Latest News
Pace-O-Matic Granted Access to Eckert Seamans Privileged Logs
Pace-O-Matic (POM), a Georgia-based gaming company that does significant business throughout Pennsylvania, today released the following statement following an order from the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania granting POM access to Eckert, Seamans, Cherin & Mellott LLC’s privileged logs regarding the representation of casinos against skill games.
“This is a tremendous step in repairing the damage that has been done to not only POM but the thousands of businesses and fraternal clubs benefiting from games of skill,” POM said. “Eckert’s attempts to shield its nefarious behavior have failed once again in a court of law and we are eager to shine the light of transparency on its actions. This is a tremendous victory for transparency and we look forward to exposing Eckert’s efforts to destroy thousands of Pennsylvania small businesses.”
POM’s lawsuit alleges that Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC, a Pennsylvania-based law firm, deceived its client, POM, while at the same time representing a Pennsylvania casino that opposed POM’s operations in the Commonwealth and launched lawsuits against POM. When confronted with the conflict of interest, Eckert first denied the conflict, then swore to a Federal District Court they would not engage in a conflict, then continued to work surreptitiously against POM and POM’s interests.
Eckert is a major law firm that has more than 300 lawyers across a network of 15 offices including Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Boston, Washington, DC and Richmond, Virginia.
The lawsuit contends that Eckert ‘took up arms’ against POM on behalf of the Philadelphia-based Parx Casino; that Eckert ‘actively participated in and covertly manipulated litigation’ in Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court adverse to POM’s interests and that Eckert participated in a campaign intended to ‘destroy POM’s business by attempting to convince elected and appointed public officials that POM’s games are gambling devices that should be seized and outlawed’. Eckert used its influence to improperly target the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
When confronted by POM’s allegation that Eckert was double-dealing and had breached its professional duties of loyalty and confidentiality, Eckert denied the claim while seeking to shield the law firm’s e-mails with the Parx Casino, which would, if made public, reveal that numerous lawyers at Eckert, led by Mark Stewart, co-chair of Eckert’s gaming practice group, were indeed simultaneously taking money from and representing the Parx Casino.
Parx Casino calls itself ‘the #1 casino in Pennsylvania’ and is owned and operated by Greenwood Racing Incorporated. Eckert, working at the behest of Parx Casino and its consultants, sought to block POM from doing business in Pennsylvania.
The suit also alleges that Eckert ‘violated its most basic fiduciary duties and concealed and misrepresented material facts to POM’s great detriment’. As a result, POM is entitled to appropriate damages.
In November of 2021, United States Magistrate Judge Joseph Saporito, Jr, found that Eckert acted in ‘bad faith’ by seeking to withhold e-mails that demonstrated Eckert was representing both sides.
Eckert, Saporito ruled, ‘actively and clandestinely managed and participated in the representation of Parx in the Commonwealth Court litigation against its other client, POM. Moreover, based on our in-camera review of the purportedly privileged documents, it did so with full knowledge that the conflict asserted by POM precluded its active and continuing representation of Parx in the Commonwealth Court litigation’.
Saporito continued, ‘in light of the clear and obviously intentional subterfuge demonstrated in the purportedly privileged documents, we have no difficulty concluding that these documents evidence an intent by Stewart and Eckert to play fast and loose with the courts’.
Eckert appealed Jude Saporito’s ruling, which required Eckert to turn over to POM many internal e-mails. On July 5, 2022, Federal Judge Jennifer P Wilson ruled for POM, declaring ‘in making inconsistent representations to the court, Eckert has attempted to obstruct the discovery process as to the central issue in this case: whether Eckert breached its fiduciary duty to POM by representing Parx, a party with adverse interests, at the same time that it represented POM’.
POM is a leading developer of legally compliant games of skill in the United States. Its games are played in thousands of small restaurants and bars along with many social halls such as American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War posts. Our games generated millions of dollars in revenue for businesses and clubs in Pennsylvania last year and its games can be found in thousands of businesses, mostly small mom-and-pop shops, along with many social halls.
Latest News
Plaza Hotel & Casino again celebrates New Year’s Eve with live fireworks show
Located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, the Plaza Hotel & Casino will again celebrate New Year’s Eve with a full evening of celebrations in classic Las Vegas style, complete with a delicious dinner at Oscar’s Steakhouse, a special performance of the new and ever-changing variety show Mavericks, complimentary champagne toasts, and downtown’s only live fireworks show at midnight on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
The Plaza’s annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display is a spectacular show for people downtown and visible for miles.
The Plaza’s Carousel Bar located under the property’s iconic dome will be at the heart of the evening’s festivities. Carousel Bar will offer an unmatched location to celebrate the new year with handcrafted cocktails, and just steps away from the best vantage point downtown to watch the fireworks, the portion of Main Street in front of the Plaza that will be closed to vehicles during the show.
As part of its NYE Room Package, the Plaza will hold an all-ages viewing party of the fireworks for hotel guests only on its rooftop pool deck. The room package also includes 25% off room rates (two-night minimum stay) and complimentary early check-in and late check-out (based on availability). The NYE Room Package is available to book online.
Before the fireworks, the award-winning Oscar’s Steakhouse will offer a holiday a la carte menu with exclusive New Year’s Eve specials. Restaurant diners will also enjoy a complimentary champagne toast. at midnight while watching the fireworks show from under the dining room’s glass dome. Reservations are recommended and can be made online or by calling 702-387-7227.
Entertaining audiences with its fabulous blend of comedy, circus, burlesque and variety, Mavericks will offer an affordable 9:30 p.m. performance on New Year’s Eve without any holiday price hikes, proving that thrilling entertainment in Las Vegas doesn’t have to break the bank.
Home to downtown Las Vegas’ only bingo room, the Plaza Hotel & Casino will hold Las Vegas’ first-ever $160,000 New Year’s Eve Super Bingo event, Tuesday, Dec. 31 through Wednesday, Jan. 1. If booked by Dec. 16, participants can play and enjoy a 5-night stay from Sunday, Dec. 29 through Thursday, Jan. 2 for just $400, with no resort fees (after Dec. 16 the stay and play registration price rises to $600).
Super Bingo players also receive as a bonus $20 in free slot play.
Revelers can end the night with an after party at The Sand Dollar Downtown, which will welcome The Moonshiners playing live Great Gatsby/Prohibition Pop from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. There is no cover for the live performance, which is open to guests 21 years or older.
Canada
Aviatrix enters North America for first time with Ontario launch
Award-winning crash game Aviatrix is now live in North America for the very first time, after securing a licence and certification in the Canadian province of Ontario.
Aviatrix has been granted a Gaming-Related Supplier (B2B) Licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), meaning Ontario-licensed operators can now offer the game.
It’s the first time players in North America will be able to enjoy Aviatrix, marking another major milestone in the remarkable two-year journey of the game.
Aviatrix was helped through the AGCO licensing and certification process by BetComply.
Anastasia Rimskaya, Chief Account Officer at Aviatrix, said: “We committed to expanding Aviatrix’s regulated footprint, and this is another huge step. We’re already present in many markets across Europe, so it is fantastic to add a province in Canada to the list. We are sure that players in Ontario are going to find Aviatrix every bit as enjoyable as their counterparts elsewhere.”
Aviatrix has added multiple new regulated markets over the past few weeks, including Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands.
It was also recently named ‘Game of the Year’ at the EGR Operator Awards 2024.
Arizona
Arizona Department of Gaming Cease-and-Desist: Bovada Online Gambling
The Arizona Department of Gaming (“ADG”) has taken action against an overseas gaming company in Curaçao that is allegedly operating illegal online gaming sites, Bovada.com and Bovada.lv (Bovada), accessible to Arizona residents. Following an investigation into the matter, the ADG sent a cease-and-desist letter to Harp Media B.V., which operates Bovada, on November 8, 2024.
The operation of Bovada in Arizona is alleged to be a felony criminal enterprise and Bovada has been directed to desist from any future illegal gambling operations or activities of any type in Arizona. Due to the unregulated and illegal online gaming offerings on Bovada, Harp Media B.V. is claimed to be in violation of Arizona gaming laws, including:
- Promotion of Gambling (Felony) — Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-3303.
- Illegal Control of an Enterprise (Felony) — Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-2312.
- Money Laundering (Felony) — Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-2317.
Harp Media B.V. has been directed to immediately cease all online (or other) gambling operations and activities in Arizona, and take the necessary steps to immediately prevent and exclude Arizona residents from gambling on their websites.
“We are actively monitoring the evolving landscape of online gaming and taking proactive steps like this helps us protect Arizona’s communities and economy from illegal activities,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the ADG. “Our enforcement team is committed to preventing unauthorized operations from establishing a foothold here. Arizona will not be a safe haven for unlicensed or unlawful gaming, nor will we allow unlawful entities to compromise the integrity of gaming within our state.”
In light of these developments, the Arizona Department of Gaming urges residents to exercise caution with online gaming activities. Only legal, regulated operations provide important consumer protections not found in the illegal market, helping ensure a safer experience for participants. Certain online event wagering is legal in Arizona. A list of all licensed and regulated event wagering operators legally taking bets in Arizona can be found on the Department’s website at gaming.az.gov.
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