Cole Rush
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Articles by Cole Rush
Betting on Elections Is Booming Ahead of the Midterms. Nobody Agrees on What to Call It.
Political event contracts let people put real money on how an election turns out, like trading a stock or placing a sports bet. The category is growing fast heading into the midterms, and PlayUSA asked a data analyst, a gambling policy expert, and a behavioral health provider what that growth actually means. They don’t always agree. When elections come with a price Dustin Gouker, Publisher of The Event Horizon, sees real analytical value in the numbers these prediction markets produce.
Q Casino CEO on The $1.5M Question: Who Should a Casino Really Serve?
Most Iowa casinos have a nonprofit attached somewhere, usually collecting a cut from the company that runs the property. Q Casino + Resort in Dubuque flips that arrangement: The nonprofit runs the casino itself. The Dubuque Racing Association, known as the DRA, owns and operates Q Casino + Resort. This year, that structure produced a record grant cycle: more than $1.5 million for 64 organizations through its Core Grant program and three more through its Mission Grant program.
Kindbridge Wins Hospital-Grade Accreditation for Gambling Disorder Treatment
Joint Commission accreditation usually hangs on a hospital wall, not a telehealth startup’s homepage. Kindbridge Behavioral Health just earned one anyway, and CEO Daniel Umfleet says waiting for someone to ask for it was never really an option. Kindbridge treats gambling disorder, gaming-related harm and digital dependency through a fully virtual model. It recently received the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Behavioral Health Care and Human Services Accreditation.
The 5 states leaving billions in gambling money on the table
Posted 10/6/26 Bodog reports California and Texas could support online gambling markets totaling $21.5 billion, generating over $1 billion in tax revenue if regulated. This item is available in full to subscribers. E-mail Password Print and web subscribers If you're a print and web subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one. Non-subscribers Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
The 5 states leaving billions in gambling money on the table Original
California could plausibly support a regulated online gambling market worth roughly $12 billion a year. That would bring in more than $1 billion in tax revenue for the state every year. But California doesn’t have a regulated online gambling market. Neither does Texas, at an estimated $9.5 billion. Between them, two of the country's largest states are not participating in a regulated market that would rank among the biggest in America, and both have repeatedly declined to build one.
The 5 states leaving billions in gambling money on the table
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email A gavel, dice, and U.S. dollar bills placed on top of a laptop, representing the concept of online gambling. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save California could plausibly support a regulated online gambling market worth roughly $12 billion a year. That would bring in more than $1 billion in tax revenue for the state every year. But California doesn’t have a regulated online gambling market. Neither does Texas, at an estimated $9.5 billion.
Q&A: Topdog Cofounder Says Live Head-to-Head Play is The Future of Skill Gaming
Most skill-gaming apps still work the way they did a decade ago: You play alone, then compare your score to someone else’s after the fact. Topdog is betting sports fans want something closer to playing against each other, and investors just put $2.5 million behind that bet. The seed round, led by Boston Seed Capital with participation from The Raine Group, Bullpen Capital, Versus Ventures, Spoondrift Capital and Permit Ventures, brings Topdog’s total funding to $4.1 million.
Sweepstakes casino bonus offers built for slots fans in 2026
A sweepstakes casino welcome bonus is the fastest way to start spinning without spending a dollar. Our roundup covers the sweepstakes casino sign up bonus offers with the biggest slots libraries, the clearest terms and the codes worth typing in this month. Here’s an at-a-glance list of our top current sweepstakes casino welcome bonus offers, pulled straight from our experts’ lists and refreshed for October.
Arizona’s Responsible Gaming Campaign Enters Year Two With More Money and a Sharper Local Playbook
Arizona is overhauling its responsible gambling campaign for its second year, funding it differently, running it differently, and asking a harder question about what actually works. Gov. Katie Hobbs has proclaimed September 2026 Responsible Gaming Education Month for the second year in a row. Two of the state’s top gaming officials—Arizona Lottery Executive Director Alec Thomson and Arizona Department of Gaming Director Jackie Johnson—say lessons from the first campaign shaped this year’s approach.
Best No Deposit Sweepstake Casino Bonuses & Promos
Can I win a prize from a no deposit bonus? Potentially, if the award is eligible Sweeps Coins and you meet the operator’s playthrough, identity, location and minimum-balance rules. Check whether wins from free play can be redeemed without a purchase. Do I need a promo code? Some offers need one; others credit automatically after signup or contact verification. Check the official promotion terms. What are playthrough requirements?
Pulsz promo code: Claim free SC and 5,000 GC today
The Pulsz promo code doesn’t actually require a code at all. Click through our link, sign up and claim 5,000 free Gold Coins with no purchase necessary, then unlock free SC on your first purchase through Pulsz’s Get 200% Extra Free Welcome Bundle. The whole offer is built to get new players spinning real slots within minutes of registering. The Pulsz promo code isn’t a code at all. Instead, it runs through a tracked sign-up link: click it, register and verify your identity.
Congress Wants FanDuel’s VIP Program Gone. Do Gambling Safety Experts Agree?
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper agreed to record a personalized video for a FanDuel customer. He says he had no idea what it would be used for. Now that video sits at the center of a gambling addiction lawsuit, a round of congressional letters and a fight over how much freedom MLB players should have to work with sportsbooks in the first place — all three months before Major League Baseball’s labor contract runs out. A video, a lawsuit, a deadline On Aug. 10, 2026, Sen.
5 of the cheapest owners in pro sports
Being a billionaire doesn't always mean spending like one. Tom Dundon paid roughly $4.25 billion for the Portland Trail Blazers and immediately started cutting costs like the purchase had cleaned out his checking account. Since taking control in Portland, the Carolina Hurricanes owner has laid off about 70 employees, pared back travel expenses, overhauled the broadcast crew, and skipped the free playoff T-shirts that practically come standard in the NBA.
5 of the cheapest owners in pro sports
Being a billionaire doesn't always mean spending like one. Tom Dundon paid roughly $4.25 billion for the Portland Trail Blazers and immediately started cutting costs like the purchase had cleaned out his checking account. Since taking control in Portland, the Carolina Hurricanes owner has laid off about 70 employees, pared back travel expenses, overhauled the broadcast crew, and skipped the free playoff T-shirts that practically come standard in the NBA.
5 of the cheapest owners in pro sports
Being a billionaire doesn't always mean spending like one. Tom Dundon paid roughly $4.25 billion for the Portland Trail Blazers and immediately started cutting costs like the purchase had cleaned out his checking account. Since taking control in Portland, the Carolina Hurricanes owner has laid off about 70 employees, pared back travel expenses, overhauled the broadcast crew, and skipped the free playoff T-shirts that practically come standard in the NBA.
5 of the cheapest owners in pro sports Original
5 of the cheapest owners in pro sports Being a billionaire doesn't always mean spending like one. Tom Dundon paid roughly $4.25 billion for the Portland Trail Blazers and immediately started cutting costs like the purchase had cleaned out his checking account. Since taking control in Portland, the Carolina Hurricanes owner has laid off about 70 employees, pared back travel expenses, overhauled the broadcast crew, and skipped the free playoff T-shirts that practically come standard in the NBA.
List of sweepstakes casinos: Best for slots & game variety
Our list of sweepstakes casinos USA ranks every top-rated site by one thing above all else: game variety. If you want the deepest slot libraries, the most live-dealer tables and the freshest titles from top providers, you’re in the right place. Below, you’ll find our current top picks, a full brand-by-brand list and a state-by-state legality breakdown. Search for a list of sweepstakes casinos USA, and you’ll get flooded with options.
Birches Health Publishes Largest-Ever Study on Virtual Gambling Disorder Treatment
A peer-reviewed study of 1,305 patients found nearly three-quarters saw clinically meaningful improvement in gambling symptoms, with results showing up in a median of just 14 days. Gambling disorder research just got its biggest real-world dataset yet. As operators, regulators and advocacy groups place greater emphasis on responsible gambling, new research is shedding light on what happens after a player seeks help.
No deposit bonus Michigan 2026: Get free casino cash
The Michigan online casino market is flush with options for players, and one of the most sought-after is the no deposit bonus. Operators know this, so they do their best to welcome players with offers on sign-up and beyond. A no deposit bonus, as its name implies, rewards you without requiring a deposit first. The reality, however, is that many bonuses do require a deposit, making no deposit bonuses increasingly rare. Let’s dive into the best no deposit bonus casino picks Michigan has to offer.
5W Audit Finds Gambling Industry Spends 8.7 Times More on Celebrities Than Player Safety
A new audit finds that only 11 of 38 legal sports betting states get proactive responsible gambling outreach from more than a handful of operators a year. 5W founder Ronn Torossian says that’s the easy part to fix. US gambling operators spent $520 million on celebrity and athlete endorsements in 2025. They spent $60 million on responsible gambling communications. That’s an 8.7-to-1 ratio, and it’s the headline finding in 5W’s Responsible Gambling Communications Audit 2026.
Sports Betting Alliance’s Joe Maloney: Legal Sportsbooks Catch Corruption, They Don’t Cause It
The federal indictment of former NBA veterans Malik Beasley and Ed Davis, who are accused alongside several co-conspirators of running a prop betting scheme based on inside information and manipulated performances, has prompted renewed criticism of legal sports betting. Sports Betting Alliance President Joe Maloney says those critics have it backward.
Best online casinos in Alberta 2026: Our top picks
Alberta online casinos are live, marking a massive moment for the province. As of July 13, operators have begun offering their services to Alberta players. It is the second Canadian province (after Ontario) to authorize and launch private online casinos. The AGLC has already approved more than 28 operators, giving Alberta players a wealth of options. The challenge? Not every casino site is the same. Each site has its own game library, app quality, payment options and user experience.
Why you’re probably playing scratch-off tickets wrong
There are 45 U.S. states that offer lotteries, plus three nonstate territories. The lottery is nearly everywhere, and with it comes those shiny, metallic cards inviting you to scratch away and reveal (hopefully) winning symbols. Bodog shared some of the top tips and tricks to make the most of your scratch-off experience. Note: The five states that don’t have lotteries are Alabama, Alaska, Hawai‘i, Nevada, and Utah.
USMNT’s World Cup Exit Sparks BetMGM’s Biggest Soccer Betting Day Ever
Losing hurts less when you break records along the way. The U.S. men’s national team‘s World Cup run ended July 6 in Seattle, where Belgium defeated the co-hosts 4-1 in the Round of 16. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, while Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku added late goals after Malik Tillman gave the Americans an early spark with a 31st-minute strike. The result eliminated the USMNT from the tournament, but it also delivered a historic moment for soccer betting in the United States.
Why you're probably playing scratch-off tickets wrong
Posted 7/9/26 Bodog reports on maximizing scratch-off lottery experiences, highlighting tips like checking odds, the value of lower-priced tickets, and using ticket scanning features. This item is available in full to subscribers. E-mail Password Print and web subscribers If you're a print and web subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one. Non-subscribers Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Why you're probably playing scratch-off tickets wrong
Why you're probably playing scratch-off tickets wrong There are 45 U.S. states that offer lotteries, plus three nonstate territories. The lottery is nearly everywhere, and with it comes those shiny, metallic cards inviting you to scratch away and reveal (hopefully) winning symbols. Bodog shared some of the top tips and tricks to make the most of your scratch-off experience. Note: The five states that don't have lotteries are Alabama Alaska Hawai‘i Nevada , and Utah .
Why you're probably playing scratch-off tickets wrong Original
There are 45 U.S. states that offer lotteries, plus three nonstate territories. The lottery is nearly everywhere, and with it comes those shiny, metallic cards inviting you to scratch away and reveal (hopefully) winning symbols. Bodog shared some of the top tips and tricks to make the most of your scratch-off experience. Note: The five states that don’t have lotteries are Alabama, Alaska, Hawai‘i, Nevada, and Utah.
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