WA.Technology’s Weekly iGaming News

June 14, 2024

Welcome to this week's edition of WA.Technology's iGaming Newsletter. This issue covers the latest developments in the iGaming world from Brazil and the Philippines, technical advances, and upcoming events. Stay informed and ahead of industry trends with our expert insights and comprehensive news coverage.

Brazil's iGaming License Deadline & Selective Tax Debate 

Brazil's iGaming License Deadline Approaches

The Prizes and Betting Secretariat (SPA) of the Ministry of Finance announced that companies must apply for a 2025 iGaming licence by 20 August. Successful applicants will be notified by 18 November. SPA head Régis Dudena emphasised that foreign companies need a local partner with at least a 20% stake. Licences are expected to be granted on 31 December 2024. Source: Focus Gaming News

ANJL Opposes Selective Tax on iGaming

The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) has raised concerns over including iGaming in the Selective Tax (IS) category, which applies to products harmful to health and the environment. The Chamber of Deputies is debating this inclusion as part of tax reform. ANJL argues that the current tax burden is already high, and adding another tax could strengthen the illegal market, undermining social improvements funded by current taxes. The association believes further taxation would hinder the effectiveness of recent regulations. Source: Focus Gaming News

PAGCOR Chief Alejandro Tengco Wins Executive of the Year

Alejandro H. Tengco, Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), was awarded Executive of the Year at the Global Gaming Awards Asia-Pacific 2024. The ceremony occurred on 4 June at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City, Manila. 

Tengco expressed surprise at winning, stating it validated PAGCOR's efforts over the past two years and inspired him to continue working towards the agency's goals. Event Manager Mariya Savova praised the nature of the Philippine gaming market and its ongoing developments. The Global Gaming Awards Americas 2024 will take place on 7 October in Las Vegas.

Caesars Entertainment Releases 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Caesars Entertainment published its 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report detailing four areas: environmental impact, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), community investment, and team member support. The company exceeded its interim emission reduction goals three years before schedule and set a new target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46.2% by 2030. 

CAESARS FORUM, the company’s convention centre in Las Vegas, earned a Gold-level U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standard (LEED) certification. In DEI, Caesars held its first two-day Business Impact Group summit for leaders. The ‘Caesars Makes Change’ program – an initiative inviting players to donate a portion of their winnings to charity – expanded to 40 locations, raising over $1.25 million for charity. Additionally, the company launched the ‘Leading the Empire’ initiative, with leaders completing over 3,100 learning programs.

G2E Asia Panel Highlights Smart Table Technology

At the G2E Asia conference held on June 4 – 6 in Macau, experts discussed the impact of smart table technology on the casino industry. The ‘Smart Table Technology: Revolutionizing Casino Operations’ panel featured speakers, including Aaron Raj, Chief Technology Officer and Global Smart Table Integration Specialist for Angel Group, and Stephen Moore, founder and CEO of Walker Digital. They emphasised the technology's benefits in enhancing security, fraud prevention, and operational efficiency by integrating RFID and AI and the developments' impact on traditional table games. 

Features such as advanced chip tracking aid security and prevent fraud. Graeme Croft, former VP of Tables for MGM, explained, “All these chips have got a unique ID. And so, when we enrol our chips through our cage, we can attribute those chips to that customer. It does have some other advantages as well. You know, sometimes a chip may be lost, found on the floor, and it can be determined to belong to a certain customer, purely because that player brought in those chips using his card.” Source: Macau Daily Times.

Canadian Gaming Summit Set for 18-20 June

The Canadian Gaming Summit, organised by SBC in partnership with the Canadian Gaming Association, will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Center (MTCCC) from June 18 to 20, 2024. The premier event will host over 3,000 delegates, including affiliates, suppliers, sports teams, operators, and providers. 

The summit will feature a jam packed exhibition with over 75 global and regional brands and a two-day conference with more than 150 expert speakers. Key highlights include the Player Protection Symposium on June 18 – dedicated to gambling harm prevention, a Global Gaming Women’s Breakfast, a First Nations Gaming Breakfast Meetup, and an Electronic Gaming Academy Masterclass, as well as various exclusive networking opportunities. 

WA.Technology Weekly

Join us again next time for more iGaming news from WA.Technology. If you want to know more about launching your own iGaming business or expanding your current brand, contact us at hello@watechnology.com.