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July 24th, 20245 mins

Online Casino Gaming in New Jersey at an All-Time High, Land-Based Casinos Struggle with Growth

In New Jersey, casino gaming has always been a great source of revenue, and whether it's land-based or online, the pull of casinos is irresistible to many. But while NJ's online casinos are showing impressive growth year-on-year, the retail casinos are somewhat lagging behind. It's important to note that it's still growing, although at a slower pace than its online counterpart, says a faculty director from the Institute of Gaming, Hospitality, and Tourism at Stockton University.

New Jersey's gaming industry celebrated notable milestones in June 2024, with both online and retail casinos reporting strong revenue figures. Online casinos in the state, in particular, posted their fourth-best revenue month since their inception in June 2013. Simultaneously, retail casinos achieved their highest revenue month of the year.

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) released the numbers indicating that retail casinos produced $244.1 million in June 2024, a $3 million increase from June 2023. It also marked the best month of revenue for retail casinos in Atlantic City since September of 2023, when they reported a total of $246.5 million in revenue.

An opposing viewpoint

Despite these seemingly positive numbers, Jane Bokunewicz, a faculty director at Stockton University's Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality, and Tourism, offered a different perspective altogether.

She stated that a growth of 1% in the year-over-year retail casino revenues for June is undoubtedly positive, but it doesn't show as much growth as operators would have liked to see, especially in the growing importance of in-person gaming to their overall business strategy. She went on to add, "As we look forward to the rest of the summer, it will be important to monitor year-over-year revenues for brick-and-mortar operations."

Meanwhile, in 2023, land-based casinos showed $2.85 billion in revenue from table and slot games, reflecting a 2.2% increase year-over-year and the highest yearly total since the year it all started in 2013. As of June, 2024, it is certainly noteworthy that New Jersey is ahead by $433,504 and may well surpass the 2023 figures.

A surge in overall gaming revenue

In June, New Jersey's total gaming revenue, which includes online and retail casinos as well as sportsbooks, reached $491 million, marking a 7.4% year-over-year increase. For this year, the total revenue from gaming stands at $2.7 billion, which is a 9.1% increase from the June 2023 revenue.

Bokunewicz pointed out that most of these gains could be attributed to the thriving online gaming market. While retail casinos continue to bring in more money, the growth rate is relatively flat. iGaming, on the other hand, accounted for $1.13 billion in revenue, representing 41% of the total, while retail casinos brought in $1.36 billion.

Bokunecwiz stated, "While internet gaming provides a number of benefits - including revenues taxed at a higher rate, appeal to more/different players and an innovative and evolving gaming experience - it is not a replacement for brick-and-mortar gaming activity in terms of total economic impact for Atlantic City and the state."

She added that in-person gaming activity does not occur in a vacuum. For example, patrons who visit casinos in Atlantic City will likely spend money on things beyond the casino floor, and their presence in the city directly and indirectly supports a variety of businesses, such as lodging, entertainment, food & beverage, as well as thousands of jobs.

Retail casino revenue breakdown

The retail casino sector saw significant contributions from its top performers. Borgata led the way with more than $64.2 million in revenue for June 2024. Other notable figures include Hard Rock with $48,418,762, Ocean Casino with a revenue of $33,477,452, Tropicana at $20,208,223, Caesars with over $19 million in revenue, Harrah's at more than $17.6 million, Resorts at almost $15 million, Bally’s with a total of $13,555,398, and finally, Golden Nugget with $12,512,025.

Some important trends also emerged from these numbers:

Ocean Casino: Reported their highest revenue in three months but experienced a 4% year-over-year decrease.

Hard Rock: Noted an 11% year-over-year increase from the month of June, 2023.

Tropicana: Generated $20.2 million, its best month since December, despite a 4% year-over-year decrease.

These figures highlight the dynamic nature of New Jersey’s gaming industry, where both retail and online sectors continue to play pivotal roles in driving revenue growth. As the industry moves through 2024 towards 2025, stakeholders and investors will be closely watching these trends to navigate and capitalize on the evolving NJ landscape.

by Wia Van Cauwenberghe

July 24th, 20244 mins

River Ryan Shines in Major League Debut for Dodgers

After veteran left-hander James Paxton was designated for an assignment, the next man up was the Los Angeles Dodgers’ no. 4 prospect River Ryan, who did a great job of putting up a promising game in his debut to help the club secure a 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants in front of their home crowd at the Dodger Stadium last Monday.

Many thought that moving Paxton to an assignment was a poor decision for the club, with the veteran star standing with an 8-2 record to go along with a 4.43 ERA this season and is one of just two starting pitchers in the team who has enjoyed a promising set of performances in the campaign. With many fans thinking that the Dodgers will need a boost in their pitching side before the July 30 Trade Deadline, the club opted to pull off a card that they did not expect.

Only River Ryan was the remaining top prospect that the team had in its reserve, and it seemed right that he was given a chance to take his place on the plate with impressive strides as he led the Dodgers to a surprise victory, much to the fans’ delight.

An Electric Debut for Ryan

River Ryan allowed just one run in 5 1/3 innings of work to lead the squad to a clear victory in the game. He missed the first few months of the 2024 season as he recovered from a right shoulder injury. In his return, the right-hander did not waste any time at all in showing what he has improved in his game during his stay in the Minors. He came up with a complete performance in the win, and fans definitely praised the young player’s readiness in the game.

Pulling off a high 90s four-seam fastball along with a couple of sliders, changeups, and a curveball, Ryan showed off his bag in the game. He even delivered a strikeout – the first of his career – against Tyler Fitzgerald in the third inning thanks to a 97-mph heater that was on point right in the outside corner.

Ryan was given a standing ovation in his debut with the Dodgers. His time spent in Oklahoma City saw him average 98.5 mph on his two-seam fastball and 98.1 mph on his four-seamer.

High Praises for Ryan

Ryan was initially a two-way player for UNC Pembroke and was later drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 11th round of the 2021 MLB Draft. In that partial year as a pro, Ryan was batting .308/.349/.436 in 12 games as a designated hitter. The Dodgers knew what they were getting in Ryan, and manager Dave Roberts was extremely confident in calling him up prior to the game.

“Once he comes up, when he comes up, great compete, big stuff, crazy athlete. He won’t scare off, a little bit like Wrobleski,” Roberts said. “When that happens, it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”

The Dodgers landed Ryan by the end of the Spring Training in 2022, trading him for Matt Beaty. According to experts, Ryan could well be a no. 2 starter and is expected to make waves in the majors considering the fact that they are indeed in need of a major upgrade on the pitching side, which makes a lot of sense to use Ryan in the long run.

by Paul Daniel Flores

July 24th, 20244 mins

Player in Pennsylvania Hits Two Slot Jackpots Totaling More Than $1.4 Million

Is anyone feeling extra lucky today? A casino player in the Keystone State strikes it big: twice. The anonymous player first had good fortune in August of 2023, taking home a fantastic $1 million win - and then struck gold again this year, in May of 2024, with an astonishing win of nearly $420,000.

In a truly noteworthy turn of events, one player from Drexel Hill in Pennsylvania has been riding an exceptional wave of luck, hitting not one, but two massive jackpots at one of the most popular online casinos in the state. The wins, both from the Borgata Online Casino, came within a span of just nine months, prompting excitement and celebration from the casino operator.

Unprecedented double jackpot wins at BetMGM

The player, who has chosen to remain anonymous (and perhaps rightly so) first struck gold in August of 2023, landing a stunning $1 million progressive jackpot. With remarkable good fortune, the same casino player hit another major jackpot just a few months later, in May of 2024, winning $417,404 on an $18 wager while playing the game Bison Fury: The Stampede.

BetMGM, the parent company of Borgata Online, was quick to share the thrilling news through a press release. Angus Nisbet, Vice President of Gaming at BetMGM, expressed his astonishment and delight at the player's incredible luck. "Winning a million-dollar jackpot is incredible. Two progressive jackpots this size in less than a year has never happened in the history of BetMGM. We congratulate the player on these extraordinary jackpot wins."

A moment of triumph

While the player's identity remains under wraps, the excitement and joy of the moment were unmistakable. In a statement, the lucky winner praised Borgata Online and BetMGM for providing the opportunity to experience such significant wins. "Borgata Online and BetMGM are the best! Thanks to Borgata Online for giving me the chance of a lifetime, not once but twice, to win two big jackpots."

This unprecedented streak of wins has certainly captured the attention of the online casino community, showing the potential for life-changing moments that online gaming can bring. The player's success story is a true testament to the never-ending allure and excitement of progressive jackpots, which continue to draw players with the promise of substantial rewards.

The excitement of online gaming in the Keystone State

The online gaming scene in Pennsylvania has undoubtedly been thriving, with numerous players flocking to platforms like Borgata Online Casino for their chance at winning big. The state’s regulated online gambling market has provided a safe and entertaining environment for players to indulge in their favorite games right from the comfort of their homes.

Progressive jackpots, in particular, have been a significant draw to many players. These jackpots accumulate over time, with a portion of each wager contributing to the ever-growing prize pool until finally, one lucky player hits the winning combination. The draw of potentially life-changing sums of money keeps players coming back, and the recent double jackpot win at Borgata is a prime example of the excitement and rewards on offer.

The recent double jackpot win also serves as a testament to BetMGM's dedication to offering endlessly thrilling and rewarding experiences to its players. As the online gaming market continues to grow, BetMGM remains at the forefront, innovating and enhancing its offerings to meet the evolving needs of its customers in the Keystone State.

by Wia Van Cauwenberghe

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July 24th, 20244 mins

Dean Evason Replaces Pascal Vincent as Head Coach for Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets are entering a new era in hockey after the team named Dean Evason as the team’s head coach en route to the 2024-25 season. The Blue Jackets seek to improve in their games next campaign after finishing dead last in the Eastern Conference with a 27-43-12 record in the 2023-24 season.

Coaching changes can be tough for many teams, especially in the middle of the season where a winning pace can be hampered. For the Blue Jackets, bringing in a new coach in the offseason after a poor outing in the previous campaign says a lot about how the management now wants to see the team get back on track with the hopes of getting to the playoff mix once more.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have not won any Stanley Cups in its entire franchise history, which just means that there are high expectations for the team to come up with a deep playoff run, especially with the fact that the team has only managed to break past the first round twice over the years.

A New Groove for Columbus

After qualifying for the playoffs for four years in a row from the 2016-17 season to the 2019-20 campaign, the Blue Jackets have not made it to the postseason stage ever since and have missed the playoffs in four straight years, which says a lot about how the team is in dire need of promising development if they are going to come up with a promising groove that will allow them to get back to the postseason.

The team did have a potential winning record in the 2021-22 season, where they finished with a 37-38-7 record, but failed to go one more spot ahead for the wild card. In three of the last four seasons, Columbus has finished with the eighth-seed in the Central Division as well.

With a new coach, the Blue Jackets get a chance to revamp their hopes of reaching the postseason, and hopefully build a roster that is slated to contend against the best of the best in the stacked Eastern Conference, which includes defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers. But who knows, maybe the Blue Jackets can come up with a different groove that will see them back in the playoff chase once more.

Bigger Hopes with Evason

At the age of 59, Evason replaces Pascal Vincent as the head coach for the Blue Jackets. Evason initially coached for the Minnesota Wild before he was fired by the team last November 2023, and he was 147-77-27 in five seasons since replacing Bruce Boudreau on Feb. 14, 2020.

“I am incredibly proud and honored to be named the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets and appreciate very much the opportunity that Don Waddell, general manager, the McConnell family and president Mike Priest have extended to me,” Evason said. “There is a great core and a lot of young talent on this team. I am really looking forward to working with this group and helping us become a team that plays extremely hard and competes at the highest level.”

The Blue Jackets are hoping to see a change of pace in the game, and it does seem that adding Evason as the head coach would mean a lot for their chances of winning now more than ever.

by Paul Daniel Flores

July 24th, 20244 mins

LeBron James Named Male Flagbearer for Team USA

As if coming back to play for Team USA wasn’t enough, LeBron James is now named as the male flagbearer for Team USA in the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The Los Angeles Lakers star brings his talents on the big stage possibly for one last time as he seeks to help Team USA regain its basketball dominance.

James becomes the first men’s player selected as a flagbearer since Dawn Staley did the same back in the 2004 Athens Games and Sue Bird in the 2021 Tokyo Games. James is slated to join his fellow American athletes this Friday as it rows through the River Seine, which is the path site of the Opening Ceremony.

At the age of 39, James adds more to his honor-laden career with this role in the Olympic opener. The two-time Olympic gold medalist is slated to appear in his fourth Summer Olympics, and he hopes to come up with a much more promising groove to wrap up this campaign with Team USA now more than ever.

An Utmost Honor For James

Just a kid from Akron, Ohio, James takes on this monumental privilege to represent the United States, possibly for the last time in his legendary basketball career. James said that this is a special feeling to be able to represent his country in another way than basketball, and he claims that this utmost honor will definitely live on forever.

James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, is slated to make his fourth appearance in the Olympics, a tournament that he played first back in 2004 at the age of 19. Now 20 years later, he returns to the same stage with the hopes of securing one last massive campaign for Team USA now more than ever.

The decision to make James the flagbearer for Team USA was announced just a few hours before the team was slated to play its final pre-Olympics exhibition game against World Cup champion Germany, where James carried the squad to a thrilling win in the final four minutes of the game.

Thousands of athletes will be joining on the opening ceremony, which involves a flotilla sailing through the Seine at sunset all the way to the Eiffel Tower – a travel of 3.7 miles ahead of the tournament. Team USA comes second to the last to ride down the river, which is a position given to the next host of the Summer Games.

Team USA’s Chances

James returned to Team USA in the Olympic stage with the hopes of helping the squad secure its spot in the global stage. Set to turn 40 this December, James is seeking to bring in his third gold medal in the game, and he is showing a lot of incredible performances in the game with massive strides so far.

We have seen him take over for Team USA in some of their exhibition games. One was seen in their comeback victory against South Sudan where he nailed the game-winning layup, and his scoring barrage against Germany in the final four minutes proved to be a show of his potential as a promising player for the United States even at the age of 39.

Team USA will open its campaign in the Olympics with a clash against Nikola Jokic and Serbia this Sunday at Lille, France. For those who didn’t know, the United States are coming in to defend their dominant run in the Olympics, which stands at four years in a row in winning gold.

by Paul Daniel Flores

July 24th, 20242 mins

Scott Seiver Wins WSOP Player of the Year After Historic Summer

July 24, 2024 – Scott Seiver did not win the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Player of the Year title with three bracelets, but he did manage to hang onto the title. And now, the Poker Hall of Fame, an even greater accolade, may be just a year away for him.

Two WSOP Online bracelet events earlier this week could have affected the Player of the Year competition, even though the live WSOP in Las Vegas concluded last week. Because of this, the WSOP was unable to declare Seiver's victory official because a few other players were still mathematically in contention.

Competing Legends

The 2024 World Series of Poker will be remembered as one of the best. Legends Daniel Negreanu and Phil Ivey ended decade-long bracelet droughts. Seiver, with three bracelets, needed a late final table to secure Player of the Year against Michael Rocco and Jeremy Ausmus. Ausmus tied Phil Hellmuth's record with seven final tables, but Rocco, who won his first bracelet and had six top nine finishes, was equally impressive. Seiver, 39, is now eligible for the Poker Hall of Fame.

Top 10 WSOP Players:

1st: Scott Seiver - 4,403.85 points
2nd: Michael Rocco - 3,803.67 points
3rd: Jeremy Ausmus - 3,686.60 points
4th: John Racener - 3,557.10 points
5th: Xixiang Luo - 3,480.93 points

Seiver won his fifth, sixth, and seventh bracelets this year, plus reached two other final tables. On the final day, he took sixth in the $25,000 High Roller H.O.R.S.E., securing his lead. Rocco, Ausmus, and Racener needed to win the last two WSOP Online bracelet events but fell short.

Seiver’s Prediction

In May, Seiver tweeted his prediction that he would win Player of the Year. He was quite successful in cash games as well as tournaments, having cashed out $26.8 million in live tournaments.

Beginning with the $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8-or-Better Championship, Seiver won three WSOP bracelets this summer: the $1,500 Razz, the $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship, and the $1,000 Razz. He cashed in 17 events, made it to five final tables, and became the first person to win three WSOP bracelets at the same venue since 2009.

by Joey Dacillo

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July 24th, 20242 mins

July 22nd Powerball Results: Winning Numbers Announced, Jackpot Reaches $103 Million

July 24, 2024 – Monday night’s winning Powerball numbers were 31, 36, 56, 58, and 69, with a Powerball of 20 and a power play of 2x. However, based on lottery calculations, the winner of Saturday’s jackpot might get a $49.4 million cash out after taxes. The estimated $103 million jackpot continues to stay on as a coveted prize since no winners came through for the Powerball, Match 5 and Power Play, and Match 5 winners.

Playing the Powerball

A $2 Powerball ticket can be purchased at your local grocery store, petrol station, or convenience store. In some states, it's even possible to purchase tickets online.

To play, you have to write a total of six digits on your ticket. The numerals 1 through 69 will be represented by five white balls. The Powerball has a single red number between 1 and 26.

To increase your chances of winning and up the payouts for all prizes other than the jackpot, you can add a $1 "Power Play". Here, winnings can be multiplied by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X. You can also choose a "Quick Pick" option, where a cashier produces a Powerball ticket with numbers produced by a computer.

Powerball draws take place thrice a week, every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings at 10:59 pm. If no one wins the jackpot, the monetary prize will rise by millions.

Learn more about the draw results from Powerball.

by Joey Dacillo

July 23rd, 20244 mins

Fortune Coins Updates Welcome Bonus – New Players Now Receive an Extra 20K Gold Coins

New players at Fortune Coins, the well-known online casino, can now rejoice, because the social casino has just released some changes to its welcome bonus, starting with an additional 20,000 Gold Coins if they also register their Fortune Coins account with social media platform Facebook.

Fortune Coins has long been one of the most rewarding social casinos in the busy social casino landscape of the US, and ever since it was launched in the US market in 2021, it has given a lot of players plenty of reasons to celebrate.

And there is yet another reason for players to celebrate right at this moment, especially those who haven't signed up but are thinking of trying out this social casino. Just to give you a small reminder: social casinos exist just for fun and gameplay, so players can join for free and even play for free using coins that Fortune Coins give them.

The Fortune Coins giveaway

Today, new players can sign up and take full and complete advantage of the Fortune Coins welcome bonus, a total of 650,000 Gold Coins and 1,400 Fortune Coins - just for registering an account. While the welcome bonus itself hasn’t really changed, there has been a new addition: players who give their consent to the Fortune Coins Facebook page and who register via Facebook can now receive an extra bonus of 20,000 Gold Coins, along with 100 Fortune Coins.

Players should know that the total amount of the No Purchase Bonus at Fortune Coins is 650K in Gold Coins and 1,400 in Fortune Coins. But they will only receive the complete bonus in increments, which means that they have to follow a step-by-step process in order to get the full bonus amount. Luckily, Fortune Coins gives detailed instructions on how players can do it.

Detailed instructions from Fortune Coins

Upon initial registration, new players to Fortune Coins social casino will immediately receive 100,000 Gold Coins and 200 Fortune Coins. Then, once a player fulfills the additional registration as set by Fortune Coins, they will get an extra 20,000 Gold Coins and 400 Fortune Coins. The third step to acquiring the full welcome bonus involves a verification of their mobile phone, which will give them an additional 10K GC and 100 FC.

If they consent to receiving email notifications from Fortune Coins, they will receive more - 100,000 Gold Coins and 300 Fortune Coins. Another opportunity to receive the bonus comes in the form of SMS consent, and with this, they can get up to 80,000 GC and 100 FC. But it doesn't end there, and this is where the recent changes come into play - if a player connects with Fortune Coins through Facebook, they will get an additional 20,000 Gold Coins plus an extra 100 Fortune Coins. If, on the other hand, they also connect with Fortune Coins via their Google Account, they are bound to receive 20,000 GC, along with 100 Fortune Coins.

Lastly, once they log in daily to their Fortune Coins account, they can get as much as 300,000 Gold Coins and 100 Fortune Coins. All these mini-bonuses add up to the grand total of 650,000 Gold Coins and 1,400 Fortune Coins.

A wider array of games

In addition to the new bonus list, Fortune Coins is quick to add that it has also increased its games - it now has over 700 on the list (it previously had only about 600+ games), with games that include old-time favorites such as slots plus a whole assortment of games like Candy Blitz, Buffalo King, Hot Triple Sevens, Fruit Slash, and Gemz Grow. Of course, there are also blackjack variations as well as poker, with several poker variants that include Texas Hold'em, Seven-Card Stud, and Omaha.

With its new welcome bonus configurations and its new game roster, Fortune Coins is all set to become a leading player and dominate the social casino industry once again.

by Wia Van Cauwenberghe

July 23rd, 20244 mins

Online Gaming Revenue for Connecticut Slightly Decreases in June

According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, the online gaming revenue for the month of June experienced a slight dip from May at $33.7 million. But there is no cause for concern, as the figures are still higher than the same month last year, where it was $25.4 million.

The CDCP or the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection recently announced that the total revenue for online casino gaming in June stood at $33.7 million. This figure, which accounts for online casino gaming revenue minus promotional deductions, represents a slight decrease compared to May's numbers. In spite of this minor drop, the year-over-year data indicates a robust and growing market, with a substantial 34% revenue increase when compared to June of 2023, when the revenue was $25.4 million.

DraftKings dominates Connecticut's online casino market

Since the full launch of Connecticut's online casino and sports betting market in October of 2021, only two online casinos have been operational: Mohegan Sun and DraftKings, with Mohegan Sun being run by FanDuel. These platforms offer players a wide array of gaming options, including the ubiquitous slots, table, and live dealer games, making them popular choices among Connecticut residents.

But DraftKings maintains its dominance in the online casino market in the state, reporting a total gross revenue of $17.4 million for June. Following closely behind is FanDuel with $16.1 million. The competitive landscape between these two giants truly showcases the dynamic nature of Connecticut's online gaming sector.

In Connecticut, 18% of online casino revenue is contributed back to the state. For June, this translated to $3.135 million from DraftKings and $2.9 million from FanDuel. Needless to say, these contributions play a significant role in the state's economy, providing a steady stream of revenue that supports a host of public initiatives and services.

Seasonal trends impacting online gambling

One possible reason for the slight dip in June's revenue could be attributed to seasonal trends. Warmer temperatures typically draw people away from indoor activities like online gambling, as they prefer to spend more time outdoors. This seasonal shift in behavior is not uncommon and can, in fact, affect gambling activities during the summer months.

But despite the minor decrease in June, wagering activity in Connecticut has been remarkably high, exceeding a billion dollars in wagers for ten consecutive months. DraftKings has consistently led the way with $650 million in bets for the same period, highlighting the strong engagement of players in the state's online gaming market.

Promotional efforts by operators

Promotional spending by both operators also played a role in the overall revenue figures for June. DraftKings invested $4.1 million in promotional activities, while FanDuel's promotional spend was slightly higher at $4.4 million. These promotions are crucial for attracting and retaining players, especially in a competitive market.

Looking ahead, the Connecticut online gaming market still appears to be on a solid growth trajectory. The significant year-over-year increase in revenue demonstrates the expanding player base and the rising popularity of online gambling in the state. As operators continue to innovate and introduce new gaming experiences, the market is expected to maintain its upward momentum.

Moreover, the state's regulatory framework and the contributions from online gaming revenue provide a stable foundation for sustainable growth. The collaboration between the state and gaming operators ensures that the market remains well-regulated and beneficial to all stakeholders involved.

by Wia Van Cauwenberghe

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July 23rd, 20244 mins

Proposed Tax Increase for New Jersey Online Casino Shelved for Now

A proposal by NJ Senator John McKeon to increase the taxes for online casinos in New Jersey from 15% to 30% has been shelved for now, because the fiscal year budget for 2024 has already been approved. But it could still change, especially since New Jersey's neighbors, namely Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio, have higher taxes.

Senator John McKeon's bill proposing a significant tax increase on online casinos and sportsbooks will not be included in the 2024 fiscal year budget proposal. The bill was actually introduced in March of 2024, and it aimed to raise the tax rate to 30% - but it has been postponed until the fall when the next legislative session starts.

Currently, online casinos in the Garden State have to pay a tax rate of 15%, and sportsbooks are taxed at 13%. The proposed hike to 30% represents a substantial increase and has sparked considerable debate among stakeholders. While the bill has been shelved for now, it remains a potential future change that could reshape the landscape of online gambling in the state.

As most everyone knows, New Jersey has been a pioneer in online gambling since launching online casinos in 2013, and it provided a successful model for other states to emulate. The state's current tax rates are competitive, allowing it to maintain a thriving online gambling market. However, the proposed increase would bring New Jersey closer in line with some of its neighboring states, which have implemented higher tax rates on gambling revenues.

Tax figures in other states

Several nearby states have higher tax rates on gambling revenues, which could have influenced New Jersey's consideration of a tax hike. Pennsylvania, for example, imposes a 54% tax rate on slot machine revenues and a 16% tax on table games. This high tax rate has not hindered Pennsylvania's success in any way in the gambling industry. As of June of this year, Pennsylvania has produced a revenue of almost $1.2 billion and is on track to surpass the $1.9 billion mark which was set in 2023.

Meanwhile, New York, another neighboring state, has 51% taxes on sports betting. Ohio, which recently increased the tax rate from 10% to a whopping 20%, is another example. Despite the higher tax rates, however, these states have continued to see substantial revenue from their respective online gambling industries.

The tax hike's potential impact on New Jersey

If New Jersey eventually implements the proposed 30% tax rate, it could have several implications for the state's market for online gambling. Proponents of the tax hike argue that it could generate significant additional revenue for the state, which could then be used to fund various public services and initiatives. Opponents, however, warn that such a substantial increase could deter operators from investing in the future, potentially driving business to neighboring states with more favorable tax rates.

The postponement of the bill provides an opportunity for further analysis and discussion. Industry stakeholders, lawmakers, and the general public will have time to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of the proposed tax increase. The fall legislative session will likely see renewed debate on the issue, with various interests all vying to influence the outcome.

Looking ahead

For now, New Jersey's online casinos and sportsbooks will continue to operate under the existing tax rates of 15% and 13%, respectively. However, the possibility of a future tax increase is not far from becoming a reality in the future.

The experience of other states with higher tax rates suggests that a well-structured tax policy can still support a thriving gambling industry. Pennsylvania's success, in particular, demonstrates that even with a high tax rate, a state can achieve significant revenue growth. New Jersey's lawmakers will need to consider these examples as they deliberate on the future of the state's online gambling tax policy.

by Wia Van Cauwenberghe

July 23rd, 20244 mins

Team Falcons Lead Points Tally in Esports World Cup Club Championship

Team Falcons have made their presence felt on the big stage of the Esports World Cup with a string of victories that have allowed them to take on first place in the Club Championship standings with a promising lead. As of the time of writing, Team Falcons has managed to amass a total of 2,950 minimum secured points.

Out of a total of 38 teams, Team Falcons has managed to come out with promising wins in the first three tournaments played in the Esports World Cup. It seems that the team has gained an early momentum and is expected to come up with more victories in the coming weeks. That says a lot about the huge preparation that the team has managed to come up with and this proves a lot about how Team Falcons is expected to pull off a victory in this current campaign.

With plenty of events left, Team Falcons has a chance to make history in the inaugural campaign of the Esports World Cup with the most victories in every event in the tournament. Who knows, maybe they can end up as the winningest team by the end of the competition.

Team Falcons’ Double Triumph

Team Falcons ensured that they would get an early lead in the game when they finished with the championship in both Call of Duty: Warzone and Free Fire. Falcons took home a $200,000 lion’s share of the prize pool for Warzone, while they earned $300,000 for winning in Free Fire. Their victory has been quite promising so far, with the team bringing in 1,000 points in each championship.

This success has set them up for greatness so far. It cannot be denied that the Falcons have managed to stay on top of their games and have been really bringing in a promising groove in their games. The team also finished second and ninth in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, which earned them a total of 600 points.

While the team fell short in Dota 2 with the third-place finish for 350 points, one can say that the team still has plenty of chances to win in the game, and it is easy to root for them when they have established their dominance early in the competition. One can say that the team has definitely have their eyes on the big prize at this point in time.

The Esports World Cup Continues!

There are a total of 16 games to play in the Esports World Cup, with Team Falcons slated to play in nine of those, which can definitely show them a potential of winning at least 9,000 points to add to their tally in the competition. So far, no other team comes close to tallying a total of 3,000 points aside from Team Falcons, with the next team – Team Liquid, having only 1,150 points with a second-place finish and two third-place runs.

Natus Vincere comes third in the list with 1,110 points after winning CS2, while the Gaimin Gladiators have amassed 1,020 points after their victory in Dota 2. The Selangor Red Giants and T1 Esports are tied for fifth with 1,000 points apiece.

StarCraft II, Call of Duty Modern Warfare III, Overwatch, and Rainbow Six Siege are some of the few esports events left to be played in the tournament, and the top spot remains up for grabs at this point.

by Paul Daniel Flores

July 23rd, 20244 mins

NAVI Emerges Victorious in First CS2 Championship in Esports World Cup

After winning a major earlier this year, it cannot be denied that NAVI has become one of the easy picks to win in the Esports World Cup. The squad has proven itself to be a promising contender now more than ever, and finishing at the top over G2 Esports clearly sends a strong message as to how they hope to dominate the rest of the year.

The team had some struggles in their initial games before showing up with a dominant stretch for the whole tournament. Many people didn’t people believe that NAVI could win big, but it cannot be denied that their previous performances didn’t show a spike in confidence considering that they didn’t perform at a high level.

Now that the team has won the Esports World Cup, it seems that NAVI has silenced its critics with a promising victory that sets them as contenders moving forward. For now, it is easy to say that NAVI has imposed its will on the big stage as a top-five team in CS2, and they have done it in convincing fashion.

Proving the Critics Wrong

NAVI didn’t have any traction to begin their campaign in the Esports World Cup. Sure, the team won the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024, it was a tight victory that had them battling to the final round – and they even lost more rounds than they won in that campaign. After weak performances in both the IEM Dallas 2024 and the BLAST Premiere: Spring Final, it proved to be quite the stretch for them to win.

Their campaign in the Esports World Cup was a storied climb to the top. NAVI defeated two massive favorites in FaZe Clan and MOUZ – who were both big winners in the top CS2 tournaments in the past few months. They didn’t hold back in their campaign as they went on to take on G2 Esports, which happened to be NAVI in-game leader Aleksib’s former team.

Every player of NAVI stepped up in a big way in the Final, and it proved to be a storied campaign for the team as Aleksib’s smart play-calling played a huge role in taking down the contenders. The NAVI IGL extended his winning streak against his former team with seven games in a row.

What’s Next For NAVI?

NAVI takes home the lion’s share of the prize pool at $400,000 for the first-place cash prize. The victory marks the club as the first team to win CS2 in the Esports World Cup. NAVI is now is expected to continue their winning pace in the next set of tournaments, starting with the BLAST Premier: Fall Groups 2024 next week and IEM Cologne this August.

With the win, NAVI Climbs is in third place in the Esports World Cup Club Championship, scoring 1,110 points as of the time of writing. They earned 110 points for a lowly finish in the Call of Duty: Warzone and were awarded 1,000 points for winning the CS2 championship. There are still a total of three tournaments where NAVI still has a sure slot to play in, which means that the team has a chance to climb to the top of the rankings as well.

For now, the focus of the team is to stay on the winning track, and it is expected that they will also prepare well en route to the ESL Pro League: Season 20 in September.

by Paul Daniel Flores

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