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Compliance Updates

Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Says Pace-O-Matic’s Pennsylvania Skill Games Are Legal

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Pace-O-Matic of Pennsylvania (POM of PA), the entity that markets Pennsylvania Skill games, received a substantial victory in today’s Commonwealth Court opinion, which makes clear our games are legal.

Matt Haverstick, Esq., who represented POM of PA in the lawsuit said, “The Commonwealth Court agreed that our games are presumptively legal. The injunction was denied for locations that have illegal gambling devices comingled with our legal POM games. We are seeking clarification that the injunction is still in place for locations that have only POM games. Ultimately, the Court was concerned that the injunction might hamper the Bureau of Liquor Control and Enforcement’s ability to conduct investigations into illegal gambling and slot machines where a POM machine may also be located. That is a position that POM of PA supports as we have been on the front lines pointing out the proliferation of illegal gambling devices and min-casinos.”

Click here to read the opinion.

The Court made it clear that they consider our games legal, “This Court recognizes that unless, or until, POM Games are considered to be illegal gambling devices under the Crimes Code, POM may suffer harms to its reputation and property interests as a result of the seizures.”

The Court also made it clear that they saw the difference between “POM machines” and illegal gambling operations, “The tiny fraction of POM machines that have been confiscated as part of larger investigations and confiscations into illegal gambling operations, and the fact that POM does not intend to challenge these isolated seizures as long as POM is not specifically targeted, the Court finds no improper conduct by the PSP that warrants the imposition of an injunction at this time.”

Pace-O-Matic Director of Communications Mike Barley added, “We understand the confusion that exists as law enforcement has a difficult time discerning between what is a legal skill game and what is an illegal gambling device. Our commitment is to continue working with the legislature to regulate, tax and provide strict enforcement of the legal skill game industry. The revenue we are providing to small businesses and fraternal clubs, the jobs that are being created and the tens of millions of dollars we have paid in taxes to the state prove that we are laying a solid foundation for the legal skill game industry that benefits Pennsylvania.”

Pace-O-Matic’s Pennsylvania Skill products are manufactured by Miele Manufacturing in Williamsport, which has created over 100 manufacturing and manufacturing-related positions in our Commonwealth. Additionally, Pennsylvania Skill games are helping to support and grow businesses that were struggling and are now thriving and creating jobs. The revenue generated by our games has become a lifeline to fraternal clubs and organizations across the Commonwealth, including American Legions, VFWs and local fire companies. Pennsylvania Skill has donated over $700,000 over the past year to local charities, including food banks, children’s hospitals and senior centers.

As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure compliance, Pace-O-Matic employs a team of former state troopers to enforce the terms of our contracts and our codes of conduct. These contracted terms limit the number of machines and where they are placed in a location and have protections in place to prevent anyone underage from playing our devices.

In 2014, the Beaver County Court of Common Pleas ruled Pace-O-Matic’s Pennsylvania Skill games are legal as games of predominant skill. That court decision can be found by clicking here.

SOURCE Pace-O-Matic

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Compliance Updates

Hub88 granted supplier licence in Peru

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Hub88 granted supplier licence in Peru

 

Platform provider Hub88 has secured a supplier licence in Peru, a significant step as the company pursues further expansion across Latin America.

Granted by Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR), the new B2B certification permits Hub88 to provide its casino aggregation platform to locally licensed operators in the country.

New legislation entered into force in Peru at the end of 2023, introducing a licensing system for online betting and gaming with the regulated market soon to go live.

The regulatory approval further establishes Hub88’s position in LatAm where the provider has made great strides to become the aggregator platform of choice for local operators.

Hub88 can offer a gateway into the exciting region where its content is resonating well with local players, including titles from proprietary provider Bombay Live, the first supplier to be granted a licence to offer its live casino portfolio in the Province of Buenos Aires, with a dedicated studio in the region.

Hub88’s online casino game portfolio hosts more than 12,000 titles from more than 120 suppliers, including exclusive in-house studios OneTouch and Bombay Live, and a powerful back-office offering.

Ollie Castleman, Head of Hub88, said: “We’re delighted to receive this highly sought-after licence from MINCETUR as the regulated Peruvian market is about to launch, offering great potential.

“LatAm is a region of great importance to us and this approval will further strengthen our position as a leading platform provider in the territory, with a wealth of local knowledge and content proven popular with regional audiences. We are now looking forward to partnering with operators in Peru and bringing our games to local players.”

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AGCO Requires Ontario Gaming Operators to Stop Offering WBA Bets Due to Integrity Concerns

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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has mandated all Ontario-registered sportsbook operators to halt offering and accepting wagers on World Boxing Association (WBA) events immediately. This measure is being taken to protect the Ontario betting public following concerns that WBA-sanctioned boxing matches are not adequately being safeguarded against match-fixing and insider betting.

Since December 2023, the AGCO has been conducting a comprehensive review of suspicious wagering activity on a WBA-sanctioned title fight between Yoenis Tellez and Livan Navarro that was held in Orlando, Florida. Suspicious betting patterns on the bout lasting over 5.5 rounds were reported to the AGCO by two registered independent integrity monitors and detected in Ontario by a registered igaming operator. Media reports also alleged that Tellez’s Manager placed $110,000 on the match lasting longer than 5.5 rounds at a Florida casino. The bout ended with Tellez knocking out Navarro in the 10th round.

Following an intensive review that included outreach to the WBA, Ontario-registered gaming operators, independent integrity monitors, and regulators in other jurisdictions, the AGCO has concluded that bets related to WBA events do not currently meet the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.

The AGCO requires all Ontario-registered gaming operators to ensure the sport betting products they offer are on events that are effectively supervised by a sport governing body. At a minimum, the sport governing body must have and enforce codes of conduct that prohibit betting by insiders.

Registered gaming operators were unable to demonstrate to the AGCO that the WBA prohibits betting from insiders, which could include an athlete’s coaches, managers, handlers, athletic trainers, medical professionals, or others with access to non-public information. Further, registered gaming operators were unable to demonstrate that the WBA took any action to investigate or enforce the allegations of potential match-fixing and insider wagering.

The AGCO has indicated to registered operators that in order for WBA betting products to be reinstated in Ontario, operators must demonstrate that the WBA effectively supervises its events, thus bringing them into compliance with the Registrar’s Standards. In December 2022, the AGCO required gaming operators to stop offering bets on UFC events for similar issues related to insider betting safeguards. Within a month, UFC amended its policies and implemented new protocols that allowed the AGCO to reinstate betting on UFC events in the province.

“Ontarians who wish to bet on sporting events need to be confident that those events are fairly run, and that clear integrity safeguards are in place and enforced by an effective sport governing body. Knowing the popularity of boxing in Ontario, we look forward to reinstating betting on WBA events once appropriate safeguards against possible match-fixing and insider betting have been confirmed,” Dr. Karin Schnarr, Registrar and CEO of AGCO, said.

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Compliance Updates

Elys BMG Group Announces Approval for The Ugly Mug Sportsbook in Washington, DC.

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Elys BMG Group announced that The Ugly Mug in Washington D.C. has been granted provisional approval from the District of Columbia Office of Lottery and Gaming Regulation and Oversight Division (DCOLG) to open its sportsbook at 723 8th St. SE. As the fourth privately owned sportsbook venue in the District powered by Elys’ innovative Gameboard betting technology, The Ugly Mug stands as a testament to Elys’ commitment to bringing cutting-edge solutions to local businesses and sports enthusiasts.

The grand opening for The Ugly Mug sportsbook is anticipated to occur during the week of April 27th. Elys will unveil the grand opening festivities, promotions, and events as the date draws closer.

With easy access to sports wagering and a classic American menu in a relaxed setting, The Ugly Mug sportsbook is set to become a premier destination in the Navy Yard region of Washington D.C. and is another step forward for Elys becoming the leading betting technology provider for neighborhood sportsbooks in the US.

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