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IT ’ S OFFICIAL : WYNN RESORTS LANDS THE UAE ’ S FIRST COMMERCIAL GAMING LICENCE
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GOOD TIMES
REGULATION
NCLGS PROPOSES MODEL IGAMING LEGISLATION
APOLLO GLOBAL Apollo Global surprised the industry by swooping in to acquire IGT ’ s gaming assets and merge them with Everi , superseding a planned deal between the two businesses . Now the private equity giant has its leader for the super-supplier after Hector Fernandez resigned as Aristocrat CEO to take on the top job . The deal is expected to conclude in Q3 2025 . Fernandez ’ s old employer has moved quickly to replace him with CFO Craig Toner .
BAD TIMES
I n 2024 , legalising online casino proved particularly difficult for lawmakers . But as the 2025 sessions get underway , the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States ( NCLGS ) aims to provide statehouses with an assist . NCLGS has put forward a template for igaming legislation that bans sweepstakes , prohibits credit card gambling and sets a standardised age limit of 21 and above . The template , which was subject to a public consultation ended 31 December , also pitches a preferred tax range for online casino : 15 % to 25 % of gross gaming revenue .
This is just a draft , which NCLGS plans to refine then present to legislators based on the consultation . But some elements already jump out as potentially controversial , not least mandated betting limits .
The draft model says a state regulatory body can establish “ maximum wagers ” that operators can set per person or per game . When the subject came up in Massachusetts , operators voted with their feet by not attending a Gaming Commission meeting on the wagering limits .
The licensing process also appears designed to replicate the sports betting status quo for online casino . For example , it suggests licences be limited to casino , racino and sportsbook operators already active in a state , with no standalone online casino licences available .
Brick-and-mortar facilities may also take exception to an expedited application process for sportsbook operators , but no such equivalent for casinos .
THE NETHERLANDS Holland launched its online gaming market with 10 licensees in 2021 . Three years on , two of the 10 – Tombola and LiveScore Bet – have pulled out of the market as the government ratchets up controls on licensees . After advertising was curtailed , new compliance requirements mandated and deposit limits imposed , a hike in gaming taxes proved the final straw for the two operators . Politicians are now looking to ban online slots .
10 • ISSUE 137 • ICE 2025