Compliance Updates
MGCB Appoints Mark Evenson as a Board Member
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has appointed Mark Evenson as its new board member. Evenson, a seasoned financial executive from South Lyon, is the Chief Financial Officer at Diversified Members Credit Union. His appointment took effect on Sept. 10, 2024, and will continue through Dec. 31, 2026.
Evenson succeeds Northville resident Robert (Bob) Anthony, a senior risk and quality partner of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, who had resigned.
“We are excited to welcome Mark Evenson to the Michigan Gaming Control Board. His extensive background in corporate finance and community service will be invaluable as we continue our mission of ensuring fair and honest gaming operations across Michigan. His leadership will further strengthen our efforts to protect the interests of Michigan’s citizens and uphold the integrity of gaming within the state,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said.
Evenson brings with him a wealth of experience in management and corporate finance. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree in corporate finance from Walsh College. His leadership experience extends beyond the finance industry, having served for four years on the board of directors of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, including a year as the Chairman of the Board. He has also held other volunteer positions, including as a trustee with the Plymouth Canton Schools Educational Excellence Foundation and as a volunteer with the Plymouth Community United Way.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to be appointed to serve in this capacity. I’m looking forward to making an impact with the Board and our community as a whole,” Evenson said.
The MGCB is responsible for implementing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of the law related to the licensure, regulation, and operations of the three authorized Detroit casinos — MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown. The agency also licenses and regulates fantasy contests, regulates pari-mutuel horse racing and casino-style charitable gaming (millionaire parties), and audits tribal gaming compact agreements for the state’s 12 federally recognized tribes.
Compliance Updates
Grupo Aposta Ganha secures GLI 19, GLI 33 and Brazilian certification for its platform from BMM Testlabs
Aposta Ganha, the fastest-growing Brazilian sports betting and casino site, has successfully completed its GLI 19, GLI 33 and Brazilian certifications from BMM Testlabs for its Player Account Management (PAM) system and Sportsbook
These three important certifications mark a significant milestone in Grupo Aposta Ganha’s complete commitment to regulatory compliance and operational excellence in Brazil’s iGaming market. Meeting BMM Testlabs’ rigorous testing processes highlights the company’s dedication to best practices and upholding the highest levels of security, transparency, and user experience.
BMM Testlabs implemented a comprehensive 360-degree evaluation of vital operational elements, including user account management, platform interaction, and security. Grupo Aposta Ganha’s systems officially meet the standards for operating within a regulated market, reflecting both international best practices and the specific requirements of Brazil’s regulatory environment.
Grupo Aposta Ganha CTO, Rony Silva, added: “Securing these three certifications showcases our relentless commitment to meeting all the requirements stipulated by the regulator. As a company, we’re passionate about offering our customers the highest levels of compliance and safety. Our certification is part of our greater mission of embracing the evolution of good practices that have been built collaboratively to meet the Brazilian market’s unique position.”
Compliance Updates
Koi Nation of Northern California Casino Plan Meets Requirements of Indian Gaming Laws
The Koi Nation of Northern California is in full compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act’s “Restored Lands Provision” in the tribe’s pursuit of the Shiloh Resort & Casino project in unincorporated Sonoma County, California.
“The promise of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act’s “restored lands provision” was to remedy the tragic history of forced removal and relocation by allowing restored lands to be utilized for tribal gaming. Like it or not, a rigid set of rules exists to qualify for this provision of federal law — and we’ve dutifully met them all,” said Darin Beltran, Chair of the Koi Nation of Northern California’s Tribal Council.
The Koi Nation’s ancestors relocated to Sonoma County after rejecting the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ offer of a Rancheria in neighboring Lake County in 1916 that the agency itself deemed uninhabitable. This tragic series of events rendered the Koi Nation landless and led to the improper termination of its federal recognition status, ending its ability to pursue gaming through the same rights afforded to all other federally recognized tribes.
The Koi Nation’s federal recognition status was finally restored in 2000, and a 2019 ruling in a case overseen by the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia, Beryl A. Howell, recognized the tribe’s ability to pursue gaming through the “restored lands provision”.
“This unique provision of federal law allows tribes restored to federal recognition status, such as the Koi Nation, to pursue gaming according to strict statutory and regulatory requirements,” Beltran said.
These requirements include the demonstration of a “significant historical connection” to the site of proposed gaming projects.
In its filing for a restored lands opinion, the Koi Nation methodically details the tribe’s deep ties to Sonoma County. These include their ancestors’ well-regarded roles as Sonoma County Native American political leaders who advocated for 1928 federal native claims legislation, Native American social rights and community organization with other Pomo tribes, and voters for the tribe’s organization under President FranklinRoosevelt’s Indian Reorganization Act of 1935.
“Since that time, the center of Koi Pomo life – and death – has been in Sonoma County. Our application is in full compliance with Indian Gaming Regulation Act’s restored lands provision,” said Dino Beltran, Vice Chair of the Koi Nation of Northern California’s Tribal Council.
The Koi Nation’s strong historical connection to Sonoma County was recently supported by an opinion piece published by the project site’s local paper of record, the Press Democrat.
Additionally, the largest native American news publication in the US, Indian Country Today, published an opinion piece supporting the Koi Nation’s utilization of the restored land provision in the face of recent opposition.
The publication of these two pieces demonstrates that the opinions contained therein are significant not just in the region surrounding the proposed Shiloh Resort & Casino project, but for all of Indian country throughout the US.
Canada
Jackpot Digital Receives Approval from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
Jackpot Digital, a leading manufacturer of electronic multiplayer dealerless poker tables, has announced that it has received approval from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) to act as a registered supplier of gaming supplies and services to regulated casinos in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.
The approval follows the Company’s news release dated February 6, 2024, announcing the signing of a licensing agreement with the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) to install the Company’s Jackpot Blitz dealerless poker ETGs into SIGA casinos.
SIGA operates seven casinos and Playnow.com in Saskatchewan. At the outset, SIGA proposes to install Jackpot Blitz machines at its Dakota Dunes and Gold Horse Casino properties, located in Saskatoon and Lloydminster, respectively.
Jackpot CEO Jake Kalpakian said: “We are excited to receive approval as a gaming equipment supplier in Saskatchewan. This represents the first major jurisdictional, non-tribal license received by Jackpot during our continuing expansion into the land-based casino market. We have many more license applications underway in the US and other Canadian provinces, which will dramatically impact our ability to accelerate the rollout of Jackpot Blitz across North America.”
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