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


Notre Dame Men’s Swimming Team Faces Escalating Investigations

Earlier this month, the University of Notre Dame men's swimming team received a one-year suspension following an external review that revealed NCAA policy violations related to betting However, recent reports suggest the situation may be more severe, with the team now under additional scrutiny for broader misconduct The initial investigation..
2 years ago

Deutsche Bank Leads $4.325 Billion Financing for Apollo’s Major Casino Equipment Acquisition

Leading a massive $4325 billion bond and loan package, Deutsche Bank AG is assisting Apollo Global Management Inc in its risky takeover of two significant providers of gaming equipment One of the biggest decisions of the year in the gaming industry, where high-profile acquisitions are uncommon, is this financing arrangement Apollo’s Ambitious..
2 years ago

Nevada Gaming Revenue Dips in July but Downtown Las Vegas Shines

The state's revenues have decreased, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board's (NGCB) July gaming revenue report Although Nevada's monthly gaming income has been over $1 billion for over three years, the data for July indicate a decline when compared to the same period in the previous year The income generated by the Las Vegas Strip in..
2 years ago

Ripple CLO Stuart Alderoty Takes Aim at SEC Over OpenSea NFT Wells Notice

Ripple's Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, is openly challenging the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding its approach to non-fungible tokens (NFTs) The dispute emerged after Devin Finzer, CEO of the leading NFT marketplace OpenSea, revealed that the SEC had issued a Wells Notice against his company This notice signals the..
2 years ago

Ryan Salame Withdraws Legal Plea During Bond Indictment

Former FTX executive Ryan Salame, who was given a 75-year jail sentence, has withdrawn a court appeal asking for his plea agreement to be upheld Salame's initial petition was intended to contest the terms of his plea; it asked for the plea to be upheld or for his sentence to be overturned But recent events concerning his partner Michelle Bond have..
2 years ago

UKGC Launches Pilot to Enhance Consumer Protection Through Affordability Checks

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is taking a significant step toward enhancing consumer protection with a new pilot program aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of affordability checks In a blog post dated August 27, Helen Rhodes, Director of Major Policy Projects and Evaluation at the UKGC, outlined the details and goals of this..
2 years ago

AGA Survey Shows Growing Acceptance of Casino Gaming and Sports Betting in the U.S.

According to a new consumer poll by the American Gaming Association (AGA), most Americans are becoming more and more in favor of sports betting and casino gaming According to the report, nine out of 10 Americans now consider sports betting to be a legitimate kind of entertainment, underscoring the industry's rising appeal Following the Supreme..
2 years ago

Ireland Prepares to Enforce New Gambling Rules by October

Despite continued pressure from the betting industry, Ireland is expected to introduce new gambling laws by October A final vote on the law is quickly approaching, according to Justice Minister James Browne, who spearheaded the introduction of the Gambling Regulation Bill in 2022 Key Features of the Upcoming Legislation The proposed bill,..
2 years ago

Crypto.com Partners with PayPal to Enhance U.S. User Experience

With the announcement of a major collaboration between PayPal and Cryptocom, American customers can now pay for their cryptocurrency purchases using PayPal Users can now more easily purchase and transfer digital assets by connecting their PayPal accounts to their Cryptocom wallets thanks to this partnership At present, this feature is limited..
2 years ago

Poker Pro Pleads Guilty to Illegal Gambling and Money Laundering

A professional poker player from Long Beach, California, Damien LeForbes, has recently admitted to his involvement in illegal activities that spanned across multiple states LeForbes, who is well-known in the poker community, has agreed to plead guilty to charges of money laundering and running an illegal bookmaking business in both Las Vegas and..
2 years ago

Bitfarms Expands US Operations with New Pennsylvania Mega-Site

The largest Bitcoin mining business, Bitfarms, has made a big step forward in its growth by taking over management of its newest data center, located in Sharon, Pennsylvania With its astounding 120 megawatts (MW) of power capacity, this plant is Bitfarms' first mega-site in the United States By the end of the year, the company hopes to have 30 MW..
2 years ago

Vietnam Extends Casino Gambling Trial for Locals Until End of 2024

Vietnam has chosen to extend until December 31, 2024, the trial term that allows its residents to bet at specific casinos This extension is a component of an ongoing study to assess how legalized gambling affects the citizens of the country In January 2019, a trial was launched at the Phu Quoc casino, granting Vietnamese citizens access to..
2 years ago

California Bill SB 549 Faces Strong Opposition During Growing Momentum

California’s editorial boards are not mincing words when it comes to Senate Bill 549, which is sparking intense debate across the state On August 20, the Los Angeles Daily News editorial board criticized the bill, asserting that it would "make a mockery of our judicial system" Introduced by state Senator Josh Newman in February 2023, SB 549,..
2 years ago

Nasdaq Pushes for Approval of Bitcoin Index Options

In the cryptocurrency space, Nasdaq, the world's first electronic stock exchange, is leading the way by requesting permission from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to list Bitcoin (BTC) index options With this action, Nasdaq is attempting to launch a new financial instrument that would provide traders with greater control over how they..
2 years ago

BlackRock Expands Ethereum Access in Brazil with New ETF Listing

BlackRock is set to broaden its cryptocurrency offerings in Brazil by listing its iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) on the country’s B3 exchange The ETF, scheduled to start trading under the ticker code ETHA39, will be available as a Brazilian Depositary Receipt (BDR), allowing local investors to gain exposure to Ethereum without the need to..
2 years ago

SEC Files Charges Against Brothers for $60 Million Crypto Ponzi Scheme

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken legal action against brothers Jonathan and Tanner Adam, accusing them of orchestrating a $60 million Ponzi scheme The SEC claims the duo attempted to defraud over 80 investors through a fraudulent crypto asset trading platform The charges, announced on Monday, highlight a scheme that..
2 years ago

Rush Street Interactive Revamps iRush Rewards Loyalty Program

Rush Street Interactive (RSI) has unveiled significant updates to its iRush Rewards Loyalty Program, aiming to streamline how players earn and redeem points This enhancement reflects RSI's commitment to improving user experience across its brands, including BetRivers, PlaySugarHouse, and RushBet The revamped loyalty program introduces a tiered..
2 years ago

India’s Digital Rupee Hits 5M Users, Slow Expansion Urged by RBI Governor

Governor Shaktikanta Das of the Reserve Bank of India is wary about rolling out the retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) too quickly The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is taking a cautious approach to guarantee thorough knowledge prior to a full-scale launch, even in spite of the ongoing pilot's success, which currently involves over 5 million..
2 years ago

Missouri Sports Betting Measure Faces Legal Challenge Ahead of November Ballot

Supporters of a proposed sports betting measure in Missouri are defending the legality of their referendum amid a lawsuit challenging its approval Winning For Missouri Education, the group advocating for sports betting legalization, has firmly denied accusations that the measure was improperly approved The committee argues that the question should..
2 years ago

Ciarán Carruthers to Leave Crown Resorts, David Tsai Steps In as Acting CEO

Ciarán Carruthers, a veteran in the Macau casino industry, is set to step down from his role as CEO of Crown Resorts Ltd by the end of the year Carruthers, who joined Crown Resorts in September 2022, led the company through a period of extensive transformation and remediation David Tsai, currently the president and chief operating officer at..
2 years ago