Compliance Updates
Metropolitan Gaming Wins Compliance Team of the Year Award
Metropolitan Gaming has won the “Compliance Team of the Year – Non-Financial Services” at the ICA Compliance Awards Europe 2023, recognising its effective approach in terms of ensuring player protection, combating financial crime and meeting high compliance standards.
The success of Metropolitan Gaming’s compliance output follows adoption of an advanced “3-lines of defence” strategy. In addition, the Group worked to further mitigate AML and social responsibility risks and to develop a more fluid customer journey. It also invested in additional manpower at venue level and centrally to develop more effective management information tools. Its delivery and monitoring regime was reviewed regularly, and a period of continuous improvement has since followed across the company-wide compliance programme.
Evidencing this in the HM Treasury Supervision Report 2020-22, the Gambling Commission presented Metropolitan Gaming as a positive case example of how far the company has progressed by making “significant improvements in culture, policies, procedures and delivery”.
ICA President, Bill Howarth, commented: “We congratulate Metropolitan Gaming for their outstanding achievements and for driving excellence in financial crime prevention and compliance. We have been really impressed by the volume and quality of entries and congratulate all winners and highly commended entrants for being recognised for their collaboration, innovation and dedication. Thank you to everyone who attended the ceremony last evening and we look forward to welcoming you again for another successful edition in 2024.”
Jimmy Howard, Group Compliance Director at Metropolitan Gaming, added: “Metropolitan Gaming strives to benchmark standards in compliance across the industry and we are honoured to be recognised for the work and commitment on the part of so many that has helped us to achieve this award. This award recognises the excellence within our venue teams who deliver compliance and the support teams that provide the tools to facilitate compliance.”
The ceremony was attended by over 360 guests, bringing together regulatory and financial crime prevention professionals, to celebrate the contributions of individuals and companies combating financial crime and meeting high compliance standards. The evening celebrated the achievements of a total of 119 shortlisted finalists. Selecting the winners for 2023 was an esteemed judging panel comprising 66 senior compliance and financial crime prevention leaders from across the ICA membership, ICA subject matter experts and the wider compliance community.
ADG
Arizona Department of Gaming Announces Allocation for Event Wagering License
The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) announced today that it has allocated an event wagering operator license to Fanatics Betting and Gaming as the designee for Tonto Apache Sports Betting, an organization of the Tonto Apache Tribe, pursuant to A.R.S. § 5-1304 and A.A.C. R19-4-105 and 106.
On January 16, 2024, ADG announced that it would begin accepting applications for available event wagering licenses, which included one event wagering license reserved for Arizona Tribes and no less than one event wagering license reserved for Arizona Sports Franchises, as defined in A.R.S. § 5-1301(7).
The application window for event wagering licenses opened on February 16, 2024, and closed on March 4, 2024. Applicants were required to submit their completed applications within this timeframe in order to have been considered for an event wagering license.
Compliance Updates
ITIA: Croatian Official Suspended from Tennis
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed that Croatian tennis official Marko Stojanovic has been suspended from the sport for five years and six months after admitting to breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme (TACP).
Stojanovic, a national-level official, admitted to 15 breaches of the TACP, including manipulating data from matches in which they were an official to facilitate betting.
Stojanovic, who is accredited at national level and has officiated at ITF tournaments, co-operated fully with the ITIA investigation and accepted an agreed sanction, waiving their right to a hearing before an independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer. Stojanovic has also been fined $25,000, of which $18,750 is suspended.
The official’s agreed sanction began on 19 February 2024 and will end at midnight on 18 August 2029.
During the suspension, Stojanovic is prohibited from officiating at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA).
The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide.
California
California Gambling Control Commission: A Glimpse into the Upcoming Decisions on Cardroom Licensing
The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) is set to hold a pivotal meeting on March 21, 2024, where key decisions regarding the future of several cardrooms within the state are on the agenda. This meeting underscores the Commission’s role in overseeing the state’s gambling establishments, ensuring compliance with regulations, and fostering a fair and transparent gaming environment. Here’s what stakeholders can expect:
Capitol Casino’s Licensing Future
Capitol Casino, a renowned name in the gambling sector, is up for the renewal of its cardroom owner type license. The Commission is presented with two options: to approve the renewal applications through March 31, 2026, or grant a 90-day extension through June 30, 2024. Commission staff recommend the latter, suggesting a cautious approach towards the renewal process.
Spotlight on Lucky Chances Casino
Lucky Chances Casino faces a critical juncture with its license renewal application. The Commission contemplates referring the applications to an evidentiary hearing, proposing an interim renewal license through September 30, 2025. This decision comes with stringent conditions aimed at preventing Rene Medina, a figure associated with the casino, from patronizing certain areas of the property, among other regulatory stipulations.
Oceana Cardroom’s Path Forward
LEB Holdings’ Oceana Cardroom is recommended for license renewal through March 31, 2026, with specific conditions regarding operational compliance. Before opening for business, the cardroom is required to undergo an inspection by the Bureau of Gambling Control and fulfill various regulatory requirements, ensuring a safe and compliant gaming environment.
Decisions on Parkwest Bicycle Casino
Parkwest Bicycle Casino’s licensing outcome hangs in balance, with two options under consideration. The crux of the decision revolves around the permissibility of contractual relationships with Fortiss, LLC, and TPPPS providers. The staff recommendation leans towards option two, which includes applying for and maintaining a cardroom business license for Fortiss, LLC, should the administrative hearing find the current arrangements non-compliant.
Renewal Application for Rogelio’s
Rogelio’s Inc. seeks renewal through March 31, 2026, with conditions focusing on regulatory compliance before operations commence. This includes submitting a fully completed business entity supplemental information form and adhering to relocation, safety, security, and emergency plan requirements.
Seven Mile Casino and Westlane Card Room
Seven Mile Casino and Westlane Card Room face critical evaluations with recommended options leading towards evidentiary hearings or temporary licensing extensions. These decisions reflect the Commission’s commitment to upholding regulatory standards while ensuring fair consideration of each establishment’s circumstances.
This meeting is a testament to the dynamic nature of California’s gambling landscape, highlighting the Commission’s dedication to transparency, regulatory compliance, and the well-being of the gambling community. Stakeholders and the public await the outcomes, anticipating the impacts on the state’s gambling establishments and the broader gaming environment.
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