Issue: January 17, 2025

Thailand Cabinet OKs Casino Bill

By Marjorie Preston   Thu, Jan 16, 2025

The Thailand cabinet has signed off on legislation to introduce up to five entertainment complexes anchored by casinos. If approved in parliament, the kingdom will push to develop the resorts by 2029.

On Jan. 13, Thailand’s cabinet approved in principle a bill that would legalize entertainment complexes with gaming. The measure now heads to parliament.

Prommin Lertsuridej, secretary-general to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, says the measure could be law in seven to nine months.

According to the Bangkok Post, Prommin says seven global operators have expressed interest in a Thai casino license. Macau concessionaire Melco Resorts and Entertainment has declared itself, announcing it will open a Bangkok office. Two other Macau operators, MGM Resorts and Galaxy Entertainment Group, are also taking a look at the market, as is Malaysia’s Genting Berhad.

Thailand’s Council of State, which serves the government in an advisory capacity, opposes passage of the Entertainment Complex bill, which would bring legal casinos to the kingdom. Council members say the legislation is too focused on gaming at the expense of broader-based tourism attractions.

Thailand’s Stop Gambling Foundation (SGF) agrees the draft bill is a watered-down version of the Singapore model, which includes luxury hotels, theme parks, concert venues, restaurants and retail. The SGF gripes that the bill is light on details about non-gaming attractions, problem-gambling resources and taxation.

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WEEKLY FEATURE: Coquilles Gain Medford Approval, Waste No Time Opening

By Jess Marquez   Thu, Jan 16, 2025

The Coquille Indian Tribe fought long and hard for its off-reservation Medford casino. Now that it’s been approved, the tribe immediately got to work setting up machines.

On Jan. 10, the Department of Interior (DOI) gave its approval to an off-reservation casino project in Medford, Ore. from the Coquille Indian Tribe, a project that had been a decade-plus in the making.

The ruling is the latest in a string of tribal casino approvals from the outgoing Biden administration, all of which have been heavily criticized by fellow gaming tribes as being fast-tracked before Donald Trump takes office Jan. 20.

According to KTVL, three tribes—the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Karuk Tribe, and Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation—filed suit in federal court the same day asking for a temporary restraining order to halt the project. Additionally, Sen. Ron Wyden told the outlet that he would “fight this senseless decision with all the options available, including the Congressional Review Act that empowers elected representatives to battle back against rogue federal agency decisions just like this one.”

Despite the controversy, the Coquilles wasted no time installing Class II slots at the site of the proposed casino. Per a Jan. 15 report from the Rogue Valley Times, there are a couple dozen machines available to patrons at a building that was formerly a bowling alley.

“It’s been 12 years, and we’re not waiting any longer,” Ray Doering, director of public affairs and compliance for Coquille-owned Tribal One, told the RVT. “We wanted to establish that this is what we’re doing.”

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U.S. IN FOCUS

By Jess Marquez   Thu, Jan 16, 2025

New iGaming bills drop, Maryland governor wants tax hikes, Iowa lawmakers race to block Cedar Rapids casino and more.

Online Gaming Bills Filed in Wyoming, Indiana

Legislative season is in full swing, and that means renewed hope for iGaming expansion. Two bills have already been filed in Wyoming and Indiana.

In Wyoming, HB 162 is being sponsored by Rep. Bob Davis. The bill would place iGaming under the purview of the Wyoming Gaming Commission and create a minimum of five licenses. Initial five-year licenses would go for $100,000 and renewals would be $50,000. Notably, the tax rate would be 16 percent, and the first $300,000 in revenue would go towards problem gambling services.

Indiana Rep. Ethan Manning is championing HB 1432, which would legalize iLottery and pull tabs in addition to iGaming. Online gaming licenses would be made available to licensed riverboat and racetrack owners. Licenses would cost $500,000 with $50,000 renewals.

The first-year tax rate would be 26 percent, followed by a tiered framework ranging from 22 percent to 30 percent in year two onwards. The bill would also impose a $250,000 annual fee for problem gambling services for each riverboat casino.

 

Tax Hikes Coming to Maryland?

While introducing his FY26 budget Jan. 15, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore indicated his endorsement for a pair of gaming tax hikes that would see the rate for sports betting double from 15 percent to 30 percent and the rate for casino table games jump from 20 percent to 25 percent.

Moore said that the increases “bring Maryland tax rates in line with its neighbors or better align the State with the principles of sound tax policy.”

Taxes have become a sore spot for operators as multiple markets have moved to increase their rates. Ohio doubled its original rate of 10 percent to 20 percent and Illinois introduced a new tiered scheme that increases alongside revenue and caps out at 40 percent.

 

New Moratorium Could Kill Cedar Rapids Casino Hopes

For many years, stakeholders in Iowa have attempted to bring a casino to Cedar Rapids. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) has twice rejected those plans, first in 2014 and then again in 2017. Then a moratorium on gaming licenses was enacted, but all that hasn’t stopped efforts from renewing again this year.

Peninsula Pacific Entertainment is proposing a $275 million Cedar Rapids casino and has already made its pitch before the IRGC. The commission is currently slated to make its final ruling Feb. 6.

But as has been speculated for months, state lawmakers are ramping up efforts to enact a new moratorium before that decision can be made. According to the Gazette, Rep. Bobby Kaufmann intends to file legislation that would enact a new five-year moratorium through June 30, 2030 and spell out new criteria for the commission to consider when analyzing future casino projects.

Kaufmann told the Gazette that potential cannibalization from a Cedar Rapids casino is “unacceptable to me, particularly given the proximity that many of our members have to existing casinos, where people have really good paying jobs and careers they’ve been banking on that would go away if this were to not pass.”

 

Surovell to Champion Tysons Casino Bill

In Virginia, state Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell is sponsoring legislation that would allow for a referendum for a casino in Fairfax County, per FFXnow. Similar bills were introduced in 2023 and 2024–last year’s version was deferred and ultimately killed in committee. The language of this year’s version is similar to last year’s in that it limits the location of a potential casino to an area near the Silver Line in Tysons.

“I’ve been an advocate for increased casino gaming in Virginia ever since MGM opened their National Harbor casino in 2016,” Surovell told FFXnow. “… If Virginians are going to gamble, I’d prefer they do it in Virginia, so that Virginia and Fairfax County’s public schools can benefit from it, instead of Maryland and Prince George’s County.”

If approved, the casino license would be made available to bidders, but Comstock Companies has long proposed a sprawling 6- to 8-million-square-foot mixed-use development that includes a casino among other amenities.

 

Belle of Baton Rouge Sails Off in Anticipation of Move Ashore

On Jan. 14, the Belle of Baton Rouge riverboat was pulled by tugboats off to the scrapyard as owners Queen Casino & Entertainment move ahead with a $141 million renovation to move the casino ashore, according to the Advocate. The riverboat will be 97 percent recycled by Louisiana Scrap Metal Recycling.

In addition to moving the casino to land, Queen is also renovating and reopening the adjacent 242-room hotel that has been closed since the pandemic. The hotel will open first, in the spring, with the casino expected to open in the fall under a new name. Plans for the casino include 775 slots, 24 tables, a sportsbook and dining options.

“This sendoff shows that things are changing, and it’s a clear sign that the transformation of this area into a vibrant, thriving entertainment destination is well underway,” Richard Cannon, general manager of the Belle, told the Advocate.

 

Bill Filed to Move Full House Casino to New Haven

Full House Resorts has long explored plans to relocate its Rising Star Casino in Rising Sun, Ind. to New Haven. On Jan. 13, local outlet WANE reported that state Sen. Andy Zay introduced Senate Bill 293 to help make that happen. The state’s General Assembly would need to approve the move.

According to the outlet, one supporter is New Haven Mayor Steve McMichael, who was approached by Full House about the move last spring. Rising Star opened in 1996, but increased competition in recent years has impacted revenue and the operator feels that the new location would help boost performance.

 

Watkins to Depart NGCB at Month’s End

Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) member Brittnie Watkins will step down from the board at the expiration of her four-year term at the end of January, she announced at the most recent board meeting Jan. 15.

“This will be my final Board meeting, and I want to provide that I am honored to have served in this position,” she said, per CDC Gaming. “I have learned so much and grown so much personally and professionally. The friendships that I have gathered here are going to last a lifetime.”

Watkins was appointed to the board in 2021 by former Gov. Steve Sisolak. Toward the end of last year, she was the subject of a discrimination lawsuit filed by a NGCB staffer who alleged that Watkins pressured her to engage in discriminatory hiring practices. The Nevada Independent reported via anonymous sources that current Gov. Joe Lombardo informed Watkins she would not be reappointed, but that was not confirmed.

 

Station to Open Second Tavern Under Seventy Six Brand

Station Casinos will open the second location under its new tavern brand, Seventy Six, on Jan. 23. The new location is on Aliante Parkway in North Las Vegas, and comes a few months after the opening of the first location last October. The 24/7 taverns feature 15 IGT bartop machines.

“Following the success of our first location, we’re bringing our concept to the Aliante community, where we believe it will quickly become another favorite spot for enjoying drinks and meals with friends or family and engaging in top-notch gaming and sports viewing,” said Bobbie Rihel, vice president of small properties at Station Casinos, per CDC Gaming.

 

Kalshi Hires Trump Jr. as Advisor

Kalshi, the New York-based prediction market that overcame court challenges from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to list its yes-no event futures contracts, Jan. 13 announced that it is enlisting Donald Trump Jr. as a strategic advisor. The platform became linked to the elder Trump after it correctly predicted his November election victory when traditional polls said otherwise.

“Don has always been at the forefront at these types of spaces and new technologies. He’s always been very in tune with what the American people feel and want,” Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour said on CNBC.

“On Election night at Mar-a-Lago, while biased outlets called the race a coin toss, my family and close friends used the prediction market Kalshi to know we won hours ahead of the fake news media. I immediately knew I had to contribute to their mission,” Trump Jr. wrote in a post on X.

 

MGCB Announces Sentencing for Pair Linked to Illegal Casino

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced Jan. 13 that two individuals—52-year-old Linos Antonio Kas-Mikha and 55-year-old Robert Jamerson—were both sentenced to 12 months of probation in 7th Circuit Court in Genesee County for conducting an illegal gambling operation. The pair had been involved with Cellular Bank, a storefront casino in Flint.

“The Michigan Gaming Control Board is dedicated to upholding the integrity of gaming in our state,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said in a statement. “The sentencing of these two defendants for their involvement in running an illegal gambling operation at Cellular Bank sends a clear message that unlicensed gambling enterprises will not be tolerated. We also want to extend our sincere thanks to the Attorney General’s office, whose support and collaboration were instrumental in this investigation and prosecution, ensuring a successful outcome.”

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EUROPE IN FOCUS

By Nicole Macedo   Thu, Jan 16, 2025

UKGC CEO emphasizes supplier due diligence, KSA levies big fine on WPN, Norsk Tipping lowers loss limits for young players and more.

UKGC CEO: Suppliers Supporting Black Market Could Put Operators at Risk

In a webinar hosted by industry law firm Harris Hagan on Jan. 15, U.K. Gambling Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes reiterated his advice for the sector to carry out due diligence against supplier partners, warning operators will suffer if a partner’s license is revoked for working with unlicensed operators.

Rhodes said if a supplier has their license revoked by the Gambling Commission their activities must cease immediately in the U.K., and this would disrupt operators and other suppliers utilizing their services.

In November Rhodes advised stakeholders to carry out their own due diligence on suppliers to ensure they are not providing services to the black market. But a number of stakeholders said they believed it would be a hugely difficult task to track all their supplier partners, and it was ultimately up to the regulator to enforce these practices within its own work.

Addressing viewers of the Harris Hagan webinar, Rhodes said the industry appeared to have misinterpreted his comments in November.

“Some interpreted my remarks as meaning the industry should police this rather than the regulator and actually, I don’t understand why anyone in the licensed industry would want to be in business with a company that would be supporting illegal competition,” he said.

 

Dutch Regulator Issues $1.34 Million Fine To Winning Poker Network

Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has fined Winning Poker Network $1.3 million for operating unlicensed online poker operations in the country.

KSA reached the decision last month but revealed the sanction on Jan. 14. Winning Poker Network (WPN) is ruled to have breached Dutch law by operating online poker without the relevant license.

According to the regulator, Dutch players could access and gamble online via the WPN-run AmericasCardroom.eu (ACR) website. The site features a range of poker games and tournaments, as well as various promotions for customers.

Detailing the case, KSA said it first flagged WPN in September 2022 for activity across both the ACR site and WinningPokerNetwork.com. It found the ACR was accessible to players in the Netherlands despite the operator not holding a license.

Players were able to create an account, deposit using a Dutch credit card and participate in online poker. KSA also flagged how several casino games were being offered on the same website. Online poker is legal in the Netherlands through licensed operators but there is an outright ban on online games of chance, which include slots.

 

Norsk Tipping Sets Lower Monthly Loss Limits For Younger Players

Norwegian state-owned monopoly Norsk Tipping has enforced further reductions in loss limits for younger players, with those aged between 20 and 24 to face tighter measures.

Norsk Tipping customers aged 20 to 21 will only be able to lose a maximum of $264 per month. Loss limits will be set slightly higher at $441 for players between the ages of 22 and 24.

Both new loss limits will come into effect from Feb. 1, the operator has confirmed. They will apply to all games available at Norsk Tipping.

The decision comes after loss limits were previously announced for younger players. In May 2023, a maximum monthly loss limit of $176 was set for users aged 18 to 20.

 

Swedish Regulator Denies Reports of Self-exclusion Data Breach

Spelinspektionen, the national gambling regulator in Sweden, has rejected claims of a data breach in its Spelpaus, insisting there is no evidence that information is “leaking” from the country’s self-exclusion register.

Aired on Sveriges Radio channel P1 on Jan. 7, the ‘Kasinoläckan’ documentary series examines Europe’s casino industry. It features a six-month collaboration between investigative journalists across gambling markets in several countries, including Sweden.

Flagged in the documentary is a supposed data breach of Spelpaus. The regulator’s national self-exclusion scheme launched in Jan. 2019 to accompany the roll out of legal online gambling in the country.

Spelinspektionen on Jan. 10 hit back at these claims, rejecting the claims that information had been leaked from Spelpaus to the public. It said there has been no evidence of such an incident.

“All information in the register is encrypted,” Spelinspektionen said in a statement. “There is no information about whether the person who has excluded themselves is addicted to gambling or not.

 

Stake Eyes Denmark Move with Mocinoplay Acquisition

Crypto gambling operator Stake is set to expand its presence into regulated markets after entering into an agreement to acquire Danish operator MocinoPlay, the company behind the VinderCasino brand.

Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, and the acquisition remains subject to approval by Denmark’s regulator Spillemyndigheden. Stake did not say when it expects to complete the purchase of MocinoPlay.

Stake does not yet have a presence in Denmark and said the acquisition would establish a foothold in Northern Europe.

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SPORTS BETTING IN FOCUS

By Jess Marquez   Thu, Jan 16, 2025

Intralot fined for violating DC sports betting contract as ESPN Bet gains market access, FanDuel enlists Mannings for ad and more.

Intralot Fined $5 Million for DC Subcontracting Violations

The drama surrounding the Washington, DC sports betting market continued with a Jan. 14 announcement that the DC Council has fined Intralot $5 million for violating small business subcontracting agreements in its sole-source sports betting and lottery contract.

In addition to Intralot, subcontractor Veterans Services Corporation (VSC) was also fined $1.5 million, bringing the total to $6.5 million. The fines were announced by the DC office of the attorney general (OAG).

The OAG said that when Intralot sought to secure the controversial contract in 2019, it did so with the premise that “VSC would perform 51 percent of the work – all with its own resources – and receive an equivalent percentage of the revenue.” DC law requires that 35 percent of large government contracts be subcontracted to local small businesses. The benefits to VSC and other local businesses was said to be among the primary reasons that the contract was awarded.

But that premise turned out to be false, investigators said. Instead, the two parties secretly agreed that “an Intralot subsidiary – not VSC – would provide most of the resources” for the contract. VSC then funneled back “much of the contract money Intralot had promised to spend subcontracting with VSC.”

According to the OAG, VSC owner Emmanuel Bailey was paid hundreds of thousands per year for his participation in the scheme. Both sides reportedly falsely inflated the amount of money spent, submitted false documentation and verification forms and misrepresented quarterly reports. In their settlement agreements, both Intralot and VSC denied any prior wrongdoing.

 

ESPN Bet is Coming to the Nation’s Capital

Penn Entertainment is to launch ESPN Bet in Washington, DC after securing market access in the U.S. capital through a new partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE).

According to a Jan. 14 statement, ESPN Bet will also become a sports betting partner of MSE and its various sports teams. MSE owns and operates NHL ice hockey team the Washington Capitals, NBA basketball team the Washington Wizards and the Washington Mystics of the WNBA. It also counts several multi-purpose venues among its portfolio of assets.

Commenting on the deal, Penn’s Chief Technology Officer Aaron LaBerge said it supports the ongoing strategy to expand ESPN Bet’s reach in the U.S.

The ESPN Bet brand officially launched in Nov. 2023. Since going live, it has established a presence in no fewer than 19 states across the U.S: Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. DC marks its 20th state.

 

Tennessee Posts Second-Best Handle Ever in December

Gross wagers on sports in Tennessee reached $572.7 million during December, the second-highest monthly amount on record for the Volunteer State.

December gross wagers beat the $495.1 million spent in the same month in 2023 by 15.8 percent. However, the total fell 4.3 percent short of the Tennessee record of $598.6 million set in Nov. 2024.

The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWC) also said after $2.9 million worth of adjustments, gross sports betting handle was $569.8 million. This beats Jan. 2023 by 16.1 percent but is 4.1 percent behind November last year. Detail of these adjustments were not disclosed.

Some of the performance might be attributable to the University of Tennessee football team. The Volunteers finished as the ninth seed in the first-ever 12-team college football playoff. Their season finished with a 42-17 loss at Ohio State on Dec. 21.

 

Manning Brothers to Headline FanDuel Super Bowl Ad

FanDuel announced Jan. 10 that NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning will headline the bookmaker’s Super Bowl campaign. The brothers, who won two Super Bowls each, will go head-to-head in “Kick of Destiny 3.” This will include a live kicking competition on FOX where each will attempt a 25-yard field goal. FanDuel is allowing users to make free picks on the contest for the chance to win bonuses.

“With the Kick of Destiny, we set out to make FanDuel a part of Super Bowl Sunday,” said FanDuel Executive Vice President of Marketing Andrew Sneyd said in a statement. “For year three, we’re raising the stakes by introducing a rivalry and a head-to-head Kick of Destiny competition. Peyton & Eli Manning will make history by competing against each other live for the first time in Super Bowl history. May the best Manning win!”

 

Kindbridge Offers Free Services for Those Impacted by LA Fires

Telehealth counseling provider Kindbridge Behavioral Health announced Jan. 15 that it is offering free mental health services to those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. The fires, which look to be among the costliest in U.S. history, have destroyed thousands of structures and displaced thousands of residents.

Kindgridge said the services were made possible through its partners such as “the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA), EPIC Global Solutions, DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, PrizePicks, Underdog, DruvStar, and Doura-Schawohl Consulting LLC.”

For those interested, visit kindbridge.com/wildfire-support or contact 1-877-426-4258.

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TRIBAL GAMING IN FOCUS

  Thu, Jan 16, 2025

Feds approve two controversial CA tribal casinos, latest Seminole casino to open Feb. 6 and more.

Judge Denies Graton’s Attempt to Block Koi Casino

A federal judge in California has denied an attempt by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria to block the approval of the Koi Nation’s proposed casino project near Windsor. The Biden administration approved the project Jan. 13.

Early plans call for a casino with 2,750 slots, 105 tables, a 400-room hotel and more. The tribe first requested that the land be put into trust in 2021. If all goes to plan, construction is tentatively slated to start in 2026 and last for 18-24 months.

As with another casino project from the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians in Vallejo that was recently approved, detractors have accused the outgoing Biden administration of fast-tracking tribal casino projects in advance of Donald Trump taking office Jan. 20. Aspects of the approval process, especially those related to environmental impact, have come under scrutiny for several projects, as have provisions related to off-reservation casinos.

“The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria is disappointed by the court’s decision, which allows Interior to proceed with a final decision on the Koi Nation’s off-reservation casino project despite the federal government’s clear failure to consult with tribes,” Graton Chair Greg Sarris said, per the Press Democrat. “We call on President (Joe) Biden and (Interior Department) Secretary (Deb) Haaland to allow consultation to continue in the next administration rather than setting a dangerous precedent and undermining four years of unfulfilled promises to respect tribal sovereignty.”

 

DOI Approves Pomo Indians’ Vallejo Casino

On Jan. 10, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) agreed to move land into trust for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ $700 million casino project in Vallejo, Calif. The 160-acre project is slated to include a 400,000-square-foot casino, 24 residential units, a tribal building, a 45-acre biological preserve and more. The tribe first applied to the DOI in 2016, and the Vallejo City Council in November passed a resolution allowing the city to negotiate a Cooperative Agreement with the tribe.

“This is a special day for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians,” said Pomo Chairman Shawn Davis, per the Times-Herald. “For at least three decades we have been trying to reclaim our community. This allows our people to have a home and to have economic development for us and for our neighbors.”

The project is not without opposition. One of its biggest detractors is the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, which operates the Cache Creek casino nearby. The Yocha have been especially critical of the environmental review process for the project, which it has called inadequate.

“We are deeply disappointed and disheartened to see this decision from the Biden Administration. It is difficult to believe that a group of politicians who claim to care about respecting tribal rights and sovereignty would give away historic Patwin homelands without ever consulting us. The hypocrisy is staggering,” Yocha Dehe Chairman Anthony Roberts said in a statement.  “We were excited and hopeful when Secretary Haaland was appointed but her legacy is irreparably tarnished by this shameful, illegal decision. For Tribes like ours, nothing is more important than our ancestral homelands. To see our land and cultural resources taken away for the benefit of wealthy investors is painful beyond words.”

 

Card Rooms to Provide Surveillance Footage in Lawsuit with CA Tribes

California’s card rooms have agreed to provide overhead surveillance footage of their table games in the ongoing lawsuit with the state’s gaming tribes.

According to court filings, the card rooms have agreed to provide surveillance footage of the games currently under scrutiny, referred to as “Subject Games.”

This footage is to come from operations on Dec. 28, 2024 from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. If that footage is incomplete for whatever reason, additional footage is to be taken from Dec. 31. If neither of those dates work, the parties “will meet and confer as soon as possible regarding
additional footage” that may be preserved.

Notably, all footage will be “limited to the cameras that provide an overhead view of the Subject Games.” Judge Lauri A. Darnell approved the order Jan. 14. The lawsuit, filed by a coalition of seven tribes Jan. 2, is being heard in Sacramento Superior Court.

 

Newest Seminole Casino to Open Feb. 6

Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino will host its grand opening Feb. 6, with festivities starting at 10 a.m. before the doors open at noon, the casino announced. Brighton Bay is the sixth casino for the powerful Florida tribe and is set to feature 640 slots and 18 tables, including high-limit and smoke-free areas. It replaces Seminole Casino Brighton, which opened in 1980.

“We are all eagerly awaiting our official opening on Feb.  6,” Seminole Brighton Bay General Manager Marty Johns said in a statement. “It will be such a special moment for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the Brighton Seminole Reservation and the entire region. This new resort is expected to increase the number of tourists to the area, which is especially important. We are excited to offer a new level of gaming, dining and entertainment.”

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ASIA IN FOCUS

By Marjorie Preston   Thu, Jan 16, 2025

Guo charged with money laundering in POGO case, Star shareholders buy in despite cash hemorrhage, Orix Corp. bullish on Japan IR and more.

62 Money-Laundering Charges for Philippines’ ‘POGO Mayor’ 

Philippine authorities this week charged former small-town mayor Alice Guo with 62 counts of money laundering. Along with 31 codefendants, Guo was linked to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) in Bamban, Tarlac Province. The gaming facility, licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), allegedly served as a front for online romance and investment scams.

After a March 2024 raid, almost 800 workers were freed from the POGO. They said they were lured by bogus promises of good-paying positions, then held captive and threatened with torture if they tried to escape or did not fill their financial quotas.

In related news, Singapore police are cooperating with Philippines authorities to track down Guo’s coconspirators. According to Malaysian news outlet The Star, they include Zhang Jie, who reportedly ran illegal iGaming operations in both Singapore and the Philippines, and Wu Duanren, known as the “boss” of a POGO in Porac, Pampanga.

Last July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. banned POGOs, but pockets of illegal activity continue. On Jan. 8, Philippine police raided yet another illegal compound near Manila, arresting 400 foreign workers in the sting. The government-run Philippine News Agency (PNA) reports that all the workers are in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Star’s Cash Depletes, but Shareholders Double Down

Star Entertainment’s 2025 kicked off with bad news as the group announced on Jan. 8 that its cash reserves had fallen to AU$79 million ($48.9 million) at the end of 2024. That total includes the first AU$100 million tranche from its new debt facility, which was drawn on Jan. 3.

This means that in the last three months of the year, Star’s available cash fell by AU$107 million. The company attributed this to multiple factors, including “difficult trading conditions,” fees and contributions to its Queen’s Wharf joint venture, “significant” legal and consulting expenses and the first AU$5 million instalment of the AU$15 million fine from New South Wales (NSW) regulators in reference to the Bell Two inquiry.

A pair of ASX filings Jan. 14 showed that two shareholders are increasing their positions. The first is global powerhouse JPMorgan Chase & Co, which now holds about 182 million shares for a 6.3 percent stake in Star. This comes two weeks after the Jan. 2 announcement that the bank’s stake was around 5 percent.

The other bullish investor is Mr. Xingchun Wang, who increased his stake from 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent, or about 187 million shares. Not much is known about the mystery businessman, but some have reported that he has ties to Macau. Regardless, Wang is now Star’s second-largest shareholder. He trails only Chow Tai Fook (9.6 percent), Star’s business partner in Queen’s Wharf.


MGM’s Japan Partner: Osaka Resort Could Rival Macau, Singapore

Orix Corp., MGM Resorts’ Japanese partner in a multibillion-dollar integrated resort in Osaka, says it will compete handily with IRs in Macau and Singapore.

In comments last week on the company website, Kansai region representative Toyonori Takahashi said he’s confident the IR “will attract many visitors and tourists, both from the rest of Japan and from overseas,” and stand up to competition from “established IRs in Asia, particularly in Macau and Singapore.”

He added that Japan’s other attractions, “from food to culture to nature… give it strong advantages over these smaller cities.”

MGM and Orix have pledged to invest up to $10 billion (JPY1.6 trillion) for the resort, slated to open in 2030.

 

Lunar New Year Means Modest Gains in Macau

Macau casino stocks will get a shot in the arm from Chinese New Year revelries, but it will not be “thesis-changing,” according to JP Morgan analysts cited by Macau Business.

In a Jan. 15 note to investors, DS Kim, Mufan Shi and Selina Li wrote that “a sector-wide rally is unlikely without a clear catalyst” or “market-wide excitement.” However, the boost in visitation—with 99 percent of casino hotels already sold out—will deliver a spike of “low- to mid-single-digits.” The Year of the Snake begins Jan. 29 and ends Feb. 2.

The Macau Gaming and Inspection Bureau (DICJ) has projected a 6 percent increase in gross gaming revenue for fiscal 2025, to MOP240 billion (US$29.9 billion). But in a 2024 report, Citigroup analysts pointed out that the DICJ tends to underestimate the totals.

According to the Macau Daily Times, Citi’s George Choi and Timothy Chau projected a 7 percent lift in GGR year-over-year, for a total of MOP244 billion.

Poll: South Koreans Split on Casino Benefits

A survey of 1,000 Jeju islanders show that 49.9 percent blame local casinos for a rise in crime.

Jeju, the largest island in South Korea, hosts eight of the country’s 18 casinos. All are run by the Jeju Self-Governing Province, and all are open to foreigners only.

According to the Korea Times, 52 percent of survey respondents said casinos have increased noise pollution, traffic congestion and noise on the resort island. Slightly more than 55 percent said casinos are potentially harmful to young people. A total of 51.4 percent said the government should exercise greater control through stricter regulations.

On the flip side, about four of 10 of islanders acknowledged that the industry has boosted local tourism and created new jobs. Overall, however, just 25.7 percent of those polled said casinos have had a “positive” impact, and 28.6 percent perceived them as “negative.” About 46 percent were neutral.

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LATIN AMERICA IN FOCUS

By Kyle Goldsmith   Thu, Jan 16, 2025

All about Brazil: first-mover advantages, tax warnings, court injunctions and more.

Early Brazil Licensees Reveal First-Mover Benefits

KTO and Stake, among the first licensees in Brazil’s legal online betting market, shared insights with iGB about the licensing process and how their early entry strengthens their credibility with consumers.

Ahead of the market launch on Jan. 1, the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) revealed KTO was one of just 14 companies to achieve full authorization to operate, while Stake was included on the list of 52 operators granted a provisional license, with certain certifications needing to be completed before it achieves complete authorization.

KTO founder and CEO Andreas Bardun told iGB the full license was a “mark of credibility” for the company’s operations, while Stake’s new Brazil country manager Thomas Carvalhaes spoke of a “major competitive advantage” at being one of the first to enter the market.

Bardun described the licensing process as “very stressful” and not “the most organized,” though both he and Carvalhaes had sympathy for the SPA, which worked over Christmas and New Year’s Eve to ensure the market was ready to launch.

 

Esportes da Sorte Allowed to Operate Across Brazil After Court Injunction

Esportes da Sorte has secured a Federal Court injunction allowing it to operate in Brazil’s licensed betting market.

The Federal Court’s ruling on Jan. 13 allows the Esportes da Sorte Group to launch its Esportes da Sorte and OnaBet brands nationwide in Brazil, despite not holding a federal or provisional license for the legal online betting market.

On Jan. 3, Federal Supreme Court Minister André Mendonça issued a preliminary ruling banning Rio de Janeiro State Lottery (Loterj) licensees, of which Esportes da Sorte is one, from offering gambling activities nationwide.

However, the new Federal Court ruling ensures that Esportes da Sorte will receive special authorization to operate nationally.

 

Aviatrix Launches in Peru as Part of Latin America Expansion

The crash game Aviatrix has launched in Peru as part of its expansion into regulated markets in Latin America.

Peru becomes Aviatrix’s first certified market in Latin America, with Brazil, Colombia, and others to follow soon.

Gabriela Novello, Aviatrix’s Director of Business Development, says the company is “really excited” about the expansion in the region.

“Peru is a really exciting opportunity for us, and we know Aviatrix is going to perform strongly for those looking to offer intuitive and engaging gameplay to their customers,” Novello explained.

 

ANJL Hits Out at Nubank for Displaying Anti-Gambling Message

The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) has criticized Nubank for issuing anti-gambling alerts to customers making transfers to gambling sites in Brazil.

The ANJL, joined by the International Gaming Association (AIGAMING) and the Brazilian Gaming Association (ABRAJOGOS), condemned Nubank’s actions in a press release Jan. 14, accusing the payments institution of overstepping its reach.

To players making a transaction related to gambling, Nubank displayed an on-screen message saying: “How about saving this money? Some of these games are legal in Brazil, but there are no guarantees of winning. By saving this money instead of betting, you can be sure that it will yield results without any worries.”

The ANJL claimed Nubank’s actions had violated the principle of economic freedom in Brazil, while it also criticized the bank for failing to display the message for other activities related to addiction, such as cigarettes and alcohol.

 

Brazil Betting Stakeholders Warn of 2025 Tax Challenges

Stakeholders in Brazil’s betting sector have warned of potential hefty tax requirements for the betting sector, including the possibility of players having to pay back-taxes for gray market betting.

There’s a 12 percent tax rate on gross gaming revenue (GGR) for operators in Brazil, while players face a 15 percent tax on winnings over BRL2,824 ($547.25).

Fixed-odds betting is also set to face a consumption tax from 2026, and on a Vixio webinar earlier this week, Rei do Pitaco’s Chief Legal Officer Rafael Marchetti Marcondes said: “When we talk about tax, it is always something that concerns the operators and everybody that does business in Brazil because we tend to have very high taxes and a prohibitive tax can be complicated to develop the business healthily locally.”

Additionally, players may face back-taxes for the gray market that existed between 2018 and 2023 with Luiz Felipe Maia, founding partner of the law firm Maia Yoshiyasu Advogados, warning the liability for that tax could be shifted to the operators, something he believes is unconstitutional.

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SUPPLIERS IN FOCUS

By Frank Legato   Thu, Jan 16, 2025

The latest announcements from IGSA, Konami, Bragg and more.

IGSA Partners with Clarion Gaming for ICE Barcelona

The International Gaming Standards Association (IGSA) is partnering with Clarion Gaming for ICE Barcelona, and attendees can visit IGSA next week at stand 3M33.

Additionally, IGSA President Mark Pace will speak Tuesday, Jan. 21 on the panel “Responsible Gaming in Land-based Gambling: Is it Falling Behind Online Innovations?” Pace will share his thoughts on current technologies being used for RG in online gaming and how they can be applied to land-based gaming.

Konami Gaming Partners with BCLC

The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) and Konami Gaming, Inc. announced a province-wide agreement to develop and deploy the next generation of BC Gold, BCLC’s signature wide area progressive (WAP) that has been beloved by players for more than 20 years.

Konami will supply the next generation of BC Gold to 27 casino destinations across British Columbia, including 245 new video slot machines, custom software, and signage displays, by spring of 2027. For the first time, players will have the chance to enjoy the excitement of BC Gold as a rich video slot experience—expanding upon the game’s roots as a traditional mechanical reel stepper machine.

 

Bragg Gaming Partners with Caesars Entertainment

Bragg Gaming Group, a global B2B iGaming content and technology solutions provider, announced a technology platform and exclusive games development partnership with Caesars Entertainment for the United States and Canada markets.

The new partnership elevates Bragg’s relationship with Caesars from a content supplier to a technology partner. The deal is projected to help drive double-digit growth in both Bragg’s revenue and profitability in 2025, particularly in North America—a key strategic focus for Bragg’s expansion efforts in 2025. Additionally, the agreement will accelerate growth in Bragg’s exclusive content revenue, enhancing a balanced and margin-accretive product mix.

 

GiG Signs Sweepstakes Platform Deals

Gaming Innovation Group (GiG Software PLC) has announced the signing of three new partners to its revolutionary social casino platform SweepX.

The three new partner agreements include a globally recognized social casino brand, a cryptocurrency affiliate leveraging strategic brand growth and engagement and an industry veteran led European iGaming business looking to expand their brand reach into North America.

SweepX seamlessly integrates GiG’s proven iGaming platform—operational across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America—with a custom-built sweepstakes front end, an AI-enhanced gamification layer, and one of the largest sweepstakes casino content libraries in the industry.

 

Playtech, SYNOT Launch New Live Studio in Czech Republic

Playtech announced the launch of a new live studio with the SYNOT Group as part of a new strategic partnership to deliver live casino products to brands across the Czech Republic.

Located in Zlín, Czech Republic, this studio marks the first collaboration between Playtech and the SYNOT Group, one of the industry’s leading gambling operators. This partnership combines Playtech’s expertise in high-quality live casino games with SYNOT Group’s strong market presence and extensive local knowledge.

The studio, designed with a contemporary aesthetic, will feature native-speaking dealers who will initially oversee a range of popular games, providing an authentic and engaging gaming experience. It will host both dedicated and network tables, bringing Playtech’s award-winning live content to players throughout the Czech Republic.

Interblock Partners with Kangwon Land, KOMSCO

Leading electronic table game producer Interblock signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kangwon Land and the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation (KOMSCO). This strategic partnership focuses on the joint development of innovative casino game cards and electronic shoes designed to enhance gaming operations and expand the reach of South Korea’s gaming industry on a global scale.

The agreement, signed at the Conrad Hotel in Seoul on Jan. 27, represents a milestone in the localization and technological advancement of casino gaming equipment. The collaboration will combine the expertise of the three organizations to produce casino game cards and cutting-edge electronic shoes capable of recognizing unique card identifiers. These advancements aim to improve game security, prevent dealer errors, and mitigate fraud, ensuring a more seamless and trustworthy gaming experience for casinos worldwide.

 

Playtech Partners with Nederlandse Loterij

Playtech announced its partnership with Nederlandse Loterij, the largest provider of games of chance in the Netherlands. Nederlandse Loterij recently added Playtech bingo games to its platform Winnitt, featuring head-to-head player competitions.

Nederlandse Loterij brings extensive experience and a large player base to this collaboration and together, they have launched Playtech’s Next Generation Bingo platform, introducing state-of-the-art technology and enhanced gaming experiences to players throughout the Netherlands.

Playtech’s Next Generation Bingo Platform is designed to empower operators to deliver best-in-class bingo entertainment. Following dedicated development and refinement, Playtech has crafted a bingo platform that ensures rapid performance and exceptional quality in product releases and enhancements, paving the way for an innovative future in Bingo development.

 

GameplAI Partners with Betsson

GameplAI, an emerging supplier of automated trading products for global sportsbooks, has entered into a partnership with tier-one operator Betsson. This collaboration will see GameplAI provide innovative localized betting content across Betsson Group’s international brand portfolio.

GameplAI’s ability to deliver engaging pre-game and in-play player prop and micro-markets across a variety of sports will enable Betsson to supplement its global scale with localized content. GameplAI has tailored its product to specific market and customer preferences, including the broadest array of player markets available for global football leagues including Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A, German Bundesliga, English Premier League, and Brazilian Série A.

 

Table Trac Announces Multi-Year Tribal Education Scholarship

Table Trac, Inc., a leading provider of casino management systems, announced a multi-year financial commitment to the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The contribution is part of Table Trac’s ongoing commitment to fostering opportunity and development for underserved Native American communities.

‍Table Trac’s Tribal Education Scholarship will support students pursuing a hospitality management degree at the Harrah College of Hospitality. Students’ eligibility will be determined by their financial need and involvement in courses and programming related to the college’s Tribal Education Initiative, which is funded by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The scholarship aims to help expand opportunities for Native Americans in the gaming and hospitality sectors in alignment with the central mission of the Tribal Education Initiative.

‍The scholarship is open to all UNLV Hospitality College students in good academic standing and can be used for tuition, laptops, books, and application fees. The funds will be distributed as early as the spring 2025 semester.

 

Light & Wonder Names Simon Johnson iGaming CEO

Gaming supplier Light & Wonder has announced Simon Johnson as the new CEO of the company’s iGaming business.

Johnson has been with Light & Wonder since 2017, and has been instrumental in driving the international commercial efforts of the gaming business in his most recent role as senior vice president and International managing director.

As part of his new role, Johnson will report directly to Light & Wonder President and CEO Matt Wilson, and will join the company’s Executive Leadership Team.

Before joining Light & Wonder, Johnson worked across a range of businesses and industries. He started out in investment banking, where he specialized in mergers and acquisitions and cross-border transactions.

Johnson has held leadership roles in private equity, telecommunications and financial technology businesses in operations that ranged from startups to FTSE100/Fortune 500 multinational companies.

 

Kambi Group Appoints Brian Dean Chief People Officer

Kambi Group plc, a supplier of premium sports betting solutions, has appointed Brian Dean as chief people officer, joining Kambi’s executive management team.

In his role as chief people officer, Dean will oversee all aspects of Kambi’s global people strategy, including evolving the company culture, developing talent and leadership capabilities, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and enriching the employee experience across all locations.

Dean brings a wealth of experience to the role, most recently at European betting and gaming operator SKS365, where he worked for more than six years as chief people officer/chief operations officer. Prior to SKS365, he also held senior business and HR roles at global brands including Barclays, HSBC, Vodafone and ACIN.

His appointment will see the people function represented at the executive management team level, underscoring Kambi’s commitment to its employees and recognizing the critical role a strong and engaged workforce plays in driving business success.

 

Mohegan Sun Names Doug Vogelei VP of Gaming

Mohegan Gaming announced the appointment of Doug Vogelei as vice president of gaming at its flagship Mohegan Sun property in Connecticut.

In this position, Vogelei will provide strategic vision, oversight and alignment of gaming operations, in collaboration with Mohegan Sun’s gaming leadership team.

Vogelei joins Mohegan Sun as a seasoned leader in the hospitality and gaming industry, with a career of strategic and tactical experience spanning over 30 years. Most recently, he held the position of senior vice president of casino operations at Sycuan Casino Resort in El Cajon, California, where he directed financial and operational strategies across various gaming sectors. Vogelei also held key roles at Venetian Casino & Resorts in Las Vegas, where he worked for over 20 years.

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FANTINI’S FINANCE: Prepare to Take Off(ice)

By Frank Fantini   Thu, Jan 16, 2025

The return of Donald Trump to the White House will have at least some impact on business and investing, and gaming will not be free from those effects. But what will those effects be?

The new year is about to begin.

No, not the New Year that turned on Jan. 1. This is the new year for investors as Donald Trump will again take over as president (or autocrat, as  his critics fear). Sell-side analysts have completed their year-end reviews and updated their earnings estimates and stock price targets for companies they cover, and those companies are about to report fourth-quarter financial results and, in many cases, provide their first guidance for 2025.

In the gaming industry, there is something of a consensus among those analysts: companies with steady growth plans like Boyd Gaming and Churchill Downs will continue to grow steadily, brick-and-mortar casinos will be stable (or stagnant if you’re of a more bearish nature) and digital gaming will continue to grow double-digits, both in online sports betting and in iCasino.

There is also an unspoken consensus, perhaps unspoken because it is now a core belief that needs no mention, that brick-and-mortar gaming stocks will continue to be valued well below those of similar industries in lodging and entertainment.

If there is cause for deviation from this boringly familiar outlook, it is the possibility that mergers and acquisitions, which picked up for gaming technology companies last year, will now extend to casino operators and lift stock prices. That, in turn, would also benefit REITs, which could be expected to be involved in many, perhaps even most, of such property transactions.

Otherwise, we have been in something of a wait-and-see interregnum between Joe Biden and Donald Trump 2.0.

We’ve mentioned before that Trump is perhaps the biggest unknown in 2025, at least for near-term stock price movement.

One reason given for the run-up in stocks in recent months is optimism that businessman Trump will implement business-friendly policies.

However, that optimism is met by an army of skeptics who fear Trump may implement inflationary policies, such as tariffs that raise the costs of products for both businesses and consumers, or immigration rules so strict that they reduce a needed growth in the labor force. Then there are his promises of tax cuts that could goose the economy but also feed the federal deficit, thus planting the seeds of the next round of interest rate increases and perhaps the next recession.

Then there are all the possible ramifications of an America First foreign policy, from strengthening the U.S. position globally to jarring business confidence, thus the stock market.

Perhaps most likely is that the next four years will bring no more surprise crises or undermining economic policies than seen in any presidential administration, or in Trump’s first term, for that matter.

In other words, there may be disruptions that cause consumer discretionary stocks like those of gaming companies to take a dive, but the long-term impact should be negligible as long as America retains capitalism and its form of republicanism with a small R.

As Warren Buffet has said, throughout wars and economic cycles and all of the ups and downs of life, America has been a bull market for 400 years and is likely to remain so.

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Jennifer Fales, Vice President, Global Licensing and Social Casino, IGT

By Roger Gros   Thu, Jan 16, 2025

In this episode we sit down with Jennifer Fales (l.), IGT’s vice president of global licensing and social casino, to talk about the company’s iconic brands and how they’re evolving.

If there’s one brand that has stood as the most popular, longest-running and most iconic slot game, Wheel of Fortune is the one. Jennifer Fales has spent a decade promoting this brand and explains how IGT has kept the game fresh with new styles, platforms and hardware. As the TV version of the show has changed with its hosts leaving last year, IGT is keeping pace. She also talks about the Whitney Houston brand and how that has become very popular, spurring IGT to develop new styles of those games.  She spoke with GGB Publisher Roger Gros at the GGB booth at G2E in Las Vegas in October.