Compliance Updates

IGSA releases low cost Compliance Verification Tool (CVT) with increased testing capabilities for its powerful G2S® standard

Published

4 years ago

May 13, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The IGSA has released a significant update to its Compliance Verification Tool (CVT). This CVT tool allows the ability to test for the majority of Game-to-System G2S® classes deployed throughout the global marketplace. The tool provides implementers a means to quickly verify their gaming products to meet the IGSA standard for G2S implementation.

IGSA has created two new cost-effective licenses to the CVT. The CVT BASIC license, in addition to a basic G2S reference implementation, now also includes test scripts for 14 classes – the initial six core classes: communications, eventHandler, meters, cabinet, gamePlay, and handpay as well as new additional classes: bonus, commandHandler, download, GAT, noteAcceptor, optionConfig, progressive, and WAT. The CVT SUITE license includes the CVT BASIC as well as the G2S Scope (RGS) and Protocol Analyzer (RPA) tools. Both licenses are available from Radical Blue Gaming (RadBlue.com/product/cvt).

This CVT tool will be used by IGSA as the “gold standard” for testing and certification of G2S implementations. See IGSA.org home page for details on G2S implementation support.

“The G2S communications protocol is a critical standard for our industry as it supports functionality that allows operators to perform manual electronic gaming machine tasks in an automated hands-free way. It also allows regulators to verify electronic gaming machine software remotely. Creating these new license options, including a basic reference implementation, should help in the wider global adoption of this important standard. Considering the challenging environment that the gaming industry finds itself in today, we think this automation will benefit the industry greatly,” said Peter DeRaedt, President of IGSA.

IGSA released the first version of CVT in 2015. Since then, the CVT has helped regulators, operators, and suppliers worldwide to ensure interoperability. It also has served to provide a new and cost-effective way for vendors to quickly get their products to market.

Earlier this year, GSA announced the organization’s name change to International Gaming Standards Association (IGSA) to better reflect the organization’s membership, reach, and scope. There is an IGSA level of membership to fit every budget. For more information, visit IGSA at IGSA.org. For educational information on standards and technologies, visit our YouTube channel and choose subscribe for updates.

IGSA Platinum members include: Aristocrat Technologies Inc.; International Game Technology (IGT); Microgaming Software Systems, LTD.; NOVOMATIC AG; Playtech, (PTEC.L) & Scientific Games International (SGMS).

SOURCE: International Gaming Standards Association (IGSA)

Compliance Updates

Brazil’s Ministry of Finance Appoints Régis Dudena as Secretary of Prizes and Betting

Published

8 hours ago

April 25, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

brazil’s-ministry-of-finance-appoints-regis-dudena-as-secretary-of-prizes-and-betting

Regis Dudena, a seasoned lawyer with expertise in Public and Regulatory Law, has been appointed as the new Secretary of Prizes and Betting at the Ministry of Finance in Brazil. Dudena’s appointment ordinance is signed by Rui Costa, Minister of the Civil House.

The new secretary had already been visiting the Ministry of Finance and getting closer to the entire group at the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting, until then led by Simone Vicentini, deputy secretary.

The appointment of the lawyer is attributed to the Executive Secretary of Finance, Dario Durigan. Dario and Dudena worked together at Palácio do Planalto during Dilma Rousseff’s government.

Both worked in the Legal Affairs secretariat of the Civil House. Dudena’s name is linked to other names on the left. He has good relations with Edinho Silva (PT), mayor of Araraquara (SP).

The SPA started operating two months ago. Since then, it had been without a permanent boss. Lawyer José Francisco Manssur, special advisor to the Ministry of Finance who coordinated the regulation of sports betting from the beginning, was the most likely to take on the position. But he was exonerated under pressure from Centrão politicians.

Bets representatives welcomed the name Régis Dudena.

From the beginning, the SPA was under the responsibility of Simone Vicentini, appointed as deputy secretary. Since then, it has edited the ordinances that defined requirements for laboratory accreditation and the sector’s regulatory policy.

Under her supervision, three laboratories have already been approved, GLI, eCogra, and BMM. Last week, the ordinance establishing the rules for payment transactions to be complied with by sports betting and online gaming operators was also published.

Australia

Crown Reinstated at Sydney Casino

Published

8 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The NSW Independent Casino Commission has found Crown Sydney suitable to retain its casino licence after nearly three years of intensive remediation.

Chief Commissioner, Philip Crawford, said Crown has come a long way and must now demonstrate its long-term commitment to maintaining suitability.

“The NICC is confident the Crown we deemed suitable today has a strong model to keep operating into the future,” Mr Crawford said.

The NICC’s suitability assessment established that Crown Sydney has fundamentally reformed its business and is operating the casino within the objects of the Act, the requirements of the suitability deed, and in compliance with its regulatory obligations.

In addition to proving it can run the casino lawfully, Crown has remediated its business in other meaningful ways such as building a culture of transparency and accountability across its integrated resort.

“Hard work and transformation aside, the NICC has not forgotten the level of misconduct exposed in 2021 when Crown was found unsuitable,” said Mr Crawford.

“Crown Sydney has ongoing work to reach steady state and it must continue to lift standards and maintain its cultural transformation.

“There is and will always be room for improvement, but Crown is a changed business that is looking toward the future.

“Likewise, the NICC is a changed regulator with enhanced powers, a singular focus on casinos, and a mandate to address the risks of harm.

“This decision is a positive outcome for Crown Sydney, its staff, and the community – who can be sure the NICC will use all of its powers to keep the casino in check.”

In addition to the implementation of hundreds of new internal controls, the Bergin-based reforms have been reflected in a new licence and new regulatory agreement between Crown Sydney, the NSW Government and the NICC.

These agreements include updated settings, such as the removal of fetters to the NICC’s powers, as well as previous compensation trigger clauses that are no longer part of the casino legislation.

Mr Crawford said: “Crown cannot disregard the responsibility and privilege that comes with holding a casino licence. Crown Sydney’s ability to provide a destination hospitality and entertainment venue underpinned by the restricted gaming facility is contingent on its steadfast commitment to continuing suitability, accountability and compliance.”

The post Crown Reinstated at Sydney Casino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Alex Lieblong

Arkansas Casino Seeks iGaming Approval

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

An Arkansas casino is seeking approval to operate an iGaming app, allowing people within the state to go online to play casino games such as slots, blackjack, craps and more.

On March 13, Carlton Saffa, Chief Market Officer for the Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, wrote to Arkansas Racing Commission Chairman Alex Lieblong asking for a change in the rules to allow Internet casino gambling, which is often referred to as iGaming or iCasino platforms.

On Monday, Saffa told Gambling.com he hopes to appear before the Arkansas Racing Commission on May 6 seeking approval to offer iGaming. The Arkansas Racing Commission regulates all gambling matters in the state including horse racing and casino games.

iGaming Doesn’t Hurt Bricks-And-Mortar Casinos: Saffa

Nationwide, only a half dozen states from Michigan to Connecticut offer Internet casino gambling. Arkansas would be the first in its region with iGaming, permitting users who want to log onto a computer or download an app to play traditional casino games for money. Other states in the region already offer sports betting.

In his March 13 letter to state regulators, Saffa said estimates indicate Internet casino gambling from the Saracen Casino Resort alone would generate an additional $12 million in taxes annually for the state. Internet casino gambling, or iGaming, generally raises more tax revenue than sports betting in states that have both.

However, in some states without iGaming, casino operators have fought legalization, contending customers won’t visit a bricks-and-mortar casinos and spend money at restaurants and on other amenities including entertainment and lodging if they can log onto cellphones or computers and gamble from anywhere. In his letter to state regulators, Saffa pointed to research showing iGaming doesn’t cannibalize bricks-and-mortar casinos but instead gives them ‘a lift’.

State Rule Change Required

Arkansas already allows online poker, though that has not been made available to consumers, Saffa said. He said the ability to allow iGaming would require the Arkansas Racing Commission to amend a rule to include Internet casino games in addition to the currently legal online card games such as poker.

“A solution exists by amending ARC Rule 5, which already authorizes online poker, to include other types of table games and slots,” Saffa told Gambling.com on Monday. “Doing so would provide significant tax revenues to government and, just as important, ensure that operators be held accountable by the government. Given that we have seen online operators in the fantasy sports space ignore cease and desist demands from the state, merely attempting to police the matter is not a workable solution.”

Saffa recently made a similar argument on the topic of unregulated gambling, telling Gambling.com on The Edge he opposes a ban on college player props bets, saying, “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.”

“People in Arkansas are already gambling in online casinos and those companies are not regulated or taxed by the Arkansas Racing Commission,” Saffa said Monday. “Those companies are not held to the standards the people of Arkansas set forth for operators to include that a customer must be 21.”