
Archive: Vol-21-No-22-June-5-2023







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.”






CASINO-OLOGY: Cutting Off Too Many Cards in Blackjack is Costing you Revenue
Those looking to optimize Blackjack revenues may consider experimenting with deeper deck penetration—in this month’s edition of Casino-Ology, table game expert Bill Zender (l.) breaks down the potential pitfalls of shallow penetration and why the risks of card counting are often overblown.






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.
Featured Stories More
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.
Canadians Becoming Increasingly Disgruntled with Betting Ads
Canadian airwaves have seen an explosion of gambling related advertisements, calling for more regulation to protect people from problem gambling.
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.
North Carolina Rushing to Get a Sports Betting Bill Passed
The North Carolina Legislature is determined. A sports betting bill has jumped out of the gate thanks to Senators and Representatives. One committee puts in horse racing slots. Another pulls it out.
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.
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Susan Hensel and Joseph Grad, Co-Founders and Partners, Hensel Grad
Susan Hensel and Joseph Grad, Co-Founders and Partners at law firm, Hensel Grad, spoke with GGB Managing Editor, Jess Marquez, on future plans and the regulatory environment of today’s market.
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.
Philippine Police to Crack Down on Lax Enforcement
General Benjamin Acorda Jr. (l.), head of the Philippine National Police, says law enforcement officials who look the other way in the face of illegal gambling will face legal repercussions.
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
Entain Could Face Sizable Penalty for Violations in Turkey
Officials at Entain say they are expecting a large penalty following an investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) regarding its Turkish operations.
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.”
SkyCity Adelaide Ordered to Appoint Expert to Revise AML Standards
SkyCity Adelaide (l.) has been ordered to appoint a third-party expert to review and amend its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing protocols.
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
Illinois Governor Gets Two Sports Betting Bills to Sign
The Illinois Legislature passed two sports betting bills, but they look far different than when they were introduced. Now they await the signature of Governor J.B. Pritzker (l.)
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.
Five Fantasy Sports Apps Under Investigation by OCCC
The Ohio Casino Control Commission has said it is investigating five fantasy sports websites that they allege are offering sports betting not fantasy sports.
Massachusetts Commission Votes to Retain Tax on Promo Play
One of the controversies in sports betting legislation is whether to tax promotional play. Massachusetts did, and then voted unanimously to retain the tax since it has not been an issue with operators.
New York Commission Keeps Third-Party Advertising
To regulators, third-party affiliates are a thorn in the side. The New York State Gaming Commission considered a ban, but chose instead to retain the policy…for now.
Beta Test Begins in Massachusetts for Fanatics Sportsbook
Fanatics Sportsbook has begun its beta testing in Massachusetts. The phase is open only to retail customers of Fanatics apparel. Massachusetts becomes the company’s third launch.
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.
Colorado Governor Vetoes Casino Credit Bill
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (l.) disagreed with those in the state Legislature and vetoed a bill that would have allowed casinos to loan money to customers.
NJ Bill Would Mandate Treatment for Underage Gamblers
A bill that cleared committee in the New Jersey Senate would give judges the option to mandate treatment for underage offenders caught gambling in casinos.
Four Suspects Involved in $225K ETG Scam at the Cosmo
A team of four fraudsters has been charged with cheating after winning over $225,000 in a scam involving the Azure Roll to Win Electronic Craps table (l.) at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas late last year.
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.
F1 Fans Already Buying Out Strip Restaurants for Nov. Race
The Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix was always expected to bring big money to the Las Vegas Strip, but renting out entire world-class restaurants with views of the track? That’s some serious scratch.
Pennsylvania Casinos Implement Cashless Options
Three Pennsylvania casinos have begun tests of cashless wagering options after receiving approval from the state Gaming Control Board.
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.
Jeff Baldi Named SVP of Commercial Strategy for Table Trac
Casino management system provider Table Trac has appointed Jeff Baldi (l.) to the role of senior vice president of commercial strategy.
GOODS & SERVICES More
Koin Payments Expands to Northern NV, Partners with Baldini’s
Koin Payments has partnered with Baldini’s Casino in Sparks to bring cashless play to the northern Nevada market for the first time.
TRADE SHOWS & CONFERENCES More
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
NEWS & NOTES
Small Nuggets of News
THEY SAID IT More
QUOTABLE QUOTES
Outrageous pronouncements, simple statements and words of wisdom.