Compliance Updates
West Virginia to acquire a law which would give the go ahead for sports betting in the state
West Virginia seems to be almost close to acquiring a law which would give the go ahead for sports betting in the state.
Consequently, both the chambers of the state legislature have signed off on the proposal, emerging as the foremost state legislature to acquire that feat in 2018.
In the Friday’s session in Charleston the House passed the bill by a 77-22 margin, voting on the heels of brisk progress through committees. The Senate, where the bill originated, passed it last week.
It gave ascent in-spite of a last-ditch attempt from Major League Baseball, which has been persuading for its preferred version of the bill along with the NBA. It wants a tax on one percent of all wagers — which it is calling an “integrity fee” — paid directly to pro sports leagues:
The Senate concurred on House amendments on Saturday morning which send it to the desk of Gov. Jim Justice for his ascent. It is anticipated that He would sign the WV sports betting bill into law.
Manfred also pointed out to the media that he would ask the governor to veto the bill. Even if a veto comes, the majorities in both the Senate and the House would be able to override a veto.
WV passes sports betting bill
The bill that passed is numbered S 415 and labelled as the West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act. It is one of several related bills introduced in WV during the last few months.
This one was authored at the behest of the Lottery Commission, who will oversee WV sports betting. It is sponsored by Sen. Ryan Ferns, among others.
Compared to other states, this bill advanced through the WV legislature. Senate committees considered it just two weeks ago, making one small amendment before advancing it along to the floor. The full Senate passed it 25-9 on Feb. 20.
The bill took a similar course through the House, drawing some spirited investigation from lawmakers there. House committees picked the bill apart, put it back together and sent it to the chamber floor for a vote. It passed there with ease, as well, despite some passionate opposition on the floor.
A 1991 opinion from AG Patrick Morrissey may have helped pave a quick path for this legislation nearly three decades later.
Details of the WV sports betting bill
The WV sports betting bill lays out the framework for a regulated industry under the oversight of the Lottery Commission. It allows the state’s five gambling establishments to apply for a license to operate sports betting.
Those five potential licensees are:
The Casino Club at The Greenbrier
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
Mardi Gras Casino and Resort
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort
Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack
Each of those properties will need to apply for a sports betting license at a cost of $100,000 apiece. Licenses are valid for five years and can be renewed for the same fee. If approved, operators will have their sports betting revenue taxed a rate of 10 percent.
Bettors who are at least 21 years old and located in West Virginia will be permitted to wager on collegiate and professional events. Those wagers can be placed either in person or via mobile/internet betting platforms.
Operators also have the duty to monitor their own betting products for suspicious activity.
What is next for WV sports betting?
West Virginia’s sports betting bill is just a couple steps away from becoming law. It requires a concurrence from the Senate, then the governor’s signature to be written into the books. It will remain dormant for now, though, even if signed.
Like most state-based sports betting bills, West Virginia’s contains an activation clause that has not yet been met. Federal law still prohibits most states from offering sports betting, even those that have passed laws within their own borders.
New Jersey is challenging that federal ban, though, with the US Supreme Court set to render a verdict during the next few months. Barring a federal piece of legislation in the meantime, the Court would need to broadly strike down PASPA in order for WV’s law to take effect. A decision in the case could come as soon as Monday.
Should that ban be reversed, states will be permitted to move forward at their own discretion. For West Virginia, that means the lottery commission will have to formalise the regulatory framework and get to work on fielding applications.
The state expects to realize at least $5 million in revenue within the first year of legal sports betting.
Source: legalsportsreport.com
Asia
Indonesian Govt to Form Task Force to Tackle Online Gambling
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has chaired a limited meeting which discussed the efforts taken to eradicate online gambling in the country on Thursday 18 April, at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. Minister for Communication and Information Technology Budi Arie Setiadi, in his press statement after the limited meeting, said that the Government will form a task force to counter online gambling.
“It has been decided that within a week, we will formulate measures to form an integrated task force in order to eradicate online gambling,” Budi said.
Minister for Communication and Information Technology mentioned that forming a cross-ministries/institutions task force is aimed to handle online gambling more thoroughly, collaboratively and efficiently.
“Gambling is an illegal act based on regulations. So, we need to impose measures effectively to settle it,” Budi stated, adding that his ministry will focus on handling online gambling websites and contents, while the law enforcement officers will enforce the law.
“Our authority is only to take down the websites, while the Financial Services Authority (OJK) blocks their financial accounts, and then followed by law enforcement officers, police officers, and the public prosecution service officers,” he remarked.
Similarly, OJK’s Chairperson of Commissioner Board Mahendra Siregar also highlighted the importance of holistic measures in eradicating online gambling in Indonesia.
“Some online gambling activities are not conducted in Indonesia, some are cross-borders, some do not use bank accounts, some needs to be tracked and traced through bank accounts, including transfers and so on. So, the next layers must also be addressed, and that way it leaves no empty rooms,” Mahendra explained.
Mahendra said that according to the institution’s authority, from the end of 2023 to March 2024, OJK has blocked around 5000 bank accounts that indicate its relation to online gambling.
“So far, we have cooperated closely with Communications and Information Technology Ministry. So, if we receive a list of bank accounts suspected to be used or are being used in online gambling activities, we immediately block them, and it has reached up to 5000 bank accounts,” Mahendra mentioned.
Compliance Updates
BC.GAME Secures New Curacao LOK License, Enhancing Legal Compliance and Global Reach
BC.GAME has secured a new gaming license that fully complies with Curacao’s updated regulatory framework, the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK). This achievement reaffirms BC.GAME’s unwavering commitment to providing a secure and legally compliant gambling environment for its global user base.
Jack Dorsey, CEO of BC.GAME, said: “We are immensely grateful for Curacao’s robust regulatory framework, which has been pivotal in the gambling industry. Obtaining this license is a vital milestone in BC.GAME’s ongoing development and our commitment to providing a trustworthy and secure gambling experience.”
The introduction of the LOK legislation, designed to replace the previous National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (NOOGH) framework, has set a new precedent in the gambling license domain. Under the NOOGH regime, BC.GAME operated under a sub-license issued by Curacao Interactive Licensing NV (CIL). The new LOK framework, however, brings about significant changes, including the discontinuation of new sub-license issuance and stringent requirements for existing licensees seeking renewal.
Curacao was one of the pioneering nations in establishing regulations for gaming activities. Consequently, this small Caribbean island nation has become a hub for gaming businesses worldwide aiming to adhere to the country’s comprehensive gaming legal framework. BC.GAME has set up a local office to ensure compliance with regulations and to offer support to fulfill the requirements of the local gaming ecosystem.
Acquisition of the license, specifically designed for LOK services, coincides with BC.GAME’s efforts to enhance user trust, forge new partnerships and broaden the accessibility of its comprehensive gaming services. Obtaining licenses and ensuring compliance are crucial steps in solidifying BC.GAME’s position as a dependable and well-regulated global online gaming platform.
“Curacao is an essential first step in our broader global strategy. As we continue to accelerate our expansion, expect more exciting developments and good news in the near future,” Jack Dorsey said.
Australia
ACMA Reveals Illegal Gambling Crackdown Results
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) revealed the outcome of a crackdown on illegal online gambling services operating around the time of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The report published shows that 200 offshore services were reviewed in the lead-up to and during the event. Of those services, 21 were investigated as they appeared to be directly targeting Australians. As a result, 18 services were found to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Following notification of the ACMA’s findings, three of those services withdrew from the Australian market, while the remaining 15 services had their websites blocked by internet service providers at the request of the ACMA.
ACMA authority member and online gambling lead Carolyn Lidgerwood said the sites were unlicensed to provide wagering services in Australia and in some cases also offered interactive gambling services such as online casinos and slots or online in-play betting, which are all banned in Australia.
“Illegal gambling operations often take advantage of high-profile sporting events to push their services onto fans. These sites also offer none of the consumer protections that apply to licensed wagering services in Australia. Using these sites is more than a gamble as you have no rights and even if you win, you may never see the money,” Ms Lidgerwood said.
Since 2019, the ACMA has been asking internet service providers to block gambling websites found to be operating in breach of Australian interactive gambling laws. Over that time, more than 900 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked.
More than 220 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing illegal offshore gambling rules.
Minimising gambling harm is a current ACMA compliance priority and Australians can check on the ACMA’s online register to see if a wagering service is licensed to operate in Australia.
More information about online gambling is available on the ACMA’s website, including information on how to protect yourself from illegal gambling operators and instructions on how to make a complaint about an illegal site.
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