By Roger Gros   Mon, Feb 10, 2025

When gaming was legalized in the United Arab Emirates, Sandra Mottoh was ready. With two decades of experience in banking regulation, AML, governance and compliance audit, Mottoh brings a unique cross-industry perspective to the evolving world of digital finance and gaming.

Focused on the rapidly growing MENA region, her mission is to bridge the gaps between regulation/AML and advertising compliance, innovation, and financial education, empowering operators, banks, payments services providers who support the gaming sector to achieve compliance excellence while balancing entertainment and player protection. She sat down with GGB Publisher Roger Gros at the ICE conference and tradeshow in Barcelona in January.

By Jill Dorson   Fri, Feb 7, 2025

Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter and close friend of MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani, has been handed a 57-month prison sentence in federal court for stealing millions from Ohtani to fund an insatiable gambling addiction with an illegal bookie.

Former Shohei Ohtani Japanese-language interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was sentenced Feb. 6 to 57 months in federal prison and three years of parole, per iGB. He was also ordered to pay more than $18 million in restitution after stealing from Ohtani to fund an illegal gambling habit.

U.S. District Judge John Holcomb said Mizuhara “undermined” himself with a letter he wrote to the court asking for an 18-month sentence. Holcomb said he gave the letter no weight because Mizuhara “misrepresented truths” and it “suffered from (missing) important facts.”

Mizuhara, who pled guilty to two federal counts in June, stole nearly $17 million from Ohtani for gambling debts. Feb. 6 he was sentenced in US District Court for the Central District of California. The maximum sentence for one count of bank fraud and one count of signing a fraudulent tax return was 33 years.

According to a recording released by the court, Mizuhara impersonated Ohtani by phone to get access to his bank account. The recording was one of 24 times Mizuhara impersonated his boss. He also made multiple transfers over two-and-a-half years. But he never deposited winnings back into Ohtani’s account.

Mizuhara placed more than 19,000 wagers and made hundreds of millions of dollars in bets, according to court documents. Between September 2021 and January 2024, Mizuhara racked up $40.7 million in gambling losses while wagering more than $300 million.

Despite growing up in Southern California, he is not a U.S. citizen. His lawyer wrote in the sentencing memorandum that he is likely to be deported to Japan after serving his prison sentence. Holcomb concurred.

By Jess Marquez   Fri, Feb 7, 2025

A lot can change in a week. After a fast-moving moratorium on gaming licenses suddenly stalled out in the state Senate, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has approved plans for a Cedar Rapids casino on stakeholders’ third attempt.

On Feb. 6, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) in a 4-1 vote approved a Cedar Rapids casino on the third attempt, having previously denied applications in 2014 and 2017. Over the course of the prior week, the situation made a dramatic turn—a five-year moratorium on gaming licenses, which was introduced specifically to block the Cedar Rapids casino, had been fast-tracked through the state House and appeared to be gaining momentum.

However, that momentum came crashing down in the Senate and on Feb. 4, Sen. Ken Rozenboom, who chairs the Senate State Government Committee, announced that the moratorium bill would not move forward for this session.

“According to my conversations, this bill did not have enough support from Senate Republicans to advance all the way through the Senate process,” Rozenboom said in a statement, per the Gazette. “In the interest of moving this session forward to other issues of critical importance to Iowans, I have no plans to reconsider the legislation for the remainder of this session.”

Thus, developers Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) and the Linn County Gaming Association (LCGA) suddenly had an open lane to licensure, and regulators made their dream a reality. P2E and the LCGA have plans to develop the $275 million Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center, with 700 slots, 22 tables, a 1,500-capacity venue, a STEM lab and other amenities. The project is extremely controversial among the state’s casino industry, as market studies have concluded that the casino is likely to cannibalize revenue from existing facilities around the state.

“Today marks an exciting new chapter for the thousands of people who will benefit from new jobs, economic opportunities and entertainment possibilities created by Cedar Crossing,” Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said in a statement. “Iowa’s second-largest city has finally been given the opportunity that our residents, business leaders, nonprofits and surrounding communities have sought for years. Cedar Crossing will create new revenue for the state and bring new visitors every year – a solid win for every Iowan.”

Wasting no time following the approval, a groundbreaking ceremony was held the following day (Feb. 7).

By Jess Marquez   Fri, Feb 7, 2025

Tysons casino efforts gaining steam, Nevada casinos prepare to fight room-cleaning measure, casino bill pops up in Georgia and more.

Tysons Casino Bill Clears Senate, Moves to House

Efforts to bring a casino to Tysons, Va. moved a little closer to reality Feb. 4 when SB 982 cleared the state Senate and moved to the House. The bill, if passed, would add Fairfax County to “the list of localities eligible to host a casino in the Commonwealth,” but the wording of the specific location essentially mandates it to be developed in Tysons.

The movement has been controversial, as Fairfax County itself did not initiate it and communities there have been vocal in their opposition to the project. A group of defense officials even penned a letter to state lawmakers asking them to deny it due to potential national security concerns, given the area’s large population of federal employees.

Sen. Saddam Azlan, whose district includes Tysons, issued the following statement after voting against the bill, per WUSA9:

“As the State Senator representing the proposed casino site, I cannot overstate the overwhelming opposition from my constituents. Over just the past two weeks, my office has received approximately 1,300 emails and calls on this issue— less than 0.008 percent of which were in support. Independent polling reflects similar opposition, with a strong majority of Fairfax County residents against the project, including around 80 percent of Tysons-area residents. This is not a vocal minority; it is a clear majority expressing concern.”

NV Senator to Introduce Room-Cleaning Bill, Potentially Rekindling Union Fued

Nevada state Sen. Lori Rogich told the Nevada Independent Feb.4 that she intends to file a bill that would reinstate mandatory daily room cleaning for hotels and casinos in the Silver State.

The introduction of such a bill is likely to reignite a longstanding feud on the issue between operators and the Culinary Union. In 2020, room cleaning mandates were approved in response to the Covid pandemic, but were subsequently repealed in 2023 with the passage of SB 441.

Culinary vehemently opposed the bill, and went on to add room cleaning mandates to its latest round of collective bargaining agreements. Rogich’s bill, she says, is aimed at curbing illegal cannabis use. Per state law, cannabis may only be consumed in private residences or designated lounges, not hotels or casinos.

When asked about the impending room cleaning bill, Nevada Resort Association President Virginia Valentine told the Independent, “We strongly opposed it in 2023 and our position has not changed.”

Casino Bill Introduced in Georgia

In Georgia, a group of lawmakers Feb. 5 introduced SR 131, which would give voters a chance to amend the state constitution to establish a state gaming regulatory body that would have the ability to issue up to eight retail casino licenses.

Licensees would only be granted one license each, but it sets a hard line against online gambling. Per PlayUSA, the legislation says that “all casino gambling activities…shall take place at a casino facility…as no off-site casino gambling activities shall be permitted or authorized in this state.”

Underage Gambling Bill Moving in New Jersey

A New Jersey bill—Assembly Bill 5806—that would decriminalize underage gambling is making headway in the state assembly. If passed, the measure would reduce underage gambling to a civil infraction with fines, but violations would not go on offenders’ criminal records. Previous versions of similar measures included mandates for problem gambling treatment, but this version does not.

Per PlayNJ, AB 5806 “changes the penalties for each of these actions from that of a disorderly persons offense, which is of a criminal nature, to instead be a civil fine of up to $500 for the first offense, up to $1,000 for the second offense, and up to $2,000 for any offense thereafter.”

The new law would apply to all forms of gambling—New Jersey is one of few states that has land-based casinos, sports betting and iGaming.

Mexican, Canadian Tariffs Could Impact Travel to Las Vegas

The U.S. Travel Association Feb. 3 issued a statement warning that international travel from Canada to several states, including Nevada, could be impacted by tariffs that have been pushed by President Donald Trump. Both Canada and Mexico have negotiated postponements of the tariffs in exchange for increased border security efforts.

Nevada is among the five most-visited states by Canadians, with the others being Florida, California, New York and Texas. For Las Vegas specifically, Canada is the top international feeder market, and Mexico is second.

Hard Rock Bristol Opens Poker Room

In Virginia, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol opened a new 14-table poker room Feb. 7, the casino announced. The room will feature no-limit hold’em, pot-limit Omaha and other games, with both tournaments and cash games.

“We’re excited to bring a first-class poker room to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol,” Alan Thompson, Vice President of Gaming Operations, said in a statement. “With a mix of cash games and tournament play, we’re offering something for every poker player, whether they’re local or traveling from afar. We look forward to welcoming guests from across the region and beyond to experience our state-of-the-art venue.”

New Camping Ban Takes Effect in Clark County

On Feb. 1, a new camping ban ordinance took effect in Clark County, Nev. The new ordinance makes it so that camping, sleeping or storing property in public is now a misdemeanor offense. Violators can face fines of up to $1,000 or 10 days in jail. Since 2021, the region’s homeless population has grown by more than 50 percent, and officials have enacted multiple new laws to help curb homelessness in major tourist areas like the Strip and beyond.

By Nicole Macedo   Fri, Feb 7, 2025

UKGC rolls out first-time deposit limits, Aviator drops Flutter trademark suit, Gamstop shows uptick in exclusions and more.

Gambling Commission Enforces Limits For First-Time Depositors

It’s been a particularly active week for the U.K. Gambling Commission (UKGC), but perhaps the most prominent move has been enforcing mandatory stake limits for first-time depositors on Feb. 4.

The measure is yet another recommendation from the Gambling Act review white paper, published in April 2023. Already enforced rules from the review include a statutory levy which will help raise $124.4 million to fund research and support for problem gambling.

From Oct. 31, all licensees must prompt customers to set a financial limit before making their first deposit. A number of U.K. operators have similar deposit limits already in place, but this UKGC update will ensure the measure is enforced across licensed operators.

These measures aim to give players “more effective” ways to manage their gambling. This, the Commission said, will make it easier for consumers to maintain deposit limits on their online accounts.

The UKGC also confirmed it will launch a short, supplementary consultation on proposals to improve consistency and transparency.

Many U.K. Players Turn to Gambling For Escapism

Elsewhere the U.K. regulator released a number of in-depth reports which further analyze data from its Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) which provided an all-encompassing look at verticals and trends across the player landscape in July last year.

Taking a deeper look at what motivates players in the UK, a specialist report released on Feb. 5 revealed many gamblers do so for escapism or to avoid their everyday lives.

This latest report, which cites findings from the Reasons for Gambling Questionnaire (RGQ) and GSGB, considers the relationship between different gambling activities and the players’ reason for engaging in them.

The UKGC said gambling to cope and/or escape one’s daily life was most strongly associated with betting on sports and/or racing online. For those betting on sports and/or racing in person, gambling for the challenge was the most strongly associated reason for gambling.

Gambling to cope or for escapism was also the main reason for those participating in online bingo, casino and slots. Online casino had a stronger association between escapism than casino games in person (at a casino) or at a machine.

Those gambling in-person were most likely to have social motives. And players who gambled for social reasons were less likely to bet on sports and/or racing online, the data said.

Aviator LLC Drops Trademark Lawsuit against Flutter, Spribe Rebuts Claims

Flutter has reached a settlement in the $342.5 million copyright and trademark infringement case brought by Georgian game developer Aviator LLC, after it claimed the operator had infringed on its trademark by offering the hugely popular Aviator crash game.

Aviator LLC initiated its legal case against both Flutter and Spribe, the developer of the hugely popular crash game Aviator, in August in Georgia’s Court of the First Instance.

Notably, Aviator LLC is controlled by the former owner of local gambling brand Adjarabet, which was acquired by Flutter in 2019.

Aviator said Spribe’s hit game copied its trademarked image and it was therefore claiming damages. However, on February 5 Spribe hit back at Aviator LLC’s allegations, insisting they were “without merit and part of a continuing chain of bad faith actions driven by commercial opportunism.”

“The underlying purpose appears to be to dishonestly take possession of SPRIBE’s goodwill and reputation in its Aviator game and share in its financial success,” a Spribe statement read. A final hearing for the case is scheduled on Feb. 14.

Gamstop Reveals Uptick in Under-25s Self-Excluding

Gamstop, the U.K.’s national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling, has reported a 31 percent year-on-year rise in the number of people under the age of 25 registering with the service during the second half of 2024.

The latest data means that some 532,484 people have registered with Gamstop since it launched in April 2018. This accounts for more than 1 percent of the entire adult population in the U.K. Gamstop passed the 500,000-registration milestone in September last year.

The postcode area with the highest proportion of registrants was Hull, equating to 1.5 percent of the region’s total population. Teesside and Sunderland were joint second on 1.4 percent, with Doncaster and Blackpool also in the top five.

As for how long consumers are self-excluding for, 48 percent of registrants opted for five years in H2 2024. This is the longest timeframe available.

By Jill Dorson   Fri, Feb 7, 2025

DeWine seeks another Ohio tax hike, online wagering moves in Mississippi and Hawaii, Abbott signals support for Texas sports betting and more.

Ohio Lawmakers: No Thanks on Doubling Wagering Tax

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Feb. 3 stunned the gambling industry by announcing his goal of doubling the legal sports betting tax for the second time in less than two years. Should DeWine’s plan become law, operators would pay a 40 percent tax on gross gaming revenue.

The state initially had one of the lowest digital wagering taxes in the U.S. when it launched on New Year’s Day 2023. At 40 percent, it would be the second priciest competitive market for betting companies to do business in. New York, with a 51 percent tax is the highest, and since last summer, Illinois operators have been paying on a sliding scale between 20 percent-40 percent.

But the industry might catch a break in Ohio. Lawmakers aren’t all in with DeWine’s proposal.

“We’ve not even finished two football seasons, and now we’re talking about quadrupling that tax?” Republican Rep. Brian Stewart told Cleveland.com Feb. 4. “I think that’s going to generate a lot of discussion. I don’t think anything’s dead on arrival, but I do think that any time you’re talking about tax increases in the Republican Party, that’s going to get a skeptical eyebrow raise.”

Said Republican Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney: “We are still realizing what that actually means to the (sports betting) industry. So, I think we have a lot more vetting (to do).”

When DeWine’s proposal became public, gaming consultant Brendan Bussmann told iGB, “We have known since day one that DeWine has hated sports betting. He apparently failed Economics 101. Definitely a head-scratcher for a Republican that continually thinks doubling the tax on a business not once, but twice, is a logical answer.”

It appears Ohio legislators agree.

Mississippi Lawmakers Advance Digital Sports Betting

The Mississippi House of Representatives Feb. 3 approved HB 1302, a bill that would allow for statewise digital sports betting. The bill Feb. 4 was transmitted to the Senate, where similar legislation stalled in 2024.

According to the Sun-Herald, bill sponsor Casey Eure told the House that Mississippi “leads the nation in illegal online sports betting on Google searches.” He also said that in states with a legal framework, law enforcement can fight illegal operators and fewer are active. In addition, he pointed to lost revenue for Mississippi, which is surrounded by legal sports betting states.

“But most notable … to Mississippi is our neighboring states,” he said in introducing the bill. Eure then shared the reported annual tax revenue for Kentucky ($35 million), Louisiana ($64 million), North Carolina ($96 million) and Tennessee ($97 million). “So that just goes to show you that we’re losing a lot of tax revenue to these online sports betting, illegal sports betting like Bovada,” he said.

Eure’s bill is updated vs. the 2024 version. In the 2025 proposal, funding accounts by credit cards would be prohibited and each land-based casino would be entitled to partner with two digital platforms vs. one.

Eure also addressed fears of cannibalization, which are prevalent among medium to small casinos. HB 1032 includes a $6 million fund that will be used to supplement smaller casinos that see a dip in land-based revenue in the first five years that digital betting is live.

The state legislature is scheduled to be in session until April 6.

Hawaii Senate Committee Advances Digital Sports Betting Bill

A Hawaii senate bill that would legalize digital sports betting moved forward Feb. 4, according to iGB. But not convincingly.

The Senate Economic Development and Technology Committee advanced SB 1569, which would allow for statewide mobile sports betting. It is the second wagering bill to gain traction in the Hawaii legislature in a week.

On January 31, the House Economic Development and Technology Committee moved HB 1308 forward. That bill is the house companion to SB 1569. In both chambers, the committees unanimously moved the bills, but several lawmakers did so “with reservations.” That suggests that the bills won’t have a smooth ride through the legislature.

The sports betting bills are two of at least eight gambling bills in the state legislature. Among them is a House bill that would only allow for gambling in designated tourist zones, a restriction not seen elsewhere in the U.S., but proposed and in practice in several Asian countries. There are also bills that would regulate and tax daily fantasy sports.

Missouri Sports Betting Draft Rules Sent to Governor

Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) chair Jan Zimmerman told KSHB that draft sports betting rules have been sent to the governor’s office for approval. The MGC declined to release the draft rules to iGB, but did confirm by e-mail Feb. 4 that the agency is aiming for a June launch.

“Part of our timeline that has been created by the staff, that was discussed with the Commission at our last meeting, was to get those preliminary rules to the governor’s office,” Zimmerman told KSHB. “We’ve met that date, on (Monday, January 27), those rules went to the governor’s office.”

Once the rules are approved by Governor Mike Kehoe’s office and the secretary of state’s office, a 30-day public comment will open.

Maine Regulators Pull Retail Sportsbook License

Oddfellahs, the only in-person sportsbook in Maine, lost its temporary license with the Super Bowl just days away, reports News Center Maine. According to the report, Oddfellahs has been operating under a temporary license, which is good for up to four years, but the Maine Gambling Control Unit denied its application for a permanent license. Per News Center Maine:

The “license was what’s called a Commercial Track license. It was issued five months ago because (Michael Cianchette) owns a horse racing track in Cumberland. He claims the state told him the license was transferable and would also cover Oddfellahs in Portland, even though it operates as an off-site restaurant and bar.”

The Gambling Control Unit denied the license because Oddfellahs is not a commercial track, and it says the company cannot use the same license.

BetMGM Betting on Premium Players

Entain and MGM Resorts’ joint venture, BetMGM, expects player acquisition rates to slow as it looks to benefit from a premium player base placing higher value bets.

While the group posted a falling EBITDA, once again in the negative, in its FY24 results on Feb. 4, it pointed to a “year of investment” which sought to increase player value and active users of its product.

Speaking to analysts following the group’s full-year earnings call Feb. 4, BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said during the year the focus had been on investing in its iGaming strengths and refining its marketing, attribution, CRM and segmentation models.

These helped to drive a stronger performance in the latter part of the year.

Monthly users in the operator’s fourth quarter were up 55 percent year-on-year. Greenblatt said this was achieved without the addition of any new states. Total monthly active users for the year hit 946,000, up 14 percent year-on-year.

However, while BetMGM touted its player growth, Greenblatt noted that it would not continue to see the same high rates of player acquisition going forward.

Instead, the group’s growth plan is to focus on and benefit from a player base that is going through premiumization, meaning their player value is increasing.

Texas Governor Open to Gambling, But That Might Not Matter

On Feb. 4, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said during a podcast that he doesn’t “have a problem with online sports betting.” But he’s not the Texas politician who has the power to call – or block – a vote in the senate, reports iGB.

Abbott, who has been the governor since 2015, said during his re-election run in 2021 that he wasn’t opposed to gambling in his state. According to the Texas Tribune, he and former house speaker Dade Phelan went “further” in their support.

The sticking point in the Lone Star State has long been Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. He has consistently said that he will not call a vote on an expansion of gambling in Texas unless there is a Republican majority to support it.

There is nothing to indicate that Patrick has changed his position. Because of that, Abbott’s comment is rhetoric and likely nothing more.

New Alabama Senate Leader Open to Gambling

The Alabama State Senate Feb. 5 unanimously selected Garlan Gudger as its new president pro tem. And that could bode well for the chances of a gambling expansion. Gudger told the media site AL.com that he is concerned that Alabama is losing money to surrounding states that have legal gambling. But he also said that he won’t rubber stamp a gambling expansion.

“So I’m going to have to look at that bill whenever it does get filed, or if it gets filed,” he told AL.com. “And then from that, we’ll take it apart piece by piece and make sure it’s the right thing to do for Alabama.”

Alabama’s legislative session opened Feb. 4 and as of Feb. 6, no bills that would introduce gambling had been filed.

Gov. Kay Ivey did not address gambling in her state of the state address on Feb. 4. She has previously been open to adding gaming to the Alabama landscape.

Georgia Bill Would Legalize Retail Sports Betting, Casino

Per Casino Reports Feb. 5, four Georgia senators dropped a resolution that would send the decision to allow in-person sports betting and casino. According to the bill, a minimum of eight casino licenses would be available and both sports betting and casino gaming would be taxed at 20 percent of gross gaming revenue.

The proposal specifically bans “off-site casino gambling activities.” It would also create a new gaming commission. According to SR 131, the first $2 billion in tax revenue would be split among Georgia counties and five percent of tax revenue would be earmarked for problem and responsible gambling initiatives.

The question that would be posed to voters reads:
( ) YES Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General

( ) NO Assembly to provide by law for the operation and regulation of sports  betting and casino gambling activities in this state?

The proposal needs a two-thirds majority to pass in both chambers and would go on the November 2026 ballot.

MLB Umpire Fired Over Sports Betting Violation

Major League Baseball umpire Pat Holberg was fired Feb. 3 for sharing his online gambling accounts with a friend, according to the Associated Press. An MLB investigation did not reveal that Holberg bet on or “manipulated” games, but it did show that Holberg’s friend placed 141 baseball bets during an 18-month span. The friend wagered nearly $214,000, and won about $35,000.

Holberg did not officiate during the 2024 season. MLB opened its investigation in Feb. 2024 and MLB senior vice president of on-field operations Michael Hill recommended Hoberg be fired May 24, according to the AP.

“The strict enforcement of Major League Baseball’s rules governing sports betting conduct is a critical component of upholding our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans,” Manfred said in a statement. “An extensive investigation revealed no evidence that Mr. Hoberg placed bets on baseball directly or that he or anyone else manipulated games in any way.”

Holberg took responsibility for what he called his own “errors in judgement.”

He went on to say, “Those errors will always be a source of shame and embarrassment to me. Major League Baseball umpires are held to a high standard of personal conduct, and my own conduct fell short of that standard.

“That said, to be clear, I have never and would never bet on baseball in any way, shape, or form. I have never provided, and would never provide, information to anyone for the purpose of betting on baseball. Upholding the integrity of the game has always been of the utmost importance to me. I apologize to Major League Baseball and the entire baseball community for my mistakes. I vow to learn from them and to be a better version of myself moving forward.”

In Other News …

Delta SkyMiles members may soon be able to play free-to-play games in flight, Covers reported Feb. 3. Delta and DraftKings last month announced a new partnership. Seatback screens could soon feature DraftKings branded blackjack and other casino games.

By Jill Dorson   Fri, Feb 7, 2025

Tribes forecast life under Trump, Florida helpline funding dries up, Comanche Cache to reopen later this month and more.

Trump Administration Could Signal Rough Times for Indian Gaming

The new reality of the second Trump administration is likely to impact several facets of Indian Country’s affairs, tribal leaders said Feb. 5 on the Indian Gaming Association’s “New Normal” webinar, writes iGB.

This week, IGA’s Conference Chair Victor Rocha and Executive Director Jason Giles were joined by longtime association Chairman Ernest Stevens, Jr. and Mark Trahant, a journalist and former editor of Indian Country Today.

The quartet touched on several aspects of Indian life and how they have been or could be affected over the next four years. Among them, how the landscape for Indian gaming might change under the Trump administration.

On the topic of gaming, the first point of discussion was the appointment of North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as the new secretary of the interior. The position, previously filled by Deb Halaand, is a key job as it relates to Indian affairs.

Rocha said Burgum is “not the worst we could do.” He said Burgum was generally protective of tribal rights in his previous post, “but not when you talk about online gaming.” This was a reference to late 2022, when Burgum signed new compacts with state tribes but denied them exclusivity for digital wagering.

Rocha also predicted that the feds are likely to rein in tribal casino approvals under the new administration. “No more land into trust, no more off-reservation gaming,” he said. In the final days of Joe Biden’s presidency, his administration made a flurry of controversial project approvals. Some were for off-reservation casinos, which historically have been almost impossible to obtain.

Trahant made the point that this too could continue if Trump or his associates had something to gain. In Florida last month, GOP lawmakers refused to convene a special session to consider an initiative that would’ve banned the use of signature gathering companies. There has been speculation that Trump would oppose such a measure as it would inadvertently make it more difficult for him to develop a Florida casino.

Funding for Florida PG/RG Line Cut

Since digital betting went live via the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Bet app in November 2023, the number of calls Florida’s problem gambling helpline receives has more than doubled, reports ClickOrlando.But last summer, the state gaming commission stopped funding the hotline because the seven-person hotline team could not keep up with the paperwork required by the commission. Given the increase in the number of calls, it was not possible to do the paperwork and answer calls.

The hotline is funded by a $2 million annual stipend from the Seminole Tribe, which owns and operates Hard Rock Bet and seven land-based casinos across the state. The state previously provided additional funding.

In addition to operating the hotline, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling also runs outreach programs, according to ClickOrlando. Through these programs, they offer responsible gambling tools and education.

Comanche Cache Casino to Reopen Feb. 21

Comanche Cache Casino in Cache, Okla. will reopen Feb. 21 after being closed for a year due to Phase II expansions. The expanded casino now  features 300 slots, an open-air veranda and more. The following week, the casino will open the state’s first Wahlburgers restaurant.

“The reopening of Comanche Cache Casino represents a major step forward for our property, delivering more entertainment, dining and convenience to our guests,” Steven Doyle, CEO of Comanche Nation Entertainment, said in a statement. “The addition of Wahlburgers marks a historic moment for us as we introduce this family-friendly restaurant to Oklahoma for the first time.”

In Other News …

A new casino project by the Native Village of Eklutna in Alaska is under fire, as the state has filed a federal lawsuit disputing a Department of the Interior decision to allow the tribe jurisdiction over an off-reservation Native allotment. According to MustReadAlaska, tribal contractors worked quickly and overnight to get the casino up and running.

  Fri, Feb 7, 2025

Macau January revenue comes up short of estimates, CNMI could close casino commission, PAGCOR sells two casinos and more.

Macau Casinos Underperform for January, Despite CNY

Last month, Macau casinos reaped gross gaming revenue (GGR) of MOP18.25 billion ($2.27 billion), up just 0.3 percent from December, and short of the industry consensus of MOP19.5 billion.

Analysts expected a lift from Chinese New Year travel. The weeklong national holiday, which typically begins in February, started on Jan. 29 this year.

CNY is primetime for travel among the Chinese, and Macau is a favorite destination. Maria Helena Senna de Fernandes, of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), expected up to 185,000 visitors per day for CNY, which continued through Feb. 4, but those figures also fell short.

Despite a slow start, JP Morgan analysts cited by Macau Business say GGR for February could reach MOP19 billion. And in a Feb. 2 note, Seaport analyst Vitaly Umansky called the Chinese New Year holiday “an important sentiment driver,” but not a reliable indicator.

“The actual holiday is often mixed in terms of results,” Umansky noted. In 2019, for example, New Year GGR represented only 2 percent of the total. It was only slightly higher last year, at 2.7 percent.

Secretary for Economy and Finance Tai Kin Yip is optimistic about the full-year outlook, due to the city’s “stable fundamentals.”

Singapore Money-Laundering Fugitive Arrested in Montenegro

Wang Shuiming, one of 10 people convicted in Singapore’s multibillion-dollar money laundering scandal, was arrested last month in Montenegro, in the Balkan Peninsula of southeastern Europe. He arrived by private plane at Tivat Airport. Local police picked him up after an alert from Interpol.

Wang and his associates funneled S$3 billion (US$2.19 billion) through banks and tech firms in Singapore, money gleaned from illegal gambling and scams. In a plea deal, he agreed to forfeit S$240 million in assets, and spent 14 months in prison.

On his release in June 2024, he was deported to Japan. But as a Chinese national—he also holds passports from Cambodia, Vanuatu and Turkey—he may still be subject to arrest by China, where the penalties for illegal gambling are much more severe.

In 2021, Beijing raised the maximum sentence for running an illegal casino from three years in prison to five years. It also added new penalties for offshore gambling operators, “especially organizers, ringleaders and repeat offenders.”

CNMI Seeks to Dissolve Casino Regulator

After a disastrous experience with its sole land-based casino, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is considering disbanding its casino commission.

On Jan. 4, Rep. Ralph N. Yumul told Marianas Variety the move would transfer the enforcement powers of the Commonwealth Casino Commission (CCC) to the local Lottery Commission. At that point, the CCC “will not be in existence.”

In addition, House members are considering a legal online gaming industry and “marketing it out to the world,” Yamul said.

The CNMI’s only casino opened and closed in under five years. In 2015, Imperial Pacific International (IPI) opened a temporary casino in a shopping mall on the island of Saipan. At first, it boasted Macau-level revenues. But a permanent resort was a failure almost from the start, due to financial mismanagement, shoddy workmanship, unpaid license and construction fees and interruptions from two typhoons.

The Imperial Pacific Palace, still unfinished, closed in 2020 due to the pandemic, and never reopened. Last year, IPI attempted to sell the property, which is deteriorating with exposure to the elements.

Philippine Regulator to Close Two Casinos

The Philippine gaming regulator has announced it will close two casinos in Cebu and Davao del Norte for subpar financial performance.

A news release from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) said both locations have lost money in recent years. The shutdowns are part of the agency’s revitalization plan, in which it is “upgrading most Casino Filipino properties nationwide in order to enhance their value ahead of privatization.”

The property in Talisay, Cebu incurred net losses of PHP39.32 million (US$677,000) in 2023 and PHP49.6 million in 2024.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said no employees will lose their jobs. “While our decision was driven by mounting financial losses, safeguarding the welfare of affected employees through job reassignment and comprehensive support programs is our top priority.”

PAGCOR has been under pressure to sell its owned-and-operated casinos, most of which operate under the Casino Filipino brand. Critics say they pose a conflict of interest for the regulator. Prior to a sale, the agency is upgrading the casinos to maximize their value. Improvements include the installation of new gaming machines. Almost 2,000 new slot machines were delivered to the properties last year.

Singapore to Break Tourism Records for 2024

Singapore welcomed 16.5 million tourists in 2024, up 16.5 percent over 2023.

According to data from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), arrivals were up 21 percent for the period. Tourism spend grew by 25 percent in the Sightseeing, Entertainment & Gaming (SEG) segment. SEG revenue comprised 21 percent of the total, at S$4.6 billion (US$3.41 billion).

The strong performance was “an affirmation of the industry’s efforts in refreshing our products and experiences, as well as embarking on new collaborations this past year,” said Melissa Ow, STB chief executive. “Collectively, these efforts elevated Singapore’s destination appeal and strengthened the sector’s capabilities and competitiveness.”

Mainland China was the top feeder market, followed by Indonesia and India. Growing markets included Japan, Taiwan, the UK and the United States.

Singapore’s two integrated resorts, Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), did their part, expanding their entertainment lineup. Taylor Swift took her Eras tour to MBS, while the Harry Potter: Visions of Magic exhibition opened at RWS. The IRs are jointly investing more than S15 billion (US$11 billion) in new attractions as part of their concession agreements, which ensures them exclusive rights to gaming through 2030.

Hoiana Leadership Shuffle

Nam Hoi An Company, owner of the Hoiana Resort and Golf in Vietnam, has announced the appointment of a chairman and CEO after changes in the shareholder structure.

According to VnExpress, Steven Wolstenholme, chairman and CEO of Hoi An South Development Co., Ltd. (HASD) since 2018, has stepped down. He was succeeded by Benny Chong, founder of the Hong Kong-based VMS Investment Group, as chairman, and Alan Teo, former COO of Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, as chief executive.

Hoi An opened in 2021 with 1,200 hotel rooms, a golf course, convention facilities, restaurants and other entertainment options.

A statement from the company said, “Our mission is to establish Hoiana into a world-class integrated resort for both business and leisure visitors, (turning) the south of Hoi An into a premier travel destination.”

In a LinkedIn post, Wolstenholme said he takes “immense pride in what we’ve accomplished, from … phase one through construction to full operation to launching the casino amidst a global pandemic and driving key performance indicators across all departments.”

By Kyle Goldsmith   Fri, Feb 7, 2025

New Brazilian Senate president looks to advance casinos, new match-fixing scandal in Bolivia, Coljuegos shuts down 10,000 sites and more.

Brazil Land-Based Legalization Hopes Boosted by New Senate President

Brazil’s prospects for land-based gambling legalization received a significant boost Feb. 1 with the re-election of gambling advocate Davi Alcolumbre as Senate president.

Alcolumbre, who previously served as Senate president between 2019 and 2021, has been a strong supporter of gambling in Brazil. As the Senate kicked off its 2025 legislative session, he was sworn in after securing a decisive victory, winning 73 out of 81 votes.

Notably, he held off anti-gambling competitor Eduardo Girão, who received just four votes after criticizing Alcolumbre’s pro-betting beliefs in a speech ahead of the vote.

In his role as president of the Justice and Citizenship Committee, he helped to progress the bill to legalize land-based gambling. While the Senate is yet to vote on the proposal, O Globo reported Alcolumbre has shared his desires to get land-based gambling legalization over the line.

Bolivian Football Federation Investigating Five Players for Match-Fixing

The Bolivian Football Federation (FBF) ethics committee is investigating five Club Real Santa Cruz players over alleged match-fixing in 2024.

On Jan. 28, the FBF announced Real Santa Cruz soccer players Ricardo Suárez, Oscar Ribera, Luis Ruono, Samuel Pozo, and Brian López, along with club officials, must submit a report to the federation by Feb. 10. Failure to comply could result in sanctions for non-cooperation.

The investigation focuses on three matches from December 2024, in which Real Santa Cruz suffered defeats by a combined score of 10-3. The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) flagged the three matches after match-fixing monitors detected irregularities in the betting markets.

The new investigation comes after the 2023 Bolivian top-flight league was temporarily halted over suspicions of match-fixing.

IBJR Seeks to Intervene in STF Case Against Loterj

The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) has asked to join the Supreme Federal Court (STF) case against the Rio de Janeiro State Lottery (Loterj), arguing that Loterj licensees can effectively implement geolocation tracking.

The IBJR has requested to join the STF case as “amicus curiae” (friend of the court), stating it has relevant information to contribute to the proceedings.

The ongoing dispute between Loterj and the Brazilian Federal Government took a turn in early January when STF Minister André Mendonça passed a preliminary decision to ban Loterj licensees operating nationwide, mandating geolocation tracking to ensure compliance from operators.

The IBJR claims Loterj licensees already have access to geolocation tracking technology. It argues the state regulator’s request for a 180-day extension to the original five-day deadline for implementing the technology is unwarranted.

Colombian Regulator Shuts Down 10,000 Sites Over Illegal Betting

In its most recent effort to combat the black market, Coljuegos, Colombia’s gambling regulator, has blocked 10,000 websites and social media profiles involved in illegal betting.

In a statement released on Feb. 3, Coljuegos announced it had blocked these sites and profiles for offering gambling activities without a local license, and thus failing to pay the annual license fee.

Only 16 sites are currently authorised to offer legal online betting in Colombia, paying around COP435.2 billion ($104.5 million) in license fees during 2024, all of which went to the country’s health system.

Coljuegos President Marco Emilio Hincapié stated blocking these sites supports the government’s goal of better protecting Colombia’s health sector.

Brazil Betting Industry Poised for Stability in 2025, Says Legal Expert

Specialist betting lawyer Udo Seckelmann of Bichara e Motta Advogados predicts the first year of Brazil’s legal online gambling market will focus on interpreting and consolidating regulations.

With the legal online market launching on Jan. 1, Seckelmann anticipates 2025 will be a “year of consolidation” for gambling in Brazil, with regulations and the regulator’s expectations being interpreted and finalized.

“For example, with all the scrutiny we’ve had on the sector, maybe it’s a possibility that the regulator, or other public authorities in Brazil, will say that you have to further restrict advertising or increase gambling taxes,” Seckelmann told iGB.

Seckelmann also warned the ongoing pressure from the public against the Brazilian gambling industry over its impact on addiction levels and consumer habits is influencing politicians’ attempts to bring in new regulations to restrict the sector.

By Jess Marquez   Fri, Feb 7, 2025

On this episode of the GGB Podcast, we sit down with the team from WagerWire, a sports betting exchange platform that is melding the worlds of betting and trading.

From an overhead view, the U.S. sports betting landscape has become top-heavy, but when you take a closer look, there are a number of innovative companies breaking the mold and creating new communities within the space. One such example is WagerWire, the app-agnostic sports betting exchange that allows users to buy and sell tickets and track their value over time. Company founders Zach Doctor, Travis Geiger and Guy Dotan sat down with GGB Managing Editor Jess Marquez at the recent ICE Barcelona conference to share their story and detail their future plans.

By Robert Fletcher   Mon, Feb 10, 2025

DraftKings has announced that it will operate a retail sportsbook facility inside the new Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana, which is set to open its doors for the first time on 13 February.

Located in Bossier, the Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana will feature over 47,000sq ft of gaming space. This will include more than 1,000 slot machines and 40 live action tables.

Alongside this will be a dedicated DraftKings Sportsbook within the Sports & Social, one of several on-site bars and restaurants. As confirmed by DraftKings, players can place in-person sports bets at the venue and watch live events on an LED media wall.

“With the addition of the DraftKings Sportsbook, we are elevating the experience for sports fans, connecting them to a new level of engagement across some of America’s most popular leagues,” said John Chaszar, executive vice president and general manager of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana

“From cheering on the Dallas Cowboys to the LSU Tigers and every team in between, the new retail DraftKings Sportsbook will be an incredibly popular entertainment option for the entire Ark-La-Tex region.”

Michael Kibort, vice president of product operations at DraftKings, also talked up the new location. He said: “With a shared commitment to innovation and entertainment, our latest retail sportsbook will deliver a premier sports betting experience just in time for fans to cheer on their favourite college basketball teams during March Madness.”

Louisiana casino project valued at $270 million

Alongside the gaming floor and bars and restaurants, the new Live! Casino & Hotel will boast various other amenities.

Among these is a 550-room hotel with resort pool and fitness centre, as well as 25,000sq ft event centre for entertainment and conventions.

Such is the size of the venue that it has created 750 permanent gaming and hospitality jobs. This is on top of the 750 jobs throughout the construction process.

Owned and operated by Cordish Companies, the entire project is valued at more than $270 million (£218 million/€262 million).

By Robert Fletcher   Thu, Feb 13, 2025

International Game Technology (IGT) has launched its new Wheel of Fortune Trio cabinet with the Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park, California.

The IGT cabinet features, now available at the casino, house the new Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Big Money game. This offers the Cash Link coin collection feature, Cash on Reels mechanic, a Cash Link Multiplier and free games.

Each Wheel of Fortune Trio cabinet features a 76-inch mechanical wheel above three ultra-high-definition 49-inch portrait screen gaming machines, along with a 140-inch-tall video backdrop.

They are the latest addition to the IGT Wheel of Fortune slots range that launched in 1996. Since its debut, IGT paid out nearly $3.6 billion (£2.9 billion/€3.5 billion) in jackpots.

More Wheel of Fortune games to come from IGT

Nick Khin, president of global gaming at IGT, said this is the first of several new Wheel of Fortune launches this year.

“This solution combines legendary Wheel of Fortune gameplay with compelling hardware and community-style jackpot celebrations to create something special for our customers and their players,” Khin said.

Brian Green, chief operations officer at Graton Resort & Casino, added: “Our players have a strong affinity for the Wheel of Fortune brand. “Wheel of Fortune Trio’s community-style win celebrations and large stature are sure to drive jackpot excitement across the gaming floor.”

Last year, IGT extended its licensing agreement with Sony Pictures Television to continue producing Wheel of Fortune games. The contract runs through to 2034.

By Richard Mulligan   Mon, Feb 10, 2025

Star Entertainment Group has rejected numerous bids from its Hong Kong-based partners who are seeking to acquire its stake in the partially opened Star Brisbane casino resort.

The troubled gambling group confirmed it has received several confidential, indicative and non-binding proposals from Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited (CTFE) and Far East Consortium International Limited (FEC), who each already own a quarter of the Brisbane business. Both suitors are seeking to acquire The Star’s 50% interest in Destination Brisbane Joint Venture (DBC), which owns The Star Brisbane, along with other assets.

In an ASX announcement, Star Entertainment said its board has concluded that none of the proposals have provided sufficient value for The Star.

Negotiations will continue, with Star Entertainment noting that it is actively exploring possible liquidity solutions as it seeks to address the dwindling cash reserves outlined in its most recent financial results.

“The Star continues to engage with CTFE and FEC to ascertain whether a sale of The Star’s 50% interest in DBC can be negotiated on terms satisfactory to The Star. There is no certainty that any transaction will be concluded,” Star Entertainment said in the statement.

The Star Brisbane opened its first phase in August 2024, with the rest of the facilities to be completed in 2025.

The Star Brisbane and broader Queen’s Wharf precinct is expected to attract an estimated 1.4 million additional visitors each year. When complete, Queen’s Wharf will deliver an estimated 1,000 premium hotel rooms, more than 50 new food and beverage experiences, world-class entertainment, luxury retail, stunning public artworks, the restoration of nine heritage buildings, 1,500 residential apartments and 12 football fields of public space in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD.

Star’s 2025 kicked off with bad news as the group announced on 8 January that its cash reserves had fallen to AU$79 million (£40 million/€47.4 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 3 December.

Star Entertainment recently sold its Sydney casino’s events space for $40m less than it had previously claimed it was worth.

By Richard Mulligan   Tue, Feb 11, 2025

Nevada’s major casinos saw an almost $1bn drop in net income during the most recent financial year.

Nevada Gaming Control Board’s (NGCB) Nevada Gaming Abstract 2024 shows that the 307 state casinos that gross $1m or more generated total revenues of $31.5bn in the year to 30 June 2024. This amount includes not just gaming revenue but also rooms, food, beverage, and other attractions. The $31.5bn figure was up 5.7% compared to the previous period to 30 June 2023.

In FY 2024, Nevada’s casinos posted $2.6bn on net income, which is the amount retained by casinos after expenses have been paid but prior to deducting federal income taxes and prior to accounting for extraordinary expenses. This was down compared to $3.4bn generated in the year to June 2023.

Gaming revenue accounted for $11.3bn, or 35.8%, of total revenue.  This was up on FY 2023, $10.9bn was generated, however that accounted for 36.6% of total revenue.

Clark County – which includes the Las Vegas Strip – had 179 casinos grossing $1m or more in gaming revenue during FY 2024. These generated combined net income of $2.3bn, which was down more than 20% on FY 2023. Total revenues from Clark County were at $28.5bn.

One of the 14 markets statewide monitored by the NGCB showed a net loss for the 2024 fiscal year. South Lake Tahoe reported a net loss of $30.4m from total revenue of $389.0m, $172.6m of that from gaming.

Nevada’s 307 casinos paid $1.2bn in gaming taxes and fees in FY 2024, equating to 10.3% of their gaming revenue. In FY 2023 the casinos paid $1.0bn in taxes, which was 10% of gaming revenue.

The average number of employees during the year was 148,967, which was up by 4.2% compared to FY 2023.

By Robert Fletcher   Wed, Feb 12, 2025

Red Rock Resorts has reported a year-on-year drop in net profit for its 2024 financial year despite revenue increasing by 12.5%.

Revenue for the 12 months to 31 December 2024 reached $1.94 billion (£1.56 billion/€1.87 billion). This surpasses the $1.72 billion posted by Red Rock in the previous year.

Setting out details of its performance, Red Rock reported growth across all segments. The primary source of revenue, by some distance, remains casino at $1.28 billion, up 12.5%.

Food and beverage revenue was also 14.9% higher at $360.4 million, while rooms revenue jumped 9.5% to $200.5 million. Revenue from other operations increased 6.0% to $100.9 million.

As for divisional performance, Las Vegas operations generated $1.93 billion of all revenue, a rise of 12.6%. The other $12.9 million, down 8.5%, came from corporate and other activity.

Higher costs hit bottom line

Turning to costs, operating expenses were 17.6% higher at $1.37 billion with selling, general and administrative the main outgoing at $432.3 million. After accounting for earnings from joint ventures and other costs, pre-tax profit amounted to $328.2 million. This places Red Rock 13.8% lower than the previous year.

The operator paid $36.9 million in tax and discounted $137.2 million in earnings from joint ventures. As such, it ended 2024 with a net profit of $154.1 million, down 12.4%.

However, there was better news with adjusted EBITDA, which increased by 6.7% to $795.9 million.

Similar story in Q4 for Red Rock

As to how Red Rock ended 2024, revenue for the fourth quarter climbed 7.1% year-on-year to $495.7 million.

Operating costs jumped 21.5% to $353.4 million, with pre-tax profit down 20.6% on the back of this.

After tax and taking off earnings from joint ventures, net profit for Q4 was $46.6 million, a 17.7% drop from the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA, however, edged up 0.6% to $202.4 million for the quarter.

By Richard Mulligan   Wed, Feb 12, 2025

Buzz Bingo is overhauling its customer offering across the UK through the roll-out of 10,000 touchscreen electronic bingo terminals (EBTs) from Playtech’s ECM Systems.

The bingo giant, which operates more than 80 former Gala Bingo clubs, has committed a significant investment in the Playtech machines. This, it said, will expand the omnichannel gaming experience for Buzz Bingo customers.

The new Playtech touchscreens are equipped with the latest software and will offer a more responsive and interactive service.

Dave Evans, chief product officer at Buzz Bingo, said: “This investment is all about improving the experience for our players with faster, more responsive hardware using the latest software. This brand-new hardware will really power up our omnichannel games.”

Retail drives online growth at Buzz Bingo

Buzz Bingo delivered a 22% increase in underlying EBITDA in the first half of 2024, building on a strong FY 2023 performance powered by its omnichannel strategy.

In FY 2023, to January 2024, net gaming revenues increased 6%, with retail returning to growth. Some 44% of online revenue in FY 2023 was from customers who first played in the group’s retail clubs.

Marat Koss, vice president of interactive gaming at Playtech, said: “This achievement is a significant milestone in our strategy for the growth of our bingo proposition and within the industry. By equipping them with these advanced EBTs, we are not only enhancing the player experience but also extending the highest standard for bingo entertainment.”

By Richard Mulligan   Thu, Feb 13, 2025

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has unveiled its newest historical horse racing (HHR) venue as the $100 million Owensboro Racing & Gaming facility was officially opened in Kentucky.

Owensboro Racing & Gaming features 600 historical racing machines (HRMs), a retail sportsbook, simulcast wagering and multiple food and beverage options. It is CDI’s seventh HHR venue, with the Live and Historical Racing segment helping to boost the group’s revenue and earnings.

The new facility covers 71,500 square feet and is projected to generate $125m annually for the regional economy.

‘Exciting milestone’

“Today marks an exciting milestone for our company as we expand our footprint in western Kentucky and further strengthen our commonwealth’s signature horse racing industry,” said Bill Carstanjen, chief executive of CDI. “Owensboro’s newest entertainment destination will drive new tourism, entertainment and economic opportunities in eastern Daviess County.”

CDI saw Live and Historical Racing revenue up 12% year-on-year in its most recent financial results. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment was up 15% compared to the third quarter of 2023. Much of the $26.9m increase was attributable to growth at its Virginia properties and the opening of the Rosie’s Emporia property in September 2023.

The new HRM entertainment venue will support purse funding for CDI’s Ellis Park’s summer racing meet in Henderson, Kentucky. CDI bought Ellis Park in 2022 for $79m, and has since invested more than $8.5m in enhancements and repairs on the property.

The Owensboro Racing venue is located on an approximately 20-acre site at the corner of US Highway 60 and Wrights Landing Road east of Owensboro, which is Kentucky’s fourth largest city.

By Richard Mulligan   Fri, Feb 7, 2025

Eric Howell and Sharon Lewis have been recruited to senior roles by UK gaming machine operator Game Nation.

UK gaming machine operator Game Nation has strengthened its leadership with two senior appointments.

Game Nation has named experienced industry executive Eric Howell to the post of compliance and audit director. Meanwhile, Sharon Lewis comes on board as marketing development manager.

Howell joined Game Nation from Rank Group, where he held the roles of central slots manager and slots project manager. He began his career with Gala Coral in the 1980s, before roles with William Hill and Majestic Bingo.

Lewis spent more than a decade at Merkur Casino UK before taking up her new role at Game Nation. Most recently she served as marketing executive.

Mark Jepp, who was named Game Nation chief executive in September 2024, has backed the two new appointments to add both experience and creativity to the business.

“Every business that I have been involved with has been built around a strong team ethic and bringing the right personalities and skill-sets to the mix are essential,” Jepp said.

“With a commitment to the delivery of ethical, customer-focussed entertainment [Eric] brings huge credibility to the Game Nation business.

“Sharon has over a decade of experience working in the sector and is someone who really understands machine players. Her creativity and passion for the business will be key in helping Game Nation to achieve its full potential on the high street.”

By Robert Fletcher   Fri, Feb 7, 2025

Estonia-based casino operator Bombay Group has announced the appointment of industry veteran Kevin McGowen as its new chief executive.

McGowen, who has worked across gaming, hospitality and relationship marketing for 30 years, becomes CEO with immediate effect. Bombay Group confirmed the appointment in a statement issued today (7 February).

McGowen joins the group after almost nine years as chief executive of Les Ambassadeurs Casino in London. He also had a three-year spell as chief marketing officer at the venue.

Prior to this, McGowen worked in several senior roles at the Crystal Palace Casino in the Bahamas. He also spent time with the Mandalay Resort Group, American Casino and Entertainment Properties, and Harrah’s Entertainment.

McGowen replaces Anita Brinkem who had been serving as interim CEO at Bombay.

McGowen eyes new additions at Bombay

“I’m hugely impressed by the Bombay team’s dedication to elevating standards in the high-end gaming industry from a product and compliance perspective,” McGowen said. “One of my goals for the near future is to engage even broader global experience in the team.”

Brinkem added: “Only a few weeks remain until the opening of The Burman and in combination with the Bombay Club they will complete the redefining of modern high-quality entertainment. Now is a good time to pass the baton so that Kevin can give our crown jewel the final shine.”

Alongside McGowen joining as CEO, Bombay has named Dajana Tiitsaar as its new chief operating officer. Tiitsaar takes on the role having worked as a consultant for Bombay over the past 12 months.

Tiitsaar joins from Enefit, an Estonian energy company, where she was most recently country manager. During her career, she has also worked in tourism, hospitality and marketing.

  Thu, Feb 6, 2025

The proposed merger between Bally’s Corporation and The Queen Casino & Entertainment has been approved by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, according to The Center Square, a government news website.

The regulatory approval brings Bally’s Shreveport Casino & Hotel, The Queen Baton Rouge and the Belle of Baton Rouge casinos under the same umbrella in the state.

The broader deal between Bally’s and The Queen Casino & Entertainment brings a total of four additional casinos across three states under the former’s control. Before the agreement, The Queen had more than 900 employees, 2,400 slot machines, 50 table games and 150 hotel rooms in its portfolio.

Standard General, the majority owner of The Queen Casino & Entertainment, struck a $4.6bn takeover deal for Bally’s last year, with the transaction approved by the latter’s shareholders in November.

Casino opening

In other news in Louisiana, the Cordish Companies’ Live! Casino and Hotel Louisiana will open to the public at 8pm next Thursday, 13 February.

The opening of the $270m venue is contingent on final approval from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board – thought to be a formality.

John J. Chaszar, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana, said that it would be “an unforgettable night as we open our doors for the first time to present the most spectacular gaming and entertainment facility the four-state region has ever experienced”.

He added: “Our team members will be ready to welcome our guests like family, and our slots and tables will be ready for winners, so we hope everyone will come join in on the celebration.”

By Richard Mulligan   Thu, Feb 6, 2025

The US state's six gaming venues experienced another month of decline in January 2025.

Maryland’s casinos saw a slight dip in revenue in January despite growth at the US state’s largest gaming venue.

Maryland’s six casinos brought in a combined $151.8m in gaming revenue during the first month of 2025, according to Maryland Lottery and Gaming. A year-on-year fall of 0.9% was a repeat of the decline reported in December 2024.

MGM National Harbor retained its position as the highest-earning casino in the state, posting $67.6m in revenue. The facility, which boasts a 135,000 sq ft gaming floor, saw a 2.3% year-on-year increase in revenue.

However, Live! Casino & Hotel, the second-largest operator, reported a decline of 2.9% to $55.1m, following a 2.4% drop in December.

It was another month of decline for Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, which recorded the largest percentage decrease. Revenue fell by 7.8% year-on-year to $13.4m, following a 12.9% drop in December.

Despite the overall decline, state contributions from gaming revenue rose by 0.8% to $63.7m, with $46.0m allocated to the Education Trust Fund, which supports public education initiatives.

In the current financial year, which began in July 2024, gaming revenue is up 1.5% year-on-year to $1.14bn.

  Wed, Feb 5, 2025

Holland Casino’s historic Zandvoort venue has closed its doors for the final time.

The casino was the first such facility opened by the Dutch state-owned company 40 years ago.

However, in October 2024 Holland Casino announced that its oldest venue would be closing by February 2025 as part of its drive for financial sustainability.

Sustainability strategy

The operator announced last year a new strategy aimed at tackling the company’s rising costs while continuing to invest in supporting responsible gambling.

The strategy has considered the best locations across the Netherlands for its casinos in the context of maintaining a healthy business.

When Holland Casino confirmed that there would be no prospect “for healthy business operations for Holland Casino Zandvoort”, the operator cited changing visitor behavior, deteriorating market conditions and an overlap with the catchment area of ​​other casinos.

Jobs

Croupier Gerard Boukes, with almost 40 years of service, had the honor of performing the last official act with a ceremonial spin of a roulette wheel just before midnight on 31 January.

The casino’s staff members will be offered roles at other Holland Casino locations, the operator said.

Holland Casino CEO Petra de Ruiter said: “Holland Casino and Zandvoort are forever inextricably linked. Holland Casino will always be part of the Zandvoort story and vice versa. It was our first casino. History was written here.”

‘Essential’ closure

Last year, De Ruiter said: “For Holland Casino, the closure is essential to continue building a sustainable future for the company, in which we can continue to contribute to a safe and responsible gaming climate.

“At the same time, the closure means an emotional farewell to the first location that Holland Casino opened in 1976.”

  Wed, Feb 5, 2025

Scientific Games has teamed up with Allwyn, the operator of the UK’s National Lottery, to launch the provider’s SCiQ retail technology in Europe for the first time.

The launch at the Asda supermarket east of Manchester, UK, will provide the retailer with a suite of features. These include store reporting, automated inventory management, real-time store-specific sales analytics, and market performance reports.

SCiQ has also been designed to offer shoppers a more modern lottery experience via digital screens and automatic dispensing, while enhancing product security.

The solution has already been deployed in more than a dozen US markets.

Broader rollout plans

Scientific Games said that the launch represented the first phase of a trial that will take several months as the technology “is tested to inform any broader rollout plans in the future”.

According to Scientific Games, SCiQ is the only technology of its kind for managing the lottery category within stores by modernizing how the lottery’s scratchcards are managed and purchased at retail stores.

Christopher Allen, Vice President of Lottery Marketing Strategy for Scientific Games, said: “Our global technology teams continue Scientific Games’ 50-plus year commitment to innovate across the lottery landscape and bring to market new, advanced technologies helping lotteries future-proof across all channels of play.

“We are delighted to bring our proven SCiQ retail ecosystem to our partnership with Allwyn and thrilled that Asda was the first retailer in the UK to deploy the system in-store.”

Customized software

Scientific Games said that it customized the software in accordance with Allwyn’s 10-scratchcard limit. This automatically prevents Asda store staff from selecting more than 10 scratchcards per transaction.

Allwyn’s Operations Director, Jenny Blogg, added: “As we continue transforming the National Lottery from the inside out, we’re deploying innovative lottery technology fit for the future.

“Thanks to the teams at Allwyn and Scientific Games, this innovative concept Scratchcard retail technology takes player and retailer experience to a whole new level and we’re confident it will change the way people buy scratchcards.

“We also worked closely with Asda to meet the specific requirements of their new-look store and are absolutely delighted with how it’s turned out. We’ll now assess it over the next few months to determine how we move forward with the technology, but we’re really excited by the initial results.”

Scientific Games provides games, technologies, analytics and services to more than 150 lotteries in 50 countries worldwide.

By Richard Mulligan   Tue, Feb 4, 2025

Two Casino Filipino venues that lost more than PHP160m over the last two years are being closed by parent company PAGCOR.

Casino Filipino has closed one of its gambling facilities and outlined plans to shutter another after suffering “significant losses” over the last two years.

The two Casino Filipino venues are closing as part of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR) ongoing rationalisation plan.

PAGCOR said its Talisay, Cebu site has closed after losing almost PHP90m (US$1.5m) in the last two years. Meanwhile, Casino Filipino Grand Regal in Tagum, Davao del Norte is also to close after losing almost PHP70m over the same period.

The move comes amid a drop in revenue across the more than 40 Casino Filipino gaming venues. Casino Filipino takings dipped 16.2% to PHP12.67bn in 2024, despite PAGCOR posting record revenue of PHP112bn. That 41% increase was driven by a surge in online gaming.

PAGCOR said there would be no redundancies, with more than 70 employees to be moved to other gaming sites.

PAGCOR chairman and chief executive Alejandro Tengco said: “Given the sustained financial strain, continuing operations at these sites is no longer feasible.

“While our decision was driven by mounting financial losses, safeguarding the welfare of affected employees through job reassignment and comprehensive support programs is our top priority.”

The 42 employees from Casino Filipino Talisay will be transferred to various branches under Casino Filipino Cebu. The 33 employees from Casino Filipino Tagum will be deployed to different sites under the Casino Filipino Grand Regal in Davao.

“Our human resource and development group is actively working with affected employees to facilitate a smooth transition, ensuring that each individual receives guidance and assistance in their reassignment,” Tengco said.

  Mon, Feb 3, 2025

New Jersey Senator Vincent Polistina has confirmed that talks have taken place over the potential extension of Atlantic City’s casino payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) program.

The scheme replaced traditional property taxes for casinos with a broader assessment of gross gaming revenue. The aim was to reduce the frequency of costly appeals linked to casino property taxes.

Polistina said that conversations had been held in recent months with various groups, including the office of Governor Phil Murphy, with the PILOT initiative due to expire next year.

Political consensus?

Polistina plans to liaise with local officials to ensure there is a political consensus before tabling new legislation.

“As we move forward, we will discuss what we are going to propose with City Council and county commissioners and build consensus this time before we get it passed,” Polistina said, according to Press of Atlantic City.

“I don’t see ever going back to traditional real estate taxes for casinos. You need the PILOT to give certainty. That has to continue in perpetuity.”

According to budget records, the PILOT program generated more than $48.5m for Atlantic City in 2024 and $51.6m in 2023, with the funds injected into public services.

However, Atlantic County officials have claimed for some time that they should be receiving a bigger slice of the income.

Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson said: “Everyone agrees casino gaming benefits the whole state. Why should Atlantic County taxpayers be the only ones that have to pay for it?”

Levinson also suggested that existing debts should be cleared before another PILOT program is approved.

“We also now have $14m and counting that is owed to us,” Levinson said. “Before they start a new PILOT, it would be nice if they paid their debts.”

State oversight law review

Meanwhile, Polistina also said that the Municipal Stabilization and Revitalization Act (MSRA) is also under review. This legislation led to the state stepping in to oversee Atlantic City’s finances following a review in 2016. The arrangement was extended by five years in 2021.

“We have to figure out MSRA, the PILOT, CRDA (Casino Reinvestment Development Authority) IATs (Investment Alternative Tax funds),” Polistina said. “They have all been under discussions for months now, so we are not in a situation like we were in before with two months to get things done.”

Mayor Marty Small Sr. added: “If MSRA continues, as long as that partnership continues in the same way it has, and we keep trending in the positive direction we’ve been heading, I would be OK with that. We also look forward to the day all city debt is paid off, as that would be a huge burden lifted off our wonderful taxpayers.”

By Richard Mulligan   Mon, Feb 3, 2025

Marketing specialist Amanda Youell has taken over as general manager at one of New Zealand's leading casinos, SkyCity Queenstown.

SkyCity Entertainment Group has appointed Amanda Youell as the new head of its Queenstown casino in New Zealand.

Youell replaces long-term general manager Jono Browne, who left the resort in December 2024. SkyCity Queenstown, which opened in 2000, is one of just six casinos in New Zealand.

Before joining SkyCity Queenstown, Youell was the head of marketing at Millbrook Resort, one of the region’s leading golf and lifestyle venues. She will officially assume her role on February 10.

Michelle Baillie, general manager of SkyCity Hamilton, said Youell has a deep understanding of the local entertainment and hospitality market.

“Amanda is the perfect fit to lead SkyCity Queenstown into its next chapter,” said Baillie. “Over the past seven years, she has been instrumental in driving Millbrook Resort’s marketing efforts and spearheading sustainability initiatives, while also fostering strong relationships with the community. We’re confident her wealth of experience and passion for innovation will be invaluable and will add to the expertise of the current Queenstown management.”

SkyCity’s regulatory challenges

Youell joins soon after the New Zealand High Court formally imposed a NZ$4.16m (£1.96m/€2.34m/US$2.61m) on SkyCity Entertainment for breaching anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism (AML/CTF) obligations in the country. The breaches were linked to the SkyCity Auckland resort, which was forced to close for five days. In addition to the Auckland case, SkyCity has been penalised in Australia over similar failings.

SkyCity Entertainment reported a NZ$140.4m net loss during what it described as a “challenging” 2024. Revenue was 0.6% higher year-on-year at NZ$861.0m. In its analysis, SkyCity said growth from non-gaming operations offset a drop in gaming revenue.

SkyCity Entertainment said that Youell will be tasked with driving commercial growth, enhancing guest experiences, and leading sustainability initiatives at the Queenstown resort.

Youell said: “I’m looking forward to working with the team to build on SkyCity’s legacy and help take the business to new heights.

“I pride myself on delivering results through strategic vision, innovation, and collaboration, as well as building strong community partnerships and empowering my team.”