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New Jersey Assemblyman Dan Hutchison is pushing for a ban on one of the fastest-growing trends in sports gambling called micro betting. It comes as the state pushes for more stringent gambling regulation against unregulated operations.
If Hutchison’s proposal, Bill A5971, becomes law, sportsbooks in the Garden State would no longer be allowed to offer or accept micro bets. These are quick, in-game wagers on immediate outcomes, like whether the next pitch will be a strike or if the next football play will be a pass.

“This bill is a commonsense step to slow that cycle down and protect individuals from the financial and emotional harms that can come with excessive betting.” – Dan Hutchison, New Jersey Assemblyman (D-NJ 4th District)

Micro betting bill in New Jersey ‘to protect individuals from harm’
“The pace of micro betting is designed to keep people gambling constantly, making one impulsive bet after another with little time to think,” Hutchison said in a press release. “This bill is a commonsense step to slow that cycle down and protect individuals from the financial and emotional harms that can come with excessive betting.”
Unlike traditional bets that focus on a game’s final score or overall performance, micro bets zero in on split-second plays. Supporters of the ban argue that this type of betting can fuel compulsive gambling behaviors due to its speed and frequency.
The bill describes micro betting as any live bet placed on what’s going to happen next in a game, like the outcome of the next pitch, play, or shot. Under the proposed law, licensed sportsbooks would be barred from offering these kinds of wagers, and violators could face a fine between $500 and $1,000, along with a disorderly person’s offense.
Hutchison also raised concerns about the potential for manipulation in these rapid-fire bets.
He pointed out that micro bets, which focus on the outcome of a single play or action, are a lot easier to manipulate than traditional bets. In fact, there have already been a number of cases where athletes were investigated for possibly changing how they played to match the terms of big micro wagers.
Rising numbers reporting gambling addiction issues
Problem gambling advocates are backing the bill, pointing to rising concern over gambling addiction since the legalization of sports betting in New Jersey. The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) reports a 277% increase in calls to its helpline.
Luis Del Orbe, the CCGNJ’s executive director, said the legislation tackles a major public health issue.
“The evidence underscores that micro betting can accelerate the path to problem gambling, especially among vulnerable populations such as youths and individuals with a history of compulsive gambling,” Del Orbe said.
“We praise the sponsors for their insight and initiative in addressing this critical public health issue.
“By eliminating micro betting, this legislation would take an essential step toward protecting citizens from the harmful effects of reckless gambling practices.”
Hutchison stressed that it’s about making sure it’s done in a safe and responsible way.
“This legislation isn’t about banning sports betting. It’s about setting boundaries to ensure it’s done responsibly,” he said. “By banning micro bets, we would be taking a clear stand against predatory practices that push people toward irresponsible gambling habits.”
Featured image: Canva
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US sports-betting service BetMGM, a joint venture between Entain and MGM Resorts, just raised its full-year revenue and earnings forecast after delivering a strong performance in the first half of the year.
The company reported a 35% jump in first-half net revenue, totaling $1.35 billion, driven by solid demand in both online sports betting and its iGaming division. The surge translated into first-half core earnings of $109 million, a dramatic improvement of $232 million from the same period last year.
In the second quarter alone, BetMGM pulled in $692 million in net revenue, up 36% year over year. The company credited the momentum to strong underlying growth across its platforms. Its iGaming business, which includes online casino games, brought in $449 million in net revenue, up 29%. BetMGM says that growth was supported by exclusive content, engagement tools, and more refined player management.

“The momentum we have built since the second half of 2024 accelerated through the first half of 2025. Our iGaming business continues to deliver new records as we showed why BetMGM is the go-to destination for all players.” – Adam Greenblatt, BetMGM CEO

Meanwhile, online sports betting saw a particularly sharp increase. The segment generated $228 million in revenue, a 56% rise compared to the previous year.
Average monthly active users were also up 7% year over year in the second quarter. The company posted EBITDA of $86 million for the quarter, a $78 million year-over-year increase.
BetMGM is now forecasting full-year 2025 net revenue of at least $2.7 billion, up from its previous guidance of $2.6 billion. It’s also lifting its core earnings outlook, expecting EBITDA to hit at least $150 million, up from the earlier target of $100 million.
BetMGM says it has secured a 14% share of the gross gaming revenue in active US markets. Its iGaming business accounts for a commanding 22% share, while its online sports betting share stands at 8%. Those numbers place the company firmly among the top players in the industry.
Founded in 2018, BetMGM has been aggressively expanding to capture a bigger slice of the booming US e-betting market. Despite stiff competition, it appears to be finding its footing.
BetMGM 2025 iGaming results shows business as ‘go-to destination’
BetMGM’s first-half performance in 2025 earned praise from the company’s top executive. CEO Adam Greenblatt credited the increase in revenue and earnings to disciplined execution and a clear strategic vision.
“BetMGM has seen a strong first half of the year, delivering significant revenue and EBITDA growth that is underpinned by the ongoing execution of our strategic plan,” Greenblatt said.
“The momentum we have built since the second half of 2024 accelerated through the first half of 2025. Our iGaming business continues to deliver new records as we showed why BetMGM is the go-to destination for all players, and in Online Sports, our refined player targeting and management capabilities have driven strong engagement and player KPIs across the board,” he said.
Reflecting on the company’s outlook, Greenblatt added, “BetMGM is healthier than it has ever been, a testament to the hard work of our teams and colleagues across the business. Our stronger than expected performance through 1H 2025 positions us well for the rest of the year, reinforcing our confidence in the future and the many opportunities ahead.”
The company also noted that its $150 million revolving credit facility remains untouched and that it does not expect any further capital injections from its parent companies.
Featured image: BetMGM
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PokerGO and PokerStars have announced the revival of the National Heads-Up Poker Championship, a fan-favorite tournament making its comeback after more than a decade. The event, known for intense one-on-one poker action, will feature a $25,000 buy-in and an impressive line-up of professional players and celebrities.
Some of poker’s biggest names have already confirmed their participation, including Michael Mizrachi, Jason Koon, Liv Boeree, Chris Moneymaker, Erik Seidel, Doug Polk, Phil Galfond, and Shaun Deeb.
Mizrachi came away with the $10 million grand prize at the latest WSOP World Championship, so he’ll definitely be the one to beat here. Koon is also one to watch, though, since he did secure the win in the $50,000 High Roller event.
Michael Mizrachi makes history at WSOP 2025, capturing the title and holding the coveted bracelet. Credit: WSOP via X
Celebrity appearances will boost the excitement, with former NFL star Richard Seymour, reality-TV personality Rob “Boston Rob” Mariano, BMX legend T.J. Lavin, and sports broadcaster Nick Wright among those slated to play.
You can expect the tournament’s famous bracket-style knockout format to remain intact, guaranteeing some serious high-stakes drama and hopefully unforgettable poker moments.
Mori Eskandani, PokerGO’s President, hit home about the importance of the championship’s return, stating, “The National Heads-Up Poker Championship helped define the golden era of televised poker. We’re proud to partner with PokerStars to bring back a truly iconic brand and share it with a new generation of fans.”
PokerStars Associate Director Francine Watson went on to highlight the appeal of the competition:
“Bringing back shows like the National Heads-Up Poker Championship is one of the most exciting ways to reignite interest in poker. With a mix of celebrities and top pros, it’s the kind of event that draws in poker enthusiasts while appealing to the masses.”
If you’re interested in the revival, it is scheduled to premiere exclusively on Peacock in fall 2025, with the tournament’s episodes also available later to stream on PokerGO and PokerStars platforms.
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Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has been put on paid leave until August 31 while Major League Baseball continues looking into a sports betting investigation, the league said in a statement on Monday (July 28).
In a press release, the MLB said: “Per an agreement with the MLBPA, Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through games on August 31st while MLB continues its sports betting investigation.
“We will not comment further until the investigation has been completed.”

EMMANUEL CLASE
STRAIGHT GAS #ALDS pic.twitter.com/WVMucZ6izw
— MLB (@MLB) October 11, 2024

Left-handed reliever Tim Herrin was called up from Triple-A Columbus to take Emmanuel Clase’s spot on the roster while he’s on leave.
Earlier this month, ReadWrite reported that Guardians starter Luis Ortiz was also placed on non-disciplinary paid leave starting July 3 through the All-Star break. The leave was later extended through August 31.
After the announcement about Clase, the Guardians released a statement of their own: “The Guardians have been notified by Major League Baseball that as part of their sports betting investigation Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave per an agreement with the Players Association.
“We have been informed that no additional players or Club personnel are expected to be impacted. The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process as we continue to fully cooperate.”
While they’re on leave, both Clase and Ortiz are allowed to stay in contact with the team, but they can’t use any of the club’s facilities.
Clase is in his fifth season with Cleveland and has put up a 3.23 ERA over 47 1/3 innings in 48 appearances so far this year.
What is going on with Emmanuel Clase?
For weeks, teams had been calling the Cleveland Guardians to ask about the Dominican pitcher, Clase. But now, any talk of a trade is off the table.
With Clase on non-disciplinary paid leave, he won’t be back in a major-league uniform until at least September.
It’s a tough break for a Guardians team that had been hanging around the edge of the Wild Card race and recently started playing some of its best baseball of the season. Now, they’re without one of their top young starters and the most dominant closer in franchise history. All they can do is wait to see what happens next with both pitchers.
This comes just over a year after the league suspended five players for gambling. All of them have since been reinstated to MLB, including Athletics reliever Michael Kelly, Arizona’s Andrew Saalfrank, Philadelphia infielder José Rodríguez, and San Diego starter Jay Groome.
Featured image: Erik Drost via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
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Bally’s Chicago’s initial public offering (IPO), valued at $250 million, has been in limbo since its announcement eight months ago. Now, it’s moving forward after a series of lawsuits and various regulations scuppered its becoming available when Bally’s wanted it.
It’s now waiting on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to give the green light to the gambling operator, with potential investors alerted to this on Wednesday, with a planned date set for August. The purpose of the $250 million IPO is to raise money to invest in its $1.7 billion casino resort.
Part of the letter, as reported by Casino.org, reads:
“With this filing completed, assuming no additional comments from the SEC, Bally’s Chicago is currently targeting to close both the IPO and the second tranche of the concurrent private placement in early August 2025.”
When it originally opened the IPO, it was exclusively targeted at women and minorities up to 25% of the investment going into the casino. However, since refiling, it is now open to anyone with “preferential allocations” for those living in Chicago and Illinois.
This can be tied to two lawsuits filed in Chicago, claiming discrimination against white men. Rather than deal with the headaches, one of which was dismissed on April 30, it appears that Bally’s is simply removing this requirement to get the ball rolling faster.
The second suit was settled with the plaintiffs, American Alliance for Equal Rights. This group is headed by Edward Jay Blum, with a focus on suing entities based on their diversity efforts.
Bally’s Chicago casino faces constant set backs
Chris Jewett, the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, said:
“There is definitely [investor] interest, for sure.”
Despite this, the casino itself has been in development hell. It was planned in 2022, with 500 rooms, a theatre that can hold 3000 people, and 10 restaurants. On top of this, there’s also a planned 4000 seats for gaming.
However, it’s now only really getting started and plans to open in 2026. In December 2024, construction debris spilled into the nearby river, forcing a demolition stoppage. The following May, the Illinois Gaming Board was forced to investigate the site after a waste hauler connected to the mob was found to be in use.
Speaking again, Jewett said:
“The tower crane just went up, steel is starting to get delivered.
“Hundreds of thousands of tons of steel are going to come in over time. The main building construct is steel and concrete.”
Featured image: Bally’s
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