With the Michigan Senate passing overwhelmingly on Wednesday a package of measures authorizing sports betting and online gambling, the state is pretty much one signature away from becoming the latest to join the US athletic wagering frenzy.

The Lawful Sports Betting Act received broad support in the state Senate Wednesday afternoon, passing the chamber with a 35-3 vote.

The Act includes a package of bills that allow for the legalization of online sports betting, online gambling, and daily fantasy sports.

The measures were subjected to months of discussions and negotiations that saw state legislators try to address all concerns voiced by industry stakeholders and Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and find a sweet spot that would pave the way for the authorization of sports wagering in a state with substantial tribal gambling interests and would create a source of new revenue for Michigan’s School Aid Fund.

Michigan’s Sports Betting Legalization Effort

After passing the Senate, the sports betting and online gambling measures went back to the House for concurrence, and were passed by the lower chamber of the state Legislature, yet again with overwhelming support.

The bills now need to be sent to Gov. Whitmer for a final signature in order to be enacted. It is believed that the package of measures will be enrolled in the coming days.

• Michigan Inching Closer to Legal Sports Betting, Online Gambling

Recent comments from Gov. Whitmer’s office have indicated that the state’s top official is willing to sign the sports betting act into law.

According to a statement from the Governor’s Press Secretary Tiffany Brown issued earlier this week,

“The governor is pleased with the progress made on gaming over the course of this year, particularly once Senator Hertel and Representative Warren were able to engage and resolve key issues to get this package across the finish line […] The governor’s top priority when getting this done was to protect the School Aid Fund, and Senator Hertel and Representative Warren helped make that happen and addressed a number of other concerns she had. This is a good, bipartisan solution made possible by working together on a complex issue, and the governor looks forward to closely reviewing this package once it hits her desk.”

The Governor’s Previous Issues

Michigan’s 2019 online gambling and sports betting legalization effort had a bumpy ride from the outset. Gov. Whitmer raised concerns that the authorization of online casino-style games and poker could cannibalize revenue and players from the state’s existing iLottery offering.

The majority of revenues generated from the sale of online lottery products go to Michigan’s School Aid Fund and Gov. Whitmer expressed concerns that the legalization of more gambling options could have a negative effect on the gambling money the state gets for schools.

She demanded that the Legislature come up with regulations and a taxing regime that would prevent any such feared negative impact.

The latest iteration of the sports betting and online gambling bills reduced the previously proposed betting tax rate to 8.4% from 8.75%, but increased dramatically the rates for online casino games and poker introduced in earlier versions of the measures.

If Gov. Whitmer signs the package of bills when they are presented to her, online gambling will be taxed at between 20% and 28% on revenue. Michigan’s top official has indicated that she is content with this latest tiered structure.

Michigan’s Gambling Expansion – What Will Be Legal?

The package of measures provides for the legalization of digital sports betting. The state’s three commercial and 23 tribal casinos will be able to conduct sports betting activities. Each betting license holder will be allowed one wagering skin only.

While the Lawful Sports Betting Act does not specifically legalize retail betting, lawmakers believe that they will be able to authorize wagering at brick-and-mortar sportsbooks next year without any significant issues.

The recently approved package of measures also authorizes online casino-style games and poker. Each license holder will be allowed to offer two skins – one for online poker and one for online casino.

Michigan is also set to legalize and regulate daily fantasy sports as part of the larger gambling expansion push. Similarly to sports betting, that activity will too be taxed at 8.4%.

Source: Michigan Legislature Sends Sports Betting To Governor, SportsHandle

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The Michigan Legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are inching closer to a deal to legalize sports betting and online gambling on the territory of the state, with final votes on the matter expected to take place this week.

Michigan already offers a number of gambling options, including three commercial casinos in Detroit, 24 tribal casinos around the state, and the state-run Lottery that also offers online products.

A set of bills discussed by legislators could add betting on sports and online gambling to the already existing options, if those get the required support in the Legislature and by Michigan’s top lawmaker.

Gov. Whitmer has expressed concerns that the addition of new gambling options could create a “substitution effect” that could see people playing online lottery switch to poker and other Internet games, and this would affect lottery tax revenues as new online gambling products begin to gain more and more popularity.

For a net win of $1,000 from online lottery products, Michigan schools get $700. However, under the proposed online gambling legalization bills, online casino and poker products would be taxed at 19%, and less than half of that would go to schools. This means that for a $1,000 net win from online gambling, schools would get about $81.

For more than two months, the Republican Legislature and Democratic Governor have been looking to find that sweet spot ensuring that iLottery revenues would not be so severely impacted by new competition.

Progress Has Been Made

Sen. Curtis Hertel has said recently that lawmakers have made a lot of progress with industry stakeholders and Gov. Whitmer’s administration on coming to an agreement. The East Lansing lawmaker went on that they are going to make sure to address the administration’s concerns about the school aid fund and to ensure it will remain healthy in the future.

The House passed the bills calling for the legalization of sports betting and online gambling in October. The Senate and Gov. Whitmer office staffers worked over the weekend to review the proposed changes by the upper legislative chamber.

A vote on those changes could take place this coming Tuesday, one of the last days before lawmakers take a break for the holidays.

Republican Rep. Brandt Iden said that it is imperative that they make sure the state offers a competitive product in the sports betting and online gambling marketplace, and that the longer they delay on the issue, “this frankly is another day that we miss out on a dollar.”

Lawmakers and Gov. Whitmer have been at odds over how much sports betting should be taxed at. The House proposed an 8.75% rate on sports betting revenue and letting Detroit collect an additional 3.25%.

Gov. Whitmer has suggested taxing bets at 10%, 11%, or 12%, depending on the extent to which the state would allow casinos to offer online poker and table games.

Tiffany Brown, spokeswoman for Gov. Whitmer, has said that her administration “continues to work closely with all parties to find consensus on the legislation” and that the Governor has “made it clear that protecting revenues for schools is her top priority.”

The gambling expansion bills under discussion also provide for the regulation and taxation of daily fantasy sports.

Source: Michigan close to deal legalizing sports, online gambling; vote could be this week, FOX 2 Detroit

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Provider of solutions for the iGaming industry EveryMatrix has announced that it is pulling its white label casino and betting arm from Denmark as part of a revamped corporate strategy that aims to strengthen the company’s position as a leader in the B2B space.

News about the withdrawal of EveryMatrix’s B2C brands from the Danish market arrive just a couple of months after the company’s white label arm closed shop in the UK.

In a statement on its official website, EveryMatrix said that it has decided to close the casinohouse.dk, 777.dk, victoriamilan.dk, and jetbull.dk white label brands, but will continue to provide “a fully certified and reliable platform and software solutions to Danish licensed operators.”

The message went on that while EveryMatrix “had a strong bond to its white label business” and that it had brought commercial success and ambitious operators on board, the company’s overall direction has been shifting in the last several years “towards providing B2B specialised software solutions.”

EveryMatrix also noted that it is now fully committed to cementing itself as a market leader in the B2B space and intends to continue to “build and develop in that direction.”

While the company cited similar reasons for the withdrawal of its white label brands from the UK market earlier this year, it actually only announced the departure of those brands after its license was suspended by the UK Gambling Commission and the regulator launched a probe into its compliance activity which also included examining EveryMatrix’s customer interaction framework.

The company did not mention any regulatory troubles in Denmark in its message about the closure of its B2C brands in that market, but the move might have actually been prompted by such troubles.

Something’s Rotten in Denmark

While EveryMatrix is mum about any regulatory scolding from the Danish Gambling Authority, Spillemyndigheden, its Denmark-facing white label brands indicate that something might be wrong.

A pop-up message on the 777.dk website says that the team has taken “a little Christmas break” and tells players to “rejoice” because they are working on an even better gaming experience. Players with existing accounts are also instructed to withdraw their money from their accounts by 23:59 on December 12, which is a bit odd and suggests that the site is set to undergo much more significant changes than enhancing its experience.

Casinohouse.dk has posted a message that it is temporarily closed because the EveryMatrix license it has used to operate in Denmark “has been suspended by Spillemyndigheden” due to failure to meet certain requirements.

The message reads further that Casinohouse.dk has already reached an agreement with a Spillemyndigheden license holder that is compliant with Danish gambling rules and regulations.

The Jetbull.dk website appears to be operating as normal. Earlier this year, EveryMatrix sold the Jetbull brand to Swedish gambling company and long-time client of the gambling provider AMGO iGaming AB in a €2 million deal.

More information about EveryMatrix’s departure from Denmark’s B2C space is likely to emerge in the days and weeks to come, but it seems that the brands that have operated under its license are looking for new partners to continue to service Danish players.

News about EveryMatrix possible regulatory troubles in Denmark surface just days after the Danish Gambling Authority ordered online gambling operator 888 to strengthen its anti-money laundering procedures.

Source: EveryMatrix withdraws from the white label space in Denmark

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Australian banks are seeking public input into plans for the implementation of restrictions or a ban on credit card gambling, it emerged today.

The Australian Banking Association today released an 8-page consultation paper on the use of credit cards for gambling and invited the public to submit views on the topic until March 4, 2020.

Among other things, people are asked to state their opinion on what the risks of gambling on credit are and what restrictions could be imposed to reduce such risks.

Commenting on their initiative, Australian Banking Association CEO Anna Bligh said that banks play an important role in “helping tackle the issue of problem gambling” and that they are asking the community for its feedback on how the nation’s financial institutions can ramp up their efforts to combat the issue.

Ms. Bligh noted that gambling might be a form of entertainment and recreation for many Australians, but “for some it can become a problem that potentially has devastating consequence for the individual and their family.”

The banking association’s boss added that the industry is assessing different options on how problem gambling can be tackled and that the public’s views will help individual banks as they “consider further reform on this issue.”

Seeking Community Views on Important Questions

News about Australia’s banking industry mulling a ban or restrictions on the use of credit cards for gambling emerge as lawmakers in both the UK and New Zealand are discussing whether credit card gambling should be banned on their territories.

It is also important to note that Australian bank Macquarie has already prohibited customers to use its credit cards to gamble or purchase lottery products. The bank revised its credit card policy on gambling-related transactions this past July.

Under the changes that were implemented, any transactions that are classified as gambling under the merchant codes are blocked whenever a card holder tries to conduct them. The Australian Banking Association seeking input on similar measures could only mean that more banks are probably looking to introduce restrictions.

The association said today that it is seeking community views on five particular questions, with those being:

• What are the risks and concerns associated with gambling with credit cards?
• Should the use of credit cards for gambling be restricted or prohibited?
• If so, should the restriction or prohibition apply to all forms of gambling?
• What are the potential consequences of prohibiting or restricting the use of credit cards for gambling?
• Should there be a transition period if banks choose to implement changes relating to credit cards?

Under current regulations, Australians are not allowed to use credit cards for gambling at land-based casinos, on slot machines (locally known as poker machines or pokies), and at horse and greyhound racetracks. This pretty much limits the use of credit cards for gambling online.

Australia’s banking industry is joining an ongoing crackdown on gambling in the country that most recently saw the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) order local Internet service providers to begin blocking access to unauthorized gambling websites. Emu Casino and Fair Go Casino, popular online casinos targeting Aussie players, were the first victims to the clampdown against unlicensed operations.

Source: ABA calls for public views on credit card use in gambling

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Supplier of slot and table games for the online gaming industry Habanero today announced that it has signed a new commercial deal that will help it strengthen its Italian foothold.

Through a recently penned supply agreement with Sisal, Habanero will provide its Italy-certified titles to one of the country’s oldest and largest gambling operators.

The initial roll-out will include 12 of Habanero’s latest slot games, including Egyptian Dreams, 5 Lucky Lions, Hot Hot Fruits, Wild Trucks, and Habanero’s 100th slot title Colossal Gems. Over time, Sisal will add all of the iGaming supplier’s locally certified games.

Established in 2010, Habanero is one of the industry’s most rapidly growing content suppliers. The company is focused on creating engaging and entertaining titles that can be found in online, mobile, and brick-and-mortar casinos.

Habanero’s games library includes 103 slots, including its latest Christmas release Naughty Santa: Milk & Cookies, 13 table games, and 10 video poker titles. The company also offers a variety of marketing tools as well as a trademarked jackpot system.

Its games are available in more than 28 languages and a number of currencies, including crypto. Habanero is certified to supply its content to operators in 16 markets, including Italy, Sweden, the UK, Spain, Portugal, and Malta, among others.

A Big Leap Ahead

Commenting on their further expansion in the lucrative Italian online gambling market, Arcangelo Lonoce, European Head of Business Development at Habanero, said that Sisal’s penetration in Italy “goes well beyond being one of the most popular and respected operators” and that this latest deal will help Habanero reach even more players.

Mr. Lonoce added that agreeing to supply its content to Sisal is “a big leap ahead in Habanero’s expansion” in one of the company’s key markets.

Marco Tiso, BU Online Gaming Director at Sisal, noted that it has always been their goal to provide players with “the best slot offering in Italy” and that Habanero will help them deliver on that goal.

Founded in 1946, Sisal was the first Italian gambling company to operate as a government licensee. The company’s presence in the local market involves more than 48,000 retail points across Italy, a number of leading brands such as SuperEnaloto, Vinci per la Vita, and SiVinceTutto-SuperEnaloto, as well as retail sports betting products and online and mobile betting and gaming offering.

News about Habanero’s partnership with Sisal emerged a few months after the supplier announced a similar deal with Italian gambling operator BetFlag.

Habanero first entered the Italian gambling space in February 2018 when it announced a content supply deal with SKS365 brand planetwin365. The supplier has since then penned similar deals with Stanleybet and Microgame in a bid to cement its presence in one of Europe’s largest and most lucrative gambling markets.

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