Joni M. Thrower Davis and Andrew T. Palms were reappointed as board members of the gambling regulator in Michigan, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Earlier this week, MGCB’s executive director, Henry Williams, confirmed the reappointment of the two.

Initially, Palms was appointed to the MGCB by the now-former Gov. Rick Snyder back in 2012. Considering his reappointment, he enters his 12th year as a member of the board of the gambling regulator. On the other hand, Davis first joined the MGCB as a board member at the start of 2020 after she was selected as the successor of Patrick M. McQueen. The reappointment starts Davis’ second four-year term.

According to the MGCB, the two board members were reappointed for a term that is set to expire on December 31, 2027. Currently, the board of the gambling regulator consists of five members who are residents of the state and are appointed by the Governor. Per the existing rules, one of the members is designated as a chairperson, a role that is currently held by Linda Forte. The recent reappointments reinstated Davis and Palms to the board who join Deidre A. Lambert-Bounds, another board member, while one member spot remains vacant.

The Duo Will Continue to Assist the Regulator

Palms, a Chelsea resident, currently holds a bachelor’s degree of general studies in computer science, business and engineering from the University of Michigan. For more than 30 years, he has worked at the university and currently serves as the executive director of ITS Infrastructure.

On the other hand, Davis is a Detroit resident. She holds a Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law along with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. Davis is currently a managing partner for Jamjomar while at the same time operating and owning four McDonald’s restaurants located in Detroit’s metropolitan area.

“I appreciate Governor Whitmer’s decision to reappoint Joni and Andrew to the Board, which is well-deserved recognition of their dedication, expertise, and valuable contributions to our agency’s mission and vision.“

Henry Williams, executive director of the MGCB

Williams praised Gov. Whitmer’s decision to reappoint both Palms and Davis to MGCB’s board. He recognized their extensive expertise and dedication, making them invaluable assets to the regulator.

Williams predicted that the MGCB’s board will continue to make effective decisions and remain stable, boosted by the duo’s appointments. Finally, he said that the gambling regulator will continue to tackle emerging challenges within the sector across Michigan.

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Over the last decade, the popularity of loyalty programs offered by casino and entertainment operators has grown exponentially. It’s no surprise that leading operators on the Las Vegas Strip have identified the potential of loyalty programs and launched their own versions, offering benefits for their return and loyal clients. MGM Resorts International, the globally recognizable gaming and entertainment company, currently offers MGM Rewards, a loyalty program that allows its members to earn points and exchange them for different perks and incentives.

Last year in July, MGM unveiled details regarding a new extraordinary experience its members will benefit from in collaboration with Marriott International. Labeled as the MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, the collaboration is expected to deliver world-class benefits and incentives for guests of the two leading brands. Ahead of the debut of the MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, expected “by early 2024,” MGM released details regarding the exceptional experiences for its guests.

According to the company, a number of resorts would be “headlining the MGM Collection.” MGM said that “four properties will also add their distinctive personalities to Marriott Bonvoy’s brand portfolio,” with the list including four leading casino and casino locations in Las Vegas. Those are the Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, ARIA Resort and Casino, as well as Park MGM Las Vegas.

MGM Rewards Members to Be Eligible for Marriott Bonvoy Status

Besides the resorts that will be headlining the MGM Collection, the company released details regarding the potential conversion of MGM Rewards members eligible for status with Marriot Bonvoy. The leading gaming and entertainment company revealed that its MGM Rewards Gold members will be able to enroll with Marriot Bonvoy, becoming Marriot Bonvoy Silver Elite. On the other hand, MGM Rewards Platinum members will qualify for a Marriot Bonvoy Gold Elite status while MGM Rewards NOIR members would be eligible for Marriot Bonvoy Ambassador Elite status.

“Marriott Bonvoy and MGM Rewards will unlock significant benefits and experiences for members of both programs,“

reads a statement released by MGM Resorts International

MGM explained that thanks to Marriot Bonvoy and MGM Rewards, members of the two programs will be able to access thrilling experiences and benefits. The recent details come in anticipation of the launch of the collaboration between the two globally recognizable brands.

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Sky Bet recently announced adjustments to its best odds guaranteed (BOG) promotion, restricting access to active Sky Bet Club loyalty scheme members. Effective 15 January, customers must stake £30 within the previous week’s qualifying period to avail themselves of this offering. The operator was confident it would remain competitive despite these changes, highlighting the benefits of Sky Bet Club.

This decision marks the latest move among leading bookmakers to either limit or remove the popular promotion. October saw Flutter-owned operator Betfair axe this option for horse and greyhound racing. Industry giant William Hill followed suit in December, limiting the offering and setting this ongoing trend. The promotion likely failed to entice customers to pay more, making it unsustainable in the long run.

Sky Bet’s changing policy also eliminates the 10% bonuses on winning forecasts and the 15% bonuses on successful tricasts. The operator had already ceased best odds guaranteed in races offering additional each-way places, heralding the upcoming broader change. Sky Bet head of sports PR Michael Shinners addressed the modifications, highlighting ongoing industry trends.

Best Odds Guaranteed is an offer that many bookmakers have modified or even pulled altogether over the past 18 months.

Michael Shinners, Sky Bet head of sports PR

Shinners discussed the situation for Racing Post, emphasizing BOG’s integration into Sky Bet Club, highlighting it as the leading loyalty scheme in the industry. He added that the most recent decision would ensure that most horseracing customers could continue enjoying the promotion alongside more of Sky Bet’s premiere offerings.

Sky Bet Aims to Consolidate Its Bonus Offerings

When asked about potential implications where punters might increase their spending to access the promotion, Shinners reaffirmed that the Sky Bet Club has consistently required a minimum £30 stake per week for eligibility and that the recent changes would hopefully increase participation in the program. He also underscored Sky Bet’s ongoing support for racing, drawing attention to the upcoming 2024 Sky Bet Sunday Series.

Despite limiting one of its most popular promotions, SkyBet starts the year with significant momentum after a successful 2023. Last year saw the operator conclude several high-profile partnerships with leading leagues and suppliers, bolstering its competitiveness and allowing it to retain its leadership position in the UK.

Sky Bet’s BOG policy changes echo similar shifts made by other bookmakers recently, aligning with industry trends amid rising media rights costs. The operator likely aims to provide more personalized customer service, bolstering customer engagement and hopefully exposing more users to its loyalty scheme. While this move will likely prove unpopular with some bettors, Sky Bet likely hopes it will improve long-term profitability.

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The 2019-established single standards body for the UK’s betting and gambling industry, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), has given its good wishes to two of its members who have been given important positions in the Labour Shadow Cabinet. 

Namely, Thangam Debbonaire MP has been anointed as the new shadow secretary of state for Culture, Media and Sport while Stephanie Peacock MP received the honor of being appointed as the new shadow minister for Sport, Gambling and Media.

The Appointments Came at a “Crucial Time” for the Industry

The body that represents more than 90% of all regulated retail betting shops, online betting and gaming operators, as well as casinos and bingo operators, used the voice of chief executive officer Michael Dugher to acknowledge the importance of the two appointments at what he called a “crucial time” for the gambling industry in the UK.

Dugher also took the opportunity to emphasize the support offered by its members to tens of thousands of jobs, alongside their members’ £7.1 billion ($8.8 billion) contribution to the economy and £4.2 billion ($5.2 million) raised in taxes used to support critical public services on a yearly basis.

The BGC, Eager to Work with Debbonaire and Peacock to “Raise Standards”

While busy working on eight separate consultations as a result of the Government’s gambling white paper that was published in April and backed by the body, Dugher explained the BGC was eager to continue its collaboration with both Debbonaire and Peacock in an ongoing effort to keep raising responsible gambling standards, promote safer gambling practices, and make the demands and concerns of bettors and industry workers well heard.

The CEO called their goals to improve safer gambling standards “the bedrock” of their work while explaining their members were currently working hard to complete all their tasks and deliver all proposals established in the white paper. In other words, the BGC is taking advantage of the “once in a generation opportunity to improve standards” and bring important changes for punters and sport.

One of the eight critical consultations is focused on financial risk checks, with the body expressing its support for adopting improved and “frictionless” spending checks for online bettors. The spending checks would be targeted in such a way as to avoid causing more harm to vulnerable players.

The BGC has been collaborating with senior leaders in the horse racing industry who have expressed their concerns that “intrusive financial checks” might damage the sport by interfering with the vast majority of safe and responsible punters. 

The body also announced that the current requirement that 20% of TV and radio advertising be devoted to emitting messages promoting safer gambling would be further extended to online forms of advertising.

The BGC has also asked social media giants to partner with them and work on fresh measures that would restrict the marketing from reaching youngsters and problem gamblers. 

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The appointments include those of Kiran Ranu, who will now serve as the company’s business development manager, and Martin White, who is stepping in as business development director.

Freemarket Strengthens Team of Experts

Both additions have significant experience working in the gaming and gambling industries. Their appointments come shortly after the selection of Annie Osborne, a former Xace chief executive, who joined the company as business development director last week.

White himself has more than 30 years of relevant work experience, with 23 years of working in the payments vertical. He will now move forward with helping Freemarket strengthen its positions in the gaming and gambling industry which are fast becoming important points of interest for Freemarket.

Ranu has worked with TrueLayer, Trustpilot, and AAT, and she has a lot to offer as well, bringing a diverse set of skills that has to do with coaching, leadership, recruitment, account management, and more.

Freemarket VP of sales Richard Harrison has welcomed the additions of Kiran and Martin and said that the duo added to the talent momentum the company has been enjoying recently, pointing out Osborne’s hiring. Harrison added:

Both bring fantastic energy to the business, as well as the drive and tenacity that is very much central to our company. Their experience and network bolster the gambling team and I am very excited to see the huge impact that they will undoubtedly have.

Freemarket VP of sales Richard Harrison

Company Ready to Offer Gaming Sector What It Needs

Meanwhile, both White and Ranu welcomed their appointments. Ranu said that she was confident that she will be able to build the company’s presence in the gambling industry and take it to the next level.

As to White, he is similarly thrilled to be joining the company and bringing his know-how and expertise. He argued that the gambling industry needed cross-border payments and currency exchange solutions that Freemarket is now fully capable of bringing.

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Britain’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) announced that charities will be the biggest winners at the Britannia Stakes race at Royal Ascot. According to the council, its members will donate all profits from tomorrow’s race to a selection of notable charity organizations.

In celebration of the King’s coronation, the biggest bookmakers in the UK will donate their proceeds to organizations such as SportAid, the Holocaust Educational Trust, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, SAS Regimental Association (SASRA), Ascot Racecourse Supports and Together for Looked After Children.

Many major operators, including Flutter, bet365, Entain, 888 William Hill, Kindred, Betway, Rank Group, Virgin Bet, LivescoreBet, Tote, Fitzdares and Bet with Ascot have committed to the initiative. Under the terms, companies will hand over profits from win and each-way bets, after levy and duties are deducted.

In the unlikely case operators fail to make a profit on the race, they agreed to collectively donate $318,000 (converted to USD) to the aforementioned charities.

The Charities Praised the Initiative

BGC’s chief executive officer, Michael Dugher, commented on the initiative, praising Royal Ascot as one of the best horseracing events in Britain. He said that he is delighted that BGC’s largest members will honor the King’s Coronation by donating their profits to “outstanding charities.”

It is also a fitting tribute to the Late Queen Elizabeth II, whose passion for horse racing was known throughout the world, having bred so many successful horses and clocking up 1,800 winners in her time.

Michael Dugher, CEO, BGC

Ascot Racecourse’s CEO, Alastair Warwick, praised the bookmakers for the initiative, saying that it has been extremely well received since its first iteration in 2020.

Representatives of the recipient charities also commented on the matter, lauding the BGC members for their commitment to helping those in need. Their full statements can be read on the BGC’s official website.

British Betting Continues to Flourish

This is not the first time operators have agreed to donate their proceeds from the annual race to charity either. Last year, BGC members raised a staggering $1.5 million for good causes. The current event will mark the fourth time BGC members will share their profits with charities. The BGC, which was founded in 2019, has so far donated over $7 million to a variety of good causes.

Britain’s betting industry is flourishing, contributing millions in tax to the Treasury each year. The country’s retail shops support 42,000 jobs on the British high streets, while the overall regulated gambling industry supports 110,000 jobs.

British gambling and sports betting donate $5.35 billion in taxes and contribute $9 billion to the economy each year. These figures come from an average of 22.5 million monthly bettors.

In other news, the BGC recently agreed to work with social media platforms to make gaming safer.

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Some of the UK’s top charities will benefit this year from a donation that will be made by members of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC). The council confirmed Thursday that leading bookmakers in the country vowed to donate all profits from the upcoming handicap Britannia Stakes Race at this year’s Royal Ascot.

Members of BGC that will contribute to the noble cause include bet365, Entain (Ladbrokes, Coral), 888 William Hill, Betway, Kindred (Unibet), Flutter (Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Bet), Rank Group (Grosvenor Sport), Tote, Fitzdares and Bet as well as Virgin Bet and LivescoreBet.

All of those leading companies agreed to back the fundraising initiative and donate their profits. Britannia Stakes is a landmark race that will take place on June 22, 2023, at Royal Ascot. The profits of the bookmakers from the race will bring valuable funds for different charities such as SAS Regimental Association (SASRA), Together for Looked After Children, Ascot Racecourse Supports, Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Holocaust Educational Trust.

Since 2019, when the BGC was created, it has helped raise more than £5.5 million ($6.8 million) for good causes, helping different charities. When it comes to the iconic big-field heritage handicap, BGC members helped raise some £1.2 million ($1.5 million) last year. It is unclear whether or not the donations from this year’s race will surpass the one from 2022. Yet, the BGC said that even if bookmakers don’t make a profit this year, they will make a combined donation of £250,000 ($309,300) which will benefit nominated charities.

Donations Continue to Help Charities

Alastair Warwick, Ascot Racecourse’s chief executive, explained that it is great to see leading bookmakers in the country once again contribute with donations to charities from the Britannia Stakes. Finally, Warwick noted: “The money raised since 2020 has been extremely well received, including by our own Ascot Racecourse Supports program and the contributions have enabled us to support some extremely worthy causes and carry out important work in the community.”

“I am once again delighted that the BGC’s largest members are helping celebrate the King’s Coronation by raising vital funds at the Royal Meeting for some of the country’s top charities.“

Michael Dugher, chief executive of the BGC

Michael Dugher, BGC’s chief executive, was similarly excited and said that it is great to see the raising of funds for charities in celebration of the coronation of the King. He acknowledged that those funds bring valuable support to charities in the UK. Finally, Dugher thanked everyone for their support and dedication to helping charities.

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The Swedish gambling regulator, the Spelinspektionen, announced that its board will continue to be comprised of seven members. The authority’s decision was greenlit by the current government, led by the Centre-Right Alliance coalition.

The Spelinspektionen provided a peek into its new board, showing that it will remain more or less the same as it has been until now. As announced by the regulator, from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, its board will encompass the following members:

• Per Håkansson – senior advisor
• Håkan Wall – psychologist
• Madelaine Tunudd – councilor
• Andreas Prochazka – lawyer
• Fredrik Holmberg – advisor
• Doris Högne Rydheim – advisor and ex-chancellor
• Camilla Rosenberg – general director of the Swedish Gaming Authority

Wall will continue serving as the board’s lead psychologist. Meanwhile, Tunudd will be the Spelinspektionen’s councilor. Prochazka will continue serving as the authority’s lawyer, while Holmberg and Rydheim help the regulator as advisors.

The Spelinspektionen also noted that Håkansson will be chairing the board. This is notably the only change to the regulator’s board.

The authority also noted that Rosenberg will maintain her seat and will continue to lead the body for another year. She has headed the Spelinspektionen since 2017 when gambling was still illegal and the regulatory body was known as Lotteriinspektionen.

The seven members will report to Niklas Wykman, Sweden’s minister of financial markets.

The Legal Swedish Market Grows

Sweden continues to be an attractive market for gambling providers. A few days ago, two new B2B companies secured licenses in the Nordic country. First, Relax Gaming secured a business-to-business license, making a foray into the Northern country. As a result, the company can now legally offer its products in the local market.

A few days later, Play’n GO managed to successfully renew its supplier license in the country. The company has been operating in the local market for a while and will be able to continue doing business there. This was furthermore a very important development for Play’n GO, which was originally founded in Sweden.

Last year, the Spelinspektionen announced that only a few gamblers prefer to play with offshore companies. According to a study, only 8% of Swedes pick unlicensed companies. Six percent, the Spelinspektionen said, did so voluntarily while two percent failed to identify an illegal operator as such. Meanwhile, 55% of respondents said that they would always prefer playing with legal companies because of the safer gambling tools they provide to players.

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The company has expanded its Advisory Board with new officers who will be helping the organization better guide policies on responsible gambling in North America. Among the new additions is Christopher Hebert, director of the Gaming Division in the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office.

New Appointees Strengthen the NCPG

Hebert will step in the position of chair of the advisory board, and he is replacing the outgoing incumbent, Oregon Lottery director of corporate social responsibility, Stacy Shaw. Fittingly, Martin Lycka is the new vice chair. Lycka is Entain Group’s SVP of American regulatory affairs & responsible gambling, and one of the biggest proponents of championing safe gambling practices in the North American market.

Commenting on these appointments, Keith Whyte, NCPG’s executive director, said that he was pleased to expand the NCPG’s board expertise with two important additions. “We are incredibly pleased,” Whyte noted, and said:

They have both been highly engaged leaders in our field for years, and we are excited to utilize their talents and expertise in a new way. I look forward to working closely with the full advisory board to advance the organization’s mission and our ambitious goals for the future.

Keith Whyte, NCPG’s executive director

Hebert was similarly excited to be joining the team. He said that the NCPG had been unrivaled in its efforts to tackle gambling-related harm and bring more awareness to the issue. Hebert called the opportunity humbling and he intended to give it his best and serve as advisory board chair to the benefit of the organization and consumers in North America.

He is a well-seasoned veteran with a lot of fitting legal background. Hebert served for more than 17 years as assistant attorney general and has worked actively on the creation of the Problem Gambling Resource Services program which he collaborated on with the Louisiana Department of Health.

Responsible Gambling Is the Ultimate Goal

The goal of the program is to help promote awareness for responsible gambling while addressing problem gambling and abolishing gambling-related stigma, helping vulnerable individuals get linked with treatment options.

Lycka was similarly excited at this fresh opportunity. As a trustee at the Entain Foundation US, a different entity set up to specifically look into responsible gambling, corporate compliance and sports integrity, he has been intimately involved with promoting the principles of safer gambling.

“The National Council on Problem Gambling is widely recognized as a nationwide leader in problem gambling awareness, education, and advocacy,” Lycka stated in welcoming his new appointment and said that he will be honored to be the vice chair and help forward the NCPG cause.

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Last October, a criminal gang from Hong Kong was arrested after it was discovered that it had collected HK$40 million ($510,000) using an illegal gambling platform run by the members of the organization. 

Now, further proving its ongoing efforts to crack down on the triads that are usually connected to illegal gambling, sex and drug trafficking, the authorities in the special administrative region have announced the results of another impressive operation with code name Levington. 

Hong Kong Police Sparing No Effort to Block Triads’ Income Sources 

The police forces’ investigation around the city was intended to disrupt the sale of drugs, as well as brothel and gambling activities controlled by gangs and triads. The authorities’ efforts were also aimed at stopping illegal debt collection along with illegal money lending. The operation, which was led by the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau, resulted in the successful confiscation of illegal cigarettes and drugs along with weapons, cards, and gambling chips. 

This was possible after police forces forcefully shut down 15 different gambling dens and two brothels and busted a storage center in Tin Shui Wai that was hiding contraband cigarettes.

The same authorities that announced they would adopt a zero-tolerance policy for the illegal activities of triads arrested a total of 234 suspects. 

The bust covered dozens of suspected members belonging to a number of triad factions such as Sun Yee On and 14K triads. The list included 206 Hong Kong residents and 12 people with origins in mainland China. The other 16 individuals who were busted used temporary identification documents which allowed them to stay in Hong Kong without having a job there. 

The 137 men and 97 women were busted on suspicion of wounding, money laundering, criminal intimidation and damage, possession of offensive weapons, drug trafficking, processing illegal cigarettes, illegal gambling activities, and operating vice or gambling venues. 

The Police Confiscated HK$2M in Gambling Chips 

Besides the HK$220,000 (US$28,039) worth of illegal narcotics that were confiscated as a result of the special operation, the authorities also got their hands on HK$5.9 million ($752,000) from illicit cigarettes and HK$2 million ($255,000) from confiscated gambling chips. The Hong Kong Police Force also managed to successfully seize HK$1.93 million ($246,000) worth of cash, two vehicles, and illegal weapons.

In 2022, the police authorities were handed 2,554 reports regarding crimes related to triads in Hong Kong, a number that was 35.3% higher compared to the previous year’s figure. In September 2022, three police officers in Hong Kong faked a raid in order to protect an unlicensed casino. After their actions were discovered and reported to the police by an undercover officer, the trio was arrested and sentenced to a few months in prison.

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