Tim Miller, the executive director of the United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission (UKGC), spoke during the recent G2E conference in Las Vegas, saying that his team is close to sealing several Memoranda of Understanding with a number of US regulators.

In line with Miller’s call for unity, the move would improve the relationship between the British regulator and its US counterparts, setting them up for further collaboration.

In his speech, Miller said that operators should work together to prevent unruly operators from causing harm. He explained that operators that abide by the rules in one market, may not be as cooperative in other markets, which is why regulators should share information and work together.

Such joint action would allow regulators to cover a glaring blind spot and create a healthier international gambling market. Miller noted that no regulator is an island and no single regulator can police the industry on its own.

The MOUs May Signify a New Age of Regulation

In his speech, Miller noted that many of Europe and the United Kingdom’s top operators have been increasingly interested in exploring the opportunities offered by the lucrative North American markets. The Memoranda of Understanding with US regulators will help the UKGC establish a very important relationship with the governing bodies of these key jurisdictions.

By working together and committing to collaboration, we can make sure we each achieve the safer, fairer and crime-free gambling that we want for our jurisdictions and for our consumers.

Tim Miller, executive director, UKGC

Miller also explained that the joint work with US regulators would put more pressure on third parties that facilitate black market gambling.

The Memoranda of Understanding with US regulators may very well signify a new age of gambling regulation, in line with the ongoing reforms in the United Kingdom. The UK is still consulting the white paper proposals that seek to revolutionize the gambling sector and modernize its rules.

Miller’s call is also reflected in the efforts of Australia’s ACMA to join forces with the Curaçao government and weed out unlicensed Curaçao-based operators.

However, not all regulators might be equally cooperative. Earlier this year, Malta passed Bill 55, restricting regulators’ ability to impose judgment on Malta-licensed companies. Needless to say, the move was extensively scrutinized by multiple European regulators.

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Steve Cohen, an American hedge fund manager and owner of the New York Mets MLB franchise, has refrained from signing a deal with New York City FC to share a certain 50-acre parking lot. The billionaire, who is planning to use the land for a future casino, has not agreed to a deal that would have allowed fans of New York City FC to park there.

Cohen is currently holding the land in hopes of winning one of the NY casino licenses. While the state plans to only award three such licenses, high-profile companies and investors are already making plans for potential gambling venues.

The deal that Cohen did not agree to would have allowed NYCFC fans to park at the Mets’ Citi Field when coming for Willets Point stadium games. The stadium, which is still being built by Queens Development Group, will be a part of a complex that will also include housing and a school. In the second phase of the project, the soccer stadium will be completed, more housing will be added and a new 350-hotel will be built.

While the first facilities wouldn’t be ready until 2026, the project will require a degree of coordination between the Mets and NYCFC. The two franchises have overlapping seasons and will have to coordinate the parking spaces for stadium visitors.

However, to reach an agreement, Cohen must be willing to negotiate with Queens Development Group. The group’s current planning documents outline that attendees of soccer events at the Willets Point stadium would occupy spaces surrounding Citi Field through an agreement with the Mets.

About Cohen’s Project

The billionaire is yet to put his signature on the deal because of his ambition for the land. However, even if he is to build a casino, the process would be arduous, considering that the lot is legally considered parkland.

To make the development of a casino a reality, Cohen will have to alienate the lot. He already introduced a bill for that but despite his lobbying efforts, the city continues to oppose his plans.

A recent poll, on the other hand, showed that many Queens residents tend to be favorable of the idea of a casino in the area. According to a survey conducted by Schoen Cooperman Research, around 78% of the residents expressed their support for the project.

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