Nevada Rep. Dina Titus is strategically pushing forward her Fair Accounting for Income Realized from Betting Earnings Taxation Act, commonly known as the FAIR BET Act. She intends to attach it to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a key piece of legislation that must pass annually. This maneuver, revealed on August 27, is designed to increase the chances that her proposal will be enacted into law.

The FAIR BET Act seeks to reverse a disputed provision introduced under former President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The provision lowered the gambling loss deduction from 100% to 90%, which is set to take effect in January 2026. This change has met significant resistance from both the gaming industry and individual gamblers, who argue that it unfairly taxes money that they never actually won.

Representative Titus, who co-leads the Congressional Gaming Caucus, initially introduced this succinct bill in July. However, it stalled in the House Ways and Means Committee. To overcome this hurdle, she is leveraging a common legislative tactic by attaching the amendment to the NDAA. Around two decades ago, a similar strategy helped pass the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act amid a port security bill.

The initiative enjoys strong support from major gaming industry leaders and state officials. Prominent executives from companies such as MGM Resorts, Caesars, and Wynn Resorts have expressed concern to lawmakers about the financial impact this deduction limit could have on both players and casinos. The American Gaming Association has also condemned the recent tax rule, stressing that it unfairly penalizes a legal and regulated industry.

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The FAIR BET Act is gaining momentum across party lines. So far, ten members in the House have endorsed it as co-sponsors. In addition, a Republican counterpart titled the WAGER Act was introduced in July by Representative Andy Barr of Kentucky. In the Senate, Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto has proposed a similar measure known as the FULL HOUSE Act.

Supporters emphasize the importance of this amendment for states like Nevada, where gambling significantly contributes to the economy. However, some critics argue that inserting tax policy changes into a defense authorization bill represents an overreach by lawmakers.

The amendment is currently under review by the House Rules Committee, with a vote expected within the next several weeks.

Pavilion Payments, the leading omnichannel payment solutions provider in the gaming industry, has announced a partnership with Pawnee Nation, launching a suite of VIP Preferred funding solutions at their three properties: StoneWolf Casino, Trading Post Casino, and TeePee Casino and Smoke Shop.

Through this partnership, Pawnee Nation will leverage Pavilion Payments’ industry-leading VIP Preferred eCheck and Choice4 deferred settlement services at both the cage and VIP Financial Center self-service kiosks. Cash advance will be available at the cage, while the kiosks will offer multi-factor authentication (MFA) and ATM access, providing players with secure, convenient, and flexible funding options. Additionally, Pawnee Nation will implement VIP Shield, Pavilion Payments’ comprehensive Title 31 compliance solution, to enhance security and streamline regulatory compliance.

“We’re proud to partner with Pawnee Nation and support their ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences. Our mission is to empower operators with secure, efficient, and forward-thinking payment technologies. We’re honored to support Pawnee Nation as they continue to drive innovation in the gaming space by streamlining transactions, strengthening compliance capabilities, and enhancing player satisfaction,” said Dan Connors, Chief Executive Officer of Pavilion Payments.

“Partnering with Pavilion Payments allows us to offer our players flexible and hassle-free funding options backed by trusted, industry-leading technology. This partnership aligns with our commitment to deliver exceptional guest experiences while supporting operational excellence across all three properties,” said Robert Wallar, CEO of Pawnee Tribal Development Corp.

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By deploying Pavilion Payments’ integrated solutions, Pawnee Nation is making it easier for guests to access their funds and enjoy a more seamless and secure experience—while giving casino operators more control, insight, and efficiency in their payments environment.

The BSA-AML Compliance Group announced the return of the Annual BSA/AML Gaming Conference, the most respected and comprehensive anti-money laundering compliance event in the gaming industry. The 2025 conference will be held at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas from September 9–11, with a dedicated “Fundamentals Day” on Monday, September 8 for newer professionals or those seeking a refresher in core BSA/AML principles.

Headline Keynotes and Distinguished Guests Announced

This year’s event features presentations from some of the most influential figures in financial crime enforcement and policy:

Guy Ficco, Chief of IRS-Criminal Investigation (CI), who oversees a global agency of more than 3,200 employees and 2100 special agents. In his keynote address, Chief Ficco will provide insights into the critical role of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) and Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) in federal investigations. He will also highlight CI’s role in recent, high-profile financial crime cases.

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Carole House, former Director for Cybersecurity and Secure Digital Innovation at the White House National Security Council and senior advisor at FinCEN, will deliver a keynote exploring the intersection of AML compliance, national security, and emerging technology. A leader in cybersecurity and digital asset policy, Ms. House will speak to the future of risk, regulation, and innovation.

For the first time ever, the 2025 conference will host two former Directors of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) — the bureau of the U.S. Treasury responsible for enforcing the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). They will share unique perspectives on how BSA policy has evolved over time and what the future holds for AML regulation for the gaming sector. Several other high-level government officials – state and federal, civil, regulatory, and criminal – will be announced in the near future.

The BSA/AML Gaming Conference continues to be the leading annual forum for compliance professionals in the gaming industry. Last year’s event welcomed more than 550 attendees from 39 states, three foreign countries, dozens of tribes, and over 160 gaming entities, with overwhelmingly positive feedback about speaker access, practical insights, and cross-sector networking.

The conference will also feature in-depth studies of recent enforcement actions, emerging issues involving know-your-customer and source of funds, a presentation regarding data analysis and player risks, and new and unregulated gaming models. As in previous years, it will highlight on emerging risks, new illicit finance typologies, and actionable compliance solutions.

“Our goal has always been to bring together the best minds from government and industry to share real-world solutions. With keynote speakers like Guy Ficco and Carole House, and the participation of former FinCEN Directors, this year’s event will be our most impactful yet,” said James Dowling, Co-Founder of the BSA-AML Compliance Group and President and Managing Director of the Dowling Advisory Group.

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