NEWS & NOTES

Macau gaming giant Sands China and China Central Television (CCTV) will collaborate to “promote Chinese traditional culture and classic works of art” related to “stage plays, variety shows, films, TV dramas and online audiovisual content,” and also organize “events, tours, exhibitions and festivals,” as well as “virtual sports” and “eSports” contests.  ●  To recoup gambling debts, a Chinese national visiting Singapore allegedly staged his own kidnapping and asked relatives for $4,200 in ransom. Liu Changjian allegedly racked up gambling debts of up to $22,500. The offense carries a potential jail term of 10 years.  ●  Circa Sports, the Las Vegas-based sports betting brand from Circa CEO Derek Stevens, has officially opened its new permanent sportsbook at the Silverton Casino Lodge in Sin City. This marks the brand’s fifth satellite location in southern Nevada. The sportsbook was built as part of a multimillion-dollar renovation of the resort, including $40 million spent on hotel upgrades.  ●  On March 11 the Malta Gaming Authority extended by a week the sign-up period for the voluntary ESG Code of Good Practice for online gaming. Yogonet reported the extension to March 18 was revealed after a meeting where licensees were invited to learn more about the ESG Code, whose purpose is “responsible and sustainable business practices.” The MGA said in a statement: “The sessions are intended to foster mutual understanding and support and reinforce the MGA’s commitment to open and collaborative dialogue within the gaming sector.”  ●  A Pennsylvania lawmaker is introducing legislation that would prohibit credit cards from being used for online gaming revenue, including sports betting. State Senator Wayne Fontana’s bill would ban credit cards as a payment method for iGaming. “Online gaming and sports betting is growing exponentially, especially with young adults,” Sen. Fontana told Harrisburg ABC affiliate WHTM. “At the same time, credit card debt is climbing. So we need to make sure the greater access to gambling isn’t leading to burdensome or crippling credit card balances.”  •  New Hampshire lawmakers are moving bills that would bring about changes for casino owners and the charities their revenues support. House Bill 1203 mandates that casinos partner with charities without charging rent for game nights. Senate Bill 472 proposes that cities with casinos could collaborate with charities to raise money through charitable gambling. Senate Bill 432 proposes expanding the number of charities that could benefit from charitable gaming revenue by giving the state 1.5 percent of horse race bets placed via an app. The collected proceeds will then be made available to charities not participating in charitable gaming. House Bill 1549 addresses concerns over the high percentage of winnings withheld from casino gaming tournaments, proposing a cap of 20 percent or $250 per player, whichever is lower.