Compliance Updates
Electronic Arts Faces Lawsuit Over Ultimate Team Loot Boxes
Electronic Arts is facing a class-action lawsuit that argues the Ultimate Team mode in its sports games breaks gambling law.
The lawsuit has been filed in the Northern District of California, and specifically cites the state’s gambling laws as proof that games such as FIFA and Madden should be governed by them.
The plaintiff is one Kevin Ramirez, who represents a proposed class of more than 100 other individuals. He is calling for a jury trial and damages of $5 million.
The case claims EA “relies on creating addictive behaviours in consumers to generate huge revenues.”
Ramirez himself assets Ultimate Team compelled him to spend money, having spent more than $600 in both FIFA and Madden since 2011.
“EA’s Ultimate Team packs are loot boxes. Buying the packs are nothing more than a gambling bet,” the case reads.
“Purchased using real money, the Ultimate Team packs are simply wagers on completely randomised chances within the game to win valuable professional players and other items for the EA gamer’s virtual sports team.”
This, the lawsuit says, falls under California’s definition of illegal gambling devices as “a machine, aperture, or device; something of value is given to play; and the player may receive something of value by element of chance.”
Canada
Court Decision Upholds iGaming Ontario’s Model
iGaming Ontario has welcomed the decision of the Ontario Superior Court, which found that iGaming Ontario’s model is consistent with the Criminal Code and that iGaming Ontario is conducting and managing igaming in the province.
“We 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,” said Martha Otton, Executive Director of iGaming Ontario.
“Ontario’s 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,” Otton added.
In dismissing the application brought forward by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK), the Superior Court found that iGaming Ontario is the “operating mind” behind Ontario’s 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 company’s 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 Öhrn, CEO of Supremeland Gaming, said: “With 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.”
Supremeland’s game portfolio has garnered international appeal since its debut in November 2023. The innovative brand produces first-class games, including Red Panda Rising™ and its global debut, Munition Mine™, 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.
“The 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 Lamont’s enthusiastic stand against this cruel industry. Connecticut now joins 42 other states that have already rejected this outdated and inhumane form of gambling,” 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.
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