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Archive: Vol-21-No-31-August-7-2023
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D.C. Cutting Problem Gambling Resources in Latest Budget
The 2024 budget from Washington D.C. slashed $200,000 in annual funding for problem gambling resources and many are outraged at the move.
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Golden Knights’ Cup Drained Las Vegas Sportsbooks
When a hometown team wins a championship, civic pride trumps W and L statements for sportsbooks. Proof? The Golden Knights won their first Stanley Cup and the industry lost $6.6 million in June alone.
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10 Tips to Avoid Regulatory Scrutiny as State AGs Focus on Gaming
In order for operators and bookmakers to flourish in a regulated industry, they must of course maintain good habits with regard to compliance. Thankfully, Ryan Bottegal (l.), an associate in the State Attorneys General Group at the firm Cozen O’Connor, has some tips to help keep companies in the black and out of trouble.
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Iowa College Gambling Investigation Catches Star Quarterback
Hunter Dekkers (l.) has a great name for a quarterback. But he faces losing his spot on the Iowa State team over an accusation he gambled on his school, and to make matters worse, he was under 21.
Featured Stories More
WEEKLY FEATURE: Barcelona to host ICE and iGB Affiliate Conferences from 2025
Clarion Gaming has selected the city of Barcelona, Spain to be the host of ICE and iGB Affiliate conferences beginning in 2025. The selection followed a six-month bidding process that included Madrid, Paris and London.
A’s Ballpark: Both Vegas and Oakland Optimistic?
It appears as though the Oakland A’s are moving along nicely in their quest to build a new stadium on the site of the Tropicana, and everyone involved appears to be optimistic about their prospects. Everyone, including Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.
Churchill Downs Readies for Fall After Horse Death Scandal
Iconic horse racing track Churchill Downs (l.), home of the Kentucky Derby, is set for its fall meet after an investigation into 12 horse deaths led to several improvements.
Experts Fear High Taxes Could Hurt Brazil Sports Betting
The 18 percent tax for sports betting that Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (l.) included in his Provisional Measure has experts in the sector predicting smaller government receipts than anticipated. They also fear it could lead more to use illegal sites.
NSW Venues Begin to Alter Signage Ahead of Ban
Earlier this year, it was announced that all New South Wales bars and clubs would be forced to remove all gaming-related signage by September 1. According to the state government, about half have complied thus far.
England’s High Court Rejects IGT Lottery Challenge
The High Court of England and Wales has rejected IGT’s claim against the awarding of the U.K. National Lottery contract to Allwyn Entertainment.
Fox Bet To Disappear from Flutter and Fox in Phase
Two giants, Fox and Flutter, figured they could produce offspring that would survive in the trenches of the sports betting world. They thought wrong and Fox Bet will ease away in phases.
Report: College Loan Forgiveness Could Impact Sportsbooks
A recent report by TransUnion cautioned sportsbooks that college loan repayments could impact their bottom line.
NY Assembly Eyeing Special Session on Seneca Compact
New York State Assembly members are reportedly considering calling a special session to debate authorizing the governor to finalize the Seneca Nation’s compact before it expires December 9
FANTINI’S FINANCE: Smoke on the Horizon
After many months of obsessive recession-watching, the latest round of less-than-stellar data from June may finally be the signal investors have long feared. The margin for error appears to be tightening, and fast.
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Jim Preston, VP, Global Innovation, Interblock
In recent years, Interblock has emerged as a market leader in electronic table games, a sector that is gaining in popularity in various markets around the world. One figure who is central to the future development of the company and its eye-catching products is Jim Preston (l.) vice president of global innovation.
ASIAN GAMING More
Ho: Melco’s Macau Investment Unchanged
Lawrence Ho (l.), head of Melco Resorts & Entertainment, says the company’s total investment in Macau has not changed, speculation to the contrary. Melco pledged to plow $1.5 billion into the market over 10 years.
Philippine IR Back on Track?
PH Resorts Group, developer of a stalled integrated resort project in Cebu, Philippines, says new investors may sign on to see the plan through to completion. The IR is known as Emerald Bay.
Osaka Expo Complicated by MGM Project
The countdown is on to the 2025 World Expo on Yumeshima Island in Osaka, Japan. But simultaneous preparations for an integrated resort on the island could burden the country’s construction industry.
WPT Expanding on Land and Sea with Cruise, Asian Stops
The World Poker Tour announced a poker cruise for next year in the Caribbean and also said it is looking to expand in the Asian market.
EUROPEAN GAMING More
17 Arrested in Spanish Match-Fixing Case
Spanish national police have made arrests in two cities in connection with a probe of match-fixing. The investigation involved a third-division Royal Spanish Football Federation soccer team. The police are working in conjunction with Europol.
GLOBAL GAMING More
Enjoy Casino Puts Uruguay Casino up for Sale
Chile-headquartered Enjoy has put its Enjoy Casino in Punta del Este (l.)in Uruguay on the sale block. The property experienced losses in the first quarter of this year. That’s likely a key factor in selling the casino.
Crown Resorts Debuts New PlaySafe RG Program
Crown Resorts has announced it will roll out a new in-house responsible gaming program, known as Crown PlaySafe, at its properties throughout the rest of the year.
ONLINE GAMING More
Iowa Online Casino Legislation Uncertain In 2024
Legislation allowing online casino gambling in Iowa was introduced in 2021 but hasn’t progressed due to lawmakers’ reluctance to expand gambling beyond sports betting and casinos’ unfounded fears of cannibalization.
SPORTS BETTING More
FanDuel: Fantasy Sports Firms Running Illegal Sportsbooks
FanDuel and DraftKings insisted their Daily Fantasy Sport games were not sports betting but games of skill. They parlayed the accusations into sports betting licenses, ranked 1 and 2. Now, FanDuel has become the accuser.
No Decision Yet on Massachusetts Racetrack License
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has delayed its decision on a Category 2 wagering application from Raynham Park, a racetrack that hopes to run a sportsbook in partnership with Caesars.
Burnley Signs Sponsorship Deal with W88
Burnley became the latest Premier League team to sign a sponsorship deal with a gambling company, as they entered into a partnership with W88.
UNITED STATES GAMING More
Nevada Posts All-Time Records in FY2023
Nevada has set many gaming-related records in the last two years, and the data sheet for statewide performance in fiscal year 2023 is perhaps the most impressive ever.
Missouri Video Gambling Trial Rescheduled
A Missouri county judge delayed the high-profile trial of Torch Electronics against the Missouri Highway Patrol, whom Torch claims caused “irreparable injury” by seizing Torch’s video gambling machines from a convenience store.
Illinois Golden Nugget Hosts Grand Opening
Golden Nugget Danville (l.) held its official grand opening on August 4 although it’s been operating since May 27. Among the highlights, the local Boys & Girls Club received a check for $1 million from the developers and the casino.
Pennsylvania Regulators Approve Bally’s Casino
A $35 million Bally’s casino will occupy a former Macy’s department store at a mall (l.) in College Township, Pennsylvania, following Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approval. The board also issued $67,500 in fines to casinos and individuals.
North Carolina County Approves Casino Referendum
Nash County, North Carolina commissioners voted 6-1 in favor of a voter referendum on a commercial casino, although it’s not required in proposed legislation that also recommends casinos in Anson and Rockingham counties.
New Hampshire Cities Vie for Casino Licenses
A proposed casino in Nashua City, New Hampshire’s second largest city, is facing a delay with the city’s Planning Board on getting an initial building permit. Meanwhile, folks in Rochester are optimistic about their chances.
Former State Official Advising Mets’ Cohen on Casino Push
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen (l.) has enlisted former state Budget Director Robert F. Mujica Jr. to provide “strategic advice” on Cohen’s bid for a casino next to MetLife Stadium.
St. Louis Smoking Ban Up in Smoke
A proposed ban on smoking inside casinos in St. Louis County, Missouri failed to pass. But new legislation could make it harder for smokers to light up, in casinos and in other public places.
Sands, Canyon Ranch Partner on Wellness Center for NY Casino
Las Vegas Sands has partnered with Canyon Ranch to build a wellness center at the Sands’ proposed casino at the site of the Colosseum in Long Island (l.).
TRIBAL GAMING More
Illinois Judge Enables Casino Selection Do-Over
Full House Resorts’ temporary Waukegan casino has been operating since February but an Illinois appeals court judge ruled the Forest County Potawatomi’s claims of a “rigged” selection process may have merit.
LOTTERY More
New York Launches State Lottery Online
Jackpot.com has launched in New York state. Residents are now able to buy tickets for Powerball, Mega Millions, Cash4ife, New York Lotto and Pick 10 from the comfort of their home, or anywhere.
PEOPLE More
John Bollom to Take Helm of U.K.’s Bacta
John Bollom (l.) has been elected to a two-year term as president of bacta, the U.K. trade association that is celebrating its 50th anniversary next year. In May, bacta accepted Bollom’s proposal for a new streamlined structure for the organization.
NC Tabs Former Massachusetts Regulator to Run Sports Betting
Sterl Carpenter, who has more than 30 years of gaming experience in Massachusetts, has been named the new head of North Carolina sports betting.
Australian Tennis Coach Sanctioned for Ties with Betting Company
Tennis coach Mark Philippoussis (l.) was recently sanctioned for what was deemed to be an inappropriate business relationship with an unspecified betting company.
GOODS & SERVICES More
Play Synergy Approved for NV License, Takeover of Aruze Assets
Play Synergy has officially been granted its Nevada manufacturing and distribution licenses by state regulators, following its previously announced acquisition of Aruze Gaming.
Playtech Launches New Jumanji-Themed Title
After three years of development, Playtech has launched Jumanji The Bonus Level, a new title based on the famous Jumanji franchise.
TRADE SHOWS & CONFERENCES More
Problem Gaming Conference Spotlights Youth
Providing young people with education and services regarding problem gambling was a focus of the National Council on Problem Gambling’s 36th annual conference, recently held in Washington, D.C.
NUTSHELL More
NEWS & NOTES
Small Nuggets of News
THEY SAID IT More
QUOTABLE QUOTES
Outrageous pronouncements, simple statements and words of wisdom.