Compliance Updates
Success for Efforts to Bring Mobile Sports Betting and Resort Casinos to Texas
The campaigns to bring resort casinos and mobile sports betting to the southern American state of Texas have been given significant boosts via news that a trio of associated legislative efforts have made it beyond the committee stage.
The Texas House of Representatives’ 13-member State Affairs Committee recently voted to advance House Joint Resolution (HJR) 155 and its enabling House Bill (HB) 2843 to the floor of the Texas State Capitol for a full vote. The successful passage of these proposals from Republican legislators Charlie Geren and John Kuempel respectively could see casino gaming brought to a limited number of destination resorts across ‘The Lone Star State’ including two for the area around the city of Dallas.
These two measures are now destined to be put to a vote before the 150 members of the Texas House of Representatives in hopes of being able to organize and hold a referendum on an associated constitutional amendment for as soon as November 7. Should residents of the giant state subsequently support this plebiscite and Texas would be permitted to license as many as eight Las Vegas-style resort casinos featuring high-class entertainment complexes, restaurants and gaming floors in addition to four or five-star hotels, convention facilities and retail elements.
Adding to this and the members of the State Affairs Committee have similarly approved a proposal from local Republican legislator Jeff Leach that is seeking permission to bring mobile sports betting to Texas. This measure is now destined to go for a vote before the full Texas House of Representatives and calls for individual operators to pay a 10% betting revenues tax after stumping up a $500,000 licensing fee.
The pro-casino Texas Destination Resort Alliance lobby group applauded the former moves and explained that millions of Texans currently travel to casinos in neighboring states such as Louisiana and Oklahoma where they annually spend an estimated $5 billion. The group’s spokesperson, Matt Hirsch, furthermore asserted that bringing such gambling-friendly facilities to cities such as Dallas, Houston and San Antonio would engender massive economic growth, create thousands of jobs and allow the jurisdiction to collect billions of dollars in tax that could be used to support a range of public safety, infrastructure and education programs.
“The efforts to bring destination resorts to Texas made significant progress with today’s vote,” Hirsch said. “Texans have made it clear that they want destination resorts in Texas and we are now one step closer to ultimately allowing them to decide on this issue. Our members thank and applaud the State Affairs Committee members for advancing Representative Geren’s and Representative Kuempel’s legislation.”
Compliance Updates
BGaming awarded Peru supplier licence
Popular iGaming content provider BGaming has secured a highly sought-after licence in Peru, marking a significant milestone in its expansion across LatAm.
BGaming’s technical system of gaming software and its engaging portfolio have been officially approved by the gambling regulator Mincetur, a national administrative authority which implements and oversees all aspects of online gaming and sports betting in Peru. By receiving the B2B certification, BGaming broadens its appeal with local licenced operators in the newly regulated market.
The licence also opens up more opportunities for BGaming to expand its business and strengthen its position in the wider LatAm region, where it has enjoyed significant attention in the last 12 months.
Marina Ostrovtsova, CEO at BGaming, said: “Securing the Peru licence marks a pivotal moment in BGaming’s global expansion. This certification not only strengthens our presence in Latin America but also underscores our commitment to bringing high-quality, immersive gaming experiences to new audiences.
“We are excited about the opportunities this will unlock, both in terms of growth and the reception of our slots in this new market.”
BGaming is a fast-growing iGaming content provider converting gambling into gaming. Thanks to an expert team and a player-driven approach, the studio creates innovative and engaging products featured on reputable platforms and 1,600+ online casinos worldwide. BGaming is the world’s first to support cryptocurrencies and offer Provably Fair games. Today the brand’s portfolio includes 150+ products with HD graphics and a clear user interface for every device. The studio is also known for its brand exclusives created in partnerships with leading operators in the industry.
Compliance Updates
Superbet Becomes the First Regulated Bookmaker in Brazil
Superbet Brasil, sponsor of São Paulo and Fluminense, has become the first betting house to pay the R$30 million (US$5.2m) concession required by the government to become a regulated company.
To be able to make the transaction, the “Bet” (as the operators are called in Brazil) had to meet all the requirements of the Ministry of Finance in the document evaluation phase.
The company is the first to go through this process. The platform was the second in the industry to request authorization to operate in Brazil. Betano was the first.
The arrival of Superbet, which has just completed one year, was subject to regulation. The company only does business in countries with defined rules for sports betting.
Superbet CEO Alexandre Fonseca said that the regulation of the so-called “Bets” in Brazil is a milestone for the development of the industry and for the country.
“A regulated market promotes legal and tax security for operations, increases revenue for the Union and offers greater protection to players. These are objectives shared by all serious operators in the sector,” he said.
Compliance Updates
New Jersey State Athletic Control Board Adopts Sports Betting Policy
The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board (SACB) announced that it has recently adopted an updated sports betting policy for all licensees, officials, and employees.
Effective immediately, the policy prohibits unethical betting practices and reinforces the commitment to maintaining fairness and public trust in combative sports, including boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing, and combative sports exhibitions, events, performances, and contests.
“With this action, we are safeguarding the integrity of combative sports events. By implementing these standards, we are sending a clear message that unethical behavior will not be tolerated in New Jersey’s combative sports industry,” said SACB Commissioner Larry Hazzard Sr.
The policy applies to board officials, such as inspectors, timekeepers, judges, referees, and physicians; board members, including the chairman; and board employees, such as the commissioner and deputy commissioner. Promoters, participants, and their agents are also encouraged to adopt integrity policies in line with these standards.
Key policy provisions include those related to betting restrictions, prohibited conduct, training, and enforcement, among others:
• Officials, members, and employees are prohibited from betting on any combative sports event, both within New Jersey and globally. Legal betting on non-combative sports is allowed, provided it complies with local laws. Board employees must register with the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) before placing such bets in New Jersey.
• All forms of illegal betting, including through unauthorized platforms, are strictly prohibited.
• Prohibited conduct includes match fixing and acting on or spreading insider information.
• Board personnel are prohibited from working for sportsbooks or their affiliates.
• Promoters and participants, along with their agents and managers, must refrain from betting on combative sports events held in New Jersey or engaging in any actions that compromise the integrity of performances.
• All stakeholders, including board officials, members, employees, promotors, participants, agents, managers and seconds, are obligated to report any violations of this policy to the SACB Commissioner immediately.
• Board personnel are required to undergo training and acknowledge this policy.
• Violations may result in disciplinary actions, including fines, license suspensions, or revocation.
-
Latest News6 days ago
GiG Expands Global Reach, Bringing Successful Partnership with LuckDays into Mexico for the First Time
-
Canada4 days ago
Bojoko.ca Celebrates Record-breaking Month in October 2024
-
Latest News7 days ago
Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas Officially Joins the Destination by Hyatt Brand and Completes Phase One of its $340 Million Transformation
-
Latest News6 days ago
Gila River Resorts & Casinos Unveils Arizona Launch of Phoenix Link™ Slot Machine
-
Latest News4 days ago
Chris Kelley Joins Hard Rock International as President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon Scheduled to Open Late 2025
-
Compliance Updates7 days ago
Aposta Ganha secures Brazilian sports betting and online games license
-
Latest News4 days ago
GeoLocs Partners with Superbet for Launch in Brazil’s Newly Regulated Online Gaming Market
-
Latest News6 days ago
SkillOnNet’s Spanish language brand launches in newly regulated Peruvian market