Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek has reinforced his stance regarding the presence of his name on decals affixed to unregulated slot machines distributed by Torch Electronics, a company with strong political ties. 

Despite criticism and calls for removal from some quarters, Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek remains resolute in his decision not to remove the decals, asserting that no taxpayer funds were used in their creation.

Malek, a Republican appointee seeking re-election, defended his position in a letter to Rep. Scott Cupps, emphasizing that the decals serve to promote the state’s unclaimed property program, without any intent to endorse or regulate gambling machines, reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 

Cupps, who raised concerns about the potential misperception among players, sought further discussion on the matter, but Malek declined, citing prior commitments.

The controversy stems from the widespread distribution of Torch-operated gambling machines in gas stations and bars across Missouri. While Malek maintains that these machines operate within legal bounds, critics argue otherwise, pushing for legislative action to declare the unregulated market illegal. 

Malek, however, refrains from preempting judicial intervention, suggesting that the courts should decide on the matter.

Torch Electronics’ Legal Struggles Cast Shadow Over Missouri’s Political Landscape

Malek’s steadfast stance comes amidst his bid for the GOP nomination in the upcoming primary elections, facing opposition from notable figures within the party. 

Meanwhile, Torch Electronics, headquartered in Wildwood, has faced legal challenges in its endeavor to prevent investigations into the legality of its operations by the Missouri Highway Patrol.

Moreover, the company’s political connections have come under scrutiny, with revelations of contributions to political action committees associated with former House Speaker Steve Tilley. These contributions, including support for Attorney General Andrew Bailey, have raised concerns about conflicts of interest, particularly in legal matters concerning the company.

Last year, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey withdrew from a lawsuit against the state concerning the regulation of unregulated slot machines after lobbying efforts from Torch Electronics and Warrenton Oil, who provided campaign contributions to a political action committee supporting Bailey. 

Despite efforts to regulate and tax these gambling machines, legislative measures have fallen short, leaving municipalities like Springfield to implement local ordinances banning their presence. The issue underscores broader challenges in reconciling regulatory frameworks with evolving forms of gambling in the digital age.

As the debate continues, Malek’s decision to maintain the decals on these machines reflects not only his commitment to promoting the state’s programs but also the complexities surrounding the intersection of politics, gambling, and regulation in Missouri.

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North Carolina may not authorize more casinos but legal video gambling machines could be on the table. According to the latest reveals from General Assembly members, lawmakers may introduce an attempt to sanction the vertical this spring.

For reference, North Carolina tried to expand its land-based casino industry with four new properties. However, the proposal failed to gain traction amid strong opposition from opponents of the Republican-backed measure. This primarily included Christian conservatives and Democrats.

For reference, North Carolina currently boasts three tribally-operated casinos.

The previous measure also envisioned the licensing of gambling machines through the state regulator. While this idea also faltered, legislators are keen on giving it another go.

According to House Speaker Tim Moore, the revival of the video lottery terminal question continues to be actively discussed by lawmakers and had been the preferred aspect of the previous proposal. However, Moore admitted that the previous bill didn’t go as planned.

Berger Weighed in on the Matter

Senate leader Phil Berger was an avid supporter of the previous measure, arguing that it would create additional jobs and revenues for the state and rural areas. However, he told news outlets that he doesn’t plan to introduce new casino legislation in the near future. In addition, he doesn’t think anyone else is planning to champion the expansion of the state’s casino industry for now.

Berger also addressed the plans to reintroduce a video gambling machines bill, noting that he is uncertain whether there would be enough time to properly discuss and consider the measure. Since sessions in even-numbered years tend to be shorter, getting the machines greenlit would be an uphill battle, the Senator believes.

In addition, experts are certain that conservatives are once again going to oppose the measure and would likely argue that an extra gambling vertical would expose vulnerable people in the state to extra risks of developing gambling harm.

Speaking of North Carolina, the NC State Lottery Commission recently approved Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), a provider of high-quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services, as an Independent Test Lab.

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In a bizarre incident at the Orleans Hotel and Casino, a 70-year-old man named Mitchell Graham was apprehended after an altercation over a casino slot machine allegedly resulted in a stabbing with a steak knife.

Graham Faces Legal Consequences After New Year’s Eve Incident

The incident took place on the morning of New Year’s Eve, with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police responding to a service call about a battery with a deadly weapon at the Orleans casino on Tropicana Avenue. Graham was taken into custody and is now facing charges of battery and carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, reported Fox 5 Vegas.

According to court documents, Graham, who had been gambling at the casino, went to use the restroom after inserting money into a slot machine. Upon his return, he found another individual occupying the seat he had been using. 

Graham confronted the person, insisting he vacate the seat. The dispute escalated when the other man allegedly grabbed the cash voucher from the slot machine and attempted to walk away.

In response, Graham, claiming the money was rightfully his, displayed a 3-4 inch steak knife. The situation intensified, leading to the victim sustaining a superficial cut on his right rib cage. 

Witnesses reported Graham making a stabbing motion, while a female onlooker mentioned Graham’s threat to punch the victim if he did not leave the machine.

Graham was promptly arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center, facing charges of battery with a deadly weapon. He is scheduled for a preliminary court hearing on January 17.

Graham’s Defense Clashes with Victim’s Account in Casino Stabbing

Investigations revealed differing accounts of the incident. Graham contended that the other man turned into him, resulting in the stabbing, while the victim maintained he was playing a different slot machine, having added $20 to the 50 cents already present.

The victim, who suffered a superficial cut on his rib cage, expressed his upset, stating that he was stabbed for no apparent reason. The surveillance footage was reviewed by police, indicating Graham’s actions during the altercation.

The Orleans Hotel and Casino, known for its vibrant atmosphere, now faces an unexpected episode in its history as legal proceedings unfold in the wake of this unusual confrontation over a casino slot machine.

The Orleans Hotel and Casino, located off the Las Vegas Strip, is a vibrant resort owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation. Boasting a Mardi Gras theme, the facility offers a diverse range of amenities, including a casino, hotel accommodations, entertainment venues, dining options, and recreational features like a bowling alley and spa services.

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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.

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The Netherlands’ gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), announced a probe into slot machine arcades in the country. Set to be carried out from mid-December, the inspections will check if operators are compliant with the local regulations.

The KSA warned that the inspections will pay particular attention to the implementation of social responsibility measures. In line with the regulations introduced on April 1, 2021, the KSA will inspect whether gambling arcades across the Netherlands have sufficient player safeguards to prevent and minimize gambling addiction as much as possible.

KSA supervisors will carry out checks on, among other things, compliance with the requirements of addiction prevention.

KSA statement

The KSA added that it will publish an update on the situation following the conclusion of the audit period. As reported by the authority, it will update Dutch consumers on the findings of the inspections and will highlight areas that require improvement.

The KSA concluded that it will also adjust its guidance if needed. The update will be also published on the regulator’s official website after the audit period.

KSA Issued a Huge Fine to Betent

The Kansspelautoriteit continues its vigilant watch over the Dutch market. The authority just issued a huge EUR 3 million fine to Betent for AML and CTF violations. As reported by the regulator, Betent, which operates the Betcity brand in the country, was issued a warning in September 2022. The operator was asked to improve its know-your-customer processes and prevent money laundering.

However, the KSA learned that Betent had not implemented the required measures and remained lax in requesting sources of income from its customers. In addition, when it intervened, it did so too late.

René Jansen, the chairman of the Kansspelautoriteit, noted that licenses had been warned to get their AML and CTF procedures under control, lest they face fines. He noted that the Netherlands’ gambling market is past the startup phase, meaning that such violations are no longer excusable.

Jansen is set to depart from the authority, which is currently on the lookout for his successor.

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A coalition of Victorian councils is urging the state government to overhaul a tax minimization scheme for poker machine venues, asserting that the current system allows venues to exaggerate their community benefits. 

The councils are particularly concerned about venues pledging additional payments to communities as part of their bids for more poker machines, arguing that these initiatives do not counterbalance the detrimental effects of gambling harm, reported The Guardian.

Their grievances revolve around a tax break scheme that grants Victorian clubs financial benefits if they allocate 8.33% of gambling revenue to community initiatives. However, investigations reveal that a substantial portion of this money is directed toward the clubs’ own operating costs and upgrades, masquerading as a “community benefit.”

Ranka Rasic, the mayor of Brimbank council, expressed frustration and disappointment, emphasizing the acute gambling harm experienced by her constituents. Rasic insists that the state government needs to confront its dependence on gambling venues for income to resolve the persisting issue.

In October, it was revealed that Australians have set a concerning record, with losses from poker machines reaching AUD 14.5 billion ($9.25 billion) in the last financial year, a significant increase from the previous year. 

Victoria’s Councils Unite for Poker Machine Reform

Last month, all councils in Victoria collectively urged the government to promptly review the scheme to ensure that losses from gambling are genuinely reinvested into the community. In May, councils advocated for redefining “community benefit” to ensure that gambling profits are shared with legitimate philanthropic organizations or charities, rather than being channeled into the clubs’ self-serving upgrades.

The push for reform is spearheaded by a subset of mayors, primarily concerned about the disproportionate harm inflicted by poker machines on socioeconomically disadvantaged communities where losses are significantly higher.

The Greater Dandenong city council, located on Melbourne’s south-eastern fringe, stands out as one of the most culturally diverse and disadvantaged in Australia. With an average loss of $801 per adult to gambling annually, the council is at the forefront of the call for reform. This rate is almost nine times higher than the losses in Boroondara, one of the state’s more privileged areas.

An ongoing parliamentary inquiry has highlighted concerns raised by local governments about applicants failing to deliver on promises to fund community activities.

The councils’ call for reform underscores the need to address the exploitative practices of poker machine-operating clubs, ensuring that tax breaks genuinely benefit the community rather than serving as a cover for self-serving agendas. The state government’s response to these demands remains awaited, with gaming minister Melissa Horne yet to provide comment on the matter.

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The collaboration between the leading publisher of iGaming content, Yggdrasil, and ReelPlay, the creator of high-quality digital gaming content for regulated casino operators, started in 

2021 when the developer of the Infinity Reels joined the GATI-powered YG Masters program.

Ever since, the two companies have closely collaborated for the release of a number of games, with Hercules 10K WAYS, Bucks and Doe 10K WAYS, Going Wild in Vegas WildFight, and Big Bucks Buffalo GigaBlox among the freshest launches.

Today, the duo has announced the release of Mega Money Machine, another interesting release with an innovative set of reels meant to provide players with the opportunity to score some important wins. 

Mega Money Machine Metrics Overview

• Rows: 1
• Reels: 3-4
• Paylines: 1 
• Volatility: Medium-High
• Max win: 10,510x
• RTP: 96%
• Hit frequency: 31.36%
• Min/Max Bet: 0.20-20
• Release date: November 16, 2023

Shifting Reels and 100x Potential Payout Multipliers

The new slot, therefore, only counts one win line and it is easily played over three or four reels. This number depends on the chosen stake. The total win is established by the combination of numbers that is seen landing on the middle payline. 

The combination of numbers is joined from left to right to create the total win, and it depends on the amount of the bet that the player has selected.

During each new spin, the reels’ positions are prone to shifting, with a 0 or 00 seen shifting to the rightmost reel. In return, this can increase players’ payouts by multipliers ranging from 10x to 100x.

Only One Line Matters 

Yggdrasil’s chief gaming officer, Mark McGinley, commented on ReelPlay’s “superbly successful” membership in the YG Masters program, praising the way the privately held business based in Sydney has managed to confidently explore fresh mechanics and themes over the years. 

McGinley added that none of the previous titles released via the GATI technology were “as bold as what we see in Mega Money Machine.”

The CGO praised the straightforward game packed with high-paced action where “only one line matters” while also mentioning the visually clear manner in which players are acquainted with their payouts. 

At the same time, ReelPlay’s chief executive officer, David Johnson, chose to speak about the “relatively simple ‘what you see is what you win’ mechanic” that proves their capacity to go from complex proprietary 10K WAYS and INFINITY REELS engines to simplified formats that can cater to a plethora of different players without skimping on playability. 

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After the much-anticipated debuts of the NFL Kickoff slot machines and NFL Super Bowl Jackpots in the last months, the leading slot machine and casino game manufacturer, Aristocrat Gaming, has announced a further bolstering of its momentum with the launch of the official emoji All Stars slot machine. 

The exciting release is expected to diversify the portfolio of the company that has received the Land-Based Industry Supplier of the Year award for the fifth consecutive year at the annual Global Gaming Awards held in October.

During the same ceremony, Aristocrat Gaming also received the industry’s Slot of the Year recognition for the sixth consecutive year for Jackpot Carnival while its Neptune Single Stratus Sign Package received the Best Land-Based Product award.

Selectable Characters, Free Games, Hold & Spin, and Instant Feature

The new emoji All Stars multi-level progressive slot game featuring well-known emoji-branded icons and the studio’s all-star characters was originally presented to the public during the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas. 

The deal between the Germany-based business emoji company GmbH and Aristocrat Gaming was completed under the brokerage of Retail Monster LLC, which is the emoji company’s licensing agent for North America.

The new game embeds a series of interesting bonus features including Free Games, Hold & Spin, and an Instant Feature, along with the option to select characters. emoji All Stars is currently available on the Neptune Single cabinet and it will reach all casino floors in 2024.

Two Years of Ongoing Development

As explained by emoji’s chief executive officer and founder, Marco Hüsges, the mix between the emoji brand and Aristocrat’s icons is expected to “entertain players around the world” while showcasing the results of over two years of hard work and ongoing development. 

Aristocrat Gaming’s president of Americas and Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Tom O’Brien, took the opportunity to comment on emojis and the way they have turned into an important component of “everyday communication and expression”. 

O’Brien added that, through the new game, players will not only engage in fun gameplay with their preferred emoji icons, but they will also discover some of the most popular Aristocrat Gaming characters, including their iconic Buffalo. 

At the end of last month, emoji announced a new agreement inked with restaurant chain, Del Arte, and the emoji brand aimed at the public in France. The deal that was brokered by WildBrain CPLG, a leading entertainment, sport, and brand licensing agency, will target children, and families and it will run until November 30, 2023, at Del Arte’s 200 restaurants across the country.

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Data from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission reveals Carlton as the top beneficiary of poker machine in the AFL, garnering $19.1m from its 290 machines at four different venues, averaging a return of $65,954 per machine.

Meanwhile, Richmond accrued $4.6m from 97 machines located at the Wantirna Club in Melbourne’s eastern side, resulting in an average of $47,573 per machine. St Kilda fetched $1.8m from its 83 machines at its Moorabbin venue.

Essendon stood out, collecting $14.7m from its 190 machines across two venues. Advocacy group, No Pokies at Essendon, pointed out this as the highest total since 2007.

No Pokies at Essendon President Mike Read said the club a lot of work to both on-field and off-field, and was extremely disappointed with their continued profiting off poker machines.

ALSO READ: BEST POKIES VENUES IN MELBOURNE

“In recent years we have seen AFL clubs rush to get out of the pokies business, recognising the immense social harm they cause,” Read said.

“Essendon, instead, points to the revenue that gaming machines provide the football club, as though yet another disappointing season on-field justifies the continued damage that the predatory machines inflict.”

The No Pokies at Essendon initiative is endorsed by Zoe Daniel, an independent MP and dedicated Bombers fan. Daniel voiced her concerns, saying football clubs shouldn’t be attempting to profit off fans via electronic gaming machines. s

An Essendon representative, however, defended the club’s reliance on pokies, noting, “In the aftermath of Covid, we still need the revenue from our gaming machines. Any major decisions regarding our future venues will undergo thorough scrutiny by the board.”

Interestingly, all four clubs — Richmond, St Kilda, Essendon, and Carlton — are affiliated with the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s Love the Game program, an initiative focusing on educating the youth about gambling risks.

Carol Bennet, CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, challenged their association with the program given their substantial gambling earnings.

“If you’re profiting significantly from your poker machines, you can definitely be selective with your sponsors,” Bennet said.

Bennet suggested that if these clubs truly cared about their performance and community, they’d emulate teams like Collingwood, Melbourne, Geelong, and the Western Bulldogs who’ve abandoned pokies and secured seven premierships combined since doing so.

North Melbourne was notably the first Victorian AFL club to abandon pokies back in 2008. In 2022, Hawthorn followed suit, selling its two poker machine venues. Collingwood also exited the industry in 2018, with its former president, Eddie McGuire, terming it “a sound business move.”

Australia has some of the most stringent gambling laws in the world, with it one of the few countries yet to legalise online casinos, which has caused many millions of dollars to be sent to offshore gambling sites.

This means authorities have little idea about the money spent playing online pokies, with several notable AFL players in the past admitting they gambling heavily online during their careers.

Australia does have a legal sports betting industry, with the AFL one of the most popular wagering events at online bookmakers.

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Casinos have faced a prolonged battle to keep “younger” customers coming back for their services, and it can become an even bigger problem if some of the new laws that are being proposed come into play. 

According to many industry experts, new regulations in the U.K. gambling laws can require platforms hosting slot games to limit their maximum bet spin to only £2 for players under 25.

The Regulations Being Proposed

A white paper was published in April 2023, highlighting the changes the British government plans to make in the gambling regulations for online casinos. This white paper had been in the making for quite some time, and after several delays and postponements, it was finally published on the 27th of April, 2023. 

Ministers’ primary agenda in introducing these new regulations was to make gambling a safer space for the masses, as there had been several high-profile cases where people suffered enormous losses because of their gambling habits. Two main approaches are being taken to achieve this.

Limits for Under-25s

The most significant talking point from this incident was the stake limit for online slots. People under 25 can only put forward £2, and for people over 25, the limit is £15. This has been a topic for heated debate for quite some time as many casino owners are in favour of this idea and already implement it in some capacity. 

Still, some people do not support this motion as they believe people should not be restricted to such a degree.

Integration of AI and Data for a Better Experience

Another topic the government has stressed is how casino owners should do their best to incorporate AI and more modern technologies in their setup. Casino owners all across the U.K. have been very welcoming towards this suggestion. 

This helps to implement a more dynamic approach, rather than just setting the stakes high for some customers and too low for others. To avoid unmitigated consequences, this proposal can go a long way in changing the fabric of the gambling industry in the U.K.

Some other proposals

More proposals included in the white paper are a mandatory background check on industry revenues, strong measures to slow down online gambling, and affordability checks, and the government also plans to run some campaigns to promote safer gambling.

The Positive Feedback

Many casino owners have looked at these proposals in a very holistic way. The fact that these tightened regulations can help reduce unhealthy gambling behaviour is a big step, making gambling much more inclusive for people. It also helps that the regulations minimise online gambling and encourage people to visit casinos more often. 

The dynamic, data-driven approach can benefit both casinos and players alike.

“We welcome the measures outlined in the White Paper and support its ambition to update legislation to develop a dynamic regulatory system for gambling fit for the digital age,” said Neil Banbury of the popular Kindred Group in an interview with Sky News.

“To be a long-term sustainable business, it is not in our interest to have any of our customers experiencing problems which is why at Kindred, we have our Journey Towards Zero ambition to eventually generate 0% of our revenue from people who exhibit problem behaviours”

The Backlash 

These regulations have also created a fair amount of controversy. The general public is not completely convinced about an affordability check. People are worried that they will have to compromise their privacy because of these affordability checks, citing the restriction on their spending as a major issue. 

Casino owners are worried that players will not provide appropriate proof of their spending power in a ploy to con the system and gamble way over their ceiling. The customers who wish to do that will then start looking for other ways of gambling, leading them to an even more unsafe and uncontrollable market.

Conclusion

Despite the abovementioned concerns, this set of revised gambling regulations is a huge step in a positive direction. An affordability check will massively help casinos keep a clean customer base and keep people away from gambling issues as possible. 

Gambling companies will also benefit from integrating AI and data-led approaches to keep up with the changing times. These regulations will help young people avoid gambling addictions and save countless communities from experiencing harm. 

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