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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.

As the College of Cardinals meet on Wednesday at the conclave, the betting odds for the new pope shifts as well. In the US, you can't bet on who will be the next pope, except if you go to prediction market platforms like Kalshi - but in Canada, you can, and BetMGM says that a clear frontrunner is Italy's Pietro Parolin at +225, the Vatican Secretary of State. He is followed by the Philippines' Luis Antonio Tagle at +300 and another Italian, Matteo Maria Zuppi, at +600. The Catholic Church may soon have a new leader, as the College of Cardinals convenes in the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday to begin the secretive conclave that will elect the next Pope. As global attention shifts to the Vatican, the betting markets are buzzing with speculation, with Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin emerging as the early favorite. Historic conclave begins The conclave - a centuries-old tradition shrouded in secrecy - will see 133 cardinals under the age of 80 gather behind the closed doors of the 15th-century Sistine Chapel. The cardinals will engage in rounds of deliberation and voting until a candidate receives the required two-thirds majority. A new pope could be chosen in a matter of hours, or the process could stretch on for days or even weeks. Until white smoke rises from the chapel chimney, indicating a successful vote, the world can only guess who the next leader of the Catholic Church will be. Betting markets put Parolin ahead While the US prohibits betting on papal elections, Canadian and European bookmakers have opened up odds - and a clear frontrunner has emerged. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Italy's Secretary of State and a high-ranking Vatican diplomat, leads the pack. According to sportsbook BetMGM Canada, Parolin's odds have strengthened from +250 to +225. He currently holds the highest share of wagers, with 23.3% of all bets and 32.4% of the total money wagered backing him to be the next Pope. Close behind is Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, often described as 'the Asian Pope Francis' for his pastoral style and reform-minded views. Tagle sits at +300. Another Italian, Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, known for his advocacy on social justice, follows at +600. Despite some speculation, the odds remain slim for the election of the first American Pope. The most favored American candidate in the betting markets is Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke at +3300, followed by New York’s Timothy Dolan and Dallas-based Kevin Farrell, both at +5000. With those odds, the possibility of an American Pope appears remote - at least according to the bookmakers. Prediction markets reflect a tight race Outside of traditional sportsbooks, prediction markets are also heating up. On Polymarket, a blockchain-based prediction platform, Parolin leads with a 26% chance of winning, based on a trading volume of $1.19 million. Tagle trails closely at 23% with a larger volume of $1.4 million, while Zuppi holds a 10% chance with over $865,000 in trades. Kalshi, another forecasting platform, shows nearly identical figures: Parolin with 26% followed closely by Tagle with 22%, and finally, Zuppi at 10%. David Merry, a UK-based BetVictor trader, noted that interest in papal betting has been lively, at least across the Atlantic. "Pope betting has been popular in the UK but zero bets so far from Canada. Thirty different cardinals have been backed so far. Peter Turkson is the most popular - he started at 10/1 and is now 11/2. We have a £20 stake limit so all small bets." The world watches and waits As the cardinals prepare for the solemn task ahead, the world waits with bated breath. While betting markets and predictions may offer clues, the final decision will remain sealed until the smoke signals otherwise. One thing is certain: when the conclave doors close on Wednesday, only the Holy Spirit - and 133 cardinals - will have a say in who becomes the next Pope.

A woman from Raleigh, North Carolina, Megan Sikora-Stypolkowski, was the lucky winner of the Powerball for $150K - but she only found out when she logged on to her NC Lottery account. She came across an article on the news about an unclaimed ticket - only to discover that it was actually her. What started as a routine check of lottery numbers turned into a life-changing moment for Raleigh resident Megan Sikora-Stypolkowski, who discovered she was the winner of an unclaimed $150,000 Powerball prize - after reading about it in the news. "I originally googled 'NC Lottery' because I was going to log in to my account to check the numbers from the drawing," stated Sikora-Stypolkowski. That innocent search led her to a Raleigh News & Observer article reporting that a $150,000 Powerball prize had gone unclaimed in Raleigh. The coincidence was too striking to ignore. A welcome surprise in the news "I was with my coworker at the time and I said, "Wouldn't that be funny if it was me,"" she recalled with a laugh. Curious, she logged in to her NC Lottery online account - and discovered the headline was, in fact, about her. Sikora-Stypolkowski had purchased a $3 Quick Pick ticket using the Online Play option for the April 21 Powerball drawing. Her ticket matched four of the five white balls plus the red Powerball, earning her a $50,000 prize. But thanks to selecting the Power Play option, her winnings were tripled to $150,000 once the 3X multiplier was drawn. "We have never won anything like this before," Sikora-Stypolkowski said, still surprised by the unexpected windfall. On Friday, she arrived at lottery headquarters to officially claim her prize. After the standard state and federal tax withholdings, Sikora-Stypolkowski took home $107,626. With the winnings in hand, she;s already making plans. "We're definitely going to take a family vacation," she said, smiling. Powerball huge in North Carolina, thanks to progressive jackpot prizes Powerball continues to draw the interest of North Carolina players, with jackpots that can climb into the hundreds of millions. The next Powerball drawing, scheduled for Monday, features a jackpot of $54 million as an annuity or $24.8 million as a lump-sum cash option. While the odds of winning the jackpot stand at a staggering 1 in 292 million, Sikora-Stypolkowski's win is a reminder that even smaller prizes can offer a big payoff - especially when enhanced by the Power Play multiplier. Powerball is indeed one of six draw games offered by the North Carolina Education Lottery. Players have the flexibility of purchasing tickets either in person at retail locations or online via the lottery's official website or mobile app. The Online Play feature, which Sikora-Stypolkowski used, provides a convenient way to participate in drawings and check results without visiting a store. A big convenience pays off in a big way For Sikora-Stypolkowski, that convenience paid off in a big way. A quick Google search turned into a moment of disbelief, then joy, as she realized the lucky ticket everyone was talking about belonged to her. "It still doesn't feel real," she admitted. As North Carolinians continue to try their luck with Powerball, her story serves as a reminder: sometimes, the winner is just a click away - and the unclaimed prize in the headlines might just have your name on it.

OG is one of the most successful Dota 2 teams out there, and it cannot be denied that there are a lot of expectations on the team when it comes to their winning chances. But with their recent struggles, coach Maurice “KheZu” Gutmann has now decided to move on from his team in search of better strides. A prominent figure in Dota 2’s competitive scene, KheZu was initially a player before transitioning to a coaching job. Just seven months after serving as OG’s coach, the German pro saw how the team struggled in his lead. Considering how the Western European scene of Dota 2 is a competitive landscape that shows no mercy, it was kind of expected. However, KheZu moving on from the team is really quite a worrying look now more than ever. We have seen how he has been a pivotal leader for the team, but it seems that the struggles were too much for him and now he is looking to move on from the team with the hopes of landing with more, greener pastures. A Timely Parting of Ways KheZu’s move from OG has been considered a timely change of scenery as the Western Europe roster of the team is still in a rebuilding phase. The organization is also currently expanding its team to bigger heights and is signing a secondary squad in Peru, named OG.LATAM. KheZu was supposed to lead the Western Europe team, but it seems that he’s not eager to do so after all those struggles. Despite his decision to move on, OG founder Johan “N0tail” Sundstein has a lot of praise for the coach, claiming that he’s positively surprised by his work and is really fond of the former YouTube caster. “I think KheZu was the most surprising out of all, because we didn't really work much with him in the past. We cast and talked with him, but haven't seen this side of him, where he's trying to step up and be a driving force, a leader, a coach,” N0tail said of KheZu. “To me, he's very smart. He's emotionally very intelligent, more than Ceb, in my opinion.” KheZu was a leader of young talent – Nuengnara “23savage” Teeramahanon, Leon “Nine” Kirilin, Adrian “Wisper” Cespedes Dobles, Matthew “Ari” Walker, and Jian Wei “xNova-” Yap. All of these players have been quite a promising talent to watch, and they honed their talents under KheZu’s lead. A Run of Mishaps Despite all that talent, however, OG hasn’t really found a promising groove in their games over the past few months and could not buy a single win. The year 2025 hasn’t been theirs for the taking so far, even when they had a promising start at BLAST Slam I before finishing at the bottom. The team would inevitably be disbanded after all those struggles, and one can say that KheZu is really made the best out of his run with the team. It just so happens that OG was in a tough stretch in the past few months, which has certainly affected his leadership and the team’s overall groove in the game. OG is expected to name a new coach anytime soon, as well as detailed updates from its restructured Western European roster. KheZu, on the other hand, has not made any decisions or announcements on social media regarding his future.

The success at the Caja Majica proved to be the pivotal part of Casper Ruud’s campaign this season as he now moved into the world no. 7 spot of the ATP Rankings. The Norwegian star has been grinding hard in the game and is clearly on the prowl for bigger strides in the year. Now finally back in the top 10, it is expected that Ruud will be putting up more competitive runs in the clay season. Slated to play in the Italian Open’s Round of 64, Casper Ruud has been really on the climb this year and is moving way too fast with the way he has moved eight places into rankings and has proven that he is a star to be reckoned with. He defeated Jack Draper in the final of the Madrid Open, which was a hard-fought clash that reached the headlines. With the Italian Open looming and the subsequent Roland Garros not far ahead, it seems that Ruud is getting back on track in his games right on time. This is the perfect time for the Norwegian star to make the most of his calendar and even make a daring dash to the top five or better yet – the world no. 1 spot. The Rise of the Norwegian Star Casper Ruud claimed not just the Madrid Open trophy, but also his first Masters 1000 win. At the age of 26, it is expected that he would have won it a long time ago. It seems that he’s overdue for elite performances this year as he continues to come up with a huge rally. He is set to take on the Italian Open and will definitely be in for a lot of points this time around. Ruud was eliminated in his opening match in the previous edition of the Italian Open. This time he is looking to get his groove going on that end and put his clay dominance on display. Time and time again, Ruud has proven that he can be one of the best players in the game, and one can say that this is really his breakthrough run. “My record in big finals is still not good, it's 1-6,” Ruud said. “I’ve been in many unbelievable and incredible positions in my career, and I've been able to experience some great things and, unfortunately, have been on the losing spectrum of many of those matches, but that's okay.” Ruud has often been criticized for blowing leads in high-intensity tournaments. In the previous finals that the Norwegian star has played in, he has faced the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Stefanos Tsitsipas – all players who have been at least in the top 10 of the ATP Rankings. The Chase for Clay Glory Ruud has suffered exits this year in Monte-Carlo and Barcelona. He has won just three out of five matches across the two events, but his success in Madrid Open was a redeeming act that is setting him up for bigger glory in the clay season. “Since Roland Garros last year, I've had quite many months of struggling and not many good results, so it's worth the wait,” Ruud said. “I think I've accepted that I've had to, or I took one or two steps back in my game and my feelings on court in order to take two or three steps forward again. Here in Madrid it feels like I've taken four steps forward, so that's a great feeling.” Ruud is currently fifth overall in the Live Race to Turin and is definitely carrying a lot of momentum in his games. It is expected that the Rome Open and the subsequent Roland Garros will be his chance to put up a huge rally in the season.

After suffering a stroke last November 2nd, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has longed hoped to return to coaching the team that he’s loved so much over the years. However, with his condition, he has now elected to step down from his coaching post and will take over the Spurs as its new president of basketball operations moving forward. At the age of 76, Popovich has only coached five games in the 2024-25 season, and it cannot be denied that he has been missed well by the team as they ended up with one of the worst records in the NBA this season. His retirement from coaching ends a three-decade run of leadership in the Spurs organization, which has led to five championships and is the league’s all-time wins leader among coaches. Popovich’s health condition has improved, but perhaps the risks were too great for him to be physically present on the court for 82 games. There are a lot of travels, and there are back-to-back games, which are physically taking a toll on players as well. Popovich had to step down from his coaching job but is keen to still be a part of the team at this point. End of an Era Popovich has led the Spurs to a magical dynasty over the years. His career ends with a whopping record of 1,422-869 – the best in league history. That number also includes the 77 games that were coached by interim coach Mitch Johnson, which ended at 32-45. Popovich has also won 170 playoff games – the most by any coach with a single team and third overall behind Phil Jackson’s 229 and Pat Riley’s 171. “While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” Popovich said. “I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff, and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach, and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community, and city that are so meaningful to me.” Popovich ended up winning the Coach of the Year award three times and even led the US to a gold medal finish in the Tokyo Olympics. He coached six Hall of Famers in San Antonio and has gone up against a total of 170 different coaches during his time in the NBA. Gregg Popovich began his run with the Spurs in 1996 and has since led the franchise to greater heights over the years. New Era for San Antonio With Johnson taking over for the team, San Antonio enters a new era of basketball, especially with the Victor Wembanyama era also starting to kick off. This just means that the Spurs will be finding themselves in a new approach with a new coach at the helm. It cannot be denied that there are high expectations from the team at this point, but it will all come down as to how their next season will run for the better. The Spurs have Wembanyama healing from his injuries, De’Aaron Fox winding up for a bigger campaign, Chris Paul eager to share his veteran experience in the game, and Stephon Castle coming off a promising rookie season in which he ended up winning ROTY. This new era for the Spurs is looking good, and that’s how Popovich has set them up for success.

After a challenging round 1 for both teams, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers are locked in for an epic clash in the coming second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This sets up one of the best series in the postseason with multiple intense showdowns to look out for, but this one may have bigger returns for fans to enjoy. This marks the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with Vegas winning their previous encounter in the 2023 Western Conference Second Round in six games. Both teams had strong regular seasons, with the Golden Knights finishing first in the Pacific Division with a 50–22–10 record, while the Oilers secured third place at 48–29–5. Zach Hyman has played hero for the Edmonton Oilers as they struck first with a 4-2 win to beat the Vegas Golden Knights in a key showdown. This was the Oilers’ first Game 1 win in a playoff series since 2006—yes, you read that right—and it couldn’t have come at a better time. With high expectations and a deep, dangerous opponent in Vegas, Edmonton needed a tone-setting performance. And they got it. Oilers Flexing Key Improvements Leon Draisaitl continues to be the engine of this Oilers squad. While he didn’t put on a four-goal show like we've seen before, he was pivotal in both ends of the ice. His leadership, puck control, and smart decision-making helped stabilize the team during key moments when the Golden Knights threatened to shift momentum. Goaltender Stuart Skinner deserves major credit. His performance between the pipes was cool and composed, turning away a flurry of high-danger chances from a relentless Vegas offense. He wasn’t perfect—but he didn’t need to be. He was solid when it mattered most, especially during a crucial third-period penalty kill. What made this win even more impressive was how balanced the Oilers looked. This wasn’t just a McDavid-Draisaitl show (though they were certainly involved). The bottom-six forwards stepped up with strong shifts, and the defense corps moved the puck efficiently while limiting second-chance opportunities. What's Next for Vegas Vegas showed flashes of the championship-caliber pressure that won them the Cup last year. Ivan Barbashev was physical and relentless on the forecheck. Chandler Stephenson continued his trend of rising in big games, netting one of Vegas’ two goals. Jack Eichel, while held relatively quiet, looked ready to erupt in Game 2. The Knights also hit a couple of posts, missed a few key chances, and arguably could have flipped the script with a bounce or two. Their trademark depth and tenacity were evident throughout the night. Vegas doesn’t panic. They adjust. Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy will be reviewing tape with a fine-tooth comb—expect line adjustments, tighter neutral zone play, and maybe a shift in special teams strategy. Whoever wins this series will take on the winner between the Winnipeg Jets and the Dallas Stars on the other side of the bracket. Both teams have proven to be elite when it comes to the postseason, and this series is the chance to showcase their big game. After all, analysts anticipate a closely contested series, with some projecting it to extend to seven games. Vegas' depth and discipline may give them an edge, but Edmonton's star power makes them formidable opponents. This may yet turn out to be a promising showdown to remember in the playoffs.

Sweepstakes casino operators continue to take a hit in the US as more and more states seek to prohibit their operations - and this now includes a lawsuit involving VGW, the entity behind sweepstakes casinos like Chumba Casino, Luckyland, and Global Poker. In the lawsuit, a third defendant was brought in last month: Ryan Seacrest, the popular American Idol emcee and TV personality, who is also a Chumba Casino spokesperson. A popular California sweepstakes operator is facing heightened legal scrutiny - this time with a celebrity twist. Television host and personality Ryan Seacrest has been named as a defendant in an amended lawsuit against VGW, the parent company of well-known sweepstakes sites including Chumba Casino, Luckyland Casino, and Global Poker. The lawsuit, brought by California resident Aubrey Carillo, was originally recorded in October of 2024 in Riverside County Superior Court. Initially focused solely on VGW, the suit was revised last month to include Seacrest, who serves as a prominent spokesperson for Chumba Casino. The revised complaint significantly expanded in scope, growing from 16 to 71 pages, and deepened its legal arguments against both the operator and its celebrity endorser. Suit alleges illegal gambling under state law At the core of Carillo's claim is the allegation that VGW's sweepstakes-based gaming products operate as illicit online casinos within the state of California. The lawsuit draws a direct comparison between VGW's platforms and the internet cafes that proliferated in the early 2000s. These cafes offered phone cards or paid internet access along with bonus credits that could be used to play slot-like games - a model that California lawmakers later deemed unlawful gambling. Carillo argues that the model used by VGW's platforms is functionally identical, contending that the purchase of virtual currency or other entry methods does not eliminate the element of 'consideration,' a key component in determining what constitutes gambling under state law. The complaint claims VGW has effectively revived the outlawed business model in digital form. Celebrity endorsement draws fire The revised complaint singles out Ryan Seacrest for allegedly helping to legitimize and promote an unlawful business through his celebrity endorsement. In a pointed statement within the filing, Carillo accuses Seacrest of leveraging his fame irresponsibly: "Someone this blessed in life does not need to hurt people for more money, but Defendant Seacrest does that by serving as the official celebrity endorser for ChumbaCasino.com. Defendant Seacrest promotes illegal gambling and in so doing, contributes to the rise of online gambling addiction among adults and adolescents." The suit claims that Seacrest's influence and promotion of Chumba Casino contribute to a growing trend of online gambling addiction, particularly among vulnerable populations. Challenge to binding arbitration In addition to targeting VGW and Seacrest, the lawsuit disputes the enforceability of the sites' terms and conditions - specifically, their use of mandatory arbitration clauses. Carillo argues that because the underlying business model is potentially illegal, the user agreements and any clauses within them, including arbitration, are therefore unenforceable - and void - under California law. This aspect of the suit could have wider implications as mandatory arbitration is a common legal shield for many online platforms facing user complaints. Part of a legal trend While Seacrest is the very first celebrity to be named in such a lawsuit, he is not the first third party to be pulled into the growing legal battles surrounding sweepstakes gaming platforms. Other ongoing lawsuits have targeted payment processors like Worldpay and major technology companies such as Google and Apple, alleging that these firms facilitate access to illegal gambling. To date, no court has issued a final ruling holding these companies liable. However, most cases - including Carillo's - remain active and could set significant legal precedents in the coming months. As the pressure mounts, the outcome of this lawsuit may influence how sweepstakes-based gaming is treated nationwide - and it could also determine the liability of public figures and tech platforms involved in their promotion.

The Kentucky Derby was off to an excellent start this year as it managed to receive a record number of bets for the particular race, for the day, and for the week. According to sources, betting on the card for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs was at $349 million - up by 9% from last year. In spite of the rain and a slightly smaller crowd, Churchill Downs posted new handle records during the 151st Run for the Roses. Not even soggy weather could slow down the betting frenzy surrounding the 151st Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs Inc. reported record-breaking handle numbers across the board despite a rain-soaked day at the historic racetrack, as Sovereignty surged to victory in the famed Run for the Roses. Derby Day handle soars to $349 million All-sources wagering on the Derby Day card totaled an impressive $349 million - an increase of 9% from last year's $320.5 million. The betting total for the marquee race itself, featuring 19 horses this year, reached $234.4 million, an increase of 11% from the previous record of $210.7 million set during a 20-horse field in 2024. These numbers defied expectations, especially as Churchill Downs officials had earlier indicated that results might remain flat year-over-year following last year's 150th milestone edition. Derby week also sets records The full Kentucky Derby week saw all-sources handle climb to $473.9 million, topping last year's record of $446.6 million by 6%. Combined wagering for the Kentucky Oaks and Derby days hit $422.9 million - an increase of 7% over 2024's $395.8 million. These figures also reinforce the Kentucky Derby's status as a premier sporting event not only in terms of attendance but also as a major betting attraction nationally and internationally. Churchill Downs' online wagering platform, TwinSpires.com, saw its own impressive milestones. Total Derby Day wagers placed through the service reached $108 million - a 17% jump from last year's $92.1 million. For the Derby race alone, TwinSpires handled $73 million in bets, representing a staggering 20% increase over the previous record of $60.9 million in 2024. The crowd during Derby Day was estimated at 147,406, down by 6% from 2024's 156,710. The wet conditions likely contributed to the decline, though Churchill Downs still drew one of the largest crowds in American horse racing. The all-time attendance record of 170,513 set in 2015 remains intact. Churchill Downs anticipates strong financial performance Despite the dip in attendance and some underperforming ticket segments, Churchill Downs expects Derby week adjusted EBITDA to be its second-best ever, falling between $2 million to $4 million shy of last year's record. In 2024, the company reported Derby week EBITDA growth of between a total of $26 million and $28 million. In a previous investor call held April 24, CDI Chief Executive Officer Bill Carstanjen acknowledged that certain lower-tier tickets, such as those for the newly launched Starting Gate Pavilion, sold below expectations. We weren't able to go right to our long-term price target for that new area as we've done in past years, Carstanjen noted, emphasizing that the market for premium experiences wasn't as strong as it had been during the post-pandemic surge. Looking ahead with optimism Still, Carstanjen remains optimistic about future pricing and development strategy. "Part of our plan for the Derby has always been to introduce new areas and grow their value over time. This year might have taken a jolt, but we're confident in the long-term demand," he said. The success of Sovereignty's win and the record-breaking wagering figures demonstrate that the Kentucky Derby remains an enduring spectacle, withstanding both market shifts and uncooperative weather. As the dust settles from the 151st edition, Churchill Downs sets its sights on 2026, aiming to grow what is already one of the most lucrative and celebrated events in American sports.