Compliance Updates
New Jersey Legalizes Fixed-odds Horse Race Betting
BetMakers Technology Group has announced that a landmark Bill to “authorize fixed odds wagering on horse races through fixed odds wagering system” (Fixed Odds Bill), which was passed unanimously in both the Senate and General Assembly in New Jersey on 21 June 2021, has now been signed by the Governor of New Jersey to become law.
Todd Buckingham, CEO of BetMakers, said: “The introduction of Fixed Odds betting on horse racing by law in New Jersey is a historic moment for wagering in the United States and a landmark achievement for BetMakers.
“New Jersey becomes the first State in the US to offer Fixed Odds betting on horse racing, and opens the door for the thoroughbred industry to offer Fixed Odds betting markets on racing in the same way as sports.
“Legalised Fixed Odds betting on horse racing in the US has been a pillar of BetMakers’ strategic vision and today’s announcement enables the Company to press forward with the roll-out of Fixed Odds betting in New Jersey while also setting a precedent legal framework that is relevant for our discussions with other States in the US.”
As previously announced to the market, BetMakers has secured an exclusive 10-year agreement with New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen Association and Darby Development LLC., the operator of Monmouth Park racetrack, to deliver and manage Fixed Odds thoroughbred horse racing into New Jersey.
Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Monmouth Park, said: “Just like Sports Betting, New Jersey will become the first state to legalise Fixed Odds betting on Horse Racing and we are very excited about what this can do for the industry. Our partners BetMakers are ready to go and we are open for business.
“What this means is that any wagering operator in New Jersey who wants to bet Fixed Odds on horse racing must have an agreement through our partners, BetMakers, which will enable us to control the returns paid to the racing industry.
“We believe this model will deliver the best outcome for the racing industry across the US and from our racing partners globally. Importantly, we are now ready to progress with any racing body, either domestically in the US or internationally, on how Fixed Odds can deliver a beneficial outcome for them in the New Jersey market.
“Likewise, for wagering operators who can now bet Fixed Odds in New Jersey, we look forward to progressing to final arrangements through our partners BetMakers.”
Mr. Buckingham added: “Following the green light for Fixed Odds to become law in New Jersey, it is intended that initially the first bets will be taken on course at Monmouth Park under BetMakers’ Managed Trading Services (MTS) agreement, and we are aiming to confirm a date for this to announce in coming weeks. The next step will be for approved operators who have an agreement with BetMakers to offer Fixed Odds betting to their online customers. While the company is excited by the imminent to start Fixed Odds betting, we are also mindful about doing it the most sustainable way that rewards our partners, and we will be looking to reach scale over the next 12 months.
“More broadly, horse racing in the US has the potential to significantly benefit in the current environment of sport betting and BetMakers is now at the forefront of this opportunity.
“BetMakers is setting out to increase returns paid to participants by growing the overall wagering pie on racing.
“We see Fixed Odds as an attractive betting option on horse racing for U.S. punters, especially the newer generation of betters who are accustomed to Fixed Odds betting on sports events, and who are more prolific on digital platforms.
“We believe that Fixed Odds is the missing piece of an overall offering for horse racing punters in the US, and is a complementary betting product that can sit alongside the long established Pari Mutuel tote system. BetMakers has recently shown its belief in the future of tote betting through the acquisition of Sportech assets including one of the world’s leading tote engines, the QuantumTM Tote Technology, used internationally and including for events such as the Breeders Cup and Royal Ascot race meetings.
“The experience in the Australian racing wagering landscape is that Fixed Odds – alongside tote betting – has doubled the overall wagering pie in less than 10 years, and this has grown returns to racing bodies and flowed through to participants through financial benefits including prizemoney.”
The Board and Management of BetMakers believe the legalization of Fixed Odds betting on horse racing in New Jersey and the Company’s recently completed acquisition of the racing, tote and digital business from Sportech (as announced on 18 June 2021) will accelerate its expansion in the US.
Nick Chan, Chairman of BetMakers, said: “As we have stated, the acquisition of the Sportech assets provides BetMakers with a platform to target strong growth in the United States, including with respect to Pari Mutuel and Fixed Odds wagering. The final approval for Fixed Odds wagering on horse racing in New Jersey is a critical green light to further accelerate this planned expansion.”
U.S. lobbyist Bill Pascrell III from Princeton Public Affairs, representing BetMakers, said: “As a part of the legislative process in New Jersey that has resulted in Fixed Odds betting horse racing becoming law, we have worked with stakeholders and regulatory authorities to ensure a collaborative and consultative engagement in the interests of all parties, and we believe this approach over an extended period of time has been an important factor, including for our future plans. As was the case with Sports Betting, I expect that various other States will follow in their adoption of a model for Fixed Odds on horse racing, and this is something Princeton Public Affairs and BetMakers are working towards in discussions across the US.”
Compliance Updates
eCOGRA Authorized to Offer Certification Services in Brazil
eCOGRA, the Internationally renowned Independent Testing Laboratory, has been officially authorized by the Secretaria De Prêmios e Apostas (SPA) to operate as a certifying entity for betting systems, live gaming studios, and online games in Brazil. This announcement marks a significant milestone as eCOGRA continues to extend its international offering of iGaming testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) services in regulated markets across the globe.
The announcement comes two months to the day after eCOGRA received approval to operate as a Certification Laboratory in Peru. The organization now operates in 39 online gambling jurisdictions, including Buenos Aires City and Province, Peru, Mendoza, Colombia, and Brazil in South America.
Since its establishment in 2003, eCOGRA has been at the forefront of online gambling certification, providing assurance on fairness and safety to players while offering the highest standards in TIC services to industry operators and software providers seeking to comply with regulatory requirements. The approval to operate in Brazil reflects both the trust eCOGRA has built in the international iGaming community and the quality of its certification services.
Bradley Khoury, Chief Technical Officer of eCOGRA, said: “We are thrilled to bring over two decades of expertise in online gambling certification to the vibrant market of Brazil. This approval from the Secretaria De Prêmios e Apostas (SPA) of the Brazilian Ministry of Finance is not only a testament to our unwavering commitment to the highest standards of competence and quality but also marks an exciting new chapter for eCOGRA. We look forward to working closely with Brazilian operators and interested parties to ensure a safe and fair gaming environment for all players.”
The new Brazilian regulatory framework aims to effectively safeguard player interests and enhance the integrity of online gambling operations within the country.
“Brazil offers a dynamic and rapidly growing market, and we are excited to contribute to its development. Our goal is to ensure that Brazilian players have access to certified iGaming experiences, akin to what has successfully been implemented in other highly regulated jurisdictions,” Khoury added.
Operators and software developers offering in the federal Brazilian jurisdiction seeking to comply with the laws and regulations by undergoing testing, inspection, and certification can now turn to eCOGRA for their renowned services, assured of their commitment to quality, impartiality, and fairness.
Compliance Updates
IGT and Acres to Resolve All Pending Litigation
International Game Technology (IGT) and Acres 4.0, Acres Manufacturing Company, and John Acres (Acres) announced that effective April 12, 2024, they have reached an agreement to resolve all legal disputes between the two companies. Terms of the settlement have not been announced.
The resolution was reached in the US District Court of Nevada, directed to US patents that pertain to facilitating use of a financial transaction device in a cashless wagering system in a gaming system, and Nevada State Court directed to a breach of contract claims.
“IGT is pleased to reach a mutual agreement with Acres that resolves all disputes between us. This allows us to dedicate our collective resources where they are better served, driving continued innovation in the exciting and evolving cashless gaming space,” said Nick Khin, IGT COO Gaming.
“We are thrilled to put this matter behind us and work cooperatively with IGT to build exciting new gambling experiences that can increase both player enjoyment and casino profits,” John Acres, CEO of Acres, said.
Compliance Updates
$4.3 Billion Wagered Illegally During March Madness, Fueled by Social Media Influence
Latest analysis by online marketplace intelligence specialists, YieldSec, commissioned by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG), has revealed a stark contrast between legal and illegal online gambling activities during the 2024 NCAA Men’s & Women’s March Madness Basketball Tournaments in the US. YieldSec’s monitoring unveiled an overwhelming majority of betting-related social media posts and video content, reaching up to 73% and 78% respectively, directing audiences toward illegal betting and gambling operators.
YieldSec’s findings shed light on the strength of the illegal gambling grip on the American marketplace, with 378 illegal sports betting operators and 651 illicit affiliates aggressively targeting US March Madness audiences and claiming 64% of the total market share, generating $4.3 billion in illegal and untaxed wagering. The remaining $2.4 billion wagered legally amounts to just 36% of the total market share.
These statistics underscore the challenges in controlling the proliferation of unlicensed gambling operators that have historically capitalized on the fragmented legal landscape of online betting in the US.
Key findings for March Madness 2024:
- Illegal gambling on March Madness comprised 64% of US online marketplace wagering ($4.3 billion Handle).
- Total value of March Madness betting (legal and illegal) amounts to a handle of $6.7bn.
- 378 illegal sports betting operators actively targeted the US.
- 651 affiliates promoted illegal sports betting operators that actively targeted the US.
- Illegals dominated social media content with up to 73% of all social posts in favor of illegal operators.
- 78% of all video content that linked to March Madness betting was linked to illegal operators.
Derek Webb, Founder of CFG, said: “This Yield Sec special report illustrates the dire need for a comprehensive strategy to tackle illegal gambling in the US. The lack of a united government approach and lax oversight by states have only compounded the problem, enabling entities with dubious backgrounds to operate freely. It’s high time for U.S. leadership to spearhead a unified solution to this pervasive issue.”
Ismail Vali, Founder and CEO of YieldSec, said: “The overwhelming presence of illegal gambling during one of the biggest sports betting events of the year is a clear signal that enforcement and monitoring need to be prioritized. Our findings are a call to action for stakeholders across the board to intensify efforts in combating the spread of unlicensed gambling operations that exploit the online marketplace. With the dominance of illegals across our social media channels, it’s clear that the threats to American commerce, community and consumers are a lot closer to home than ever imagined.”
The Campaign for Fairer Gambling is now advocating for a cohesive governmental response to illegal gambling, urging the Department of Justice, Treasury, Federal Trade Commission, and the Trade Representative’s Office to consider the findings of the YieldSec report as a basis for developing effective countermeasures.
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