
Archive: Vol-21-No-36-September-11-2023







Historic Advancements in Responsible Gaming
It used to be a discipline followed by very few people or organizations, but today responsible gaming is an important part of the industry’s maturation. But more needs to be done, argues Connie Jones (l.) director of responsible gaming for AGEM.






Problem Gambling: Regulation Is Not Working
Are responsible gaming programs designed by gaming companies effective? And if not, why not? Gambling researcher Dr. Kahlil Philander (l.) suggests that perhaps an increased involvement by regulators will give the industry the incentive to create truly effective programs.






Problem Gambling: Comorbidity & Smoking
As industry veteran and former regulator Richard Schuetz (l.)notes, compulsive gamblers usually are addicted to some other thing—drugs, alcohol, etc.—so what does the lack of a smoking ban in casinos say about the industry?






UAE Creates Gaming Authority; Murren Voted as Chairman
The United Arab Emirates has moved to establish the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, the first-ever gaming regulatory body in a region that has historically been staunchly opposed to all forms of gaming. Former MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren (l.) has been tapped to be the agency’s inaugural chairman.
Featured Stories More
WEEKLY FEATURE: New York Answers First Casino Questions
New York’s regulatory agency charged with selecting awards for three downstate casino licenses have answered the first set of questions from applicants for the licenses in a 103-page document.
Problem Gambling Prevention: Who is Responsible & What Vital Component is Missing?
Greater public awareness and education about gambling harm is long overdue, but who is responsible and how can this be accomplished?
Temporary Chicago Bally’s Preps For Opening
Intensive tests were conducted ahead of licensing at Bally’s temporary Chicago casino, located at the historic Medinah Temple (l.), which will operate while the permanent $1.7 billion venue is built near Halsted and Grand.
Virginia Casino Resort Announces Plans
In November, voters in Richmond, Virginia will have a second chance to approve or reject the $562 million Urban One and Churchill Downs project, rebranded as Richmond Grand Resort & Casino.
Osaka IR Now Set to Open in Late 2030
The government of Osaka has confirmed that an integrated resort planned for Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay will likely open its doors in the fall of 2030. The IR (l.) was originally targeted for opening in 2025, then 2029.
New Ontario Ad Restrictions Causing Confusion
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) announced recently it was changing its rules regarding online gambling advertising, and the confusion could lead to companies trying to circumvent the rules.
U.K. Criticized for Backing Away from Gambling Ad Ban
The U.K. ministry in charge of gambling is being criticized for backtracking from previous proposals to ban gaming ads. Minister Stuart Andrew is being mocked for saying there is “little evidence” that such ads lead to gambling harms.
Feds Say Florida Sports Betting Suit Doesn’t Need New Hearing
West Flagler Associates got a dose of somewhat bad news when the Department of Interior said a rehearing is unnecessary on whether to overturn the appeal court acceptance of the Seminoles’ latest compact.
New York Governor Could Resume Seneca Negotiations
New York Governor Kathy Hochul (l.) has said she no longer considers herself recused from negotiations with the Seneca Nation on renewal of the tribe’s gaming compact.
Kentucky Releases Limited Betting Menu
Kentucky is launching sports betting just as the NFL begins. Great timing. The state is also allowing wagers for 18-year-olds. Those concerned about responsible gaming say that can contribute to more problems.
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: John Koster, Eastern Regional President, Caesars Entertainment
There’s nothing better than a plan that comes together, and John Koster (l.) knows a thing or two about effective business planning. As the eastern regional president for Caesars, Koster has revitalized the company’s Atlantic City holdings, with new entertainment, dining and more.
ASIAN GAMING More
Macau Gaming Crimes More than Doubled in H1
Macau saw a spike in gaming-related crimes in the first half of 2023. Data released by the government last week showed more than 400 cases, for an increase of 113.1 percent. But the figures are still down compared to 2019.
Saipan Gaming Operator Still Owes Millions
Imperial Pacific International, operator of a failed Saipan casino (l.), still owes $76.5 million to the local government. Lawmakers in the commonwealth suspended IPI’s license in April 2020.
MGM China Chooses Health Tourism as Investment Focus
The government of Macau may require the city’s casino concessionaires to invest more in non-gaming, depending on the rate of gaming revenue growth. MGM China would invest in health tourism, says Chair Pansy Ho (l.).
EUROPEAN GAMING More
Finland Gaming Monopoly may lay off 240
Veikkaus, Finland’s state-owned gambling monopoly will soon end that status and operate in a new regulated market. To do that, it plans to restructure, shedding 240 of its 815 employees while 195 will see “significant changes” to their employment.
RMG: Proposed Irish Ad ban Could Hurt Horse Racing
The horse racing industry in Ireland faces an existential threat from a proposed ban on betting ads. So says the Racecourse Media Group (RMG), which holds media rights to all 26 of Ireland’s racetracks.
Denmark Fines Streamer for Illegal Gambling ads
Denmark’s gambling regulator has fined a Twitch streamer for advertising gambling services when it operates out of Malta without a Danish license. Spillemyndigheden recommended a fine of DKK10,000 (£1,153/$1,466/€1,341).
GLOBAL GAMING More
After Two Years, Canadian Single-Game Betting Sparks Concerns
It has been two years since Canada legalized single-game sports betting and a lack of research into long-term effects has some worried.
Australian Study on Skill Games Sheds Light on Potential Harms
A new study on skill-based games in Australia has warned that they could potentially worsen problem gambling behaviors, which has already been a huge point of contention around the country.
Curaçao’s Gaming Control Board Opens Revamped License Application
Curaçao has had a reputation as a haven for shady gaming operators but a new application process and reforms may change that.
NZ Officials Seek SkyCity License Suspension
New Zealand officials have requested that SkyCity Entertainment’s casino license be suspended for 10 days for previous harm minimization violations.
Tabcorp Fined AUD$1 Million Over System Outage Violations
Tabcorp was recently fined AUD$1 million by Victorian regulators over compliance violations stemming from a system outage back in 2020.
Pressure Mounts to Pass Brazil’s Sports Betting Bill
Arthur Lira, president of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies, is pressuring that chamber to quickly pass a sports betting bill. He said the vote carries “constitutional urgency” as he works to clear the chamber of bills during the final months of the year.
Victorian Regulators Call for End of Sports Club Partnerships
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission recently released a directive ordering state operators to cease any partnerships or sponsorship agreements with sports clubs.
Puerto Rico’s Casino Del Mar Debuts VIP Room
Casino del Mar (l.) in Puerto Rico has opened a new VIP room exclusively for big spenders. The million-dollar space known as the High Limit Pit opened August 28.
ONLINE GAMING More
PAGCOR Chairs Under Fire for Misdirected Bond Payment
Alejandro Tengco (l.), chairman and CEO of Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR, and nine others have been charged with graft for allegedly releasing a million-dollar bond owed to an e-sabong operator.
In Philippine Scams, POGO Workers Plead Not Guilty
Workers swept up in a raid at a Philippines offshore gaming hub have pleaded not guilty of crimes including taking part in online scams and fraudulently luring investors.
SPORTS BETTING More
Fanatics Begins PointsBet Rebranding in Several States
With the acquisition concluded, Fanatics gets to rebrand the PointsBet moniker in as many as 11 states. Thus begins the quest by the fan superstore to enter the sports betting game.
Sports Betting Ads Jump 25 Percent in 2023 Despite Concerns
Responsible gaming support has pointed at sports betting ads for their role in drawing the vulnerable. So it comes as a surprise that the number of ads has risen this year.
Arkansas Reaping Sports Betting Benefits
As Arkansas enters its second year of being able to place wagers via phone apps, officials expect another rise in sports betting.
Iowa State’s Jake Remsburg Begins 6-Game Ban for Gambling
The center point of college gambling scandals centers on Iowa and Iowa State. This past week, Iowa State’s lineman Jake Remsburg (l.) sat out his first of six games for gambling. But he gets to come back. Others won’t.
New Survey from AGA Predicts Surge in Betting on NFL
A survey released by the American Gaming Association predicts a large uptick in betting on the NFL. No surprise there. Lots of money wagered. No surprise there either.
ESPN’s Daily Wager Betting on Success of New Location
ESPN’s Daily Wager, a show about sports betting, is moving from Las Vegas to Bristol, CT.
MGM Resorts, BetMGM Launching RG Campaign at NFL Stadiums
MGM Resorts and BetMGM have announced that they will be rolling out the GameSense responsible gaming campaign at a total of nine NFL stadiums across the U.S. this season.
UNITED STATES GAMING More
Former Lawmaker, NH Casino Operator Suspected of Covid Fraud
A former lawmaker, Andy Sanborn (l.), and his wife, current state representative Laurie Sanborn, have been accused of COVID-19 relief fraud and could lose the casino they own.
North Carolina Republicans Debate Casinos Plan
As the North Carolina House Republican caucus held a lengthy meeting to discuss a plan for four casinos in the state, protesters held a rally urging lawmakers to allow voter referendums or not to support the plan.
NV Regulators Make Change to Equipment Approval Process
Nevada regulators are expected to eliminate as many as 16 outdated regulations by the end of the month, but one change to the equipment approval process has already been enacted.
Suburban Chicago Video Gambling Revenue Declining
Illinois received $818 million in video gambling tax revenue from August 2022 through July 2023, a 7 percent increase over the previous year. But a Chicago Daily Herald investigation found it’s declining in some suburban locations due to oversaturation.
Atlantic City Fails to Use Planning Grant for Trump Plaza Site
Trump Plaza’s main tower crumbled to dust in 2021. But the city never used the New Jersey Economic Development Authority grant to plan a corridor that connected the Trump Plaza site with the convention center.
ND Lawmakers Ponder Future of E-Tab Machines
North Dakota lawmakers involved in a study of charitable gaming are questioning electronic pull-tab machines, and whether regulation is needed on where the machines can be located.
AGA Kicks Off Responsible Gaming Month
The American Gaming Association kicked off Responsible Gaming Month with a consumer survey reporting high engagement levels with responsible gaming safeguards.
LOTTERY More
Rio de Janeiro State Lottery Adds Gambling to its Remit
The Rio de Janeiro State Lottery (Loterj) has announced it will offer gambling in that state. It has also flustered the federal government by saying it could accept operators from all over the country.
PEOPLE More
Chris Schroder Takes Reins as Colorado Gaming Director
Chris Schroder (l.) will replace Dan Hartman as the gaming director for Colorado and said he has several goals he wants to accomplish.
L&W Names Kalabic Chief Accounting Officer; Chow Steps in as CFO
Industry veteran Vanja Kalabic has been named chief accounting officer at supplier Light & Wonder, and Oliver Chow has been chosen to fill the role of interim CFO.
Sky River Announces Slew of Executive Appointments
Sky River Casino (l.) has appointed four new executives—Michael Facenda is president, Matthew Morgan has been named senior vice president and assistant general manager, Clay Crawford as chief financial officer and Jeffery Jarvis as vice president of information technology.
GOODS & SERVICES More
IGT Invests In Canadian University
The McKenna Institute at the University of New Brunswick in Canada will receive an investment from IGT to fund programs and research in AI, data science, gaming software and hardware platforms and automation.
Advantech-Innocore Prepares New Offerings for G2E
Advantech-Innocore will debut new platforms and hardware at the upcoming Global Gaming Expo.
BetConstruct Expands Business Dashboard Tool
BetConstruct has rolled out a number of new features for its Business Dashboard offering.
Legendary Waters Resort and Casino Installs CasinoTrac CMS
Wisconsin’s Legendary Waters Resort & Casino recently migrated to the Casino Trac casino management system.
NUTSHELL More
NEWS & NOTES
Small Nuggets of News
THEY SAID IT More
QUOTABLE QUOTES
Outrageous pronouncements, simple statements and words of wisdom.