Finance

Bally’s picked to launch Rhode Island’s second online sportsbook

Only two bidders vied to join the state’s in-person sports betting market.

From chaos to coordination: What true payment alignment looks like for cities in 2026

COMMENTARY | Staff currently spend hours reconciling payments from disparate systems. Having operational unity helps departments get on the same page.

Human review, responsibility should be the ‘core feature’ of AI solutions, official says

Keeping human judgement at the center of AI tools, like automated parking enforcement, can help improve the accuracy of citations and dispel community backlash, experts say.

Pennsylvania senators weigh consumer protections from cryptocurrency scams

Lawmakers hope that by regulating ATM-like kiosks, they can protect Pennsylvanians.

Tech giants are spending more than ever to shape California politics. See how much.

Tech giants involved in AI and cryptocurrency spent $39 million last year to influence lawmakers and policy. It's the start of what could be a spending blitz in the upcoming election.

North Dakota moves forward with stablecoin as local banks express interest in pilot project

The Bank of North Dakota is on track to introduce stablecoin to local banks this September after state regulators approved the technology’s use in bank-to-bank transactions.

Your personal data might set your grocery prices. States aim to crack down.

Retailers are using surveillance pricing to set individualized amounts customers will pay.

Lawmakers consider bill that would keep private keys private in Rhode Island

Rhode Island lawmakers are again weighing a bill to limit when courts and government agencies can compel disclosure of private keys tied to digital assets, identities and accounts.

Oklahoma lawmakers move to protect ratepayers from effects of data centers

There are at least 30 data centers in Oklahoma that are currently operating, planned or under construction.

Alabama joins early state efforts to launch chip-enabled EBT cards

California and Oklahoma also lead the nation in EBT card modernization efforts intended to stamp out costly benefit fraud and theft.

Indiana lawmakers consider crypto pension investments, ATM scam crackdown

Legislation letting cryptocurrency into public pension investments — and tackling crypto ATM scams — was heard in committee, with votes expected next week.

Report: How governments can balance fraud prevention with benefit accessibility

Research suggests that some Americans can accept some level of benefit fraud to ensure more eligible recipients have access to the assistance they need.

New Jersey lawmakers OK plan to charge data centers for spiking electric costs

Data centers, which are driving higher electric costs in New Jersey, would face new tariffs under a plan legislators advanced Thursday.

California tax revenue getting a boost from AI boom — but for how long?

As talk of a possible AI bubble grows, so does uncertainty around an important source of California tax money.

From legacy to leadership: The new era of government payments

COMMENTARY | Agencies must deliver seamless experiences to keep up with the private sector, and evidence suggests they are doing just that.

Texas launches cryptocurrency reserve with $5 million investment

Lawmakers created a state Strategic Bitcoin Reserve earlier this year and dedicated $10 million to investing in cryptocurrency.

West Virginia turns to tech to implement a new child care payment model

The state is grappling with unemployment as a result of a child care shortage. A data platform is helping fill those gaps and keep more West Virginians in the workforce.

OpenAI just cut a deal with California. Critics say it’s full of holes

OpenAI is converting to a for-profit and settling an investigation by California’s attorney general. Experts and advocates have concerns.

Maryland officials approve 'tap and go' EBT cards for public benefits

The electronic benefit transfer cards aim to reduce theft from programs that serve almost 1 million in the state.