Compliance Updates
Michigan Gaming Control Board Rejects Recent Claims Regarding Skill Games
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has refuted recent assertions questioning the legitimacy of its efforts to protect citizens by combating illegal gambling within the state, particularly in relation to the rise of casino-style electronic gaming machines that self-identify as “skill games.”
In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the presence of electronic gaming machines in bars and restaurants across Michigan. The suppliers of these machines misleadingly contend that the games include an element of skill and are therefore exempt from Michigan’s gambling prohibitions. Specifically, they claim that the games qualify as “redemption games” under MCL 750.310b, which allows a limited and very narrow exception to Michigan’s gambling prohibitions.
“As the regulatory authority overseeing the three Detroit commercial casinos and online gaming in Michigan, the MGCB is committed to upholding the integrity of the state’s gambling regulations and ensuring a fair and responsible gaming environment for all citizens. It is essential to clarify that these casino-style electronic gaming machines are not exempt from Michigan’s penal code, and individuals operating or utilizing them are subject to enforcement actions by the state,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said.
Ongoing investigations by the MGCB have consistently established that the operation of these games does not comply with the strict requirements of MCL 750.310b because these games operate in a manner that is identical to a slot machine, whereby winning depends primarily upon fortuitous or accidental circumstances beyond the control of the player. Patterns observed with the illegal use of casino-style electronic gaming machines have included the use of cash as prizes, issuance of Visa gift cards, and false claims of legality and/or state authorization. Operations of these unregulated gaming machines put citizens at risk — because they have no recourse should they be misled, cheated, or otherwise taken advantage of — and results in a loss of state revenue, depriving Michigan citizens of taxes and revenue used to support schools through the School Aid Fund and communities and local governments with essential state funding dollars.
Comprehensive joint investigations conducted by the MGCB and the Michigan Attorney General’s Office in the past five years have resulted in 29 individuals being convicted of 27 felonies and 16 misdemeanors. These investigations have also resulted in 436 illegal machines seized, along with $176,001.69 in cash and $15,415 in Visa, MasterCard, and/or Simon gift cards.
“The public is being misled when told that skill and gift cards equate to the legality of a machine. What is being ignored is that the machines in question have been played and/or examined by investigators and determined to be casino-style slot machines for which winning depends on chance. And by law they do not qualify as a redemption game exception to the penal code. The mere use of a gift card as a prize does not render the machine legal,” ,” Williams said.
Unregulated machines used illegally lack the necessary consumer safeguards that licensed and regulated establishments provide, leaving the individuals who use them susceptible to unfair practices. More importantly, they offer no player protections and do not allow patrons to influence game outcomes through skill or strategy. This lack of oversight poses significant risks, particularly when minors can access these machines, potentially increasing the likelihood of future gambling problems among youth.
“The presence of unregulated casino-style electronic gaming machines in restaurants and small businesses risks grooming minors for gambling at an early age. This can have damaging consequences on their future well-being, potentially desensitizing them to the negative impacts of gambling, leading to addiction and financial problems later in life. Kids don’t need access or exposure to slot machines when they go out to enjoy a burger and fries or a pizza. If it’s not on the menu, it should not be available,” Williams added.
The MGCB has provided businesses with educational materials to ensure that any machine they are considering having in their business complies with Michigan law. Additionally, these materials have been uploaded to the MGCB website for public consumption. But the MGCB’s efforts continue to be undermined by the repeated spreading of misinformation, causing the illegal use of these machines to expand across Michigan.
The MGCB has also made it clear that it is not hindering local business owners’ ability to increase profits. Businesses engaged in the use of these machines are committing criminal acts with false assurances that their conduct is legal. In cases where investigations into casino-style slot machines have taken place at bars and restaurants, each of the affected business owner(s) were served adequate, advance warning that they were not in compliance with the law by way of cease-and-desist letters that provided them an opportunity to comply before enforcement action, including criminal charges, was taken.
“The MGCB encourages business owners to contact the agency should they have any questions on whether a gaming machine they have in their establishment complies with the law. Our goal is education and compliance. Any suggestion otherwise is simply not true,” Williams said.
JCM Global (JCM) has successfully passed regulatory review and is now licensed by the New Mexico Gaming Control Board. This license enables JCM to sell and service customers directly throughout the state.
This license is the latest in JCM’s wide array of awarded gaming licenses across North America and around the world and underscores JCM’s commitment to holding itself to the highest regulatory standards. JCM now maintains more than 170 active gaming licenses.
“Achieving this licensing in New Mexico clearly demonstrates that JCM is willing to meet our customers where they are. Our mission is to give every customer the best possible service and support, and now we can provide that directly for our industry leading transaction and automation solutions throughout New Mexico instead of through third party vendors,” said Dave Kubajak, JCM Global SVP Sales, Marketing, and Operations.
JCM provides a broad range of products to casinos in New Mexico including iVIZION and UBA Pro bill validators, GEN5 thermal printers, ICB Intelligent Cash Box System, FUZION system with AML monitoring, and DSS Digital Signage Solutions.
Vixio, a leading provider of regulatory intelligence solutions, has launched the newest RegTech solution for the gambling industry: the Vixio Technical Compliance Tool. The brand new Technical Compliance Tool gathers all the must-know technical requirements for online casino providers and operators in regulated markets in a consistent format, saving countless hours of manual research.
“At Vixio, we’ve always prioritised listening to our customers, and the launch of our Technical Compliance Tool is a direct response to their needs,” explained Mike Woolfrey, CEO, Vixio. “We understand the complexity and urgency of staying compliant in a rapidly evolving industry, and this Technical Compliance Tool will help our customers accomplish that simpler and quicker than ever before.”
The long-awaited launch of the Technical Compliance Tool comes as a result of customer feedback for a one-stop solution for technical requirements in the online casino industry. Online casino suppliers are seeking to capitalise on opportunities to enter newly regulated markets across multiple regions and speed up new game development while balancing an increasing burden on compliance teams to ensure product and regulatory compliance. Regulations and technical requirements vary greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and with speed-to-market of paramount importance, compliance teams face increasing pressure to act quickly whilst avoiding errors.
“With our Technical Compliance Tool, we’re providing a solution that empowers our customers to confidently expand into new markets, knowing they have the most up-to-date and comprehensive regulatory intelligence at their fingertips,” said James Kilsby, Chief Analyst, Vixio.
Kilsby continued, “The technical compliance landscape for online casino games has become significantly more complex in recent years as European regulators have imposed stricter requirements on game design at the same time that North and Latin American markets have offered significant new opportunities for suppliers and operators to grow their businesses. The Vixio Technical Compliance Tool ensures compliance teams can continue to meet these two challenges.”
Providing a comparative view of over 65 of the most critical technical requirements that impact the development, deployment and certification of online casino games across the world’s largest and strategically important regulated markets, with source references in their original language and English translations, the tool initially covers regulations for 26 jurisdictions in Europe, North America and Latin America, including Brazil.
The Technical Compliance Tool will sit within Vixio’s flagship platform, GamblingCompliance. Vixio GamblingCompliance is trusted by leading gambling brands for insights into specific requirements in 180+ jurisdictions to stay current with the ever-evolving gambling regulatory landscape and support strategic growth objectives.
It has already been beta-tested by a select group of Vixio customers and will be officially launched today at an exclusive industry event in London.
The post Vixio Launches Game-Changing Online Casino Technical Compliance Tool appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
Dr Marla Royne Stafford Named First Conference Chair for 2025 Regulating the Game conference in Sydney
Leading gambling law and regulation conference Regulating the Game, to be held from 10 to 13 March 2025 in Sydney, has announced Dr Marla Royne Stafford as its first Conference Chair for the event.
Chairing a day of the conference provides an opportunity for industry professionals and regulators to offer unique insights and perspectives, steward the conversation to highlight critical points and stimulate an exchange of ideas and discussions.
Dr Stafford is Professor of Marketing in the Lee Business School at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. She is also a Faculty Scholar with the UNLV International Gaming Institute, Director of Research for the Cannabis Policy Institute and past Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Harrah College of Hospitality.
She is a past William F. Harrah Distinguished Chair, a member of the Board of Advisors for the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling and is currently serving as a guest editor for an upcoming special issue of the UNLV Gaming Research and Review Journal. She is an expert in the responsible gambling arena and her work includes projects with the American Gaming Association and AMZC Limited.
“I am deeply honored and excited to serve in this leadership role at the 2025 Regulating the Game Conference. The Conference is one of the premier annual events in the gaming world, featuring thought leaders and stimulating important discussions in a fast-moving industry. It is truly a privilege to be part of the organizing committee and help advance the needed conversations in policy, regulation, leadership, ethics and the future of the industry,” Dr Stafford said.
Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, said: “The fact that we are attracting such distinguished figures to Chair a day of Regulating the Game is a clear testament to the conference’s expanding influence and significance in the industry. It’s an exciting time as we continue to bring together the brightest minds to shape the future of gambling regulation.”
Regulating the Game is looking for more candidates to Chair in 2025, specifically seasoned professionals with experience in the gambling sector and regulation, compliance, policy or related fields. The event provides regulators, industry executive or thought leaders this the chance to make a significant impact at one of the industry’s most influential events.
The post Dr Marla Royne Stafford Named First Conference Chair for 2025 Regulating the Game conference in Sydney appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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