Compliance Updates
MGCB Announces Successful Destruction of Illegal Gaming Machines
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/10-1.jpg)
Michigan Gaming Control Board Executive Director Henry Williams has announced that numerous unlicensed illegal gaming machines were recently destroyed at the City Recycling Inc. junkyard located at 1943 Mack Avenue in Detroit.
The machines had been seized by the Attorney General during various MGCB investigations into alleged illegal gambling activity. To ensure that the machines cannot be reused or sold, they were crushed using heavy machinery to prevent any salvageable parts from being used elsewhere.
āIllegal gaming continues to pose a threat to Michigan citizens and their communities, as it often leads to an increase in organized criminal activity, financial exploitation, and other related social issues. Unregulated gaming machines also result in a loss of state revenue. Operators running illegal gaming establishments are not reporting earnings or paying taxes ā they are essentially robbing Michigan citizens of taxes and revenue used to support our schools through the School Aid Fund and our communities and local governments with essential state funding dollars,ā Williams said.
Illegal gaming refers to any form of gambling or betting activity ā which involves the elements of consideration, prize, and chance ā that is conducted outside the boundaries of the law. It is a widespread problem across the US and not unique to Michigan. According to the American Gaming Associationās report, Sizing the Illegal and Unregulated Gaming Markets in the US, unregulated gaming machines, including so-called āskill machines,ā continue to proliferate, with an estimated 580,651 unregulated machines in the US. With 870,000 regulated machines in casinos across the country, that means 40% of all gaming machines are unlicensed.
āThe machines destroyed by the MGCB are the tools of criminals, cheating their neighbors of their hard-earned money as well as the state out of gaming revenues that support our schools. Illegal gaming operations are a danger to their communities, typically becoming local hotspots for other crimes and violence. We will continue to coordinate with the Michigan Gaming Control Board to ensure our stateās gambling laws are strictly enforced,ā Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said.
āThe destruction of these machines sends a clear message that the Michigan Gaming Control Board is not playing games when it comes to upholding the highest standards of gaming regulation and enforcement. The MGCB will continue to ensure that unauthorized machines are not left to chance to be repurposed and used again by those who choose to break the law,ā Williams added.
Michigan law prohibits accepting money or anything of value with the understanding that money, or something of value, will be paid to any person contingent upon the outcome of an uncertain event. Unlicensed casinos, unauthorized online gambling platforms, underground sports-betting operations, or any other form of wagering that is not regulated by the MGCB are all considered forms of illegal gaming.
As part of its work to halt illegal gaming, the MGCB and the Liquor Control Commission began a joint effort in 2022 to educate the public and business owners about illegal use of gambling machines. As a result of MGCB investigations from January 2015 through July 2023, a total of 1195 illegal machines and $470,401.98 have been seized. Additionally, since November 2022, 48 locations have received cease-and-desist letters involving 105 illegal machines.
Compliance Updates
IGSA Welcomes Sharp Vision as Silver Member
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/7-6.jpg)
The International Gaming Standards Association (IGSA) has welcomed Sharp Vision as a new Silver member. Sharp Vision is a leading provider of regulatory turnkey solutions for gaming authorities.
āWe are delighted to be a part of IGSA and we look forward to contributing to the advancement of best practices among regulators in the fast-growing gaming industry,ā Damien Raymond, COO of Sharp Vision, said.
āIGSA is very excited to welcome Sharp Vision to our membership. We believe that IGSA Standards can enhance Sharp Visionās products supporting regulatory authority oversight. We look forward to their participation in IGSA committees,ā Mark Pace, President of IGSA, said.
Compliance Updates
PGCB Places Seven Individuals on Involuntary Interactive Exclusion List for Online Gaming Fraud
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/4-7.jpg)
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) on Wednesday approved recommendations by its Office of Enforcement Counsel (OEC) for the placement of seven individuals on the iGaming Involuntary Exclusion List.
The online transactions that these seven individuals engaged in, totaling $27,168, were investigated by the Boardās Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement (BIE) and found to be fraudulent in two major respects:
- an individual used a fraudulent scheme to obtain an online account or accounts in another personās name and identifiers, placed funds into these accounts utilizing other personsā payment methods, and without engaging in any gaming activity, managed to have funds withdrawn from the fraudulently-established account or accounts directly into their own bank account; or,
- requested and received a refund for a disputed credit or debit card transaction from a card issuer even though that refund was fraudulent.
The specific fraudulent conduct of each individual is further described below:
- Created two separate online sports wagering accounts using the personal identification and credit cards of other individuals, and withdrew $300;
- Created 13 separate online casino-type games accounts using the personal identification and credit cards of other individuals, and withdrew $545;
- Created six separate online sports wagering accounts using the personal identification and credit cards of other individuals, and withdrew $1000;
- Created four separate online sports wagering accounts using the personal identification and credit cards of other individuals, and withdrew $1123;
- Created two separate online sports wagering accounts using the personal identification and credit cards of other individuals, and withdrew $1500;
- Illegally requested and received six chargebacks to a credit card associated with an online casino-type games account totaling $10,100;
- Created one online sports wagering account using the personal identification and credit card of another individual, and withdrew $12,600.
The Boardās actions in these matters stem from its commitment to keep individuals who have committed fraud from gaming online in Pennsylvania. The additions made bring to 37 the total number of individuals who are currently on the iGaming Involuntary Exclusion List.
The Board also placed four other individuals on its Casino Involuntary Exclusion List. The number of individuals currently on that list totals 1197 and stems from various reasons including theft, cheating, child endangerment disorderly conduct, and using counterfeit currency.
Compliance Updates
PandaScore secures their first US betting license, by entering Colorado
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/PandaScore-secures-their-first-US-betting-license-by-entering-Colorado_20240723_130839_0000.png)
After a meticulous and measured research process in consultation with the needs of its clients, PandaScore has acquired a license to operate in the US state of Colorado.
Through the license, PandaScore has signalled its intentions in the US market: forging a supplier-led path to esports betting success in the US. Existing PandaScore clients can now enter the Colorado market, scale up their esports offering and build their future audience in the stateās esports-friendly regulatory framework.
Future clients can also be confident that working with PandaScore supports their growth strategy in the lucrative US market. The stateās esports-friendly regulatory framework serves as a solid foundation to cultivate an esports audience and take advantage of PandaScoreās innovative, revenue-driving products such as BetBuilder, player props and microbetting.
PandaScore selected Colorado as its first point of entry into US licensing thanks to the stateās large catalogue of esports titles and competitions that are eligible for regular betting, and the wide range of markets that can be offered. Additionally, the stateās flexible and innovation-friendly licensing regime makes it a strong market for PandaScore and its clients.
Securing the license also serves as proof of concept for the French esports supplier, PandaScore Legal Counsel Alexis Brunet noted that āsecuring the Colorado license is a strong signal of our intentions in the US and are serious about its potential. Esports in the United States is a fast-evolving regulatory environment, but itās only going in one direction: expansion. We intend to provide our best-in-class products and services to our customers no matter where they are, and service one of the largest markets in the world.ā
For PandaScore CEO Flavien Guillocheau, entry into Colorado in the US market was the natural next step in the companyās client-first, service-oriented approach: āFor esports to succeed in the US, suppliers must lead from the front. Suppliers need to address the uncertainty around regulation which has held back operator investment and thus growth of the vertical.
āWeāve proven we know the market, get a license efficiently and do it in a way that puts operators first. Weāre confident that if our clients are seeking entry into a given market, we can be completely straight with them, show them the viable pathway to success, and create the foundation and access they need to fully harness the potential of esports in one of its biggest consumer markets.ā
-
Latest News3 days ago
Fast Track Secures Landmark Deal with Suprema Group – Setting a New Standard in the Brazilian iGaming Market
-
Gambling in the USA5 days ago
BetBlocker Recognised for Outstanding Contribution to the Prevention of Gambling Harm at NCPG Awards 2024
-
Latest News3 days ago
Light & Wonder Expands Presence in Oregon with Additional Placements of KASCADA Dual Screen Multi-Games
-
Industry News4 days ago
Penn Entertainment to Lay Off About 100 Employees
-
Latest News3 days ago
Rakinā Bacon SaharaĀ® Launches Exclusively in New Jersey at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and online at Hard Rock Bet
-
partnerships3 days ago
GGPoker & Triton Poker Offer High-Roller And Super-High-Roller Events At 2024 WSOP Paradise
-
Latest News3 days ago
bet365 Announces Official Launch in Pennsylvania
-
Daily Fantasy Sports5 days ago
DraftKings Becomes Official Partner of the WNBA