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.

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.

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.

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 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.

The Fort Sill Apache and Mescalero Apache tribes may share a common history, but that doesn’t mean they see eye-to-eye. As Fort Sill continues to push for expansion into New Mexico, Mescalero leaders, including President Eddie Martinez (l.), continue to push back.

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 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.

As more operators report results, local markets have started to show signs of decline. However, that may not have a huge impact on the companies who have proven themselves to be well-constructed and well-run thus far.

This week, the GGB Podcast sits down the Joe Esposito, the CEO of Gary Platt Manufacturing, on the delivery of one million chairs by the leading chair producer in the business.

Las Vegas Sands chief Rob Goldstein (l.) says Singapore, home of Marina Bay Sands, won’t fully rebound until international travel returns to pre-pandemic levels. Goldstein also cited limited personnel as a dampener.

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.”

The Japan Times has reported that Huis Ten Bosch (l.), a Dutch-themed amusement park planned as the location for a Nagasaki integrated resort, will be sold. A reputed suitor declined to comment.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The casino at Crown Sydney (l.) is now set to open on August 8, after a long and tumultuous multi-year journey for Crown Resorts. The new casino is designed to attract high-dollar clientele, with luxury amenities and offerings.

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.

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.

South Australia’s Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner has commenced its inquiry into the operations of SkyCity Adelaide and is now seeking submissions. Brian Martin AO QC (l.) will lead the investigation.

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.”

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.

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.

Consumer Choice Center advocacy group ranked all the states for their consumer-friendly attitude. Surprisingly, New Jersey wasn’t in the top echelon. Iowa and West Virginia were.

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.

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.

BetMGM received its Louisiana license as the interim ran out, no thanks to Barry Diller. His company owns a 7 percent share of BetMGM and has been under SEC investigation. Until it’s resolved, Diller (l.) has conditions.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (l.) wants to see mobile sports betting by the time the NFL kicks off its regular games. Regulators ignored his pitch. Given all that has to happen, it doesn’t sound feasible.

As the debates surrounding Massachusetts sports betting continue, three of the state’s biggest names in gaming, including MGM Springfield President Chris Kelley (l.) have penned a letter to state lawmakers asking them to get a deal done sooner rather than later.

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’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.

FanDuel will rebrand its TVG racing network into FanDuel TV, with less racing and more programs related to sports betting content. FanDuel TV now becomes the first watch-and-wager network in the U.S.

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.

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.).

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 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 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.

Blackstone Group made out pretty well on its recent sale of the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas (l.), likely pulling in billions of dollars in profit. That’s definitely a good deal, but it has led some to question whether the state needs to adjust its corporate tax structures.

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.

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.

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.

Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor (l.) has made it clear that he intends to expand state authority when it comes to prosecuting crimes committed by non-Natives on tribal lands. The tribes and federal agencies, however, may not be so eager.

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.

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.

Illinois Representatives Jesus Garcia (l.) and Lauren Underwood have submitted a bill that would restore hundreds of acres of reservation land to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. The proposed legislation also includes allocations for financial damages.

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.

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.

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.).

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

Barrie Wilson (l.) has been appointed as manager of client services at GLI. Based in Sydney, Wilson will manage client relations for the companies iGaming, land-based and lottery divisions in the APAC region.

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.

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.

The All-In Diversity Project has issued its 2002 report on diversity, equality and inclusion in the gaming industry, reflecting changes brought on by the global pandemic.

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.

IGT reports it has placed 140 slot games at Argentina’s newest casino, the Nuevo Casino Alberdi in Salta, the order accounting for a 70 percent share of the slot floor.

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.

2022’s AGEM & AGA Golf Classic was a hit, raising $180,000 for the International Center for Responsible Gaming. The event has raised over $2 million for problem gambling research to date.

WiFi monetization and management company GoZone has expanded into the gaming industry with its Smart WiFi Suite of data analytics and player rewards services.

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

Incredible Technologies has announced a collaboration with Choctaw Nation Master Artist D.G. Smalling (l.), to be unveiled at the upcoming OIGA Tradeshow. Smalling will design artwork to be used on IT-produced Class II and III machines.