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Nevada Gaming Control Board: 2021-37 Emergency Directive 044

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Section 18 of Emergency Directive 044 delegates all authority to prescribe COVID-19 mitigation measures for gaming properties to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

Pursuant to the above authority, the Board issues the following:

RESTRICTED LICENSEES

Effective May 1, 2021, the Board rescinds its “Health and Safety Policy for Reopening after COVID-19: Restricted Licensees.” Each restricted licensee shall comply with its respective county’s COVID-19 Local Mitigation and Enforcement Plan (Local Plan). If a county’s Local Plan does not meet the requirements of sections 3 and 4 of Emergency Directive 041, a restricted licensee must: (1) limit its capacity to fifty percent (50%) of its occupancy limit assigned to the property by local building and fire codes; and (2) enforce a social distancing of six feet between individuals.

Additionally, each restricted licensee shall continue to comply with the Baseline Statewide Mitigation Measures established in section 8 of Emergency Directive 044; namely, the statewide mask and face covering requirements as set forth in Emergency Directive 024.

NONRESTRICTED LICENSEES

Except as otherwise provided below and subject to NRS 447.300 to 447.355, inclusive, effective May 1, 2021, each nonrestricted licensee shall comply with its respective county’s general capacity and occupancy limitations and social distancing requirements, as detailed in the county’s Local Plan, within the licensee’s gaming areas. These county-specific requirements are detailed below.

If a nonrestricted licensee is located in a county that has a Local Plan that does not meet the requirements of sections 3 and 4 of Emergency Directive 041, the nonrestricted licensee must: (1) limit its capacity to fifty percent

(50%) of its occupancy limit assigned to each gaming area by local building and fire codes; and (2) enforce a social distancing of six feet between individuals.

Additionally, each nonrestricted licensee shall continue to comply with the Baseline Statewide Mitigation Measures established in section 8 of Emergency Directive 044; namely, the statewide mask and face covering requirements as set forth in Emergency Directive 024.

Capacity Limitations for Gaming Areas (based on each county’s published Local Plan)

Carson City:

Occupancy Limit:100%

Social Distancing Measures: 6 feet

Churchill County:

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing Measures: CDC recommendations

Clark County

Occupancy Limit: 80% (Increase to 100% once 60% of eligible population receives first vaccine dose) Social Distancing Measures: 3 feet (Removed once 60% of eligible population receive first vaccine dose)

Douglas County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing: None

Elko County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing Measures: None

Esmeralda County

Occupancy Limit: 50% of Fire Code capacity

Social Distancing: None

Eureka County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing Measures: None

Humboldt County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing Measures: None

Additional COVID-19 Mitigation Measures

Lander County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing Measures: None

Lincoln County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing Measures: None

Lyon County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing: 6 feet or physical barriers between individuals

Mineral County

Occupancy Limit: 50%

Social Distancing: None

Nye County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing Measures: None

Pershing County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing: None

Storey County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing: None

White Pine County

Occupancy Limit: 100%

Social Distancing Measures: None

Washoe County (Local Plan not adequate)

Occupancy Limit: 50%

Social Distancing Measures: 6 feet

Effective May 1, 2021, the Board will enforce the Health and Safety Policy for Continued Mitigation of the Spread of COVID-19 for nonrestricted licensees. The current Health and Safety Policies for Resumption of Gaming Operations, as issued by Industry Notice #2021-31, will remain in effect until 11:59pm on April 30, 2021.

The Board retains jurisdiction over all licensees, and failure to abide by COVID-19 mitigation measures implemented by the federal government, State, local jurisdiction, or another agency may constitute grounds for disciplinary action under NGC Regulation 5.011.

Formal Requests to Increase Occupancy above Local Plan Requirement

As outlined in the April 2, 2021 Joint Statement of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission on COVID-19 Vaccination of Hospitality Workers (Industry Notice #2021-26), licensees may submit a request to the Chair of the Board for a waiver of applicable occupancy limitations or COVID-19 mitigation measures otherwise applicable on May 1, 2021. Such a request must demonstrate the licensee’s measurable and material steps to vaccinate its workforce.

Requests for increased gaming floor occupancy must also include the licensee’s detailed commitment to its obligation to vaccinate its workforce, until some defined goal is reached or some period of time under such a vaccination campaign has passed, as outlined by the licensee. This document will remain on file and will constitute an ongoing obligation by the licensee.

A formal request as described above must be submitted to [email protected] no later than 5pm on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.

CONCLUSION

The contents, requirements, and restrictions set forth in this Industry Notice are subject to change based on a county amending its Local Plan. Each licensee is expected to continuously reference its county’s Local Plan to ensure compliance with the same.

In conjunction with state and local health officials, the Board will continue to ensure that best practices are used in the mitigation of COVID-19, and its effect on licensee operations, and will issue further notices as appropriate.

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Thunderkick’s portfolio makes Ontario debut through SkillOnNet brands

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Global entertainment brand SkillOnNet is deepening its existing partnership with Stockholm-based game studio Thunderkick to launch the developer’s unique, engaging slot titles in Ontario.

The Canadian province is one of the most exciting regulated markets in North America, and the Ontario players will now gain access to Thunderkick’s full portfolio of highly acclaimed games via SkillOnNet-powered online casino brands such as PlayOJO, SlotsMagic, and SpinGenie.

Thunderkick is known for its independent, boundary-pushing slot games like Pink Elephants, Esqueleto Explosivo, and Beat the Beast and has established a strong reputation for creativity and originality in the iGaming space. The deal allows the studio to further expand its global footprint while giving Ontario players the chance to enjoy a fresh wave of premium content.

Ontario’s regulated online gaming market, which officially opened in 2022, has quickly become a key market for the iGaming industry, and SkillOnNet was among the first brands to secure licensing in the province. The expansion reinforces SkillOnNet’s commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment in regulated markets globally.

Jani Kontturi at SkillOnNet said: “Thunderkick has been a key partner of ours in other markets, and we’re delighted to bring their outstanding content to Ontario. This region is fast becoming a vital part of our operations, and we’re confident players here will respond just as positively to Thunderkick’s games as they have elsewhere.”

Mariam Dodosh, Account Manager at Thunderkick said: “We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with SkillOnNet and enter the Ontario market together. Our games have a track record of strong performance, and we’re excited to see them go live in one of the most dynamic new regions in iGaming.”

The post Thunderkick’s portfolio makes Ontario debut through SkillOnNet brands appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Maverick Games Launches Sports Betting Operations in Ontario

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Maverick Games has launched sports betting operations in Ontario, through a partnership with Delasport.

Maverick Games will offer Ontarian players a premium sports betting experience, built on Delasport’s superior technology and known for its unique innovative features that players love including personalization, recommendations, gamification, quick bets, player engagement features, and more.

Maverick Games is the second brand to launch on Delasport’s technology in Ontario, with another full turnkey brand set to go live soon. Delasport also recently unveiled its innovative sports betting jackpot network game, SuperPot. The company will showcase this unique product at the Canadian Gaming Summit next month and begin rolling it out to Ontarian operators shortly thereafter.

“We are proud to see Maverick Games live and thriving with our one of a kind sportsbook solution at its core. They have been a fantastic partner from the start, and this launch further demonstrates how fast and efficient our technology is when paired with a clear vision and strong collaboration,” said Rosaire Galea Cavallaro, VP of Business Development at Delasport.

“Maverick Games’s sports vertical is a major step forward for us and launching it with Delasport has been the right move from day one. The platform’s performance and flexibility allow us to deliver the kind of user experience we believe Ontario players deserve. We’re excited to now bring that vision to life,” CEO Matt Rathbun said.

The post Maverick Games Launches Sports Betting Operations in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Tsleil-Waututh Nation Signs MoU to Acquire Casino Business at Hastings Racecourse & Casino

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Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN) announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire the casino business and related real property interests at Hastings Racecourse & Casino (Hastings) in the City of Vancouver from Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (Great Canadian Entertainment).

“We are thrilled to take another important step towards economic self-determination for our Nation in our traditional territory, and we are eager to work with the senior management team at Great Canadian Entertainment to finalize due diligence and execute a definitive agreement, as well as working with the City of Vancouver to ensure the best long-term use of this important asset within the City. We believe that this opportunity is historic for us in many ways, and we look forward to entering the gaming industry in due course,” said Jen Thomas, Chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.

“We are excited about working with TWN on their potential acquisition of the casino operations and related real property interests at Hastings Racecourse & Casino. Recognizing that Hastings is part of the TWN’s traditional territory, we can think of no better entity to inherit this asset, and we look forward to supporting them in the transition after the anticipated close of the sale,” Matt Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer of Great Canadian Entertainment.

The agreement is subject to further due diligence, finalization of financial terms and the execution of a definitive purchase and sale agreement. Once a definitive agreement has been executed by the parties, it is anticipated that the transaction will be subject to customary closing conditions as well as customary approvals by gaming regulatory and other authorities, including certain approvals by the City of Vancouver given its ownership of the real property. It is expected that Great Canadian Entertainment will provide transition services to TWN for a period of time following the anticipated closing.

The post Tsleil-Waututh Nation Signs MoU to Acquire Casino Business at Hastings Racecourse & Casino appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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