Assembly Bill 831 (AB 831), sponsored by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia, passed through its second major hurdle on July 15. It passed through the Senate Public Safety Committee with a 6-0 vote. Last week, the Senate Governmental Organization Committee advanced the proposed legislation with a 15-0 vote.

AB 831 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee, which has an upcoming meeting on August 18.

Bill Opposition Grows

AB 831 receives significant backing from tribal gaming representatives and industry associations such as the American Gaming Association and the Sports Betting Alliance. However, it’s also gathering a large coalition of opponents including the SPGA, which represents the interests of sweepstakes casinos and advocates for responsible social casino gaming.

On July 14, the SPGA announced that several high-profile organizations have joined efforts against the bill:

• ACLU California Action
• American Transaction Processors Coalition
• Association of National Advertisers
• Californians United for a Responsible Budget
• SPGA
• Social Gaming Leadership Alliance
• Virtual Gaming World

These groups represent a wide range of interests, from civil liberties to major corporate brands. For example, Google, General Mills, and NBCUniversal are members of the Association of National Advertisers.

Meanwhile, the American Transaction Processors Coalition represents financial institutions like Bank of America and Paysafe.

In a press release, SPGA emphasized the importance of this broad coalition, stating:

“This diverse coalition, including civil liberties advocates, leading businesses, and industry groups, reflects a shared belief that the bill, as written, could have unintended consequences for lawful promotional practices without offering clear consumer protections.”

Opponents have criticized the bill’s overly broad, rushed, and risky language, which was introduced via a “gut-and-amend” process that allowed for sweeping changes late in the legislative cycle.

Critics argue that the bill’s expansive provisions risk criminalizing not only operators but also suppliers, payment processors, and celebrity endorsers.

Proponents Stress Tribal Sovereignty and Consumer Protection

As with prior hearings, proponents of the ban included tribal gaming groups. They include the Yuhaaviatam of the San Manuel Nation, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), and the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN).

They argue that they hold exclusive rights to regulated gambling in California. Sweepstakes casinos undermine this exclusivity by operating illegally.

San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson spoke in favor of the prohibition. He noted that sweepstakes casinos lack consumer protection tools to prevent minors from accessing the platforms.

Anderson indicated that multiple states have now banned sweepstakes casinos.

He also clarified that the AB 831 language does not prohibit traditional sweepstakes. Furthermore, he added that the bill and the District Attorney’s office are not interested in penalizing players, but the operators, which are often offshore companies.

Legal Concerns and Planned Amendments

In opposition, Duane Morris partner Bill Gantz pointed out that some tribal groups operate social casinos with prizes of real-world value without any regulation or oversight.

He argued that there’s no evidence to support the claims of potential risks associated with the platforms. He added that they operate within California’s laws.

Meanwhile, in a written statement, the ACLU California Action warned that the bill’s broad language could potentially criminalize individuals involved in legitimate online sweepstakes, not just operators of sweepstakes casinos.

Responding to these concerns, the bill sponsor told the committee that upcoming amendments will clarify the bill’s scope:

“Things like payment processors, financial institutions, geolocation providers, media affiliates and also individuals would not be held liable if this bill were to pass. This is solely going to focus on the entities that are providing the sweepstakes types of platforms.”

The committee chair, Senator Jesse Arreguín, added that committee members and Valencia were able to come up with amendments that will focus on the operators and not other businesses and individuals.

The post ACLU, Industry Groups Unite Against California Sweepstakes Casino Ban Bill as AB 831 Advances appeared first on CasinoBeats.

In a written communication to its customers, BetMGM informed them that, starting today, it requires a $2.50 minimum bet on all wager types. Those include straight bets, parlays, Same Game Parlays, round robins, and bonus bets.

BetMGM is not alone in implementing a minimum wager requirement. Hard Rock Bet has already implemented a $2 minimum requirement for all bets.

The change by the two operators comes as a direct response to Illinois’ new two-tier tax structure on mobile sports bets. The law requires operators to pay $0.25 per bet on the first 20 million wagers. After that threshold, the tax rises to $0.50 per bet.

The new tax went into effect on July 1.

FanDuel, DraftKings, Fanatics Opt for Bet Surcharge

While BetMGM and Hard Rock Bet chose to set higher minimums, other major operators are passing the tax directly to bettors through surcharges.

FanDuel became the first operator to respond by announcing a $0.50 surcharge on all bets, starting September 1. The operator highlighted that the recent tax hike was the second in a year.

In 2024, FanDuel’s tax on gross gaming revenue rose from 15% to 40%. The platform claims it absorbed those costs in 2024. However, it now says it must pass them on to consumers to protect its margins.

FanDuel’s decision sent a shockwave through the industry, with observers closely watching to see how investors and analysts would respond.

As the response was relatively positive, FanDuel’s rival DraftKings also announced a $0.50 surcharge shortly after. DraftKings carefully timed its announcement. Last year, it introduced a similar surcharge, following the Illinois hike, but faced heavy scrutiny. That forced it to abandon the idea.

The third sports betting operator to impose a surcharge is Fanatics. However, unlike DraftKings and FanDuel, Fanatics decided to impose a $0.25 surcharge instead of $0.50 surcharge.

Observers note that the lower fee is due to Fanatics not being expected to exceed the 20 million bets threshold. At the same time, a large part of the wagers placed on FanDuel and DraftKings will fall under the higher $0.50 per bet tax.

Meanwhile, the remaining mobile sportsbooks in the state, bet365, BetRivers, Caesars, ESPN Bet, and Circa, have not indicated whether they will impose a surcharge or a minimum bet requirement in Illinois.

Credit Card Ban Advances in Illinois

In another potential blow to Illinois mobile sportsbooks, the state has moved one step closer to banning the use of credit cards to place sports bets. Illinois already prohibits the use of credit cards in casinos and video gaming establishments within the state.

In April, the Illinois Gaming Board unanimously approved a prohibition on credit card usage at sportsbooks. That advanced the proposal through the state’s administrative process.

The proposed amendment to the state’s gambling laws was officially published in the July 11 Illinois Register as part of the required rule-making protocol.

As part of the process, the amendment is now under review by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. The committee will hold a public comment period until August 25, after which it will make a decision. The next meeting is scheduled for August 13.

If the committee approves the change, it would prohibit retail and online sportsbooks from accepting credit cards for deposits. Debit cards and bank transfers (ACH) will still be available as payment methods.

With a ban, Illinois would join six other states with similar provisions. They include Rhode Island, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Tennessee.

The post BetMGM, Hard Rock Bet Impose Minimum Wagers in Illinois as New Tax Kicks In appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The Michigan studio will broadcast games to Caesars Palace Online Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino, and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino.

It includes five blackjack tables (one reserved for VIPs), one roulette table, and one baccarat table. All tables feature custom-branded felts featuring iconic Caesars destinations and each online casino platform.

Select tables also feature custom felts co-branded through partnerships with professional sports teams.

In a press release, Matthew Sunderland, Senior Vice President and Chief iGaming Officer at Caesars Digital, said:

“Our third live dealer studio expands our fully customized live dealer experience that is already extremely popular in Pennsylvania and New Jersey into another key jurisdiction where our online casino platforms are live.”

“The studio design takes inspiration from our flagship destination, Caesars Palace, to authentically recreate the atmosphere of Las Vegas for online players. We look forward to our Michigan players enjoying the new experience.”

Caesars’ Bespoke Game Strategy Continues to Grow

The branded live dealer studio marks another step in the company’s strategy of expanding its library with Caesars-branded content.

The operator unveiled its first bespoke game, Caesars Cleopatra, in August 2023, shortly after introducing its Caesars Palace Online Casino standalone app. The standalone casino’s goal was to deliver a better product, which would help the company gain a higher market share. To achieve that, Caesars employed a branded game strategy.

Since then, it has unveiled over a dozen bespoke games, including slots like:

• Caesars Palace
• Caesars Palace Megaways
• Caesars Cleopatra
• Caesars Fortune
• Caesars Emperors Gold
• Caesars Palace Garden of the Gods
• Caesars Palace Frenzy

Additional games include Caesars Palace Riches LuckyTap, Caesars Palace Slingo, Caesars Palace first-person blackjack, and the live dealer table games.

Branded Content Strategy Drives Market Share Gains

The bespoke product strategy has helped Caesars achieve some of the standalone app’s goals. In Michigan, the platform held a 4.5% market share in July 2023, a month before the debut of Caesars Cleopatra. That placed it in sixth spot out of 15 operators in the state.

A year later, in July 2024, Caesars Palace Online Casino’s market share had climbed to 6.3%, moving up one spot.

The latest data from Michigan shows that in May 2025, online casinos generated $251.5 million in gross gaming revenue, with Caesars Palace Online Casino capturing a 6.6% market share. While still in fifth place, it’s narrowing the gap to the fourth-placed BetRivers Casino, which had just over 7% market share.

A similar scenario is unfolding in New Jersey. For May, when online casinos generated $246.8 million in gross gaming revenue, Caesars Palace Online Casino captured a 7.3% market share. Caesar’s market share is nearly one percent higher than May 2024, when it held a 6.4% market share.

The post Caesars Expands Michigan Presence With New Branded Live Dealer Studio appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Bally’s and Hard Rock are among eight candidates vying for three highly coveted licenses. The licensing process is in a critical stage, with the final decision expected by the end of the year.

Bally’s Bronx Casino Hopes Could Be Over

On July 14, the New York City Council voted 29-9, with four absentees, to reject Bally’s rezoning application for its project at the site of the former Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point. The decision effectively ends Bally’s hopes for building a $4 billion casino resort.

Republican Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, whose district includes the potential casino site, introduced a motion to disapprove the project.

Last month, Marmorato was among the Council members voting against Bally’s plan to advance to the state legislature. While the Council initially refused to vote on it, New York City Mayor Eric Adams helped the bid move forward with a last-minute home-rule message.

After the vote, Marmorato said that the developers “came to the table a little too late, with promises too vague and a process too flawed to rebuild the trust that was already lost in our community.”

She added: “This is not real economic development. This is not housing, a hospital or community improvements. It’s a casino.”

Bally’s CEO Soo Kim called the vote “incredibly disappointing,” noting:

“We had met the council member’s ask in terms of what exceptional community benefits they wanted. That ask was moving the goalposts from the prior ask, which we had met as well,” he said. “It’s sort of nutty. What more can we do than meet the ask?”

Without zoning approval, Bally’s cannot advance in the licensing process, which includes multiple hearings by Community Advisory Committees and review by the Gaming Facility Location Board.

Metropolitan Park Bid Faces Unusual Hurdle

While Bally’s appears to be out of the running, another major contender, the $8 billion Metropolitan Park proposal in Queens, backed by Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, could face unexpected turbulence.

On the same day as Bally’s rezoning defeat, Hard Rock announced that it had suspended Senior Vice President Alex Pariente and two other employees amid anti-money-laundering (AML) allegations.

First reported by Casino.org, Pariente allegedly was involved in significant money structuring practices and facilitating questionable gambling activities at Hard Rock’s property in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

In one instance, one employee, at Pariente’s direction, took a $100,000 deposit from a Chinese national. She then broke it into 33 separate $3,000 deposits. These actions violated AML regulations.

Hard Rock became aware of the allegations by whistleblower Robert “R.J.” Cipriani, also known as RobinHood702 in gambling circles. Cipriani is a high-stakes gambler and federal informant with a history of exposing compliance failures.

The whistleblower previously flagged similar misconduct at MGM properties, involving then-president Scott Sibella, and later at Resorts World Las Vegas. Sibella’s AML misconduct had cost his career and substantial fines for both operators.

Although Metropolitan Park’s application is considered a strong contender due to Cohen’s political ties, Pariente’s suspension could pose a reputational challenge to the bid.

Regulators will likely scrutinize Pariente’s actions and AML allegations when vetting the license applicants. As part of the licensing process, the New York State Gaming Commission conducts thorough background checks on corporate executives.

Also, while Hard Rock has acted swiftly, rival bidders could seize on the controversy to question the bid’s suitability.

The post Bally’s Bronx Casino Bid Collapses; Hard Rock Faces Scrutiny in Queens appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Front Office Sports broke the news on Monday. Neither company has confirmed the news, with a DraftKings spokesperson telling FOS that its discussions with other businesses are part of normal operations.

While unconfirmed, the move signals DraftKings’ strong interest in a highly debated market that offers an alternative under federal oversight to traditional sports betting. Notably, DraftKings applied for a market prediction license but withdrew the application in April.

Railbird was founded in 2021 by Miles Saffran and Edward Tian, former Point72 Asset Management executives. Point72 is the family office run by former hedge fund boss Steven Cohen.

Railbird is yet to launch, but it has secured the regulatory approval to operate nationwide. For DraftKings, a potential acquisition would mean a shortcut to access prediction platforms without going through the lengthy licensing process it would have if it continued with its application.

As prediction markets are federally regulated, DraftKings would also significantly benefit from getting access to a new customer base. That includes the nation’s largest states, California and Texas, where sports betting remains illegal.

The move would be strategic as many observers expect a wave of consolidation between sportsbooks and prediction markets ahead of the football season.

FanDuel Explores Partnership with Kalshi

DraftKings is not the only one eyeing prediction markets. Last month, reports surfaced that FanDuel is exploring a deal with Kalshi, the leading prediction markets platform in the US. However, unlike DraftKings, FanDuel is potentially looking into a partnership rather than an acquisition.

A potential partnership would be beneficial to both companies. FanDuel would enter new markets from a ‘sports betting’ perspective, adding to its existing DFS product in many states.

The sports betting market leader would also gain access to new “betting” verticals. Furthermore, the deal would help alleviate state tax burdens, as Kalshi falls under CFTC oversight.

Meanwhile, Kalshi would benefit from getting exposure to FanDuel’s 12 million active users. The company may also gain access to FanDuel’s advanced tech-stack, including payments and compliance infrastructure.

That could help Kalshi boost liquidity across markets. With a large influx of new users, the market volume could rise, making them more efficient and engaging. Through FanDuel, Kalshi could also receive more exposure and become a household name.

FanDuel or Kalshi have not confirmed the possible partnership. Still, these discussions highlight the intense interest among major operators in blending prediction markets with more traditional wagering products.

Kalshi Faces Legal Challenges Despite Federal Backing

Kalshi has experienced rapid growth, especially since the beginning of the year when it started offering sports event contracts. However, the growth has not come without significant legal pushback.

Several states have raised the alarm and claim that Kalshi’s sports event contracts are a form of illegal gambling. Regulators from states like Nevada, New Jersey, Maryland, and Ohio sent Kalshi cease-and-desist letters, arguing that the events violate state gaming laws.

In response, Kalshi launched legal challenges asserting that its operations fall under federal law and thus preempt state restrictions. The platform scored some early wins, with judges blocking the cease-and-desist orders in New Jersey and Nevada.

At the heart of the dispute between Kalshi and the states is whether event contracts, and sports event contracts in particular, should be regulated as financial derivatives or traditional bets.

In the Maryland case, a judge questioned Kalshi’s conflicting statements on the matter. The prediction markets platform’s claim that event contracts fall under CFTC oversight collided with an earlier argument that those same contracts lack economic significance, thus not falling under CFTC governance.

The outcome of the Maryland case could have far-reaching implications for the gambling industry and the future of state versus federal oversight.

A Transformative Moment for US Betting

The outcome of Kalshi’s legal battles could reshape the US betting as prediction markets could become the next frontier of expansion.

Both FanDuel and DraftKings are already signaling interest, potentially laying groundwork to leverage shared exchange-sports betting infrastructure. That will allow them to enter new markets and potentially sidestep state gambling taxes.

Adding momentum, CFTC Chair nominee Brian D. Quintenz has signaled openness to expanding sports prediction markets under federal oversight. If the courts affirm federal preemption over state laws, these platforms will undoubtedly experience rapid expansion.

Prediction markets can also offer sportsbooks a way to engage users in the off-season through different “betting” categories. Examples include politics and macroeconomic indicators.

As the lines between sports betting and sports event prediction markets continue to dissolve, the next few months could be critical for the future of sports betting in the US.

The post DraftKings Eyes Railbird Acquisition as Prediction Markets Threaten to Disrupt Sports Betting appeared first on CasinoBeats.

As the state prepares to award three highly sought-after downstate casino licenses, these impressive sports betting figures underscore the enormous potential of New York’s gaming market.

Notably, five of the eight casino bidders also operate mobile sportsbook platforms, giving them a unique advantage in both market familiarity and customer reach. Despite facing one of the highest tax rates in the country, New York remains a magnet for operators eager to tap into its massive betting base.

But how are these operators performing — and could their success in online sports betting give them a critical edge in the fierce race for these coveted casino licenses?

June 2025 Sports Betting Revenue

New York’s sports betting market generated $1.65 billion in handle in June, the lowest figure in over a year. However, despite the handle dip, operators maintained a record 12.5% hold rate.

As a result, the state generated gross gaming revenue of $206.5 million, a 54% year-over-year increase. As the state collects 51%, tax receipts were $105 million.

June marked the second consecutive month surpassing $200 million in gross revenue, and the fifth in the past year. In that period, mobile sportsbooks have contributed over $1.1 billion in tax revenue.

As expected, FanDuel and DraftKings dominated the market, together capturing 78% of the market. For the trailing 12 months, the market leader FanDuel alone has surpassed $1 billion in gross gaming revenue.

How the Casino Bid Hopefuls Fared

MGM Empire City

Among the casino bidders, BetMGM, co-owned by MGM Resorts and Entain, reported approximately $116.6 million in handle (about 7% market share) and $11.9 million in gross gaming revenue in June. That represented a 16% increase year-over-year in handle and an impressive 74% increase in revenue.

MGM Resorts plans to transform its Empire City Casino in Yonkers into a full-scale casino. At $2.3 billion, the transformation is the lowest-valued. Still, it is among the front runners due to the lower resources needed to convert. Additionally, the project already contributes tax revenue and has little opposition.

Caesars Times Square

While the New York Gaming Commission did not post Caesars Entertainment’s Caesars Sportsbook monthly revenue figures on its website, it did load the weekly ones. They show that Caesars Sportsbook closely trailed BetMGM.

While Caesars’ handle remained mostly flat compared to June 2024 (about 5 or 6% market share), its gross gaming revenue grew significantly, thanks to improved hold rates and marketing. (As the weeks did not coincide with the whole month, full figures cannot be given.)

Caesars’ casino proposal, Caesars Times Square, developed in partnership with SL Green and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, aims to transform Times Square. While its “elevated entertainment” concept promises an economic boost for the neighborhood, it faces strong opposition, especially from the theater industry.

The Avenir

Rush Street Interactive, which operates the BetRivers platform, is a partner in The Avenir bid in Manhattan. For June, the mobile platform brought in $40.4 million in handle (about 2.5% market share) and $3.7 million in revenue.

These figures represented a 41% decrease in handle, but a 48% increase in revenue.

The Avenir, a $5 billion Manhattan project which includes a 1,000-room Hyatt Destination hotel, is being developed by Silverstein Properties, which is behind One World Trade. The developer is among the most politically connected companies in New York, which could help its cause.

Still, it faces various West Side community organizations and local politicians’ opposition.

Bally’s Bronx

Bally’s Corporation’s Bally Bet sports betting platform is among the smaller players in the New York market. In June, it generated $9.9 million in handle (approximately 0.6% market share) and $791,201 in revenue. Still, that represented a 44% yearly increase in handle and a 20% rise in revenue.

Bally’s bid is relying on job creation and an economic boost for the Bronx. As a result, it has received support from most Democratic leaders in the Bronx. The Trump Organization also stands to benefit financially if Bally’s receives a license from the land-purchase deal.

The company faced concerns about whether it could finance the $4 billion project. However, it recently announced a $3.2 billion sale of its International Interactive Division to Intralot, which will give it a much-needed financial injection.

Resorts World New York City

June was Resorts World Bet’s last month, as it announced it would shut down on June 30. That reflected in the platform’s performance, which ranks last in the state in terms of market share. In June, it generated only $2.75 million in handle (about 0.17% market share) and $229,357 in revenue.

These figures represented a 63% year-over-year decline in handle and a 60% decline in revenue.

The exit of its sportsbook has not steered its parent company, Genting Group, to pursue a full casino license for its Queens racino.

Like MGM’s Empire City, many consider Resorts World New York City a frontrunner as it’s an operational racino. It has minimal opposition and strong support among local politicians and organizations.

Could Knowledge of NY Consumers Help with Casino Applications?

While the five operators trail FanDuel and DraftKings in sports betting revenue, their sports betting experience could give them an advantage: deep knowledge of New York bettors.

Their existing data covers wagering patterns, peak betting seasons, promotional effectiveness, and player demographics.

They can leverage this information to cross-promote between the digital platform and physical property, creating tailored experiences to resonate with local players. For example, through their loyalty programs, they can offer targeted bonuses or invite top online bettors to exclusive in-person events.

Additionally, familiarity with the brands could enhance consumer engagement, which in turn could help satisfy community advisory committees (CACs) that may seek operators committed to regional economic growth and responsible gaming.

What Lies Ahead

New York expects to announce the three casino license winners by the end of the year. Before that, the license hopefuls must get approval from their CACs, which were recently formed.

These committees must hold at least two public hearings to gather community input. During this stage, committees can also request that applicants modify or adjust their proposals to better address community concerns.

After the hearings, the CACs will vote on the licensees, with a two-thirds approval requirement. The applications approved by CACs will then move to the Gaming Facility Location Board for final recommendation.

The post New York Sportsbooks See a 54% YoY Revenue Increase in June: How Do the Casino Bid Hopefuls Fare? appeared first on CasinoBeats.

One state that has flown under the radar but is now seeing a major shakeup is West Virginia. Recently, the Mountain State’s Attorney General, John McCuskey, shared that he has sent 47 subpoenas to sweepstakes casinos.

He told the audience at the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States summer meeting in Louisville, KY, that while none have responded, 19 have exited.

Casinobeats has since confirmed that the number is even higher, making West Virginia one of the states that have experienced a mass exodus of sweepstakes casinos in recent months.

Who Has Exited West Virginia?

Over 20 sweepstakes casinos have exited West Virginia, with Chance and sister site Punt.com among the latest. The platforms that Casinobeats has confirmed to list the state as an ineligible jurisdiction per terms and conditions include:

• Baba Casino
• Carnival Citi
• Chance and sister site Punt.com
• Funrize and sister sites NolimitCoins, FunzCity, Fortune Wheelz, and Tao Fortune
• Legendz
• McLuck Casino and sister sites Hello Millions, Mega Bonanza, Jackpota, and Spinblitz
• Modo.us
• Play Fame
• Pulsz Casino and Pulsz Bingo
• Rolling Riches
• Sidepot
• Spree
• Stake

Notably, High 5 Casino‘s July 2 terms and conditions still list West Virginia as an eligible jurisdiction. However, in February, the operator announced plans to withdraw from West Virginia and other states with regulated online casinos, likely due to its parent company High 5 Games content license suspension in Connecticut.

High 5 Games later settled with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division.

Many Exit Quietly — Others Resist

While McCuskey has not shared which operators he’s sent the subpoenas to, if the ones that have already exited are on the list, it suggests that at least half have yet to comply.

This pattern is not uncommon. Some sweepstakes casinos respond quickly and cautiously to legal action, while others continue operating despite regulatory warnings.

For example, while it recently exited Delaware after a cease-and-desist order, VGW, the parent of Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker, ignored a previous order for two years. The company has similarly ignored a June order in Mississippi and a March one in Maryland.

While it listed Maryland as an ineligible state this month, Stake.us ignored a 2024 cease-and-desist order there for over a year.

Other states, including New York, Connecticut, and most recently New Jersey, have passed a law explicitly banning sweepstakes casinos. Despite that, there are still platforms operating in those states.

As of now, only Crown Coins, Luckybird.io, and Spinfinite still list New York, while nearly a dozen still accept Connecticut players. Meanwhile, just a handful of platforms have left New Jersey.

The post Over 20 Sweepstakes Casinos Quietly Exit West Virginia Amid Crackdown appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Mastro introduced the FULL HOUSE Act, aimed at restoring the full deduction for gambling losses. She followed a similar effort in the House, led by Rep. Dina Titus, also from Nevada.

The controversial provision, buried deep within the 940-page tax-and-spending package, went unnoticed by many lawmakers. However, after the gambling world raised the alarm, many stated they would vote to repeal it.

With the change, gamblers would be able to deduct 90% of gambling losses, compared to the current 100% (up to the winnings). That means many recreational and professional gamblers could be required to pay taxes even if they don’t make a profit.

Sen. Young Objects Over Unrelated Issues

On July 10, Mastro attempted to pass her legislation using unanimous consent. That’s a procedural move that requires no objections to pass.

However, despite bipartisan support, with many Republicans acknowledging they didn’t even know about the provision, Sen. Todd Young (R-Indiana) objected. That effectively blocked the bill from advancing.

Young’s objection had nothing to do with the provision or unfavorable views on gambling. Instead, he used the moment to push for unrelated policies. They include exceptions for religious college endowments and other tax adjustments that Democrats previously rejected.

Young said he supports the policy but would only agree to undo it if Democrats accepted other provisions in return.

“I strongly support the underlying bill, but will have to object unless you can agree to my request,” Young said on the Senate floor.

Efforts in the House Continue

Although the Senate effort has stalled for now, Cortez Masto has indicated she plans to continue pushing for the FULL HOUSE Act through regular legislative channels.

Meanwhile, efforts continue in the House, where Rep. Titus introduced the FAIR BET Act on July 7.

Titus was among the first to pledge to reverse the measure as soon as the Senate passed it. After the House passed the Senate’s version without changes, Titus stated that she wanted to offer an amendment. However, House managers refused to accept any.

The FAIR BET Act is expected to proceed through committee review in the House in the coming weeks.

The post Senate Republicans Block Effort to Reverse Gambling Tax Hike Under Big Beautiful Bill appeared first on CasinoBeats.

In addition to serving time, US District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto in Brooklyn ordered Villani to forfeit $4 million from the winnings.

Villani Netted $15 Million From Illegal Gambling Business

According to federal prosecutors, Villani ran Rhino Sports from at least 2004 until December 2020 using offshore servers in Costa Rica. In that time, the illicit operation generated over $35 million in profits. Villani personally pocketed about $15 million.

Rhino Sports primarily operated in the New York City area. It relied on an extensive network of illegal bookmakers, which handled between 400 and 1,300 bets weekly. The bookmakers included members and associates of the Luchese crime family and other La Cosa Nostra families.

Among them were co-defendants James Coumoutsos (known as “Quick”) and Michael Praino (known as “Platinum”). Meanwhile, Louis Tucci Jr. and Dennis Filizzola directly reported to Villani and collected cash from other bookmakers.

The four co-defendants previously pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Each has agreed to pay $1 million in forfeiture.

According to prosecutors, Villani and his associates concealed the illicit proceeds by purchasing US Postal Service money orders under false names. The money orders were payable to one of Villani’s property companies.

Villani Was Also Involved in Racketeering

Villani also extorted an individual, identified in court documents as John Doe. Between October 2019 and October 2020, Villani repeatedly threatened Doe regarding $300,000 that the unidentified individual stole from Rhino Sports.

The Lucchese captain issued multiple threats, including on April 27, 2020:

“I’m not going to repeat myself… We’re just going to have a problem if I find out. I don’t want to threaten you with my friends or anything… you put me in a f—–g hole with this guy?”

Villani’s threats escalated, and on October 10, 2020, he said:

“Listen, get the f—–g money. I’m telling you right now, you don’t get this money, f—–g run away. Go get this f—–g money.”

Based on the threats, John Doe genuinely feared that Villani or other Lucchese crime family members would physically harm or even kill him if he did not repay the money.

The Illegal Online Gambling Market is Growing

The Villani case underscores a broader and growing threat of illegal gambling operations in the US. According to a report by the Campaign for Gairer Gambling, offshore operators generate 74% of gross gambling revenue in the US.

According to the report, there are about 95 legal online gambling platforms in the US. At the same time, the number of offshore platforms is 917, nearly 10 times more.

The reach and influence of illegal bookmakers have also been highlighted in recent high-profile enforcement actions involving major Las Vegas casinos.

In March, Resorts World Las Vegas received a $10.5 million fine (the second-largest in Nevada’s history) for engaging with illicit bookmakers, including Damien LeForbes and Mathew Bowyer.

Bowyer, who ran an illegal operation with over 700 clients, used the illicit funds from his operations to gamble at Resorts World. He lost over $8 million, including $1.2 million in two months.

Bowyer’s gambling also contributed to MGM Resorts’ $8.5 million fine in April. He gambled over 300 times at MGM properties. Meanwhile, another illegal bookie, Wayne Nix, lost nearly $5 million at MGM properties.

The post Lucchese Crime Family Captain Sentenced for Running Illegal Gambling Ring, Money Laundering appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The payout comes after the DCP investigated DraftKings for misleading marketing practices by offering deposit match bonuses without fully disclosing the requirements.

The affected 7,000 users participated in the bonus offers between October 19, 2021, and January 4, 2023. They won’t need to take any action to claim their refunds, as DraftKings will automatically notify them within 60 days. In addition to the refunds, the operator has agreed to:

• Pay $50,000 to support programs for consumer complaint resolution, protection, and education.
• Provide annual training on Connecticut’s relevant laws to all marketing and advertising staff in the state.
• Enhance the visibility of its educational hub and game tutorials for bonus promotions.
• Warn consumers about potential scams posing as refund notices, urging them to verify communications through the DCP.

In a press release, DCP Gaming Division Director Kris Gilman highlighted that all operators must clearly communicate the terms of promotions and added,

“We are happy that DraftKings has agreed to assess its promotions, provide additional training to its employees regarding Connecticut’s laws and regulations, and return funds to consumers who misunderstood and in many cases were completely unaware of the terms of the promotions they participated in.”

Second Consumer Repayment in a Year for DraftKings in CT

While not technically a fine, the $3 million refund is the second case for DraftKings in Connecticut, where the operator had to repay consumers.

Last summer, the DCP fined DraftKings $19,500 for operating a slot game that didn’t pay as advertised. According to the regulator, 522 people from the state wagered nearly $24,000 on over 20,659 spins on the Deal or No Deal Banker’s Bonanza slot by White Hat Gaming without receiving a win.

The game has a 95% advertised return to player (RTP). This means that, on average, it pays back 95% of the money wagered.

Neither DraftKings nor White Hat notified DCP for over a week after players brought up the issue. At the same time, the operator refunded $23,909 to those affected.

White Hat fixed the glitch, but only after the regulator responded to consumer complaints. As a result, the content provider was fined $3,500.

DraftKings Faces Multiple Lawsuits Over Misleading Advertising

The DCP investigation into misleading advertising is not the first time DraftKings has faced scrutiny over deceptive advertising.
The operator is currently facing a series of lawsuits accusing it of deceptive “risk-free” and “bonus bet” promotions.

A New York class-action lawsuit argues that DraftKings’ “risk-free” and deposit-match bonuses mislead bettors because instead of cash, it refunds losses in restricted bonus bets. In turn, this forces players to wager under unclear conditions.

A similar case in Pennsylvania challenges the transparency of DraftKings promotions, such as the “risk-free”, “no sweat” (“no sweat” replaced “risk-free” language due to various lawsuits), and deposit matches.

That lawsuit argues that these promotions have complex playthrough requirements that force players into costly wagering.

Meanwhile, the city of Baltimore filed a consumer protection suit against DraftKings and FanDuel. It accuses the platforms of using data-driven mechanisms to hook and monetize vulnerable and problem gamblers.

Caesars Palace Sued Over Deposit Match Bonuses in PA

Beyond DraftKings, similar marketing concerns have emerged with other operators, including Caesars Palace Online Casino in Pennsylvania.

In June, the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) filed a lawsuit against the mobile platform and its retail partner, Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino. PHAI argues that the defendants’ welcome bonus is “dangerous, misleading, and illegal.”

According to PHAI, Caesars Palace promises new customers a deposit match bonus of up to $2,500. However, to receive this amount while playing blackjack, they would need to wager $375,000.

PHAI claims the public is not told that the promotion is designed to “new customers in a ‘wild chase of action,’ where the bonus is unattainable and therefore impossible to win.”

The lawsuit seeks an injunction to stop the promotion and similar playthrough bonuses. It also seeks statutory damages and attorneys’ fees.

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