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Pennsylvania legislator justified high betting taxes

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Rep. Robert Matzie,  the Pennsylvania legislator who played a big role in drafting the sports betting legislation of the state, said the number of sports betting applicants and their eagerness to start business justify the high taxes imposed in the legislation.

As per the state’s legislation, the betting companies will have to part with 36 per cent of their earnings as tax. Still, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) received sports betting license applications from Hollywood Casino and Parx , committing the $10 million fee.

As far as state is concerned that’s enough to prove that the exorbitant 36 per cent sports betting tax rate is not too high for the market to bear.

Matzieis understandably jubilant: “Since the dominoes have begun to fall with the two filings, I think it’s inevitable the rest will also,”

Matzie was the sponsor of the original legislation that led to state-regulated sports betting in Pennsylvania.

Voters have something to thank him for, but the sports betting companies may not be quite so enthusiastic.

They will be hoping that over time, PA lawmakers will revisit the tax issue and bring taxes into line with those in Nevada (6.75 per cent) or New Jersey (8 per cent in casinos and racetracks, 12 per cent for online sports betting).

Matzie isn’t offering any support for their position: “I thought all along it was a non-starter to open anything up [in terms of the tax rate], and I think this pretty much puts the nail in the coffin.”

Matzie originally had the sports betting tax rate at 18 per cent, the same as the table games rate. After further examination, the rate was simply doubled because sports betting was considered to be more similar to slots, which are taxed at 54 per cent.

Matzie should not be too quick to gloat over casinos paying the high tax rate. The enthusiasm of casinos to apply for sports betting licenses doesn’t mean that the high taxes are workable for them.

If the experience of regulated sports betting in Europe is a guide, then the short-term future does not look good.

After five years of regulated sports betting in France, only three sports betting operators had managed to make a profit in any quarter. France has taxes that are roughly at the same level as Pennsylvania.

Players also react to high taxes.

In France, around 40 per cent of sports bettors ignore the nationally regulated sites to play at unregulated sites which offer better odds. In Portugal, which has taxes set at 16 per cent of sports betting handle, the figure is even worse.

A report from Copenhagen Economics states that only 52 per cent of online gambling in Portugal takes place at nationally regulated sites.

In the UK and Denmark which have 15 per cent and 20 per cent tax rates respectively, only a few per cent of players play at unlicensed sites.

The knock on effect is significant. Copenhagen Economics found that state tax revenues start to reduce when taxes get over 20 per cent.

The 36 per cent rate in Pennsylvania may look good to lawmakers, but state budget accountants would not be as impressed.

 

Source: playpennsylvania.com


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George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Digital Footprints Pays-it-Forward with £50,000 Accelerator Fund to Fuel iGaming Startups

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To mark its 15th anniversary, Digital Footprints is proud to announce the Digital Footprints Accelerator Fund, a bold new initiative offering £50,000 in marketing resources to a deserving iGaming startup. The programme embraces a “pay it forward” philosophy, investing in the next generation of ambitious brands in iGaming and helping them scale with best-in-class marketing support.

Fueling Growth in iGaming Innovation

As an agency that has driven growth for operators, affiliates, and suppliers across competitive markets, Digital Footprints now turns its resources toward nurturing future challengers. The Accelerator Fund is open to iGaming startups less than two years old (pre-launch or early growth stage) that operate responsibly and with compliance at their core. The winning entrant will receive a bespoke digital marketing package valued at £50,000. Services may include:

  • SEO and content strategy
  • Social media & influencer campaigns
  • Creative branding and design
  • Analytics & performance dashboarding
  • Sponsorship sourcing & activation
  • UX & conversion optimisation with compliance in mind

Additional benefits include exposure through Digital Footprints’ channels, press coverage, and advisory support from industry specialists. 

Key Dates

  • Applications open: 13 October
  • Deadline to apply: 10 November
  • Shortlist announced: 24 November
  • Pitch date: 1 December
  • Winner announced: 8 January

“We believe that success should create opportunity,” said Sharon McFarlane, Managing Director of Digital Footprints. “After 15 years in the digital and iGaming space, we recognise that we definitely had help along the way from an amazing community, and this fund is our chance to pay that forward.  It’s our chance to create our own community to fuel innovation, champion responsible growth, and give a deserving startup a genuine launchpad. We can’t wait to see who steps forward.”

 

About Digital Footprints

Digital Footprints is a specialist iGaming digital agency, partnering with operators, affiliates, and suppliers to deliver strategic, compliant, and performance-driven marketing solutions. Over the past decade and a half, the award-winning agency has built an enviable track record in web development, SEO, branding, content, and audience growth across regulated markets.

For more information about eligibility or to apply for the Accelerator Fund, please visit: https://www.digital-footprints.co.uk/df-accelerator-fund/

The post Digital Footprints Pays-it-Forward with £50,000 Accelerator Fund to Fuel iGaming Startups appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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JOHNNY VEGAS LEADS GGPOKER’S BOLD NEW ‘FACE-OFF’ PROJECT TO BRING THE DRAMA, TENSION AND THRILLS BACK TO BRITISH POKER

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  • GGPoker has launched the ‘Face Off’,  fronted by comedy legend Johnny Vegas, celebrating the drama, tension, and humour of live poker with a bold, cinematic creative approach.

  • The campaign repositions GGPoker.co.uk as the home of ‘real players and real emotion’, combining offbeat British comedy with high-impact visuals to shake up a stagnant gambling marketing space.

  • Marking a renewed commitment to the UK market, ‘Face Off’ spans digital, broadcast, and live-event activations, signalling GGPoker’s ambition to lead the next era of poker entertainment and brand storytelling.

GGPoker, the World’s Biggest Poker Room, has reignited the UK poker scene with the launch of ‘Face Off’, a new project which celebrates the drama and pure entertainment of live poker, fronted by comedy legend Johnny Vegas.

The campaign marks GGPoker’s most ambitious UK marketing push to date, shining a light on the human side of the game: the bluffing, bravado, rivalry and emotion that make poker far more than just a hand of cards.

Brimming with Vegas’s trademark humour and offbeat British charm, ‘Face Off’ delivers a cinematic look and feel rarely seen in poker advertising. The creative mixes character-driven comedy with moments of high-stakes intensity, capturing the personality and unpredictability that define real poker.

Developed with leading creative partners, the campaign sets out to reimagine how poker is portrayed in the UK, positioning GGPoker.co.uk as the home of genuine competition and real players. It’s designed to connect with everyone from casual fans to seasoned grinders, and to show poker as something social, human and alive with character.

The rollout will span digital, broadcast and live activations across the UK and Ireland, with exclusive content, social challenges and player-focused experiences bringing the ‘Face Off’ world to life:

  • Digital: Search, SEO, META, Snap, X, PGM, YouTube

  • Audio: talkSPORT, ACAST, Sports Social

  • TV: BVOD, Cinema, CTV

  • Outdoor: High-impact displays and standard BAU executions

  • PR: Stunts and live events with celebrity involvement, WSOP Poker Event coverage, and story seeding to highlight real player experiences

  • CRM: Email, SMS, and retargeting campaigns, all optimised to enhance the player experience.

Angela Martin, Head of Marketing UK & Ireland at GGPoker said: “With ‘Face Off,’ we wanted to remind people why they fell in love with poker in the first place. It’s not just about the cards; it’s about the tension, and the moments of genius (or madness) that make it such a uniquely human game.

“Johnny Vegas is not just a legend of comedy, his name says it all. It brings a touch of Vegas flair to the UK poker scene, while keeping it witty and completely human. ‘Face Off’ is our way of saying that poker should be fun, social, and full of personality again. This is GGPoker doubling down on the UK and on the players who make the game what it is.”

The post JOHNNY VEGAS LEADS GGPOKER’S BOLD NEW ‘FACE-OFF’ PROJECT TO BRING THE DRAMA, TENSION AND THRILLS BACK TO BRITISH POKER appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Red Bull launches ‘Solo Legends’; India’s largest-ever solo BGMI tournament

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Red Bull India has officially announced Red Bull Solo Legends, the country’s largest ever solo Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) tournament, designed to give aspiring players a platform to showcase their individual skill, strategy, and consistency.

The multi-phase tournament will include both online and on-ground stages, uniting thousands of solo players from across the country, ranging from grassroots talent to seasoned pros. Competitors will battle in a solo queue format, progress through multiple rounds of qualifiers, and ultimately have the opportunity to face some of India’s top BGMI professionals in the finals. The winner of Red Bull Solo Legends will earn the coveted title of India’s best solo BGMI player along with an exclusive international Red Bull Racing experience.

“Every pro player’s journey starts from playing solo. When you’re on your own, you learn every role, whether it’s fragging, supporting, making calls, or handling pressure like an IGL. Red Bull Solo Legends is the perfect stage for players to showcase those skills and prove what they can do without relying on a team. I’m really excited to be part of this format and see which players rise through the ranks to claim the title. It’s time for India’s solo players to take the spotlight,” said Red Bull Athlete Jonathan Amaral.

Red Bull Solo Legends will feature some of India’s prominent BGMI athletes including Jonathan Amaral (Jonathan Gaming), Tanishk Singh (Admino), Ashutosh Singh (Punk), Sahil Jakhar (Omega), Sohail Shaikh (Hector), Mohammed Owais Lakhani (Owais), Raghuraj Singh (Slug), Ammar Khan (Destro), Aditya Dawar (Aadi) and many more. These players, known for their exceptional skills, will compete against each other, bringing their unique strategies and gameplay styles to the forefront.

“Playing solo is the ultimate test of a player’s all-round abilities. You are responsible for every choice you make, from rotations to engagements, and it forces you to master every aspect of the game. Red Bull Solo Legends recognizes individual excellence and encourages players to innovate, adapt, and compete at the highest level,” noted Sahil Jakhar aka Omega.

This initiative reinforces Red Bull’s growing presence in the Indian esports ecosystem. The brand has long supported competitive gaming through flagship properties such as the Red Bull M.E.O. (Mobile Esports Open), featuring BGMI and the World Cricket Championship. It has also collaborated with leading Indian esports organization GodLike Esports and onboarded top gaming talent such as Ujjwal Chaurasia (Techno Gamerz), Jonathan Amaral (Jonathan Gaming), Ankit Panth (V3nom) as Red Bull Athletes while partnering with numerous gaming events across the country. Red Bull Solo Legends builds on this commitment by providing a distinctive platform for emerging Indian gamers to showcase their skill and talent.

“Solo competition is where you truly test your adaptability and decision-making under pressure. The unique thing about Red Bull Solo Legends is that it gives players the chance to showcase those skills and handle intense situations on their own. Every match challenges you to think on your feet and find creative solutions, whether it’s surviving the zone, positioning against multiple opponents, or optimizing your loot. This tournament will bring out hidden talent and give gamers a real chance to prove themselves among the best in the country,” commented Mohammed Lakhani aka Owais.

Registrations for Red Bull Solo Legends are now open and will continue until October 31. Aspiring solo players can sign up via – redbull.in/sololegends

Stay updated on all tournament news, announcements, and highlights by following Red Bull India on social media.

The post Red Bull launches ‘Solo Legends’; India’s largest-ever solo BGMI tournament appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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