Vol-22-No-1-January-8-2024 Archives

Las Vegas Resolves To…

January is peak resolution time, so why not think of some good promises for Las Vegas to keep? As always, local expert Ira David Sternberg (l.) has some ideas.

Ex-Officiating Exec for NFL Says Refs Approached About a Fix

Dean Blandino spent four plus years overseeing the officiating for the NFL. While no game has ever been fixed, refs have been approached about doing just that.

Machine Learning: A Safe Bet For Improved Player Experience

In recent years, machine learning has become a powerful tool for businesses looking to maximize both efficiency and security—why not apply that technology to sports betting? Nikhil Koranne (l.), assistant vice president of global developer Chetu, breaks down how and why machine learning can propel sportsbooks to the next level.

Legislators from Gambling States Congregate at NCLGS

Legislators from states that host gaming met last week in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The 29th annual National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) also included representatives of the industry, for a total of about 300.

Japan Central Gov’t Nixes Nagasaki IR

At the end of 2023, the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced that it had rejected an integrated resort proposal from Nagasaki Prefecture, due to qualms about potential investors.

WEEKLY FEATURE: Brazil’s Sports Betting, iGaming Bill Makes it to the Finish Line

After numerous delays and stops and starts, Brazil has finally passed its sports betting and iGaming bill. The legislation was signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (l.) on December 30.

F1 Propels Nevada to Best November Ever

The Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix appears to have delivered on its sky-high expectations, as Nevada recorded a new November record with $1.37 billion in statewide revenue.

Alabama Legislator Urges Stricter Enforcement

Alabama state Rep. Andy Whitt (l.), a member of a 9-person House committee formed to study gambling legislation, said stricter enforcement and a state gaming commission are required to combat illegal gambling.

Asia-Pac Recovery Continues, Macau Meets GGR Benchmark

Last year was a good one for Asian gaming, as markets bounced back from Covid-19. Macau casinos grossed more than $22 billion for the year, a crucial benchmark that means operators must invest more in non-gaming.

Report: Australian Gov’t Dragging Feet on Murphy Report

Six months ago, Peta Murphy MP (l.) presented a report to the government outlining the adverse effects of online gambling and its advertising. The report recommended a phased ad ban, but there has been little progress in the months since. According to recent reporting, however, this could be due to intense lobbying.

Dutch Government Proposes Plan to Fight Gambling Addiction

The government of the Netherlands is proposing new, more restrictive measures to protect the vulnerable from problem gaming. Dutch Minister for Legal Protection Franc Weerwind said the issue is too urgent not to act now.

California Initiative Seeks Enough Signatures for the Ballot

Kasey Thompson, the name behind the effort to put a sports betting measure on the 2024 ballot, has launched a signature drive. The question: will he get enough tribal support to succeed.

Florida Parimutuels Pitch Amendment 3 to Supreme Court

West Flagler and Associates don’t take no for an answer. They hope the Florida Supreme Court or the U.S. Supreme Court will support their opposition to the sports betting monopoly the Seminoles hold.

Maine Lawmakers Consider Expanding Tribal Gaming

The state of Maine has seen its lawmakers recently propose bills that would expand tribal rights for online gambling and land-based casinos.

GGB Podcast: Rich Sullivan, CEO, Good Giant

For Rich Sullivan (l.), advertising was a family business—gaming was not. However, he and the rest of the team at Good Giant have worked to position themselves as giants (pun intended) in the gaming space, and with high-profile clients both inside and outside the industry, things don’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

GGB Podcast sponsored by Pavilion Payments.

January Hearing Set for Saipan Casino Operator

Three years after its gaming license was suspended, beleaguered Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific International will face revocation at a hearing scheduled for January 31.

Century Backs Out of Cambodia Deal

Century Entertainment International has terminated a deal to operate gaming tables at a casino in Dara Sakor, Cambodia. The Hong Kong-listed firm continues to pursue another deal in the special economic zone.

U.K. Urged to Modernize Gaming Rules

The U.K. government is being urged to implement modernized gaming regulations that will help the industry. Rank Group’s David Williams wrote an Op-Ed for the Betting & Gaming Council (BGC), saying the sector’s existence is at stake.

Groupe FDJ Will Play Prominent Role in French Gambling

France’s Autorité Nationale des Jeux’s (ANJ), the national gambling regulator, is worried about the proliferation of black market gaming. It is in talks with Groupe FDJ about a possible monopoly of online gaming.

CEO Departure Makes Entain Attractive to Investors

The recent departure of Entain CEO Jette Nygaard-Andersen and the shake-up of the board makes the gaming group more attractive to investors. Corvex Management LP just purchased 28 million shares of the company.

Britain, Ireland, Japan Horse Racing Bodies Form Committee

In the hopes to bring more collaboration in horse racing, the countries of Japan, Britain, and Ireland have joined forces to create the Joint Cooperation Committee.

Proposed Gambling Ordinance Submitted to Curaçao Parliament

Curaçao has been popular with online gambling operators, but the Caribbean island has submitted to parliament an overhaul of its regulations.

U.S. Sports Betting Handle Passes $100 Billion in 2023

$100 billion is a nice round number. That milestone round number marked how much handle the U.S. did in sports wagers for 2023, and without December added to the mix.

North Carolina Draws Seven Applicants for Licenses

The North Carolina Lottery Commission received seven applications for sportsbook licenses. They hope they can attract a dozen. The applicants range from FanDuel to Underdog Sports.

Study: Online Sports Betting Would Benefit Mississippi

Mississippi was one of the first states to legalize retail sports betting and a new report concluded online sports betting would be just as beneficial to the state.

Casino Employees Form Anti-Smoking PAC

An advocacy group formed by dealers in Atlantic City has announced the formation of a political action committee to hold lawmakers accountable for refusing to ban smoking in the casinos.

Nevada Regulators Okay Golden’s Slot Routes Sale

Golden Entertainment officials said some of the proceeds from its $361.5 million sale of Montana and Nevada slot routes to J&J Ventures Gaming may be used for upgrades at its three Pahrump, Nevada casinos and the Strat.

Rhode Island Lawmakers Push to End Smoking

Legislators in Rhode Island are planning to introduce a law to end the exemption to the state’s indoor smoking ban that allows smoking in casinos.

Three Florida Tribes Could Gain Recognition

Three Florida Panhandle tribes−Santa Rosa Band of the Lower Muscogee, Muscogee Nation of Florida and Lower Chattahoochee Band of Yuchi Indians−could gain recognition under state Senator Blaise Ingoglia’s proposed bill.

Utah Lawmaker Proposes Lottery

A Utah House lawmaker is proposing to legalize a lottery in Utah with revenues devoted to property tax relief, though opposition is likely in one of two U.S. states with no forms of legal gambling.

GAN Names McGill Board Chairman

David Goldberg has replaced Seamus McGill as board chairman at GAN Limited, which will merge with Sega Sammy Creation. Also, David D. Ross, chief executive officer at Gaming Asset Management Enterprises, has joined the board.

Tozzi Named Marketing Vice President At SAHARA Las Vegas

Michael Tozzi (l.) is the new vice president of marketing at SAHARA Las Vegas, in charge of managing the property’s brand marketing strategy. Tozzi brings 16 years of gaming and hospitality industry experience to his new position.

MGM Donates $360K to Responsible Gaming Center

MGM Resorts International has donated $360,000 to the International Center for Responsible Gaming to support two-year research projects aimed at preventing and treating gambling disorders.

Meta Fined $6.5 Million for Violating Italy’s Gambling Ad Ban

Facebook owner Meta has been fined $6.5 million for violating Italy’s ban on gambling advertisements, after the site allegedly posted promotions for gambling on Facebook and Instagram.