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(AsiaGameHub) -   Illinois regulators extended Hard Rock Casino Rockford's owner license for an additional four years during the Illinois Gaming Board's April meeting. Good to Know Hard Rock Casino Rockford commenced operations on November 10, 2021. The license extension is effective retroactively from January 2026. The subsequent regular meeting of the IGB is scheduled for June 11, 2026. Illinois Gaming Board's April Session Included Rockford Renewal Amidst Broader Discussions Hard Rock Casino Rockford is set to continue operations with an extended owner license, following the Illinois Gaming Board's approval of a four-year extension. This renewal is retroactive to January 2026. The Rockford establishment is a significant part of Illinois' recent casino development. It was the inaugural casino to launch under the 2019 gaming expansion legislation, beginning operations on November 10, 2021, as the state's eleventh casino. Initially, the location utilized a temporary setup before transitioning to its permanent casino in August 2024. The April session addressed a range of topics beyond just a single casino license. Regulators also processed supplier license renewals, video gaming permits, sports wagering authorizations, and various enforcement matters throughout the Illinois gaming sector.Advertising regulations were also a component of the discussion. IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter reminded licensees in the casino, video gaming, and sports wagering sectors that the board anticipates adherence to the revised marketing rules implemented last year. He further highlighted recent amendments to the Video Gaming Act concerning outdoor advertising at licensed video gaming venues. These regulations prohibit movable flags, banners, and temporary signs for a period of 90 days following the issuance of a location license. “The IGB takes the advertising and marketing requirements seriously and expects licensees and applicants to do the same,” Fruchter stated. “Violations may subject licensees to disciplinary action.” The board granted approval for 2 casino key personnel, 2 Level 1 occupational licenses, 284 Level 2 occupational licenses, and 2 casino supplier license renewals. Regarding video gaming, approvals encompassed 18 terminal handler candidates, 60 location candidates, 4 terminal operator candidates, 1 manufacturer license renewal, 2 distributor renewals, and 17 terminal operator renewals.Not all applicants received board approval. The IGB rejected 1 terminal handler applicant, 8 video gaming location applicants, and 2 video gaming location renewals due to invalid state liquor licenses. Sports wagering was also featured on the agenda. The board granted a Master Sports Wagering License to Wind Creek IL LLC, operating as Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino. Additionally, it approved 230 Level 2 occupational licenses and 1 supplier license. The board adopted two decisions recommended by Administrative Law Judges and reversed previous denials for two video gaming location applications. Currently, Illinois boasts 17 casinos, 15 active and authorized sportsbooks, and almost 9,000 licensed video gaming establishments. 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) -   Tether announced a net profit of $1.04 billion for the first quarter of 2026, according to a May 1 attestation prepared by accounting firm BDO. The report also revealed a record reserve buffer of $8.23 billion. Good to Know Tether’s US Treasury holdings amount to roughly $141 billion. The Q1 2026 attestation indicated a net profit of $1.04 billion. Tether disclosed $8.23 billion in excess reserves supporting USDT. US Treasuries Continue to Fuel Tether’s Profits Most of Tether’s revenue comes from the reserves backing USDT, the dollar-pegged stablecoin used across crypto markets. These reserves are primarily held in US Treasury bills—short-term debt instruments issued by the U.S. government. The latest attestation revealed $141 billion in US Treasury holdings. With Treasury bill rates above 4%, this position can generate approximately $4 billion in annual interest income, which helped drive the $1.04 billion Q1 profit figure. The reserve buffer also expanded. Tether stated that excess reserves reached $8.23 billion, providing USDT with extra backing beyond the value of issued tokens. For stablecoin users, this buffer is one of the key metrics to monitor, as it shows how much leeway Tether has above basic reserve coverage.CEO Paolo Ardoino framed the update around reliability. He said: “Our responsibility is to ensure USDT functions without compromise. That means building a system that behaves consistently in any market condition, not just when things are stable.” The May 1 BDO attestation was also described as Tether’s most detailed financial disclosure to date. This added level of detail comes as stablecoins continue to draw attention from regulators, crypto traders, and traditional finance firms. 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) -   Red Rock Resorts reported record first-quarter revenue, driven by consistent Las Vegas casino performance and robust non-gaming spending, even as profit and adjusted earnings declined. Key Takeaways Net revenue climbed 1.9% to $507.3 million for the first quarter. Net income dropped 3.8% to $82.7 million. Red Rock has earmarked $375 million to $425 million for 2026 capital expenditures. Durango and Sunset Station Remain Top Capital Spending Priorities Red Rock Resorts continues to invest heavily in the Las Vegas local market, with Durango, Sunset Station and Green Valley Ranch all included in its short-term construction pipeline. The company cautioned that these projects will cause several million dollars in operational disruption during the second quarter. Even so, management cited consumer demand, tracked slot activity and higher average spend per visit as core drivers behind the continued revenue growth in Las Vegas. Las Vegas operations generated $499.5 million in revenue, a 0.9% increase. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment fell 1.5% to $232.4 million, though Red Rock still reported its second-highest adjusted earnings figure and near-record Las Vegas margins of 46.5%. Core slot and table game performance remained steady. Non-gaming segments, including hotels, food and beverage, also delivered near-record revenue and profitability. Native American operations contributed $4.7 million in revenue and $2.9 million in adjusted EBITDA. Durango stays a major growth focus for the firm. Red Rock is expanding the property by 275,000 square feet, with additional gaming and entertainment space set to launch in 2027. The total cost of the project stands at $385 million. Sunset Station is also receiving upgrades across its casino floor, dining outlets and entertainment areas. Chief Financial Officer Stephen Cootey noted the work will help the property better cater to growth in the Henderson area. “We are moving forward with the next phase of Sunset Station, designed to further strengthen the property’s competitive position and expand its customer appeal to capitalize on continued growth in Henderson, particularly from the master-planned communities of Ascaya and Cadence,” Cootey said. At the group level, adjusted EBITDA declined 1.2% to $212.6 million. Red Rock closed the quarter with $134.0 million in cash and cash equivalents, while total debt came to $3.6 billion. The board also announced a second-quarter dividend of $0.26 per share. New potential locations remain under evaluation, though no announcement is expected imminently. Board member Lorenzo Fertitta said Red Rock is still working through plans for future projects. “We are developing two new greenfield projects, moving through the required processes, and finalizing the plans, scale, and pricing,” Fertitta said. “We are making steady progress, and we have no updates to announce now or in the very near future. As we head into next year, we will have clearer visibility into what the final development plans will look like.” 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) -   Missouri legislators are considering a bill on gambling taxes that proposes increasing casino fees, introducing new charges for remote betting, and generating additional income from sports betting revenues. Good to Know HB 3533 proposes increasing the casino admission fee from $2 to $5.50. The legislation would impose a 13% tax on gambling revenues and a 24% tax on sports betting receipts. Casino operators claim the proposal could result in losses exceeding $500 million for the industry. Operators Warn Missouri Could Lose Ground Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Knight, R-Lebanon, House Bill 3533 focuses on Missouri's 13 casinos and sports betting platforms. The discussion occurs as legislators explore fee-based revenue sources and debate how the state might substitute income tax revenue. Casino operators currently cover a $2 admission fee per customer. The bill would increase that fee to $5.50, charge it every two hours, and link future hikes to inflation. Rep. Barry Hovis, R-Whitewater, noted that adjusting the original 1994 fee for inflation would set it at $4.31 currently. “(The casinos) are still getting extra money out of it, but we as a state haven’t seen as much, so would they be opposed to matching CPI?” Hovis asked. “We’re looking to get rid of the income tax and shift to a fee-based structure. How do we make up (for) those differences when they start looking at making sure that we’re keeping up our fees?”The legislation also introduces a 1.5% “remote wagering access fee.” The initial $35 million collected from this fee would be allocated to the Department of Natural Resources Historic Preservation Revolving Fund. An additional $15 million from the gaming commission fund would also be directed to that fund. Rep. Tim Taylor, R-Bunceton, supported the bill, citing established gambling revenue sources that he believes have failed to meet state demands. “Revenue from lottery and from casinos has all been down, I think maybe currently it’s up slightly, but it’s been woefully inadequate,” Taylor said in support of the bill. “This is the original fee from way back when, so we haven’t addressed it in a long time.” The casino industry expressed strong opposition. Mike Winter, a lobbyist for the Missouri Gaming Association, stated the bill could cost the casinos he represents over $500 million. He also mentioned that casinos are already facing revenue competition from slot machines in convenience stores and gas stations. Winter linked his caution to market stability, beyond just the financial impact. “We came into Missouri when we built our facilities looking for a stable gambling market, and I think that’s what we’ve got,” Winter said. “But when you have bills like this … there may be more favorable markets out there than what this bill would allow Missouri to be.”Sports betting presents a further challenge. HB 3533 would implement an additional 24% tax on sports betting receipts, plus a 13% tax on gambling revenues. Winter raised doubts about whether legislators can alter sports betting taxes via a standard bill, as voters approved sports wagering through a constitutional amendment. Committee chair Rep. Jeff Myers, R-Warrenton, indicated that lawmakers would address that concern separately. Chance Hepola, director of government affairs for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also spoke against HB 3533. “From our perspective, we just want to be careful about raising some of those fees and taxes on specific industries,” Hepola said. 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) -   GameStop appears to be setting its sights well beyond its traditional game stores. A report from The Wall Street Journal indicates that CEO Ryan Cohen is reportedly considering a bid for eBay, as part of a broader strategy to transform the retailer into a significantly larger enterprise. Key Figures GameStop's net sales reached $3.6 billion in 2025. eBay generated $11.1 billion in revenue last year. GameStop closed over 400 U.S. stores earlier this year. Cohen's Vision Extends Beyond Traditional Retail While GameStop still maintains a presence in malls, its conventional retail model continues to contract. Physical game stores are becoming increasingly scarce, and the company has dedicated years to cost-cutting, profit restoration, and maintaining relevance. Now, according to The Wall Street Journal, Cohen may be considering eBay. The report, citing individuals familiar with the situation, stated that GameStop is preparing the next phase of a comprehensive plan that could involve an offer for the online marketplace. The significant difference in size makes this concept unusual. eBay's market value is more than four times that of GameStop, and it reported $11.1 billion in revenue last year. In contrast, GameStop recorded $3.6 billion in 2025 net sales, a decline from the previous year.However, GameStop did achieve a return to operating profit. The company posted $232.1 million in operating income after years of losses, providing Cohen with more leverage to propose an ambitious plan. The reported interest in eBay also aligns with comments Cohen made to the Journal earlier in the year. He stated his intention to acquire a large company in a venture that would be “either going to be genius or totally, totally foolish.” Investors reacted swiftly to the report, with shares of both GameStop and eBay rising after its publication. Nevertheless, the precise path remains undefined. The report did not specify the nature of GameStop's potential offer, how Cohen would finance it, or how eBay would integrate with the game retailer. GameStop has also recently drawn attention for less serious public-facing initiatives, including “Trade Anything Day” and political memes on X that garnered criticism. 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) -   XO Market has secured $6 million in seed funding to develop its prediction market platform, which empowers users to create tradable events rather than relying on internal listing teams. Key Highlights XO Market has facilitated over $150 million in trading volume since its mainnet beta launch. The seed round included investments from Coinbase Ventures, 20VC, Picus Capital, and Venture Together. XO reports that users have established more than 600 markets on the platform. XO Market Empowers Users to Build Prediction Markets XO Market aims to differentiate itself in the prediction market sector, currently dominated by players like Kalshi and Polymarket, by adopting a distinct approach. Instead of having staff select which contracts are available, XO enables individuals and companies to create their own markets, set fees, define parameters, and allow others to trade on them. Co-founder Ali Habbabeh drew a media analogy to explain this difference. He stated in an interview with CoinDesk, "Today’s major platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket act more like Netflix. They decide what markets exist. We’ve flipped that model entirely. On XO, users create the markets themselves." The seed funding round saw participation from Coinbase Ventures, 20VC, Picus Capital, and Venture Together. Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins also joined as an angel investor. $6M seed round just closed, led by @HarryStebbings at @20vcFund and @picuscap, alongside @cbventures, and others, plus 30+ angels including @patcummins30. Read the full details from our CEO ↓ https://t.co/MisFDF2xOv — XO Market (@xomarket) April 30, 2026 XO describes itself as the "YouTube of prediction markets," a comparison that aligns with its user-generated content model. The platform commenced testnet operations in April 2025 and launched its mainnet beta in mid-November. Since then, it has attracted over 30,000 users, facilitated the creation of more than 600 markets, and processed over $150 million in trading volume. Habbabeh explained that market quality naturally emerges through user engagement. "The metrics look strong because the incentives are aligned," he said. "If you create a compelling market, people trade on it. If you don’t, it dies naturally." The current market conditions are favorable, as prediction market volume surged to over $60 billion in 2025, a significant increase from approximately $15 billion to $16 billion the previous year. Polymarket was a key driver of this growth, with its monthly trading volume escalating from $54 million at the beginning of 2024 to over $2.6 billion by November. However, XO faces the challenge of ensuring liquidity for user-created markets. Other platforms that allow open market creation have struggled to maintain sufficient trading activity across a wide range of events. Larger competitors often avoid this model due to the potential strain on infrastructure required to support liquidity across numerous events. To address this, XO is introducing XO Vaults. This feature will enable users to pool capital and provide liquidity in specific categories like sports or politics, aiming for targeted annual yields of approximately 8% to 10%. "On platforms like Kalshi or Polymarket, liquidity is controlled by a handful of large market makers," Habbabeh noted. "With XO Vaults, anyone can become a market maker."He likened the structure to copy trading, but applied to liquidity provision. "It’s similar to copy trading, but for liquidity provision," Habbabeh stated. "We’re targeting yields of around 8% to 10% annually based on what market makers typically earn." XO is also developing "XO Stories," a product designed for more intricate market structures with multiple outcomes, extending beyond standard parlay-style formats. "It’s not your typical copy-paste of sportsbook parlays into prediction markets," Habbabeh commented. Regulatory scrutiny remains a significant concern for prediction market operators, particularly as governments and state regulators increase their focus on event contracts. XO contends that its on-chain architecture positions it differently from centralized platforms. "Everything on XO is transparent and onchain," Habbabeh emphasized. "That puts us in a different category compared to more centralized platforms." "The internet demonstrated that the most compelling content originates from users, not centralized studios," Habbabeh concluded. "We believe prediction markets will follow the same trajectory." 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) -   Brazil is preparing new regulations for fixed-odds betting that are linked to debt renegotiation. The Ministry of Finance intends to prevent individuals who participate in programs such as Desenrola 2.0 from opening betting accounts for a period of six months. Good to Know Desenrola 2.0 is anticipated to launch on May 1, Labor Day. Users undergoing debt renegotiation would be placed on the restricted gambling registry for six months. Operators might be given as little as 15 days to update their registration verification systems. Debt Relief Plan Incorporates Betting Controls Finance Minister Dario Durigan announced on Monday that discussions with banks had concluded, and the Desenrola 2.0 proposal would be presented to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Tuesday. The program aims to assist debtors and creditors in reaching agreements, while simultaneously reducing the number of families whose income is consumed by debt payments. However, the government also seeks to prevent newly renegotiated debt from quickly turning into fresh betting losses. Durigan stated:“We are examining methods to incentivize clients who participate in Desenrola. It serves no purpose to resolve a debt if, shortly thereafter, the individual incurs new debt with betting firms,” Under the plan, individuals who enroll in debt renegotiation programs, including Desenrola 2.0, would automatically be added to the restricted gambling registry. For a duration of six months, fixed-odds betting platforms and applications would be prohibited from registering them. Following this period, they would be eligible to reapply. The Ministry of Finance's Prize and Betting Secretariat, known as SPA, held discussions with representatives from industry associations on Monday regarding the restricted users module. This module currently manages access to licensed betting platforms, and Desenrola 2.0 would incorporate additional checks against a “List of Debtors.” A designated financial institution would centralize the debt information and transmit it to the SPA query API. While operators already utilize this API, they would be required to modify their disqualification system to accommodate a new code associated with debt renegotiation participants.Official regulatory text is expected to be released subsequent to the Desenrola 2.0 announcement. The government intends to modify SPA/MF Ordinance No. 1.231/24 and introduce a new regulatory instruction drawing from SPA/MF Regulatory Instructions No. 22 and No. 31. The timeframe for operators appears limited. Authorities might grant companies fewer than 30 days, with initial indications suggesting as little as 15 days, to update their systems. Brazil additionally intends to eliminate credit-related vulnerabilities in betting transactions. The SPA is anticipated to clarify that SPA/MF Ordinance No. 615/24 encompasses PIX credit, PIX installments, and any mechanism that directly or indirectly enables bank credit to finance fixed-odds betting. A separate set of regulations will introduce a Financial Self-Test on betting platforms. The SPA collaborated with FEBRABAN to develop this tool, basing it on the Financial Health Index and tailoring it for the betting sector. This test will categorize users by score and be integrated into operators' digital platforms. Its implementation is projected for the first half of 2026. Subsequent amendments to SPA/MF Ordinance No. 1.231/24 could also encompass educational initiatives, user communications, and social media engagements. 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.