Gambling in the USA

Senators Ask For Investigation Into Loot Boxes As Potential Form Of Gambling

Published

7 years ago

January 31, 2018

George Miller

Senators Ask For Investigation Into Loot Boxes As Potential Form Of Gambling

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Are loot boxes gambling? Three Washington Senators are asking the local gambling authority to make a decision.

Few could have predicted the international headlines that Star Wars Battlefront II spurred over its highly controversial microtransaction implementation. The latest chapter has now commenced, with three Washington State Senators submitting a bill this month that asks the state to determine if loot boxes constitute gambling. And if they do, the effects could be significant and potentially industry-changing.

Senate Bill 6266 in the Washington Legislature was introduced on January 11 and referred to the Labor & Commerce committee. It is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 1:30 PM on January 31.

The bill asks for the Washington state gambling commission to conduct a study that looks into whether video games that use loot boxes that contain “mechanisms that provided randomized virtual items in online games or apps” should be considered gambling under Washington law. The bill also wants to examine if these mechanisms have any place in games whatsoever. Perhaps more importantly, the bill wants to put in motion an examination into if minors and young people,” who may be more vulnerable to gambling addiction,” should have access to games with loot boxes. Furthermore, the Senators are calling out game developers for the “lack of disclosure and transparency” about loot box odds.

The Democratic senators who submitted the bill, Kevin Ranker, Reuven Carlyle, and Karen Keiser, are asking for a relatively quick turnaround on the study. They are asking the Washington state gambling commission to have it submitted no later than December 1, 2018. At this time, the commission is asked to provide “written findings and provide recommendations regarding how to best regulate the practice of including loot boxes and similar types of mechanisms in online games and apps, including options for the adoption and implementation of a regulatory and enforcement system, restrictions on the sale of games containing these mechanisms, and any appropriate disclosures.“

There are some very important lines in there, perhaps most notably that the Senators are looking for potential regulation on games with loot box mechanics. Significantly, the “regulatory and enforcement system,” while vague in its terms now, could have major implications. If this bill becomes law, it sounds like such games would be considered gambling. That would mean that people under 18 (the legal gambling age in Washington; it is 21 in other states) would potentially be blocked from buying these games. Perhaps more notably, this bill, if it becomes law, could serve as a precedent that could potentially sweep to other states and parts of the world.

Importantly, however, it is very early days, and–statistically speaking–most bills never become law, on a state and federal level.

Speaking to Washington’s News Tribune (via USGamer), Ranker did not hold back in his takedown of games with controversial loot box systems.

“If (parents) realized how predatory these games are then they wouldn’t want them under their Christmas tree, they wouldn’t want them going to their kids,” he charged.

You can read the full text of Bill 6266 right here on the Washington legislature website. As mentioned, the public hearing related to this bill is scheduled for January 31. We’ll report back when more details are made available.

Loot boxes in video games are not new; their existence pre-dates Battlefront II. However, that EA-published game brought the controversy to the forefront due in part to how loot boxes contained game-affecting items instead of those that are cosmetic in nature only as games like Overwatch offer. This led some to believe that the loot boxes, which you could buy with real money, amounted to a pay-to-win situation. This did not go over well with players, and EA removed all microtransactions from the game–but they may or may not come back later.

Washington state’s bill is not the first from a state senator about loot boxes and microtransactions. A United States senator from Hawaii is also looking into the matter, saying recently that he wants the sale of some games with loot boxes banned for minors. Internationally, Belgium has also launched an investigation to try to determine if games with loot box mechanics represent gambling. New Zealand, meanwhile, has come forward to say loot boxes do not constitute gambling.

This is an ongoing matter that we expected won’t reach any conclusion anytime soon.

Source: gamespot.com

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – November 11-17

Published

5 days ago

November 18, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

Golden Entertainment Inc. reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30. The Company reported third quarter revenue of $161.2 million, net income of $5.2 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $34.0 million. In addition, on November 5, the Company’s Board of Directors authorised the Company’s recurring quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share of the Company’s outstanding common stock payable on January 7, 2025 to shareholders of record as of December 20, 2024.

Snoqualmie Casino has announced its rebranding to Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel, reflecting an exciting new chapter in the venue’s history as it embarks on a much-anticipated expansion. Set for completion in mid-2025, this project promises to elevate the guest experience, making Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel a premier destination for entertainment, relaxation and culinary excellence. The cornerstone of the expansion is the construction of a luxurious hotel, which will offer guests unparalleled comfort and stunning views of the Snoqualmie Valley and Mount Si.

Galaxy Gaming Inc., the world’s largest independent developer and distributor of casino table games and technology announced, at a special meeting of its stockholders held on November 12, 2024 (the Special Meeting), Galaxy Gaming stockholders voted to approve the Company’s acquisition by Evolution Malta Holding Limited (Evolution), Evolution AB (publ)’s wholly owned subsidiary. Galaxy Gaming will file a Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reporting the final voting results of the Special Meeting.

Caesars Virginia has announced that its highly anticipated opening date will be Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. The resort will welcome its first guests beginning at noon. Additional details on the opening festivities will be announced at a later date. Caesars Virginia is a 587,000 square foot casino resort with more than 90,000 square feet of gaming space.

Partnerships

NGX has entered into a strategic partnership with Sportradar, a global leader in sports integrity solutions, which collaborates with more than 180 sports federations and leagues. The agreement aims to support the Brazilian football federations of Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná and Pará, providing detailed reports to ensure the integrity of sporting events and combat fraud.

EvenBet Gaming has announced the launch of its advanced poker solutions in partnership with JugaMax, one of the largest and most respected casino operators in Paraguay. This strategic collaboration marks EvenBet’s debut in the Paraguayan iGaming market, solidifying the company’s expansion within Latin America. The newly established partnership enables the integration of EvenBet Gaming’s poker offering on the JugaMax platform.

Jackpocket, the leading lottery app in the US, and Barstool Sports announced a new collaboration naming Jackpocket as the “Exclusive & Official Digital Lottery Partner of Barstool Sports”. The deal with Barstool follows Jackpocket’s parent company, DraftKings, announcing a similar agreement with the media company in February 2024. This collaboration centers around the integration of Jackpocket in Barstool’s content. Fans can participate in the lottery alongside some of Barstool’s biggest names such as Dave Portnoy, Big Cat & PFT from Pardon My Take – the leading sports podcast in America, Wallo & Gillie from Million Dollaz Worth of Game and more.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – November 4-10

Published

2 weeks ago

November 12, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Latest News

PENN Entertainment and ESPN announced that account linking between ESPN BET and ESPN is now available for customers, creating an even more deeply integrated media and betting experience. By linking accounts, fans now have the ability to seamlessly track upcoming, live and settled bets within the ESPN app and on ESPN.com. With this product enhancement, ESPN BET will soon bring fans more personalised bets and timely promotions based on their favourite sports, teams, players and fantasy rosters.

Accel Entertainment Inc. has announced that it has completed the acquisition of 85% of the ownership interests of Toucan Gaming LLC and LSM Gaming LLC, two Louisiana-based route operators and owners of multiple licensed video poker establishments (collectively, “Toucan”), for approximately $40 million. The combined business will operate as Toucan Gaming throughout Louisiana and will be led by Stan Guidroz, an industry-leading gaming executive and current CEO of Toucan Gaming. Mr. Guidroz owns the remaining 15% of Toucan’s ownership interests and will lead the Accel team supporting Toucan’s continued growth.

INTRALOT S.A. has announced the undertaking of a new project between the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the sole lottery operator for the Government of British Columbia in Canada, and INTRALOT, its US subsidiary, for the provision of an online lottery platform. The project also includes the digitalisation of the existing land-based network. The solution will be based on the Player X platform, part of the Lotos X ecosystem, and adds to the company’s overall partnership with BCLC, which has been extended until 2028.

BetMGM Poker has become the third US operator to offer multi-state online poker. The company has merged its player pools in Michigan and New Jersey. Both states are a part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, which allows online poker networks to share liquidity and players in participating markets. The two-state network went live Wednesday afternoon after morning maintenance.

Betsson Group has celebrated its success at the SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2024, winning two prestigious awards: Sportsbook Operator of the Year and Leader of the Year, which was awarded to Kevin Saliba, Commercial Director (Business Development) for Latin America. This marks the second consecutive year Betsson has earned the Leader of the Year accolade, following Andrea Rossi’s win in 2023 – an achievement that underscores Betsson’s consistent leadership in the region.

Partnerships

Play’n GO has announced a new operator partnership with renowned gaming brand Hard Rock Digital for their top-rated Hard Rock Bet online casino platform in New Jersey. The Hard Rock brand is synonymous with entertainment worldwide, and this partnership will see Hard Rock Bet players in New Jersey gain access to hit Play’n GO titles such as Piggy Blitz, Book of Dead and Rise of Olympus 100.

SCCG Management, a global leader in gaming innovation and advisory, has announced a strategic partnership with Chata.AI, a technology provider specialising in self-service, proactive analytics that enables businesses to access real-time insights without requiring extensive technical expertise. This partnership introduces Chata.AI’s technology to the gaming industry, providing operators with powerful tools to streamline decision-making and increase operational efficiency.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – October 28-November 3

Published

3 weeks ago

November 4, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Latest News

Elray Resources Inc. has announced a significant milestone in the company’s growth strategy. The company has completed the sale of proprietary technology to 180 Life Sciences Corp. (NASDAQ:ATNF), a NASDAQ-listed company in exchange for preferred stock convertible into a 40% stake in ATNF and warrants to purchase 3 million shares of ATNF common stock, the conversion/exercise of which is subject to stockholder approval. The technology stack contained within Elray’s technology package will assist ATNF in launching an iGaming Blockchain casino.

PrizePicks, the largest daily fantasy sports operator in North America, has announced that it has been awarded Daily Fantasy Sports Operator Licenses in Delaware and Missouri. The company will launch Arena, its innovative peer-to-peer fantasy sports contest, in both states. With these new state launches, Arena will now be available in 15 states across the US.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (Board) unanimously voted to renew the Category 2 stand-alone casino license of Wind Creek Bethlehem LLC, operator of Wind Creek Bethlehem casino in Northampton County. In making the decision, the Board determined that Wind Creek Bethlehem LLC had fulfilled the obligations under its previously approved casino operator’s license and therefore qualified to have its license renewed for an additional five-year period.

Aristocrat announced that the company was the first international slot and online technology company to be granted a Gaming-Related Vendor license by The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the federal entity overseeing commercial gaming activities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This announcement grants Aristocrat the ability to provide the company’s land-based electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and online games and technology solutions to commercial gaming operators licensed by the GCGRA.

Partnerships

SCCG Management, a leading global advisory and consulting firm in the gambling industry, has entered into a strategic partnership with Slot Machines Unlimited, a premier provider of refurbished slot machines and gaming equipment. The partnership between SCCG Management and Slot Machines Unlimited leverages both companies’ strengths: Slot Machines Unlimited’s expertise in refurbished gaming equipment and SCCG’s deep industry insight, global network and strategic growth capabilities. The collaboration will enhance Slot Machines Unlimited’s international sales and service operations, ensuring gaming establishments worldwide have access to high-quality slot machines and support.

Galaxy Gaming Inc. has announced that the Galaxy Operating System (GOS) is now live on over 50 ships worldwide with Carnival Corporation & PLC, the world’s largest leisure travel company. Since the installation, tables powered by GOS have awarded over $5 million in jackpot payouts to players. GOS is the jackpot progressive system for all Carnival Corporation ships, including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises. Launched in 2024, GOS is the next-generation game management system developed by the industry’s leading table game experts.

The hottest new game from Aristocrat Gaming, Phoenix Link, is now live on casino floors, with Yaamava’ Resort & Casino being the first in North America to offer the highly-anticipated game. As the next evolution of the international hit game, Dragon Link, Phoenix Link features player-favourite mechanics from top games with all-new themes, features and bonuses.

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