In an initiative aimed at promoting responsible gaming in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands Casino Control Commission (VICCC) and the Virgin Islands Department of Health (VIDOH) announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been executed to train and certify counselors in the districts of St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix to treat problem gambling disorders and addiction.

Under the terms of the MOU fully executed on October 24, 2024, the VICCC has provided the funds for six counselors, three in each island district, employed at the VIDOH’s Division of Behavioral Health to receive training through The Center for Addiction Studies and Research.

This training will include vital knowledge on etiological predictors and risk factors, implementing suicide prevention strategies, and employing effective treatment approaches for individuals affected by gambling addiction. Additionally, the VICCC will also provide the funds to ensure that the counselors receive supervision by a board-approved clinical consultant, leading to an international certification recognized by the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board.

Marvin L. Pickering, VICCC Chairman and CEO, said: “While our residents will continue to have access to 1-800-GAMBLER and other national resources, it has always been the position of the VICCC that, in fulfilling our legal mandate to provide programs to treat and prevent gambling addiction, we needed to ensure the availability of assistance locally, assistance that is confidential and free or low-cost and that can be easily accessed, seen and understood.”

“In all aspects, VIDOH was an excellent choice for the VICCC,” Pickering added.

VIDOH Commissioner Justa Encarnacion said: “We want to ensure that we strengthen resources and services for those facing challenges with gambling and that we equip the community with information to make informed decisions about gaming, whether it is bingo, lottery, VLTs, or slot machines. Overall, our goal is to encourage a culture of responsibility within the Virgin Islands gaming community.”

Chairman Pickering and Commissioner Encarnacion expressed appreciation to the teams at VICCC and VIDOH who effectively collaborated in bringing the MOU to fruition.

Chairman Pickering particularly applauded the unwavering efforts of Commissioner Carolyn P. Hermon-Percell, the Vice-Chair of VICCC for her leadership in bringing this first major step to fruition. Both look forward to this important measure that is expected to improve health and wellness and reduce the personal, social, and economic costs of problem gambling in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Rush Street Interactive, Inc. is proud to announce that Laura McAllister Cox, RSI’s Chief Compliance Officer, has been awarded the highly coveted Chief Compliance Officer of the Year award at the prestigious Vixio Global Regulatory Awards in London. This recognition celebrates Laura’s exceptional leadership, her instrumental role in navigating the ever-evolving regulatory landscape, and her unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of compliance and responsible gaming at RSI.

The Chief Compliance Officer of the Year award highlights compliance leaders who go beyond the call of duty, leading their departments through the complexities of regulatory change while significantly elevating compliance standards across their organizations. Laura’s nomination reflects her steadfast dedication to these principles and her unmatched contributions to the gaming industry.

“Laura McAllister Cox exemplifies the qualities of a transformative compliance leader,” said Richard Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer of Rush Street Interactive. “Her vision, expertise, and unwavering commitment to regulatory excellence have not only positioned RSI as a pioneer in responsible gaming practices but also ensured that RSI consistently sets the industry standard for compliance and innovation. This award is a testament to her extraordinary impact on our company and the broader gaming landscape.”

Laura’s achievements include leading RSI to become the first U.S. operator to receive the Responsible Gaming Council’s RG Check Accreditation, an honor that underscores the company’s dedication to the safety and well-being of its customers while fostering a sustainable gaming environment. Under her guidance, RSI has also achieved market-leading profitability and strategic expansion into new jurisdictions, all while navigating complex regulatory frameworks with precision.

As Chief Compliance Officer of publicly traded Rush Street Interactive, Laura oversees the company’s compliance strategy across a range of critical areas, including regulatory, licensing, anti-money laundering, technical compliance, and responsible gaming. Her leadership has been instrumental in building RSI’s compliance department into a world-class operation with specialized subject matter experts across these domains.

Beyond her achievements at RSI, Laura is widely regarded as one of the most respected voices in the global gaming industry. Her distinguished career spans nearly four decades and includes serving as President of the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) from 2017 to 2018, as well as legal and compliance leadership roles at esteemed organizations such as Rush Street Gaming, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and Gaming Partners International Corporation. Her expertise in gaming law and corporate compliance has solidified her reputation as a trusted authority in the field.

Laura’s ability to identify and cultivate exceptional talent, foster collaborative relationships with regulators, and implement forward-thinking compliance strategies has made her an unparalleled leader in the gaming industry. Her initiatives, such as yearly team summits and ongoing training programs, ensure RSI’s compliance team remains agile and equipped to address the ever-changing regulatory landscape.

“I am deeply honored to be named the Chief Compliance Officer of the Year,” said Laura McAllister Cox. “This recognition is a reflection of the incredible work of my team and RSI’s unwavering commitment to compliance excellence and responsible gaming. At RSI, we strive to lead by example and set the standard for innovation, integrity, and collaboration in the gaming industry. I am grateful to be part of a company that values these principles and to work alongside such talented professionals every day.”

The Vixio Global Regulatory Awards celebrate achievements and innovation in compliance and responsible gaming across the global gambling industry.

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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.