Compliance Updates

Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Says Pace-O-Matic’s Pennsylvania Skill Games Are Legal

Published

6 years ago

January 23, 2020

Pace-O-Matic of Pennsylvania (POM of PA), the entity that markets Pennsylvania Skill games, received a substantial victory in today’s Commonwealth Court opinion, which makes clear our games are legal.

Matt Haverstick, Esq., who represented POM of PA in the lawsuit said, “The Commonwealth Court agreed that our games are presumptively legal. The injunction was denied for locations that have illegal gambling devices comingled with our legal POM games. We are seeking clarification that the injunction is still in place for locations that have only POM games. Ultimately, the Court was concerned that the injunction might hamper the Bureau of Liquor Control and Enforcement’s ability to conduct investigations into illegal gambling and slot machines where a POM machine may also be located. That is a position that POM of PA supports as we have been on the front lines pointing out the proliferation of illegal gambling devices and min-casinos.”

Click here to read the opinion.

The Court made it clear that they consider our games legal, “This Court recognizes that unless, or until, POM Games are considered to be illegal gambling devices under the Crimes Code, POM may suffer harms to its reputation and property interests as a result of the seizures.”

The Court also made it clear that they saw the difference between “POM machines” and illegal gambling operations, “The tiny fraction of POM machines that have been confiscated as part of larger investigations and confiscations into illegal gambling operations, and the fact that POM does not intend to challenge these isolated seizures as long as POM is not specifically targeted, the Court finds no improper conduct by the PSP that warrants the imposition of an injunction at this time.”

Pace-O-Matic Director of Communications Mike Barley added, “We understand the confusion that exists as law enforcement has a difficult time discerning between what is a legal skill game and what is an illegal gambling device. Our commitment is to continue working with the legislature to regulate, tax and provide strict enforcement of the legal skill game industry. The revenue we are providing to small businesses and fraternal clubs, the jobs that are being created and the tens of millions of dollars we have paid in taxes to the state prove that we are laying a solid foundation for the legal skill game industry that benefits Pennsylvania.”

Pace-O-Matic’s Pennsylvania Skill products are manufactured by Miele Manufacturing in Williamsport, which has created over 100 manufacturing and manufacturing-related positions in our Commonwealth. Additionally, Pennsylvania Skill games are helping to support and grow businesses that were struggling and are now thriving and creating jobs. The revenue generated by our games has become a lifeline to fraternal clubs and organizations across the Commonwealth, including American Legions, VFWs and local fire companies. Pennsylvania Skill has donated over $700,000 over the past year to local charities, including food banks, children’s hospitals and senior centers.

As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure compliance, Pace-O-Matic employs a team of former state troopers to enforce the terms of our contracts and our codes of conduct. These contracted terms limit the number of machines and where they are placed in a location and have protections in place to prevent anyone underage from playing our devices.

In 2014, the Beaver County Court of Common Pleas ruled Pace-O-Matic’s Pennsylvania Skill games are legal as games of predominant skill. That court decision can be found by clicking here.

SOURCE Pace-O-Matic

Compliance Updates

Romanian National Gambling Authority Pushes for Urgent Overhaul of Self-exclusion Rules

Published

10 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

romanian-national-gambling-authority-pushes-for-urgent-overhaul-of-self-exclusion-rules

The Romanian National Gambling Authority (ONJN) has formally urged the Ministry of Finance to introduce emergency measures aimed at strengthening the country’s self-exclusion system. ONJN President Vlad-Cristian Soare said the regulator has submitted a draft emergency ordinance (OUG) designed to close loopholes in existing legislation and bolster player protection.

The ONJN launched Romania’s gambling self-exclusion platform in 2020 under legislation GD no. 111/2016, Art. 130. However, there have been discussions for some time over the shortcomings of the programme, and industry groups such as the EGBA have been vocal in proposing improvements.

Last year, the ONJN ordered gambling operators to apply a “single account principle” for self-exclusion, meaning that self-exclusion requests automatically apply across all platforms. That clarification closed a loophole that allowed players who had self-excluded with one operator to switch to another and continue to gamble, but issues remain.

Soare assumed leadership of ONJN in May 2025 following the resignation of his predecessor after a damning audit report. He said: “I promised self-exclusion would not remain a project that only exists on paper like how I found it when I took office. It will be implemented in three stages: operation under the current framework (already achieved), legislative amendments to fix dysfunctions, and the rollout of a modern IT solution (now underway).”

In a post on LinkedIn post, Soare said the priority measures would include:

• A centralised and simplified self-exclusion network covering both online and land-based gambling providers.

• Defined exclusion periods: Players would be able to select from fixed durations, including indefinite bans from gambling, with mandatory cooling-off periods to prevent premature withdrawal from the programme.

• Deposit recovery: Operators would be required to refund deposits if self-excluded players were mistakenly allowed to gamble.

• Stricter penalties: Breaches of self-exclusion rules could trigger fines ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 lei (€9800–€19,600). Repeated or severe violations could lead to licence suspensions.

• Improved visibility: Clearer terminology, mandatory self-exclusion information on gambling websites and QR codes in gambling halls linking to national resources would make the system more accessible.

Soare also signalled plans to involve Romanian police in enforcement and collaborate with the National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics. The goal is to build a modern, cost-efficient IT infrastructure capable of supporting a fully integrated self-exclusion regime.

The post Romanian National Gambling Authority Pushes for Urgent Overhaul of Self-exclusion Rules appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BetMGM

BetMGM Updates Anti-Harassment Policy to Protect Athletes

Published

10 hours ago

February 4, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

betmgm-updates-anti-harassment-policy-to-protect-athletes

BetMGM, a leading sports betting and iGaming operator, has updated its terms of service to explicitly prohibit athlete harassment. Under the revised terms, BetMGM will suspend a customer’s account if the customer is found to have used harassing or abusive language toward athletes, coaches, or team or league personnel.

While the operator’s previous terms allowed account suspension for any lawful reason, including harassment, the update provides even more clarity around the policy and underscores BetMGM’s commitment to sports integrity and player safety. Updates to the terms of service are subject to regulatory approval as required.

“We are unwavering in our commitment to sports integrity — and that commitment extends to safeguarding athletes, coaches and league personnel. Our legal, regulated environment enables us to identify misconduct, investigate reports, and take action when necessary. Any confirmed instance of harassment will result in decisive measures, including account suspension,” said Rhea Loney, BetMGM’s Chief Compliance Officer.

Football legend and BetMGM ambassador Barry Sanders said: “As a professional athlete, I know how important respect is — both on and off the field. BetMGM is sending a strong message that harassment has no place in sports or sports betting. I’m proud to see BetMGM protecting athletes and promoting integrity.”

This update aligns with BetMGM’s broader responsible gambling initiatives, including the integration of educational messaging through GameSense at 10 football stadiums nationwide. GameSense is an industry-leading program developed and licensed to MGM Resorts International and BetMGM by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. The program is integrated across BetMGM’s mobile and desktop platforms, as well as MGM Resorts properties nationwide, providing practical tips and promoting positive, transparent, and proactive engagement around responsible play. BetMGM offers a variety of responsible gambling tools including the ability to set time and spending limits.

The post BetMGM Updates Anti-Harassment Policy to Protect Athletes appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Central Europe

Poland to Classify Gambling Streaming as Serious Crime

Published

1 day ago

February 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

poland-to-classify-gambling-streaming-as-serious-crime

The Polish Parliament is considering a landmark draft law to curb harmful digital content, specifically targeting the phenomenon known as “patostreaming.”

Patostreaming is recognised as a new term to categorise criminal offences related to the broadcasting of online violence, abuse and sexually degrading content.

The proposed legislation would criminalize the broadcasting of violence, abuse, and sexually degrading material. Additionally, the bill seeks to outlaw the promotion of online gambling by social media influencers. By amending the Penal Code, supporters aim to bridge the legal gap between digital behaviour and offline criminal acts, ensuring online offenders face the same accountability as those in the physical world.

The bill carries the backing of ministers of Poland’s new Civic Coalition (KO) government, formed in late 2025 by the union of the Citizens Platform (PO), Modern (Nowoczesna) and the Polish Initiative (iPL).

Supporters call for clearer enforcement powers to treat the online broadcasting of serious criminal acts as a punishable offence, aligning digital conduct with crimes already sanctioned offline.

If adopted, the legislation would introduce prison sentences ranging from three months to five years for individuals who publicly share real or staged content depicting serious criminal acts via online platforms.

The same penalty range would also apply to influencers found to be illegally promoting online gambling activity that remains heavily restricted under Poland’s state-controlled gambling regime.

KO ministers have framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to strengthen online protections for Polish youth, citing rising exposure to violent digital content and illegal gambling promotions across social media platforms.

The post Poland to Classify Gambling Streaming as Serious Crime appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.