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.”
The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) has announced Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, as its new Board Chair for SIGA’s Board of Directors.
SIGA is a non-profit First Nation gaming operator for seven land-based casinos and the online gaming platform PlayNow.com in Saskatchewan.
Chief Cook-Searson first joined SIGA’s Board of Directors in 2018 and has been a regular SIGA Board member as well as a member of SIGA’s Audit & Finance Committee.
She is serving in her 20th year as Chief of Lac La Ronge Indian Band and has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and a graduate diploma in management from Athabasca University. She also holds honorary degrees from the University of Regina, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) and Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
Chief Cook-Searson replaces outgoing Board Chair former Chief of Muskowekwan First Nation Reginald Bellerose, who has held the Board Chair position since February 4, 2015.
Compliance Updates
MGCB Showcases National Leadership on Illegal Gaming Enforcement at 2025 NAGRA Conference
Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) Criminal Investigations Section Manager John Lessnau recently represented the agency at the 2025 North American Gaming Regulators Association (NAGRA) Annual Training and Education Conference, held June 2-5 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Lessnau presented a featured session titled “Case Study: Tackling the Illegal/Offshore Gaming Market” and facilitated a discussion on how Michigan is setting the standard nationwide in combatting illegal and unregulated gaming operations. His presentation outlined Michigan’s strategic enforcement model and collaborative approach to removing illegal gambling from the state and deterring bad actors from targeting Michigan consumers.
“Michigan is at the forefront of the national conversation on illegal gambling, and we were proud to share how our efforts are making a real impact. We’re leveraging every tool available—from anonymous tip lines and interagency partnerships to direct enforcement and public awareness—to crack down on illegal gaming operations that threaten consumer protection and undermine legal businesses,” MGCB Criminal Investigations Section Manager John Lessnau said.
To date, the MGCB has issued nearly 100 cease-and-desist letters to unauthorized gambling operators—including high-profile offshore websites—and continues to pursue new cases with more enforcement actions expected in the months ahead. These efforts underscore the agency’s commitment to upholding integrity in Michigan’s legal, regulated gaming market.
The MGCB’s aggressive stance on illegal and offshore gambling has drawn national recognition and strengthened its partnerships with regulatory peers across the US.
As part of the NAGRA conference, MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams was honored with the 2025 Excellence in Gaming – Individual Award, recognizing his leadership in expanding responsible gaming outreach and fortifying criminal enforcement efforts. The award reflects the continued success of the MGCB under Williams’ direction and the agency’s role as a model for effective, transparent regulation.
Wyoming lawmakers have proposed to double the sports betting tax rate in the state. That would take it to 20% from 10%.
Since sportsbooks launched in September 2021, the state has collected $3.8 million in taxes on $69 million in sports betting revenue.
The committee also proposed increasing taxes on “skill-based amusement games” to 25% from 20% and the tax on historic horse racing to 2.5% from 1.5%.
Committee Chair Tara Nethercott led the proposals. Nethercott said the state has been “generous to players in this space.”
She also said the state has offered “modest regulation with little oversight.” Nethercott wants to see oversight and revenues that match the industry.
Opponents of the measure said the hikes would harm the solid growth the state’s gambling industry has seen.
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