Compliance Updates
Player Elite Enters U.S. Market, Receives BMM Testlabs Approval

Player Elite (PE), Australia’s leading provider of loyalty technology solutions for the casino gaming market, announced that it has officially entered the U.S. casino market, and has received its first regulatory approval by BMM Testlabs.
Founded in 2015, Player Elite has transformed the loyalty market throughout Australia with its real time data driven, omni-channel solution. With the power of their automated solutions Player Elite’s Digital Loyalty Solution (DLS) identifies individual consumer insights and automates activations and communications that drive loyalty, connection and member visitation for its over 100 gaming partners clients in Australia. In 2024, Player Elite expanded its operations to offer its solution to casino properties in the US through an exclusive distributorship agreement with The Hale Network.
Player Elite’s DLS is a fully automated, real time marketing platform designed to identify, reward, and communicate at an individual level to drive loyalty and profit through one interface. PE has worked over the last 12 months and received approval from BMM Testlabs to integrate with the Aristocrat Oasis 360 casino management system through its nConnect Gateway promotional system. The complete DLS platform uses membership data to identify and create opportunities to connect with the member base through its proprietary engines:
Player Elite ORCA App – omni-channel member app designed to streamline onboarding, deliver targeted promotions and enable daily member engagement.
Promotional Engine – gamifies promotions and rewards members across multiple touchpoints.
Offer Engine – automates and simplifies rewards strategies with real-time offers based on key behaviors.
Dynamic Bonusing – real-time bonusing engine that delivers instant rewards through fully automated staff and member communications.
Play-A-Comm – delivers personalized communications with four to five times more speed by automating SMS, email, and push notifications.
HYDRA – speeds up member sign-ups by combining AI and KYC technology for secure, seamless registration via app, SMS, or in-venue with a simple scan of their ID and face
Member Management – simplifies member tier program management by delivering instant upgrades and automated rewards, and streamlining the management of bonus points, status points, and redemption infrastructure.
“This is such an exciting time for the Player Elite team. With over 60 years of combined experience, we couldn’t be more thrilled to finally land in the USA. When we started this business, our mission was to transform the loyalty market with top-tier technology. Expanding to the U.S. was always in the plan, but seeing it happen now is a dream come true. We’ve been fortunate to work with gaming operators of all sizes across Australia and the globe, and our solutions have consistently delivered profitable loyalty growth for our customers,” said Bryan Te Wani, co-founder and CEO of Player Elite.
“With the U.S. market placing greater focus on loyalty solutions, we believe our proprietary system is ready to make a significant impact. We’re excited to collaborate with The Hale Network to expand into this key market, where we see a strong fit for our offering.”
Dr. John C. Hale, founder and CEO of The Hale Network, said: “From my experience as a founder and a creator of a loyalty solution in the casino industry, I can confidently state that Player Elite’s DLS is in a class of its own. It’s not one or two modules, it is a digital loyalty system which encompasses many providers that are currently being used into one product. As the exclusive distributor, I’m excited to offer Player Elite’s Digital Loyalty System, which enhances player engagement and integrates advanced cybersecurity measures with a documented ROI. This partnership between Player Elite and The Hale Network is designed to meet the evolving needs of the gaming industry, ensuring casinos operate efficiently while providing a secure, streamlined loyalty experience for both operators and customers. The Player Elite DLS is truly groundbreaking! THN is excited about this partnership with Player Elite.”
Compliance Updates
Chicago City Council Members Pushing to Legalize Video Gambling

Chicago City Council members are reviving plans to legalize video gambling in the city, introducing two ordinances that could bring hundreds of terminals to O’Hare and Midway airports and allow machines citywide for the first time.
One ordinance, introduced by Alderman Gilbert Villegas (36th), targets the city’s airports, where he sees both political feasibility and high revenue potential.
“The General Assembly has provided this opportunity through the casino bill. Yet, we’re not taking advantage of capturing dollars from one of the busiest airports in the country,” Villegas said.
“People are there, in some cases, one or two hours before. If their flight is delayed or they’re making a connection and there is a delay, there’s an opportunity to capture an audience that may not even be going to the city.”
Villegas’ proposal includes a $10,000 license fee per location, plus $500 per terminal. A separate terminal license would cost $1000, with an additional $500 per unit. If 400 machines each generated $800 daily, Villegas estimates annual revenue could reach $116.8 million, with the city taking a share through licensing and taxes.
Alderman Anthony Beale (9th) is pushing for a broader citywide expansion. His ordinance would legalize video gambling throughout Chicago, including in neighborhood bars and restaurants.
“We need to do it citywide and at the airports. We need the revenue and this administration has not shown a willingness to find new revenue that’s not gonna hit the taxpayers in every household,” Beale said.
Beale’s ordinance proposes a $500 license fee per location and a $1000-per-terminal charge for both the site and the machine itself. He has criticized the administration for dismissing the potential benefits, arguing that the current tax formula could be renegotiated with state lawmakers.
“That’s because they haven’t shown the willingness to go down to Springfield and change the formula. I’m hoping that submitting these ordinances will finally convince them to send a team down there,” he said.
Canada
Prime Skill Games Inc. Official Response to AGCO Press Release

As CEO of Prime Skill Games Inc., I feel compelled to address recent comments made by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario regarding so-called unapproved gambling machines in convenience stores across the province.
Let me be perfectly clear
Our machines are not gambling devices. They are entirely skill-based, fully compliant with the law, and built on the fundamental idea that players are in control. The outcome of every session is determined solely by the player’s ability, not by random chance.
Prime Skill Games is proud to be the only true skill game operating in Ontario today.
We categorically reject any suggestion that our products fall under the definition of unregulated gambling. Such statements are inaccurate, misleading, and fail to recognize the critical distinction between games of skill and games of chance.
We stand firmly behind the legality of our machines and the integrity of our operations. We will demonstrate this through every available means, whether through legal documentation, expert analysis, or, if necessary, before the courts. We are prepared and unafraid to defend the truth.
To our players, partners, and business community, we want to reassure you that our mission has not changed. We are committed to offering a responsible, transparent, and innovative entertainment experience. We will not be intimidated by broad and baseless accusations, and we will continue to move forward with strength and clarity.
Sincerely
Matt Zamroźniak
Chief Executive Officer
Prime Skill Games Inc.
Canada
AGCO takes action to remove unapproved gambling machines from Ontario convenience stores

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is continuing its efforts to combat unregulated gambling and protect the public. As part of these efforts, the AGCO took steps this week to revoke the lottery seller registrations of a number of retailers in the GTA that were found to be offering unapproved electronic gambling machines under the Prime Slot brand.
The AGCO regulates all gambling in the province of Ontario to ensure gambling products and gaming sites are held to high standards of game integrity, player safety, and the protection of minors and vulnerable individuals.
Over the past decade, unregulated gaming machines have increasingly proliferated across North America. While they largely rely on chance like traditional slot machines, manufacturers have claimed they are games of skill and have installed terminals in convenience stores and other locations where gaming machines would otherwise be prohibited.
The AGCO will continue to take every action within its authority to protect the public against the risks that these unregulated machines pose – particularly in locations easily accessible to children and youth.
A registered lottery seller served with a Notice of Proposed Order to revoke their registration has the right to appeal the AGCO’s action within 15 days to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative tribunal that is part of Tribunals Ontario and independent of the AGCO.
“Unapproved gambling machines have no business being in convenience stores or other locations, particularly those that are available to children and youth. ” – Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, AGCO
Background:
Under Section 10(b) of the Gaming Control Act, the Registrar shall refuse to register an applicant as a supplier or to renew the registration of an applicant as a supplier if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant will not act as a supplier in accordance with law, or with integrity, honesty, or in the public interest.
Under Section 12 of the Gaming Control Act, the Registrar may propose to suspend or to revoke a registration for any reason that would disentitle the registrant to registration or renewal of registration under section 10 if the registrant were an applicant.
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