49 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 Germany's Gauselmann officially rebrands to Merkur Group 67 years after its foundation, German gambling giant Gauselmann Group has changed its name to Merkur Group. Maine Lawmakers Consider Expansion of Tribal Rights to Online Gambling, Land-Based Casinos "This would be the single largest expansion of gaming in the state's history, without a doubt, and with no vote of the people, so this is literally a casino on any iPhone, Android, MacBook, tablet and other such thing," Hollywood Casino and Raceway Attorney Chris Jackson said. Governor Janet Mills has long been opposed to gambling in Maine but signed a bill in 2022 to give tribes exclusive rights to profiting from Maine's new online sports betting. President Lula signs off for Brazil sports to launch betting in 2024 California sports betting proposals introduced Legality of fantasy sports in Florida disputed As the Seminole Tribe offers online sports betting in Florida, a dispute over fantasy sports is heating up amid efforts by gambling regulators to rein in companies accused of operating potentially illegal betting games. The Florida Gaming Control Commission in September sent cease-and-desist letters to three fantasy sports operators, threatening legal action if the sites didn’t immediately stop. But Sen. Joe Gruters wants the commission to explain why the businesses were targeted and to clarify why they could be breaking the law while the biggest players in the industry — DraftKings and FanDuel — aren’t. Delaware Launches Online Sports Betting and online casinos Oklahoma Sports betting bill facing pushback New Maryland Bill with Multi-State Online Poker in Circulation for 2024 The bill explicitly allows for multi-state online poker, which means that it could join the multi-state igaming agreement (MSIGA) and allow operators to grow their US networks into Maryland. Sportsbook Operators Boosted Ad Spending During Football Season The states where sports betting remains illegal are Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Utah. And only six states offer internet casino gambling: New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia. (Nevada offers internet poker but not online casino games; Rhode Island has passed an online casino bill, but it is not expected to go into effect until March 2024.) DraftKings Faces Hearing in Massachusetts for Credit Deposit Violations DraftKings is also facing a class-action lawsuit in Massachusetts alleging that the sportsbook deceived customers into signing up through a “$1,000 Bonus” promotion. US lawyer who put Big Tobacco on trial takes aim at sports betting The US law professor who masterminded the litigation strategy that led to a $206 billion USD settlement from Big Tobacco is backing a class-action lawsuit against sports betting operator DraftKings over an "unfair and deceptive” promotional offer. The lawsuit, filed in the Massachusetts Superior Court on Friday, alleged that the US company, which operates the second most popular sports betting app, "knowingly and unfairly designed” a $1,000 sign-up bonus with the aim of misleading new customers into joining the platform to "maximize” the money wagered. DraftKings Not Feeling Heat from New Competitors DraftKings and Flutter Entertainment’s FanDuel amount to a duopoly in US online sports betting, controlling more than 70% of the market. The US sports wagering landscape is awash in new, well-heeled competitors, but DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG) isn’t feeling adverse effects from those fresh entrants. Vermont: Officials unveil guidelines for January's launch of legalized online sports betting Delaware online sports betting is tracking for a roll out in early winter Louisiana State Senate approves sports betting legislation Ex-NFL VP of officiating says NFL refs have been approached about manipulating games for gambling purposes North Carolina Lottery Approves Set of Sports Betting Rules The regulatory process for legal online sports betting in North Carolina is moving forward even if it is not happening at the pace some in the state would like. Chile: Online gambling bill receives preliminary approval from Chamber of Deputies, advances to the Senate Preserve the Integrity of Sport by fighting against illegal betting The Council of Europe, with the support of the Marocaine des Jeux et des Sorts (MDJS), held a conference in Rabat (Morocco) on illegal sports betting in order to raise awareness of the phenomenon of Illegal betting, one of the most crucial challenges for the integrity of sport and target of the fight against the manipulation of sports competitions, as targeted by the Macolin Convention. The Macolin Convention is the only instrument of international law on the manipulation of sports competitions to which all countries in the world can adhere. It requires public authorities to cooperate with sports organizations, betting operators and competition organizers in order to prevent, detect and sanction the manipulation of sports competitions. It proposes a common legal framework for effective international cooperation to respond to this global threat. Kindred Group, Swedish operator of the Unibet and Casino brands, Announces Exit From North America By June 2024 Colorado’s gaming governing body, the Limited Gaming Control Commission, approved rule changes earlier this month to permit fixedodds horse wagering in the state
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