Compliance Updates
PGCB Approves License for Nittany Mall Casino
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) on Wednesday unanimously approved a license for the proposed mini-casino at the Nittany Mall, but a potential appeal and a parallel lawsuit by a competing company mean the facility is unlikely to move forward any time soon.
SC Gaming OpCo, owned by investor and former Penn State trustee Ira Lubert, was awarded the state’s fifth category 4 casino license about two and half years after Lubert won an auction to apply with a $10 million bid.
The $127 million casino project is planned for the 94,000-square-foot former Macy’s property at the College Township mall.
While the board approved the license, it cannot be issued until any appeals are resolved, and a competing casino company is likely to contest the decision.
Stadium Casino, which was the losing bidder at the 2020 auction, has argued that Lubert subsequently partnered with other entities and individuals who may have ownership interests and who were not eligible to bid because they had no pre-existing interests in Pennsylvania casinos. State law for Category 4 casinos requires bidders to have ownership in existing casinos in Pennsylvania, and Lubert was eligible because of his ownership interest in Rivers Casino Pittsburgh.
SC Gaming has partnered with Bally’s, which does not have any Pennsylvania casinos, to develop the project. The board on Wednesday also approved a casino management license for Bally’s.
Baltimore-based Stadium, which operates the Live! casinos in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, contended that the PGCB did not even have the statutory authority to consider the license application because of the ownership questions.
Stadium was granted 15 minutes to speak at Wednesday’s hearing but was denied discovery and not permitted to question witnesses. Attorney Mark Aronchick called the limitations “an abuse of discretion” by the board and said that because Stadium was the only party involved questioning the authority to consider the application, an adversarial hearing should have been conducted.
“You have tied our hands. You are not permitting us to do it in the proper way and that is not right,” Aronchick said.
PGCB’s chief enforcement counsel, Cyrus Pitre, said the board’s statutory authority is clear.
“The authority is in the [Pennsylvania gaming] act. The act is replete with the authority of this board, so as far as I’m concerned that argument goes out the window. Everything submitted by Mr. Lubert as an applicant is similar to just about every other application that we’ve received for a category 1, 2, 3, 4 license. His application is no different from Stadium’s application or any other applicant that came before us in general. There is nothing unsuitable about the application. There is nothing unsuitable about the integrity of the source of the funds, the source of the bid. All of that has been investigated and is of a suitable nature,” Cyrus Pitre said.
Lubert’s attorneys stated that he is the sole owner of SC Gaming OpCo, that any transfer of ownership would require PGCB approval and that state law does not prohibit having other financial backers.
Office of Enforcement Counsel attorney Ashley Gabrielle said PGCB’s Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement and its Financial Investigations Unit conducted “exhaustive and detailed” background investigations and found no issues.
“…OEC is of the opinion that SC Gaming OpCo is eligible and suitable for the issuance of a category 4 slot machine license at this time. As such, OEC is of the opinion that the board has the authority and duty to consider this application as it does any other application that is ripe for consideration,” Gabrielle said.
An appeal of the board’s decision would go to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Stadium also has a lawsuit against Lubert and the PGCB pending in Commonwealth Court, with no clear timeline.
4ThePlayer has officially received game certification for the Brazilian iGaming market, reinforcing its commitment to regulated markets worldwide. This milestone enables the company to bring its acclaimed player-first gaming experiences to a brand-new audience.
Approved by Gaming Associates and eCogra, these certifications allow licensed operators in Brazil, to offer 4ThePlayer’s high-quality, player-centric games through their existing platform integrations with Relax Gaming and Yggdrasil.
Certified game titles include 4 Fantastic Fish, 4K Ultra Gold, and 5 Wild Buffalo as well as their innovative and unique table games 100 Bit Dice and 1000x Busta, all top-performing, player-favorite releases. Moving forward, all 4ThePlayer games will be certified for Brazil from day one.
Beyond its existing portfolio, 4ThePlayer is committed to delivering region-tailored content, leveraging its local team in Brazil to develop engaging, culturally relevant gaming experiences set to launch later this year. The first one of these titles is 4 Fantastic Fish Amazon Adventure, the latest in their player favourite 4 Fantastic series, coming via Yggdrasil in April.
Henry McLean, Co-Founder, Commercial & Marketing Director at 4ThePlayer, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to bring our unique, player-centric games to Brazil, a market full of energy and potential. These game certifications are a major milestone, reinforcing our dedication to regulated markets and delivering best-in-class entertainment. We look forward to collaborating with operators and creating unforgettable gaming experiences for Brazilian players.”
With this certification, 4ThePlayer continues its mission of providing exceptional, player-focused gaming worldwide, ensuring its engaging and innovative titles reach new markets and audiences.
SOFTSWISS, a leading iGaming software provider, continues its expansion in LATAM by obtaining certification for the Peruvian market for its Jackpot Aggregator, a comprehensive player engagement solution. This follows the recent certification of the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator in Brazil.
The certification was achieved through GLI, an accredited testing laboratory, ensuring that the Jackpot Aggregator meets all technical and legal requirements set by Peruvian authorities.
The online casino segment in Peru has seen steady ARPU growth, increasing from 181 dollars in 2017 to a projected 513 dollars by 2028. Similarly, online sports betting has shown consistent growth, with ARPU rising from 319 dollars to 453 dollars over the same period.
The SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator effectively caters to both segments, as it can be seamlessly integrated with sportsbooks and online casinos, even those based on third-party platforms. Also, SOFTSWISS recently announced the launch of the first Network Jackpot for Sportsbooks, a rare and effective engagement tool in the market.
Angelina Stasiuk, Head of Business Line at SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator, commented: “When it comes to player retention and engagement while delivering an exciting entertainment experience, the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator offers a powerful solution. It allows operators to easily configure and implement a variety of mechanics, from multi-level prizes to branded jackpots. We are excited that these effective tools are now available for the Peruvian market.”
The Jackpot Aggregator can also be seamlessly integrated with the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, which is also certified for the Peruvian market.
The SOFTSWISS team will be available to discuss sweepstakes, social casino segments and partnerships at SiGMA Americas in São Paulo, Brazil, from 7 to 10 April.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds several gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.
Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has expanded its reach after securing a supplier licence from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), marking its official entry into the Canadian market.
The licence allows Evoplay to offer its gaming portfolio to Ontario’s licensed operators, bringing its innovative titles to one of North America’s most dynamic regulated markets.
As a province with a strong player base and well-established iGaming framework, Ontario represents a key opportunity for Evoplay’s continued global expansion.
With a diverse portfolio of slots, table games, crash, and instant games, Evoplay is known for delivering engaging content that resonates with modern audiences.
This move reinforces the company’s commitment to entering new regulated markets and working closely with local partners to provide high-quality gaming experiences.
With further growth plans on the horizon, Evoplay continues to strengthen its global footprint, bringing its signature gaming experiences to new audiences worldwide.
Ihor Zarechnyi, CCO at Evoplay, said: “Receiving an Ontario licence is a significant milestone for us as we expand into North America.
“Ontario’s iGaming market has grown significantly, and we’re excited to bring our content to local players while building strong partnerships with operators in the region.”
-
Gambling in the USA5 days agoBruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies Break Ground on New Live! Casino & Hotel in Petersburg, Virginia
-
Canada4 days agoGiG Launches Fourth Partner into Ontario as PowerPlay Enhances Its Gaming Experience with GiG’s Formidable Combination of Proprietary Platform, Sportsbook and AI technology
-
Compliance Updates4 days agoSOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator Expands in LATAM with Peru Certification
-
Latest News4 days ago1/ST CONTENT broadens its South American reach in new LATAM deal with America Simulcast and Sportbet
-
Latest News5 days agoAmusnet’s Global Expansion Continues with Meridianbet’s Launch in Brazil
-
Conferences4 days agoWA.Technology to accelerate operators’ Brazilian growth at SiGMA Americas
-
Latest News4 days agoFrom $400M to $1.45B: Exploring Gurhan Kiziloz’s Strategic Expansion in Online Gaming
-
partnerships3 days agoDelaware Park Converts from VizExplorer to Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Enterprise Platform