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West Virginia signs up to multistate poker compact
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Online poker has been given a fresh lease of life after West Virginia announced it has signed up to the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).
The move will see West Virginia become the fifth state to agree to the terms of MISGA, and that will enable players to compete against players from other member states.
Before West Virginiaâs intervention, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware signed up to the compact created in 2014. The premise of the original agreement was to ensure liquidity could be shared with other states for online gaming.
Joining the MSIGA is seen as a precursor to offering real money poker, and those igaming providers interested in supplying multi-state poker will have to submit a letter of intent to the Lottery. After that, they will have to gain the requisite approval from West Virginia and other member jurisdictions before they can go live.
Indeed, by throwing themselves into the MSIGA framework, West Virginia players could now have a more lucrative gambling experience. Seemingly, players will have access to larger prize pools, and with that, the added advantage of a greater selection of poker games to pick from.
It is also hoped that West Virginiaâs entry into the MISGA may also provide impetus for other states that have already given the green light to online poker. Among them is Connecticut which legalized online poker in 2022, but so far, no online poker operators have set up shop in the state.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania is another state that could take inspiration from West Virginiaâs move, and the Keystone State legalized online poker six years ago. Were Pennsylvania or Connecticut to follow West Virginiaâs lead, then it would supposedly provide a better environment for operators and players alike.
Interestingly, the USA repealed a federal ban on sports betting in 2018. Subsequently, legalizing online poker was forced to take a backseat, as it wasnât originally considered a priority.
However, the US online poker market appears to be thriving and it has a bright future ahead of itself. Yes, being a part of the MISGA framework is perceived as being a precursor to real money online poker in West Virginia.
In many respects, West Virginia is deemed to be a small online poker market, but it could now bring its near 1.8 million residents into the player pool. While state-approved poker operator options may be limited at the moment, all is not lost as there is another avenue that can be explored, namely offshore sites. You wonât have too much trouble locating a minimum deposit poker site that will accept all US players. For example, BetOnline and Bovada have a proven track record of hosting high-stakes cash tournaments. Usually, players will only need to make a minimum deposit of $10 to play poker, but both sites come with an array of unique features to attract players of all abilities.
As things stand, PokerStars appears to be the most likely operator to bring online poker to West Virginia despite not having unfettered access to the market.
To overcome this barrier, they would need to partner with one of the stateâs five land-based casinos, but it is thought they stand a good chance of receiving regulatory clearance. Meanwhile, WSOP faces a similar issue to PokerStars, and they will be on tenterhooks to see if they pass the gaming checks.
The first online casino launched in West Virginia in 2020. While it could be several months before West Virginia formally launches online poker, signing up to MSIGA represents a significant step, and it will be deemed a watershed moment for the proponents of online poker who wish to spread and grow the game throughout the US. This could well be the start of a thrilling ride for poker fans in West Virginia.
by Charles Perrin
Compliance Updates
IGSA Welcomes Sharp Vision as Silver Member
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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.
âWe 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,â Damien Raymond, COO of Sharp Vision, said.
âIGSA is very excited to welcome Sharp Vision to our membership. We believe that IGSA Standards can enhance Sharp Visionâs products supporting regulatory authority oversight. We look forward to their participation in IGSA committees,â Mark Pace, President of IGSA, said.
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BigCash Goes Global with Launch in Brazil
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BigCash, Indiaâs leading online skill-based real money gaming company, has set its sights on global expansion and aims to offer an unparalleled gaming experience to users worldwide. The global skill-based gaming market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of 13.50% and will be valued at USD 106.78 billion, by 2032. Building on its success in India, BigCash is poised to introduce its entertaining games to global audiences, uniquely blending local flavors with its hallmark innovative gameplay.
BigCash started its journey in 2017 and has quickly become playersâ preferred choice, by strategically focusing on launching new games and features regularly and due to its superfast and user-friendly interface. Being a multi-gaming app, it offers a wide range of games tailored for all age groups. With popular Indian card games, like poker, rummy, and call break with regional variations; casual games like ludo, ice blaster, fruit chop, along with fantasy cricket, the platform resonates deeply with the players of Bharat.
Continuing on the mission to take Indian technology global and to reach a wider global gaming audience, BigCash, after months of an in-depth market study, had set its views on expanding its global presence with in-house developed and tailored gaming technology and experience. BigCash presently operates in Brazil, besides India.
One of the key reasons behind BigCashâs entry into the Latin American market is the regionâs immense potential for growth in the gaming sector. Brazil, in particular, has emerged as a hotspot for gaming companies due to its large population, favorable demographics, and a growing middle class with disposable income.
BigCashâs global expansion plans include multiple launches in Latin America, Asia, and Africa over the next 12 months. BigCash plans to offer local and international flavors, customized specifically for each country, with a focus on Responsible Gaming and other trust measures, to ensure a deeper bonding with the players.
Ankur Singh, CEO of BigCash, said: âGoing global has been part of our strategic planning always; with our launch in Brazil, we have just taken the first step. We are aspiring to be present in 8 countries in the next 12 months. The competitive landscape in Latin Americaâs gaming industry presents both opportunities and challenges. BigCash is a perfect fit for the Latin American gaming landscape due to our stronghold on tech, which allows product customizations, easy-to-play online games, a supersafe and fast experience; we are already gaining a lot of organic traction.â
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Michigan Lottery Transitions to 1-800-GAMBLER for Responsible Gaming Support
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The Michigan Lottery announced that it will transition to the National Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-800-GAMBLER for responsible gaming support. This aligns the agency with the Michigan Gaming Control Board and other online gaming platforms operating in Michigan in promoting 1-800-GAMBLER. The 1-800-GAMBLER helpline will replace the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline currently in circulation (1-800-270-7117), although the previous number will remain in operation.
âThe Lottery is committed to providing Michiganders with easy access to resources that support responsible gaming. By transitioning to 1-800-GAMBLER, we are able to ensure that Michigan residents can reach specially trained staff who can provide confidential professional support, local referrals, and resources to those who may have a gambling problem,â said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli.
Operated by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), 1-800-GAMBLER is the worldâs largest problem gambling helpline network by call volume, population served, and geographic area covered. The helpline connects people and families impacted by problem gambling with professional support, local referrals, and resources.
Calls made to 1-800-GAMBLER from Michigan will be routed to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The helpline can also be reached by texting 800GAM or chatting online at 1800gamblerchat.org. Trained contact center staff are available 24/7, 365 days a year to provide support, guidance, and relevant information to anyone seeking help related to problem gambling. Additionally, players or their family members may connect to support resources such as live chat, text, and the helpline number by selecting the links in the footer of the Lotteryâs website.
The Michigan Lottery was the first lottery in the US to achieve the Internet Responsible Gambling Compliance Assessment Program certification through NCPG in October 2015. The NCPG evaluated the Lotteryâs compliance with Internet Responsible Gaming (IRG) standards developed based on best practices from jurisdictions around the world. IRG standards are the highest standards for online responsible gaming in the nation.
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