By Cole Rush   Tue, Dec 10, 2024

UNLV has long been the gaming research capital of the U.S., thanks in part to high-tech programs such as its Center for Gaming Innovation, led by Dr. Daniel Sahl (l.).

Nestled in the heart of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) campus is one of the gambling industry’s greatest incubators: The Center for Gaming Innovation. It’s half-class, half-development studio. Dr. Daniel Sahl runs it to support burgeoning creatives and their innovative ideas.

Sahl became the center’s director in 2020, but his history with the program runs deep.

“The Center started in 2013,” Sahl said, “with Dr. Mark Yoseloff at the helm. He was (and is) a prolific inventor, developer, and game designer.”

Yoseloff was ShuffleMaster’s CEO from 2000-09. In 2013, he formed the Center for Gaming Innovation and retired from the post in 2020. Sahl was there from the start.

“I took the very first Center For Gaming Innovation class in 2013,” he said. “I was studying game design as part of my dissertation.”

Sahl quickly embraced the class’s ethos and became enamored with its innovative work. The year after his first experience with the Center, he was hired to support Yoseloff and help students develop their ideas.

“I had a bit of a knack for teaching and innovating,” Sahl said. He was a natural fit for the director position after Yoseloff left.

Since Sahl took the leadership role, the Center for Gaming Innovation has grown to encompass a landmark DraftKings sponsorship that includes the “DraftKings Gaming Innovation Studio at UNLV and provides DraftKings with access to local talent, while furthering the company’s ties to the Las Vegas community,” according to a press release.

Sahl’s class is a hotbed for cutting-edge ideas for games and technology in the gambling space.

“This program has massively bolstered UNLV’s status as a world leader in gaming,” said Brett Abarbenel, associate professor/ executive director for the International Gaming Institute. “UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality is one of the only university hospitality management programs in the world that offers a gaming concentration, and Dr. Sahl’s gaming innovation class has no equal: teaching students how to innovate by building the next generation of games. For the industry, CGI programs showcase a great Las Vegas export: knowledge and expertise in gaming. Its programs support evolution in game development, foster collaborations between academe and industry, and help build tomorrow’s workforce.”

Sahl gave GGB a peek behind the curtain of the Center, including how the class works and what happens when the semester ends.

Not Your Average Classroom

If you’re imagining a gaggle of students reading from a textbook and diligently working on papers or exams, shift your perspective. The Center For Gaming Innovation doesn’t run a “normal” class structure. There are similarities, sure—the class runs for a semester and features lectures. However, the goals extend far beyond the scope of memorizing facts. They stretch into the far-reaching corners of the gambling industry and beyond.

“I get students from all over the university and across many disciplines,” Sahl said. “Students come to the Center from the hospitality college, art, business, computer science—anyone with a creative spark is drawn to it. They want to nurture that spark.”

The class is open to students outside of UNLV as well. Demand is so high that Sahl livestreams the course, though those watching don’t receive credit.

“People tune in every week from Poland, South Africa, California, New Jersey, Canada, Japan, you name the place. People want an outlet for their ideas. They want to learn about the industry and develop their concepts.”

The course runs 16 weeks—a single academic semester. The first half is similar to a typical college course. Sahl leads eight weeks of interactive lectures on game design.

“It’s not just casino games,” he said. “We look at games as a whole, then dive deeper into the casino space. Why do people play games? How do they work? How do you design them? What are the considerations if you want to create a new game or technology for the casino space?”

While Sahl’s students are primarily interested in games, he said they also learn about affiliated technology, such as security, surveillance and finance.

After eight weeks of traditional classwork, the students shift to the application of their newfound knowledge and existing skills.

“At this point, all students are given a task: I want a new idea.”

The idea can be a game or a gambling-industry innovation. Students seem to revel in the new and novel. They present their ideas to Sahl and their classmates.

“Student presentations must provide a reasonable blueprint of the design and mechanics of their ideas,” Sahl said. “They use presentation software to do this. Some students might use their programming experience to build a game demo or a math model. The focus of the class, however, is always the idea itself. How innovative is it, and could it work as a gaming product?

“We’re very constructive and critical in this initial pitch. We identify the strongest parts of the ideas and try to trim the weaker elements.”

The second half of the course culminates in a final pitch of each idea. Collaboration is welcome and encouraged in the Center for Gaming Innovation, so some ideas come from pairs or groups of students.

“I want the pitch to feel like a student is actually pitching to a big gaming company,” Sahl said. “Different students bring different skills to their presentations. Some have a playable version of their concept while others have amazing artwork to support their idea.”

Beyond The Classroom

When the semester ends, Sahl’s desk is overflowing with ideas, many of which could be viable in the casino or gaming industry.

“I spend the rest of my year trying to identify those ideas that have the most potential and see if I can further develop them into something that might be packaged and sold,” he said.

In the past, this process has involved filing patents (these are issued to the students behind the concepts) and working with DraftKings. Sahl has a unit he calls the DraftKings Gaming Innovation Studio at UNLV. He hires students who have skills in art and programming to further develop the ideas into polished, pitchable concepts.

Not every idea makes the cut, but the lucky few stand a solid chance of finding their way into the wild. Sahl is limited in what details he can share about past successes due to non-disclosure agreements, but he said, “I’ve had more than 10 students who have licensed or sold their ideas in the past five years. These have been substantial sums—more than enough to pay off any student loans.”

Students get the money from selling their ideas, while UNLV gets a slight revenue share. Sahl’s goal is to nurture talent in the industry and create new leaders and innovators.

“There’s a lot of demand for talent in our industry, and the program has emerged as one of the venues where studios and companies can look for rising stars or talented developers,” he said.

Still Full of Surprises

After 13 years with the Center as a student, employee, and director, Sahl remains awed by the new ideas students bring to the table.

“I’ve seen hundreds of ideas,” he said. “It is remarkable for me how rare it is to see a repeat idea or an existing idea. Every year, I worry it’ll be the one that doesn’t yield any new ideas. And every year, I’m proven wrong. One or two ideas always pop up and make me think, ‘Wow. I didn’t think it was possible to create a game that way, but it’s an interesting concept.’”

By Chad Kinlay   Mon, Dec 9, 2024

As the online sports betting industry continues to grow, so too do its fraud risks. TrafficGuard CMO Chad Kinlay (l.) breaks down how bookmakers can combat these evolving risks.

In today’s digital landscape, mobile betting is transforming the sports wagering industry. This shift has significantly impacted platform development, with a strong focus on delivering mobile-optimized betting experiences. More bettors than ever are choosing to go online as on-device app accessibility provides them with unparalleled convenience. 

The ease of accessibility for seasoned and rookie bettors alike has positioned mobile betting as the preferred platform of choice. In 2023 alone, mobile betting accounted for over 70 percent of all sports wagers placed globally according to Grand View Research. The impact of mobile is undeniable—however, it has opened up sportsbooks to a new challenge.

While sportsbooks are focusing resources on mobile gaming, fraudsters have taken notice. The success of the industry significantly increases the chances that fraudsters will target sportsbooks. Non-genuine engagement from invalid sources like threat actors is draining budgets behind sportsbooks’ backs. To prevent this and protect mobile bettors, it’s crucial that sportsbooks act now.

Advertising Fraud on the Rise

As mobile advertising continues to expand, the sophistication of advertising fraud grows, making it more difficult to detect. Mobile makes an easy target for fraud as their systems aren’t optimized against ad fraud. For example, fraudsters can utilize invalid traffic (IVT) to artificially inflate impressions and siphon profits. Mobile security typically doesn’t analyze traffic at the click or impression level, it passes through security unnoticed. Campaigns then appear to be performing well, when in reality the traffic is from a source that will never lead to a conversion. The sportsbook will then mistakenly direct resources towards an underperforming campaign.

A major challenge facing sportsbooks is mobile app install attribution stealing. This tactic involves the fraudster falsely claiming credit for a user install that should rightfully be attributed to a legitimate marketing partner. This damages the effectiveness of campaigns and drains budgets. Fraudsters typically deploy tactics such as software development kit (SDK) spoofing, which involves simulating legitimate app installations, and click spamming, where they generate fake clicks to create a false attribution trail. 

Further advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have also made it easier for fraudsters to carry out attacks on a much larger scale. Fraudulent bots powered by AI can be used to abuse promotions and bonuses from sportsbooks’ campaigns or tamper with their metrics. According to imperva, bots such as these are responsible for around 24 percent of all clicks, contributing significantly to click fraud.

Non-genuine engagement doesn’t only come directly from threat actors. Returning users can also inadvertently contribute to wasted ad budgets. This occurs when users navigate back to a sportsbooks’ site via a web browser rather than an app, clicking on a paid brand advertisement instead of typing the URL directly. These users don’t generate new conversions, instead driving up customer acquisition costs (CACs), preventing new and genuine users from seeing the campaign. While this is accidental, it’s still causing considerable damage to advertising budgets as spend is wasted without any payoff.

To block fraudulent engagement and ensure the protection of their mobile bettors, sportsbooks need to have a strategy in place. This way, they can reap the benefits of the growing mobile betting market.

Combating Fraud with Transparency

To combat threat actors and their impact on mobile marketing campaigns, sportsbooks need to adopt a multifaceted strategy:

1. Regular Traffic Analysis: Despite the increased sophistication of fraud, tactics like IVT do still leave behind warning signs that sportsbooks can pick up on. Regularly monitoring and analyzing traffic for these signs can help to identify and block fraudulent engagement before any harm is done. Signs could include suspicious accounts, sudden high pageviews, or abnormal traffic spikes from an unexpected region or unknown source.
2. Leverage Fraud Detection Tools: The legacy anti-fraud tools mobile systems utilize are no longer able to keep up with the advancement of fraud. With fraud, timing is crucial, so implementing tools that can identify and block fraud in real-time is integral to preventing campaign data tampering.
3. Custom Verification Rules: Bots and returning users typically drain budgets by frequently engaging with an ad campaign. By setting custom verification rules, it’s possible to limit the number of times a particular user can see and engage with an ad campaign. With these rules in place, bots are prevented from click-spamming adverts and driving up cost per click (CPC) rates.

Ensuring Future Successes

The growth of the mobile gaming market is showing no signs of slowing, giving sportsbooks the chance to reach a much wider audience. But to profit from this opportunity, sportsbooks can’t risk losing budgets to fraud.

A proactive stance is critical as fraudsters develop more sophisticated methods. Fraudsters count on their tactics going unnoticed, but with regular monitoring and verification of traffic, they can be exposed and stopped. Sportsbooks can be ensured their ad budgets are protected, and that they are the only ones enjoying their profits.

  Fri, Dec 6, 2024

Resorts World Las Vegas (l.) has established a new board of directors, headed by Jim Murren, and also named Alex Dixon as its new CEO. The casino hopes the new leadership will help get things back on track as it navigates a money laundering investigation.

Resorts World Las Vegas announced Dec. 5 that it has established a board of directors, to be chaired by industry veteran Jim Murren. Murren, the longtime CEO and chairman of MGM Resorts, also currently serves as chairman of the recently formed General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In addition to Murren, three other members were appointed: A.G. Burnett, Michelle DiTondo and Kong Han Tan, all of whom assumed their board roles Dec. 4. Resorts World also announced that Alex Dixon would take over as CEO of the property effective Jan. 16. Dixon most recently served as CEO of Q Casino & Resort and the Dubuque Racing Association in Dubuque, Iowa.

“As Resorts World Las Vegas continues to establish itself as the premier resort destination in Las Vegas, we are excited to welcome this group of industry leaders overseeing and guiding the Leadership Team to deliver unparalleled guest experiences while fostering our commitment to compliance,” Kok Thay Lim, chairman and CEO of parent company Genting Berhad said in a statement. “With over 40 years of collective experience in the global gaming and hospitality industry, we are confident that Alex and Jim, alongside the Board, will help drive the company forward in pursuing our strategic goals for years to come.”

The announcement comes at a pivotal time for the casino, which is heavily embroiled in a money laundering scandal but was recently granted an extension to respond to state regulators. Resorts World will have until Dec. 9 to respond to the 12-count disciplinary complaint filed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) in August. The extension was first noted last week in the Q3 earnings report from Genting. The NGCB confirmed to the Las Vegas Review-Journal Dec. 2 that the casino applied for and was granted the extension.

Originally filed Aug. 15, the 31-page complaint lays out serious misconduct on behalf of the Strip property. The board alleged that “individuals with suspected and actual ties to illegal bookmaking,” illegal gambling and organized crime were welcomed at Resorts World, which resulted in an “overall lack of control.”

The NGCB has requested the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) to take formal action against the casino. In Nevada, the NGCB acts as the prosecutor and NGC is the judge and jury with regulatory matters. Potential disciplinary actions include licence suspensions or revocations, fines, or placing the property under state oversight.

  Fri, Dec 6, 2024

Former Aristocrat Gaming CEO Hector Fernandez (l.) will become the new CEO of the IGT/Everi merger facilitated by Apollo Global Management. Fernandez may join the new venture following the completion of a non-compete clause.

Hector Fernandez has resigned his post as CEO of slot supplier Aristocrat Gaming, and will become CEO of the combined enterprise formed by Apollo Global Management through the acquisition of IGT’s gaming division and Everi Holdings, Inc.

The news came Dec. 5 via separate press releases by Apollo and Aristocrat. Apollo announced the hiring of Fernandez. Aristocrat announced Fernandez’s resignation but did not identify the competitor to which he was moving.

In July, IGT and Everi announced definitive agreements under which IGT’s gaming and digital business and Everi, the slot and fintech company, will be simultaneously acquired by a newly formed holding company owned by funds managed by affiliates of Apollo. The deal is an all-cash transaction that values the acquired businesses at approximately a combined $6.3 billion.

“Mr. Fernandez brings a clear track record of success across technology and gaming as well as deep strategic and financial expertise,” Apollo said in its announcement. “His diverse experience both inside and outside of the gaming industry is expected to position him well to integrate and lead two highly complementary gaming platforms following the transaction close with a focus on growth, product innovation and content generation.”

Aristocrat announced that gaming Chief Financial Officer Craig Toner has been appointed to replace Fernandez, effective immediately. Toner has been with Aristocrat for more than seven years. Prior to that worked at alcohol and beverages business Lion in Australia for almost 20 years.

“Craig will ensure a seamless leadership transition, maintaining a relentless customer focus, and continuing to execute our plans,” said Trevor Croker, CEO of parent company Aristocrat Leisure Limited. “We thank Hector sincerely for his commitment and recognize his contribution to our business over the last six years.”

  Fri, Dec 6, 2024

Las Vegas NBA arena project moves forward, Nevada regulators recommend new operators for Virgin Las Vegas, a deep-dive on NCLGS’ model iGaming legislation and more.

Las Vegas NBA Arena-Casino Project OK’d by County Zoning Commission

The Clark County Commission Dec. 4 approved use permits, design reviews and development waivers to developers LVXP for its project that would include an 18,000-seat, NBA-ready arena, a hotel with about 2,300 rooms, 260 condominiums, a casino and a theater.

If constructed, the development would be located on the Strip between the Fontainebleau and the Sahara, at the site of the former Wet n’ Wild waterpark. The site was also eyed for the now-defunct All Net arena project that was shut down last year.

According to KSNV, some residents voiced concern at the meeting about whether this project will actually come to fruition following the collapse of the All Net project. LVXP said previously that it could fully pursue financing options after it was granted county approval and asserted that interested parties had already been in contact. Another concern was the height of the hotel tower—at 752 feet, it would be the tallest structure in Las Vegas. To that end, the Federal Aviation Administration gave its blessing to the project in November.

NGCB Recommends New Operators for Virgin Las Vegas

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) gave unanimous recommendation Dec. 4 to two partners seeking to take over as the casino operators of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Cliff Atkinson, the current president of the property and Chad Konrad, chief financial officer of JC Hospitality, will now go before the Nevada Gaming Commission later this month for final approval. If Atkinson and Konrad are approved, the change is expected to take place early next year.

Union workers at the property have been on strike since Nov. 15. They are seeking similar deals to those signed at other casinos in the city over the last year, but Virgin leadership has remained adamant that that is not economically viable for the off-Strip casino.

“Our whole goal here is to save the property and jobs associated with it,” Atkinson told the board, according to CDC Gaming. The casino first opened as Hard Rock Las Vegas but was reopened under the Virgin Group brand in 2021. Since then, the casino has been operated by the Mohegan Tribe, but the arrangement has been unsuccessful and the tribe announced in May that it would end the partnership after this year.

National iGaming Model: Successes, Failures

A group of U.S. lawmakers have come together to craft model igaming legislation in the hopes of helping their peers push through bills in 2025. The proposal bans sweepstakes, funding accounts with credit cards and sets the wagering age at 21. It also suggests that states should limit the number of operators in a state and have the power to set bet limits.

The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) started the public process of developing a template for igaming legislation at its annual convention in July. At that time, former Florida state Senator Steve Geller led the conversation. He laid out seven pillars that model legislation should include:

• Revenue generation
• Responsible gaming
• The cannibalization question
• Advertising guidelines
• Licensing
• Age limits
• Data sharing

The current proposed model, analyzed by iGB, touches on all seven themes. It also calls for lawmakers to keep tax rates between 15-25 percent of gross gaming revenue. Regulators are given critical powers – including setting application and renewal fees – that in many legal betting states are determined by the legislature. The draft model is open for public comment until Dec. 31, at which point a NCLGS committee will refine it and share it with lawmakers.

No U.S. state legalized iGaming in 2024. Lawmakers in Maryland held discussions, hearings and votes, but could not get the issue to the governor’s desk. A legal igaming bill was filed in Ohio in September and lawmakers in several other states say they will tackle the issue. Igaming is legal in seven U.S. states – Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia. Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are the only three of the 10 biggest legal sports betting states to offer it.

The NCLGS proposed model igaming legislation wasn’t easy to come by. Council President Shawn Fluharty had hoped to have it ready by the start of August. But sources say coordinating state lawmakers across the country and trying to gain consensus on certain issues was tougher than expected.

Public Hearing Set for Sands New York

Las Vegas Sands has cleared a hurdle in its quest to build a $4 billion integrated resort at the site of the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island.

The environmental plan for Sands New York, one of 11 proposals in and around New York City seeking one of three available downstate casino licences, was approved by the state legislature. The 28,000-page environmental impact plan is available for review and public comment on the Nassau legislature’s website. Public comments will be accepted until Jan. 6.

The casino plan has met substantial opposition, mostly from nearby schools including Hofstra University and Kellenberg High School. Local communities also have opposed the casino, citing potential crime, addiction, traffic congestion and environmental issues. There is an organized opposition group called “Say No to the Casino” that has called on its members to attend the  Jan. 6 public meeting to oppose the project.

U.S. Bank: Fisher Family has Funds for A’s Ballpark

The family of soon-to-be Las Vegas A’s owner John Fisher does have the funds necessary to finance approximately $1.1 billion in costs associated with the construction of the team’s new stadium on the Strip, according to a letter from Stephen Vogel, senior vice president at U.S. Bank. The letter was submitted to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority and reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal Dec. 3.

“Based on this review, we conclude that the Fisher family and their related entities have financial assets (excluding their interest in the Athletics Major League Baseball franchise) more than sufficient to fund the equity portion of the proposed capital structure for the Athletics’ Las Vegas Stadium,” Vogel said in the letter, per the Review-Journal.

The cost of the stadium has risen from the original projection of $1.5 billion to $1.75 billion, with the team attributing this to rising construction costs and design changes. Up to $380 million of that will come from public financing approved last year, with an additional $300 million coming from a construction loan, leaving Fisher and his family the remaining $1.1 billion.

Decreases Abound in Nevada’s October Revenue Report

October gambling revenue figures released Dec. 4 by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) showed that the state brought in $1.28 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the month, a year-over-year decline of just over 2 percent.

Figures for the Las Vegas Strip were the highlight of the report, but not for good reasons. The Strip’s October GGR total of $692 million was a 3 percent drop year-over-year. That’s the fourth consecutive month of year-over-year declines for America’s gaming capital, which had its best year ever in 2023. For the fiscal year-to-date, the Strip is down more than 6 percent.

All of Washoe County reported decreases, most notably a 3 percent decline in Reno ($68.1 million). Despite this, the market is still flat year-to-date. The Carson Valley is also more or less flat, both for the month (+1.8 percent) and for the fiscal year-to-date (+1.1 percent).

If the plethora of GGR decreases was not enough, state sports betting also saw steep drops. Statewide sports betting GGR was $28.9 million, down 57.5 percent from last year. GGR from mobile betting was $18.7 million, down 46.4 percent year-over-year. The Las Vegas Strip posted $13.3 million in sports betting GGR, down 50 percent from a year ago. Its mobile GGR of $6.2 million was also a decline of more than 40 percent.

Jake’s 58 Holds Topping-Off Ceremony for Expansion Building

Jake’s 58 in Islandia, NY recently held a ceremony to commemorate the topping-off of its new 110,500-square-foot, $210 million expansion building. The facility will house the 1,000 additional video lottery terminals it was granted last year, as well as a 200-seat food court. Other aspects of the property’s expansion efforts include a new 500-space parking garage, hotel room and casino renovations and more, expected to be completed by early 2026.

“The topping-off ceremony marks a significant construction milestone in our journey to enhance Jake’s 58 Casino and deliver additional amenities for our guests,” said Phil Boyle, president and CEO of Suffolk OTB, according to Long Island Business News. “This expansion is not only a testament to our commitment to growth, but it also represents the creation of more union jobs, providing a boost to the local economy.”

Non-Smoking Bills Introduced in Kansas, Missouri

Bills looking to ban smoking in casinos have been prefiled in Missouri and Kansas, and lawmakers will debate the issue once the states begin their legislative sessions on Jan. 8 and Jan. 13, respectively.

The advocacy group Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE), which has argued on behalf of smoking bans for years in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and elsewhere, has a Kansas and Missouri chapter that will support the movement.

“85 percent of Kansans and Missourians do not smoke,” CEASE Kansas and Missouri Founder Joe Hafley told KCTV. “We have lots and lots of support from different groups, American Heart, American Lung, Americans for Non-Smokers’ Rights.”

MGM Increases Resort, Parking Fees at Strip Properties

Beginning at 10 a.m. Dec. 4, MGM Resorts implemented increased resort and parking fees for its properties on and around the Las Vegas Strip. With regard to resort fees, guests at Bellagio, the Cosmopolitan, Aria and Vdara will see those rise to $55 per day. Fees at Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Delano, the Signature, ParkMGM and Nomad will increase to $50 per day, and Luxor, New York-New York and Excalibur will charge daily fees of $45.

As for parking, those fees will jump to $20 Monday-Friday and $25 on the weekends. Valet parking will now be $40 at all properties.

Alabama City Makes Payroll Amid Bingo Legal Battle

The city of Lipscomb, Ala. was able to make payroll Dec. 4 after the state Attorney General’s Office (AGO) unfroze $107,000 of the city’s funds to cover expenses, according to WBRC.  The AGO originally froze the assets in a dispute over the legality of electronic bingo halls currently operating in the city.

Under state law, electronic bingo is not legal, but halls have popped up all over the state. Their revenue has become a key source of funds for cities like Lipscomb. While the money for payroll was released, additional funds are still tied up and the matter will be adjudicated in hearings next week.

  Fri, Dec 6, 2024

New U.K. gambling minister reaffirms White Paper reforms, Sweden struggles with black market traffic, BML Group back on Finland’s payments blacklist and more.

Baroness Twycross Commits to White Paper Reforms

In her first speech since taking on the U.K.’s minister for gambling role in July, Baroness Twycross has committed to the previous government’s gambling white paper reforms. She also noted the U.K. Gambling Commission (UKGC) is investigating white label operators’ deals with U.K. football clubs.

This follows news that Leicester City FC sponsor and Curaçao-licensed operator BC Game was deemed bankrupt in November by Curaçao’s Court of First Instance.

The UKGC is seeking to gather evidence of these offshore operators’ prevalence in sports advertising and the impact their ads are having.

“If further action is needed, we will take it,” she warned.

The speech was made at GambleAware’s annual conference on Dec. 4 and laid out several areas of focus which the department for culture, media and sports will champion. These include ensuring free-to-play lottery draws are sufficiently protecting players and adjusting online slot game designs to reduce play intensity.

ATG Q3 Report: Illegal Site Visits 10 Times Higher in Sweden Than 2019

New data from Swedish horseracing monopoly AB Trav och Galopp (ATG) shows traffic to unlicensed gambling sites in the country has increased tenfold since 2019. Sweden’s channelization rate was likely between 70 percent and 82 percent in Q3, it said.

Published on Dec. 4, the report’s data is higher than its 68 percent to 81 percent range in Q3 last year. Even the upper end of this range undercuts the 86 percent recently stated by Spelinspektionen in an October report.

The operator said the rate looks to be stabilizing. However, the new data suggests visitor traffic to unlicensed domains in Sweden has increased tenfold since 2019. This, ATG said, has had a significant impact on channelization across sports betting and online casino.

ATG CEO Hasse Lord Skarplöth hit out at the Swedish government for its “unreasonable” demands of licensed operators. He said regulations are proving “counterproductive” and allowing the illegal market to grow.

Betsson’s BML Group Returns to Finland’s Payments Blacklist

Betsson’s BML Group subsidiary has been re-added to the Finnish National Police Board’s payments blacklist, meaning all payments between its brands and players will be prohibited.

The operator has reappeared as the only name on an updated payments blacklist published on Nov. 28. Finland introduced the blacklist in 2022 as part of the country’s Lotteries Act regulation. Then the measure came into effect from 2023.

A Police Board report dated April 20, 2024 said the regulation sought to limit “the accessibility of gambling offers outside the regulation of the Lotteries Act, to the extent that the offer is marketed in violation of the Lotteries Act.”

BML’s case dates back to May 2023 when it was found to have targeted Finnish players via marketing and advertising campaigns in violation of the Lotteries Act. The court fined BML Group $2.6 million and banned it from marketing its gambling services.

It was subsequently blacklisted in February. However, it appealed the ruling in Finland’s Supreme Administrative Court but lost its case. According to the updated list, BML will stay blacklisted until October 19, 2025.

Payment blocking is one of few measures proving effective against illegal gambling operators in Europe. Germany has successfully banned a number of payments providers from operating after they were found to be in business with illegal domains.

KSA Probe Finds Dutch Licensees Breached Youth Betting Rules

Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has issued warnings to several licensed operators after they were found to have breached regulations by offering betting on youth and amateur sports events.

Announced on Dec. 4, seven Dutch licensees permitted betting on events where competitors were under the age of 21. Licensed operators in the country may only take bets on events where all players are at least 21.

KSA also discovered two licensees were offering prohibited bet types. These include betting on certain players to receive a red or yellow card, or total corners in a football match.

The regulator said all breaches took place during the 2023-24 football season. However, it did not disclose which operators breached the rules, nor the events or matches where the betting was permitted.

KSA contacted all licensees involved and ordered them to stop offering this type of betting to Dutch players. The regulator also warned other operators running these bets must notify the KSA of their error or face further action.

  Fri, Dec 6, 2024

Robinhood mulls sports betting possibilities, Bowyer sentencing postponed, Arizona regulator gives Bovada the boot and more.

Robinhood Getting Into Sports Betting?

During its inaugural investor day on Dec. 4, Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev shook up the sports betting world when he told attendees, “We’re keenly looking into that space.” On Wall Street, the comments had an immediate effect, as shares of DraftKings, Flutter and Penn Entertainment were down for the day.

According to CNBC, Tenev suggested that his company may be interested in entering the gambling landscape with a product similar to Kalshi or Polymarket, both of which offered betting on the latest presidential market. Those companies do not offer traditional sports betting, but rather, customers buy and sell contracts from each other.

“Nothing to announce just yet, but it’s so important to our customers and in culture that we’re excited about it,” Tenev said. Robinhood stock rose 3.5 percent Dec. 4.

Mathew Bowyer Sentencing Postponed

According to the docket for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, sentencing for accused illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer has been postponed from Feb. 7, 2025 to April 4, 2025.

Bowyer in August pled guilty to three federal charges, including running an illegal sportsbook and money laundering. Bowyer faces up to 18 years in prison. At the height of his business, Bowyer had more than 700 customers, none more infamous than former Shohei Ohtani Japanese-language interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.

Mizuhara lost tens of millions of dollars gambling with Bowyer, and stole $17 million from Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ star pitcher and slugger. Mizuhara, who pled guilty to bank fraud and subscribing to a fraudulent tax return in June, is set to be sentenced Dec. 20. He faces up to 33 years in prison.

Bovada Now Out of Arizona After Cease-and-Desist

Arizona became the latest state for offshore operator Bovada to exit after the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADoG) Nov. 8 issued a cease-and-desist letter to parent company Harp Media B.V.  The regulator announced Dec. 3 via press release that it sent the letter.

The Bovada website now lists Arizona on its “restricted” U.S. states lists, which includes 16 other U.S. jurisdictions. The letter is one in a string that regulators across the U.S. have sent to the company this year.

According to ADoG, Harp Media is violating three laws by operating in the state. The regulator referred to Bovada as a “felony criminal enterprise.”

“Our enforcement team is committed to preventing unauthorized operations from establishing a foothold here,” ADoG Director Jackie Johnson said via press release. “Arizona will not be a safe haven for unlawful or unlicensed gaming, nor will we allow unlawful entities to compromise the integrity of gaming within our state.”

AGA Says ‘Keep Your Cool’ is Newest RG Tenet

The American Gaming Association (AGA) Dec. 5 released an update to its “Have a Gameplan” public service campaign. “Keep Your Cool” becomes the fifth pillar of the group’s responsible gambling campaign, it said via release. The newest pillar is in response to athlete harassment, and guides bettors that harassment is not acceptable.

According to the press release, “Keep Your Cool” also means to “respect the game” and “stay focused on having fun.” The other existing four pillars, put into place when the AGA rolled out the “Have a Gameplan” campaign in 2019 are:

• Set a budget
• Keep it social
• Know the odds
• Play legally

“Responsible gaming efforts like Have A Game Plan and other proactive efforts by legal operators are resonating with consumers and making a difference,” AGA President and CEO Bill Miller said via press release. “‘Keep Your Cool’ builds on this momentum by reminding bettors that a betting result – good or bad – is not an invitation to criticize a team, official, or athlete.”

While Many Say ‘Don’t Bet on Texas,’ Adelsons Are

The Adelson family, now majority owners of the Dallas Mavericks, have heavily backed gambling legislation in Texas over the last several sessions, per iGB. But despite all the dollars put in, Texas politicians have not meaningfully considered the issue.

The Texas legislature meets only in odd-numbered years. During the 2023 session, the House approved a bill that would have allowed for statewide mobile betting controlled by the state’s professional sports teams and other sports entities, with the tax rate set at 10 percent. A destination resorts bill that included casinos was withdrawn from the House floor without a vote. Besides that, Texas’ Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said at that time he wouldn’t call for a Senate vote on legal wagering.

He tweeted, “I’ve said repeatedly there is little to no support for expanding gaming from senate GOP. I polled members this week. Nothing changed. The senate must focus on issues voters expect us to pass. We don’t waste time on bills without overwhelming GOP support. HB1942 won’t be referred.”

Since then, Patrick’s stance has not changed. In addition, Eilers & Krejcik in August took Texas off its list of states projected to legalize in 2025.

But according to the Dallas Morning News on Nov. 27, Miriam Adelson has made $13.7 million in political donations ahead of the 2025 session. That already more than quadruples 2022’s total of $3.3 million. The legislature is set to meet Jan. 14-June 2 2025.

Texas Wouldn’t Be the Biggest Handle or Revenue State

A new Eilers & Krejcik study reveals that handle in Texas in year 1 of legal digital sports betting could reach $24 billion, reported Casino Reports Dec. 2. That number could rise to $30 billion by year 3. The report also projects $2.5 billion in revenue in the first year and up to $3.5 billion by the third year, depending on the tax rate.

Despite the gaudy numbers, Casino Reports wrote that Texas would still be second in handle and revenue to California, the country’s most populous state. That’s based on 2022 numbers that projected first-year California handle to be somewhere between $30-60 billion and revenue to be up to $3.4 billion.

It is likely, though, that Texas will easily eclipse handle in New York, the most populous state that currently offers legal sports betting, and Florida, where the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Bet has a monopoly.

What’s Behind the AGCO and IGO Split?

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario (iGO) are set to become separate agencies in 2025, and Steve McAllister of  Gaming News Canada explained why.

McAllister said that after reaching out to Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General, he learned that there is some concern about a conflict of interest with both iGO and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation reporting to the same agency (AGCO) as iGO, which represents commercial sports betting and online gaming operators.

The attorney general’s office shared with McAllister that the move will “strengthen iGO’s governance and accountability structure and contribute to the continued success of Ontario’s thriving iGaming market by positioning the agency as a competitive employer and addressing a conflict-of-interest concern raised by the Auditor General.”

McAllister went on to posit that the move could make iGO more nimble and able to handle issues or implement change more quickly with less red tape to cut through.

NorthStar Gaming Sees Q3 Handle Spike

Canada’s NorthStar Gaming shared a 69 percent increase in handle against the same quarter in 2023, the company reported Nov. 27. The company also reported a 45 percent increase in overall revenue and a 63 percent increase in gross gaming revenue.

NorthStar Bets took CA$667 million in bets in the first nine months of 2024, a 53 percent increase against the first three quarters of 2023. In October, NorthStar Bets rolled out “Sports Insights 2.0,” which included a homepage redesign, more comprehensive statistics, feeds with injury and player news and increased casino content. The company is live in Ontario, Canada’s only competitive regulated market.

In Other News …

Former ESPN SVP of Production Michael Shiffman has moved to FanDuel TV as SVP and Executive Producer, the company announced Dec. 2. Shiffman will oversee creative and operational direction.

Fanatics will hold its FanFest June 20-22, 2025 at the Javits Center in New York, the company announced Dec. 4. The event drew 70,000 people in 2024. The 2025 event will feature more than 500 celebrities, athletes and artists, for what the company calls the “ultimate sports, culture and collecting festival.” Presales for those who attended the 2024 event went on sale Dec. 5 and will be available through Dec. 8. General public tickets go on sale Dec. 13. Find tickets and more information here.

Accel Entertainment Dec. 2 announced that it has completed its acquisition of Fairmount Holdings, Fairmount Park, Inc., more commonly known as FanDuel Sportsbook & Racetrack in Illinois. In the deal, Accel got a casino license and will partner with FanDuel to offer digital wagering in the state.

The Philadelphia Flyers Nov. 27 announced a new partnership with PokerStars that will allow PokerStars’ customers the opportunity to win NHL tickets and memorabilia.

  Fri, Dec 6, 2024

Graton Rancheria files suit to halt Koi Nation project, Grand Traverse Band announces new casino, date set for Arizona tribal casino opening and more.

Fight is on Over Bay Area Tribal Casino

The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Nov. 27 filed a lawsuit saying that a new tribal casino in Sonoma County would “irreparably harm” its sovereign rights, according to SF Gate. The tribe also claims that a casino proposed by the Koi Nation could disturb “sacred objects” from Graton Rancheria’s past on the construction site.

At issue is a proposed off-reservation casino that would encroach on Graton Rancheria’s current customer base. The Graton Resort and Casino is located south of Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. The Koi Nation is proposing the Shiloh Casino and Resort in Windsor, north of Santa Rosa. The two locations are about 15 miles apart. In its lawsuit Graton Rancheria argues that the Koi Nation has no ancestral claim to the land. Graton Rancheria is suing the U.S. Department of the Interior, which it claims did not do its due diligence before approving the Koi Nation’s request.

The Koi Nation paid $12 million for a 68-acre parcel. But Graton Rancheria alleges that the tribe has no claim to the land as an “aboriginal homeland,” as the Koi Nation’s reservation is 50 miles north. Both tribes have millennia of history in the region.

Though the Koi Nation is currently a small, non-gaming tribe, it made an agreement in 2022 with Oklahoma’s Chickasaw Nation. That tribe would build and operate the casino resort.

Grand Traverse Band to Open New Michigan Casino

The Grand Traverse Band has announced plans to open a new casino near Benzonia, Mich. In a release, the tribe said it has “complied with the requirements of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), including requirements set forth by the National Indian Gaming Commission.”

At a Nov. 26 Benzie County Board of Commissioners meeting, the tribe said it submitted notice to the NIGC last summer and has not heard anything in the 120-day objection window. As a result, the tribe’s gaming commission issued a license Nov. 21. The facility is expected to open in about two months.

‘Redskins’ Logo to be Revived?

A Washington, D.C-area newspaper Nov. 30 reported that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved legislation that would fund a renovation of RFK Stadium – the NFL team’s former home – and would also allow for discussions around reviving the old Redskins logo. The team, now the Washington Commanders, abandoned the Redskins name and logo in 2020.

According to the story, Commanders owner Josh Harris said the team doesn’t want the name back, but lawmakers say they are interested in bringing the logo back for other purposes.

“We’ve had good discussions with the NFL and with the Commanders,” Montana Senator Steve Daines said. “There’s good faith negotiations going forward that’s going to allow this logo to be used again; perhaps revenues going to a foundation that could help Native Americans in sport and so forth. We’re making good progress, and based on the good-faith negotiations, I made the decision to support this bill.”

Arizona’s Tohono O’odham New Casino to Open Dec. 18

Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks, owned and operated by Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, is set to open Dec. 18, AZBigMedia reported Dec. 4. The tribe’s fifth casino, White Tanks will have a 184,000 square-foot casino floor with 900 slots, a poker room, a sportsbook and table games. Arizona’s first Morton’s Steakhouse will be among the restaurants at the casino.

The facility expects to employ 1,000 people. The tribe broke ground on the $450 million project in April 2023.

In Other News …

Kambi Group signed a deal to provide back-end services for Illinois’ Wind Creek Chicago Southland, owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians commercial arm, reported CDC Gaming Dec. 1.

Washington’s Tulalip Resort Casino reopened its high-limit slots room, Indian Gaming reported Dec. 3. The room was closed due to an expansion and upgrades. The 4,000-square-foot space has 73 machines, including five bartop slots on its new bar.

  Fri, Dec 6, 2024

Philippine official accuses POGOs of enlisting vloggers for smear campaign, Indonesia grapples with black market iGaming, Kangwon Land announces expansion and more.

In Philippines, Online Trolls Linked to POGOs

Philippine Rep. Robert Ace Barbers says malicious vloggers hired by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) are posting “fake news,” including personal smears, to discredit him and other public officials.

In July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shut down the POGO industry following widespread allegations of criminal activity. Barbers heads the House of Representatives’ quad committee, which just helped wrap up a months-long probe into the outlawed operations.

That investigation tied POGOs to Chinese organized crime, which purportedly funded the operations. Evidence seized in multiple raids indicate POGOs were fronts for online scams, engaging in crimes such as kidnapping, torture, human trafficking and prostitution.

According to the Philippine Inquirer, last month Barbers presented documents to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that connect the vloggers to POGOs and the illicit drug trade. Among other things, the vlogs contended that Barbers and his brother, Surigao del Norte Gov. Lyndon Barbers, were themselves involved in drug dealing.

“These vloggers were well-organized and paid to ruin my name, my brother’s name and those of the quad committee members,” said Barbers, suggesting these were acts of vengeance. “Maybe their employers, POGOs and drug lords, are already hurting from the quad committee investigations.”

He asked law enforcement to “pursue appropriate criminal charges” against any identified suspects. The charges could include libel, sedition, false incrimination and “intriguing against honor” under the 2012 Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Vietnam Sports Betting Needs Legislative Support to Grow

Vietnam could develop a lucrative sports betting industry if it amends the legislation that enabled it.

Decree 6, implemented in 2017, opened the door to legal betting on horse races, greyhound races and soccer. It also laid out a framework for sports betting operators. But experts at a Hanoi seminar in November say the legislation is vague, prohibitive and out of step with the times.

Decree 6 limits legal gambling to 20 pilot jurisdictions, instead of opening to bettors nationwide. It also caps bets at VND1 million (US$42). Moreover, it requires operators to demonstrate capital of at least VND1 trillion (US$42 million) for horse racing and football bets and VND300 billion for dog races, and requires that 5 percent of revenue go to the state (experts suggest 5 percent of profits).

The biggest barrier, according to the Tuoi Tre News, is that Decree 6 forbids mobile and online gambling. Business leader Nguyen Ngoc My, chairman of the Vabis Group, said iGaming is an “inevitable and irreversible strategic trend.”

Hoang Ngoc Nhat, chairman of Thien Phuc Joint Stock Company, said Vietnamese gamblers spend up to $10 billion annually, mostly on soccer. But most of that revenue now enriches offshore operators. He argued for business-friendly rules to keep that money and applicable taxes at home.
According to The Investor, the National Assembly Standing Committee has set 2025 as the deadline for the Government and the Ministry of Finance to amend the decree.

Indonesia’s New Government Fights Illegal Online Gambling

Indonesia’s newly installed government is using artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and block illegal online gambling providers. Online gambling is strictly forbidden in the Muslim-majority country.

President Pabrowo Subianto took office in October, and installed Meutya Hafid as his minister of communication and digital affairs. Hafid then announced a 100-day agenda with four goals: to safeguard personal data, digitize government services, eradicate online gambling and make the internet safer for children.

Artificial intelligence is helping, said Hafid. “If we count from … the start of the new government,” the number of closed sites “has reached around 380,000,” including 300,000 illegal IP addresses and thousands of ads on i Meta, Google and Twitter.

The government has also enlisted “special cyber-patrols to detect sites and applications that contain gambling content,” she added.

According to ABC Asia, Indonesians lost an estimated RP327 trillion (US$20.5 billion) gambling online in 2023.

Kangwon Land Plans Major Expansion

South Korea’s sole locals casino is embarking on a major expansion.
Kangwon Land will add a new casino resort with hotel and other attractions in a capital investment project worth KRW2.5 trillion (US$1.9 billion).

According to the Korean Economic Daily, visitation to Kangwon Land has been hampered by its remote location, in the mountains of Gangwon Province. It is also dealing with a new rival in Mohegan Entertainment’s Inspire Entertainment Resort, which opened in March in Incheon.

Operator Kangwon Land Inc. is also looking ahead to future competition. Japan is planning to open a multibillion-dollar integrated resort in Osaka in 2030.

The Kangwon Land expansion, which will include cultural and healthcare facilities, is targeted for completion by 2032.

Star to Receive First AU$100 Million Tranche of New Debt Facility

Australia’s Star Entertainment announced Dec. 3 that it has met the requirements necessary to receive the first AU$100 million tranche of a new debt facility that was announced back in September. The company will receive the funds by Dec. 9. A second AU$100 million tranche will be made available next year, if additional requirements are met.

The company said in its ASX filing that “Under the terms of the facility, the proceeds of the Treasury Casino sale must be placed into escrow, resulting in a net increase in cash for the Company of approximately $37.1 million after fees.”

Malaysia Demands that Meta Ax iGaming Ads

Malaysia has asked Facebook parent Meta to remove content related to illegal online gambling.

According to Free Malaysia Today, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Malaysians lost RM432 million (US$97.3 million) to Facebook scams in 2023. Of 250,000 pieces of content flagged by the government this year, more than 90 percent was linked to online gambling and fraud.

He also pointed out that Facebook pulled in RM2.5 billion in revenue from Malaysia during the same period.

Macau Could Welcome 35M Visitors by Year’s End

In January, Macau government officials announced a goal to attract 33 million visitors in 2024. As the year winds down, the chairman of the local Travel Industry Council says the SAR could exceed that goal by up to 2 million.

According to the Macao News, Andy Wu recently told TDM Radio the city could welcome 35 million visitors this year, 90 percent of the more than 39.4 million visitors who arrived in 2019 and 1 million higher than expected by the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO).

  Fri, Dec 6, 2024

Brazilian casino vote delayed again, Paraguay moves to end gambling monopoly, Anatel struggles to block illegal iGaming sites and more.

Brazil Senate Delays Land-based Casino Bill Vote Until 2025

The Brazilian Senate on Dec. 4 again delayed a planned vote on a bill to legalize land-based casinos, bingo halls and betting on horse racing. The vote will now happen in 2025 due to ongoing uncertainty over the proposal.

Bill 2,234/2022 was approved back in June by the Chamber of Deputies’ Constitution and Justice and Citizenship Commission (CCJC) on a 14-12 vote. However, the bill, which would also legalize the lottery-type game jogo do bicho in Brazil, has suffered several setbacks.

An August vote date was missed while hopes for an October vote were also dashed. Irajá Silvestre, the senator behind the bill, last month said he hoped a vote would take place before the end of 2024.

Eduardo Girãom, one senator who opposes the bill, said that the legalization of online gambling in Brazil is already generating concerns, despite the regulated market having not yet opened. Brazil is due to launch on  Jan. 1 2025.

A date has not yet been set for the next vote.

Paraguay to End Gambling Monopoly; Bill to Amend Law Partially Approved

Paraguay has taken a step towards gambling regulation reforms, including ending the market’s monopoly after a bill was partially approved on Nov. 26. The act now heads to the Senate for final approval.

In early November, the executive branch of the government presented a bill to amend the current Paraguay gambling legislation (Law No 1,016/1997), including strengthening gambling regulator Conajzar’s position. It also sought to liberalize the country’s gambling market.

The bill also seeks to place Conajzar under the government-powered National Tax Revenue Directorate (DNIT). Conajzar President Carlos Liseras has said he expects opening the gambling market to competition will enhance the sector’s tax contributions to the government.

The bill seeks to eliminate the current monopoly model and paves the way for private competitors to enter the market. It would mean commercial operators of games of chance could compete, rather than having to secure access through tender processes.

Brazil’s Aposta Ganha Eyes Leading Position in Licensed Market

Brazilian betting operator Aposta Ganha expects to take up to 10 percent market share in Brazil’s licensed betting market. The firm was among the first to secure a licence and expects to gain an early advantage.

Aposta Ganha announced on Nov. 26 its betting license had been approved by the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA), paving the way for the operator to enter the legal betting market in Brazil in January.

Group CCO Hugo Baungartner describes it as a “big, big step”, one that reinforces the operators’ belief that the soon-to-be regulated sector in Brazil will support and protect players and stakeholders.

“We are really happy to get this and this whole thing just comes to reconfirm that we are a group in Brazil that really believes in the market,” Baungartner told iGB.

The license approval gives Aposta Ganha a first-mover advantage in Brazil and Baungartner believes around 40 operators in total will receive authorization ahead of the legal market launch.

Over 2k Illegal Betting Sites Still Live in Brazil, Anatel Expresses Concerns

New data suggests 2,000 illegal sites are still operating in Brazil, despite telecoms regulator Anatel’s attempts to block them. Anatel President Carlos Baigorri has also warned that blocking illegal betting sites is an inefficient measure and the entity lacks sufficient resources.

Gambling regulator SPA sent details of over 5,200 domains belonging to illegal betting sites to Anatel in November as it sought to crackdown on the illegal market. Anatel was tasked with ensuring those domains were taken down, but Baigorri on Nov. 26 admitted the agency lacks the capacity to block all illegal sites.

The data on the black market was collected by Brazil industry trade body ANJL and is based on conversations it has had with its operator partners in recent days. The association’s President Plínio Lemos Jorge is calling for a robust response to IP blocking, to protect both licensed operators and players.

“Serious and legal betting sites will not be able to withstand the competition from illegal sites,” Lemos Jorge explained.

  Fri, Dec 6, 2024

The latest announcements from Playtech, Inspired Entertainment, Novomatic and more.

Playtech Launches Live Casino with Veikkaus in Finland

Playtech has announced the launch of Live Casino under its agreement with Veikkaus, the Finnish state-owned and monopoly operator.

Building upon their successful existing relationship, which encompasses online casino, online poker, retail VLT machines and a casino management system, Playtech was selected as Veikkaus’ first Live Casino supplier, following a rigorous public procurement process.

Playtech and Veikkaus have now completed the integration and regulatory approval process of Playtech’s Live games, and following a successful launch, a first range of games are now available to Veikkaus’ players, with many more to be launched in the following months.

Inspired Names Rafael Brunacci LatAm Development Director

Online gaming content supplier Inspired Entertainment, Inc. named Rafael Brunacci as its new business development director for LatAm – Virtuals.

Brunacci will lead Inspired’s growth initiatives in Latin America, concentrating on expanding the company’s Virtual Sports footprint and advancing its business across this rapidly growing market.

Brunacci brings a strong background in the iGaming industry to his new LatAm business development position. Most recently, he served the same role at Oddin.gg, where he championed the integration of esports solutions across Latin America.

Prior to this, he was with CoinsPaid as a business development manager for LatAm, delivering Crypto Payment solutions to the iGaming industry. His experience also includes roles at Intralinks and Prudential Financial, where he honed his skills in digital transformation and financial market solutions across Latin America.

Clarion Events Names Irving CEO, North America

Clarion Events announced that Liz Irving has been promoted from president to CEO of Clarion Events North America.

During her time as president of Clarion Events North America, Irving has positioned the business for continued success, implementing transformative initiatives that have fueled growth, delivered operational excellence, and reinforced Clarion’s commitment to a customer-first operating model. Under her guidance, the company has been recognized as a “Great Places to Work” organization for three consecutive years.

In addition to her work within Clarion, Irving has been a prominent leader across the events industry. Through her contributions to organizations such as SISO, UFI, and Revenue Room Connect, she has consistently driven innovation and collaboration while helping shape the future of the sector.

Novomatic Recertified by G4

Austrian slot supplier and operator Novomatic AG announced it has achieved recertification by the renowned Global Gambling Guidance Group (G4).

The group’s recertification recognizes the company’s efforts in responsible gaming in accordance with G4 standards.

“Taking responsibility is in Novomatic’s corporate DNA,” the company said in a press release. “Responsible gaming together with the associated player protection and prevention measures are therefore a top priority for the group. This is a fact demonstrated by, is internationally recognized as the most renowned and demanding standard for player protection.”

The G4 standard is subject to ongoing development, requiring companies to seek recertification every three years.

Aristocrat Interactive iLottery to Enter Kentucky, Mexico

Aristocrat Interactive has signed a five-year contract with IGT Global Solutions Corporation (IGT) to supply its NeoGames Studio premium content to the Kentucky Lottery beginning in 2025.

To support this partnership, Aristocrat Interactive has developed an insights-driven launch strategy customized for the Kentucky market. Through an integration with IGT, Kentucky Lottery’s iLottery systems provider, Aristocrat Interactive will provide players with a curated mix of NeoGames Studio’s latest and most successful games.

NeoGames Studio, Aristocrat Interactive’s in-house iLottery studio, has been creating award-winning e-instant games for more than 20 years and has been recognized for its artwork, animations, and consistent high performance in markets worldwide.

Aristocrat Interactive also announced it has partnered with Big Bola to deliver a comprehensive suite of iGaming solutions, integrating advanced technology and personalized services tailored for the Mexican market.

Under this agreement, Aristocrat Interactive will provide Big Bola with its robust Player Account Management (PAM), sportsbook solution, and bespoke managed services system, strengthening Aristocrat Interactive’s presence in Mexico. Additionally, Aristocrat Interactive will supply self-service betting terminals for retail sports betting and over-the-counter solutions.

Konami Announces ICE Lineup

Konami Gaming, Inc. announced a strong lineup of the latest casino games and technology advancements coming to the inaugural ICE Barcelona  Jan. 20-22, 2025. Konami has secured iGaming stand 2L38 and traditional land-based stand 3H60 to feature its newest online gaming entertainment, land-based slot creations, and Synkros casino systems technology.

“As Konami’s online game library continues to expand with today’s hit slot series and iconic classics, European market growth is a key focus. As a result, Konami is arriving to ICE 2025 with a dedicated iGaming space in Hall 2 to readily connect and engage with iGaming operators,” said Eduardo Aching, vice president of international gaming operations at Konami Gaming, Inc. “At the same time, casino executives and professionals in the land-based sector can locate Konami’s latest slot game machines and casino systems technology across the way in Hall 3.”

As Konami continues to add a record number of new game releases to its owned remote gaming server (RGS), online casino operators are taking advantage of many of today’s hit slots found at land-based casinos including Fortune Mint, All Aboard, Bull Blitz, and more. During ICE 2025, several of the year’s upcoming new arrivals are featured, such as K-Pow! Pig. This original linked progressive slot offers a unique prize upgrade mechanic during the credit collection feature, allowing players the chance to punch up the potential payouts across multiple reels.

IGT Launches Powerbucks Blackjack Online Game in Canada

International Game Technology PLC announced that its new Powerbucks Blackjack game is now available to online players in multiple jurisdictions in Canada. The theme links to IGT’s Powerbucks omnichannel wide-area progressive jackpot prize pool, Canada’s largest jackpot connecting land-based, online and mobile games.

Bringing a player-favorite card game to a new level, IGT’s Powerbucks Blackjack offers a state-of-the-art user interface with vibrant animations, language localization, and a sleek design for an engaging experience.

Launched in 2016, IGT Powerbucks is the world’s first omnichannel WAP game that links the jackpot prize pool between gaming machines found in land-based casinos with digital-based games in Canada. Since their debut, Powerbucks slots have paid over 50 jackpots of $1 million or more across the country.

TG Lab Acquires Brazil’s SysGaming

Global omnichannel platform provider TG Lab announced its strategic acquisition of Brazil-based gambling software provider SysGaming.

The decision aligns with TG Lab’s strategic ambition to strengthen its foothold across Latin America, with the provider already live in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru.

The acquisition of SysGaming will allow TG Lab to continue delivering bespoke, localized experiences in real time to LatAm partners in both Spanish and Portuguese.

Catering to leading operators worldwide—which also includes major brands such as Stake, Betsson and Belgium’s Loterie Nationale—TG Lab’s omnichannel platform offers a full-stack solution with a flexible set of modules for sportsbooks and casinos to boost their gaming operations across multiple markets.

BMM Launches Brazil Hub

The BMM Innovation Group announced the launch of the BMM Testlabs Brazil Hub at brazil.bmm.com.

This microsite, available in Portuguese, English and Spanish, serves as a gateway to Brazil’s iGaming and sports betting market, as well future land-based gaming.

The BMM Brazil Hub will be a key resource for regulators, suppliers, and operators in Brazil’s dynamic gaming landscape. It provides vital information on Brazil’s gaming regulations and technical standards, as well as insights into the broad range of services offered by BMM Testlabs (product compliance), BIG Cyber (cyber-defense solutions), and RG24seven Virtual Training (responsible gaming, anti-money laundering education).

BMM Testlabs has been authorized by Brazil’s Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas Substituto to test betting systems, online games, and live gaming studios. The company is also licensed to conduct compliance testing in Rio de Janeiro, Paraíba, and Paraná.

Licensing International Honors Aristocrat’s Kaminkow

Joe Kaminkow, chief innovation officer at Aristocrat Gaming, was one of three executives inducted into Licensing International’s Hall of Fame.

Licensing International is the leading trade association for the $356 billion global brand licensing industry, and the Licensing International Foundation, which supports the education of future licensing leaders.

Kaminkow was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame along with Maca Rotter, president & CEO of La Panadería Licensing; and Stu Seltzer, president of Seltzer Licensing Group.

It was the third Hall of Fame induction for Kaminkow, who previously was the longtime head of game development at IGT before founding Spooky Cool Labs in Chicago, which was acquired by Zynga before Kaminkow left to join Aristocrat. In the 1980s, he was a co-founder of Data East Pinball (now Stern Pinball).

In 2019, Kaminkow was inducted into the Eilers & Krejcik Gaming Slot Awards Hall of Fame, and last year, he was inducted into the Coin-Op Hall of Fame.

By Roger Gros   Fri, Dec 6, 2024

This week we sit down with Justin Carter (l.), senior vice president of regional operations at Penn Entertainment and chair of the company’s diversity council.

It’s been an extremely busy time for Penn Entertainment, as the company works to stand up the ESPN Bet sports betting platform while also maintaining its portfolio of casinos across the U.S. One key figure in these efforts is Justin Carter, the company’s senior vice president of regional operations.