Category: Legislation

Missouri’s New Bill to Introduce Betting on River Casinos

Posted on by Kat Orlov
  • Missouri’s Senator Denny Hoskins introduces a new Senate Bill to legalize sports betting
  • As per the bill, licenses would be issued at $10,000
  • Renewal fees are at $5,000
  • Taxation is pinned at 12%

Missouri is working hard to get its own sports betting legislation up to speed. With a freshly introduced bill by Senator Denny Hoskins, the goal of introducing a ground-breaking framework is not too far from a reality.

Missouri Works on Spots Betting with SB 44

Missouri is yet another state that could potentially get its sports betting industry up to speed very quickly. Now that Senator Denny Hoskins has introduced SB 44, chances are that the legislation will clear all legal hurdles ahead of it.

The Bill proposes to bring sports betting to licensed holiday boats, drawing the idea from the famous river casinos all over the United States that are exempt from some of the toughest legal hurdles that face sports betting. The bill has quite the favorable conditions, too:

  • Initial licensing at $10,000
  • Renewal fee of $5,000 paid yearly
  • 12% in taxes along with a 2.5% administrative fee

Insofar as taxation goes, Missouri’s rates are fair but a little bit steeper than the most common rate of 10%. Overseas, the tax hits 21% in places such as the United Kingdom, but the country has a well-developed online betting industry.

New Sports Betting Opportunities for Kansas Discussed

In other words, it’s understandable why states that are only looking to start their operations normally settle on a rather low tax rate. The license fees are all rather on the low-end, too, although it must be noted that they apply only for river boats whereas places like Pennsylvania issued $10 million license packages, but they had land-based properties in mind.

Divvying Up the Funds

The Gaming Commission Fund will receive the 2.5% tax on betting receipts and 80% of that would automatically be allocated to the Veterans’ Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund.

The Bill also expects from newly set-up operators to volunteer 0.5% of their gross amount wagered to support various facilities around the state that have to do with sports.

The voluntary tax would be required at least once a quarter with the Entertainment Facilities Infrastructure Fund taking control over the managing of these funds.

Overseeing the Industry as Intended

The Missouri Gaming Commission will be tasked with establishing control over the entire industry, both in regulating whether agencies are complaint with the provisions of the bill and ensuring that customers are safe.

Under SB 44, every citizen of Missouri would be able to opt for self-exclusion, which would allow for a state-wide protection.
Meanwhile, any operator that wants to run its gambling-related activities will have to comply with a number of criteria, including overseeing proper background checks on customers, doing due diligence and wealth assessment analysis to confirm source of wealth as well as the identity & age of customers.

Missouri currently has a list of bills that are on the wait list, including:

  • HB119
  • SB327
  • SB222
  • SB195

Things are finally looking up for Missouri and while the exact time frame is unknown, the state should be getting its own sports betting bill very soon.

Kat Orlov

Newcomer Kat is our newcomer poker aficionado whos skill not only lives on the table but flourishes on the site as through her many sources she never fails to be the first to hear of any important or exciting poker news around the world.

New Sports Betting Opportunities for Kansas Discussed

Posted on by Grant Mahon
  • Kansans’ lawmakers continue to pursue the idea of legalizing sports betting
  • Mobile betting and the remit of the State Lottery discussed
  • Tax gains for the state not a pre-determined amount

Kansans will be going over proposed sports betting plans once again with Rep. Stephanie Clayton supporting the move.

Kansas Lawmakers to Look into Sports Betting Opportunities

Kansas has long been on pins and needles about adding sports betting to the state. After all, a lot of other states have pushed ahead with such a move already. Worst of all, Missouri is going to get its own sports betting rolled out before Kansas and that’s the sort of twist that makes the blood boil.

Virginia’s Sports Betting Bill Gets Senate Approval

Rep. Stephanie Clayton is quite determined to show Missouri that Kansas is just as capable of mastering its own sports betting plans:

I don’t like getting beaten by Missouri. It’s a Kansas trait. I think a lot of people share that.

There’s plenty of reasons for Kansas to want to be in the open when it comes to sports betting. First, the offshore industry is no small part of the daily expenditures of the state’s residents. Gambling is very much alive in Kansas, only the sportsbooks to sweep up all the cash are located offshore.

Kansas House Panel Meets to Discuss Sports Betting: What a Twister!

Kansas both loves and hates sports betting, but at least now a debate is on the way. The state’s House Panel met on Friday, February 8 to discuss the possibility of specific facilities being authorized to accept sports betting wagers, including:

  • Restaurants & bars
  • Dog racetracks
  • Lottery retailers

Quite a few topics were broached, which just only goes to show that lawmakers are very serious about pondering the question in its depth. For instance, some of the topics discussed included whether professional and college sports are entitled to a revenue from sportsbooks, i.e. the notorious royalty/integrity fees. Mobile betting was also examined.

A Matter of Chance – The Kansas Lottery

An interesting development though can be how any sports betting bill would co-exist with the Kansas State Lottery. The question of mobile apps came up with the attendees trying to determine whether each individual property should have its own app or if the entire network can be controlled by the state.

In fact, there were more unknowns that any concrete solutions with the Lottery question remaining open-ended.

Play Your Cards Well Now

Kansas is definitely not intent on taxing the industry too steeply. The rate is established at 6.75% and additional 0.25%that would go for royalty fees, as per a bill introduced earlier.

There’re no exact estimates as to how much the state stands to win from legalizing the industry, which is another reason for rather divided legal factions.

Grant Mahon

Grant is the self-professed casino madman and reporter that brought this eclectic team of dedicated and talented writers together from around the world to proudly build an humble empire of authentic casino news.

The UK Gambling Commission Recommends New Measures

Posted on by Grant Mahon
  • The UK Gambling Commission toughens identity measures and verification process
  • Measures intended at protecting children and vulnerable individuals
  • No free products available without registration & verification
  • Depositing funds will now require to verify a customer’s indentity

The UK Gambling Commission, the country’s regulator, has released a new set of rules and measures intended at better regulating the industry and protecting individuals from gambling harm.

The UK Gambling Commission’s Latest Security Measures

The UK Gambling Commission is the UK’s governing authority when it comes to iGaming, land-based gambling operations, sports betting, bingo parlours and poker cardrooms. The watchdog’s remit extends to issuing and enforcing regulations as well as investigating and issuing penalties to wrongdoers.

The Commission announced a new set of measures focusing on protecting consumers from various age groups by demanding from operators to identify individuals who register faster, ultimately for consumer’s best interest.

Making Gambling Safer for Everyone – Children Protected

In one of its latest surveys, the UK Gambling Commission revealed that the number of child gamblers quadrupled. The worrying trend has been reason enough for the country’s governing body to seek a way to bolster security measures when it comes to preventing underage gamblers from participating.

One such way, the UKGC believes, is by slashing the 72 hours grace period given to casinos to carry out verification checks confirming the identity of gamers. Up until now, customers were allowed to deposit funds and play, but not withdraw without proper verification. Here’s what UKGC Chief Executive Neil McArthur had to say:

These changes will protect children and the vulnerable from gambling-related harm, and reduce the risk of crime linked to gambling. They will also make gambling fairer by helping consumers collect their winnings without unnecessary delay.

Some industry leaders have applied the measure indiscriminately asking from players to verify their identity and address before they can proceed with gambling activity of any sort. Under the latest changes, the operators will have to conduct these mandatory checks before users can:

  • Deposit funds into an account
  • Gamble with the license with either their own money or a free bet or bonus

In other words, even the so-called free bets, free play and free spins are off limits for individuals who haven’t confirmed their identity. The Commission also requires all customers to be registered and confirm their identity before they can access even the free play version of any game.

Toughening Up on Identity and Criminal Activity

By introducing the new set of measures, the UKGC is hoping to effectively slash some of its own workload by creating very clear rules whereby operators and customers will be fully-informed what the depositing and withdrawing procedures are.

In the official press release, the UKGC wrote that 15% of all complaints regarding customers withdrawals were linked to operators requesting additional information from customers before they clear a transfer.

No such miscommunication will be possible once the new rules hit. The new measures will also help with keeping the national self-exclusion scheme, GamStop, in line. GamStop has been coming under additional scrutiny after BBC investigators confirmed that the system can be gamed rather easily, too.

Not least of all, operators must be readier to turn gamers from their betting shops, casinos and card rooms, after they’ve established that a person

Grant Mahon

Grant is the self-professed casino madman and reporter that brought this eclectic team of dedicated and talented writers together from around the world to proudly build an humble empire of authentic casino news.

Virginia SB 1126 Clears Senate, Sports Betting Odds Better

Posted on by Aran Malik

Virginia’s SB 1126 is the state’s most famed sports betting bill, and it has just cleared the Senate. What this means is that land-based properties will be allowed to apply for licenses and offer the first sports betting opportunities in the state.

The Senate Bill Clears the Last Legal Hurdle

When Dem. Sen. Louise Lucas introduced his bill, he might have suspected how successful SB 1126 would be. Well, all speculation aside, Mr. Lucas has done very well indeed, with the Virginia Senate just clearing the document.

The Bill will also be voted on in the House of Representative later today and the Committee on Rules will try to prepare an action plan regarding the implementation of the document.

Virginia is an interesting beast when it comes to gaming, as it’s willing to accept spots betting as long as certain conditions are met. We previously explained that SB 1126 expects casinos applying for licenses to meet specific criteria, such as:

  • A minimum unemployment rate of 4%
  • A poverty rate of 20%
  • Population decline of 7% between 1990 and 2016

To top it all off, the casino will have to take it to a vote whether a casino can be built or operate, leading to multiple mini-referendum state-wide.

Tribal casinos on the other hand will be admitted in cities that have at least 200,000 people living in them with 24% of all estate tax exempted from property tax. This is quite a few hoops to jump through for the state and would be operators.

Virginia’s Sports Betting Bill Gets Senate Approval

Still, given the wide endorsement of the segment in its current form, it’s very unlikely that any future business owner would remonstrate against the proposed measures.

Speaking of the legal end of things, the taxes that will be collected from the casino sector also seem to be rather mild compared to other places.

Virginia will seek only 10% of the companies’ gross revenue, with the money being divvied up between various funds, including:

  • The Virginia Public School Construction Grants Program and Fund
  • The Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund
  • The General State Fund

Later, there will be another fund, i.e. the State Local Casino Gaming Proceeds Fund, which will help local authorities develop their regions. This outlines the betting climate in Virginia.

Meanwhile, there are two more bills to keep an eye on, including SB 1238 and SB 1356, but at this point they both seem very unlikely to pass given the momentum SB 1126 has gathered already.

Nevertheless, lawmakers are trying to push from all directions towards the ultimate goal – legalizing sports betting, which should be good news for sports aficionados and companies eyeing expansion.

Aran Malik

“Magic Malik”—as we like to call him—is not only a tech whiz but a wizard when it comes to getting obscure news hot off the press so we know exactly what’s happening and can explore and report it back to our growing and loyal readerbase.

Slovakia President Vetoes Gambling Regulatory Bill

Posted on by Grant Mahon
  • Slovakia’s President vetoes proposed regulatory gambling framework
  • Fears over transparency and integrity cited
  • Lawmakers need to look for a solution

Restrictive gambling laws in Slovakia may not soon the case, with new salvos of exchanges between lawmakers and President Andreja Kiska. President Kiska is now looking at a stiff opposition.

Slovakia’s Presidential Veto on Gambling Won’t Stick

Slovakia was one of the countries in 2018 to work towards a from-head-to-toe regulatory framework for its gambling industry. The government agreed to elaborate a framework that would allow everyone to benefit from the changes introduced therein, helping business, customers and the state’s coffer.

With a vote that passed on December 4, 2018, the proposed gambling regulation was sent to President Andreja Kiska for ratification. This is the first time since 2005 when Slovakia has decided to change its gambling laws.

The President refused to play his part, citing genuine concerns about the transparency and safety of the bill and the people it would affect.

President Kiska said that the bill failed to outline how it would protect customers and how the self-exclusion scheme would work. Funding to social causes was also muddled in the legalese, the President noted.

Lawmakers have designed the law to conform with active regulation in other European Union member states, including Romania, Denmark, and the recently-regulated Swedish market which became active on January 1, 2019. But the state will need to address this last hurdle before the market truly opens up.

Slovakia Is Close to Signing Gambling Act into Law

Based on the now vetoed bill, Slovakia will open up its market in July 1, when the first operators will be allowed to start developing their products. Application, though, would start as early as March with actual operations deferred by 2020 at the earliest.

The law is quite comprehensive, though, accounting for the location of gaming venues as well as the allowable number of games that can be found on the premises of such establishments. Casinos wouldn’t be able to operate within 200 meters of schools and hospitals as well.

All gambling machines and table games will have to be relocated to the venues allocated for the purpose.

A Few Final Touches

The rift between lawmakers and President Kiska doesn’t seem significant. By vetoing the bill, the President Kiska signals provisions that need and can be worked through. Funding from the industry is a fair remark.

In most states in the United States, any new bill seeks to outline how precisely any proceedings from gambling would be used to bolster the state’s coffers. Some states have even decided to use legalized poker and sports betting to support their pension funds.

A similar referendum was held in Switzerland in 2018, with Swiss voters deciding to adopt a series of measures safeguarding domestic companies contributing to the pension system of the country, bolstered largely by gambling proceedings.

Grant Mahon

Grant is the self-professed casino madman and reporter that brought this eclectic team of dedicated and talented writers together from around the world to proudly build an humble empire of authentic casino news.

UKGC Cautions Operators about NDAs and License Compliance

Posted on by George Hansen
  • The UKGC cautions that NDAs don’t rule out reporting issues pertaining to licensing
  • Operators shouldn’t bar customers from revealing information that can identify issues with licensing
  • People who suffer from gaming addiction should be able to impart information with health specialists
  • A failure to self-report an issue by an operator would be considered an aggravating factor in ensuing legislation

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) continues to work on improving the overall gaming climate in the country. Recently, the UKGC cautioned that negotiating NDAs mustn’t prevent customers from reporting license violations.

UKGC Reminds That License Obligations Take Precedence over NDAs

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) reminded that settlements between customers and operators shouldn’t come at the expense of reporting license violations, strong-arming participants with non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

In a similar vein, the UKGC believes that even if an NDA presupposes that a customer shouldn’t disclose certain information, the Commission still believes that customers who suspect license violations must be able to report any breaches of the Gambling Act.

Jeremy Wright Mulls Credit Card Ban for Gambling Use

The UKGC also cited another problem with NDAs whereby individuals who are known gambling addicts might be forced to withhold essential information for their treatment.

Here’s how the official statement of the Commission read: “Some of these agreements may have had the effect of preventing those consumers from reporting regulatory concerns to us, by either excluding disclosure to any third party or, in some cases, explicitly preventing customers from contacting the Gambling Commission.”

The Commission listed several scenarios in which NDAs could be disruptive, including:

  • Preventing regulators oр law enforcement agencies to conduct investigations
  • Limiting the UKGC’s ability to identify breaches in the license conditions
  • Stopping customers from making complaints to the Commission
  • Limiting the scope of gambling treatment for vulnerable individuals

Understandably, the UKGC is aware of the business value of such NDAs, but they should never impede, prevent or deter a person from reporting a pertinent issue to the regulatory body. The Commission was very specific in the do’s and don’ts:

If a customer in the course of negotiating a settlement agreement states that they intend to report a matter to the Commission, we expect licensees will normally be able to inform the customer that they have already self-reported an incident.

The Commission also explained that it was up to the operators to self-report the incident. A failure to do so would be considered an aggravating factor in any ensuing regulatory action pursued by the Commission.

UKGC’s Continuous Efforts to Curb Harm

Given the steady number of people addicted to gambling, the UK has been transforming its offer significantly via a number of social responsibility and regulatory measures. In light of the growing regulatory climate, operators announced that they would introduce a voluntary water-shed ban on all live sports betting contests.

The UKGC and the Government negotiated a reduction of the FOBTs rates that will come into effect in April, with bookmakers in Ireland taking their cue and opting to comply before a law is even passed.

Meanwhile, the gaming revenue is going to go up to 21%, an on-the-border tax that some businesses fear could render their operations non-profitable.

George Hansen

Taking a liking to the occasional bout of slots, George used to moonlight as a roulette dealer, giving him a unique perspective into the casino world. From there he continued his journalist education and has been with us ever since a star-aligned graduation brought him and our team together.

New York Gaming Commission to Meet on January 28

Posted on by Aran Malik
  • New York Gaming Commission to meet on Monday, January 28
  • Senator Addabbo and Ansemblyman Gary Pretlow firmly support legalizing sports betting in the state

New York is closer to sports betting than ever before. The Empire State’s Gaming Commission is going to hold a meeting on Monday, January 28, in which it will discuss the possibility of legalizing the segment throughout the state.

Is Sports Betting in New York a Possibility

New York has been one of the states looking to introduce sports betting, with the market already ripe for the offer. However, there has been somewhat cumbersome opposition, with bills failing either because of lack of support or too strong opposition, or just no interested lawmaker in sight.

Now, this is about to change, as the New York State Gaming Commission is about to convene on Monday, January 28, and discuss the future opportunities for the state and its would-be industry.

The state’s trepidation is quite understandable as in 2013, New York fought and won a case whereby the state is eligible to introduce sports betting legally, should the federal ban on the activity is repealed. Put simply, New York made it possible to expand commercial casino gambling.

In May 2018, PASPA was defeated by the State of New Jersey, opening the gates ahead of a vibrant market and ample business opportunity. Even that decision, however, some people in New York have come to think, has been too restrictive.

Brushing Up the Existing Legislation

For example, as per the current laws, individuals can only place wagers within the physical premises of a casino, something that many find restrictive. The gathering momentum in favor of a more liberal sports betting industry is palpable.

Lawmakers, including Senator Joseph Addabbo, have seen sports betting as a lucrative and important segment, with the Senator’s commitment having been well-documented.

New York Will Try Again for Poker Legislation

Sen. Addabbo filed a bill at the beginning of January in a bid to push multiple activities in the legal sweet spot, including online poker, online gaming, and understandably – sports betting.

Based on his draft, sports betting activities will be taxed with 8.5%, which is a rather accommodating rate for any new business to kick start their activities. Another interesting involvement has been by Gary Pretlow, member of the NY Assembly, who’s also been looking for new opportunities to advance the state’s gaming industry.

In related news, Madison Square Garden (MSG) might be the first venue to push across the board, adding new segments and betting opportunities, including online, should the industry be legalized in full. While the exact details of the sports betting future in New York are not entirely known, there’s at least some proof to suggest that integrity fees won’t be part of the offer, sources suggest.

Aran Malik

“Magic Malik”—as we like to call him—is not only a tech whiz but a wizard when it comes to getting obscure news hot off the press so we know exactly what’s happening and can explore and report it back to our growing and loyal readerbase.

Virginia’s Sports Betting Bill Gets Senate Approval

Posted on by Aran Malik
  • Sen. Louise Lucas’ bill gets Senate Committee approval
  • Casinos to pay 10% tax on gross revenue
  • More tax will be paid to the State Local Casino Gaming Proceeds Fund to be established at a later point
  • Casinos will have to pass a city-wide referendum before they can open in their chosen locations

Virginia is gearing up for sports betting. The Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology has passed a sports betting bill introduced by Democrat Sen. Louise Lucas. This is a continuation of the efforts that were announced in December.

Senator Louise Lucas’s Bill Gets the Go-Ahead

Democrat Sen. Louise Lucas proposed a plan for the legalization of the sports betting industry in Virginia, which has got approved by the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology.

This is big, and it enables Virginia to start edging closer to the ultimate goal, which is to introduce its own sports betting facilities across the state. There’re a few wrinkles to settle first, though. From Connecticut, to Kansas, to Kentucky, states have been on the move, pushing ahead with their own efforts to see their industries through – and now Virginia is all good to go, well – almost.

According to SB1126 (a bill unifying two previous bills, i.e. SB1503 and SB1706) legalizing the industry would be used as a way to curb unemployment and bolster the state’s coffers. The document states that in order to qualify, a city will need to meet a mix of social & economic criteria:

  • Unemployment rate of 4%
  • Poverty rate of 20%
  • Population decline of 7% between 1990-2016

The bill is also pre-emptively targeting the issue of tribal gaming, allowing tribes to operate in any city with population of 200,000 or above. The cities will also have to have already exempted 24% of all real estate from the local property tax.

All Games Coming to Virginia’s New Regulatory Climate

The bill offers details about the industry in full. Spanning 22 pages, all games will be part of the gaming climate, including slots, table games, and most importantly – sports betting. However, the measure to introduce casino will not rest solely with lawmakers.

A city-wide referendum would have to be held before a casino can open. Once a property has been set up, it will have to pay 10% tax on its Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR). The revenue will the be divvied up by several state funds, including:

  • State General Fund – the reminder of non-allocated funds
  • Virginia Public School Construction Grants Program and Fund – 50%
  • Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund – 1%
  • State Local Casino Gaming Proceeds Fund – to come later

The last hurdle ahead of the bill is to clear the Senate Finance Committee. Given the solid support among lawmakers, SB1126 is on its way to completely change the game for gaming in Virginia.

All things considered, Virginia is truly surging towards good times for its betting industry, which is only now spreading its wings.

Aran Malik

“Magic Malik”—as we like to call him—is not only a tech whiz but a wizard when it comes to getting obscure news hot off the press so we know exactly what’s happening and can explore and report it back to our growing and loyal readerbase.

Alberta Plans to Launch Online Gaming in the State in 2020

Posted on by George Hansen
  • Alberta’s Gaming & Liquor Commission looks to launch online gambling
  • Discreet call for proposal has been made
  • Estimated CAD$385m are lost to third-parties outside the country

Alberta’s Gaming Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) has begun looking for companies to create a reliable online gambling system that can be used state-wide.

Alberta Is Looking into Online Gaming Expansion

Canada isn’t exactly lax when it comes to gambling regulations. The country has long established a monopoly on the market through the use of individual state watch dogs.

In light of the expanding sports betting and gaming operations down south, some of that seems to have rubbed off the Canadian province of Alberta. It’s hardly all good news for Canada when it comes to the U.S. opting out of the federal ban known as PASPA.

The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) is actively looking into ways to find reliable suppliers that will be able to discreetly develop a new online gaming system to go wide state-wide.

Under the request for proposals, the AGLC has already been enjoying significant interest from established companies, which are still not announced to the public.

Why the Sudden Change?

Canadians have a proclivity for gambling which has often been quenched at offshore sportsbooks and gaming operators.

With the industry growing and the AGLC estimating as much as CAD$385 million going to unregulated markets, the watchdog sees reason in bringing the market closer to home.

Instead of focusing on land-based infrastructure, which would be difficult to outpace the offshore gaming industry, the regulator wants to push ahead with plans to directly introduce online gaming on the territory of the state.

Despite years of mulling over the issue, this has been the first marked step towards legalizing the industry in full, as reported by CBC Canada. Interviewing the AGLC representative Chara Goodings, CBC has fleshed out some of the details around Alberta’s burgeoning iGaming industry.

The report published in CBC also cites Canadian Gaming Association representative Paul Burns who reaffirmed Ms. Goodings position of revenue potentially slipping away from the country:

Offerings coming from licences through provincial gaming corporations are the clearly legal route in Canada. Where the grey area has come in Canada law is the offshore sites.

Alberta is not new to gaming entirely. GameHost, a popular supplier of land-based gaming slots & table games, is also located in the state, giving a unique opportunity to seek a potential expansion of its activities in light of the new legislation.

The company to take over online iGaming in Alberta will be chosen by this summer and the official launch will come in 2020.

George Hansen

Taking a liking to the occasional bout of slots, George used to moonlight as a roulette dealer, giving him a unique perspective into the casino world. From there he continued his journalist education and has been with us ever since a star-aligned graduation brought him and our team together.

Massachusetts Receives Two New Sports Betting Bills

Posted on by Aran Malik
  • Massachusetts adds 2 more sports betting bills
  • Governor Charlie Baker’s plan seems the most detailed
  • There are at least five bills up for debate in Massachusetts by now

Massachusetts is on the offensive with plans to legalize sports betting. Additional two bills were disclosed just hours ago, bringing the total number of proposed drafts to at least five.

Baker and Rush Join the Massachusetts’ Sports Betting Show

There’s been a lot of endorsement for sports betting across the United States. In places, such as Kentucky, Michigan, and New York, lawmakers and local power brokers have been deliberating the introduction of their own sports betting bill.

All of this in the face of a looming Department of Justice (DoJ) ban on the federal level.

New York has had a string of draft bills which ended up floundering in the end. It all happened in a rapid succession, although Senator Joe Addabbo is now pushing with renewed efforts in the Empire State.

Rosenstein Announces DoJ Opinion Will Take Effect

Meanwhile, Massachusetts’ own lawmakers have not been sitting idly. Governor Charlie Baker and Senator Michael Rush now have the spotlight, having introduced two separate bills.

A Look at the New Legislation

Baker’s bill seems to be ambitious enough, proposing a liberalized market, which will see retail and online sports betting open doors in the state. According to Baker’s proposal, operators would need to set up independent sportsbooks and not lump their activities together with existing casinos.

Licensing would again be left up with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Baker suggests. The tax rates would be quite accommodating, although they would vary based on the type of certification operators are applying for, i.e. online or offline:

  • 10% on gross betting revenue for land-based venues
  • 12.5% on GBR for online operators
  • A application fee of $100,000 will need to be paid along with $500,000 for procuring a license

Baker has also provided estimates for the development of the market upon successful passing of the bill. According to the bill, the state will generate $35 million in revenue for the 2020 fiscal year.

Rushing for Royalty Fees Again

Senator Rush is meanwhile revisiting a familiar concept in his SD.1110 bill. Rush wants sportsbooks to pay royalty fees to domestic sports leagues, a move that has been dismissed by the American Gaming Association (AGA), observers, journalists, and businesses.
Even the sports bodies themselves decided not to press the issue, faced with impenetrable opposition.

Rush’s bill is also quite skeletal although seemingly favourable. An application fee of $100,00 is the only sum that sportsbooks would need to pay to the state, on top of $10,000 every year for renewing their license.

However, Rush’s bill fails to specify anything regarding tax and what properties would be given a chance to run these activities, i.e. casinos vs. dedicated sportsbooks. Meanwhile, there are three more bills up for discussion:

  • Senator Brendan Crighton’s SD 903
  • Senator James Welch’s SD 882
  • Senator Bruce Tarr’s SD 908

    • Sen. Crighton’s bill comes close to Baker’s own plans. As to Se. Tarr, he intends to not legalize the industry so much as to set up a commission which can examine the industry. Meanwhile, Sen. Welch’s entertain the idea of legalize sports betting in the state, but offers little details.

Aran Malik

“Magic Malik”—as we like to call him—is not only a tech whiz but a wizard when it comes to getting obscure news hot off the press so we know exactly what’s happening and can explore and report it back to our growing and loyal readerbase.

Rosenstein Announces DoJ Opinion Will Take Effect

Posted on by Sophia Rojas
  • US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein signs the enforcement of DoJ’s latest Wire Act Opinion
  • Businesses and states have 90 days to cope with the measures
  • Online gambling may suffer as a direct result

The newly-struck Department of Justice (DoJ) Opinion might prove too disruptive, especially now that it has been officially set to take effect.

DoJ Reinterprets Previous Wire Act Decision

Republican-heavy, the Department of Justice (DoJ) is now (what seems like) officially reversing the December 23, 2011 ruling of the Wire Act. According to US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, DoJ should start applying the Opinion laws after an intial 90-day period has expired:

Department of Justice attorneys should adhere to OLC’s interpretation, which represents the Department’s position on the meaning of the Wire Act.

The document, signed by Mr. Rosenstein on January 15, states that “as an exercise of discretion, Department of Justice attorneys should refrain from applying Section 1084(a) in criminal or civil actions to persons who engaged in conduct violating the Wire Act in reliance on the 2011 OLC opinion prior to the date of this memorandum, and for 90 days thereafter.”

Legal Changes That Bite Deep

The changes to the Wire Act interpretation is set to have repercussions for all cross-state businesses. Legal online gambling is in fact the main prey of the new legislation, which has proven rather too restrictive in nature some fear.

In essence, the previous interpretation of the Wire Act allowed lotteries and online casinos to run their businesses with relative freedom, although local challenges have been many. However, the new Opinion published by the DoJ will effectively reset all progress that has been made, effectively equating all forms of gaming to sports betting, and therefore “banning” those activities under the Wire Act.

Mike Kowall Confident about Online Gambling in Michigan

The developments are counterproductive on all levels, but the question remains – can this Opinion really undo the progress achieved on state level?

While the DoJ opinion doesn’t explicitly say anything against state-level legislation, the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) has clarified in the opinion itself that:

While the possibility of judicial review cannot sub-stitute for the Department’s independent obligation to interpret and faith-fully execute the law, that possibility does provide a one-way check on the correctness of today’s opinion, which weighs in favor of our change in position.

Put simply, federal courts cannot contest the measure on a federal level, although litigation is almost bound to happen if DoJ goes after shared-liquidity schemes. Inter-state gaming is also dependent on data routing, which can be targeted by the latest interpretation of the Wire Act.

The Possible Fallout

The Wire Act reversal seems to be the culmination of casino mogul Sheldon Adelson’s efforts, as the Washington Post has stated. Mr. Adelson has fought long and hard to limit the scope of online gaming, backed by various political entities and lawmakers.

Adelson’s desire to narrow down the reach of the industry has been superhuman, but the fact remains that too many states have now found the public & political support to fight back.

Sophia Rojas

Growing up around law firms, Sophia keeps our team of reporters atop any legislative developments to follow up with a welcomed dose of positive news as our house trivia nut!

Mike Kowall Confident about Online Gambling in Michigan

Posted on by Sophia Rojas
  • Former Michigan Senator Mike Kowall says Rick Snyder’s roadblock not an issue
  • Michigan will see online gambling legalized thanks to a broad bipartisan coalition
  • Legalizing the industry will benefit the state financially and help with customer protection, Kowall estimates

In a recent opinion piece published at Detroit News, former Michigan Senator Mike Kowall expresses his firm believe that online gambling is coming to the state, despite opposition from lawmakers.

Michigan and Its Legal Fight for Legal Online Gambling

Former Michigan Senator Mike Kowall has been one of the staunchest proponents of sports betting and online gaming. He has been one of the public figures to openly state that gambling will one day be available in Michigan, come what may. His most recent op-piece in the Detroit News is affirmation of that key tenet.

Michigan saw a bill passed by its legislative body at the end of 2018, with the outgoing Senator Rick Snyder vetoing the measure, citing the rushed process as the main reason and explaining that more time would be needed to fully explore and study the text of the bill.

Michigan Governor to Sign and Legalize Poker, Gambling

In particular, Snyder refused to sign a number of documents that were intended at giving the online gambling industry a flying start, including House Bills 4927, 4927, and 4928. All of these documents were cleared by both the Michigan House and Senate with a good majority at the very end of 2018, giving everyone reason to hope that the state will indeed see poker and casino games arrive online before the year was out.

While both parties were disappointed by last week’s veto of the online gaming bill, in the coming year my colleagues that are still serving look forward to working with Whitmer to push it over the finish line once and for all.

The senator’s decision has been upsetting, but according to Kowall, it would not affect the long-term prospects of online gambling in Michigan in the slightest. He cited the broad coalition of Democrats and Republicans now working on the legalization of the industry, explaining that Snyder’s decision was a mistake.

One of the main reasons is the bipartisan support that the bill has received by both Republicans and Democrats. Kowall also expressed his conviction that a legalized industry can only benefit the state financially:

It will become an economic blessing, not a liability, for the city of Detroit, if only the incoming governor gives it a chance to succeed.

Kowall has also spoke about the level of consumer protection that can be achieved should the bill is given a shot. Presently, Michigan gamers go to unregulated offshore websites that have a reputation for notorious frauds. By introducing the industry to the state and tasking credible and accountable casinos and bookmakers with running the operations, Kowall believes that a better consumer protection can be achieve.

He also explained that the veto was disappointing to members of both parties who have put their differences aside to see the legislation through.

Sophia Rojas

Growing up around law firms, Sophia keeps our team of reporters atop any legislative developments to follow up with a welcomed dose of positive news as our house trivia nut!

New York Will Try Again for Poker Legislation

Posted on by Grant Mahon

New York may be looking at a future in which online poker is legalized. Having found a new backer for its cause, the state will now rely on Senator Joseph Addabbo to drive a stake through the heart of the opposition.

New York Takes a Step Closer to Legalized Online Poke

Senator Joseph Addabbo is the new face of hope for online poker in New York. The senator has introduced a new bill by the name of S.00018, a document outlining the future of the legalized industry. In the document, the senator has laid bare multiply provisions that address specific points:

  • Taxation & license application
  • Treatment of the so-called “bad actors” and their affiliates
  • Available licenses

One particular advantage of the S.00018 is that it cites the case of the United States v. DiCristina, which looks into violations of the Illegal Gambling Business Act (IGBA), clearing the defendant of any fault.

In other words, DiCristina’s case establishes the credibility of poker as a “game of skill”, which is exactly what Senate Bill 18 is stating. As a result, Senator Addabbo is going to save himself the trouble of arguing about the nature of the game.

The focus will remain on establishing the legal groundwork so that customers are protected, which is a topic that seems to be easier to garner support for.

Not Everyone Is a Winner

Even though the bill is good news, not everyone is likely to be a winner. The text of the bill specifies that parties that have been complicit with offering online poker services to New York citizens in the past may be classified as “bad actors“. The same applies to any party that has facilitated the activities of these so-called “bad actors”.

Put simply, a bad actor is a card room that has been offering services without proper licensing. The result could be a ban on these brands once (and if) licenses become available.

The Specifics of Online Poke in New York

The bill seems to have been well-written covering all potential questions that may arise from the idea of legalizing online poker. Apart from citing evidence that poker is indeed a game of skill, the bill gives the specifics of the industry itself:

  • Each individual license will cost $10 million
  • Only 11 licenses in total will be available
  • All operators will be taxed at 15% of their gross gaming revenue
  • The first two months of taxation will be included in the license fee

As outlined by the bill, the industry seems to be favourable to consumers and businesses both. However, Mr. Addabbo is facing a tough passage not in the Senate, but in the Assembly.

The Assembly has been the major pitfall sponsors have so far been unable to overcome. In 2018, Clyde Vanel and J. Gary Pretlow promised to back a bill, which foundered, because Mr. Pretlow decided not to seek the votes necessary for the bill to clear.

Grant Mahon

Grant is the self-professed casino madman and reporter that brought this eclectic team of dedicated and talented writers together from around the world to proudly build an humble empire of authentic casino news.

China Clamps Down on Misleading Gambling Websites

Posted on by Sophia Rojas
  • Chinese authorities look into online websites providing misleading and harmful information
  • Certain news agencies have been sanctioned over “vulgar” content
  • In 2018, multiple companies, including Playtech and Tencent were affected by crackdowns on gambling products

China continues to monitor the Internet, with the country’s security departments now going after illegal gambling with renewed strength. What is the latest round of measures targeting specifically?

China Goes After Harmful Gambling Advertisement

China is going back after illegal gambling, this time targeting specific misleading sources of information, incentivizing individuals to gamble by providing misleading advertisement and more. Officially, China is looking to clamp down on “harmful” websites related to online gambling.

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has announced that the next six months will be specifically dedicated to unearthing such sources of harmful information and closing them down, with Beijing’s security services looking to apprehend and mete out punishments to individuals who have been running them.

Australian Gambling Ban Could Encompass Streaming

Beijing is also expanding its reach in dictating what Chinese citizen can see online and what’s better left outside their browsing sessions. Gambling is not the only “harmful” content on the list of the cyber police. Materials that involve fraud, violence, abuse, rumors, threats, and even superstition will also come under the regulatory control of the government.

The cyberspace has long been a sensitive topic for China with the CAC now looking to regulate individual websites and mobile apps and check whether they have been complying in full with the necessary round of regulations.

The police will expand its search for misleading information on online streaming platforms, messaging services, and even look into school students exchanging notes during classes. The intrusive nature of China’s authorities is technically the norm in the country.

Commemorating Tiananmen with Extension of the Police State

The six-month monitoring period expands well after the crushing of the Tiananmen protest’s 30th anniversary, when Chinese dissidents challenged the government over issues of personal freedoms. Needless to say, Chinese censors have been actively looking to uproot any mention of the so-called June 4th accident, which never occurred in Chinese living memory.

The clamp down on misleading information has been quite pronounced. Apart from hunting down websites incentivizing individuals to gamble and place sports wagers, China has just rocked two of its largest online internet agencies (and companies) Baidu and Sohu with bans on their news portals.

The temporary ban affected the news portals for a period of one week, with the government citing an inability to keep the websites free of vulgar content as the sole reason for the decision. China has been actively seeking to limit the gambling industry as well, although Macau has remained largely beyond the restrictive reach of the country.

Well-established companies, such as Tencent and Playtech have been affected by the government’s previous attempts to narrow the scope of the industry. In the case of Tencent, the company was ordered to phase out some of its most lucrative video poker games, biting seriously into the revenues of the company.

Nevertheless, Tencent kept silent on the matter, saying that the company was re-ordering its portfolio and priorities.

Sophia Rojas

Growing up around law firms, Sophia keeps our team of reporters atop any legislative developments to follow up with a welcomed dose of positive news as our house trivia nut!

Romania Introduces 2% Tax on Gross Gambling Revenue for 2019

Posted on by George Hansen
  • Romanian government adds 2% to the gambling tax in the country
  • The tax will have operators pay retroactively for 2018 in one lump-sum payment
  • This is not the first time Romanian lawmakers have hit the industry with hefty taxes
  • 888 could reportedly be withdrawing from the market

Romania has introduced a new tax on gambling turnover, adding more strain on operators to cope with expenses.

Romania’s New Gambling Tax Bites into Profits

Romania has introduced a new 2% tax on gambling revenue, which will directly impact the profits of operators in the country. The measure was voted and pushed along ahead of the Christmas holidays, with the government having long been warning for a new uptick in the tax levels related to gambling.

The government has introduced a number of other taxes affecting other industries as well, such as telecommunication services and the banking sectors. All changes are now in effect as of January 1, 2019. The 2% tax imposed on gambling operator is an auspicious development given the initial plans of the government, which wanted to introduce a much more restrictive and potentially industry-disruptive measure.

Originally, Romanian lawmakers planned 5% turnover tax on all online properties and mere 3% on any land-based casinos. On top of that, all operators already have to pay 16% on their gross gambling revenue. The new 2% hike will be lumped together with the existing rate, leading to 18% tax levy on gambling operations.

Sportsbetting Continues American Expansion

This is not too high, given that gambling tax in the United Kingdom and Italy is going up year in and year out. However, the Romanian government wants to bank quickly on the changes and is going to apply the tax retroactively, meaning that financial performance in 2018 will be levied with the new +2% rate.

All operators have time until February 25 to honor all payments. The money will have to be paid as a single instalment to the budget. It has been the custom of lawmakers to buffet the gambling industry in the country with restrictive measures, using the fact that the sector is not loved by the public.

A Brief History of Gambling Taxes

In 2015, the government made a staggering decision whereby any future licensed companies would need to pay back taxes equal to 20% of the generated revenue from Romanian government between 2015 and 2009 – a decision that has fallen through since due to inability for any of the active operators to furnish such an amount.

As to the active operators and brands on the Romanian market today, the 22 players feel the mounting pressure that bites not only into their profits, but the viability of their business. Recently, 888 poker cancelled a tournament initially scheduled for March, 2019 and issued a statement that despite the scale-down, the company was not planning to withdraw from the Romanian market.

However, 888 is not planning on starting any marketing campaigns any time soon in Romania, which can be interpreted as a clear sign of the company’s hesitation to operate in the market.

Meanwhile, neighboring Bulgaria’s economic growth has been marked with the iGaming market expanding accordingly. Bulgaria also serves as headquarters for a number of software makers and casino brands and already has seen important players enter the country, such as NetEnt and BetGames.

George Hansen

Taking a liking to the occasional bout of slots, George used to moonlight as a roulette dealer, giving him a unique perspective into the casino world. From there he continued his journalist education and has been with us ever since a star-aligned graduation brought him and our team together.

Michigan Governor to Sign and Legalize Poker, Gambling

Posted on by Kat Orlov
  • Michigan awaits the approval of Governor Rick Snyder to sign House Bill 4926 into law
  • The state will see 8% tax on the gross gaming revenue
  • Operators will pay $200,000 for five-year license
  • Michigan is most likely going to pool its prize pools with the four other states where gambling is legal

Michigan lawmakers have agreed to push ahead with the legalization of online gambling in the state. House Bill 4926 managed to clear the House after it had been amended by the Senate one last time, clearing the floor in the small hours of the morning.

Michigan Clears House Bill 4926, Online Gambling Follows

Earlier in December, Michigan saw House Bill 4926 dropped in the Senate for the first time, spearheaded by Brandt Iden, and championed by Senator Mike Kowall whose stint is nearly over. Not many people expected that the Senate would actually get to the point where they were ready to act. Even less so, nobody thought that the House would actually pass a quick vote before 2019. But they did, defying all expectations.

DOJ Could Consider Flip-Flopping on Its 2011 Decision

And now that the Senate and the House of Representatives of Michigan have both cleared the bill, all that is necessary is for Governor Rick Snyder to step up and put his signature on the document. When he does, Michigan will be joining four other states in offering poker, sports betting, and casino games online:

  • New Jersey
  • Nevada
  • Delaware
  • Pennsylvania

The House managed to pass the bill with 71 votes backing the document and 35 opposing it. With what could be called an overwhelming support, Michigan’s Gaming Board will now be tasked with exercising control over the future operators as well as settling the legal side of things.

Following the previous successes in June, 2018, this is the most significant success for the iGaming industry in Michigan.

Licensing and Distributing the Tax Money

Licenses will cost $200,000 and be issued for a five-period, with a renewal fee at the due date of $100,000. After that period, $100,000 will apply for each subsequent year. Any interested operator can apply for a variety of options, including:

  • Casino
  • Poker rooms
  • Sports betting

With an overall tax of 8% of the gaming revenue, whatever the specific activity of the operator, Michigan will apply additionally 1.25% on commercial casinos. The extra tax is described as a “municipal fee” which will go directly to the city that is hosting the casino.

As to the tax money itself, it will go to various recipients from the state:

  • Michigan itself will get 55% for its Internet Gaming Fund
  • The Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund will get $1 million in the very least
  • The Pension and School Funds will get 5% of the gross revenue in funding money
  • 30% will go directly to improve the urban environment in the cities hosting casinos

The bill has been long debated but now it has passed, it would help Michigan join the four states already having passed such legislation. There will be a 15-month grace period during which tribal operators and commercial casinos will have to procure their licenses and prepare for a synchronized launch.

The synchronized launch will allow all operators to step into the industry with equal chances of success, rather than the state allowing individual operators to go ahead and effectively stifling competition before the activity had begun.

Kat Orlov

Newcomer Kat is our newcomer poker aficionado whos skill not only lives on the table but flourishes on the site as through her many sources she never fails to be the first to hear of any important or exciting poker news around the world.

DOJ Could Consider Flip-Flopping on Its 2011 Decision

Posted on by Grant Mahon

The Department of Justice (DOJ) could cancel a former decision it made back in 2011, regarding the remit of the Wire Act of 1961. According to the then Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), the Wire Act applied only to sports betting. However, this may not be the case if reports turn out to be true, with the OLC making a complete about-face on their former decision.

The Significance of 2011’s DOJ Wire Act Decision

Petitioned in 2009 by the states of Illinois and New York, the Department of Justice (DOJ) spent 3 years mulling the nature of the Wire Act of 1961, which the plaintiffs said, affected only sports betting. Three years after the states had filed their petition, the DOJ’s Office of Legal Council (OLC) reached a final decision in December, 2011.

The Wire Act, OLC’s opinion stated, doesn’t apply to other form of online gambling, including, but not limited to:

  • Poker
  • Card rooms
  • Lotteries

From the standpoint of Illinois and New York, that was the decision that the pair had hoped for, starting to develop their lotteries both in land-based venues, but also expanding online and across states.

Poker also benefited, albeit timidly. From 2011 through 2013, different legislations passed, making the game legal in several states, most notably:

  • New Jersey
  • Nevada
  • Delaware

These states were the pioneers of legalized poker. And it may all be coming to an end now, as reports have surfaced that The DOJ’s 2011 decision could be cancelled.

The Wire Act interpretation has been called “bizarre” by Senator Lindsey Graham, a close friend to casino mogul, Sheldon Adelson, who has been a sworn opponent of the online industry, seeing it as a strong competitor to his own casino business.

What Does a Cancellation of the OLC’s Opinion Mean for Online Poker?

There are certainly sufficient reasons for concern when it comes to pivotal changes in legislation. In the short term, there is little evidence to suggest that the industry will be disrupted. State laws in Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania are iron-clad and they would hardly suffer interference from the federal government.

Orrin Hatch and Chuck Schumer Deliver the Integrity Act

Lotteries are in immediate danger, experts opine, as they are based on systems that are intertwined and inherently dependent on one another. Should the state consider canceling the endorsement of online gambling products, the grid may start going off in individual states, sending ripples across the entire network.

Another danger is that if the legalization of online poker is targeted, along with that of online casinos, then the offshore industry will again re-double its efforts in pursuit of more ground from the United States, which is bad for customer protection.

Will the Opinion Pass?

While respected sources have confirmed that an opinion has bene drafted and prepared, there’s no evidence yet to suggest that it will be delivered before Christmas or at all. While the legislation would certainly be disruptive, its short-term implications are not entirely clear.

One thing is for certain, though. With the offense on sports betting from senators Hatch and Schumer, and the now reportedly renewed efforts to curb the expansion of the online gambling industry, the challenges ahead businesses are substantial.

No short-term implications may indeed follow, but investors, card rooms and iGaming companies will have to tread carefully.

Grant Mahon

Grant is the self-professed casino madman and reporter that brought this eclectic team of dedicated and talented writers together from around the world to proudly build an humble empire of authentic casino news.

Orrin Hatch and Chuck Schumer Deliver the Integrity Act

Posted on by Sophia Rojas

Senators Orrin Hatch for the GOP and Chuck Schumer for the Democrats have dropped a bi-partisan sports betting integrity bill, looking to establish common minimum standards for the entire industry.

The Hatch-Schumer Integrity Bill for Sports Betting

After the repeal of PASPA, talks have begun for the legalization of sports betting en masse. Since then, a number of states have adopted the activity, with others working to pass their own pieces of legislation. Most recently, the District of Columbia has advanced a bill to help sports betting establish a foothold in Washington, D.C. The states to have passed sports betting successfully and to be operating their shops or anticipating inaugural day are:

  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • Delaware
  • West Virginia
  • Mississippi
  • Pennsylvania

The Sports Wagering Market Integrity Act of 2018 co-authored by Senators Orrin Hatch and Chuck Schumer will seek to make the first step towards ensuring that sports betting is held to the highest integrity standards.

In Mr. Hatch’s own words, as a result of the discussions he had with sporting bodies and Senate colleagues, including Mr. Schumer, he has been able to introduce a comprehensive bill addressing complex issues while defending the interests of stakeholders.

Congressional Hearing on Sports Betting Held

The new bill introduces a number of provisions that have been designed to establish a national legislation that will oversee sports betting in certain aspects. Based on the provisions of the document, though, these are not intended to stifle competition or bring states & businesses under the thumb of the federal government.

Rather, they are well-intended measures to avoid certain complications that may arise as a direct consequence of the industry, particularly targeting illegal activities:

  • Update existing casino anti-money laundering laws to include sports wagering operators;
  • Provide a process whereby states may compact with each other to permits interstate sports wagering;
  • Establish recordkeeping and suspicious transaction reporting requirements;

The measures will equally focus on protecting customers from coming in the way of gambling harm, with provisions that address the problem directly:

  • Establish a national self-exclusion list;
  • Prohibit sports wagering by individuals younger than 21; athletes, coaches, officials, and others associated with sports organizations;
  • Put in place a variety of consumer protections, including disclosure, advertising, and reserve requirements;

All of the bill’s provisions strike as well-thought-out, but the snag is that Mr. Hatch, the GOP’s champion is retiring, with Mr. Schumer from the Democratic Party remaining stuck in a Senate filled with Republicans.

Sporting Bodies Approve of the Bill

Sporting bodies have long used to talk about integrity fees as a way to safeguard customers and heighten social responsibility. They have since desisted, as the proposed notion of these fees was too vague to merit further consideration.

Without continued federal guidance and oversight, we are very concerned that sports leagues and state governments alone will not be able to fully protect the integrity of sporting contests and guard against the harms Congress has long recognized as being associated with sports betting. -NFL VP Jocelyn Moore

However, on the occasion of having a centralized oversight on sports betting, many leagues have pitched in, supporting the idea. NFL VP Jocelyn Moore said that the protection of customers was paramount and having a bill guaranteeing that was essential to staving off fraud and harm.

The Major League Baseball (MLB) also released a statement expressing their support of the proposed changes. However, against the likes of a belligerent Congress and the American Gaming Association (AGA) which has described centralized oversight of the industry as a complete “non-starter”, chances for the odds passing of the bill are slim indeed.

Sophia Rojas

Growing up around law firms, Sophia keeps our team of reporters atop any legislative developments to follow up with a welcomed dose of positive news as our house trivia nut!

Sky’s CEO Stephen van Rooyen Says TV Ads Ban Not Enough

Posted on by Kat Orlov

Sky is increasingly shaping itself up as a champion of consumer protection and anti-gambling harm champion. The company’s CEO, Stephen van Rooyen, has now said that the whistle-to-whistle ban will need to be backed by serious action from industry experts to succeed in achieving its intended goal.

Sky’s Charm Offensive

New measures are being implemented every day to help curb the number of problem gamblers on the territory on the United Kingdom, and while some remain sceptical about the effects of the proposed changes in the advertisement policy, Sky CEO Stephen van Rooyen seems determined to seek a final solution, beyond what he thinks is an ill-considered palliative.

According to Mr. van Rooyen, a whistle-to-whistle ban would not be sufficient in itself to brush up on consumer protection stands. Rather, operators will re-focus their efforts online where they can reach out to even greater audiences.

Mr. van Rooyen is de facto one of the sceptics who perceives this move as an exercise in futility. Even though the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) and its members have been championing the measure as a proof of an improving industry, the Sky’s top man is not convinced.

TV advertisement is a dying sector with bookmakers and iGaming companies scurrying off online where they can take refuge while the industry’s coming to a slow halt. According to Regulus Partners, TV advertisement accounts for only 15% of all gambling-related ads. In other words, the industry’s leaders have adapted quickly.

It’s true that limiting ads during air time would have its effects. People would be less likely to tempt themselves into placing a wager and of course – business will lose revenue, but ultimately – the levels of betting will bounce back if not strengthened by reaching new customers, courtesy of well-spread online advertisement.

If the RGA and gambling companies are serious about protecting vulnerable gamblers, then they should start by looking at where they spend the most money, what has the least level of regulation and where there is most evidence of harm: the online world. – Sky CEO Stephen van Rooyen

Mr. van Rooyen was specific in the course of action that should be pursued moving forward, explaining that instead of addressing a sector that is clearly not the main focus of the industry any more was belated and probably not really necessary.

He also explained that the focus must shift online and the government must seek to ensure that all activities are levied with the proper tax, and thus avoid depriving the state from its just share of the revenue, which can be reinvested in social causes.

Sky has already said that it would limit the gambling-related content advertisement to one slot per commercial break. Meanwhile, the online segment remains testy, as it’s regulated by the CAP Code, which basically means that advertisement can be launched before they are vetted & approved.

Underage gambling has been another serious issue in the country, with estimated 50,000 children suffering from a gambling-related problem of varying severity. The United Kingdom has a lot to do before it can guarantee the safety of all its customers, to mention nothing of those most vulnerable, and Mr. van Rooyen seems to know as much.

Kat Orlov

Newcomer Kat is our newcomer poker aficionado whos skill not only lives on the table but flourishes on the site as through her many sources she never fails to be the first to hear of any important or exciting poker news around the world.

Sportsbetting Continues American Expansion

Posted on by Grant Mahon

When it comes to sportsbetting expansion across America, things are moving quickly along. We’re seeing more and more states considering the option of legalizing sportsbetting, with Illinois and DC holding hearings on the topic – while a casino in New Mexico has just gone ahead and started taking wagers.

Gambling Hearings in Illinois and DC

At the House of Representatives in Illinois, lawmakers held a hearing on a potential gambling expansion which would include sportsbetting, online casino games and daily fantasy sports. Local casino operator expressed their support of expanding the gambling market within the state while representatives from sports leagues suggested that they should receive a portion of all wagers.

Some stakeholders expressed concerns that they would lose out on revenue due to increased competition. However, states like New Jersey and Delaware that have introduced online gambling have only seen revenue increase across the board, particularly in land-based gaming venues. This has resulted in more money being in paid in taxes and more jobs being created – both of which are huge benefits to the economy.

In the end, it seemed as though nothing will be done anytime soon. Even though the state Senate approved a bill in 2017, lawmakers haven’t done very much to move things forward. Now, even after this hearing, the fate of online gambling in Illinois is still unknown.

In DC, lawmakers came together to discuss amending the state’s gambling laws to include sportsbetting as a legalized activity. Things were certainly more positive here, as the Council has agreed to ensure that the law is approved before the end of the year. The only issue is deciding whether sportsbetting activities will be run by the DC Lottery or several different licensees.

New Mexico is Already Accepting Wagers

While some states are still humming and hawing over whether or not they should allow sportsbetting among their residents, New Mexico has simply powered on ahead. The Pueblo of Santa Ana tribe has started accepting wagers at the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel.

The venue has not mentioned any plans of launching online betting operations or allowing off-site wagers. Currently, punters can place their bets using four windows and two automated kiosks at the Santa Ana Star. There is one specific restriction, and that is the prohibition of betting on college teams.

This is an interesting one, as the move has been made without official state approval. Instead, the tribe has insisted that sportsbetting is included in the tribal-state gaming compact as a Class III gaming activity. So, any venues that want to launch sports betting in New Mexico will likely have to be tribal casinos and take a similar route. Other gaming companies will have to wait until the state’s lawmakers approve betting across New Mexico.

Grant Mahon

Grant is the self-professed casino madman and reporter that brought this eclectic team of dedicated and talented writers together from around the world to proudly build an humble empire of authentic casino news.