In a recent ruling, a judge in Las Vegas spared two individuals from incarceration, opting instead for probation, following their involvement in an embezzlement scheme targeting the renowned sports betting company, William Hill.

Unraveling the Scheme of William Hill’s Employee Fraud Investigation

The investigation, initiated in December 2022 by a Nevada Gaming Control Board enforcement agent, uncovered a web of deceit involving multiple employees within William Hill, reported 8 News Now. The company, boasting over 100 race and sports books in Nevada and recognized as the state’s premier mobile sports betting app, fell victim to the fraudulent activities of Shravan Singh and Paige Steiner, along with two other accomplices.

The investigation into the embezzlement scheme at William Hill involved both the Nevada Gaming Commission and internal teams, with Shravan Singh and Paige Steiner facing numerous charges. Singh’s termination and subsequent arrest followed the discovery of fraudulent activity, with over $280,000 reportedly stolen. Investigators uncovered a pattern of suspicious transactions facilitated by Singh’s position, leading to further scrutiny and potential arrests of additional co-conspirators.

Singh and Steiner, charged with five counts each, confessed to their crimes earlier this year and agreed to jointly compensate the company with over $200,000 in restitution. Their sentencing, delivered by Clark County Judge Crystal Eller, resulted in probation terms. Violation of these conditions could lead to a minimum of three years behind bars for either offender.

Singh Unravels Role in the William Hill Embezzlement

According to investigators, Singh orchestrated fraudulent cash adjustments on a staggering 166 occasions spanning nearly 3,000 instances. Documents revealed Singh’s embezzlement spree, which commenced in October 2021, amounted to over $280,000. His position within the company shielded his illicit activities from detection until the investigation’s inception.

Authorities underscored Singh’s pivotal role in concealing not only his own fraudulent transactions but also those of others, impeding the timely reporting of compliance breaches by William Hill.

Additional individuals allegedly involved in the embezzlement scheme against William Hill were identified, bringing the total to five. Persha Stanley and Anthony Cuddeback were charged for their alleged roles, tied to fraudulent cash adjustments authorized by former employee Shravan Singh. Besides Stanley and Cuddeback, investigators implicated Passion Tatreoina Rich and Paige Steiner in the scheme, with potential charges pending against Rich. 

Meanwhile, a separate legal battle involving six individuals, including former William Hill staff, is ongoing in Las Vegas Justice Court, shedding further light on the pervasive nature of embezzlement within the sports betting industry.

The ruling marks a cautionary tale for both employees and companies operating in the gambling sector, emphasizing the severe consequences awaiting those who engage in fraudulent practices. Despite evading immediate imprisonment, Singh and Steiner will remain under judicial scrutiny, serving as a deterrent against future misconduct.

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The Arkansas Supreme Court has rejected a petition from Legends Resort and Casino and Cherokee Nation Businesses, seeking a rehearing in a case where the court ruled that the Arkansas Racing Commission’s award of the Pope County casino license to the consortium violated Amendment 100 to the Arkansas Constitution. This decision leaves the Commission free to determine how to resolve the matter.

The Court Decision Marks Significant Progress

The legal battle began in November 2021 when the Arkansas Racing Commission issued the Pope County casino license to the Legends/Cherokee consortium, nullifying the license previously awarded to Gulfside Casino Partnership in 2020. Gulfside challenged this decision, leading to several years of court cases and disputes that may significantly affect the state’s gambling sector.

Amendment 100 to the Arkansas Constitution, approved by voters in November 2018, empowered the Arkansas Racing Commission to license four full-fledged casinos. However, in a 5-2 ruling on October 26, 2023, the state’s Supreme Court affirmed a decision by Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox, stating that the Arkansas Racing Commission erred in the licensing process.

The Commission had awarded the license to two entities, Legends Resort and Casino and Cherokee Nation Businesses. The court ruled that only a single entity could hold a casino license. Legends failed to meet the licensing requirements stipulated in the Arkansas Constitution due to a lack of prior casino gaming experience, disqualifying the venue from offering gambling services.

Legends Resort and Casino’s Future Remains Uncertain

The court’s decision not to grant a rehearing further complicates the situation. The next step involves the Arkansas Racing Commission meeting to receive input from the attorney general’s office and the state Department of Finance and Administration to determine the best course of action that will cause minimal disruptions.

The Pope County casino license has been a source of contention, with billions of dollars collectively wagered at the state’s casinos annually. Trent Minner, administrator of the state Department of Finance and Administration’s Regulatory Division, which includes the Racing Commission, stated that the Commission would assess the situation in upcoming meetings.

The high court’s decision effectively ended any form of litigation or questions remaining regarding the casino issue over the past five years.

Pope County Judge Ben Cross

The denial of the petition for rehearing by the Arkansas Supreme Court clears the way for the Arkansas Racing Commission to act. These ongoing legal proceedings and the involvement of different entities have underscored the challenges of implementing casino licensing in the state. The decision may prompt discussions on potential next steps and the impact on the casino licensing process in Pope County.

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West Flagler and Associates continues its battle over the future of sports betting in Florida. The firm will now try to involve the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) in hopes of preventing the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s attempt to dominate and expand the betting market.

Florida legalized sports betting for a while but the vertical was quickly put on hold as the state became the battleground for a huge conflict between casino companies and the Seminole Tribe. Florida legalized sports betting on November 1, 2021, but had to shut down the market on December 4 that same year. Various parties in the state have been involved in this legal battle ever since.

A contract with Gov. Ron DeSantis provided the Seminole Tribe with the exclusive right to operate sports betting, to the casino operators’ dismay.

Operators have since alleged that the contract is unconstitutional since it didn’t secure voter approval. In addition, casino companies have pointed out that tribal operators shouldn’t be able to operate outside of tribal lands, in accordance with Florida’s laws.

West Flagler and Associates has been trying to reverse the DC Circuit Court of Appeal’s mandate. Recently, it tried to request a stay motion but its appeal was rejected by the DC Circuit Court.

Left with few other options, West Flagler has now launched a petition to take the case to the SCOTUS.

The Fight Goes On

It is not certain whether the SCOTUS will hear West Flagler and Associates’ case. This means that the matter may continue to drag on as everyone anticipates the SCOTUS’ decision.

In any case, the launch of this petition is set to prevent the Seminole Tribe from launching its Hard Rock Bet brand.

Bullish on preventing the tribe’s betting expansion, West Flagler has also filed a constitutional challenge against the Florida Governor. According to the firm, the Governor should not have expanded the state’s gambling industry without a public vote.

West Flagger alleges that the tribe’s betting operations undermine the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and possibly breach the state’s rules, which prevent tribal gaming outside of tribal lands. The firm also noted that the measure that allows the Seminole tribe to expand its betting operations may violate the Equal Protection Clause since it provides the tribe with a statewide monopoly over the vertical.

For reference, casino operators in the Sunshine State lost their federal case before a three-judge panel earlier this year. However, West Flagler eventually rekindled the fight.

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The Florida sports betting case has taken another turn as the Department of the Interior (DOI) objects to West Flagler and Associates’ request for a stay in the DC Circuit Court of Appeals mandate. The court’s decision, which favored the DOI and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, did little to reduce tensions as both sides remained firm in their resolve. 

The Legal Battle Carries On

The heart of the dispute revolves around Florida’s agreement with the Seminole Tribe to offer Hard Rock Bet to Florida residents, specifically off-state lands. While West Flagler has the right to question the nature of this agreement, the DOI asserts that it need not be involved in this matter. Instead, it maintains that this issue is for the state of Florida and state courts to decide.

West Flagler has until 2 October to respond to the DOI’s filings. Subsequently, the court will need to issue a ruling on the stay. If the request gets denied, it could eventually pave the way for the launch of Hard Rock Bet in Florida. The DOI was adamant that the current court ruling was valid, as it clarified a narrow section in one particular Compact under IGRA.

A stay is not warranted because any such petition could present no substantial question for Supreme Court review.

DOI statement

West Flagler has also expressed its intent to petition for a writ of certiorari. The group has until 11 December to file its petition. Following this action, the DOI and the Seminole Tribe will have 30 days to respond before the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decides whether to hear the case.

The Future of Florida Sports Betting Hangs in the Balance

The Court of Appeals’ decision will likely decide the future of sports betting in Florida. The Seminole Tribe has reaffirmed that it plans to resume the wagering offering via the Hard Rock brand but cannot proceed without clearing the current legal hurdle. While the case has stretched for months, West Flagler is running out of avenues to contest the court decision, meaning the saga may be nearing its conclusion.

The Seminole Tribe currently holds a 30-year agreement with the state of Florida, granting it a monopoly on all sports betting. The agreement also required the tribe to pay the state a minimum of $2.5 billion over the first five years of the deal. However, the current legal proceedings have put all plans on hold. 

The outcome of this legal battle will have significant implications for the future of sports betting in Florida and provide further clarity on the application of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. While the current situation favors the Seminole Tribe, both sides await the court’s decision on the stay request, as this case’s ultimate resolution remains uncertain.

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In a recent decision, a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) panelist has found that VGW Holdings Limited, an Australian online gambling company, attempted reverse domain name hijacking by filing a complaint against the owner of vgw.com who is a Republic of Korea resident. 

VGW Holdings Limited has been operating its website, vgw.co, since 2010, offering online casino-style gaming services through its various brands such as Chumba Casino, Global Poker and Luckyland Slots. The company holds several trademark registrations for the VGW mark in various countries, demonstrating its commitment to protecting its brand identity.

However, the WIPO panelist, Kathryn Lee, ruled in favor of the domain owner, Hyundoo Shin, a Republic of Korea resident, who registered vgw.com in 2002, long before VGW Holdings Limited even came into existence. This critical timeline difference played a pivotal role in the panelist’s decision.

Lee emphasized that since the disputed domain name predates VGW Holdings’s trademark rights and formation, it would have been impossible for Shin to have registered the domain name with the intention of targeting VGW Holdings Limited and its mark. 

Panelist Lee Condemns Attempted Reverse Domain Hijacking in Landmark Decision

Panelist Lee wrote in the Administrative panel decision document: “The Complainant should surely have known that the Complaint could not succeed based on these facts, and proceeding with this Complaint can only be viewed as an attempt to deprive a registered domain-name holder of a domain name.”

This fact led the panelist to conclude that the complaint was brought in bad faith, with an attempt at reverse domain name hijacking, constituting an abuse of the administrative proceeding.

The case highlights the importance of considering the registration date of a domain name in intellectual property disputes. In this instance, VGW Holdings Limited failed to demonstrate that the respondent, Hyundoo Shin, registered the domain name in bad faith due to the significant time gap between registration and the company’s establishment.

Furthermore, the panelist’s decision underscores the potential consequences for complainants who attempt reverse domain name hijacking. Reverse domain name hijacking occurs when a complainant files a dispute knowing that they cannot prove bad faith registration or use of the domain name by the owner. Such attempts can result in a finding of reverse domain name hijacking, as seen in this case.

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Sports betting has been on hold in Florida for a few years now and there’s no indication when it will be relaunched. After the state signed a gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe, stakeholders within the sector, including West Flagler Associates, challenged that decision, claiming it was in breach of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). This ultimately resulted in a legal battle that continues to unravel.

On Thursday, the US Department of the Interior (DOI), criticized West Flagler’s petition for a rehearing en banc on the sports betting case, claiming that the request was “unwarranted.” The latest episode of the legal fight comes after mid-August, West Flagler filed for an en banc hearing of its case. This rare occurrence is actually a rehearing of a court case with the DC Circuit Court of Appeals.

However, what’s different with en banc rehearings is that they are held before a majority of judges on active service, rather than the usual panel consisting of three judges. The DOI described its case in a 25-page response, criticizing West Flagler’s rehearing request for the sports betting compact in Florida.

The DOI wrote: “West Flagler’s arguments for rehearing are strawmen, premised on its erroneous assertion that, by referencing the state-sanctioned wagers, the Compact — and the Secretary’s approval thereof — purport to unilaterally legalize the placement of those wagers and the State regime for regulating them.” The lengthy response adds: “But, as West Flagler acknowledges, the panel held in no uncertain terms that the compact does not do that. And the panel did so while making scrupulously clear that neither its opinion nor the Secretary’s approval prevents West Flagler from challenging the relevant State law in Florida’s courts.”

Legal Battle for Sports Betting Continues

In light of the current circumstances, sports betting remains on hold in Florida, and it is yet to be confirmed when the activity will be able to resume. The Seminole Tribe previously said it plans to resume the betting offering via the Hard Rock brand, but the legal hurdle needs to be cleared before this can happen.

Next week marks the start of the new National Football League (NFL) season. By the look of it, residents of Florida will have to wait further before they can place wagers on the NFL. After legalizing the activity in 2021, Florida launched it briefly for a month before it was put on hold on December 4, 2021.

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Crown Melbourne the Victoria-based property, which is currently under a special supervision regime, is expected to be restored to full operations early next year. Before this happens, however, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission would have to decide on the operator’s suitability first.

VGCCC Prepares for Transition-out Plan

Should Crown Melbourne fail, though, the VGCCC already has what Kimmitt has described as a Plan B, which could see the regulator make sure the property runs even if the iconic operator is no longer deemed capable. Kimmett dismissed media speculation that properties are too big to fail – failure was an option, she said, and it was up the newly-setup regulator to find a way to move past a worst-case scenario.

Presently, the Melbourne casino is still under a special monitoring regime, carried out by a Special manager, and will continue to be so until next year when a final decision ought to be made. Stephen O’Brien, who supervises the remediation efforts undertaken by Crown, will make recommendations to the VGCCC at the end of this year and seek to help the regulator arrive at a decision.

The commission though is not shy about what would happen if Crown failed. According to Kimmett’s interview with Inside Asian Gaming, the regulator and Crown are already working out a “transition-out plan.” This is done in order to ensure that jobs remain intact and that the property, which is an important part of the state’s economy, remains open and thriving.

Crown Continues to Collaborate Fully

Kimmett confirmed that Crown has not baulked at the suggestion, and the team at the operator has been cooperating fully with the VGCCC. Crown is now the property of Blackstone, a global investment group, which did not hesitate to acquire the beleaguered casino brand even though it faced multiple legal challenges in Australia.

“What was really pleasing in working with Blackstone is that when we put to them that much higher bar of expectations, they signed up to it,” Kimmett said Despite the plan, though, things so far seem to be looking up for Crown and Blackstone who are confident that they will be able to restore their reputation with the regulator and continue business as usual from 2024 onwards.

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Geolocation expertise provider Xpoint had its movement to dismiss associated the patent infringement case filed by competitor GeoComply granted by a federal courtroom in a key choice for the geolocation market.

Case Dismissed by Court docket

The ruling issued on Friday, February 10 by Decide William J. Bryson from the Federal Circuit within the District of Delaware discovered the geolocation patent of GeoComply to be invalid on the grounds that it makes an attempt to say a patent on material that can’t be patented and represents an entire win for Xpoint and all the geolocation market which can now be free and open to competitors.

“From the start of this litigation Xpoint has maintained that it has carried out its enterprise legally and appropriately,” commented Marvin Sanderson, chief govt officer of Xpoint, feeling “extraordinarily happy” with the ruling.

GeoComply launched the authorized case towards Xpoint in September final 12 months, claiming that Xpoint violated its patent dated again to 2016 overlaying a geolocation engine expertise invented by GeoComply chief govt officer and co-founder Anna Sainsbury.

GeoComply turned to the Delaware District Court docket searching for an “injunction to guard GeoComply’s investment-based threat” within the title of the general public curiosity and “to implement the Patent Act’s statutory proper to exclude others from working towards GeoComply’s patented invention.” Xpoint’s preliminary response was that the patent infringement claims are meritless.

Try to Preserve Monopoly

“As an organization, we remained assured that we might prevail on this matter as GeoComply’s allegations have been false, meritless, and a thinly veiled try to improperly preserve its monopoly on the gaming geolocation market,” Sanderson added.

Using its place as an early geolocation market entrant following the legalization of on-line sports activities playing within the US, GeoComply managed to amass a big market share however final 12 months its smaller competitor grabbed the eye with vital market development.

Final month, it turned apparent that GeoComply has no materials proof towards Xpoint and has constructed its case on a 3rd occasion after GeoComply filed a movement requesting the courtroom to compel the net gaming firm Out The Gate (OTG) to supply supplies associated to an inner on-line presentation throughout which it had been allegedly revealed that Xpoint had an identical code processes to GeoComply.

The courtroom ruling was additionally commented on by gaming {industry} professional Christian Goode, who’s satisfied that the choice would have an industry-wide influence, encouraging all disruptive startups and entrepreneurs.

“Geolocation is the one business-critical service offered to on-line gaming firms that beforehand lacked full and free competitors,” Goode stated, adamant that “gaming suppliers, gamers and regulators will profit from open competitors for this vital service.”

A important service for each operators and regulators, geolocation service suppliers assure that solely gamers situated within the state can have entry to on-line gaming actions.

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