Is Sports Betting Gambling? What About the Stock Market?

The term “gambling” can mean many different things to many people, and new research is indicating that younger bettors may not associate sports betting with the same ills as brick-and-mortar casino gambling. The result, according to experts, could be a severe uptick in problem behavior.

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WEEKLY FEATURE: DOI Rejects 2 CA Gaming Compacts

The federal government has rejected two tribal state gaming compacts forwarded to it for California and the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians in Lake County and Santa Rosa Rancheria in the San Joaquin Valley. Both want to upgrade from Class II to Class III casinos. Gov. Gavin Newsom (l.) was not happy with the decision.

Macau Concession Tender Finally Under Way

Last week, the Macau government appointed nine members to the city’s gaming concession tender committee. They will award up to six 10-year concessions in the gaming hub, which is currently generating minimal revenues due to Covid-19. Lawmaker José Maria Pereira Coutinho (l.) says he’s worried about the common citizen in the SAR.

New York Casinos Benefit from Tax Cuts

The tax cuts awarded casinos by the state of New York to mitigate the effects of Covid-19 are yielding good results for the casinos, mostly upstate, including Rivers Schenectady (l.), according to a new press report.

CA Racetracks Hopeful that Sports Betting Could Revive the Sport

California’s four racetracks see possible salvation of the industry in the form of Proposition 26. The measure would allow brick-and-mortar sports betting in tribal casinos and racetracks, and the money generated could create an economic renaissance for the racetracks, many feel.

Thailand Closer to Casino Industry

Thailand may move swiftly to introduce legal casinos as a panacea for its Covid-battered economy. One estimate says even a young industry could produce $11 billion in new taxes per year.

Strike Averted at Most Ontario Casinos

Strikes were averted at the last minute at eight Great Canadian Gaming Corp. (GCGC) casinos in Ontario, but not all. Strikes went forward on July 18 at Casino Woodbine and Pickering Casino Resort. All are represented by Unifor Local 1090, who say they are striking for better wages and benefits.

Lithuania, Ukraine to Share Information on Gaming

Lithuania and Ukraine’s gaming authorities have agreed to share information. Lithuanian Director of the Gaming Control Authority Virginijus Daukšys is pleased to be able to assist Ukraine with his country’s regulatory expertise.

ASIAN GAMING More

Okada: ‘Kidnaping’ Lawsuit Won’t Stand

Kazuo Okada (l.) wants the Philippine DOJ to toss a lawsuit filed by a former Okada Manila officer alleging unlawful detention and coercion. Okada’s son calls the businessman’s takeover of the property a “shameless heist.”

Analyst: IPI Can’t Recover

Imperial Pacific International, operator of a failed casino on Saipan, is too far gone to come back, says Tim Shepard, director of Fortuna Investments. Since 2019, IPI has written off more than $1 billion in gaming debts.

EUROPEAN GAMING More

U.K. Problem Gambling Levels Stable

A survey of 4,000 U.K. respondents indicates that problem gambling levels have stabilized at 0.2 percent of the population. The results were released by the U.K. Gambling Commission. At the same time, the numbers who have voluntarily put controls on their gambling has surpassed 300,000.

German Regulator Asks ISPs to Block Illegal Websites

Germany’s new online gaming regulator, Glücksspielbehörde (GGL), is asking ISPs to voluntarily block unlicensed websites that illegally try to get Germans to make bets. While they aren’t obligated to do so, the regulator says cooperation will serve and protect consumers.

Italy’s Gaming Reforms Will Have to Wait for PM Exit

Planned reforms of Italy’s gaming industry have been put on indeterminate hold. Any reforms will have to wait until after a snap election on September 25. The election resulted from the resignation of Prime Minister Mario Draghi (l.), which brought down his coalition government.

GLOBAL GAMING More

India’s Tax Hike Could Destroy Online Skill-Game Industry, Investors Fear

India’s Goods and Services Tax Council led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (l.), is considering a 28 percent tax, up from the current 18 percent. This has prompted several investor groups to write a letter warning the government it could smother the growth of the $20 billion skill-based gaming industry.

Critics: Peru’s Sports Betting law Could Harm Industry

The Peruvian Sports Betting Association (APADELA) warns that a new taxation law recently passed by the Congress of the Republic could cause huge losses for the county’s sports betting industry. It also has a loophole that favors companies not based in Peru, it says.

Operators Object to Ontario Sports Betting Ad Standards

Stringent sports betting ad standards in Ontario’s sports betting and online wagering market are unnecessarily oppressive, say operators. However, Canadian Gaming Association President/ CEO Paul Burns (l.) says they should be given a chance to work.

Nova Scotia’s Online Casino Goes Live

Nova Scotia, Canada’s online casino went live July 21. Finance Minister Allan MacMaster (l.) said the government wanted to avoid a fanfare with the site, operated by Atlantic Lottery Corp. “We're not trying to really promote it.” He added, “We just wanted to put it out there.”

ONLINE GAMING More

Few POGOs Left in the Philippines

Just 35 licensed offshore gaming operations remain in the Philippines, down from a high of 63, with only 26 doing business. Gaming regulator Victor Padilla blames Covid-19 for the decimation of the industry.

SPORTS BETTING More

Lawmaker Seeks Special Session for Minnesota Sports Betting

Minnesota has run into obstacles trying to approve sports betting. This year looked like a breakthrough when the tribes agreed to compromise, but the session ended before a crucial vote. Special Session anyone? Sen. Karla Bigham (l.) says yes.

Virginia Sports Betting Promo Charges Now Favor State

When sports betting went online, operators flooded Virginia with promotions. But they got to write the cost off against taxes due to the state. The state lost out, so it changed the law to allow write offs for just 12 months.

MLB Players Association Head Concerned with Sponsorships

The players might not have a problem with the growing number of agreements between baseball and sportsbooks. But the head of the players’ association, Tony Clark (l.), warned that danger is lurking if people don’t keep an eye on it.

Ohio Begins to Assess Applicants for Business Kiosks

Ohio’s sports betting regulations allow for a lot of licenses to bars, restaurants and similar businesses who would sell tickets via a kiosk. The lottery commission has pre-approved over 1,000 around the state.

Kansas Speedway Renames NASCAR Race

Kansas Speedway’s NASCAR Cup Series race will now be called the Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by Barstool Sportsbook. The casino is expected to open at least a temporary Barstool Sportsbook prior to the September race.

Sporttrade Brings New Approach to Sports Bets in New Jersey

Sporttrade, as the name suggests, is attempting to mesh the philosophies of sports betting and day trading into a single platform, one where players could buy and sell team holdings before a game is even over. The biggest question now is whether bettors will adopt this stock market-like mindset.

UNITED STATES GAMING More

Colorado Law Cracks Down on ‘Gray’ Casinos

A new law in Colorado gives the state Division of Gaming more power to help communities shut down so-called “gray casinos” that offer cash or crypto prizes for slot-like games. The law was recently signed by Gov. Jared Polis (l.).

Chicago Area Residents Group Rejects Casino Concert Venue

A Chicago residents group has sent 42 recommendations to Bally’s, the city’s recent casino sweepstakes winner. The group wants the casino operator to replace a proposed outdoor music venue with a public park at its $1.7 billion downtown facility (l.).

Alabama Legislator Will Sponsor Gambling Bill--Again

Alabama state Senator Greg Albritton (l.) will try once again to convince fellow legislators to pass a bill allowing a lottery, casinos and a Poarch Creek Indian gaming compact. His comprehensive gambling bill failed last year.

Caesars Draws $50K Fine for NJ Regulatory Violations

Caesars Entertainment has been socked with $50,000 in regulatory fines connected to its three Atlantic City properties—Caesars, Tropicana and Harrah’s (l.)—after 49 employees had not been properly registered.

Decision on Nittany Mall Mini-Casino on Hold

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has indicated it will be November or later before it reaches a decision on the licensing of the Nittany Mall mini-casino (l.) near Penn State University.

Virginia Casino Officials Seek 1,300 Employees

Despite widespread workforce shortages, officials at the $300 million Rivers Casino Portsmouth (l.) are confident they can fill 1,300 job openings by the end of the year, before the venue opens in 2023.

Colorado Casino Rebranded Horseshoe Black Hawk

Isle Casino Hotel Black Hawk, one of the oldest and largest casino hotels in Black Hawk, Colorado, is now Horseshoe Black Hawk. The rebranding includes a renovated exterior, Horseshoe signage, upgraded rooms and a reconfigured gaming floor.

TRIBAL GAMING More

Wisconsin Tribe Again Proposes Kenosha Casino

The Menominee Tribe, in partnership with Hard Rock International, once again is proposing a casino in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Their previous effort was blocked in 2015 by then-Governor Scott Walker.

Majority of Minnesota’s Chippewa Tribe Votes to Remove Blood Requirement

Blood quantum requirements are very common for enrollment in Native tribes around the U.S., but one large tribe—the Minnesota Chippewa—could remove it. A recent vote showed that its members are leaning towards abolishing the criteria. Melanie Benjamin (l.), chief executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, says the vote was advisory only.

Nebraska Grants WarHorse Provisional Licenses

The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska’s WarHorse Gaming received provisional licenses from the state to open racinos at Horsemen’s Park in Omaha and Lincoln Race Course. Both will offer temporary casinos during construction.

Virginia Tribe Changes Temporary Casino Plans

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe announced it will build a temporary HeadWaters Casino in the parking lot of its future $500 million permanent casino resort (l.), instead of in Harbor Park Stadium.

Graton Rancheria Donates $4 Million to UCLA Law

The partnership between UCLA and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria is continuing to expand thanks to Graton’s recent $4.265 million donation, which will go towards two new faculty chairs in tribal law, according to Tribal Chairman Greg Sarris (l.).

LOTTERY More

IGT Launches iLottery Games in Michigan

IGT has agreed to launch iLottery games with the Michigan Lottery through its subsidiary, IGT Global Solutions Corporation, using its proprietary remote gaming server.

PEOPLE More

Mark Clayton Named to Bragg Gaming Board of Directors

Bragg Gaming Group has announced the appointment of Mark Clayton (l.) to its board of directors. Clayton is a veteran gaming attorney who has represented a number of different gaming companies and organizations over the years.

Aruze Names Kurt Hansen VP of iGaming

Kurt Hansen (l.) has been named vice president of iGaming for Aruze Gaming. Hansen will be responsible for overseeing all iGaming operations as the company looks to expand in the sector.

GOODS & SERVICES More

Aristocrat Launches Dragon Link in Manila

Aristocrat Gaming unveiled its Dragon Link slot machine (l.) at a special showcase event on the floor of Manila’s Solaire Resort & Casino, introducing the link to Asian customers for the first time.

NV: Jackpot Digital to Install 2 ETGs at Buffalo Bill’s

Electronic game supplier Jackpot Digital has signed an agreement with Buffalo Bill’s Casino Resort to supply two of its Jackpot Blitz electronic table games. CEO Jake Kalpakian called Nevada a “key addition” to the company’s portfolio.

BMM Testlabs Authorized in Nebraska

BMM Testlabs is now licensed to test and certify gaming equipment in Nebraska after receiving official approval from the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission.

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