Fulham FC and Everton recently signed record deals to have sports betting companies on their jerseys. This flies in the face of efforts by the Premier League to phase out the practice before the U.K. government does it.
Sports betting has contributed to a rise in problem gambling. In severe cases, the problem gambling may lead to suicidal thoughts. Experts say operators are not doing enough to help.
Last year, Richard Schuetz criticized the East Coast Gaming Congress for presenting an 11 member panel of gaming CEOs—all men. This year, ECGC will present the same panel—this time of nine men. But having women moderators makes all the difference, giving all women hope.
For the first time this year, the American Association has expanded Responsible Gaming Education Week to a full month, with each week focusing on a different element of the responsible gaming issue. AGA’s Cait DeBaun explains.
Five hours beyond the end of the legislative session, lawmakers in Massachusetts approved a much-maligned sports betting law. In-person betting comes with a 15 percent tax, coupled with a 20 percent tax on mobile wagers.
So far, Atlantic County has won big in their battle with the state of New Jersey over what the latter owes to the former as part of the PILOT program in a judgment by New Jersey Superior Court Judge Michael Blee (l.). But the state plans to appeal in their effort to change their fortunes.
While the over two-week lockdown period and partial reopening have badly impacted the casinos of Macau, a full reopening of the properties may not help with China’s zero-Covid policy still in place. Meanwhile, André Cheong (l.) will chair the Commission for Gaming Licenses Tender and will decide who wins a concession.
A report commissioned by the games company Light & Wonder and produced by VIXIO GamblingCompliance says that states who are not considering legal iGaming are losing out on billion is revenue and taxes, according to LNW government affairs director Howard Glaser (l.).
With limited legal gambling opportunities, Texans spend an estimated $5 billion annually at casinos in neighboring states. The next chance to legalize casino gambling will be the 88th legislative session in 2024.
The American Gaming Association has revised its anti-money laundering guide, this being the third edition of the resource. The last update came in 2019, but much has changed since, for both operators and regulators.
From the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine’s gaming industry has devoted itself to supporting its country’s war effort. At the same time, it is fighting for a postwar environment that will allow the sector to thrive. Ukrainian Gaming Council Chairman Anton Kuchukhidze (l.) says his members are totally supporting the war effort.
Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg (l.) has announced that the company is remaining neutral in the election campaign raging over sports betting in California. Reeg said the company has friends on both sides, among gaming tribes and online sports betting operators.
The two prefectures—Osaka and Nagasaki—that are the likely winners of a Japanese casino license last week quashed opposition to the process last week, allowing the process to continue. Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura (l.) led the effort to shut down a proposed referendum on the IR.
The LIV Tour has had some hiccups in its quest to compete with the PGA Tour. When LIV stopped at Trump International in Bedminster N.J., the state, along with N.Y. and Pennsylvania, refused to accept bets because the tour is Saudi backed.
This week, the GGB Podcast features a discussion with Felicia Grondin, the executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, on how and why group allowed other responsible gaming organizations to use the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline on a nationwide basis.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore Act went into effect on August 1, establishing a new Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) that will oversee all gambling in Singapore, including the casinos, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.
Bremen, Germany (l.) has rejected more than 30 sports betting licenses for betting shops. It cites concerns that they are hotbeds of money laundering. The industry is fighting back with the German Sports Betting Association (DSMV), calling the license rejections “politically motivated.”
The association that represents gaming companies across the EU is urging members to cooperate more with each other and adopt a “stronger culture of responsibility and cooperation.” The European Gaming and Betting Association’s (EGBA) says too many operators sit on the sidelines.
Belgium has issued a Royal Decree that will limit weekly deposits to online gaming sites to €200. The limit applies to each site. The decree goes into effect October 20. Players can request an increased limit from Belgium’s Gaming Commission (BGC).
KSA, the Dutch gaming authority, is investigating an increased mixing of lottery and online gaming operations by Dutch lottery companies. KSA said it is investigating lotteries “increasingly adding online game elements to their offer.” It is illegal to offer a game linked to an online lottery.
If the job of Gambling Ombudsman is created for the U.K., then the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS) is very publicly applying for the job. The ombudsman position could be created by a revamping of the Gambling Act contemplated in the White Paper review of the law.
Google has been fined €700,000 for its subsidiary YouTube's alleged violation of Italian law. Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni (Agcom) imposed the fine for violating the strict law banning sports betting ads.
The Victorian state government and its chief gaming regulator, Melissa Horne (l.), have announced a flurry of new regulations for gaming operators. These include mandatory “pre-commitments” for Australian bettors as well as daily cash limits, among others.
Two casinos in Ontario, Canada, are on strike against Great Canadian Gaming Corp. The union representing about 800 workers of the Ajax and Pickering casinos are striking for equal pay with other Great Canadian properties. One of those casinos, Woodbine, has begun picketing in solidarity.
El Salvador and Canada have signed an agreement for the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) to create and run a new national electronic lottery. The money raised will go to municipalities, to public health, education and social assistance. And, of course, to lottery vendors.
Star Entertainment has delayed the opening of its Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development (l.) until late 2023 at the earliest. The company cited ongoing struggles with labor shortages, inflation and supply chain disruptions.
IGT CFO Max Chiara (l.) recently announced that the company has closed an amendment and extension of its revolving credit facilities for three years, and an amendment to its term loan facilities.
Flutter, the owner of Paddy Power, Betfair and Sky Bet, announced it will lay off staff in the U.K. and Ireland to address a number of redundancies discovered in an internal review.
Malta-based operator Tipico is announcing the success of its “panic button” tool, designed to battle problem gambling by giving players an instant self-exclusion method.
iGaming provider PopOK Gaming has announced that it has cleared all regulatory hurdles and is now live in Romania. The company will now offer a total of 18 games to Romanian players.
Bally’s Corp. struck a deal to become the sports betting partner of the Yankees, a team that seems destined for the World Series. The agreement includes marketing and promotional materials on TV and in the stadium.
Entain, the U.K.-based major sports betting company, took 1.5 million online bets for the recent Women’s Euro 2022 soccer tournament. Not only were more wagers placed worldwide, but the company saw a major rise in women bettors.
The Ohio college prep school SPIRE, a training ground for student athletes that charges $50,000 in annual tuition, applied to the Ohio Casino Control Commission for online and retail sports betting licenses.
Massachusetts approved sports betting this summer. So did Maine. But the state Gambling Control Unit director, Milt Champion (l.), says it may take until 2024 before the state is ready to go live.
Caesars Sportsbook went live with its app in Wyoming August 2. The next day, the company signed a partnership deal with the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies. Not bad for two days’ work.
Rush Street Interactive has opened its latest sportsbook in Bingo World in Baltimore (l.). For Maryland, it marks the first retail location not to be featured in a casino. The 3,000 square-foot venue comes with a lounge and theater-style seating.
Bankroll (l.) is a new kind of sports bar. While it doesn’t contain any kiosks or cages to place a bet, it offers a concierge service to educate novices and veterans on the nuances and basics of sports betting.
Resorts Casino Hotel and Golden Nugget Atlantic City have reached an accord with Unite Here Local 54 on a new contract. The two were the last to join the other seven casino hotels, thus averting any strike.
State election commissioners (l.) rejected a proposed amendment that would remove Pope County as a casino site. They said the ballot title was misleading, since it didn’t mention the Cherokee Nation already holds a permit for a Pope County casino.
The Richmond (l.) City Council has determined it won’t place on the November ballot a referendum that would allow voters to decide if future casino revenue should go towards renovating schools.
The Louisiana Attorney General’s office and the Louisiana Racing Commission reportedly are investigating a report of $2 million “missing” from the purse fund at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City (l.).
The Clark County Commission has expanded its “order out corridor” ordinance, making it so that convicted criminals can be barred from the Las Vegas Strip. Such individuals will also face additional charges for violating those orders.
Beau Rivage Casino Resort (l.) partnered with Sun Country Airlines in 2008 to offer charter flights to the Gulfport-Biloxi Airport in Mississippi. They expect to welcome their one millionth customer later this month.
Americans for Nonsmokers Rights has submitted comments to gaming regulators in Pennsylvania on the issue of smoke-free casinos as Mount Airy Casino (l.) applies for relicensing.
Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith recently affirmed that the company’s Eastside Cannery casino (l.) will remain closed indefinitely due to lack of demand. Smith also reiterated that Boyd has no plans to demolish the property at this time.
Casino magnate Phil Ruffin (l.) recently met representatives from the Oakland A’s to discuss the possibility of building a new ballpark on land he owns near Circus Circus. The A’s have been courting Las Vegas in recent months, and Ruffin’s proposal is one of several the team is considering.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority recently released new tourism data, including arrivals at McCarran Airport (l.), for the city, and the results show that visitation is certainly rebounding, but not quite to pre-pandemic levels.
Despite some cost increases and supply chain issues, the $100 million Golden Nugget Danville Casino in Illinois is expected to open in spring 2023, with 500 slots, 14 table games, a sportsbook and two restaurants.
States may not coerce gaming tribes for concessions in state tribal gaming compacts that have nothing to do with gaming. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and Judge Daniel Bress (l.) July 28 ruled that California was wrong to try to impose state environmental laws when negotiating new compacts.
The Catawba Nation’s Two Kings Casino (l.) in North Carolina is being investigated for connections to a slot-leasing company that gave shares to former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s husband and Rep. Jim Clyburn’s brother.
The city of Polson, Montana (l.) seeks to annex about 80 acres near US 93 to be used for the proposed S&K Casino. The casino, a project of the Flathead Reservation, would have 350 slots, a commercial development, hotel, events center, RV park, housing and food service.
Soaring Eagle Casino (l.), owned by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and the Detroit Lions announced a multi-year partnership. The casino will be the presenting partner for online, on-site and broadcast programs.
North Carolina’s Lumbee Tribe is making a push for federal recognition through Congress, but the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is heavily opposed, saying that Congress is a shortcut to recognition that shouldn’t be allowed.
Hard Rock International has chosen Joe Lupo (l.) to be the new president of the Mirage in Las Vegas once the company completes its acquisition of the property from MGM. Lupo currently serves as president of Hard Rock Atlantic City. Mirage will be rebranded as Hard Rock Las Vegas.
Longtime finance veteran Ian Silk (l.) has been named as the new chairman of Crown Melbourne, as the company looks to put its best foot forward following multiple state inquiries.
Carolyn Renzin (l.) has been promoted to FanDuel’s chief legal officer, after joining the company just last year. She will now handle all of the online bookmaker’s compliance operations.
Virginia McDowell (l.), former CEO of Isle of Capri Casinos and co-founder of Global Gaming Women, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the East Coast Gaming Congress.
GLI has promoted three client services staff, Patrick Cottingham, Jamie Garcia and Christos Karountzos (l. to r.) to new positions. Cottingham is now client services manager, and Garcia and Karountzos are now senior account executives.
Zitro celebrated its first installation of slots in the Philippines, including the titles 88 Link and Bashiba Link, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Manila Jockey Club.
An advertising campaign in Delaware designed to raise awareness of the dangers of gambling addiction by using a sleazy fictional spokesman (l.) has won a Healthcare Advertising Award.
