A Capital Offense

What can go wrong when a gaming company pledges a series of responsible gaming programs but then never fulfills them? Gaming expert Richard Schuetz says losing the trust of the government is just one of the consequences.

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WEEKLY FEATURE: Kentucky Passes Skill Games Ban

Kentucky lawmakers passed a bill banning slot-like skill games, although thousands of the machines have proliferated statewide in recent years. Governor Andy Beshear officially cemented it with his signature March 16.

LVCVA Unloads 10-Acre Strip Plot for $125 Million

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has sold its 10-acre, Strip-facing plot (l.) to developers Brett Torino and Paul Kanavos for a price of $125 million, $5 million more than the sum previously agreed to with Chilean investor Claudio Fischer, before Fischer pulled out of the deal in January.

Singapore: No Crypto for Gaming

Singapore’s new Gambling Regulatory Authority is steering clear of cryptocurrency for land-based gambling, and may prohibit it for iGaming as well.

Tabcorp Raises Alarm for Entain-AHA Deal; CEO Pledges Ad Reform

Tabcorp is exploring legal recourse for a partnership between rival Entain and the Australian Hotels Association that seemingly undermines Tabcorp’s exclusivity arrangement with the New South Wales government. Additionally, the company plans to pull its advertising from mainstream TV, according to CEO Adam Rytenskild (l.).

Ukraine Targets Gaming Businesses for Closure

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (l.) has issued an executive order shutting down hundreds of gaming companies suspected of acting against the country’s interests. The list is topped by BetCity, Matchbet and Parimatch Ukraine. The latter is asking for a proper hearing before the courts.

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Macau Gaming Operators Push Sporting Events

Macau casino operators, responding to the government’s demand for more non-gaming attractions, are planning large-scale sporting events. In Singapore, meanwhile, Resorts World Sentosa will host a major golf tourney.

Philippines Auditor Gets the Boot

The Philippine gaming regulator will fire the auditor it hired to oversee iGaming operations, and may pursue charges. Global ComRCI may have presented false credentials to get the job.

MGTO Uses Influencers to Grow Thai Tourism

Macau tourism officials hope to boost visitation from Thailand with the help of social influencers. The city is working to grow the international tourism base by offering a diversity of attractions beyond gaming.

EUROPEAN GAMING More

Russia May be Using Cyberattacks to Help Fund War

After a dip in the number, if not the severity of cyberattacks on American and international businesses, experts are seeing hack attacks increasing again. This has some speculating that Russian ransomware hackers may be trying to help finance the invasion of Ukraine.

U.K. Race Festival Raised Concerns Over Consumer Affordability

Because higher numbers of U.K. residents polled said they intended to bet more on the Cheltenham horse racing festival (l.) than they did last year, some were concerned many might not all be able to afford it. The festival was from March 14 to 17. Bookmakers are required to conduct affordability checks.

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Finance Ministry: Brazil’s Sportsbooks Must be Based There

Brazil’s Finance Ministry will soon publish regulations for sports betting. They will require sportsbook operators to be headquartered in the country. They will each pay U.S. $5.75 million for a five-year license. This is expected to cut the number of operators from 500 to about 50.

Cyprus Betting Activity Jumps 22 Percent from ‘21

Betting activity in the island nation of Cyprus has jumped 22 percent last year from the year before. The Cyprus National Betting Authority also reports that the share of licensed betting shops as a percentage of GDP rose from 0.99 percent in 2016 to 3.55 percent during the same period.

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Kansas Sees February Sports Betting Revenues Nosedive

The Kansas City Chiefs play in Kansas City. In Missouri, Not in Kansas. Does that adequately explain why February saw Dorothy’s state bring in less than $1,200 in revenue despite the Chiefs’ win in the Super Bowl?

Maryland Lawmaker Pushes for Audits for Sportsbooks

State Senator Craig Zucker (l.) has an issue with regulations approved by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. They don’t go far enough. So he wants the legislature to add independent audits for sportsbooks.

Virginia Considers Return to Partial Deductions for Promos

Deducting the cost of free-bet promotions from sports betting taxes has proven controversial in the five years since the widespread approval of betting. Virginia went from “yes” to deductions to “no,” and now may say “yes” to partial deductions.

Rick Perry Optimistic About Texas Sports Betting Bill

Rick Perry (l.), the former Texas Governor, exudes confidence that the legislature will do its part in pushing sports betting towards the law. The pathway through a constitutional amendment strengthens his position.

UNITED STATES GAMING More

Missouri Lawmakers Consider Casino Amendment

Missourians could vote on a constitutional amendment allowing a casino at the Lake of the Ozarks under a bill sponsored by state Rep. Jeff Knight (l.), who said the venue could generate $100 million in annual revenue with $25 million going to the state.

Pennsylvania Racino Will Add Luxury Hotel

Parx Casino and Racing (l.) in Bensalem, Pennsylvania will add a 13-story, 300-room luxury hotel to be completed in 2025, with lobby and rooftop dining, banquet hall, spa and fitness center.

Seattle Police Warn of Robbers Targeting Casino Patrons

Several customers leaving casinos in the Seattle area have become victims of armed robbery. One of them was a woman in her 80s, who was robbed of $1,000. Seattle police are warning casino patrons to be careful and pay attention to their surroundings.

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Mississippi Casino Breaks Ground for Expansion

Bok Homa Casino near Laurel, Mississippi broke ground on a 7,000-square-foot expansion to include a new sports lounge, offices and a restaurant named Red Creek, the Choctaw translation for “Bok Homa.”

New Compact will Double Slots for Graton Casino

California’s Governor Gavin (L) Newsom and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria have reached an agreement for a new gaming compact. It will allow the tribe to double the number of slot machines at its Bay Area Graton Resort and Casino to 6,000.

Wisconsin Tribes Call for More State Assistance

At the state of the Tribes address given March 14 at the Wisconsin State Capitol of Madison, Robert Van Zile (l.), chairman of the Sokaogan Chippewa Community, called for more cooperation from the state with tribes. He asked the state to take a lesser percentage of casino revenue.

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Light & Wonder Mulling Australian Listing

Light & Wonder has announced that it is exploring the possibility of a secondary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange, citing the strength of the country’s gaming industry and new investment opportunities.

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QUOTABLE QUOTES

Outrageous pronouncements, simple statements and words of wisdom.