MGCB Approves 888 Holdings as Hannahville Tribe’s Internet Sports Betting Provider

According to a press release issued by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”), 888 Holdings’ BHL, Michigan LLC has been approved as the new platform provider for the Hannahville Indian Community’s internet sports betting site effective at 10:00 am, Wednesday September 7, 2022. The Hannahville Tribe entered into an agreement with 888 Holdings after TwinSpires, the original platform provider announced its plan to exit the business earlier this year.

“The Hannahville tribe is the first operator in Michigan to change platform providers since internet gaming and sports betting began here in January 2021. The tribe has found another experienced partner, and I wish them continued success” said Henry Williams, MGCB executive director. The tribe operates Island Resort and Casino in Harris, Michigan. This site will operate under the Sports Illustrated brand name. At this time, the tribe and 888 Holdings have requested the MGCB to authorize internet sports betting only. It is expected there will be approval for internet gaming later this year. TwinSpires
will no longer be offering online sports betting or online casino services. Authorized online gaming operators and their platform providers are listed on the MGCB website and can be found here.

AGA Responsible Gaming Campaign

As we begin September, the American Gaming Association (“AGA”) has announced its excitement to kick off Responsible Gaming Education Month (“RGEM”) 2022 according to this press release. Traditionally a weeklong awareness campaign, the annual event’s extension to a month reflects the growth of responsibility efforts in tandem with the expansion of legal gaming.

RGEM 2022 is organized into four weekly themes that encompass the industry’s commitment. Toolkit resources can be downloaded and highlight the AGA’s foundational responsible gaming efforts and promote consumer and employee education.

To begin the month-long awareness campaign, the AGA released the latest edition of the Responsible Gaming Statutes and Regulations Guide. The guide is a centralized collection of the statutes and regulations addressing responsible gaming in the 34 states and the District of Columbia with commercial casinos, sports betting, or iGaming as of July 1, 2022.

“I hope you can join us for webinars throughout the month on the future of responsibility and how technology is advancing player protection…I cannot wait to see how the industry comes together to collaborate, educate consumers, and advance our responsible leadership. Don’t forget to share your participation with AGA on social media or sending them directly to me,” said AGA’s Cait DeBaun, Vice President, Strategic Communications & Responsibility.

New AGA Research Shows 46.6 Million American Adults to Wager on 2022 NFL Season

According to a press release issued by the American Gaming Association (“AGA”) research shows that a record 46.6 million American adults (18%) plan to bet on the upcoming NFL season. This is an increase of 3% year over year.

As legalization spreads, bettors are moving away from bookies and toward regulated options. More than half of American adults live in a legal sports betting state. Sports betting is currently legal in 36 states and Washington DC. 18 of the 22 states that are home to NFL teams have legalized sports betting.

Of American adults:

23 million will place a bet online this season, up 18% from 2021.
10.6 million will place a bet in-person at a sportsbook this season, up 2% from 2021.
Just 13% of NFL bettors say they will use a bookie, down two points from last year (15%) and five points from 2020 (18%).
Bookie usage is 50% higher in states without legalized sports betting.

“Responsibility is an underpinning of regulated U.S. sports betting and a clear competitive advantage as we continue to build a sustainable marketplace.” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller

Consumers are also becoming more aware of responsible gaming resources as the legal market grows. Of past-year sports bettors:

92% are aware of at least one responsible gaming resource.
90% recall seeing or hearing about responsible gaming in the past year.
51% saw or heard more responsible gaming information in the past 12 months than they had in previous years.

MGCB Urges Adding Responsible Gaming Awareness to Students’ Lessons

According to a press release issued by The Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”), the gaming industry and regulators would like to see Responsible Gaming added to the Michigan high school and college education.

“As fall sports begin, it’s a great time to remind everyone to have fun responsibly when wagering on sporting events throughout the season. During September, the MGCB wants to raise awareness of responsible gaming particularly among young people and joins the American Gaming Association and its members as they introduce Responsible Gaming Education Month. The MGCB will use its social media channels throughout the month to help raise responsible gaming awareness in Michigan,” said Henry Williams, Michigan Gaming Control Board executive director.

“While they can’t gamble legally on the internet or at a casino, young people may turn to illegal gambling options not authorized under Michigan law,” Williams said.

The legal betting age is 21 in Michigan to place a wager on authorized internet gaming or internet sports betting sites and in the Detroit casinos. Wagers can be placed on professional and college sports in Michigan but by law cannot be placed on high school sporting events. The MGCB publishes a sports wagering catalog to guide operators and bettors.

Responsible gaming tools are available on MGCB authorized internet gaming and sports betting sites and allow patrons to manage gambling by using self-imposed limits on deposits, wagers, and time spent gambling.

For those who may gamble legally, self-exclusion options are also available and can help. Disassociated Person’s Forms are available on the MCGB’s website and can be found here.

“If a family member or a close friend has a gambling problem, it’s important to encourage seeking professional help. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services offers a 24-hour, toll-free helpline to call if you or someone you know has a gambling problem.” Williams said. “

The MGCB Responsible Gaming Section can be reached at 888-223-3044. The MDHHS gambling helpline number is 800-270-7117.

Gun Lake Casino Recognized Their “Top Gun” Recipients

Gun Lake Casino announced in a press release that they have further recognized team members who have distinguished themselves to casino guests and their peers with “Top Gun” awards. Winners are nominated by their peers. This further recognition awarded over 130 active team members who have previously won this award, with cinema tickets to see the motion picture “Top Gun”.

Since its inception in 2012, the program has recognized nearly 400 team members with individual awards, with four team members receiving this award each quarter. Both salaried and hourly team members who have displayed outstanding performance in guest service and an exceptional ability to work with their peers are able to be nominated. The Top Gun winners typically receive $500.00 a reserved parking space, a Top Gun pin, certificate, and property— wide recognition.

“The executive team, as well as the Gun Lake Tribe leadership and citizens, are pleased to recognize those Team Members who have been nominated and have achieved this quarterly award. We thank them for a commitment to making Gun Lake Casino the very best each day,” said Sal Semola, CEO for Gun Lake Casino.