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Spring is on the way, and it comes with a brand new jackpot season from Hard Rock Bet. The casino and sports betting platform has just announced a whole new campaign launched this spring and summer, and it comes with thousands of jackpots and more than $1.5 million to be given away. Jackpot Season promises over $1.5 million in prizes for New Jersey players from the 14th of April 14 through July 6. Hard Rock Bet is turning up the heat this spring and summer with its exciting Jackpot Season promotion, offering over $1.5 million in guaranteed prizes for online casino players in New Jersey. From April 14 through to July 6, users of the Hard Rock Bet Casino can take a spin on selected slot games for a shot at thousands of jackpots, including daily and weekly prize drops. With thrilling new chances to win every day, Jackpot Season combines exciting gameplay with generous rewards, making it one of the most anticipated online casino promotions of the year. Thousands of jackpots await Jackpot Season will feature over 2,000 jackpots available across the promotional period. Players can win up to 24 mini jackpots every day, a lucrative daily jackpot that must drop before 10:00 pm ET, and a massive Sunday jackpot starting at $50,000 that only grows until it hits. Each of these jackpots is seamlessly integrated into the player experience, activating at random during gameplay on eligible slot titles. Whether players are spinning casually or chasing big wins, there's a jackpot opportunity waiting just around the corner. Primary mechanics: three ways to win big There are three primary jackpot formats in this promotion, each offering unique chances to win: 24x Daily Mini Jackpots Starting every single day throughout Jackpot Season, players can hit one of up to 24 mini jackpots on IGT slot games. These jackpots can be triggered at any moment, keeping gameplay unpredictable and exciting. Daily Must Drop Jackpot The Daily Must Drop is exclusively available on Red Tiger slot games. This jackpot must be won before 10:00 pm ET each day and typically pays out an average of $5,000. With a guaranteed drop time, players are encouraged to play during peak hours for a shot at the prize before time runs out. Big Sunday Jackpot Sundays are getting supersized with the Big Sunday Jackpot. Starting at a minimum of $50,000, this jackpot goes live at noon ET every Sunday and is guaranteed to drop before 10:00 pm ET on an IGT slot. The longer it takes to hit, the larger the prize pool grows, adding extra suspense to the end of the weekend. New Jersey exclusive Jackpot Season is available exclusively for Hard Rock Bet Casino players located in New Jersey. This promotion highlights Hard Rock Bet's ongoing commitment to rewarding loyal players in the Garden State with unique and exciting experiences. Whether you're a casual or dedicated slot player, there's something to look forward to during this limited-time event. Players must be physically present in New Jersey to participate, and games eligible for jackpots include popular IGT and Red Tiger titles, offering a mix of classic favorites and fresh new options to explore. A season of astonishing surprises With daily, weekly, and surprise jackpot wins, Hard Rock Bet's Jackpot Season is designed to keep players engaged, entertained, and - hopefully - enriched. By combining a wide variety of eligible games with frequent and significant payouts, the platform is elevating the online gaming experience just in time for the warmer months. For those in New Jersey looking to add a little thrill to their spring and summer, now's the perfect time to place a bet, spin the reels, and chase those life-changing jackpots. Jackpot Season runs from April 14 to July 6 only at Hard Rock Bet Casino in New Jersey. Eligible games include IGT slots for daily mini jackpots and the Big Sunday Jackpot, and Red Tiger slots for the Daily Must Drop. With over $1.5 million up for grabs, the only question is - will you be one of the lucky winners?

Senate Bill 1404 moves on to the Senate fiscal committee, and it seeks to impose stronger penalties for offering and participating in illegal gambling in the state as well as a ban on sweepstakes gaming. A Florida Senate committee has taken another step toward tightening the state's laws against illegal gambling and online sports betting. Senator Corey Simon's bill, SB 1404, received a favorable report this week from the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, moving it one step closer to becoming law. The bill, which now advances to the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee, seeks to impose harsher penalties on those who engage in or facilitate illegal gambling operations, while also banning sweepstakes gaming - a rapidly growing form of online gambling that lawmakers argue exploits loopholes in current regulations. "Without more substantial penalties, illegal gambling will continue to spread, siphoning money from Florida," Senator Simon said during the committee hearing. He continued, this bill is about protecting consumers, upholding the integrity of our gaming laws, and ensuring that gaming in Florida is conducted lawfully and responsibly. Cracking down on illegal online gambling and sports betting SB 1404 targets a wide array of illegal gambling practices, specifically prohibiting internet gambling and online sports betting outside the framework established by the Seminole Tribe's exclusive compact with the state. This move effectively outlaws sweepstakes-style gaming websites and mobile applications that simulate casino experiences - a trend that has seen increased popularity in recent years. Under the bill, 'internet gambling' is defined as playing any game based on chance - including simulated video poker, slot machines, or table games - for money or anything of value via the internet. Similarly, online sports betting is prohibited if it involves wagering on contests of speed, skill, endurance, or power, whether human or animal, unless conducted through the Seminole Tribe's authorized platform. Violations of the bill would be classified as third-degree felonies, which could carry significant legal consequences including prison time and substantial fines. Tribal gaming and DFS remain untouched Importantly, the legislation does not impact the Seminole Tribe's rights under their gaming compact with the state. The tribe retains exclusive rights to offer sports betting and certain forms of iGaming in Florida. Simon's bill also steers clear of the contentious issue of daily fantasy sports (DFS), which remains under consideration in a separate piece of legislation currently making its way through the legislature. By excluding DFS from SB 1404, lawmakers appear to be taking a cautious, measured approach - seeking to tackle unregulated and illegal gaming while allowing more time for deliberation on the evolving DFS landscape. A growing concern The advancement of SB 1404 reflects growing concern among Florida lawmakers about the proliferation of unauthorized gambling platforms that operate outside state oversight. Proponents argue that these platforms not only divert revenue from legal, regulated gaming entities but also expose consumers to fraud, lack of recourse, and addictive behaviors without appropriate safeguards. Sweepstakes gaming, in particular, has drawn criticism for mimicking the experience of traditional casino games while evading regulation by claiming to offer 'promotional' or 'free' gameplay with the chance of winning real-world prizes. Critics say such systems amount to de facto gambling. The next steps With favorable reports from two Senate committees already secured, SB 1404 now heads to the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee, where it will undergo further scrutiny. If approved, the bill will proceed to a full Senate vote before potentially moving to the House of Representatives. If signed into law, the legislation would go into effect on the 1st of October, 2025. As the debate over gambling continues to evolve in Florida and across the country, Simon's bill represents a firm stand by state lawmakers to uphold strict gaming standards and curb what they see as an unchecked expansion of illegal and unregulated gambling platforms.

Another day, another Masters 1000 to Carlos Alcaraz’s name. That’s how it went when he took down Lorenzo Musetti in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters, capturing his sixth Masters 1000 title and clinching his first title in 13 months. So far, this has been quite a show for Alcaraz, who is capitalizing on the clay court surface to boost his games heading into the midseason. In front of a jam-packed Court Rainier III crowd, Carlos Alcaraz made sure to show the best of his work with a composed performance from start to finish, making the most of a physically hampered Musetti in the third set to close out the championship round and come up with a strong finish, 3-6, 6-1, and 6-0. In a quest to rediscover his winning rhythm in tennis, Alcaraz arrived in Monte Carlo with the hopes of showing that he could still win at the top of his game and dominate the clay court with ease. So far, he earned a gritty victory in the final over Musetti, and now he’s back in the win column and heads for the Madrid Open with a chance to go back-to-back on Masters 1000 wins. A Solid Performance Beating the likes of Francisco Cerundolo, Arthur Fils, Daniel Altmaier, and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Alcaraz has enjoyed a solid week so far, and his solid game against Musetti was nothing short of impressive as he dropped the first set before rallying for two straight to close out the Monte Carlo finish. ”I am really happy to win Monte-Carlo for the first time. It has been a really difficult week with a lot of difficult situations,” Alcaraz said. “I am proud with how I dealt with everything. It has been a difficult month for me, so coming here and seeing the hard work pay off makes me happy.” Alcaraz leaned on his experience on the big stage, especially on clay. It can be remembered that he went on to win big in the clay – at the Roland Garros last season and then finishing silver in the Paris Olympics in what has been quite a sensational campaign that fans have been expecting from him so far. Musetti, on the other hand, was competing for his first Masters 1000 final. He did match Alcaraz for most periods in the game, but his right leg came out to be the big issue in the third set as he was flexing it and later received treatment in the decider while the Spanish star sprinted to the finish. Climbing to the Top Alcaraz gets back on track after being sidetracked in his games for the last season, not being able to push deeper into the ATP Rankings. The Spaniard now moves up to world no. 2 after this win and will now pass Alexander Zverev – leading the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin so far. The win sees Alcaraz tie Daniil Medvedev for the 10th most Masters 1000 wins in history, and looking forward to the Madrid Open, perhaps the 21-year-old can capitalize on the advantage of being on his home soil. Alcaraz has already won in Madrid for two straight years in 2022 and 2023 before bowing out of the last season’s edition. Now he is seeking to get back to dominating the clay courts and live up to the hype that he may well be the next successor of Rafael Nadal when it comes to dominating the clay courts for years to come.

For the second time after winning the Presidents’ Trophy, the New York Rangers have gone into the dark again with a huge collapse in the 2024-25 season. They are now eliminated from contending in the playoffs after dropping a tough 7-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes last Saturday, which has certainly closed the door on them for good. The Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy in 1991-92 – showing off a 50-25-5 record and delivering one of the best seasons in franchise history. However, they fell off the playoff column in the next season with a 34-39-11 record in 1992-93 – and history has repeated itself now more than ever. But despite the disappointing finish, it seems that there’s still a lot of positive takeaways that the team can look at, especially with the fact that they had an early exit – meaning that they will likely get started in managing the future of their roster heading into the coming months. So far, it is enough to say that the Rangers will be enjoying a great offseason despite not contending for the playoffs. A Tough Finish for the Rangers The Rangers had 55 wins last season to account for 114 points – even reaching the Eastern Conference Finals before losing to the Florida Panthers. This season? The team ended up at 37-36-7 after that loss to Carolina, and it cannot be denied this has been a tough run with the way that many things have gone wrong for the Rangers for most of the season. For starters, after enjoying a 12-4-1 run in November, it took just six weeks for their record to evaporate as they just won only four of their next 19 games in that stretch – even losing five games in a row from November 21-29 and then another six straight from December 16-17. To close out 2024, the Rangers even lost four in a row – indicating a really tough struggle for before 2025 began. Another big thing to consider is the Power Play, which saw them rank third in the 2023-24 season at 26.4%. In 2024-25, they're 27th in the League at 17.9 percent, including a woeful 11.3 percent with four short-handed goals against since February 5th. That is a huge difference in consistency level, which definitely played a huge role in their tough breaks in the campaign. To sum it up, the Rangers also had 28 comeback wins last season, including five times where they trailed by at least two goals. That was not evident this year as they only had 15 comeback wins and finished the season as the lone team without any multigoal comebacks. From being resilient, the Rangers have become quite complacent. An Optimistic Approach to the Offseason Still, there are plenty of reasons to look out for the Rangers on a positive note. One big reason is the fact that they still have a star goalie in Igor Shesterkin – who signed an eight-year, $92 million deal. This season, the goalie tallied 26 wins, a 2.91 goals-against average, .903 save percentage and five shutouts. Another optimistic note is how sophomore forward Will Cuylle has improved in his games, topping off the campaign with 43 points coming off 20 goals and 23 assists – while not missing a single game this season. So far, there’s enough reason for the Rangers to look forward to the offseason and the next campaign with a lot of optimism, and it seems that they are pushing forward on that regard while the rest of the NHL world gets busy with the playoffs coming in hot.

Atlantic City, New Jersey's in-person casino revenue experienced another downturn this March to just $230.9 million, a decrease of nearly $8.9 million from last year, even after its record-breaking overall revenue went over $1.5 billion during the first quarter of the year. Despite the slight fall in in-person casino revenue, the iGaming sector in New Jersey continues to thrive. Atlantic City's casino floors continued to experience a downturn in traditional gaming revenue this March, even as New Jersey's overall gaming industry celebrated its most lucrative first quarter in over a decade. Data from the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement shows decrease of nearly 4% According to data released Wednesday by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the nine casinos along the Atlantic City Boardwalk reported $230.9 million in revenue from in-person gamblers last month. That marks a 3.7% year-over-year decrease - nearly $8.9 million less than March of 2024 - and the second consecutive month of similar decline. The slump was largely driven by a sharp 15% drop in table game revenue, which fell to $57.3 million. In contrast, revenue from physical slot machines showed modest growth, inching up 0.5% to $173.6 million. Experts optimistic, driven by iGaming growth Despite the dip, chairperson of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission James Plousis struck a cautiously optimistic tone. He noted that March 2025 still represented Atlantic City's second-strongest month for in-person gross gaming revenue in the past 12 years. While retail gaming continues to wrestle with evolving player preferences and economic headwinds, iGaming has surged ahead, reshaping New Jersey's gaming landscape. Online casino revenue reached a new milestone in March, exceeding $243.9 million - a 24% increase from March 2024 and a new all-time high. Favorable winds blow for digital slots, table games, and online poker March marked the eighth consecutive month that iGaming revenue surpassed brick-and-mortar casino earnings, with digital slots and table games generating $241.3 million. Online poker contributed another $2.6 million. This sustained momentum demonstrates the growing appeal of online gambling in the Garden State, as more players turn to digital platforms for convenience and variety. Meanwhile, sportsbooks had a less favorable month. March Madness didn't offer the same windfall for oddsmakers as in past years. Total sports betting revenue fell 20.5% year-over-year to $71.3 million, as underdog wins and surprising upsets in the NCAA men's basketball tournament proved costly for the books. In total, New Jersey gamblers lost $546.12 million across all gaming platforms in March of 2025 - a 3.7% increase from last year, translating to roughly $19.5 million more in revenue for operators. Thanks in large part to the explosive growth of iGaming, the state's overall gaming revenue soared past $1.58 billion in the first quarter of 2025. That's the strongest Q1 figure New Jersey has posted in over ten years. Year-to-date, online gaming revenue is up 20%, reaching $673.3 million. In contrast, Atlantic City's in-person casino win is down nearly 2% to $644.4 million, while sports betting revenue has dipped 19% to $267.1 million. Increased table game interaction Interestingly, the decline in table game revenue appears to reflect player success more than waning interest. Plousis noted that March's drop in GGR from table games was driven by players getting lucky, not by a lack of engagement - a trend that could ease concerns about perceived unfairness or poor value on the casino floors. Still, some Atlantic City visitors have voiced dissatisfaction in recent months, claiming that their gambling budgets don't stretch as far as they once did. Operators, meanwhile, are preparing for the busy summer season and working to improve the customer experience. To support seasonal operations and drive service quality, the Casino Control Commission is hosting its eighth annual Casino Career Fair on April 24. More than 1,700 positions are available across all nine casinos, with hiring representatives scheduled to meet potential candidates between 9 am and 1 pm. As Atlantic City navigates a more complex gaming environment, the contrast between digital growth and physical decline continues to shape the future of the industry - one where convenience, accessibility, and evolving player preferences are rewriting the rules of the game.

A long-standing partnership between Caesars online platforms and AGS brings forth whole new slot games in the Triple Coin Treasures slots series. This has paved the way for new launches across North America on Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino, and of course, Caesars Palace Online Casino. In a bold move set to elevate its digital gaming portfolio, Caesars Entertainment, Inc. has announced a significant expansion of its partnership with leading gaming supplier AGS. The expanded collaboration designates Caesars' online casino platforms as the exclusive first online home for the fan-favorite Triple Coin Treasures family of slot games. A strong relationship through the years The strengthened alliance will see a host of beloved and new AGS titles rolled out across Caesars Palace Online Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino, and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino throughout North America. Among the first to debut online is Shamrock Fortunes, a popular game long enjoyed at Caesars' land-based casinos, now making its digital debut. "This expanded partnership, featuring beloved in-person casino slots, custom-branded titles, and new, never-before-played games, underscores our commitment to providing an ever-evolving online casino experience," said Vice President of Online Gaming at Caesars Digital, Ricardo Cornejo Rivas. "We're proud to not only introduce new titles to our players but also to bring the classic titles they have enjoyed at our destinations directly to their mobile devices." A wave of familiar favorites and brand-new offerings In addition to the Shamrock Fortunes launch, 2025 will bring a wave of new game offerings. These include another classic title from the Triple Coin Treasures series, a specially co-developed Caesars-branded version of a fan-favorite AGS game, and several brand-new slot titles that will premiere simultaneously in Caesars' physical casinos and on its online platforms. "Our expanded partnership with Caesars is a major milestone in AGS' interactive growth strategy," added Vice President of Interactive at AGS, Zoe Ebling. "Bringing our proven titles, like Shamrock Fortunes, online for the first time allows us to reach players in a whole new way while honoring the retail roots of these games. We're especially excited to co-develop a Caesars-branded version of one of our classic games and to continue building momentum with new launches that blend innovation, familiarity, and fun." This announcement marks the second major collaboration between Caesars and AGS on exclusive digital content. Their first joint effort in early 2024 saw the successful simultaneous launch of Rakin' Bacon Odyssey both online and in Caesars' Atlantic City properties. A host of events and promotions celebrating the launch To celebrate the launch of these exclusive titles, Caesars and AGS plan to roll out targeted marketing promotions and host special events. For instance, Caesars Rewards VIPs will be invited to participate in these celebrations at select Caesars destinations, reinforcing the company's commitment to a seamless, cross-platform gaming experience. All new titles will be accessible via Caesars' online casinos, which are available on Android, iOS, and desktop for casino players 21 and older in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ontario in Canada. These platforms offer a robust array of gaming options, including exclusive Caesars-branded content, private live dealer tables, high-limit slots, and progressive jackpots, all integrated with the award-winning Caesars Rewards loyalty program. Players can earn Rewards Credits both online and in-person, redeemable at more than 50 Caesars destinations across North America for exclusive experiences, dining, entertainment, and more. A pioneer in the gaming industry Caesars continues to lead the industry in Responsible Gaming. A pioneer since 1989 with the launch of Project 21, Caesars maintains a strict 21+ policy across all its platforms and remains committed to providing accessible resources to help players gamble responsibly. In March of 2024, Caesars Sportsbook received the Responsible Gambling Council in Ontario's RG Check accreditation, and shortly thereafter received the National Council on Problem Gambling's Corporate Social Responsibility award - further affirming its role as a leader in safe and responsible gaming.

A man from California, who is apparently homeless, has just won a $1 million scratch-off ticket which he bought at his regular liquor shop. The man from San Luis Obispo thought he had won $100,000 - but the store manager informed him that it was a whopping $1 million - talk about a lucky break! A homeless man's life changed overnight after he scratched off a $1 million prize on a lottery ticket purchased at a local deli and liquor store in San Luis Obispo. A reversal of fortune The unnamed man, reportedly a regular at Sandy's Deli-Liquor on Broad Street, bought a Red 777 Scratchers ticket last week and uncovered a fortune he never imagined. Wilson Samaan, the store manager, described the emotional moment to local media, saying the man initially thought he had only won $100,000. He came to the store, scratched it right there and said, "Oh, my God. Is that real?" stated Samaan. The man asked him to check it, so he took the ticket to the machine and confirmed it - the man had hit the jackpot. He was shocked. He thought it was $100K, and Samaan had to tell him, "No, bro. That's a million dollars. Congrats, brother!" The two exchanged a high five, celebrating the incredible stroke of luck that marked the largest lottery win in the store's history. "He's a good guy," Samaan continued. "He deserved every penny of it." The life-changing winnings The moment has since gone viral on social media, thanks in part to Adam Kemp, a local business owner who captured the winner's joy in a video posted on Instagram. Kemp, who runs the vintage shop Thrifty Beaches, recorded himself talking with the man, who appeared to be in his 40s and wore a blue hoodie and baseball cap. "My friend here just won $1 million in the lottery in SLO," Kemp said in the video, which showed the winner proudly holding a printout of his winning ticket. "I won $1 million here in SLO at Sandy's Liquor store," the man confirmed. "I just can't wait to get off the streets." Kemp added in the caption that both the man and his wife had been experiencing homelessness for a long time. Access to the prize money The sudden windfall offers a long-awaited opportunity for stability. Despite the euphoria, the man won't have immediate access to his winnings. According to Caroline Becker, California Lottery spokesperson, the process of validating and releasing such a large prize can take a few months. "With a million-dollar ticket like this, the person who comes forward can expect a very thorough vetting process," explained Becker. "We want to ensure the right person receives the prize. It's a significant amount of money, and we take those steps seriously." The winner has reportedly shared plans to use the money wisely: making a down payment on a house, purchasing a car, and saving the rest. His story has struck a chord with locals, who are thrilled to see someone in need receive such life-changing news. "It's like when good things happen to good people," Samaan said. In a city often grappling with homelessness, the story has sparked conversation, inspiration, and no small amount of celebration. A sign now hangs at Sandy's Deli-Liquor announcing the million-dollar win - a testament to a bit of luck, a lot of hope, and the potential for brighter days ahead. As for the winner, the wait for the check may take some time, but his outlook is already different. He's no longer just another face on the street. He's the man who beat the odds - and now, he's dreaming big.

North Carolina's proposed budget includes a provision for the doubling of the tax rate for sports betting to 36%. Sports betting was launched in the state just in March of last year, and the tax rate was set at 18%. Now, the Republicans would like to increase the sports betting taxes to 36%, putting North Carolina just behind New York, New Hampshire, and Delaware, and on the same level as Pennsylvania. North Carolina's booming online sports betting industry could soon face a steep hike in tax obligations, following a new Senate budget proposal that seeks to double the tax rate on sportsbook revenue. Unveiled on Monday, the 2025 - 2027 fiscal budget includes a special provision to raise the state's sports betting tax from 18% to 36%. The proposal, spearheaded by the Republican-controlled Senate, would place North Carolina among the states with the highest sports betting tax rates in the country - tied with Pennsylvania and trailing only New York, New Hampshire, and Delaware. If enacted, the move would dramatically reshape the financial landscape for the eight licensed online sportsbooks operating in North Carolina: BetMGM, bet365, DraftKings, Caesars, FanDuel, ESPN Bet, Underdog, and Fanatics. Booming revenues prompt legislative action North Carolina only legalized and launched online sports betting on the 11th of March, 2024, but early returns have far exceeded expectations. According to state data, sportsbooks paid over $135 million in taxes through March 2025 - an amount that blew past initial projections. When sports betting legislation was first debated, state analysts projected that annual tax revenues would reach $100 million within five years. That milestone has already been surpassed in less than one year of operation, fueling calls to re-evaluate the tax framework. The Senate's proposed tax increase is expected to generate significant additional revenue: $53.4 million more in fiscal year 2025-26 and $79.8 million in fiscal year 2026-27, according to budget estimates. Boost for UNC System schools Alongside the tax rate hike, the proposal includes expanded funding for University of North Carolina System schools. Currently, 13 universities receive $300,000 each from the betting tax pool, in addition to a 20% share of remaining revenues after initial distributions. Under the new proposal, each school would receive a minimum of $500,000, with larger institutions like UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State newly added to the list of funding recipients. Some schools could receive as much as $1.5 million annually. This change is part of a wider effort by lawmakers to ensure sports betting revenue supports education and athletics across the state. If the Senate's plan becomes law, North Carolina would join a growing group of states rethinking how they tax online sportsbooks. Illinois implemented a graduated tax rate last year, resulting in effective rates as high as 40% for industry leaders like FanDuel and DraftKings. Meanwhile, several other states have recently attempted - and failed - to increase their rates. In Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine’s proposal to double the sports betting tax from 20% to 40% was stripped from the budget after intra-party resistance. Similarly, Maryland Governor Wes Moore's effort to raise the tax rate from 15% to 30% failed to gain traction. New Jersey and Massachusetts have also proposed tax hikes in 2025, with the latter considering a jump to 51%, matching New York's industry-leading rate. Additional legislation on the table While the budget is likely to pass, several other bills could also reshape North Carolina's betting market. One such bill, the Keeping Our Coaches Act, aims to allocate $11 million of the total sports betting tax revenue to fund high school coaching salaries, starting in the 2025 - 26 school year. Another proposal, House Bill 828, would prohibit proposition bets on individual college athletes and restrict in-person betting at college sports venues during games. Introduced by Representative Marcia Morey, the bill is a renewed effort to protect student-athletes from potential exploitation. As sports betting continues to flourish in North Carolina, lawmakers are moving quickly to ensure the state benefits from its early success. With record-breaking tax revenue and growing public investment in education and sports, the state appears set to become a model for how to manage - and maximize - a rapidly expanding online gaming industry.

Head coach Tommy Hottovy may want to rethink his strategies in the upcoming games for the Chicago Cubs after pitcher Justin Steele has been deemed to be set for a season-ending surgery, which means that the Cubs would be without one of its best performers on the big stage and will have a shift in its rotations moving forward in the season. Steele, who had lingering issues on his flexor tendon and now has a new issue with the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, is now slated to miss out on the rest of the MLB season as he will have an upcoming surgery in the said areas. This is definitely a big blow for the Cubs, who were initially working on a plan to get back on the playoff stage and win big games down the stretch. The Cubs were fifth overall in the National League to begin the season with an 11-7 record before Steele went down with an injury. It is expected that the record is going to take some tough hits considering how big of a contributor Steele is when it comes to coming up with wins for the team early this season. Health Over Contention Injuries are normal, despite how unfortunate it can be. For the Cubs, it just came at the wrong time, albeit an early one considering that they were enjoying some of the best starts that the club has seen in years. However, Hottovy believes that it is going to be quite a long ride for them, and that Steele may well be back sooner than later. “You feel for Justin, just the competitor he is. He wants to be out there,” Hottovy said before the Cubs' 4-2 victory over the Dodgers on Sunday Night Baseball. “He wanted me to know from him and talk through it a little bit, and kind of talk through what options he had and what plans he had. That's the kind of guy he is. He wants to respect the work we’ve all put in together. We’ve known each other for a long time now.” At the age of 29, Steele was the longest-tenured player in the Cubs right now. Selected with the fifth pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, the pitcher was off to a blazing start, and one can say that this is quite a situation that they’ve found themselves in so far. Still, health is a promising concern, and it is not even clear if Steel will also require a Tommy John surgery. Timetable for Steele Steele came up with seven shutout innings against Texas in some of the worst conditions – such as pitching his first at 34 degrees. He would go on to feel some discomfort around the fifth inning but was not alarmed enough to stop pitching. To sum it up, Steele had a solid 4.76 ERA with 21 strikeouts and five walks in 22 2/3 innings – so tough to see a season-ending surgery at that. “It’s kind of the life of a Major League pitcher,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Sunday about how tough it is to see Steele injured at a time like this. “I talked to him this morning again, and he’s got a great attitude about it, as he always does, and knows that it’s kind of part of the career that he’s chosen. He’ll take it a step at a time and do the best he can to come back even better.” With Steele out of the picture for now, the Cubs may well bring the best out of its front four in Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, and Ben Brown. They do have a 12-day period coming up, which should be a test of their depth moving forward.

While he did manage to notch three goals in the Black & Gold’s push at the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals, it cannot be denied that fans were still waiting for Denis Bouanga to break his scoring drought eight games into the season and launch LAFC back into the top of the league – and he finally delivered when it mattered most. Bouanga scored a promising goal late in a 1-1 affair with the San Jose Earthquakes, and it was the game-winning shot that allowed LAFC to escape with a 2-1 win over their rivals and get back to a winning pace heading into their weekend clash with the Portland Timbers. Now the LAFC star is finally back in action, and fans are expecting bigger things to come for the club moving forward. Bouanga was scoreless in his previous five games across all competitions this season, and now he’s finally back into the mix and will likely get a promising pace up and running now more than ever. Ranked seventh overall, LAFC seeks to get back on track and get into a competitive form in order to rally their cause for another playoff campaign. A Rough Start Coming off two seasons with high-scoring numbers for LAFC, much has been expected in Bouanga’s fourth stint with LAFC. It can be remembered that he scored 20 38 goals in his first full season with the team, and later followed that up with 28 goals in the 2024 campaign. So far – Bouanga has four goals in total, with three of those coming in the CONCACAF campaign. "It's always complicated to score the first goal," Bouanga said via a translator after the match. "I missed another opportunity. Now that I scored that goal, it should be okay. Other goals are going to come." After being eliminated by Inter Miami midweek and riding two losses in a row, LAFC definitely needed a positive result to get back on the winning path for the season, and Bouanga’s goal definitely played a huge role in setting them up for a promising pace at this point. So far, being able to bounce back when it mattered most has been one of the known characteristics for LAFC, and Bouanga’s show of response after not being able to score in MLS games has been fun to watch. Bounceback Run For manager Steve Cherundolo, LAFC’s losses will always come and go, Bouanga’s return to scoring is a sign of good things to come for the team at this point – a season where almost nothing has been right so far. His 86th-minute goal proved to be a satisfying sight, especially as it meant getting all three points in a key match. "It's part of every finishing drill. When you finish, you don't shoot and stop; you always see if there's a rebound," he said. "We basically tell our attackers... there is an opportunity to score, no matter if it's unrealistic or easy, always score."It's part of every finishing drill. When you finish, you don't shoot and stop; you always see if there's a rebound," he said. "We basically tell our attackers... there is an opportunity to score, no matter if it's unrealistic or easy, always score. Bouanga is definitely satisfied with his performances and knows that he could have done better in the past few games that ended up as a loss. Now that he’s finally clinched a goal for this season, maybe he can find his rhythm and start serving up winning plays for the team in the coming weeks.

Jacqueline Davis sued BetMGM in 2021 after it refused to settle a $3 million win in a roulette game. Back in 2021, she played the game for five consecutive days and was able to win as much as $11 million. By the end of her winning streak, she was down to just $3 million - but BetMGM refused to pay, citing a glitch in the Luck O' Roulette game. A multimillion-dollar legal battle between a Detroit woman and BetMGM over an online roulette win has landed in the Michigan Supreme Court, raising critical questions about who holds the authority to resolve disputes in the state's online gambling industry. A $3 million legal spat Jacqueline Davis claims she won $3 million playing the 'Luck O' Roulette' game on BetMGM's platform in 2021. The Detroiter says she played nonstop over five days, at one point amassing $11 million in winnings before cashing out at $3 million. But when she tried to collect her earnings, the casino told her the game had suffered a software malfunction and refused to pay beyond an initial $100,000. Davis, who was given the $100,000 in cash at the MGM Grand Detroit, said BetMGM offered her the funds on the condition that she sign a confidentiality agreement. According to court documents, the agreement would have required her to return the money if news of the glitch became public. She refused, and instead filed a lawsuit alleging breach of contract and fraud. A software malfunction resulting in a glitch? BetMGM does not dispute that the game malfunctioned. However, it contends that the win was invalid due to a software glitch and that Davis had no legal grounds to sue. The company pointed to Michigan's Lawful Internet Gaming Act (LIGA), which it argues grants the Michigan Gaming Control Board exclusive authority over online gambling disputes. Both the circuit court and the Michigan Court of Appeals sided with BetMGM, concluding that Davis's case falls outside the jurisdiction of the courts. In a 2 to 1 decision, the appellate court held that LIGA vests exclusive regulatory power with the MGCB, particularly in disputes that involve complex technical issues like game software malfunctions. An intriguing twist But in a twist that has shifted the dynamics of the case, the MGCB itself submitted an amicus brief stating it lacks the authority - and resources - to adjudicate civil disputes such as Davis's. The board emphasized that its role is regulatory, not judicial, and it does not act as an arbitrator between casinos and players in matters involving private contractual claims. This unexpected position from the state's gaming watchdog caught the attention of the Michigan Supreme Court, which granted Davis leave to appeal in May 2024. During oral arguments last week, justices questioned whether BetMGM's interpretation of LIGA was valid if the MGCB itself denies having jurisdiction. "What do you make of the fact that the MGCB itself says, "We don't have jurisdiction"?" Chief Justice-Elect Megan Cavanagh asked during the hearing. "The very entity that you say is the keeper of all of this. Are we supposed to assume that they have an incorrect understanding of their jurisdiction?" BetMGM adamant about its position in the case BetMGM's attorney, Norman Ankers, maintained that the MGCB's interpretation of its authority should not override the plain language of the statute. He insisted that the courts must defer to the legal framework established by LIGA, which, in the company's view, excludes traditional courtrooms from resolving online gambling disputes. Davis's attorney, David Steingold, countered that even if a glitch occurred, BetMGM had multiple opportunities to detect and correct the issue. He noted that Michigan law requires licensed operators to monitor their games daily - a safeguard that, he argues, BetMGM failed to uphold during Davis's five-day roulette session. The Supreme Court's ruling could have severe implications for online gambling in Michigan, particularly in clarifying whether players have the right to take operators to court over disputed payouts or if such matters fall solely under the purview of the MGCB.