iGaming Industry
Hopi last of Arizona tribes to sign gambling agreement
The Hopi Tribe has signed an agreement with Arizona that allows it to lease or operate up to 900 slot machines — the last of the state’s tribes to do so.
Hopi Chairman Herman Honanie signed the compact a day before leaving office, contemplating the loss of up to 85 percent of the tribe’s budget with the expected closure of a coal mine in 2019.
“I believe providing opportunities and a path to prosperity for our people is of the highest importance,” Honanie said in a statement.
On the small northeastern reservation that’s encircled by the much larger Navajo Nation, talk of casinos generally accompanies talk of coal. Hopis have rejected the tribe’s participation in gambling at least twice at the polls, in 1995 and 2004. Each time, supporters have pointed to the need for a new source of revenue to provide services for tribal members while opponents have said gambling goes against cultural customs and would add to social ills.
Honanie told The Associated Press earlier this year that opinions change and a study would be needed to assess the gambling landscape. The Hopi Tribal Council authorized the leadership a year ago to negotiate a compact with the state.
“Our situation is fast-changing, so we have a situation where we need to consider but need to consider it in the best light possible,” Honanie said.
The Kayenta Mine has only one customer, the Navajo Generating Station near Page. The plant’s owners decided earlier this year to shut it down in December 2019 in favor of power produced by natural gas and got the final approvals this week. If it closes, so does the mine run by Peabody Energy. Peabody is trying to find a new owner for the power plant but that’s considered a long shot.
It’s unclear whether the Hopi Tribe is leaning toward leasing slot machines to be used in another tribe’s casino or opening its own casino.
“Whatever the end result, leases or a facility, that is good for the Hopi Tribe and it’s also good for the state,” said Verrin Kewenvoyouma, an attorney who represented the Hopi Tribe in the gambling compact.
The most recent figures from the Arizona Department of Gaming show tribal casinos have contributed nearly $1.35 billion to the state since 2003.
The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs now has 45 days to review the compact that is standard among Arizona tribes, said Caroline Oppleman, a spokeswoman for the gaming department.
Sixteen Arizona tribes together operate two dozen casinos in the state, and five lease their slot machines, according to the gaming department. Under the standard tribal compact, casinos collectively can have 18,158 slot machines. About 15,250 are in operation.
The closest casino to the Hopi reservation is owned by the Navajo Nation east of Flagstaff. The Hopis have contemplated building a casino on tribal trust land off Interstate 40 near Winslow, estimating the business would create hundreds of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in revenue. The compact allows Hopi to operate three casinos.
The new Hopi chairman and vice chairman, Tim Nuvangyaoma and Clark Tenakhongva, were sworn into office Friday. Nuvangyaoma did not immediately return messages seeking comment but has said he needs time to assess the tribe’s investments and economic development proposals. The two leaders get much of their authority from the Tribal Council.
Source: The Associated Press…
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Source: EEGaming.
American iGaming
Supremeland Gaming Gains Interim License Approval in West Virginia
Supremeland Gaming, the emerging brand in American iGaming, announced the approval of an interim Supplier License in West Virginia, further solidifying its position as a key player in the rapidly expanding iGaming industry. This milestone marks the company’s third approval following the successful acquisition of the first approvals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Supremeland Gaming is approved to operate under this interim license and is now authorized to offer its cutting-edge innovation to the Mountain State.
Supremeland’s game portfolio has garnered international appeal since its debut in November 2023. The innovative brand promises cutting-edge slot play, combining immersive storytelling, state-of-the-art graphics, and impressive bonuses.
Rickard Öhrn, CEO of Supremeland Gaming, said: “The acquisition of our interim Supplier License in West Virginia is a pivotal step in our journey, reflecting on our dedication to delivering innovative experiences to a broader audience. As we expand our footprint, our commitment to excellence remains unwavering, and we look forward to contributing to the vibrant gaming landscape in the Mountain State.”
Supremeland is gaining traction for its emerging portfolio of top-notch games, including Red Panda Rising and the international debut title, Munition Mine, underscoring its commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in the iGaming industry.
Albert Bellavista
Pragmatic Play Expands LatAm Reach with Betsala Deal
Pragmatic Play, a leading content supplier to the iGaming industry, is continuing its momentum in the Latin American market, after signing an agreement to take its three biggest products live with Betsala.
The agreement will see Pragmatic Play’s full portfolio of award-winning Slot content go live, including recently released Slot titles Loki’s Riches and The Big Dawgs in addition to familiar player-favourites such as Sugar Rush and Gates of Olympus.
Betsala customers will soon gain access to Pragmatic Play’s Live Casino products upon integration being completed. The sector has been a focus for the provider over the previous 12 months with releases such as the dynamic Treasure Island game show which complements Pragmatic Play’s comprehensive range of casino classics such as Roulette, Mega Roulette, and Blackjack which are also available on the platform.
Completing the product offering is Pragmatic Play’s cutting-edge 3D renderings of popular sports such as horse and greyhound racing, football, and motorsports.
The latest LatAm development for Pragmatic Play sees it further boost its profile across the region where it has cemented its status as a leading supplier of casino experiences.
Victor Arias, Vice President of Latin American Operations at ARRISE powering Pragmatic Play, said: “Proving LatAm is still a key source of growth, Pragmatic Play is delighted to now count Betsala as another valued partner in the region.
“Pragmatic Play’s three leading products will soon be on the platform, and we look forward to even more players discovering its robust and engaging offering.”
Albert Bellavista, CEO at Betsala, said: “Pragmatic Play has built a stellar reputation across Latin America for its high-quality experiences, and we welcome them as our latest partner to bolster our offering and provide more thrills than ever.
“Most iGaming enthusiasts worldwide are already familiar with Pragmatic Play’s titles and we know the upcoming addition of its content will come with a great response from our players.”
Conferences
Pragmatic Play Gears Up for SAGSE LATAM 2024
Pragmatic Play, a leading content supplier to the iGaming industry, is set to make another appearance at a Latin American summit, at SAGSE LATAM in Buenos Aires.
Taking place across two days from March 20th-21st, the event sees iGaming professionals gather at Buenos Aires’ Hilton Hotel for the 32nd edition of the iconic exhibition.
SAGSE LATAM marks the second summit attended by Pragmatic Play in Latin America in 2024, with its new immersive proposal Pragmatic Play Experience, after an extremely successful exhibition tour in 2023, which saw the provider make inroads across the continent and impress industry representatives.
The gaming provider will be at Stand 120 to showcase its diverse portfolio, including Slots, Live Casino, Virtual Sports and Bingo content, alongside its brand-new Sportsbook solution.
In addition, Pragmatic Play will be a platinum sponsor of the event, highlighting the importance of such industry exhibitions and the vital role the leading provider plays in them.
Victor Arias, VP of Latin American Operations at ARRISE powering Pragmatic Play, said: “Pragmatic Play is proud to be a platinum sponsor of SAGSE LATAM and to be influential in shaping the future of the Latin American iGaming market. With a comprehensive multi-product offerings and solutions, it is poised to capitalise on the immense opportunities that the region presents.
“With an exciting range of panel discussions and interactivities that the conference brings, it is set to be yet another momentous date in the LATAM gaming calendar.”
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