In a decisive move following Richmond voters’ rejection of a casino proposal for the second time, Virginia lawmakers have unanimously voted to permanently remove the city from consideration as a potential casino site.

Richmond’s Removal from Casino Eligibility Sealed by 100-0 House Vote

The Virginia General Assembly, in a bipartisan effort, passed bills aimed at eliminating Richmond from the list of eligible host cities for a casino, reported 8News WRIC. The legislative action saw overwhelming support, with the House of Delegates voting 100-0 and the state Senate following suit with a 40-0 vote in favor of advancing the legislation.

The proposed bills, championed by lawmakers representing Richmond, including Del. Betsy Carr and state Sen. Lamont Bagby, signify a response to the clear stance expressed by the people of Richmond through their rejection of the casino proposal.

Sen. Bagby emphasized the importance of representing the will of the citizens, stating that he was voted in by the people of the city of Richmond and that they had expressed their disapproval twice.

The legislative move seeks to amend the state code, which previously listed cities like Portsmouth, Norfolk, Danville, and Bristol as eligible casino locations but had criteria that could potentially include Richmond.

The Proposed Legislation Follows Two Referendum Rejections

If signed into law by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, the bills will effectively remove Richmond from consideration by eliminating language that previously made the city eligible. Criteria such as population size, property tax exemptions, and poverty rates would no longer apply to Richmond.

According to estimates from the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia, Richmond’s population exceeded 230,000 in 2018, surpassing the threshold for eligibility. 

Additionally, more than a quarter of the assessed value of real estate in the city was exempt from property taxes in fiscal year 2018.

The decision comes after Richmond faced disappointment in its casino endeavors, with voters rejecting the proposal by a significant margin in both 2021 and November 2023 referendums.

Meanwhile, the legislative process continues to unfold, with discussions around Petersburg’s eligibility for a casino still ongoing. Plans for a casino referendum in Fairfax County have been postponed until 2025. While there has been no immediate response from Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney‘s spokesperson regarding the legislative development, the ongoing 2024 General Assembly session is scheduled to conclude on March 9.

The post Virginia Lawmakers Vote to Exclude Richmond from Casino Consideration appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Brazilian Senate has decided to postpone the vote on the bill that would regulate the gambling sector in the country for Tuesday 12 December after it had originally been scheduled to take place on 6 December.

The delay means that the bill has less and less chances of being fully approved this year. The vote was postponed due to a lack of quorum in the Brazilian Senate, the minimum number of senators needed to vote was not met and it was not possible for the vote to go ahead.

Bill 3,626 was approved by Brazil’s Economic Affairs Commission a couple of weeks ago and everybody expected the Senate to follow suit without too much hassle, but that has not been the case as the vote was first rescheduled to the 29^th of November as more than 100 amendments were added to the original bill.

Moreover, the delay was probably due to the fact that fifteen senators were unavailable for the vote as they were attending the United Nations Climate Summit in the United Arab Emirates. That summit is not over yet, it continues until early next week and the December 12 vote might be affected as well.

The vote on the gambling regulation bill requires a qualified quorum because the proposal does not benefit from consensus in the Senate. This means that if senators that are in favor of the legislative proposal can’t attend the vote, then the approval of the bill might be compromised.

If the December 12 vote is postponed as well, and that possibility seems quite likely, then the bill would probably not come into effect for a few months. That is because from 23 December until 2 February 2024 the Brazilian parliament will be in recess. That delay could have a big impact because if the bill is not approved by the end of 2023, the resources needed for its implementation cannot be included in the 2024 budget by the government.

If the Brazilian Senate would be able to approve the bill on Tuesday, then the matter would advance to the Chamber of Deputies, which would have to discuss the bill and the amendments before voting on it as well. But the Chamber of Deputies would have just over one week to decide on the bill before the recess.

Moving Closer

The Brazilian gaming industry stands firmly behind the bill and is hopeful that it would be approved sooner rather than later. Luiz Felipe Maia, founding partner of Brazilian law firm Maia Yoshiyasu Advogados, declared himself confident that regulation would be in place before too long and said that the country is getting “very close to the approval of the bill.” Maya also said that players would be the ones to benefit the most from the regulation.

The Brazilian government is counting on the bill to supplement the revenues for the state because it would impose a license fee for casino and betting operators which is expected to bring 30 million Brazilian Reais to the state coffers (around 6 million U.S. dollars). Moreover, the state expects to collect around 1.6 billion Brazilian Reais from taxes from the gambling sector.

Neil Montgomery, founder and managing partner of Brazilian law firm Montgomery & Associados, declared himself skeptical regarding the bill’s chances to be approved before the parliamentary recess. If the bill does get approved by the Chamber of Deputies, then it would have to receive one more final approval from the office of President Lula.

Source: “Brazil gambling regulation vote delayed to 12 December“. iGaming Business. December 7, 2023.

The post Brazil Postpones Gambling Regulation Vote for December 12 appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Pennsylvania’s House Health Committee is set to vote on a measure that would ban smoking at the state’s 17 casinos. Under House Bill 1657, known as the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act, all kinds of smoking, including electronic cigarettes, would be banned from casinos, bars and private clubs in Pennsylvania.

The bill seeks to patch a loophole in the Pennsylvania Clean Indoor Air Act that exempts casinos, private clubs, bars and tobacco shops from the indoor smoking ban. Introduced in 2008, the original law allows casinos to designate up to half of their gaming area as a smoker’s area.

However, the original law doesn’t sit well with all casino workers as many claim that the exemption exposes them to secondhand smoke and endangers their health.

Under House Bill 1675, the smoking exemption for casinos, bars and clubs would be eliminated. However, tobacco shops would still be allowed to offer indoor smoking.

Frankel Is Optimistic about the Measure

The bill is promoted by Rep. Dan Frankel, chair of the House Health Committee. The committee will convene in Harrisburg today to vote on the bill but Frankel is fairly confident that the body will pass the measure.

Earlier this month, Frankel said that it is high time to create legislation that doesn’t jeopardize the health of club and casino workers, forcing them to “choose between their paycheck and their health.”

Fifteen years ago, this commonwealth took an enormous step forward in ensuring that our workers are not forced to breathe in toxic smoke — it’s time to finish the job.

Rep. Dan Frankel

Echoing the discussion in New Jersey, Pennsylvanian casinos have expressed their concerns about the measure, claiming that it can hurt their revenues. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, gambling properties remain convinced that smoking bans would alienate casino goers.

However, proponents of the ban in Pennsylvania have pointed out that Parx’s Bensalem casino prohibits smoking and still generates more revenue than its local competitors. In addition, the prohibition the Bensalem and Shippensburg casinos have adopted has significantly bolstered employee morale.

The post Pennsylvanian House Health Committee to Vote on Smoking Ban appeared first on Keno Wizard.

With affected workers already discussing the terms of their first contract with the union, their decision may have widespread consequences for the region’s hospitality industry. Rising discontent among casino workers in North America prompts more employees to consider unionization, ensuring their concerns receive proper attention.

Parking Ambassadors Presented a United Front

Parking ambassadors at Maryland’s MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino unanimously voted to join Teamsters Local 639. The union represents worker rights across Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia, advocating for fair compensation and improved working conditions. Teamsters Local 639 has operated since 1934, giving them significant experience dealing with some of the region’s leading businesses.

MGM National Harbor parking ambassador representatives noted they provided a valuable service for visitors. Unionization represents a significant milestone for these workers, allowing them to hold management accountable and receive improved working conditions and better wages. Washington, D.C. Local 639 president Steve Williams agreed, congratulating the MGM staff on their bold decision.

Congratulations to the MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino workers on their successful organizing victory. We look forward to helping them secure their first Teamster contract.

Steve Williams, Washington, D.C. Local 639 president

Joining the Teamsters provides employees with substantial benefits like access to experienced negotiators and legal representation during collective bargaining. The union’s expertise in labor relations can help workers secure favorable terms in their employment contracts, ensuring their rights are protected. Additionally, the Teamsters can provide training and skill development resources, fostering members’ career growth and advancement opportunities.

Hospitality Sector Unionization Is on the Rise

The decision by MGM National Harbor staff to unionize carries broader implications for the labor movement in the hospitality sector. Should the parking ambassadors’ decision pay off, it may inspire other casino workers to follow and pursue similar initiatives to secure fair treatment and improve their working conditions. MGM’s status as a world-leading operator means such aspirations can spread to many of its other venues.

Such employee initiatives are part of a broader push towards better treatment for workers in the hospitality industry. Quebec recently saw casino staff begin an indefinite general strike, protesting over inadequate compensation. Unionized employees at Encore Boston Harbor casino also proved the value of forming a united front, protecting the rights of over 1,400 workers during tense negotiations with Wynn Resorts.

MGM National Harbor staff joining the Teamsters highlights their determination to have a collective voice and negotiate for their rights. The success of this unionization effort and other similar initiatives carry broader implications for the labor movement in the hospitality sector, hopefully setting an example for others in the industry. The MGM parking ambassadors may inspire others to consider similar initiatives, driving positive change and promoting fair worker treatment.

The post MGM National Harbor Employees Vote in Favor of Unionization appeared first on Keno Wizard.

PointsBet announced that an overwhelming majority of its shareholders supported the sale of its US-facing business to the well-known sports merchandise company, Fanatics. Fanatics Betting and Gaming, the company’s sports retail division, filed a proposal for the takeover of PointsBet’s US assets in a deal for some $225.0 million, a significant increase from its initial proposal.

In light of the fresh proposal, some 98% of PointsBet’s shareholders showed approval for the sale of the company’s US business arm. The announcement comes at a time when PointsBet faced difficulties while trying to expand in the competitive US sports betting market.

It was back in 2021 when PointsBet started its US expansion. Brett Paton, PointsBet’s chairman, who was recently cited by The Sydney Morning Herald, spoke about the frustration of the shareholders over the share price of the company since the start of its US-facing expansion and the costs associated with that venture. “Let me say on behalf of your board that we understand your disappointment about the share price performance of our company,” he said, explaining that he and PointsBet’s chief, Sam Swanell, understand their frustration and concern.

“Continuing to operate the US business would require significant capital and further capital raises.“

Brett Paton, chairman at PointsBet

On the other hand, Paton spoke about the ongoing high costs required to continue the US business operation. Speaking about the sale of US assets to Fanatics he pointed out that the “transaction addresses that uncertainty.”

While the aforementioned transaction will offload PointsBet’s US business, the company will remain in control of its Australian and Canadian businesses. Additionally, it will continue to leverage its leading iGaming and sports betting technology that is used within regulated gambling markets in Australia, as well as North America, providing further growth opportunities.

Fanatics Wins a Tough Fight for PointsBet’s US Business

It was last month when Fanatics and PointsBet agreed on a $150 million deal for the latter’s US business. At the time, Fanatics agreed to pay $100 million upon closing of the agreement as well as $50 million in February next year.

But what was thought to be a done deal had an unexpected turn, after the US gaming and betting giant, DraftKings, tabled a new proposal of $195 million for PointsBet’s US-facing business, surpassing the initial $150 million offer by Fanatics.

However, Fanatics wasn’t going to let this happen and responded with an increased bid of $225 million, which was ultimately the successful one. In light of the new bid, DraftKings confirmed earlier this week that it will no longer pursue options for obtaining the US-facing business of PointsBet.

The post PointsBet’s Shareholders Vote in Favor of US Assets Sale appeared first on Keno Wizard.

In a decisive move, casino workers in Montreal, Mont-Tremblant, Charlevoix, and Gatineau have voted in favor of an unlimited general strike, set to commence on June 23. 

Casino Workers Demand Fair Wages as Negotiations Stall

Riccardo Scopelleti, president of the Casino de Montréal-CSN security workers’ unit, announced that the negotiations with the employer had reached an impasse, as reported by the Montreal Gazette. The workers are demanding wage increases that reflect the rising cost of living, along with an additional CAD1 ($0.76) per hour. They argue that Loto-Québec, along with the Société des casinos, is generating significant profits, and therefore, the employees deserve their fair share.

The union has expressed its frustration with Loto-Québec management, particularly regarding the distribution of bonuses. According to the union, management has allocated $650,000 in bonuses this year, which they find to be insulting while denying workers the raises they deserve to keep pace with inflation.

However, Loto-Québec has expressed confusion over the union’s decision to initiate an indefinite strike. The company claims that all the necessary elements for reaching an agreement are already in place. They maintain that they offer favorable working conditions, with casino wages exceeding those of the reference market by approximately 20% for most job categories. Loto-Québec also highlights that the union’s current demands far exceed what other employees in the organization have received in the past year.

Strike Impacts 1,700 Casino Employees in Quebec as Loto-Québec Announces Limited Services

The strike will impact around 1,700 employees, leading to modified schedules and limited services at the Montreal, Charlevoix, and Mont-Tremblant casinos. The Casino du Lac-Leamy, Trois-Rivières gaming hall, and Quebec City gaming hall, however, will remain open as usual, as stated by Loto-Québec in a recent announcement. The strike will not affect the croupiers at the Montreal, Charlevoix, and Lac-Leamy casinos, and the lotoquebec.com website will remain accessible. However, the call center will not be operational during the strike.

Stéphanie Gratton, interim president of the Fédération des employées et employés du secteur public-CSN, dismissed Loto-Québec’s claims about good working conditions and competitive wages. She said she believes that the union’s demands are justified and necessary for the well-being of the workers.

Loto-Québec hopes to resume discussions with the union and the conciliator in order to reach a fair settlement that respects the responsible management of public funds. 

Just last year Loto-Québec was in trouble with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) representing casino dealers at Casino de Montréal. Following three months of strike action, CUPE reached a satisfactory labor agreement in principle with Loto-Québec, addressing concerns over working conditions and wages.

At the same time, Loto-Québec reported its best financial performance since the implementation of the Tobacco Control Act, with revenue of CAD2.225 billion ($1.61 billion) and net income of CAD1.204 billion ($872 million) for the third quarter of fiscal year 2022-2023, marking a significant increase and allowing for higher dividends to the government and benefits for Quebec residents.

The post Quebec Casino Workers Vote in Favor of Indefinite General Strike appeared first on Keno Wizard.