CBS Local – A month after instant “scratch-off” Minnesota Lottery ticket sales went live on the Internet, the pioneering venture faces a high-powered threat at the Capitol. The Senate leaders of both parties and tax committee heads in both chambers are seeking a one-sentence change in state law to permanently turn off the new portal for gambling. Among other issues, lawmakers are upset that lottery officials introduced the games without seeking their approval through explicit legislation allowing it. A bill forcing the change gets an initial committee hearing next week, and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk predicted there are sufficient…

Rational Group is considering adding a Full Tilt Casino to the brand’s offerings. The owners of both PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker intend to expand into other online gambling options beyond just poker. The firm announced last summer that Full Tilt Poker would be remade into a fully operational online casino with slots, blackjack, and roulette in addition to the online poker rooms. But Rational Group says the remake will not stop there, with plans to open a licensed sports book under the Full Tilt brand.  If the sports book is added to the domain, Full Tilt will become the…

iGaming Business – Next generation mobile lottery platform LottoInteractive has selected GeoComply USA as its geolocation solutions provider. GeoComply is licensed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board to provide geolocation services to approved operators in the market. The firm has also been approved by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and currently supports 10 of the 11 gambling websites that are live in the US state. Brian Ward, chief executive officer of LottoInteractive, said: “Balancing the serious criminal liabilities for lottery operators from accidentally taking play from neighboring States with the need to enable simple sign-up and log-in for…

Forbes – Last week, I detailed my fantasy of fleeing public accounting for life as an illegal bookmaker. I was, of course, indulging in nothing more than a bit of playful escapism, meant to dull the pain of another long busy season. But after reviewing the Tax Court’s decision in Kaplan v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2014-43, I think I’m ready to give my two-weeks notice. Like, today. Because while Kaplan may not enlighten with regards to the tax law, it does reveal just how much bookmakers earn. And it’s a lot. As in a $24 million tax bill, which translates…

iGaming Business – Virtual Piggy, provider of safe payment technology Oink, has entered into a partnership with the European Games Group to provide the distribution partner with payment technology for its various games. Under the agreement, Virtual Piggy will provide its Oink mobile-first payment technology, which it said has been designed to allow retailers and game publishers to reach consumers in a “safe, legal and effective” manner. Virtual Piggy said the technology serves as a “digital family wallet” that is available online or mobile and allows secure transactions, with the option of additional parental controls. European Games Group will now…

Card Player – The Pennsylvania study on the condition of the gambling industry in the state, with particular emphasis on the potential impact of online gaming, is coming back earlier than expected. Commissioned by the State Senate last December to be completed by the beginning of May, the study from the Senate Legislative Budget and Finance Committee is on the schedule to be presented Wednesday morning. “We wanted to see what the overall health of the casino industry is in the state and whether or not there’s room for expansion without cannibalizing what’s currently in place,” said State Sen. Kim…