
Archive: Vol-22-No-26-July-1-2024






Singapore: iGaming Poses Greater Risk for Money Laundering
Authorities in Singapore say the city-state’s two land-based casinos are at “moderately high” risk for money laundering; iGaming and other business sectors are more attractive to criminals.





Nevada Sets New May Record with $1.32 Billion in Revenue
Nevada gaming continued its hot streak in May, setting a new record for the month with $1.32 billion in gaming revenue. For anyone counting, that’s 39 straight months of over $1 billion.





DraftKings Extortion Lawsuit Involves Cast of Characters
Call it one of the oddities of New York’s online sports betting. A play involving $500,000, colorful characters including a masked man, and DraftKings. Need we say more?
Featured Stories More
WEEKLY FEATURE: PM Sunak Under Pressure in U.K. Betting Scandal
The upcoming U.K. snap election is causing plenty of political fuss, but it’s also spawned a betting scandal that has become an increasingly large headache for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (l.).
New York Extends Bid Deadline for Casino Applicants
The New York agency charged with licensing three downstate casinos has extended the August 31, 2024 deadline for bids, set by a recent law, to June 27, 2025.
PA High Court to Rule on Skill Games
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will hear the appeal of the state of Pennsylvania challenging the legality of so-called skill games, with the state seeking to overturn a lower court’s ruling.
Macau Gaming Slowing, but Stable
A new study from Macau’s Center for Gaming and Tourism Studies says the world’s premier gaming hub may not return to its pre-Covid dominance due to many factors, including increased competition.
Former Crown Boss McCann Takes Reins at Star Entertainment
Steve McCann was announced June 26 as the man to help guide Star Entertainment through its current troubles as its new CEO and managing director. McCann previously helped Star’s rival Crown Resorts through the same process in 2022, but he will have his work cut out for him as the fate of Star Sydney hangs in the balance.
French Snap Election Could Reshape its Gaming Sector
A snap election in France could catapult the right-wing party of Marine Le Pen into power for the first time. The gaming sector is contemplating what this might mean in a country that hasn’t yet regulated online casinos.
D.C. Budget Approval to Expand Number of Sportsbooks
Washington D.C. righted the sports betting ship by bringing in FanDuel. The city’s next move is to expand the number of operators, and thus the amount of income generated. The budget passage sets the stage.
MGM Resorts Buys Tipico in Bid to Strengthen Digital Tech
Two years ago, MGM Resorts began a series of small acquisitions which, taken individually, didn't seem like much. But taken as a whole, they give the company a more complete digital portfolio. The Tipico acquisition is the latest.
Tribal Gaming Logs New Record with $41.9 Billion in Revenue for 2023
The National Indian Gaming Commission has announced that the U.S. tribal gaming industry logged a new revenue record of $41.9 billion in 2023. This is more than 2 percent higher than the previous record of $40.9 billion from 2022.
GGB PODCAST: The Australian Conundrum with Peter Cohen, Director of Regulatory Affairs, The Agenda Group
This week we sit down with Peter Cohen (l.), director of regulatory affairs at The Agenda Group, to talk about the wild ride that the Australian gaming market has been on and what it may look like moving forward.
GGB Podcast sponsored by Pavilion Payments.
ASIAN GAMING More
Dennis Uy: Philippine Casino Sale to Close in July
Billionaire Dennis Uy’s PH Resorts Group Holdings Inc. says a sale of the unfinished Emerald Bay Resort (l.) in Cebu, Philippines has not collapsed, but will close as planned this month.
Thailand PM Talks Benefits of Casinos
In his first televised public address, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin (l.) talked up integrated resorts with casinos as a way to curtail illicit gambling in the country. An IR proposal will be filed with the cabinet soon.
EUROPEAN GAMING More
Lithuania Raises Gaming Tax to 22 Percent
Lithuanian lawmakers have voted to raise the gambling tax from 20 percent to 22 percent, starting in 2025. Finance Minister Gintarė Skaistė said “in principle,” the change won’t have a big impact on the industry.
Group Warns Irish Bill Capping Winnings Could Aid Black Market
Irish gamblers could soon be limited in how much they can win to €3,000 with an upper cap on bets at €10. Industry experts warn that this could drive gamblers into the arms of the black market, where no such limits exist.
Spain Names Gaming Reform Czar
Andrés Barragán Urbiola is Spain’s new secretary general of consumption and gaming. In the new role, Urbiola will be tasked with strengthening the sector’s regulatory framework and boosting consumer safeguards.
GLOBAL GAMING More
Media, Politicos Promote Brazilian Casino Legalization
Brazil’s O Globo has weighed in on gambling, urging lawmakers to finish passing Bill 2,234/2022. Lawmakers are defending the bill as a way to tap a huge gaming market, rather than allow gaming to stay in the shadows.
African Gaming Market Gains Prominence
The international gaming industry is showing a growing interest in investing in Africa. Focus Gaming News interviewed several members of the National Gambling Board of South Africa to explore this phenomenon.
UNITED STATES GAMING More
Dallas Lawmakers Approve Gambling As Legislative Priority
A Dallas City Council committee approved making legalized gambling a top priority for the upcoming legislative session. Meanwhile, the city is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a lawsuit concerning card rooms.
Virginia Legislators Will Reintroduce Casino Measure
In light of decreasing revenue due to a decline in demand for office space combined with a homeowners tax increase in Fairfax County, Va., some lawmakers said they plan to reintroduce a bill allowing a referendum on a casino at Tysons.
Florida Investigation Reveals Deceased Petition Signers
A Miami man was arrested for submitting 13 dead individuals’ signatures among those he collected in 2021 for Florida Voters In Charge. The political group’s petition drive to place casino gambling on the 2022 ballot was unsuccessful.
Florida Regulators Exempt From Public Records Disclosure
Current and former members of the Florida Gaming Control Commission now are exempt from public disclosure of home addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth and other personal information, under a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
AI–Based Hotel Coming To Las Vegas
The Otonomus Hotel (l.) will combine the benefits of a rental and a hotel based on artificial intelligence technology designed to personalize the guest experience. The property will open in February 2025 near Allegiant Stadium and will not offer gaming.
TRIBAL GAMING More
NY Lawmaker Urges Action on Seneca Compact
New York Assemblyman Joseph Giglio is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to complete negotiations on a new gaming compact for the Seneca tribe as the current compact is set to expire.
Colorado Conservation Concern Impedes Tribal Gaming Push
The Ute tribes in Colorado want to offer online sports betting. But the folks in water conservation say such a move could hinder tax dollars flowing to the state as tribes have no obligation to contribute.
Minnesota Tracks Oppose Tribal Seats on Racing Commission
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz knows how to get under some folks' skin. His appointment of two tribal leaders to the state Racing Commission drew an immediate reaction from track executives opposed to the choice.
PEOPLE More
Herbert Named Louisiana Gaming Board Chairman
State Assistant Attorney General Christopher Herbert was named Louisiana Gaming Control Board chairman, replacing Ronnie Johns who retired after nearly 40 years of service. Herbert is the first African-American to lead the gaming board.
Entain Appoints Emery CMO
Charlotte Emery (l.), a former executive at William Hill, has been named chief marketing officer of Entain. She has already begun serving in her new position. At William Hill she reformed its brand and consumer strategy.
GOODS & SERVICES More
Aristocrat Launches Interactive Division
Aristocrat Leisure Limited has combined the operations of recent acquisitions NeoGames and Anaxi into the newly formed Aristocrat Interactive.
NUTSHELL More
NEWS & NOTES
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