News and Analysis
American Gaming Association Super Bowl LVIII Predictions
This Sunday's Super Bowl is being held in Las Vegas for the first time and sees the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers go head-to-head.
Based on survey data collected from 2,204 adults, the AGA predicts the game will generate a total betting handle of $23.10bn. That's $16.0bn more than the preceding year, with 67.8m people expected to bet - a 35% increase on 2023.
The AGA expects that:
- 42.7 million American adults plan to place a traditional sports wager online, at a retail sportsbook, or with a bookie, up 41 % from 2023.
- 36.5 million plan to bet casually with friends or as part of a pool or squares contest, up 32% from 2023.
- Americans continue to migrate to the legal market: 28.7 million adults, or 11%, intend to place online wagers using a legal U.S. sportsbook.
- Bettors are nearly split on the game's outcome, with 47% planning to bet on the Kansas City Chiefs and 44% planning to bet on the San Francisco 49ers.
Additionally, the AGA reported gains for responsible gambling, with 75% of bettors reporting seeing a responsible gambling message in the last year, up 71% from 2023.
If you, like most of us, plan to bet on this year's big game, remember to bet responsibly!
NCLGS and UKGC Partner to Improve US Gaming Legislation
At the end of 2023, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) announced that as part of its global strategy to cut offshore gaming, reduce the black market, and increase player protections globally, it was opening the doors and extending the hand of friendship to any other regulators that wanted to learn from it.
One of the first to accept this offer is the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NGLGS). The UKGC will be a special advisor to the NCLGS as it develops model iGaming legislation for the US via a committee.
The Committee has been created to encourage states considering iGaming legislation to learn more about best practices from those that have already taken the leap. Only six US states allow iGaming, with Rhode Island set to join in March, but other states are expected to legalize online casino gaming over time.
Shawn Fluharty, NGLGS President, commented: "It is an honor to announce the UK Gambling Commission's involvement in this project. It is also a reflection of the magnitude of this opportunity and the seriousness that comes with it.
"NCLGS will now have the unique opportunity to leverage the wisdom and expertise of one of the most respected regulatory bodies worldwide in an effort to produce model legislation to strengthen the US market, shrink the black market, and protect consumers."
Tim Miller, Executive Director of the UKGC, added: "Gambling is an increasingly global industry with many of the same risks, opportunities and challenges seen on both sides of the Atlantic.
"It's therefore essential that jurisdictions, which will often regulate the same companies, work together to share knowledge and best practices to deliver fair, safe, and crime-free gambling markets. I am pleased that this important project with NCLGS will allow us to further strengthen our collaborative efforts to deliver on those aims."
We're particularly pleased to hear that US regulators are making the most of the opportunity proffered by the UKGC. Comparably with the US, the UK is a mature gambling market that's already learned many lessons of having a liberalized gambling market the hard way.
As well as regulating many areas that US states don't (such as bonus terms, operator transparency, and rules for sports advertising and sponsorship, to name but a few), the UKGC is also amidst a regulatory review aimed at reducing problem gambling rates. Meanwhile, with more liberal sports betting regulations sweeping the US as more new states legalize the activity, the US is witnessing considerable increases in problem gambling rates, meaning there's never been a better time to reflect and improve.
Jackpocket - NJ's Newest Online Casino Opens
New Jersey has a brand new online casino that opened its virtual doors this week! Jackpocket Casino launched in partnership with Caesars Interactive Gaming New Jersey, LLC, and has made history as the first US lottery platform to enter the online casino space.
The casino offers hundreds of slots, jackpots, Slingo, tables, and live dealers from leading software options. NJ players can effortlessly switch between the lottery and gaming apps. The operator also offers new players a $500 match bonus and a $10 lottery credit.
Jackpocket became the USA's first lottery courier service to launch in 2019 when New Jersey legalized the activity. Like many lotteries, it's not run for profit, and ticket sale proceeds go toward the state's pension fund for public service employees. Since the lottery began, it's raised over $69m for the fund and awarded over $82m in winnings to over 300,000 residents!
We can't wait to see what this trailblazing operator adds to the New Jersey gambling market once the platform has settled in.
Nevada Revenue Tops $15.5bn in 2023, Putting Macau Ahead at $22.8bn
Total gambling revenue figures for Nevada 2023 are in and have hit new record highs of $15.52bn. This put the state 4.6% ahead of revenue figures for 2022 but behind Macau's monumental $22.8bn figures for 2023. These two global gambling locations are often compared, both vying for the top spot of best gambling destination, but going by figures alone, Macau is standing clear as the winner.
Game of the Week: Blazing Bison Gold Blitz, DGC, RTP: 96% (Ranges)
Enough with the headlines; let's talk games. This week's top title that players cannot put down is Blazing Bison Gold Blitz by DGC. This game is a reskin of Gold Blitz Slot but with a new and wilder theme to reel players in.
It's set on 6x4 reels with 4096 ways to win. In addition to the main symbols, there are Wilds, which can land on reels 2-6 (or 2-4 in Free Spins), Lightning Bolt Collect Symbols, and Bonus Scatter Symbols.
Cash Collect
When a Lightning Bolt Collect Symbol lands, it collects the regular cash symbols and the minor (25x), major (250x), or mega (2,500x your bet) jackpots if any of these symbols are on the reels.
Bonus Rounds
You'll need to land 3+ bonus symbols to make it to the bonus round. Before the game starts, you'll get to pick which bonus you want: Gold Blitz Spins or Free Spins:
- 3 Scatter = 8 FS or 2 GBS
- 4 Scatter = 12 FS or 3 GBS
- 5 Scatter = 20 FS or 5 GBS
- 6 Scatter = 30 FS or 7 GBS
The difference between the two rounds is that regular Free Spins come with Multiplier Wilds of 2-5x. In Gold Blitz Spins, you can only land cash symbols or blanks, and you're guaranteed 1 Collect Symbol per spin.
Ready to play? Then, it's time to load up the reels and start spinning from $0.20 up to $50 a spin at these DGC Casinos in the USA.
