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Sports Betting Kicks Off in Several States as Football Season Gets Underway
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UNLV gaming law expert weighs in on the current landscape of legal sports wagering and what the future holds.
September’s arrival coincides with the beginning of a major pastime in the lives of Americans: football.
‘Tis the season for fans to not only cheer for and cry over their favorite teams, but to make wagers on them, too.
The opportunity to bet on football teams has expanded dramatically in the past year, with more and more states legalizing and launching sports wagering markets. It’s the result of a U.S. Supreme Court decision in May 2018 to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), also known as the Bradley Act.
Since then, several states have joined Nevada — the only state that previously operated full-scale, legal sports betting — in allowing their residents to bet on sporting events. But there’s even more to come.
Jennifer Roberts, associate director of the International Center for Gaming Regulation at UNLV, gives a snapshot of where Americans can legally place wagers, and what the future holds for an industry that’s nascent in much of the country.
What does the current sports betting landscape look like?
There are 12 states with active, legally regulated sports betting, and several other states, along with Washington D.C., that have made sports betting legal, but haven’t yet launched their programs.
I estimate that within five to 10 years of PASPA being struck down, sports betting will be legalized in at least 30 states. I wouldn’t be surprised to see nearly every state — perhaps with the exception of Utah — eventually adopt some version of sports wagering.
Massachusetts and Michigan are currently talking about it, and Louisiana nearly passed legislation this year. There are several states that I expect to propose legislation in upcoming legislative cycles. Prior to the Supreme Court decision, Nevada was the only state that had full-scale, legal sports betting.
What’s the reason that a state might want to jump in? What should states take into consideration before making sports betting a legal enterprise?
I think generating revenues is a piece of it. Employment is another aspect, and of course, fighting the illegal market. It’s better to have it open and transparent than maintain it in an illegal market.
Before states consider taking the plunge, they need to understand how sports betting works. That’s the key. Many states approach this new enterprise thinking that it’s going to solve budget woes, but that’s likely not the case.
In Rhode Island, for example, lawmakers there projected sports betting revenues of $11.5 million, but only about $150,000 came in over the first several months. In Nevada, sports wagering makes up 2.5 percent of gaming revenues — a very small portion. That’s because, while we might have a large amount of money being wagered, operators also have to pay out winning wagers. Sports betting is all about managing risk — you don’t want to take wagers on things where you’re going to lose a lot of money. The New England Patriots’ Super Bowl victory, for example, cost Rhode Island nearly $1.2 million in payouts. In Nevada, sports books lose $10 million on Sunday NFL games, but they win quite a bit of money on college basketball. States, overall, need to have a realistic understanding and approach to sports betting.
It’s also important for states to keep in mind that fighting the illegal market is not easy. It’s always going to be a battle over convenience, pricing, and access to credit. But the advantages of a legal market outweigh those of an illegal market. In a legal market, patron funds are safe and secure, and there are greater consumer protections. In a regulated system, sports wagering is more likely to be done honestly and fairly, and you can also provide problem gambling messaging.
If I want to open a sports book within a state that allows legal sports betting, what should I know?
Sports betting looks a little bit different in each state. Some states, for example, do not allow wagering on college games within their boundaries. Some states are going to focus on mobile platforms, and other states are not going to allow mobile betting at all. Some states operate sports betting through a lottery system, and others operate it through a casino. So, it’s really varied across the U.S.
Working within the boundaries that each state sets up can be especially challenging if you’re an operator with locations in multiple jurisdictions. In that case, you’re going to have to operate differently in each state, and pay attention to how the tax rates differ.
It’s also important for operators to communicate and share information between states. In Nevada, our legal sports books have an interest in protecting against betting corruption, and will notify our regulators if they see anything suspicious. It’s important to avoid silos so that the integrity of the market is protected everywhere.
How will the sports betting market change and grow over the next few years?
There is likely going to be a push to include more and more non-traditional sporting events in the legal betting market. One major example of this is minor league baseball. Earlier this year, Nevada sports books began taking wagers on the Las Vegas Aviators after the Nevada Gaming Commission repealed a rule that prohibited betting on professional baseball games. Sports betting is also expanding to tennis, golf, international hockey, WNBA, Australian rugby, cricket, cycling, and even college lacrosse.
Betting on non-sporting, international and esports events is also growing in the U.S. New Jersey, for example, offered wagering on the Academy Awards for the first time this year, and Nevada allows people to make wagers on the World Series of Poker and has approved wagering on Golden Tee tournaments. New Jersey was also approached about doing the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, but they declined to do it.
In the future, it’s also possible that the location of sports books will expand. Washington D.C. will likely allow sports betting in sports arenas and the NBA recently announced a virtual sports betting platform. It will be very interesting to see how this all plays out, especially as global markets are seeing more restrictions and compliance penalties.
About the Expert:
Jennifer Roberts is an expert in sports betting, gaming regulation and law, gaming compliance, and casino operations. She serves as the associate director of UNLV’s International Center for Gaming Regulation, which conducts cutting-edge research and regulatory evaluation in order to promote international best practices in gaming regulation. Roberts also teaches courses in gaming law at the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Sports Betting Kicks Off in Several States as Football Season Gets Underway

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EveryMatrix signals LatAm expansion plans with CIBELAE membership
EveryMatrix has joined CIBELAE, the official branch of the World Lottery Association for 80 Hispanic American speaking countries, including Latin and Central America, Spain and Portugal, signalling its plans to expand its global reach across multiple regulated markets.
The application to join the Corporación Iberoamericana de Loterías y Apuestas de Estado as an Associate Member was approved at CIBELAE board level and is due to be formally ratified during the organisation’s Annual Ordinary Assembly later this year.
Membership positions the tier-1 technology provider alongside the most reputable lottery and iGaming institutions in 80 countries across six continents including Latin America, gaining valuable networking opportunities across events, working groups and industry discussions with major local operators.
It will also provide EveryMatrix with increased regional influence enabling its local and international commercial and product experts to contribute to shaping conversations around regulation, technology, and innovation within the lottery, betting and iGaming sectors.
EveryMatrix has a long history of working closely with tier-1 customers in LatAm and Spanish and Portuguese speaking markets with products including its SlotMatrix aggregation and exclusive content licensed and/or certified in Brazil, Columbia, Peru, Portugal, Spain, and many more territories.
Ebbe Groes, Group CEO & Co-Founder EveryMatrix, said: “This is a great step forward in both solidifying and expanding our presence in Latin America, Spain, Portugal and many other key territories as a trusted technology partner for lotteries.
“We look forward to leveraging this membership to create new, long-lasting relationships and opportunities and contributing to the growth and sustainable success of many important regulated markets.”
Rodrigo Cigliutti, Executive Director, CIBELAE, said: “The incorporation of EveryMatrix as an Associate Member of CIBELAE brings to our network a world-class B2B technology partner, renowned for delivering scalable, compliant, and innovative solutions that empower national and state-owned lotteries to modernise, expand omnichannel operations, and enhance player protection in regulated markets worldwide.”
The post EveryMatrix signals LatAm expansion plans with CIBELAE membership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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SBC Summit 2025: New Conference Track Explores Asia’s Gaming Market
SBC Summit 2025 will provide delegates with a comprehensive overview of the latest developments shaping Asian sports betting and iGaming, delivered through its new Emerging Markets conference track.
On Thursday, 18 September 2025, at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL), the stage will bring together Asia’s leading industry figures to examine a market valued at over $18.3 billion last year. Sessions will cover how operators can navigate compliance across the continent’s diverse jurisdictions, whether India is moving towards a regulated market, and if the wider Asia-Pacific region represents the next major opportunity for international businesses.
The Asia-focused track will mark the culmination of three days of conference action on the Emerging Markets Stage. Day one will explore opportunities in Africa, and day two will analyse the markets of Eurasia and the Middle East.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and founder of SBC, said: “If you’re building a global gaming business, you can’t afford to ignore Asia. This track makes it clear why the region belongs at the center of every long-term growth strategy.
“Asia needs a platform where regulators, operators, suppliers, and investors can talk openly. SBC is proud to provide that space, and the Emerging Markets stage is the centerpiece of that effort.”
Opening the discussion is the panel Asia: Navigating Regulation, Opportunity and Uncertainty, which will take an in-depth look at the regulatory landscape across the entire region. Here, industry experts Rory Anderson (Consultant, 12BET), Paul Fox (Chairman & Founder, Claymore Solutions), Lau Kok Keng (Head of Intellectual Property, Sports & Gaming, Rajah & Tan Singapore), Yuta Romanchenko (CBDO, Big Idea), and panel moderator Rosalind Wade (CEO, WinnaMedia) will explore contrasting jurisdictions, from the rise of alternative betting in India to Macau’s entrenched land-based sector, while also assessing which countries are most primed for investment and market entry.
India’s Regulatory Roadmap: The Next Decade for Gaming will shine a spotlight on the country’s complex state-by-state framework and the legal divide between games of skill and games of chance, which has created a unique environment: fantasy sports, lottery, and horse racing have flourished, while online gaming and traditional sports betting remain largely restricted. Bringing together Ranjana Adhikari (Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co Advocates & Solicitors), Anton Kaszubowski (Managing Director, SBC Advisory), and Japneet Singh Sethi (Chief Growth Officer – South Asia, iGaming NDA), the panel will explore whether the industry is moving toward meaningful regulation or if the grey market will continue to dominate.
The panel Philippines: Life after POGOs will bring together Dominique Laconico (President & CEO, MegaBet+ & Scorebet), Keith McDonnell (Director, KMI Group), Joe Pisano (CEO, Jade Gaming), and Marie Antonette “Tonet” Quiogue (Principal, Arden Consult) to examine the country’s shift from offshore gaming operators (POGOs) to the newly introduced PIGOs. The discussion will explore whether this transition makes the Philippines Asia’s first truly regulated market, the continuing role of PAGCOR, the fate of overseas populations once served by POGOs and the lessons other Asian jurisdictions can draw from this model.
The SBC Summit 2025 agenda also includes the Global Markets stage, which will provide a focused look at the world’s most profitable sports betting and iGaming markets. Over the course of three days, delegates will gain insights into strategies for market entry and expansion in Latin America & Brazil, Western Europe and North America.
Get your tickets for SBC Summit 2025 today!
The post SBC Summit 2025: New Conference Track Explores Asia’s Gaming Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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AD STANDARDS COUNCIL HONORS PAGCOR CHIEF
The Ad Standards Council (ASC) today recognized Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco for his leadership in promoting responsible advertising in the gaming industry during the council’s Patas na Patalastas Summit in Makati City.
In accepting the Plaque of Appreciation from the ASC, Mr. Tengco said the honor was not only for him but also for the men and women of PAGCOR who remain committed to fairness, truth, and accountability in discharging their responsibilities.
He also commended the ASC for its role in upholding truth, decency, and accountability in Philippine advertising.
“Industries like ours carry an even greater responsibility to protect public trust,” Mr. Tengco said. “Our partnership with ASC ensures that gambling-related advertisements are not only creative and compelling but also ethical, truthful, and mindful of their impact on society.”
The ASC and PAGCOR formalized their collaboration last July 16 through a Memorandum of Understanding requiring all gambling-related ads – whether on TV, radio, online, or outdoors – to undergo ASC review and approval before public release.
PAGCOR itself also ordered the removal of all outdoor gambling billboards as part of its stricter regulatory measures last month.
“These steps are proof that when it comes to protecting the public, we will always choose to do what is right,” the PAGCOR chief added.
The ASC summit brought together regulators, advertisers, and industry stakeholders to reinforce collaborative efforts in ensuring truthful, ethical, and accountable advertising practices in the Philippines.
The post AD STANDARDS COUNCIL HONORS PAGCOR CHIEF appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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