Gambling in the USA

Virginia Casino Bill Set to Go Before Full Senate for First Time

Published

5 years ago

February 12, 2020

The Virginia casino gambling bill is set to go before the full Virginia State Senate for the first time. A committee voted to drastically increase the proposed tax on casino gaming revenues and the license fee for casino operators in reporting out a bill to allow casinos by referendum in the state.

Senator Louise Lucas’s SB 36 was reported out of the Senate Finance and Appropriations committee, which voted 14–2 to approve a substitute version of that bill, with a few changes.

The revised version would impose a 27% tax on the first $150 million in casino gaming revenue, a 31% tax on revenues between $150 million and $300 million and 40% on revenues above $300 million, Bristol Herald Courier reports. The previous bill would impose rates of 15%, 20% and 28%, respectively.

The latest version of the bill also proposes increasing the local share of tax revenues to 9% on the first $150 million in gaming revenues, 10% from revenues between $150 million and $300 million and 11% from revenues above $300 million. The previous version of the bill specified 5%, 6% and 7%, respectively.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The Bristol Resort and Casino group issued a statement in response to the vote. “We are still reviewing the specific changes to the bill and this is a long process before session ends. That being said, we are pleased to have the legislation that specifically includes the five original cities pass yet another committee and we look forward to the upcoming floor vote,” according to the statement.

Sen. Lucas appeared surprised by some of the changes. “The [tax] rate is causing the most concern. Is there any way we can work out these differences in conference?”

“I am sure the House and the Senate are going to have different versions so it will go to conference. I don’t know what the outcome would be, but it [rates] would certainly be on the table,” Committee Chairwoman Sen. Janet Howell, D-Reston, said.

There were a total of 10 changes to the casino bill, including one that would require that all slot machines in casinos be connected to a central gaming system and another to allow the Colonial Downs Group to have up to 2500 additional historic horse racing games in its locations.

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Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – March 24-30

Published

4 days ago

April 1, 2025

Niji Narayan

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies celebrated the groundbreaking of the new LIVE! CASINO & HOTEL VIRGINIA in Petersburg. The milestone officially commences construction on a transformative project that will generate billions of dollars in economic benefits and spinoff development, create thousands of new jobs, and set a new standard for gaming, hotels and entertainment in the Commonwealth. Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia is part of a larger $1.4 billion master plan by the partnership, scheduled to be developed in phases, that will bring a world-class mixed-use resort destination to Petersburg. Executives from Bruce Smith Enterprise, The Cordish Companies and Cordish Gaming were joined by Petersburg City Mayor Sam Parham and members of Petersburg City Council, Virginia State Senator Lashrecse Aird, Virginia State Delegate Kim Taylor and many other business and community leaders at the project site in Petersburg.

For the second year in a row, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City has been named a USA Today Top Workplaces Award Winner. Hard Rock Atlantic City ranked number 31 on the list of USA Today Top Workplaces Award Winners for 2025 in the category of large organisations, considered to be those with more than 2500 employees. Hard Rock Atlantic City is the highest-ranked casino on the list. In late 2024, more than 1000 Hard Rock Atlantic City team members participated in an anonymous survey administered by Energage, an independent human resources technology and research company behind the USA Today Top Workplaces employer recognition programme. USA Today first partnered with Energage in 2023 to identify, recognise and celebrate organisations prioritising people-first cultures. Top workplace awards have also been earned by Hard Rock Atlantic City’s corporate parent, Hard Rock International, which has been named one of America’s Best Large Employers by Forbes in 2025 and for seven of the past eight years.

Partnerships

Amusnet announced the continued growth of its partnership with Meridianbet, now live in Brazil. This latest development adds to a strong presence in markets such as Montenegro, Bosnia, Serbia, Congo, Cameroon, Kenya and Tanzania, where Amusnet’s games have already gained significant traction. Meridianbet.bet.br, players can find some of Amusnet’s top-notch games, such as Hot Deco, Extra Crown, Candy Palace, Stoichkov #8, Dancing Dead, Aztec Forest, 20 Golden Coins, Cavemen and Dinosaurs, and Cocktail Rush.

Quick Customer Intelligence (QCI) has deepened its partnership with Maropost, the leading provider of B2C ecommerce and retail technology. The partnership enables more meaningful and proactive communication between QCI’s casino clients and the casino guests. B2C companies are often bogged down by the expense and time spent managing technology tools, pulling focus away from the customer experience. Maropost enables QCI, and its casino clients, to stop focusing on tech and return their guests to the center of their business. Key to making this happen is Maropost’s “unified identifier” (UID). Casino operators can now use their own “player Ids” as Maropost’s UID, enabling a unified view of guest activity, even in cases of shared guest email addresses. Flexible UIDs result in improved tracking, engagement and personalised communications across multiple channels.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – March 24-30 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Gambling in the USA

BMM INNOVATION GROUP SHOWCASES ITS SUPPORT FOR TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY AT INDIAN GAMING CONFERENCE & EXPO MARCH 31 – APRIL 3 AT SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER

Published

4 days ago

March 31, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

bmm-innovation-group-showcases-its-support-for-tribal-sovereignty-at-indian-gaming-conference-&-expo-march-31-–-april-3-at-san-diego-convention-center

Company to sponsor, attend, and speak at the San Diego, California show.

BMM Innovation Group (“BMM,” “BIG Group,” or “BIG”), a technology conglomerate focused on product compliance testing, cybersecurity solutions, and virtual training for the global gaming industry, today announced its sponsorship and participation in the Indian Gaming Association’s (“IGA”) annual IGA Conference & Expo, March 31-April 3 at the San Diego Convention Center.

With over three decades of experience supporting Tribal gaming, BIG will be on-site as sponsors, speakers, and attendees to reinforce the Company’s steadfast commitment to Tribal sovereignty and self-regulation.

Proud Partners in Tribal Progress

The BIG Group’s Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Martin Storm said, “BMM proudly partners with Tribal governments, Tribal casinos, and Tribal gaming equipment and technology suppliers to advance Tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and economic development. We are honored to continue supporting the growth and integrity of Tribal gaming through our trusted product compliance services, world-class training and virtual education, and our cybersecurity solutions to protect Tribal enterprises.”

BMM’s long-standing relationships with Tribal gaming suppliers and regulators are at the heart of its mission. As active members of IGA and other key Tribal organizations, BIG is committed to elevating Tribal voices and ensuring Tribal interests remain at the forefront of industry growth.

BIG Group Shares Thought Leadership on Conference Panels and Trainings

In addition to sponsoring and attending, the BIG Group’s expert thought leaders will speak and provide in-person training at the conference:
Tuesday, April 1 at 9 am: Innovation vs. Regulation: Keep Pace with Emerging Gaming Technologies – Sean Mason, Senior Director of Tribal Services
Tuesday, April 1 at 4 pm: Gaming and Cyber Risk Best Practices – Mitigate Risk and Sleep Better at Night – Heather Lee, Senior Director of Sales for BIG Cyber
Wednesday, April 2 at 9 am: Level III Commissioner Certification Training – Peter Nikiper, Director of Technical Compliance

Unmatched Expertise in Product Compliance and Certification

As a trusted testing laboratory for Tribal gaming jurisdictions across North America, BMM’s focus is fairness, integrity, and security in every gaming environment. IGA attendees are invited to connect with BMM experts to learn more about the Company’s comprehensive product compliance programs.

Education & Training for Long-Term Success

BIG continues to empower Tribal gaming employees through exclusive education and training programs, including free access to RG24seven Virtual Training. These knowledge-sharing initiatives are designed to support responsible gaming, regulatory compliance, and the long-term sustainability of Tribal gaming operations.

Cybersecurity Solutions Tailored for Tribal Gaming

The BIG Group is focused on bolstering cybersecurity defenses for Tribal enterprises through its BIG Cyber services, which includes penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, PCI:DSS evaluations, and a host of managed security services featuring CYREBRO’s Security Operations Center, KnowBe4’s security awareness training, and Maxxsure’s risk management platform.

The post BMM INNOVATION GROUP SHOWCASES ITS SUPPORT FOR TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY AT INDIAN GAMING CONFERENCE & EXPO MARCH 31 – APRIL 3 AT SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Compliance Updates

EPIC Global Solutions highlighted as a key element in PrizePicks’ iCAP Accreditation

Published

5 days ago

March 31, 2025

George Miller

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

EPIC is proud to have played a key role in helping PrizePicks achieve iCAP certification, the industry’s leading responsible gaming (RG) assessment.

As the globally recognized experts in harm minimization, EPIC worked closely with PrizePicks to enhance its responsible gaming initiatives, contributing to this historic milestone. With the certification, PrizePicks becomes the first and only daily fantasy sports operator in North America to achieve this level of recognition.

A key factor in this achievement was EPIC Global Solutions’ implementation of its comprehensive responsible gaming (RG) tools within PrizePicks. Through an anonymous, company-wide RG survey, EPIC provided valuable insights into the organization’s culture and commitment to player protection. The survey revealed that 82% of PrizePicks employees believe the company fosters a strong RG culture, while 88% emphasized the importance of responsible gaming for the long-term sustainability of the industry.

“Direct engagement with staff was pivotal to our assessment,” said Teresa Fiore, SVP North America at EPIC Global Solutions.

“Our survey underscores how deeply PrizePicks is committed to responsible gaming—not only as an ethical imperative but as a driver of employee morale and long-term industry sustainability. Additionally, they recognize that a strong commitment to RG is essential for the long-term sustainability of the industry.”

EPIC’s robust assessment also highlighted the significant impact of extensive RG training, with over 2,500 hours provided to staff from partners such as EPIC during the past year. The survey’s insights have not only served as a foundational benchmark for ongoing improvements but have also been cited as a critical factor in PrizePicks securing its iCAP accreditation.

Phil Sherwood, Senior Director of Responsible Gaming at PrizePicks, added: “Our partnership with EPIC has been instrumental in elevating our responsible gaming initiatives. Their expertise and insights have enhanced our programs, contributed to our iCAP accreditation, and reinforced our commitment to continuous improvement.”

Both EPIC and PrizePicks are committed to building on these achievements with plans to conduct annual surveys and further integrate employee insights into future RG initiatives.

The post EPIC Global Solutions highlighted as a key element in PrizePicks’ iCAP Accreditation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.