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Bragg Gaming Group has announced the launching of an array of new game titles and RGS (Remote Gaming Server) technology in collaboration with Fanatics Casino. The new game titles will be introduced to players in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, and players will have unlimited access to the full catalogue of games developed by Bragg Gaming and available through Indigo Magic, Wild Streak Gaming, and Atomic Slot Lab. The collection of games will be available through Bragg’s own RGS technology. Bragg Gaming Group has officially expanded its footprint in the US iGaming market through a major content launch with Fanatics Casino across three key states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. The move sees Bragg's exclusive casino games and Remote Gaming Server technology now live on Fanatics' rapidly growing online casino platform, signaling a pivotal step forward in Bragg's North American growth strategy. A strategic partnership with America's fastest-growing online casino Fanatics Casino, already established in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia, is considered the fastest-growing online casino in the US, offering a dynamic catalog of classic and modern casino games including blackjack, slots, video poker, roulette, and progressive jackpots. With the addition of Bragg's content portfolio, the platform now promises even more diversity and depth for its users. Through this partnership, players in these states gain access to Bragg's full suite of in-house and partner studio games via its advanced Bragg HUB content delivery platform. This includes proprietary titles from Atomic Slot Lab, Wild Streak Gaming, and Indigo Magic - studios known for delivering high-performing, engaging titles tailored for online casino audiences. Industry-leading content, delivered seamlessly Bragg's powerful RGS (Remote Gaming Server) technology facilitates the seamless integration of its titles into Fanatics Casino's ecosystem. As a result, users can now enjoy standout games like Queenie and Cai Fu Emperor Ways, as well as a range of new releases from Atomic Slot Lab. These additions aim to elevate the gaming experience with innovative mechanics, engaging narratives, and stellar visuals. Bragg is also bringing in games from its growing roster of studio partners including Incredible Technologies, Sega Sammy Creation, Bluberi, and King Show Games. Additional collaborations with Boomerang Studios, Reflex Gaming, and Four Leaf Gaming are expected to go live later in 2025, ensuring an ongoing flow of new titles. Fueling North American expansion This tri-state launch with Fanatics Casino supports Bragg Gaming's broader strategy of diversifying revenue streams and accelerating the distribution of exclusive content throughout North America. With over 30 active regulated markets globally, Bragg's latest move highlights its growing influence and reach within the US iGaming sector. "This launch represents a great opportunity to showcase Bragg's amazing titles across the three biggest iGaming markets in the US," said the Chief Executive Officer of Bragg Gaming Group, Matevz Mazij. With Fanatics' strong reputation in connecting sports fans with entertainment and merchandise, and with the natural synergy between sports betting and iGaming, we're excited to expand our presence together, he added. Mazij also noted that Bragg will continue rolling out new games regularly as part of the company's commitment to content innovation and player engagement. A shared vision for growth Fanatics Casino echoed similar enthusiasm for the collaboration. Kieron Shaw, Manager of Casino Games Content at Fanatics, stated, "We're thrilled to partner with Bragg Gaming Group to bring their diverse and engaging iGaming content to our players. This collaboration is a significant step in our strategy to expand our offerings and capitalize on the substantial growth projected for these key markets." He added that Bragg's innovative promotional tools and wide-ranging game library would help enrich the user experience and strengthen Fanatics' market presence. Bragg's continued push into the US market through high-profile partnerships like this with Fanatics Casino signals a broader trend of consolidation and growth among top-tier content providers. By combining its proprietary technology with compelling game titles and strategic alliances, Bragg is positioning itself as a key player in the future of online gaming. Both companies are encouraging players to follow their social media channels on X and Instagram for news on future game releases and promotional offers.

For the Fourth of July weekend, Las Vegas anticipates fewer guests and visitors, and hotel occupancies will be slightly less as well. Las Vegas expects around 340K visitors this year, less than a year ago with 344K. But there is light at the end of the rainbow, as experts project that visitors will spend more in 2025 than last year, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Las Vegas is bracing for a slightly quieter Independence Day weekend in 2025, as projections from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority suggest a dip in both visitor numbers and hotel occupancy compared to last year. According to Kevin Bagger, Director of the LVCVA Research Center, an estimated 340,000 people are expected to visit Las Vegas over the three-day holiday weekend, down from 344,000 during the 2024 Fourth of July period. The hotel occupancy rate is also forecast to drop slightly, from 94.4% last year to 93.1% this year. The number of available hotel rooms has also decreased by 0.9%, with 150,909 rooms open to guests this year compared to the previous total in 2024. Interestingly, despite a three-day weekend - with July 4 falling on a Friday this year, in contrast to a Thursday last year - the draw to Las Vegas appears slightly diminished. Bagger attributes this to ongoing market volatility and shifting travel patterns among consumers. Spending up, but overall economic impact slightly down While visitor numbers and hotel stays are trending downward, direct visitor spending is set to rise due to increased costs for goods and services. The LVCVA forecasts spending of $449.5 million for the weekend, up 3.7% from the $433.5 million recorded last year. However, that increase in individual spending won't be enough to boost the wider economic effect. The total economic impact for the weekend is expected to drop by 0.2%, falling to $715.7 million. Experts suggest that a mix of global and domestic economic uncertainties - including tariffs, the lingering effects of the pandemic, and inflation - continue to influence consumer behavior in complex ways. "We have been seeing volatility for the last several years, and its impact on consumers has been mixed," said associate professor Amanda Bellarmino at UNLV's William F. Harrah College of Hospitality. Gas prices and lower crime rates boost travel appeal On a more encouraging note for American travelers, gasoline prices are about 30 cents per gallon lower than they were a year ago, easing one of the key cost burdens for road trippers. Additionally, national grocery price trends show slight declines, and inflation appears to be cooling. "For the average consumer, stock market volatility is not always indicative of spending habits," Bellarmino noted. "But with decreased crime rates and the lowest murder rate in four years, domestic destinations (like Las Vegas) are more attractive to many consumers than they have been in the past few years." One clear win for travelers is the drop in hotel prices across Las Vegas. A room-rate survey found that prices during the holiday weekend are closer to typical monthly averages than those usually seen during long weekends. For instance, the average rate for a room in downtown Vegas was $114.20 per night, while the average across all Southern Nevada properties was $202.75. For comparison, July's average daily citywide rate last year was $175.64, with downtown properties averaging $61.54. Luxury resorts still commanded premium rates, with Durango surprisingly topping the chart at $474 per night - more expensive than Bellagio, Wynn, Caesars Palace, and other high-end Strip properties. Meanwhile, 22 hotels across the region offered rooms under $100 a night, with the Thunderbird posting the lowest at $61. Las Vegas still a top destination Despite the modest dip in projected visitation, Las Vegas remains one of the most sought-after destinations for Fourth of July celebrations. WalletHub ranked the city as the No. 1 destination for the holiday, just ahead of Los Angeles and New York City. The ranking considered factors such as affordability, number of events, safety, and accessibility. Las Vegas scored particularly high in the number of celebrations - second only to Orlando - thanks to a slate of fireworks shows from major resorts and local community events. Other Nevada cities also appeared in WalletHub's rankings, with North Las Vegas at No. 32, Reno at No. 48, and Henderson at No. 64. Even with fewer visitors expected this year, Las Vegas's holiday charm, affordability, and entertainment offerings continue to make it a hotspot for July 4 travelers.

A historic first half of batting with elite performances, Cal Raleigh has now punched his ticket to the Home Run Derby with the hopes of becoming the first catcher to make a wild finish in the contest. The Seattle Mariners are seeing good strides thanks to him, and now he gets to prove his worth on the smashing game as well. The Mariners backstop is hoping to shine on the All-Star festivities as he joins the power-hitting event, set this July 14th at the Truist Park in Atlanta. For Raleigh, this is a full-circle moment considering that he grew up 150 miles away in North Carolina and even regularly played in the area in his youth travel ball days. Now it seems that he is going back for a familiar reason, just on a bigger stage this time. Earlier this month in an interview, Raleigh already hinted that he would love to do the Home Run Derby in a heartbeat. With Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña announcing that he will be joining the competition, Raleigh wasted no time in putting his name forward for the competition as well. Joining the Hype There were a lot of talks that Raleigh might pass up the opportunity considering that he is one of the players who are also slated to play in the All-Star Game and avoid too much fatigue to begin with. However, it seems that he is strongly considering to try it out and who knows, probably win it all as well. “It's really cool,” Raleigh said. “Obviously, for all my family, it'll be easy for them to get to. And friends have already been texting me and asking if I would do it. So now hopefully I can put their mind at ease a little bit.” The 2025 season has been a career-best campaign for Raleigh so far, with his offensive numbers putting him among the league leaders in home runs. His powerful swing from both sides of the plate has helped the Mariners stay competitive in the American League West. At this point in the season, he’s already crushed over 30 homers and has become one of the most feared switch-hitters in the game. What makes this even more impressive is that he’s doing it while handling one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. A Rewarding Season for Raleigh His selection for the Derby isn’t just a reward for his strong season—it’s a chance to make a statement. Historically, catchers haven't had much success in the Derby, often overshadowed by bigger names from corner infield or outfield positions. Raleigh wants to change that. If he can make it deep into the competition or even win, it would be a milestone for catchers in MLB history. And there's a special personal twist to the event, too. Raleigh’s father, Todd Raleigh, is expected to pitch to him during the Derby. Todd is a former college baseball coach, and the bond between father and son makes this moment even more significant. Cal also hinted at getting his younger brother involved in some way, possibly catching during the rounds. It adds a family dynamic to what’s already shaping up to be an emotional homecoming. The crowd in Atlanta will likely have mixed loyalties with local star Ronald Acuña Jr. also participating, but Raleigh’s roots in the region could help him draw support. He played plenty of youth baseball in the Georgia and Carolinas scene, so don’t be surprised if some fans in Braves country are secretly pulling for him.

A first-time All-Star in his third season, and an NBA Champion as well, Jalen Williams has a lot to be happy about in the offseason. However, the guard is planning to undergo surgery on his right wrist, which he injured heading into the final stretch of the 2024-25 season. All this time, the Thunder guard was playing through injury after all and is now set to have it fixed. Williams did not miss a single game in the 2025 Playoffs, playing all 23 postseason games and helping Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren lead the way for a promising championship in the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers. The Thunder eventually finished with a wire-to-wire victory in Game 7 to claim their first league title in OKC. In an end-of-season presser, Thunder GM Sam Presti discussed how the Thunder played through a lot of injuries for most of the season – and yet still managed to win 68 games. He also claimed that Williams was inactive for the final two games of the season after playing 36 minutes in a 125-112 victory over Phoenix on April 9. He opted to rest his wrist, but had to play through pain in the playoffs. An Injured Williams Performing Williams kept a brace in his wrist – which also happened to be his shooting hand at times in the playoffs. It was even taped during games, and that may have been one of the reasons why he shot poorly from three at 30% in the postseason – which is 6% off his season percentage. There were also a lot of times when Williams had a very rough game, especially against the Denver Nuggets. He was criticized well for not being able to show up in multiple closeout games against the Nuggets and the Pacers in both Game Sixes. “The part that I’m most impressed with is in our modern era, when someone has a poor performance or they’re not playing to their capability in a game and there’s a lot of attention on it, you often see a little birdie make sure that everybody knows that the player is not 100%,” Presti said during his season-ending meeting with reporters. “Never happened with this guy, not one time. He powered through. He showed incredible mental endurance and security in himself.” If you are not impressed, Williams also powered a massive 40-point burst in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to help the Thunder take a 3-2 series lead. He was even in the conversations for the Finals MVP alongside SGA before Game 7. Thunder Injuries Addressed OKC was one of many teams that didn’t play at full strength for the 2024-25 season. Isaiah Hartenstein injured his finger before the campaign while Chet Holmgren was out after just 10 games and missed a huge chunk of the season. There’s also multiple injuries to SGA and even Williams himself, but the Thunder still found ways to win, which is such an impressive way to talk about a team that eventually ended up winning the championship. As the 2025-26 looms ahead, the Thunder seek to stay healthy and in shape as they also gear up for their first title defense and prove that their win was not a fluke, but rather a hope that they can start a dynasty of winning and the continuation of the arrival they’ve been looking forward for years.

Winning the championship once is a hard thing to do. But when you’re OpTic Texas playing in the Call of Duty League Championships, the odds seem to dip a little in your favor in achieving history. That is what the 2024 and 2025 champions have done as they defeated the Vancouver Surge in a massive showdown to conclude the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 season. No one would have had this on their cards considering how hard it has been for a team to repeat in the CDL. And yet, OpTic has proven that the odds doesn’t always have to be in their favor to begin with before they can try to repeat as champions and show that they are still the best team in the league. Now that the victory on domestic stage is secured, OpTic now shifts its focus on the global stage – where they will battle in Riyadh for the Esports World Cup 2025 – which will also be the final tournament running for the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 before another one will begin with the next installment of the game. A Remarkable Feat Fans at Kitchener, Ontario hoped for a fantastic finish in the tournament, and so they saw one to remember. The atmosphere was electric, the stakes were sky-high, and both teams came ready for war. OpTic struck first, opening the series with a dominant 250-151 win on Hacienda Hardpoint. Vancouver Surge, unfazed, answered back by taking the second map in flawless fashion with a 6-0 sweep on Dealership Search & Destroy. The two teams traded blows through the next few rounds, but when the series reached its crucial final stretch, OpTic rose to the occasion. After a tightly contested Control map that ended 3-2 in their favor and a convincing 6-2 win on Hacienda Search & Destroy, they closed out the championship with a 250-215 win on Rewind Hardpoint. This win didn’t just earn OpTic another trophy—it reshaped the CDL landscape. In a league known for parity and surprise upsets, no team had ever successfully repeated as champions until now. With this historic back-to-back, OpTic has cemented itself as the defining franchise of the modern CDL era. Dominance Continues The individual performances throughout the tournament were equally impressive. Mercules, who entered the season as a promising talent, exploded onto the main stage with an MVP-worthy showing that captivated the fanbase. Meanwhile, Shotzzy, already a household name, further solidified his legacy by becoming the youngest player to win three world championships across both Halo and Call of Duty. Behind the scenes, legendary former player and now coach Damon “Karma” Barlow added yet another accolade to his resume, securing his fifth world title—two as a coach and three from his playing days. OpTic's Grand Final also broke viewership records. Over 353,000 fans tuned in live, making it the most-watched CDL event of all time. For a franchise with one of the largest and most loyal fan bases in esports, it was a moment of pride and affirmation. For OpTic, it’s not just about defending their title. It’s about dominating every stage they step on, proving that excellence isn’t seasonal—it’s who they are. In an esports world filled with unpredictability, one thing is certain: OpTic Texas isn’t just winning games. They’re making history, and this is the best way they can do it – to beat the odds and win it all.

It cannot be denied that BetBoom is on the rise once more with the way it has evolved as one of the toughest teams to beat in Dota 2. So far, their success in the PGL Wallachia Season 5 championship was a huge feat, and being able to take down the Gaimin Gladiators is a sign of solid dominance that they are mounting up in the big stage. This triumph marks the third tournament won by BetBoom – and the second overall this year. It can be remembered that the squad has seen some tough stretches with three years of inconsistent runs where they have lost and won from time to time. Now that they are back on the winning track, it seems that the European squad is getting to a bigger run now more than ever. On top of that, BetBoom has largely improved well in their games. They did have some poor performances in the past few tournaments, but this win in the PGL stage was a great look for the team considering that they had a lot of tough stretches. After coming up as a runner-up in DreamLeague Season 26, BetBoom has triumphed and earned its place at the top once more. A Big Win for BetBoom BetBoom took a commanding 3-1 victory in the Grand Finals of the PGL Wallachia Season 5, making it look easy against the Gaimin Gladiators – despite the tough competition that was seen from both teams for most of the tournament. BB took home a whopping $300,000 as the lion’s share of the prize money for the tournament. It was a strong outing for BetBoom in the whole tournament – they did have a struggle in the Group Stages when underdogs such as Edge and Natus Vincere nearly put them at the brink of elimination. They did bounce back later to tally just enough wins to push through, taking down Virtus.Pro, Xtreme Gaming, and Team Tidebound to blast their way into the playoffs. No struggles followed after that for the team. They took down Team Spirit in the first round before falling to Team Liquid in the next round. Luckily, they only fell to the lower bracket, which is still a good look for the team as they sent NAVI and Team Spirit before finally avenging their loss against Liquid once more in the same bracket. Grand Final Showdown BetBoom did not slow down in the Grand Final clash with the Gaimin Gladiators. They cruised for a strong win in 30 minutes for the first game, and then snowballed a start in Game 2 before claiming a 2-0 lead in 31 minutes. Gladiators did try to respond and took Game 3 with a better control of the lane to stay alive. However, BetBoom did not let themselves lose two games in a row and wrapped up the showdown after an hour in Game 4. As one of the rising powerhouses in Dota 2, BetBoom deserves a lot of praise for its impressive performances in PGL Wallachia Season 5. After all, they do have to make up for lost time as they seek to come up with strong campaigns that will see them emerge as a contender in the coming months. With the 2025 Esports World Cup and The International also closing in, it does seem that BetBoom has a lot to grind for and find a way to win big once more.

Defense has always been the pride for the Denver Broncos in the past few years, and the 2024 season was no exception to that as well. After finally clinching double-digit wins for the first time last season since the 2015 campaign, it seems that linebacker Alex Singleton is expected to anchor the defense to bring Denver to the top of the league like they did before. The Broncos are one of the teams slowly moving towards elite playoff contention. They are building on last year’s successes and proving that they still have what it takes to be a top team to look out for. For starters, it seems that the 2015 Broncos are a promising benchmark to begin with. After all, that same squad was also the last version of Denver that managed to reach the Super Bowl and win it all. And that’s what the 2025 Broncos are eager to follow through with: the hopes of proving their worth now more than ever. This is the best they can aspire to be, and even Singleton knows that there are a lot of expectations heading into the campaign. Mile High City on the Rise Denver is one of the teams that have been known for its strong defensive performances in the league over the years, and the current iteration of the team is certainly built for that matter, and now they are chasing bigger goals with the hopes of winning titles at the end of the day. The Orange Crush in the 1970s and ‘80s has all shown that they have what it takes to win. So did the 1997-98 squad that went back-to-back in the championships. If that isn’t a landmark of defensive success at the top, then that’s what the Broncos need to follow as well. "It's one of those things where it's like, 'Let's be better than the 2015 defense.' Stuff where like that's what we need to chase," Singleton said in an interview with DNVR last week. "You have to chase it when we start practice. ... We have to be the best every single day to get where we want to go." For starters, the 2015 Broncos were a notable squad as it ranked 1st overall in total yards, passing yards, average yards per rush, and sacks. It featured elite stars such as future Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware and that year's Super Bowl MVP, Von Miller. A Chance at a Title? The Broncos were a promising team in 2024. They had a stellar defense led by eventual AP Defensive Player of the Year cornerback Patrick Surtain II. They’ve also managed to keep their key pieces such as D.J. Jones and Justin Strnad and lost only linebacker Cody Barton – with the latter eventually replaced by Singleton himself. "I think this year - a lot of guys, including in the building, didn't fully expect to add so much to the defensive side this offseason and when we got it it was like, 'Oh this is going to be fun,'" Singleton said. "We just went somewhere that a lot of teams don't ever go, we're really, really excited." Fans are yet to see the full strength of this Broncos defense on the biggest stage and against the toughest teams out there. With the season coming in hot, expect a lot of odds to start swaying into Denver’s favor as they try to win big.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has just released a report saying that the group of hackers that once targeted MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment may potentially hit the airline industry next. Scattered Spider, the hacking group that victimized the two biggest casino operators in 2023, may have airlines in its sights using social engineering, an increasingly used type of cyber thievery, and ransomware. The notorious cybercriminal group known as Scattered Spider - responsible for 2023's headline-making ransomware attacks on Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International - is now setting its sights on another high-profile sector: the airline industry. According to a recent alert from the FBI, this group of hackers has shifted focus from casinos to aviation, using sophisticated social engineering tactics to infiltrate airline IT systems. These tactics often involve impersonating legitimate employees or contractors in an attempt to fool help desk staff into granting unauthorized access. Scattered Spider actors are increasingly relying on social engineering techniques, often impersonating employees or contractors to deceive IT help desks, the FBI stated. These methods are also used to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA), such as tricking help desks into registering unauthorized MFA devices, the FBI added. Ransomware and extortion: a familiar strategy The FBI alert indicates that Scattered Spider is once again using ransomware to lock down corporate systems and extort payment from victims, a strategy that proved profitable in the group's previous attacks on the casino industry. In 2023, Caesars Entertainment reportedly paid the hackers $15 million to prevent the release of sensitive customer data. MGM Resorts, which refused to comply, suffered widespread technological outages that crippled its casino operations and cost the company roughly $100 million in lost revenue and another $10 million in one-time fees. The law enforcement agency is now warning airline companies and their partners to remain vigilant and is actively working with them to combat the growing threat. The FBI is collaborating with affected industries to address this activity and assist victims, the agency noted. We encourage any business that suspects it has been targeted to contact law enforcement immediately, it continued. Airlines already under siege While no airline has officially named Scattered Spider as the culprit, the sector has recently experienced a surge in cyberattacks. WestJet in Canada and Hawaiian Airlines both reported being targeted, while Delta Airlines has urged customers to reset their passwords as a precautionary measure. The pattern of attacks, combined with the use of deceptive tactics, closely mirrors the methods previously deployed against casinos. Industry insiders and security experts suggest that it's highly plausible Scattered Spider is behind these recent intrusions. Airlines, much like casinos, manage a vast wealth of sensitive customer information, including names, physical addresses, travel itineraries, and details from government-issued IDs such as passports and driver's licenses. This makes them particularly attractive to hackers seeking to profit from data theft and extortion. Airlines are logical targets, cybersecurity experts say. They hold highly sensitive personal data that can be sold, ransomed, or leaked - each of which poses major reputational and financial risks. According to the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Scattered Spider has a well-documented history of data theft and extortion, often in conjunction with ransomware known as BlackCat or ALPHV. The group is known for targeting not only large corporations but also their contracted IT providers, exploiting weak links in cybersecurity protocols. FBI reiterates: don't pay hackers Despite the temptation to resolve such incidents quietly, the FBI strongly advises businesses against paying ransom. Doing so, officials argue, only emboldens threat actors and increases the likelihood of future attacks. The growing threat posed by Scattered Spider demonstrates the critical need for robust cybersecurity across industries. As the group continues to expand its range of victims, companies in the travel, leisure, and aviation sectors are being urged to boost their defenses, train staff to recognize social engineering schemes, and report suspicious activity without delay.

A court in Sacramento, California has denied Underdog's request for a Temporary Restraining Order for the Office of the Attorney General Rob Bonta. AG Bonta is scheduled to issue his opinion on Daily Fantasy Sports, and this opinion may substantially affect Underdog's operations in the state. A California judge has denied Underdog Sports' attempt to block Attorney General Rob Bonta from issuing a legal opinion on the status of Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) in the state, dealing a blow to the fantasy sports and betting operator's efforts to safeguard its California operations. Judge Jennifer Rockwell of the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, dismissed Underdog's ex parte motion for a temporary restraining order on Wednesday. The motion, filed on July 1, sought to halt the imminent release of Bonta's anticipated opinion, which is widely believed to conclude that most forms of paid fantasy sports are illegal under current California law. Court finds no urgency for intervention In her ruling, Judge Rockwell emphasized that Underdog had ample time to challenge the attorney general's authority. The court noted that the DFS legal review was prompted more than 18 months ago when State Senator Scott Wilk formally requested an opinion from Bonta. "The fact that Petitioners delayed filing this action does not constitute a basis for ex parte relief," the ruling stated. Furthermore, the court underlined that any forthcoming opinion from the attorney general would not carry legal force on its own, nor would it change existing law. "The Attorney General's forthcoming opinion on fantasy sports does not effect any change in law and does not carry the weight of law," the court noted. "As a result, the court explained that the protective relief we sought was not necessary," a spokesperson for Underdog said in a statement following the decision. Underdog disputes Bonta's authority and legal interpretation Despite the court's ruling, Underdog continues to challenge Bonta's authority to issue an opinion on the matter. In its motion for the TRO, the company alleged that any opinion the attorney general might issue would rely on factual determinations that, under California law, fall outside the scope of the opinion process. "The last two Attorneys General, Kamala Harris and Xavier Becerra, did not issue opinions on fantasy sports," an Underdog spokesperson stated. "Attorney General Bonta has been in office for more than four years without questioning fantasy sports games." Underdog maintains confidence in the legality of its operations and believes California law supports fantasy sports contests. The company drew parallels to legal battles in other states, noting that courts in both Illinois and New York ultimately rejected attorney general opinions that deemed DFS unlawful. "We are optimistic the law will be followed and are confident in the legality of fantasy sports in California," the spokesperson added. "If a negative opinion is issued, fantasy sports will prevail on the merits." Opinion expected any day, lawsuit still ongoing While the request for a restraining order has been denied, Underdog's broader lawsuit against Bonta remains active. The company is contesting whether the attorney general has the legal authority to issue such an opinion on DFS in the first place. The court's decision means Bonta is now free to release his opinion, which observers expect to arrive as soon as Thursday, the 3rd of July. While it may not carry the force of law, a negative stance from the attorney general could have significant implications for the perception and regulation of fantasy sports in California. In the meantime, Underdog has signaled that it will continue to operate in the state. We thank the court for that clarity and look forward to continuing to offer our fantasy contests in California, the company said.

The saga is just beginning: we've already reported that the California AG is set to release its opinion on DFS in the state, which may make it illegal - and now, we've just learned that Underdog has sued the Attorney General in order to stop the AG from releasing its opinion on Daily Fantasy Sports. Daily fantasy sports operator Underdog has filed an emergency lawsuit to stop California Attorney General Rob Bonta from issuing a legal opinion that could significantly impact the fantasy sports market in the state. Filed Monday in the Sacramento Superior Court, the lawsuit argues that the attorney general lacks the legal authority to issue such an opinion and warns that doing so could cause 'irreparable harm' to the company. The anticipated opinion is expected to declare daily fantasy sports illegal under California law - a move that Underdog says would not only destroy its own operations but also upend an industry that has operated in the state for decades. Underdog warns of 'imminent irreparable harm' In a memorandum supporting its request for a temporary restraining order or TRO, Underdog said it was blindsided by the impending release of Bonta's opinion. The company notes that approximately 10% of its overall business is tied to California customers. "Without this Court's immediate intervention, this unlawful gambit may succeed," the memorandum states. "Underdog faces imminent irreparable harm - from fleeing customers, risk-averse banks and payment processors, and the loss of investment and goodwill - if the Attorney General issues the opinion as planned." The company is seeking the TRO to preserve what it describes as the long-standing status quo for DFS in California, pending further court review. Challenging the Attorney General's authority At the heart of the lawsuit is Underdog's contention that the attorney general has no authority to weigh in on the legality of DFS through this type of opinion. The company asserts that such legal opinions are limited to questions of law directly tied to the responsibilities of the officials requesting them. "Absent relief from this Court, Attorney General Rob Bonta will issue an opinion later this week that will decimate fantasy sports in California," the filing reads. "Attorney General Bonta should be enjoined from doing so, not because he is wrong in his views on the legality of fantasy sports - though he certainly is - but because...he lacks authority to issue the opinion." Underdog contends that neither of the statutory requirements are satisfied in this case, and therefore the AG's office is overstepping its bounds. Pressure campaign alleged In a supporting declaration, Underdog attorney David Gringer of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP claimed that the AG's office is using the forthcoming opinion to apply pressure on DFS companies to exit the state voluntarily. According to Gringer, a representative of the AG's office indicated that the goal was to follow the playbook of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose 2016 opinion led one major DFS company to cease operations in that state. "The representative stated that...the goal of the Attorney General's office would be to use the threat of an enforcement action... to pressure Underdog into agreeing to leave California entirely," Gringer's declaration reads. Citing California's legal guidelines Gringer also questioned the internal guidelines used by the AG's office in deciding when to issue opinions. According to state law (Section 12519), the attorney general may only issue formal legal opinions at the request of certain state officials - and only when the questions pertain to the duties of their respective offices. When asked about these limits, the AG's office reportedly claimed that it was obligated to answer all questions posed by legislators, regardless of context. But Gringer pushed back, including a reference to the AG office's own published guidelines that contradict such an interpretation. The attorney general's office has not publicly responded to the lawsuit, but a formal legal opinion is still expected by the end of the week. If issued, the opinion could lead to widespread disruption in California's thriving DFS sector.

The very first virtual sports product has been launched in the US by the Virginia Lottery in collaboration with Aristocrat Gaming and Inspired Entertainment. Referred to as VSports, these virtual lottery games include sports such as basketball, football, horse racing, and more, available through the Virginia Lottery's online platform. The Virginia Lottery has made history by becoming the first US regulated lottery to offer virtual sports draw games online, marking a groundbreaking step in the evolution of digital lottery entertainment. This new suite of games, called VSports, was launched through a strategic partnership involving Aristocrat Interactive, Inspired Entertainment, and NeoPollard Interactive. A pioneering move in the US iLottery market VSports represents the first-ever introduction of virtual sports to a regulated digital lottery platform in the United States. The games simulate popular sports such as basketball, football, and horse racing, and are now available to players through the Virginia Lottery's online platform. Unlike traditional sports betting, these games rely on a certified random number generator, delivering outcomes that are both fair and entertaining, but not tied to real-world events. Offering new ways to play, the virtual games operate on a frequent, rapid schedule - running every two to three minutes - and replicate the excitement of live sports for digital lottery players. This innovation is designed to enhance engagement while aligning with regulatory standards in the gaming space. Tech integration and key partnerships The new product was developed by Inspired Entertainment, a global leader in virtual sports content, and was seamlessly integrated into the Virginia Lottery's digital ecosystem through Aristocrat Interactive's Fusion aggregation platform. NeoPollard Interactive also played a key role in delivering the content by leveraging its longstanding operational partnership with the Virginia Lottery. The collaborative approach helped ensure that the integration was both technically robust and aligned with the lottery's strategic goals. The Managing Director of Aristocrat Interactive iLottery, Chris Shaban, highlighted the significance of the launch, stating: "The introduction of these first-of-its-kind draw games for the Virginia Lottery exemplifies how customers can benefit from strategic integrations that drive new innovations." A win for players and public education From the Virginia Lottery's perspective, the introduction of VSports is more than just a novel gaming option - it's a way to expand player offerings while staying true to its mission of supporting public education. "This relationship allows us to provide a wide range of new, distinctive games that we are confident will be exciting and appealing to our players," said the Deputy Executive Director of Marketing at the Virginia Lottery, Scott Kenyon. "At the same time, it supports the Lottery's overall mission of raising revenue for K-12 public education in the Commonwealth." Part of a broader growth strategy The launch of VSports comes amid strong digital performance from Aristocrat Interactive in 2025, particularly in the North Carolina and Virginia markets through its NPI venture. The iLottery and digital content segments were among the few bright spots for Aristocrat in the first half of the year, contributing to a 9% increase in overall group revenue despite headwinds in its international gaming division. The success of the Virginia launch is expected to pave the way for further expansion of virtual sports offerings in other regulated lottery markets. Inspired Entertainment confirmed that more VSports titles are on the horizon, describing the current rollout as the first phase in a broader content roadmap aimed at transforming the digital lottery experience nationwide. As digital gaming continues to gain momentum across the US, the Virginia Lottery"s VSports debut could serve as a blueprint for how traditional lottery organizations can innovate while maintaining regulatory compliance. With more titles expected to launch and additional states watching closely, this pioneering move may be just the beginning of a larger shift in how Americans engage with lottery games online.