Melanie Porter's latest articles
Melanie Porter
Senior WriterMelanie specializes in analyzing legalities and the ongoing development of land-based gaming infrastructure. She tracks zoning regulations, casino expansions, and the legislative hurdles of resort development. Her sharp insights guide operators through the complex permitting processes required to build tomorrow’s premier brick-and-mortar gaming destinations.
Sports
January 9, 2026
“Unprecedented Situation”: Heat Fully Guarantee Rozier’s $22.6M Salary
The Miami Heat’s quiet but telling decision this week regarding Terry Rozier took many by surprise. The NBA franchise Terry Rozier decided it would pay the veteran guard’s $26.6 million salary in full. That’s despite the 31-year-old being away from the team since October 23 due to his arrest tied to a federal gambling investigation, […]
Industry
January 8, 2026
New York Casinos Raise Concerns Over Gambling Addiction
It’s decided: after many years of frustration, hearings, and heated negotiations, the New York State Gaming Commission’s December vote finally locked in the three projects that will completely change the gambling future of The Big Apple. The city is bracing for the arrival of three new casinos, and, with them, both the good and the […]
Casino
January 8, 2026
Man Sues Las Vegas Casino and Railroad After Train Accident
A California man has filed a negligence lawsuit against a Las Vegas casino operator and a national railroad company, claiming that a poorly maintained fence allowed him to reach train tracks where he suffered a life-altering accident. The Hole in the Fence The complaint, filed on December 26 in Clark County civil court by Ryan […]
Casino
January 7, 2026
$2 Tap Water at Vegas Starbucks Sparks Fresh Price Outrage
Do you remember the public outrage that the $26 water bottle at Aria Resort in Las Vegas caused last June? The crazy-priced water saga seems to carry on, according to a social media post that has gone viral. Jeff Sotto, an X user who shared a recent receipt from Starbucks Luxor Convention West, a coffee […]
Casino
January 7, 2026
Another Violent Casino Incident Shakes Montana’s Gallatin Valley
Two different but equally disturbing incidents involving casinos took place in Gallatin Valley in the past week. At the end of December, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man who allegedly strangled and robbed a casino patron at the Magic Diamond in Belgrade, Montana. Some days later, last Saturday night, another violent incident was […]
Sports
January 7, 2026
Ohio Sports Betting Hits Record Handle in November
The sports betting market in Ohio blew up in November 2025, and it has online activity to thank for it. While big names like FanDuel and DraftKings pulled away from smaller competitors, brick-and-mortar sportsbooks continued to fade. Sports Betting Revenue Up 35.5% The Buckeye State reported $133 million in sports betting revenue, marking an important 35.5% […]
Industry
January 6, 2026
Senator Lankford Blocks Full Gambling Loss Deduction
The long-running push to restore full tax deductions for gambling losses has hit yet another snag, and this one comes from the Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford. A Sign of Resistance The Senator, who served four years in the US House of Representatives for central Oklahoma and was “overwhelmingly elected” to the US Senate in […]
Industry
January 5, 2026
Japan Turns to UK App to Fight Gambling Addiction Rise
Last January, The Japan Times painted a concerning picture regarding the situation of online gambling addiction in the country. Then, the Society Concerned about Gambling Addiction signaled a massive 11-fold rise in consultation requests for the 12 months ending in December 2024. One year later, things haven’t evolved in a positive direction in East Asia’s […]
Sports
December 24, 2025
Terry Rozier Seeks Dismissal of Federal Betting Case
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier wants a federal judge to throw out the sports betting case against him. The 31-year-old argues that prosecutors have been stretching the law and solely leaning on thin evidence in their attempt to turn a state-level matter into a federal crime. Rozier Addresses the Supreme Court’s Decisions In a motion […]
Sports
December 24, 2025
Florida Bill Rekindles Fight Over Live Horse Racing
Florida legislators filed House Bill 881 as a new attempt to rekindle the long-running fight regarding the future of live horse racing in the Sunshine State, as well as the industry that heavily depends on it. The Liberating “Decoupling” Measure The bill, introduced Tuesday by Rep. Adam Anderson, a Republican from Pinellas County, would enable […]
