Experts to Examine Emerging Forms of Gaming at NGLGS Summer Meeting
The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (“NCLGS’) will focus on “The Implications and Impacts of New Gaming Options” at its upcoming Summer Meeting held in Boston, July 7-10. A panel of gaming industry experts will examine the technological, competitive, and political issues that states confront when developing gaming policies.
As the only gaming conferences where the legislative decision-makers meet, the NCLGS semiannual meetings attract legislators, regulators, operators, suppliers, attorneys, lobbyists, media, and other stakeholders to discuss all aspects of regulated gaming. Dozens of legislators from across the country will be among the more than 250 expected attendees at the Summer Meeting.
Indiana Senator Jon Ford, who is the incoming President of NCLGS, will moderate the panel discussion, which will include the following presenters:
- Ali Bartlett, Partner, Bose McKinney and Evans Gaming Practice
- Scott Gunn, Senior Vice President of Corporate Public Affairs, IGT
- Martin Lycka, Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gaming, Entain
- Jasmine Tompkins, Legislative Liaison and External Affairs Manager, Michigan Gaming Control Board
Registration is open to the public; click here to view the agenda, registration, and hotel options.
Trio Faces Sentencing June 1 on Felony, Misdemeanor Charges for Operating Illegal Gambling Site
According to a Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) press release, three people will face sentencing at 9:00 am Wednesday, June 1st in Ingham County circuit Court for their roles in operating Spin City, a former illegal gambling operation on Miller Road in Flint Township. Charges were filed against the trio in 2019 following a joint investigation by MGCB, Michigan Department of Attorney General and Flint Township Police Department.
Anthony Todd Sutton, 53, of Wilmington, N.C., pled guilty April 20 to one felony count of conducting gambling operations. Also on April 20, his associates Kara Marie Shilling, 37, of Flint pled guilty to a high court misdemeanor of maintaining a gambling room, and Marjorie Jean Brown, 53, of Flint pled guilty to a misdemeanor count of attempting to maintain a gambling house.
“Illegal gambling facilities often target lower income areas and vulnerable populations, and their operations deprive residents of the protections of legal, regulated gaming,” said Henry Williams, MGCB executive director. “The MGCB partners with local law enforcement and the Attorney General’s office to investigate reported instances of illegal gambling and help communities close unlicensed and unregulated operations across the state.”
The Michigan Department of Attorney General helps lead investigations and prosecutes cases of alleged illegal gambling in the state.
“We will continue to work with the MGCB and our local law enforcement partners to crack down on illegal gambling facilities. Unregulated operations should heed this warning or risk criminal prosecution,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said.
Flint Township Police contacted the MGCB in June 2018 about reports of illegal gambling at Spin City, G-3490 Miller Road, Suite 5, Flint Township. Following an investigation that began in July 2018, a cease-and-desist letter was sent in January 2019 giving Spin City two weeks to stop operating.
A search warrant was served at Spin City in late February 2019, and investigators seized 67 computers and slot-style gaming machines, $12,679 in cash and other miscellaneous items related to the operation.
The charge against Sutton is punishable by up to 10 years in state prison and/or a fine of up to $100,000, but the court accepted a plea agreement for no jail time to be imposed at the initial sentencing. Shilling could receive up to two years in state prison or a fine of up to $1,000. Brown could face up to one year in county jail.
The MGCB publishes a fact sheet about Michigan law and a separate fact sheet on unregulated machines used for illegal gambling. Michigan citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious or illegal gambling by calling the MGCB’s 24-hour anonymous tip line, 888-314-2682.
Detroit Casinos Report $118.73 Million April Aggregate Revenue
According to the April revenues released by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), the three Detroit casinos reported $118.73 million in monthly aggregate revenue in April 2022. Table games and slots generated $116.86 million in revenue, and retail sports betting generated $1.87 million in revenue.
The March market shares were:
- MGM, 48%
- MotorCity, 31%
- Greektown, 21%
April table games and slots revenue rose 8.8% when compared with April 2021 results. Compared to March 2022 April monthly revenue dropped 3.4%.
When compared with April 2021, monthly gaming revenue results were:
- MGM, $56.76 million, up 31.4%
- MotorCity, $36.42 million, down 8.8%
- Greektown, $26.68 million, down 2.6%
Retail sports betting qualified adjusted gross receipts (QAGR) for April were up 21.3% when compared with the same month last year. Monthly QAGR was up down 3% when compared to March 2022.
April QAGR by casino was:
- MGM, $405,385
- MotorCity, $552,841
- Greektown, $912,513
The three Detroit casinos reported submitting taxes on retail sports betting in the amounts of $70,714 to the State of Michigan and $86,428 to the City of Detroit.
Fantasy contest operators reported total adjusted revenues of $984,560 and paid taxes of $82,703 during March 2022. Fantasy contest operators reported aggregated total adjusted revenues of $3.8 million and paid taxes of $315,013 to the state through the first quarter of 2022.