Is “gambling” the same thing as “gaming”? Responsible gaming expert Brianne Marie Doura-Schawohl claims it matters what we call it, when we’re talking about a disorder.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.).
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.
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’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).
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.
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.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission recently released a directive ordering state operators to cease any partnerships or sponsorship agreements with sports clubs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The American Gaming Association kicked off Responsible Gaming Month with a consumer survey reporting high engagement levels with responsible gaming safeguards.
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.
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 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.
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.
