The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC) has chosen The Innovation Group to conduct an iGaming study to assess the potential benefits of legalizing online casino gambling in the state. An earlier effort to authorize online casino gambling was unsuccessful, prompting lawmakers to request a comprehensive probe into the merits of iGaming. The Innovation Group’s proposal won the bid, and the study is expected to cost $86,000.
The Maryland Lottery also approved adjustments to regulations for casino gaming, sports betting, and video lottery terminals. The proposed regulations will undergo public comment and review before becoming official. The new rules ban “risk-free” language in sports betting advertisements and require retail facilities to provide information about the state’s voluntary exclusion program. The regulations also outline details of the handicapping audit system, allowing independent evaluators to assess handicappers’ honesty and records. Sports betting operators are not required to participate in the audits, and evaluators cannot have revenue-sharing agreements with operators to avoid conflicts of interest.
The Wisconsin Lottery and Green Bay Packers have introduced three new limited-edition Packers scratch tickets: $1 Winning Season, $5 Packers, and $10 Green and Gold. The commercial featuring former Packers players Clay Matthews and Donald Driver was filmed at the Elks Lodge in Watertown. Since 2010, the Packers’ scratch tickets have sold over $121 million, providing property tax relief for eligible Wisconsin property owners. Non-winning tickets can be entered in a bonus drawing, with the grand prize including four club seat tickets to every Packers home game in the 2024-25 regular season and other perks.
Watch the complete ad here, or watch the outtakes here.
The New Jersey Lottery receives the Corporate Multicultural Communications Award from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) for its Retailer Code of Conduct available in English and Spanish. The award highlights the Lottery’s commitment to responsible conduct and fair treatment of customers. James A. Carey, Jr., the New Jersey Lottery Executive Director, credits integrated communications for effectively promoting responsible behavior among retailers. The award showcases the Lottery’s dedication to engaging diverse communities and fostering a safe gaming environment.
A poll shows nearly half of North Carolinians support expanding casinos in the state. Lawmakers are considering creating four “entertainment districts” with casinos, hotels, dining, and housing in Nash, Anson, and Rockingham counties, and Lumbee tribal land. 45% support the expansion, 29% oppose it, and 26% are unsure. Discussions are part of state budget talks. Republican leaders emphasize the success of casinos in southern Virginia. Local opposition exists, with Rockingham County residents opposing the rezoning.
Connecticut Lottery officials warned that problems with checking lottery tickets may be more widespread than initially thought. Players who suspect issues with lottery terminal responses when checking winning tickets purchased since May 21, 2023, are advised to hold onto their tickets and contact the CT Lottery. The problem was related to incorrect responses for manually validated scratch tickets.
Alabama schools received $3.28 billion in COVID relief money, primarily from the ESSER fund. The final ESSER funds allocation deadline is September 2024, after which unused funds will revert to the U.S. Treasury. The idea of a state lottery is being considered to address potential funding gaps once COVID relief funds run out.
“[School districts] will be asking us for additional money out of our standard budget, [Education Trust Fund]. We’ve got to figure out a way to make it work. Those funds will be limited for sure, but again if we had a lottery, that’s the extra flow of funds where you don’t have to worry about where you are going to get that extra $2 million or five thousand, $15,000 because we have a lottery that is purposed for that.” said State Representative Juandalynn Givan. “Year in and year out we send millions of dollars, Alabama dollars, to Georgia, to Florida, and to all of these surrounding states…It’s time.”
Camelot Lottery Solutions renews its Responsible Gaming certification under the World Lottery Association framework. The company emphasizes player safety and supports socially responsible gaming. It provides iLottery and data platforms, mobile apps, and instant win games to various lotteries worldwide. The renewal demonstrates its commitment to responsible gaming initiatives. Recently acquired by Allwyn Entertainment, Camelot LS aims to make play safer for all players. For more information, visit www.camelotls.com.
Read the complete release here.
NeoGames S.A. appoints Robert Wesley as VP of North American Customer Development. Wesley, with 25 years of experience at Virginia Lottery, will enhance interactive experiences for lotteries in North America. NeoGames is a technology-driven iLottery and iGaming solutions provider, empowering customers and offering a comprehensive portfolio of services.
Read the complete release here.