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
December 23, 2025
FanDuel Launches Predicts App in Five US States
“America’s premier mobile gaming company, FanDuel, is rolling out a new product, Predicts, that blends elements of finance, sports, and current events for a limited group of states. First Phase of the Launch On December 22, 2025, the New York-based company announced that the app would be available in Alabama, Alaska, South Carolina, North Dakota, […]
Casino
December 23, 2025
NJ Court Rejects Early BetMGM Appeal, VIP Trial on Track
A New Jersey appeals court on Friday declined to step into a dispute between BetMGM and a customer who claims the company quietly changed the rules of an online casino promotion. This means the case is still on track for trial in the New Jersey Superior Court, Atlantic Division, on March 9, 2026. Fast Ruling […]
Casino
December 22, 2025
Leadership Changes: MGM China Names Kenneth Feng As CEO
MGM China Holdings appointed Kenneth Feng as its new chief executive officer, a position that the 55-year-old officially stepped into at the Macau-focused casino operator on December 19. Rich Experience The longtime executive within MGM China and its parent group will bring in many years of senior management roles. Before becoming CEO, Feng served as […]
Sports
December 22, 2025
NBA Tightens Betting Rules, Updates Injury Reporting
On Friday, the NBA informed its teams of its plans to place a tighter grip on the type of bets that it can offer on its games, sending a clear message: the league wants to remain deeply involved in talks with sportsbooks and regulators. The reminder comes just two months after separate gambling-related arrests involving […]
Lottery
December 19, 2025
PA Lotto Tickets Reveal Killer Charged in York Robberies
A 44-year-old former murder convict who carried out a series of armed robberies across York has been arrested and charged. The man was eventually caught after he stole Pennsylvania Lottery tickets and decided to redeem one of them. Attempted Homicide and Other Offenses According to police, C.F. targeted a minimum of seven local businesses between October and […]
Casino
December 18, 2025
VGT Debate Grows as Bally’s Misses Chicago Targets
World-leading entertainment company with “millions of players spread across digital gaming platforms and traditional casino venues”, Bally’s, has been intensely working on building a $2 billion casino in Chicago’s River West neighborhood. The facility is expected to officially open its doors to patrons in September 2026. However, the company believes the legalization of video gaming […]
Sports
December 18, 2025
Robinhood Expands Prediction Markets With NFL Parlays
“Pioneering commission-free investing and trading app that gives you more ways to make your money work harder”, Robinhood, has announced a prediction markets platform expansion through added NFL parlay and prop bet options. What to Expect from the Transition Starting this week, customers will get the chance to place parlay-style trades and player-specific wagers on […]
Legal
December 17, 2025
Former Albanian Intelligence Chief and Son Convicted in Gambling Case
The former director of Albania’s State Intelligence Service, P.Sh., and his son, A.Sh., were found guilty of a series of charges involving gambling, breaching state secrets, and possessing illegal firearms. Sentenced at the Prosecution’s Request The two have been sentenced at the request of Berat Prosecution for organizing lotteries or gambling “in breach of legal […]
Casino
December 17, 2025
Belgium Targets Illegal Gambling with DNS Belgium Deal
At the start of September, Belgium kick-started a six-year gambling program in preparation to completely change the face of the sector. The launch of the new strategy was also accompanied by a number of important appointments to the Kansspelcommissie (KSC), the country’s official gambling sector regulator. Now, the watchdog established under the Gambling Act of […]
Casino
December 16, 2025
Vegas Casino Allegedly Drugged Lawyer, Lawsuit Claims
Licensed attorney Michael Duke Thomson recalls exiting the high-limit blackjack room at the Aria Resort & Casino around midnight on January 23, 2024, with “a few thousand dollars” in chips. His next memory is waking up the next morning handcuffed to a wall in the casino’s security holding area, facing $75,000 in debt to the […]
