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The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) is back and asking for a rejection of Assembly Bill 831. This comes as the California Senate is set to hear the bill, which focuses on banning sweepstakes casinos, after it was placed in the suspension file.
In a new press release, the SGLA cites a new survey that it calls a “nationwide poll with an oversample of California voters,” while reiterating its points from previous reports about the potential ban of sweepstakes casinos.
The survey is produced in part by the SGLA and claims a positive outlook on social casinos, with an overwhelming majority of people asked, at 89%, agreeing that “games should continue operating”.
However, there are concerns with how the survey questions are framed, particularly in the way sweepstakes casinos are compared with video games. For example, games like Candy Crush and Fortnite do not award monetary prizes. Instead, they provide in-game rewards tied to player actions. One of the questions reads:
“What is your opinion of online social games or games where users can win prizes without making in-game purchases, like Candy Crush or Fortnite?”
This raises issues of comparability. Sweepstakes casinos are designed around chance-based gameplay that simulates casino environments, while titles such as Fortnite and Candy Crush, though they may include random elements, are primarily skill-based.
The reference may instead be to optional in-game purchases, such as cosmetic skins or items. However, these are not “prizes” in the traditional sense, but rather products purchased directly by the player.
SGLA “disappointed” in current AB 831 status
Speaking in the press release, Jeff Duncan, Executive Director of the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance, said:
“SGLA is extremely disappointed that the Senate Appropriations Committee has decided to move AB831 forward instead of listening to the California tribal nations that oppose the bill, the legitimate California businesses that will be threatened with criminal liability for providing routine services, the California constituents who have made it clear they prefer commonsense regulation over banning online social games and the California players who love the games.”
The bill has been passed every stage unanimously so far, with every vote in favor, and has the backing and opposition of tribal leaders in the state. However, it has until September 12 to pass, or it’ll be mothballed until a future date.
Featured image: Social Gaming Leadership Alliance
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The Major League Baseball (MLB) chiefs have made the decision for Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase and starter Luis Ortiz to stay on non-disciplinary paid leave.
This will be “until further notice,” according to a statement by the MLB over the weekend.
The announcement comes after Ortiz was initially placed on leave back on July 3, with Clase being placed on leave on July 28 as the league has been carrying out a sports betting investigation.
At the time, the MLB declared it would not comment further about the investigation until it had been completed, with the recent extension of leave confirming that it remains ongoing.
The most recent statement is as follows: “MLB and the MLBPA have agreed to extend the non-disciplinary paid leave of Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz until further notice while MLB continues its investigation.
“We will not comment further until the investigation has been completed.” In response, the Guardians said: “We have been informed of the extension and will continue to fully cooperate with the investigation.”
MLB decisions: Guardian’s players Clase and Ortiz have been on leave since July
With the extension, it’s not yet known at what stage the investigation is up to or how long the process will last. According to ESPN, part of the investigation spans back to ‘unusual betting interest in individual pitches by Ortiz in two Guardians games in June.’
The publisher suggests that a sportsbook had reported ‘suspicious betting’ on the first pitch thrown by Ortiz to be a ball or hit batsman to begin the second inning of a June 15 game and again in the third inning of a June 27 game.
When on leave, the two players are permitted contact with the organization but they are not allowed to access the team’s facilities. Cade Smith has largely covered Clase’s position since he has been on leave, while Joey Cantillo and Parker Messick have assumed the vacated spot of Ortiz over the last few games.
Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram
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MGM Resorts and BetMGM have once again partnered together with the American Gaming Association (AGA) to promote Responsible Gaming Education Month which covers the month of September.
This is the third time this has taken place, with GameSense messaging to appear at select NFL stadiums on LED ribbons throughout the month. The responsible gaming program GameSense was developed and licensed to MGM Resorts in 2017.
The key messages will also feature ‘prominently’ on stadium scoreboards during pre-game activities and within gameday magazines.
The stadiums involved include Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh Steelers), Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders), Empower Field at Mile High (Denver Broncos), Ford Field (Detroit Lions), GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs), Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Eagles), M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore Ravens), MetLife Stadium (New York Jets), Nissan Stadium (Tennessee Titans), and State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals.)
MGM Resorts commits $250,000 to responsible gaming center
“Placing GameSense in league stadiums gives us direct access to millions of fans each week,” said Rhea Loney, Chief Compliance Officer, BetMGM. “It’s a powerful platform to promote public awareness and amplify our company’s commitment to provide a safe and informed gambling experience.”
The messages shown will remind gamblers to ‘take a time-out’ and ‘budget before you bet’ and trained GameSense Advisors will support guests.
Alongside the increased awareness dotted around the stadiums, MGM Resorts has announced a $250,000 contribution to the International Center for Responsible Gaming. The donation aims to support independent, peer-reviewed research to advance best practices aimed at supporting casino employees and player protection strategies.
Stephen Martino, SVP and Chief Compliance Officer, MGM Resorts, said, “Investing in our team members through extensive training and scientific research sets higher operational standards and elevates the guest experience. It also supports the long-term sustainability of our business and the communities where we operate.”
Featured Image: Credit to BetMGM news release
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