Brazil’s Justice and Citizenship Commission (CCJ) has taken a significant step by approving a bill that legalizes casinos, bingo, jogo de bicho, and horserace betting. The bill, known as PL 2,234/2022, passed with 14 votes in favor and 12 against on June 19. Having been under consideration since 2022, it now advances to the Senate plenary for further voting, following its prior approval by Brazil’s chamber of deputies.

A Great Opportunity for Brazil

During the CCJ meeting, Senator Irajá highlighted the potential benefits of regulating betting and gaming in Brazil. He emphasized that this move represents a significant opportunity for the country, promising job creation, increased income, and enhanced tax revenues, which could be redirected toward essential sectors such as health, education, social services, and infrastructure.

“We can no longer lose this great opportunity that other competing countries have already understood and is seen to generate jobs, income and taxes, which will obviously be reversed into benefits for the Brazilian people in the most essential areas, such as health, education, social and infrastructure,” Irajá stated.

Regulations and Taxes

The bill sets forth specific regulations for various forms of gambling, including casinos, betting machines, bingo, and animal racing. It also introduces two new types of taxes: the Gaming and Betting Inspection Fee (Tafija) and the Economic Intervention Contribution levied on the marketing of games and betting (Cide-Jogos). Tafija would be paid quarterly, amounting to R$600,000 for casinos, R$300,000 for online gaming locations, and R$20,000 for bingo halls, Jogo de Bicho operators, and tourism companies. The Cide-Jogos tax rate would be set at 17% of gross revenue, with prizes over R$10,000 subject to a 20% income tax.

Casino Operations

Should the bill become law, casinos would be permitted in tourist centers or integrated leisure complexes, such as resorts and hotels with bars, meeting spaces, and a minimum of 100 rooms. Additionally, casinos could operate on boats and ships with at least 50 rooms, given certain river length parameters. There would be a limit of one casino per state and the Federal District, with São Paulo, allowed up to three casinos and Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas, and Pará up to two each. Each casino would be required to have a minimum paid-up share capital of R$100 million.

Bingo and Racing

The legislation also covers the legalization of bingo in card, electronic, and video formats. Each municipality could have one bingo house, with larger cities allowed one per 150,000 inhabitants. Licensed bingo houses could operate for 25 years, subject to renewal, and would need to provide proof of a minimum paid-up share capital of R$10 million.

For animal racing, the bill allows one legal racing entity per 700,000 inhabitants, except for Roraima, which would have a jogo do bicho operator due to its lower population. Bets on horseracing would be managed by Brazilian tourism entities accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture, which could also operate bingo and video bingo games within the same grounds as the races.

Protections and Enforcement

PL 2,234/2022 also proposes several measures to protect bettors. This includes a self-exclusion program called the National Registry of Prohibited Persons (Renapro), requiring venues to check if anyone attempting to enter a casino is registered. Additionally, the bill outlines the National Policy for the Protection of Players and Bettors, promoting honest conduct in gambling and discouraging compulsive behavior.

The bill introduces new criminal penalties for illegal gambling activities, with up to four years in prison for partaking in or advertising unlicensed games, doubled if minors are involved. Tampering with games or results could lead to up to seven years in prison, with penalties doubled if the victim is elderly, a minor, or registered with Renapro.

Legal and Economic Impact

Federal Supreme Court Minister Flávio Dino indicated that the Supreme Court might eventually need to rule on the constitutionality of this bill due to its potential interface with organized crime. The proposal aims to attract substantial investments, create millions of jobs, and generate significant annual revenue for Brazil.

Since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva approved Bill 3,626/2023 in December, which legalized sports betting and iGaming, Brazil has been moving rapidly towards establishing a regulated gaming industry. The Ministry of Finance expects sports betting and iGaming to be fully legal by the end of July, currently working on the regulatory policy for technical and security requirements for operators.

Source:

Legalization of casinos and bingos in Brazil could reach the Supreme Court, gamesbras.com, June 21, 2024.

The post Brazil Moves Forward with Casino and Bingo Legalization appeared first on Keno Wizard.

A very lucky bingo player visited the Suncoast Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on June 6 and went home with a whopping $134,446 in total winnings. 

Wayne W. managed to hit the Double Daub Progressive in 35 numbers or less at the 3 p.m. bingo session at the casino. 

According to casino officials, Wayne’s win brought the Bingo Double Daub Bonus to $40,000 as the starting amount.

More June Casino Winners in Las Vegas Valley

On June 1, Durango Casino & Resort announced the freshly introduced Dragon Link Major Progressive machine hit for $25,449, just a few hours after the venue hit the high limit room floor, along with a payout of $15,166.27 on a $9 bet on the Triple Jackpot Gem.

On the same day, California Hotel & Casino announced a whopping $23,241 jackpot at the downtown establishment.

The start of the month also made a Sunset Station Casino player hit a $20,000 jackpot with a total bet of $25. 

June 1 was also lucky for a patron at Gold Coast Pandas who won a grand progressive jackpot of $12,388 on a $2.50 spin.

On June 3, Binion’s Casino broke the news of a very fortunate lady who scored not one, but two jackpot wins of $10,048 and $1,322, respectively. What are the odds?

Boulder Station Casino congratulated a very lucky Four Card Keno player who scooped up $28,000 in winnings on June 4.

On the same day, Four Queens Casino made the exciting announcement that a $1.60 spin brought a fortunate guest a $10,000 win.

Similarly, on June 4, Palace Casino announced a $5.88 spin that brought a $14,878.48 win to one of their guests. 

June 4 also proved to be a particularly good day for the first lucky winner of Rampart Casino’s High Limit Silver Celebration Progressive who took home $24,356. 

On June 6, Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa Las Vegas made a player very happy. All it took was a $1.25 bet in exchange for a $47,131.45 jackpot with a Sequential Royal Flush.

On June 7, Aliante Casino announced a $12,000 win on a classic slots machine, Crystal Star Deluxe, a game with nine available lines.

On the same day, Cannery Casino paid a nice and round $10,000 win to a fortunate player for hitting the jackpot on an undisclosed machine.

On June 4, five Treasure Island Resort & Casino visitors won jackpots between $21,886 and $119,831.
May has been a similarly lucky month across US casinos with a series of high-profile wins on record.

The post Bingo Player Wins $134K Jackpot at Las Vegas Valley Casino appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has announced a comprehensive inquiry into the regulation of bingo, inviting Victorians to help shape a fairer and more modern bingo-playing environment. By working with industry stakeholders and the community, the Commission aims to understand the challenges within the sector and explore ways to improve regulatory and industry practices, ensuring that bingo remains a social, safe, and fair activity.

Commercially run bingo generates significant revenue, with reported earnings of $107 million in FY23, surpassing Keno’s $61 million. Bingo is a popular game among many communities, offering social interaction and the potential for prizes, with a portion of the proceeds designated to fund charities.

Adapting to Modern Bingo

“Recent years have seen the commercial bingo landscape modernize, shifting from traditional paper-based gameplay to electronic enhancements with substantial jackpots,” said Fran Thorn, Chair of the VGCCC. “Given this evolution, it is crucial for us to assess and address issues of fairness, integrity, and the potential for gambling harm, particularly among at-risk groups such as seniors, First Nations communities, women, and lower-income individuals.”

Despite regulatory oversight, the Commission continues to receive reports and allegations of unlicensed operators and potentially fraudulent activities. The inquiry will examine whether current bingo regulations are fit for purpose, the susceptibility of cash-based transactions to criminal activities, and the extent to which profits support community organizations.

Community Participation and Inquiry Focus

“This is an opportunity to understand how bingo works and how it is evolving with technology. We understand the social outlet that bingo provides for many community members. We want to understand the risks, reduce the potential for harm, and put a stop to any behaviors threatening the integrity and fairness of the game,” Thorn added.

The VGCCC is inviting all interested parties, including customers, industry participants, community organizations, and concerned citizens, to participate in the inquiry and contribute to shaping the future of Victoria’s gambling landscape. The Commission’s Strategic Inquiries Unit (SIU) will support the inquiry, focusing on understanding risks and emerging issues within the gambling industry and seeking ways to improve practice and regulatory oversight.

Focus Areas of the Bingo Inquiry

The inquiry will concentrate on the bingo sector, particularly in commercial settings and charitable fundraising contexts. Bingo is regulated under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (Vic) to ensure community organizations benefit from profits, practices that undermine public trust are eliminated, and bingo center operators act fairly in providing commercial fundraising services.

The inquiry will address several key areas:

• Understanding the customer experience of playing bingo in fundraising and commercial settings.
• Examining the role of bingo in fundraising, including the involvement of charities and not-for-profit entities.
• Investigating the practices of entities and individuals within the bingo industry.
• Identifying ways to improve regulatory and industry practices.

Why Focus on Bingo?

Bingo is enjoyed by people of all ages and can provide social connections and cognitive benefits such as improved memory and concentration. It is also a significant means for community and charitable fundraising. However, the landscape has changed considerably in recent years, with a shift from paper-based to electronic gameplay and larger jackpots.

The VGCCC has received reports of unlicensed operators and potential fraudulent activities, raising concerns about whether community and charitable organizations are receiving their fair share of profits. This has led to questions about the fairness, integrity, and potential for gambling harm, particularly among vulnerable groups such as seniors, women, people on low incomes, and certain First Nations and migrant communities.

The VGCCC is committed to preserving the integrity of bingo operations and ensuring they remain social, safe, and fair for all Victorians. To participate in the inquiry, the VGCCC will engage with the industry and community through discussion papers, venue visits, surveys, and meetings with interested parties.

Source:

“Keeping bingo social, safe and fair”. VGCCC. June 6, 2024.

The post Victoria Launches Inquiry to Modernize Bingo Regulation appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Edgewater Casino Resort in Nevada unveiled a new two-day bingo event set to take place in November. The $200,000 River Bingo Bash will, according to the property, take bingoing to the next level.

The two-day event will begin on Saturday, November 23 and will conclude on Sunday, November 24. It will offer players a shot at a prize pool of $100,000 on each of the two days, while also providing guests with a weekend filled with food, gifts and entertainment.

The event is set to take place at the famed Edge Pavilion at Edgewater. Each of the two days will begin with ten warm-up games where winners will get $500. Following the warm-up, players will compete for what Edgewater described as “massive payouts” in the main event.

After the final session, Edgewater will host an afterparty event at the Edgewater Bingo Room. There, players will get chances to win free bingo and slot play, coverall prize games, cash balls and bingo buy-in fees.

Many Benefits Await

Bingo players who are up to some fun will have to pay a fee of $200 + taxes to enter the River Bingo Bash. This fee will ensure that players receive a 6-on pack and a hot dog and soda combo on each day of the event. Additionally, players will receive 2 daubers and a commemorative River Bingo Bash t-shirt, securing them extra bragging rights.

In addition to all that, players who buy into the event will be able to benefit from a special room offer. Those who secure a stay at Aquarius or Edgewater Casino Resorts from November 22 or 23 through November 24 will receive an additional night’s stay, free of charge. 

Tickets for the River Bingo Bash event will be available for purchase from June 1. The bingo event will have a maximum capacity of 1,000 players

The Resort Has More Surprises in Store

Edgewater Casino Resort has also prepared another event for bingo players who cannot wait. Passionate bingo enthusiasts will also be able to enjoy special offers and bingo partying during The Bingo Room’s one-year anniversary.

The Bingo Room also offers regular playing sessions every day of the week. More information about the bingo and event schedule is available on Edgewater Casino Resort’s official website.

In addition to bingo, visitors to the resort can enjoy a 40,000-square-foot gaming area packed full of slots and gaming tables. A William Hill-branded sportsbook is also available.

The post Edgewater Casino Resort Unveils $200K River Bingo Bash Event appeared first on Keno Wizard.

An advertisement post for Buzz Bingo that contained cartoon Halloween imagery caught the attention of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), the regulator in charge of advertising in the UK. The post appeared back in October on Buzz Bingo’s Facebook page, promoting a campaign that promised £50,000 ($63,000) on Mondays throughout the month.

The animated footage included a full moon on top of a scene with pumpkin heads grinning. Moreover, the ad featured a church, flying bats, a spider and a tombstone with a cross in a graveyard. The advertisement’s text read “MONSTER MONDAYS – £50,000 MUST BE WON EVERY MONDAY IN OCTOBER” and it was written with a font that resembled slime. Along with the text, the advertisement included the logo of Buzz Bingo and “18+ – BeGambleAware.org” details.

Scrutinizing Buzz Bingo’s ad, the ASA sought whether or not the cartoon imagery using a Halloween theme was likely to appeal to children. Currently, the advertising rules in the UK prohibit any gambling content to appeal to children. In other words, gambling operators cannot use imagery, characters or personas that are likely to appeal to underage individuals.

According to the ASA, Buzz Bingo “acknowledged the concern that the Halloween imagery could appeal to children.” However, the operator stated that the advertisement was promoted via its social media page on Facebook which was restricted to users under 18. Additionally, Buzz Bingo explained that the advertisement in question targeted only audiences who were 25 or older and had shown interest in bingo games. “They therefore believed they had acted and had taken precautions to prevent children and young people being exposed to the ad,” explained the advertising watchdog.

The ASA Upholds Its Decision against the Operator

Despite the actions taken by the operator, the ASA upheld its decision. According to the watchdog, the ad in question breached the CAP Code rules related to gambling, 16.1 and 16.3.12. Moreover, the ASA reiterated the section of the code which states that gambling marketing materials “must not be likely to be of strong appeal to children or young persons, especially by reflecting or being associated with youth culture.” It said that under the rules animated graphics or other similar content may “contribute to the impression that material was designed to appeal to under-18s.”

Upholding its decision, the ASA said that Buzz Bingo’s ad must not appear again in the form that was observed previously. Additionally, the advertising watchdog urged the operator not to use imagery or themes that are likely to appeal to underage individuals. Upon receiving the query of the ASA, Buzz Bingo voluntarily removed the aforementioned advertisement.

The post Buzz Bingo in Hot Water over Halloween Ad on Facebook appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Last year, a Massachusetts woman had to drop out of a Super Bingo tournament in Las Vegas because of a heart attack. A year later, she returned to settle the score, taking back $50,000 home.

The woman, identified as Pam, couldn’t wrap up her run at the bingo tournament at Plaza Hotel & Casino last year. While competing, she suddenly felt chest pain and had to be hospitalized. Rushed to Valley Hospital, the woman was diagnosed with a heart attack.

Luckily, Pam got better and, a year later, returned to Las Vegas for another go at the tournament she had to drop out from previously. Her luck turned around this time, as she won $50,000 from the event.

Plaza Hotel & Casino shared that this was the fourth time the woman has taken part in the October Super Bingo tournament.

The Massachusetts woman refused to disclose her full name. However, she can be seen rejoicing at her win on a video from the event. The video also highlights the scope of the event, which, for reference, attracted over a thousand people.

Plaza Hotel & Casino Continues to Host Exciting Bingo Events

The Super Bingo tournaments are a staple at the resort, with the next one set to take place from November 27 to 29.

This year’s schedule was announced in March, revealing what players can expect. The casino resort kicked off the new bingo season with a $160,000 event in April that featured nineteen $1,199 games and a $50,000 coverall on both days of the event.

Because of the popularity of these events, Plaza Hotel & Casino decided to host one each month after, excluding July and December. The upcoming event in November will therefore be the last Super Bingo tournament for 2023.

Players can learn more about these events and the signup packages on Plaza Hotel & Casino’s official website.

Speaking of bingo, the Arizona bingo situation recently heated up amid ongoing investigations from the government. Backed by veteran organizations, bingo proponents accused the government of trying to aggressively crack down on bingo technological aids – electronic bingo cards that make it easier for disabled players to enjoy bingo.

However, the government claims that it only sought to crack down on predatory illegal machines in hopes of protecting consumers in the state. Spokespeople explained that they are not trying to ban BTAs but rather identify illegal slots-like bingo machines.

The post Woman Wins $50,000 a Year after Missing Bingo Event Because of Heart Attack appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is the most recent agency to join the list of current agencies regulating gambling in the Old Dominion. 

By giving the green light to electronic bingo and Texas Hold’em games played for charity purposes, the department will oversee the exact percentage of the money played will reach charity organizations. 

Changes Are Finally Coming 

Provided the VDACS manages to enforce the rightful regulations, charities could end up receiving more generous funding as a result of this fresh development.

It all started four years ago when the Virginia Assembly officially enacted the sweeping gambling expansion legislation best known for making sports betting in Virginia legal while allowing local referendum regarding land casinos. 

The same legislation exempted charitable gaming under state oversight. Ever since, VDACS has been busy drafting fresh rules regarding charitable gaming organizations, with the procedure finally culminating with the decision to allow VDACS staff to start inspecting bingo halls, fraternal organizations, and other organizations that provide poker games for the benefit of charities. 

Some adjustments to the new regulations may be necessary, including how much of players’ money actually reaches the coffers of charities.

Virginia to Finally Impose a Minimum Hold for Charitable Games 

For the first time in Virginia’s history, a minimum hold will be imposed for charitable games. In other words, organizations that provide these games will need to transparently open their books and allow regulators to inspect them. 

Also, the same regulators will be responsible for monitoring the payouts and establishing whether the charities successfully meet the required minimum.

Regarding electronic bingo games or pull-tab games, the respective minimum amount would be capped at 20% of their adjusted revenue. The fresh regulations will also enable organizations to adjust the cuts taken by game providers since a very small number of these organizations own their own gaming devices and gear. 

Initially, VDACS asked for a 40% minimum on bingo games and pull-tab games. Nonetheless, the 1877-founded department that protects consumers, encourages environmental responsibility and promotes the state’s economic growth decided to cut the percentage in half. This was in response to the feedback received from the parties that had a say in the process.

By comparison, out of the $16.5 million played in charitable games in Virginia in 2020, less than 2% made it to the designated charity organizations. The rest was divided among the host organizations and the providers of the game equipment after all winnings were paid.

The rules for Texas Hold’em games are yet to come, with VDACS looking forward to seeing similar improvements for charities in that regard.

New licensure procedures and reviews of charitable gaming in the state will also be implemented in the near future. 

At the beginning of February, we spoke about Virginia lawmakers’ determination to ban skill game machines, even though their latest attempt to push through with such a bill failed to get a hearing. 

The post VDACS Regulates Charitable Bingo and Texas Hold’em Games appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Plaza Hotel & Casino, a gambling property in Las Vegas, has unveiled the dates of its 2023 Super Bingo tournaments. The first such competition has been scheduled for April 3-5, after which the casino will continue hosting tournaments almost every month.

The upcoming tournament will feature a $160,000 prize pool. The casino announced that both days of the tournament will have 19 $1,199 games. Players will also have a shot at a $50,000 super coverall on both days of the event. In addition to the two coveralls, there will be a $5,000 second chance coverall and a $3,000 third chance coverall each day.

The April tournament will take place in Plaza Hotel & Casino’s recently-renovated ballroom. As usual, hundreds of bingo enthusiasts from all over the US are expected to participate.

Locals will have the privilege to benefit from a special promotion that allows them to bring a friend for free. Otherwise, players must pay $160 to sign up for the tournament. Alternatively, they can pay $300 for a room-and-bingo package that covers the tournament entry and a four-night stay from Sunday to Wednesday.

Plaza Hotel & Casino who choose to participate in the Super Bingo event will be provided with two daubers and a six-on paper pack. In addition, the casino will give players boxed launches and free drinks. After the first day of the tournament, Plaza Hotel & Casino will gift $10 in free slot spins to all tournament participants.

Super Bingo Attracts Players from the US and Beyond

Super Bingo attracts hundreds of players to Downtown Las Vegas each year. According to Plaza Hotel & Casino, its tournaments are visited even by players from Hawaii and Canada.

Some of the appeals that make these events so attractive are definitely the tempting prizes and opportunities to socialize with other bingo players from all over the US and beyond.

Because of the popularity of these events, Plaza Hotel & Casino will be hosting one each month after April, with the exception of July and December. If players, by chance, miss out on the opportunity to participate in the April tournament, they can come back to Downtown Vegas on May 1-3 for the next one.

Other tournaments are scheduled for June 5-7, August 7-9, September 11-13, October 9-11 and November 27-29.

The post Plaza Hotel & Casino Unveils Super Bingo Tournaments appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The manager authority that’s busy guaranteeing the safety of Danish gamblers in opposition to unlawful and unfair types of playing first found the unnamed playing operator’s unlawful providers in 2019. 

The Operator Breached the Danish Playing Monopoly Guidelines

Supervised by the Danish Ministry of Taxation, Spillemyndigheden discovered that the respective firm was providing unlawful video games of bingo and banko to its members whereas missing the mandatory license for these providers. In accordance with the Danish regulator’s discoveries, the unlawful actions came about each day for a number of years. 

The nation has a monopoly on bingo and banko video games. Accordingly, Danske Spil is the only operator owned by the state that’s allowed to supply these providers. Present in 1948, Danske Spil is the nation’s nationwide lottery that gives prompt video games, quantity video games, information video games and machine-based playing choices.  

Danske Spil’s license is issued for one yr at a time. In accordance with the phrases of the license, the operator has to produce in style and interesting video games that adjust to the present demand for gaming allowed by the Danish laws as a part of moral frameworks. 

The operator will not be allowed to create any new gaming merchandise or promote them to an even bigger extent that will go over its obligations. The one exception to the monopoly rules within the nation refers to video games which can be run by a non-profit lottery that directs its proceedings to charities and good causes.

The Courtroom Decided the Operator Breached Denmark’s Playing Legal guidelines

On February 2, a Danish courtroom decided that the playing operator in Odense had breached the nationwide playing legal guidelines by providing the bingo and banko video games to its registered members for a number of years. Accordingly, the operator was given a positive of DKK15,000 ($2,153) and it additionally needed to cowl the courtroom bills.

Final December, the regulator that points playing licenses, supervises operators and displays the playing business as an entire introduced it will enhance the Playing Authority’s Register of Voluntarily Excluded Gamers. The choice was made as a method of permitting customers to simplify their navigation on the web site. 

Throughout the identical month, the authority introduced it will launch model 1.4 of its insurance policies and steering on accountable playing. Among the many adjustments delivered to the steering, the regulator introduced the implementation of a sequence of adjustments to gamers’ deposit limits, together with adjustments delivered to bonus quantities.

Final week, Spillemyndigheden reported a 7.9% rise in playing income in 2022 in comparison with the earlier yr’s numbers throughout all sectors.

The post Danish Gambling Authority Scores Win Against Illegal Bingo Operator appeared first on Keno Wizard.