New Jersey DGE at Forefront of Responsible Gaming Issues

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement feels an obligation to deal with responsible gaming issues as part of its mission. This includes requiring limit setting for online gaming among other obligations, according to Director David Rebuck (l.).

U.S. Legal Sportsbook Growth Has Not Curtailed Illegal Betting

Legalized sports betting has not eradicated illegal sportsbooks as much as officials and regulators would have hoped. So the Congressional Gaming Caucus wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland (l.) asking him to crack down on illegal operations active in the U.S.

Genting Singapore to MGM: No Sale

Lim Kok Thay (l.), executive chairman of Genting Singapore, acknowledged last week that he was approached by MGM Resorts International with an “unsolicited” offer for his stake in the Malaysian casino operator. He did not pursue it. Stock values see-sawed on the news.

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WEEKLY FEATURE: Macau Reopens, But for How Long?

Last week, the Macau government announced that casinos in the market could reopen for a two-week “consolidation period” starting July 23. It marked the end of the city’s most recent Covid-19 lockdown, but the situation remains fluid, and could change again in the event that viral cases surge.

Peru Legalizes iGaming, Sports Betting

Peru’s Congress July 15 voted 91 to 0 to legalize online gaming and sports betting. The law will be enforced by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur). Gaming will be taxed at 12 percent of the operator’s tax base. A maintenance tax of 2 percent of monthly income will also be levied.

Cambodian Casino Industry on Comeback Trail

Of 143 gaming license applications filed in Cambodia, only 13 have been issued to date this year. Pre-pandemic, the country had about 200 licensed operators. Meanwhile, tourism is on the rebound, led by visitors from Thailand.

U.K. Won’t Ban “Loot Boxes” on Video Games

The U.K. Culture Minister Nadine Dorries (l.) won’t be following the recommendations of the U.K. Gambling Commission to ban loot boxes in non-gambling games when the country’s gambling laws are revised. Dorries said the government should work with gaming manufactures to seek protections against problem gambling.

Florida Sports Betting Years Away

The U.S. Court of Appeals released a schedule for briefs in the Florida tribal compact sports betting case this fall. Oral arguments won’t occur until next year. The bottom line: no sports wagering is likely until 2025 at the earliest.

Legal Challenge Possible if Both CA Sportsbook Measures Pass

California’s competing sports betting measures, Proposition 26 and Proposition 27, could end up as the subjects of court challenges. If both measures pass the 50 percent mark, it might be up to a judge to determine if they can coexist. Or if only one can be the law of the land.

U.S. House Approves Bill Expanding Federal Rights for Maine Tribes

The House of Representatives has passed a bill championed by Rep. Jared Golden (l.) that would restore federal rights to Maine’s Indian tribes, after they were relinquished in a previous land claim settlement. The state’s tribes are currently the only federally recognized peoples that do not receive federal benefits.

ASIAN GAMING More

EUROPEAN GAMING More

Romania Hikes Tax on Player Winnings

The Parliament of Romania has approved large tax hikes for gaming players’ winnings. Romania’s Remote Gambling Trade Association contends that the new tiered rates will drive players to illegal sites. The government is also more than doubling the cost of license renewals.

Norway’s Espen Jorstad Wins WSOP Main Event

Espen Jorstad (l.) won the $10 million first place prize in the No-limit World Series of Poker World Championship. Jorstad, a resident of Norway, beat the second place winner, Adrian Attenborough, in a match that lasted 19 hands and 90 minutes. The $10,000 buy-in tournament had a record 8,663 entrants.

GLOBAL GAMING More

Ontario Casino Fined for AML Violations

Gaming regulators in Ontario, Canada, have fined the owners of Rideau Carleton Casino (l.) $227,250. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario alleges that HR Ottawa LP, owned by Hard Rock International, failed to follow anti-money laundering requirements and violated numerous regulations.

Ontario Casino Workers Ready to Strike

Union workers of eight casinos in Ontario owned by Great Canadian Gaming Corp., including the Woodbine racino (l.) were set to go on strike Friday, July 22. The strike was called by the union Unifor, which is seeking higher wages, benefits and pensions. It also wants to convert some part-time jobs to full time.

Wests Newcastle in NSW to Roll Out Cashless Trial for Pokies

A small but highly-anticipated trial of cashless gaming machines is set to begin soon at Wests Newcastle in New South Wales. Advocates believe these systems will help curb money laundering and problem gaming, two huge areas of concern in the Australian market.

ONLINE GAMING More

SPORTS BETTING More

Vermont to Reconsider Approving Sports Betting

Vermont officials see Vermont dollars heading to other states with legal sports betting. They also see how keeping that money in-state could produce up to $10 million a year for the general fund.

Pros and Cons of Washington’s GambetDC Discussed

At least one person sees the glass as half-full when it comes to GambetDC: Frank Saurez, head of the Office of Lottery and Gaming. He says 2022 marked the turnaround for the beleaguered sports betting operator.

UNITED STATES GAMING More

Station Closes on 126-Acre Plot in Las Vegas

Station Casinos has expanded its footprint in Las Vegas by purchasing over 120 acres south of the Strip (l.), not long after it announced that it would close and demolish three of its properties in the city. Meanwhile discussions have begun about what to do with the land once the three shuttered properties now owned by Station are demolished.

CA Card Club Agrees to Tax Hike Alternate

Artichoke Joe’s card club (l.) and the city of San Bruno, California, have reached an agreement that allows the card club to pay $900,000 annually. This is in lieu of tax increases the city was contemplating. The casino will continue to pay about $2.3 million a year.

Illinois Issues First-Ever Gambling Study

In response to a study indicating 383,000 Illinois residents have gambling addiction problems and another 761,000 are at risk, the state’s 2023 budget includes $10 million for treatment options and other problem gambling services.

NBA’s Silver Says League May Consider Vegas Expansion Team

The NBA has long been rumored to be eyeing Las Vegas as a potential expansion site. The league’s commissioner Adam Silver (l.) recently spoke with the Las Vegas Review-Journal about the idea, saying it’s not the cards right now, but the future is anyone’s guess.

Inflation, Supply Chain Impact Louisiana Casino

Hollywood Casino (l.) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, expected to complete its move from the Mississippi River onto land earlier this year. But water levels, the supply chain and inflation caused officials to move the opening date.

Arkansas Casino Foes Report June Finances

Two groups on opposite sides of a Pope County, Arkansas casino reported their June finances. The anti-Pope County casino group, Fair Play for Arkansas, which opposes a Pope County casino, raised $1.2 million. The pro-casino Arkansas Tourism Alliance raised $50,000.

Arkansas Casino Hotel Debuts New Rooms

Southland Casino Hotel (l.) debuted 89 new hotel rooms on six floors as part of its $320 million expansion. The rest of the 300-room, 20-story hotel tower will open in September. A new 113,000-square-foot gaming floor was completed last spring.

TRIBAL GAMING More

Washington, Yakama Nation Agree to Amend Gaming Compact

The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and the Washington State Gambling Commission have tentatively agreed to an amendment. It would allow the Yakama Legends Casino to add new provisions. Now Washington Governor Jay Inslee and the legislature get to approve or veto the changes.

Seneca Nation Launches Awareness Campaign

The Seneca Nation of Indians has launched a campaign designed to spread awareness of the tribe’s history and partnership with the state ahead of compact negotiations.

Connecticut’s Foxwoods Announces Renovations

Change is underway at Foxwoods Resort Casino (l.) in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Officials announced plans to redesign the Golden Dragon, open a new players’ lounge and rebrand and relocate Dunkin’.

Nebraska Tribe Breaks Ground On Lincoln Casino

The Winnebago Tribe and Nebraska Horsemen broke ground on the $200 million WarHorse Casino (l.) in Lincoln, set to open in early 2024. A temporary WarHorse casino will open September 19 with 440 slots.

Elk Grove Casino to Open Sooner than Expected

The Wilton Rancheria of California has announced that its $500 million Sky River Casino (l.) in Elk Grove will open in September. This is a month earlier than had previously been announced. The casino, built for the tribe by Boyd Gaming, will have 2,000 slots, 80 table games and a food plaza with 17 eateries.

Judge Fines CA’s Coyote Valley Band

The Coyote Band of Pomo Indians has been fined $207,000 for ignoring a court order by California Superior Court Judge Ann C. Moorman. The tribe has been sued by a former construction contractor for nonpayment in a casino project in 2012. It didn’t produce documents or submit to arbitration when ordered.

LOTTERY More

Court Gives IGT, Camelot Permission to Appeal Lottery Decision

Camelot Group and International Game Technology will now be able to appeal the Gambling Commission’s decision to award the National Lottery license to Allwyn Entertainment. The U.K. Court of Appeal’s decision could “present potentially severe consequences for the National Lottery,” the commission warns.

SciGames Signs Deals with Ecuador Lottery, Loto-Québec

The Ecuador National Lottery has awarded a new 10-year contract to Scientific Games for instant games, lottery systems, retail technology and a draw-based lottery game system. And the company is now Loto-Québec’s primary instant games partner.

PEOPLE More

Star Sydney Appoints Scott Wharton as New CEO

Former banking executive Scott Wharton has been named CEO of The Star Sydney. Wharton will also head the company’s new Transformation Office, which hopes to increase the company’s regulatory compliance and improve its overall culture.

New Las Vegas Raiders President Leaves Caesars Board

New Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan resigned from the board of directors of Caesars Entertainment. She was named to the board in November and announced as the Raiders’ president in early July.

GLI Promotes Hollis to Director of Engineering

Ginnie Hollis has been appointed as GLI’s director of engineering, after previously serving as senior manager of engineering. Hollis has been with the company for nearly 20 years, first starting as a test engineer level 1 back in 2005.

GOODS & SERVICES More

AXES.ai, Flexia Strike Partnership

Cloud-based data management company AXES.ai and fintech payment provider Flexia Payments have announced a new partnership, in which the companies will merge their platforms into a “frictionless” interface. AXES CEO Earle Hall (l.) said he’s “over the moon” about the new deal.

Aristocrat Launches Lightning Dollar Link

Aristocrat Gaming has launched Lightning Dollar Link (l.), a new game collection that combines the features of hit releases Lightning Link, Dragon Link, Dollar Storm and Buffalo Link.

Kangwon Land to Build Slot Plant

Kangwon Land, the only locals casino in South Korea, plans to develop a new slot machine manufacturing facility in Gangwon Province. Kangwon Land currently owns a slot brand called KL Saberi.

Alfastreet Names KGM Exclusive Supplier

Alfastreet has named KGM Gaming its exclusive distributor in North America for the company’s line of premium electronic table games under a five-year partnership deal.

TRADE SHOWS & CONFERENCES More

iGB Live! Sets Attendance Record

Clarion Gaming’s iGB Live! trade event in Amsterdam has set a new attendance record, with more than 5,000 professionals attending the online gaming-focused conference.

NUTSHELL More

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