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Hopi last of Arizona tribes to sign gambling agreement

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Source: The Associated Press

The post Hopi last of Arizona tribes to sign gambling agreement appeared first on Eastern European Gaming – News – Interviews – Legal Market Updates – Premium Reports – Events – Directory.


Source: EEGaming.

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Bradley Khoury

eCOGRA Approved to Operate in Arizona, Indiana and Panama

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eCOGRA, a leading international authority in Testing, Inspection and Certification services for the iGaming industry, has secured new regulatory approvals across three key jurisdictions: Arizona, Indiana and Panama. With these developments, eCOGRA strengthens its position in the U.S. and Latin American markets, offering excellence in compliance through their Quality, Speed, and Service promise.

This strategic expansion allows eCOGRA to conduct independent compliance audits and certification services in each region, addressing the growing demand for rigorous regulatory oversight in the fast-evolving global iGaming industry.

Securing approval in Arizona, where eCOGRA has now been licensed as an Event Wagering Ancillary Supplier, enables the International Testing Laboratory (ITL) to audit event wagering licensees in line with Arizona’s expanding regulatory landscape. Indiana, which introduced online sports betting in September 2019, has authorised eCOGRA to perform regulatory compliance audits, providing licensed operators with crucial assurance in meeting the state’s high standards.

In Panama, the Board of Gaming Control officially recognised eCOGRA as an Authorised Entity for Compliance Certification, specifically for slot machines and gaming software. This endorsement reinforces eCOGRA’s role as a trusted partner for operators seeking to meet stringent regulatory requirements in Latin America’s emerging iGaming sector.

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“Our recent approvals in Indiana, Arizona, and Panama underline our dedication to continually expand our offering, to support our growing portfolio of clients with their global growth plans. We are committed to ensuring that we bring the same quality, speed and service that marks us out to both our clients and regulators in these dynamic markets,” said Will Shuckburgh, Group CEO of eCOGRA.

Bradley Khoury, Chief Technology Officer at eCOGRA, said: “Securing licensure as an Event Wagering Ancillary Supplier in Arizona and an Authorised Entity in Panama underscores our dedication to supporting responsible and sustainable iGaming operations. We are committed to driving trust and accountability within the industry by providing compliance solutions that uphold the highest standards.”

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BetConstruct

BetConstruct to Showcase Latest Innovations at G2E Las Vegas 2024

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BetConstruct, a global leader in the iGaming industry, is going to showcase its cutting-edge solutions at the highly anticipated Global Gaming Expo (G2E), taking place from October 7-10.

As the premier event for the global gaming industry, G2E serves as a hub for innovation, driving growth by bringing together industry professionals from around the world to foster business opportunities.

Taking place at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, this all-in-one event features both an education program from October 7-10 and an expansive expo hall running from October 8-10.

BetConstruct’s stand is 5230, where the team will showcase an exciting range of products, including the newly launched the Last Battle, a novel loyalty system that is the byproduct of BetConstruct’s commitment to innovation. The company will also demonstrate its comprehensive Sportsbook and Casino Suite, along with DECA, its next-level decentralised casino platform, and Umbrella, an AI-powered risk management solution. These offerings are designed to meet the needs of a diverse range of operators, ensuring seamless and engaging experiences for players across the regulated market.

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Amusnet

Amusnet Sets the Stage for Global Gaming Excellence at G2E Las Vegas

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Amusnet has announced its participation in the 23rd edition of G2E Las Vegas (Global Gaming Expo) at The Venetian Expo from October 7-10. As one of the largest expos globally, G2E provides a platform for the company to showcase products across its Online Casino, Live Casino, and Land-based verticals, positioning Amusnet as a prominent all-casino provider in the competitive iGaming industry.

“We are excited to attend G2E Las Vegas 2024 to present our latest online casino portfolio and Type S slot cabinets: our first-ever product series for Land-based casinos, designed to offer a competitive edge by combining Amusnet’s top-notch game portfolio with an immersive player experience. Our focus is on delivering solutions that maximize performance and cater to the evolving needs for both online and land-based casinos,” said Borislav Marinov, Head of Business Development, Land-based, at Amusnet.

Alongside its technical excellence, the premium Type S series showcases the company’s award-winning titles, including 20 Golden Coins, Extra Crown, Fruits & Gold, and Cocktail Rush. It also features Amusnet’s popular four-level bonus game, Jackpot Cards, along with other exciting features like Free Spins, Buy Bonus, Pick Me Bonus, and Symbol Upgrade.

Amusnet will host an activation featuring its premium slot cabinets at the upcoming expo, offering attendees the opportunity to experience the thrill of Type S in real time and win exciting gifts.

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