The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has ordered Crown Casino to introduce spending limits and carded play for its electronic gaming machines by December 2023. 

New Measure Aimed at Preventing Money Laundering and Gambling Harm

The new measures will allow the venue to identify individuals playing on their electronic machines by linking a person’s games to their identity via their gaming card. Additionally, customers will also be required to set a spending limit and a maximum playing time before they start their games. Crown must implement the measures by the end of the year, as per the direction from the VGCCC.

The Melbourne venue is also required to remove all unrestricted gaming machines from general areas and make them available only in high-roller zones. The casino has also been ordered to terminate the continuous play function across all of its gaming machines and set maximum credit limits at just $1,000 per machine. Crown Casino has pledged to comply with the new requirements which the VGCCC commended.

Crown Melbourne Aims to be “World Leader” in Responsible Gambling

The VGCCC order, aimed at reducing gambling harm and preventing money laundering, was announced just a week after the Melbourne casino was slapped with a $30 million fine over its bank cheque practice.   

Mike Volkert, Crown Melbourne’s Chief Executive, said the new changes are in line with the company’s goal of becoming a “world leader” in safe and responsible gambling and entertainment.

Wynn Resorts has provided some key updates on its US$3.9 billion integrated resort project in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The casino complex on Al Marjan Island, which is now under construction, will be aptly named “Wynn Al Marjan Island”, according to a recent press release from the company.

Wynn Al Marjan Island to Open in Early 2027

Wynn Al Marjan Island, which is being developed in partnership with local firms RAK Hospitality Holding LLC and Marjan LLC, will be home to UAE’s first casino. Additionally, the integrated resort will feature 1,500 hotel rooms, suites, and villas.

Wynn Resorts CEO Craig Billings said that Wynn Al Marjan Island, the casino’s first beachfront resort, will launch in early 2027. The company released some images of the design of the casino resort, featuring the natural landscape of the island.

Wynn Anticipates GGR Tax of Between 10% and 12%

The gaming space will occupy 224,000 sq. ft. or around 4% of the total floor area, more than double that of Wynn Las Vegas, according to John DeCree, an analyst at CBRE Securities LLC.

The regulatory regime for the casino operation has yet to be announced, but gross gaming revenue tax is expected to be set at between 10% and 12%, DeCree stated in a recent memo. While Wynn Resorts will only have 40% ownership of the business, it is poised to receive just over 40% of the economics because of license and management fees, DeCree added.

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.