A Conference that Regulators Should Attend

The sports betting ecosystem in the U.S. works best when all of its parts are working together in a collaborative fashion. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen, and relationships are often strained as a result. Bet Bash, says Richard Schuetz (l.), is a conference that can help mend some of those sore spots for both players and regulators.

Fifth Player on Detroit Lions Nailed for Sports Betting

The Detroit Lions have four players serving suspensions of various lengths for betting on sports while located at the team facility, a violation of league rules. Coaches and the NFL struggle to find the right formula to get the point across.

German Sports Betting Association Opposes Ad Ban

DSWV, the German Sports Betting Association, opposes a ban on gambling advertisements proposed by Federal Drug Commissioner Burkhard Blienert (l.). He declared, “Tobacco, alcohol and sports betting are far too present in public space. Something needs to change, and I will drive that change.”

Crown Resorts Accepts Massive $294 Million Fine for AML Failures

Everyone makes mistakes, but when they start to pile up, things can become very expensive, very quickly. Crown Resorts learned this lesson when it agreed to a gargantuan $294 million settlement—the largest ever for an Australian operator—related to anti-money laundering violations at its Crown Perth and Crown Melbourne (l.) casinos.

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Gaming Compact for Senecas Pressures Governor

A bill that would require New York Governor Kathy Hochul (l.) to begin negotiations for a new gaming compact for the Seneca Nation of Indians puts new pressure on the governor to act.

A’s, Lawmakers Release Draft for Strip Stadium Financing Plan

The hands have shaken, the deals have been signed and the renderings for the A’s new stadium (l.) have been released. The only thing left is the financing and legal details—how fun! A draft of the financing proposal is here, and the gamble sure is big for both the team and the state. Can the lowly last-place A’s handle the Vegas stage?

Caesars, Hudson Yards Unveil New York Plans

Caesars Entertainment has unveiled elaborate plans for its proposed casino in Times Square (l.), while the developer of a proposed Wynn-branded casino at Hudson Yards revealed a revised bid.

Nagasaki IR Hopes Fading

Investors who hoped to develop an integrated resort in Nagasaki face the dissolution of the plan, per an industry expert. Professor Toru Mihara says the consortium could fall apart due to the plan’s lack of details.

Brazil’s IBJR Pushes for Sports Betting Regulation

Brazil’s Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) is warning that the country should not further delay implementing a framework for regulation of sports betting. IBJR warned lawmakers and regulators that four years is long enough to wait, and that delays engender insecurity among operators.

Debate on Spanish Gaming Ad Ban Remains Hot

Spanish gambling companies are still hotly contesting the Royal Decree 958/2020 on Commercial Communications for Gambling Activities. The pros and cons of restrictions on advertisements was a much discussed topic at the Gaming in Spain Conference in Madrid in May.

Texas Can’t Revisit Sports Betting Until 2025

The Texas House voted 101-42 to pass a sports wagering bill, but it failed in the Senate, largely due to Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick’s (l.) efforts. The legislature meets every other year so lawmakers can’t revisit the issue until 2025.

FANTINI’S FINANCE: The Tortoise Approaches the Hare

For many months, the gaming industry’s post-Covid growth has outpaced the uncertainty (and perhaps inevitability) of recession, but the latest round of data indicates that what was once a breakaway lead has surely become tighter.

ASIAN GAMING More

Londoner Macao Targets International Tourists

With the opening of the Londoner Macao, Sands China has considerably expanded its presence on Macau’s Cotai Strip. The addition brings 6,000 new hotel rooms to host international travelers.

Interest Growing in PAGCOR Casinos

The Philippine gaming regulator plans to sell off its casinos sometime in 2025, says Chairman Alejandro Tengco. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has been criticized for both owning and regulating casinos.

Junket Decline Immaterial to Singapore IR

Malaysian gaming giant Genting Bhd is unconcerned about the decline of VIP junkets in Macau. CEO Tan Hee Teck said the decline will have no ripple effect in Singapore, where Genting operates Resorts World Sentosa.

EUROPEAN GAMING More

Spotlight Sports Group Predicts Tighter U.K. Regulations

Spotlight Sports Group, is telling readers that tighter gambling regulations are coming to the U.K.: “any countries that have legal sports betting and/or igaming regulations in place have begun to introduce stricter rules and regulations for operators and affiliates in the past year-plus,” the group wrote.

U.K. Gambling Commission Fines Paddy Power $600K

Paddy Power and Betfair, subsidiaries of PPB Counterparty Services Ltd., have been fined £490,000 ($604,319). They are accused of sending promotional materials to gamblers who had self-excluded. The incident happened in November 2021.

Norway to Strengthen Loss Limits for Minors

Norsk Tipping, Norway’s state-owned gambling monopoly, has announced stricter loss limit restrictions for players under 20 years old as of June 1, 2023. Minors placing bets will be allowed a monthly maximum loss of NOK2,000 (£145/€168/$181).

GLOBAL GAMING More

Kenya Watchdog Group Warns Over Rise in Gaming Ads

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) is warning media groups against the rise of gambling advertisements and promotions. It has issued an advisory “to protect investors and to ensure the highest standards of media practice in relation to advertisement of gaming activities.”

ONLINE GAMING More

France Considers legalizing Online Casinos

France’s National Assembly is mulling a bill to create a regulated market for online casinos. Currently the only online gaming allowed is sports betting and horse race wagering. Bill 1248, sponsored by Philippe Latombe, would limit the market to “national actors” for the first five years.

PAGCOR Shuts Down POGO, Hub

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has rescinded the provisional license of an offshore gaming hub in the Clark Freeport Zone and also pulled the license of the main service provider.

SPORTS BETTING More

Tennessee Changes Tax from Revenue to Handle

The 36 states with sports betting in operation tax gross gaming revenue. Tennessee has voted to buck the system and tax handle. The tax rate drops from 20 to 1.85 percent but raises more money.

VSiN to Broadcast in New Hampshire

The VSiN sports betting network has reached an agreement with Binnie Media to broadcast its sports betting content around the clock on the WFNQ-FM/106.3-FM HD2 station..

UNITED STATES GAMING More

RSCVA to Pause Search for New CEO, Citing Need to Restrategize

The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority has had a tough run of controversy at the CEO position. Now that outgoing boss Charles Harris has been granted an early separation, the agency wants to take a step back and regroup its strategy and vision moving forward.

Danville, Illinois Casino Welcomes the Public

The $105 million Golden Nugget Danville (l.) in Illinois opened on May 27 with 500-plus slots, 14 table games, a sportsbook, fine dining restaurant and sports bar. Future plans include hotels, more restaurants and meeting space.

Missouri AG Noncommittal On Unregulated Machines

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (l.) was noncommittal when asked if he thought gambling machines proliferating statewide were legal or not. But a St. Louis Post-Dispatch report indicated Missourians want officials to regulate the games.

Borgata Unveils Rebranded MGM Tower

Atlantic City’s Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa has unveiled the rebranded MGM Tower (l.), after a $55 million refurbishment of the hotel tower originally branded The Water Club.

Nebraska Temporary Casino Expands

Table games, a sports bar, a sportsbook and live entertainment area are being added to the temporary casino at Fonner Park in Grand Island, Nebraska. Construction is expected to be complete in August, in time for the football season.

TRIBAL GAMING More

Missouri Town Tables Tribal Casino Resolution

The Lake Ozark board of aldermen tabled a resolution supporting the Osage Nation’s proposed casino until the tribe can provide more information, including tax collection and impacts on traffic, city services and the environment.

PEOPLE More

CEO Brown to Leave Gaming Innovation Group

The board of Gaming Innovation Group announced that CEO Richard Brown (l.) will step down from his position by the end of the year, as the company initiates a search for a new top executive.

Ho, Hornbuckle Reelected to MGM Board

MGM China co-chairs Bill Hornbuckle and Pansy Ho (l.) were reelected to the company’s board of directors at a meeting on May 25. Both are executive directors of MGM Resorts International’s Asia unit.

Nebraska Gaming Regulators Add Personnel

As Nebraska’s third temporary casino is about to open, the Racing and Gaming Commission has added commissioners and staff. But NRGC Executive Director Tom Sage said the agency still struggles to find qualified employees to regulate the fast-growing industry.

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Asian IR Expo Debuts in July in Macau

The first-ever Asian IR Expo will take place July 11-13 at Venetian Macau, in conjunction with the Greater Bay Area Hotel And Cultural & Creative Industry Expo.

NUTSHELL More

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