Day: ខែមេសា 17, 2026

SGLA Applauds as Maryland Holds Off on Sweepstakes Ban
(AsiaGameHub) - The Maryland legislative session has concluded, providing a sense of relief for those within the social casino industry.
Following the introduction of a House Bill at the start of the session, its failure to pass before the session's end is a welcome outcome for groups like the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance, a trade association that advocates for stakeholders in the sector.
Sweepstakes Have a Close Brush with Maryland’s Lawmakers
House Bill 295, which was introduced earlier this year and received a follow-up hearing in March, aimed to ban what it termed illegal “interactive games.” The bill targeted sweepstakes, contending that these games mimic casino-style gambling while awarding “non-cash prizes.”
Sweepstakes operators countered by arguing that if House Bill 295 were enacted, it would unnecessarily harm a well-established industry with a documented track record of merit.The SGLA praised lawmakers for avoiding hasty action—unlike som......

DraftKings Details Expansion Plans for Alberta, Canada
(AsiaGameHub) - DraftKings has confirmed it will be among roughly 32 companies seeking entry into Alberta, Canada. As the province prepares to launch its online sports betting and iGaming industry, DraftKings is one of the leading players set to join the market.
Alberta Represents DraftKings’ Second Canadian Market Opportunity
The company will pursue entry via both its Sportsbook and Casino products, aiming to secure an early-mover advantage in the province. Commenting on these plans, Greg Karamitis, EVP and General Manager of Sports at DraftKings, shared:
“We’re excited about the opportunity to expand DraftKings’ footprint in Canada and bring our online sportsbook and casino experiences to customers in Alberta. With the anticipated launch aligning with the World Cup, hosted right here in North America, it’s a particularly exciting moment for sports fans in the province to engage with our platform.”
Alberta would become the 34th jurisdiction where DraftK......

The Newest Slot Game by Red Tiger Evokes Aztec Culture
(AsiaGameHub) - While it’s a bit less bloody than its name implies, the Aztec Tribute online slot puts a creative spin on an otherwise overdone theme—Red Tiger has crafted a fresh game that captures players’ interest and brings the ancient, vanished civilization to life on the screen.
Aztec Tribute Slot Metrics
Reels: 5
Paylines: 720
RTP: 96.17%
Volatility: High
Min/max bet: 0.10/20
Max win: 20,000x
Please the Gods and Revel in Untold Riches
Focused heavily on the game’s thematic elements, Red Tiger designed a 3-4-5-4-3 play grid—departing from the standard rectangular layout in iGaming and adding a range of new, innovative features.
This title easily draws adventurous players to try for the 20,000x maximum multiplier, which gives them a shot at massive rewards calculated based on their bet size.
When it comes to in-game features, there’s no shortage to explore, including (but not limited to) the Choose Your God fe......

Pragmatic Play Partners with Winland to Enter the Mexican Market
(AsiaGameHub) - Pragmatic Play has further extended its reach in North America by entering the Mexico market via an agreement with Winland. This collaboration enables the supplier to rapidly deploy its games in the region, providing players with a wide array of opportunities across various verticals.
Pragmatic Play Expands and Pushes Further Afield in North and Latin America
Through this deal, Winland and its users gain access to a selection of premium gaming options spanning the studio's complete portfolio, including virtual sports, slots, and live casino titles.
Players can now enjoy several immersive experiences from Pragmatic Play, featuring popular games such as Gates of Olympus 100, Zeus vs Hades: Gods of War, and numerous others.
The studio has also enhanced its portfolio with innovative titles like Gates of Olympus Roulette and Jelly Express, building on its successful franchises to provide players everywhere with fresh and entertaining content.
This partnership also offers Pragmatic Play ......

Hawaii Balances Gambling Benefits and Social Risks
(AsiaGameHub) - A Hawaii gaming group dedicated to legalizing gambling is assessing if the financial gains from the activity genuinely exceed the social problems it is often blamed for.
For Senator Lynn DeCoite, co-chair of the state’s Tourism and Gaming Working Group (TGWG), the issue is personal, given her own father participates in gambling.
“We can ask all those difficult questions I struggle with because my dad loves to gamble, and I’m like, what’s wrong with you,” DeCoite shared.
The Pros and the Cons
On Wednesday, the panel met with industry specialists to review the benefits of gaming, highlighted as: 1.8 million jobs nationwide, projected $125 billion in revenue for 2025, and $52 billion in state taxes.
“Many states allocate gaming tax revenue to support education, finance infrastructure upgrades, bolster public safety programs, and other citizen priorities,” stated American Gaming Association vice president of Government Relations, Tres York.
De......

Former NBA Player Damon Jones About to Change Plea in Expanding Gambling Investigation
(AsiaGameHub) - Former NBA player Damon Jones is set to revise his plea regarding a significant federal gambling probe in the U.S. He is the first of dozens of individuals charged in the extensive case to admit guilt.
Damon Jones to Update Plea in Growing Gambling Investigation
A federal court in Brooklyn will host the plea hearing later this month following an agreement by both parties to expedite the schedule. The 49-year-old had previously pleaded not guilty to charges across two indictments involving a sports wagering operation and fraudulent high-stakes poker matches.
According to prosecutors, Jones leveraged his professional network, including his history with LeBron James, to acquire confidential details regarding player injuries and status. This insider information was then provided to gamblers looking for an edge.
Investigators highlighted a 2023 game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks where Jones allegedly informed a contact that James would be sidelined. This allo......

US Regulator Pledges Severe Crackdown on Prediction Market Misconduct
(AsiaGameHub) - The leader of the United States' main derivatives regulator has committed to a comprehensive clampdown on improper behavior in the rapidly growing prediction market industry, as congressional scrutiny over possible abuses and conflicts of interest increases.
Lawmakers Clash as CFTC Cracks Down on Insider Trading in Prediction Markets
Michael Selig, the chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), informed Congress that his organization is reviewing a significant volume of alleged infractions associated with platforms that allow users to bet on real-world occurrences. These markets, which span political results to economic data, have experienced a major rise in use and now process billions of dollars in trades weekly.
At a tense Capitol Hill hearing, Selig emphasized that regulators are adopting a stringent position against illicit activities. He noted that multiple probes are currently in progress and that officials receive a constant stream of information annua......

Alberta’s Online Betting Market Attracts 32 Operators Before Launch
(AsiaGameHub) - The launch date is confirmed: Alberta's regulated online gambling market will go live on July 13, 2026, marking a major change in the province's approach to the activity.
As anticipated, numerous leading operators such as DraftKings and PointsBet have already signaled their plans to participate.
DraftKings announced its intention to provide both sports wagering and online casino games, aiming to launch in time for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup, to be held in North America.
“Responsible Operators Committed to Player Safety”
Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally stated it is positive to see interest from reputable firms, including theScore, especially those prepared to adhere to more stringent regulations.
“It is exciting to see that company, along with another online gambling provider, theScore, express interest in joining the market and being ‘responsible operators.’”
The province has been developing the online gambling structure since last year,......
