Vol-22-No-2-January-15-2024 Archives

GGB PODCAST: Dean Ehrlich, EVP and Games Business Leader, Everi

In 2023, Everi’s product portfolio expanded greatly, most notably in its game and cabinets departments. What’s the plan for 2024? The company’s Executive Vice President and Games Business Leader Dean Ehrlich (l.) has the inside scoop.

GGB Podcast sponsored by Pavilion Payments.

Portugal’s Gaming Sector Continues to Break Records

The gaming sector in Portugal is breaking growth records. That’s according to the Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ) which released quarterly reports on the 17 operators in the country.

Smaller Books Huddle with “Valve Project” to Survive

The competitive nature of the U.S. sports betting industry has squeezed out much of the smaller bookmakers in recent years, but UPLAY1 CEO Bruce Merati (l.) has an idea for a new system, known as the Valve Project, that would help books to balance their exposure and ultimately enjoy better performance.

Virginia Lawmaker to Reintroduce Casino Bill

Virginia state Senator David Marsden (l.) plans to once again sponsor legislation allowing a casino referendum in Fairfax County, preferably Tysons Corner. A similar bill he introduced last year failed to gain traction.

Culinary Sets February 2 Strike Deadline for Remaining Properties

The Culinary and Bartenders unions, fresh off of record-setting contracts with the Big 3 operators, have now turned their sights to 23 other properties across the state still yet unsigned. A strike deadline of February 2 has been set.

WEEKLY FEATURE: Kenosha City Council Approves Menominee Casino Agreement

Thwarted in its quest for a casino nine years ago by former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, the Kenosha City Council recently approved an agreement with the Menominee Tribe to develop a Hard Rock Casino (l.).

Two New Hampshire Gambling Bills Face Different Fates

The New Hampshire House approved a bill that would protect charitable organizations that get winnings from gambling. An online casino bill, however, will not be discussed this year.

NY to Weigh iGaming, Fixed-Odds Racing Bets

Lawmakers in New York will consider bills in the new session of both chambers to legalize online gaming and fixed-odds wagering for horse racing.

U.S. High Court Rejects IPI Move to Delay License Hearing

Last week, the US. Supreme Court denied an appeal by troubled Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific to halt a license revocation hearing. IPI is millions in arrears on annual government fees, but blames Covid.

Ecuador’s Noboa Eyes Reopening Casinos

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa (l.) recently presented an 11-point referendum, part of which is lobbying for the reopening of casinos, betting shops, and in-person gambling halls.

Italy to Reform Online Gambling Laws in 2024

Italy has announced an expansive overhaul of the laws on online gaming that were first established in 2011. The Ministry of the Economy and Finance (MEF) announced the “Reorganization Decree” with the goal being to settle some industry conflicts.

Estonian Gov’t Wants More Regulation on Gambling Influencers

Estonia is seeing a rise in social media influencers in areas like gambling and in response the government is drafting a bill with stricter regulations.

Iowa Adopts New Betting Rules to Reduce Criminal Activity

Athletes at Iowa State and the University of Iowa went through a bad time when it came to sports betting last year. More than two dozen criminal charges. Now a spate of new rules seek to reduce the chances.

FANTINI’S FINANCE: Fourth-Quarter Temperature Checks

The next round of earnings reports will soon be trickling in, which will likely give a little more clarity on where we could be headed. In the meantime, let’s explore some of the outlooks given by analysts, even if they are a bit unenthusiastic.

Georgia Lawmakers Return to Deal With Sports Betting Again

Georgia is one of those states that always seem to find a way to shoot down sports betting legislation. But heck, it’s a new year and the second day of the legislative session saw a committee approve a bill. It’s a start.

GGB PODCAST: Derik Mooberry, CEO, Zitro USA

In recent years, slot supplier Zitro has made great strides in growing its presence in the U.S. market, thanks in large part to its U.S. CEO, Derik Mooberry (l.).

GGB Podcast sponsored by Pavilion Payments.

Macau Casino Workers to Get Bonuses, Pay Hikes

Five of Macau’s Big 6 gaming concessionaires have announced year-end bonuses for eligible staff members. Some employees are in line for salary increases as the city enjoys a post-Covid resurgence.

Genting Singapore Could Vie for Thailand Gaming License

Genting Singapore, which operates Resorts World Sentosa, could be first in line for a Thai gaming license should the kingdom choose to legalize casinos.

Osaka IR Group to File Impact Report by Mid-Year

Osaka IR KK, the consortium behind an integrated resort with gaming in the Japanese prefecture, is developing a report on the environmental impact of the project on Yumeshima Island. It will be complete by summer.

Philippines Determined to Exit FATF ‘Grey List’ in 2024

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to take whatever measures necessary to have the country, including its gaming industry, removed from the FATF “grey list.”

Entain Leaves Unregulated Markets

Entain has announced that it has left 140 unregulated markets. That, along with paying £600 million is part of the agreement with prosecutors to avoid prosecution for a bribery scandal in a former subsidiary it operated in Turkey.

British Black Market Gambling Operators Target Vulnerable Population

Illegal gaming operators in the U.K. appear to be stepping up their efforts to lure vulnerable members of society to play on their black market sites. Statistics from Yield Sec show increasing efforts by these operators to go after those who have self-excluded.

German Gambling Addiction Hotline Funded for Several Years

Germany’s gaming regulator Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) has arranged for funding to continue for several more years for the country’s free gambling addiction hotline. The gaming industry is contributing to the fund.

Brazil President Vetoes Part of Gambling law

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (l.) has vetoed part of a gambling bill that would grant a tax exemption for gamblers who win prizes up to BRL 2,112 ($430). The Congress has until March 3 to override the veto or let it stand.

AGCO Working on New Gambling Ad Standards; Not All Agree

Gambling ads have come under intense scrutiny in Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is preparing to release new standards.

Indian State Governor Amends GST Tax on Gambling

The governor of the Indian state of Kerela has taken his disagreements with the state’s legislature over Goods & Service Tax (GST) as it relates to gambling to a new level. He has signed an ordinance amending the tax as it relates to gambling.

Rush Gaming Loses Operating License in Malta

Rush Gaming was found by the Malta Gaming Authority to be in non-compliance with regulatory law and had its operating license suspended.

Mexico’s Online Gaming May Grow 70 Percent Over Next 3 Years

Although Mexico is moving towards the total ban of slot machines by not granting any more licenses, it is allowing online gaming to flourish. The sector could grow 70 percent over the next three years, says the gambling sector association AIEJA.

Indonesian Lawmakers Target Illegal iGaming

The government of Indonesia is cracking down on illegal online gambling. Thus far, it’s restricted access to more than 805,000 types of content, in part by blocking websites and payment channels.

Sportsbooks Turn Down California Pitch Opposed by Tribes

The major coalition of tribes already made its opposition to the Eagle 1 ballot initiative known. Now add the Sports Betting Alliance to the opponents. The Alliance includes major sportsbooks.

Missouri Tries Again to Get Sports Betting Legalized

Missouri lawmakers have been trying to get sports betting bills passed in the state legislature but stumbling blocks such as video lottery terminals have been difficult to overcome.

No Date Yet, but North Carolina Moves Toward Sports Betting

The North Carolina Lottery Commission has not stamped the sports betting launch date. But trust them, they’re getting rules in place, vetting the applicants.

Google Reveals Ad Placement for Sports Betting in Delaware

The new year brought the approval of Google Ads for sports betting in tiny Delaware, once the ads meet the accreditation and standards of the Google policy.

Nebraska Gaming Study Rejects New Racinos

Nebraska does not need more horse racing tracks in addition to the six currently licensed, according to a study released by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. The report could end Bellevue’s quest for a proposed racetrack and casino.

LVCC Renovations Continue; Officials Bullish on LV Convention Traffic

The Las Vegas Convention Center (l.) has undergone several high-dollar renovations in the last five years, and now that the South Hall project is nearly complete, tourism officials expect business and convention traffic to pick up big time.

Smoke-Free Casino Advocates Gear Up for NJ Legislative Session

National anti-smoking advocates and a group of New Jersey casino dealers are gearing up for the new legislative session, and a new effort to ban smoking in Atlantic City casinos.

IRS Seizes Former Skill-Game Executive’s Cash in Tax Probe

The Internal Revenue Service has seized more than $400,000 from a retired Pennsylvania State Police corporal who served as a compliance director for skill-game supplier Pace-O-Matic.

Detroit Casinos Recover From Strike

Detroit’s three have recovered from the workers’ strike, posting $111.4 million in total slots and table games revenue in December, the second-highest monthly gaming revenue total for 2023.

Study Warns Social Costs Cancel Gaming Tax Benefits

New Jersey has profited from online sports betting tax revenue, but a new study said the costs of problem gambling could cancel the financial benefits. The study noted some states legalized online betting based on falsely optimistic forecasts.

Kambi Group CEO Nylén to Step Down

Kambi Group CEO and co-founder Kristian Nylén (l.) is stepping down this year, after an executive search picks a successor; Nylén will move to the board of directors, which will consider two new members.

Slew of Entertainment Execs Depart Caesars

Several entertainment executives from Caesars Entertainment have left the company in recent weeks, in what appears to be a large-scale restructuring.

Light & Wonder Names Marchetti To Board

Light & Wonder named Michael Marchetti (l.) to its board of directors. Currently chief financial officer at Age of Learning Inc., Marchetti has held leadership positions at financial institutions and gaming companies.

John Rees Named SVP, Hotel Ops for Hard Rock International

Hard Rock International has appointed John Rees (l.) as its new senior vice president of hotel operations.

Amazon Invokes U.S. Legal Shield Law in Casino App Lawsuit

Amazon.com has invoked a law shielding internet platforms from liabilities related to third-party content in defense against a lawsuit alleging the company is illegally profiting from casino apps.

AGA Launches Human Trafficking Training

The American Gaming Association has introduced a free online training program designed to educate casino industry employees on the fight against human trafficking.

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