This week, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) issued a hefty $100,000 fine to Live! Philadelphia for accepting sports wagers via phone, a violation of state regulations. The PGCB meeting revealed that over $287,000 in wagers had been placed through phone calls, with three bets taken via text message, all of which were lost, and the bettor did not deposit the funds.
In response, representatives from Live! Philadelphia stated that they have terminated the employees responsible for the 15 illegal phone or text message bets and have placed these individuals on an involuntary exclusion list. The casino has also enforced a new policy banning sportsbook employees from using personal phones during work hours and has lowered its surveillance notification threshold to $10,000 to tighten compliance.
Meanwhile, Caesars Entertainment is advancing its bid for a land-based casino license in Times Square, New York City, with a series of community-minded initiatives. According to an AMNY report, if granted the license, Caesars plans to invest $250 million into the neighborhood, focusing on tree plantation, improved sanitation coverage, and a composting initiative. Collaborating with SL Green and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, Caesars polled local residents to understand their improvement priorities and has partnered with the nonprofit Doe Fund, which aims to combat homelessness and provide job opportunities.
In Iowa, the expiration of a two-year moratorium on gaming licenses next month has prompted Peninsula Pacific Entertainment and the Linn County Gaming Association to prepare an application for a new license. The duo aims to establish a casino in Cedar Rapids, with the Iowa Racing Commission set to outline the application process on July 8. Iowa currently hosts 19 state-licensed casinos.
The Arkansas Racing Commission recently granted a license to Cherokee Nation Entertainment for a casino project in Pope County. Initially awarded to Gulfside Casino Partnership, the license was later revoked by the state supreme court due to documentation issues. Cherokee Nation Entertainment’s proposed casino includes a 50,000-square-foot facility boasting 1,200 slot machines, 32 table games, a dedicated poker room, a sportsbook, and amenities like a hotel tower, spa, event space, and dining options. However, no opening timeline has been announced.
In Minnesota, recent appointments to the state’s racing commission by Governor Tim Walz have stirred controversy. The appointments of two tribal leaders, Melanie Benjamin of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Johnny Johnson, former president of the Prairie Island Indian Community, have met resistance from track owners due to ongoing disputes over legal sports betting. Running Aces CEO Taro Ito criticized the decision as detrimental to the horse racing industry, while Canterbury Park CEO Randy Sampson argued that having direct competitors as regulators is inappropriate.
In Maine, nine casino inspectors have lodged complaints against Milt Champion, the chief of the Gambling Control Unit.
. Champion, who previously faced suspension without pay for inappropriate tweets in 2023, is under scrutiny for modifying work schedules to avoid inspections on Sundays and Mondays. Inspectors claim this change, besides being questionable, prevents them from earning overtime pay. State Senator Joe Baldacci has expressed concern over delays in launching digital sports betting and called Champion’s ethics into question.
An extraordinary lawsuit has emerged in the sports betting sector this week. “John Doe” has accused DraftKings of colluding with famed bettor Gadoon “Spanky” Kyrollos and claims he was physically threatened to extort $500,000. Following the lawsuit’s publicity, Spanky revealed the identity of John Doe and attempted to refute his claims. This ongoing saga has raised eyebrows across the industry.
Michigan lawmakers have approved the fiscal year 2025 budget, allocating funds to increase staffing at the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). This move will add 14 positions aimed at boosting regulatory capacity and curbing illegal activities. Additionally, $3 million has been earmarked for the Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund.
In other developments, Bally’s has joined the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA), aligning itself with major players like Bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, and others to support responsible gaming initiatives, research, and education.
The Chicago Blackhawks have announced Circa Sportsbook patches will feature on the team’s home jerseys starting next season, marking the team’s first commercial jersey partnership. Circa Sportsbook entered Illinois’ sports betting market in September 2023, in collaboration with New American Place Casino.
A new Florida law now safeguards the personal information of state gaming control commission members, protecting them from potential harm due to investigations they conduct.
Great Canadian Entertainment is selling Casino Nanaimo to Petroglyph Development Group Ltd., the commercial entity of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Additionally, NeoGames has entered into a seven-year agreement as the exclusive iLottery provider for the New Hampshire Lottery, effective July 1, 2025.
In related news, the New York State Facility Location Board has extended the deadline for downstate casino bids to June 2025, and various market movements and legislative actions continue to shape the future of gaming across the United States.
