The Weekender: Sweepstakes; iCasino in AR; Resorts World's Troubles
Sweepstakes is the new "it" topic. Arkansas explores a creative way to get online casinos. Resorts World runs into trouble with Nevada regulators.
The Bulletin Board
ABOVE the FOLD: A look at the three biggest stories of the week.
— Sweepstakes have been pushed into the spotlight.
— Arkansas online gambling supporters get creative.
— Resorts World is in hot water with Nevada regulators.
HOUSEKEEPING: A look at recent podcasts, featured articles, and more from yours truly.
Whether you’re looking for market research, raising brand awareness, or developing responsible gaming strategies, Straight to the Point Consulting can provide honest, balanced, no-nonsense analysis.
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Sweepstakes Are on Everyone’s Mind
Sweepstakes were a hot topic in this week’s newsletter coverage, and like DFS 2.0 before it, I don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
Sweepstakes are becoming very difficult to ignore, with affiliates like Catena Media trumpeting the revenue they generate from sweepstakes sites. “We see this [sweepstakes] as the fastest-growing vertical for us, and we expect it to continue growing,” Catena CEO Manuel Stan said.
On the other side, there are opponents, like the American Gaming Association urging states to crack down on sweepstakes operators, and Saracen Casino in Arkansas, which has been using the widespread availability of sweepstakes casinos to argue for the authorization of online casinos.
Then there was the news, first reported by SBC Americas, that Delaware has sent a cease and desist order to VGW, which operates sweepstakes gambling sites like Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Casino, and Global Poker.
And, in my opinion, this is only the beginning.
An Interesting Way to Authorize Online Gambling
Speaking of Saracen Casino, the company is waging a very public campaign to bring online gambling to the state, but in a very creative way.
“Carlton Saffa, CMO at Saracen Casino Resort, told Gambling.com in April, he believes regulators can also authorize online casino games by expanding the language of 006-06-19 Ark. Code R. § 5 to include internet casino games in addition to online poker… Now, Saffa is trying to persuade the state to authorize another form of online gambling, this time in support of NIL.”
If you want to see how contentious this issue is becoming, just give Saffa a follow-on X.
Resorts World Runs Afoul of Nevada Regulators
The complaint filed by Nevada regulators against Resorts World is one of those stories that I feel is not getting the attention it deserves:
“The Nevada Gaming Control Board has filed complaints against Resorts World Las Vegas and Nicole Bowyer, the wife of Matthew Bowyer, the bookmaker at the center of the Shohei Ohtani-Ippei Mizuhara scandal.
“In its complaint, the NGCB has accused Resorts World of violating anti-money laundering protocols by allowing Matthew Bowyer and other illegal bookmakers to place millions of dollars in wagers at the property.
“Per the complaint, Resorts World “allowed a culture that welcomed certain individuals with suspected or actual ties to illegal bookmaking, histories of federal felony convictions related to illegal gambling businesses, and ties to organized crime.””
My full write-up is here, and I recommend Dana Gentry’s excellent column in the Nevada Current for a deeper dive into the specifics.
Housekeeping
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PODCASTS:
This week’s guest on the Talking Shop Podcast is Shawn Fluharty, a West Virginia lawmaker and President of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS).
Shawn and I covered online gambling legalization and its hurdles, his journey into the gambling sphere, and how we spend our time in Las Vegas.
COLUMNS:
In this week’s featured column, I offer some thoughts on the difference between a tactical error and a blunder, using the DraftKings surcharge as a backdrop. Changes are necessary and they don’t always work, but there is one important question every business should ask itself before pulling the trigger.