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Major U.S. iGaming Operators Launch Responsible Gaming Association

leading_us_operators_launch_responsible-_online_gaming_associationSeven key operators of online casinos and sports betting websites in the United States have announced their alliance with the purpose of creating the Responsible Online Gaming Association.

The aim of the respective association is to promote responsible gaming in the United States and to promote best practices for the iGaming industry in the country and not only.

The association was formed by BetMGM, Bet365, DraftKings, Fanatics Betting & Gaming, FanDuel, Hard Rock Digital and Penn Entertainment, operators that are licensed to conduct their business in several American states.

These seven companies are dominating the market in the United States, their combined market share reaching 85 percent of the American online sports betting and iGaming market. The seven companies pledged a sum in excess of 20 million dollars for the Responsible Online Gaming Association in order to finance its activity for the first year.

Dr Jennifer Shatley, a professional with 25 years of experience within the industry, was appointed Executive Director of the Responsible Online Gaming Association. She is also the President of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling and also a member of the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Five Main Objectives

The Responsible Online Gaming Association has set five key objectives for its activity. The first one is to promote research regarding responsible gaming, including funding independent research on the impact and effectiveness of current responsible gaming tools.

Moreover, the Responsible Online Gaming Association will also promote best practices for responsible gaming, encouraging companies in the industry to employ these principles in their activities.

Another goal of the association is to raise awareness about the problems generated by irresponsible gaming and encourage appropriate advertising for gambling services and brands.

The Responsible Online Gaming Association has also announced that it will work to create an independent data clearinghouse, a tool for the member companies to share information between them in order to protect their customers.

Last but not least, the Responsible Online Gaming Association will try to establish an independent certification programme. This will have the task of evaluating the responsible gaming efforts made by the member companies and provide objective feedback regarding their responsible gaming policies.

Source: “Responsible Online Gaming Association“. iGaming Business. March 27, 2024.

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Mississippi Casino Project in East Biloxi in Jeopardy, Jackson Gaming Bill Rescinded

It was a busy week in the Mississippi State Capitol regarding gaming matters. One powerful lawmaker proposed allowing a commercial casino resort in Jackson, while other legislation stands to block a proposed $300 million gaming development on the Gulf Coast.

Mississippi casino tidelands bill
A rendering of the Tullis Garden Hotel in Mississippi includes a replica of the Tullis Manor that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The development, which is to include a casino, remains in jeopardy as state lawmakers consider a tidelands lease bill. (Image: Frank Genzer Architects)

Mississippi House Ways and Means Committee Chair Trey Lamar (R-Lafayette) on Monday introduced a bill motioning to allow a casino in Jackson, the state capital. The pitch seemingly faced long odds from the onset, as Mississippi’s gaming industry for decades has been confined to the Coast and Mississippi River.

Lamar’s casino pitch would have allowed the stakeholders behind the state’s current commercial casinos to bid on a resort opportunity in the state capital. Mississippi is currently home to 12 casinos on the Gulf and 14 along the Mighty Mississippi. The state is also home to three Native American gaming facilities.

Lamar quickly fielded pushback for his enthusiasm to bring a casino to the central part of the state. After determining that he didn’t have the votes needed in the 122-member chamber, the Republican folded and rescinded the bill, but says he will resume the fight next year.

Vicksburg Opposition

Jackson is Mississippi’s most populated city with about 144K residents.

Named for General Andrew Jackson, a war hero in the War of 1812’s Battle of New Orleans who subsequently became the seventh president of the United States, Jackson’s population continues to decline. The U.S. Census Bureau says Jackson saw the largest exodus between the 2010 and 2020 censuses of any major US city.

Lamar’s casino bill projected that a gaming resort would generate more than 1,000 jobs and provide new local tax revenue for city improvement projects. But casinos in Vicksburg and state reps from the city located about 50 miles west of the capital — the closest gaming destinations — were quick to oppose Lamar’s capital city casino campaign.

The Coast may survive it, but there’s no way anybody else could,” said House Leader Robert Johnson (D-Natchez) of a Jackson casino’s impact on current gaming markets.

“It would have been devastating,” added Rep. Oscar Denton (D-Vicksburg).

Tide Lease Bill

After Hurricane Katrina, the state amended its riverboat laws to allow land-based gaming along the Gulf. However, the brick-and-mortar gaming spaces must be located within 800 feet of the 19-year mean high water line average.  

The Mississippi Supreme Court last year ruled that counties along the Gulf have the authority to sell lands that butt up against tidelands that are owned by the state. They can do so without first obtaining a tidelands lease from the state. The vital ruling paved the way for businessman Ray Wooldridge’s long-stalled casino project at the intersection of Veterans Ave. and Beach Blvd. to move forward.

As a result of the ruling, state lawmakers are considering legislation that would require casino sites to have state tidelands leases. The bill is currently in a House conference committee that’s trying to iron out differences between the two legislative chambers.

Along with Woolridge’s development, the legislative outcome could determine whether a $300 million casino scheme called Tullis Garden in East Biloxi advances. The developers of the project have an agreement with Biloxi to purchase the eight-acre site from the city, which would include access to the tidelands to qualify the project for gambling.

The state’s current gaming interests are thought to be lobbying for the state tidelands bill to give Jackson more control and prevent further competition from coming to the Gulf. Gross gaming revenue along the Gulf Coast last year was down nearly 1%.

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Thunderkick Secures Partnership with Paf on Spanish Market

thunderkick_strengthens_presence_in_spain_with_paf_partnershipThunderkick, the innovative Swedish company that creates games for online casinos, has announced that its presence on the Spanish market has become stronger after having signed an agreement with Paf, one of the top online casino operators in Europe.

The agreement will see Paf gain access to the impressive portfolio of games supplied by Thunderkick, including very popular titles such as Midas Golden Touch, Hot Potato and Esqueleto Explosivo 2. The deal will also see Thunderkick solidify its position on the Spanish market, one of the key regulated markets in the European Union.

A Top Operator

Moreover, an agreement with Paf can be regarded as a seal of approval because this online casino operator is one of the oldest in the business. The company was founded all the way back in 1966 in the Aland Islands, which is an autonomous region of Finland.

The company was founded by the local health charity Folkhälsan together with the local branches of famous international foundations such as the Red Cross, Save the Children and Dagens Barn. The operator is licensed and controlled by the Government of Aland, so its main purpose is to generate money which then will be redistributed towards social expenses.

Along with being an online casino operator, Paf also has its own in-house games studio which creates unique content for the company’s website. Moreover, Paf also operates 31 cruise ships which navigate the Baltic and the North Seas. The operator is licensed in Aland, Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, and Spain.

An Increasingly Popular Supplier

Thunderkick does have a bit of history behind its brand as well; the company was founded in 2012 and since then it has grown into one of the most reputable names in the iGaming industry. The deal with Paf means that its footprint continues to grow across the world because it comes after multiple other agreements secured with top operators.

Among the studio’s online casino partners we can find big names such as 888casino, Mr. Green, Casumo, and LeoVegas along with powerful aggregators such as Pariplay and QTech Games. The company currently has over 80 employees and 77 different games in its portfolio.

Source: “Spanish Fiesta with Paf!“. Thunderkick. March 25, 2024.

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Illegal Gambling Operations Raided in Four States as Part of Continuing Crackdown

A series of raids on illegal gaming operations across the country has seen several people arrested over the past month.

City of Flint Municipal Center
The City of Flint Municipal Center, pictured above. A local business was raided recently by Michigan authorities for alleged gambling. (Image: MLive.com)

In Flint, Mich., two men were charged earlier this month with running a gambling operation without a license, two counts of using computers to commit a crime, and a count of maintaining a gambling house for gain.

The suspects, Linos Antonio Kas-Mikha, 52, of Grand Blanc, Mich., and Robert Jamerson, 55, of Saginaw, Mich. were arrested last month after authorities raided a storefront business where the two reportedly operated 11 slot machines. Authorities also found 13 computers, which were used to operate the games.

Other properties linked to the men have been raided previously by authorities as part of investigations into illegal gambling.

Holding those who choose to break the law and run alleged illegal gambling operations accountable for their actions is paramount to ensuring the safety and integrity of our neighborhoods,” Michigan Gaming Control Board Executive Director Henry Williams recently said in a statement following the latest raid.

“By enforcing strict regulations and prosecuting offenders, we strive to maintain a gaming environment that is not only enjoyable, but also adheres to the principles of fairness, legality, and community safety.”

$30K Seized in California

Across the country in Modesto, California, authorities raided an illegal gambling operation last week.

The court-ordered search led to the seizure of more than $30K in cash and 17 gambling machines. Two unnamed men were charged.

The raid was linked to the investigation of illegal gambling at a convenience store and at other local businesses, as well as at a Modesto residence.

Ohio Gambling Den

In another case, an internet cafe in Dayton, Ohio was raided earlier this month for alleged illegal gambling.

Local police searched Lucky Day Internet Cafe following an undercover operation there, according to Ohio TV station WHIO.

Police seized several gambling machines and an unspecified amount of cash from the business. Criminal charges are likely.

$31K Seized, Arrests in Texas

In a separate raid in Corpus Christi, Texas, last month, authorities seized about $31K in cash from an illegal gambling operation at the El Patron Sweepstakes Gameroom, according to Texas TV station KRIS.

Police also seized 90 items associated with gambling.

Andria Thompson, 34, was charged with gambling promotion, possession of a gambling device, keeping a gambling place, and engaging in organized criminal activity. Twenty-three people identified as customers of the operation were issued citations.

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Hacksaw Gaming Broadens Italian Market Reach with Betflag Content Deal!

In the realm of Italian gaming, a seismic shift is underway as two industry juggernauts, Hacksaw Gaming and BetFlag, join forces to redefine the very essence of online entertainment.

BetFlag, The Champion of Italian Gaming

hacksaw_gaming_and_betflag_salute_brand_new_partnership_in_italy_At the helm of this epic alliance stands BetFlag, a true champion in the Italian gaming sphere. Backed by the esteemed Lottomatica Group, BetFlag’s influence reverberates across the nation, setting standards and shaping trends with each spin of the virtual reels.

Enter Hacksaw, the maestros of innovation and architects of immersive experiences. With a knack for weaving dreams into digital realities, the brand brings a fresh perspective and unparalleled creativity to the gaming landscape.

Together, Hacksaw Gaming and BetFlag produce a symphony of possibilities, where every spin, every win, is a note in a splendid composition of excitement and anticipation. From classic favorites to groundbreaking new releases, players are invited to immerse themselves in a world where imagination knows no bounds.

This collaboration is about raising the bar and exceeding expectations. Through cutting-edge technology, tempting storytelling, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, the two aim to deliver a remarkable gaming experience.

The Journey Begins

As players embark on this thrilling journey, they can expect to be transported to realms of adventure, mystery, and endless possibilities. The fusion of Hacksaw’s ingenuity and BetFlag’s legacy promises an experience that transcends mere gameplay.

In the ever-evolving stage of Italian gaming, the duo serves as beacons of innovation and progress. Together, they herald a new dawn—a golden age of gaming where imagination reigns supreme and players are the ultimate beneficiaries of this groundbreaking collaboration.

The fusion of the two brands isn’t just a partnership; it’s proof of the transformative power of collaboration. As they embark on this exciting journey together, the stage is set for a new era in Italian gaming filled with excitement, adventure, and endless possibilities.

Marcus Cordes, CEO of Hacksaw Gaming, shared: “This collaboration stands on a number of shared incentives. With BetFlag, we can expect spectacular growth, while the players can enjoy a variety of Hacksaw content.”

Laviero Saganeiti, Casino Project Manager at BetFlag added: “These games express the dynamism and engagement we have not seen in the market for some time. Moreover, the young team is always available and ready to receive feedback for the development of new products. It’s going to be a banger!”

Source: ”Hacksaw Gaming and BetFlag Salute Brand New Partnership in Italy”. European Gaming. March 21, 2024.

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