Compliance Updates
Gaming Americas Q3 Meetup: US Legislation Round-up
The Gaming Americas Quarterly Meetups by Hipther Agency are designed to keep you up-to-date with what is fresh in the North American and Latin American gambling industry.
The meetups feature several panel discussions per region and topics that are joined by key industry experts, CEOs, C-Level Executives, Business Development Managers, and sometimes government officials/regulators.
The Gaming Americas Q3 Virtual Meetup that took place on September 13 brought back the quarterly US Legislation Round-up with our favorite experts, Bill Pascrell, III (BP3), Partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group, Martin Lycka, SVP for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling at Entain, and Jeremy Kleiman, Gaming Attorney and Member at Saiber LLC.
Gaming Americas Q3 Session 2: US Legislation Round-up
Speakers: Bill Pascrell, III (BP3) | Martin Lycka
Moderator: Jeremy Kleiman
Watch the Session on YouTube and HiptherTV!
In this edition of the US Legislation Round-up, moderator Jeremy Kleiman immediately delved into the major developments of the past quarter. He invited Bill Pascrell to kickstart the conversation with insights into Florida’s online sports betting launch, thanks to the Seminole-Hard Rock collaboration.
Bill shared his unique perspective, having represented Hard Rock International for the last 11 years. He revealed that while Hard Rock had initially launched betting, legal challenges forced a temporary shutdown. However, recent legal developments suggest that Hard Rock is poised to relaunch on September 19th. Bill credited this success to Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming, as well as the entire Hard Rock Team and the Seminole Tribe.
Bill also touched upon the legal complexities surrounding this case, especially regarding the Indian Gaming Act. He expressed excitement about Florida becoming the largest state in the nation to launch sports betting, emphasizing the enormous opportunities it presents.
Jeremy followed up by asking about the regulatory framework and potential collaborations with Hard Rock. Bill explained that opportunities for collaboration, both online and in retail, hinge on the Indian Gaming Act’s provisions. He also hinted at the possibility of ancillary services and additional partners.
Martin Lycka joined the conversation, emphasizing that Florida’s unique regulation is an example of the intricacies in US gambling and sports betting laws. He discussed the tax rates and restrictions in Florida and how four key states, including New York, California, and Texas, will shape the future of the US market.
The discussion then shifted to California, where Bill discussed the need for a ballot referendum due to the state’s complex political landscape and gaming entities.
Regarding Texas, Bill shared that it has no history of gaming, with many Texans crossing state borders for gambling. Regulatory attempts in the state have thus far failed, with potential regulation expected in the spring of 2025.
The conversation touched on the crucial role of professional sports teams in shaping gaming regulation. Bill emphasized that these teams will be license holders for venues and possess significant political influence.
Martin pointed out the cultural contrasts in Texas, a conservative state with popular sports teams eager to embrace sports betting. He also drew attention to New York’s high tax rate, which poses challenges for operators.
Jeremy shifted the discussion to responsible gaming, with Martin informing us that September is the Responsible Gambling Education month in the US, underscoring the importance of responsible gaming education throughout the year.
In summary, our panel of American gaming specialists provided a comprehensive session with valuable insights into US gambling legislation. They highlighted both the challenges and progress in key states, setting the stage for the future of the industry.
Watch the full US Legislation Round-up for Q3 on HiptherTV
Stay tuned for Session 3 of the Gaming Americas Q3 Meetup and the special focus on “AI Issues”!
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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