Canada

Nevada Gaming Control Board: 2021-37 Emergency Directive 044

Published

3 years ago

April 26, 2021

Section 18 of Emergency Directive 044 delegates all authority to prescribe COVID-19 mitigation measures for gaming properties to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

Pursuant to the above authority, the Board issues the following:

RESTRICTED LICENSEES

Effective May 1, 2021, the Board rescinds its “Health and Safety Policy for Reopening after COVID-19: Restricted Licensees.” Each restricted licensee shall comply with its respective county’s COVID-19 Local Mitigation and Enforcement Plan (Local Plan). If a county’s Local Plan does not meet the requirements of sections 3 and 4 of Emergency Directive 041, a restricted licensee must: (1) limit its capacity to fifty percent (50%) of its occupancy limit assigned to the property by local building and fire codes; and (2) enforce a social distancing of six feet between individuals.

Additionally, each restricted licensee shall continue to comply with the Baseline Statewide Mitigation Measures established in section 8 of Emergency Directive 044; namely, the statewide mask and face covering requirements as set forth in Emergency Directive 024.

NONRESTRICTED LICENSEES

Except as otherwise provided below and subject to NRS 447.300 to 447.355, inclusive, effective May 1, 2021, each nonrestricted licensee shall comply with its respective county’s general capacity and occupancy limitations and social distancing requirements, as detailed in the county’s Local Plan, within the licensee’s gaming areas. These county-specific requirements are detailed below.

If a nonrestricted licensee is located in a county that has a Local Plan that does not meet the requirements of sections 3 and 4 of Emergency Directive 041, the nonrestricted licensee must: (1) limit its capacity to fifty percent

(50%) of its occupancy limit assigned to each gaming area by local building and fire codes; and (2) enforce a social distancing of six feet between individuals.

Additionally, each nonrestricted licensee shall continue to comply with the Baseline Statewide Mitigation Measures established in section 8 of Emergency Directive 044; namely, the statewide mask and face covering requirements as set forth in Emergency Directive 024.

Capacity Limitations for Gaming Areas (based on each county’s published Local Plan)

Carson City:

Occupancy Limit:100%

Social Distancing Measures: 6 feet

Churchill County:

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing Measures: CDC recommendations

Clark County

Occupancy Limit: 80% (Increase to 100% once 60% of eligible population receives first vaccine dose) Social Distancing Measures: 3 feet (Removed once 60% of eligible population receive first vaccine dose)

Douglas County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing: None

Elko County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing Measures: None

Esmeralda County

Occupancy Limit: 50% of Fire Code capacity

Social Distancing: None

Eureka County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing Measures: None

Humboldt County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing Measures: None

Additional COVID-19 Mitigation Measures

Lander County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing Measures: None

Lincoln County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing Measures: None

Lyon County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing: 6 feet or physical barriers between individuals

Mineral County

Occupancy Limit: 50%

Social Distancing: None

Nye County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing Measures: None

Pershing County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing: None

Storey County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing: None

White Pine County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing Measures: None

Washoe County (Local Plan not adequate)

Occupancy Limit: 50%

Social Distancing Measures: 6 feet

Effective May 1, 2021, the Board will enforce the Health and Safety Policy for Continued Mitigation of the Spread of COVID-19 for nonrestricted licensees. The current Health and Safety Policies for Resumption of Gaming Operations, as issued by Industry Notice #2021-31, will remain in effect until 11:59pm on April 30, 2021.

The Board retains jurisdiction over all licensees, and failure to abide by COVID-19 mitigation measures implemented by the federal government, State, local jurisdiction, or another agency may constitute grounds for disciplinary action under NGC Regulation 5.011.

Formal Requests to Increase Occupancy above Local Plan Requirement

As outlined in the April 2, 2021 Joint Statement of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission on COVID-19 Vaccination of Hospitality Workers (Industry Notice #2021-26), licensees may submit a request to the Chair of the Board for a waiver of applicable occupancy limitations or COVID-19 mitigation measures otherwise applicable on May 1, 2021. Such a request must demonstrate the licensee’s measurable and material steps to vaccinate its workforce.

Requests for increased gaming floor occupancy must also include the licensee’s detailed commitment to its obligation to vaccinate its workforce, until some defined goal is reached or some period of time under such a vaccination campaign has passed, as outlined by the licensee. This document will remain on file and will constitute an ongoing obligation by the licensee.

A formal request as described above must be submitted to [email protected] no later than 5pm on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.

CONCLUSION

The contents, requirements, and restrictions set forth in this Industry Notice are subject to change based on a county amending its Local Plan. Each licensee is expected to continuously reference its county’s Local Plan to ensure compliance with the same.

In conjunction with state and local health officials, the Board will continue to ensure that best practices are used in the mitigation of COVID-19, and its effect on licensee operations, and will issue further notices as appropriate.

Canada

Play’n GO announces partnership with Canadian operator Loto-Québec

Published

3 days ago

May 16, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

play’n-go-announces-partnership-with-canadian-operator-loto-quebec

Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced a partnership with Canadian operator Loto-Québec, launching the Swedish gaming giant’s games into another Canadian province.

Already active in another Canadian province , this partnership sees Play’n GO’s content available in the province of Québec exclusively with Loto-Québec, a state-owned corporation, where online players now have access to titles such as Tome of Madness.

Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer, Play’n GO said: “At Play’n GO, we have always been clear in our vision to be active in every regulated market in the world, and this partnership with Loto-Québec is the next step on that journey.

“Our past success in Canada gives us confidence that players in Québec will enjoy the best Play’n GO content, and we look forward to many years of success with Loto-Québec in the province.”

Stéphane Martel, Head of Product and Innovation at Loto-Québec added: “As the sole iGaming operator in Québec, we pride ourselves on offering titles that truly add value to our platform, lotoquebec.com. We are happy to bring Play’n GO games to our players.”

Canada

Court Decision Upholds iGaming Ontario’s Model

Published

4 days ago

May 15, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

court-decision-upholds-igaming-ontario’s-model

iGaming Ontario has welcomed the decision of the Ontario Superior Court, which found that iGaming Ontario’s model is consistent with the Criminal Code and that iGaming Ontario is conducting and managing igaming in the province.

“We have always been confident in our model and are pleased that the court has ruled in our favour, and that Ontarians can continue to play with confidence in our regulated igaming market,” said Martha Otton, Executive Director of iGaming Ontario.

“Ontario’s model meets the requirements and contributes to the public good by protecting players, their data and their funds, while helping to fund priority public services in Ontario, and bringing well-paid, high-tech jobs and economic development to Ontario,” Otton added.

In dismissing the application brought forward by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK), the Superior Court found that iGaming Ontario is the “operating mind” behind Ontario’s competitive igaming market in accordance with the conduct and manage requirements of the Criminal Code.

iGaming Ontario will continue to conduct and manage igaming as it has since the launch of the regulated market on April 4, 2022.

Bragg Gaming Group

Bragg Gaming Appoints Renowned iGaming Executive Neill Whyte as Chief Commercial Officer

Published

1 week ago

May 10, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

bragg-gaming-appoints-renowned-igaming-executive-neill-whyte-as-chief-commercial-officer

Bragg Gaming Group, a global iGaming technology and content provider, announced that Neill Whyte has been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), effective 1st May 2024, establishing a new global commercial structure at the Company and bolstering its leadership team.

Whyte brings over 18 years of experience in the iGaming sector, most recently in the role of Chief Commercial Officer at Digital Gaming Corporation’s (DGC), B2B iGaming Division. After joining DGC in early 2020, he was responsible for the commercially successful launch and growth of its content distribution business in the US.

Prior to joining DGC, Whyte held multiple positions in the gaming industry including as Head of Business Development at Isle of Man-based iGaming specialist Apricot Investments, as Board Member at Swedish iGaming product and Lottery content distributor Genera Networks, and in various senior roles over eleven years at leading iGaming content supplier Microgaming, including as Head of Product Channels.

In his new role with Bragg, Whyte will be tasked with leading the Company’s global commercial teams to drive growth across all of the Company’s product verticals which include proprietary online casino content from its Atomic Slot Lab, Indigo Magic and Wild Streak Gaming studios, exclusive content from content partners, HUB a leading casino content aggregation platform, Fuze player engagement, as well as its award-winning player account management (PAM) platform and turnkey solutions.

Matevž Mazij, Chief Executive Officer at Bragg, said: “I am very pleased to be announcing today the appointment of Neill Whyte as Chief Commercial Officer at Bragg. His iGaming product and market knowledge, together with his record in driving growth from developing successful and mutually beneficial commercial partnerships are exceptional.

“As we leverage our broad content and product portfolio to grow in existing and new markets, including in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe, Neill’s unique combination of knowledge, skills and experience in this sector are a perfect fit for our ambitions at Bragg.”

Neill Whyte, Chief Commercial Officer at Bragg, said: “It’s an honor to join Matevž and the wider teams at Bragg already in place across North America, Europe and in India. I have been impressed with the depth and quality of the content, product and technology offerings at Bragg, and its ability to rapidly adapt, certify and deploy this content and technology in newly regulated markets is a distinct advantage.

“We also have a huge opportunity to grow our footprint with our existing customers in markets in which we are already established. Our content and product roadmaps are second to none, and I’m planning to get on the road in the coming weeks and months to meet the team and our customers and to start building for the next stage of mutual growth. I can’t wait to get going.”