It detailed the record annual gross gaming revenue numbers for Tribal Gaming, declaring $41.9bn for the fiscal year 2023.

FY2023’s figure of $41.9bn is a 2.4 per cent increase on the previous year’s $40.9bn, which was also a new high at the time. Figures come from the audited financial statements of 527 gaming operations from 245 tribes across 29 US states.

Off the back of this, we spoke to Kelli Weaver, SBC’s VP of Relationships for North America, who described the results as ‘massive’ for the sector. 

She added: “It shows the tribes are contenders in the gaming industry. We’re experiencing year over year continued growth.

“We’re an economic powerhouse providing jobs, not just for our own tribal membership, but for the surrounding communities, as well as infrastructure, community services, policing services, roadways, things that we’re doing off of our own lands and out into the community. And it also shows that we’re resilient. 

“From the time that we entered gaming, we had to prove ourselves. And with a number, you know, like $41bn, it shows that we are here and we are definitely a powerhouse in the industry and we’re here to stay. So I’m pretty excited about that.”

She also added that tribes forming their own focused gaming commissions enabled them to be more meticulous in their approach to contracts, tech and the software they are embracing – generally strengthening their connection to the operation side of the industry.  

Weaver added that the pandemic led to the increased embracing of innovation and tech from the Tribal Gaming sector. “Everything has become technology based,” she stated after praising tribes for evolving with the times. 

“We really had to review that and make sure that we were doing it in a safe way. You look at cybersecurity and things that have emerged from the pandemic. You know, we’re on to the next phase, past the digital phase in technology. 

“Now we’re looking at how we protect the data, you know, and I think we just continue. We’re not going to see the end of it. You know, it’s just going to continue to advance. And I think it helps us grow. I think that’s what people expect when they do anything, they expect to be using an app somehow and to have technology at their fingertips.”

Weaver also singled out Michigan as a market that has got things right when it comes to frameworks for ensuring Tribal Gaming can continue to thrive.

The post Tribal Gaming continues to thrive as ‘an economic powerhouse’ appeared first on CasinoBeats.

$41.9bn

The National Indian Gaming Commission has reported record annual gross gaming revenue numbers for tribal gaming, declaring $41.9bn for the fiscal year 2023.

FY2023’s figure of $41.9bn is a 2.4 per cent increase on the previous year’s $40.9bn, which was also a new high at the time. Figures come from the audited financial statements of 527 gaming operations from 245 tribes across 29 US states.

The NIGC’s Acting Chair Sharon M Avery and Vice Chair Jeannie Hovland made the financial announcement at the Wisconsin Gaming Regulators Association Summer Conference in Green Bay.

The commission noted that the figures highlight the “viability of tribal gaming operations”, as well as the industry’s ability “to adapt to technological advances and changes in consumer preferences”. All eight NIGC regions also demonstrated year-over-year growth.

“This year’s GGR results demonstrate how a strong regulatory framework and diversity of tribal gaming enterprises generates growth in the gaming industry,” commented Avery.

“Again, this year, tribal gaming operators and regulators have proven that their ingenuity and tenacity are catalysts for growth, even in the face of an ever-changing gaming landscape.

“This steadfastness will ensure that tribal gaming remains a valuable resource for continued economic sustainability in tribal communities.” 

£530

Spelinspektionen, Sweden’s Gambling Authority, has initiated an investigation into online casino operator Kanon Gaming Limited which could lead to a fine of SEK 7m (£530k) over procedural and player protection shortcomings. 

The probe will assess whether the company’s losses disclosure procedure for recording losses falls in line with Sweden’s Gambling Act. Kanon currently operates licensed websites casinoepic.se, casinogami.se, frejacasino.se, and lokecasino.se.

Sweden’s regulator will also look into the operator’s player protection measures, as Kanon has allegedly failed to intervene when players show signs of problem gambling. 

If found in breach of Sweden’s Gambling Act, Kanon will face a penalty of up to SEK 7m (£530k). 

According to Spelinspektionen, the operator has also been found to make no distinctions between the age groups of its players, handling those over 24 in the same way as those between 18 and 24, with the latter widely considered more prone to gambling harm. 

€20,000

Dutch gaming authority Kansspelautoriteit has increased its fine policy for those offering gambling kiosks illegally, with penalties now reaching up to €20,000.

Updating policy rules that have stood since 2014, basic fines have been raised by the gaming authority from €7,500 to €20,000 per device, to €25,000 to €100,000 per device.

The KSA describes a gambling kiosk as a “device that allows gambling on location” and that they’re sometimes referred to as an “internet kiosk or football kiosk”, adding that the games of chance featured are “almost always illegal”.

According to the gaming authority, slot machines don’t fall under the term gambling kiosk as they require an operating or presence permit. However, they noted that the number of gambling kiosks is increasing and that mobile devices such as laptops and telephones have an increasing share in the devices used.

The KSA added that administrative fines imposed “consist of a fixed fine amount per device found used in gambling” and that it doesn’t matter whether “the device is used entirely or partially” as a gambling kiosk.

Fines can also be adjusted based on other conditions at the location of the kiosks, for example, the fine amount would be increased if an earlier warning or a previously imposed fine was given or if underage gambling is taking place.

3.4%

Spillemyndigheden has once again declared a 3.4 per cent year-over-year decrease in Denmark’s monthly gross gaming revenue across betting, gaming machines and land-based casinos.

Although overall GGR declined, online and land-based casinos improved, but betting and gaming machine figures fell in comparison to the same month the previous year.

Posting figures for May 2024, the Danish gambling authority reported a GGR of DKK 571m (approximately €76.6m), down 3.4 per cent when compared to May 2023’s DKK 591m.

May’s figure was also a decline in comparison to the DKK 595m reported by the market the previous month.

By game sector, Spillemyndigheden stated that online casino generated 48.69 per cent of the total GGR during the month, followed by betting with 28.82 per cent, gaming machines with 16.85 per cent and land-based casinos with 5.64 per cent.

Online casino GGR rose by 10.35 per cent YoY to DKK 278m (2023: DKK 252m) with gaming machines leading the way with 76.76 per cent of the total GGR for the vertical during the month.

Elsewhere in the vertical, the authority said that blackjack produced a 6.88 per cent share of the vertical’s total GGR, followed by roulette at 6.19 per cent, commission at 3.87 per cent, other at 3.43 per cent and bingo at 2.86 per cent.

The post Sweden, tribal gaming and Danish figures: the week in numbers appeared first on CasinoBeats.

FY2023’s figure of $41.9bn is a 2.4 per cent increase on the previous year’s $40.9bn, which was also a new high at the time. Figures come from the audited financial statements of 527 gaming operations from 245 tribes across 29 US states.

The NIGC’s Acting Chair Sharon M Avery and Vice Chair Jeannie Hovland made the financial announcement at the Wisconsin Gaming Regulators Association Summer Conference in Green Bay.

The commission noted that the figures highlight the “viability of tribal gaming operations”, as well as the industry’s ability “to adapt to technological advances and changes in consumer preferences”. All eight NIGC regions also demonstrated year-over-year growth.

“This year’s GGR results demonstrate how a strong regulatory framework and diversity of tribal gaming enterprises generates growth in the gaming industry,” commented Avery.

“Again, this year, tribal gaming operators and regulators have proven that their ingenuity and tenacity are catalysts for growth, even in the face of an ever-changing gaming landscape.

“This steadfastness will ensure that tribal gaming remains a valuable resource for continued economic sustainability in tribal communities.” 

Per region, tribal gaming in Sacramento (87 operations) generated the most GGR over FY2023 with $11.97bn (2022: $11.76bn), followed by DC (44 operations) with $9.2bn (2022: $8.98bn), St Paul (95 operations) with $5.09bn (2022: $4.95bn) and Portland (53 operations) with $4.53bn (2022: $4.48bn).

Tribal gaming in Phoenix (54 operations) produced $3.93bn GGR over the year (2022: $3.72bn), followed by Tulsa (74 operations) with $3.56bn (2022: $3.49bn), Oklahoma City (75 operations) with $3.22bn (2022: $3.15bn) and Rapid City (45 operations) with $425.9m (2022: $406.2m).

Hovland added: “I congratulate the industry regulators, operators, and tribal leadership on another successful year. 

“Their hard work in meeting and overcoming the challenges presented by an increasingly competitive market is evidence that tribes are resilient, and their gaming expertise is yielding benefits for their nations as IGRA intended.”

The post NIGC: Tribal gaming showing ‘tenacity’ after record GGR in FY2023 appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Both Hovland and Avery have been appointed to three-year terms with the NIGC. This will be Hovland’s second term as Associate Commissioner, while it will be Avery’s first. Both appointments were proposed by Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland.

An enrolled member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, Hovland has been with the NIGC since 2021. Previously, she was Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Affairs for the Administration for Children and Families at the US Department of Health and Human Services. 

She also worked for nearly 13 years with the office of South Dakota Senator John Thune, assisting with legislation such as the Tribal Law and Order Act and the Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008.

Commenting on her reappointment, Hovland said: “I am truly honoured to be appointed to serve on the Commission for a second term. I look forward to collaboration between the Agency and tribal nations, as we continue our important work to meet the ever-changing landscape of the tribal gaming industry.”

Avery is an enrolled member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan and has been with the NIGC for over four years serving as an Associate General Counsel in the NIGC Office of General Counsel. 

Before joining the NIGC, she served for more than 10 years in the Legal Department for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, most recently serving as General Counsel for Tribal Operations.

“It is with great privilege that I accept this appointment as an Associate Commissioner with the NIGC,” added Avery. 

“I am excited to be a part of the continued work between the agency and tribes within the framework of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to ensure the continued integrity of Indian gaming.”

The post NIGC selects Jeannie Hovland and Sharon Avery as Associate Commissioners appeared first on CasinoBeats.

National Indian Gaming Commission

The National Indian Gaming Commission has announced the resignation of its Chair E Sequoyah Simermeyer, bringing an end to his nine years with the commission.

As Chair, Simermeyer helped set regulatory conditions for the post-pandemic recovery. From joining the NIGC in 2015, he served as Associate Commissioner and Director of the Office of Self-Regulation, before being confirmed as Chair in 2019.

NIGC confirmed that additional details on the transition will be forthcoming.

Commenting on his time with the NIGC, Simermeyer said “I’ve witnessed firsthand how tribes across the Indian gaming industry have pursued economic sustainability through gaming by relying on – and cultivating – the robust regulatory reputation for which Indian gaming is well known and made better when supported by effective and efficient measures by Indian gaming’s regulators. I’m proud of the integral part this agency has played in meeting the challenges of an evolving industry.”

He added: “My time with NIGC has been some of the most memorable and impactful years of my career. As a Native person, I’m truly blessed to have been surrounded by experts dedicated to protecting and preserving the valuable resource Indian gaming represents for our communities.

“I’m thankful for the advice and counsel of my fellow commissioners and NIGC staff, and the support and hard work of the nearly 5,000 tribal regulators who work alongside NIGC day-in and day-out to keep Indian gaming strong now, and for the next 35 years.”

Great Canadian Entertainment

Great Canadian Entertainment has appointed Pauline Alimchandani as Chief Financial Officer, effective March 31, 2024, subject to customary regulatory approvals. 

Alimchandani will be responsible for overseeing the company’s finances and will be replacing current CFO Darren Gwozd, who is stepping down from the role.

Matthew Anfinson, CEO of Great Canadian, noted: “I am delighted to welcome Pauline to our exceptional senior management team. 

“Her extensive public company experience and deep record of successful leadership roles in finance, capital markets and financial reporting will be immensely valuable as we continue to remain focused on delivering long-term growth and creating value for our stakeholders in a socially responsible way. I look forward to her contributions.”

Alimchandani has over 18 years of experience, most recently serving as CFO for Northland Power, where she oversaw a global team across several key functions and chaired the organisation’s Investment Committee.

“I am very excited to join Great Canadian and see a significant opportunity to build upon the company’s strong financial and operational foundation, while developing capabilities that further establish the Company’s competitive advantage,” added Alimchandani.

Continent 8 Technologies

Continent 8 Technologies has grown its global commercial team with the additions of Sebastian Fernandez and Luana Monje as Sales Executives.

Fernandez and Monje will help Continent 8 with its relationships in Latin America and maximise its solutions and services potential, in addition to supporting new customers in the region, particularly in Brazil once the market launches.

Brian Koh, CCO at Continent 8 Technologies, said: “I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Sebastian and Luana who join Continent 8 at a pivotal time for the LATAM gambling market.

“Latin America is a thriving market with a lot of latent potential, something that the opening of Brazil will help to unlock. We are well positioned to help customers looking to launch into this market, and Luana will undoubtedly play a significant role in ensuring they go live with the best infrastructure and security in place.”

Based out of Buenos Aires, Fernandez joins Continent 8 from Dell Technologies, where he worked in several roles including a Senior Systems Engineer and most recently Account Executive.

Based in Sao Paulo, Monje joins from AWS (Amazon Web Services) where she held the role of Demand Generation Representative.

Fernandez noted: “I’m excited to be joining the Continent 8 team and to bring over a decade of IT experience to this role. This is an incredibly exciting region with huge potential on the table, but organisations must have the right infrastructure in place if they are to maximise the opportunity.

“This is something that Continent 8 is renowned for, and we look forward to working with businesses across the region.”

Monje added: “I couldn’t ask for a better start to the year. I look forward to sharing my AWS expertise and knowledge of the LatAm market with the team and of course our customers.”  

Glitnor Group

Glitnor Group has strengthened its C-Level team with the appointment of Mel Camilleri-Bland.

With over 15 years’ worth of igaming experience, Camilleri-Bland will join as Chief Operations Officer for LCKY Group, replacing the outgoing COO, Cameron Brown.

Before joining Glitnor Group, Camilleri-Bland was Group Director of Compliance for BVGroup, working as Head of B2B brands, COO of Mayfly Entertainment Limited, Managing Director of Monarch Sensation and A2D Entertainment, as well as Director of Operational Excellence for BetVictor.

Camilleri-Bland commented: “Having spent over a decade-and-a-half in the igaming industry working in various management, consultancy and customer service roles across multiple continents, I’m delighted to now be able to utilise my expertise on the B2C side of Glitnor Group.

“As a business, Glitnor has made giant strides forward over the past few years and I’m really looking forward to coming in at such an exciting time for the group. The team we have here is already amazing and I sincerely hope that the skills and industry know-how that I’ve accumulated over the past 15 years can add another dimension to that as we look to take things to a whole new level in 2024 and beyond.”

The post NIGC, Great Canadian Entertainment, Glitnor Group: on the move appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Reporting the results, NIGC noted that GGR came in at $40.9bn, up 4.9 per cent year-over-year (FY2021: $30.9bn). 

FY22 GGR was the “highest ever GGR for the Indian gaming industry” according to the commission, with seven out of the NIGC’s eight regions reporting an improvement compared to the previous year.

Revenues are calculated from the independently audited financial statements of 519 gaming operations owned by 244 federally recognised tribes located on land in 29 states.

Chairman E Sequoyah Simermeyer commented on the results: “This year’s historic revenue reflects the resiliency of many tribal gaming operations, and how tribal gaming continues to rebound and remain strong.

“Tribal governments and the operations they licence continue to explore new and innovative ways to expand and deliver world-class experiences to cultivate sustainable economies. 

“Across Indian country, tribes pursue economic sustainability through gaming by relying on the robust regulatory reputation for which Indian gaming is well known, and made better when supported by efficient and effective measures.”

Per region, only Sacramento reported a decrease in YoY GGR, falling by 1.4 per cent to $11.8bn from 87 operations (2021: $11.9bn – 78 operations). Phoenix underwent the biggest GGR increase YoY, rising by 15.7 per cent to $3.7bn from 51 operations (2021: $3.2bn – 50 operations).

The rest of NIGC’s regions performed as follows:

• Portland – $4.48bn from 55 operations, up 1 per cent (2021: $4.44bn – 56 operations)
• St Paul – $4.95bn from 96 operations, 3.4 per cent increase (2021: $4.79bn – 99 operations)
• Rapid City – $406.2m from 43 operations, 9.1 per cent uptick (2021: $372.3m – 41 operations)
• Tulsa – $3.49bn from 74 operations, 10.6 per cent improvement (2021: $3.16bn – 74 operations)
• Oklahoma City – $3.15bn from 72 operations, 4 per cent rise (2021: $3.03bn – 70 operations)
• DC – $8.98bn from 41 operations, 10.8 per cent growth (2021: $8.1bn – 42 operations)

NIGC noted that 55 per cent of tribal gaming facilities reported less than $25m in revenues, accounting for 5 per cent of total GGR for the measuring period, while 8 per cent reported more than $250m in revenues, 51 per cent of total GGR.

Vice Chair Jeannie Hovland stated: “We have cause to celebrate the opportunity successful Indian gaming operations affords tribes to invest in the future and improve the quality of life for individual Native people, and their families, and their communities.”

The post NIGC: Tribal gaming’s resilience reflected in record yearly GGR appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Confirmed by the NIGC’s Chairman, E. Sequoyah Simermeyer, Hoenig departure will see him undertake a new position and become Vice President and Associate General Counsel for Gaming at the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

“Mike’s solution-driven approach helped to institutionalise a number of new practices in the General Counsel’s office,” said Simermeyer. These improvements maximised the skills of legal staff and attorneys and have been important in attracting and building one of the best legal teams the Agency has ever had.

“I am both excited for Mike as he pursues a new and well-deserved opportunity in Indian country. I will miss him as a leader, important contributor to advancing the NIGC mission, and a respected voice in much of the Agency’s innovations in recent years.”

Hoenig joined NIGC in 2006. Over the past 16 years he has taken on various positions in the Agency’s Office of General Counsel, including serving as the General Counsel for the last seven years. 

The responsibilities of the Agency’s General Counsel include serving the client agency’s efforts to help tribes facilitate defensible growth and protection of a vital industry for tribal governments’ economies, while maintaining the public’s trust in the federal agency.

As the agency’s longest-serving General Counsel, Hoenig led the office through critical times in Indian gaming’s history. 

Hoenig, according to NIGC, played an important role in aiding the Council to manage novel issues – recently including sports betting’s rapid expansion, navigating the Agency compliance via multiple audits and handling cyber threats, as well as dealing with the pandemic. 

On his tenure, Hoeing expressed appreciation for the hard work and dedication of his colleagues, fellow attorneys and NIGC staff.

He concluded: “It is with mixed emotions that I depart NIGC. I am sincerely grateful to have been privileged enough to get to serve with the amazing staff to advance the mission and purposes of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act – to protect tribal gaming as one of the most important economic resources in Indian country. 

“I look forward to continuing that mission from a slightly different perspective in this new role with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.”

The post Hoenig departs NIGC to become VP at San Manuel appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The Commission, which oversees regulatory compliance and integrity for tribal gaming group’s, has said that “multiple violations” of the IGRA as well as NIGC regulations have been identified.

This has seen E Sequoyah Simermeyer, Chair of the NIGC, issue a notice of violation against the Catawba Indian Nation, Kings Mountain Sky Boat Partners and Sky Boat’s owners, officials, managers, and consultant.

Elaborating on the offences, it is said that Catawba permitted Sky Boat to manage, in part, the expansion of the Two Kings Casino without an approved management contract.

Furthermore the Nation, Sky Boat, and their respective officials also stand accused of failing to submit the required ground lease, which is a management contract, within 60 days of its execution, as required by NIGC regulations.

Although the NIGC emphasises that “there is no cure for these violations,” it is noted that from this date forward all associated parties must not act under the ground lease as this has been “void as an unapproved management contract”.

Catawba are also reminded to ensure that Sky Boat, its owners, officials, managers and its consultant do not exercise control or authority over the Nation’s gaming facilities, either in whole or part.

Each party has a 30 day window to appeal, with potential sanctions forthcoming including the option of a civil penalty that would not exceed $57,527 per day for each violation or the issuance of a temporary closure order.

“Based on an exhaustive investigation and analysis of the circumstances, we issued a Notice of Violation to both enforce regulatory compliance and ensure the Nation is the primary beneficiary of its gaming revenue,” commented Simermeyer. 

“We do not take this enforcement action lightly, but do so to preserve the integrity of the industry and protect the valuable tool Indian Gaming represents for many Tribes as codified in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.”

The Catawba Indian Nation is a federally recognised Indian tribe with tribal headquarters in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The Nation owns the Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, which has been open and operating since July 1, 2021.

The post Catawba Nation facing potential fines or <br> casino closure for gaming law violations appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The NIGC revealed that its GGR totalled $39bn in 2021, 40 per cent higher than the year prior and a 13 per cent increase compared to figures pre-pandemic. 

Furthermore, the NIGC also stated that, alongside its GGR numbers, all of its administrative regions have shown a “positive increase” from FY 2020 – ranging from 56 per cent to 28 per cent. 

NIGC’s Chair, E. Sequoyah Simermeyer, noted: “NIGC recognises this year’s rebound has not been felt equally by all tribes. We are committed to helping all tribal operations benefit from the regulatory lessons learned over the past two years.

“As we seek to build the regulatory workforce’s preparedness, all parts of the Indian gaming industry have a responsibility to learn from the experiences of tribes who have forged the path so we preserve those lessons and ensure we retain that knowledge for generations to come.”

The Commission attributed the largest increase to the greatest decrease brought on by “record level” of pandemic-related closures. However, with the pandemic still circulating, the Commission noted that Indian gaming “continues to show its resiliency” through operational advancements and “steadfast leadership” of tribal regulatory authorities.

Despite impressive results across the board, the NIGC emphasised that the Indian gaming regulatory community “remains mindful” that dramatic fluctuations, either positive or negative, require time for the sector to return to more “predictable trends”. 

“While last year experienced a record number of closures there was also growth with new operations opening,” Simermeyer added. “This demonstrates gaming operations and tribes are making difficult decisions as they navigate a rebound from the pandemic.”

Additionally, the NIGC’s Vice Chair, Jeannie Hovland, stated that 2021’s GGR performance was also a reflection of Indian Gaming’s geographic, demographic and financial diversity. 

She said: “The industry has much to celebrate and be proud of. With 43 gaming operations reporting GGR greater than $250m and accounting for more than 50 per cent of total revenues, this year’s revenues underscore the wide diversity in gaming operations across Indian country.”

The FY 2021 revenues are calculated from the independently audited financial statements of 510 gaming operations owned by 243 federally recognised tribes. Indian gaming operations are located on Indian land in 29 states.

The post Indian Gaming records highest GGR increase in 2021 appeared first on CasinoBeats.

4

GambleAware commenced an eight-month grant award process to establish the first academic research hub in Great Britain specialising in gambling harms research.

This will see the charity commit £4m to a hub which it hopes will “have a significant impact” on the whole gambling research landscape, both within Great Britain and across the globe, through the inclusion of new and diverse areas of research.

The successful institution, says GambleAware, will dictate its own research focus and will support and inform the wider system of treatment providers, organisations, and agencies working to prevent and reduce gambling harms.

The research hub will determine its own research focus, taking a public health lens, and is expected to secure other funding sources to continue growth and development beyond the initial grant award.

244

Cannae Holdings led Sightline Payments’ second funding round of the year, which has seen the digital payments provider and mobile app developer become “Nevada’s first fintech unicorn”.

The completion of the $244m funding round has propelled the group to a valuation of over $1bn, which it says ensures that it becomes “one of roughly 700 startups worldwide” to reach such a figure as a private company.

“The Sightline team has reached new heights to provide innovative solutions to drive our industry forward,” said Sightline CEO Joe Pappano. 

“Our investors’ continued faith in our business will enable us to execute our vision of transforming payments in the casino gaming and hospitality industry.”

250

Gopher Investments said that it welcomes the result of a shareholder vote at a Playtech general meeting, which saw a resolution regarding the potential sale of the gambling tech firm’s Finalto financial services division voted down.

This saw shareholders vote against the offer for Finalto, which would’ve brought a $210m divestment to a consortium led by Barinboim Group, and backed by Leumi Partners and Menora Mivtachim Insurance.

Subsequently, Gopher says that it “looks forward to engaging” with the board of Playtech regarding its own $250m for Finalto, and will work to complete the acquisition “in an expedient and transparent manner”.

Earlier in the year Gopher, a 4.97 per cent shareholder in Playtech, issued an indicative non-binding conditional offer to acquire Finalto for $250m, with the inclusion of a reverse break fee of $10m, in response to a prior agreement inked alongside the aforementioned consortium.

118.7

New Jersey sportsbooks failed to buck a national trend through July, however the Garden State’s online casinos and poker rooms continued to side-step any summer slowdown.

The region’s igaming ecosystem generated $118.7m in gross gaming revenue during the month, which is up 35.7 per cent from $87.5m in July 2020 and 10.9 per cent from $107.1m month-on-month. This also exceeded the previous revenue high of $113.7m set in March.

Online casino games alone generated $115.6m in July, pushing lifetime revenue to $3bn since online gambling launched in November 2013.

Through seven months of 2021, online casino games and poker have generated $752.9m in revenue, up 47.6 per cent from $510.2m during the same period one year earlier.

16.2

“We are very pleased with the progress we have and continue to make, however we continue to dedicate our work and consistent approach towards capturing long term growth which lies ahead of us,” noted Richard Brown, CEO of Gaming Innovation Group, upon reflection of the group’s second quarter performance.

This comes as the firm once again expresses disappointment at ongoing negative impacts within the German market, despite asserting that the year’s second quarter has “proved another success”.

As the group marked the 12-month mark since becoming a pure B2B offering, revenue during the year’s second quarter came in at €16.2m, which represents a 23 per cent increase from €13.2m year-on-year.

Platform services delivered Q2 revenue of €5.1m (2020: €4.7m), closing at a nine per cent increase. Excluding white labels revenue rose 37 per cent, however, this further increases to 81 per cent when adjusted for Germany declines.

13

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled the introduction of a ‘Key to NYC’ mandate, which will require proof of vaccination to enter the region’s casinos.

Beginning this week, with enforcement to begin, with a multi-agency coalition, on Monday 13 September, the introduction will be accompanied by the city conducting an “aggressive outreach and education campaign”, including a $10m multi-platform paid media push. 

The campaign will include radio, TV, digital, social, and subway live boards. Approximately 600 canvassers will also be going door to door for affected businesses, with the goal of reaching every postcode in the city during the next three weeks.

27.8

The National Indian Gaming Commission detailed the impact of the coronavirus health pandemic upon its operations, although it is acknowledged that revenue decreases were expected.

The NIGC reported revenue for the full year of $27.8bn, a decrease of 19.5 per cent over FY2019’s $34.6bn due to the pandemic’s impact on its regions.

The commission’s ‘Sacramento’ segment (California and Nevada) suffered the smallest decline in GGR of 13.2 per cent during the year to $8.4bn (FY2019: $9.7bn), narrowly ahead of Tulsa (Oklahoma and Kansas) which dropped 14.7 per cento to $2.1bn (2020: $2.46bn).

The ‘Rapid City’ region (Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming) experienced the largest GGR decrease of 36.6 per cent to $238.6m (FY2019: $376.5m).

This closed some distance ahead of the Phoenix division, made up of Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, which dropped 28 per cent from $3.27bn to $2.35bn.

100,000

The Dutch gaming authority, Kansspelautoriteit, issued a €100,000 fine to the Nederlandse Loterij’s Lotto subsidiary for breaching protocols which are aimed at protecting minors.

The regulator says that it had identified advertisements for EuroJackpot on girlscene.nl, a website that it says focuses on minors. The law prohibits the targeting of games of chance advertising at minors. 

It is added that the Nederlandse Loterij also failed to comply with a cease and desist order, which also tasked Lotto with taking “appropriate measures to prevent a recurrence in the future”.

The post GambleAware, New York, Playtech & New Jersey: <br> the week in numbers appeared first on CasinoBeats.