Executive Panel Leads NCLGS Winter Meeting on Intersection of Gaming and Financial Crime

The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (“NCLGS”) announced in a recent press release that its upcoming Winter Meeting, taking place December 10–13, will feature a critical international dialogue on the intersection of gaming and financial crime. The session will be led by a panel of high-profile female executive leaders.

The session, titled “NCLGS International – The Nexus Between Money Laundering and Gaming: Unveiling Vulnerabilities and Strengthening Defenses,” will examine the ways criminal networks use both online and brick-and-mortar gaming operations to launder illicit funds, which are frequently tied to human trafficking and other forms of exploitation.

The sessions will be moderated by Connecticut Representative Christie Carpino, the NCLGS vice president, and will feature prominent experts, including:

• Dawne J. Spicer, Executive Director, Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF)
• Michelle Martin, CEO, Compliance Aid, Chairman and CEO of the Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crimes (AMLFC) institute
• Juliann Barreto, COO, Spectrum Gaming Group
• Adrienne Lodge, COO, NFC Global

One of the featured panelists, Juliann Barreto, COO of Spectrum Gaming Group, stated, “The gaming sector’s global reach and rapid digital transactions created exposure to a range of financial crime risks.” Barreto added, “Implementing strong AML frameworks and conducting thoughtful due diligence are essential to identifying and managing these risks effectively. As threats continue to evolve, the industry has a shared responsibility to close gaps and ensure gaming businesses are not unintentionally supporting human trafficking, scam networks, or other forms of organized crime. We are honored that Caribbean Financial Action Task Force Executive Director Dawne J. Spicer will be joining us to share regional updates and insights during the panel.”

The panel will delve into new typologies, warning signs, and real-world case studies that highlight the links between gaming and financial crime. The panel will also discuss the regulatory and operational hurdles in identifying and preventing abuses, highlighting the importance of international cooperation and strong AML/CFT systems.

The NCLGS Winter Meeting will offer more than a dozen sessions over four days, covering sports betting, tribal gaming, lotteries, iGaming, and responsible gaming. The Winter Meeting attracts lawmakers and regulators from over 30 states, along with operators, attorneys, and policy leaders.

Michigan Legislature Update

As the Michigan Legislature approaches the end of the year, in the past month there have been several gaming-related bills that have been introduced. As a reminder, the Michigan House and Senate have 2-year terms and bills that remain in committee at year-end 2025 will continue to be active until the legislative session ends in December 2026.

The following is the summary of gaming-related bills that have been introduced and are pending in the Michigan House and Senate.

1. House Bill No. 4346
   -Bill was introduced on 04/17/2025.
   -Referred to Committee on Rules.
   -House Bill 4346 would remove the cap on how much money goes to the Michigan Agriculture Equine Industry Development Fund from internet gaming tax revenue. Under current law, only up to $3 million a year can go to that fund; this bill would eliminate that limit.
2. House Bill No. 4347
   -Bill was introduced on 04/17/2025.
   -Referred to Committee on Rules.
   -House Bill 4347 updates Michigan’s horse racing law by increasing funding for county fairs, Michigan-sired horse programs, and race purses. The bill raises required minimum funding levels for harness racing purses, boosts financial support for county fairs, increases breeder and purse awards for Michigan-sired horses, and sets higher guaranteed funding for the Sire Stakes program.
3. House Bill No. 4494 /4495
   -Bill was introduced on 05/15/2025.
   -Referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform.
   -House Bill 4494 would change how Michigan’s Penal Code treats redemption games. It updates parts of the Penal Code (Sections 303 & 310b) to allow certain redemption game machines (like crane games and pusher games) legally under state law, rather than classifying them as illegal gambling. It also defines what counts as a “redemption game” and sets rules for how they operate.
4. House Bill No. 5116
   -Bill was introduced on 10/23/2025.
   -Referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform.
   -House Bill 5116 updates rules for charitable “millionaire party” gaming events by increasing the amount of money players can exchange for chips. The bill raises the daily limit from $20,000 to $40,000, and for multi-day events from $80,000 to $160,000. Other rules remain the same, including posting the license, controlling the gaming area, and prohibiting individuals under the age of 18 from being present in the gaming space.
5. Senate Bill No. 713
   -Bill was introduced on 11/13/2025.
   -Referred to Committee on Regulatory Affairs.
   -Senate Bill 713 would require the Michigan Gaming Control Board to review and approve all advertising for online gaming in Michigan. The bill adds a new section to the Lawful Internet Gaming Act and mandates that all internet gaming ads follow state laws and local rules, promoting responsible and compliant marketing.
6. Senate Bill No.714
   -Bill was introduced on 11/13/2025.
   -Referred to Committee on Regulatory Affairs.
   -Senate Bill 714 would require the Michigan Gaming Control Board to review and approve all sports betting advertisements in Michigan. The bill adds a new section to the Lawful Sports Betting Act and mandates that all ads follow municipal ordinances, state law, and rules under the Act.

Delaware North CEO Lou Jacobs Elected American Gaming Association Chairman

On November 18, 2025, the American Gaming Association (“AGA”) published a press release announcing their Board of Directors electing the association’s next chairman. Louis “Lou” M. Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of Delaware North will succeed Michael Rumbolz, former Everi Chairman and CEO, beginning in January 2026. Chairman elect Jacobs will serve a two-year term in his new role.

Jacobs received his BA and MBA from Harvard University. In his role as CEO, Jacobs oversees Delaware North’s operating subsidiaries, which include regional casinos, online sports betting and iGaming in several states, and other gaming destinations. In addition to his role as CEO of Delaware North, Jacobs serves as chair of the capital campaign for FeedMore WWNY, a non profit that works to alleviate hunger in Western New York.

About his election, Jacobs commented, “It’s an honor to lead the AGA at such a dynamic time…I look forward to building on AGA’s success and working with CEO Bill Miller and the Board to ensure legal gaming remains a strong economic engine for communities across the country.”

AGA President and CEO Bill Miller further attested to Jacobs’ qualifications, stating “Lou’s tremendous experience across the gaming and hospitality ecosystem makes him an exceptional choice to be AGA’s next chairman.”

MGCB Announces Hiring Campaign

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”) is promoting career opportunities through a new video that highlights roles across Michigan’s gaming industry, emphasizing a team committed to fairness, transparency, and integrity. The video features MGCB employees sharing their experiences, details on benefits and growth opportunities, and guidance on how individuals’ skills can contribute to the agency’s mission, encouraging viewers to begin a meaningful career with the MGCB.

Please find a link to the video at, “Start your career with the MGCB today”, which provides a look at role of the agency.

• Hear directly from MGCB employees about their work and experience.
• Learn about benefits, growth opportunities, and workplace culture.
• See how your skills could fit in a mission-driven state agency.

For additional information visit  The MGCB’s website: michigan.gov/mgcb

Detroit Casinos Report $107.4 Million in October Revenue

According to the October  revenues released by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”), the three Detroit casinos reported $107.4 million in monthly aggregate revenue in October.

Table games and slots accounted for $105.9 million, while retail sports betting generated $1.5 million.

The October market shares were:

• MGM, 49%
• MotorCity, 29%
• Hollywood Casino at Greektown, 22%

The three Detroit casinos paid $8.6 million in gaming taxes to the State of Michigan. The casinos also reported submitting $13.1 million in wagering taxes and development agreement payments to the City of Detroit in October.

The three Detroit casinos reported $13.5 million in total sports betting handle and total gross receipts were $1.6 million for the month of October.

October QAGR by property were:

• MGM, $27,258
• MotorCity, $786,929
• Hollywood Casino at Greektown, $727,254

The three Detroit casinos submitted taxes on retail sports betting in the amounts of $58,266 to the State of Michigan, and $77,215 to the City of Detroit for October 2025, based on their retail sports betting revenue.

In addition to reporting revenue from the three Detroit casinos, the MGCB released revenue numbers from fantasy contest operators.

Fantasy contest operators reported total adjusted revenues of $986,178 million and paid taxes of $82,839 during September 2025.

Top revenue generators were:

• DraftKings, $665,935.70
• FanDuel, $176,155.95

Gaming Control Board Issues Cease-and-Desist Letters to Three Online Casinos Operating Illegally in Michigan

On November 12, 2025, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”) published a press release announcing its recent action taken against three online gaming platforms. The MGCB served cease-and-desist letters to Cryptowins Casino, Slotland Casino, and Winaday Casino for illegally operating in Michigan.

The letters require the identified platforms both to stop accepting bets from Michigan customers and to stop Michiganders’ access to the sites. Internet gaming and sports betting operators in Michigan must be licensed and adhere to strict regulatory requirements to legally operate in the state.

MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams warned of the dangers of illegal gambling operations, stating, “When unlicensed operators target Michigan residents, they’re not just breaking the law—they’re putting players at risk. Illegal gaming sites have no oversight, no consumer protections, and no guarantee that winnings will ever be paid out.”

Executive Director Williams went on to highlight the MGCB’s ongoing commitment to regulatory compliance, ensuring, “We have a strong regulatory system in place that ensures games are fair, operators are accountable, and players’ information and funds are secure.”

The release also outlines resources Michigan players can turn to to better protect themselves from scams. Players can:

• View the full list of approved operators and their associated brands at Michigan.gov/MGCB
• Report suspected illegal gambling websites by emailing MIGamblingTip@michigan.gov or calling 1-888-314-2682
• Learn more at Michigan.gov/MGCB

Reporting suspected illegal gambling keeps Michiganders safe and expedites the MGCB’s enforcement processes.