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The New York State Gaming Commission has received 30 responses to its Request for Information from parties interested in the three available casino licenses in the state.

The New York gambling regulator received proposals from casino operators MGM Resorts International, UE Resorts International (formerly Okada Manila), Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts, Rush Street Gaming, The Water Club, Hard Rock International, Bally’s, and Shinnecock Indian Nation, which hopes to open a casino on tribal land on Long Island.

All but two responses from casino operators were fully redacted, with Rush Street calling on the Commission to establish a transparent application process with a level playing field for applicants.

The submission from The Water Club proposes a “Monte Carlo-style casino” in midtown Manhattan which would offer table games and no slot machines.

Among the remaining 22 submissions, a further five were fully redacted, while eight were supportive of the bid by MGM Resort’s Empire City Casino. They include the New Bronx Chamber of Commerce, Westchester County Executive, Office of the Mayor of Mount Vernon, Office of the Mayor of Yonkers, Business Council of Westchester, United Way of Westchester and Putman, Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Body, and the Standardbred Owners Association of New York.  

The Standardbred Owners Association of New York expressed support for the MGM bid but did raise concerns about the current state of racing operations at Yonkers Raceway, while District 28 N.Y.C. Council was supportive of the bid by Resorts World New York City in Queens.

Four respondents were opposed to any casino at Citi Field Stadium due to traffic and congestion problems, while the likes of the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council were supportive of any new casino.

The RFI sought information from parties interested in developing and/or operating gaming facilities in the state and closed on December 10. The New York State Gaming Commission must now submit a report to the Governor and state legislature on the result of the RFI process within six months.

Gaminglntelligence

Michigan’s regulated online sports betting and iGaming market reached new heights in November 2021 as total gross receipts reached $161.7m.

Total gross receipts from the state’s 14 licensed operators rose by 21 per cent compared to the previous record month, with gross monthly sports betting receipts climbing to a record $54.1m and iGaming contributing $107.6m in gross receipts.

MICHIGAN IGAMING AND ONLINE SPORTS BETTING GROSS RECEIPTS: NOVEMBER 2021 (US$)

iGaming Online Sports Betting TOTAL
MGM Grand Detroit 40,116,304 12,690,868 52,807,172
MotorCity Casino 16,784,718 18,334,574 35,119,292
Bay Mills Indian Community 16,833,955 13,123,232 29,957,187
Greektown Casino 4,647,189 2,969,893 7,618,082
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians 7,041,413 529,442 7,570,855
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community 5,806,912 106,824 5,913,736
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa 2,376,566 3,474,688 5,851,254
Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians 4,154,309 393,828 4,548,137
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians 2,543,797 514,418 3,058,215
Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa 801,055 1,636,392 2,437,447
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians 2,371,632 38,696 2,410,328
Hannahville Indian Community 1,408,985 155,282 1,564,267
Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi Indians 1,452,859 105,030 1,557,889
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Pottawatomi Indians 1,253,308 46,863 1,300,171
TOTAL 107,593,002 54,120,030 161,713,032

iGaming receipts surpassed $100m for the third consecutive month in November, but were 2 per cent short of the monthly record of $109.7m in October.

MGM Grand Detroit (BetMGM) continued to lead the iGaming market with gross receipts of $40.1m, well ahead of Bay Mills Indian Community (DraftKings) and MotorCity Casino (FanDuel), which both generated iGaming gross receipts of $16.8m.

The next biggest iGaming operator was Little River Band of Ottawa Indians (BetRivers) at $7.0m, followed by Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (Golden Nugget Online Gaming) at $5.8m.

Greektown Casino (Barstool Sports) collected iGaming gross receipts of $4.6m in November, ahead of Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians (WynnBet) $4.2m, and Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians’ (The Stars Group) $2.5m. 

November online sports betting handle grew by 2 per cent month-on-month to a record $473.8m, generating record gross sports betting receipts of $54.1m, up 68 per cent from the previous record in March.

MotorCity Casino maintained its market leadership position in Michigan with online sports betting receipts of $18.3m, ahead of Bay Mills Indian Community’s $13.1m, MGM Grand’s $12.7m and Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa’s $3.5m.

Overall, operators generated adjusted gross receipts (after free play incentives) of $96.3m from iGaming, a fall of 3 per cent compared to the previous month, and $34.5 from online sports betting, up from $4.7m in the previous month.

The state’s 14 licensed operators delivered $21.4m in taxes and payments to the state in November, comprising $19.8m from iGaming and $1.6m from online sports betting.

The three Detroit commercial casinos reported city wagering taxes and municipal services fees of $6.2m, comprising iGaming taxes and fees of $5.3m and online sports betting taxes and fees of $926,598. In addition, tribal operators reported $2.2m in wagering payments to the tribes’ governing bodies.

From the 22 January launch through November, total gross receipts from Michigan’s licensed operators totalled $1.25bn, comprising $992.2m from iGaming and $257.4m from online sports betting.

Gamingintelligence

New Jersey’s licensed casinos and racetracks have recorded a 52 per cent increase in total betting and gaming revenue to $439.6m in November 2021.

The biggest growth in November was in sports betting as revenue soared 127 per cent year-on-year to $114.8m, equivalent to more than a quarter of the total market, while revenue from iGaming grew 28.5 per cent to $118.0m.

This comprised a 29 per cent increase in online casino revenue to $115.8m, which offset an 8 per cent fall in online poker revenue to $2.2m.

In the land-based sector, casino win rose 41 per cent year-on-year to $206.9m as slot machine win increased by 52 per cent to $154.7m, and table game win increased by 17 per cent to $52.2m.

NEW JERSEY GAMING REVENUE: NOVEMBER 2021 (US$)
Casinos Land-Based iGaming Sports Betting TOTAL
Bally’s 11,167,937 622,875 164,912 11,954,724
Borgata 48,314,880 33,735,211 7,773,891 89,823,982
Caesars 16,295,411 — 891,405 17,186,816
Caesars Interactive — 9,752,127 — 9,752,127
Golden Nugget 11,945,670 — 38,418 11,984,088
GNOG — 31,764,632 174,112 31,938,744
Hard Rock 37,299,080 4,859,460 1,333,563 43,492,103
Harrah’s 22,478,648 — 101,694 22,580,342
Ocean Casino 28,493,998 1,622,976 830,334 30,947,308
Resorts 12,145,895 — 81,818 12,227,713
Resorts Digital — 27,843,533 22,448,197 50,291,730
Tropicana 18,746,626 7,752,284 3,644,951 30,143,861
Racetracks

Freehold Raceway — — 7,927,171 7,927,171
Meadowlands — — 64,399,740 64,399,740
Monmouth Park — — 4,978,520 4,978,520
TOTAL 206,887,145 117,953,098 114,788,726 439,628,969

Borgata again led the way in the iGaming market as revenue increased by 44 per cent to $33.7m, ahead of Golden Nugget Online Gaming’s $31.8m, which increased by 22 per cent versus a year ago.

Resorts Digital was the next biggest iGaming operator as revenue increased by 33 per cent to $27.8m, while Caesars Interactive revenue climbed 21 per cent to $9.8m and Tropicana’s iGaming revenue rose 27 per cent to $7.8m.

Hard Rock was only operator to post a decline in iGaming revenue in November, down 22.5 per cent at $4.9m, while for the second consecutive month the biggest growth came from Ocean Casino as iGaming revenue rose 71 per cent to $1.6m. Bally’s recently launched iGaming offering contributed further revenue of $622,875 during the month.

The state’s 14 licensed sports betting operators collected total handle of $1.26bn in November, comprising $1.14bn from online betting and $114.0m from retail, generating sports betting revenue of $114.8m.

Racetrack Meadowlands continued to account for the bulk of the total as sports betting revenue increased by 160 per cent to $64.4m, significantly ahead of Resort Digital’s $22.4m, which was up 53 per cent versus a year ago.

The next biggest sportsbook operator was Freehold Raceway at $7.9m, ahead of Borgata’s $7.8m, Monmouth Park’s $5.0m, Tropicana’s $3.6m, Hard Rock’s $1.3m and Caesars $0.9m.

Revenue from the land-based casino sector grew by 41 per cent to $206.9m, with market leader Borgata seeing revenue increase 32 per cent to $48.3m, ahead of Hard Rock’s $37.3m, Ocean Casino’s $28.5m, Harrah’s $22.5m and Tropicana’s $18.7m.

Across all betting and gaming products, the biggest operator in November was Borgata as revenue rose 44 per cent to $89.8m, ahead of Resorts’ combined $62.5m, Golden Nugget’s $43.9m and Hard Rock’s $43.5m.

For the first eleven months of 2021, New Jersey’s total gaming revenue increased by 69 per cent to $4.33bn. This comprised a 42 per cent increase in iGaming revenue to $1.23bn, a 128 per cent rise in sports betting revenue to $756.7m, and a 72 per cent increase in land-based casino revenue to $2.34bn.

Gamingintelligence

The Netherlands House of Representatives adopted a number of motions Thursday aimed at curbing gambling advertising and increasing consumer protections.

Lawmakers considered 10 gambling-related motions, seven of which were ultimately adopted.

The House rejected a motion to allow lotteries to use a different safer gambling message than other gambling operators to reflect the lower risk of lottery products, although it did adopt a motion calling on the government to make a distinction between high-risk and low-risk games in future changes to regulations.

A motion to prohibit credit and loan companies from displaying targeted ads to people who have visited a gambling website was also adopted, although the Minister for Legal Protection, Sander Dekker, said that he would like to see evidence to support this claim.

“The submitter has apparently noticed or heard this, but of course we have to check that carefully first,” he said. “If this happens, I would also find it highly undesirable. It would then be reasonable to act against it.”

Lawmakers also adopted a motion calling on the government to investigate the extent to which young people have started to gamble online as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and to ban untargeted advertising of “high-risk” games of chance.

The proposed ban on advertising high risk games is in response to the surge in gambling advertising in the Netherlands since the re-regulation of the market in October, with lawmakers noting that the purpose of gambling advertising regulations is to channel consumers to legal offerings, not to increase participation in gambling.

Members of parliament also considered a proposal to require operators to prominently display a responsible gambling message and link to the CRUKS self-exclusion system on their homepages and when starting a new game, and for players registering on the system to be contacted by a care provider.

This motion was adopted, as was a motion to require players to set their own online spending limits.

The author of the motion explained that the proposal is based on scientific research carried out in Britain, which found that players who are given the option to set their own spending limit choose a limit that is up to 50 per cent lower than default spending limits that apply to all players.

The final adopted motion calls on the government to align online advertising regulations with those for broadcast media, with gambling advertising prohibited between the hours of 6am and 9pm.

The House rejected a motion calling on the government to ban transfers to online gaming accounts from third-party accounts on the basis that this is already prohibited under the Gambling Act. It also rejected a motion calling on Minister Dekker to ask commercial broadcasters to prohibit gambling advertising during international sporting events involving Dutch teams.

Dekker explained to the House that he knew from his time as Secretary of State for Media that such a proposal would be unworkable, given the independence of the media, and also noted the voluntary advertising code adopted a day earlier by VNLOK, the trade association for licensed iGaming operators in the Netherlands.

This code would initially be in force until March 1, 2023, with a review of gambling advertising planned for October 2022. The code applies the broadcast advertising restriction times to online advertising and sets a maximum of three broadcast gambling ads per commercial break (high-risk games), with ads limited to a maximum of 30 seconds.

Advertising in programmes and channels that have more than 25 per cent reach among young adults and minors would be banned, as would outdoor advertising in the vicinity of schools, amusement parks, addiction treatment centres or hospitals.

The code also prohibits operators from offering bonuses to players aged 18 to 24, and sets a maximum bonus amount of €250.

Minister Dekker concluded Thursday’s debate by warning operators to reign in gambling advertising or face the consequences.

“I think everyone understands, especially the providers, that when it comes to advertising, there are great political concerns, if not resentment, and that we are just on the verge of when politicians say: we think it’s enough, we intervene,” Dekker said. “The warning to the sector is therefore: keep that in mind. I’d rather they sort it out themselves, among themselves, and think about moderation.”

“I don’t know whether it should go as far as you ask in the motion to ban advertising, but the fact that people are really bombarded with advertisements about online gambling, I think, sooner or later, this will lead to the House intervening,” Dekker warned. “So I say to the sector, avoid that moment. I immediately make that call. Show moderation.”

France’s regulated online betting and gaming market grew by 10 per cent compared to a year ago as total gross gaming revenue (GGR) reached €444m during the third quarter of 2021.

Following record quarterly performances in the first two quarters of this year, French gambling regulator l’Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ) said that the third quarter marked a return to form after Covid disruptions last year, with GGR climbing 28 per cent and active player numbers rising 31 per cent to 2,774,000 compared to Q3 2019.

The country’s fifteen licensed online operators grew sports betting GGR during the period, despite a 2 per cent fall in turnover to €1.60bn in Q3.

Buoyed by a 2 per cent increase in active sports bettors to 2,238,000, GGR from sports betting increased by 16 per cent versus a year ago to €264m, lower than the previous two quarters but 23 per cent higher than Q3 2019.

Online horse race betting stakes fell by 9 per cent compared to a year ago to €332m, as active players fell by 3 per cent to 335,000, with GGR from France’s six licensed horse race betting operators down 7 per cent at €81m.

Online poker GGR increased by 10 per cent versus a year ago to €99m, despite a 7 per cent drop in active poker players to 823,000. Compared to Q3 2019, poker GGR climbed by more than 50 per cent.

Britain’s Betting and Gaming Council has formed a cross-industry Ad Tech Forum to look at how the latest technology can be used to further protect children and vulnerable people online.

This cross-industry effort includes BGC members such as Flutter Entertainment, bet365 and William Hill, Advertising Association members and the Lotteries Council.

Leading tech platforms Meta, Twitter, Google and Snap will provide their input on further protecting children online, including how data can be used to improve age accuracy.

BGC members have already taken steps to protect young people, including new rules aimed at ensuring that children cannot view gambling ads on football clubs’ official social media accounts.

The Forum will build on the commitments made in the Sixth Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising, which stipulates that gambling operators must ensure all sponsored or paid for social media adverts are targeted at those aged 25 and over unless it can be proven that the ads meet a standard of age targeting verified by an agreed third party.

It also includes a requirement that gambling ads appearing on search engines must make clear that these products are for those aged 18-plus, while the ads themselves must include safer gambling messages.

The main forms of gambling young people take part in are playing cards, private bets with friends, scratchcards and fruit machines – all types of gambling that are not offered by BGC members (2019 Young People and Gambling report).

“I am delighted that the BGC has been able to co-ordinate the Ad Tech Forum, which I’m sure will come up with new ways of protecting young people and the vulnerable online,” said BGC chief executive Michael Dugher.

“Since being set up two years ago, we have worked tirelessly to drive up standards and promote safer gambling, and this is proof of our determination to go even further.”

Advertising Association chief executive Stephen Woodford added: “We welcome the proactive work by the gambling industry with tech platforms and advertising bodies. It is essential that gambling ads online and in social media meet the highest standards of social responsibility.”
Gamingintelligence

Canada’s Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC) is accepting proposals from prospective vendors that wish to enter the province’s sports betting market.

As a first step in this process, AGLC is seeking two proponents to provide some flexibility and options in the first phase, and will consider additional vendor opportunities as the market continues to develop.

“Opening the bid process for retail sportsbetting in Alberta is another exciting step for sports fans in the province,” said AGLC President & Chief Executive Officer Kandice Machado. 

“AGLC is proud to facilitate this next step that will involve the existing casino and racing entertainment centre industry while working with Alberta’s major professional sports teams. Continuing this work is an important step in offering consumers convenience and choice in their gambling entertainment options.”

AGLC has maintained ongoing communication with representatives of the casino industry and the Alberta Sports Coalition, which represents the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Elks. 

AGLC will monitor other provincial lottery markets while gathering feedback from the Alberta sports betting industry in order to safely expand vendor opportunities in the future.

The proposal process closes on January 31, 2022 with the aim of launching retail and online sports betting during the course of the year.

Gamingintelligence

Ohio’s sports betting bill is headed to Governor Mike DeWine for approval after securing legislative approval last week.

The bill would allow sports betting online under a Type A license, at land-based sportsbooks (Type B license), and via self-service betting kiosks (Type C license), with the state lottery commission exempt from the sports betting licensing requirement.

A maximum of 25 Type A licenses would be available at any one time, although the Ohio Casino Control Commission may increase this number after all 25 licenses have been issued, if it can be proven to be beneficial to the state.

Type A licenses are available to operators with a place of business within the state with multiple employees, as well as sports gaming facilities which also hold a Type B license.

A total of 40 Type B licenses are available to land-based sports gaming facilities, while licensed liquor establishments will be eligible for one of up to 20 Type C licenses.

Type A license holders will initially be allowed to partner with one online operator, with professional sports organisations, casino operators and video lottery sales agents given preference in awarding Type A licenses.

Numerous iGaming operators and suppliers have already agreed deals to enter Ohio’s regulated market. They include Carousel Group’s Maximbet brand, which has teamed up with an undisclosed partner, Kambi and GAN, who have partnered Jack Entertainment, and DraftKings, Kindred Group, PointsBet, Rush Street Interactive, theScore and Fox Bet, who have all partnered with Penn National Gaming.

Gamingintelligence

Maryland became the latest US state to launch a regulated sports betting market as Governor Larry Hogan placed Maryland’s first sports wager at MGM National Harbor on Thursday.

Governor Hogan was joined by Washington Football Legend Joe Theismann and Prince George’s County Council Chair Calvin Hawkins to mark the unveiling of the BetMGM Sportsbook & Lounge, placing the state’s first legal sports wager on an all Maryland Super Bowl, with Washington to win the National Football Conference (NFC) and Baltimore to win the American Football Conference (AFC).

“Today marks the culmination of more than a year of effort to get sports betting up and running here in the state of Maryland,” said Governor Hogan. “In addition to allowing Marylanders to bet on football, basketball, and more, sports betting will also help to keep more dollars in-state and will provide another critical revenue source for public education without raising taxes on families and small businesses.”

Prior to yesterday’s launch, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency required two days of controlled sports betting testing at the retail sportsbook.

“The BetMGM Sportsbook & Lounge at MGM National Harbor is a key component to making the Capital Region one of the country’s premier sports betting hubs,” said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt. “In partnership with the MGM National Harbor team, we’ve designed a world-class destination for sports fans.”

The retail sports betting opening is the culmination of an effort more than a year in the making. Maryland’s voters approved the legalization of sports betting in a November 2020 referendum.

A bill creating the structure of the state’s sports wagering market was passed by the General Assembly in April and signed into law by Governor Hogan in May of this year, with the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) awarding licenses to five facilities last month.

Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore and Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover have been conducting controlled demonstrations this week, and are expected to begin taking wagers later today.

“It’s hard to overstate how exciting this moment is; we couldn’t be happier to see sports wagering get started,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming director John Martin. “It’s a new form of entertainment that we know Marylanders will enjoy, but more importantly, it’s delivering a new stream of revenue for public education in the state. We’re especially proud of that.”

Gamingintelligence

London-listed gaming technology provider Playtech has launched a new dedicated live casino studio in Switzerland for operator partner Swiss Casinos.

Built on the existing Swiss Casinos site in Zürich, the live casino studio strengthens the partnership between the two companies, which began in 2019 with Playtech powering the operator’s iGaming launch.

The new studio offers Swiss players direct access to the Playtech Live tables, and includes Live Roulette, as well as the classic 7 Seat Blackjack and the scalable Blackjack version of All Bets.

“We are thrilled to unveil our new live casino studio built in close cooperation with the Playtech Live team,” said Swiss Casinos online director Patrick Mastai. “The Live Dealer offering that we can deliver to our customers is unrivaled and the new, first of its kind studio in Switzerland has been built to an incredibly high standard.

“Working so closely with the dedicated and skilled Playtech Live team has also been a great experience. We look forward to developing this partnership further as we continue to grow our product and content offering in Switzerland.” 

Playtech Live senior customer relations manager Margarita Terlanova commented: “The new Playtech Live studio in Zürich is a real testament to the close partnership that Playtech has established with Swiss Casinos. By both teams working closely together, we have been able to deliver an industry-leading online experience that mirrors the feeling of playing inside one of Swiss Casinos’ leading land-based casinos.

“From training the team of dedicated croupiers to work as Live hosts, to the bespoke design of the studio itself, this live experience is like no other we have delivered before. Playtech Live is leading the way on creating an entertainment-led experience that delivers on both a gameplay and presentation perspective. We have every confidence that the customers of Swiss Casinos will have an exceptional gaming experience.”

Shares in Playtech plc (LSE:PTEC) were trading marginally lower by 0.20 per cent at 735.00 pence per share in London earlier Friday.

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