The UK government finally released the Gambling Act Review White Paper last week, unveiling a raft of major reforms aimed at boosting customer safeguards, protecting children and vulnerable people, and creating a safe, fair, and open gambling environment for players.

Affordability Checks, RET Levy Among Headline Measures

As per the White Paper, affordability checks will involve two net loss thresholds. Initial checks will be conducted on players with a monthly net loss of £125 or a yearly net loss of £500. Net losses of £1,000 in a single day or £2,000 within 90 days will trigger enhanced financial risk checks.

A mandatory levy for problem gambling research, education, and treatment (RET) funding will also be implemented. The distribution of funds will be facilitated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) with guidance from Treasury and DCMS ministers. The government has yet to finalize the measure as it will still launch a consultation on the matter.

New Powers for UKGC

Additionally, the White Paper also proposes that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) be granted new powers for it to become a “proactive regulator”. An independent ombudsman tasked with overseeing customer complaints will also be established.

The UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) launched the gambling review on December 20, 2020 in line with the Conservative Party’s 2019 manifesto.

MGM China is looking to grow its international customer base via a new deal with parent company MGM Resorts International. Both firms signed an International Marketing Agreement which will see MGM Resorts establish multiple overseas marketing offices for MGM China in a bid to bring more non-Chinese customers to Macau.

Reducing Dependence on Chinese Customers

The marketing offices will be supervised by Special Manager Sean Lanni, who is also currently serving as MGM Resorts’ President for Far East Marketing.

The new deal is in line with the Macau government’s directive to attract more visitors from overseas markets so that the local economy would no longer be heavily dependent on patrons coming from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. 

This has also been included as a requirement for casino operators under the new 10-year gaming concession contract which aims to increase the non-gaming revenue of the concessionaires.

Attracting More Foreign Customers to Macau

The International Marketing Agreement, which effectively supersedes the Sixth Renewed MGM Marketing Agreement previously signed by MGM China and MGM Resorts, comes with fresh provisions, such as the establishment of Macau leadership and putting in place a sales and service support team located in the city. The deal also sets out new sales incentive plans and more aggressive targets for MGM China.

MGM China wants to take advantage of MGM Resorts’ expertise and track record in international marketing, with the end goal of driving more foreign customers to MGM China’s Macau properties both for gaming and non-gaming purposes.

Newly-released documents from the FBI have unveiled fresh details about Stephen Paddock, the perpetrator of the October 1, 2017 Las Vegas shooting. A fellow gambler told investigators the gunman was angry at casinos for how they treated him and other high-roller customers.

Gunman Frustrated at How Casinos Treated High Rollers

According to FBI files, Paddock had been banned from three casinos in Reno, Nevada prior to the attack. The ban was among measures implemented by casinos to avoid high-stakes gamblers who play well and win large sums of money. Paddock, along with other VIP patrons, had also been stripped of loyalty benefits, such as free cruises and flights, in the years leading up to the mass shooting.

Paddock may have taken his frustration out on the massive crowd at the Route 91 Harvest music festival, the gambler stated. He opened fire at the large audience from his Mandalay Bay hotel suite, killing 60 people and leaving hundreds of others hurt. 

Las Vegas Police Defend Inconclusive Findings

Investigations by Las Vegas authorities found no clear motive behind the attack. Paddock’s casino links were not considered a potential angle for the crime and the local police are defending their inconclusive findings despite the recent publication of the FBI documents.

Uncertainty now surrounds Hard Rock’s proposal to build a casino in New York City, with the firm likely to face difficulties in the bidding process due to its Russian ties. 

Under an executive order issued by Gov. Kathy Hochul last year, state agencies in New York are prohibited from entering into agreements with entities conducting any commercial activity in Russia or transacting business with the Russian government. 

Hard Rock Among Firms Still Doing Business in Russia

According to Yale University’s School of Management, Hard Rock is one of 237 firms continuing business as usual in Russia. The company has been listed under the Grade: F category – entities defying demands for exit or reduction of activities.

A Hard Rock franchise restaurant in Moscow closed months ago, the company recently confirmed, but a second one, located in St. Petersburg, is still operating, though the independent owner of the property agreed to terminate operations on March 13, according to a statement from Hard Rock.

Hard Rock Campaigned for Kathy Hochul

It was previously unveiled that Hard Rock was partnering with New York Mets owner Steve Cohen for a casino project near CitiField in Willets Point, Queens. Hard Rock supported Gov. Kathy Hochul when she ran for re-election in November 2022 and contributed at least $100,000 to her campaign.

There are plenty of issues that divide Texas residents, but gambling legalization is not one of them. According to a new survey from the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs, majority of Texans are in favor of legalizing casino gaming and sports betting in The Lone Star State. 

Massive Public Support for Expanded Gambling in Texas

The survey, conducted from January 9-19, 2023 on 1,200 Texans aged at least 18 years old, found that 75% of Texas residents support a new Bill that would allow expanded gambling in the state, with only 13% strongly opposing the new changes.

Under proposals contained in Senate Joint Resolution 17 (SJR 17), each of Texas’ biggest metropolitan areas – Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas-Fort Worth – would have one casino resort. The Bill would also allow “limited casino gaming” in certain locations and would create a sports betting licensing framework.

Casino Gambling Could Be Coming to Texas

The survey found massive public support for the Bill which cuts across ethnic, racial, religious, partisan, and generational lines. It has gained majority backing from men and women in the state, major political parties, and those residing in urban, rural, and suburban locations. 

Commenting on the results of the survey, Renée Cross, senior executive director and researcher at the Hobby School, said there is room for common ground when it comes to allowing expanded gambling in Texas.