New Yorkers who play daily fantasy sports have been in limbo for years as courts sorted out whether the games should be considered gambling or skill-based. The New York State Court of Appeals has spoken: skill.

Concerns about flooding at Yumeshima Island (l.) in Osaka Bay have raised questions about the site’s suitability for an integrated resort. But the MGM-led consortium says it has no plans to bow out of the Japanese IR project.

Like neighboring New South Wales and Victoria, Western Australia has ruled the Crown Resorts in “not suitable” to hold a casino license in the state, but can remain in operation at Crown Perth (l.) while remediation efforts get under way.

The Alabama House is considering a state lottery bill. The Senate bill would allow not only a lottery but sports betting, eight casinos and two smaller venues. Alabama is one of five states without a lottery.

The Kentucky House has approved a bill to legalize online and onsite sports betting. Previous efforts made it to the House but got no further. The bill moved to the Senate for consideration before the session ends April 14 where Majority Leader Damon Thayer (l.) frets about opposition.

The search for an Irish gambling regulator has tripped up out of the gate. The position posted a mid-civil servant pay and no prior experience. The search has fallen short according to former PaddyPower CEO Stewart Kenny (l.).

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s annual visitor profile showed that 2021 visitation rebounded to 32 million, most visitors were from the U.S., and they were ethnically diverse. The LVCVA expects convention business to fully return by 2023.

The Comanche War Pony Casino in Devol, Oklahoma, marked its grand opening March 19. The property is owned by Comanche Nation Entertainment, which now owns six tribal casinos in Oklahoma.

Alex Rodriguez and partner Marc Lore have invested in Mojo, a sports trading app with aspirations of becoming a stock market of sorts, with users investing in individual athletes. The platform is slated to launch in late 2022, and is currently in talks with state commissions and sports leagues.

The Bull, the Bear and the Quandary meet again to assess the state of the world (oy), the state of the gaming industry, and gaming stocks with real (not theoretical) value. Can they reach a consensus this time?

This week, the GGB Podcast sits down with Christopher Justice, the President of Global Payments Gaming Solutions on how the transition to cashless transactions is advancing in the gaming industry.

Illegal online gaming, coupled with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, have led to the establishment of the Philippines Inland Gaming Operator. The system could let land-based casinos offer remote gaming to locals.

Like officials in so many other countries, the Dutch hope to stem the proliferation of ads for gambling. Minister Franc Weerwind (l.) revealed plans for restrictions that will become law later this year.

The U.K. Betting and Gaming Council has urged the government to keep the industry’s success in mind as it overhauls the Gambling Act of 2005. The trade group comments come as a white paper on the industry draws near.

French gambling regulators ordered Winamax to withdraw a marketing campaign, claiming it breached national laws by suggesting sports betting could improve personal success and increase social status.

The European gaming industry’s fundraiser for Ukrainian refugees has been extended to April. A GoFundMe campaign, Gaming Industry for Ukraine, has already raised $330,000.

According to investigators in New South Wales, Australia, the Star Sydney Casino renewed an agreement with a junket operator linked to Asian triads, despite the risk of money laundering.

Global sanctions against Russia and the fallout from Covid will delay the Phase II expansion of Tigre de Cristal (l.), a casino resort in Vladivostok’s Primorye Economic Zone. The project will resume “no earlier than 2025.”

The New Zealand government says the SkyCity Auckland Casino (l.) is “deficient” in its approach to problem gambling. A 2019 audit found that staff had a “dismissive” attitude to gambling by banned players.

Caesars Windsor union workers represented by Unifor Local 444 have ratified a tentative agreement. Members approved the new contract by an overwhelming majority—93 percent.

Pragmatic Play Ltd. has signed an agreement with 888casino to create a dedicated live blackjack studio for the gaming sit, owned by British company 888 Holdings PLC.

A Kansas House committee heard testimony on a bill to legalize sports betting online and at casinos, convenience stores and racetracks. Analysts estimate the wagers could generate $50 million in annual revenue.

Sports betting legislation won first-round approval in the Missouri House. The bill, which allows on-site and online wagering, has the blessing of the state’s six professional sports teams and five of six licensed casinos. Passage in the Senate is unclear.

Bettors wagered $211 million online in Louisiana in February. By comparison, about $27.4 million was wagered at the state’s 13 retail sportsbooks, a dramatic drop from the $49.3 million bet during January.

The T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip will host Sweet 16 and Elite Eight matchups in the 2023 NCAA basketball tournament, adding to the sportsbook March Madness celebrations.

The Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission has approved a sports wagering facility license for Bingo World (l.) in Ann Arundel County, but has been slow in establishing online betting licenses.

As Maine lawmakers debate a bill to give tribes the right to operate mobile sportsbooks, the location of retail books has become an issue. Governor Janet Mills (l.) supports a plan to restrict retail bets to OTBs.

As Ohio prepares for sports betting by January 1, 2023, Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg, Indiana debuted a $2.4 million expansion at its Barstool Sports Book (l.), with new slots and table games, betting kiosks and dining.

The defunct Captain Morgan Club will be renewed as a year-round sportsbook at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. The location in the right-field corner will be a focal point of Wrigleyville development.

The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe will offer onsite sports betting at its 7 Cedars Hotel and Casino (l.) in Washington by August 1. The $850,000 Cedar Sports venue will offer 22-foot TV screens, theater seating and six kiosks.

Selectmen of Conway, New Hampshire (l.), held a public meeting ahead of a vote that will determine if keno and sportsbooks will be permitted in the town. Voters will make the decision next month.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has approved a license for Kambi Group to partner with operators in the Ontario online sports betting market.

The state of New Jersey has fined BetMGM $25,000 fine for taking fewer than $100 in in-state NCAA college basketball wagers in 2021. State law forbids betting on home teams at the college level.

BestOdds has announced that it has been licensed as a vendor in the state of Maryland. It’s the 16th U.S. market where the company may now operate.

The United States Football League has joined the American Gaming Association’s public service campaign, Have A Game Plan, Bet Responsibly. The league starts playing in April.

GameScoreKeeper and Ralli Sports are partnering to deliver an app that combines traditional fantasy sports modes to facilitate fantasy esports wagering.

Churchill Downs will bring historical horseracing to New Hampshire with its purchase of Chasers Poker Room in Salem, 30 minutes from downtown Boston. The transaction is expected to close in second quarter 2022.

A Richmond judge ruled that a failed casino proposal from the 2021 ballot will return in 2022. The Richmond City Council already voted in favor of renewing the proposal in January backed by Mayor Levar Stoney (l.). Those opposed were attempting to block the measure through budget provisions, but the judge’s order largely nullified that language.

The El Cortez Casino (l.) in Downtown Las Vegas is transitioning to a 21-and-older-only property, beginning with reservations for April 1 and beyond. The casino will require an ID for entry.

The commonwealth’s attorney for Pittsylvania County, Virginia, has ordered operators of unregulated “skill games” to cease operations or face jail time.

Circa Resort & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas will open 35,000 square feet of meeting and convention space this September. The MICE amenity will offer new options for planners in search of an exciting off-Strip experience.

Fixed-odds wagering on horse and greyhound racing will have an 18-month trial period in Colorado, following approval from regulators. Officials said it’s helped bring back horseracing in other nations.

February shows a disappointing drop in sports betting revenue, but overall, the city revenues jumped almost 45 percent. That’s a positive as the goal moves towards producing revenues that beat pre-pandemic levels.

The Waukegan, Illinois Planning & Zoning Commission has approved Full House Resorts’ temporary American Place casino, anticipated to open in July. The 75,000-square-foot venue will be housed in a high-tension tent.

A six-story, 90-room Atwell Suites hotel will be built at the Pass Casino in Henderson, Nevada. Owner Joe DeSimone (l.), who bought the property in 2020, said the $20 million hotel will offer a pool and wine bar.

The general manager of Resorts World Las Vegas told Nevada regulators the tunnel connecting the property to the Las Vegas Convention Center will open in April.

The developer of the $200 million KISS-themed Rock and Brews Casino at the former Margaritaville Casino site in Biloxi said the project is moving ahead, although the property is listed for sale for $15.9 million.

The Journal of Gambling Studies found that more than 40 percent of gamblers stopped either depositing money or wagering more after taking mandatory breaks. The study was based on 60-minute breaks from playing.

Slot technicians from Red Rock Resort (l.) have petitioned for a vote to decertify their union representative. The petition is backed by the National Right to Work Legal Foundation. A vote could come as soon as April, but no date has been set.

Bipartisan support by New Jersey state lawmakers is gaining for an effort to close a loophole that allows smoking in the Garden State’s casinos, according to Senator Joseph Vitale (l.), the chairman of the health committee. More lawmakers have signed on as sponsors for the new bill, as Pennsylvania lawmakers push for similar action.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has signaled its intention to press for increased regulation on casino advertising in the state, as it looks at the future of regulating sports betting within the Bay State. Regulators are likely to open a public comment period, with no action taken at a March meeting.

The Elwha River Casino in Port Angeles, Washington will complete a 12,000-square-foot expansion early next year, more than doubling current gaming space and increasing gaming terminals from 147 to 300.

Oregon’s five gaming tribes are asking lawmakers to convene a special session on the relationship among tribes, the state lottery and private interests.

After close to three decades running the U.K. National Lottery, Camelot will cede control to Allwyn Entertainment. The company will run the lottery for 10 years beginning in 2024. Allwyn promises to cut ticket costs.

IGT has signed a six-year agreement with Singapore Pools (Private) Limited lottery to provide its central lottery system Aurora and perform related services.

Culinary Workers Union Local 226 has named Ted Pappageorge (l.) as secretary treasurer and Diana Valles as president. Leain Vashon continues in the role of vice president.

Lucas Watson (l.), former executive of a self-driving car company, has been named president of MSG Sphere, now under construction at the Venetian in Las Vegas.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has named Sean Pattwell (l.) as head of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, which funnels casino funds into development projects around the state.

The Chinese government has appointed three senior officials to Macau’s Committee for Safeguarding National Security. They include Fu Ziying (l.), director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government.

Gaming Arts has partnered with Taiwan’s Jumbo Technologies to exclusively bring Jumbo’s multi-player fishing game Ocean Phoenix, popular in Asian casinos, to North America.

Quick Custom Intelligence has rolled out Version 3.4 of its business intelligence software to its entire customer base consisting of 50 resort casinos.

Lottery supplier Grover Gaming has agreed to acquire the assets of NexLevel Gaming, one of the largest distributors of electronic instant bingo in Ohio.

Las Vegas-based fintech company Marker Trax has signed a definitive investment agreement with Euronet Worldwide. The deal will empower both companies in the North American gaming market.

888 Holdings has signed an agreement with Global Payments Gaming Solutions that will deliver iGaming payment solutions to 888’s SI Sportsbook.

Pascal Gaming has added a new game, Non-Stop Blackjack to its portfolio.

Nevada’s Culinary Union has developed an app that will encourage temporary workers to be employed by the gaming industry at the prevailing union wage.