The world of online casino gaming has seen radical changes over the past few years. With the introduction of improved technology, punters have been able to experience online casino gaming like never before. Technology has managed to enter almost every industry and make positive changes that have given users more freedom and engagement, regardless of whether you’re looking at the industry of mobile phones or online casino gaming.

This article aims to shine a light on online casino gaming and the improvements technology has had on certain avenues within this discipline.

The Use of a Variety of Funds

A crucial aspect of the rise of online casino gaming is the fact that technological advancements have allowed punters to make use of a wide variety of payment methods to play their favorite games. Players can now engage with a variety of games by logging into an online casino real money platform, where there are real dealers, a variety of games such as poker, blackjack, and baccarat, plus the option of using real money to perform desired actions. This means of payment is the original one but since the advent of modern technology, many other ones have surfaced. Punters can now invest in their actions via stripe, digital currencies, or even through the free spins and tokens that they receive from the casino house.

The rise in the diversification of funds has had a large impact on the increased number of players who are flocking to online casinos, as there is something to suit every player’s preference.

Increased Promotional and Bonus Rewards

Technology has had a huge impact on the improved services that online casinos can offer their players and one area that has seen a massive leap in the upgrade is the promotions and reward system that these digital establishments are now able to showcase. One of the things that sets certain online casinos apart from others is the promotions and rewards. Before technology, it would have been incredibly difficult for digital establishments to offer such a complex reward system on their platforms. Upgrades in technology can sometimes be tricky to implement and costly for the platform trying to do so. With the advancements and ease with which casinos can offer their players different bonuses and rewards that are linked to their live play is something thrilling for players and the house alike.

There are many different kinds of bonus rewards such as the ‘deposit match’ reward, in which the house matches the player’s initial investment by a certain percentage, the ‘loyalty bonus’ where players who show that they play over a certain amount of hours per week or partake in a specific game on a specific day receive free tokens or spins or even the ‘referral bonus’ which is where players who refer a friend to the site using a code receive free tokens as a sign of appreciation for getting a new player to the platform.

Embedded Safety and Security Technology

An avenue within online gambling that is often overseen is the fact that security and safety are paramount to the interest of players. Punters of digital gaming sites need to know that they are being taken care of and looked after by the online casino they’re playing on. Many different means are used to ensure playing safety such as blockchain technology, authentication apps, and password savings apps. These are all powered by advanced security software programs to support player safety.

Digital currencies are built on the cryptography of blockchain technology, to create a transparent, anonymous, and highly secure network for punters to engage with. Authentication apps also allow players to save their login details safely, as login portals now require face or finger recognition, which is hard for cybercriminals or hackers to re-create as it’s such advanced technology. Furthermore, password-saving apps give players the chance to safely store their private information on an app that is almost impossible to hack, plus, these are often linked with two-factor authentication. This means that to access the app, you usually need to enter a separate and temporary pin that comes to your mobile phone or email. Again, something that hackers would have a hard time gaining access to within that short amount of time.

A Large Array of Gaming Styles

Another area that has improved with the advancement of technology is the variety of games and the immersive qualities and features found within these games. The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR) are three avenues that have significantly contributed to the large array of games on display and the engaging tools and steps found within them. Many people say that AI is the future of online casino gaming and seeing the strong impact even just small amounts of it have already had in the world of online gaming, surely does indicate a future in which online casino gaming is largely AI-powered in this digital age.

The world of online casino gaming is filled with a large variety of platforms and games. The most important thing a punter can do is find the game that suits their preferences best and engage with those. Punters must play with responsibility and safety in mind, to ensure that their online gaming experience runs as smoothly as possible.

After looking into a complaint that was challenging a Cheltenham Festival ad on X that showcased an easily recognizable OnlyFans (OF) star, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) deemed the ad “irresponsible.”

ASA “Concerned” Over a Lack of Response

The authority decided to clamp down on the ad that was promoting betting offer aggregator Festival Free Bets and which featured a picture of Astrid Wett at Prescott Park, promoting the service.

Wett, who has a following of 180,000 on X, was under the age of 25 at the time of the ad. The complaint filed against the ad was challenging whether there had been a breach of the current gambling advertising rules that state that “no one who is, or seems to be, under the age of 25 should be featured gambling or playing a significant role in an ad for a gambling product.”

Since Festival Free failed to provide any explanations and assist the watchdog’s investigation, the latter expressed its concern regarding their “lack of response and apparent disregard for (the rules).”

The ASA decided that Wett’s image was the main point of focus of the respective ad published in March when the OF model was 23 years old. 

Even though Festival Free Bets does not carry a Business-to-Consumer operator license, the ASA ruled that consumers who used the product would reach a position where they would be interacting with gambling services.

The body further explained that, since the advertisement was intended for a service meant to “facilitate gambling and featured someone who was aged under 25 playing a significant role,” they concluded, “it was irresponsible.”

The OnlyFans Model, “Unaware” of the Age Restrictions 

The ASA stated they engaged with Wett during the investigation. The watchdog said the OF star was not aware of the respective age restrictions for gambling advertisements and wrongfully assumed that simply being over the age of 18 would suffice. 

Wett also apologized for breaching the CAP Code and insisted she would fully comply with all relevant guidelines in the future. She also explained that she “took matters of social responsibility seriously and understood the gravity of promoting responsible behavior” with special emphasis on gambling.

The ASA ruled the ad should not be published again in the form which has led to the complaint filed against it. The watchdog ruled similarly against Betfred over improper ad placement last December.

In March, ASA concluded that BetMGM’s TV advertisement that featured Chris Rock did not appeal to minors, as it was alleged through complaints that claimed the ad was violating the rules. 

Buzz Bingo, the UK’s leading omnichannel bingo brand, has announced that it is in advanced discussions to acquire two of the largest bingo clubs in the UK, namely the MERKUR sites located in Cricklewood and Northampton, according to an official press release published by MERKUR Casino.

These two high-performing clubs complement Buzz Bingo’s existing locations, with the acquisition set to bring MERKUR Cricklewood, the UK’s largest bingo venue, under the umbrella of Buzz Bingo’s extensive retail estate.

For over 25 years, these clubs have served as central hubs in their communities, offering value-driven entertainment with a focus on low-stake bingo and frequent winners. In 2023 alone, the two venues attracted 410,000 visitors and have continued to show growth, with admissions increasing by approximately 5% across both sites so far this year, according to G3 Newswire.

On average, the clubs collectively pay out more than £1 million in winnings each month. Notably, the Cricklewood location boasts over 3,500 winners monthly and holds the Guinness World Record for the largest single bingo house prize ever awarded, which amounted to £100,000.

This potential acquisition aligns with Buzz Bingo’s recent growth trajectory. The company reported a 5% increase in retail revenue, a 31% surge in online revenue, and a 14% rise in EBITDA in 2023. Buzz Bingo has also been focusing on enhancing its omnichannel offering, which has significantly contributed to its growth. The company’s digital business has doubled its market share over the past two years and is growing at three times the rate of the market.

Buzz Bingo is strategically positioned to capitalize on the anticipated growth in the UK bingo sector, driven by a resurgence in consumer confidence within the leisure industry and a rising interest from younger demographics. The number of 25-34-year-olds playing bingo in 2023 has doubled compared to 2018.

Strategic Move for Further Growth

Furthermore, Buzz Bingo sees significant growth opportunities internationally. To this end, the company has decided to relocate its digital business to Gibraltar. This strategic move will offer several advantages, including closer proximity to key suppliers, a robust platform for pursuing international opportunities, and alignment with major competitors, many of whom are already based in Gibraltar.

Dominic Mansour, Chief Executive of Buzz Bingo, commented on these developments: “Bingo in the UK is experiencing a renaissance, and Buzz Bingo stands out as one of the leading online bingo brands with the largest retail footprint, positioning us well to capture this growth.

“After a period of stabilization, our business is now thriving. We are thrilled about the prospect of acquiring these two prominent bingo clubs following a strong year of performance. With the growing demand for bingo and our exceptional online performance, Buzz Bingo is preparing for accelerated growth, which underpins our decision to move our digital business to Gibraltar. These are exciting developments for Buzz Bingo as we continue to implement our omnichannel strategy. Our goal is to be the nation’s number one choice for bingo, both online and in retail, and to seize international opportunities.”

As Buzz Bingo moves forward with its plans, the acquisition of the MERKUR sites in Cricklewood and Northampton represents a significant step in expanding its presence and enhancing its service offerings to a broader audience. The company’s focus on combining retail and digital experiences is poised to solidify its leading position in the UK’s bingo industry while exploring new growth avenues internationally.

The “lottery curse” appears to be working its malevolent power on the winner of Maine’s all-time biggest lottery jackpot, poisoning the relationships between the winner, his parents, and the mother of his child.

The anonymous $1.35 billion Mega Millions winner is suing his ex because he claims she blabbed to his parents about the win without his consent.

Now his former partner has hit back against her wealthy accuser, alleging misconduct on his part. Meanwhile, the winner’s father claims he is “not the son I knew.”

Doe Vs. Smith

The former couple are referred to in court documents by the pseudonyms “John Doe” and “Sara Smith,” respectively. That’s because Maine allows lottery winners to remain anonymous.

Doe sued Smith in November 2023, claiming she had violated a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) when she told his dad and stepmom about his newfound riches.

Doe wants an injunction preventing Smith from disclosing any further information about the jackpot. He has also asked the court to order Smith to list every person she told and pay compensatory damages of “an amount to be determined at trial, but no less than $100,000 per unauthorized disclosure.”

Rift Deepens

But in recently filed documents in the case both Smith and the man’s father claim that Doe himself told his parents about the win. Doe also demanded his father no longer speak to Smith, which caused a rift between the two men.

“I told him… ‘You are not the son I knew,’” claimed the father in court documents. “He got angry, calling me a ‘dictator’ and an ‘a***hole.’ I have not heard from my son since, and he has not done any of (the) things he promised.”

Smith alleges in a recent court filing that Doe has hired a security team that allegedly follows her and her daughter around on a daily basis.

Meanwhile, Doe claims that Smith is attempting to expose his identity. He also alleges she falsely accused him of trying to “kidnap” their daughter because he refused to pay for her and her new boyfriend to go on vacation.

Hitting a jackpot or a major win while gambling at a casino always brings excitement. To the lucky few that are able to experience such a thrill, they will undoubtedly remember it for the rest of their lives. And while some may gamble for years without any luck of winning any good prizes, others may be extremely lucky, which is the case of an Ohio resident who recently visited Las Vegas for his 21st birthday.

Damon Howell, a Union City, Ohio, resident, decided to celebrate his birthday by visiting the gambling capital of the world. Turning 21, the young man was able to start gambling. But little did Howell expect that luck was on his side from his first steps into gambling. In celebration of his 21st birthday, the young man visited the LINQ Hotel+ Experience, a renowned luxury hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

A Six-Figure Win after 30 Minutes of Play

Once turning 21, Howell started playing at the casino. To his surprise, some 30 minutes after starting to play, the man hit a staggering jackpot of more than $300,000. Playing at the LINQ’s O’Shea’s pit, the young man hit the MEGA Progressive jackpot, taking a whopping $362,640 from playing Ultimate Texas Hold’em.

As announced by 23WIFR, the young man appeared “overwhelmed with shock and disbelief,” in light of the massive jackpot win. The young man did not disclose specific details about what he intends to do with the grand prize he won from playing Ultimate Texas Hold’em. Still, Howell admitted that buying his own house is definitely a plausible option, considering the massive $360,000 jackpot he won recently.

Back in April, Caesars turned to the seasoned veteran, Kim Harris Jones, for the role of member of its Board of Directors. Labeled as a strategic appointment, the hire brought extensive experience to the Board.

Earlier this month, AGS (PlayAGS), the leading company offering a range of gaming experiences powering the gambling industry across the globe, confirmed it entered into a definitive agreement for an acquisition by affiliates of Brightstar Capital Partners (Brightstar). Brightstar offered a price of $12.50 per share, representing a 40% premium on AGS’ closing stock price as of May 8, 2024.

The deal, which is expected to take AGS private, is estimated at a whopping $1.1 billion. While the proposed acquisition received unanimous approval of the Board of Directors at AGS, not everyone agreed with the proposal. This is precisely the case of an activist investor with an approximately 1.5% share in PlayAGS stock, Emmett Investment Management LP.

On Tuesday this week, Emmett sent a letter to stockholders of the company, urging them to vote against the proposed acquisition by Brightstar that would take AGS private. In its letter, the company, which is known as an investment manager for small and mid-cap equities in markets across the globe, said it believes that the proposed bid was significantly below the value of AGS.

Emmett wrote that it wanted to share its concerns about the offer for AGS to go private with other stakeholders. The company wrote that it doesn’t believe that the proposed transaction that would take the company private would be in the best interest of the stockholders. As noted, Emmett confirmed its intention to vote against the proposed business transaction.

“We feel compelled to share with you our concerns about AGS’s recently announced take-private transaction with Brightstar Capital Partners. We do not believe the take-private transaction is in the best interest of stockholders, and we intend to vote against the transaction,“

reads a letter sent by Emmett Investment Management LP

The Shareholder Shares Multiple Concerns with the Takeover Bid

Releasing arguments against the transaction, Emmett wrote that the bid was announced hours before AGS released its first quarter results which highlighted transformative changes for the company. The stockholder explained that AGS reported organic adjusted EBITDA growth of 21%, which was “far outpacing the industry.”

It also argued about the “approximate” price of the transaction, which was estimated as $1.1 billion, when in reality based on the bid per share was valued at $1.06 billion. “An enterprise value of $1.1 billion, by contrast, would translate to an AGS share price of $13.40,” wrote Emmett.

Moreover, the stockholder deemed the bid from Brightstar unattractive for another reason, namely, that it doesn’t address the benefit for AGS which can potentially come following the merger of IGT and Everi. This strategic business combination was highlighted in the company’s March Investor Presentation with AGS confirming it expects to gain market share in light of the high-profile merger. “Under Brightstar’s proposed deal, stockholders will be deprived of this significant upside,” wrote Emmett.

Finally, Emmett wrote that it is not against offers that may take AGS private but rather opposes a bid that doesn’t recognize the company’s potential.

Robbie Johns, one of Louisiana’s leading gambling regulators, announced his intention to resign, citing family matters as the reason. The Republican was largely responsible for overseeing the launch of sports betting in the state.

For context, the gambling revolutionary is set to officially depart on June 30. His resignation will end 37 years of public service. Johns was appointed at the helm of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board in 2021, ahead of the launch of legal sports betting in the state.

The vertical now contributes almost $100 million in taxes every year. According to Johns, his team wanted to regulate and implement betting in a way that inspires confidence in players, operators and lawmakers.

In addition to overseeing the legalization of sports betting in the Pelican State, Johns was also responsible for attracting additional investments from casino companies. Thanks to him, Caesars rebuilt its Horseshoe Casino in the wake of its destruction by Hurricane Laura.

Johns also successfully prompted the refurbishing of properties such as the Louisiana Live! Casino, Belle of Baton Rouge and The Queen Baton Rouge.

He also hopes to convince The Cordish Companies to make a $300 million investment into Louisiana Live! that would allow the property to compete with the nearby casinos in Oklahoma.

On the matter, Johns previously said that this last investment would not only benefit the casino but would grow the entire Shreveport-Bossier market. He pointed out that the new Horseshoe casino in Lake Charles expanded the market instead of cannibalizing it.

Johns Wants to Spend Time with His Family

Johns confirmed that his departure was not initiated by Governor Jeff Laundry and explained that he wants to spend more time with his family. In an interview with USA Today Network, he elaborated:

I’m about to be 75 years old, and Michelle and I have things we want to do, and this is a full-time job. It’s time.

Robbie Johns

Johns added that he departs with the knowledge that he did his job as a gambling regulator with robust integrity and absolute adherence to Louisiana’s strict gaming laws. He noted that “there comes a time in everyone’s life when they should step back and make their family the number one priority.” Johns concluded that he had arrived at that point.

Currently, Australia has tough regulations when it comes to gambling advertising and incentives. The country has already banned incentives such as gambling credit, free alcohol or other prizes that may encourage gamblers to spend more. Yet, gambling is widely spread across the country and billions are lost to the activity annually.

One recent case undoubtedly raised eyebrows after a guest of a cruise ship who accumulated a significant gambling debt has taken his own life. The case raises concerns about the effectiveness of gambling regulations in the context of different jurisdictions, considering that the ship was British, but it offered its services outside of Australian land or the particular instance, more than 12 nautical miles from the country’s coast.

The tragic incident involved a 50-year-old man identified with the initials S.D., who reportedly took his own life after falling from the P&O cruise ship Pacific Adventure, as reported by the Daily Mail. The man was on vacation with his mother. The two enjoyed the cruise that featured a distinct Elvis theme, and it was all going well before the 50-year-old man visited the ship’s casino.

Personal Issues and Piling Gambling Debt Result in Suicide

According to the recent report, gambling at the cruise ship casino’s table games, the 50-year-old man raked up AU$5,000 ($3,300) in losses. While his mother helped him cover those expenses, regretfully, the man continued to gamble and accumulated AU$4,000 ($2,700) in gambling debt.

Before the vacation, the man was dealing with personal issues, including the death of one of his brothers, his father and a recent divorce. Putting further fuel to the fire, the 50-year-old experienced financial difficulties.

It is likely that the accumulated gambling debt, along with the number of personal issues impacted the man’s judgment. Sadly, the man decided to take his own life by jumping into the cold waters on the early morning of May 6 at a time when the cruise ship was sailing toward Sydney Harbor.

“It is just beyond belief that there is not an expectation that when a cruise ship leaves a dock that the rules of that jurisdiction apply.“

Carol Bennett CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform

Carol Bennett, the Alliance for Gambling Reform’s CEO, claimed that the operator breached its duty of care by allowing the gambler to accumulate significant losses. “It’s really concerning that when a ship sails 12 nautical miles off the coast it can then allow anything and everything to happen,” she explained.

According to Bennett, although the ship was in international waters, this doesn’t mean that the casino doesn’t have any duty of care toward its players. She added that it is expected for casino operators to still combat harmful gambling even if they are not subjected to the laws enforced in Australia.

Dave & Buster’s, the popular restaurant and arcade chain in the United States, announced its plans to grow its offering with the introduction of a new betting feature available via its mobile app. The feature enables users to place wagers on two of the company’s games, Hot Shots basketball and Skee-Ball.

The move signaled Dave & Buster’s intention to benefit from the lucrative gambling market in the country that has been growing rapidly recently. In fact, the restaurant chain may be after capitalizing on new opportunities related to betting in particular, which has seen exponential growth over the last five years.

However, the company’s intentions quickly captured the attention of regulators, lawmakers and gambling industry stakeholders, who immediately voiced their concerns. Dave & Buster’s intentions were under scrutiny in Nevada in particular, the home of Las Vegas, known as the gambling capital of the world.

The state’s gambling regulator, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB), looked into Dave & Buster’s intentions to offer wagering, effectively telling the company that it cannot provide such wagers, as announced by the Nevada Independent. The gambling watchdog was against the company’s idea to offer betting for adults 18 or older for two of its games. Consequently, NGCB’s chairman, Kirk Hendrick, spoke with Dave & Buster’s management, informing them about the regulator’s tough stance against “unlicensed gaming.”

Currently, Dave & Buster’s has established operations in both Henderson and Summerlin. Hendrick explained that the NGCB strictly “opposes activities that could promote underage gambling, as well as wagering activities by businesses catering to a significant number of minor clientele.”

Pushback Builds up in a Few Other States

Shortly after announcing its betting intentions, Dave & Buster’s faced backlash in other states as well. Earlier this month, CNBC reported that a bipartisan bill proposing a ban for family entertainment venues from offering gambling activities was filed in Illinois.

The effort is led by Illinois State Rep. Daniel Didech. He warned that family-friendly businesses are unable to enforce appropriate safeguards for the protection of problem gamblers. Moreover, Didech warned that the offering of betting or gambling options by such businesses increases the risk of the exposure of young adults to such activities.

Besides Nevada and Illinois, Dave & Buster’s intention faces pushback in Ohio as well. According to the state gambling regulator, the Ohio Gaming Control Board, such an offering may be in violation of the existing laws.

Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) Chairman Ronnie Johns is retiring after nearly four decades of public service.

Johns’ retirement will become effective June 30. Before then, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) is expected to name his successor.

Johns was appointed to the top gaming regulatory position in July 2021 by then-Gov. John Bel Edwards (D). Johns said he was not asked to step down by Landry, who assumed the governor’s office in January, but is simply ready to spend more time with his wife Michelle.

I’m about to be 75 years old and Michelle and I have things we want to do,” Johns told USA Today. “This is a full-time job.”

Johns’ political career began in 1978 when he became a member of the Sulphur City Council. He was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1996 and became a state Senator in 2012. He served in the legislature’s upper chamber until being nominated to the LGCB.

Johns said he had a “bum leg” and could not attend the session. The override was three votes shy in the Senate.

Louisiana lawmakers passed a similar permit-less concealed carry bill this year that Landry signed.

First Gaming Expansion in Decades

During his tenure running the agency that governs one of the country’s richest gaming states, Johns oversaw considerable change.

Casino sportsbooks began taking bets in October 2021, just months after he was sworn in, and online sports gambling platforms went live the following January.

Johns’ time at the LGCB also included overseeing more than $1 billion in investments in the state’s riverboats, some of which have become land-based properties.

Louisiana lawmakers in 2018 passed legislation allowing riverboats to move inland, so long as the new brick-and-mortar casinos remain within 1,200 feet of their original barges. The law came after several devasting hurricanes destroyed or greatly damaged the floating gaming vessels.

Johns’ LGCB supervised Caesars Entertainment’s more than $200 million investment to overhaul the Isle of Capri Lake Charles riverboat that was damaged by Hurricane Laura into a rebranded brick-and-mortar casino. The all-new Horseshoe Lake Charles Hotel & Casino, a 60,000-square-foot property, opened in late 2022. 

Live! Coming to Bossier City

More recently, Johns helped ensure that the state wouldn’t lose a casino after the future of the shuttered DiamondJacks riverboat was in peril. The Cordish Companies, a Baltimore developer of mixed-use developments and casino resorts, last fall agreed to take on the deteriorating property.

Johns said during a groundbreaking ceremony in December that the Cordish project ensures that the “Shreveport-Bossier gaming market has a bright future.”

Hopefully, Johns’ future after almost 40 years of elected office and public service is bright, too.