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American Gaming Association Releases State-By-State Analysis of U.S. Commercial Casino Industry
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Commercial gaming revenue surpasses $40 billion for first time, according to AGA’s 2018 State of the States
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the American Gaming Association (AGA) released the 2018 edition of State of the States: The AGA Survey of the Commercial Casino Industry, AGA’s flagship publication. The annual report provides a comprehensive overview of the commercial casino industry and the significant economic impact it has in the 24 U.S. states with commercial gaming operations.
Key findings from the 2018 State of the States report include:
- The commercial gaming industry brought in $40.28 billion in gaming revenue in 2017, a 3.4 percent increase over 2016;
- In 2017, states received $9.23 billion in revenue from commercial gaming taxes alone; and
- 20 commercial casino states experienced revenue increases in 2017, reflecting strong macroeconomic trends and sustained job growth in most parts of the country.
“Each year, AGA’s State of the States report provides the most detailed snapshot available of our complex industry, and the many benefits AGA members provide for their employees, partners and communities,” said Stacy Papadopoulos, interim CEO of the American Gaming Association. “This year’s report demonstrates the commercial gaming industry’s role as a job creator and revenue generator in states across the country, and we’re proud of the industry’s steady growth over the past few years.”
AGA’s annual State of the States report includes state-by-state analyses of revenue, tax data and wage and employment information from the previous year. For the first time, the 2018 edition combines two of AGA’s signature publications: State of the States and U.S. Gaming Industry Review – into one comprehensive overview of the 24 U.S. states with commercial casino gaming. The report also provides a state-by-state breakdown of the legality of types of gaming and number of casinos, as well as a look at the primary competition faced by casinos in each state and summarizes the year’s major gaming policy discussions relevant to gaming operators and suppliers.
About AGA: The American Gaming Association is the premier national trade group representing the $261 billion U.S. casino industry, which supports 1.8 million jobs nationwide. AGA members include commercial and tribal casino operators, gaming suppliers and other entities affiliated with the gaming industry. It is the mission of the AGA to achieve sound policies and regulations consistent with casino gaming’s modern appeal and vast economic contributions.
Source: American Gaming Association
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Soft2Bet recognised as Innovator in iGaming Entertainment by SBC Awards 2025
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Soft2Bet has won the Innovation in Casino Entertainment award at the SBC Awards 2025 for its MEGA (Motivational Engineering Gaming Application) solution, recognising the product’s impact on player experience.
Soft2Bet is continuously reshaping the industry through its cutting-edge technologies, bridging the gap between casino and casual gaming. Rather than relying on bonus-heavy acquisition, Soft2Bet unites rigorous compliance and AML policies with fast-moving product innovation and a start-up spirit, bringing leadership and talent together behind MEGA to deliver compliant growth and stronger retention.
iGaming Powered by Entertainment
In 2024, Soft2Bet was recognised for innovation across its platform, including its casino and sportsbook products. This year, Soft2Bet has demonstrated that gamification is entertainment, offering players meaningful progression, real choice and localised experiences. In challenging European markets, Soft2Bet’s brands act as a proof of concept with their successes, demonstrating higher retention, stronger engagement, and sustainable performance, achieved responsibly and without having to rely on excessive bonus offers.
One gamified system for market growth
Gamification in iGaming has evolved from a simple marketing add-on to a core design philosophy that shapes the entire player journey. The Innovation in Casino Entertainment Award recognises this industry-wide shift and sets a clearer standard for the sector. Soft2Bet’s MEGA gamification engine transforms this concept into a unified engagement layer across the casino, fully configurable by market and grounded in missions, seasonal events, and transparent rewards. The result is not only better entertainment and stronger loyalty among players, but also a sustainable model that aligns with local licensing requirements and supports long-term growth.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC, commented: “Soft2Bet is a shining example of innovation in action, so massive congratulations on winning the Innovation in Casino Entertainment award. Their MEGA product is a true benchmark for innovation, and their role in leading the Gamification Academy, which we introduced this year at SBC Summit, shows that they are not only innovators but also knowledge leaders who willingly share their expertise with the entire industry. Their work continues to raise the standard for what entertainment can and should be, so big kudos to the team.”
Oksana Tsyhankova, CCO at Soft2Bet, said: “Soft2Bet team accepts the challenge of delivering the best customer experience and bringing new entertainment to the iGaming industry. We are proving it by aligning leaders and talent across product, compliance and B2B, and by applying strong design, localisation and brand-building expertise”.
Beyond its award-winning product innovations, Soft2Bet also supported the Legends Charity Game, helped to facilitate the Gamification Academy that managed to gather the full audience hall of operators, and judged the inaugural First Pitch competition to bring a fresh layer of interactivity to the event and create something greater, contributing to the industry.
The post Soft2Bet recognised as Innovator in iGaming Entertainment by SBC Awards 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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BOS welcomes proposal to expand criminalization of unlicensed gambling companies
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BOS – the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling – comments on the inquiry into the so-called scope of application of the Gambling Act that was submitted to the Ministry of Finance today. The inquiry proposes that passive acceptance of Swedish gambling consumers shall be illegal for gambling companies that do not hold a Swedish gambling license. Gambling companies without a Swedish gambling license must therefore take active measures to exclude Swedish gambling consumers.
BOS welcomes the proposal and has been working towards such a change in the law ever since the reregulation of the Swedish gambling market in 2019.
“This is an important contribution to the possibility of strengthening the Swedish gambling license market, which is now proposed to criminalize almost all unlicensed gambling in Sweden. I foresee the government shortly submitting a bill to the Riksdag in accordance with the investigation’s proposal. Good job Mr. Investigator and with the hope of equally good job from the government and the Riksdag to now proceed with legislation on the matter. Unlicensed gambling in Sweden must be smoked out,” says BOS Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt.
The post BOS welcomes proposal to expand criminalization of unlicensed gambling companies appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Midnite Express: UK sportsbook laying on free coach travel for football fans
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Midnite, Southampton’s official training kit partner and Sheffield United’s principal partner, will be putting on coaches – free of charge – for Saints fans for their 460-mile-round trip to Bramall Lane next Tuesday
UK sportsbook Midnite will be supplying free coach travel for Southampton fans for their trip to Sheffield United on Tuesday, September 30.
Midnite is the official training kit partner of Southampton and the principal partner of Sheffield United for the 2025/26 season, has created The Midnite Express to cover the near 500-mile-round trip to and from Bramall Lane.
The lucky Saints fans will be joined on The Midnite Express coaches by three Southampton legends, with one being none other than Matt Le Tissier.
Le Tissier, who scored 100 goals in 270 top-flight appearances for Saints, said: “With the cost of living crisis that we’ve got going on in this country at the moment, with the train services, it’s really difficult for fans to get to and from these away games.
“And I think The Midnite Express initiative of putting coaches on for the fans to get up to Sheffield United is absolutely brilliant.
“I’ve never been to an away game on an official coach with loads of other Saints fans, so I’m really looking forward to it and looking forward to engaging with the fans on the bus.
“I’m sure we’ll have a good laugh and we’ll have an interesting journey, that’s for sure!”
Andrew Mook, Head of Brand Marketing at Midnite, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to launch The Midnite Express and to be able to offer Southampton supporters free coach travel to and from our principal partner, Sheffield United.
“It’s hugely exciting for us to support the fans in this way and to give them the chance to follow their team without worrying about transport costs for a long midweek journey. It means more Saints fans can focus purely on supporting their team.
“We hope this makes the journey feel a lot closer, and the matchday even more special.”
The post Midnite Express: UK sportsbook laying on free coach travel for football fans appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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