Ministers of the U.K. Parliament are considering an overhaul of the 2005 Gambling Act to address responsible gaming issues, among them stake limits and a ban on free play. The proposed changes could drive bettors to illegal sites.

Gek Terna, a Greek construction company, will partner with Hard Rock International to develop a luxury casino resort in Athens, featuring views of the Acropolis and the Mediterranean. It is expected to open in 2026.

Bally’s Corporation will sell the real estate assets of its two Rhode Island casinos to prominent REIT Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., and continue to operate them under a triple-net lease. The move is becoming increasingly popular among operators.

A community group opposed to an integrated resort in Osaka, Japan (l.) says its petition to reconsider the project has met and exceeded the number of required signatures. Group members now want a referendum on the issue.

The Brazilian Senate has not yet advanced a bill allowing gambling. But the Chamber of Deputies’ Tourism Commission, headed by Deputy Newton Cardoso (l.), announced it will launch a new initiative to study legalizing gambling, including bingo, casinos, racing and integrated resorts.

Bally’s could file its casino license application with the Illinois Gaming Board by the end of the month, said Chairman Soo Kim (l.). He stated he’s “reasonably confident” approval would arrive in time to open a temporary facility in June 2023.

A measure that would legalize mobile sports betting in California has officially made it onto this year’s ballot, alongside a separate bill backed by the state’s tribes that would limit sports betting to tribal casinos only. Cody Martinez (l.), Sycuan chairman and tribal sports betting backer, says the mobile effort would increase underage and problem gambling in the state.

A number of casino workers were injured last week when Cambodian security forces tried to break up protests outside NagaWorld in Phnom Penh. The workers have been on strike since December.

Recent reports from two prominent financial analysts shed light on the changes that operators are going through, and what it might mean for company valuations and projections moving forward. The standard model of owning one’s property and focusing on brick-and-mortar may be fleeting, but is it worse than paying rent and doubling down on digital?

This week, the GGB Podcast sits down with Hector Fernandez, the CEO of Aristocrat Gaming on how his company is sustaining its leading position in the slot manufacturing world.

In a positive sign for the Macau gaming industry, the Chinese government has slashed the mandatory quarantine period for international visitors from 21 days to just 10. But Beijing hasn’t relaxed its zero-Covid policy.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. is still waiting to receive $42.6 million in past-due revenue payments from offshore gaming operators. Some of the arrears were due five years ago.

Troubled gaming operator Imperial Pacific International has announced that it will reopen its Saipan casino (l..) this fall. But with IPI’s checkered history and multiple regulatory breaches, some analysts are skeptical.

The Belgian Council of State has upheld strict rules on advertising of gambling and responsible gaming measures imposed by the Belgian Gaming Commission.

Despite losing money last year, Holland Casino reached agreement with two unions to provide raises across the board. The casino had to weigh its own financial position against inflation and the labor market.

iGaming content provider BGaming announced it now is fully compliant with German regulators’ requirements under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021.

Star Entertainment Group, the Australian operator currently embroiled in suitability inquiries, has been denied in its request to add an additional 1,000 gaming machines to its Star Sydney casino. The uncertainty surrounding the company’s future was the chief reason for denial.

The New Zealand government will invest $48 million in the new Strategy to Prevent and Minimize Gambling Harm, designed to minimize the impact of problem gambling on several fronts. Minister of Health Andrew Little (l.) said the program will align the gaming and health industries.

Ulrik Bengtsson (l.) announced that he is resigning as CEO of William Hill upon the closing of the sale of the bookmaker’s international assets to 888 Holdings.

Plaintiffs in Washington state who sued games developer Zynga have proposed a $12 million settlement—Zynga is likely to accept. The lawsuit alleged some Zynga games made players pay real money for virtual casino chips.

Jeju Island in South Korea (“Dream Tower” at left) is studying the “pros and cons” of iGaming at its foreigner-only casinos. An online option may help the land-based local industry as it struggles to recover from Covid-19.

EveryMatrix signed an agreement with BetMGM to give players access to more games for its iGaming business. The deal included selecting games from two in-house studios in New Jersey.

Flutter Entertainment’s PokerStars brand launched its app and online games, poker, blackjack and sports products in Ontario. To celebrate the launch, the Ontario Platinum Series will offer Ontario players a $1 million prize pool.

A gambling addict in Everton never expected this kind of reaction when he launched his petition to get the football club to drop a gambling sponsor—more than 20,000 signed. Whether the club listens remains to be seen.

Station Casinos Inc. has been fined $80,000 by the Nevada Gaming Commission for allowing its sports betting app to take wagers after events concluded. Station blamed a computer software defect for the problem.

The president of ESPN, Jimmy Pitaro (l.), says it's time to up the ante when it comes to sports betting. Just how it will go about doing that is still to be ironed out, but it involves selling data, as one example.

Bally’s online sportsbook, Bally Bet, could see action in the New York market in early July. They will be the last of the nine registered operators to go into business. Even so, the company has no intent on going heavy into promotions.

Brazilian soccer teams want a change in the Pele Law governing sports so that players can receive some of the income from sports betting. They argue that the sale of betting data alone produces enough money to share.

Bet365 will not have a summer launch in Colorado as previously planned, according to Century Casinos co-CEO Peter Hoetzinger (l.). Instead, the new plan is to launch September 1, only one week from the start of the NFL regular season.

Sports merchandising company Fanatics is in talks to acquire sport betting company Tipico, according to unnamed sources cited in a CNBC report. Tipico is currently licensed in Colorado and New Jersey.

BetMGM is now the official sportsbook of Audacy’s BetQL Network. Terms of the deal haven’t been disclosed yet, but the partnership will expand the relationship between Audacy and BetMGM after the companies first struck a deal in March of last year.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (l.) isn’t going to help Richmond, but the city will follow a court order that permits them to vote again for a casino. Meanwhile, Petersburg is pushing to take the casino instead.

The American Gaming Association has formed a new initiative, called the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, which aims to educate and alert the gaming industry on how to identify and prevent human trafficking in gaming. The task force has released a new guide on the topic, which is available now.

Hard Rock hosted a fundraiser at its Times Square hotel on June 20. Proceeds benefited the campaign of New York Governor Kathy Hochul (l.). An email was sent to clients and customers asking for her endorsement, but the company does not know who sent it.

The Nevada Gaming Commission has approved the opening of Legends Bay Casino (l.) in Sparks, after nearly 15 years of planning and setbacks. The casino still needs to hire around 300 new staff, but still plans to open later on this summer.

Marc Baidan and Randy Morton (l.), the Oak View Group executives in charge of the company’s $3 billion sports and entertainment development in Las Vegas, recently shared new details about the project in a sit-down with the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Officials said the $500 million Caesars Virginia (l.) in Danville will open in 2024, not December 2023 as originally announced, due to supply chain and labor issues. The casino resort will create 900 construction and 1,300 permanent jobs.

The 70,000 square-foot Temporary by American Place casino is taking shape in Waukegan, Illinois and expected to open this fall with 1,000 slots, 50 table games, a sportsbook, restaurant and lounge and create up to 500 jobs.

David Highhill recently became the first NFL executive devoted completely to sports betting. His appointment speaks to the importance of sports betting to the sport.

Longtime gaming and finance veteran Robbie Cooke has been chosen as the new CEO of Star Entertainment Group, the Australian operator currently embroiled in two separate suitability inquiries. Star hopes Cooke’s financial background will stabilize the company moving forward.

Jon Kaplowitz (l.) has announced his departure as head of Penn Interactive after nearly four years. Benjie Levy, current COO of theScore, has been chosen as his successor.

Longtime PR pro Oriana Branon is the new vice president of communications and corporate affairs for Aristocrat Gaming. Branon has experience across multiple industries, including stints at Bill.com and Alaska Airlines.

Steve Beason is back at Scientific Games, this time as the president of digital and sports betting. Beason, a veteran of the gaming technology industry, previously spent more than 10 years as president and CTO of the company’s Lottery Systems group.

RGB International has projected sales for 2022 in the range of 1,000 machines, and stated it expects to return to profitability this year. The Philippines have been the company’s biggest buyer so far.

Zitro has installed its Glare family of cabinets, featuring multi-game titles Wheel of Legends and Bashiba Egyptian, at the BR Group’s Bingo Plaza and other locations in Murcia, Spain.

On June 30, Scientific Games announced that it has been recognized for socially responsible environmental initiatives and for supporting global responsible gaming efforts.

Gun Lake Casino (l.) in Michigan has adopted Pulpstream, a business tool that helps streamline employee scheduling and workflows, especially with regards to leaves of absence. The casino employs nearly 1,000 staff members.

Jackpot Digital has expanded into South Dakota by installing two of its Jackpot Blitz electronic table games (l.) at Rosebud Casino. The automated touchscreen tables went live June 29.

Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel in California has received a cleanliness certification from a global organization attesting to its response to Covid and future biorisks. General Manager Peter Arceo (l.) says the honor demonstrates the tribe’s commitment to safety.