Compliance Updates

The Edge Interviews Steve Bittenbender: Discusses Sports Betting in Georgia, Alabama and Missouri

Published

9 months ago

March 1, 2024

Half of all SEC states do not have legal sports betting. On The Edge with Larry Henry, Gambling.com Group’s Steve Bittenbender predicts sports betting legislation could be approved during this year’s legislative sessions in Alabama and Georgia in part because of ‘more acceptance among some conservative’ lawmakers.

Sports betting then would require a public vote in Alabama and possibly Georgia. Bittenbender said those two states stand a good chance of legalizing sports betting. “Those are the two, I think, I’m most bullish on,” Bittenbender said of Alabama and Georgia.

In Missouri, ‘rancor’ in the state Senate means a sports betting bill probably won’t pass, Bittenbender said, but the state’s major sports leagues are circulating a petition among registered voters to let the public decide on the November ballot.

The pro sports teams aren’t waiting for the Legislature, Bittenbender said.

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“They’ve been down that road before and they’ve seen how that story ends up,” he said. “The best chance that it’ll have is through this referendum process.”

On Alabama and Georgia:

“In Georgia, it passed the Senate and it’s now going over to the House. And in Alabama, it’s the other way around. It cleared the House first and now it’s going to the Senate. The Senate in Alabama; there’s going to be some opposition to it (sports betting legislation), some conservative opposition.

“But you’ve got Governor Ivey who’s a big supporter of this and I think that’s going to help tip the scales in gaming’s favor.

“And it’s not just sports betting in Alabama, it would give them a lottery. They’re one of five states that don’t have a state lottery so it would give them that. It would give them fully-fledged casinos. There’s a couple of tribal casinos in the state but now they would have, I think, seven Class 3 casinos across the state. And then you would also have sports betting as well.

“That kind of omnibus legislation, especially with the people that are supporting it, will help get that through in Alabama.

“Georgia is a similar situation but they’ve actually scaled it down. There had been talks in recent years about doing casino resort legislation but they’re just focused right now on doing sports betting, getting that through and maybe looking at other expanded gaming later on down the road.

“In Georgia the question is going to be whether or not it will need a constitutional amendment. There are proponents for it that cite a former Supreme Court judge from the state, who says: sports betting is a lottery game, the lottery is legal under the constitution, so you don’t need an amendment.

“Some people though are kind of concerned, they fear a legal challenge might happen. So, they want to see a referendum on it.

“If it requires a referendum, that would require essentially two votes in the legislature. One to pass the enacting legislation, which would need just a simple majority in both chambers. But a second one for a resolution calling for the referendum, that would require a two thirds majority in both chambers. That’s a little trickier.

“The way the vote came down in the Senate earlier this month, they had the votes for the two thirds majority in Georgia in the Senate, but I don’t know if they would have that in the House and that’s a key concern that needs to be addressed.”

On Missouri:

“I think it’s happening already (the sports betting petitions having success). The proponents have already started in St Louis, right around the time of the Cardinals FanFest event earlier this month.

“So, they’re not waiting for the legislature, they’ve been down that road before and they’ve seen how that story ends up. And with the way that there’s a lot of rancor right now in the Missouri Senate, not just about sports betting but a lot of things in between, there’s a real fracture between Republicans in that chamber and that’s stalling a lot of things.

“I’m not optimistic at all that a sports betting bill would pass the legislature even though there’s support for it in Jefferson City. The best chance that it’ll have is through this referendum process.”

Source: Gambling dot com

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BGaming awarded Peru supplier licence

Published

5 days ago

November 28, 2024

George Miller

Popular iGaming content provider BGaming has secured a highly sought-after licence in Peru, marking a significant milestone in its expansion across LatAm.

BGaming’s technical system of gaming software and its engaging portfolio have been officially approved by the gambling regulator Mincetur, a national administrative authority which implements and oversees all aspects of online gaming and sports betting in Peru. By receiving the B2B certification, BGaming broadens its appeal with local licenced operators in the newly regulated market.

The licence also opens up more opportunities for BGaming to expand its business and strengthen its position in the wider LatAm region, where it has enjoyed significant attention in the last 12 months.

Marina Ostrovtsova, CEO at BGaming, said: “Securing the Peru licence marks a pivotal moment in BGaming’s global expansion. This certification not only strengthens our presence in Latin America but also underscores our commitment to bringing high-quality, immersive gaming experiences to new audiences.

“We are excited about the opportunities this will unlock, both in terms of growth and the reception of our slots in this new market.”

BGaming is a fast-growing iGaming content provider converting gambling into gaming. Thanks to an expert team and a player-driven approach, the studio creates innovative and engaging products featured on reputable platforms and 1,600+ online casinos worldwide. BGaming is the world’s first to support cryptocurrencies and offer Provably Fair games. Today the brand’s portfolio includes 150+ products with HD graphics and a clear user interface for every device. The studio is also known for its brand exclusives created in partnerships with leading operators in the industry.

Compliance Updates

Superbet Becomes the First Regulated Bookmaker in Brazil

Published

5 days ago

November 28, 2024

Niji Narayan

Superbet Brasil, sponsor of São Paulo and Fluminense, has become the first betting house to pay the R$30 million (US$5.2m) concession required by the government to become a regulated company.

To be able to make the transaction, the “Bet” (as the operators are called in Brazil) had to meet all the requirements of the Ministry of Finance in the document evaluation phase.

The company is the first to go through this process. The platform was the second in the industry to request authorization to operate in Brazil. Betano was the first.

The arrival of Superbet, which has just completed one year, was subject to regulation. The company only does business in countries with defined rules for sports betting.

Superbet CEO Alexandre Fonseca said that the regulation of the so-called “Bets” in Brazil is a milestone for the development of the industry and for the country.

“A regulated market promotes legal and tax security for operations, increases revenue for the Union and offers greater protection to players. These are objectives shared by all serious operators in the sector,” he said.

Compliance Updates

New Jersey State Athletic Control Board Adopts Sports Betting Policy

Published

6 days ago

November 27, 2024

Niji Narayan

The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board (SACB) announced that it has recently adopted an updated sports betting policy for all licensees, officials, and employees.

Effective immediately, the policy prohibits unethical betting practices and reinforces the commitment to maintaining fairness and public trust in combative sports, including boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kick boxing, and combative sports exhibitions, events, performances, and contests.

“With this action, we are safeguarding the integrity of combative sports events. By implementing these standards, we are sending a clear message that unethical behavior will not be tolerated in New Jersey’s combative sports industry,” said SACB Commissioner Larry Hazzard Sr.

The policy applies to board officials, such as inspectors, timekeepers, judges, referees, and physicians; board members, including the chairman; and board employees, such as the commissioner and deputy commissioner. Promoters, participants, and their agents are also encouraged to adopt integrity policies in line with these standards.

Key policy provisions include those related to betting restrictions, prohibited conduct, training, and enforcement, among others:

• Officials, members, and employees are prohibited from betting on any combative sports event, both within New Jersey and globally. Legal betting on non-combative sports is allowed, provided it complies with local laws. Board employees must register with the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) before placing such bets in New Jersey.

• All forms of illegal betting, including through unauthorized platforms, are strictly prohibited.

• Prohibited conduct includes match fixing and acting on or spreading insider information.

• Board personnel are prohibited from working for sportsbooks or their affiliates.

• Promoters and participants, along with their agents and managers, must refrain from betting on combative sports events held in New Jersey or engaging in any actions that compromise the integrity of performances.

• All stakeholders, including board officials, members, employees, promotors, participants, agents, managers and seconds, are obligated to report any violations of this policy to the SACB Commissioner immediately.

• Board personnel are required to undergo training and acknowledge this policy.

• Violations may result in disciplinary actions, including fines, license suspensions, or revocation.