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(AsiaGameHub) -   Sportsbook advertisements are consistently widespread during March Madness, yet in recent years, there has been a noticeable change in the marketing strategies employed to draw in new female customers. Women remain largely seen as an underutilized market for commercial sportsbooks, though researchers and counselors nationwide have observed an increase in female users. “We’re witnessing greater growth in women participating in gambling, in part due to its social acceptance and the fact that it’s omnipresent through advertising and similar channels,” said Michelle Malkin, a professor at East Carolina University who heads the institution’s Gambling Research & Policy Initiative. ‘Community’ Messaging to Sports Betting’s Burgeoning Sector WNBA Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie directly targeted women in a DraftKings ad that launched last September, timed to coincide with the WNBA Playoffs. Presently, Livvy Dunne features in a Fanatics Sportsbook ad for March Madness. The former LSU gymnast and social media influencer portrays different versions of herself to highlight various incentives offered by Fanatics. Retired University of Massachusetts professor Rachel Volberg, an expert in gambling and problem gambling research, is among industry watchers acknowledging this shift. “It’s quite evident that women are being targeted with marketing that focuses more on community and shared activities—rather than competition—to resonate with them,” Volberg said. “Influencer marketing is a strategy sports betting operators have adapted from their effective use with male bettors, and they’re now applying it specifically to women.” Women Not Immune to Gambling Harm Jessica Auslander, owner of Professional Wellness Management and a licensed mental health counselor specializing in gambling disorders, treats an equal number of women and men at her practice in the greater Charlotte metro area.  “Among the women I work with, some are in their 40s, involved in sports betting or poker, and they’re former athletes,” Auslander said. “Others are older—retirement age—and while they might not focus on sports betting, they’re drawn to casino-based or online gaming activities. These types of games include a gambling element, like online slot machines.” She pointed out that most of her female clients are “driven by boredom, depression, grief, or isolation.” Auslander added, “I believe as gambling becomes more accessible, we’ll see growth across all demographic groups. The industry aims to offer something for everyone.” While sportsbooks consider attracting women a critical business priority for long-term growth, counselors will continue to witness an uptick in women seeking treatment. Rowland Edet, a doctoral student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, examines this challenge in “Breaking the Odds: A Gendered Analysis of Women and Gambling Behavior.” “To mitigate harm, public health frameworks need to prioritize interventions that address the unique ways women engage with gambling,” Edet wrote. “A crucial step is limiting gender-specific advertising, especially messages that present gambling as empowering or stress-relieving—common themes in campaigns targeting women.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   PENN Entertainment has announced that Hollywood Casino Aurora will open its doors in Illinois on June 24. The $360 million new casino is being constructed across from Chicago Premium Outlets, situated near Interstate-88 in Aurora. The resort will include a hotel, over 1,200 gaming positions, a retail sportsbook, an outdoor entertainment space, a full-service spa, upscale bars, and restaurants. It will also feature a 12,000-square-foot event center and roughly 1,700 parking spots.  In an announcement confirming the planned opening date, PENN CEO Jay Snowden shared, “We are just months away from launching another top-tier entertainment destination in the greater Chicago area.” “We are excited to follow the successful launch of Hollywood Casino Joliet last summer with another new land-based venue, bolstering our overall retail portfolio across the Midwest and deepening our ties to the local community.” Upgraded Riverboats Driving Revenue Growth Hollywood Joliet launched in August of last year, with several hundred guests waiting in line to enter the new resort. The $185 million casino resort boasts roughly 1,000 slot machines and 43 live table games, plus a retail sportsbook. The location posted revenue of $11.3 million during its first full month of operation in September. This marked a 48% rise compared to September 2024, when the venue operated as a riverboat casino. Hollywood Casino Aurora was Hollywood Casino Corporation’s very first riverboat casino, launching in 1993. Initially, two riverboats were utilized, which later developed into a 70,000-square-foot floating, moored half-circle facility. The casino spans 53,000 square feet of gaming space, with more than 1,000 slot machines and 26 table games. The venue also features one restaurant. Varied Dining & Entertainment Offerings The new land-based location will be a substantial upgrade, especially when it comes to its entertainment spaces. PENN noted that it will provide guests with a wide range of world-class dining experiences. The company has teamed up with celebrity chef and entrepreneur Giada De Laurentiis to launch Sorella by Giada. Boulevard Food & Drink Hall, meanwhile, will offer a variety of dining choices, including Lucky Goat by celebrity chef Stephanie Izard, Five50 Pizza, Antique Taco, and Pretty Cool Ice Cream. “These beloved restaurateurs will offer our guests exceptional dining options at the new Hollywood Casino Aurora,” stated Rafael Verde, Senior Vice President of Regional Operations at PENN Entertainment. “Combined with our hotel, event center, spa, and extra amenities, visitors will enjoy a lively atmosphere at this new local landmark.” PENN Prioritizes Casinos Over Prediction Markets Following its unsuccessful venture with ESPN Bet, PENN has no desire to test out prediction markets. Snowden has warned that these markets present a risk to its online betting division, which now solely focuses on theScore Bet in the United States. However, concerns over regulatory pushback have stopped the company from launching its own platforms, unlike other sportsbooks. During the company’s earnings call last month, he shared, “When regulators say, ‘This is illegal gambling, don’t do it,’ we don’t do it.” Instead, the company is focusing on new projects and regulated online gambling to boost its revenue. Aside from the Aurora casino, the firm will open a new hotel tower at its Hollywood Casino Columbus location in Ohio later this year. Its interactive division has also performed better since ESPN Bet shut down. In the fourth quarter of last year, iGaming revenue rose by 40%, and sports betting increased by 73%. Snowden shared, “We are optimistic about the trajectory of our interactive business, thanks to a more streamlined cost structure and regionally targeted marketing strategy that prioritizes regions with both legalized iCasino and online sports betting.” Snowden also noted that he anticipates the new Hollywood Casino in Aurora will be a success, following the strong performance of the Joliet venue during its shift from a riverboat to a land-based facility. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Senior figures in the gambling industry believe Russian regulators could authorize online casinos as early as April, potentially allowing citizens to place bets online starting in May. According to the Russian media outlet Vyberu, analysts state the Kremlin is seeking methods to manage its finances and views casino taxation as a crucial new source of income. An anonymous executive from a major Russian bookmaker informed Vyberu that the Ministry of Finance aims to finalize its contentious proposal to legalize the industry by late April. Under the ministry's heavily criticized proposal, prospective operators would be required to obtain licenses. These operators would pay taxes equal to 30% of their yearly profits, after deducting player winnings. According to ministry estimates, this would increase state revenue by 100 billion rubles (approximately $1.2 billion) each year. Gamblers place their bets at Altai Palace, one of a handful of permit-holding land-based casinos in Russia. (Image: Altai Palace/Facebook) Will Russia Legalize Online Casinos? Online casinos were prohibited in Russia in 2009. However, the ministry reports that citizens spend "hundreds of billions of rubles every year" on online slot platforms based abroad. The ministry claims it has limited ability to shut down these sites. Roskomnadzor, the government's communications watchdog and censorship body, has attempted to block access to online casinos. But the ministry asserts that operators create new mirror sites and duplicate servers "more quickly than authorities can monitor them." Russia's budget shortfall is expanding rapidly. Financial authorities had established a deficit limit of 3.79 trillion rubles for 2026. Yet, this threshold was already 91% reached by February's end, the outlet reported. The outlet attributed much of this to a 50% drop in oil and gas income. Sergey Shvedov, Editor-in-Chief of the Russian gambling news site Legalbet, told the outlet he expects a "positive resolution" on legalization "soon." "The ministry is working in a difficult environment," Shvedov stated. "The budget deficit is increasing at a rapid pace." If reports of the ministry aiming to accelerate its plan are accurate, he remarked, "we are in for a hot April. Not just climatically, but legislatively as well." Shvedov argued: "Right now, you can play roulette on illegal offshore sites. They might not pay out winnings, but Russian casinos would be legally bound to pay." Words of Warning Some sector analysts, however, have advised a cautious approach. Oleg Davydov, Executive Director of the First Self-Regulatory Organization of Russian Bookmakers, which represents leading licensed bookmakers, said legalization might be a drawn-out and complex procedure. "A decision to legalize casinos is not a minor detail in a document," he explained. "It must be a federal law or a set of amendments to current laws. The draft law must be presented to the State Duma. It must then pass three readings and gain the Federation Council's consent. Only after that can the President endorse it." The industry will only become fully engaged once the government releases the final bill text, Davydov noted. "Until that happens, all discussion on this topic is merely speculation." Shvedov mentioned the government could employ current age-verification systems to stop underage online gambling. However, legal specialists have raised concerns about this previously. Lawmakers have proposed setting the minimum age for online casino access at 21. Russian attorney Olga Fedorova recently stated that without a "strong" age-verification system, the goal of keeping those under 21 from betting online would be "merely a theoretical concept." This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Lucia Gando: SBC Noticias Lucía Gando, Editor of SBC Noticias, delves into the legal and regulatory details behind the Buenos Aires courts’ decision to ban Polymarket and other prediction market platforms across Argentina This ruling marks a setback for prediction market startups and their investors, while also sparking a wider debate about whether these platforms can gain a foothold in South America. On Tuesday, Argentina became the first South American country to enact a full ban on prediction market operations, following an investigation focused specifically on Polymarket. International media outlets have reported that Buenos Aires courts issued a “federal block” of the platform, sparked by a legal case filed by LOTBA, the Buenos Aires City Lottery. Media coverage has characterized this decision as a major blow to the global expansion ambitions of prediction market operators, adding to the growing wave of regulatory controversies across South America. This Argentine ban follows Kalshi’s launch in Brazil earlier this month, a move that was immediately challenged by established betting market players. Both industry groups and Brazilian authorities have stated there is no valid justification for Kalshi to operate in the country. As such, across both Europe and South America, expanding prediction market access has become a critical priority to reaffirm the products’ unique classification as derivative-based financial contracts — a designation made by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Buenos Aires Regulatory Intervention Buenos Aires courts have put a stop to the intended growth of prediction market venture backers. The key question the courts are posing is this: Is U.S. regulatory validation alone enough to justify launching prediction markets in South American jurisdictions, and what framework should be used to assess whether these platforms are viable and distinct from gambling operations? The Buenos Aires lottery regulator did not ask the courts to draw a clear distinction between prediction markets and other products; instead, it requested a comprehensive, systemic response to prediction markets and event-based contracts. The regulator’s case against Polymarket centered on the platform’s lack of adequate consumer protections. The authority believes enforcement action is warranted based on the public safety risks of engaging with unvetted digital platforms. LOTBA, acting in its role as a provincial gambling regulator, petitioned the courts to classify Polymarket’s activities as a violation of Article 301 bis of Argentina’s Penal Code, which prohibits the operation of unlicensed gambling services. The regulator’s argument is straightforward: no matter how much financial polish they have, prediction markets replicate the core mechanics of betting — users wager money on uncertain outcomes, prices reflect implied probabilities, and the platform facilitates these transactions. According to LOTBA, these features do more than blur the line between categories; they amplify risk significantly. The absence of effective safeguards, identity checks, age verification, and traceable payment controls turns these platforms into unlicensed gambling operations with minimal accountability and few protections for participants. Regulatory Environment Concerns Most importantly, the regulator did not limit its request to just Buenos Aires. Instead, it sought a nationwide intervention, arguing that a digital product with borderless reach cannot reasonably be contained within provincial boundaries. Fragmented oversight in this context amounts to no oversight at all. Argentina’s response, then, is less a formal rejection of financial innovation and more a practical judgment about the operating environment for these platforms. The question for regulators was not whether prediction markets could theoretically be classified as derivatives, but rather, given their widespread accessibility and total lack of proper controls, whether these platforms can even qualify or function in practice as gambling operations. Argentina’s Ruling Is Not a One-Size-Fits-All Solution Whether Buenos Aires’ regulatory logic will be adopted elsewhere remains an open question. Few South American jurisdictions combine Argentina’s patchwork of provincial licensing, coordinated lottery bodies, and aligned prosecutorial priorities. While the ruling may set a precedent, it will not be easy to replicate. For neighboring markets such as Brazil and Mexico, the dilemma remains unresolved: classify prediction markets as financial instruments and risk allowing regulatory arbitrage, or label them as gambling and risk stifling this emerging form of digital trading. For operators like Polymarket, expanding into additional Latin American markets remains possible — but it has become increasingly challenging and high-risk. Argentina has, at the very least, shifted the terms of the global debate. The issue is no longer just how to classify prediction markets, but how to regulate them within sprawling digital ecosystems. Whether other regions will follow suit will determine whether these platforms take root in Latin America or secure some form of market access, as prediction markets remain a marginalized segment for the time being. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Ex-Hollywood Casino staff member Jennifer Petrillo stands accused of embezzling more than $727,000, funds allegedly used to purchase a Tesla, cosmetic procedures, and LEGO sets. Petrillo has been formally charged with nine felony offenses, comprising larceny, counterfeiting, and unauthorized computer access. The 53-year-old was employed as a part-time equine racing bookkeeper at Hollywood Casino located at Penn National Race Course. A coworker covering her duties during her medical absence uncovered "obvious irregularities" in the casino's accounting software. Personnel subsequently notified law enforcement, who initiated an inquiry in March 2025. According to a police report, Petrillo allegedly colluded with a relative to illicitly move substantial sums of money. Authorities report that the fraudulent operation established fictitious accounts and employed fabricated identities and companies to receive the money. Multiple genuine accounts also displayed mysterious deficits amounting to tens of thousands of dollars. Stolen Money Supported Extravagant Living Legal representatives allege Petrillo allocated the funds toward a Tesla Model 3, high-end spa services, cosmetic operations, large-scale LEGO assemblages, and equity purchases through Robinhood. She has been freed on $10,000 bond and is set to appear for a preliminary proceeding on March 24 before Magisterial District Judge Dale E. Klein. Law enforcement indicates the initial inconsistencies trace back to June 2024, just after Petrillo started her employment at the casino. She leveraged her recent role to write numerous checks to unfamiliar accounts and various individuals. "This represented a deliberate exploitation of a trusted role," investigators observed, highlighting that Petrillo was among merely three staff members possessing the elevated system privileges necessary to carry out such operations. Additional Convicted Swindlers Received Prison Terms for Comparable Offenses The allegations against Petrillo could lead to an extended incarceration. In a comparable Las Vegas incident, a casino data administrator pilfered patron "free play" credits, transforming them into actual profits of approximately $863,895. The worker received a 57-month prison term. In the previous year, a former Muscogee (Creek) Nation bookkeeper was handed a six-year sentence following the misappropriation of $25 million from the tribe's gambling operation. Similar to Petrillo, Michael Anthony Houser utilized the money to acquire vehicles, premium merchandise, and securities. In Britain, a former travel consultant was imprisoned for three years last week for pilfering more than $600,000 from her company. She purportedly devoted a significant portion of the money to internet gambling. Regarding Petrillo's purported offenses, Hollywood Casino affirmed it is providing complete cooperation to authorities and has subsequently examined its internal monetary safeguards to avert comparable occurrences. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Nevada has already pushed out Polymarket and Crypto.com from the state, and Kalshi appears poised to follow as a banned prediction market. The appeals court has rejected Kalshi's request for an administrative stay that would have permitted it to keep operating while its legal dispute with the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) proceeds. After Kalshi's motion was denied, Nevada courts are anticipated to grant a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the firm, as the NGCB has requested. This would essentially require the platform to prevent Nevada users from accessing its sports event contracts. Gaming attorney Daniel Wallach posted on X, "If granted (potentially as early as today or tomorrow), the TRO would remain in effect for 14 days pending a preliminary injunction hearing. Because TROs cannot be appealed under Nevada law, Kalshi would have to leave the state temporarily (unless a last-ditch effort succeeds)." The Carson City District Court declined to issue a TRO on Thursday. Judge Jason Woodbury, overseeing the case, had previously approved the NGCB's request and imposed a TRO on Polymarket last month, which caused the platform to bar Nevada users from its newly launched US platform. The state has additionally pursued legal measures against Coinbase and Crypto.com regarding their sports markets, with Crypto.com leaving the state last year. FanDuel and DraftKings also relinquished potential sports betting licenses in Nevada because of the state's resistance to their prediction market platform launches. Robinhood, which provides access to Kalshi's markets via its app, also consented to suspend its sports markets in Nevada last November. Kalshi, however, has vigorously contested state regulators and maintains that it operates under federal jurisdiction. Will Supreme Court Intervene? A potential last resort would be an emergency intervention from the Supreme Court (SCOTUS). Polymarket actually operates a market on whether SCOTUS will take up a sports event contract case. At present, it indicates a 27% probability of a case being heard before July's end and a 64% likelihood by year's end. Wallach stated he doesn't anticipate a conclusive SCOTUS decision before the first half of 2028, but expects "numerous shadow docket emergency petitions to SCOTUS for stay relief this year and next." Nevada might be the first such case as Kalshi fights to remain operational in the state. Legal Battles Ramping Up The Nevada decision will probably be leveraged by other state regulators in their own fights. Kalshi has encountered obstacles in other states, with judges in Ohio and Michigan declining to issue injunctions against gambling regulators. Arizona this week became the first state to bring criminal charges against the company. If successful, other states will probably pursue comparable measures. A Kalshi spokesperson told CasinoBeats, "These state court charges are fundamentally defective. This is tactical maneuvering. "Four days after Kalshi filed its federal lawsuit, these charges were brought to bypass federal court and disrupt the standard judicial procedure. They seek to stop federal courts from assessing the case on its merits—specifically, whether Kalshi falls under exclusive federal jurisdiction." "These allegations lack merit, and we anticipate contesting them in court." Notwithstanding the legal hurdles, the company maintains exponential growth. A recent funding round has valued Kalshi at $22 billion. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   An inquest held this week into the death of Arthur Soames concluded that the 19-year-old died by suicide, after mental health distress was exacerbated by gambling. In the months leading up to his passing, Soames gambled excessively online at bet365, prompting questions over how the gambling operator could have intervened in this case. The West London Coroner’s Court heard that Soames first opened his Bet365 account in June 2020, shortly after his 18th birthday, the legal minimum age for gambling in the UK. Initially, he placed infrequent bets on football, but starting in December 2021, he began playing online casino games including roulette and blackjack. In a press statement, Leigh Day, the legal firm representing Soames’ family in the case, said: “Over the following two months, the amount of time and money Arthur spent gambling rose sharply. His gambling sessions grew longer, often taking place in the early hours of the morning, which is a widely recognised indicator of gambling harm.” bet365 sent more than 80 marketing messages to the student, with only one single warning email sent. Dan Webster from Leigh Day said the company should have taken far more action. He commented: “Arthur’s gambling activity on bet365 showed a number of clear indicators of harm that the inquest heard should have been identified, and should have prompted further engagement and intervention to address Arthur’s gambling.” Arthur’s Account Was in a Net Winning Position A spokesperson for bet365 responded: “This is an incredibly tragic and complex case, and our thoughts and condolences remain with Arthur’s family and friends. bet365 strives for the highest safer gambling standards and consistently reviews and updates our procedures, including over the last five years. We will now take time to consider the inquest’s findings, and we once again extend our sincere condolences to Arthur’s family and friends.” During the inquest, the company pushed back against the claim that gambling caused his death, noting that his account was in a net winning position. They argued other factors caused the stress that contributed to Arthur’s struggles. Leigh Day said the sheer volume of bets should have triggered a safety alert; Arthur placed 1,600 wagers in the months leading up to his death. In January 2022, The Times reported he wagered £13,000 ($17,000). It was never disclosed how much of that sum he lost, but on the day of his death, he lost seven casino bets in a row, doubling his stake each time. Coroner Ian Arrow said this “exhausted all viable funds and credit” available to him. He added: “He told his friends ‘I have lost everything.’ In my view, he lost more than just funds. He lost his financial and social standing. I accept the evidence that his depression reinforced his gambling, and his gambling reinforced his depression.” Calls for Greater Protection for Young Gamblers Arthur’s family has called on the UK to introduce new measures to protect gamblers from harm. His mother, Isabelle Soames, stated: “We are now calling on the Gambling Commission to introduce greater protection, particularly for young people, and to prevent gambling operators from offering them free bets or cross-selling them highly addictive casino products.” The UK has already introduced some measures to curb problem gambling, including a stake limit for online slots. However, these changes have not reduced the total amount of money lost on these games. UK gamblers wagered more than £25.7 billion ($35 billion) on slots over the three months ending late last year, up from £24 billion ($32 billion) in the same period in 2024. “We believe the Commission should require operators to use a tailored risk detection system for Arthur’s age group, focusing more on the frequency of bets, the length of gambling sessions, and the time of day when gambling takes place, with night-time gambling classified as a high risk indicator – rather than only focusing on amounts of money lost,” said Isabelle Soames. “We believe only by introducing these protections can more young lives like Arthur’s be saved from tragic loss.” In previous cases, the UK Gambling Commission has issued heavy fines to operators that fail to meet their safeguarding responsibilities. In Soames’ case, however, the regulator has not released the results of its investigation into bet365. If Arthur’s account was indeed net positive, as the company claims, this may clear the operator of any wrongdoing that would lead to penalties. Webster said this demonstrates the gambling regulator’s failures, stating: “Not for the first time, this gives rise to serious questions about the Commission’s fitness for purpose as a regulator tasked with protecting the public from gambling harm and investigating operators’ conduct in these most serious cases.” The Case Highlights Multiple Systemic Failures While bet365 and the Gambling Commission may bear some responsibility for their lack of intervention, the case also highlighted failures in the UK’s mental health support system and a widespread lack of attention to problem gambling. As his family grew increasingly worried about his well-being, Arthur sought help from his doctor. Initial mental health screenings included no questions about gambling. When he eventually told mental health services that he was spending large amounts of time and money gambling, no action was taken to support him. “Their communication was not good,” said his mother. “We didn’t know how bad things had gotten, and we had no idea of the level of risk Arthur faced.” Arthur’s family had no awareness of his gambling habit and only learned the full extent of it after his death. His mother added: “I was so shocked when I saw his betting history. It was just one bet after another. I had no idea this was happening.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.