Gambling in the USA
What next for Mexico’s gambling industry?
Mexico, a well-known holiday destination, does not have a properly regulated gambling industry.
It was in 1947 that the then President, Lazaro Cardenas banned gambling. But the industry flourished underground. Despite the demands from government officials, the old law has still not been changed.
The history of gambling in Mexico
Despite its illegal status, gambling does take place in Mexico. Betting on horse racing, dog racing, gaming machines, cockfighting, sports betting, lottery, Jai Alai (a form of the Basque pelota game) and scratch cards, is tolerated. But properly regulated casinos are not to be found. The current situation is at odds with Mexican tradition and heritage, which has had gambling at its heart since the Aztecs in ancient times. When the French attempted to colonise the country in the 19th century, casinos could be found across the country. The Mexican Revolution that put a stop to President Porfirio Diaz’s 30 years of rule 1911 also put a stop to the Mexican gambling industry.
There was a brief resurgence of gambling in the 1920s, when American gambling tourists were seeking an escape from their own period of prohibition – not only of gambling, but alcohol too.
Gambling in Mexico today
The ambiguity around Mexico’s current gambling legislation was born from a piece of legislation called Regulations of the Federal Games and Draws Law, which aimed to regulate all gambling activity in 2004. In 2012 and then again in 2013, the law was amended to try to clarify the rule with regards to ‘skill-based electronic games’, which were only allowed with a special permit. Further confusion ensued when the same regulations seemed to include slot machines in this category.
To clear up the confusion in this status quo, the Federal Gaming Law bill is currently being reviewed by the government. If this Bill is passed, then it will officially accept that gaming exists and will create a new Regulator to oversee all gaming activities. At that point, Mexico may well see the advantages of a well-regulated gaming industry and how it can be a positive force for society. If passed, the Federal Gaming Law will guarantee:
Players’ wins will be paid out to them
The Government will be able to levy betting taxes that pay for the regulation.
Gambling operators will be forced to implement strict anti-money laundering measures.
Underage and problem gamblers will be refused by the licence holders.
Licenced betting companies will be regularly checked, and their finance examined to ensure that they are playing by the rules.
Under the Federal Gaming Law, there is the general rule that games of chance – and where bets are crossed – are still prohibited. The exceptions that they have cited are as follows:
- Chess
- Dominoes
- Dice
- Bowling
- Billiards
- Ball games
- Horse and car races
- Physical sports
So as you can see, the waters are more than a little muddied in the current picture. To make things even more confusing, bookmakers and clubs often permit bingo, the lottery, cockfighting, bullfighting, casinos, track betting and sports betting. Sports betting is in fact legal in Mexico, with the monopoly holder Caliente taking bets over the phone or the internet. One of their most popular territories is Baja California, which is very close to the US state of California.
The benefits of a regulated future
Mexico isn’t the only country that’s been through this type of historical development. As technology and the internet have emerged, other nations have amended their regulations to reflect the changing ways that people gamble.
They’ve created more robust regulatory environments to manage the influence of an industry that appeal hugely to players, but also raises valuable taxes that can be turned into funds to benefit society at large. Within this framework of legalisation and regulation, gambling operators have been able to thrive.
Mexico might look to the UK for an example of this. In the UK, the Gambling Commission regulates the businesses that provide gambling products and services in Great Britain. Everything to do with gambling – from the National Lottery, to the slot machines in the pubs, are governed by the Commission. Under the legislation, inspectors make frequent visits to licensed premises to give advice and take remedial or preventative action if and when it’s required.
The Commission also reviews the financials of the gambling license holders to ensure that everything is within the rules. It is a strict environment that works well for gambling operators and players alike.
Online gaming flourishes in a regulated world
As we said before, there are companies in the UK jurisdiction which work within the rules and which provide innovative online gaming for millions of people. Virtual gambling enables gamers to play their favourite games from the comfort of their own home, or remotely, on their mobile or desktop devices. From poker, to blackjack, and roulette – players across the UK are heading to online casinos in droves, embracing the convenience and the increasingly realistic simulation of the experience of gambling in real, land-based premises. So much so, that online gambling now brings in one-third of the total revenue of gambling, according to the Gambling Commission’s own figures.
Bingo is a hugely popular pastime in the UK – and perhaps accordingly, has been a huge hit online. For example, one leading operator is Wink Bingo, which owns and manages online bingo games in the UK. Players can not only play a wide range of games, they can interact with each other on lively, vibrant community forums and even take home rewards that can be redeemed for shopping vouchers. This operator has been able to flourish, even amid heavy regulation, by appealing to players in a responsible way – as you’ll be able to see by visiting the Responsible Gaming section.
Mexico is a beautiful country with a rich heritage – and it’s a stunning holiday destination. If the country embraced a properly regulated gaming industry, they would become an even more sought-after holiday destination for people that like to gamble. Just look at the US, the UK, and many countries in Far East, where millions of people go to gamble every year. An economy based on a gaming industry is obviously not a good idea – but a safe, regulated industry which contributes to the economy and the social well-being of its people, is surely a step in the right direction.
Source: The Yucatan Times
Gambling in the USA
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 8-14
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
FanDuel Group, the premier online gaming company in North America and an Official Partner of Churchill Downs Inc., announced five time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan and Grammy award-winning R&B singer Ne-Yo as the headlining performers at FanDuel’s inaugural Kentucky Derby Party. The exclusive, invite-only event will take place on Friday, May 3 at Paristown Arts and Entertainment District in Louisville, Kentucky from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM.
TPI, a leading provider of innovative player communication solutions for the casino industry, has appointed Joe Tingson as its new Vice President of Customer Success. With his unparalleled dedication to his customers, Joe will play a pivotal role as a leader for our digital Customer Success and Product teams.
PrizePicks, the largest daily fantasy sports operator in North America, has announced plans for its new 33,000 square foot Atlanta Headquarters, which will be located in the Star Metals Building in Midtown Atlanta. The company plans to grow its workforce by 1000 new jobs over the next seven years, the economic impact of which will be $25M to the state of Georgia.
Century Casinos Inc. has announced that it opened its hotel in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, The Riverview. The Riverview is a 69 room, six-story building with 68,000 square feet that is adjacent to and connected with Century Casino Cape Girardeau. The project cost $30.5 million and was financed with cash on hand.
Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has announced the opening of Terre Haute Casino Resort in Terre Haute, Indiana. The $290 million investment includes a casino floor with 1000 slot machines, 36 table games, and a state-of-the-art sportsbook. The 400,000-square-foot entertainment venue also features regionally inspired bars and restaurants including: Four Cornered Steakhouse, Rockwood Bar & Grill, The Soda Shoppe, Crossroads Center Bar and High Limit Bar.
Bragg Gaming Group Inc., a global B2B gaming technology and content provider, announced that Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Ronen Kannor, has notified Bragg’s board of directors (Board) that he will resign from his position to pursue other career opportunities, effective June 3, 2024. The Company confirms that the search for a replacement CFO has commenced.
Partnerships
EQL Games has partnered with global aggregation leader and NeoGames company, Pariplay, to provide the Virginia Lottery, through an agreement with NeoPollard Interactive, with a series of eInstant iLottery games for their industry-leading digital platform.
JACK Entertainment LLC announced the selection of Konami Gaming Inc.’s SYNKROS to power industry-leading systems technology across its 1.5 million square feet of casino entertainment space. The Ohio-based gaming operator’s portfolio includes a combined 2600+ gaming machines and 85 table games at JACK Cleveland Casino in downtown Cleveland, and at JACK Thistledown Racino, located approximately 10 miles to the southeast.
PrizePicks, the largest daily fantasy sports operator in North America, announced that the company has reunited with the Atlanta Braves as the club’s Official Daily Fantasy Sports Partner for the 2024 season. The partnership extends a longstanding relationship that dates back to 2020, with the two Atlanta-based companies continuing to work together on unique opportunities for their dedicated fans.
Gambling in the USA
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 1-7
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
International Game Technology PLC (IGT) announced that it will showcase its performance-focused portfolio of games and solutions for tribal casinos at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention (IGA) 2024, April 9-11 in Anaheim, Calif. Under the theme “We’ve Got Game,” IGT’s booth #536 will feature a compelling array of gaming solutions designed to engage players and drive growth.
Caesars Sportsbook announced its receipt of the prestigious RG Check accreditation from the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC). The certification includes an assessment of Caesars Sportsbook’s commitment to Responsible Gaming, including areas such as player and Team Member education, public awareness advertisements and funding for organisations dedicated to Responsible Gaming research, awareness and education.
Veriff, a global identity verification (IDV) provider, announced the appointment of Jeffrey Guy as President and COO. Jeffrey brings a wealth of leadership experience at technology companies in driving profitable growth and expanding product portfolio. Before Veriff, he was Chief Operating Officer at DigitalOcean, a publicly traded cloud computing platform provider.
GAN Limited announced that Mr. Brian Chang has recently been named the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Chang had previously been serving in an interim capacity. Mr. Chang will be focused on guiding the Company towards a timely closing with Sega Sammy Creation Inc. (Sega Sammy).
Partnerships
The Commerce Casino & Hotel, home to the largest poker room in the world, has announced an exciting partnership with the richest, most prestigious and longest-running poker series – the World Series of Poker (WSOP). This collaboration signifies a pivotal moment for the poker community, bringing together two powerhouses to elevate the poker experience for players and fans worldwide.
BetRivers, powered by Rush Street Interactive, a leading US-based online betting and gaming company, has announced its partnership as the title sponsor for the upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash race at Dover Motor Speedway. The BetRivers 200, set for Saturday, April 27, is being undertaken with the Delaware Lottery and marks the beginning of a thrilling new chapter in NASCAR history, as RSI commits to the long-term support of this top tier sporting event.
Elys BMG Group Inc., an interactive gaming and sports betting technology company, announced the completion of its sportsbook installation at The Ugly Mug restaurant and bar situated at 723 8th St SE, in Washington, DC. This collaboration underscores Elys’ commitment to providing unparalleled sports wagering experiences for small and local businesses across America.
SCCG Management has announced a strategic partnership with mkodo, a leading technology provider in the iGaming space. This collaboration is set to distribute mkodo’s innovative geolocation product, GeoLocs and other leading solutions across the US and key global markets, including Brazil, leveraging SCCG’s robust market presence and industry expertise.
Prove Identity Inc. announced a strategic partnership with BetMGM, a sports betting and iGaming leader, to enhance the security and user experience for BetMGM customers through the cutting-edge Prove Pre-Fill identity solution. Prove Pre-Fill accelerates digital consumer onboarding by up to 79% and is used by more than 1000 businesses globally across diversified industries, including 9 of the top 10 banks.
Gambling in the USA
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – March 25-31
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
Bragg Gaming Group is now registered as an approved service provider by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, allowing for the distribution of online casino games, including Bragg’s proprietary and exclusive games portfolio, via the Bragg HUB aggregation platform to operators in the soon-to-be-launched LatAm iGaming market.
PENN Entertainment announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Anuj Dhanda to the Board, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Mr. Dhanda’s appointment expands the size of the Board to ten members, nine of whom satisfy the standards for director independence under the current Listing Rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.
SlotsCalendar has launched its tailor-made platform for American users: https://www.slotscalendar.us. The brand’s clear aim is to provide a digital environment where impartial and informative content is optimised specifically for the American market.
MGM Resorts International announced that it proposes to offer $750,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2032. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of the notes to repay existing indebtedness, including its outstanding 6.750% senior notes due 2025. Pending such use, the Company may invest the net proceeds in short-term interest-bearing accounts, securities, or similar investments.
Genius Sports Limited, the official data, technology and commercial partner that powers the ecosystem connecting sports, betting and media, announced that it has been certified by the State of Wisconsin Division of Gaming as a gaming-related contractor with immediate effect.
Win Systems is going to participate in the next edition of GAT with its exclusive distributor in Colombia, Comercializadora Selan S.A.S. The event will be held in Cartagena de India on April 10–11, and the company’s booth will be A11.
Pragmatic Play is set to make another appearance at a Latin American exhibition, at GAT Expo in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. The gaming provider will be on stand A31 and A32 to showcase its diverse portfolio, including Slots, Live Casino, Virtual Sports and Bingo content, alongside its new Sportsbook offering.
Partnerships
DraftKings announced an expanded relationship with Kindbridge Behavioural Health to provide access to therapy and treatment for problem gaming in every jurisdiction where DraftKings operates its online sportsbook and iGaming products. DraftKings and Kindbridge originally joined forces in September 2023 to launch a pilot programme to deliver personalised support for sports bettors in Colorado.
The Connecticut Lottery, in partnership with Fanatics Betting and Gaming, the online and retail sports betting subsidiary of Fanatics Holdings, has opened a new retail sportsbook location at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport. The exciting new location is more than 2300 square feet and features betting windows, self-service betting kiosks from Suzohapp and high-definition TVs situated all around the sportsbook.
The Texas Lottery and Texas Motor Speedway have joined together again to rev up luck for lottery players and racing fans through the new LUCKY 7s scratch ticket game. The new $5 game features chances to win a $100,000 top prize and integrates a series of promotional second-chance drawings. The drawings give players with non-winning tickets a chance to win exclusive Texas Motor Speedway prizes.
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