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US Territories to Benefit from Sports-Betting Bill

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The recent US Supreme Court order that struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) is certainly going to pave the way for legalised sports betting in the country. It basically means that individual states can formulate their own legislation regarding sports betting. A number of states are jumping into the bandwagon to legalise sports betting. A question arises now is whether or not the bill extends to US territories.

Here is an overview of this topic.

What does it mean for territories?

The legal issues are somewhat confusing, mainly because the Supreme Court focused on the sovereignty of states. But there are precedents and good arguments as to why territories should be treated like states, especially when issues like pre-emption and constitutional rights are involved.

Take Puerto Rico, which has 3.4 million residents but is currently bankrupt and running a deficit. There is a good argument that it should be treated as a US state. Since the territory already has casinos and racetracks, with eight facilities in San Juan alone, this could be a great money-maker for the struggling country.

Online gambling bill is offered

Puerto Rico’s Commission for Tourism and Social Welfare is currently analysing a bill that would allow casinos to offer online gaming.

Presented by the head of the commission, Representative Néstor Alonso Vega, the bill sets outs the minimum requirements to operate an online gaming “franchise concession.” It also presents a taxation framework for the sector and reports on how the receipts would be divided among Puerto Rico’s institutions.

Most important, the bill recommends that the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR), a government-owned corporation that currently oversees the territory’s tourism industry, should also regulate online gaming.

The director of the Gaming Division of the CTPR, Jaime Alex Irizarry, agrees. He has lent his backing to this proposal that allows the territory’s casinos to run online gaming operations.

He said: “We understand how important it is to approve legislation like this, precisely because due to the absence of effective regulation – as is set out in the proposal – at the moment in Puerto Rico it’s possible to gamble on the internet illegally, without any protections or guarantees, either for the players or the state.”

Licensing concerns

The Gaming Division of the CTPR administers all the licensing and management of land-based casinos, but this would have to be completely overhauled for a new online industry.

While speaking before a public audience, Irizarry recommended that the CTPR be empowered to block servers and service providers that host unauthorised online gaming.

That is the approach taken by Poland and Switzerland to counter unlicensed operators.

Lower taxes

To attract operators to Puerto Rico, Irizarry suggested a lower tax rate, 15 per cent as compared to 20 per cent in the mainland US.

He said, “This reduction will allow the licensee the necessary income to improve [the quality of] their gaming offer. When the quality of the supply improves, the volume of players increases, which will result in a higher gross income.”

However, he argued that the hold percentage for online casino games should be the same as that for games offered in land-based casinos.

In 2017, the net revenue from Puerto Rico’s slot machines was around $263m (£200m). Of this amount, casinos received $126.8m (£96.5), while the territory received $136.2m (£103.7m).

It is estimated that the additional revenue generated by regulating iGaming could create a huge boost for the territory’s economy.

What now for US territories?

What’s for sure is that other territories will certainly be watching with interest how this plays out for Puerto Rico.

In particular, the US Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas both have casinos and would possibly like to take internet wagers from the rest of the world.

Source: vegasslotsonline.com

Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network

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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ECA and AGEM applaud creation of Association Assembly at ICE Barcelona

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The news that January’s ICE Barcelona will include a major new feature dedicated to global gaming’s most influential trade associations has been welcomed by organisations in Europe and abroad.

Making full use of the additional space at the Gran Via Fira de Barcelona, the first ICE Association Assembly has been created to enable trade bodies to promote their values and create new opportunities for the gaming community across every sector and geography, including both the Brussels-based European Casino Association (ECA) and the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), the global trade association for gaming equipment suppliers with its primary headquarters in Las Vegas.

Erwin Van Lambaart, Chair of the ECA confirmed: “Our members are already planning their week in Barcelona and they will be at this historic edition of ICE in great numbers. ICE is a pivotal event for the global gaming community and having a show floor feature which will enable us to engage directly with all sectors is a unique opportunity.

“Traditionally, our association’s involvement at ICE and its Conference program has primarily centred around networking and product development orientation—connecting with our members, regulators, suppliers, and fellow trade bodies. However, ICE 2025 marks a significant milestone. For the first time, the ECA will have the chance to fully interface with the global industry supply chain in its entirety. We are looking forward to this unique opportunity to articulate our vision for the future to a diverse and comprehensive audience, where innovation, responsibility and significant partnerships for guest and customer centricity will have centre stage.”

Daron Dorsey, CEO of AGEM added: “We represent the interests of our gaming suppliers whose well-known brands are global in reach, so to be given the opportunity to explain our agenda and engage with what is a truly international audience of association colleagues on the ICE show floor is invaluable.”

January’s editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate will occupy 120,000sqm of space compared to the 100,00sqm at ICE 2024. In a major endorsement of the opportunities offered by the relocation to Barcelona 72% of the 25 biggest exhibitors will have an increased stand presence at ICE 2025.

The post ECA and AGEM applaud creation of Association Assembly at ICE Barcelona appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Blask Wins Prestigious “Startup of the Year” at 2024 Starlet Awards

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Blask, the pioneering AI-powered analytics ecosystem for iGaming, has been named “Startup of the Year” at the prestigious 2024 Starlet Awards. The company earned this recognition for developing a groundbreaking market intelligence platform that has redefined how gaming operators leverage data and market insights.

Award Recognition

The award confirms Blask’s revolutionary approach to market analytics and its significant impact on how iGaming companies access and utilise market intelligence. Powered by AI models including Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing, Blask analyses billions of data points across 2000+ active brands to provide unprecedented market insights.

The Starlet Awards recognition follows Blask’s recent SiGMA Asia Startup Pitch 2024 Award victory. “Winning these awards affirms our belief that innovation and bold ideas can reshape the iGaming landscape. The recognition underscores the impact of our cutting-edge AI technology and our relentless pursuit to transform data into actionable insights”, reflects Max Tesla, CEO and Co-founder of Blask

Blask provides operators with a strategic edge across multiple critical areas. Its real-time market analysis capabilities deliver instant access to crucial market metrics, while the high-granularity data available at one-hour intervals enables swift, informed decision-making. The sophisticated AI modelling system estimates GGR and FTD by analysing a comprehensive range of inputs, including historical data, third-party OSINT data, market performance, competitor metrics, historical brand performance, market reports, and public company disclosures.

Beyond analytics, Blask offers robust brand monitoring and competitor analysis tools, alongside strategic and tactical planning capabilities particularly valuable for market entry decisions and maximising performance during major events. The recently introduced customer profile feature harnesses AI to generate detailed, country-specific user profiles, adding another layer of strategic insight for operators.

The post Blask Wins Prestigious “Startup of the Year” at 2024 Starlet Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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CONCEPT: VERSATILITY AND EFFICIENCY IN SPACES

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The CONCEPT cabinet line has been designed to maximize space in casinos, adapting to any configuration. Its efficient design allows for different bank arrangements, making the most of the available area. This gives operators greater flexibility in organizing their gaming floor.

Additionally, the integrated LED strips in CONCEPT eliminate the need for extra signs or wedges, creating a sleek and attractive visual at all times.

The post CONCEPT: VERSATILITY AND EFFICIENCY IN SPACES appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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