SBC Americas reported that this legislation would allow casinos and racetracks in Illinois to apply for an internet gaming license, which can include up to three skins. The license will cost $250,000 and will be regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board.

The New Legislation Introduces a 15% Tax Rate

The new bill introduced by Sen. Castro stipulates that the tax rate on adjusted gross revenue would be set at 15%, and operators will also be able to deduct promotional credits. Unlike Illinois sports betting, there will be no in-person registration requirement for online casinos.

However, the legislation does address responsible gambling and diversity efforts. Operators must establish a self-exclusion list and display responsible gambling language on their websites. They will also need to provide annual reports on their diversity goals and progress.

The bill has also set out short deadlines for applicants, particularly those with existing interactive gaming licenses, to avoid the slow processes experienced by Massachusetts and Maryland in the sports betting industry.

Castro’s previous effort to legalize online casinos did not gain much traction, but with the continued success of sports betting in Illinois, lawmakers are now more open to expanding into the online gambling market.

Recent Report Showed Illinois Likely to Introduce Online Gambling

A recent report by Bonus.com revealed that Illinois may be among the states that legalize online gambling soon.

While the process of legalization may take some time, the benefits of a regulated gambling market are clear. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on the economy, and the legalization of online gambling could provide a much-needed revenue stream. Moreover, the regulation would ensure player protection, as licensed operators must follow rules and honor self-exclusion, whereas illegal operators do not.

Despite a failed attempt to pass the Illinois Internet Gaming Act in 2021, the topic may be up for discussion once again this year. 

However, the introduction of internet casino gaming in Illinois may still face an uphill battle, as the state already receives a substantial amount of tax revenue from video gaming terminals (VGTs). In 2022, Illinois received nearly $786 million in taxes from VGT play, which is more than double the revenue from traditional casinos outside of sports wagering. 

Furthermore, with the approval of six new casino licenses in the 2019 gaming expansion bill, including a location in downtown Chicago, it is expected that these venues will be operational by 2023, either temporarily or permanently. The added competition from these new establishments could make it even harder for internet casino gaming to gain traction in Illinois.

Many residents from the state like to take trips to locations that offer gambling entertainment primarily because the activity is illegal in Hawaii. One of the most popular locations is the gambling capital of the world, Las Vegas. Yet, while many enjoy the activity and it brings profits for operators involved in the organization process, a new proposal will likely make gambling trips more expensive.

Sen. Stanley Chang recently introduced a bill that sought to ban the advertising of vacation gambling tours and at the same time roll out a tax rate for those activities, a recent report released by Hawaii News Now revealed. The bill proposes to tax the activity at a 30% rate and use the proceeds to combat problem gambling and provide treatment and support for people affected by gambling addiction in the state.

The part of the proposal that calls to ban the advertisement of gambling trips did not make it during the Senate Consumer Protection Committee meeting on Thursday. Lawmakers ultimately decided that such prohibition would infringe on the freedom of speech, thus repealing the gambling trips ads ban part.

Gambling Trips Tax to Help Problem Gambling Treatment

According to Sen. Chang, although there is no gambling available in Hawaii, this doesn’t mean that there are no people suffering from gambling addiction. He explained that the bill seeks to contribute to problem gambling treatment. At the same time, Chang said that Hawaii is one of the only few states that doesn’t have any problem gambling treatment locations. According to him, such centers are critical and the new tax will be able to fund them.

“Hawaii is a non-gambling state, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have a problem with gambling addiction. We’re one of the few states that don’t have any type of problem gambling treatment centers and I think this would be a great way to fund this critical social need.“

Sen. Stanley Chang

Although the proposal is yet to gain further traction, for the moment lawmakers have greenlighted it, without the part for the ban of gambling trip ads. Still, it is yet to be decided whether the tax rate would be 30% or that number would undergo changes.

The announcement comes at a time when lawmakers in Hawaii are making efforts toward legalizing gambling. There are a few proposals that call for the legalization of commercial gambling in the state currently. At the same time, lawmakers are also considering the possibility of legalizing sports betting as well.

On Thursday, the gambling watchdog confirmed it imposed a regulatory action against Domiseda and Partners sro from Slovakia, as well as Equinox Dynamic NV from Curaçao. The €1.8 million ($1.9 million) total fine breaks down to €900,000 ($965,800) against each of the two operators.

The KSA said that it launched a probe into the operations of the online gambling website orientxpresscasino.com. Consequently, it uncovered that the website offered casino games without the necessary license. Dutch players had the option to participate in those games of chance, the regulator said. Considering that the companies “both acted as providers,” the regulator decided that a fine should be applicable for both.

Under the current gambling regulations active in the Netherlands, gambling operators are prohibited to offer games of chance without a license. Upon announcing the enforcement action, the KSA said that the two operators breached the Betting and Gaming Act in the country, which is why the two fines were introduced. This comes as no surprise, considering that the KSA is authorized to probe into the operations of online gambling companies and if necessary issue penalties.

Besides operating without a license, the KSA uncovered other deficiencies within its investigation. Those deficiencies, described by the regulator as “aggravating circumstances,” included a lack of age verification.

“Casino games were offered without a license on the website orientxpresscasino.com. Investigation revealed that Equinox Dynamic and Domiseda both acted as providers. That is why the Gaming Authority imposed a fine on both providers for the violation,“

reads a statement released by the KSA

Fines Issued by the Regulator Continue to Pile Up

Commenting on the topic, KSA’s chairman, René Jansen, said that the regulator continues to monitor the gambling market. Ultimately, the regulator’s purpose is to help establish an online gambling environment that is safe for the customers that are interested in such entertainment, he explained. Last but not least, Jansen said that a vital part of the process of creating a safe environment is tough enforcement actions against bad actors.

“The objective is to create a safe environment for people who want to gamble online. This includes taking strict action against illegal providers.“

René Jansen, chairman of the Kansspelautoriteit

The latest enforcement comes after earlier this week, the KSA issued a €350,000 ($375,600) penalty against Bingoal, an online gambling operator. The action came due to failures related to the Dutch-self-exclusion program called Crucks.

Back in January, the KSA also slammed JOI Gaming with a $400,000 fine over deficiencies related to advertising. At the time, the regulator said that the operator engaged in advertising for young adults, which is prohibited under the current regulatory framework in the Netherlands.

According to the Massachusetts Gambling Commission (MGC) this is a breach of existing gambling rules, but it’s not yet clear whether the sportsbooks that accepted those wagers would suffer any penalty.

Self-Reported Offenses Demonstrate Goodwill

The MGC is also on a tight schedule to make mobile sports betting available by March 10, with the Bay State hoping to boost the total sports betting handle on time for March Madness, the biggest basketball college tournament.

Still, the regulator also has to decide what to do with Encore Boston Harbor and Plainridge Park Casino which offered wagers on Boston College women’s basketball game and Merrimack College men’s basketball game respectively. The regulator is clear on the rules and has stated that betting on in-state collegiate sports is prohibited.

While some exceptions exist, the regulator argues that these cases are not it. The two sportsbooks accepted wagers during a 5-7-hour period and were in “violation” of regulatory laws, MGC chief enforcement counsel Heather Hall said.

The involved sportsbooks have been quick to respond, though, and acknowledged the mistake. Plainridge Park general manager North Grounsell was among the first to offer comment and said:

Due to a data input error by one of our vendors, we notified, and self-reported a violation to the MGC. We regret that this mistake happened, take full responsibility, and have added several remedial steps to our compliance process to help prevent this from happening again.

Plainridge Park general manager North Grounsell

Encore Boston Harbor spokesperson has also offered insight and said that the issue was self-reported and therefore no attempt to hide it from the regulator took place. Both properties assured that they are undertaking additional compliance measures to avoid a repeat.

While admitting fault is an alleviating factor, this does not mean that most regulators took it as a good thing. So far, there has not been an enforcement action, but such may come next Tuesday when the MGC is convening again.

Tight Schedule Ahead for Important Changes

MGC chairwoman Cathy Judd-Stein has been more consolatory in the matter, commending the operators for stepping up and bringing the issues to the regulator’s attention. But issuing fines to sportsbooks for seemingly minor transgressions is not uppermost on the regulator’s mind right now.

The MGC is keen to push legal mobile betting and put it in place by the March 10 deadline, with observers expecting mobile betting handle to account for up to 95% of the total betting activity in the state and more, to significantly improve the number of bets and participants.

Retailers in Salem and its surroundings will soon feature 100 new machines, giving players access to some of Light & Wonder’s best-performing games. If the trial run is successful, the two parties plan to strengthen their partnership and replace some of the Lottery’s ageing hardware with the newest Light & Wonder technology and content.

The New VLTs Sport Impressive Features

March marks the start of the newest endeavor for the Oregon Lottery as the organization aims to update its arsenal of video lottery terminals (VLTs). Leading casino and iGaming developer Light & Wonder has stepped in, offering 100 Kascada Dual Screen Multi-Game cabinets to be distributed across retailers in Salem as a trial to prove the product’s merits.

The new machines offer an unparalleled experience with two high-definition 27″ displays, fast gameplay, smooth animation, and multi-channel sound. Players will enjoy premium content by Light & Wonder’s talented development teams in titles such as Treasure Fruits, Flush Frenzy Poker, and Lightning Tusks. The trial marks Kascada Dual Screen’s first domestic release and will be vital for its future success.

The Oregon Lottery has been hard at work updating its services to remain adequate in the digital age. The organization recently partnered with IGT to introduce cashless solutions and individual player accounts. The Lottery has also doubled down on VLTs as its preferred platform, leading to the current deal with Light & Wonder. 

The Lottery Appears Cautiously Optimistic

Oregon Lottery manager of gaming products Lyndsey Peterson used the opportunity to laud the developer’s expertise and long history of success, expressing hope that the new machines would have a positive impact. Peterson also reiterated the Lottery’s focus on operational flexibility and continued relevance.

Light & Wonder Northwest sales director Jason Ashmann was likewise optimistic regarding the partnership, noting that the Lottery was a trusted long-time VLT provider. With years of expertise, the organization knows how to make the most of Light & Wonder’s advanced products and integrate them into its existing ecosystem.

Expanding our long-standing relationship… introduces new experiences, technology, and content that will capture attention and appeal to a broad range of (players)…

Jason Ashmann, Light & Wonder Northwest sales director

If the trial run proves successful, the Oregon Lottery plans to replace a significant portion of its ageing hardware. The previous deal with IGT saw the organization install over 11,500 new machines, so a number in that ballpark would not be unrealistic. Even the limited trial run should still be mutually beneficial. It will allow Light & Wonder to gather valuable data on their new machines while giving the Oregon Lottery sufficient time to decide whether to commit and purchase more of these top-of-the-line cabinets.

Gambling harm charity GambleAware announced the recipients of the Community Resilience Fund, the fund it launched last year to address health inequalities among the most disadvantaged communities.

Address Disproportionate Risks

Acting on research indicating that people in more deprived areas are three times more likely to suffer from gambling harm, the Community Resilience Fund seeks to provide funding targeted at minoritized and marginalized groups to improve their access to help and guidance.

The fund is set to distribute £1.24 million ($1.51 million) across 22 organizations in the UK to support individuals and communities suffering from gambling harm. All recipients were chosen after a rigorous selection process involving a panel of independent experts and lived experience members.

Delighted to reveal the recipients of the Community Resilience Fund, Anna Hargrave, chief commissioning officer of GambleAware, outlined the benefits brought up by the distribution of funds.

“The fund will allow GambleAware to support a range of fantastic community-based organizations, as they continue the vital work they do in addressing specific needs within their communities and the inequalities they experience,” Hargrave stated, pointing to the cost-of-living crisis’ potential to increase the number of people suffering from gambling harm.

“The fund also presents a valuable opportunity to engage with communities across the country and tackle the stigma associated with speaking openly about the effect these harms can have,” she concluded.

Encourage an Innovative Approach

Candidates submitted their applications for a grant of up to £100,000 ($121,800) in funding for projects tackling gambling harm within their communities, including sport for change, podcast production, projects to reduce stigma and to collect gambling harm data within a food bank.

“The fund will allow us to support the black and minority ethnic community to break the stigma around gambling-related harms,” said Mohammed Sidat, chief executive officer of IMO Charity, one of the successful applicants, which will support people from South Asian communities by providing advisors through pop up services, mental health support, and delivering multilingual campaigns.

“Through a three-step approach of outreach, trust-building, and individual support, we will empower our young people with the tools and confidence they need to make positive life choices,” said Evans Omondi, youth program manager at another successful applicant, Coram’s Field, which will offer targeted support to young people aged 13 to 19.

In April 2024, the Community Resilience Fund will publish its final evaluation report as the fund will be evaluated throughout the funding period. To help the fund with the evaluation, IPSOS and NPC were recently appointed as the fund’s evaluation and learning partners.