The Stories That Defined 2024 Gambling

10. The Rise of Sweepstakes Casinos

Sweepstakes casinos gained immense popularity in 2024, blurring the lines between “free-to-play” and traditional gambling. These platforms, like Chumba Casino and Stake.us, offer virtual and sweep coins—one for entertainment and the other exchangeable for real money. While these casinos boast revenue exceeding $4.5 billion globally, criticism from state governments and organizations like the American Gaming Association has grown. Allegations of tax evasion, money laundering, and legal ambiguity have sparked regulatory debates nationwide.

9. Closure of Iconic Las Vegas Casinos

Las Vegas bid farewell to two legendary casinos in 2024: The Mirage and The Tropicana. The Mirage, famed for its tropical rainforest, tiger habitat, and erupting volcano, closed to make way for a Hard Rock Hotel with a signature guitar-shaped tower. Meanwhile, The Tropicana, once a luxurious destination, was demolished to pave the way for a baseball stadium for the Oakland A's.

8. The Crypto Gambling Boom

Fueled by skyrocketing cryptocurrency values, crypto gambling reached new heights in 2024. Offshore platforms like BC.Game and Nitrobetting thrived as bettors embraced transparency, lower fees, and instant payouts. Crypto’s surge, driven by pro-crypto policies under Donald Trump’s administration, solidified its role in gambling’s future.

7. Ontario's Petition to Expand Betting Pools

Ontario proposed integrating out-of-province players into its online gambling pools, aiming to revive struggling markets like poker and daily fantasy sports. This initiative, opposed by some Canadian provinces but backed by U.S. states with low poker volumes, could redefine cross-border gambling in North America.

6. NCAA’s Push to Ban Player Prop Betting

The NCAA intensified its fight against player prop betting, citing harassment and coercion of college athletes. President Charlie Baker urged states and Congress to ban these bets, highlighting player safety concerns and the potential for point-shaving scandals.