Last week, the Florida Gaming Control Commission reaffirmed its dedication to the safety and wellness of Florida communities by continuing efforts to address illegal gambling activity. In collaboration with local law enforcement partners in Brevard and Volusia counties, FGCC agents assisted with shutting down five illegal casinos as well as seizing illegal gambling machines from two business establishments.

“The cooperative relationships developed between the Florida Gaming Control Commission and our partner law enforcement agencies are essential to fulfill our mission, and these efforts are making an impact. Through innovative strategies, enhanced resources, and collaboration, these partnerships reflect our dedication to fostering trust and accountability while effectively addressing public safety concerns related to illicit gambling locations,” said Ross Marshman, Acting Executive Director of the Florida Gaming Control Commission.

On Tuesday, FGCC agents assisted the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office as they executed search warrants for five illegal casinos throughout the county. More than 500 illegal gambling machines, related equipment, and more than $845,000 was seized. A 2022 Chevy Silverado, which was actively being used to transport cash from the illegal casinos, was also seized. Criminal arrests are pending.

On Thursday, FGCC agents and the Port Orange Police Department addressed community concerns received by both agencies about two independently owned businesses. More than $6000 and 19 illegal slot and gaming machines were seized. Three arrests were made for charges of Operating illegal Gambling Establishments and Illegal Possession of Slot Machines and Gaming Devices. The two establishments included:

•Stop & Go Convenience Store, 5687 S. Ridgewood Ave, Port Orange

•Mark and Jill’s Village Tavern, 5263 S. Nova Rd, Port Orange

Citizen reports are important to share concerns about illegal gambling activities or facilities in Florida.

EGT Digital is excited to announce that it is now authorized to operate as a provider in Peru. The company has received a licence from the regulatory gaming authority, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR), which allows it to supply operators in the country with all of its core products – the X-Nave platform, the Gaming Aggregator, and the casino content.

EGT Digital’s in-house developed “all-in-one” betting platform X-Nave gives operators the technology and tools they need to build and develop a successful business online. It consists of 4 main modules: Sport Product, CRM Engine, Gaming Aggregator, and Payment Gateway. Еach can be part of the turnkey solution or operate independently, as they allow integration with third-party developments.

The Gaming Aggregator presents a wide variety of more than 12,000 games across 140 providers. It offers numerous player engagement tools and a Recommendation module through which operators can create highly personalized content for their customers based on users’ individual behavior and preferences.

EGT Digital’s gaming portfolio contains over 120 casino titles, including 4 top performing jackpots: Bell Link, High Cash, Clover Chance, and Single Progressive Jackpot. The company’s vast array of games is being constantly enriched with new additions designed to fit the tastes and requirements of different players. EGT Digital’s slots are currently presented in more than 50 markets around the world, having ranked among the favorites of gaming audiences in each one of them.

“This licence is an achievement of great significance for us,” said Tsvetomira Drumeva, Head of Sales at EGT Digital. “Entering the regulated market in Peru will allow us not only to unleash the huge potential of our products on a local level but also to continue our expansion in the region and consolidate our positions as a leading supplier of iGaming solutions in LatAm.”

In an initiative aimed at promoting responsible gaming in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands Casino Control Commission (VICCC) and the Virgin Islands Department of Health (VIDOH) announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been executed to train and certify counselors in the districts of St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix to treat problem gambling disorders and addiction.

Under the terms of the MOU fully executed on October 24, 2024, the VICCC has provided the funds for six counselors, three in each island district, employed at the VIDOH’s Division of Behavioral Health to receive training through The Center for Addiction Studies and Research.

This training will include vital knowledge on etiological predictors and risk factors, implementing suicide prevention strategies, and employing effective treatment approaches for individuals affected by gambling addiction. Additionally, the VICCC will also provide the funds to ensure that the counselors receive supervision by a board-approved clinical consultant, leading to an international certification recognized by the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board.

Marvin L. Pickering, VICCC Chairman and CEO, said: “While our residents will continue to have access to 1-800-GAMBLER and other national resources, it has always been the position of the VICCC that, in fulfilling our legal mandate to provide programs to treat and prevent gambling addiction, we needed to ensure the availability of assistance locally, assistance that is confidential and free or low-cost and that can be easily accessed, seen and understood.”

“In all aspects, VIDOH was an excellent choice for the VICCC,” Pickering added.

VIDOH Commissioner Justa Encarnacion said: “We want to ensure that we strengthen resources and services for those facing challenges with gambling and that we equip the community with information to make informed decisions about gaming, whether it is bingo, lottery, VLTs, or slot machines. Overall, our goal is to encourage a culture of responsibility within the Virgin Islands gaming community.”

Chairman Pickering and Commissioner Encarnacion expressed appreciation to the teams at VICCC and VIDOH who effectively collaborated in bringing the MOU to fruition.

Chairman Pickering particularly applauded the unwavering efforts of Commissioner Carolyn P. Hermon-Percell, the Vice-Chair of VICCC for her leadership in bringing this first major step to fruition. Both look forward to this important measure that is expected to improve health and wellness and reduce the personal, social, and economic costs of problem gambling in the U.S. Virgin Islands.