Hotel News Media Blog
U.S. Gambling Regulations in 2023
Gambling in the U.S. is worth millions of dollars every year, but things aren't always so cut and dry. Each state has autonomy over its own gambling regulations and can decide which in-person and online betting markets are permitted.
With regular changes to bills taking place, it can be challenging to know which states permit what gambling activities (sports betting, poker, online casinos). Even those states that only allow sports wagering, the rules vary. Illinois, Virginia, New York do not allow betting on in-state schools, Oregon does not allow any mobile gambling on college sports. States like Iowa and Massachusetts prohibit use of a credit card for opening a betting account. And then there's Nevada. The Silver State requires individuals to register in-person (not remotely).
The legality of online gambling markets in the U.S. is determined by individual states, most of which must amend their current state laws. There are some exceptions such as New Mexico. The Land of Enchantment allowed a few retail sportsbooks to operate on tribal lands without any type of legislative considerations.
The federal government has not immersed itself in gambling regulations in America since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in May of 2018. Instead, the sausage making all occurs at the state level (just not New Mexico) where lawmakers must find a way to get a final version of a bill through both the state house and senate. Once legislation passes through both chambers, it's up to the governor to sign off or veto. In 2020, Maine Gov. Janet Mills opted to veto a sports gambling bill that landed on her desk. The Maine senate would go on to override Mills veto. Only now is that state in the process of approving operators, three years later. It's not always a pretty process.
All states apply tax rates on betting activities with taxes typically varying between 10% and 20%, but much higher in some states. Case in point, Pennsylvania is over 30%. New York flirts with the 50% mark. License applications and renewals are another way that states benefit financially from gambling operations.
Online gambling has enjoyed a surge in popularity due to the popularity of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. This provides users with a convenient way to place bets from the comfort of their own home or on the move.
Online gambling is typically split into a variety of markets that include online casinos, sports betting, horse racing, fantasy sports betting, lottery, and poker.
At present, online sports betting is legal in Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington DC, and West Virginia. It is estimated that over $180 billion has been wagered legally on sports betting in the U.S. and many states are interested in the possibility of tapping into this revenue stream.
This week, the Supreme Court rejected a challenge to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ multi billion agreement with the Seminoles to offer online sports betting in Florida. And while it may appear the sky is the limit for the Seminoles to launch their Hard Rock sportsbook, various court challenges remain. Clarity is not anticipated before the next Super Bowl. Florida makes up the top three most populous U.S. states, none of which currently offer sports wagering. Texas and California are the other two. on October 27 it was announced that the most populated state, California, will once again feature two ballot initiatives asking voters to determine the fate of sports betting in 2024. The last effort failed miserably.
Even in states that have yet to regulate sports gambling, there are ways for consumers to legally place wagers. Offshore betting is not covered by regulations, meaning citizens can sign up and play with operators from based outside the U.S. Some offshore sportsbooks have opted not to accept new customers from New Jersey and Nevada.
Because offshore books are not regulated by any state, players are not afforded the same protection as those granted a license. Offshore sportsbooks do tend to be far more established however. That's resulted in a stellar reputation built over time. Some of the best options for 2023 provide players with great incentives, state-of-the-art software, and high-security levels, and are licensed by reputable authorities overseas, like the Curaçao Gaming Control Board.
When it comes to state regulated sports betting, the tribes do have significant influence over gaming in several states including Connecticut, California, Florida, Wisconsin, Minnesota and New Mexico. This is both a blessing and a curse.
Native American tribes are permitted to operate casinos on tribal land. These permissions are based on the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which created a framework based on set conditions.
Conditions include gaming compacts with the state and a license being granted by the NIGC (National Indian Gaming Commission). But conflicts are common. We're seeing this in Florida where the Seminoles are influential but not the only game in town, so to speak. Connecticut's Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes, on the other hand, were met with little resistance in their quest to oversee the mobile and retail sports betting market. California can't get over the finish line as a result of in-fighting among tribes. For the better part of a decade efforts to legalize online poker fell apart courtesy of differing tribal agendas.
During 2023, there were bills either newly proposed or rehashed across the country looking to regulate sports wagering. Lawmakers in Kentucky and North Carolina were ultimately able to take a victory lap. Georgia? Better luck next time.
Until now, there's been little effort to push for online gaming and/or poker legislation. That seems to be changing.
Indiana launched an attempt to legalize iGaming under HB1536 with a proposed 20% tax rate that would see money going directly to services to support gamblers. This attempt failed in February and will have to wait until 2024 for another attempt.
Iowa's HSB227 to legalize online casinos isn't being considered while Illinois' HB2239, SB1656, and HB2320 to create an internet gaming act saw proposals of 12% and 15% tax rates, but there has been little movement. Illinois is relatively unique in offering biennial legislative sessions, which means the proposal will stay active until 2024.
There were high hopes for New York's attempts to legalize online casinos in 2023 under bills A1380 and A3634. The state has the potential to be one of the highest-grossing gambling states because of its population (4th largest in the nation), but support appears to have slowed down after the legalization of sports betting on the NFL, NBA and others bringing in massive revenues since 2022. New York is also considering retail casino applications at present. With this in mind, iGaming will have to take a back seat for now. There is a real possibility in 2025 following the election year.
Rhode Island surprised a lot of people by agreeing to SB948, which will legalize online casino gaming. Regulatory framework and licensing are still to be decided, but this is just a formality.
Maryland missed the 2023 deadline to pass iGaming legislation to compliment the already approved sports betting market. Bill number SB267 will face a referendum so campaigners will be pushing for support if it gets the nod for 2024.
Maine's LD1777 proposal to legalize online casinos based on the current tribal agreement over online sports betting hasn't moved quickly (we mentioned the three year lag period for sports betting above).
Betting laws in the U.S. will continue to change to accommodate different betting markets. States are seeing significant revenue streams from allowing legalized betting, and many others are eager to explore these options.
Assurances that a percentage of gaming revenues will go towards programs to help problem gamblers along with other social programs will appease some detractors for sure.
States that have zero forms of gambling like Utah and Hawaii may never see mobile sports betting or iGaming in our lifetimes. Georgia, South Carolina and Texas are not the most gambling-friendly states in the nation but, nevertheless, there are those at least trying to make an effort. Anything is possible. Just look at Tennessee. This is a state that has no casinos yet embraced mobile sports betting with open arms not too long after the 2018 SCOTUS decision.
(Gambling911)
Casino News
Man faces Perth court charged with woman’s murder at Crown hotel
A man has faced court charged with murdering a woman in a hotel room at Crown Towers Perth.
A man charged with murdering a family law barrister at a Perth hotel has faced court wearing a white forensic jumpsuit.
The body of 34-year-old Alice Rose McShera was found at Crown Towers Perth in Burswood on Monday morning.
Cameron John Pearson, 42, was also found at the scene with allegedly self-inflicted wounds and was treated in hospital.
Homicide squad detectives charged the Bibra Lake man with murder overnight.
Pearson, represented by solicitor Reid Hogan, briefly faced Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning wearing a forensic jumpsuit and was unshaven.
Magistrate Stephen Butcher remanded Pearson in custody to face Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on November 22.
Ms McShera was based at the Murray Chambers in Perth.
Her profile said she was “an experienced advocate who appears and advises as counsel in all family law and restraining orders matters”.
Before commencing practice as an independent barrister, Ms McShera practised as a senior associate in a boutique family law firm and, prior to that, was a legal associate to a WA Family Court judge for four years.
She obtained her Master of Laws from the Australian National University in 2015 and was a member of the Family Law Practitioners Association of Western Australia and the Law Society of Western Australia.
Outside court, supporters of the victim, who are believed to be family members, declined to comment to the waiting media.
Emergency services were called to the hotel about 11.10am on Monday after reports a woman was found dead inside a room.
St John Ambulance paramedics treated Ms McShera at the scene but she could not be saved.
Police said Pearson had sustained “serious self-inflicted injuries”.
A spokesperson for Crown Resorts issued a brief statement following the woman’s death.
“We can confirm police responded to an incident at Crown Towers Perth earlier today,” the statement read.
“Our team are assisting WA Police with their investigation, and we are supporting our team members.
“Any further inquiries should be directed to WA Police.”
The $650m Crown Towers in Perth, which includes 500 guest rooms and villas, was opened in 2016.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
Anti-domestic violence organisation White Ribbon Australia said Ms McShera was the 43rd woman to die this year due to alleged violence.
“We’re faced with a shocking reality that should make all of us feel equal parts outrage and sadness — on average, one woman is allegedly murdered every nine days in Australia,” chief executive Melissa Perry said in a statement.
“As a society we cannot be so numbed and desensitised that we view family and domestic violence and the resulting deaths as just another statistic.“
Ms Perry said the time for silence and indifference had passed.
“As a nation, we need to be doing more to change this unacceptable set of statistics,“ she said.
“We also need to recognise that this won’t happen without greater investment across all areas of the family domestic violence and abuse sector.
“This includes primary prevention strategies and education campaigns to stop violence before it starts, behaviour change programs for men who have chosen to use violence, and victim-survivor support services.”
007 News
James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli admits she hasn’t started working on next instalment
The producer admitted in an interview with The Guardian that there is "a big road ahead", before the iconic British spy is "reinvented for the next chapter" following the end of Daniel Craig's run in 2021's No Time to Die. Broccoli explained her team "haven't even begun" the process of modernising the franchise, which they believe is necessary whenever a new actor takes over the role. When Craig signed up for Bond with 2006's Casino Royale, the producers "wanted to focus on what a 21st-century hero would look like"
James Bond 007 News
California man prepares to sell nearly 60-year James Bond memorabilia collection for $1 million
Collection includes over 30,000 items — posters, books, magazines and much more
A retired California schoolteacher is ready to cash in his collection of all things James Bond-related.
Steve Oxenrider has a collection of over 30,000 items related to the Bond phenomenon, with some items dating back to the early 1960s when the series was first released.
The San Francisco resident has shipped half his items so far to Ewbank’s Auction House in Woking, Surrey, England, ahead of the auction.
Due to the large number of collectibles, Ewbank’s will auction off Oxenrider's collection in two parts — with the first half of the miscellany going live in November.
Some of the items included in the auction include original posters for "Dr. No," valued at over $15,000, and a signed "Thunderball" gala charity premiere brochure from 1965, which is expected to sell for over $1,000.
Although Oxenrider has over 30,000 items of memorabilia, he told Ewbank's that he still wishes he had call sheets from the earlier films in his possession.
"They provide an intriguing insight into the production of a film," he said.
Oxenrider said the first items he acquired were James Bond trading cards in 1965.
These then led to books, lobby cards, magazines, comics, merchandise such as toys and games, music, posters, press material, scripts, still, movies and more.
The two-day auction for the first half of the collection will begin on Nov. 16.
It will be highlighted by posters from the earlier films — with the second auction scheduled for spring 2024.
Ewbank’s partner and head of entertainment memorabilia Alastair McCrea said the collection is "breathtaking."
"We have been holding dedicated James Bond auctions for years now, but this collection is on an entirely new level," he said.
Oxenrider said the first items he acquired were James Bond trading cards in 1965.
These then led to books, lobby cards, magazines, comics, merchandise such as toys and games, music, posters, press material, scripts, still, movies and more.
The two-day auction for the first half of the collection will begin on Nov. 16.
It will be highlighted by posters from the earlier films — with the second auction scheduled for spring 2024.
Ewbank’s partner and head of entertainment memorabilia Alastair McCrea said the collection is "breathtaking."
"We have been holding dedicated James Bond auctions for years now, but this collection is on an entirely new level," he said.
The sheer breadth and depth of the collection is breathtaking and a tribute to the dedication and perspicacity of Steve Oxenrider — the ultimate collector of 007 material."
For those looking to grow their own memorabilia collection, Oxenrider said that doing your own research is key.
"Do research on auction websites to see what’s available and price estimates," he said.
"Limit what you’re looking for and how much you want to invest."
The collector recommended getting in touch with trusted establishments that might be interested in selling or trading material.
James Bond, also referred to as "Agent 007," was a fictional character introduced in "Casino Royale" in 1953 as a British Secret Intelligence Service agent, according to Britannica.
Bond was the product of British novelist Ian Fleming — who featured the character in 12 novels after "Casino Royale" and film adaptations, as Britannica also noted.
Some actors known for playing the role of Bond include Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.
For more information on how to bid for the Bond memorabilia, visit Ewbank’s Auctions.
Fox News Digital reached out to Ewbank's for further comment.
(FOX)
Content News Media
SEO News
Search News Media News
Content News Media
Ways to find unique content ideas from real-life insights
Find out how to create content that sets you apart from the competition using untapped sources. Here are four areas to explore.
Marketers often work at a distance from frontline operations.
We may not directly build the product, deal with angry customer phone calls, or be out in the field selling.
We might even be at an agency, an additional level removed from the shop floor or direct interactions with the target customer.
How, then, can you:
Know what to write about?
Insert meaningful insights into your landing pages or ad creative?
Effectively persuade your target audience that you are the clear choice over your competitors?
Digging new wells to find new content
One of the best writing tips I’ve ever received is to “dig new wells.” That is, to get content no one else is writing, you need to establish different sources.
Too often, content writing for the web starts with the search results. While it makes sense to look at what’s ranking for your target keywords, it should not be your only source of information.
The rise of 10x content and the Skyscraper Technique led some content writers to rely on rewording and combining top pages into a long, SEO-focused page. But it’s not getting outside sources of information.
For me, the best type of content for the web comes from outside the web. Pulling content ideas, inspiration, and even language from real-life sources can help your content stand out, resonate with your target audience, and even alleviate any concerns they have.
Plus, combining outside-sourced content with an SEO’s skills in finding keywords, structuring content, and generating links can form a powerful piece of content that performs nicely.
Here are a few ways to dig new wells to find new content.
1. Source content from employees
The single greatest source of content is from front-line employees. Depending on your business, you might have:
Salespeople
Salespeople earn their living by earning trust, highlighting benefits, and alleviating fears of potential customers or clients.
Any successful salesperson has already worked out a script based on common pain points and exactly what message can help convince people to buy.
Customer service representatives (CSRs)
As frontline workers who come in contact the most with existing customers, they know the most common questions and objections people have.
If a CSR gets asked the same question regularly (say once per week or greater), the answer to that question should become content on your site.
Those doing the work
Another great source of content is from those doing the actual work. Visit the factory floor, buy coffee for the production team, or go for a ride along with the installation team.
By spending time with those who actually make your products or carry out your services, you will get a newfound understanding and appreciation for what they do.
Plus, they should be able to provide great insights into how you are different than your competitors – whether it is better materials, unique processes, or attention to detail.
Example of sourcing content from employees
I had a client in the agriculture industry who wanted to grow by getting their brand in front of more farmers. My main contact was a salesperson working in the field six days a week, traveling from farm to farm.
In some ways, he functioned more as a consultant, helping generate ideas and sharing best practices from others to help each farmer expand their operation.
He would be the first to tell you he was not a great choice for writing new content for their website. Here’s what worked for us: I would get him on the phone while driving between farms, and he would rant.
For half an hour, he would brain-dump his thoughts on a certain product or service his company was offering. I was simply there to transcribe and ask follow-up questions.
When it was time to write the website content, I found that the salesperson’s rants would form 80% of the page. I was merely there to edit and shape it into a logical flow and ensure it was optimized for search and conversions.
2. Source content from current customers
Another well of great content ideas is from your current customers or clients. They are your best source for entering the buyer’s mind and decision-making process.
If possible, make it a habit to regularly interview some of your current customers. Ask them questions about:
Their pain points.
How they researched options.
What mattered and didn’t matter to them as they made a decision.
You can sometimes use these stories as the basis for case studies or featured project pages for your site. At the very least, you will uncover phrases, words and concepts that can become integral parts of your website content and marketing efforts.
Example of sourcing content from current customers
A few years back, I was working on a branding campaign for a furniture company. Their core business was selling through furniture stores; they saw an opportunity to increase sales by working with high-end interior designers.
As we worked on drafting content for their website and marketing material, our team booked calls with a handful of interior designers with whom they currently worked.
These phone calls were a wealth of information and insights into these interior designers’ pain points, goals and dreams.
Some insights they provided were completely unknown to the furniture company. What we learned from these calls proved invaluable in shaping the website content.
3. Source content from past customers
Past customer reviews are among the easiest yet impactful wells to pull content ideas and language.
Whether past customers have left reviews on your Google Business Profile, Amazon, a third-party review site, or your own internal system, these are great sources of info about how the market views your product or service.
Customer reviews are great because they provide a glimpse into your customer's thinking at scale – no need to interview them. Online reviews also collect the right language, pain points, and angles you may not have noticed.
Whenever I take on a new local SEO client, I make it a point to read every review on their Google Business Profile. I like looking for trends and themes across the reviews and see anecdotally what really matters to customers.
Google does pull out themes by seeing the top 10 topics or phrases mentioned in reviews.
You can take your reviews and put them in a sentiment analysis tool to see topics, trends, and talk points that you can share with your CSR or use in your marketing, advertising and website efforts.
Example of sourcing content from past customers
One time, I was reading reviews for a new client in the home service industry.
A few reviews told a similar story: each mentioned the same salesperson by name and how professional and informational the salesperson was – especially compared to other companies. And each said a surprising detail: the salesperson gave a gift of local jam.
One specific salesperson was doing this to make connections with his prospects, but it was leaving such an impact on customers that they mentioned it in their reviews.
When our client found out about this, they made it a standard across all sales staff, and we mentioned it as part of the online appointment scheduler.
4. Source content from competitors
A surprising source of content ideas can come from your competitors.
As we saw above, if online reviews for your own products or services can provide helpful insights for your marketing efforts, what can you learn from reading the reviews of your competitors? A lot!
Find a few of your competitors and read every review of theirs that is three stars or lower. Bad or mixed reviews can provide a gold mine of information about what people don't like about your competitors.
These points can be used in your marketing efforts, as they are pain points your target audience has, and your competitors are not meeting.
Example of sourcing content from competitors
While conducting competitive research for an outdoor structure company, I noticed their main competitors had a fair amount of indifferent reviews. As I read these reviews, I noticed themes. Most reviews mentioned:
A lack of communication.
Misunderstandings about the delivery and installation process.
I took this to the client, and we discussed how we could make their service better. The client worked on strengthening their already solid customer communication system.
On the website, we invested in content to fully explain how they deliver and install their structures, answering every single question their CSR is regularly asked.
Finally, we created a comprehensive guide on the entire sales process, from initial order through installation. We used this as a target for a remarketing campaign to help reengage with potential customers.
Dig deeper: Competitor content analysis: Here’s what you can learn
Start creating new content today
To create content that no one is creating, you need to get different sources no one else can get.
Interview your employees and current customers. Summarize feedback from past customers and those disappointed with your competitors.
Gain valuable insights to tell your unique story and stand out.
