A significant step towards the new gambling regulation in Curaçao has been taken. The bill for the gambling regulation is submitted to the authorities, and now the parliament is supposed to decide whether it will approve it or not.

Significant changes in the market

There are various changes for the currently licensed operators as well, so the Ministry of Finance issued a notice to inform them about the transition to the new system in order to ensure smooth operation.

The changes will be overseen by the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK), a new regulation body that will be established soon.

There will be a variety of changes, but the most important are changing the license types and establishing new fees for operators.

The operators won’t be able to register for sub-license through the Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB) anymore after March 31, and all operators that aren’t registered won’t be able to operate.

The portal was opened on September 1, which greatly shortened the whole application process. The operators were able to apply for licenses from November 1, and it could process new applications and register the operators who had already received their licenses.

The applications in progress will continue after March 31, while licensees will continue operating under a provisional license.

If the operators haven’t applied for the direct license before March 31, they will be able to continue operating under a sub-license or wait for LOK to be enacted, when they are obligated to apply for the direct license.

According to the new law, all licenses were renewed.

Digital Seal regulation

All operators who got their licenses before January 1 will be able to show the Digital Seal they got from the GCB on their website. Also, the applicants who have already submitted their applications will be able to do the same. The policy related to showcasing the Digital Seal will be released in the future.

The first announcement of the new Curaçao regulations happened in July 2022, and work on the process started in January this year.

New legislation has great support among the country’s government and regulators. Sixiènne Jansen, legal advisor to Curaçao’s Ministry of Finance, said that the first potential date for releasing new updates was September 1. Javier Silvania, Curaçao’s minister of finance, also supported the LOK and the new regulations, saying back in September that it would prevent the grey-listing by the Financial Action Task Force in the country.

Source: “Curaçao gambling regulation bill enters parliament”, December 19, 2023.

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The Australian House of Representatives, the lower house of the country’s parliament, has passed a bill that would ban the use of credit cards for online gambling. The bill is called “The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Credit and Other Measures) Bill 2023” and it was submitted for approval in September.

The bill would also ban the use of other credit-related products and digital currencies for gambling online in Australia. The bill did produce a significant debate in the Australian parliament, with members of the lower house introducing several amendments. Eventually the amendments were not approved, and the bill passed on November 14 after having received support from both major parties. The debate is not over yet, though, as the bill will move forward to the Australian Senate, the upper house of parliament.

More Measures Included

The bill does not only deal with the use of credit cards for gambling online, it also includes other important measures such as significant fines for casino operators that fail to properly enforce the ban. These fines can go all the way up to 234,750 Australian dollars, which would roughly convert into almost 150,000 U.S. dollars.

The bill would also give the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) new powers, including enforcing penalty provisions and issuing penalties for those that break the law. There will be a six-month transition period before the bill would come into full effect, enough time for operators, payment providers and players to adjust to the new rules.

Before submitting this bill to parliament the Australian government consulted with several stakeholders, including harm reduction advocates, online casino and sports betting operators and banking payment organizations.

In Line with Land-Based Gambling

The move would eventually lead to Australia’s online gambling sector getting in line with land-based operations, where gambling with credit cards is already banned. The debate regarding applying this rule to online gambling has been going on for several years.

In November 2021, recommendations to this effect were made by the parliamentary joint committee on corporations and financial services. Before that, in December 2019, the Australian Banking Association (ABA) held a consultation on the use of credit cards in gambling. Some banks decided to act before the government and put in place their own prohibition on using credit cards to gamble. Bank Australia for instance announced in October 2021 that all account holders would no longer be able to use its credit cards for gambling.

In the spring of 2020 such a ban was introduced in Great Britain, and that led to an increase in calls for the Australian government to settle the issue. Online casino and sports betting operators which are members of Responsible Wagering Australia, including Bet365, Betfair and Entain, expressed their support for such a ban.

Source: “Australia lower house passes credit card gambling ban bill“. iGaming Business. November 14, 2023.

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The Illinois Gaming Board, the government body responsible for regulating gambling in the American state, has announced that three land-based casinos have received licenses to operate in Danville, Carterville and Chicago.

Moreover, at the meeting of the Illinois Gaming Board in the last week of October, the Argosy Casino Alton was granted an extension on its already existing license so it will continue to operate for another four years.

The casinos that received the three licenses are Golden Nugget Danville, Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort and Bally’s Chicago. The license applications were put to the vote of the Board, but before that each of the casino representatives was given the chance to present the highlights of their operations and the future plans.

Along with the license for Bally’s Chicago, the company that operates that casino also received approval to operate a temporary casino at Medinah Temple for a total of 36 months while its permanent venue is under construction in Chicago.

Marcus D. Fruchter, the Administrator of the Illinois Gaming Board, made a quick recap following the meeting and underlined that the Board has licensed five new casinos since November 2021, with the respective venues located in Rockford, Waukegan, Danville, Carterville and Chicago.

The Illinois Gaming Board Administrator described this period as one “of unprecedented growth and expansion” and reminded the public that the government body remains “steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the ethics, compliance, integrity, safety, and transparency of Illinois gaming.”

New Video Gaming Rule

Marcus D. Fruchter also announced that the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules has adopted Video Gaming Rule 1800.1750, which had previously been adopted by the Illinois Gaming Board in April 2023. The new rule requires all operators licensed in Illinois to post responsible gaming signage in all video gaming locations. Casinos and sportsbooks were already required to do this in Illinois.

The Illinois Gaming Board also announced that it has completed a study on undue economic concentration in the video gaming industry in the American state. The respective study was completed by Christiansen Capital Advisors and its findings will be used by the Board to refine and adapt its regulations in order to keep the gaming market in Illinois innovative and competitive.

“Complex and important issues surrounding undue economic concentration have been largely unresolved since passage of the Video Gaming Act in 2009, and this study is an important step for the IGB’s work in this space,” Marcus D. Fruchter explained.

Source: “Argosy Casino Receives Four-Year License: Illinois Gaming Board Approves Three Casino Licenses“. RiverBender. October 26, 2023.

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Following years of litigation, a U.S. judge on Thursday approved a $415 million class-action settlement against DoubleDown Interactive LLC and International Game Technology PLC (IGT.N). The settlement resolves claims that the “social casino” and the online gaming company violated consumer protection provisions and Washington state gambling law where personal gambling online is a felony.

U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik in Seattle federal court called the resolution “fair, reasonable, and adequate,” in his ruling that was the final approval order and ended almost half a decade of litigant action.

Conclusion of Nearly Half a Decade of Litigation

The case arose in 2018 about one year after Aristocrat Liesure’s Big Fish Games another social gaming site with chip purchases but also a black market trading space for the “chips of no value” was found to be offering illegal casino games in the state of Washington by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in Kater V. Churchill Downs – the panel was assembled to hear an appeal related to the Seattle courts’ finding that the games were not illegal under state.

In the most recent case, online consumers alleged the “social casino” games developed by the defendants “constitute unlawful gambling under Washington’s gambling laws.” The settlement was the latest in a series of related cases.

The specific arm of world gambling behemoth IGT, International Game Technology PLC, is based in the U.K., and DoubleDown have denied any liability. They argued that the plaintiffs’ claims “rest on novel and untested interpretations of Washington’s gambling laws.”

The games start out free to play with a certain number of free chips granted, but players must purchase additional chips or wait a period of time for additional chips to be awarded.

The suit was brought on behalf of tens of thousands of class members who “purchased and lost chips” by wagering at DoubleDown Casino, the plaintiffs’ lawyers alleged. Attorneys argued users were entitled to recover their losses under a Washington state law.

About half a dozen class members opted out of the settlement, but there were no formal objections to the deal and there was no clear indication that those former class members intended to pursue individual cases against the firms.

Lawyers have recovered over $600m for Plaintiffs

Edelson counsel, Todd Logan, speaking on behalf of the plaintiffs said on Friday that the firm’s social-casino litigation has produced or recovered over $650 million for clients and class members to date.

“Many class members stand to receive, individually, hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Logan

Chicago-based Edelson was awarded over $120 million in the case.

Judge Lasnik’s fee award amounted to nearly 30% of the total award, outstripping the state’s and 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal’s benchmark 25% top fee award for such cases.

Lasnik said the litigation was “risky, novel, and hard-fought,” in his award order, and so he approved a request for fees that went beyond a 25% benchmark.

The case is Benson et al v. DoubleDown Interactive LLC et al, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, No. 2:18-cv-00525-RSL.

Source: US court approves ‘social casino’ $415 million class settlement, Reuters, June 2, 2023

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The Prime Minister of Japan announced Friday that a key committee had approved the development of an integrated resort casino (IR) in the Prefecture of Osaka.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida heralded the decision by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s review committee to greenlight after a meeting of the Headquarters for the Promotion of Integrated Resort.

MGM Resorts will participate in the operation and own a significant portion of the project along with Orix Corporation, a Japanese financial firm that is listed on the Tokyo and New York stock exchanges. The two firms will reportedly control equal 40% shares.

The resort will be operated by a newco. The consortium will include about 20 local companies.

Long Road to Arrive at Osaka Casino Resort

The central government’s approval comes after years of struggles and delays as there were initial hopes that the supporting legislation and approval could happen in enough time before the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games to capture revenue from the surge in tourism.

However, it wasn’t until 2018 when the Japanese Diet (parliament) finally authorized the construction of integrated resorts (after supporting legislation was passed in 2016) as part of a tourist resort. Several more years passed as the complicated framework was hammered out and the proper political coalitions could be found. The law, originally championed by former Prime Minister Abe finally came into effect in 2021.

The massive casino resort complex on the man-made island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay will not be opened before the ward of Osak holds the World Expo in 2025. While the target date and final build cost estimates are certain to change over time, it is now expected to cost some US$10 billion to build with an opening anticipated in 2029 or 2030. Current cost estimates range between $8.5m and $13.5 billion (¥1.8 trillion).

Most multi-billion dollar casino developments around the world are allowed to open a temporary casino prior to full completion of the surrounding resort amenities, but Japan is a law unto itself when it comes to such matters. It’s currently unclear how the hotels and conference centers, shopping malls, museums, and ferry terminal will be phased in or if the casino will be allowed to open after certain benchmarks are achieved.

While several regions across the country were initially open for proposals, in recent years it has boiled down to Osaka and possibly Nagasaki. The 2018 legislation authorized the building of up to three IRs.

Already More than 7,000 Gambling Parlors in Japan

While this will be Japan’s first legal casino, gambling on Pachislo slots or pachinko machines that resemble vertical pinball games has always enjoyed a carve-out as a cultural exception. Players left as much as ¥14.6 trillion yen in those machines as of 2021.

More than 7,000 parlors featuring those games are scattered across the county, particularly in high foot-traffic areas such as near train stations. Other forms of gambling that were allowed before the casino bills passed include horse racing, motorboat, and motorcycle racing, bicycle race betting, and a restricted form of soccer betting as well as a lottery.

The MGM/Orix resort is expected to bring around 20 million visitors a year to the area who are expected to spend as much as $8.5b (¥1.14 trillion) each year once the full resort is open. Peak employment for the entire facility is expected to reach as high as 15,000.

Japanese citizens will have to pay a fee for every 24 hours they spend in a casino and there is a cap on the number of times one can visit. Family members will be able to request that any member be excluded from entering the premises.

Nagasaki is Still “in the running”

Asian media reports indicate that while Nagasaki is still “in the running” for a second IR for Japan, that issue didn’t come up at Friday’s meeting. However, GGRAsia reports that it has confirmed with local officials that the authorities in Nagasaki are still in discussions with central government officials about its plan for a casino resort.

The Nagasaki casino resort would be located in Sasebo City next to Huis Ten Bosch theme park, according to currently known plans.

In announcing the IR’s approval, Prime Minister Kishida said: “The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has decided to certify Osaka’s area development plan. Osaka’s IR will contribute to the development of the Kansai region after the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo and to the growth of Japan. It is expected that it will become a tourist base that spreads the charm of Japan to the world.”

Earlier, Brian Sandoval President of Global Gaming Development at MGM Resorts said: “We want to provide guests with a new IR destination experience that is uniquely Japanese. Japan is advanced in technology innovation. It is also known as the best in class in terms of hospitality, rich in arts, culture, and food. We respect the spirit of “Omotenashi” and Japanese vibrant traditions. We have already learned so much from Japan that we have been able to export to other markets in which we operate.”

Source: Japan approves building of first casino, The Guardian, April 14, 2023

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Bucks County Courier Times reported that after more than a decade of planning, the Parx Casino Hotel project has received approval from Bensalem Township Council to build a luxury hotel on Street Road in Bensalem. Groundbreaking is scheduled for later this year, with construction expected to be complete in 2025.

Parx Casino Hotel to Feature 300 Rooms, Rooftop Restaurant, and Presidential Suites

The 13-story hotel will include 11 floors of guest space, with 300 regular-stay rooms. A new walkway will connect the new hotel with the existing casino. The hotel will feature a restaurant in the lobby and another on the rooftop, each with a 300-seat capacity. 

The restaurant will feature a show kitchen in which invited chefs will cook and lead special presentations. The rooftop floors will have a presidential suite and four other high-end suites, which will offer unobstructed views of the Philadelphia skyline. A coffee shop, spa, and fitness center will fill out the amenities.

The hotel will not feature branding and will carry the “Parx Casino Hotel” marquee. Each restaurant will be an in-house offering, with no branding. During a presentation before Bensalem Township Council, Parx Casino Chief Operating Officer John Dixon said that the 14,000-square-foot banquet hall will have a capacity of 800, making it suitable for weddings, business conferences, and small exhibits. The rooms can be subdivided, given event requirements.

Parx Casino Hotel to Attract Youth-based Groups and Family-friendly Organizations

John Dixon, the Chief Operating Officer of Parx Casino, mentioned that the size of the new Parx Casino Hotel will not allow it to compete with the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia for national conventions like the auto show or flower show. He added that the hotel would be ideal for local and regional meetings and gatherings but not suitable for large-scale events. 

Dixon also noted that the hotel would not be age-restricted like the casino, which would enable the operators to market it to youth-based groups and family-friendly organizations.

Parx Casino, which opened as Philadelphia Park on December 19, 2006, has been a regional draw for many years. Parx quickly found success, generating $55.46 million in revenues in January 2023, compared to $51.81 million in revenue earned in January 2022. 

It was the third-highest revenue-generating casino in Pennsylvania, where gaming is big business. In 2022, the 16 Pennsylvania casinos saw a combined $5.21 billion compared to $4.73 billion in 2021. Revenue from Parx Casino also funds Bensalem’s $300 Home Assistance Grant, which Bensalem Mayor Joe DiGirolamo said Bensalem homeowners will continue to receive in 2023. Parx also employs some 2,000 workers, making it a leading employer in Bucks County.

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Wind Creek Hospitality has overcome one of its biggest hurdles and has initial clearance to add Miami’s Magic City Casino to its expanding roster of gaming venues. The PCI (Poarch Creek Indian) Gaming subsidiary will operate the license through Gretna Racing, LLC.

Magic City is a local fixture grown from a parimutuel racetrack and owned by the Havenick family since the 1930s. Havenick’s West Flagler Associates (WFA) is the legal entity offering the property up for sale.

In early December, the Florida Gaming Control Commission put approval of the transfer of assets and license on the back burner so more information about the deal could be given to the public before making a decision.

Transfer was not without Opposition

Opposition came from a perennial anti-casino organization in Florida. Legal counsel for a major gaming tribe in Florida had also asked commissioners to move forward with caution. However, Magic City representatives noted that 3rd party interventional would not be lawful.

At the time. Commissioners noted there was nothing objectionable in the highly redacted application but that it may not meet the standards of Florida’s sunshine laws.

Stephanie Bryan, Tribal Chair & CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians said: “We are excited to grow our footprint in another major metropolitan area, this time in Miami, Florida.

“Our expansions in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and now Florida provide us the ability to take care of and grow opportunities for our Tribe. We look forward to becoming a valued partner in the Miami community.”

Bryan’s references to Pennsylvania and Illinois included the former Sands Bethlehem in Pennsylvania which the firm purchased for $1.3b in 2019 before rebranding – and Wind Creek Chicago Southland, an under-construction 70,000 sq ft casino featuring 1,350 slot machines, 56 table games, entertainment, dining, and a 250+ room hotel,

Jay Dorris, CEO and President of Wind Creek added: “Southern Florida is a natural connection from our properties in Aruba & Curacao, our properties in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

“With close proximity to Miami International Airport, the location is fantastic for players from all Wind Creek properties, and gives Miami locals an easy way to experience the Wind Creek brand everywhere we operate,” Dorris noted.

A New and Vibrant Market

While stating that the purchase added to its footprint in a “new and vibrant market” they also said that no major changes should be expected at the Miami property in the immediate future, but migration to the operator’s rewards and loyalty programs should be completed before the end of the year.

Wind Creek Hospitality manages the Tribe’s gaming facilities. The list includes Wind Creek Aruba, Wind Creek Atmore, Wind Creek Curacao, Wind Creek Montgomery, Wind Creek Wetumpka, Wa She Shu Casino in Nevada, as well as a racetrack in Alabama, a card room in Pensacola, and a barrel racing track with a card room in Gretna.

The company’s virtual casino is called Casinoverse. Developer Hyper Luminal describes it as “an interactable game world which brings the excitement and joy of Wind Creek casinos right to your pocket.”

Source: PCI GAMING AGREES TO ACQUIRE MAGIC CITY CASINO IN MIAMI, Wind Creek, February 8, 2023

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