The sports betting scene in Las Vegas is about to undergo a significant transformation as BetMGM takes the reins of sportsbook operations across nine major MGM properties in the gambling capital.
The Nevada Gaming Commission has given the green light to BetMGM—a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and European gambling powerhouse Entain—to centralize and manage sportsbooks at some of the Strip’s most iconic destinations, including Aria, Bellagio, and MGM Grand.
“This marks a new chapter for sports betting in Las Vegas,” said Scott Scherer, BetMGM’s private counsel. “The integration will create a seamless experience for customers while maintaining the high standards they’ve come to expect from MGM properties.”
Strategic Timing and Enhanced Customer Experience
The operational transition is strategically timed to take place between the start of the MLB season and the kickoff of the NFL season—a calculated move to ensure minimal disruption during the integration process.
Bettors can anticipate significant enhancements to their wagering experience, particularly on the mobile front. The Entain-powered technology will introduce improved live streaming capabilities and an expanded selection of betting options, positioning BetMGM to compete more effectively in the increasingly digital sports betting marketplace.
Workforce Transition and Local Impact
The changeover will see approximately 100 existing MGM sportsbook employees—70 full-time and 30 part-time—transition to BetMGM’s payroll, with assurances that compensation packages will remain unchanged.
“For employees, the transition will be virtually unnoticeable except for the name on their paychecks,” Scherer explained during the commission hearing. “We’ve put considerable thought into how we coordinate player rewards and integrate our systems.”
BetMGM already maintains a substantial presence in Nevada with 115 personnel based in the state, underscoring its commitment to local operations even as it expands its footprint nationwide.
Regulatory Compliance and Responsible Gaming
The expansion comes amid heightened scrutiny of gambling operations across the country. During recent hearings, Nevada Gaming Control Board members raised questions about compliance with federal anti-money-laundering laws and the resolution of previous technology issues that had affected customer satisfaction.
These concerns were particularly pointed given Entain’s recent regulatory challenges in Australia, where authorities identified deficiencies in anti-money-laundering protocols.
MGM officials have responded by implementing increased internal oversight and establishing clearer channels of communication with regulators. The company will continue to oversee security and surveillance operations through a contractual agreement with BetMGM, leveraging its established infrastructure to maintain rigorous compliance standards.
Commitment to Problem Gambling Prevention
The timing of this expansion coincides with Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and both MGM and BetMGM have emphasized their dedication to responsible gambling practices.
As part of this commitment, BetMGM is expanding its Kindbridge Behavioural Health referral program to cover all online jurisdictions where it operates, ensuring users have access to specialized mental health services.
“As a global gaming and hospitality leader, we are always looking to support innovative and actionable research that can make a positive impact,” said Stephen Martino, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at MGM Resorts.
Through partnerships with organizations like the Kindbridge Research Institute and UNLV, the companies aim to advance problem gambling research and education, demonstrating a commitment that extends beyond business expansion to industry sustainability and community well-being.
As Las Vegas continues to evolve as a sports betting destination, this move by BetMGM represents not just a shift in operational control but potentially a new standard for how sportsbooks function in the entertainment capital of the world.
Macau’s gambling industry saw a significant boost in February 2025, with gross gaming revenue (GGR) reaching MOP19.74 billion (USD 2.46 billion), exceeding analyst expectations and setting a positive tone for the year.
Chinese New Year Drives Growth
The 6.8% year-on-year increase can largely be attributed to the Chinese New Year Golden Week holiday, which ran from January 28 to February 4. This traditional peak tourism period brought a surge of mainland Chinese visitors to Macau’s casinos.
February’s performance represents an 8.1% increase compared to January 2025, marking the highest monthly GGR since October and helping to offset January’s disappointing 5.6% year-on-year decline.
Recovery Still Below Pre-Pandemic Levels
Despite the positive growth, February’s figures reached only 77.8% of pre-COVID February 2019 levels, when GGR was MOP25.37 billion. This highlights the ongoing recovery process in Macau’s gaming sector.
Galaxy Entertainment Group chairman Francis Lui expressed confidence in meeting the government’s annual target: “Although gaming revenue for January’s Lunar New Year may have been lower than expected, the performance in the second half of February has improved and exceeded expectations.”
Analyst Forecasts Exceeded
The market significantly outperformed analyst forecasts, which had predicted only a 0.8% year-on-year increase. JP Morgan analysts had accurately forecast February GGR of about MOP19 billion.
Combined Performance for Early 2025
Looking at the first two months of 2025 combined, GGR was up marginally over 2024, at just 0.5%. This modest growth reflects the mixed performance between January’s decline and February’s stronger results.
Premium Mass Segment Contribution
According to Jefferies, operators including Galaxy and Melco indicated they experienced a “long tail effect” from the Chinese New Year holiday, primarily driven by the premium mass segment of players.
Outlook for 2025
Analysts have adjusted their forecasts for Macau’s annual GGR growth to between 4% and 9% for 2025. Jefferies Equity Research noted the industry is “making up lost ground after a weak performance” in January.
To reach the government’s MOP240 billion target for 2025, the sector would need approximately 6.9% growth each month for the rest of the year.
Cautious Industry Perspectives
Some industry analysts remain cautious. CreditSights Inc pointed out that while visits from lower-GDP provinces could rise, they may not substantially accelerate the post-pandemic recovery to pre-crisis levels.
Seaport Research Partners shared a similar view, highlighting that despite February’s overall positive performance, Golden Week GGR declined compared to previous years.
Missouri sports bettors will need to exercise patience as the state’s anticipated summer 2025 wagering launch faces significant delays. A procedural dispute between regulatory bodies has pushed the timeline back several months, with sports betting now unlikely to debut until late August 2025 at the earliest.
Emergency Rules Rejected, Standard Process Required
The Missouri Gaming Commission’s (MGC) attempt to expedite the process through emergency regulations hit a roadblock when Secretary of State Denny Hoskins declined to approve their proposal. According to MGC Executive Director Mike Leara, Hoskins’ office simply stated the submission “didn’t meet the requirements under the statute.”
Hoskins later clarified his position, explaining that emergency rules are reserved for situations presenting “immediate danger to public health, safety or welfare” or addressing “compelling governmental interests” requiring immediate action. In his assessment, the sports betting implementation timeline didn’t qualify for this accelerated process.
“The standard rulemaking process is more than capable of achieving the desired outcome within the necessary time frame,” Hoskins stated. “Under the proper procedure, the proposed rules could be effective by September 30, 2025—well ahead of the December 1 deadline.”
Had the emergency rules been approved, Missouri might have launched sports betting within days of their publication. Instead, the state must now follow the traditional regulatory development path, which includes a 30-day public comment period and review by the legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.
Impact on Launch Timeline
The regulatory setback means Missouri bettors will likely miss most of the 2025 NFL season, which begins September 4 with the Kansas City Chiefs expected to play in the season opener. Industry experts note that the licensing process alone typically requires several months.
“The average turnaround is about six to nine months from when you get it approved to first bets,” explained Ryan Butler, senior editor at Covers, in comments to local media. This comprehensive process includes licensing investigations, regulatory approvals, and technical testing before operators can accept wagers.
Despite the delay, Missouri’s constitutional amendment mandates that online sports wagering must go live by December 1, 2025. Leara remained confident about meeting this deadline, stating: “We’re going to make it one way or another, but we will make it.”
Missouri’s Betting Framework Takes Shape
Missouri voters narrowly approved sports betting through Amendment 2 in November 2024 with a 50.1% margin. The constitutional change ended Missouri’s status as one of the few remaining states without legalized sports wagering.
Under the approved framework:
- Each of Missouri’s 13 licensed riverboat casinos can apply for both retail and online betting licenses
- Missouri’s six professional sports teams—including the Chiefs, Royals, Cardinals, Blues, City SC, and Current—can establish betting districts near their venues
- Two additional mobile sportsbook licenses will be available unaffiliated with any casino
- A 10% tax on sports betting revenue will fund education, problem gambling research, and addiction treatment programs
The licensing structure has undergone several interpretations, particularly regarding how many online platforms casino companies can operate. “During the campaign, Caesars Entertainment spent $15 million opposing the amendment because it would be allowed only one online platform to cover its three casinos in the state,” Leara noted. “It is now [the attorney general’s] opinion that each parent company gets a mobile license.”
The Path Forward
The proposed rules will be published in the Missouri Register on March 18, initiating a 30-day public comment period. A hearing is scheduled for April 17 in Jefferson City.
Hoskins defended the standard process as essential for public input: “The public deserves to have its voice heard, and it’s crucial that we ensure that this rulemaking process is transparent, thorough, and open.”
While the delay has frustrated industry stakeholders who hoped to capitalize on the entire NFL season, Missouri remains on track to join the growing roster of states with regulated sports wagering before year’s end. Once operational, the market is expected to generate significant revenue and provide Missourians with legal alternatives to offshore betting sites.
Innovative Gameplay and Mechanics
Push Gaming proudly announces the launch of “Mad Blast”, a groundbreaking addition to its gaming portfolio. This new slot game boasts a high-volatility, scatter-pay format, enabling players to experience a thrilling cascade of wins complemented by a progressive multiplier system. Set against the backdrop of a quirky workshop owned by the Mad Tinkerer, a whimsical inventor, the game unfolds on a 5×6 grid adorned with vibrant, robotic bomb symbols.
Dynamic Win Mechanisms
“Mad Blast” introduces a unique gaming mechanic where players win by landing eight or more matching symbols anywhere on the reels. Successful combinations trigger cascades, removing winning symbols and allowing new ones to drop into place. The excitement intensifies with the Total Multiplier feature, which doubles after each cascade, potentially soaring up to a 2,048x multiplier.
However, it’s crucial to note that this multiplier resets after a non-winning cascade in the base game. Additional gameplay features include the Multiplier Boost symbol, which increases the Total Multiplier by 1 to 5 steps, and the Extra Life symbol, offering a second chance by clearing the grid except for scatters and the most common symbols.
Exciting Bonus Features
The free spins round in “Mad Blast” adds an extra layer of engagement, triggered by landing three or more Mad Head scatter symbols. The round’s dynamics vary with the number of scatters, enhancing both the number of free spins and the starting multiplier. Here’s a quick overview of the free spins allocation based on scatters:
| Scatter Symbols | Free Spins | Starting Multiplier |
| 3 | 8 | 2x |
| 4 | 10 | 4x |
| 5 | 12 | 8x |
During free spins, the Multiplier Strike Out feature ensures progressively larger wins by eliminating the lowest active multiplier after every three winning cascades. Bonus Buy options are also available, allowing players to dive straight into the action of the free spins round.
Visual and Audio Experience
“Mad Blast” immerses players in a tech-driven, sci-fi aesthetic with robotic designs set against a futuristic backdrop of dark purples and blacks. A mechanical robot looms ominously in the background, enhancing the game’s high-energy feel. The accompanying soundtrack features electronic beats that match the game’s pace, with options to mute for player convenience.
Comparisons and Market Impact
The game’s design and mechanics draw comparisons to popular scatter-pay slots like “Sweet Bonanza” and “Gates of Olympus“, but it stands out with unique elements reminiscent of Yggdrasil’s DoubleMax series. With an RTP ranging from 96.34% to 94.30% and high volatility, “Mad Blast” is designed to cater to a broad audience, from casual players to high rollers, with stakes ranging from €0.10 to €100.
Ihor Lozinskiy, Head of Studio at Push Gaming, commented on the launch, “Mad Blast introduces a dynamic that increases win potential with every spin. We believe this exciting new addition will captivate and thrill players.”
“Mad Blast” promises not just to be a game but an exhilarating adventure in every spin, merging inventive gameplay with visually striking elements to provide a top-tier gaming experience.
Swintt, a rising star in the online casino market, has solidified its presence in the UK through a strategic partnership with MrQ. After breaking into the UK market earlier this year, Swintt has been on a mission to expand its influence and game offerings. By teaming up with MrQ, Swintt aims to enhance the online gaming experience with a unique array of in-house slot games, featuring titles developed by its subsidiary, Elysium Studios.
Game-Changing Collaboration
The collaboration is set to revolutionize MrQ’s current game library, which already boasts over 900 titles. Swintt’s certified slots will join this extensive collection, offering MrQ’s UK players fresh and engaging gaming options. “Our partnership with MrQ marks a significant step in our expansion strategy,” said Lars Kollind, Swintt’s Head of Business Development. “MrQ’s strong market presence and commitment to wager-free promotions make it the perfect platform to introduce our innovative games to a broader audience.”
Exciting New Titles on the Horizon
Among the new games making their way to MrQ’s platform are Elysium Studios’ ‘I Hate Fairytales’ and ‘Wild Wild North,’ a Viking-themed adventure. Additionally, players can look forward to ‘Pirate Pledge Hold & Win,’ promising a thrilling slot experience. “We’re dedicated to bringing the best and most enjoyable games to our players,” commented Daniel Pascoe, Senior Casino Manager at MrQ. “With Swintt’s new releases already gaining traction, we’re excited about the potential these games have to captivate our players.”
Strategic European Growth
Swintt CEO David Mann shared insights into the company’s broader strategy, highlighting a strong focus on European markets while keeping an eye on the evolving regulatory landscape. “Our experience in regulated markets across Europe positions us well to leverage new opportunities as they arise,” Mann stated. He emphasized the company’s strategic acquisitions, like Elysium Studios, which enhance their offerings in mature markets such as Scandinavia and the Nordics.
Future Prospects and Industry Impact
Swintt remains committed to its core offering—slots. The roadmap for the upcoming year includes rolling out more high-quality content from both Elysium and the Swintt premium range. “We are gearing up for some significant releases that will not only meet but exceed player expectations,” Mann concluded.
Through this partnership and its strategic initiatives, Swintt is poised to continue its growth and redefine the online slot gaming landscape in the UK and beyond, ensuring its players have access to some of the most innovative and exciting content in the industry.