Legislation News

More and more jurisdictions are opening up to online gambling (and the US is finally waking up to the opportunity this offers to bring in taxes). So this category collates all the latest news to allow you to stay up to date on where online gambling (and offline) is legal and where it is not.

If a US senator is going to push a Bill forward, you’ll read it here. If Dubai suddenly opens its doors to live casinos, it will be here too. Justice might be blind, but by reading these stories your eyes will certainly be wide open.

California Amendment Would Legalize Sports Betting … if New Jersey Pulls off SCOTUS Win

July 21, 2017 By Samantha Beckett

California is looking to capitalize on sports betting if New Jersey wins a case currently pending in the US Supreme Court. Governmental Organization Committee Chair Adam Gray introduced a state constitutional amendment that would authorize sports betting in California should the Supreme Court rule in favor of New Jersey, which is challenging a law that…Read More

Pennsylvania Satellite Casinos Latest Gambling Ploy Floated by State Lawmakers, Small Cities Targeted

July 21, 2017 By Katie Barlowe

Authorizing 10 Pennsylvania satellite casinos is the most recent potential money grab state lawmakers are considering in their efforts to bridge a $2.2 billion spending gap. Governor Tom Wolf (D) has allowed a $32 billion budget approved by the Republican-controlled legislature to pass and become law without his signature. The financial blueprint, however, is severely…Read More

Massachussets Governor Signs Budget Bill that Allows Casinos to Serve Booze until 4 am

July 20, 2017 By Katie Barlowe

Last call? Not so fast in future Massachusetts casinos, which recently had their drinking hours extended with a quick signature from the governor. But before anything officially takes effect, some lawmakers are calling for the measure to be put on ice. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed a budget on Monday that allows two planned casinos…Read More

Sacramento Casino Project Clears Major Hurdle, Governor Brown Signs Tribal Gaming Compact

July 20, 2017 By David Sheldon

A Sacramento casino in the neighboring community of Elk Grove is one step closer to reality. On Wednesday, California Governor Jerry Brown (D) signed off on a gaming compact with the Wilton Rancheria tribe, which all but assures a $400 million gambling resort will be built 12 miles south of the state’s capital city. Brown’s…Read More

Philippines Introduces AML Controls for Casinos in Response to Fed Bank Heist

July 19, 2017 By Katie Barlowe

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte this week enacted legislation that will impose new anti-money-laundering directives (AML) on a previously very relaxed area of the regulated casino sector. The country was left red-faced by the federal reserve cyber-heist, which focused the world’s attention on its devil-may-care attitude to international AML protocols. On February 5, hackers flooded the…Read More

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Believes Sports Betting Legalization a Slam Dunk in Coming Years

July 19, 2017 By Kevin Horridge

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is the strongest proponent of legalizing sports gambling of the four major professional sports leagues, and this week he predicted that a federal repeal to the current ban will come in the next few years. Appearing on a panel alongside the other “Big Four” commissioners, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, MLB boss…Read More

Michigan Gaming Regulators Celebrate 20 Years of Revenue from Detroit Casinos

July 18, 2017 By David Sheldon

Detroit and Michigan have been on a 20-year winning streak, as three city casinos have paid them approximately $4.5 billion in taxes, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board. The Motor City on Monday recognized the 20-year anniversary of the Michigan Gaming and Revenue Act going into effect by celebrating its positive impact. The bulk…Read More

Fate of Philadelphia Live! Casino Project Still in Limbo as Factions Battle Antitrust Measures

July 17, 2017 By Katie Barlowe

Philadelphia’s Live! Hotel & Casino project remains in legal limbo, as a lawsuit continues to block the venue from license finalization and moving forward to break ground. The main issue is trying to determine whether businessman Watche “Bob” Manoukian, who owns a controlling 86 percent stake in the nearby Parx Casino, is allowed to additionally…Read More

Already Gaming-Friendly, Malta Looks to Ease Industry Regulations

Malta Gaming Authority legislation overhaul

July 15, 2017 By Samantha Beckett

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has proposed major reforms to the legal framework surrounding the island country’s gambling industry, with the goal of decreasing unnecessary regulatory burdens. Located in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sicily, Malta is one of the world’s most gambling-friendly nations. A popular remote gaming licensing jurisdiction due to the country’s low…Read More

Federal Sports Betting Changes Must Involve Major League Baseball, Commissioner Rob Manfred Says

July 13, 2017 By Kevin Horridge

PASPA, the federal sports betting law that bans the activity in all but four states, is set to be heard by the US Supreme Court this fall or early next year. Major League Baseball will have a seat in the courtroom, as it’s one of five plaintiffs that sued New Jersey in 2012 to block…Read More

Charitable Gambling Bill Vetoed by North Carolina Governor on Video Poker Concerns

charitable gambling North Carolina Roy Cooper

July 13, 2017 By David Sheldon

A bill to authorize charitable gambling that is taking place at nonprofits throughout North Carolina has been rejected by Governor Roy Cooper (D). House Bill 511 sought to allow charities and nonprofits holding a liquor license to host “game nights” four times a year. Permissible casino games included roulette, blackjack, poker, craps, simulated horse racing,…Read More

Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia Joins Pro-RAWA Chorus

Virginia Senator Mark Warner gets behind RAWA

July 12, 2017 By Katie Barlowe

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) has written to US Attorney General Jeff Sessions, requesting that he review the DOJ’s 2011 interpretation of the Wire Act. That’s the legal opinion that the 1961 act applied only to sports betting, not the as-yet-to-exist realities of online poker and internet casinos to which it was applied prior to that…Read More

Gulfport Casino Workers Who Lost Jobs After Hurricane Katrina Schedule Reunion

July 12, 2017 By Samantha Beckett

Former casino workers who lost more than just their homes and communities during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 are planning a reunion later this month. The gathering set for July 26 at the Biloxi Community Center will reunite former colleagues and friends that were dispersed from their jobs after the Grand Casino Gulfport was forced to…Read More

China to Block VPNs, Closing Loophole to Access Foreign Gambling Sites

July 11, 2017 By David Sheldon

The Chinese government in Beijing has ordered telecoms companies to block access to virtual private networks (VPNs) as it seeks to fortify “the Great Firewall,” an already substantial program of domestic internet regulation and censorship. According to Bloomberg, the government has ordered local services providers like China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom to ban all individuals from…Read More

Potential Vietnam Gambling Market Has Eyes and Ears of Casino Companies

July 11, 2017 By Samantha Beckett

Vietnam is readying to liberalize its gambling industry and allow citizens to enter betting venues throughout the country. That has international gaming operators and casino companies keeping close tabs on developments in the Socialist Republic. Last December, a government decree was approved to allow locals to play games of chance inside licensed facilities. The decision…Read More

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