Winter Issue, 2022-23

Hello from Washington!! It is cold here; we’ve already had snow and expect more this next week. This is a bit early for us- if you are a fan of the cold, I hope you get lots of snow, and if you are more like me (originally from Arizona), fingers crossed for mild weather.

Hopefully you all have been able to keep your stress levels down- this season is ripe for higher pressure with the holiday shopping, parties, junk food, time off, and end of year deadlines. Also, planning to keep work momentum and creativity rolling for 2023.

I am proud of what NAGRA accomplished in 2022. The gambling activity interest group calls met throughout the year to share information and resources and helped inform our conference planning committee of topics to consider when building the conference program. We had a great conference in Portland, Maine with much greater in-person attendance than our 2021 conference. We also recently hosted a Playbook Webinar in October presented by Odds on Compliance. Watch for more webinar offerings in 2023! Thank you to everyone who helped plan each of these events and everyone who attended the calls, webinar(s), and conference. It is your participation and feedback that make these offerings meaningful learning opportunities, and beneficial to everyone.

We are hard at work, planning our 2023 conference, which will be held in Boise, Idaho from June 12-15. We are working on interesting and informative pre-conference trainings as well as a relevant and educational conference schedule. We hope you will be able to join us!

Please reach out to anyone on the board if you have questions or have feedback you would like us to consider. Looking forward to an even better 2023!

From Ryan Winfield, NAGRA Vice President and Conference Chair

Arizona Dept. of Gaming

AGCO’s Responsible Gambling Standards for Internet Gaming Help Protect Ontarians

Submitted by Jeremy Locke, NAGRA Canadian Director Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

As the provincial gaming regulator, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is focused on ensuring Ontarians can safely and responsibly enjoy their favourite online games and sports betting products. We do this by holding all registered operators to high standards of responsible gambling (RG), player protection and game integrity. For the launch of the internet gaming (igaming) market in April, 2022, the AGCO developed strong standards around marketing and advertising. We anticipated that this would be an area of increased risk and have made it a compliance priority.

To develop the RG regulatory framework for Ontario’s new igaming market, we undertook an in-depth review of approaches from leading jurisdictions around the world. We also consulted with Ontario’s responsible gambling community. The result is an RG framework designed to minimize potential harm and promote a responsible gaming environment.

In the interest of players, the AGCO’s Standards require strong RG measures to be in place to address prevention, awareness, early identification, support and, when necessary, intervention. The Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming outline important Marketing and Advertising Standards. These standards, for example, ensure Operators have a responsible gambling message on all advertisements. The AGCO has taken a balanced approach in restricting how gambling inducements are advertised, while still allowing operators to offer them to players who proactively seek them out.

Ontario is one of the only jurisdictions in the world to prohibit the broad public advertising of bonuses and other gambling inducements, including through algorithm-based ads. These restrictions are based on the premise that ads in the public domain offering promotions or bonuses are a risk for problem gamblers. These types of ads draw attention and increase the risk of enticing high-risk gamblers (including young players) back into gambling and encourage riskier betting.

When issues are found, the AGCO has several ways to bring operators back into compliance. Mechanisms can range from education, warnings, financial penalties, suspensions, and, in the most serious cases, revocations. In cases where severe incidents occur, the AGCO will always act in the interest of protecting the public.

During these initial months, overall compliance has been strong. We’ve worked closely with regulated operators when issues were found to ensure operators understand and meet their required obligations. We will continue to monitor all registered gaming sites to ensure they are meeting their obligations and the Ontario public is protected.

A Brief Overview of Gaming in Kansas

Kala Loomis, NAGRA Midwest Regional Director Kansas State Gaming Agency

The state of Kansas has three separate agencies that deal with the lottery, casino gaming, pari-mutuel racing, and sports wagering. They consist of the Kansas Lottery, the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, and the Kansas State Gaming Agency.

In 2007, the Kansas Legislature passed the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act (KELA) allowing the state of Kansas to own and operate four “destination casino resorts” located in four different zones. KELA also allowed for licensed pari-mutuel tracks to contract with the Kansas Lottery to have electronic gaming machines. Sports wagering was added to KELA in 2022. Kansas also allows charitable bingo and charitable raffles, both regulated by the Charitable Gaming division of the Kansas Department of Revenue.

The Kansas Lottery is the business side of the state-owned casinos and the newly introduced sports wagering, as well as running the traditional Lottery.

The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC) is the regulatory body for state-owned casinos and sports wagering, and the sole regulator for pari-mutuel racetracks. Racing is currently not operating in the state of Kansas. The KRGC is also tasked with dealing with all illegal gambling in the state. These issues may be forwarded to the appropriate local authority for further investigation and prosecution. KRGC reported in the calendar year 2022 to this date the following numbers have been recorded related to illegal gaming.

• Approximately 89 Illegal gaming complaints/inquiries were called into KRGC

• Assisted eight (8) jurisdictions with their investigations.

• There are 6 jurisdictions with an open case that is actively being worked on. Numerous other cases have not been addressed at this time.

• 82 Forfeited devices have been destroyed.

• Approximately 231 gambling devices were seized in the state resulting from 19 search warrants.

• 27 search warrants were served on 291 seized machines for forensics inspection purposes.

KRGC stated they cover all 105 Kansas counties and are continually providing education opportunities to other agencies and prosecutors throughout the state.

The Kansas State Gaming Agency was established by executive order in August of 1995 to fulfill the State of Kansas' obligations under the tribal-state gaming compacts. These compacts were approved by the 1995 Kansas Legislature. The Tribal Gaming Oversight Act adopted by the 1996 Kansas Legislature officially established the Kansas State Gaming Agency and attaches the agency to the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission for limited budget and personnel purposes. The mission of the Kansas State Gaming Agency is to uphold the integrity of Indian gaming operations in Kansas through the tribal-state compacts and the Tribal Gaming Oversight Act.

The Kansas State Gaming Agency (KSGA) has oversight over the Class III tribal casinos in the state of Kansas. There are four Class III tribal casinos located in the northeast part of the state. KSGA works with the various tribal gaming commissions to ensure the state-tribal compacts are followed and all employees and gaming companies are vetted and approved for licensing. It should be noted that there are two other tribal casinos in the state that have Class II casino gaming and are regulated by the National Indian Gaming Commission.

The first Native American Indian casino opened on May 18, 1996, on the Kickapoo Reservation 6 miles west of Horton, Kansas. It is called the Golden Eagle Casino. On October 25, 1996, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe opened its temporary casino on its reservation, just south of Mayetta, Kansas. The Potawatomi opened a new casino and hotel on January 13, 1998. It is located a few miles farther south of Mayetta, Kansas, just off Highway 75, 20 minutes north of Topeka, Kansas. This replaced their temporary casino. The Sac & Fox Tribe opened their casino on February 26, 1997, on Highway 75 north of Topeka in Brown County, Kansas. The Iowa Tribe opened a temporary gaming facility on May 20, 1998. On December 15, 1998, their permanent casino, Casino White Cloud, was opened 3 ½ miles North of White Cloud. This also replaced their temporary casino.

Kala Loomis

Executive Director

Kansas State Gaming Agency

Eastern Region

Milt Champion, NAGRA Eastern Regional Director Maine Gambling Control Unit

Happy Holidays Everybody! For the most part, the gambling industry slows down this time of year in order to meet budget projections. Along with that is preparation for the coming year. As regulators our travel space is some what limited depending on where you are from. In preparation for the coming year I would urge everyone to plug in the NAGRA conference in Boise, Idaho. What an impressive city. I’ve yet to see a city as clean as Boise. We may also be in a position to have an event at the iconic blue football field of the Boise State Broncos! So make plans now to attend the conference June 12-15, 2023.

If you follow me on LinkedIn, you may have read the post about NAGRA’s “Excellence in Gaming Award” which is the only award given by the association annually at the conference to regulators who demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in gaming regulation or enforcement. They can be individuals or agencies. I’m looking for bragging rights for the Eastern Region! So get those PR staff members or any member to submit their nominations at North American Gaming Regulators Association - Excellence in Gaming Regulation Award (nagra.org) or send them to me at Milton.f.champion@maine.gov and I’ll submit them for you. It’s as simple as sending a copy of an article or writing your recommendation based on the accomplishment. Thanks!

All the Best and Happy and Healthy New year!

Notice of Violation Issued Against the Catawba Indian Nation and Kings Mountain Sky Boat Partners, LLC (Sky Boat)

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 7, 2022 – Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), E. Sequoyah Simermeyer, issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) against the Catawba Indian Nation, Kings Mountain Sky Boat Partners, LLC (Sky Boat), and Sky Boat’s owners, officials, managers, and consultant. The NOV resulted from a thorough investigation by the NIGC Washington, D.C. Region Office that identified multiple violations of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and NIGC regulations. 

Read Full Article...

North Dakota to Allow Online Casino, Sports Betting on Tribal Grounds

North Dakota governor Doug Burgum and the chairpersons of the state’s five tribal nations have signed new gaming compacts, opening the door for online offerings on tribal reservations.

Read Full Article...

 

Excellence in Gaming Award

This award is open to regulators who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in the gaming regulatory or enforcement environment. The award can be given to an individual or team who has demonstrated excellence in the field. All nominees must be current NAGRA members.

A committee is established to review the nominations and determine a recipient. The award is then given at the NAGRA Annual Education and Training Conference.

We encourage nominations throughout the year. Nominate someone today! The process is user-friendly and efficient.

Submit Nomination

Get Involved!

We still need individuals to participate on Committees and the IGSA (International Gaming Standards Association) working groups.

During the conference registration process, if you indicated that you were interested in being involved on a committee or working group and we have not contacted you, please reach out!

We encourage any current NAGRA member to participate. You do not have to be a board member to serve on these committees/working groups!

If you would like more information on IGSA please watch this webinar

Contact Jennifer.lamont@wsgc.wa.gov or michelle@nagra.org if you can give us some of your time and input. Thank you!

Current Active NAGRA Committees

Conference Planning Committee – Chair, Ryan Winfield

Membership Committee – Chair, Sara Throener

Webinar Committee – Chair, Michael Menefee

Excellence in Gaming Award Committee – Chair, Tom Mungham

Pull Tabs and Bingo Standards Committee – Chair, Michael Menefee

NAGRA/IGSA Working Groups


Notification Processes


Reporting Requirement

 If you would like more information on IGSA please watch this webinar

NAGRA Board of Directors

Jennifer LaMont, President | Washington Gambling Commission

Ryan Winfield, Vice President | Arizona Dept. of Gaming

Sara Throener, Past President | Iowa Dept. of Inspections & Appeals

Van Billops, Treasurer | New Mexico Gaming Control Board

Tom Mungham, Secretary | Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario

Milt Champion, Eastern Regional Director | Maine Gambling Control Board

VACANT, Canadian Regional Director

Roger Pinson, Western Regional Director | Colorado Division of Gaming

Kala Loomis, Midwestern Regional Director | Kansas State Gaming Agency

Meghan Frye, Indian Country Director | Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Gaming Commission


NAGRA Discussion Forums

NAGRA provides a platform for knowledge sharing, discussion and resource/document repository on the Members Only Section of their webpage. If you are a current member, make sure to take advantage of this member benefit! 

Instructions on how to utilize the Discussion Forums:

Go to www.nagra.org, log into your membership account, navigate to the Members Only tab, click Discussion Forums, click the Interest Group, and create a new topic for discussion. You can also view topics that have already been posted and add input, provide answers, etc. You can upload documents, materials or provide links to resources. 

Make sure to click on the Subscribe to topic icon on the page. This will ensure you receive an email notification when a response has been provided or a new topic has been started in that forum.

NAGRA Webinars  

The NAGRA Interest Groups coordinate with the Webinar Committee to determine webinar topics and speakers throughout the year. As a member benefit, these webinars are offered to current NAGRA members free of charge.

NAGRA collaborates with industry partners such as GLI, GeoComply, SBC, IGSA and GREO to facilitate and deliver the webinars.

Have an idea for a webinar topic? Contact michelle@nagra.org

NAGRA's Newsletter provides an outlet to talk about regulatory matters and industry issues. 

Send us your stories, news, articles, etc. so we can get them noticed and connect the regulatory community and industry stakeholders with issues and events around the country.

We need your content to help provoke thinking and conversation and help inform regulatory policy and practice.

Contact us at michelle@nagra.org to share your story.

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