In a landmark decision following the Switzerland casino industry’s delegate meeting on May 22, the Swiss Federal Council has unveiled new regulations for casino licenses, set to commence in January 2025. These licenses will be granted for 20 years, introducing new casinos and reinforcing industry standards.

New Casinos in Prilly and Winterthur

As part of the new licensing framework, new casinos have been approved in Prilly and Winterthur. Notably, the Winterthur casino will replace the current venue in Schaffhausen, as no application was submitted for the latter location. This shift underscores the evolving landscape of Switzerland’s gambling industry.

Gerhard Pfister, President of the Swiss Casino Association, hailed the new licenses as a historic milestone for Switzerland’s gambling sector. “The granting of the new concessions is a milestone,” Pfister stated. “The federal government has recognised that today’s casinos ensure safe and responsible operations and generate great economic benefits in their region.”

Enhanced Industry Collaboration

The Swiss Casino Group venues in Zurich, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, and Pfäffikon have unanimously joined the Swiss Casino Association. Winterthur will also submit a membership application once it opens. This development means that all 21 land-based and 10 online casinos in Switzerland are now members of the Swiss Casino Association.

Pfister emphasized the benefits of this unified collaboration, stating, “I’m pleased that Swiss Casinos has joined the association and with it the entire casino industry with one voice can speak.” Marc Baumann, a board member of Swiss Casinos, added, “The online business is changing the Swiss casino industry sustainably. We are happy to work together with the Swiss Casino Association to help shape the future.”

Revenue Trends: Land-Based vs. Online Casinos

In 2023, Switzerland’s land-based casinos experienced a slight decline in revenue, generating CHF 623 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR), down 1.1% from the previous year. Conversely, online casinos saw significant growth, accumulating CHF 286 million in GGR, a 14.3% year-on-year increase. This trend reflects a broader shift towards digital offerings in the gambling industry.

Casinos also saw a 3% increase in tax contributions, with the state receiving CHF 409.3 million in 2023. Over the past 20 years, Swiss casinos have contributed over CHF 8 billion in taxes, primarily benefiting the country’s AHV pension system.

Record Profits for Loterie Romande

In related news, the Loterie Romande public lottery reported a net profit increase to CHF 5.1 million for 2023. The lottery will distribute a record CHF 243.7 million to good causes, despite a 3.4% drop in gross gaming revenue to CHF 420.7 million.

Jean-René Fournier, Chairman of Loterie Romande, attributed the profit rise to stringent management of operating costs, enhanced digital offerings, and the introduction of the EuroDreams draw game. “This result can be attributed in particular to the rigorous management of operating costs, the strengthening of our digital offering, and – with the launch of the European draw game EuroDreams in October 2023 – the diversity of our product range,” Fournier explained.

The Swiss Federal Council’s new casino licensing regulations mark a significant evolution in the country’s gambling industry. With new casinos in Prilly and Winterthur and a reinforced industry collaboration through the Swiss Casino Association, the future of Swiss gambling looks robust and promising. As the sector shifts increasingly towards online gaming, these new regulations ensure a balanced approach to growth and responsible operations.

Source: “Switzerland federal council grants all casinos new licences from 2025”. May 24, 2024.

The post Swiss Federal Council Sets New Casino License Regulations for 2025 appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Play’n GO, the well-known supplier of slot games for online casinos, has announced that its prospects of expanding in the United States have improved after having been awarded a license to operate in Pennsylvania.

Moreover, the company also secured a license in Delaware, allowing it to offer its vast portfolio of casino games to online casino operators which cater to players in that state. With Pennsylvania and Delaware, the total number of United States licenses held by Play’n GO went up to six, following New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, and Connecticut.

The Swedish gaming company has also recorded great success north of the border, in Canada, where it was one of the very first iGaming suppliers to secure a license in the province of Toronto, the only Canadian province with a competitive online casino and sports betting market.

The supplier’s presence on the American market has brought its games to the attention of the U.S. players and the reward came soon enough as Piggy Blitz, one of the supplier’s top games, has made regular appearances in the top 15 of the most popular titles in North America.

After having secured licenses in Pennsylvania and Delaware, Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer for Play’n GO, once again underlined that the company’s aim is to become the number one iGaming supplier in every regulated market in the world. So far the company has gained licenses in over 25 jurisdictions from all around the world.

A Prolific Supplier

Play’n GO has also announced that it will release over 50 new online casino games in 2024, giving a major boost to the already vast portfolio of slot games that the company currently offers to its online casino partners.

The company started out in 2005, and since then, it has built a strong reputation as one of the best suppliers of slot games in the industry. In fact, some of its games have become legendary, titles such as Book of Dead, Reactoonz, and Moon Princess are present in almost every major online casino in any corner of the world.

The supplier’s current portfolio contains over 300 premium titles. One of the most recent releases was Mötley Crüe, a slot game dedicated to the legendary 80s rock band and a title that continued the company’s series of music games following the success of titles such as Alice Cooper and the Tome of Madness and ZZ Top Roadside Riches.

Source: “Play’n GO awarded Pennsylvania license“. Play’n GO. March 27, 2024.

The post Play’n GO Enters Pennsylvania After Receiving License appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Two years after Crown Resorts’ Melbourne property came under government review, and following the acquisition by Blackstone Group, the flagship casino has been deemed fit to retain its license and continue to operate, overcoming a difficult regulatory spell that necessitated strict government supervision because of breach of anti-money laundering laws.

VGCCC Pleased with Progress and Ongoing Efforts

Much of this is now in the past, with the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), a hardened regulator which emerged precisely because of omissions in the previous watchdog’s model, deeming the Crown Resorts property as suitable to carry on. The VGCCC allowed itself rare praise of the property, calling the “systematic failings” of Crown Melbourne a “thing of the past.”

But ongoing suitability will be significantly demonstrated by how Crown responds to instances of operational failure, not by their total absence.

VGCC chair Fran Thorn

VGCC chair Fran Thorn has spoken about the long process that the property and the regulator undertook to ensure that all regulatory benchmarks are met in full and conscientiously. Crown Resorts has confirmed that it will continue to work towards the betterment of its operations and achieving better sustainability.

“Over 10,000 pages of documentation have been submitted and 770 remediation activities have been delivered to our state regulators, fundamentally rebuilding our organization from the inside out,” Crown CEO Ciaran Carruthers said, indicating that the property has been actively working on clearing up its name.

Crown Resorts will also be paying $294 million worth of fines that have to do with the breaches of AML law, or some AU$450 million.

Too Big to Fail but Not Excused from Responsibility

Crown Melbourne is almost “too big to fail” as authorities seriously debated whether the property should lose its license altogether, but in the end, it was deemed that the adverse economic impact would only compound the matter. The property also remained vigilant over its name being misused by bad actors.

Crown Melbourne is the biggest private sector employer to operate out of a single location in the state, employing some 11,500 staff members, which gives it some bargaining leeway. Regardless, VGCCC’s attitude over the past two years suggested that the regulator would not have hesitated to pull the trigger if it had been forced to shutter the company’s license over non-compliance, however.

Recently, Crown Resorts conducted an internal investigation looking into alleged wrongdoings by CEO Carruthers who supposedly allowed patrons who were escorted out by security back in. These allegations proved false.

The post Crown Resorts’ Melbourne Property Fit to Hold License 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.

Curaçao’s Minister of Finance, Javier Silvania, defended the decision to provide Rhino Entertainment Group with the region’s first direct license amid LOK-related concerns. Some critiqued the licensing of the company as it precedes the formalization of the territory’s new gambling laws.

For reference, Curaçao is currently discussing the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK), a measure that seeks to improve the gambling industry’s standards through direct licensing and better regulation.

While proponents of the measure have highlighted its benefits, opponents are skeptical of certain points. The Dutch government is also conducting an investigation to see if the LOK complies with an earlier deal.

Because of criticism from parliament members, the Curaçao Bar Association and the Advisory Council behind the legislation, the measure is currently being amended. Silvania himself confirmed that the objections of parliament members have been taken into mind and that the LOK will be adjusted where needed.

As a result, Curaçao MP Steven Croes questioned whether the government should have issued the first direct license before the passage of the new law. He also asked for a copy of the license but couldn’t obtain it because of the sensitive information it contained.

Silvania Says the New License Falls Under the LBH

Despite the criticisms, Silvania stood firm by the ministry’s decision to grant the license, pointing out that it falls under the 1993 Offshore Gambling Ordinance (LBH). The Minister of Finance added that the latter law remains fully applicable unless it is repealed by the national ordinance.

Silvania said that the LOK would provide Curaçao with direct control over the issuing of licenses, allowing the territory to exercise direct supervision. This would allow the Gambling Control Board to carry out the necessary checks and prevent gambling-related fraud.

The LOK, Silvania argues, would increase confidence in Curaçao’s gambling industry by reducing the risks of criminal practices.

For reference, Curaçao previously issued licenses to six master license holders, who would then issue sub-licenses to other companies. However, sub-licensees were impossible to properly regulate. Furthermore, the previous law itself is short, not sufficiently clear and outdated, highlighting the need for a new licensing framework.

Despite that, the future of the LOK remains murky.

The post Curaçao Minister of Finance: First Direct License Is in Line with the LBH   appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Malta-based, fast-growing online gaming operator employing a multi-brand strategy and managing four brands in reputable markets, Rhino Entertainment Group, has become the first operator to obtain a direct license from the Curacao Gaming Control Board (CGCB).

According to IGB and EGR Global, the operator that won the Employer of the Year title at the iGaming Idol Awards in Malta on November 30, 2023, has attained the license via White Star BV for its CasinoDays brand, marking a historical moment for the new regulatory regime in the Caribbean island. 

The License Is a “Thrilling Endorsement” of Rhino’s Excellence 

Rhino Entertainment has become the first operator to score a license following the grand opening of the CGCB application portal in September. Operators were allowed to register starting in November.

The certification also comes at a time when Curacao is busy bringing forward its new National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK) framework signaling a departure from the Master/Sub-License structure. 

Rhino Entertainment Group’s chief executive officer, Ross Parkhill, spoke about the “privilege” of being the first gaming operator to obtain the direct license, calling it “a thrilling endorsement” of their commitment to responsible gambling and excellence.

He also expressed their full support for Curacao’s boosted regulatory processes while recognizing the “added value and prestige” it would bring to their license.

Finally, Parkhill said they were looking forward to “fostering an open and communicative relationship” with the CGCB while creating a bright and compliant future for the online gaming industry. 

2024, a “Transformative” Period for Curacao

CGCB’s managing director, Cedric Pietersz, spoke about 2024 as a “transformative” time for Curacao while mentioning operators’ strong desire to secure new licenses, as noticed in the past three months since Curacao’s gaming industry supervisor started receiving applications. 

Pietersz explained that White Star’s licensure “holds a special place” in both their hearts and history marking a crucial moment for the island’s growth into a premium gambling jurisdiction with many upcoming licenses on the horizon.

The CGCB also announced it had issued three digital seals for Geeka Corporation NV, Games & More BV, and Small House BV. This would enable the recipients to showcase seals of approval from the regulator on their platforms once they would agree with the regulator’s terms.

In January, Curacao’s Independent Advisory Body raised a series of concerns regarding the text of the LOK and its compliance with the Financial Action Task Force’s anti-money laundering requirements.

The post CGCB Issues First Direct License to Rhino Entertainment appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Three formidable contenders are locked in a fierce competition to secure the coveted license for Canada’s Caesars Windsor. The iconic casino, a cornerstone of Windsor’s economy and tourism for the past three decades, is facing an unprecedented challenge as the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp (OLG) reviews proposals from industry giants.

Caesars Windsor’s License Sparks Fierce Competition

For the first time since its grand opening 30 years ago, the license to operate the slot machines and blackjack tables of Caesars Windsor is up for grabs, reported The Globe and Mail. 

The OLG, responsible for overseeing the selection process, is tight-lipped about the proceedings, but insiders reveal a three-horse race among Caesars Entertainment Inc., the current operator, Bally’s Corp., an upstart built from Caesars’ former assets, and Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, an Indigenous-owned enterprise with a successful track record in Niagara Falls.

Despite the OLG’s confidentiality measures, speculation is rife in Windsor about who will emerge victorious. The decision, expected in the fall, will determine the casino’s operator for the next two decades, commencing in 2025.

Local leaders, including Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, union representatives, and tourism officials, rally behind the incumbent, Caesars Entertainment Inc. With unanimous support, they cite the casino’s pivotal role in providing over 2,000 jobs and anchoring the local tourism industry. 

The OLG’s decision holds significant weight, as it not only impacts the casino’s future but also shapes the broader economic landscape of Windsor.

Caesars Windsor Transforms City Identity, Shifting from Auto Hub to Tourist Hotspot

Caesars’ legacy in Windsor extends beyond its economic contributions. The casino, strategically located in the heart of downtown, played a crucial role in transforming the city’s identity from an automobile hub to a thriving tourist destination. 

Over the years, it weathered challenges such as smoking bans, cross-border travel restrictions, and the recent global pandemic, emerging as a resilient force in the ever-evolving gambling industry.

The influence of Caesars on the local economy is profound, with 4.4 million visitors injecting $669 million into the region in 2022. The OLG’s decision will not only impact the casino’s future but also reshape the competitive dynamics of the regional gambling industry.

In April 2023, the OLG initiated the search for a new operator for Caesars Windsor Casino, as the current contract with Caesars Entertainment is set to end in 2025. 

The OLG’s Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) invited experienced and reputable companies to submit initial bids, ensuring the selection of a highly qualified service provider to maintain the casino’s competitiveness and contribute to the local economy. The chosen operator will oversee day-to-day operations, but the OLG will retain overall control.

The post Three Industry Giants Battle for Control of Caesars Windsor’s Lucrative License appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Representatives from leading trade associations in Italy’s gambling industry united in a resounding voice at the “Game: One Market, One Reorganization” conference by the Milton Friedman Institute. The participants highlighted concerns over the government’s proposed exorbitant increase in license fees, urging for correct and uniform regulatory and economic policies.

Attendants Highlighted Worrying Industry Trends

The event drew united representatives from leading associations, with Alessandro Bertoldi, Executive Director of the Milton Friedman Institute, presiding over the conference. Bertoldi emphasized the unjustified drastic spike to €7 million ($7.66 million) from 2018’s €200,000 ($392,000) could have a lopsided impact on market dynamics, legality, and consumer protection.

The regulatory interventions that the Government is preparing will once again create disparities by favoring the illegal market and heavily conditioning the free market.

Alessandro Bertoldi, Milton Friedman Institute Executive Director

Emmanuele Cangianelli, President of the Italian Association of Public Games Operators, advocated for an integrated overhaul of gaming distribution channels and products. He urged clear regulations on payment services to bolster online gaming, emphasizing the importance of preserving the uniqueness of concession titles while offering multi-channel consumer choices in legal gaming.

Geronimo Cardia, President of ACADI, Italy’s Association for Slot Machine Vendors, lamented the sector’s decade-long struggle due to fragmented and partial interventions, emphasizing the negative impacts on public interests, legal compliance, and employment levels. He stressed the detrimental effects of prioritizing remote gaming reorganization over retail, reducing revenues, compromising player protections, and stifling SMEs.

Smaller Businesses Will Suffer the Most

These were far from the only concerns, as other representatives underscored the significance of recognizing small and medium-sized gaming enterprises, highlighting the sector’s economic contribution and employment opportunities. They urged inclusive policies benefiting diverse operators, noting that the drastic fee increase would reduce active operators to 20, down from the present 91.

Stakeholders also used this opportunity to reiterate their opinions on Italy’s blanket ban on gambling advertising, arguing that it hurt the competitiveness of licensed operators and was partly responsible for the proliferation of black market players. The industry united in support of small and medium-sized businesses, most susceptible to regulatory uncertainties.

The legal gaming sector expresses its disappointment at the missed opportunity for an organic overall and coordinated reorganization.

Moreno Marasco, Logico President

The united front of industry representatives conveyed a clear message urging the government to adopt comprehensive, fair, and cohesive policies that uphold legality, support diverse operators, and prioritize consumer welfare in its approach to the sector’s reorganization. However, the Italian government has not proven receptive to industry input and may push on with its reforms regardless of stakeholder warnings.

The post Italy’s Gambling Industry Unites against Drastic License Fee Hike appeared first on Keno Wizard.

BetConstruct, the powerful international supplier of software, technology, and live dealer games for online casinos, has announced that its global footprint is bound to further expand after having secured a German license for its virtual slot machine games.

The respective license was obtained from the GGL, the German iGaming regulator, and it gives BetConstruct the opportunity to offer its virtual online slot machines to companies that operate online casinos in this market.

This news affects both slot game providers, operators and ultimately German players as they will receive access to a wider range of slot games, including new content from BetConstruct.

Hermine Gevorgyan, Head of the Licensing and Certification Department at BetConstruct, revealed that the company is “thrilled” to have secured the German virtual slot license and described it as “a remarkable achievement.” The BetConstruct executive also added that the German license represents “the culmination of a challenging and rewarding journey” for the company’s licensing team.

Gor Mnatsakanyan, Regional Director for Germany at BetConstruct, admitted that “securing the German slot license was undeniably a challenging journey” but the difficulty of obtaining it makes it an even prouder moment for the company as it represents a “significant achievement.”

The Regional Director added that BetConstruct is now “poised to introduce a new niche to the market” in Germany and to set “higher standards” for the whole industry thanks to the “innovative and award-winning products” offered by the supplier.

An Experienced Company

BetConstruct was founded in 2005 in London and since then it has grown into a global powerhouse, employing around 800 people in several offices located in the United Kingdom, Armenia, Ukraine, Latvia, Malta, Latin America, France, Germany, Austria, Peru, Mexico, China, South Africa, and the United States of America.

The company has developed its offering in various sectors of the gaming world, offering online and retail sportsbook services, classic and virtual casino games, poker and skill games, along with live casino games.

The company currently holds several licenses in key jurisdictions from all around the world, including approval from the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, the Romanian National Gambling Office, the Malta Gaming Authority, ARJEL (the French Regulator), the National Gambling Board in South Africa, the Government of Curacao and Spelinspektionen (the Swedish Gambling Authority).

Source: “BetConstruct Obtains a German Licence for Virtual Slot Machine Games from GGL“. BetConstruct. December 1, 2023.

The post BetConstruct Obtains German License for Virtual Slot Machine appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Star Entertainment Group has six more months to regain its license in New South Wales, lest it risk closing. As reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, the NSW regulator is not content with Star’s ability to do business without supervision.

Star’s business has been having regulatory trouble for some time now. Its casino license was suspended by the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) last year after a probe that uncovered multiple AML and CTF failings.

An independent manager has been appointed to oversee Star’s Sydney property ever since, ensuring that the company implements its remediation plan. However, the NICC does not believe that Star has yet reached a point where its license suspension can be lifted since it does not trust the company to run its casino without supervision.

The NICC spokesperson confirmed that The Star should prove its capability to run its business independently within six months or risk losing its license for real.

This comes just after the NSW and Queensland regulators agreed to extend the terms of the independent managers appointed to oversee Star’s business in two states. Back then, Star also pointed out that this would be the final extension of the manager’s term.

NICC Says Manager Weeks Has Been the Main Driver of Remediation

The NICC was very unhappy at the fact that much of Star’s remediation measures had been spearheaded by independent manager Nicholas Weeks, instead of driven by the casino company’s own decisions.

In addition, the regulator has doubts that the NSW remediation plan would be enough to reinstate Star Entertainment’s license. The NICC also expressed its concerns that the operator’s profit-driven culture might return once the independent manager concludes his term, considering that a significant portion of the senior executive team has remained the same.

However, a Star Sydney spokesperson argued that the company is firmly committed to implementing the remediation plan with the “utmost rigor and discipline.” The Star team said that it is pleased to have had the opportunity to work with manager Weeks for so long and is glad that his term was extended three times.

In any case, Star will be fighting an uphill battle if it is to retain its license. The company must make sure that its business is in order and show initiative when implementing remediation measures.

In other news, Star recently renegotiated its duty rates in NSW.

The post Star Entertainment Must Get Its Business in Order, Lest It Loses its NSW License appeared first on Keno Wizard.