Regulation round-up 14 August 2012
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (8 August to 14 August 2012).
South Point and Monarch set to be first Nevada operators
Gaming Control Board takes just 45 minutes to recommend South Point’s online poker licence “ Monarch Interactive and Global Cash Access also given tentative approval.
South Point Poker and Monarch are two weeks away from becoming the first companies to be awarded a licence to operate online poker sites in Nevada, following initial approval by the state’s Gaming Control Board (GCB).
South Point casino owner Michael Gaughan attended the hearing yesterday but was not questioned by the three-member GCB panel, which unanimously approved the application. Gaughan has been licenced in Nevada since 1965 and has managed a long list of bricks and mortar businesses in the state.
The technology powering South Point’s poker offering is currently in its second stage of testing with one of Nevada’s independent testing laboratories. If it passes this phase and the operator receives final approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission next week, real-money bets could be taken on SouthPointPoker.com by October.
The technology must ensure that all players are within the state’s borders and are at least 21 years of age. GCB chairman Mark Lipparelli said at the hearing: “The devil is in the details. I want a comfort level that all requirements had been covered.”
Seven days in regulation:
Sports groups file lawsuit to block New Jersey sports betting
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has joined forces with four major professional sports to file a lawsuit in an attempt to block New Jersey politicians from allowing sports betting at the state’s 12 casinos and race tracks.
The National Basketball Association, the Major League Baseball, the National Football League and the National Hockey League and the NCAA filed the suit on Tuesday. The associations argue that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s (pictured) sports betting proposals violate the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (Paspa), which permits sports betting in only four states including Nevada, Montana, Oregon and Delaware.
The lawsuit states: “This is an action challenging New Jersey’s plan to sponsor, operate, advertise, promote, license, and authorise gambling on amateur and professional sports, in clear and flagrant violation of federal law.”
Kahnawake issues note on Absolute Poker
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) has issued a statement on Absolute Poker parent company Blanca Games, clarifying that it is no longer licensed in the jurisdiction.
It notes that Blanca “ which also owned fellow Kahnawake licensee and fellow Cereus network site Ultimate Bet “ did not renew its client provider authorisation after it expired on 2 June.
This month saw the United States Department of Justice file a motion requesting that the court “Enter a settlement agreement reached with Absolute Poker/Ultimate Bet that requires the company to forfeit all of its assets (the “Absolute Assets”) in order to fully resolve this action.”
Quickspin applies for Alderney licence
Stockholm-based casino games developer Quickspin has applied for a core services associate certificate with the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.
The company, founded by veterans of Net Entertainment and Unibet, is chasing the same accreditation held by more than 30 software providers including OpenBet and OMI Gaming, allowing it to provide egaming software to holders of an Alderney operating licence.