Casino City’s Friday Five: iGaming records and blocking online sites edition

March Madness kicked off yesterday afternoon, and while online sports betting will surely be putting up insane numbers over the next few weeks, iGaming continues to put its name in the history books. Before we get into some of those figures, we have two Las Vegas casinos paying out jackpots left and right, Jackpot.com launching in another U.S. state, the more illegal sites being blocked in Australia, and the Malta Gaming Authority taking action.

Let’s begin this week with some big wins:

5. Arizona Charlie’s awards over $2.4 million in February
Arizona Charlie's Boulder and Arizona Charlie's Decatur, both in Las Vegas, paid out a total of $2,408,800 in combined jackpots to guests in February, including $2,162,313 from slot jackpots and $246,487 from bingo wins.

One fortunate local scooped up a $22,016 jackpot while playing the Jin Dou Jin slot machine game on Wednesday, 21 February at Arizona Charlie’s Boulder. The winning streak continued with wins across both Arizona Charlie’s locations, including an $18,907 jackpot struck by a guest on Wicked Wheel at Arizona Charlie’s Boulder on Friday, 2 February, and another player winning $14,100 on Dragon Link at Arizona Charlie’s Decatur on Tuesday, 20 February.

4. Jackpot.com launches in Arkansas
On Monday, Jackpot.com, the lottery app and website announced its launch in Arkansas. Jackpot.com allows customers to securely buy official state lottery tickets and collect winnings directly from their phone, desktop, or tablet.

Initially Jackpot.com will offer Powerball, Mega Millions, LOTTO, Natural State Jackpot, and Lucky for Life tickets, with more games to be included in the near future. To celebrate the Arkansas launch, customers can receive a free ticket by entering promo code ARFREE on their first play.

Jackpot.com currently operates in Texas, Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, and now Arkansas.

3. MGA removes Rush Gaming Limited license
The Malta Gaming Authority decided to cancel the authorization issued to Rush Gaming Limited effective as of 11 March.

As a result of the decision, Rush Gaming Limited is being directed to perform the below by no later than seven days from the effective date:

- Duly notify all players of the Cancellation via electronic mail;
- Settle all outstanding fees that are due to the Authority;
- Remove with immediate effect any reference to the Authority and the Authorization in accordance with article 51 of the Gaming Act

2. The ACMA blocks eight more illegal gambling sites
Earlier this week, the Australian Communications and Media Authority requested that Australian internet service providers block more illegal gambling websites, after investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

The latest sites blocked include:

- Lucky7even
- 50 Crowns
- Rockwin
- Bitdreams
- Mr Pacho
- Casino Infinity
- Zota Bet
- Spicyjackpots

Since the ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, 945 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked. 221 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing illegal offshore gambling rules.

Following ACMA investigations, we have requested that Australian internet service providers block more illegal offshore gambling websites. You can view the full latest list of blocked sites at https://t.co/jSPfUK6tX4 pic.twitter.com/pmhqCqoUiW
— ACMA (@acmadotgov) March 19, 2024

1. Michigan online gambling sets record in February
Michigan commercial and tribal operators reported a combined $218.5 million total internet gaming gross receipts and gross sports betting receipts in February.

February iGaming gross receipts totaled $188.0 million, the highest to date. The previous high was $181.9 million recorded in January 2024.

Gross sports betting receipts for February totaled $30.5 million. In January, gross sports betting receipts were $47.7 million.

Michigan commercial and tribal operators reported a combined $218.5 million total iGaming gross receipts and gross sports betting receipts in February. Gross receipts decreased 4.8% compared to January. Read more here: https://t.co/Gb7tbrVpWu pic.twitter.com/vsY8h2QxAg
— Michigan Gaming Control Board (@MichiganGCB) March 19, 2024