CASINO

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Editorial:

Editor in Chief : David McKee dmckee6@comcast.net

Editor EMEA: Damien Connelly damien@outsourcedigitalmedia.com

Associate Editor Asia: Bill Healey bill@outsourcedigitalmedia.com

Victor H. Royer International Features Editor victor@outsourcedigitalmedia.com

Associate Editor EMEA: Aydin Guney aydin.guney@outsourcedigital media.com

International Correspondent: Lyudmyla Kyrychenko lyudmyla.kyrychenko@outsource digitalmedia.com

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Wow. That happened faster than we expected. The backlash against omnipresent sports betting advertising in the U.S., I mean. Scarcely had Sen. Richard Blumenthal requested data from over 65 colleges and universities about their ties to sports betting than the gaming industry went into full retreat—and quickly, too.

Perhaps reacting to demands that they police themselves, the industry— through its lobbying group, the American Gaming Association—rushed out a new code of conduct. Unveiled on March 28, it declares that “college partnerships that promote, market or advertise sports wagering activity” are hereby verboten, closing down a major avenue of marketing. An exception is made for colleges that have ties “to alumni networks or content focused on RG initiatives or problem gambling awareness.” That gives the industry a bit of wiggle room, but not much at first glance.

In a seemingly commonsensical move, no one under 21 can be featured in an ad for sports betting, and both amateur and collegiate athletes are off-limits as marketing figures. Vague “legal age of wagering” language must be replaced with “21-plus” or a similarly explicit formulation. Last—but far from least—the baneful term “risk-free” must be dropped from ads. Caesars Sportsbook is currently experiencing a legal headache in New Jersey over the use of such verbiage.

The new code of conduct is to be reviewed and updated on a yearly basis. Whether this will call off the dogs on Capitol Hill remains to be seen (probably not) but the AGA has done the right thing. Credit AGA President Bill Miller with a rapid response during onerous circumstances and getting an often-fractious industry to sign off on it.

What the industry should do at this point is to stop drenching the airwaves with advertisements, behavior that is prompting much of the congressional nausea (a phenomenon not limited to politicians either). But the gaming industry it seems, for the moment, is content to wait until the free market dictates that ad spending should be curbed.

Some states are not waiting. New Jersey announced it will create the post of responsible gaming coordinator. He or she will “handle all issues impacting responsible gaming and ensure progress on existing initiatives.” In addition, Internet casinos and sports books are mandated to prominently feature the 1-800-GAMBLER number for problemgambling help. “Guaranteed wins” and “risk-free” wagers are a thing of the past. No advertising can be displayed where those under 21 will be enticed. And opting out of direct advertising will be made easier.

As state Attorney General Matthew Platkin put it, “gaming and sports wagering industries continue to grow and mature, [and] so do our obligations to assist patrons who are at risk for problem gambling.” Words for our industry to live by.

3 Editor's Note

Sports betting goes too far, too fast in the U.S.

By David McKee

5 “I Think The AIs Have It. The AIs Have It.” The Artificial Intelligence Game Changer.

By Damien Connelly

6 Make theirs Manhattan Mohegan, a giant in tribal gaming, looks to conquer New York City and points beyond.

By David McKee

16 Champions of diversity

An interview with Dawn Clayton, general manager of Thunder Valley Casino Resort.

By Victor H. Royer

26 A Casino in Tibilisi for Luxury-Loving Gaming Tourists

A visit to the Grand Bellagio in Georgia.

By Lavrenty Gubin

34 Talent Management: The Inaugural German Dealer Championship Thomas Schenk, vice-chairman, Deutscher Spielbankenverband e. V. and Tobias Hellberg chat with Peter White ahead of the 2023 European Dealer Championship Finals.

40 G2E Asia 2023 Singapore Preview

Yip Je Choong, managing director for Singapore & Indonesia and senior vice president commercial APAC, RX (Reed Exhibitions) talks with Casino Life.

By Damien Connelly

44 Update Report on Gaming Legislation in Malaysia, Cameroon and Senegal

48 Think Outside Your Mind

How Open-Innovation Networks Unleash Creativity.

By Raymond Chan

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