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Strengthens Seminole Tribe Sports Bet Monopoly in Florida
In a significant legal victory for the Seminole Tribe and Hard Rock Bet, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear West Flagler's petition regarding online sports betting in Florida. The decision marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battle over sports betting in the state.
The decision was announced Monday after justices held a meeting last week to deliberate on the matter. According to the Sports Betting Dime, Justice Brett Kavanaugh objected, suggesting that he would have granted the petition, not unanimous consent. The ruling is expected to end West Flagler's efforts to open Florida's online sports betting market to competitors beyond the seminol tribe.
At the heart of the case is a 30-year gaming agreement between the Seminole Tribe and the state of Florida that includes exclusive rights to face-to-face and online sports betting and provisions that provide crab and roulette at tribal casinos. The Seminole Tribe promises an annual payment of at least $500 million in exchange for these exclusive rights.
Seminole's dominance of the game
With the Supreme Court's decision, the Seminole Tribe is poised to dominate Florida's gaming sector for decades. The compact, set to last until 2051, potentially paves the way for the tribe to expand into iGaming by following the same regulatory procedures as online sports betting.
The Seminole Tribe welcomed the court's decision. Gary Bitner, a spokesman for the tribe, said, "The Seminole Tribe in Florida, along with the state of Florida, applauds today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to consider a case involving the tribe's Gaming Compact. This means that members of the Seminole Tribe and all Floridians can rely on a bright future made possible by the compact."
The result has forced other sports betting operators to close in one of the country's largest sports betting markets. The seminol shortage has previously hinted at a possible revenue-sharing deal with other operators, but no specific plans have been disclosed.
Implications for Tribal Games Nationwide
The Supreme Court's refusal to hear the case could affect other states with significant shortages of gaming businesses to consider similar online sports betting contracts under the Indian Gaming Regulation Act (IGRA) convention. States like California, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin could explore this approach to maintain exclusive control over online sports betting. Such a move would require states to modify existing gaming contracts.
For example, California tribes that have spent millions on failed 2022 ballot initiatives to legalize online sports betting could seek to negotiate new contracts to introduce this form of gaming in the state.
a long legal battle
The legal dispute between West Flagler and the Department of the Interior (DOI) dates back to approving a gaming contract between the Seminole Tribe and Florida in 2021. West Flagler filed the certificate with the Supreme Court in December, challenging the contract to allow online sports betting on tribal lands.
This follows a decision by the Florida Supreme Court to dismiss West Flagler's request for review of the case. The Florida court argued that the request for relief was beyond the consideration we could provide.
West Flagler's case focused on allegations that the compact violated the principle of equal protection by granting gaming activities outside tribal lands and granting exclusivity to the Seminole tribe, contrary to provisions of the Illegal Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). The DOI defended Minister Deb Haaland's approval while maintaining that the compact was consistent with IGRA regulations.
DOI lawyers argued that the D.C. Circuit Court's interpretation that it was the only agreement that authorized online sports betting on tribal lands was correct and consistent with the IGRA. They argued that the tribal-state agreement under the IGRA could include provisions for tribal-state gaming activities if negotiations were made between tribes and countries.
As the legal dust settles, the Seminole Tribe is cementing its dominance in the Florida gaming market, setting a precedent that could affect tribal games across the United States.
Illinois sportsbook poised to overtake New Jersey in national rankings by earning $92 million
Illinois Sportsbook raised nearly $92 million in total sports betting revenue adjusted in April 2024, according to data released on Thursday by the Illinois Gaming Commission. This month, the state's betting processing exceeded $1 billion for the eighth consecutive time.
The operator's revenue in April this year was $1.1 billion, up 2.7% from April 2023, despite a significant 22.8% increase in the handle. Last year's holding was just under 10% compared to the 8.3% return this year. The handle was down 12.7% from $1.26 billion in March, while revenue was down 7.5%.
Illinois is the fourth state to top $35 billion in handling since the start of the post-PASPA era, after New Jersey, New York and Nevada, according to SportsHandle. April was the 13th state to top $1 billion in monthly pay in Prairie, the third after New York (26) and New Jersey (19).
With only Kentucky and Arizona yet to release April numbers, Illinois is poised to overtake New Jersey for the first time this year to become No. 2 in the country.
Tax rate change to be planned
In the month of April, Illinois' tax collection totaled $13.8 million, or $61.5 million compared to the previous year, $8.9 million ahead of last year's pace. However, there will be changes in tax policy this year. The current 15 percent rate will only apply until June. Starting July 1, Illinois will implement a progressive tax system that starts at 20 percent and caps businesses that generate more than $200 million in annual revenue at 40 percent.
Using 2024 mobile operator revenue data to illustrate the effectiveness of progressive tax rates, FanDuel and DraftKings account for more than 90% of the state's nearly $49 million additional tax revenue.
Both operators quickly entered the 35% tax rate range, mainly due to Farrellay income. FanDuel's Farrellay income alone rose to $133.1 million, rising to the 35% range, while DraftKings was in the 30% range at $86.0 million.
Given Illinois bettors' strong preference for Farrellay, which reached $374.4 million in April, both VanDuel and DraftKings are likely to trigger up to 40% tax rates relatively soon.
The increase could come sooner than expected, especially as betting volumes are expected to increase in August with the start of Week 0 of the NFL preseason and college football season.
Another notable feature is that BetRiver is benefiting from amendments that separate revenue from sports betting apps and real places for tax purposes. Rivers Casino, which owns the BetRiver license, has earned $3.5 million from Deathplanes, approaching the 25% tax rate threshold of $30 million.
Based on the revenue figures for the first four months, Rivers would likely reach at least the 30% bracket if both revenue sources were combined, as it remains the top brick-and-mortar sportsbook in the state.
Other entities, such as Hollywood Casino in Aurora (license-holder for ESPN BET) and Par-A-Dice Casino (tied to BetMGM), would similarly likely ascend to higher tax brackets over a fiscal year.
Despite projections indicating an increase of $147 million in tax revenue — falling short of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s initial $200 million target set in February when proposing a tax hike to 35% — FanDuel and DraftKings are expected to generate enough revenue at the highest tiers to approach, if not surpass, the governor’s target. Year-to-date, the total handle has increased by 20.6% compared to 2023, with revenue up by 16.8%, reaching $410.1 million.
FanDuel Still In The Lead
In 2023, Illinois narrowly exceeded $1 billion in adjusted revenue, with its top two operators currently outperforming last year’s figures. DraftKings’ revenue has surged by 43.2% compared to the first four months of last year, while FanDuel’s winnings have seen an 11.1% rise.
FanDuel led the state’s eight sports betting apps in April revenue, recording $43.8 million with an 11.3% hold from $386.9 million in handle. Notably, nearly 80% of this revenue — $34.2 million — came from parlays, achieving an impressive 25.4% hold on $134.8 million in such wagers.
DraftKings topped in handle with $400.3 million, collecting $27.9 million in winnings with close to a 7% hold. Parlays contributed almost two-thirds of this total at $17.7 million, reflecting an 18.1% win rate.
BetRivers secured the third spot in both revenue and handle, achieving a 7.6% hold, with $5.4 million from $71.5 million.
ESPN BET, BetMGM, and Fanatics Sportsbook followed closely, with ESPN BET leading at $3.7 million in revenue with a 7% hold rate. BetMGM posted nearly $3.7 million, edging out ESPN BET in handle with $55.1 million to ESPN BET’s $53.1 million.
Caesars reported $2.2 million with a 4.6% hold on $47.8 million in wagers, while Circa Sports narrowly gained $22,842 on $17.2 million in handle, resulting in a 0.1% hold.
Losses on Boxing, Great Revenue on Basketball and Baseball
Parlays generated $62.2 million in revenue for Illinois sportsbooks in April with an overall 20.3% hold. However, they faced losses in boxing and MMA, paying out nearly $4.9 million over $12.2 million in accepted bets.
Ryan Garcia’s upset of Devin Haney in a super lightweight boxing bout on April 20 resulted in significant losses for both FanDuel and DraftKings, with FanDuel losing $2.6 million and DraftKings nearly $1.9 million.
Basketball, the second-largest revenue source, brought in $13.7 million, though this was offset by a $768,800 loss at Argosy Casino Alton. The hold on basketball wagers was 4.3% against $319 million in handle. 슬롯사이트
Baseball, in its first full month, generated $6.5 million in winnings with a 3.2% hold from $204.5 million in bets. Tennis rounded out the top four sports for revenue, contributing $5.2 million with a 6.9% win rate from $80.3 million in handle.
No other sport reached $2 million in revenue, although hockey and soccer came close, falling short by $24,300 and $61,600 respectively.
Dutch gaming authority opens talks on updated responsible gaming policy rules
The Dutch gaming authority has submitted updated responsible gaming policy rules to various stakeholders for consultation. Above all, the new policy rules add extra content to the duty of care and pay attention to the revised advertising rules.
In September, the KSA released a report on its interpretation of the duty of care and its implementation among 10 providers. The study showed that providers do not always shape the duty of care in the right way, for example, because they do not intervene in time if there is a possibility of excessive play or addiction. At the time of the study's publication, the KSA announced that it would revise responsible game policy rules to clarify, among other things, several standards disclosed in the law so that providers can better fulfill their duty of care. These revised policies are currently being written and presented to various stakeholders, such as addiction experts and providers. Through this consultation, we ask them to respond to the feasibility of policy rules. 프라그마틱 슬롯 사이트
The new policy rules, among other things, stipulate that providers must be able to recognize signs of excessive gambling within an hour. This is in line with the study's observation that players can suffer huge losses in a short period of time because many providers do not monitor "real-time" and sometimes perceive the signal too late. If a player deposits more than 700 euros (300 euros for young adults aged 18 to 24) per month in the calendar, the provider must contact that player to ask for proof of their profits so that the player can deposit more. At that moment, only the money already in the account can be played.
In addition, the new policy rules note a ban on role models and a ban on non-targeted advertising. For example, more substance will be given to advertising targeting vulnerable groups, such as minors and young adults, and to the use of role models for advertising activities.
Talking Stick Resort Launches New Mobile App
Talking Stick Resort and Casino Arizona, a company in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian community today, announced the release of an improved version of their mobile application. The Talking Stick Resort app, developed with the user in mind, will make the game easier and easier for customers to use. It will also offer more ways to win with their fingertips at Casino Arizona and Talking Stick resorts.
Ramon Martinez, head of public relations at Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resorts, said, "At Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resorts, we're always looking for ways to leverage the latest technology to enhance the experience for our guests." "They're looking forward to having access to everything about their phones, and the Talking Stick Resort app, which has been improved through our partnership with Site Line Technology, will do just that. It will revolutionize the way they interact with our properties."
Everi Trilogy, the premier provider of ground and digital casino game content and exciting promotional games and drawing products for casino customers. Promotional games and drawings are available at the casino's kiosk. In the past, you had to check your kiosk to see current promotions, such as drawing to get cash, a car, or a house. Now, with the integration of the Trilogy / Sightline Mobile+ App, promotional games and drawings can go directly from your mobile device to your fingertips.
This new technology allows casino guests to check in or drop their entries on a virtual drawing drum on their mobile device. Guests no longer have to leave their favorite slot machine or leave the game table to put their entries in the drawing barrel, but they can do it right on the app in their place. They can also see how many entries they have in real time. 프라그마틱 슬롯 사이트
As always, TalkingStick Resort and Casino Arizona aims to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. This new app update will do just that. The TalkingStick Resort mobile app is free to use in the app store, and you can download it now to join all the action.
Four 6-digit Card Poker Wins Tropicana Atlantic City
Although this summer is coming to an end, Carl H. from New York still gave a heat boost to four-card poker, winning $656,326.60 as part of the all-in progressive poker mega-jackpot in Atlantic City, Tropicana, on Sept. 2. Carl's winning hand, Royal Flush, created an incredible jackpot victory that exceeded $500,000.
"We are delighted to celebrate this impressive win with Carl, the latest Mega Jackpot winner of Tropicana Atlantic City," said Joe Gunta, senior vice president and general manager of Tropicana Atlantic City. "With the power of Caesars Rewards, our best-in-class slot and table game, and the fact that our customers are now comping five times faster than ever with the highest competition in the market, Caesars Rewards members now have even more ways to play, eat, shop, stay, and win big at our resorts in Hara, Tropicana, and Caesars."
The game is part of the progressive poker jackpot, a multi-link all-in-one table game side bet from Caesars Entertainment, which is located in the table game corners of Caesars, Tropicana, and Harbour resorts in Atlantic City. To win the mega jackpot, visitors must play an ongoing game at Tropicana, Caesars, or Harbour resorts, which include Four Card Poker, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Holdum, Mississippi Stud Poker, and Texas Holdum Poker, which are located in the table game corners of each casino. 슬롯사이트 순위
Caesars Rewards members can earn rewards credits faster than ever in 2023, with slot and table games such as the multi-link game above available to play in the three Atlantic City casinos above. Carl's win followed an incredible summer of wins, experiences, and new amenities in Tropicana Atlantic City, including new nightlife, restaurants, and daytime fireworks on the boardwalk. This season introduced new nightlife destinations, Royce Social Hall and The Royce Social Hall, as well as Il Verdi, which is currently located in an expensive beachfront space. The more members play, the more reward credits Atlantic City has to earn and redeem for the best experiences it has to offer, including all of its newest restaurants and amenities.