News and Analysis
The Race is On: PlayOJO Agrees NJ Market Access
Last week we brought you the news that LeoVegas had brokered a deal that would see its proprietary Rhino platform launch in the USA (post regulatory approval). Now, this week it’s PlayOJO’s turn as the parent company, SkillOnNet, has hashed out a market access deal with Caesars Entertainment that will see the PlayOJO Casino (PlayOJO is a brand that prioritizes safe and responsible gaming while offering a vast and varied gaming portfolio, operating under the logo “The Fairer Casino”) brand launch in New Jersey (post approval from the NJ DGE). This is excellent news for players as New Jersey is getting more competitive in terms of the games and software available, with more of Europe's biggest gaming brands moving to the US.
New York Tightens Up Against Offshore Casinos
Since Governor Andrew Cuomo released the financial budget for 2022 last month (which included legal tax revenue plans for iGaming in the state and tighter regulation making it illegal for offshore casinos to accept NY players, rather than a “grey area”), offshore operators have begun leaving the NY market, the most notable of which include Bovada.
According to the new rules for NY residents, players who have funds in non-US-Licensed casinos and live in NY have until June 21st to use any remaining balances, bonuses, or tournament tickets - that’s less than a month, ladies and gents, so make your move - withdraw, use it or lose it.
New Tribal Gaming Compacts Progress in Connecticut and Florida
Tribal Gaming has recently gained renewed attention, with ICE365 creating a Tribal Gaming Series and GGR revealing that it accounts for almost 50% of all gambling revenue across the USA. Until now, it’s been challenging for many of the 572 Federally recognized US tribes to launch online gaming services due to the Indian Regulatory Act, which first requires a gaming compact to be made with state legislations before “Class III” gambling can take place, online gambling falls into this class.
Any of you who are familiar with the idea of Tribal sovereignty might be a bit confused here, and rightly so, as on reservation land, US tribes have the right to self-determination, their laws, and own governance. Nether-the-less, when it comes down to gambling, this isn’t the case as in the late 80s, Congress superseded the Supreme Court (California VS Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, 1987) and created the Indian Regulatory Act. Enough with the history lesson. Suffice to say, it’s great news to hear that this week both Connecticut and Florida have announced new Tribal Gaming Compacts, which will allow for online tribal gaming. Let’s take a look at what’s taken place.
Connecticut
In Connecticut, HB 6451 will legalize online sports, and iGaming has passed the House of Representatives and the Senate. It now awaits being signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont. The Bill allows for the state’s Mashantucket and Mohegan tribes to operate one online iGaming and one sportsbook skin each and allows one non-tribal operator one skin as well as 15 retail establishments. Once signed into law, the new rules will come into effect from Jan 1, 2022.
Florida
In Florida, Senate Bill 2-A, which will allow online sports betting, fantasy sports, and Class III games (slots and tables) provided exclusively by the Florida Seminole Tribe, has been signed by Governor Ron DeSantis and moves to the United States Secretary of the Interior where it has 45 days to be approved.
DraftKings Funds Responsible Gambling Research
Proving their worth as a responsible operator, DraftKings has this week announced that it is contributing to the International Center for Responsible Gaming’s fund for research. The research aims to provide a greater understanding of problem gambling in sports bettors, the development of the issue in the US, and best practice to tackle problems faced by problem gamblers.
Software News
Gaming Realms Secures PGCB License
Gaming Realms (most well known for its brand Slingo) has secured Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Licensing; the games software studio is already active in Michigan and New Jersey, with plans to expand further into US markets.
Wazdan Gets Waiver to Launch Games in NJ
Wazdan, a popular slots provider already operating in European and Latin American markets, has secured a waiver from the NJDGE to launch its games content in the state. Look out for player-loved titles like Valhalla, Wild Guns, and Magic Stars coming to online casinos in NJ soon!
Red Tiger Gaming Available in PA
Red Tiger Gaming content is now available for the first time in Pennsylvania at MGM brand online casinos (Borgata and BetMGM); must-play games include Dragon Pearl and Jack in a Pot.
Game of the Week
Speaking of software and games, it’s about time we told you our hot slot of the week.
Blue Fortune Slot: Quickspin. RTP 96.57%.
Grab your scuba gear and get ready to drop to the depths of the ocean in this brand new and fascinating slot from Quickspin. Filled with a giant octopus, pirate sea creature symbols (join Salty, Roger, Scarlet, and Pegleg), this 5x3, 9 line slot offers high volatility re-spins and free spins that’ll see you discover sunken treasure at the bottom of the sea.
Place your bets from $0.10-100 and spin the cheeky and fun reels, then line up symbols (3-5) for cash payouts, and when you do, the matching symbols will stick while others disappear in a puff of squid ink, causing on-going re-spins that won’t stop until you lose! Looking for even bigger wins, then collect sunken scatters and hit the bonus round for 10 free spins with higher paying symbols on the reels!
