Compliance Updates
Alabama Lawmakers Push Sweeping Gambling Bill That Would Allow Lottery and Casinos
A group of Alabama lawmakers unveiled a sweeping gambling bill last week that could authorize a state lottery and 10 casinos across the conservative Deep South state as some Republicans look to get the question before voters in November.
Alabama is one of few states without a state lottery, after lawmakers in 1999 rejected a proposal to allow one. And unlike neighboring Mississippi, the state has been resistant to full-fledged casinos with table games and slot machines. Lawmakers estimate the proposal could provide more than $800 million in annual revenue to the state.
If approved by three-fifths of lawmakers, the proposal would be put on the ballot for voters to decide.
âWe believe that people deserve the right to vote on this issue,â said Republican Rep. Andy Whitt, who led a group of legislators who worked on the bill.
The gambling bill, now backed by Republican Gov. Kay Ivey, was among several controversial measures put forward by lawmakers to kick off the legislative session. A committee advanced legislation that would make it a crime to return another personâs absentee ballot, a restriction Republican supporters said they want to enact before the November presidential election.
A draft of the gambling legislation was distributed to lawmakers last week and supporters said the bill could be up for a vote in committee and on the House floor as soon as this week, depending upon support. Republican backers of the bill will need to whip votes from within their ranks and also win the votes of a substantial number of Democratic lawmakers.
âWeâre trending in the right direction,â Republican Rep. Chris Blackshear, who will sponsor the bill, said of efforts to get the needed 63 votes to pass the bill in the Republican-dominated House.
Several lawmakers from both sides on the aisle said they needed more time to review the bill before determining how they will vote.
Supporters pitched the bill as a means to crack down on small electronic gambling machines that have cropped up in convenience stores and small gambling halls. The state has been in a long-running legal battle to shut down electronic bingo machines, which have whirling displays that make them resemble slot machines. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians, who are not under state jurisdiction, have three sites with the slot machine lookalikes.
The proposed constitutional amendment would allow a state lottery, seven new casino sites, sports betting and also authorize the governor to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians that would enable the tribe to offer casino games at their three existing locations. The tribe would also be able to offer such games at a new casino site in north Alabama that could attract customers from Tennessee and Georgia.
Lottery proceeds would go to education programs such as scholarships for two-year community and technical colleges and dual enrollment. Casino and sports betting revenue would go to the general fund, where lawmakers would decide each year how to allocate it.
The controversial bill to enact absentee ballot restrictions would make it a misdemeanor to deliver someone elseâs absentee completed ballot or distribute an absentee ballot application prefilled with someone elseâs name. It would be a felony to give and receive payment for helping people vote absentee.
Supporters say the change is needed to combat voter fraud, but opponents say it would discourage voting by absentee ballot.
Republican Sen. Garlan Gudger said the bill would stop bad actors âtrying to steal our electionsâ. Gudger said the bill was changed from an initial version that sparked heated debate last year and would have largely prohibited any help with absentee ballots.
Democrats on the committee and opponents who spoke at a public hearing, questioned the need for the bill.
âThis bill doesnât just erect barriers, it obliterates the bridge connecting disenfranchised citizens to their democratic right to vote,â said Tari Williams, who works with a Birmingham-based nonprofit that works with low-income people.
The same committee last week delayed a vote on legislation that would regulate which flags could be displayed outside public property in Alabama. The bill listed certain flags such as the American flag, state and city flags and others that would be allowed. A Democratic lawmaker questioned the need for the bill and language suggesting flags from previous governments would be allowed.
âAre we going to put the Confederate flag all over? The Spanish flag?â asked Sen. Linda Coleman Madison, a Democrat from Birmingham. âIt looks like this is opening up a can of worms,â she added.
Canada
Court Decision Upholds iGaming Ontario’s Model
iGaming Ontario has welcomed the decision of the Ontario Superior Court, which found that iGaming Ontarioâs model is consistent with the Criminal Code and that iGaming Ontario is conducting and managing igaming in the province.
âWe have always been confident in our model and are pleased that the court has ruled in our favour, and that Ontarians can continue to play with confidence in our regulated igaming market,â said Martha Otton, Executive Director of iGaming Ontario.
âOntarioâs model meets the requirements and contributes to the public good by protecting players, their data and their funds, while helping to fund priority public services in Ontario, and bringing well-paid, high-tech jobs and economic development to Ontario,â Otton added.
In dismissing the application brought forward by the Mohawk Council of KahnawĂ :ke (MCK), the Superior Court found that iGaming Ontario is the âoperating mindâ behind Ontarioâs competitive igaming market in accordance with the conduct and manage requirements of the Criminal Code.
iGaming Ontario will continue to conduct and manage igaming as it has since the launch of the regulated market on April 4, 2022.
Compliance Updates
Supremeland Gaming Continues U.S. Expansion With Supplier License Approval In Michigan
Supremeland Gaming, Inc., the emerging brand in American iGaming, has gained approval for a Supplier License in Michigan, marking the companyâs fourth U.S. state approval following the successful acquisition of interim approvals in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia.
Supremeland Gaming is approved to operate under this license and is now authorized to offer its cutting-edge innovation to the Great Lakes State. Their continued expansion underscores its commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in the iGaming industry.
Rickard Ăhrn, CEO of Supremeland Gaming, said: âWith approvals already in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia, our entry into Michigan underscores our dedication to serving players nationwide. We are excited about the opportunities this new market brings and look forward to delivering innovative, engaging, and responsible gaming solutions to the rapidly growing U.S. iGaming community.â
Supremelandâs game portfolio has garnered international appeal since its debut in November 2023. The innovative brand produces first-class games, including Red Panda Risingâą and its global debut, Munition Mineâą, for which its subsidiary, Powderkeg Studios, is shortlisted at the CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards.
Compliance Updates
Greyhound Advocates Applaud Gov. Ned Lamont for Signing Bill to Outlaw Dog Racing
The largest greyhound protection group in the world thanked Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont for signing a bill to outlaw greyhound racing, calling the new law a victory for everyone who cares about dogs.
âThe end of dog racing in Connecticut has finally come because of the hard work of dedicated lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Greyhound advocates everywhere applaud Governor Lamontâs enthusiastic stand against this cruel industry. Connecticut now joins 42 other states that have already rejected this outdated and inhumane form of gambling,â said GREY2K USA President and General Counsel Christine A. Dorchak.
Greyhound racing is now illegal in 43 states, and only continues to exist at two tracks in West Virginia. After dog racing gradually declined for decades, Florida voters outlawed the activity in 2018 by a vote of 69% to 31%, closing twelve operational racetracks. A bill to prohibit gambling on greyhound racing nationwide was introduced in the 117th Congress and earned the support of 105 cosponsors and more than 250 humane groups, anti-gambling organizations, and local animal shelters.
All mainstream animal protection groups oppose greyhound racing due to animal welfare concerns. At the last two remaining dog tracks in West Virginia, state records indicate that 666 greyhounds were injured in 2022 including 218 dogs that suffered broken bones and five greyhounds that died. Thousands of dogs also endure lives of confinement at West Virginia tracks, kept in cages barely large enough for them to stand up or turn around for long hours each day.
-
Gambling in the USA5 days ago
XSOLLA RELEASES QUARTERLY â INSIGHTS REPORT ON THE FUTURE OF GAMING AND GAME DEVELOPMENT: A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF SPRING 2024 METRICS AND UPCOMING TRENDS
-
Gambling in the USA3 days ago
Detroit Casinos Report $109.44M in April Revenue
-
Latest News5 days ago
WA.Technology Announces Membership with AIEJA in Mexico
-
Press Releases2 days ago
Q1 2024 Commercial Gaming Revenue Sets New Quarterly High, Marks 13th Straight Month of Industry Growth
-
Latest News5 days ago
Aposta Ganha strengthens LatAm sports betting market integrity with IBIA membership
-
Latin America6 days ago
The Argentine Football Association and Kaizen Gaming announce Betano Liga Profesional de FĂștbol
-
Latest News5 days ago
Playtech games now available to players in Argentina via PlayUZU
-
Latest News3 days ago
Relax Gaming enhances Latin American presence with Betsala partnership