Industry Professionals and Experts Gather in Tampa for IMGL Spring Conference

The International Masters of Gaming Law hosted its spring conference in Tampa April 10-12. Attendees enjoyed hearing from panels of industry experts over 2 days covering topics ranging from thoroughbred racing, cashless payments, lotteries, emerging markets, to tribal gaming and responsible gaming.

Henry Williams, Executive Director, Michigan Gaming Control Board, spoke on the panel entitled “The need to balance the goals of regulating with the reality of the gaming industry in 2024.” The program looked at how jurisdictions have been making changes to their regulatory policies to address changes in payment process, technology advancements, and the expansion of iGaming.

IMGL is a not-for-profit association comprising over 300 members globally. Its members are recognized as the leading experts in their jurisdictions and are involved in most material gambling sector developments and issues worldwide. Its fall conference will be held in Rome October 21-24. More information about IMGL can be found at imgl.org.

New Trade Association Launches Unprecedented Effort to Strengthen Responsible Online Gaming, Promote Best Practices

The Responsible Online Gaming Association (“ROGA”) is an independent trade association that was launched on March 27, 2024, according to their public announcement. Member companies include BetMGM, bet365, DraftKings, Fanatics Betting and Gaming, Hard Rock Digital, and PENN Entertainment. Targeting the betterment of the industry as a whole, ROGA believes an effective tool to a more uniform approach to responsible gaming initiatives is collaboration. ROGA operates with a mission focusing on advocating for and establishing:

Research
Promoting responsible gaming best practices
Consumer and industry responsible gaming education and awareness
Independent data clearinghouse
Independent certification program

The effort will be led by the Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Shatley, who said, “I am humbled, honored, and excited to be selected to lead ROGA during this important period of growth in legalized mobile gaming.”

In a recent interview with Global Gaming Business, Dr. Shatley detailed her goals for ROGA, explaining, “Generally speaking, our goal is to promote evidence-based responsible gaming practices across the industry, and to empower players through education and RG programs and tools to ensure gaming remains a fun and recreational experience…”

The plan to achieve these goals is to:

Support and fund independent research on responsible gaming issues
Use research to improve industry advertising and marketing practices
Promote evidence-based research
Establish a responsible gaming effort certification program
Establish an independent database

“By coming together with a clear set of objectives, ROGA and our members will work to enhance consumer protections and help provide easier and more efficient access to responsible gaming tools for consumers to enjoy the entertainment of online gaming,” assured Dr. Shatley.

Detroit Casinos Report $123.86 Million in March Aggregate Revenue

According to the March revenues released by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”), the three Detroit casinos reported $123.86 million in monthly aggregate revenue in March. Table games and slots generated $122.26 million in revenue, and $1.6 million from retail sports betting.

The March market shares were:

MGM, 46%
MotorCity, 31%
Hollywood Casino at Greektown, 23%

Monthly revenue for table games and slots increased 3.8% when compared to March 2023.

When compared with March 2023 monthly gaming revenue is as follows:

MGM, $56.65. million, an increase of 4.1%.
MotorCity, $38.35 million, an increase of 7.2%.
Hollywood Casino at Greektown, $27.26 million, a decrease of 1.4%.

The three Detroit casinos paid $9.9 million in gaming taxes to the State of Michigan in March 2024, compared to $9.5 million for the same month last year. The casinos also reported submitting $14.5 million in wagering taxes and development agreement payments to the City of Detroit in March 2024.

The three Detroit casinos reported $17.25 million in total sports betting handle and total gross receipts were 1.61 million for the month of March 2024. Retail sports betting qualified adjusted gross receipts (“QAGR”) reported for March was up by 13.2% when compared to the same time last year. Monthly QAGR was up $1.7 million when compared to February 2024.

March QAGR by property were:

MGM, $327,857
MotorCity, $538,988
Hollywood Casino at Greektown, $731,389

The three Detroit casinos reported submitting taxes on retail sports betting in the amounts of $60,413 to the State of Michigan, and $73,838 to the City of Detroit for March 2024, 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 $405,342 million and paid taxes of $34,049 during February 2024.

Top revenue generators were:

DraftKings, $360,476.51
FanDuel, $110,319.93

Gaming Hall of Fame Nominations Now Open

The American Gaming Association (“AGA”) has recognized leaders who have distinguished themselves through significant contributions to the gaming industry through the Gaming Hall of Fame for over 30 years.

An independent panel of gaming executives will select the annual Hall of Fame class from the qualified candidates. Inductees are chosen based upon their career achievements, community involvement and innovative contributions to the industry. Inductees will be notified and announced late summer 2024.

Nominations for the 2024 Gaming Hall of Fame are open through Friday, May 24th.

Submit your nomination today with this link.

Ensuring Compliance in Less Regulated Jurisdictions

The International Association of Gaming Advisors (“IAGA”) presents “Ensuring Compliance in Less Regulated Jurisdictions” as part of the IAGA best practices webinar online education series.

Some of the topics that will be discussed include how to maintain the highest compliance standards and best industry practices in those jurisdictions that have lax or developing regulations, as well as how preventive, effective, and achievable corporate governance controls are established so as not to incur sanctions that jeopardize the licenses of international major operators in their countries of origin with stricter regulations.

Moderator Michael Bonner, a Shareholder with Greenberg Traurig, will be joined by panelists:

Same Basile, VP North America Gaming & Licensing, GeoComply
Alfredo Lazcano, Partner, Lazcano Samano
Stephen Martino, Senior VP & CCO, MGM Resorts International
Steve Kastner, VP of Compliance, Play Digital, IGT