(AsiaGameHub) - Maryland legislators are persisting in their campaign to curb the contentious sweepstakes industry by moving forward with legislation that imposes more rigorous constraints. This includes HB 295, which has successfully cleared the House, and HB 1226, which has also seen progress.
HB 295 Secured Strong Approval by House Members
HB 295 recently garnered a decisive 105-24 vote in the Maryland House, enabling it to move to the Senate as the legislative session proceeds. The proposed legislation aims to implement more precise language that explicitly prohibits sweepstakes-based casinos.
For context, sweepstakes are a gaming category that employs a dual-currency model, enabling users to participate using virtual tokens instead of direct cash. Although these platforms permit users to buy virtual currency with real money, operators argue that the specific mechanics of these games distinguish them from the legal definition of gambling.
Conversely, HB 295 would establish a criminal ban on any gaming platform that mimics casino-style play and “utilizes multiple currency systems of payment allowing the player to exchange the currency for any prize or award or cash or cash equivalents.” The legislation provides an exemption for games that offer only non-monetary rewards.
Should the bill be enacted, offenders could face up to three years of incarceration and penalties between $10,000 and $100,000.
HB 1226 Must Pass Its Third Hearing Today If It Is to Advance
Simultaneously, another measure, HB 1226, aims to eliminate sweepstakes casinos. This bill seeks to outlaw illicit online gambling and empower local authorities to issue cease-and-desist mandates to operators in violation.
Furthermore, regulators would be authorized to implement payment and IP blocking measures to obstruct unauthorized online gaming activities.
Although the bill has cleared its second reading, it must accelerate its progress to succeed. With Maryland’s crossover deadline set for today, HB 1226 is required to clear its third reading by the end of the day.
If HB 1226 is successful, the Senate will deliberate on the future of both bills. Should either be signed into law, Maryland would join the growing list of states that have completely rejected the controversial sweepstakes model.
Minnesota is also currently exploring legislation that would criminalize the operation of sweepstakes casinos.
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(AsiaGameHub) - The firm will display its newest slot game launches, including Panda Ventura, alongside a collection of over 180 in-house titles and its X-Nave platform at BiS SiGMA Americas 2026 in São Paulo, underscoring its growing presence in Brazil.
Press release.- EGT Digital will take part in BiS SiGMA Americas 2026, held 6–9 April in São Paulo, Brazil, where attendees can meet the team at stand L146. Following its recent appearance at SBC Summit Rio, the company continues to strengthen its engagement in the Brazilian market through a focused display of high-performing content and advanced technology solutions.
A key highlight will be Panda Ventura, one of EGT Digital’s most favorably received recent releases. Blending a distinctive visual identity with smooth, intuitive gameplay, the title delivers a well-balanced flow that naturally builds excitement and encourages longer play sessions. As the first entry in the new Ventura series, it establishes the foundation for a character-led lineup that will soon expand with Tiger Ventura.
Alongside it, visitors will explore a portfolio of 180+ in-house slot titles, including the proven jackpot series Bell Link, Clover Chance, and Gods & Kings Link, all designed to drive strong engagement and consistent performance across markets.
EGT Digital will also present X-Nave, its modular igaming platform integrating Casino, Sportsbook, CRM, Payment Gateway, Bonus Hub, and a powerful Aggregator with 20,000+ games from 200+ providers.
The platform includes a high-performance Sportsbook offering flexible integration, advanced personalisation, and a fast, seamless betting experience, while proprietary AI enhances engagement through intelligent promotional tools and automated features.
Participation in BiS SiGMA Americas highlights EGT Digital’s ongoing commitment to LatAm and Brazil, supporting operators with scalable, high-performance solutions tailored to local market needs.
Visitors to booth L146 will also have the opportunity to view and test EGT’s VLT products, which are developed specifically for the Brazilian market.
Following their successful debut at SBC Summit Rio earlier in March, the Video Lottery Terminals Super Sorte 27/27 ST and Super Sorte 43V, along with the online betting terminals Top Estrela and Bar Estrela, are expected to attract strong attention at SiGMA Americas. They stand out with their modern design, user-friendly features, and engaging gaming experience.
In addition, the popular multigame mix GOLD VLT will also unveil its range of 50 captivating titles, created for the local gaming audiences.
With a growing portfolio and a technology ecosystem built for performance and adaptability, EGT Digital continues to deliver solutions truly “Designed to Perform”.
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(AsiaGameHub) - A man was fatally shot after brandishing a firearm when confronted by law enforcement. The incident occurred in the parking lot of WinStar Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
Authorities Report Victim Threatened Officers with a Firearm
On March 19, the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department received information about an individual experiencing suicidal ideation on WinStar Casino grounds. According to the official report from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), the person was identified as 41-year-old Kevin Odom.
Officers were immediately sent to the location. They found the man around 1:45 pm in the casino parking lot. Police attempted to communicate with the reportedly suicidal individual, but he drew a weapon.
An officer subsequently discharged their weapon, striking Odom. He sustained injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The OSBI report confirmed that no other individuals were injured during the incident.
The investigation remains active and is being conducted jointly by the OSBI, Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department, WinStar Casino, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The Love County Sheriff's Office released a statement confirming the shooting and assuring residents that public safety is not at risk.
Chief Palmer of the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police has assured me that the public faces no continuing danger. All additional questions should be referred to the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police, who are spearheading the investigation alongside the OSBI.
Sheriff Cumberledge
Regrettably, Not an Isolated Casino-Related Shooting Incident
Tragically, this is not the sole shooting incident to occur near a casino property in 2026.
In the previous month, a deadly shooting occurred just outside Bally's Kansas City Casino, resulting in the death of an 18-year-old. The incident stemmed from an altercation involving several individuals that began inside the casino.
Several days afterward, a mother who was in Las Vegas for a dance competition fatally shot her daughter before committing suicide.
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(AsiaGameHub) - Lexington County police and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division have arrested 51-year-old W. L. H. Sr., whom they suspect ran an illegal gambling operation.
The arrest took place on March 9, 2026, and the man was immediately charged with possession of an illegal gambling machine—described as “unlawful possession and operation of a slot, video, vending machine or gambling device and unlawful games and betting.”
This final charge is significant because while police can technically bring unlawful betting charges, they rarely do so. The arrest happened a week after a search warrant was executed on March 2.
18 Gambling Machines Seized as Part of the Operation
During the search, police found 18 gambling machines at the suspect’s home—specifically Pot O Gold devices. These machines can run a range of games of chance, including keno, blackjack, and casino-style poker.
South Carolina has been fairly conservative in its gambling regulation, which has led to the rise of underground operations like the one run by H. Sr.
In February, Senate Bill 444 attempted to introduce online sports betting regulation in the state, but it faced opposition from lawmakers.
In-state sports betting is available at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River in Murphy, and Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain.
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(AsiaGameHub) - Analysts anticipate a surge in casino acquisition and merger activity, following reports that Caesars is considering a takeover bid.
A Period of Strong M&A Activity Might Be on the Horizon
Caesars is reportedly contemplating selling its business, with Tilman Fertitta and Carl Icahn identified as potential acquirers. In light of this, Barry Jones, Managing Director at Truist Securities, and John DeCree, Director of Equity Research at CBRE, have projected an increase in M&A activity across the broader casino sector.
As reported by CDC Gaming, DeCree highlighted that the rumored Caesars takeover remains highly speculative. He noted that individuals familiar with the situation believe that if a deal were to materialize, the existing Caesars leadership would likely remain in place, resulting in minimal operational changes for the company.
Jonas commented that a potential Caesars takeover could trigger a period of heightened M&A activity, as other company boards might be motivated to explore similar takeover offers.
DeCree concurred that the gaming sector could experience increased M&A, expressing optimism about a Caesars deal due to the company's diverse portfolio and the current "near record lows" in interest rates and spreads for large corporations.
Going Private and Investing Abroad Are Viable Options
Jonas suggested that some operators might opt to go private, prioritizing long-term success over short-term investor demands. He added that if stock valuations remain stable, more private transactions could occur, noting that many B2B companies in the gaming sector have already transitioned to private ownership.
DeCree pointed out that acquisitions of The Mirage and Venetian were made by private entities, but emphasized that such transactions require substantial capital. He also noted that companies with significant capital often find targeting Las Vegas challenging, leading them to focus on emerging markets, citing MGM Osaka and Wynn Al Marjan as prominent examples.
Las Vegas Remains of Key Importance
Jonas stated that most casino companies would desire a presence in Las Vegas, though the extent of property ownership remains a key consideration. DeCree referenced Hard Rock's redevelopment of The Mirage, which involved a multi-year closure, as a significant recent development. However, Jonas characterized Hard Rock as an "unconventional buyer" and suggested that while redeveloping lower-tier Vegas properties is logical, it requires specific types of buyers.
Furthermore, Jonas noted that not all Las Vegas investments yield immediate strong returns, citing the challenges faced by Fontainebleau and Resorts World in achieving their projected performance.
Despite any slowdown on the Las Vegas Strip, Jonas indicated that the local market has not been significantly impacted, suggesting that investments in the city remain viable.
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(AsiaGameHub) - Betr, the online social casino platform, has now launched fully across 30 states in the United States amid increasing industry oversight, marking the company's latest product offering.
The brand's co-founder and primary promoter, Jake Paul, a YouTuber turned boxer, has been actively marketing the platform and recently verified the announcement via a post on social media platform X.
The massive days just keep coming for @betr We just launched the Betr Social Casino in 30+ states https://t.co/eUBwoGgMPB— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) March 17, 2026
The Betr brand has experienced rapid growth and has diversified into multiple verticals over time. The casino product represents the latest addition to its portfolio, joining existing offerings such as Betr Arcade, Betr Social Sportsbook, and Betr Picks.
The company appears poised for further expansion, taking inspiration from DraftKings' approach, as Jake Paul has hinted at the development of a super app that would consolidate all products under one umbrella and potentially incorporate prediction markets in the near future.
"We've definitely established a first-mover advantage with our super-app approach. Through our social casino, we'll maintain an edge by offering a casino-style product available nationwide. Modern consumers don't want to download five to seven separate apps with different wallets—it's simply too cumbersome," Jake Paul stated during his attendance at the Next Summit: New York, according to media reports.
Both social online casinos and prediction markets are encountering significant regulatory and operational hurdles. Minnesota is currently advocating for prohibition of social casinos, with particular focus on the sweepstakes model.
Indiana has likewise enacted legislation that outlaws the sweepstakes model. Prediction markets are also experiencing resistance, as evidenced by a recent ruling in Nevada that resulted in the temporary halt of Kalshi products in that state.
Although regulators appear to favor supporting the prediction market sector, advocacy groups like Gambling Is Not Investing and proposed legislation such as the Bets Off Act are highlighting the growing resistance to the industry.
This represents just one of multiple legislative initiatives targeting the sector.
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(AsiaGameHub) - On Friday, March 20, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) submitted a formal complaint to a federal court, requesting that DraftKings cease using the “March Madness” branding.
The filing contends that the sportsbook should discontinue its use of registered trademarks associated with the NCAA’s men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
NCAA Says DraftKings Uses Its Trademarked Brands
The NCAA has identified specific names and branding that DraftKings must avoid, seeking legal prohibition of their use. These include “March Madness,” “Final Four,” “ Elite Eight,” and “Sweet Sixteen,” which refer to different stages of the competition that generates massive overall gambling revenue.
The complaint further stipulates that these terms should be prohibited from appearing in the company’s sports betting offerings, promotional activities, or marketing materials. The NCAA elaborated on the matter in its filing:
“Just before the Tournaments began, DraftKings intentionally embraced and prominently deployed the NCAA’s iconic basketball trademarks, along with deceptively similar variants, to exploit and appropriate the considerable goodwill, recognition, and consumer confidence those Marks represent at the exact time of maximum public interest.”
The NCAA contended that DraftKings lacked any legitimate authority to integrate the tournament branding and imagery into its public-facing websites and applications, thereby “intentionally intensifying consumer confusion and cementing a misleading connection or sponsorship affiliation with the NCAA to persistently profit from the Association’s established reputation.”
DraftKings has challenged the complaint and its particular structure, asserting that the company never meant to employ – nor actually utilized – the “March Madness” branding, but instead applied it as “plain text” and as a “ fair use,” making comparisons to how other competitions are presented.
DraftKings Objects, Says Fair Use
“This constitutes protected speech under the First Amendment and does not infringe upon any brand’s trademark. We are confident the courts will reject this injunction request,” the company maintained.
The NCAA has demanded that this usage cease, as it subjects millions of vulnerable sports enthusiasts and, importantly, college students and young adults to the risks of gambling.
“[They are] exposed to the false suggestion that the Association has authorized or endorsed DraftKings’ gambling platform,” the NCAA concluded.The NCAA has been seeking to protect athletes from betting-related abuse and minimize opportunities for match-fixing by urging gambling industry stakeholders to prohibit proposition betting on college-level games.
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(AsiaGameHub) - When most people visit a Las Vegas casino, the main things they usually hope for are a fun time and free drinks. But one player scored big by winning two jackpots last Wednesday—on the exact same game.
During their session on the Mo Mo Mummy slot machine at the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas casino, the anonymous player won $21,150 with a $2.50 bet.
Most people would say to walk away after a nice win—so you don’t lose what you’ve already earned while trying to win more—but it’s a good thing the player stuck around a little longer.
Before long, the player hit another jackpot—this time for $34,000—when another jackpot came up on the very same machine during that same session.
Total winnings added up to $55,150, and the player finally decided they’d had enough—walking away from the game with a jackpot story that’s easily one of the best to share.
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