Compliance Updates
Secretary Haaland Announces Appointments to National Indian Gaming Commission
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today announced the proposed appointments of Sharon Avery (pictured, left) and Jeannie Hovland (pictured, right) as Associate Commissioners to the National Indian Gaming Commission.
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act established the three-person National Indian Gaming Commission in 1988 to support and promote tribal economic development, self-sufficiency and strong tribal governments through the operation of gaming on Indian lands. The National Indian Gaming Commission’s Chair is appointed by the President and its two Associate Commissioners are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. All National Indian Gaming Commission members serve three-year terms.
“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to ensuring that tribes have the resources they need to exercise their tribal sovereignty and support their communities,” Haaland said. “Not only does gaming support tribal economies, but the funding it generates also helps to support the vital services that tribal nations provide to their citizens; from language preservation to healthcare. Today’s appointments to the National Indian Gaming Commission will help ensure we continue to provide resources and support for an industry that remains one of the most significant sources of economic development in Indian Country.”
Avery is an enrolled member of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan. She currently serves as an Associate General Counsel for the National Indian Gaming Commission’s Office of General Counsel. In this role she has gained familiarity with the agency’s structure and the important role the agency plays within the tribal gaming industry. Prior to joining the National Indian Gaming Commission, Avery worked in the legal department of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan for ten years. She graduated from Michigan State University College of Law with a Juris Doctor degree and a certificate from the Indigenous Law and Policy Center.
Hovland is an enrolled member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota and currently serves as Vice Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission. Since joining the National Indian Gaming Commission, she has worked collaboratively to consult with tribes for the promulgation of regulations and to coordinate the agency’s regulatory responsibilities with tribal regulatory authorities. Prior to joining the National Indian Gaming Commission, Hovland served as Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services and held roles at the Interior Department as well as in the office of South Dakota Senator John Thune.
Appointments to the National Indian Gaming Commission can be finalized following a required 30-day public comment period. Information on how to comment and full biographies of the appointees can be found in the accompanying Federal Register notice.
Allwyn
UK High Court Rejects Legal Challenges Relating to the National Lottery Licence
On 17 April 2026, the UK High Court rejected in full the claims brought by The New Lottery Company Limited (TNLC) and Northern & Shell PLC (N&S) against the Gambling Commission in relation to the award of the Fourth National Lottery Licence.
In summary, the claims alleged that the Gambling Commission had wrongly awarded the Fourth National Lottery Licence to Allwyn, and that instead, TNLC should have won the competition. The claims also alleged that the Gambling Commission and Allwyn had entered into impermissible modifications to the Licence arrangements following the competition.
The lengthy trial of the claims took place in the High Court before Mrs Justice Joanna Smith between 9 October and 2 December 2025, with an additional day on 13 January 2026.
The High Court has now ruled in favour of the Gambling Commission on all of the claims, rejecting the allegations which had been made.
This is an important judgment for the future of The National Lottery. This judgment makes clear that the Gambling Commission ran a fair and robust competition to award the Fourth National Lottery Licence, and that none of the contested changes to the Licence, in the course of its implementation, were substantial or contrary to the relevant procurement regulations.
The judgment gives resounding support to Good Causes by enabling Allwyn, with oversight from the Commission, to continue with their plans of investment in The National Lottery without further distraction.
The National Lottery is one of the world’s largest lotteries and since launching in 1994, National Lottery players have collectively raised more than £52 billion for more than 670,000 Good Causes across the UK, transforming lives and contributing to the arts, sport, heritage and communities.
The post UK High Court Rejects Legal Challenges Relating to the National Lottery Licence appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
GLI Welcomes Around 300 Regulators to its 26th Annual Regulators Roundtable
Approximately 300 regulators from 16 countries attended the 26th annual Regulators Roundtable presented by Gaming Laboratories International (GLI). The event was hosted April 15-16 at the Palms Las Vegas.
The topics covered were as diverse as the attendees and included artificial intelligence, asset protection, cashless gaming, cyber resilience, digital responsible gaming interventions, geolocation, lottery modernization, patron protection, prediction markets, risk analysis, and sports betting.
Sports performance psychologist and author of Life as Sport Dr. Jonathan Fader delivered the keynote address. He spoke about how proven sport-performance psychology applies to the realities of today’s workplace, including high expectations, constant change, and pressure to perform.
In addition to the presentations and breakout sessions, GLI hosted an Innovation Tech Hub, which featured live demonstrations from Bulletproof, EPIC Global Solutions, Evive, GLI University, Kobetron, KOIN, and Marker Trax.
“We are grateful to the approximately 300 regulators from across North America and around the world who came to Las Vegas to learn more about what’s next and what’s on the horizon in gaming technology. It is important for regulators to stay as far ahead of technologies and issues as possible, and that is the purpose of the Regulators Roundtable, and we are honored to present the conference,” said GLI President & CEO, James Maida.
GLI announced the next Regulators Roundtable will take place April 7-8, 2027, at the Palms Las Vegas.
The post GLI Welcomes Around 300 Regulators to its 26th Annual Regulators Roundtable appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Aviator LLC
Aviator Studio Brazil wins two consecutive instances in São Paulo appeal court against SPRIBE injunction
- Another attempt by SPRIBE to mislead the industry fails as two consecutive instances reject requested injunction
- Decision allows Aviator Brasil to continue operating while the court examines the broader AVIATOR trademark dispute
Aviator Studio Brazil has secured two consecutive court decisions in São Paulo, Brazil, rejecting attempts by SPRIBE to impose an injunction on its operations.
The rulings, delivered by the São Paulo Court of Appeals (2nd Reserved Chamber of Business Law) on 16 April, were in favour of the defendants overall. The court rejected the injunction request against the group, allowing Aviator Studio Brazil to continue operating in the market with partners such as Foggo Entertainment (Blaze) while the broader trademark dispute is examined through the normal judicial process.
Contextualising Separate Proceedings
This victory in the group proceedings follows an announcement by SPRIBE on 15 April regarding a separate matter involving NSX Betnacional. Aviator LLC clarified that neither the company nor the operator were aware of those specific proceedings initially. As soon as that separate matter became known, Aviator Studio Brazil immediately took action to assume responsibility for defending the legitimate use of the brand, providing NSX Betnacional with all legal support required.
Key Court Findings
The Court of Appeals based its decision on the following key findings:
- Lack of likelihood of success on the merits: While SPRIBE claims exclusive ownership of the “AVIATOR” trademark, the court found substantial controversy regarding the validity of those rights both domestically and internationally.
- Absence of irreparable harm: The court determined there is no imminent or irreparable harm that would justify immediate intervention.
- Valid licensing: The court emphasised that Aviator Studio Brazil has been commercially operating under the “AVIATOR” mark based on a licence from Aviator LLC, the regularity and effects of which shall be examined during the proceedings.
Protecting the AVIATOR Ecosystem
Aviator Studio Brazil joined the proceedings and supported its operator partners, including Foggo Entertainment (Blaze) by fulfilling all indemnity and defence obligations under its Software Licence Agreement.
The company has affirmed that it stands fully behind its partners, taking responsibility to defend, indemnify, and hold them harmless in relation to the use of the AVIATOR brand and product. This reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to protecting its partners and the integrity of the AVIATOR ecosystem.
In relation to the NSX Betnacional matter, Aviator LLC confirmed that neither it nor Betnacional were aware of the proceedings initially.
As soon as the matter became known, Aviator Studio Brazil immediately took action to support its partner Betnacional and assume responsibility for defending the legitimate use of the AVIATOR brand.
International Context
Aviator LLC stated that these outcomes reinforce its long-standing position that attempts to secure early-stage injunctions are not reflective of the merits of the case. This follows earlier proceedings in the United Kingdom High Court, where an interim injunction obtained by SPRIBE was clarified as a narrow procedural step with no bearing on ownership or the final outcome of the dispute.
With no findings made against Aviator LLC’s underlying rights in Brazil and courts declining to grant urgent relief, the company continues its operations while remaining confident in its legal position as proceedings progress across multiple jurisdictions.
Commenting on the decision, George Pruidze, CEO at Aviator Studio, said: “Following two consecutive victories in both the trial court and appeal courts in São Paulo, it is clear there is no basis for the urgent measures sought by SPRIBE. Aviator Studio Brazil continues to operate lawfully under licence, and we remain fully committed to supporting our partners and defending the AVIATOR brand wherever necessary.
“As similar actions by SPRIBE continue to trigger proceedings in Brazil, including the ongoing matter involving Betnacional, we will continue to stand behind our partners and ensure the legitimate use of the AVIATOR brand is protected. We are confident that the same facts and legal position will continue to prevail as these cases progress.”
The post Aviator Studio Brazil wins two consecutive instances in São Paulo appeal court against SPRIBE injunction appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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