Connect with us

Compliance Updates

NIGC Announces Departure of Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer

Published

on

nigc-announces-departure-of-chairman-e.-sequoyah-simermeyer

 

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) announced the resignation of E. Sequoyah Simermeyer, as the chairman of NIGC, effective Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024.

Simermeyer, confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November 2019, led the Agency through unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic. During this time, the Agency helped set the regulatory conditions for a multi-year, post-pandemic recovery, where Indian gaming gross revenues rose to a record $40.9B last year. Prior to his tenure as chairman, Simermeyer served with NIGC as associate commissioner and director of the Office of Self-Regulation since 2015.

Reflecting on his time at the Agency, Simermeyer said, “I’ve witnessed firsthand how tribes across the Indian gaming industry have pursued economic sustainability through gaming by relying on – and cultivating – the robust regulatory reputation for which Indian gaming is well known, and made better when supported by effective and efficient measures by Indian gaming’s regulators. I’m proud of the integral part this Agency has played in meeting the challenges of an evolving industry, and encouraged that NIGC’s strong cadre of professionals will continue to work hand-in-hand with gaming operations to ensure tribal gaming remains primarily for the benefit of its citizens as the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) mandated 35 years ago.”

From day one, Simermeyer established industry integrity, preparedness, outreach, and Agency accountability as strategic goals for the Agency, leading NIGC through a period of growth and expansion of programs and services available to gaming tribes.

Under Simermeyer’s leadership, the Agency took steps to grow its capacity to provide outreach, training and technical assistance to gaming tribes, notably formalizing its Environmental Public Health and Safely (EPHS) program to assist tribes with overall operational preparedness, and expanding the Agency’s ability to provide cybersecurity technical assistance as the industry faced emerging threats from cybercrimes, including NIGC’s first Chief Information Security Officer. His “3 for 35” campaign for workforce preparedness, aimed at building regulatory capacity to future-proof tribal gaming, was also an Agency signature outreach effort during his tenure.

NIGC’s efficient and effective approach to regulation was driven by its formalized, collaborative tribal consultation process, where over the past three years, the Agency published eight final rules to keep pace with changing regulatory conditions and industry best practices, while allowing tribes the maximum flexibility allowed under IGRA to pursue efficiencies intended to help operations grow and thrive. To further strengthen its compliance and oversight functions, the Agency also rolled out the “Report a Violation” tool on its website to allow for reporting suspected IGRA violations. NIGC also provided important clarity in the wake of industry-wide questions arising from emerging topics such as significant court decisions on sports betting, the impact of cannabis on licensing and the use of gaming revenue, and the independence of tribal gaming regulatory bodies.

Simermeyer also positioned the Agency as a lead collaborator with federal agencies and organizations similarly dedicated to the success of tribal gaming. NIGC’s annual multiagency Cybersecurity Symposium, Anti-Money Laundering/Banking Security Act (Title 31) regulatory training conference and ongoing partnership with the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign to prevent human trafficking, are all examples. He also led the Agency to pursue memoranda of understanding with federal agencies like the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, to promote a shared interest in researching the impacts of lending to tribes engaged in gaming and facilitating tribal access to capital.

Focusing on Agency operations, Simermeyer led the Agency through a multi-year IT security modernization plan to improve NIGC’s internal cybersecurity and resilience. Additionally, he transformed the Agency’s Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Audit program to better align with FBI requirements. As another step towards transparency and accountability, the Agency reimagined its fiscal annual report to better tell the story of its commitment to preserve and protect Indian gaming under IGRA, and the stories of the employees behind it. Perhaps most important, under Simermeyer’s leadership, the Agency achieved a 91% employee satisfaction rating on the 2023 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS), making the NIGC one of the best places to work in the federal government.

On transitioning to the next stage of his career, Simermeyer is grateful for his nearly nine years with the Agency. “My time with NIGC has been some of the most memorable and impactful years of my career. As a Native person, I’m truly blessed to have been surrounded by experts dedicated to protecting and preserving the valuable resource Indian gaming represents for our communities. I’m thankful for the advice and counsel of my fellow commissioners and NIGC staff, and the support and hard work of the nearly 5,000 tribal regulators who work alongside NIGC day-in and day-out to keep Indian gaming strong now, and for the next 35 years,” said Simermeyer.

Additional details regarding the transition will be forthcoming.

Compliance Updates

GeoComply Launches Unified Identity Platform for Brazil

Published

on

geocomply-launches-unified-identity-platform-for-brazil

GeoComply has launched a unified identity platform for Brazil, bringing KYC verification, anti-fraud intelligence, and geolocation compliance together in a single value package designed specifically for the country’s regulated iGaming market.

“Brazil is one of the most complex and fast-moving regulated markets in the world, and operators there are dealing with challenges that off-the-shelf solutions simply aren’t built for. We’ve taken the same approach that has delivered industry-leading pass rates across more than 30 jurisdictions—custom-built, locally tuned, obsessively optimized—and applied it to Brazil. The result is a single platform that solves KYC, fraud, and compliance together, so operators can focus on growth instead of managing vendor sprawl,” said Kip Levin, CEO of GeoComply.

The platform is designed to make trust-versus-risk decisions clear from the first interaction—helping operators welcome legitimate players quickly while acting decisively against fraud.

Best-in-Class Pass Rates, Made Easy

At the core of the Brazil launch is a managed, local KYC waterfall delivered through one endpoint. Instead of stitching together fragmented vendor integrations and inconsistent onboarding flows, operators gain access to leading Brazilian data sources through a continuously optimized identity infrastructure.

Players experience a streamlined registration journey with docless flows that leverage CPF validation, while operators achieve stronger pass rates without increasing operational complexity or manual review queues.

This same identity framework has delivered pass rates above 95% across U.S. states and above 90% in the UK, demonstrating a repeatable model for improving conversion in regulated markets.

“As we grow internationally, we know we can trust GeoComply to deliver excellent results and show up as a strategic partner that is focused on our success. Their team’s expertise and dedication to getting it right have helped us achieve high pass rates and an excellent player experience in Brazil and Argentina, all while giving the entire team at Betano peace of mind that we are meeting evolving regulatory standards,” said George Moschetas, Director of Product at Kaizen Gaming, the parent company of Betano.

Fraud Intelligence That Extends Beyond Registration

What differentiates GeoComply from standalone KYC vendors is what happens after verification. The platform applies real-time device, location, and behavioral intelligence throughout the player lifecycle—helping operators detect deepfakes, local mule rings, and account takeover attempts without disrupting legitimate users.

Machine learning models trained specifically for Brazil analyze device manipulation, high-risk location activity, and cross-account linkages in real time—while supporting AML compliance requirements through continuous monitoring.

One Platform. One Partner.

Rather than layering separate KYC vendors, fraud tools, and geolocation providers, operators gain a unified identity infrastructure and a single operational partner.

GeoComply manages vendor relationships, waterfall optimization, regulatory alignment, and continuous model tuning—supported by a dedicated Fraud and Risk team that works alongside operators as threats evolve. The platform delivers up to 99.7% geolocation pass rates and 99.999% uptime reliability in regulated environments.

The post GeoComply Launches Unified Identity Platform for Brazil appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Continue Reading

BHA

BHA Appoints Brant Dunshea as its Chief Executive Officer

Published

on

bha-appoints-brant-dunshea-as-its-chief-executive-officer

 

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed the permanent appointment of Brant Dunshea as its Chief Executive Officer.

Brant has been leading the BHA in an acting capacity since December 2024 following the departure of Julie Harrington.

He has held several senior positions at British racing’s governing and regulatory body since joining the organisation in March 2015, most recently as Chief Regulatory Officer prior to being appointed acting CEO.

The BHA board has also approved the appointment of David Jones as Interim Chair. This follows the resignation of Lord Charles Allen on Tuesday 3 March.

David assumes the role for a second time, having previously filled the position between Joe Saumarez Smith stepping down in January 2025 and Lord Allen formally joining the BHA in September of the same year.

He was appointed to the BHA Board in January 2021 as Senior Independent Director, with extensive experience of British racing and the regulation of the sport, including as a BHA steward for more than a decade.

Steps will now be taken to recruit a permanent BHA Chair.

David Jones, Interim Chair of the BHA, said: “While it is clearly regrettable that agreement could not be reached around governance reform, the sport’s leaders have recognised the need for change. I do believe this is possible, and we must all work to achieve it, in the interests of the sport and the livelihoods that depend on our industry.

“The process to recruit a permanent chair will commence shortly. My hope is that this can be achieved as quickly as possible.

“The BHA will continue to lead British racing with energy and integrity, and I am delighted that the Board has agreed to appoint Brant as the CEO.

“He has proven he is a dynamic and hugely respected leader, and I look forward to working closely with Brant, the Executive and the hard-working, dedicated team at the BHA during a significant year for the sport.”

Brant Dunshea, Chief Executive Officer of the BHA, said: “I am delighted to be appointed Chief Executive Officer of the BHA.

“It is no secret that the sport has experienced a challenging period as it faces up to the process of change at a governance level, but I want to be clear that this has not stopped the BHA and the industry making important progress to safeguard the long-term health of British racing.

“The past year has seen growth in racecourse attendances, the success of the Axe The Racing Tax campaign, major initiatives to ensure more horses are raced and retained on our shores and continued improvements in horse and human welfare.

“I know that the incredible team at the BHA shares my deep passion for our sport and is committed to securing a brighter and more sustainable future for our people and horses.

“It is a huge privilege to be given this opportunity to lead such a knowledgeable and dedicated team at a time of great opportunity for British racing.”

The post BHA Appoints Brant Dunshea as its Chief Executive Officer appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Animal Wellness Action

GREY2K USA Worldwide and Animal Wellness Action Celebrate House Agriculture Committee Passage of a Ban on Greyhound Racing in America

Published

on

grey2k-usa-worldwide-and-animal-wellness-action-celebrate-house-agriculture-committee-passage-of-a-ban-on-greyhound-racing-in-america

 

GREY2K USA Worldwide and Animal Wellness Action celebrated the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s adoption of the Greyhound Protection Act, H.R. 5017, by amendment into H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, also known as the Farm Bill. The legislation will prohibit dog racing nationwide, bar US gamblers from betting on foreign races and block the export of American dogs for racing elsewhere.

Once the sixth largest spectator sport in the US, greyhound racing now occurs at just at two tracks in West Virginia, both owned by Delaware North, a New York-based gambling and food-service company, which has signaled its desire to step back from this outdated and unpopular form of gambling. Greyhound racing is illegal in 44 states, and remote gambling on dog races has recently been prohibited in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Oregon. A generation ago, there were 60 tracks in the United States, so the collapse of racing has been precipitous.

The Greyhound Protection Act was introduced last year by Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), who also offered last night’s successful amendment to the Farm Bill. The legislation is co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of 28 members of Congress, including Rep. Randy Fine, R-Florida, Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, and Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C. Nunn and Davis both spoke in favor of the amendment, which passed overwhelmingly by a voice vote of the Agriculture Committee. The groups thanked these lawmakers for their leadership on the issue.

“This is an historic victory for the protection of greyhounds, and the result of decades of grassroots campaigning. We are grateful for the leadership of these legislative champions who have given the dogs a voice,” said GREY2K USA Worldwide Executive Director Carey Theil.

Dogs used for racing are kept confined in stacked metal cages for up to 23 hours a day. When let out to race, they suffer serious injuries including broken legs and backs, crushed skulls, and paralysis. In 2024, 487 greyhound injuries were reported at the final two tracks in West Virginia, including 162 dogs that suffered broken bones and thirteen dogs that died. Since 2020, greyhound breeders in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado have been documented killing rabbits in cruel “live lure” training exercises.

“Passing the Greyhound Protection Act in the House Agriculture Committee is more evidence of the emerging national consensus that greyhound racing is archaic and inhumane. This is just the first step on this legislative journey, but it’s the first ever vote on the Greyhound Protection Act and it signals future success,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy.

In 2018, Florida voters passed a ballot measure to end gambling on greyhound races with 69% of the statewide vote. Florida was the first state to legalize dog racing in 1931 and prior to the launch of the ballot measure campaign, Florida hosted 12 of the 18 tracks operating in the US. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was then Attorney General of Florida, actively supported the measure. Multiple other states followed Florida’s lead, including Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, and Texas. However, West Virginia law currently mandates that greyhound racing continue as a condition of offering other forms of gambling. The state also requires annual subsidy payments of up to $22 million to owners of racing dogs.

“Greyhound racing is cruel and inhumane, and will soon be relegated to the dustbin of history. In modern society, greyhounds are loving companions, and should not be used and abused as gambling props,” said GREY2K USA Worldwide President and General Counsel Christine A. Dorchak, who drafted the bill.

The Greyhound Protection Act has been endorsed by more than 250 animal protection groups, local animal shelters, anti-gambling organizations, international NGOs, and greyhound adoption groups. In the last Congress, a nearly identical bill won the support of 80 cosponsors. Notable endorsers include Stop Predatory Gambling, the Federation of Humane Organizations of West Virginia, Eastwood Ranch Rescue, the National Greyhound Adoption Program, the National Humane Education Society and Best Friends Animal Society.

The federal government has authority on this subject because dogs are bred and transported across state lines for racing and races are broadcast to numerous states for simulcast gambling. The bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to achieve its purpose of ending greyhound racing.

The post GREY2K USA Worldwide and Animal Wellness Action Celebrate House Agriculture Committee Passage of a Ban on Greyhound Racing in America appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Latest news

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania