WA.Technology’s Weekly iGaming News

July 19, 2024

This week, WA.Technology brings you an eclectic mix of iGaming news bites that may have passed you by but shouldn’t be missed. Catch up on what’s been happening across the Americas, Spanish Growth, and forthcoming iGaming events. Start your weekend off the right way with WA.Technology.

August Vote for Senate

Brazil's bill to regulate land-based casinos, bingos, horse racing, and instant-win games will be voted on in the coming weeks after the parliamentary recess ends on July 31. Bill 2,234/2022 aims to boost the economy and create approximately 1.5 million jobs. The bill has passed the Senate's Constitution, Justice, and Citizenship Commission. It will allow casinos in tourist locations with specific state limits. 

Bingo will be permitted in one establishment per municipality, with additional venues based on population size. The bill also promotes the modernisation of horse racing overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture and allows one jogo do bicho operator for every 700,000 inhabitants. The legislation is part of efforts to modernise Brazil's gambling laws. Source: Focus Gaming News.

Responsible Gaming Talk Held at Chile’s National Congress Library

Dr. Michael Campos, a clinical psychology specialist from UCLA's Gambling Studies Program, delivered a talk on responsible gaming and gambling addiction at the National Congress Library in Santiago, Chile. Organised in collaboration with Casino Dreams, the ‘Ludopathy, a behavioural addiction’ session aimed to educate authorities, health personnel, social workers, and counsellors. 

Key attendees included Superintendent of Casinos Vivien Villagrán, Responsible Gaming Manager of Dreams Mariela Huenchumilla, and Ángela Carmona, President of the Responsible Gaming Corporation. The talk emphasised the growing need for the Ministry of Health to recognise gambling addiction as a disease.

Cherokee Nation Granted Licence for Arkansas' Fourth Casino

The Arkansas Racing Commission (ARC) has granted Cherokee Nation Entertainment (CNE) a licence to build Arkansas' fourth casino in Pope County. This decision, made on June 27, follows the 2018 voter-approved constitutional amendment allowing four casinos in the state. CNE's application received high marks, scoring 651 out of 700 points. 

The project, projected to take 18 months, will feature a 50,000-square-foot facility with 1,200 slot machines, 32 table games, a poker room, and a sportsbook. Additional amenities include a 200-room hotel, conference centre, outdoor music venue, water park, and RV and dog parks.

Spain’s Online Gaming Revenue Rises 15%

Spain's online gaming sector reported a Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of €350.69 million for Q1 2024, reflecting a 15.14% year-on-year increase, as per the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gaming (DGOJ). The revenue breakdown included €167.76 million from casinos, €150.28 million from betting, €28.45 million from poker, and €4.19 million from bingo. 

Conventional sports betting surged by 588.84%, and poker revenues increased by 11.98% over the previous quarter. Player deposits and withdrawals rose by 15.85% and 13.9%, respectively, with active gaming accounts up by 14.58% annually. 

SPiCE International to Host Global Gaming Leaders in Dubai

SPiCE International will convene global gaming stakeholders in Dubai from July 23 to 25. The event will connect international stakeholders with the UAE's business landscape and feature industry leaders discussing key topics such as global growth strategies, secure payment solutions, regulatory challenges, and the potential of AI and crypto. 

The SPiCE International Eventus Awards, which will be held on July 24, will honour industry innovators and leaders. 

WA.Technology Weekly

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