Classifying Sports Betting Under CFTC is a Regulatory Gamble

As we barrel towards the much-anticipated CFTC roundtable regarding sports contracts and prediction markets, industry veteran Bruce Merati argues that the federal agency is in no shape to oversee...

Published April 18, 2025

If it Looks Like a Duck and Walks Like a Duck…

Prediction markets have emerged as a new kind of gray-area sector that blends wagering with economic trading. But many, including Bruce Merati (l.), argue that they are simply betting...

Published February 14, 2025

Stay in Your Own Lane: Event Contracts and Prediction Markets

When a product or market is successful, it makes sense for those in adjacent industries to consider expansion and collaboration. But when it comes to prediction markets and sports...

Published January 24, 2025

Hybrid Roulette Showcased by Several Manufacturers at G2E 2024

The growing trend of hybrid gaming was well represented last week at G2E, with several suppliers showcasing tables with virtual RNGs, writes UPlay1's Bruce Merati (l.).

Published October 11, 2024

It’s Not About Sports Betting, it’s All About iCasino

For several years, the conversations surrounding the U.S. market have been dominated by the emergence of sports betting. However, Bruce Merati argues that at the end of the day,...

Published July 8, 2024

Hybrid Gaming: What is it and Why Does it Matter?

As the technology and regulatory framework behind the U.S. online gaming industry continue to evolve, hybrid gaming has emerged as a way to bridge the gap between traditional live-dealer...

Published June 10, 2024

Smaller Books Huddle with “Valve Project” to Survive

The competitive nature of the U.S. sports betting industry has squeezed out much of the smaller bookmakers in recent years, but UPLAY1 CEO Bruce Merati (l.) has an idea...

Published January 15, 2024

The New Phenomenon of Hybrid Gaming

The complicated web of the U.S. gaming industry makes it difficult to usher in new innovations on a consistent basis. However, industry veteran Bruce Merati (l.) argues that the...

Published December 18, 2023

Responsible Gaming with the Power of AI and Blockchain

At this juncture, the gaming industry is presented with numerous challenges related to security, sustainability and responsible gaming. While the potential dangers of new technologies such as blockchain and...

Published November 6, 2023

Safeguarding Player Data with Encryption and Blockchain Technologies

Cyberattacks have rocked the global casino industry as of late, and industry veteran Bruce Merati (l.) argues that new technologies such as data encryption and blockchain systems will help...

Published October 2, 2023

A Technological Response to Concerns Raised by U.S. Rep. Dina Titus

Nevada Rep. Dina Titus has had a very public back-and-forth with both the NCAA and the NFL about its sports betting policies and missteps. Headlines and barbs aside, industry...

Published August 14, 2023

New Tech Can Revolutionize Casino Marketing, Loyalty Programs

The recent deal between MGM and Marriott is a great example of how operators can grow their marketing and loyalty rewards capabilities, but as industry veteran Bruce Merati (l.)...

Published July 31, 2023

The Future of Gaming: Leveraging Digital Chips, Embracing Online Transition

The gaming industry has a tendency to evolve slowly, in the same way that it takes a lot of effort to make a U-turn with a cruise ship. However,...

Published July 3, 2023

Keep it Simple, Stupid!

Sports books in the U.S. are making a mistake by using an odds formula that is more confusing than it should be. Bruce Merati explains why a more sensible...

Published January 23, 2023

From Euphoria to Reality

If sports betting is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, why are operators spending wildly to acquire a customer who may or may not be...

Published June 27, 2022

Customer Acquisition or Customer Bribery?

DraftKings is the poster child of online gaming for overspending on customer acquisition. And the company paid the price in its fourth-quarter results. But how should you acquire players...

Published February 21, 2022

If In Danger, Breakaway From The Pack And Form Your Own Pack

Sports betting is unlike any other casino game so operators should cooperate to minimize the risk. Setting up a private portal that will reveal their exposures can benefit all...

Published November 1, 2021

The Flimsy Economics of Odds Making

The margins for sports betting are already slim so when legendary gambler Billy Walters (l.) manipulates the casinos to get an edge, profitability becomes even more elusive. Can “sharps”...

Published June 21, 2021

Risky Business

You wouldn’t think that the federal Commodities and Futures Trade Commission would have anything to do with sports betting, but it will soon decide an issue that could be...

Published February 15, 2021

Danger, Danger

U.S. sports wagering is understandably the biggest issue that is driving the gaming industry today. But there are many threats still lurking that few discuss. In this important article,...

Published May 13, 2019