The General Assembly of the American state of Maryland has failed to take action on the prospected legalization of online casinos in the state as it adjourned on April 8 without discussing the matter.

That happened despite several stakeholders having expressed interest in that aspect, including iGaming suppliers, operators, vendors and lawmakers, all regarding the prospect of legalizing online casinos in Maryland as a real possibility.

A similar thing happened in the state of Georgia a couple of weeks ago when the General Assembly ended its term without voting on the legalization of online sports betting in the state. Experts were regarding Georgia and Maryland as the two states with the best prospects for legalization of online gambling this Spring.

However, Maryland does have legislation in place regarding online sports betting, it was approved back in November 2020 after the population had its say through a referendum.

Major Hurdles in Other States

There are several other American states which are considering expanding their online gambling legislation, but each one of them seems to have issues that need more time before being completely ironed out.

In Alabama for instance, there is a comprehensive package of bills that aim to legalize lottery, retail casinos and online sports betting in the state. That package of legislation is currently blocked at a conference committee which is tasked with setting fair tax rates for each of those activities and also to solve the problem of gambling exclusivity by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

In Maine the General Assembly failed to put two bills to vote that would have given the four tribes in the state control over online casinos and shut two existing land-based venues. Both bills came with divided reports from the committees, so debates are bound to resume when the legislature adjourns on April 17.

The Mississippi Senate witnessed two bills regarding the legalization of sports betting die in its committees while a third was adopted by the Gaming Committee in a strike-all version just to keep the topic alive for now. The legislature in this state will adjourn on 5 May.

Missouri had plenty of sports betting bills being discussed and at least one made it to the House floor to be discussed. That doesn’t mean that the bill is close to being adopted, though, as there is little consensus about its contents within the state legislature.

Pro sports teams in Missouri are trying to collect signatures for a sports betting initiative that would be included in the November ballot, when the American people will elect its next president. The pro sports teams will have to gather 171,592 verified signatures by early May in order to get on the ballot in November.

Source:

“Maryland online casino is dead. What else is left for 2024 US gambling expansion?“, igamingbusiness.com, April 9, 2024.

The post Maryland General Assembly Fails to Legalize Online Casinos appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has given the green light to revised ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment. This amendment aims to strip the Arkansas Racing Commission of its authority to issue a casino license in Pope County and mandates local voter approval for any new casino licenses outside of three specified counties.

Arkansas Ballot Initiative Advances Amidst Casino License Controversy

Attorney General Tim Griffin‘s certification of the ballot language sets the stage for the Local Voters in Charge ballot committee to initiate signature collection from registered voters. The committee needs to gather 90,704 signatures, including representation from 50 counties, by July 5 to secure a spot for the proposed amendment on the November 5 general election ballot, reported Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

The proposed amendment comes amidst ongoing disputes over the issuance of a casino license in Pope County, stirring up legal battles and community tensions. With billions of dollars at stake annually in the state’s gambling industry, the proposed changes could have far-reaching implications.

Hans Stiritz, spokesperson for the Local Voters in Charge committee, expressed gratitude for the attorney general’s approval. He highlighted in a written statement that the measure would prevent casinos from entering communities that oppose them and would enable local voters to define the identity of their respective hometowns. 

Meanwhile, Allison Burum of Cherokee Nation Businesses reiterated their commitment to their proposed Legends Resort & Casino project, emphasizing its potential economic impact.

Revised Ballot Language Signals Shift in Arkansas Gambling Laws

Griffin’s decision to revise the ballot language reflects concerns about clarity and accuracy. He stressed the need for precise wording to ensure voters fully understand the implications of the proposed amendment. Changes were made to align the language with legal definitions and to provide a clearer summary of the measure’s content.

The amendment seeks to repeal existing authorization for a casino in Pope County and mandates special elections for any future casino licenses outside of specified counties. This move represents a significant shift in the state’s gambling policies, prompting intense debate among stakeholders.

At the same time, at the end of January,  the Arkansas Racing Commission confirmed it is going to revise casino rules, potentially paving the way for the final casino license in Pope County, concluding the state’s casino expansion. 

The approval of the revised ballot language sets the stage for a heated campaign season as both proponents and opponents gear up to sway public opinion. With the potential for major changes to Arkansas’ gambling landscape, the upcoming months promise to be pivotal for the state’s future.

The post Arkansas Attorney General Clears Path for Casino License Amendment appeared first on Keno Wizard.

In a decisive move, casino workers in Montreal, Mont-Tremblant, Charlevoix, and Gatineau have voted in favor of an unlimited general strike, set to commence on June 23. 

Casino Workers Demand Fair Wages as Negotiations Stall

Riccardo Scopelleti, president of the Casino de Montréal-CSN security workers’ unit, announced that the negotiations with the employer had reached an impasse, as reported by the Montreal Gazette. The workers are demanding wage increases that reflect the rising cost of living, along with an additional CAD1 ($0.76) per hour. They argue that Loto-Québec, along with the Société des casinos, is generating significant profits, and therefore, the employees deserve their fair share.

The union has expressed its frustration with Loto-Québec management, particularly regarding the distribution of bonuses. According to the union, management has allocated $650,000 in bonuses this year, which they find to be insulting while denying workers the raises they deserve to keep pace with inflation.

However, Loto-Québec has expressed confusion over the union’s decision to initiate an indefinite strike. The company claims that all the necessary elements for reaching an agreement are already in place. They maintain that they offer favorable working conditions, with casino wages exceeding those of the reference market by approximately 20% for most job categories. Loto-Québec also highlights that the union’s current demands far exceed what other employees in the organization have received in the past year.

Strike Impacts 1,700 Casino Employees in Quebec as Loto-Québec Announces Limited Services

The strike will impact around 1,700 employees, leading to modified schedules and limited services at the Montreal, Charlevoix, and Mont-Tremblant casinos. The Casino du Lac-Leamy, Trois-Rivières gaming hall, and Quebec City gaming hall, however, will remain open as usual, as stated by Loto-Québec in a recent announcement. The strike will not affect the croupiers at the Montreal, Charlevoix, and Lac-Leamy casinos, and the lotoquebec.com website will remain accessible. However, the call center will not be operational during the strike.

Stéphanie Gratton, interim president of the Fédération des employées et employés du secteur public-CSN, dismissed Loto-Québec’s claims about good working conditions and competitive wages. She said she believes that the union’s demands are justified and necessary for the well-being of the workers.

Loto-Québec hopes to resume discussions with the union and the conciliator in order to reach a fair settlement that respects the responsible management of public funds. 

Just last year Loto-Québec was in trouble with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) representing casino dealers at Casino de Montréal. Following three months of strike action, CUPE reached a satisfactory labor agreement in principle with Loto-Québec, addressing concerns over working conditions and wages.

At the same time, Loto-Québec reported its best financial performance since the implementation of the Tobacco Control Act, with revenue of CAD2.225 billion ($1.61 billion) and net income of CAD1.204 billion ($872 million) for the third quarter of fiscal year 2022-2023, marking a significant increase and allowing for higher dividends to the government and benefits for Quebec residents.

The post Quebec Casino Workers Vote in Favor of Indefinite General Strike appeared first on Keno Wizard.

In an effort to tackle the problem of gambling addiction, New Jersey’s Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) director David Rebuck have announced several new measures, including the establishment of a new position to deal with responsible gaming, new advertising standards for operators and easier self-exclusion access for players.

New Jersey Attorney General Appoints Responsible Gaming Coordinator to Assist At-Risk Patrons

Speaking at the East Coast Gaming Congress held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, Attorney General Platkin said that the new position of responsible gaming coordinator would be filled by an experienced attorney and would report directly to the DGE director. 

As New Jersey’s gaming and sports wagering industries continue to grow, Platkin said the obligations to assist patrons who are at risk for problem gambling are also becoming wider. 

He further added that the other initiatives will help protect consumers and make it easier for individuals to access the help they need when their gaming behavior becomes problematic. 

DGE’s March 2023 gaming revenue results showed that for that month, online gaming revenue reported by casinos and their partners was $165.7 million, a rise of 17.8% compared to $140.7 million for March 2022. Sports wagering gross revenue reported by casinos, racetracks, and their partners was $93 million for March 2023, a 40.1% increase compared to last March.

New Jersey Launches Initiatives to Make Responsible Gambling a Priority

The initiatives announced by the Attorney General include new online and sports gambling advertising standards, making it clear that operators must make responsible gaming a priority. These initiatives require operators to display the gambler hotline prominently in their ads. They also require them to end dubious promises of guaranteed wins or risk-free bets. 

Additionally, operators must make wagering requirements clear in their terms and conditions. Advertising in locations where it could entice those under 21 years of age to play must be limited. Finally, the public must have the ability to swiftly opt out of direct advertising.

DGE will also make it easier for players with problem gaming behaviors to exclude themselves from gaming by creating a video-conference option, and by establishing a 24/7 hotline dedicated to assisting people with questions about the self-exclusion program and the process for signing up.

According to Felicia Grondin, executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, the increase in online gambling opportunities, access, and the amount of advertising has put many more people in New Jersey at risk for problem gambling. 

Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, also commented that the initiatives announced on April 20 will further bolster responsible gambling protections and reduce barriers for people seeking help.

The post New Jersey Attorney General Announces Measures to Tackle Gambling Addiction appeared first on Keno Wizard.