Borgata Hotel Incident Leads to Large Atlantic City Police Presence, Partial Evacuation

Numerous local police officers rushed to Atlantic City’s Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa late Thursday afternoon after a guest claimed to have a bomb and firearms.

Police respond to Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Police respond to Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, pictured above. No bombs nor armed suspects were found in the Atlantic City hotel despite the rumors. (Image: WPVI)

The incident began at 3:55 p.m., when the Atlantic City Police Department (ACPD) got a phone call from a man who said he was in the Borgata. He said he was armed with firearms and an explosive device.

Social media posts further claimed that a person had barricaded himself in a hotel bathroom. He was threatening to shoot up the property, according to the online rumors.

But the rumors couldn’t be confirmed as of 7 p.m. Thursday, according to BreakingAC, a local news site.

Acting quickly, ACPD officers and Borgata security guards searched the large property. Portions of the complex were evacuated.

No Arrests

No suspect had been apprehended as of late in the afternoon. Neither a firearm nor explosive device were located.

Later in the day, police were still trying to confirm if the threat was valid.

But BreakingAC did report the Atlantic City Bomb Squad responded to the hotel-casino.

More than a dozen police vehicles also were seen outside of the hotel. TV news helicopters were flying over the neighborhood.

Officials remain tight-lipped on what was transpiring.

It appeared that many entrances to the complex were blocked, out of a concern about safety, according to initial news reports.

Cops rushed inside the MGM Resorts International-operated hotel, too. Traffic was being rerouted to nearby roads.

To calm the fears of those in the building, and nearby, the ACPD issued a late-afternoon statement.

There is NO active shooter,” ACPD Capt. Kevin Fair said in the online message to the public.

Partial Evacuation

“Out of an abundance of caution, portions of the building were briefly evacuated,” the ACPD statement also revealed.

Patrons have … since been allowed back in the building and law enforcement has cleared the scene.”

ACPD officers expect to issue a further update later on Thursday night.

Businesses inside the complex remained open, according to Philadelphia TV station WPVI.

The hotel has 2,798 rooms. It opened on July 2, 2003. Developed through a partnership with Boyd Gaming, MGM bought out Boyd’s 50% stake in the casino. The property is owned by Vici Properties.

Last year, it was announced Borgata’s Water Club was getting renovated. The hotel tower’s more than 700 guest rooms, and suites, were being refreshed.

Borgata is the longtime brick-and-mortar casino leader in Atlantic City.

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Professional Pickleball Strengthens Sports Betting Offering With Compliance Monitor

The Professional Pickleball Association this week announced a partnership with Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360) to monitor its PPA Tour for fair play better.

Professional Pickleball PPA Integrity 360
The Professional Pickleball Association has partnered with Integrity Compliance 360 for sports betting monitoring. The PPA hopes more state gaming regulators will allow its tour to be included in the permissible events catalog. (Image: Carvana PPA Tour)

Seeking to expand its product to more legal sports betting states in the US, the PPA, headquartered in Las Vegas, is bringing on a third-party monitor to oversee the legal betting activity surrounding its competitions. IC360 is a leading sports betting integrity firm that provides compliance solutions for sportsbooks and leagues.

As a leader in the sports betting integrity monitoring field, IC360 will help educate, guide, and provide crucial oversight of professional pickleball in the betting sphere,” said Justin Mader, the PPA’s gambling operations manager. “Our goal is to provide an engaging sports betting product while maintaining the integrity and fair play standards on the PPA Tour, and the partnership with IC360 will further solidify this foundation.”

The Sports and Fitness Industry Association named pickleball as the fastest-growing sport in the US in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Today, there are an estimated 36.5 million pickleball players in the US and the game is forecast to continue growing through at least 2028.  

Pickleball Popularity

Pickleball’s origins date back to the mid-1960s when the game was developed in Washington State. Pickleball has since become the state’s official sport.

Pickleball involves elements of tennis and table tennis but has its own specific rules and court dimensions. The hard plastic ball used in pickleball also produces less bounce than a tennis ball.

Pickleball’s rise in popularity over the past decade has resulted in many country clubs, fitness centers, community associations, and neighborhood parks incorporating pickleball courts. The game’s appeal has also lent to sports betting where bettors continue to seek lines for PPA tournaments.

Pickleball betting at regulated sportsbooks, however, remains limited to just 10 of the nearly 40 legal sports betting jurisdictions in the US. Being a niche sport where there are far fewer eyes on the game compared with one of the “big four” leagues, some state regulators have been hesitant to allow their sportsbooks to take action on PPA events.

Bringing on IC360 will help satisfy integrity concerns and a PPA player’s potential ability to fix a match. IC360 will deploy ProhiBet, an advanced, fully encrypted, decentralized cross-monitoring notification platform to supervise PPA betting activity.

ProhiBet is designed to safeguard sports integrity and ensure adherence to state-specific regulations. The tool also plays a crucial role in ensuring prohibited persons don’t engage in sports betting, which for the PPA, includes players, coaches, officials, and league staff.

24/7 Monitoring, Analysis

IC360 says its ProhiBet platform keeps tabs on its partnered leagues around the clock to “proactively identify irregular watering patterns.” The partnership, the PPA hopes, will bring increased transparency to the PPA Tour and ideally make the game more suitable for legal sports betting.

Sports betting has been cited for increasing interest, viewership, and overall fan engagement for the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and college sports.

Next month, the first Las Vegas Pickleball Cup, a PPA-sanctioned tournament, will be held at the Fontainebleau on the Strip. Among the legal sports betting states where bettors will be offered odds on the tourney are Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wyoming.

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New Danish Regulations Tackle Gambling Marketing and High-Risk Jurisdictions

Denmark-tightens-marketing-compliance-with-cross-industry-collaboration-Updates-the-FATFs-list-of-high-risk-jurisdictions-Updates-certification-programme-for-betting-and-online-casinoDenmark’s gambling regulatory framework has undergone significant updates to enhance oversight and maintain the integrity of the gambling industry. The Danish Gambling Authority (DGA) has introduced new measures to combat illegal marketing practices, overhauled the certification program for betting and online casinos, and tightened regulations concerning high-risk jurisdictions. These initiatives reflect Denmark’s commitment to promoting responsible gambling and preventing financial crimes.

Stricter Controls on Gambling Marketing

The DGA, in collaboration with the Consumer Ombudsman and the Gambling Advertising Board, has forged a new agreement to intensify efforts against the illegal marketing of gambling services. This agreement aims to streamline actions taken against non-compliance by consolidating resources and information sharing among the three bodies. It establishes clear protocols for forwarding cases and addressing violations, particularly those that mislead or exploit vulnerable groups.

Under the new framework, the Gambling Advertising Board will escalate serious non-compliance issues to the Consumer Ombudsman or the DGA. Conversely, the ombudsman and the DGA will direct complaints regarding breaches of the industry’s code of conduct to the Advertising Board. This ensures a coordinated approach to uphold marketing standards, safeguarding consumers and reinforcing social responsibility within the industry.

Revamped Certification Program for Betting and Online Casino

Effective January 1, 2025, Denmark will implement a new certification program for betting and online casinos, with mandatory adoption by July of the same year. The updated program introduces significant changes to license holders’ and game suppliers’ requirements and responsibilities, such as the handling of game and RNG certifications. It also simplifies the reporting and testing processes, reducing the previous two-month deadline for submitting standard reports to one month.

This update is part of the preparation for the DGA’s introduction of a games register that will manage RNG and game certificates more efficiently. The new standards aim to enhance clarity and compliance in the rapidly evolving gambling landscape.

Enhanced Monitoring of High-Risk Jurisdictions

In line with updates from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the DGA has also revised its approach to monitoring high-risk jurisdictions. This includes detailed guidance on enhanced due diligence procedures required for players from countries listed on FATF’s Grey and Black Lists, denoting varying risk levels and recommended actions. This measure is crucial for preventing money laundering and terrorist financing through gambling activities.

Gambling operators are mandated to incorporate these lists into their risk assessments and apply stringent customer due diligence for players from these jurisdictions. This not only complies with international financial security standards but also strengthens the integrity of Denmark’s gambling sector.

Source:

Update to the FATF’s list of high-risk jurisdictions, spillemyndigheden.dk, July 8, 2024.

Consultation on updated certification programme for betting and online casino, spillemyndigheden.dk, July 15, 2024.

Ny aftale skal styrke indsatsen mod spilvirksomheders markedsføring, forbrugerombudsmanden.dk, July 11, 2024.

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Churchill Downs HHR Facility Planned for Virginia’s Henrico County Faces Criticism

Churchill Downs Inc. is moving forward with opening a gaming venue in Virginia’s Henrico County where historical horse racing (HHR) machines will operate. The project has generated criticism from a local county official.

Churchill Downs Henrico Gaming Virginia
A rendering of Henrico Gaming, a planned historical horse racing gaming venue in Virginia from Churchill Downs, Inc. A local official has criticized the Richmond gaming project for seemingly trying to evade a newly implemented zoning ordinance. (Image: Churchill Downs, Inc.)

Kentucky-based Churchill Downs acquired the Colonial Downs Racetrack, six Rosie’s Gaming Emporium HHR facilities, and five additional HHR opportunities across the commonwealth through its 2022 acquisition of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E). Churchill filed plans on June 18 to renovate a former furniture and mattress store located in the Staples Mill Shopping Center in Richmond into a business called Henrico Gaming.

Henrico Gaming, per the project’s application made with Henrico County, seeks to place 175 HHR machines inside the 25,000-square-foot facility that’s between a Virginia ABC liquor store and a Subway restaurant.

The shopping center, located at Staples Mill Rd. and Glenside Dr., is zoned to allow pari-mutuel wagering, which HHR machines are classified as, but county officials are working to alter the approval process for such gaming by updating zoning rules.

Zoning Ordinance 

The Staples Mill Shopping Center is located within a business district zoned as “B-2.” According to the Henrico County government website, such a business district is intended to provide office space, retail shopping, restaurants, gas stations, and live/work dwellings.

A B-2 zone additionally allows for a company possessing a parimutuel or HHR wagering license to operate such a business. Under Henrico’s current zoning rules, an HHR venue can house up to 175 machines without needing to apply and acquire a provisional-use permit (PUP) from the county.

The Henrico County Board of Supervisors in May initiated proceedings to advance an ordinance that would require a PUP to be obtained for any HHR business within the county regardless of the number of machines. The county supervisors approved the rule change during their June 15 meeting, seven days after Churchill submitted its application for Henrico Gaming.

Supervisor Upset

Following the supervisors’ vote, HHR developments of any number of gaming positions must now underdog a PUP public hearing. However, since the bid was submitted before the ordinance was endorsed by the county supervisors, the Churchill Downs project under county law will be grandfathered from the PUP condition.

Henrico County Supervisor Dan Schmitt, who represents Henrico’s Brookland District where Churchill is planning Henrico Gaming, says the company purposely applied ahead of the zoning change in a move that shows it isn’t committed to being an upstanding community partner. Schmitt said Churchill was trying “to jam this business into the location” before the PUP ordinance was enacted.

These folks of this county weigh in during PUP processes on far less intrusive items, including the hours a store can operate,” Schmitt said during the county supervisors’ meeting earlier this month. “The residents I represent deserve the right to weigh in if there’s going to be a gambling establishment in their neighborhood.”

Schmitt urged Churchill to rescind its application and reapply under the new PUP rules.

“The applicant has the opportunity to show their awareness of what it takes to be a trusted community partner and participate in the public process,” Schmitt declared.

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Crypto Casino Founder Kim Admits to Losing Investor Cash on Sour Bitcoin Bets

Richard Kim, the founder of cryptocurrency casino ZeroEdge, admitted to losing $3.67 million in investor capital on leveraged bitcoin trades that went awry.

ZeroEdge
An image from the ZeroEdge cryptocurrency casino. Founder Richard Kim departed after admitting to stealing investor capital and using it on bad bitcoin trades. (Image: Medium)

Kim resigned from the startup gaming entity earlier this month. In an extensive Substack post, he admitted to misdeeds and acknowledged a “20-year struggle with gambling.” He said a phishing site that cost $80,000 “triggered old demons,” compelling the use of cash from a recent fundraising round on leveraged bitcoin trades that went bad.

I resigned immediately after the losses were crystallized, disclosing what happened to my partner and investors. I kept detailed records — this wasn’t about mixing personal and business funds,” wrote Kim. “My failure was in not speaking up sooner, paralyzed by fear and the desperate need to preserve my reputation.”

Kim’s bitcoin trades were made in June — a month which the largest cryptocurrency shed roughly $5,000. Leverage trades would have incurred steeper losses because such positions carry higher risk/reward profiles.

Kim Pledges to Move Forward

Kim acknowledged that he “really messed up,” but he’s also promising to move forward, telling investors they could benefit from their faith in him.

“To my investors: you didn’t just back a project; you invested in my vision, my potential. I will continue building because the world desperately needs what we started,” he wrote. “It is the precisely fact that I have proven untrustworthy that compels me to create trustless systems. Those who stick with me will be my lifetime beneficiaries.”

One of the investors whose capital Kim pilfered was Galaxy Digital — a crypto banking entity controlled by Mike Novogratz. The firm told crypto media outlets the sum it lost in the Zero Edge fraud was nominal.

In a somewhat defiant tone, Kim wax victim, framing his departure from ZeroEdge as an example of “institution vs. individual, trust vs. trustlessness, company vs. community, computer vs. casino.” He added that investors weren’t just supporting ZeroEdge, they were backing Kim as a person and his potential and vision.

What Future Holds for ZeroEdge

Following Kim’s departure, it’s not yet clear what the future holds for ZeroEdge, but it the cryptocurrency casino was attempting to employ a unique concept.

“ZeroEdge.Bet is a unique blockchain based online gambling platform with 0% house edge casino games, commission-free sports betting exchange and an open-source platform for parties wishing to build and operate their own games,” according to the company’s LinkedIn profile.

Crypto casinos have boomed in popularity in recent years, providing an avenue for increased adoption and use of bitcoin and other digital currencies. With ZeroEdge, the premise would be that bettors would place wagers with the Zerocoin token, thus positioning them to profit from the coin’s potential upside, which would be driven by more players embracing the 0% house edge model.

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