Weekend Report: BetMGM fined in PN, NC eyes new sports betting tax, EveryMatrix pens record Norsk Tipping deal
BetMGM to pay $260,905 in Pennsylvania
First, BetMGM has been fined $260,905 (£212,364/€254,701) in Pennsylvania for breaching rules on self-exclusion.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) found BetMGM allowed self-excluded online casino individuals to place bets. Some 148 accounts on BetMGM were identified as players who had self-excluded, PlayPennsylvania.com reports.
From these accounts, a total of $252,035 was deposited and $82,460 withdrawn. BetMGM also flagged a further three separate incidents across 2021, 2022 and 2022 involving four more self-excluded individuals.
Overall, $436,381 was deposited by self-excluded users with $175,477 withdrawn. The difference between these amounts is $260,904, with this the amount BetMGM is being fined by the regulator.
The fine represents the fourth highest ever issued in Pennsylvania. BetMGM also agreed to donate $20,000 to the Pennsylvania Council on Problem Gambling.
North Carolina considers sports betting tax change
Elsewhere in the US, lawmakers in North Carolina have introduced a new bill proposing a state income tax deduction for gambling losses against winnings.
WRAL News reports the bill would require players to pay taxes on any winnings, even if they accumulate more losses. For example, if a player won $10,000 but lost $11,000, they would be liable for income tax on the $10,000.
This would not apply to players who use the standard deduction on their taxes, only those who itemise the deductions. In addition, bettors would not be able to write off more than their winnings under the bill.
North Carolina launched legal sports betting in March last year, with this the first tax season since legalisation. If approved, the new rules would be effective from the 2024 tax year.
Kambi secures approval in Nevada
In other news out of the US, Kambi has secured approval in Nevada for its gaming licence application.
The Nevada Gaming Commission approved Kambi’s application for Manufacturer & Distributor Licences and an Information Services Licence. This follows a unanimous recommendation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board last month.
This enables Kambi to provide its sportsbook technology and services to non-restricted gaming establishments across Nevada for the first time.
Werner Becher, CEO of Kambi, said: “Securing approval for our licences in Nevada is an important milestone for Kambi and a testament to our market-leading technology, regulatory expertise and corporate integrity.”
Alberta government ends funding for gambling harms group
North of the border, the Alberta government has pulled funding for a non-profit organisation that provides education and resources for gambling addiction in the Canadian province.
Edmonton-based Problem Gambling Resources Network has had a government funding agreement of some sort since 1993. However, executive director Ray Reshke told The Albertan this will now end.
“We’re not counsellors, but we do direct people to resources for help like gamblers anonymous or Alberta Health Services,” he said.
The decision comes as Alberta considers legislation to allow private companies to run online gambling operations, similar to Ontario. Government-owned Play Alberta is currently the only licensed online gambling site in the province.
EveryMatrix lands record deal with Norsk Tipping
And finally this week, EveryMatrix has won a competitive public procurement process to partner with Norway’s Norsk Tipping.
Under the deal, EveryMatrix will provide a range of in-house and aggregated content plus bespoke casual games development. The agreement, the company’s largest ever SlotMatrix deal, covers two principal areas.
First, SlotMatrix, EveryMatrix’s aggregation platform, will provide Norsk Tipping with a range of third-party online casino content plus in-house titles from its own studios. EveryMatrix Games will also provide third-party content for Norsk Tipping’s Yezz range of casual games.
Ebbe Groes, CEO and co-founder of EveryMatrix, said: “I’m delighted Norsk Tipping, one of our most valued partners, has chosen to continue to put their trust in us after almost 10 years of collaboration. We look forward to even more years working together.”