Ricky Grant

Ricky Grant

iGaming.org Writer Crypto/Casino/Sports
Ricky is a bitcoin enthusiast and understands the significance of cryptocurrencies not just in the iGaming industry but in society. Ricky has a particular interest in the US Casino landscape, and anything related to this. His favorite casino table games are blackjack and baccarat.

EXPERTISE

  • Crypto
  • Casino
  • US Market
  • iGaming

Ricky's latest articles


Curaçao Gaming Board Rejects Allegations About Licensing Reforms

The Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB) has firmly rejected accusations of corruption and misconduct in its licensing reform process These allegations, brought forward by opposition politician Luigi Faneyte of the Real Alternative Party, claim that gambling licenses have been issued improperly, leading to financial losses for the..
2 years ago

Valhalla Mainnet Launch Postponed to 2025 for Enhanced Security

The highly anticipated mainnet launch of Valhalla has been delayed to Q1 2025 This decision follows feedback from auditors Hacken and OpenZeppelin, emphasizing FLOKI’s dedication to user safety and ecosystem integrity A Key Milestone in the Valhalla Ecosystem FLOKI announced the delay via a tweet, stating: "We would like to announce that the..
2 years ago

Navajo Nation Announces Plans for New Gaming Facility on Trust Land

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren has revealed plans to develop a new gaming facility along US Highway 89 near Flagstaff, Arizona The project will take place on 138 acres of recently acquired trust land and will be spearheaded by the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (NNGE), which already oversees four successful casinos in the Southwest The..
2 years ago

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol Thrives in First Weeks After Opening

Since its premiere on November 14, Virginia's recently opened Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol has left a lasting impression The state-of-the-art facility has welcomed over 110,000 people, including 58,000 on the weekend of its grand opening A remarkable 99% of the hotel was occupied from Thursday through Saturday of the opening Over $12..
2 years ago

Slotegrator Introduces Key Trends Shaping iGaming in 2025

Leading B2B iGaming solutions vendor Slotegrator has released the first section of its iGaming Trends 2025 research, which provides a comprehensive overview of the developments that will shape the sector Leaders in the sector have emphasized the revolutionary potential of artificial intelligence (AI), making it a prominent issue Faruk Aydin,..
2 years ago

Bitcoin Mining Industry Reports $5 Billion in Funding and Increased Infrastructure Spending

According to its third-quarter results, the cryptocurrency and Bitcoin mining sectors have demonstrated strong financial performance, which is indicative of large fundraising and investment activities TheMinerMag reports that major sector participants have raised a staggering $5 billion this year through loan and equity financing With $44..
2 years ago

Court Rules Against Tornado Cash Sanctions, Advocates Celebrate Privacy Victory

In a landmark decision, the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has declared the Treasury’s sanctions against Tornado Cash smart contracts unlawful This ruling is seen as a major win for supporters of cryptocurrency privacy and open-source innovation Paul Grewal, Coinbase’s chief legal officer, described the verdict as a “historic win for..
2 years ago

Paul Atkins Poised to Become Next SEC Chair as Gensler Steps Down

Former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins is developing as Gary Gensler's likely successor as he gets ready to step down as Chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in January 2025 Atkins is still the front-runner for the position, according to Eleanor Terrett of Fox Business, with sources indicating that the staff of President-elect..
2 years ago

NCLGS Reveals Draft Model Internet Gaming Act to Streamline State Regulations

The National Council for Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) has released a draft of its Model Internet Gaming Act (MIGA), aimed at simplifying the regulatory landscape for online gaming across the United States This proposed framework will be open for public comment as the NCLGS prepares for its winter meeting in New Orleans Standardizing..
2 years ago

Dutch Gambling Bodies Launch System to Combat Illegal Online Gambling

To combat illicit internet gambling and improve player safety, two Dutch gambling groups have implemented a system Meld Vals Spel, the new platform, made its debut on November 25 with the goal of enhancing transparency and control in the Dutch gaming industry Members of Vergunde Nederlandse Online Kansspelaanbieders (VNLOK), the Netherlands..
2 years ago

UK Introduces Mandatory Levy to Tackle Gambling-Related Harms

In order to combat the negative effects of gambling, British casinos and bookies will be subject to an obligatory fee beginning in April This charge, which will take the place of the voluntary donation system, intends to raise £100 million ($1256 million) a year for programs related to treatment, education, and research Gambling operators must..
2 years ago

New Jersey Lawmakers Push to Reform Dormant Online Gambling Account Rules

A bill to restructure how dormant internet gambling accounts are handled is being advanced by New Jersey lawmakers Through the state's unclaimed property program, the proposed law seeks to guarantee that unclaimed money are protected and given back to their legitimate owners With backing from Sean Kean and John DiMaio, the bill, which is..
2 years ago

Senator Slams POGO Scams and Espionage at Last Hearing

The inquiry into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs), which were outlawed earlier this year due to claims of widespread criminal activity and foreign infiltration, has been completed by a Philippine Senate committee The deputy minority leader of the committee, Senator Risa Hontiveros, denounced POGOs as a "Trojan horse" for illegal..
2 years ago

Governor Hochul Vetoes Casino Proposal Bill, Citing Fairness Concerns

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has vetoed a bill aimed at expediting the timeline for casino proposals in the New York City region Hochul defended her decision, stating that altering the process midstream could unfairly benefit certain bidders over others In her veto message, Hochul emphasized the need for fairness, saying, “Changing the..
2 years ago

Ripple CLO Criticizes SEC’s “Record Fines” as Misguided Bragging

Stuart Alderoty, the Chief Legal Officer of Ripple Labs, has publicly chastised the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its recent success claims Alderoty made the argument that the SEC's jubilant tone about record-breaking fines exposes more serious problems with the agency's oversight tactics in a scathing statement posted on..
2 years ago

Galaxy Entertainment Eyes Bangkok IR During Regional Developments

Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) has announced exclusive interest in developing a $3 billion integrated resort (IR) in Bangkok The company remains focused on the Thai capital, despite the country’s plan to issue five gaming licenses, including three outside Bangkok GEG executives, during a recent meeting in Singapore, highlighted Bangkok’s..
2 years ago

PA Betting Services Rebrands as Podium to Drive Global Expansion

After undergoing a significant rebranding, PA Betting Services, a long-standing supplier of racing and betting solutions, will now go by the name Podium The company's goal to enhance its worldwide footprint and integrate its many offers is reflected in this transition The business has been a reliable partner in the betting sector for more than..
2 years ago

Queens Boards Approve Steve Cohen’s $8B Metropolitan Park Casino Plan

The $8 billion plan by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen to develop 50 acres of the parking lot next to Citi Field into a massive casino, hotel, and entertainment complex has advanced significantly All five Queens borough community boards have unanimously approved the plan, which is called Metropolitan Park In addition to green spaces and leisure..
2 years ago

Atlantic City Casinos Report Mixed Financial Results for Q3 2024

According to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the third quarter of 2024 was difficult for Atlantic City's nine casinos At $2366 million, gross operating profits as a whole decreased 138% from the previous year Additionally, net revenue fell 25 percent to $9251 million Revenue in the first quarter was also down for Atlantic City..
2 years ago

$113B Investment Firm WisdomTree Eyes XRP ETF During Regulatory Uncertainty

WisdomTree, a global investment firm managing $113 billion in assets, has filed in Delaware to create an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) The move signals its intent to expand further into digital asset investments Known for launching the cost-efficient WisdomTree Physical XRP (XRPW) on European exchanges like Deutsche Börse Xetra and Euronext,..
2 years ago