For more than a decade, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians (SSM Tribe) has been making efforts to expand its land-based presence with the development of two new casinos. While the Tribe currently operates five Kewadin Casinos around Michigan’s upper peninsula, it has been pursuing expansion to Lansing and New Boston.

The efforts of the SSM Tribe included purchasing land at the two aforementioned locations back in 2012. At the time, the Tribe purchased 2.3 acres of land in Lansing, as well as 71 acres in New Boston. Ultimately, the land was expected to be used by the Tribe for its new casinos which are expected to bring economic stimulus.

According to the SSM Tribe, the land for the two sites was purchased via its Self-Sufficiency Fund. While the Tribe asked the US Department of Interior (DOI), to take the land into trust, which is required for the building of casinos, the agency refused to do so. Citing the Michigan Indian Land Claims Settlement Act (MILCSA), the DOI rejected the request of the Tribe to take the land into trust in 2017. At the time, the agency explained that per MILCSA, the tribe cannot use the Self-Sufficiency Fund for gambling activities.

The Legal Fight Continues

Disagreeing with the DOI, the SSM Tribe launched a lawsuit in 2018. It said that the agency’s decision was in breach of the MILCSA and may stifle its further growth and welfare. However, the DOI’s decision was later reaffirmed by US District Judge Trevor N. McFadden.

However, as announced by PlayMichigan, the SSM Tribe hasn’t given up on the legal fight. The latest episode of the legal saga saw the Tribe raise the matter with the DC Circuit Court. In its legal claim, the SSM Tribe asked the Circuit Court to overturn McFadden’s ruling that reaffirmed the DOI was correct to reject taking the lands into trust under MILCSA.

If the DC Circuit Court overturns the ruling, the Tribe may finally achieve an important milestone in the planned expansion of its land-based portfolio. In case this happens, the land must be taken into trust, paving the way for the development of the Tribe’s two new venues planned in Lansing and New Detroit.

Elsewhere in Michigan, last month, Fanatics Betting and Gaming rolled out its iGaming and sports betting application. The launch made Michigan the thirteenth state where Fanatics has established its sports betting operations and the third state where Fanatics Casino is available.

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Iowa is one of the US states that currently offers not only legal sports betting but casino gambling as well. The state currently offers legal retail and online betting on sports, as well as casino gambling via 19 brick-and-mortar casinos. The tax rate applicable for sports betting is set at 6.75% on sports betting revenue, while casinos that generate a minimum of $3 million in gross revenue pay a 22% tax rate on their gross gambling revenues.

Amid the growing competition from casinos in nearby states, lawmakers in Iowa are exploring options for the gradual reduction of the tax rate applicable for land-based casinos. One such effort is led by Rep. Jane Bloomingdale, who filed House Study Bill 719 earlier this month. The proposal, calls for a slight decrease in the rate applicable for casino operators.

Under House Study Bill 719, the 22% tax rate for land-based casinos will decrease by a percentage per fiscal year. This process, under the proposed bill, will continue through the fiscal 2027 year, when the tax rate for retail casinos will be reduced to 19% on gross gaming revenues. The aforementioned proposal comes at a time when the state Governor anticipates tax cuts on the income of Iowa residents.

Ultimately, the slight reduction in the taxes for casinos seeks to make them more competitive amid the growing competition from nearby states. For example, nearby casinos in Illinois and Nebraska may gain an advantage against Iowa and attract visitors considering their lower tax rate.

Casinos Provide Vital Economic Stimulus for Local Communities

Bloomingdale, who was recently quoted by Iowa Capital Dispatch, revealed that casinos across Iowa have helped local communities. This economic stimulus, she said, helped by providing vital resources. “Every fire department has a new fire truck, every church has a new roof, every cemetery has tombstones that have been fixed, on a paved road. So I look at the things that they’ve (casinos) done in our communities that, you know, if they have 1% more income, that money would go directly into our communities,” added Bloomingdale.

Additionally, she spoke about the importance of tax cuts, acknowledging that lawmakers are considering lower taxes for corporations and individuals but not casinos. “It just doesn’t seem fair,” Bloomingdale added, pointing out that if Iowa considers lowering taxes the state should “look at everyone.”

Bloomingdale’s proposal gained traction by securing approval from a House Ways and Means subcommittee on Monday.

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Synot Games is happy to provide its range of games to PepperMill Casino and supply it with a selection of powerful and worthwhile games that will bolster engagement and drive retention rates for the popular brand.

Synot is moving forward with a hand-picked portfolio of games that will be introduced to PepperMill Casino’s land-based properties in Belgium. A digital extension of this partnership has also been signed up, allowing the companies to further bolster their mutual presence in the market and provide players with a 360-degree experience.

Synot Keen to Expand in Belgium

Some of the games that will be introduced to PepperMill Casino and are now going to be available to players include popular picks from Synot’s portfolio such as Book of Secrets 6 Dice, Respin Joker Dice, Firebird Double 27 Dice, and many others.

Synot Games CCO Martina Hrabinská was excited to see this partnership come through and said:

The deal with PepperMill Casino is in line with our strategy to expand across regulated markets and let millions of gamers play and enjoy our world-class portfolio.  

Synot Games CCO Martina Hrabinská

She further noted that PepperMill Casino had significant ambitions for the Belgium market – and other jurisdictions – which is precisely why Synot is excited to be working with the company on this content collaboration.

In the meantime, Synot Games offers more than 100 games in 32 languages, making its potential global reach outstanding, and paving the way for future content collaborations with PepperMill Casino, including expansions.

PepperMill Casino Welcomes New Supplier

PepperMill Casino casino manager Jorn Stifter was similarly pleased with the opportunity to be teaming up with a respected supplier such as Synot. Stifter added:

We’re incredibly pleased to have partnered with Synot Games as we continue our mission to delight players and reinvent casino entertainment for a new age of gaming.

PepperMill Casino casino manager Jorn Stifter

He further praised Synot’s reputation in the industry, saying that PepperMill Casino’s opinion of the supplier was one of a producer of high-quality games that bring outstanding slot options. Synot Games has been recently on a tear as well, with the company signing several prominent partnerships.

The supplier established a content alliance with betFIRST and it has further taken another step in the German gaming market through a partnership with StarGames.de. Synot has also struck a similar partnership with CBet in Lithuania.

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Speaking to CNBC, a media news outlet, Aristocrat CEO Hector Fernandez explained that the company’s decision to invest more heavily in the online gaming sector was not necessarily out of a fear that interactive gaming platforms are going to take over the land-based sector.

Aristocrat Sees a Dual Future for Online and Land-Based Gambling

There is a balance to be struck between the two verticals, and Fernandez feels positive that the long-term strategy Aristocrat embarks on will cover both the land-based and online gaming sectors. Physical gaming has been growing in a “robust way” of late, and it will continue to do so in the years to follow, the executive noted.

Digital and online gaming platforms are not the land-based sector killer either, Fernandez said, dismissing a popular fear that has long prevented many states and jurisdictions across the United States to embark on expanding online gambling.

Of course, there have been other fears as well – including the impact on society the mass expansion of online gambling may have if left unchecked, including an increase in problem gambling rates.

Aristocrat though has definitely appreciated the additional reach and revenue impact the company’s real money gaming (RMG) segment has had on operational results. In recent months, the Australian gaming giant has closed deals for both Roxor Gaming and NeoGames, two platforms specializing in the vertical specifically. Fernandez offered further insight into why he thought his argument was tenable.

“We do believe digital gaming will play a role. It will be a dual role, however, where a player can engage in a digital fashion but when they want that […] social interaction that you just can’t get from sitting on your phone, they will go to a land-based casino to experience that,” the chief executive said.

People Determined to Experience Land-Based Casinos No Matter What

Fernandez is fairly right to be optimistic. Entire markets and jurisdictions have begun shifting their focus from the land-based sector and gambling in general to other verticals. Macau, home to some of the biggest gambling companies and casino resorts, is now doubling down to promote the tourism industry that is tied to these resorts, without necessarily pushing casino products front and center.

Meanwhile, Fernandez said that his visit to Singapore was part of the company’s interest in exploring new opportunities for land-based gaming, including in Asia. He then paralleled how North America and Asia have reacted to COVID-19 and the subsequent reopening.

According to Fernandez, once the restrictions were lifted, and people were allowed to go somewhere and be present there physically, consumers did flock to the land-based sector rather than sitting on their phones.

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Initiated by the BC Lottery Corporation, this is a significant step up in the efforts to ensure that consumers are protected. Moving forward, the only way to enter casinos in the province would be by providing a government-issued identification. This way, the onus would be on land-based properties to ensure that people who enter are not self-excluded or under the legal gambling age.

Using Automated ID Checks to Keep Consumers Safe

The measure is expected to be officially introduced this summer, and more details will be forthcoming as the final implementation date is being debated but will be here before August in all likelihood. Casinos will have to do some catching up to do as they would have to ensure that they have the necessary software to check against a database of self-excluded players in the province.

All IDs will be scanned by security staff prior to admission to casino properties with the system automatically referencing a patron’s identity against the Game Break self-exclusion program. Although some concerns about privacy have been raised, the system does not store any personal data to speak of, so consumers will be able to pass this check without any concern.

According to the regulator, this is a way towards paving the way for an industry that has the healthiest players in the world, and the quick and reliable verification against the self-exclusion program is a great way to achieve this. These automated ID scans are also the best way to ensure that no underage or self-excluded individual would be able to enter the premises of a casino.

Building the World’s Healthiest Player Base

IDs in casinos in British Columbia have always been required, as they are needed to verify identity when claiming winnings or withdrawing jackpots. Regardless, the new system is expected to improve who gets on the casino floor and still be unobtrusive enough for consumers to not be turned away or scared by identity checks.

Game Break is not without its potential faults and exploits, however. Similar self-exclusion programs have been abused in the past. GAMSTOP in the United Kingdom, for example, could be tinkered with if a person would re-enter information about themselves, thus confusing self-exclusion algorithms and fooling automated checks.

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The latest company to comment on this seminal moment in the UK gambling industry is Rank Group. The company has welcomed the proposals and the forthcoming process of consultation that will collect further input and feedback and arrive at solutions that best reflect the needs of consumers.

Rank Group Weighs In on Digital and Land-Based Changes

Rank Group called itself in support of “striking the right balance” between consumer freedoms and protecting individuals from gambling-related harm. The Group also said that it welcomed the commitment demonstrated in the White Paper and acknowledged that there have been significant changes to the gambling landscape over the past years.

Rank Group, which has 50 casinos, hailed the proposed changes for the land-based sector, which should give the company a more competitive outlook in the age of digital gambling. The Group confirmed that it would continue to keep in touch with the government and the UK Gambling Commission regarding the proposed changes and how they can contribute to the final framework outlined by the White Paper.

Rank Group also welcomed the idea of a statutory levy and said that the government has chosen the right approach in considering the “differing association of different sectors with harm and/or their differing fixed costs.”

Rank Group expects any changes to the gambling industry and its regulatory framework in the United Group to have a positive impact on the Group. Company chief executive John O’Reilly similarly noted:

The public policy changes set out by Government are a constructive set of measures for the future of our industry and provide a firmer foundation for us to invest in our business.

Company chief executive John O’Reilly

Digital Pinch to Be Felt, Net Benefit for Group Anyway

O’Reilly explained that Rank Group would feel the pinch of digital regulation tightening but remained cautiously optimistic about the prospects that the changes revealed ahead of the land-based industry. In net terms, though, the Group stands to benefit, he noted.

“With public policy now set, attention shifts to the timeline for implementing these policy changes. Swift implementation of these much-needed reforms is vital for the land-based sector as we look to meet the needs of today’s consumers whilst continuing to uphold our commitment to safer gambling,” the executive concluded on an upbeat note.

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Land-based casinos have been around for centuries. In the last two decades, casinos have become a regular online sight, and virtual games are popular with players. Both land-based and online casinos offer exciting gameplay, but they differ from each other in several ways. Keep reading to discover the key differences between land-based and online casinos.

Accessibility and Restrictions

Using an online casino gives players access to games wherever they are. They can also play the casino’s mobile version on a smartphone like an iPhone or a Samsung using a dedicated app or a mobile browser to enjoy their favourite games from any location with Internet access.

Being able to access online casinos so easily makes them convenient. While land-based casinos may not be as convenient in terms of travelling to them, they do house a variety of games and entertainment options under one roof. In some of these casinos, visitors can watch a live show, spend time playing table games, and have a meal in a restaurant all in one space. This range of activities makes a land-based casino a good choice for an easily accessible night out.

The availability/accessibility/selection

Both online and land-based casinos provide a variety of games, including slot machines and table games. Land-based premises tend to have fewer games due to space restrictions. There are no such restrictions when it comes to online virtual games. So, online casinos have a more extensive selection of games. For example, offerings like platincasino slots online include Megaways slots and jackpot games. There’s also a live casino that mimics the experience in a brick & mortar location. So, players can get traditional casino excitement in any location.

The security level

Modern online casinos have high levels of security, including SSL encryption. These casinos also have licences that guarantee they operate fairly. These security measures and licences ensure that a person is safe while playing online and has financial protection. Land-based casinos also have security measures and licences that ensure they operate fairly. They also have security cameras in place to monitor activity in the casino. Both online and land-based casinos operate a know your customer (KYC) process which means that players have to provide verification of their identity.

The overall experience

Overall, the experience of playing at an online casino is very different from that of visiting land-based premises. For example:

● Playing a slot game in a land-based casino involves using a free-standing machine and pushing buttons or pulling levers, whereas playing slots online involves using a keypad or touchscreen.
● In land-based casinos, playing involves an actual physical experience, whereas online, the experience is virtual.
● Online casinos are always available for players to enjoy, whereas travelling to a land-based casino takes time and effort and may not be convenient.
● Land-based casinos often have bars, restaurants, and live entertainment, which is not the case for online casinos.

Conclusion

The experiences of playing at an online casino and visiting land-based premises have some key differences. Playing online doesn’t involve travelling to a venue, whereas playing at a land-based casino does. Land-based casinos often house other entertainment that people can enjoy, whereas online casinos are all about playing games. Both online and land-based casinos are safe and secure, and they’re both interactive. The type of experience an individual opts for is down to personal choice.

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