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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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Play’n GO games now live with Ivy Casino in the UK
Swedish gaming giant’s industry signals commitment to the UK regulated market by launching it leading portfolio of games with Ivy Casino
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced that its industry leading portfolio of games is now live with Ivy Casino in the UK.
Ivy Casino’s players in the United Kingdom can now access global smash hits from Play’n GO, including Book of Dead, Legacy of Dead, and Rise of Olympus 100 among many others.
Ivy Casino is a UK-facing online casino brand that launched in 2024 with a focus on delivering a premium, player-centric experience tailored specifically for the UK market.
The brand operates alongside two sister sites, Rose Casino and O’Reels, which also serve UK audiences and share the same commitment to high-quality entertainment, strong user experience and robust responsible gaming standards.
Play’n GO has been one of the leading game suppliers in the UK for many years and is steadfast in its commitment to regulated markets globally.
Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer of Play’n GO, said:
“We are delighted to launch with Ivy Casino in the UK who, like us, are focused on all the key elements of operating within a regulated market framework. I’m sure this is just the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.”
Mark Good, representing Ivy Casino, said:
“This partnership with Play’n GO forms part of Ivy Casino’s ongoing strategy to enhance its content offering for UK players by collaborating with leading studios known for creative, engaging gameplay.”
Play’n GO is a proud sponsor of the Moneygram Haas Formula 1 team, and recently launched a fashion brand, Play’n GO Shop, to sit alongside its existing Play’n GO Music brand to give fans more ways to connect with Play’n GO.
In October, Play’n GO set a world record by launching everyone’s favourite slot character, Garga, into space reaching a height of over 35,500m as part of the launch campaign for Reactoonz 100 which instantly became one of the biggest game launches of the year for the company.
The post Play’n GO games now live with Ivy Casino in the UK appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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Esportes da Sorte strengthens brand presence during New Year’s Eve celebrations across four Brazilian capitals
Esportes da Sorte, one of Brazil’s leading online betting platforms, will be the official sponsor of New Year’s Eve celebrations in four Brazilian capitals: Salvador, Recife, Natal and Maceió. The initiative reinforces the brand’s growing presence in the national cultural calendar and its strategy to connect with large-scale public celebrations beyond the digital environment.
New Year’s Eve is one of Brazil’s most significant annual moments, marked by intense domestic travel, international tourism and mass public participation. By supporting celebrations in four key destinations, Esportes da Sorte aligns its brand with tradition, culture and shared experiences that resonate deeply with local communities.
“Sponsoring New Year’s Eve celebrations in four capitals reflects our commitment to being present in moments that bring people together,” said Marcela Campos, Vice President of the Esportes Gaming Brasil Group, owner of the Esportes da Sorte brand. “Supporting these cities means valuing their cultural identity, strengthening local ecosystems and celebrating the people who keep these traditions alive year after year.”
Across all four capitals, the brand will activate its presence through immersive experiences, public-facing activations and the distribution of branded giveaways — a hallmark of Esportes da Sorte’s engagement strategy at major events. The activations are designed to enhance the festive atmosphere while reinforcing the brand’s connection with culture, entertainment and responsible enjoyment.
The New Year’s Eve sponsorships build on Esportes da Sorte’s broader cultural engagement strategy, which includes long-standing support for large-scale events such as Carnatal, in Rio Grande do Norte — a key fixture in the state’s tourism and cultural calendar. Together, these initiatives reflect the company’s commitment to expanding its footprint in cultural sponsorships nationwide.
Esportes da Sorte’s participation also mirrors a wider trend within Brazil’s regulated betting market, as operators increasingly diversify their sponsorship portfolios beyond football. Music, festivals and cultural celebrations have become strategic platforms for brands seeking broader visibility, deeper community ties and more sustainable engagement with the public.
The post Esportes da Sorte strengthens brand presence during New Year’s Eve celebrations across four Brazilian capitals appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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Holi Primed For Emerging Markets Via New QTech Games Partnership
Emerging-markets leader expands its live-games offering with new games from rising star supplier
QTech Games, the leading game aggregator for all emerging markets, has announced its latest partnership with live-games provider Holi, allowing its platform clients access to another positively delineated portfolio.
Integrating content from one of the more colourful and creative digital slots providers adds yet more variety to QTech Games’ premier platform, which is taking the widest range of online games to emerging territories with established names sitting alongside the industry’s most exciting up-and-coming providers.
Holi is the absolute embodiment in the latter rising-star category, reimagining the live-gaming experience through the power of aesthetics in content which delivers a unique and simplified gambling experience, underscored by reliability. Colourful-yet-familiar “light” table games, such as roulette and baccarat, are now overcoming local obstacles to engagement in emerging markets, like handset quality limitations, restricted access to fast networks, and high data costs.
Philip Doftvik, QTech Games’ CEO, said: “We will continue to add fresh content to the platform, prioritising suppliers who provide unique, localised content – and Holi’s light, colourful live games fit the bill perfectly. Their content brings a new level of energy and engagement that we’re thrilled to share across our growing network.”
Inga Vakulcika, Chief Product Officer at Holi, added: “Holi is artfully fusing craft and technology to create more aesthetically pleasing live games that turn local players’ heads – that means captivating, colourful graphics for a top-notch gaming experience. We look forward to seeing how our unique games perform when placed in front of new audiences via QTech’s emerging-market operators.”
The post Holi Primed For Emerging Markets Via New QTech Games Partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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