USA
June 2026 brought several important developments across the regulated U.S. iGaming industry. Delaware North unveiled its new Ember Casino brand, major sports organizations expanded partnerships with gaming operators, and lawmakers in multiple states debated new approaches to taxation and online wagering. Together, these developments highlight an industry that continues to grow commercially while facing increasing regulatory and fiscal scrutiny.
TL;DR: A Bite-sized Overview
- Delaware North launches Ember Casino: The company replaced its Betly brand in New Jersey as part of a nationwide digital gaming rebrand centered around its new Ember Casino platform.
- Illinois approves new gaming taxes: The state's FY2027 budget introduces a licensing framework and a 15% tax on fantasy sports, as well as on sports-related prediction markets.
- New Mexico considers online sports betting: A state lawmaker called for tribal compact negotiations to legalize statewide mobile sports betting and capture additional tax revenue.
- North Carolina raises sportsbook taxes: The online sports betting tax rate increased from 18% to 23% as lawmakers sought additional revenue while continuing broader tax reforms.
- MGM Resorts and BetMGM extend MLB partnership: The companies renewed their long-standing agreements with Major League Baseball, expanding sports betting, casino, and fan engagement initiatives.
- Green Bay Packers partner with Potawatomi Sportsbook: The NFL franchise named the tribal operator its Official Sportsbook Partner in a multi-year sponsorship agreement.
Delaware North Launched Ember Casino in New Jersey
Delaware North has launched Ember Casino in New Jersey, replacing its Betly online casino brand as part of a broader strategy to unify the company's digital gaming operations under a single identity. The Ember Casino rollout marks the first phase of a wider rebranding effort, with additional market launches and integrations planned throughout the year.
Powered by Playtech, Ember Casino focuses on online slots and live dealer games, but also offers traditional table games such as blackjack and roulette, along with responsible gaming tools, including BetBuddy (an AI behavioral analysis tool). To support the launch, Delaware North has also expanded partnerships with major suppliers such as IGT, Light & Wonder, and White Hat Studios, while introducing aggressive promotional campaigns designed to attract new players and help this new casino brand stand out in the NJ online casino market.
Illinois Approves New Taxes on Fantasy Sports and Prediction Markets
Illinois lawmakers approved the state's $55.9 billion budget for fiscal year 2027, introducing new taxes on fantasy sports operators, prediction market sports contracts, cryptocurrency transactions, and several other digital industries. The measures are expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in additional revenue while helping offset potential reductions in federal funding.
For the iGaming industry, the most significant change is the creation of a licensing framework for fantasy sports operators, accompanied by a 15% tax on the sector. The budget also imposes taxes on sports-related prediction markets, following weeks of debate over how to regulate and tax the rapidly growing industry.
New Mexico Lawmaker Pushes for Online Sports Betting Compact Talks
A New Mexico lawmaker has called for negotiations to amend the state's tribal gaming compact and legalize online sports betting statewide, arguing that regulated wagering could generate significant tax revenue while addressing the growth of unlicensed betting platforms, namely prediction market platforms that offer event contracts on sporting events.
The proposal comes amid ongoing legal disputes involving prediction market operator Kalshi. Several New Mexico tribes, together with the state's attorney general, have sued the company, alleging that its sports-event contracts violate online gambling laws and tribal gaming agreements. Meanwhile, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has challenged the state's authority to regulate Kalshi, arguing the platform falls under federal oversight.
North Carolina Raises Online Sports Betting Tax to 23%
North Carolina has increased its tax rate on online sports betting platforms from 18% to 23%, effective July 1, making it one of the higher-tax sports betting markets in the United States. The change follows weeks of negotiations, with lawmakers ultimately opting for a more moderate increase than some earlier proposals that called for rates as high as 50%.
The higher tax is expected to generate millions of dollars in additional annual revenue while bringing North Carolina closer to other states that have recently increased taxes on regulated sportsbooks. However, operators and industry groups argued that higher tax rates could reduce promotional offers and make the legal market less competitive.
The increase also reflects North Carolina's broader fiscal strategy, as lawmakers seek additional revenue sources while continuing to reduce personal and corporate income taxes. Although sports betting taxes have generated hundreds of millions of dollars since legalization in 2024, analysts note that gaming revenue alone is unlikely to offset the long-term impact of the state's planned tax cuts, making gambling taxes an increasingly important part of the state's revenue mix.
MGM Resorts and BetMGM Renew Major League Baseball Partnership
MGM Resorts International and BetMGM have signed multi-year extensions to their partnerships with Major League Baseball (MLB), continuing a relationship that began in 2018 when the companies became the league's first official gaming and sportbook partners.
Under the renewed agreements, MGM Resorts will remain MLB's exclusive Integrated Resort & Casino Partner, while BetMGM will continue promoting its sportsbook and online casino products across MLB's digital platforms, MLB Network, and Apple TV broadcasts. The partnership also includes the continued development of MLB-themed casino games and fan experiences tied to marquee events such as MLB All-Star Week and MLB Awards Week in Las Vegas.
Green Bay Packers Sign Potawatomi Sportsbook as Official Betting Partner
The Green Bay Packers have signed a multi-year partnership with Potawatomi Sportsbook, naming the tribal operator the NFL franchise's Official Sportsbook Partner. The agreement includes naming rights for Lambeau Field's south gate, sponsorship of the Champions Club hospitality area, and branding across the Packers' podcast network and digital fan engagement platforms.
Potawatomi Sportsbook has been named the Official Sportsbook Partner of the Green Bay Packers
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) June 2, 2026
As part of the partnership, Potawatomi Sportsbook will also sponsor Packers Predict, the team's free weekly prediction game, while expanding its presence through branded content and gameday experiences. The deal further strengthens the sportsbook's visibility following its 2024 launch at the Potawatomi Casino Hotel in Milwaukee.