Casino News Roundup on 12.11: The Latest From The Casino & Gambling Industry

MGM National Harbor is kicking off November with a big jackpot. A lucky guest was playing Ultimate Texas Hold’em on November 3 when he was dealt a Royal Flush of diamonds, winning $961,428.50.

 “What an incredible way to kick off the holidays,” said Alex Alvarado, MGM National Harbor’s Vice President of Casino Operations. 

“We take great pride in offering the premier selection of table games in an industry where anything is possible. Today, that possibility became a reality with a life-changing win for our guest." 

At the RG Symposium, Kinga Warda, Chief Officer of Policy and International Affairs and GREF Board Member, emphasized the importance of regulation in establishing a strong foundation for the industry. 

She noted that true progress occurs when companies adopt responsible practices, which are vital for long-term sustainability.

Entain plc is excited to announce the appointment of Dafne Guisard as Chief Operations Officer, effective January 13, 2025. Entain owns popular online casinos like PartyCasino, Ladbrokes Casino, and Foxy Bingo. Dafne joins from The Kraft Heinz Company, where she led global growth strategies and digital transformation. 

CEO Gavin Isaacs expressed confidence that Dafne’s extensive experience in driving transformational change will bolster Entain’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence. 

Dafne was a former Chief Strategy, Transformation and Digital Officer at Kraft Heinz and spent nine years at Anheuser-Busch InBev with a strong focus on innovation and brand strategy. She was also Co-founder of a machine learning tech start-up.

Her track record includes recognition as one of AdAge's top AI Marketing Leaders and an accolade from TIME for innovation. 

More than 70 industry leaders gathered for the 2024 ECA Casino Industry Forum in Nova Gorica, Slovenia. The event, themed "Future-Forward: AI and Innovation in Casinos," featured notable speeches and discussions on the transformative role of technology in the casino sector.  

The keynote was provided by Prof. Aleksandra Przegalińska-Skierkowska and featured an exploration of AI's strategic implications for the industry. 

Philippe Vlaemminck and Beata Guzik discussed the 'EU AI Act and an EU Regulatory Approach to AI in Gambling,' while 'The Future of Land-Based Casinos' was discussed by John Purcell, who shared his vision for embracing technology. 

'The Impact of EU Corporate Sustainability' was the focus for Philippe Gaggl from PwC, who highlighted the implications of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. 

There was a live presentation from Las Vegas by Bo Bernhard, who unveiled insights into the evolving 'Fun Economy.' The forum concluded with a traditional St. Martin's dinner.

Galaxy Entertainment Group mourns the loss of its founder and chairman, Lui Che Woo, who passed away on November 7 at the age of 95. Under his visionary leadership, the group has seen tremendous growth. 

The company assures stakeholders that his passing will not affect its operations, and a new chairman will be appointed shortly. 

In an effort to protect consumers, Lithuania is tightening its gambling laws. 

Key changes include: 

• Raising the legal gambling age from 18 to 21, effective July 1, 2025. 
• Mandating qualified staff in gambling venues to address irresponsible behaviour. 
• Enhanced monitoring capabilities for the Gambling Control Authority. 

These measures aim to foster a safer gambling environment and will also introduce a new tax regime with a 22% rate for various gambling activities. 

A 32-year-old woman working as a table games dealer at Rivers Casino is facing multiple charges after allegedly dealing fraudulent hands of blackjack to customers.   

Jamie Smith of Brighton Heights is charged with fraud and theft. It is alleged that between Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, 2024, Smith overpaid customers on bets and did not collect money from losing bets.   

There was also surveillance video, which allegedly showed Smith dealing 192 fraudulent hands of blackjack over 31 hours of work. Officials said that the total loss comes to more than $21,000. Sounds like she doesn't need our insider tips on blackjack. 

Smith was arrested at her workplace and taken to the Allegheny County Jail. She has been released on bond and is awaiting a court hearing set for Nov. 20th.

A recent workshop, named ESG Integration in iGaming gathered experts to discuss integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into the gaming sector. 

Notable speakers included Floris Assies, Reuben Portanier, and Rachel Decelis, who emphasized the need for sustainability and compliance within the industry.

As we prepare for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the MGA's ESG Code of Conduct, this integration is increasingly vital for future growth.