Compliance Updates
Mississippi House passes bill to legalize online sports betting; measure moves to Senate
The Mississippi House passed a bill Thursday that would legalize online sports betting, bringing the state one step closer to joining 29 other states that already allow the practice.
The Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act, which would legalize mobile sports betting while requiring gambling companies to contract with brick-and-mortar gambling establishments, passed 97-14 after a brief debate on the House floor. Sports wagering has been legal in the state for years, but online betting has remained illegal amid fears the move could harm the bottom line of the state’s casinos.
Republican Rep. Casey Eure of Saucier, the bill’s prime sponsor, said the state could bring in $25-35 million a year in tax revenue, based on state Gaming Commission estimates. Mississippi is missing out on that money as it houses one of the nation’s most active black markets.
Across the U.S. each year, illegal betting sites see about $64 billion in wagers, Eure said. Mississippi makes up 5% of that market, which is about $3 billion in illegal bets.
After advancing the bill out of a House committee on Tuesday, lawmakers approved an amendment Eure introduced on the floor that would change where the revenue goes. The first version of the bill levied a 12% tax on sports wagers, sending 4% to the localities where a casino is located and 8% to the state. The amended version lawmakers passed Thursday would direct all 12% to a state fund for emergency road and bridge repairs.
If the Mississippi law passes, online gaming platforms would have to reach an agreement with licensed gambling establishments to establish an online sports betting presence in the state.
House Democratic Leader Robert Johnson of Natchez raised concerns that gambling platforms would have no incentive to partner with smaller casinos, and most of the money would instead flow to the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s already bustling casinos. He proposed an amendment that would guarantee licensed gaming establishments would absorb some of the revenue from bets placed near their facilities.
“The only people making money are the two people that have a contract,” Johnson said. “The money from the platforms, you bet in Mississippi it doesn’t go to every casino in Mississippi. It goes to the casino that you have a contract with.”
Republicans tabled the amendment, but Johnson voted for the bill anyway. He called the potential legalization of mobile sports betting “inevitable.”
Mississippi House members acted on the same day Georgia senators passed a bill to allow sports gambling. Nationwide, 38 states allow sports betting. Some states allow only in-person bets, although most allow electronic betting from anywhere.
The Mississippi bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
Michael Goldberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow him at @mikergoldberg.
Source: CDC Gaming
Australia
Crown Fined $2 Million for Self-exclusion Breaches
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has fined Crown Melbourne $2 million for allowing 242 people who had self-excluded from gambling to place bets at the casino over an 8-month period between October 2023 and May 2024.
VGCCC Chair Fran Thorn said: “It is an offence under the Casino Control Act 1991 (Vic) to allow an excluded person, including anyone who has self-excluded, to enter, remain or gamble in the casino. It also contravenes Crown Melbourne’s obligation to protect people at risk of gambling harm.
“Those who self-exclude must be able to trust that gambling providers will take all reasonable steps to enforce their decision to avail themselves of this harm prevention initiative.
“By allowing people who have self-excluded to enter the casino and gamble, Crown has put them at risk of experiencing further gambling harm. However, it is also clear that a number of these self-excluded patrons are going to considerable lengths to avoid detection and break their exclusion requirements.”
The self-exclusion breaches were detected through VGCCC’s ongoing monitoring of the casino’s operations. The Commission determined the breaches were due to system and control failures rather than deliberate or egregious disregard by Crown of its regulatory obligations.
“Accordingly, the Commission has issued a direction to Crown to engage an independent expert to assess the effectiveness of, and make recommendations for improving, the management of its self-exclusion program. In due course, Crown will be required to implement the independent expert’s recommendations,” Ms Thorn said.
In April this year, the Commission directed Crown Melbourne to implement a transformation plan to continue its reform and remediation following the findings of the Finkelstein Royal Commission.
The Commission acknowledges Crown has taken some steps to strengthen its controls for policing exclusion orders, and introduced measures to improve its monitoring activities, physical security, use of technology and training of staff.
“The VGCCC is committed to ensuring Crown continues its reform efforts,” Ms Thorn said.
The post Crown Fined $2 Million for Self-exclusion Breaches appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Claudio Caruana General Counsel for GiG
GiG grows regulated market footprint with new B2B supplier authorisation for Peru
Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has been awarded an authorisation and registration (homologation) for Peru, officially allowing it to partner with operators based in the newly regulated Latin American market, as GiG continues to grow its regulated market presence with over 29 complex regulated markets now available globally, on its revolutionary iGaming technology.
The accreditation process, which opened its doors earlier this year, marks an early entry for GiG that will allow it to serve a market expected to grow post regulation by up to 104%, up from €194m to €397m, in gross gaming revenue (GGR) over the next three years, according to H2 Gambling Data.
This new authorisation from the Peruvian authority, granted to GiG by Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo de Perú (MINCETUR) , and covers its award winning PAM, as GiG continues a long-standing commitment to regulated market expansion, reaffirming’s its position as a global leader for growth in highly regulated markets.
GiG’s Peruvian presence gained prominence with the announcement of the launch of Betsson Group’s Inkabet brand, in July, expanding on the successful partnership between the two, in regulated markets around the world.
GiG is continuing to expand its presence in global regulated markets, and across Latin America, with its innovative iGaming platform, as its powerful, secure, and scalable platform offers operators significant opportunities for exponential revenue growth, with a suite of dynamic localisation features. Peruvian operators will benefit from GiG’s integration with leading content and payment providers, with advanced AI tools, DataX and LogicX, enhancing decision-making and rule-building processes. This balance of cutting-edge tools and best-in-class features have proven highly effective in increasing player acquisition and retention, highlighting GiG’s competitive edge in complex regulatory environments like Peru.
Claudio Caruana, General Counsel for GiG says; “The addition of the Peruvian authorisation to our ever expanding list of supported regulated markets continues to demonstrate the focus we at GiG have placed on legislation, providing the framework essential for sustainable and prosperous growth within the online igaming industry. We are delighted to be fully prepared to power new and potential partners with our award winning technology in the area.”
Compliance Updates
SCCG Announces Strategic Partnership with Steelhead Compliance Solutions
SCCG Management, a global leader in Tribal gaming advisory and management services, has announced a strategic partnership with Steelhead Compliance Solutions LLC, a leader in tribal gaming compliance and regulatory affairs. This partnership aims to create significant opportunities for tribal nations by connecting them with SCCG’s expansive network of over 200 affiliated gaming companies and service providers. Together, SCCG and Steelhead will work to strengthen tribal gaming operations, enhance regulatory compliance, and uphold tribal sovereignty.
Stephen Crystal, Founder and CEO of SCCG Management, said: “Partnering with Steelhead Compliance Solutions aligns perfectly with SCCG’s mission to support the growth and success of tribal gaming enterprises across the U.S. Steelhead’s commitment to preserving tribal sovereignty and ensuring regulatory excellence will be instrumental in helping us provide unparalleled value to tribal nations. We are thrilled to bring our global network and expertise together with Steelhead’s deep understanding of tribal governance and regulatory frameworks.”
Richard Armstrong, founding partner of Steelhead Compliance Solutions, said: “Our partnership with SCCG represents an exciting new chapter in our commitment to supporting Indian Country. SCCG’s extensive management and service offerings, coupled with their unmatched global network, are the perfect complement to our expertise. Together, we will ensure tribal gaming operations not only thrive but also maintain the highest standards of regulatory compliance, protect tribal assets, and capitalize on new opportunities—all while safeguarding tribal sovereignty, which is fundamental to tribal nations.”
Steelhead Compliance Solutions brings over 80 years of combined experience, specializing in assisting tribal nations in navigating complex regulatory environments. The firm is known for its strong relationships with regulatory officials and leaders at tribal, state, and federal levels. Steelhead delivers comprehensive compliance, regulatory, and legal solutions, all while prioritizing the protection of tribal sovereignty. The partnership with SCCG aims to provide tribal nations with the tools and resources needed to grow their gaming operations while maintaining their independence and self-determination.
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