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Compliance Updates

PGCB Approves License for Nittany Mall Casino

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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.

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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.

Compliance Updates

WA. Technology Receives GLI Certification in Brazil for Casino Aggregator Product

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Global iGaming solutions provider, WA. Technology has earned Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) certification in Brazil for its casino aggregator product as it looks to expand its presence in South America.

Certification for its standalone casino aggregator product allows WA Technology to increase its range of integrated iGaming content supplied to operators in the Brazilian market.

This ever-expanding catalogue of content includes tens of thousands of games, cementing it as a more trusted partner for operators seeking to thrive in this market, with the added assurance that it fully complies with Brazilian regulatory requirements.

Meeting the necessary requirements for the casino product builds on WA Technology’s strong record in the region, where it already has an established presence and certified platform, with an experienced team of professionals based out of an office in Recife. This gives the business a unique understanding of the players in the country and the team to simplify any complexities that may arise for operators.

By making the aggregator a standalone product, the team can provide content to operators who are not already on the WA Technology platform, joining the likes of F12 Bet, which already uses the full turnkey sportsbook, casino and player account management.

The certification follows on from recent launches such as its Pick’Em player products for stats-led gameplay and Sportsbook Managed Service, to provide operators with more services and opportunities to grow.

Commenting on the certification, Phyllyp Sedicias, WA. Technology’s
Country Director for Brazil said: “This is a significant milestone for the business and signals our intent to expand further into the Brazilian market. I’m proud of the team’s hard work to secure this certificate and allow us to meet the market demands for casino games within this region.
“GLI certification for our casino aggregator product means we can now provide operators with additional opportunities to enhance their content through an experienced team with a proven track record in the region, which we look forward to growing our partnerships even further.”
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Compliance Updates

Oddin.gg Officially Registered with LOTBA as a Supplier in the City of Buenos Aires

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Oddin.gg has been officially registered as a supplier by the Lottery of the City of Buenos Aires (LOTBA). This authorization clears the way for Oddin.gg to provide its end-to-end esports betting ecosystem—including its Odds Feed, Risk Management, BetBuilder, Widgets, and more—to licensed operators in the City of Buenos Aires. The milestone reinforces Oddin.gg’s strategic focus on supporting partners across Latin America.

LOTBA, the regulatory authority for online gaming within the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, is well known for its rigorous compliance and technical standards. While the body manages licensing and enforcement, suppliers must undergo a formal registration process before providing services to local operators. Oddin.gg’s successful registration confirms that it has met all relevant technical, financial, and compliance requirements.

Juana Bischoff, Senior Business Development Manager LATAM at Oddin.gg, said: “Being officially registered with LOTBA marks an important step in Oddin.gg’s long-term commitment to the Latin American market. Esports is gaining real traction across the region, and we want operators in Buenos Aires—and beyond—to have the tools and insight to deliver a top-tier esports betting experience. We’re not just bringing leading technology—we’re bringing the local expertise and regulatory awareness needed to help our partners like Betsson and Jugadon grow.”

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Compliance Updates

PrizePicks Secures Gaming Licenses in Puerto Rico and Maine

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PrizePicks, the largest daily fantasy sports operator in North America, announced it has secured gaming licenses in both Puerto Rico and Maine, marking a major milestone in the operator’s continued growth. With this expansion, PrizePicks becomes the first daily fantasy sports operator to obtain a gaming license in Puerto Rico.

PrizePicks players can now access Arena in Maine, with Puerto Rico set to go live in the coming months. Following the launch, PrizePicks will be operational with its fantasy contests in 47 jurisdictions across the US.

“We’re grateful to the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission and the Maine Gambling Control Unit for their partnership and support throughout the licensure process. We’ve seen tremendous engagement with Arena across the country, and we’re confident that momentum will carry into these new jurisdictions,” said Adam Packer, Senior Vice President of Legal & Compliance at PrizePicks.

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