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Compliance Updates

Louisiana Senate Removes Gaming Board Chairman

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Louisiana Senate Removes Gaming Board Chairman

 

The Louisiana senators have removed the chairman of the state’s gambling regulatory board on the final day of the regular legislative session.

Ronnie Jones, chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, was among 11 appointees selected by statewide elected officials to work in agencies or serve on boards who did not receive approval from the Senate.

Senators debated the confirmation decisions behind closed doors in an executive session. They did not discuss the appointments publicly, but rather crafted a list of hundreds of appointees who were confirmed in one vote. Jones was not on that list.

“There’s not a whole lot I can really say about that,” said Republican Sen. Sharon Hewitt, who chairs the Senate committee that holds confirmation hearings and manages the process.

“It was a total surprise to me,” Jones said. “After the Senate had adjourned, I got a call from a staffer with the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee. He said, ‘I have to tell you that you were not confirmed.’ I said, ‘Excuse me?’ He said it again, and I said, ‘Wow.’”

Besides Jones, two other members of the Gaming Control Board received approval for their appointments, Hewitt said.

Jones, a retired state police deputy superintendent, was appointed chairman of the board by Republican former Gov. Bobby Jindal. Edwards, a Democrat, reappointed Jones in July.

“I am deeply disappointed that Ronnie Jones was not confirmed after his decades of service and experience in gaming regulation,” Edwards said in a statement.

Edwards described Jones as “uniquely qualified to fairly and ethically lead the group that regulates the gaming industry.”

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Compliance Updates

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) Selects New Board Chair

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The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) has announced Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, as its new Board Chair for SIGA’s Board of Directors.

SIGA is a non-profit First Nation gaming operator for seven land-based casinos and the online gaming platform PlayNow.com in Saskatchewan.

Chief Cook-Searson first joined SIGA’s Board of Directors in 2018 and has been a regular SIGA Board member as well as a member of SIGA’s Audit & Finance Committee.

She is serving in her 20th year as Chief of Lac La Ronge Indian Band and has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and a graduate diploma in management from Athabasca University. She also holds honorary degrees from the University of Regina, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) and Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

Chief Cook-Searson replaces outgoing Board Chair former Chief of Muskowekwan First Nation Reginald Bellerose, who has held the Board Chair position since February 4, 2015.

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Compliance Updates

MGCB Showcases National Leadership on Illegal Gaming Enforcement at 2025 NAGRA Conference

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Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) Criminal Investigations Section Manager John Lessnau recently represented the agency at the 2025 North American Gaming Regulators Association (NAGRA) Annual Training and Education Conference, held June 2-5 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Lessnau presented a featured session titled “Case Study: Tackling the Illegal/Offshore Gaming Market” and facilitated a discussion on how Michigan is setting the standard nationwide in combatting illegal and unregulated gaming operations. His presentation outlined Michigan’s strategic enforcement model and collaborative approach to removing illegal gambling from the state and deterring bad actors from targeting Michigan consumers.

“Michigan is at the forefront of the national conversation on illegal gambling, and we were proud to share how our efforts are making a real impact. We’re leveraging every tool available—from anonymous tip lines and interagency partnerships to direct enforcement and public awareness—to crack down on illegal gaming operations that threaten consumer protection and undermine legal businesses,” MGCB Criminal Investigations Section Manager John Lessnau said.

To date, the MGCB has issued nearly 100 cease-and-desist letters to unauthorized gambling operators—including high-profile offshore websites—and continues to pursue new cases with more enforcement actions expected in the months ahead. These efforts underscore the agency’s commitment to upholding integrity in Michigan’s legal, regulated gaming market.

The MGCB’s aggressive stance on illegal and offshore gambling has drawn national recognition and strengthened its partnerships with regulatory peers across the US.

As part of the NAGRA conference, MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams was honored with the 2025 Excellence in Gaming – Individual Award, recognizing his leadership in expanding responsible gaming outreach and fortifying criminal enforcement efforts. The award reflects the continued success of the MGCB under Williams’ direction and the agency’s role as a model for effective, transparent regulation.

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Compliance Updates

Wyoming Committee Proposes Tax Rise on Sports Betting

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Wyoming lawmakers have proposed to double the sports betting tax rate in the state. That would take it to 20% from 10%.

Since sportsbooks launched in September 2021, the state has collected $3.8 million in taxes on $69 million in sports betting revenue.

The committee also proposed increasing taxes on “skill-based amusement games” to 25% from 20% and the tax on historic horse racing to 2.5% from 1.5%.

Committee Chair Tara Nethercott led the proposals. Nethercott said the state has been “generous to players in this space.”

She also said the state has offered “modest regulation with little oversight.” Nethercott wants to see oversight and revenues that match the industry.

Opponents of the measure said the hikes would harm the solid growth the state’s gambling industry has seen.

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