The editorial board of The Patriot-News, Harrisburg’s largest newspaper, called on Pennsylvania legislators to impose a ban on skill games. Skill gaming machines can be found inside convenience stores, restaurants, bars, and gas stations across the Keystone State. According to The Patriot-News’ editorial board, underage individuals can easily access these games, which is why they must be prohibited.

Members of the newspaper’s editorial board also noted that the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) imposes hefty fines on casinos for accidentally allowing minors to access the gambling area, while the authority does not penalize the owners of skill gaming establishments that allow individuals under 21 years of age to gamble. The editorial board also pointed out that the skill gaming machines are located in parts of convenience stores and gas stations, where supervising them is almost impossible.

The newspaper’s editorial board also expressed concerns over the lack of safeguards. They claim that people who have excluded themselves from all land-based casinos in the state or online gambling platforms can easily access these skill gaming machines.

However, the editorial board also recognizes that the lack of proper regulation of the skill games benefits local businesses because they split profits generated by these machines only with the gaming manufacturer and the machine’s route distributor. Skill games also allowed small business owners to increase their workers’ salaries and even hire more people.

The Legality of Skill Games Remains a Controversial Topic

During the East Coast Congress held this April, PGCB Chair Denise Smyler said that anyone can play skill games because there are no age restrictions, which is alarming. Ms. Smyler added that over 20,000 people enrolled in the state’s self-exclusion program. At the same time, these people can go to these skill gaming establishments and gamble as long as they wish.

Skill games are neither legal nor illegal in Pennsylvania, which is why there are no specific age requirements. In other words, skill game establishments operate in grey area, which means that they do not pay state taxes and are not required to comply with the state’s gambling law.

According to attorneys representing various Pennsylvania casinos, skill games constitute illegal gambling and cut into their profits. In 2019, Commonwealth Court Judge Court Judge Patricia McCullough ruled that skill games are not regulated under the state’s Gaming Act, which includes provisions regarding games of chance and table games. Her ruling stopped Pennsylvania State Police from confiscating skill games from various locations.

This March, attorneys for Pennsylvania casinos appealed McCullough’s ruling. But the legality of the skill gaming machines remains unclear. While some want these machines to be authorized and properly taxed, others claim that skill games must be completely banned. Visually, skill gaming machines and traditional slots look alike. However, they differ in their gameplay mechanics. While skill games require players to identify a winning payline, slot machines automatically notify players if they win.

On Tuesday night, over 500 people came to Ellisboro Baptist Church in Madison to express their opinions regarding a possible casino in Rockingham County. Most people who spoke at the meeting opposed the casino proposal, explaining that it could increase crime in the area and lead to moral decay within the society. Only one person embraced the idea of bringing a casino to Rockingham County.

During the meeting, a Rockingham County resident said that casinos target and exploit poor people, who believe that gambling could help them improve their lifestyle. Another attendee explained that Rockingham County residents did not want a casino to be established in the area. Casino naysayers are doing everything possible to convince lawmakers to scrap the casino project.

Opponents even asked Mark Walker, former U.S. Congressman and Republican candidate running for North Carolina Governor, to support their efforts to block the casino proposal. Walker expressed concerns over the lack of transparency regarding the casino project. He added that powerful individuals like Republican lawmaker Phil Berger back the idea, and the only way to convince legislators to say no to the casino proposal is to unite.

Phil Berger believes that the gambling venue would create nearly 17,000 new jobs and pump around $6 million into the county’s economy every year. Last November, Berger allegedly accepted $5,600 in campaign contributions from the Cordish Companies.

Plans to Bring Casino to Rockingham County are Still Up in the Air

Last month, NC Development Holdings asked the county planning board to rezone 192 acres in Rockingham County, which would allow the company to use it for commercial purposes. A curious fact is that the company has the same registration address as Baltimore-based gaming developer The Cordish Cos., which allegedly donated over $34k to political campaigns. The planning board did not approve the company’s request. County commissioners are expected to vote for or against the rezoning of the land on August 21.

Speaking at the meeting yesterday, Sheriff Sam Page said that having a casino in the county has its advantages and disadvantages and added that public safety must be of utmost importance when discussing the casino project. Sheriff Page noted that the county has already been struggling with drug overdoses and human trafficking.

Stephen James, a professional poker deal, was the only one at the meeting speaking in favor of the casino proposal. He pointed out that the casino in Cherokee lifted the nearly 16,000 members of the tribe out of poverty. James believes that the casino would bring significant economic benefits to the community which hosts it.

However, the future of the proposed casino remains unclear because the Legislature first has to authorize commercial casinos. Besides, there is no specific deadline for the legislation to be drafted.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is to consider a proposal to tax transactions, payments, and winnings in digital assets at a 28% rate, as reported by media agency Moneycontrol. Discussions on the matter will take place during the GDT’s meeting, which will be held tomorrow. If approved, the tax would be levied on the full face value of such transactions.

A reliable source familiar with the matter revealed that the proposed amendment to the Central GST Act affects winnings and deposits made with digital assets. Under the provisions of the proposed amendment, the value of supply of online gaming is the total amount paid by the player to the operator. Regardless of whether the actionable claims are supplied in money or virtual assets, all companies or individuals who operate online gaming platforms will be required to pay a 28% tax on the full value of every transaction.

At the moment, online gambling platforms are taxed 18% GST on their fees, also known as gross gaming revenue (GGR), instead of the full amount of the transactions, or the Contest Entry Amount (CEA). In an interview on July 13, Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra told journalists from Moneycontrol that the proposed amendment would make the taxation of online gambling platforms more straightforward.

Goods under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act of 2017 are defined as actionable claims. Thus far, only lottery, sports betting, and gambling fell under the category of actionable claims. If councilors approve the proposed amendment, horse racing, and online gaming will be classified as actionable claims, too.

The Rules for Those Operating Outside India Will Change If the Proposed Amendment Receives Approval

During its meeting, the Council is also expected to approve a special provision, under which everyone supplying online money gaming, defined in clause 80B of section 2 of the CGST Act, 2017, and located outside the taxable category will be required to pay an integrated tax on such supplies to individuals located in the taxable category.

Moreover, the proposed amendment stipulates that everyone targeting Indian players and supplying online money gaming from a location outside India will have to go through a mandatory registration process. During the meeting, councilors are also expected to propose legal amendments aimed at providing further clarity regarding the tax treatment of casinos under the GST.

The GST Council’s meeting will be held via video-conferencing and comes just several weeks after its previous meeting. The goal of the current meeting is to underline the government’s commitment to streamlining the taxation of online gaming platforms. By bringing online gaming transactions under the GST scope, the central government tries to establish a fair and transparent taxation process in the rapidly growing digital gaming industry.

Last Friday, Kentucky’s Governor Andy Beshear signed the Kentucky Problem Assistance regulation in a bid to help people struggling with gambling problems. The regulation complements another emergency regulation, under which the Kentucky Sports Betting Advisory Council was established to preserve the integrity of the sports betting industry. The recently signed regulation outlines the process of distributing funds to the Problem Gambling Assistance account and supporting groups and organizations, dedicated to helping people experiencing gambling problems.

Ahead of the upcoming launch of retail sports betting on September 7 and online sports betting on September 28, Kentucky’s governor has approved an emergency regulation to start administering the Kentucky Problem Gambling Assistance account. The law urged the secretary of the Cabinet of Health and Family Services to introduce regulations regarding the problem gambling fund.

The standards in place allow behavioral health professionals or services to file an application with the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities, requesting to receive funds assisting their responsible gambling efforts. Gov. Beshear has announced that the new regulation provides information about how much funds will be earmarked to organizations and agencies that help problem gamblers.

This March, Gov. Beshear signed House Bill 551, legalizing sports betting in the Bluegrass State. Interestingly, Kentucky is the first U.S. state in 2023 to legalize sports betting. The move came in a bid to boost tourism and generate more money for the state. According to Beshear’s expectations, the state will receive up to $24 million in tax revenue from sports betting during the first year of its operation. Beshear explained that the money would be used to increase pensions and salaries.

What Requirements Organizations Must Meet to Be Eligible for Funding?

House Bill 551 stipulates that 2.5% of the revenues the state is to receive from sports betting will go to fund organizations and agencies helping individuals struggling with gambling problems. This means that around $585k will be available for organizations and agencies per year. The new regulation also defines the standards for an organization or agency to qualify for a share of the money earmarked to support responsible gambling programs.

The regulation requires companies and agencies seeking to receive funds to support their responsible gambling efforts to provide means of evaluating the efficiency of their programs, present a record of the number of people they have helped, and file reports on spending and scope every four months. Individuals can also apply for funding if they have the needed qualification and accreditation from an approved organization.

Besides, they must have at least 15 hours of training in solving gambling problems and 50 hours of experience in the field. A list of people who have the needed qualification to assist problem gamblers will be posted on the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities website.

MrWin, an emerging game developer established at the beginning of this year, just announced the release of its new game called Crypto Fortune, which will be available for play this August. The company is still in discussions with two casino aggregating platforms, which will host the cryptocurrency game. MrWin’s gaming product uses three concentric wheels, allowing casino fans to win up to $30k in Bitcoin.

Miroslav Nikolov and Galin Dinkov, MrWin’s founders, did not hide their excitement about the game’s upcoming release next month. They told reporters from BonusInsider that the product has been designed to provide all cryptocurrency players with unique jackpot experiences and allow online gambling platforms to diversify their portfolios. The game features a simplified user interface, allowing for easy navigation. A jackpot bar, located to the left of the wheels, provides players with the opportunity to keep track of the growing cryptocurrency jackpot and how close it is to the current market price of Bitcoin.

The wheel-based game is easy to play, making it suitable for players of all skill levels. It features increasing multipliers of up to 100x, providing players with the opportunity to hit a massive win. The creative game developers have also added a coin flip feature that players can trigger with each spin.

Besides the generous prizes up for grabs and original gameplay mechanics, Crypto Fortune also attracts attention with its slick visuals and smooth animations. The upbeat sound effects perfectly complement the overall feel of the game. Crypto Features’ wide wager limits are likely to appeal to the preferences of high-rollers as well as risk-averse players.

The game runs without a hitch on Android and iOS-based smartphones and tablets as it is powered by HTML5. With its relatively high payout percentage of 97.4%, Crypto Fortune, MrWin’s first product on the market, has everything needed to become a blockbuster.

Crystal-Lee Budnik, a woman from Surrey, has reported that Cascades Casino in British Columbia did not let her in due to her speech defect. Ms. Budnik tried to enter the same casino twice but was denied access by the security guards, who thought she was drunk.

Budnik told reporters from Global News that she was discriminated against by the casino staff and expressed hope that her story would change the attitude toward disabled people. In a written statement, Cascades Casino Langley announced that the company has been looking into the case and that the health and safety of the employees have always been of utmost importance to the company.

The woman from Surrey suffers from a learning disability, lupus, speech defect, and arthritis. She believes that due to her health problems, she has been denied access to Cascades Casino. Ms. Budnik explained that every time she tried to enter the gambling venue, she showed proper identification and explained her condition.

Nonetheless, she was turned away even by the casino’s manager, who agreed with the safety guards’ erroneous conclusion that the woman was intoxicated. She added that the incident deeply traumatized and disappointed her. The woman’s latest attempt to enter the gambling venue was on July 22, when the casino’s security staff refused to let her in because she was “intoxicated” and “stumbling”, according to their words.

Many Impaired Persons Have Been Mistaken for Intoxicated in British Columbia Because People Lack Awareness of Disabilities

Ms. Brudnik explained that she has been carrying documents from doctors and psychiatrists everywhere she goes to explain her condition. She added that this was not the first time someone thought she was drunk. Ms. Brudnik had been mistaken for being intoxicated even by the police. She shared that carrying paperwork everywhere is embarrassing and expressed hopes that people would change the way they treat disabled individuals.

Cascades Casino Langley stated that the company has been investigating the incident. Tanya Gabara, director of public relations, explained that they have been trying to contact the woman in order to find more details about the incident. She wrote that the company would consider any learnings from the incident and apply them to future interactions with other casino patrons with disabilities.

Helaine Boyd, executive director of Disability Alliance BC, said she was aware of other incidents in which disabled people have been mistaken for drunk or high. She also noted that individuals with sclerosis, ataxia, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities have been often mistaken for intoxicated. Ms. Boyd explained that this has been happening due to a lack of awareness of disabilities and empathy toward disabled persons.

Boyd also said that legislators have been busy creating laws for accessibility. She believes it is important that people in the public service and business sectors receive appropriate accessibility training in order to reduce similar incidents in the future.

At its public meeting held this Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board fi8ned three of its licensees for violating the state’s gambling law. Next to the imposed financial sanctions, the gambling regulator also acted on petitions filed by the Board’s Office of Enforcement Counsel (OEC) to prohibit seven adults from entering any casino in the Commonwealth.

Downs Racing, L.P., operator of Mohegan Pennsylvania, was ordered to pay a fine of $50k for failing to prevent individuals below the legal gambling age of 21 from accessing the casino area. Holdings Acquisition, L.P., which operates Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, was handed a fine of $10k for allowing an underage person to enter the gaming floor.

The gambling watchdog also imposed a financial penalty of $7,500 on Rivers Casino Philadelphia’s operator Sugarhouse HSP Gaming, L.P. for employing an unqualified roulette dealer. The fines handed totaled $67,500 and were accepted by the offending operators.

Reckless Adults Banned from Pennsylvania Casinos for Leaving Minors Unattended

The gambling regulator also banned seven adults from setting foot in any casino located within Pennsylvania borders for leaving a total of nine children unattended while gambling. The board was shocked by the careless behavior of a man who left an 11-month-old baby unattended in a vehicle in the parking lot of Rivers Casino Philadelphia for 42 minutes. Another man was also placed on the Involuntary Exclusion List for leaving a 7-year-old kid alone in a vehicle parked in front of Parx Casino Bensalem for 23 minutes.

One woman was banned from all casinos in the state because she left four children at the age of 2, 10, 13, and 13, alone in a vehicle in the parking garage of Rivers Casino Pittsburgh for 40 minutes in order to gamble. Another male patron was excluded from entering any casino within the boundaries of Pennsylvania after leaving a 3-year-old child unattended in a vehicle parked in front of Live! Philadelphia Hotel and Casino for 10 minutes.

Another male casino patron was prohibited from entering casinos in Pennsylvania after leaving a 5-year-old child unattended for 35 minutes in a vehicle while he gambled at Rivers Casino Philadelphia. A male and female also appeared on the Involuntary Exclusion List after leaving a 9-year-old child unattended in a hotel room multiple times for a total of nearly 8 hours in order to engage in gambling activities at Mt. Airy Casino Resort.

Under Pennsylvania’s law, adults who leave their children unattended at casinos will not only be banned from all gambling venues in the Commonwealth but also face criminal charges. From last January to this June, the gambling regulator reported that there were 397 incidents of adults leaving a total of 633 children unattended to gamble.

The Maharashtra government has decided to prohibit all gambling activities, including online and in-person. The bold move comes as part of the government’s strategy to curb problem gambling among locals. Officials noted that problem gambling has resulted in many people experiencing financial problems. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the government’s decision, explaining that the government has always been committed to protecting young people’s health and welfare.

If approved, the legislation would repeal a 30-year-old law that previously allowed gambling venues to operate in Maharashtra and ban online and land-based casinos. Deputy CM Fadnavis revealed that the new legislation would be signed anytime soon to ban all forms of gambling. Mr. Fadnavis elaborated that the legislative measure would create a safer and healthier environment for Maharashtra’s residents.

Gambling Causes Clash of Opinions between Indian Congress Leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister

During the Legislative Assembly session held this Monday, Indian National Congress (INC) leader Abhijit Wanjarri voiced his concerns about the huge number of gambling and rummy platforms. He asked lawmakers to consider implementing strict restrictions on these platforms and limiting their number. He emphasized that these gambling platforms could cause addictions and financial hardships, especially among youths. Wanjarri’s proposal includes imposing limits on gambling platforms’ operations and the promotions they offer to lure new players.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis opposed Wanjarri’s claims, explaining that the existing policies were sufficient to control the gambling platforms. He added that they operate according to regulations introduced by the central government, and enforcing new restrictions might not be necessary. This clash of opinions demonstrates that the issue is quite complicated and requires careful consideration.

Should Celebrities Be Banned from Endorsing Gambling Operations?

Mr. Wanjarri also urged legislators to ban celebrities from endorsing casinos and gambling platforms. He shared his concerns that the use of celebrities in gambling ads negatively influence youths. According to Wanjarri, young people are impressionable, which is why celebrities like Sharad Kelkar and Manoj Bajpayee must be prohibited from espousing gambling services. He added that gambling ads featuring celebrities were more appealing to children and youths than adults.

Deputy CM Fadnavis, however, argued that sporting legend Sachin Tendulkar has never promoted online casinos and rummy platforms to make money. Fadnavis said that celebrities and athletes should be able to make their own judgments and exercise their discretion when promoting products or services that could potentially impact society.

The Maharashtra Prevention of Gambling Act of 1887 is the piece of legislation that governs the gambling industry in Maharashtra. The only legal forms of gambling in this Indian state are horse racing, lottery, and rummy. The Maharashtra government believes that online gambling is a huge problem, and in 20128, it suggested implementing new policies restricting it. However, the government did not take further steps in that direction because some people would prefer to see the pastime regulated.

According to a report published by the media agency Carolina Public Press, at least eight lawmakers received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the Baltimore-based gambling firm The Cordish Companies. The news immediately attracted the attention of gambling expansion experts, who believe that this will tip the scales in favor of The Cordish in the competition for a gambling license. Currently, North Carolina lawmakers are considering a casino bill, seeking to allow one business to establish up to three casinos in some of the most deprived areas.

According to a disclosure filed with the North Carolina State Board of Elections and the Federal Election Commission, four donors associated with The Cordish gave $34,400 contributions to campaign committees of at least eight legislators between November 2022 and March 2023.

But North Carolina’s law does not prohibit out-of-state entities from donating funds to political campaigns. Moreover, lawmakers can receive contributions of up to $6,400 from each donor in contributions per election. Last year, the maximum amount lawmakers could receive in donations was $5,600. Joseph Weinberg, chief executive officer of Cordish Gaming Group and Cordish Global Cities Entertainment reportedly gave Senate leader Phil Berger a contribution of $5,600 last November.

Senator Lisa Barnes, Republican John Bell, and Republican Jason Saine each accepted a $5,600 contribution from Weinberg in November 2022. The list of lawmakers who received contributions from other donors also includes Sen. David Craven, Rep. Kyle Hall, Rep. Larry Strickland, Sen. Todd Johnson, and Rep. Kathy Manning.

Campaign Contributions are Not Illegal, But are They Fair?

Bob Hall, the former executive director of Democracy NC, has confirmed that campaign donations do not violate the law. Mr. Hall called the situation a “pay-to-play scheme” and did not refuse that the system was corrupt. In May, Hall even filed a complaint with the North Carolina State Board of Elections, alerting authorities about the video poker industry’s alleged campaign financial misconduct. He urged them to look into the $885,000 contributions made by the industry to candidates and party committees between 2019 and 2022.

Although many believe that such campaign contributions would give an unfair advantage to The Cordish, Christopher Cooper, a professor of political science and public affairs at Western Carolina University, says that this will not necessarily happen.

North Carolina legislators are now discussing a casino expansion bill, seeking to establish four new casinos in the state. Lawmakers plan to authorize one operator to build gambling establishments in Anson, Nash, and Rockingham counties. The fourth gambling venue will be operated by the Lumbee Tribe. If the bill gets the nod in the state Legislature, the new gambling establishments will create more jobs and boost North Carolina’s coffers. Currently, the state has two land-based casinos, both operated by Native American tribes.

Las Vegas casino behemoth Steve Wynn has agreed to a seven-page statement, according to which he has to pay a $10 million fine and withdraw from the gambling industry. This will put an end to the federal lawsuit against him over claims of sexual misconduct.

During a meeting scheduled to take place in Carson City this Thursday, the Nevada Gaming Commission is to accept a deal in which the 81-year-old casino mogul admits to no wrongdoing. The seven-page agreement, signed by Wynn on July 17 with members of the investigatory Nevada Gaming Control Board, accuses Wynn of failing to prevent a scandal, which severely damaged the reputation of the gaming industry and the state of Nevada.

Colby Williams, Wynn’s attorney, has declined to comment until the proceedings are complete but said that his client will not attend the hearing. Under the terms of the deal, Wynn will be allowed to own no more than 5% of a publicly traded corporation registered with the Gaming Commission. However, he will have no control, authority, advisory role, or decision-making power. If he violates the deal, he may need to pay another fine and be found unsuitable for working with Nevada casinos.

Steve Wynn established some luxury gambling resorts, including the Golden Nugget, Bellagio, Treasure Island, Wynn Macau, Encore Boston Harbor, and others. Besides, he played a crucial role in the development of the gambling industry on the Las Vegas Strip. In 2018, the Wall Street Journal published the accusation of several women who claimed that the casino mogul sexually assaulted them at his hotels, which resulted in Wynn’s resignation from Wynn Resorts.

Attempt to Hide Sexual Misconduct Claims Cost Wynn Resorts Millions

Soon after the accusations were made public, state regulators launched an investigation into the matter and placed Wynn’s license on administrative hold. In October 2019, the gambling watchdog started considering handing the casino mogul a fine of up to $500k. Of course, Wynn denied the accusations and in 2020, a state judge in Las Vegas sided with the casino magnate’s lawyers.

In March 2022, however, the Nevada Supreme Court found Wynn guilty, explaining that the state judge’s ruling was premature. Wynn’s attorneys argued that the Nevada Gaming Commission and the Gaming Control Board had no legal jurisdiction over their client.

Just a few months before state regulators launched the investigation, the Massachusetts gambling watchdog slapped Wynn Resorts Ltd and new company chief executive Matthew Maddox with fines of $35 million and $550k, respectively, for concealing sexual misconduct accusations against Wynn while applying for a license.

In November 2019, it was announced that Wynn Resorts would receive a total of $41 million after the casino mogul agreed to pay the company $20 million in damages, while the company’s insurance carriers announced they would pay an additional $21 million.