Gambling in the USA

West Virginia files new bill to regulate iGaming

Published

3 months ago

January 14, 2019

Niji Narayan

West Virginia files new bill to regulate iGaming

Photo Source: avitamon-lotto.com

Reading Time: 2 minutes

West Virginia files a new bill this week for the legalisation of online and land-based sports betting with the regulation of online poker and casino.

A new House Bill 2178 has been introduced by the representatives Shawn Fluharty and Joe Canestraro, which looks to amend the 1931 Code of West Virginia, allowing online gaming for players aged 21 and above. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for further scrutiny, after which it will be passed to the House Finance Committee.

As per the bill, video lottery and table games deliver substantial benefits to the state by providing financial support to West Virginia’s racing and agricultural industries.

“Developments in technology and recent legal decisions have created an opportunity to legalize interactive poker as a means to further enhance and complement the benefits delivered by casino gaming and licensed facilities to or for the benefit of the communities in which they operate,” it explains.

Regulation for iGaming will be entrusted to the West Virginia Lottery Commission, with only authorised gaming facilities and entities that have been granted racing licences from the state Racing Commission will be eligible for certification.

According to this, only five venues would be able to apply for iGaming licences: Penn National’s Hollywood Casino, Eldorado Resorts’ Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort; Delaware North’s Mardi Gras and Wheeling Island venues, and Casino Club.

Licence fee is $50,000, and 14 per cent gross gaming revenue tax has to be paid by each applicant. None would be allowed to offer third party skins under their licence.

Strict penalties are also set along with the proposal for unlicensed gambling, with first-time offenders liable to be hit with a fine of up to $150,000, and a year in prison. Second offenders see the maximum fine jump to $300,000, with the potential prison term raised to three years.

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Niji Narayan

Niji Narayan has been in the writing industry for well over a decade or so. He prides himself as one of the few survivors left in the world who have actually mastered the impossible art of copy editing. Niji graduated in Physics and obtained his Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism. He has always interested in sports writing and travel writing. He has written for numerous websites and his in-depth analytical articles top sports magazines like Cricket Today and Sports Today. He reports gaming industry headlines from all around the globe.

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Gambling in the USA

PointsBet Partners With Catfish Bend Casino in Iowa

Published

3 hours ago

April 25, 2019

Niji Narayan

PointsBet Partners With Catfish Bend Casino in Iowa

Photo Source: kbur.com

Reading Time: 1 minute

PointsBet, the top-tier sportsbook operator, has entered a multi-year partnership with Catfish Bend Casino, one of Iowa’s leading casino, entertainment, and hotel destinations.

The partnership will include the launch of both premium retail and mobile sportsbook operations in Iowa, following proper licensing afforded by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. PointsBet and Catfish Bend Casino will work in tandem to build out a multi-faceted sports entertainment venue centrally located on the Catfish Bend property.

“PointsBet is thrilled to announce this partnership, enabling us to create a first-class sportsbook for Iowa’s sports bettors at one of the best casino resorts in the Midwest. Catfish Bend Casino’s executives – Gary Hoyer and Rob Higgins – are two of the most progressive and forward-thinking operators in the industry. We knew they were the perfect match for PointsBet’s long-term vision of gaming in the U.S. from day one,” Johnny Aitken, PointsBet’s U.S. CEO said.

“We couldn’t imagine a better sportsbook to bring to Catfish Bend Casino and the state of Iowa. The potential legalization of sports betting in Iowa opens an exciting new opportunity for recreational and avid players, and PointsBet’s unmatched dedication to bettors makes them the ideal partner for our brand and go-to-market plan,” Gary Hoyer, CEO of Great River Entertainment said.

Gambling in the USA

Delaware North Sues Miomni Gaming Over Fraudulent Claims

Published

4 hours ago

April 25, 2019

Niji Narayan

Delaware North Sues Miomni Gaming Over Fraudulent Claims

Photo Source: hhlarchitects.com

Reading Time: 1 minute

Delaware North, the US based casino operator, has filed a lawsuit against its sports betting joint venture partner Miomni Gaming.

The operator is seeking monetary damages through the suit filed in the Chancery Court of Delaware, including Miomni’s 49% stake in the BetLucky joint venture, which the supplier is apparently refusing to give up. The joint venture was made to launch the BetLucky sports betting platform. Delaware North then terminated the contract earlier this month.

The operator claims Miomni made fraudulent claims to induce it to enter into a joint venture, as well as of wilfully breaching a limited liability company agreement governing the operation of BetLucky.

Delaware North claims that Miomni and chief executive Venner repeatedly claimed to own intellectual property rights to the platform, including the source code for the front end and back end of the platform.

Compliance Updates

PGCB Imposes Fine Totalling US$242k on Two Casino Operators

Published

5 hours ago

April 25, 2019

Niji Narayan

PGCB Imposes Fine Totalling US$242k on Two Casino Operators

Photo Source: pennsylvaniacasinos.com

Reading Time: 1 minute

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has imposed the fines totalling US$242k against two casino operators.

Sands Bethworks Gaming, LLC, operator of the Sands Casino Resort in Northampton County, received separate fines of US$120k for underage gaming violations and a second for US$110k regarding the awarding of free slot play. The fine stemmed from 11 incidents in which individuals under the age of 21 accessed the gaming floor.

The second fine was issued for permitting the issuance of free slot play by employees who were not authorised to do so and/or issuing free slot play of amounts above authorised levels.

Washington Trotting Association, LLC, operator of the Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington County, received a US$12.5k fine for an underage gaming violation. This fine stemmed from an 18-year-old male gaining access onto the gaming floor, wagering at table games and being served alcohol.