Petersburg’s bid to host a casino has taken a significant step forward with the approval of the state Lottery Department. The authority certified Petersburg as a casino host city and granted permission to proceed to a local referendum. The next step in the process requires approval from the Petersburg Circuit Court. If things go as planned, the referendum will coincide with the 5 November general election.

Petersburgers Will Have the Final Vote

The Petersburg City Council has scheduled a special meeting for 8:30 a.m. on Monday to adopt a resolution requesting approval for the referendum. According to Joanne Williams, a spokesperson for the city, the council will release an official statement during that meeting, highlighting further details regarding the project.

The proposed casino project in Petersburg is spearheaded by PPE Casino Resorts Petersburg, LLC, a partnership between Baltimore-based Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprises, owned by NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith. The consortium recently revealed details of their proposed Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia, including the project’s estimated costs.

The initial phase of the development, contingent on voter approval in the fall referendum, involves a $142.63 million investment to build a temporary casino, which would commence operations within a year of a successful vote. The second phase includes a $454.22 million investment for constructing a five-star hotel resort featuring multiple restaurants and amenities and a more expansive, permanent casino floor.

The Project Will Kickstart Petersburg’s Economy

PPE plans to build the casino resort on a 92-acre site off Wagner Road and Interstate 95. According to the paperwork filed with the Lottery Department, the company intends to finance up to 50% of the casino’s construction costs through a loan from Buffalo, a New York-based M&T Bank, with the remainder funded through PPE’s cash equity. No public funds from Petersburg will go towards the construction.

The final resort should employ around 7,500 people, with an average annual compensation of $70,000, including benefits and tips. For comparison, Petersburg’s median household income in 2022 was $47,000, signifying that the project should provide locals with desirable work opportunities. The city’s unemployment rate remains at approximately 5%, so the casino should have no shortage of workers.

Developers project that the resort will generate an annual economic impact exceeding $200 million for Petersburg. This significant economic boost should substantially benefit the local community through job creation and increased economic activity. However, the prospect of a high-profile casino has raised some concerns regarding a potential rise in gambling harm, which may impact the upcoming referendum’s results.

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Everi Digital, the well-known international provider of games for online casinos, has announced that its global footprint has expanded to cover the United Kingdom as well following an agreement with Jumpman Gaming.

Everi Digital is the online gaming arm of Everi Holdings, a powerful provider of content and software both for land-based and online casinos. The company also provides financial technology, player loyalty solutions and bingo platforms.

Jumpman Gaming on the other hand is a company that holds an online casino license granted by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission and provides services and content to various online casinos which operate in this highly competitive market. Among the company’s top customers we can find prominent brands such as Mirror Bingo, Sun Play and Amazon Slots.

The content from Everi Digital will be delivered to the customers of Jumpman Gaming through the Spark Remote Game Server, the proprietary game server of the supplier and will be aggregated through Light & Wonder, the famous international iGaming supplier formerly known as Scientific Games.

Last week Light & Wonder announced that it was ready to extend its existing collaboration with Everi Digital, allowing expansion across new markets in the United Kingdom, Europe and Latin America.

Until now the vast portfolio of casino games offered by Everi Digital was mostly featured in online casinos in North America. The deal with Jumpman Gaming, one of the fastest growing iGaming networks in the United Kingdom, will give the supplier the chance to showcase its products to a new but also vast audience.

A Significant Opportunity

Speaking about the agreement with Jumpman Gaming, Jordan Brent, Vice President of Digital Commercialisation at Everi Holdings, described it as “a significant opportunity” for the supplier to reach new players and markets.

“The ability to offer a diverse set of titles and play mechanics to this experienced group of players within a mature market motivates us to continue to develop great gaming entertainment experiences,” Jordan Brent added.

Kris Kukula, Managing Director of Jumpman Gaming, declared himself “delighted” to be able to bring the “fantastic range of content” supplied by Everi Digital to players in the United Kingdom. “Our aim is to continue providing players with the very best selection of iGaming content in the UK and this is another great milestone on our journey,” the Jumpman Gaming executive added.

Source: “Everi Digital to Provide High-Performing iGaming Content to UK Online Players for First Time via Jumpman Gaming“. Everi. February 6, 2024

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Playtech, the global supplier of games and technology for online casinos, has announced the completion of the first phase of its strategic partnership with Hard Rock Digital, the interactive gaming and sports betting division of Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming.

The partnership was initially announced in March 2023, when Playtech revealed that it had agreed to pay 85 million dollars for a single-digit percentage stake in Hard Rock Digital. The purchase was part of a larger deal between the two sides, a deal which included the right for Hard Rock Digital to license a range of Playtech’s technology solutions and iGaming content.

Since that announcement, Playtech managed to deliver a whole range of games through the Hard Rock Bet platform in New Jersey, which is a proprietary brand of Hard Rock Digital. Among the content delivered we can find RNG slot games, table games and live dealer games as well. Moreover, Playtech developed several table games specifically for Hard Rock Bet, games which feature the operator’s brand.

Hard Rock Digital also licensed the technology solutions and iGaming content provided by Playtech, allowing customers to enjoy a wide range of entertaining and exciting casino games. This was true for the operator’s clients in New Jersey but also any future Hard Rock Bet iCasino markets in North America will have access to Playtech’s content.

Dedicated Blackjack Table Released

The announcement also revealed that the collaboration between the two sides led to the release of a dedicated blackjack table and that more such products will follow, “offering Hard Rock players a customized experience.” The two parties also underlined that this represents “just the beginning of a series of bespoke developments” that will be made because of this partnership.

Hard Rock Digital currently offers online and retail sports betting in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia, while its retail sports betting with an integrated online sportsbook and casino experience is available only in New Jersey. The operator plans to launch its brand in more American states in the future and to expand to other international markets in the coming years.

Jonathan Doubilet, VicePresident for U.S. Business Operations at Playtech, declared himself “delighted” to have reached the first milestone of the collaboration and said he was “excited about accelerating the growing partnership with Hard Rock Digital.”

Grant Williams, Senior Vice President at Hard Rock Digital, underlined that the first dedicated table built together with Playtech is a way to provide “legendary entertainment” to the operator’s players. “We’re thrilled to introduce Playtech’s offerings to our New Jersey Hard Rock Bet players and look forward to continuing to develop unique digital experiences together as we expand in the U.S. and international markets,” the Hard Rock Digital representative concluded.

Source: “Playtech and Hard Rock Digital Reach First Milestone Bringing RNG Slots, Table Games and Live Dealer Games to North America“. Playtech. February 6, 2024.

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Brazil’s journey towards a regulated sports betting landscape finally passed one of its final milestones as President Luiz Inácio ‘Lula’ da Silva signed off Bill PL3626/23, setting the groundwork for its federal sports wagering and iGaming market. Only a few final regulations stand before the industry’s official launch, which should hopefully happen sometime in 2024.

The New Legislation Had a Difficult Journey

Published in a special edition of the government’s ‘Diário Oficial da União,’ President Lula signed Bill PL3626/23 into law, heralding a new era with a regulatory regime for sports betting, popularly known as ‘Bets.’ The President’s stamp of approval on 30 December marked the culmination of a grueling legislative process marked by disagreement and controversy.

The Workers’ Party (PT) government meticulously revised the new bill, which underwent extensive evaluation in Brazil’s Senate Committees since September. The proposed legislation underwent over 100 amendments before gaining federal approval, highlighting the government’s commitment to delivering a comprehensive and efficient regulatory system that is up-to-date with current industry trends.

This critical bill encountered a stalemate over the authorization of online casino operations. However, a final session on 22 December saw the Chamber of Deputies vote overwhelmingly in favor of the legislation (261 in favor and 120 against), greenlighting the legislative framework for iGaming in the country.

A Few Final Hurdles Remain

Despite President Lula’s general endorsement of the new bill, he introduced vetoes on several aspects of the legislation, notably regarding tax exemptions for betting prizes up to BRL 2,112 ($432). The National Congress will examine these objections and decide whether to validate or overrule the vetoes.

Taxation was another contentious topic. The bill’s final draft envisions a 12% tax on licensed operators while taxing player prizes at 15%. Businesses eyeing a five-year federal license, allowing operation under three brands, must pay BRL 30 million ($6.13 million) and meet stringent eligibility criteria. The extra funds will bolster the government’s sports, education, and community-focused initiatives.

Brazil’s Ministry of Finance has reported an overwhelming response from 134 businesses expressing interest in joining Brazil’s burgeoning online gambling market, indicating substantial anticipation and momentum in the sector. While the new legislation is a significant milestone for the country, the local regulator must remain proactive to ensure a fair and sustainable business environment prioritizing customer safety.

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On November 24, the gambling giant Entain announced that it has reached a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The agreement was also approved by Dame Victoria Sharp, president of the King’s Bench Division. The gambling company will proceed to seek final judicial approval from the Court on December 5.

The agreement in question relates to HMRC’s investigation into the company’s former business activity in Turkey. While Entain sold its Turkish assets in 2017, the bribery-related offenses of its legacy business continue to haunt the company.

Under the DPA, Entain agreed to pay a financial payment of £585 million ($737.5 million), to make a charitable donation of £20 million ($25 million) and to pay a £10 million ($12.5 million) contribution that covers the HMRC and the CPS’s costs. As per the terms of the deal, the gambling company will pay this money in installments over four years after the DPA secures approval from the Court.

The current settlement will add to Entain’s woes as the company struggles with investor distrust and shareholder disapproval.

Entain Is Committed to Following the Rules

Entrain highlighted its cooperativeness with the HMRC and the CPS and expressed its desire to continue working with the authorities in the future.

Barry Gibson, the company’s chairman, commented on the DPA, explaining:

This legacy matter concerns a business which was sold by a former management team six years ago. The Group has changed immeasurably since these events took place, and the DPA process has provided a reminder of the stark differences between the GVC of yesterday and the Entain of today.

Barry Gibson, chair, Entain

Gibson added that his team is planning to only operate in regulated markets and remain a trusted business. Now a best-in-class responsible operator with high levels of corporate governance, Entain hopes to never repeat its past mistakes.

Entain added that it will release a further announcement after the hearing on December 5.

Earlier this month, Entain’s leadership increased its stake in the company. This move aimed to demonstrate the higher-ups’ trust in the company’s financial position despite the recent setbacks.

A few weeks ago, Entain published its Q3 results, highlighting a net gaming revenue increase of 7%.

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Australia’s government reported that BetStop, the country’s new national self-exclusion register, is proving to be a resounding success. According to official data, over 10,000 people have used the register to exclude themselves from gambling so far.

The register was launched in August 2023 and is a result of Australia’s efforts to lower the concerning problem gambling rates in the country. Many of the self-excluded people are under 40, with many of them opting to exclude themselves from gambling for a lifetime.

In addition, 1,200 people were nominated as support persons. Referred to the program by self-excluded players, support persons are people who can help gamblers get through the self-exclusion period.

BetStop Now Boasts 10,000 Registrants

BetStop is a scheme that excludes participants from all forms of gambling in Australia and prevents them from receiving marketing material. Users can select an exclusion period of between 3 months and a lifetime and get their gambling habits under control.

BetStop is free with most registrations taking no longer than 5 minutes. Australian operators are required to raise awareness of BetStop’s services among their clients.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is currently responsible for making sure that operators do not market their products to self-excluded people and do not allow them to wager through new accounts.

Further reinforcing the program, the government now requires operators to properly verify a customer’s identity at registration and make sure that they are not a self-excluded person or a minor.

BetStop Is Making a Difference

Australia’s Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, praised BetStop’s popularity, saying that the registration numbers mean that the program is “making a big difference.”

That’s why we launched BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register – in August this year as the final measure of the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering.

Michelle Rowland

Rowland advised people struggling with their gambling or the gambling of a loved one to visit the BetStop site and learn more about the program.

Amanda Rishworth, Australia’s Minister for Social Services, also commented on the matter, highlighting the government’s efforts to mitigate gambling harm.

It’s great that BetStop is already having such a positive impact, along with our other measures such as new evidence-based taglines that Australians would have seen on rotation on their screens and radios.

Amanda Rishworth

Rishworth also praised the mandatory pre-verification measures, saying that they are already preventing people from finding workarounds. The Minister for Social Services concluded that harm minimization “is not a set-and-forget exercise.” Because of that, the government is working closely on implementing the measures outlined in the National Consumer Protection Framework.

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Despite its hurdles in Curacao, 1xBet continues to collect accolades and grow its global business. The international operator now announced that it has reached the international EGR Operator Awards 2023 final and will compete with its competitors in six categories.

The categories 1xBet has been nominated for include the following:

• Sports betting operator
• Affiliate program
• Crypto operator
• Esports operator
• Football betting operator
• Mobile sports product.

1xBet hopes to achieve victory in one or more of these categories and further solidify itself as a leading global company.

Winners of the event will be determined by an authoritative jury and will be announced on October 26. An awards ceremony will take place at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London.

The EGR Operator Awards are presented by eGaming Review Magazine, a prominent media outlet that covers the gambling and sports betting industries. Its awards are a sign of prestige and are a firm testament to the quality of a company’s products.

1xBet Hopes to Maintain Its Momentum

A 1xBet representative commented on the matter. They remarked that this is not the first time the company has ranked among the leaders in the betting industry. Boasting previous participations in the EGR Operator Awards, 1xBet hopes to maintain its edge and continue to sit at the forefront of gaming and betting.

It [1xBet’s participation in the finals] is a confirmation of 1xBet consistent progress: it is very pleasant that our success impresses not only customers but also recognized authorities in the industry.

1xBet representative

Participation in the EGR Operator Awards final is not 1xBet’s only achievement in 2023. Earlier this year, the company became a laureate of the SiGMA Awards Americas 2023 and was named Innovator of the Year at the International Gaming Awards.

1xBet Faces Some Trouble

Unfortunately, not everything has been rosy for the company as earlier this year, 1xBet’s co-founder Sergey Karshkov passed away in a Swiss hospital. Despite being described as very healthy, the Russian businessman suffered a devastating allergic reaction that caused his passing.

In addition to that, 1xBet is still dealing with financial trouble in certain regions and legal issues in Russia. The brand is notably banned in the country because of allegations of illegal operations and money laundering.

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This settlement is the outcome of an internal review conducted by 888 subsidiary Virtual Global Digital Services earlier this year, which unveiled several deficiencies in their Know Your Customer (KYC) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) practices. These shortcomings prompted the company to take corrective measures and cooperate with the regulatory authorities to address the issues.

The Operator Addressed Its Shortcomings

Virtual Global initiated its internal compliance investigation in January after 888 suspended VIP activities for select markets. The company expressed significant concerns regarding insufficient KYC and AML practices, prompting it to introduce updated policies and procedures regarding its risk assessment process. Although these efforts were successful, the Gibraltar regulator imposed a significant fine due to Virtual Global’s past failings.

According to the recent settlement, the 888 subsidiary must pay £2.9 million ($3.7 million). A portion of the settlement funds will benefit the Centre of Excellence for Responsible Gaming at the University of Gibraltar in its efforts to combat problem gambling in the region. The Gibraltar Gaming Commissioner decreed that the fine was suitable punishment and would take no further action against the offending operator. 

“888 has enhanced its policies and procedures in remediating the identified historical deficiencies. The Gambling Commissioner and Licensing Authority consider this matter closed.”

Gibraltar Gambling Commission

The Gibraltar regulator’s verdict aligns with its mission to ensure its licensees follow robust KYC and EDD practices. These measures are essential for verifying the identity of customers, preventing money laundering, and ensuring adherence to responsible gambling practices. Such fines should demonstrate the government’s ability to enforce regulations and hopefully contribute to the region’s removal from the FATF greylist.

888 Retains Its Significant Momentum

Virtual Global’s swift actions to remedy the identified shortcomings demonstrate the company’s commitment to ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and maintaining the highest standards of responsible gambling and player protection. Despite 888’s past tensions with the Gibraltar regulator, the operator has been willing to collaborate with the authorities and rectify any issues.

The Virtual Global settlement marks the second high-profile fine 888 had to pay in recent months. Its $24 million penalty in the UK had significant repercussions, showcasing the need for more robust control over its subsidiaries. Despite these setbacks, 888 recorded impressive H1 growth, leveraging its substantial business synergies to excel in the highly competitive gambling market.

This substantial fine must remind all stakeholders in the online gambling sector about the importance of robust KYC and EDD procedures. By adhering to stringent compliance measures, companies can contribute to a safer and more transparent gambling environment for players and maintain the trust of regulatory authorities.

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The results for the fiscal year 2022 have reached $40.9 billion in total gross gaming revenue, which is a 4.9% gain in FY2021. The results were presented by Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer and Vice Chair Jeannie Hovland who pointed out the sustained momentum of the sector and the opportunities for further growth down the road.

NIGC Outlines Results and Growth of GGR

The NIGC cautioned that no rush conclusions should be drawn when comparing regional results, however. The regulator said that there were many factors that could potentially influence annual performance, including the emergence of new gaming operations, renovations, and expansions of existing businesses, as well as temporary or permanent closures, and so on.

At the same time, the record-setting revenue demonstrates tribal gaming operators’ ability to cope with difficult financial circumstances and continue to build and drive value for their respective communities. Simermeyer explained the continued success of these operations:

Across Indian country, tribes pursue economic sustainability through gaming by relying on the robust regulatory reputation for which Indian gaming is well known and made better when supported by efficient and effective measures.

Hovland was similarly pleased with the results, arguing that 55% of all tribal gaming facilities reported $25 million or less in gross gaming revenue. However, he noted that the success of Indian gaming often has significant benefits for surrounding communities as well. The revenue generated this way gives gaming operators a significant opportunity to improve the quality of live of individual Native people, Hovland concluded.

All But One Regions Post Stronger Results Year-over-Year

Presently, there are 244 federally recognized tribes and they have gaming operations in 29 states. The Sacramento region led the way in terms of the biggest chunk of gross gaming revenue with $11.9 billion generated there in FY2022 from 78 operations. The second largest was the D.C. region which brought in another $9 billion in gross gaming revenue from 41 operations.

Sacramento was the only region to post a small regional contraction in its results, down by 1.4% whereas all others registered a net gain comparing FY2021 to FY2022. Phoenix, which generated $3.7 billion in FY2022 in gross gaming revenue had the biggest gain, up by 15.7%.

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The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has said that its members have been able to remit more than 45.5 million messages that promoted safer gambling to their customers. These messages are unique as they are not just smartly trying to raise awareness about the issue of problem gambling but also send messages that are calibrated to individual consumer needs.

EGBA Commits to More Personalized Gambling Messaging

At least 48% of these messages were personalized, which further strengthened their impact on consumers. The level of personalization has gone up considerably over the past years and marked a 40% jump year-over-year. As the Sustainability Report 2022/2023 outlines, there has been a significant effort on all levels to ensure that the messages transmitted to consumers are tailored to protect them.

EGBA Secretary General Maarten Haijer welcomed the results and their significance. He continued by saying:

We’re delighted that our members continue to make positive progress in their efforts to promote safer gambling. This is all part of their commitment to put a sustainable approach to gambling at the heart of what they do.

EGBA Secretary General Maarten Haijer

He hailed the collective efforts of the association and its members which are bringing consumers closer to safety and promoting a sustainable industry in which everyone is protected. The takeaway from 2022 was that customer accounts increased to 31.2% million or a 5% gain in the numbers.

According to the association, 74% of all customers were male and 26% of all customers were female. The prevalent customer age of group was those aged 26-35 followed by those 36-50. Both categories posted numbers close to each other.

Tailored Approach and Interventions to Prevent Harm

EGBA hailed the personalized and safer gambling messages in general and said that 51% of those customers that received intervention actually reduced their financial losses in the three-month period immediately after the said intervention. EGBA’s members continued to seek and intervene in the cases of those customers that didn’t experience loss reduction.

Meanwhile, 76% of all EGBA members received responsible gambling training, indicating that the association is all but committed to protecting consumers. EGBA also posted the numbers of those members that contributed to problem gambling research, education, and treatment across Europe, with the total amount reaching €49 million ($55 million), or a 109% gain.

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