Plans for the Ho-Chunk Nation’s $405 million casino in Beloit are heading to Gov. Tony Evers’ desk after federal officials signed off on the project. Read more here. Ho-Chunk receives approval for Beloit casino (UPDATE)  

Millennials don’t like brick and mortar casinos.  They are much more interested in online activity.  This data breach and the consequent spike in young gamblers will ensure that our youth becomes the target of the online gambling industry. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7904287/Betting-firms-granted-access-database-28-MILLION-children.html  

This is a great example of lazy legislating.  Rather than focus on spending and responsible broad-based revenues, legislators look for ways to increase revenue without raising taxes.  The problem is, state budgets become dependent on gambling revenues and when they decline (and they will), taxpayers have to make up the difference. “Given the minor contribution of gambling revenues to state budgets, officials might be better advised to rely on broad-based revenues and spending controls rather than the relatively paltry revenues...

Some Wisconsin State legislators have floated the idea to amend our state constitution to allow internet sports betting.  If amended, it will open the proverbial can of worms. “If you all thought 2019 was an exciting time for sports betting, then buckle up, because 2020 promises more action both on the field and behind the scenes as our industry continues to develop at a frantic pace. 2020 could possibly go down as the year a single state achieves a $1bn...

The line for the ticket windows at a Rhode Island casino’s sportsbook stretched to the door on one afternoon last month. “This happens pretty much every Monday,” said Craig Sculos, vice president and general manager at Twin River Casino Hotel. This could be the scene in more states in the years ahead. Legalized sports betting has caught on quickly since a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2018 allowed for it to be legalized in every state; 2020 will be a...

Everything about the gambling industry is dishonest.  Daily Fantasy Sports was always about legalizing online sports betting. The parent company of the Live! Casino group is partnering with FanDuel to bring sports betting and daily fantasy sports (DFS) to its gaming and entertainment properties across the country. Live! Casino Group Partners With FanDuel for Sports Betting Operations    

A ban on the sale of lottery products in check-cashing outlets, which serve unbanked, low-income people is a good start. The government is basically selling hope for a dollar. Because low-income people purchase a disproportionate amount of the lottery games, this has the effect of pulling money away from low-income people and out of their communities,” the report continued. Decrying Lottery’s Impact on the Poor, Bronx Beep Calls for Reforms

The age old argument: everyone else is doing it, so should we.  This is one of the best examples of lazy legislating while kicking the can to our future generations. Gambling is a form of financial fraud. Government should not be complicit in winning from the losses of the very citizens they are elected to protect. We are a society full of addictions largely because of failed government policies. Thankfully, this would require an amendment to our state constitution, and...

Remember, gambling creates no new wealth. Money spent on wagering has no multiplying factor in the local economy. It is simply subtracted from money that would otherwise be spent on things like food, clothing and healthcare needs. “The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) released monthly figures showing the state’s sportsbooks and sports betting applications accepted nearly $91.7 million in wagers for October. That’s up more than 160 percent from its September handle of $35.2 million.” Mobile Apps Lead to Huge Jump...