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(AsiaGameHub) -   Three individuals have been taken into custody by law enforcement in Henderson County, Kemp, Texas, after officers carried out a search warrant at a property they suspected to be an illegal game room, and their suspicions were ultimately confirmed. Police targeted the site at 1925 N. Seven Points Blvd. in Kemp on Friday, April 10, 2026. Prior to executing the raid, investigators had been conducting surveillance on the location, operating under the name “The Box” game room, for an extended period of time. 43-year-old Alisha Norris was placed under arrest, alongside two other people – 64-year-old Gayla Stanley and 62-year-old Rad Quarrington, who were also taken into custody for their role in the alleged operation. Currently, police have filed charges of gambling promotion and running a gambling establishment, in addition to possession of gambling devices and participation in organized criminal activity, though prosecutors retain the right to revise the charges, either dropping existing counts or adding new ones against the three suspects. Ongoing Crackdown on Gambling in Texas Progresses The crackdown on gambling activity across Texas is still underway, as authorities recently conducted a raid on The Lodge poker club. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission confiscated the venue’s assets, leaving its operational future uncertain, even though no formal charges have been submitted so far. Investigators are said to be looking into potential illegal gambling violations, though this line of inquiry appears legally flimsy at the current stage. Money laundering, on the other hand, is emerging as the more feasible route for prosecutors to pursue. The Lodge, which is backed by well-known poker personalities including Doug Polk and Andrew Neeme, has firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing, stating that it has run its operations fully in line with legal requirements. The venue stays closed for the immediate future. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   A proposal to authorize thousands of electronic skill gaming machines in Virginia has been halted after Governor Abigail Spanberger rejected the measure, citing regulatory and social risks. Skill Gaming Bill Rejected Amid Regulation Concerns The legislation known as Senate Bill 661 aimed to permit up to 25,000 machines across the state. These devices, often compared to slot machines but incorporating elements of player input, have been the subject of prolonged debate among lawmakers, regulators, and business owners. In her decision, Spanberger emphasized that Virginia’s current gaming oversight system is too fragmented to handle further expansion. She argued that without a single independent authority responsible for supervising all gambling activities, enforcement gaps could widen, enabling unlawful practices and weakening consumer protections. The governor also pointed to previous experience with these machines. During a temporary legalization period between 2020 and 2021, state regulators gathered data that revealed uneven distribution patterns. According to her assessment, more often, machines were installed in areas facing economic hardship, communities with lower income levels, and with reduced access to education. This trend raised concerns about the broader social impact of such gaming options, she suggested. Financial flows tied to the machines were another issue. Data indicated that large sums were wagered during the earlier legal window, with significant amounts leaving the very communities where the devices were concentrated. Spanberger warned that expanding access to skill gaming could deepen existing inequalities without a comprehensive system to monitor and address these effects. Governor Calls for Reform Before Gaming Expansion Supporters of the bill had proposed a regulatory framework under the state lottery, alongside a 25% tax on revenues. The plan also included limits on the number of machines allowed in individual establishments and provisions enabling local governments to opt out through referendums. Despite these measures, the governor concluded they were insufficient in the absence of broader structural reform. The veto marks the continuation of a dispute that has run for years in Virginia, where similar efforts have been blocked in recent years. Legal battles over the status of skill games have further complicated the issue, with court rulings and legislative actions shaping an uncertain regulatory environment. Spanberger signaled openness to future discussions but emphasized that any expansion of gambling must put public safety, economic stability, and community well-being first. She pointed out that collaboration with lawmakers would be needed to establish a unified oversight body before reconsidering such proposals. The decision also follows her rejection of separate legislation tied to casino development, reinforcing her broader stance that gambling policy in Virginia requires a more coordinated and managed approach. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   An Irish EuroMillions winner has come forward, though they didn’t claim the seven-figure grand prize. Instead, a single ticket secured a payout of EUR 63,328 ($74,000). EuroMillions Winner Secures $74K Prize as $123M Jackpot Remains Up for Grabs The player’s winning numbers were 10, 13, 14, 38, 41, plus Lucky Stars 6 and 9, while the EUR 105 million ($123.7 million) jackpot is still unclaimed. Thousands of other lottery players won various amounts, with around 57,000 taking home smaller prizes. The lottery released a statement recapping the latest draw, with a spokesperson saying: “Friday night’s draw saw over 57,000 players nationwide win prizes across the EuroMillions and Plus draws, including the Louth player who matched five numbers to win €63,328. As there was no winner of the €105,639,575 jackpot on offer, Tuesday’s jackpot is now set to roll towards an estimated €115 million.” The National Lottery confirmed that the $74,000-winning ticket was purchased at a EuroSpar on Bredin Street in Drogheda, Co Louth, letting the lucky winner know their unclaimed fortune awaits. Irish EuroMillions players have a history of success: last December, one player claimed a $20 million grand prize—one of the largest single-jackpot payouts ever made in the country. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   LiveScore Group has substantially reduced its losses and crossed the £200 million revenue threshold for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025.  In its corporate filings with Companies House, LiveScore’s leadership reaffirms its ongoing investment strategy aimed at boosting product efficiency and enhancing the margin performance of its flagship brands.  The company—owner of the Virgin Bet, LiveScore Media, and LiveScore Bet portfolio—recorded a corporate turnover of £206 million, marking a 15% rise from the £179 million reported in FY2023/2024.  The annual results highlight a notable improvement in LiveScore’s financial efficiency, with the firm slashing its operating losses by almost half—from £51 million in FY2023/2024 to £27 million this year.  The EBITDA loss also narrowed significantly toward break-even, improving by more than 60% as it dropped from £38.8 million to £15.2 million.  The group’s overall accounts were finalized in line with expectations, with the company noting: “As part of our overall growth plans, the business incurred substantial expansion and marketing costs. The reduced operating loss stemmed from a rise in gross profit that outpaced our continued heavy investment in marketing and the LiveScore brand.”  Emerging Opportunities for LiveScore LiveScore continues to invest heavily in marketing, technology, and global expansion—most recently entering the South African market with Virgin Bet. While these costs have been substantial and played a major role in the £26.7 million loss, revenue is starting to rise as the company gains a foothold in key global markets.  However, the company isn’t expanding indiscriminately: it exited the Netherlands in late 2024 due to tax hikes and advertising restrictions, and also withdrew from Bulgaria at the end of 2025, citing regulatory challenges in Europe.  Looking forward, the company will approach strategic expansion cautiously, as tax increases become increasingly common in key global markets. Such hikes have recently taken effect in its home country, the UK, and there’s widespread talk of a tax rise in South Africa—where LiveScore has just launched.  According to the accounts: “On March 31, 2025, a subsidiary of the Group, Virgin Bet South Africa, was awarded a Bookmaker Licence by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board. In October 2025, the same subsidiary obtained an Mpumalanga Bookmaker Licence. The Group officially launched in the South African market in February 2026.”Competition in the iGaming sector is also intensifying ahead of the 2026 World Cup, especially with the rise of prediction markets, which are not bound by the same regulations as traditional iGaming firms like LiveScore’s LiveScore Bet and Virgin Bet.  LiveScore’s FY2024/25 results indicate the company is on the right track, but with over 600 employees (per filings), it remains cautious of economic headwinds and growing competition as it pursues its global expansion strategy.  Although losses have been sharply reduced, tax hikes and advertising restrictions are among the key potential concerns for the group going forward.  Heading into 2026, management identifies higher regulatory costs and gaming taxes as major risks to the business—including a significant adjustment starting April 1, when the UK government will impose a 40% tax on remote gambling duties (RGD).  From 2026 onward, LiveScore will need a period of alignment to navigate a new ‘cost pressure environment’ where increased taxes impact its commercial and investment strategies. Consequently, the company’s directors have not set a timeline for achieving profitability.  This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   US Senator Richard Blumenthal, known for his significant legislative efforts concerning prediction markets and related areas, has formally written to all major sports leagues in the United States. He is requesting a comprehensive report detailing their existing collaborations with gambling companies. Senator Asks Major Sports League to Provide Info on Gambling Partnerships  The letters were sent to the commissioners of the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, and NCAA, with a deadline of May 1, 2026, for them to submit the requested information. Senator Blumenthal believes that a more in-depth examination of the current relationships between major sports organizations and entities involved in gambling is necessary. “Since the federal ban on sports gambling — a ban supported by the leagues — was overturned eight years ago, gambling has permeated every aspect of the game. The consequences of this rampant rise of sports gambling have been accelerating addiction, threats to players, and even the corruption of the game.” This is not the senator's sole concern; he has also been a prominent critic of the expansion of prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, particularly their use of event contracts related to sports, which some federal judges have classified as “swaps.” The senator has explicitly stated that prediction markets are attempting to circumvent state gambling regulations and avoid the same level of oversight that traditional sportsbooks face. Previously, Senator Blumenthal championed new legislation aimed at strengthening the regulation of prediction markets due to concerns about this developing sector. The Senator highlighted that prediction markets have been undermining the integrity of sports, as well as other real-world events. Senator Blumenthal is Highly Critical of Prediction Markets, Too This issue is currently being debated in the nation's courts, where Kalshi has seen favorable rulings in New Jersey and Arizona, though it has encountered further opposition in states such as Massachusetts and Nevada. Blumenthal has also voiced strong criticism regarding the nature of sports betting and event trading, arguing that fans are no longer primarily supporting their favorite teams but are instead focused on financial gains, describing this trend as “pervasive.” Among the sports leagues contacted, the NCAA has consistently opposed gambling partnerships and has expressed reservations about sports wagers, such as proposition bets, on college-level competitions. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Pechanga Resort Casino has once again been the scene of a significant jackpot win, with the Dragon Link Peace & Long Life game producing its fourth winner of over $1,000,000. The most recent winner is a man from San Bernardino County, California, who secured $1,010,344 from the same Aristocrat Gaming slot title, marking the fourth seven-figure payout on this particular game. The winner has chosen to remain anonymous and has not disclosed his plans for the winnings. This is not the first instance of this game awarding a substantial prize, as previously mentioned. Over the past year, three other jackpots exceeding one million dollars have been awarded. These include a $1,339,477 win in March, a $1,044,559 payout last May, and a $1,232,300 win in March 2025. Pechanga Casino Resort is frequently associated with exciting jackpot wins and life-altering events. In June, Mayra V. from Long Beach was the recipient of a four-bedroom apartment through the casino's three-month Home Sweet Win! Promo. Additionally, in April 2025, a fortunate player won $4.2 million on IGT’s Megabucks MegaVault slot game. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Sacramento has celebrated another major payout, as a holiday traveler from out of town secured a six-figure prize during their visit. Frequent Jackpot Wins at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino On Sunday morning, the guest decided to play Aristocrat Gaming’s popular Dragon Link Autumn Moon and successfully converted a $5 bet into a $125,631 jackpot, resulting in a massive payday. As Dragon Link machines continue to produce significant winners, the guest traveled from Southern California.  The victory was noted by Mark Birtha, the president of the property, who expressed his pleasure in seeing a fellow Californian win a substantial amount while visiting Northern California. This win is part of a recent trend for the venue, which has seen several large jackpots awarded over the past few weeks.  On March 31, a player won $218,185 playing three-card poker, following a $587,317 progressive jackpot hit earlier that month, as the casino remains a top destination for major prizes. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.