Chapo’s Great Escape Leads to Unprecedented Jackpots
Relax Gaming has officially launched “Wild Chapo 2 Dream Drop,” reintroducing the notorious Mexican anti-hero, Chapo, in a thrilling new slot adventure that promises to redefine excitement with its innovative jackpot features.
Gameplay Evolution: From Outlaw to Jackpot Hero
Building on the success of its predecessor, “Wild Chapo 2 Dream Drop” offers a 6×3 reel experience filled with wild re-spins, free spins, and the coveted dream drop jackpot, setting a new standard for high-stakes slot gaming. The game’s mechanics are designed to keep players on the edge of their seats, with wild symbols that trigger re-spins and increase the potential for massive wins.
Feature Highlights
- Wild Re-Spins: Occur when wilds land on reels two and five, continuing as long as wins with wilds are achieved.
- Collectible Wilds: Wilds display a countdown that decreases with each win, culminating in an expanding wild that can fill an entire reel.
- Free Spins: Activated by three or more bonus symbols, where wilds stick until they are collected or the feature ends.
- Dream Drop Jackpot: A dual-wheel jackpot system that can be triggered by a specific DD symbol, potentially leading to life-changing payouts.
Jackpot Mechanism Insights
The dream drop jackpot, a novel addition to the slot, involves two synchronizing jackpot wheels that players spin to match jackpot symbols or hit wilds for a re-spin opportunity. This feature not only adds a layer of excitement but also significantly increases the chances of landing a substantial jackpot.
Industry Impact: A New Chapter in Slot Gaming
Shelley Hannah, CPO at Relax Gaming, commented on the launch: “With ‘Wild Chapo 2 Dream Drop,’ we are excited to elevate Chapo’s story from an entertaining slot narrative to an epic jackpot saga. This game blends our most successful features with fresh, innovative mechanics that we believe will make a lasting impact on the slot market.”
Looking Forward: The Future of Slot Entertainment
“Wild Chapo 2 Dream Drop” marks a pivotal moment for Relax Gaming as it continues to push the boundaries of slot entertainment. The game is expected to attract a broad audience, from seasoned players seeking big jackpots to newcomers looking for an engaging and interactive gaming experience.
As Relax Gaming rolls out “Wild Chapo 2 Dream Drop” across various online casinos, the industry watches closely to see how this game will influence slot trends and player preferences in the coming years. With its blend of thrilling gameplay, innovative features, and the promise of huge rewards, Chapo’s latest escapade is set to become a flagship offering in the world of online slots.
Lawmakers Target “Outdated” Excise Tax That Favors Illegal Operators
Congressional Gaming Caucus leaders have launched a renewed effort to abolish the federal excise tax on sports wagers, arguing that the seven-decade-old levy hampers legitimate businesses while giving illegal bookmakers an unfair advantage.
Representatives Dina Titus (D-Nevada) and Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pennsylvania) recently introduced the Discriminatory Gaming Tax Repeal Act of 2025, which would eliminate both the 0.25% handle tax on legal sports bets and the $50 annual tax imposed on sportsbook employees.
“The current tax structure creates an uneven playing field,” said Rep. Titus. “When I questioned the IRS about where this tax revenue goes in the federal budget, they couldn’t provide an answer. We’re maintaining a tax that federal authorities don’t even track, while simultaneously giving illegal operators a competitive edge.”
The Economic Impact of Sports Betting Taxation
The financial implications of the current tax system are particularly evident during major sporting events. During March Madness 2025, Americans are projected to wager $3.1 billion on tournament games, representing a substantial increase from previous years.
In states with legalized sports betting, the tax burden is significant:
- Nevada’s 66 licensed sportsbooks processed $8.26 billion in wagers in 2023, generating $481.3 million in revenue and $32.5 million in state tax contributions
- New York operators handled $19.18 billion in bets in 2024, producing $1.7 billion in gross revenue and $862.6 million in state taxes
- Pennsylvania, as the fifth-largest sports betting market, could have saved approximately $21 million in 2024 alone if the federal tax were eliminated
Historical Context and Legislative Challenges
The federal excise tax was originally implemented in 1951 to combat illegal gambling operations. However, following the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision allowing states to legalize sports betting, industry advocates argue the tax has become obsolete.
This marks the fourth attempt by Titus and Reschenthaler to advance similar legislation, with previous bills introduced in 2019, 2021, and 2023. Despite growing bipartisan support and backing from the American Gaming Association, previous efforts have stalled in House committees.
“Unfortunately, outdated tax codes and burdensome regulations penalize legal operators and incentivize illegal activity,” Reschenthaler noted. “Our bill ensures the gaming industry can continue supporting good-paying jobs and driving economic growth nationwide.”
As the legal sports betting landscape continues to evolve across 38 states and Washington D.C., pressure mounts to modernize federal tax policies that many view as impediments to the industry’s legitimate development and competitiveness against unregulated markets.
Bill Passes Lower House, Moving to Legislative Council
The Victorian Parliament has made a significant stride toward gambling reform with the passage of the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024. The bill cleared the Legislative Assembly with a 53-25 vote and now advances to the Legislative Council for further consideration.
Key Reform Elements
The legislation introduces mandatory pre-commitment systems for electronic gaming machines in hotels and clubs across Victoria. Players will need to insert cards into machines before they can operate them, allowing gamblers to make more informed spending decisions.
Minister Melissa Horne, overseeing Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, emphasized that the carded play concept aims to enhance patron awareness and improve spending management.
Additional measures include new spin rate limits, extending the time between spins from 2.3 to 3 seconds to slow gameplay and potentially reduce losses.
Implementation Timeline
The government plans to begin with a three-month trial in approximately 40 venues by mid-2025, before expanding the system statewide. The reform will operate under the existing YourPlay framework, which has already reduced maximum machine loading limits from AU$1,000 to AU$100.
Mixed Parliamentary Response
The bill has generated both support and criticism across party lines. Some MPs have shared personal experiences with gambling addiction to advocate for the reforms, while others express concerns about implementation details.
Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien criticized the approach, arguing the government is giving itself authority without providing Parliament clear implementation details or timelines.
The opposition’s attempt to halt the bill’s progression through a reasoned amendment was defeated, allowing the legislation to advance.
Broader Context
Victoria’s initiative reflects a growing national conversation about account-based gambling systems. Professor Sally Gainsbury from the University of Sydney’s Gambling Treatment & Research Clinic has advocated for similar transitions to account-based systems in New South Wales.
While each Australian state maintains separate gambling regulations, Victoria’s approach could provide valuable lessons for developing effective, responsible gambling frameworks nationwide.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is renowned for its stringent regulatory practices to ensure a safe and fair online gambling environment. The recent decision to cancel Goldwin’s gaming authorisation underscores the MGA’s dedication to these principles. This move comes as part of the MGA’s efforts to continuously refine its oversight and enforcement mechanisms, ensuring that all licensed entities uphold the highest standards of compliance and integrity.
Licence Revocation Details
On 13 March 2025, the MGA will officially revoke Goldwin’s gaming licence, identified by the reference number MGA/B2C/533/2018. This decision, rooted in multiple breaches of the Gaming Compliance and Enforcement Regulations, signals a firm stance against non-compliance. The revocation mandates several immediate actions from Goldwin to ensure transparency and safeguard player interests:
- Player Notification: Goldwin is required to inform all its players about the licence cancellation through email and must also display this information prominently on their website for 30 days.
- Financial Obligations: The company must settle any outstanding fees owed to the MGA within five working days following the revocation date.
- Material Amendments: All references to the MGA and the authorisation must be removed from Goldwin’s marketing materials immediately, as per Article 51 of the Gaming Act.
Protecting Player Interests
In the wake of the cancellation, Goldwin is instructed to assist players in withdrawing their funds. Players seeking to reclaim their deposits can turn to the MGA’s ticketing system for guidance and support. This measure is part of the MGA’s broader strategy to ensure that player funds are protected, even in cases of licence revocation.
MGA’s Enhanced Regulatory Framework
The revocation comes shortly after the MGA introduced an updated regulatory oversight strategy for 2025. The new framework focuses on three critical areas:
- Risk-Based Resource Allocation: Allocating resources more efficiently based on the assessment of risks associated with different licensees.
- Enhanced Collaboration: Working closely with other regulatory bodies and stakeholders to bolster the effectiveness of gambling regulation.
- Proactive Risk Management: Implementing a more evidence-driven approach to preemptively identify and mitigate potential risks in the gambling sector.
These enhancements aim to refine the MGA’s regulatory processes, ensuring that they remain robust and responsive to the dynamics of the global gambling market.
Our Commitment to Safe Gambling
In line with the MGA’s rigorous standards, our platform continues to prioritize the safety and security of our users. We are committed to listing only casinos that comply fully with regulatory requirements, providing a trustworthy and secure online gambling experience. Our commitment extends beyond simple compliance, embracing a proactive approach to player safety and fair play.
Robinhood Expands Beyond Traditional Trading
Robinhood, known for its accessible stock trading app, is entering new territory with prediction markets through a partnership with Kalshi. This expansion moves the company beyond traditional financial trading into speculative betting on future events, including NCAA March Madness basketball.
Betting Options and Partnership
The new prediction markets hub within the Robinhood app allows users to wager on outcomes across sports, economics, and political events. Sports enthusiasts can now bet on March Madness directly through their Robinhood accounts.
Kalshi, an established prediction markets operator known for political and economic events, is helping Robinhood branch into sports-related prediction contracts. This collaboration gives Robinhood’s users easy access to betting without needing multiple platforms.
Regulatory Compliance
Robinhood has worked with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to secure necessary permissions for its prediction markets hub. JB Mackenzie, VP & GM of Futures and International at Robinhood, noted that “these markets intersect significantly with sports, politics, economics, and popular culture,” while emphasizing the platform’s compliance measures.
The service is available nationwide except in Nevada, where regulatory hurdles have prevented immediate launch.
User-Friendly Pricing
Robinhood has introduced an affordable pricing model with customers paying only a two-cent fee per contract, split evenly between Robinhood and Kalshi. This structure aims to encourage participation without significant financial barriers.
Future Plans
While initially focusing on high-profile events like March Madness, Robinhood plans to introduce additional categories including entertainment and cultural predictions. The wider industry continues to face regulatory scrutiny, with upcoming CFTC roundtable discussions aimed at clarifying frameworks for sports prediction markets.
Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “March Madness is renowned for its unpredictability. We’re delighted to partner with Robinhood to amplify that excitement through accessible prediction markets for American sports fans.”
Though currently using Kalshi’s infrastructure, Robinhood has indicated potential future independence by developing its own platform or collaborating with other providers. This initiative positions Robinhood uniquely in the growing online prediction and sports betting landscape, leveraging its existing customer base as it continues to diversify beyond stock trading.
