing our partnership; students benefit so much from internship opportunities.

Maurice E. Jenkins, EVP & CFO, UNCF

FanDuel’s president, Christian Genetski, also commented on the matter, saying that his team continues to strive to make a positive impact in the communities in which the company operates.

As we reflect on our first year of operation in Ohio, we’re proud to continue our partnership with UNCF to support the HBCU community in the state and look forward to supporting hard-working students at institutions across Ohio.

Christian Genetski, president, FanDuel

In other news, FanDuel recently launched a new campaign featuring the NFL star Rob Gronkowski.

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The New York sports betting market continues to post record-breaking monthly results. As reported by the New York State Gaming Commission, sports betting operators in the state recorded betting handle of $2.1 billion in November. This exceeds October’s spectacular results when the industry also exceeded $2 billion in bets, becoming the first state to surpass this milestone.

November’s record-breaking results represent a 5.1% month-on-month increase and a whopping 35.7% year-on-year increase. The state’s ability to not only repeat but surpass the October results attests to the fast growth of the local industry and the increased interest in betting products.

Despite the favorable results, the actual revenue recorded by sportsbooks declined by 9.2%. For reference, sports betting operators in The Empire State reported total revenue of $150.9 million and a hold rate of only 7.1%. For reference, the industry had a hold rate of 8.2% last month.

The lower hold rate does not undermine sportsbooks, though, as their revenue still exceeded the revenue recorded in November 2022.

FanDuel Dominated the NY Market

New York’s Gambling Commission also provided information about the performance of the state’s legal sports betting operators. The market continued to be dominated by FanDuel, which singlehandedly handled $925.4 million of the total $2.1 billion in handle. It was followed by DraftKings, which recorded a betting handle of $732.1 million. Rounding up the top three is Caesars with a handle of $204.9 million

BetMGM, on the other hand, reported $120.6 million in handle. Rush Street Interactive, PointsBet, WynnBet and ResortsWorld Bet failed to surpass the $100 million mark, reporting handle of $76.6 million, $27.2 million, $11.3 million and $6.8 million, respectively. In November, Bally’s also returned to New York, generating $4.3 million in handle through its BallyBet brand.

In terms of revenue, FanDuel maintained its lead, reporting $69.2 million from its November operations. DraftKings remained in second place with a revenue of $54.3 million. Caesars, on the other hand, earned $11.6 million.

The top three were followed by BetMGM at $7.9 million. Rush Street Interactive and PointsBet, meanwhile, recorded handle of $4.9 million and $2.4 million respectively. ResortsWorld Bet, BallyBet and WynnBet failed to hit the one million mark, instead reporting revenues of $483,000, $234,000 and $312,000, respectively.

The sports betting operations in New York resulted in $83 million in taxes to the state.

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As part of a new deal negotiated between the tribal gaming operator and the company, Anaxi has introduced the Mobile on-Premise solution which will allow casino guests who are playing on trust lands to enjoy Aristocrat Class II gaming machines via mobile devices.

New Mobile Solution Enables Class II Gambling on Trust Lands

This is a prelude to online casino gambling, although in a rather limited capacity that requires more tailored geofencing to be successful.

Anaxi, which operates under the Aristocrat roof, has been an established provider of digital products and has been working on both expanding the group’s iGaming presence but also on driving synergies with existing physical businesses that already work with Aristocrat.

Commenting on the latest opportunity, Anaxi SVP of iGaming Product & Technology Josh Morris said that the partnership was groundbreaking, and it was an arrangement of that type that would drive the company and the industry forward. The Mobile on-Premise solution is a forward-thinking experience that is designed to elevate the gambling experience at tribal gaming operators and beyond.

“We also thank our integration partners that have been part of this journey, helping to deliver this innovation solution,” Morris added.

The partnership sees the WinStar World Casino and Resort in Oklahoma, the biggest casino resort property in the world, benefit through the introduction of Class II games. Anaxi and WinStar also want to make sure that this collaboration is ongoing and that Anaxi’s platform continues to inject fresh content that allows players to get even more value with each visit.

The arrangement was welcomed by Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Commerce Dan Boren who was equally excited about the opportunity.

“The approval last year by the National Indian Gaming for alternate technical standards for the Chickasaw Nation Office of the Gaming Commissioners applicable to Class II mobile gaming provides us with the flexibility to take advantage of modern technology,” Boren explained.

Mobile Is the Future of Gambling, Land-Based and Otherwise

He also said that mobile gaming is one of the technologies that will continue to shape the future of gaming. The opportunity to introduce it to the WinStar casino and guests is just a first step in what Boren hopes will be a long and successful partnership with the innovative gaming operator.

Anaxi has been actively expanding its portfolio of partners over the past weeks, with the company teaming up with PENN Interactive and strengthening its iGaming brands. The company has similarly teamed up with Caesars and FanDuel, establishing its foothold in the North American market and the United States in particular.

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Finnplay, the Scandinavian platform provider for the iGaming industry, has announced the launch of two brand new mobile applications for online casinos in Hungary and the Netherlands.

The Dutch application was made for Kansino.nl, while the Hungarian mobile app was executed by Finnplay for Vegas.hu. The supplier has plenty of experience in multiple jurisdictions and possesses the technical expertise to perform such a simultaneous launch of two different mobile applications.

Finnplay prides itself on performing native application development both for Android and iOS platforms, allowing its online casino operator partners to capitalize on the accentuated growth of the mobile gaming market.

Both applications were soft-launched over the summer, allowing both Kansino.nl and Vegas.hu to leverage the advantages of the mobile platform while supporting their expansion goals on this segment of the market.

Game-Changing Launches

Speaking about the two application launches, Jaakko Soininen, Managing Director of Finnplay, described them as “game-changing” for the Dutch and Hungarian markets and added that the event also underlines “Finnplay’s stature as an iGaming powerhouse.”

The Finnplay executive also added that the double launch proves that his company is perfectly capable of operating “seamlessly across diverse markets and regulatory landscapes.”

Dr Egresits Csaba, Online Director at LVC Diamond, the company that operates Vegas.hu, described the mobile application delivered by Finnplay as “cutting-edge” and added that it gives the operator “the ideal platform” to launch its sportsbook offering “It’s been a pleasure working closely with Finnplay and we have the utmost confidence in the tech to ensure we continue to grow our business,” Dr Egresits Csaba also added.

Daphne Xerri, Product and CX Director at Playnorth, the company that operates Kansino.nl, underlined the importance of delivering players “the best possible experience” both on desktop computers and mobile devices. “Finnplay has created the perfect app that guarantees a seamless experience across all formats,” Daphne Xerri concluded.

Founded in 2008, Finnplay is an iGaming provider based in Finland, focusing on delivering platform technology and services for online casinos and sports betting websites. The company’s flagship product is the Titan casino and sportsbook platform, which includes integrations for online casino games and payment solutions from other third-party providers.

The platform is fully compliant with several regulated jurisdictions from all around the world, including Mexico, Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Romania, Denmark, Belgium, Bulgaria, Malta, and Hungary.

Source: “Finnplay Simultaneously Releases Mobile Apps for Hungarian and Dutch Markets“. EuropeanGaming. November 30, 2023.

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The North Carolina State Lottery Commission recently discussed the future of mobile sports betting in the state. Officials remain convinced that they will be able to meet the original deadline, launching mobile sports betting by mid-2024.

The commission believes that the first mobile sportsbooks will go live within the first half of the next year, ushering in a new age of betting. According to representatives, the market should be functional no later than mid-June maybe even earlier.

Some went as far as claiming that the market may launch in January but many prefer to remain cautiously optimistic and focus on meeting the June deadline.

Sterl Carpenter, deputy executive director of gaming compliance and sports betting at the North Carolina State Lottery Commission, noted that lawmakers are still making tweaks to the mobile system. Despite that, Carpenter is certain that the commission will get betting running no later than mid-June.

In the meantime, the commission will continue its work on the local regulations and licensing system.

The Regulator Will Be Busy

Speaking of the licensing process in North Carolina, the commission was considering an electronic application system. However, the regulator did not quite like the four submissions it received and preferred not to progress with these plans for now. As a result, at least in the beginning, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission will handle the applications.

In the meantime, the commission unveiled the creation of a new sports betting committee that will deal with “sports betting issues that don’t fit neatly into the other committees.” This is yet another effort to systematize the regulator’s work ahead of the market launch.

In unrelated news, the North Carolina governor just rejected a controversial plan put forth by Republican state lawmakers that would have tied the long-awaited expansion of Medicaid with a proposed expansion of casino gaming in the state. Governor Roy Cooper went as far as calling the proposal the “most brutally dishonest legislative scheme” he has seen during his 30 years in politics.

In the meantime, a recent report claimed that the lobbying efforts of the gambling industry have affected the decisions of certain government members, influencing their votes during recent decisions. According to a local news outlet, eight North Carolina lawmakers had received a total of $34,400 between November 2022 and March 2023.

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The repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection (PASPA) dating to May 2018 marked the start of sports betting expansion in the United States. That expansion has been rapid as lawmakers in different states identified the benefits legal sports wagering can bring such as tax revenue, support for local teams and reduction of illegal offering. Five years into the expansion of betting, now, more than 30 US states offer the activity, while few are in the process of legalization.

North Carolina would be one of the latecomers into the mobile sports betting vertical, although it won’t be the last state to introduce such activities. This legislative season, a proposal has been gaining traction in the Tar Heel state, planning to introduce mobile sports betting and expand retail activities at the start of the new year. Only recently, the North Carolina state Senate passed the proposal, calling for the legalization of betting on horse racing, professional, college and other sports.

Now, legalization has never been closer, given that the state’s General Assembly greenlighted the proposal Wednesday. In a 68-45 vote, the bill successfully cleared the House. This pushed the proposal further to its final destination, as it will now require the signature of North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. Once Cooper signs the bill into law, North Carolina will set a date for the expansion of its sports betting market.

Mobile Betting Expected Early in 2024

The bill would significantly expand sports betting in the state, which is currently limited to only three land-based casinos run by Tribal operators. But under the bill, North Carolina would open up to mobile sports wagering and expand retail betting options.

Per the proposal, the state’s Lottery Commission would be in charge of licensing and will be able to award up to 12 mobile sports betting licenses. However, there’s a restriction implemented that requires eight of 12 licenses to be tied to retail sports wagering outlets. Still, this leaves four licenses for mobile betting operators that aren’t tied to a retail outlet.

Given the recent traction of the proposal, it is likely residents in North Carolina to have a chance to place legal mobile bets early in 2024. The bill’s effective date is January 8, 2024. Yet, under the proposal, the Lottery Commission can set a different date within 12 months of the bill becoming law. In other words, if everything goes as planned and Gov. Cooper signs the bill into law, residents in the state may be able to wager on sports legally before the next Super Bowl.

The legislation plans an 18% tax on gross gaming revenue for sports betting operators. Early estimations predict that for the first three years of the activity, some $100 million in tax revenue would be raked by bets that may exceed $6.6 billion. Similar to other states, North Carolina plans to use the tax revenue to support sports programs, fund gambling education and addiction programs, as well as other programs.

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AviaGames is the company behind the popular Bingo Tour app and is most famous for its Pocket7Games platform allowing users to earn real money while playing. The developer realizes the value of accessibility in today’s dynamic online environment, making its newest WebGame project a significant milestone. AviaGames has worked hard to create a fun and engaging experience, retaining existing players while opening the doors for a significantly broader user base.

The WebGame Supports Most Mobile Devices

Pocket7Games WebGame opens up AviaGames’ roster of games, branching out from a dedicated app to a browser-based solution. The new update allows users to enjoy their favorite skill-based titles anytime, anywhere. The browser version of Pocket7Games already supports over 80% of the app’s functionality. Vital features like prize withdrawals remain fully functional, allowing players to claim their winnings seamlessly and without issue.

Transitioning to a 100% browser-based experience can be challenging, but the AviaGames team has managed to preserve most of the app’s features. Gameplay remains the same, so barring some slight layout and interaction updates, returning players should feel right at home. AviaGames founder and CEO Vickie Chen noted that the changes would help bring Pocket7Games’ titles to even more users.

AviaGames is focused on… creating an inclusive space where all gamers can come and enjoy their favorite games, no matter what platform they are on.

Vickie Chen, AviaGames founder, and CEO

Existing players can interchangeably use the app and the WebGame, keeping their gameplay and prize history in sync. The browser-based portal currently only works on mobile devices, and AviaGames has not mentioned whether they intend to expand the functionality to desktops. Users attempting to open the website via a PC instead receive a QR code to download the Pocket7Games app.

AviaGames has made waves in the mobile social competition market thanks to its diverse selection of engaging titles, promising players real-money rewards. The developer’s Pocket7Games platform offers access to over 15 unique skill-based games across several genres. The most popular games like Bingo Tour, Match ‘n Flip, and 21 Gold are also standalone apps.

The developer recently partnered with the nonprofit organization Women Who Code to celebrate international women’s history month with several events on the Pocket7Game platform. Such seasonal offerings allow AviaGames to keep its players engaged and contribute to worthy causes like supporting diverse women in technology careers. The event also had special promotions for new users, encouraging hesitant players to sign up.

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