Pat Evans

1 week ago | legalsportsreport.com | Pat Evans

VGW, one of the largest online sweepstakes casino operators, will pull out of New York. VGW sent customers an email recently stating it will pull out of New York this summer. Sweepsy first reported the news. VGW is the parent to platforms Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots and Global Poker. The exit follows multiple other online sweepstakes casino operators, including High 5, in March. In the email to customers, VGW said it will allow users to acquire and use Sweepstakes Coins until June 2.

1 week ago | legalsportsreport.com | Pat Evans

There was more Ohio online casino discussion this week, but a bumpy road remains ahead. Ohio legislators discussed Rep. Brian Stewart‘s House Bill 298 during a House Finance Committee meeting Tuesday. Stewart is the chair of the finance committee, and Tuesday’s hearing focused on proponents, while another hearing will focus on opponents. It is one of two bills in the legislature aiming to legalize online casino in the Buckeye State. Last week, Buckeye State senators discussed Senate Bill 197.

1 week ago | legalsportsreport.com | Pat Evans

BetMGM has its entry point into the Missouri sports betting market ahead of the December launch target. Century Casinos announced Tuesday it has partnered with BetMGM for the upcoming Missouri sports betting market. “We are excited to partner with BetMGM, a leading online sports betting and gaming entertainment company with a dynamic and innovative brand” Erwin Haitzmann and Peter Hoetzinger, co-CEOs of Century Casinos, said in the release.

2 weeks ago | legalsportsreport.com | Pat Evans

Multiple jurisdictions have weighed a sports betting tax hike this year, but Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has signed his state’s budget, which includes the first finalized bump this year, into law. Moore signed the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025 this week, which includes a 5 percentage point tax hike for Maryland sports betting. The budget takes the rate to 20% from 15%. Moore introduced his proposed budget earlier this year, which included an increase to 30%.

2 weeks ago | legalsportsreport.com | Pat Evans

Montana became the first state to officially prohibit online sweepstakes casinos. Gov. Greg Gianforte signed Senate Bill 555, making Montana the first state to ban sweepstakes casinos. However, the ban does not explicitly name sweepstakes. Multiple state legislators introduced bills to prohibit sweepstakes casinos, but no others have passed. The Montana House and Senate passed SB 555 last month. This week, Gianforte signed the bill, which goes into effect Oct. 1.