Recognized as a leading gaming and entertainment destination, Win-River Resort and Casino, offers a wide range of table games and slot machines. Bingo, poker, as well as amenities such as restaurants are also available for visitors of the hotel casino resort near Redding in California.

For years, the federally recognized tribe, the Redding Rancheria, has been trying to relocate the Win-River Casino to a new area. Earlier this week, those efforts marked a major step forward as Redding Rancheria secured an approval for the transfer of its property to a new location.

As announced by KRCR, the federally recognized tribe was granted approval by the Department of the Interior (DOI) for the relocation of the casino property to an area along Interstate 5.

The formal approval allows the Redding Rancheria to relocate the Win-River Casino to tribe-owned land with federal trust status. The historic approval allows the land to be used for gaming purposes. More importantly, the DOI’s decision puts an end to efforts that have been ongoing for nearly two decades.

Despite the green light from the DOI, the Redding Rancheria is yet to confirm when a groundbreaking may begin. This is because the project has previously faced opposition. It is unclear whether local organizations opposing the project may try to challenge the recent decision.

The historic approval from the DOI comes after an extensive review of the tribe’s proposed casino relocation plans. Experts with the agency conducted an analysis of the social, environmental, as well as economic impact of the casino that is expected to transfer to a location along Interstate 5.

The Tribe, Excited to Finally Secure Approval for the Casino Relocation

The Redding Rancheria thanked the DOI for its dedication and hard work that resulted in the approval of the relocation of the Win-River Casino. Moreover, the tribe wrote: “We also thank key congressional representatives, the State of California – especially the Governor’s Office and Assembly Member Ramos, Shasta County, the City of Shasta Lake, and the many tribal nations that have supported us along the way.”

Last but not least, the Redding Rancheria thanked all of its employees, members and communities that supported it throughout the extensive casino relocation process.

“We extend special gratitude to the DOI, its leadership and staff for its hard work, thorough analysis and ultimate approval of our casino relocation project,“

reads a statement released by the Redding Rancheria

Unless the tribe’s plan faces other pushbacks, it is expected to develop a 70,000-square-foot casino along with a hotel offering nearly 300 rooms. Additional amenities are expected to include restaurants, a conference and convention center, as well as shopping outlets.

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Swintt, the EGR award-winning software provider renowned for its classically-themed Premium releases and cutting-edge Select slots, has proudly announced its approval to operate in Ontario. This approval means Swintt’s complete portfolio of games will be accessible on AGCO-licensed platforms, bringing their innovative content to Canadian players for the very first time.

Swintt’s Expansion into Regulated Markets

Kicking off 2024 with ambitious plans to enter more regulated markets, Swintt’s portfolio is now certified in eleven countries, including Malta, Germany, and the Netherlands. However, this latest approval marks the company’s debut in North America, a significant milestone for the brand.

Ontarian players can now look forward to enjoying popular SwinttGames titles like the fan-favorite slot Aloha Spirit XtraLockTM, as well as exciting new games from Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt. This collaboration, resulting from Swintt’s acquisition of Elysium Studios earlier this year, has expanded Swintt’s lineup with immersive themes and state-of-the-art slot designs.

Upcoming Releases and High Hopes

The first game in the Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt lineup, Tipsy Charms, has already been well-received. With the Mesopotamian-themed adventure, Law of Gilgamesh, set to release on May 30th, Ontarian players have much to anticipate in the coming weeks.

As Swintt prepares for a promising second half of 2024 in Ontario, the team is enthusiastic about their first venture into the regulated Canadian market. The company is optimistic that this approval will further enhance its reputation as a leading global provider.

David Mann, Chief Executive Officer at Swintt, expressed his excitement: “Swintt is delighted to have received AGCO approval for its games in Ontario, and we’re very excited to now have the chance to take this new and dynamic market by storm. Being certified to launch in Ontario is definitely a huge step for the company that will enable us to showcase our brand to new audiences on the global stage.”

Swintt’s Journey and Vision

Established in 2019, Swintt has quickly gained a reputation for delivering localized in-house content and innovative third-party titles, currently certified for distribution in over nine major regulated markets worldwide. Swintt prides itself on offering a diverse portfolio that caters to a wide range of customers, balancing classically-themed Premium releases with modern Select slots.

In 2024, Swintt strengthened its proposition by acquiring Elysium Studios, adding a new and exclusive range of games to its expanding casino lineup. This move underscores Swintt’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the gaming industry.

As Swintt continues to grow and expand its market presence, the company remains dedicated to providing top-quality gaming experiences to players around the world. The future looks bright for Swintt as it embarks on this new chapter in Ontario, bringing its award-winning content to North American players for the first time.

Source:

“Swintt Games Approved for Release in Ontario”. Swintt. May 2024.

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In November, the Kenosha City Council in Wisconsin greenlighted a proposal of the Menominee Tribe and Hard Rock International which calls for the development of a new gaming and entertainment resort. The tabled project is planned to use some 60 acres of land, located on County Highway K, west of Interstate 94.

Now, the project continues to gain traction following a meeting of the Kenosha Common Council. The Council met on Wednesday this week and saw a majority of its members vote in favor of the project. With only six members voting against the project, a majority of 11 supported Hard Rock’s planned casino and entertainment resort.

This progress marked another important step toward the realization of the massive casino project that is estimated to have a price tag of nearly $400 million. Securing the approval of the Kenosha Common Council, the proposal will now seek another green light from the Kenosha County Board. The Board is expected to convene later this month, on January 16, and vote on the proposed project.

The Hard Rock Casino in Kenosha is expected to help create new workplaces, including jobs that will be available during the construction. The city itself would benefit from tax revenue, while the casino project is also expected to attract tourists, impacting positively local businesses.

Menominee Tribe Is Excited with the Progress of the Project

Gena Kakkak, chair of the Menominee Tribe, was excited about the recent approval the project secured, as announced in a report by Fox6. “We thank the City Council for its continued support for and confidence in the many positives that the Kenosha Hard Rock Casino will bring to the community,” she explained.

Additionally, Kakkak highlighted the efforts and support of Mayor John Antaramian for the proposal. Speaking about the benefits the new casino would bring, the Tribe’s chair said the project would create more than 1,000 new jobs and boost the local economy.

The price tag of the new project is estimated at $360 million. Besides the 1,000 permanent jobs, the construction of the casino which will last approximately 18 months will also create nearly 1,000 temporary workplaces. Annually, the project is estimated to welcome more than 2.4 million visitors with 1.6 million of that total arriving from other states.

Besides a Hard Rock Hotel with 150 rooms, the project will offer a massive gaming floor with 50 table games and a staggering 1,500 slot machines. Additional amenities visitors of the new venue can expect include a Hard Rock live entertainment venue, restaurants, bars and shopping outlets.

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Sports betting and online gambling may become a reality for Brazil as early as 2024 after an important decision taken by the country’s Chamber of Deputies. In a final voting session on Thursday, the Deputies voted to approve Bill 3,626/2023, a proposal that called for the regulation of sports betting, as announced by Agência Câmara de Notícias. Earlier this month, the same proposal was reviewed by the Senate. While Senate members approved the sports betting part of the bill, they voted against the included text related to online gambling activities. This pushed the bill once again into the hands of the Chamber of Deputies.

Regardless of the Senate’s decision, the latest vote reinstated the bill’s text that involved iGaming. This in other words helped overturn the decision made by the Senate, at least for the moment. Unlike the Senate vote, where a majority of the members were against online gambling, a majority of 261 of the Deputies voted in favor of online gambling. In contrast, the votes against iGaming on Thursday were only 120.

Thanks to the latest decision, Bill 3,626/2023 has gained further traction and now awaits final approval. The proposal that calls for the regulation of sports betting and online gambling activities now heads to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. If the president signs off on the proposal, this would mark its final step before becoming law, effectively paving the way for legal iGaming and sports betting activities across Brazil.

Proposed Bill Sets Tax Rate, License Fees for Betting and iGaming Operators

Initially, the proposed bill offered an 18% tax on the revenues for betting and iGaming operators. However, undergoing significant changes, the latest proposal features a 12% tax on gambling revenue. On the other hand, bettors are also subject to a tax rate which is 15% on their winnings.

Similar to other betting and online gambling markets, operators in Brazil will be subject to a license fee. The license fee was set at BRL 30 million ($6.1 million), permitting operators to operate up to three brands for five years. When it comes to regulation of the gambling activities, the bill designated the country’s Ministry of Finance.

The traction gained by the gambling legislation comes at a time when earlier this week, the Chamber of Deputies voted in favor of a proposal that prohibited the promotion of unregulated gambling websites by social media influencers. That proposal, seeking to reduce the share of the black market, effectively prohibited influencers from promoting unregulated gambling activities through stories, videos or any form of online communication.

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The leading international business-to-customer sports betting operator and North American business-to-business provider of real money internet gaming solutions, GAN, announced it achieved a major milestone in Nevada. The company revealed Friday that it secured regulatory approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission, the state governmental agency in charge of regulating gambling activities together with the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

The latest achievement represents a milestone moment for GAN as it enables the company to start a field trial for its GAN Sports betting platform. As a result, the company can conduct trials of its betting platform for customers in Nevada.

Still, to launch its innovative technology in the state, the company requires an additional certification. According to a statement released by GAN, its sports betting platform GAN Sports is prepared with the necessary infrastructure required for its deployment into the regulated gambling market in Nevada. This infrastructure encompasses retail sports betting, as well as mobile applications, the company revealed.

The latest announcement comes after GAN secured a conditional Nevada license earlier this month. The aforementioned license enabled the company to replace the sports betting platform for Red Rock Resorts’ sportsbooks located in Southern Nevada.

The Company Looks Forward to Launching GAN Sports

Seamus McGill, GAN’s chairman and interim CEO, shared his excitement about the latest regulatory approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission. He said that the company is thrilled about this achievement. Moreover, McGill pointed out that GAN anticipates introducing GAN Sports, its innovative sports product, to customers in Nevada soon.

The company’s chairman and interim CEO added: “The Las Vegas Locals market is one of the largest and most recognizable gaming markets in the world, and we are incredibly excited to be entering it.” Finally, McGill explained that Nevada marks the third US state where GAN Sports will launch and predicted that the solution would bring unrivaled experiences to the market.

“We are very pleased and humbled to have received regulatory approval from the State of Nevada to hold a gaming license. We are excited that we will be launching our leading-edge GAN Sports product in Nevada in the next few months.“

Seamus McGill, chairman and interim CEO of GAN

Late last month, McGill was appointed to the role of interim CEO. At the time, GAN confirmed that it accepted the resignation of its then-CEO, Dermot Smurfit. With Smurfit stepping down from his role, McGill filled in the interim CEO position. It is likely that GAN has already initiated a search for a permanent CEO to fill the role.

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Leading gaming and entertainment operator, The Cordish Companies, announced a major achievement, clearing the path of the company for its expansion into the casino sector in Bossier City, Louisiana. On Thursday, the company revealed that its affiliate, LRGC Gaming Investors, LCC, secured the required regulatory approvals to become a gambling operator in the state from the gambling regulator, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

The unanimous approval paved the way for The Cordish Companies’ expansion into Louisiana, allowing it to complete the acquisition of the Diamond Jacks Casino & Hotel in Bossier City. Additionally, the regulatory approval enables the company to start the transformation of the property into a world-class Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana. The premium entertainment, gaming and leisure location is expected to open at some point in 2025.

At the public hearing with the state’s gambling regulator, Cordish representatives unveiled details regarding the new premium entertainment location. Representing an investment north of $270 million, the new Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana is expected to offer supreme dining, entertainment, hotel and casino amenities.

The project includes some 550 hotel rooms, as well as a fitness center and resort pool. A wide range of food and beverage outlets will ensure supreme dining experiences, while a 25,000-square-foot multi-purpose state-of-the-art Event Center will be used for social events, meetings and conventions. The premium gaming and entertainment destination will offer surfaced and structured parking as well.

When it comes to gaming amenities, visitors to the new resort will be able to experience more than 40 live-action table games, as well as more than 1,000 slots and electronic table games. A sportsbook will also be available on site, delivering entertainment for sports fans.

The Approval Marks a Milestone Moment for Cordish

Ronnie Johns, Louisiana Gaming Control Board’s chairman, revealed that the regulator is delighted to grant The Cordish a license for their project in Bossier City. “Cordish has an exceptional reputation in providing first rate casino experiences as well as hospitality and entertainment venues across the country,” he added. Johns pointed out that the Board is excited to see the Live! brand enter Louisiana. Finally, he predicted that the casino and entertainment location would propel the growth of the region.

“We’re grateful to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board for their approval and thank them for their consideration and enthusiastic support through this process.“

Joe Weinberg, managing partner at The Cordish Companies

Joe Weinberg, The Cordish Companies’ managing partner, thanked the gambling regulator for their approval and enthusiasm regarding the multi-million-dollar project. “Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana will be a transformative development that will bring a first-class gaming, dining, entertainment, and hospitality experience, create significant new jobs, and generate millions of dollars in economic benefits for the community,” he explained. Finally, Weinberg said that the company is thrilled to see its massive project advance and become a go-to world-class location for the region.

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French blockchain enthusiasts have a reason to rejoice as the Sorare law was passed with an overwhelming support. Under the new law, which would provide the foundation for a regulatory framework for games using NFT and crypto features, such titles will not be classified as gambling.

Backed by 437 voters and opposed by 77, the so-called Jonum (games with monetizable digital objects) regime is set to seek balance between innovation and player protection.

The Sorare law still needs approval from the Constitutional Council but is an important step toward the legitimization of NFT and crypto games. The council will now review the voted measure and decide its future. The council has the power to reject the Sorare law, which would be a suboptimal outcome for the future of blockchain technology in France.

If the law is passed, however, the Jonum regime could be the development that companies tapping into blockchain technology desire. In any case, the regime would likely still need tweaks and amendments, considering the novelty of the crypto gaming vertical.

France Seeks to Regulate Crypto Games

Because of their inherent similarities, crypto games risked being classified as gambling, which is subject to higher taxes.

While crypto games will not be considered gambling, their compliance will still be overseen by France’s watchdog, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ). Like in gambling, the ANJ will require crypto gamers to provide their age and prove their identity when withdrawing funds. However, they will not need to verify their identity when registering an account. Web3 games will also be subjected to a number of other regulations they would be required to follow.

Experts have suggested that the Sorare law would give preferential treatment to crypto games, which is why existing operators might be inclined to explore the opportunities the blockchain sector offers. Pari Mutuel Urbain, for example, already offers a crypto-based fantasy racing game called Stables and is likely to further dabble in Web3 technology.

While some companies are sure to adapt, casino groups have slammed the new law, accusing the government of not inviting them to participate the discussion. Under French law, only casino companies with a physical presence can offer online gambling. Many of these companies believe that the regulation of Jonum is a bad move that would usher in an age of illegal gambling.

Some even fear that some online casinos may use NFT payouts to circumvent France’s gambling rules.

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This has been celebrated as a significant achievement by the company which sees the Keystone State as one of the most important frontiers of its future growth not just in North America, but in iGaming as a whole.

Red Rake Gaming All Systems Go in Pennsylvania

The new license acquisition paves the way for similar opportunities in other states, but it also secures Red Rake Gaming an early start in the burgeoning iGaming market, which is poised to expand over the coming years.

Red Rake Gaming has been working from all geographical angles, working on a number of partnerships back in Europe, and delivering its games for a number of prominent brands in places like the Netherlands. The company has worked locally in the country with operators such as Casino777, Bingoal and TOTO Casino, among others, making sure that its presence is felt in the country.

In the meantime, Red Rake Gaming has been preparing to give its US pivot a more pronounced push as it’s interested in rapidly scaling its offer in the United States. It has already created some compelling games that are quite worthwhile and will definitely prove of value to local operators.

Commenting on the latest success, Red Rake Gaming managing director Nick Barr welcomed the opportunity to see his company secure an entry into Pennsylvania and said that it was a very good opportunity for the company.

“We are equally delighted to now be able to offer the players who have enjoyed our social games over the years to have the ability to play with real money in Pennsylvania,” Barr added and said that the United States will play an integral role in the company’s long-term growth and business opportunities.

Licensing Success After Licensing Success

The executive was similarly pleased with the recent successes in terms of licensing in countries such as Switzerland, Lithuania, and Bulgaria, once again reaffirming the company’s commitment to expand its offer internationally and help it grow. Red Rake Gaming similarly expanded with PokerStars Casino earlier this year, securing yet another prominent alliance with an established brand.

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Bally’s Corporation, the global casino-entertainment company, confirmed Thursday it secured a major approval for its Bally’s Chicago Casino project. The company revealed that the project was greenlighted by the Chicago Department of Planning and Urban Development earlier this week.

This approval marked a milestone moment for the project as Bally’s now solidifies its plans to start the construction of the new gaming, leisure and entertainment location. The ambitious project has a price tag of $1.7 billion. It is expected to create some 3,000 permanent jobs for the city, which is a testament to the scale of Bally’s Chicago Casino and the different amenities it will offer.

“Inspired by the city’s interplay—grit and grandeur, structure and the organic, historically-charged and cutting-edge—the design of Bally’s Chicago creates a sense of wonder and adventure accessible to everyone.“

Joyen Vakil, senior vice president of design and development at Bally’s Corporation

Joyen Vakil, Bally’s senior vice president of design and development, spoke about the inspiration for the design of Bally’s Chicago Casino. He acknowledged that the city helped inspire the project that brings a unique sense of adventure and wonder.

Additionally, Vakil noted that the billion-dollar project fuses “nature and wellness through the addition of numerous public plazas and parks.” According to him, the design of the new destination will help deliver unique experiences for the visitors. Finally, Vakil acknowledged that the efforts of contractors and businesses within the project will help “bring to life this one-of-a-kind urban space.”

“The unique and exciting design celebrates Chicago’s motto, urbs in horto – city in a garden – and creates a dynamic public realm on site,“

added Vakil

Bally’s Chicago Casino to Deliver Plenty of Amenities

The billion-dollar destination casino is planned to use a 30-acre on the Chicago Tribune Publishing Center. The unique project is expected to bring significant economic stimulus for the city and the region, resulting in a boost in tourism and visitation. Bally’s Chicago Casino is planned to include food halls, restaurants, as well as a theater and event space.

In addition to the casino, there will be plenty of other non-gambling entertainment options such as a museum and exhibition area. It’s no surprise that a project of such scale will feature luxury hotel rooms, as well as outdoor community park spaces. Those green spaces can be used for different activities such as farmers’ markets and art fairs.

Many Chicago-based, as well as minority-owned businesses will participate in the development of Bally’s billion-dollar project. The construction of the mixed-use entertainment and casino location is expected to start late in 2024.

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Veikkaus, the state-owned gaming company, has welcomed the Finnish Ministry of the Interior’s recent study on the gambling monopoly system which advises against maintaining the current status quo.

In January, the ministry commissioned the study to examine the effectiveness of the Finland gambling market in channelling consumers towards Veikkaus and to recommend alternative models for the gambling system. 

The study indicated that the monopoly system weakens the “channelling abilities” and had pushed players towards seeking gambling services outside the regulated market. 

According to the report, “Approximately half of all gambling online goes to games outside the system. Playing outside the system also causes significant gambling disadvantages, the effective prevention of which is challenging when operating within the framework of the current system.”

In addition, as a result of the gaming activities outside of the state monopoly, the country’s gaming industry has an annual revenue shortfall of approximately EUR 500-550 million.

The report suggested two ways to reform Finland’s gaming market: reducing access to unlicensed gaming and introducing a licensing model. The report said that implementing a licence system could potentially result in a greater level of channelling in online gambling compared to the current state.

Welcoming the report, Veikkaus CEO Olli Sarekosk said, “The report is good and balanced. It is important that the amount of gaming margin outside the exclusive rights system is confirmed to be in the range of 500-550 million.

“If the system change is headed towards a licence system, from Veikkaus’ point of view, it is desirable that this change happens faster rather than slowly.”

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