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Compliance Updates

Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Unanimously and Definitively Rules Pennsylvania Skill, powered by Pace-O-Matic, a Legal Game of Skill

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The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania unanimously ruled that Pace-O-Matic’s (POM) Pennsylvania Skill games are legal games of skill.

In the case, originally brought forth in Dauphin County, the Commonwealth Court ruled that the POM game is a game of predominant skill, not a game of chance, and that the “POM machines are not slot machines [and] the POM machines are not illegal” as noted in the ruling.

“This is a major victory for Pennsylvania Skill, but it’s equally a victory for our operators and the thousands of small businesses, volunteer fire companies, and fraternal clubs who have come to depend on the revenue our games provide,” said Paul Goldean, President and CEO of Pace-O-Matic. “This is also a win for many players across the commonwealth who enjoy skill games as a popular entertainment option. Our games have always been legal, and this ruling proves that once and for all.”

In the ruling, the Commonwealth Court states explicitly that “POM machines are not slot machines” and goes on to reject the Commonwealth’s intentionally broad definition of a slot machine to include games of predominant skill, going so far as to state that “such an interpretation is inappropriate.”

The court agrees with the appellees that “substantial evidence supports the trial court’s legal conclusion that skill predominates over chance” in the POM game. The court also states in the ruling that the Commonwealth’s argument that the game’s skill-based elements are secondary, insignificant, or hidden is “factually untrue.”

The court therefore concludes that “POM machines are not gambling devices” and “therefore, do not constitute derivative contraband” and that “these electronic games are not illegal.”

Lastly, the court notes that “the Commonwealth was aware of adverse legal authority [referring to the Pinnacle case in which the POM game was determined a game of skill], it was required to cite and distinguish it.” Yet the Commonwealth omitted it. The court goes on to state that they “caution the Commonwealth that the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct require candor toward the tribunal and, specifically, the disclosure of directly adverse authority.

Chief Public Affairs Officer Michael Barley added, “We have won every Pennsylvania county court decision that has questioned the legality of our games, and this ruling should put an end to any discussion on the matter. Additionally, the Court took note and objected to the continued actions of state actors who have purposefully ignored the law, and court decisions, continually and purposefully misrepresented how our games operate, and put their fingers down on the scales of justice in a reckless attempt to have our skill games found illegal. Largely at the behest of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and a handful of casinos, led by Parx Casino. Thankfully, the court saw through those actions, analyzed the facts, and ruled appropriately our games are legal games of skill.”

Earlier this month, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania also affirmed the return of several skill game terminals by the Court of Common Pleas of Monroe County – in doing so, also ruling the POM game a legal game of skill.

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“Now that this ruling is in place, I hope we can focus on the more pressing matter of regulating and taxing skill games,” Barley concluded. “We are urging the General Assembly to pass reasonable legislation, not only to support the small businesses and organizations who benefit from skill games but to generate tax revenue for the state while also to giving law enforcement the framework they need to tackle illegal gambling. It’s a win-win for the commonwealth.”

Compliance Updates

Representatives from AGRESE and LOTESE Visits Lottopar

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On July 3rd and 4th, the Paraná State Lottery (Lottopar) received at its headquarters representatives from the Sergipe State Public Services Regulatory Agency (AGRESE) and the Sergipe State Lottery (LOTESE), on an institutional visit aimed at exchanging experiences and technical in-depth study on the regulation, operation and control model of state lottery activity.

During the two-day event, visitors learned in detail about the regulatory framework built by Lottopar, the systems adopted to ensure the traceability and security of operations, the criteria for accrediting operators and laboratories, and the responsible gaming and anti-money laundering policies implemented since the organization’s founding.

“We are delighted to welcome AGRESE and LOTESE. We believe that the development of state lotteries necessarily involves this type of technical cooperation, where successful experiences can be shared and adapted to the needs of each federative entity. The Lottopar model is constantly evolving, and it is a pleasure to be able to contribute to other states that, like Sergipe, demonstrate a commitment to serious, safe, and responsible regulation,” Lottopar CEO Daniel Romanowski said.

The exchange of information between states is essential for consolidating a safer, more efficient national lottery environment aligned with international best practices. The visit also reinforces the importance of joint action between regulatory agencies and state lotteries in formulating effective public policies.

AGRESE CEO Mr. Luiz Hamilton Santana de Oliveira said: “The institution is very honored and pleased to have hosted this technical visit, as it was a very productive two days, where we were able to further enhance our knowledge. We will implement what we learned and saw here into our regulations back in Sergipe.”

Adriana França Coserva Hide, CEO of LOTESE, said: “On behalf of Loterias de Sergipe, I would like to express our deep gratitude to the Lottopar team for the warm welcome and, most importantly, congratulate them on the exemplary work they have been doing. We were impressed by the level of excellence, professionalism, and commitment to social well-being that permeates Lottopar’s entire structure and operations. This exchange of experiences was extremely enriching and reinforces our conviction that cooperation between state public lotteries is a fundamental path to strengthening the sector in Brazil. We leave here inspired and even more committed to the mission that unites us.”

The agenda concluded with technical visits to Lottopar’s strategic departments and the headquarters of accredited partners, focusing on practical observation of operations. New joint initiatives are expected to be established soon, solidifying a virtuous cycle of cooperation between Brazilian public lotteries.

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Compliance Updates

INCENTIVE GAMES SECURES MICHIGAN GAMING LICENSE

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INCENTIVE GAMES SECURES MICHIGAN GAMING LICENSE

 

Incentive Games, a leading B2B games provider, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Provisional Michigan gaming licence by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), effective today. This achievement allows the company to bring its innovative suite of Real-Money Games to operators and players across the state.

The Michigan licence represents Incentive Games’ first foray into the North American regulated market. This comes shortly after the launch of Incentive Studios, the company’s dedicated Real-Money Gaming division, which is set to drive its ambitious growth in this sector. The licence underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of compliance, security, and operational integrity. Obtaining this licence, which requires excellence in areas such as robust security protocols and comprehensive responsible gaming measures, provides access to one of the most dynamic iGaming markets in the United States.

Ahmed Baker, Chief Commercial Officer at Incentive Games, said, “Securing our Michigan licence marks an exciting new chapter for Incentive Games. It’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to meeting the highest regulatory standards and unlocks a significant opportunity for us in a critical North American growth market. This will allow Incentive Games to forge new partnerships and bring our highly engaging Real-Money Games directly to players in Michigan. We’re very grateful to the MGCB for this achievement, which is a pivotal step in our global expansion strategy as we continue to deliver world-class products and build strong partnerships in the region.”

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MIXI Receives AGCO Approval for PointsBet Acquisition

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PointsBet Holdings Limited announced that MIXI has received written confirmation that AGCO has no concerns with the proposed acquisition by MIXI of the shares in PointsBet Holdings Limited.

PointsBet has also received written confirmation from iGaming Ontario (iGO) in relation to MIXI’s proposed acquisition of shares in PointsBet.

Accordingly, the condition precedent to MIXI’s proposed PointsBet-Board recommended Takeover Bid relating to Ontario approvals in paragraph 4.5 of Schedule 1 of the Bid Implementation Deed dated 16 June 2025 (BID) has been satisfied.

MIXI’s proposed Takeover Bid remains subject to the satisfaction of certain other limited conditions as previously announced, including a 50.1% minimum acceptance of the proposed MIXI Offer (as defined in the BID).

The Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission provided its approval on 24 March 2025 for MIXI to acquire PointsBet. PointsBet confirmed that MIXI’s proposed Takeover Bid is no longer subject to any gaming regulatory approvals.

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