Casino News Roundup on 14.11: The Latest From The Casino & Gambling Industry

Nelly will not face drug charges after his arrest at a St. Louis casino destination this summer. The star was arrested at Hollywood Casino and Hotel for expired car insurance.

During a search, officers discovered drugs, including ecstasy pills. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell stated that the facts of the case did not warrant charges. 

Nelly’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, argued that the warrant search leading to the arrest was unwarranted. He said Mr. Bell’s decision followed “a fair and impartial review of the evidence.”

An innovative platform that allows residents to order official state lottery tickets and digital scratchers from their mobile devices is being launched by Jackpot.com in Colorado. 

The innovative new platform aims to enhance accessibility and convenience, providing access to popular draw games like Mega Millions and local favourites. The initiative comes on the heels of the Colorado Lottery’s successful revenue generation, which has contributed significantly to state projects, schools, and parks. 

CEO and co-founder Akshay Khanna said: "At Jackpot.com, we remain committed to growing the safe and secure access to the lottery across the country and we could not be more excited to add Colorado as our seventh state."  

"Last year, the Colorado Lottery reached $4 billion in proceeds, and they give back millions of dollars each year to state parks, schools, and various projects. They're also notably invested in responsible gaming, which has been a staple at Jackpot.com since its inception. We can't wait to become part of the Colorado community and provide an accessible and reliable lottery experience for players." 

The charity GambleAware has claimed that there is public support for more regulations on gambling ads on social media, stating that 67% of the public believe that there is too much gambling advertising, particularly targeting children and young audiences. 

Now the charity, the grant-making body supported by the gaming industry, has urged the UK government to impose tougher restrictions on gambling advertising. The charity is highlighting that the UK is lagging behind European countries like Spain and Italy. Their recommendations include a pre-watershed ban on broadcast ads and strict regulations on online casino marketing.  

Professor Siân Griffiths CBE, chair of the GambleAware Trustees, said: “We have previously highlighted that the lack of gambling advertising and marketing regulation in this country is a missed opportunity. It is important we remember that gambling can be addictive and gambling harms need to be recognised as a public health issue that can affect anyone." 

Hyndburn and Burnley Councils have updated their gambling policies, set to be effective January 1^st, 2025. The revisions adhere to the Gambling Act 2005 and emphasise preventing crime, promoting fair gambling practices for online and land-based casinos, and protecting vulnerable individuals. 

These updates reflect current guidance from the Gambling Commission and showcase local authorities' commitment to maintaining high standards in gambling regulation. Hyndburn's Full Council meeting was presented with a report last week by its deputy leader Cllr Melissa Fisher. 

The report stated:  "The existing policy has been kept under review since coming into force in January 2022.

"In producing the draft policy, the Licensing Authority has had due regard to The Gambling Act 2005 licensing objectives, namely, preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime; ensuring gambling is being conducted in a fair and open way; and protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling." 

Flutter Entertainment’s CEO is eyeing the Italian lottery market and has indicated potential interest in bidding for Italy’s main lottery licence, which is set to expire soon. 

With Flutter’s acquisition of Sisal, their existing local lottery operations could serve as a stepping stone to expand online gaming and sports betting in Italy. 

The CEO mentioned that if pursuing the licence makes economic sense, Flutter would consider it seriously. When asked if Flutter plans to tender for the main Italian lottery licence, Mr. Jackson said ‘the group is interested in opportunities to “funnel” punters towards its Italian online offering’. 

Recent changes in gambling legislation may have significant implications for anti-money-laundering (AML) requirements. 

The newly established Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) will oversee these regulations, encouraging providers to re-evaluate their compliance status. 

Legal experts assert that understanding and adjusting to the new definitions and requirements is crucial for gambling service providers. 

Australian operator Tabcorp has been fined $262,920 for accepting illegal online in-play bets on tennis matches. 

An investigation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority revealed that Tabcorp accepted numerous in-play bets during a six-month period due to a technical bug, which the company failed to fix promptly. The ACMA emphasised the importance of compliance with the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 to protect vulnerable individuals from gambling harm. 

ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said: “In-play betting increases access to gambling opportunities and exacerbates the risks of gambling harm, as people can place bets with high frequency on multiple outcomes during sporting events. 

“There has been significant growth in online sports betting in recent years and it’s important all online wagering services have systems in place so that illegal in-play bets are not accepted.”