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An argument can be made given how the NBA is the best competition in basketball for the whole world, and no one can deny the fact that it indeed stands out among other leagues in the globe, which says a lot about how the standard in the game remains to be in question.

For now, the Celtics can actually consider taking the challenge and bringing its squad to Europe for a massive clash with Panathinaikos to settle this argument once and for all.

In 2004, for example, A.J. Werling was convicted of misdemeanor fraud in Colorado for using a 76-cent credit voucher left in a slot machine. Werling said that he inserted his own $20 bill, unaware of the existing credit. Despite this, he was fined $500 and required to complete 24 hours of community service. Reflecting on the incident in 2017, Werling expressed his frustration to KDVR-TV/Denver, stating that it's been a nightmare. It's just 76 cents, and he still has to deal with the repercussions for jobs, apartments, essentially anything requiring a background check. Werling continues to contest the fairness of his gambling theft conviction.

Its impact on the state's revenue

The revenue generated from unclaimed vouchers plays a significant role in the state's finances. The collected funds are directed to the state's general fund, which supports various public services and infrastructure projects. This steady stream of income, boosted by the increasing gross gaming revenue in recent years, shows the importance of unclaimed vouchers in Nevada's economy.

The $24.4 million in unclaimed vouchers left behind by Nevada gamblers during the last fiscal year highlights a fascinating aspect of the state's gaming industry. While the policy changes initiated during the pandemic contributed to this trend, the ongoing impact on the state's revenue and casino profits remains substantial. As long as the current practices continue, unclaimed vouchers will likely remain a notable part of the dynamics of the gaming industry of Nevada, benefiting both casino operators and the state's general fund.

July 19, 2024 – Friday night’s winning numbers were 5, 35, 42, 58, and 66, Mega Ball 22 with a Multiplier at 2x. Drawn after 11 pm ET, the estimated total jackpot is now $226 million. The lottery states that a winning player may get a lump sum payment after taxes that is estimated to be worth $106.9 million cash out.

While no one won the jackpot or the $1 Million prize, 10 scored the powerball at and took home $10,000. The Mega Millions jackpot has been won by two players so far this year: one from New Jersey won an incredible $1.13 billion earlier in March.

Betting on Mega Millions

Buying a lottery ticket for Mega Millions is simple and can be purchased at any grocery, convenience store, or gas station. Keep in mind though, in certain places, tickets are also offered online.

To be eligible to play, you need to choose six numbers. Five numbers will be represented by white balls with numbers ranging from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball is represented by a single number between 1 and 25. All you have to do to win in Mega Millions is match one number. However, the number has to be that Mega Ball.

Draws are held every Tuesday and Friday at 10 pm CT. Learn more at Mega Millions winning numbers.

July 19, 2024 – Monday night’s winning Powerball numbers were 24, 27, 32, 47, and 66, with a Powerball of 26 and a power play of 2x. However, based on lottery calculations, the winner of Saturday’s jackpot might get a $31 million cash out after taxes. The estimated $76 million jackpot continues to stay on as a coveted prize.

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.

We reported a while back that skill games in Pennsylvania are embroiled in a legal debate and have yet to be classified as casino games, despite some proponents that argue that they are closer to games of skill rather than chance. But PA's lawmakers still haven't come to a decision and continue to be divided into two segments: those who believe that skill games should be taxed higher, and those who don't - and it all depends on how skill games will be recognized by the PA Supreme Court.

Pennsylvania's online casino site operators may be frustrated, but the tax on skill games in the state appears unlikely to become law soon. The debate over regulating game machines, now commonplace in many Pennsylvania gas stations, bars, and other locations, has been ongoing since the start of the year. Just as a potential resolution seemed within reach through a proposed taxation structure, a new court case has stalled any progress.

If you must remember, skill games in PA came under renewed scrutiny recently because some lawmakers wanted them taxed just like slot games found in casino establishments. State lawmakers and regulatory bodies continue to debate their legality, because these games, which require players to demonstrate skill to win, are popular in convenience stores and bars in PA, but their legal status remains ambiguous. Proponents argue that skill games provide entertainment and economic benefits, while critics claim they skirt gambling laws and reduce state lottery revenues. Recent legislative efforts aim to clarify regulations, potentially leading to stricter controls or outright bans. As discussions continue, the future of skill games in Pennsylvania hangs in the balance, impacting players and business owners alike. But the debate rages on, and the Supreme Court must make the ultimate decision.

Regulation hinges on the decision of the Supreme Court

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are divided into two distinct camps regarding the taxation of skill games. State Governor Josh Shapiro, for instance, had come up with a 42% tax revenue in his budget address last February. Meanwhile, Senator Gene Yew has suggested a significantly lower 16% tax levy, which is currently under discussion by the Gaming Oversight Committee.

However, as of the moment, all references to the tax on skill games have been stripped from the Fiscal Year budget bill of 2024/2025. This decision comes as lawmakers wait for a ruling from the Supreme Court of PA, which is reviewing a prior Commonwealth Court decision that skill games do not constitute gambling.

A ruling that leaves Pennsylvania lawmakers waiting with bated breath

The forthcoming ruling will provide crucial direction for lawmakers who are currently grappling with complaints about cities like Philadelphia taking unilateral action by issuing a complete ban on all skill games.

In addition, the ruling will help determine the most appropriate taxation system. Governor Shapiro's proposal, which is similar to the 54% tax imposed on slot machines, may seem excessive if skill games are not classified as gambling. Conversely, if the Supreme Court confirms that skill games are indeed not gambling, Senator Yew's tax concession of 16% might be considered more reasonable.

As the Keystone State awaits the court's decision, it remains unclear which faction will ultimately prevail.

Sports betting fans across Washington, D.C. now have a new sports betting platform in their midst, as BetMGM has just announced the launch of its latest sports betting site for all District residents, joining other neighboring states like Virginia and Maryland.

BetMGM, a premier name in sports betting and iGaming, has broadened its mobile sports betting reach to encompass the entire Washington, D.C. area. This marks a significant expansion from its previous limitation to a two-block radius around Nationals Park, where it operates a sportsbook. Now, sports enthusiasts across the district can enjoy BetMGM sports betting as well as benefit from rewards linked to Marriott Bonvoy and MGM Resorts destinations.

This development follows in the heels of the D.C. Council's recent approval of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which included a stipulation to open the virtual sports betting sector. Despite this broader accessibility, BetMGM retains its exclusivity within the two-block area around Nationals Park due to its ongoing multi-year collaboration with the Washington Nationals.

BetMGM proud of offering broader and better experiences to sports fans and casino gamers

Adam Greenblatt, the Chief Executive Officer of BetMGM, is happy with this new offering: "After three years of providing unparalleled, omnichannel experiences to sports fans and supporting the D.C. metropolitan community through our partnership with the Washington Nationals, (we are glad to report that) fans can now bet on their favorite teams with BetMGM across the District with our award-winning mobile app."

With the launch of mobile sports betting operations in Washington, D.C., along with its neighbors Virginia and Maryland, BetMGM is all set to make a major economic impact in the area as its platform creates local jobs and significantly contributes to tax revenue. As a matter of fact, the company has been actively investing in community-centric programs, including the Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, among others.

The outstanding features

One of the standout features of BetMGM's service is its integration with Marriott Bonvoy and MGM Rewards. This integration allows users to redeem their gameplay for experiences at various Marriott Bonvoy and MGM Resorts properties all over the country, including Borgata in New Jersey and the MGM Grand and Bellagio in Las Vegas.

To attract new customers, BetMGM offers a first bet promotion of up to $1,500 which is paid back in bonuses (it is worth noting that this offer is not available in NV, ON, and PR. Bonus bets are also non-withdrawable and are set to expire in a week). Current users can find additional offers in the promotions tab of the app.

Currently, BetMGM operates in 29 markets, offering both retail and mobile betting services. The BetMGM app is available for download throughout the D.C. Metropolitan area on both iOS and Android platforms, and it can also be accessed via desktop at www.betmgm.com.

BetMGM's responsible expansion across multiple markets

As BetMGM continues to grow and conquer new markets, it places a strong emphasis on responsible gambling and the knowledge that comes with it. The company offers resources to help customers gamble responsibly, including the GameSense program, which was developed by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and exclusively licensed to MGM Resorts. This program is actually integrated into BetMGM's desktop and mobile platforms, providing customers with the same responsible gambling tools they are accustomed to at various MGM Resorts properties.

On Wednesday, The Mirage, a landmark casino resort that revolutionized the Las Vegas Strip as we know it, closed its doors for the last time. The event, which marked the end of its 34-year legacy, was commemorated with a poignant ceremony that honored the establishment's significant impact on the city and the industry where it made its name and achieved significant fame.

Hundreds of former and current employees gathered in front of the iconic volcano on the Strip for a 90-minute ceremony. The event concluded with one final eruption of the volcano, followed by a private tour of the Mirage casino. The ceremony's closure was marked by Mirage executives and Nevada officials closing the front doors at precisely 11 am.

A heartfelt goodbye, the end of an era

During the heartfelt speeches, Jim Allen, chair of Hard Rock International, shared a moment from the previous night. He had spotted a group of the Mirage's key architects, including Brian Fink and John Wald from Kali Juba Wald Architects, drinking at one of the Mirage's bars. Surprised by their presence, Allen inquired about their gathering. They responded, "We had to be here. We had to be here the last night the legendary Mirage closes." Allen admitted to feeling a deep sadness as he walked away, as he thought about the immense responsibility and the historical significance of their decision to close The Mirage. He reflected, "God give me strength. Hopefully, we are making the right decision here, because when you start committing four or five billion and beyond, you don't want to break apart something that has so much history."

Transitioning from the Mirage to Hard Rock

The Mirage, in spite of its profitable status and lack of severe age-related issues, will undergo a complete transformation over the next three years. Hard Rock International, which acquired the property's operating assets from MGM Resorts for $1.075 billion in December of 2021, plans to remodel it into the 2nd Hard Rock Las Vegas casino resort. The redevelopment will strip The Mirage down to its concrete foundations, making way for a new era under the Hard Rock brand.

A significant part of this transformation includes the addition of a 600-room, guitar-shaped hotel, which will replace the site where the volcano erupted every night. This dramatic change means that almost no remnants of the former Mirage will remain, erasing much of the physical nostalgia for its millions of visitors.

The Mirage's unspoken history

Meanwhile, notably absent from the ceremony was Steve Wynn, the visionary behind The Mirage. Wynn, who now resides in Florida at 82, was instrumental in conceptualizing and creating The Mirage, which forever altered the Las Vegas landscape. However, his legacy, as most of you may know, is marred by controversy. Last year, Wynn paid a $10 million fine to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, concluding a protracted legal fight over sexual harassment and assault allegations against several women, which supposedly occurred at his hotels. But despite denying the allegations and never being convicted of a related crime, Wynn's association with the industry ended, and he was therefore conspicuously absent from the closing ceremony.

The ceremony offered a chance for reflection on The Mirage's historical significance and its impact on the Las Vegas Strip. As the last eruption of the volcano echoed and the doors were officially closed, a vibrant chapter of Las Vegas history came to an end, paving the way for a new beginning under the Hard Rock brand.

True to expectations, the online casino industry in New Jersey continues to flourish, with June 2024 marking a significant milestone. According to data from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the online casinos in the Garden State produced a remarkable $186.8 million in revenue for the month of June. This achievement makes June 2024 the fourth-highest month in New Jersey's online gambling history, which began in 2013.

The upward trend: what's next for New Jersey online casinos?

As we reach the halfway point of 2024, New Jersey’s casinos online have already amassed over $1 billion in revenue, totaling a whopping $1.13 billion. This figure definitely shows a robust year-over-year growth, with June 2024 alone showing 25.2% greater growth compared to the same month in 2023. If the current trend continues, the state is on track for a 21% annual growth, surpassing the $1.9 billion it generated in 2023.

Tax revenues on the rise as well

The impressive revenue figures have also obviously translated into substantial tax contributions in NJ. In June, online casinos paid $28 million in taxes, bringing the year-to-date total to almost $170 million. For better context: the state collected $288.5 million in taxes from online casinos throughout 2023. As of now, we’re only halfway through 2024, and New Jersey has already achieved 41% of that amount.

The record-breaking trend seen in June follows the state's best month ever, which was recorded in March of 2024. Additionally, May of 2024 holds the second-highest record. In fact, over the past nine months, New Jersey's online casinos have set monthly records of revenues a total of five times, which also includes the third-highest month in April of 2024, which saw $187.9 million in revenue.

A detailed breakdown of individual casino performances in June 2024 reveals the following figures

The top-grossing casino in NJ is still DraftKings, which earned an impressive $41,033,491 last June alone. This was then followed by FanDuel, which amassed a total of $35,975,523. At third place was BetMGM, which had a June revenue of $22,314,799. The 4th spot was taken by none other than Borgata, which received a revenue of $17,853,987, and in 5th place was Caesars Palace with its overall revenue in June at $11,344,088. In 6th to 9th place, we have Hard Rock Bet with $9,593,197, Golden Nugget with $7,792,420, BetRivers with a revenue of $6,944,975, Bally at $5,839,019, and ESPN Bet with a $3,265,337 revenue.

Rounding up the list was Tropicana ($2,754,532), Ocean ($2,023,053), PlayStar ($1,920,338), Fanatics ($1,844,790), Resorts ($1,836,820), Virgin ($1,531,955), PartyPoker ($1,482,998), Jackpocket ($1,407,228), WSOP ($1,403,987), PokerStars ($1,377,285), bet365 ($1,117,169), Parx ($1,268,654), Mohegan Sun ($1,080,729), Tipico ($1,002,239), Harrah’s ($814,393), Pala/Stardust ($648,018), Wheel of Fortune ($584,550), Betway ($396,223), Jackpot City ($393,831), and 888 at $1,424.

DraftKings, along with FanDuel, continue to dominate the market, collectively accounting for over 41% of the total revenue last June 2024.

This consistent growth in online gambling revenue in NJ emphasizes the industry's resilience and potential for further expansion. As New Jersey's online casinos continue to break records and contribute significantly to the state's tax revenues, the future looks promising for the sector indeed. This ongoing success also points to a strong consumer interest and a competitive market that continues to drive innovation and enhance the overall gambling experience for players in the Garden State.

July 18, 2024 – Just in time for the commencement of Saratoga's much awaited summer racing season, FanDuel and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) have settled a substantial contract disagreement. Horse betting on FanDuel's platforms had been suspended due to a dispute, but it was resolved on Thursday, allowing bettors all over the country to resume on New York racing events.

Initial Point of Contention

NYRA and FanDuel declared a contract impasse, which resulted in the removal of NYRA material from the FanDuel Sportsbook, FanDuel Racing app, and TVG horse betting app. The timing of this conflict was especially important, since the popular summer racing season was drawing near.

NYRA’s vice president of communications, Patrick McKenna shared “NYRA’s mission is to conduct world-class racing for the benefit of the state’s economy while growing the sport and creating opportunities for horsemen and breeders to compete for robust purses throughout the year.”

The main point of contention was the extra portion of handling that NYRA requested from wagers placed by citizens of New York State. NYRA agreements used to include host fees solely for content. FanDuel first objected to NYRA's demand for a portion of the material wagered on by New Yorkers, regardless of the game.

“NYRA agreements have traditionally been host-fee agreements for content only, but recently they also want a share of New York residents’ play from us regardless of what content those residents bet on. They’ve basically said that if we don’t pay that, then we don’t get access to NYRA content,” Fan Duel Racing’s general manager, Andrew Moore explains.

About Saratoga Race Course

Starting on Thursday and lasting through September 2, the 2024 summer meet will be held at Saratoga Race Course, one of NYRA's premier horse betting venues along with the Belmont Stakes. Twenty-seven Grade 1 flat races and two Grade 1 steeplechase races with 71 prizes totaling $20.75 million in purses will be held during the 40-day meet.