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Mark Stone's injury has cast a shadow over the Vegas Golden Knights' playoff aspirations, particularly in their pivotal Game 4 against the Edmonton Oilers. After sustaining an upper-body injury in the first period of Game 3, Stone was ruled out for the remainder of the contest and is considered week-to-week. This marks a significant setback for the Golden Knights, as Stone has been a cornerstone of their offense, contributing 53 points in 56 games during the regular season. Despite his absence, the Golden Knights remain focused on the task at hand. Head coach Bruce Cassidy emphasized the need for the team to rally together and compensate for Stone's absence. "We can make up some of the offense as we go along, but if we play good defense with this team, that generally leads to good offense," Cassidy remarked. As the series progresses, all eyes will be on how the Golden Knights adapt to this challenge and whether they can continue their playoff run without their captain. The Stone Dilemma The Vegas Golden Knights enter tonight’s pivotal Game 4 against the Edmonton Oilers without their captain, Mark Stone, who is sidelined due to an upper-body injury sustained in the first period of Game 3. Despite Stone’s absence, the Golden Knights remain confident in their depth and resilience as they aim to take a commanding 3–1 series lead at T-Mobile Arena. Stone, who led the team with 56 points this season, has been a cornerstone of Vegas' offense. His leadership and scoring ability will be missed, but the Golden Knights have demonstrated their depth throughout the season. “You just have to keep playing, that’s what we did last night. He went into the dressing room and we kept playing,” Vegas forward Ivan Barbashev said on Sunday. “It’s not easy when Stone is not out there, but the guys started to play extra hard.” Players like Jack Eichel, Chandler Stephenson, and William Carrier have stepped up in previous games, and they will need to continue their strong performances in Stone’s absence. Additionally, goaltender Adin Hill is expected to start, bringing stability to the crease. Stone has eight points (four goals, four assists) in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games, including four points (two goals, two assists) in this best-of-7 series, which Vegas trails 2-1 after Reilly Smith won Game 3 by scoring with 0.4 seconds left in the third period. The Chance for the Oilers The Oilers, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, are formidable opponents but have shown vulnerabilities, particularly in their penalty kill. The Golden Knights' power play, ranked seventh in the league, could exploit this weakness to gain an advantage. Vegas' defensive unit will also play a crucial role in containing Edmonton's high-powered offense. While Stone's injury is a significant setback, the Golden Knights' depth, leadership, and strategic play provide a solid foundation for success in Game 4. The team remains focused and determined to continue their playoff run and capitalize on the opportunity to extend their series lead. With the way the Oilers are playing this time, the Golden Knights are expected to be in for a tough struggle without their leading scorer and captain on the ice. Reports are yet to come in surrounding Stone’s availability, so there’s still a lot of hope for their chances to turn this series around as it is tied at 2-2.

In a report done by the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality, and Tourism, an analysis of the gaming sector in Atlantic City showed that AC casinos face an imminent threat from the would-be gaming sector of New York City. While the overall GGR saw an increase of 9% from 2023, on-site gross gaming revenue has still not come back to revenues that were last seen before the pandemic - and, in fact, AC casino revenue has remained flat in recent years. Atlantic City's casino industry remains profitable and a vital economic engine for South Jersey, but a newly released report from the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality, and Tourism at Stockton University has raised red flags about the city's long-term competitiveness - especially as New York City prepares to enter the brick-and-mortar casino market. All nine Atlantic City casinos reported profits in 2024, even amid rising operating costs and a flat trajectory in in-person gaming revenues. While total gross gaming revenue rose 9% over the previous year, much of that growth was driven by online gambling and sports betting. Meanwhile, land-based casino win - a key measure of in-person play - actually declined by more than 1%. "In-person gaming revenues are still not back to pre-pandemic levels, even though casinos continue reinvesting in their properties," said Jane Bokunewicz, LIGHT Faculty Director. "This flat performance, combined with inflation and market pressures raises serious questions about future sustainability." Costs climb as visitor numbers lag The LIGHT study, titled Impact: Atlantic City Casino Industry, offers a comprehensive look at the sector's performance and its wider implications for the region. While 2024 brought approximately 18 million visitors to Atlantic City - a slight increase from 2023 - that number remains roughly two million below 2019 levels and six million less than 2009. Casinos have responded to rising expenses by raising prices. Compared to 2019, the resorts collected $109.1 million more from accommodations and $1.6 million from F&B services. However, this additional revenue has largely been absorbed by increased labor, benefits, and supply costs. Another financial strain comes from the structure of online gaming revenue. A significant share of that income is funneled to third-party partners such as DraftKings and FanDuel, reducing what casino operators ultimately retain. As a result, total net revenues declined by 0.5% in 2024, totaling $3.31 billion. A cornerstone of the South Jersey economy Despite challenges, Atlantic City's casino industry continues to deliver meaningful economic benefits across South Jersey. The sector supported 23,000 jobs in 2024 and contributed $883 million in taxes and fees. Operators also spent $605 million on goods and services from New Jersey-based vendors, reinvested $205 million into property upgrades, donated $1 million to charitable causes, and collectively volunteered over 7,000 hours. Atlantic City's casinos are not just entertainment venues - they are critical to the regional economy, Bokunewicz noted. That's why it's vital for public and private stakeholders to work together to ensure the city remains competitive. New York City threat looms large The most significant challenge to Atlantic City's future may come from across the Hudson River. By the end of 2025, New York State is expected to award three downstate casino licenses, paving the way for multibillion-dollar resorts in or near New York City. Each license will carry a $500 million fee and allow operators to offer slot machines, table games, and retail sports betting in key feeder markets like Manhattan, Westchester County, and Long Island - areas that have historically provided a steady stream of visitors to Atlantic City. The next few years are critical, Bokunewicz emphasized. New York's gaming expansion will reshape the landscape, and we must respond with continued investment, innovation, and a renewed commitment to making Atlantic City a premier destination. As Atlantic City faces increased pressure, the LIGHT report serves as both a progress check and a call to action for industry leaders, policymakers, and the local community. While the city's gaming industry has proven resilient, the coming wave of competition means there is little room for complacency.

DraftKings has reported a loss for the first quarter of the year because of favorable bets, but it still shows a favorable outlook. The March Madness event, in particular, was able to offset the Super Bowl, yet DraftKings still had revenue of $1.41 billion, a 20% increase from the same time last year. Sports-betting platform DraftKings posted a narrower-than-expected loss in the first quarter, driven by strong customer engagement and platform improvements. However, the company cited 'customer-friendly sport outcomes in March' - a reference to bettor-favored results during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament - as a key reason it refrained from raising its full-year revenue forecast. Despite this, shares rose 1.8% in after-hours trading. DraftKings shares and revenue rise DraftKings reported a first-quarter loss of 7 cents per share, slightly better than the 8-cent loss projected by analysts. Revenue for the quarter hit $1.41 billion, a 20% increase from the same period last year, though it narrowly missed the $1.43 billion consensus forecast by FactSet. The company attributed its growth to an expanding user base and improved retention of betting dollars. Additionally, DraftKings credited its recent acquisition of Jackpocket, a digital lottery app, for helping to drive top-line performance. Chief Executive Officer Jason Robins emphasized that platform enhancements and solid consumer activity helped boost results despite macroeconomic challenges. Our continued focus on product innovation and user experience is paying off, Robins said. Customer metrics such as deposits, engagement time, and betting frequency remain strong, even as broader economic conditions evolve. DraftKings says sports outcomes played significant role Still, Robins acknowledged that March's sports outcomes - especially during the NCAA tournament - played a role in muting the company's full-year optimism. "If not for customer-friendly sport outcomes in March, we would be raising our fiscal-year 2025 revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance," he said. The 2025 March Madness tournament, marked by the dominance of favored teams and a relative lack of upsets, led to a higher-than-usual number of successful bets by customers. This dynamic reduced the company's overall profitability for the period, effectively offsetting what executives described as a "favorable" Super Bowl outcome, where sportsbooks had generally benefited from the underdog Philadelphia Eagles' surprise win. In its letter to shareholders, DraftKings explained that March's bettor-friendly environment "more than offset" gains from the Super Bowl, impacting its ability to revise its fiscal forecast upward. DraftKings' expectations and reactions from investors DraftKings now expects full-year revenue in the range of $6.2 billion to $6.4 billion - slightly down from its previous outlook of $6.3 billion to $6.6 billion. However, analysts at Bank of America had already signaled that the market had priced in potential headwinds from March Madness, suggesting that investor reaction was tempered by adjusted expectations. Despite the modest pullback in guidance, DraftKings remains optimistic about its positioning. The company said it is "well-positioned" to navigate current economic conditions and highlighted the resilience of online gaming, noting that similar platforms demonstrated stability during the global financial crisis. "We are beginning to realize efficiency as broader corporate demand softens in areas such as advertising," the shareholder letter added, pointing to tightening budgets in non-core areas. Confidence in DraftKings continues Over the past year, DraftKings shares have fallen 19.7%, with a 5% decline so far in 2025. However, Thursday's after-hours uptick suggests investor confidence remains intact, especially as sports betting continues to mature and expand across the US. Looking ahead, DraftKings will likely continue focusing on operational efficiency, user growth, and navigating the variance that inevitably comes with the sports-betting business - where sometimes, even winning results can feel like a loss on the balance sheet.

The Boston Celtics may be in deep trouble now more than ever as they have faced adversity for the first time in the playoffs. The defending champions are down 0-2 in their East Semis against the New York Knicks. With the series shifting on the road, it does seem that fans would be right to be worried with the way this postseason run is turning out to be. Two games, two 20-point leads, two losses. That has been the story so far in this series as the Celtics have found themselves in winning positions in both games, only to end up choking in the fourth and having a massive meltdown down the stretch. With the series still two games away from ending should the Knicks win the next matches, it is safe to say that the Celtics are in danger. In fact, all home teams in the second round of the playoffs this season have gone 0-6 before the Oklahoma City Thunder won in Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets. The Cleveland Cavaliers have also lost its first two, and the Minnesota Timberwolves lost its first game. If the Celtics are keen to win their second title in a row, they need to respond well. The Meltdowns Boston has found itself leading by 20 in both Games 1 and 2, and yet the Knicks continued to chip away and put in some impressive plays before eventually stealing the game away. In both games, it was Mikal Bridges who delivered the knockout punch for the Knicks, stealing the ball away from Jaylen Brown in Game 1, and then doing the same against Jayson Tatum in Game 2. Both Boston stars failed to put up a shot attempt in the dying seconds of the game, which says a lot about the struggle that really has the Celtics engulfed with so far. In fact, Tatum and Brown combined for just two points in the fourth quarter of Game 2, going 1-10 from the field. As a team, Boston scored only 17 points and was 5-24 from the field, including 2-11 from three. New York was laughed at and trolled for most of the season as it went 0-10 against all 60-win teams, and yet it has gone 2-0 versus Boston so far. This just says a lot about the big difference of the intensity in the NBA Playoffs – especially in the second round so far. The Three-Point Dilemma The Boston Celtics is the best three-point shooting team in the league this season. And it makes perfect sense that they would also have a lot of misses as they attempt the most threes in the game. So far, it isn’t working well for the defending champs as they have now attempted 100 threes in just the first two games. It hasn’t really been a big difference as the Knicks certainly shot better than them, which says a lot about how the three should be a massive problem for the Celtics at this point. For a team that continuously drops a lot of bricks from three, it is certainly killing their chances. Out of those 100 attempts, Boston has only made 25 threes. It is a huge difference maker considering that this is a series that will need to see at least six games if the Celtics are going to keep their title hopes alive.

After 10 years with the English Premier League giants Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne is now on the hunt for his next team in his soccer career as MLS club Chicago Fire is actively in talks with the star midfielder’s party and is expected to land a deal once the current EPL season ends. Back in April, De Bruyne announced that he would be moving on from Manchester City – ending his run as one of the most highly acclaimed players in the history of the club. According to multiple sources, Inter Miami is also expected to join in on the talks and maybe in contention for the star midfielder’s signature as well. So far, bringing in De Bruyne is indeed going to be a promising addition to Chicago Fire, who is in dire need of a playmaker and can command across the pitch. This just says a lot about how Chicago is going to make an impressive upgrade with the hopes of climbing up in the league standings and making a rise to a higher level of contention. Chicago’s Gamble Chicago currently ranks outside of the top nine in the MLS standings. The club is ranked 11th overall as of the time of writing and is definitely not likely to come up with even more winning strides in the season. That 3-4-4 record isn’t really much of a great indicator, and one can say that Fire needs a lot of changes in its roster if they are going to make the most of their chances now more than ever. De Bruyne is an expensive talent – but Chicago certainly has the means to land his signature. Sure, Inter Miami does own the discovery rights for the Belgian star, but the team has already filled its max number of designated players in Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, which means that Chicago’s window is certainly wide open with this potential signing. Chicago, on the other hand, only has one filled spot in the designated players. This means they can even add one more international talent should they find the best fit for their team. It is also noted that the Fire would not even pursue De Bruyne initially if it wasn’t for owner Joe Mansueto’s aggressive and ambitious leadership in the club. De Bruyne’s Resume A six-time champion in the Premier League, a Champions League winner in 2022-23, and having 189 goals to his name in Manchester City history, De Bruyne is definitely a talent to watch, and a huge boost should the Chicago Fire acquire his talents. However, it seems that Chicago will really need to lock in if they are going to bring him in with competition all around. "I’m open for anything, anything, just because I have to look at the whole picture," De Bruyne said. "I’m looking at sporting, family, everything together, what makes the most sense for me and my family. I don’t know what that is, because it depends on when you speak to people and what they say about projects or something, like I said, I still feel like I can play at a good level, but then after I’ll have to make a decision once I really know a little bit more." Still, all signs point toward the likelihood that Chicago will be bringing him in. While there are many rumors about how De Bruyne is expected to sign with other teams, Chicago is emerging as the leading club to look out for in the said sweepstakes for the midfielder.

Even though betting on the odds of an American pope were very long, several bettors made the right choice - and earned over $50,000 in the process. These six bettors used the prediction platform Polymarket and made a minimum of $20K on their wagers. The leader of the six made an astonishing $63,650.65 off a $1,000 bet – a whopping 6,000 ROI. In an unexpected turn of events, a handful of savvy gamblers earned life-changing payouts after wagering on Robert Francis Prevost as the next pope - a candidate considered a major longshot just hours before his surprise selection. The unexpected election sent shockwaves through online prediction markets and delivered outsized profits to a few well-positioned bettors. Massive payouts on long odds On the blockchain prediction platform Polymarket, a handful of users - a mere six - walked away with profits of more than $20,000 each after betting on Prevost, according to public data available on the site's decentralized ledger. Topping the leaderboard was a user with the handle 'JustPunched', who turned a modest $1,059.52 wager into an astounding $63,650.65 profit - an ROI of over 6,000%. Rival platform Kalshi also saw one of its users strike gold, turning a mere $526 bet into a whopping $52,641 payout. The outsized returns came thanks to Prevost's slim odds going into the final hours of the papal conclave. As of 12 pm EDT on Thursday, Prevost's implied chances of being selected stood at just 1.6% on Kalshi and 1.8% on Polymarket. In practical terms, that meant a $170 bet placed at midday would have yielded a staggering $10,000 return if placed on Prevost. $40 million in papal betting volume The surprise election contributed to unprecedented interest in betting on religious leadership. Combined, Kalshi and Polymarket saw $40.4 million in total betting volume on their papal markets - an indicator of both growing enthusiasm and financial risk in the emerging world of political and cultural prediction markets. Not everyone emerged victorious, of course. On Polymarket alone, a minimum of nine users lost more than $10,000 each after backing the heavy favorite, Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy, who was widely seen as the frontrunner leading into the final hours of the conclave. From Chicago to the Vatican The new pope, Robert Francis Prevost, hails from Chicago and is a graduate of Villanova University. At 69, he has become the first American to ascend to the papacy - an outcome few predicted, even among seasoned Vatican watchers. His victory marks a major departure from tradition and is already sparking both celebration and controversy across global Catholic circles. Prevost's election marks a notable moment not just for the Church but for the evolution of political prediction markets, where people now regularly wager on major news events. Prediction markets on the rise Both Kalshi as well as Polymarket rose to greater prominence during the 2024 US presidential election. The platforms gained attention for their sharp divergence from polling-based models, with both leaning more heavily toward a Trump victory than traditional forecasts. Their growing popularity reflects a wider shift toward 'wisdom of crowds' approaches in political forecasting. Kalshi, in particular, has high-profile backers, including billionaires Charles Schwab and Henry Kravis as well as Donald Trump Jr., who actually serves as a strategic adviser to the firm. As these platforms continue to grow, the papal election has become their latest proof point: real-time, decentralized betting markets can sometimes outmaneuver conventional wisdom - and handsomely reward those willing to take the boldest risks.

Popular Scandinavian gaming provider Play'n GO has vowed never to supply its games to sweepstakes casinos, and it further confirms its commitment to promoting only regulated and licensed gaming markets worldwide. Swedish gaming powerhouse Play'n GO has made a strong and definitive statement regarding its business practices, as it vows never to supply its industry-leading portfolio of casino games to sweepstakes casinos. Johan Törnqvist, the company's Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, made the declaration, further demonstrating Play'n GO's unwavering commitment to operating strictly within regulated and licensed gaming markets worldwide. "Sweepstakes casinos do not operate inside a regulated framework, and that's not something we support," said Törnqvist. "Our commitment to regulated markets is absolute. We will never supply our games to sweepstakes casinos." The ever-growing regulatory scrutiny on sweepstakes casinos Sweepstakes casinos, often operating in legal grey areas by circumventing gambling laws through promotional and virtual currency models, have come under increasing scrutiny - especially across the United States. These platforms operate outside conventional regulatory frameworks, raising serious concerns among policymakers, regulators, and responsible gaming advocates. Shawn Fluharty, Play'n GO's Head of Government Affairs, voiced strong opposition to these unregulated entities. "Sweepstakes casinos threaten the regulated market model that many of us in the industry have worked so hard to achieve," he said. "That model protects players first and foremost and delivers much-needed revenue to jurisdictions." Fluharty further warned of long-term consequences for businesses engaging with unregulated markets: "Regulators have long memories. Anyone doing business with sweepstakes casinos today will find it very difficult to do business in a future regulated market." A history of ethical leadership This announcement is consistent with Play'n GO's longstanding position as a responsible and forward-thinking industry leader. The company has repeatedly taken proactive steps to align with evolving regulatory standards and promote industry integrity. For instance, Play'n GO was notably the first supplier to rule out the production of 'bonus buy' games - game titles that allow players to purchase features directly - long before such games were officially banned by Dutch and UK regulators. This stand has since become a benchmark in regulatory compliance and ethical game design, as several other jurisdictions consider similar restrictions. Backed by industry partners and policy advocates The company's recent strategic partnership with Tipico, a major German casino operator, demonstrates Play'n GO's commitment to clean, regulated markets. Through this alliance and partnership, Tipico has chosen to prioritize Play'n GO's games on its platforms while removing titles from providers that operate in both regulated and black markets. Chief Commercial Officer at Play'n GO, Magnus Olsson, acknowledged the financial implications of such decisions but emphasized the importance of long-term integrity. "It's no secret that with this decision - much like with our stance towards Bonus Buy games - we have been, and continue to leave a lot of money on the table," said Olsson. "But everyone in the industry has a choice about what kind of industry we want. We want to see a fully regulated and sustainable industry that protects players, promotes innovation, and ensures that we actually have an industry in the future." A call to action for industry peers Play'n GO's bold move serves as both a commitment and a challenge to others in the gaming industry. With increasing momentum toward tighter regulation and more ethical business models, the company is urging fellow suppliers and operators to take a stand for sustainability and player protection. "We are starting to see both regulators and operators, such as with Tipico in Germany, recognize that the future of the industry is through regulation," said Olsson. "It's time for other suppliers to do their part too - and I'm delighted to see Play'n GO leading the way once again."

A lucky couple from Arizona, Betty and Michael H., are brand-new millionaires since they won more than a million dollars at a Wheel of Fortune slot game in Arizona’s Gila River Casino Santan Mountain. But the couple almost never went. They had been planning a beach getaway to another casino in the resort town of Rocky Point, but because their dog sitter canceled, they went instead to Gila River Casino Santan Mountain on Saturday. Little did they know that this occasion would result in their luckiest break. Many people would be upset if their weekend getaway plans were canceled at the last minute. But for an Arizona couple, a dog sitter’s last-minute change of heart turned out to be a million-dollar blessing. Michael H., a US Army veteran and retired airline employee, and his wife, Betty, were all set to travel to Puerto Peñasco - affectionately known as “Arizona’s beach” - for a relaxing weekend. But when their dog sitter backed out unexpectedly, the couple had no choice but to stay home in Chandler. Rather than stew over their scrapped travel plans, Betty suggested an alternative: a visit to the local casino a day earlier than their usual Sunday trip. Michael agreed, and the rest is history. Million-dollar moment on the slot floor On Saturday, the 3rd of May, the couple arrived at Gila River Casino Santan Mountain and decided to try their luck on the casino floor. That’s when Michael hit a stunning $1,033,590 jackpot on a Wheel of Fortune slot machine. “I’m glad I listened to my wife,” said Michael to Gila River Resorts & Casinos. The win took place at the $150 million Chandler-based Santan Mountain casino, which opened in 2023 and is operated by the Gila River Indian Community. The property features 850 slots and table games, a BetMGM-run sportsbook, and a high-limit gaming room. Though they visit the casino regularly, this win was anything but routine. From army service to shuttle bus driving - and now, millionaires Michael served in the Army before working for American Airlines for a total of 27 years. In retirement, he now drives a shuttle bus for residents at an independent living community. The couple, identified only as Michael and Betty H., have been leading a modest life - one that they say will change, but not dramatically, thanks to their winnings. They plan to use the seven-figure prize to purchase a new home and spend more quality time with their grandchildren, who live out of state. Why jackpot winners often choose anonymity Though casinos often encourage jackpot winners to go public - and even offer perks in exchange - most winners opt for partial anonymity. Sharing only an initial or a partial name helps them avoid unwanted attention from burglars, solicitors, or even overly enthusiastic relatives. Michael and Betty’s decision to share only their first names and last initial is typical. Even this level of exposure, however, may lead to unexpected consequences. They’ll probably need a new dog sitter now, quipped a spokesperson, half-jokingly. A strong reminder that luck can be unexpected For Gila River Resorts & Casinos, stories like Michael and Betty’s highlight the unpredictability and thrill of gaming. For the couple, it’s a reminder that even a disappointing change in plans can bring a surprising reversal of fortune. What started out as a missed vacation turned into a millionaire-making moment - all because they were in the right place at the right time.

A proposed bill from Representative Brian Stewart is in the pipeline, and it would allow Ohio residents to gamble online. Apart from sports betting, the proposed legislation aims to make it possible for Ohioans to engage in virtual poker and a host of other casino games on their mobile gadgets. Ohioans could soon have the ability to legally play online poker and other casino-style games from the comfort of their homes, under a new bill in development by a top Republican in the Ohio House. Representative Brian Stewart from Ashville, House Finance Committee chair, has confirmed that he is crafting legislation to establish legal iGaming in the Buckeye State. This would significantly broaden the state’s online gambling options beyond current sports betting platforms. We’re looking at how to responsibly expand iGaming in Ohio in a way that generates additional revenue for the state without undermining our existing gaming infrastructure, Stewart said in a statement. The new proposal, which could be introduced in the coming months, would enable residents to play virtual casino games such as poker or blackjack on their phones or laptops at any time. Revenue potential spurs legislative action The push for iGaming comes as Ohio lawmakers continue to look for new streams of revenue. Stewart, who also sponsors House Bill 96 - the House’s version of the state budget - sees online casino gaming as an opportunity to boost state funds without raising taxes. The Ohio House recently approved its budget proposal, which made sweeping changes to Governor Mike DeWine’s original plan. Among the changes: a rejection of the governor’s proposal to double the tax on sports betting operators. That tax increase was aimed at creating a fund for sports facilities, but House Republicans removed it, signaling a reluctance to raise taxes of any kind. Study supports expansion with caution The concept of online gambling isn’t new to Ohio lawmakers. Two years ago, as part of the current state budget, a special commission was created to evaluate the feasibility and impact of online casino-style games and digital lottery offerings. In a report released last July, three Republican lawmakers - Reps. Jeff LaRe, Cindy Abrams, and then-Rep. Jay Edwards - noted that states that had adopted iGaming or iLottery saw substantial growth in tax revenue. “These tax revenue benefits to the state and funding that could be provided to our K-12 education system cannot be overlooked,” they wrote. Interestingly, the lawmakers also pointed out that brick-and-mortar lottery sales actually increased in some states after online platforms were introduced, indicating that the two models could coexist successfully. Concerns from traditional gaming operators Despite the projected financial benefits, the report and lawmakers alike emphasized the need to proceed cautiously. Ohio’s existing gaming industry - which includes four full-service casinos and seven racinos - has expressed concerns that internet gambling might siphon off traffic and revenue from physical locations. The goal should be to supplement, not cannibalize, existing gaming operations in the state, the report noted. Balancing the growth of iGaming with protections for traditional casino operators is expected to be a central debate point as the bill moves forward. Legislation emerges amid budget battles The timing of Stewart’s iGaming proposal is notable, as the Ohio Senate continues to deliberate over the state’s biennial budget. The House’s version of the budget removed not only DeWine’s proposed sports betting tax hike, but also additional taxes on marijuana and tobacco products. However, while tax hikes were eliminated, the House budget also left out any kind of income tax reduction - a departure from the trend in the past seven budget cycles, where some form of income tax cut or adjustment was included. Details on the timeline for Stewart’s bill have not yet been released, but sources close to the matter expect draft language to surface in the coming weeks. If passed, the legislation could usher in a new era of digital gaming in Ohio - and reshape how residents interact with games of chance and skill alike.

Clément "Clem" Desplanches is sure gaming at a high level this time with the way he is racking up impressive wins in the recent StarCraft II A-Tier tournaments as of late. It cannot be denied that he is starting to build up a strong momentum for his title defense campaign in the upcoming Esports World Cup 2025. This year has been nothing short of elite for Clem, who has been scoring one tournament win after the other. Since the year 2025 tournaments have begun, Clem has either finished as the winner or the runner-up of an A-Tier tournament six times, which is more than any other player this year, with herO and MaxPax having the second most at two. The French wonder kid has taken down one elite star after another, and it is safe to say that this is him getting the gauge of his potential opponents heading into the coming months. With three big A-Tier tournaments left to play before the Esports World Cup, it seems that this will be the last runs that Clem needs to win at the very least. Clem Gunning for Wins Clem claimed his first win in 2025 with a revenge game against MaxPax in the OSC Championship Season 12, where he avenged his loss in the prior LiuLi Cup 2024 Grand Finals. He would go on to finish as a runner-up in the next two tournaments, losing to Cure in the WardiTV Team Liquid Map Contest #13 and then to Serral in the PiG Sty Festival 5.0 – both in the Grand Final stage of the respective tournaments. Since then, Clem has managed to beat MaxPax once more with a victory in the WardiTV Spring Championship 2025, and followed it up with the recent PiG Sty Festival 6.0, where he defeated herO as well. The next three tournaments to look out for Clem are Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2025 (June 4-7, 2025), HomeStory Cup XXVII (June 27-29, 2025), and the Championship of Russia 2025 (June 21-July 21, 2025). All of these have impressive prize pools compared to the last competitions that Clem played in, so it is easy to expect that he would be eager to play in the aforementioned tournaments. In hindsight, Clem has won or finished as the runner-up in the last six A-Tier tournaments this year, and that says a lot about the impressive pace that he is riding in for possibly a promising win to look out for. Driving the Pace The Esports World Cup 2025 tips off on July 7th, with games for Dota 2, Rennsport, and Valorant kicking off on the next day. StarCraft II games, on the other hand, doesn’t begin until July 22, which means that Clem will be either opting to skip the Championship of Russia or push through a tight schedule heading into the massive tournament. It can be remembered that Clem took home the big trophy of the inaugural run of the Esports World Cup last year, beating his rival Serral in a massive 5-0 sweep in the Grand Finals. In that run, Clem walked off with $400,000 in prize earnings, while Serral placed second and earned $150,000. With a lot of teams expected to show up and challenge Clem’s dominance, the French star’s hopes of winning and defending his title stand tall at this point.

The Cleveland crowd was chanting “overrated” whenever Tyrese Haliburton held the ball or shot from the free throw line. The Cavaliers were up by 20 – and it did seem to be right to poke the Indiana Pacers for their lackluster performance against a Cavs team that didn’t have Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and De’Andre Hunter. That was until Tyrese Haliburton stole the show. He was being out-starred by Donovan Mitchell for the whole game, with the latter finishing with 48 points in Game 2. Aaron Nesmith played well in the fourth to keep the team within striking distance. What was a 20-point lead eventually was cut down to 14 points in the fourth, before it was then a three-point game with 27 seconds left to play. Haliburton went up to shoot two free throws, made the first one before missing the second. But what was insane is that he grabbed the offensive rebound before creating space from Ty Jerome and then dropped the game-winner. And just like that, the Cavaliers found themselves down in an unfortunate 0-2 hole – which is definitely something that fans would not have wanted to see at this point. For Haliburton and the Pacers, this is a chance to secure an ECF berth for the second playoff run in a row. The Cavaliers Dilemma The Cavaliers are one of the three 60-win teams to crumble in the clutch in the second round so far, and they are the only one to do it twice so far. Apparently, they have one of the deepest benches in the NBA, and it was evident in the first three quarters before they actually came up with a choke job in the fourth. At this point, it is clear that the Cavs cannot afford players to miss more games. Cleveland has never experienced to see upsets so far in the postseason, and it all means that the expectations set before them are going to be challenged well at this point as the series now shifts to Indiana, where it has been quite tough for opponents to win in so far this postseason. The Cavaliers have no excuses, not when they didn’t have their second-leading scorer in Darius Garland, or the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Evan Mobley – or even De’Andre Hunter, who finished fourth overall in the 6MOTY voting. Whoever’s available has to step up. The Chance for Indiana Now up 2-0, it seems that the Indiana Pacers are definitely poised to win big in the coming games. The squad has been elite in the comeback so far, and the whole series has seen the odds shifting in their favor at this point, especially with the injuries that the Cavs have logged into the paper. This is a prime chance to sweep a 60-win team – something that has never happened in the history of the playoffs. Only five teams in the history of the NBA have managed to come back and win a series after dropping the first two games. This is the first time that the Cavaliers have faced adversity in its historic 2024-25 campaign. With the Pacers seeking to clinch this series right away, the Cavs have to rely on its success. They started 15-0, then a 16-game winning streak and another 12-game winning run. All of those massive achievements in the regular season don’t matter now. If they cannot tie the series by the next two games, then their wonder campaign is coming to an end.