Gambling in the USA
BMM Testlabs may yet find out whether it will crack tough Illinois market
These should be the best of times for BMM Testlabs.
By its own count, the independent gaming device testing laboratory is licensed in more than 420 jurisdictions. It is relied on to provide accurate examination of programs and gaming and lottery devices for a wide variety of markets.
But for some intriguing reason, it hasn’t been able to crack the Illinois casino market. On Friday in a hearing before the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB), the company hopes to change that after what figures to be a fascinating exchange of testimony. The licensing matter is officially called BMM Testlabs vs. Illinois Gaming Board.
If that sounds contentious, there’s be a good reason: BMM alleges it has been treated unfairly in its attempt to crack the lucrative Illinois market after losing out to rival Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), a behemoth in that end of the business. Following a 2016 bid for services, BMM found itself shut out of Illinois after the IGB issued an exclusive, three-year contract to GLI.
In a growing market at a time in history the gaming industry is exploding with technological advancement, it was a substantial knockdown. BMM is now attempting to rise from the canvas.
To say the least it’s coming back swinging. In raising the issue of potential favoritism by IGB staff members that have since resigned from the regulatory agency, BMM’s shots promise to sting.
Then there’s the exclusive agreement itself. BMM argues that Illinois is the only substantial jurisdiction in which it has been shut out. Of course, you might counter that GLI isn’t a heavyweight in the test lab business for nothing. It has generated a lot of satisfied customers across the country and beyond.
Of course, it’s also possible that two warring corporate entities aren’t above hitting below the belt to secure contracts. It’s clear BMM contends this is the case at GLI – an accusation denied by the lab giant.
But let’s just say BMM has been in this position before, several times, in fact. By its count, it came up against substantial opposition in Indiana, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Missouri before prevailing with regulators. In each of those states, it contends, its strongest opposition didn’t come from the governing bodies, but from representatives of GLI lobbying for exclusivity.
But did I say these should be good days for BMM?
CDC Gaming Reports reported that GLI had agreed to pay $125,000 in July to Nevada authorities to settle a three-count complaint it faced alleging a failure in testing and certification it performed on a product for Interblock. GLI’s attorney responded that the company was extremely efficient over the last six years and had a minuscule error rate.
Which is great news, overall, but lacks much meaning to real regulators. It’s like saying Mrs. O’Leary’s cow gave great milk until it kicked over a lantern and started the Great Chicago Fire.
It was the first time in Nevada history that an independent testing lab had been fined by the Gaming Control Board and Gaming Commission.
It’s not, however, the first time GLI has been fined.
Back in 2011, Tennessee lottery regulators entered into a substantial monetary settlement with the company after a civil dispute over quality control issues. In another settlement the following year in Missouri, gaming regulators in that state fined it $25,000 for testing errors.
In fairness, that’s still not much bad news for a company that tests thousands of devices and systems each year and controls nearly three-quarters of the industry’s independent testing lab market.
So, the idea that GLI is on the ropes is simply not true. In fact, the issue really isn’t about GLI at all. It’s about whether Illinois gaming authorities did credible due diligence and didn’t play politics before awarding an exclusive deal to a test lab giant.
Win or lose, if the BMM-IGB hearing establishes that much, it will have done a service not only to itself, but to the industry as a whole.
About BMM:
BMM is the longest established and most experienced private independent gaming certification lab in the world, providing professional technical and regulatory compliance services to the gaming industry since 1981.
At its core, BMM is a systems-expert company that has provided consulting for and tested many of the largest gaming networks and systems over the last 36 years. In addition, BMM has been successfully testing and certifying the full scope of Class III casino products for over two decades.
BMM authored the first set of independent gaming standards in 1992 and the first set of online gaming standards in 2001.
BMM employs some 325 people in 14 global locations and serves over 440 jurisdictions.
BMM’s world headquarters are in Las Vegas (USA), with offices in Mexico City (Mexico), Lima (Peru), Melbourne and Sydney (Australia), Singapore, Macau (SAR, China), Moncton (Canada), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Barcelona (Spain), Vienna (Austria), Bologna (Italy), Midrand (South Africa) and Bucharest (Romania).
For more information on BMM Testlabs, please visit bmm.com
Gambling in the USA
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – September 30-October 6
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
Jackpot Digital, a leading manufacturer of electronic multiplayer dealerless poker tables, announced that it has received approval from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) to act as a registered supplier of gaming supplies and services to regulated casinos in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The approval follows the Company’s news release dated February 6, 2024, announcing the signing of a licensing agreement with the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority to install the Company’s Jackpot Blitz dealerless poker ETGs into SIGA casinos.
Underdog Fantasy, one the fastest-growing sports gaming and media companies in the US, was recognised as the number 15 company on LinkedIn’s 2024 Top Startups list in the US, alongside startups recognised for employment growth, engagement, job interest and attraction of top talent. This marks the second consecutive year Underdog has made LinkedIn’s top startups list. Underdog is the only sports gaming company to make the list in 2024, and is the only sports gaming company to make LinkedIn’s list since Underdog’s founding in 2020.
FireKeepers Casino Hotel announced the opening of the Aristocrat Gaming Lounge, a cutting-edge gaming area showcasing some of the most popular slot games by Aristocrat Gaming. The lounge is conveniently located near to the hotel lobby, offering easy access for guests. The Aristocrat Gaming Lounge houses 32 popular game titles by Aristocrat Gaming including fan favourites like Dragon Link, Buffalo, Mo’ Mummy, Whisker Wheels and more.
NIGC Compliance Officer Jo’Elle Thompson was inducted into the Emerging Leaders of Gaming (ELG) “40 Under 40” Class of 2025. The ELG “40 Under 40,” designed by The Innovation Group (TIG) in collaboration with Global Gaming Business magazine, recognises the significant contributions that gaming professionals under the age of 40 have made to the casino gaming industry. Recipients of this award are not only being honoured for their achievements, but also paving the way for the next generation of innovators and leaders in the gaming industry.
Partnerships
Fanatics Betting and Gaming has integrated a range of White Hat Studios’ award-winning games into the new online Fanatics Casino for customers in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Known for bringing branded entertainment to life, White Hat Studios will offer Fanatics Casino players access to popular slots, including the hit titles Goonies Hey You Guys and Ted Cashlock. Each title offers engaging gameplay and immersive visuals that connect players with their favourite brands.
Slotomania, the free-to-play slots game from Playtika, has announced an extended collaboration with the hit game show “Let’s Make a Deal”. From October 1 to 24, Slotomania will sponsor The Big Deal of the Day round on “Let’s Make a Deal,” offering lucky contestants the chance to win big with even more exciting prizes in the ultimate showdown of chance, luck and fun.
Pavilion Payments, the leading omnichannel payments provider exclusively serving the gaming industry, has announced a strategic partnership with betPARX. This partnership will integrate Pavilion Payments’ cutting-edge Real-Time Payments (RTP) solution—fully supporting FedNow and RTP networks—into betPARX’s platform, revolutionising the payout experience for patrons by enabling instant access to their winnings.
Gambling in the USA
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – September 23-29
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) has announced that Shondra DeLoach-Perea, IGT Vice President Field Services, Call Centers and Technology Operations, has been named a recipient of Global Gaming Women’s (GGW) 2024 “Patty Becker Pay it Forward Award”. The annual award programme honors women in the gaming industry who have contributed to GGW’s initiatives and helped support women in their organisation and community.
Caesars Entertainment has launched the Caesars Sportsbook Muckleshoot app, which is now accepting mobile sports bets at Muckleshoot Casino Resort in Auburn, Washington. Guests 21 and older who are interested in wagering on mobile devices can download the Caesars Sportsbook Muckleshoot app and must be physically present on the property at Muckleshoot to verify their registration for an account and place wagers during their visit, in accordance with state law.
Aristocrat Technologies, a leading global provider of gaming solutions, has achieved a significant legal victory in Aristocrat’s case against Light & Wonder (L&W) concerning infringement of Aristocrat’s intellectual property, including misappropriation of Aristocrat’s trade secrets in connection with L&W’s Dragon Train game. On September 23, 2024, Judge Gloria M. Navarro of the United States District Court for the District of Nevada issued a decision granting Aristocrat’s motion for a preliminary injunction on its trade secret claims against L&W.
Jim Collopy has become the champion of the 2024 Poker Masters presented by the PokerStars NAPT. Collopy cashed in four consecutive events during the eight-event series, amassing $521,600 in prize money and securing the coveted Poker Masters Purple Jacket. He also earned a $25,000 PokerGO Tour (PGT) Passport and a PokerStars Gold Pass for his victory.
JCM Global has been licensed by the Colorado Division of Gaming, authorising JCM to sell the TITA Table Game System directly to customers throughout the state, in addition to its other leading transaction and automation solutions. The license builds on JCM’s more than 170 active gaming licenses the company holds and maintains across North America and around the world. Most recently, JCM earned licensing in the State of New Mexico.
New Partnerships
LexisNexis Risk Solutions has announced a strategic alliance with Radar, a recognised leader in geofencing technology. This collaboration integrates Radar’s robust geofencing, mapping and geo-compliance capabilities with the advanced data and technology from LexisNexis Risk Solutions. Together, they will deliver a robust solution for gaming and gambling operators, that will help ensure that devices used for online gambling in the US comply with applicable state regulations.
Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) and The Casino at Nemacolin have announced a strategic partnership that promises to revolutionise the gaming and hospitality industry in the western Pennsylvania market. This strategic alliance sets the stage for an exciting fusion of technology and hospitality, with The Casino at Nemacolin at the forefront.
Sportingtech has announced a new partnership with 23:59. The partnership reinforces Sportingtech’s dedication to offering operators efficient tools to enhance their ability to develop localised campaigns and reach clients globally, particularly in Brazil. 23:59, with its global sports events and holiday consolidation, simplifies the planning of successful campaigns aligned with these events.
Gambling in the USA
Dealer’s Choice: Uncovering the Truth About Casino Dealer Salaries in 2024, OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos Reports
With the gambling market booming, the role of the casino dealer is becoming an increasingly enticing career prospect for many. As demand for dealers continues to rise, an estimated 43,370 jobs will be filled in the US by 2029, opening up a promising path for those interested in the industry.
While entry-level positions offer modest wages, the potential for substantial earnings is significant. Typically, dealers start with a baseline rate (with experienced individuals earning more) and boost their income through tips or “tokes,” as they’re known in the industry. Historically, dealers pocketed these tokes directly. Now, casinos are adopting a more even-handed approach by pooling and distributing them among staff.
Although Las Vegas would appear to be the pinnacle of lucrative tips for casino dealers, the reality is more complex. In an oversaturated market such as Sin City, where staff numbers are large, tip-sharing often results in lukewarm wages. In 2024, the average salary for casino dealers in Nevada is $19.96 an hour, closely aligning with the national average of $19.25 per hour. Nevada didn’t even make the list of the top five highest-paying states. The ranking is as follows.
Arizona: The average salary of casino dealers in Arizona is $66,370 yearly, the highest in the nation, with 1760 employed.
Washington: In Washington, 4030 dealers make an average of $61,290 annually.
New York: New York employs 1660 dealers, making an average of $56,080 annually.
West Virginia: The 630 casino dealers in West Virginia average $55,700 a year.
New Jersey: With 3490 dealers, New Jersey offers an average of $46,120 annually.
Aspiring casino dealers should carefully consider location and casino size when searching for opportunities. Nonetheless, many find that job satisfaction can outweigh these elements.
Jeffrey Biship, a former dealer in Missouri, said: “I dealt blackjack and craps in the worst casino in St. Louis. But even in the worst casino in probably one of the worst gambling markets in America, it had its definite plusses. On a good night, it was a blast. Sometimes I couldn’t believe that I was paid to have so much fun.”
Heather Ferris, founder and CEO of Vegas Aces and former Las Vegas dealer, said: “Dealing table games was the best job I ever had! Once you know how to deal, you don’t even think about it anymore. It becomes routine. So basically, you spend your entire time talking to people from all around the world…”
She also highlighted how events can significantly boost tips, “Special events or holidays, such as boxing matches or New Year’s Eve, can drastically increase a dealer’s tips. For example, during the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, some dealers made up to $1500 in a single shift.”
As potential dealers enter the industry, setting realistic expectations and balancing enjoyment, salary and location is essential.
For more about casino dealer salaries in 2024, check out Heather Ferris’s article at Online United States Casinos, where she dives deep into pay rates and shares insights from her first-hand experience navigating this career.
Online United States Casinos is a comprehensive resource for gambling information with an adept team of specialists committed to accuracy. It is dedicated to empowering readers to make well-informed choices through in-depth research, unbiased reviews, and expert insights.
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