Gaming, like many other industries, has been greatly impacted by changes in technology. As a result, the laws and regulations governing the gaming industry have begun to adapt in order to keep pace with the evolution of the gaming equipment manufacturing process. Attorneys Frank DiGiacomo and Eric Frank explore some of these reforms in New Jersey in this article from New Jersey Lawyer.
Duane Morris Partner Frank DiGiacomo to Speak on “Regulatory Structure and Impacts of New Jersey’s New Legislation”
Duane Morris partner Frank DiGiacomo will speak on “Regulatory Structure and Impacts of New Jersey’s New Legislation” and “Historical Development of the Federal Regulatory Structure for Gambling: What Needs to Change to Make Internet Gambling Truly Work?” at Law Seminars International’s (LSI) Online Gambling Conference on Monday, February 4, 2013.
Mr. DiGiacomo, the program’s co-chair, will be opening the two-day conference that invites attorneys and business executives involved in the gaming and online entertainment industry. Attorneys who attend are also eligible to receive CLE credits.
DOJ Online Poker Settlement Unleashes Two Top Brands
PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker on path to online gaming licensing.
The U.S. Department of Justice, (DOJ) Southern District of New York, reached a settlement today with PokerStars on the U.S. Government’s civil charges that the company defrauded customers and evaded U.S. prohibitions on Internet gambling. The DOJ action arose from the Black Friday, April 15, 2011, indictment and civil complaints against PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker and its chief executives, which left online poker players in the U.S. in shock and disarray, as detailed in this New York Times blog.
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The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Bd Announces it is Accepting Applications for the Remaining Philadelphia Casino License
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced that it is now accepting applications for the one remaining casino license that must be located within the City of Philadelphia. This is the former “Foxwoods” license which was revoked by the Board in December 2010. The Board set an application deadline of November 15, 2012.
In its announcement, Board Chairman, William Ryan stated that it was in the “best interest of the people of Pennsylvania” to proceed with the application process since it appears that recent legislation, considered by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, which would have amended the current gaming law and allowed the vacant license to be located anywhere within the Commonwealth, is unlikley to move forward.
The licesne fees to operate a casino with up to 5000 slot machines and 250 table games, totals $74.5 million.
New Jersey Assembly Advances Internet Gaming Bill
On June 18, 2012, the New Jersey State Assembly’s Appropriations Committee moved forward a bill that would authorize internet gaming at Atlantic City casinos. The bill, which has been making its way through various committees in the State legislature, provides that all authorized casino games, including poker, may be offered through internet gaming, to players within New Jersey. So as to comport with the recent U.S. Department of Justice opinion and the federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, the N.J. bill provides that to participate in internet gaming, a player must be physically present in New Jersey whenever a wager is placed, The bill does, however, provide that should the N.J. Division of Gaming Enforcement determine that wagers may be accepted from players outside of New Jersey, the legislation will allow such wagers. This provision gives the legislation the flexibility to expand the potential player base should there be a change in current federal law which currently would limit prospective internet wagering to intra-state based wagering.
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Duane Morris Partner Gil Brooks on Gaming Law News Radio
In this broadcast from Gaming Law News Radio, Duane Morris partner Gil Brooks discusses the long-running tax assessment dispute between the owners of the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel and the city, which resulted in a reduction of the property’s assessed value by more than two-thirds (from $543 million to $165 million). He also touches on some of the other recent headlines coming from the Atlantic City market.
To listen to the broadcast, please visit the Gaming Law News Radio website.
PA Gaming Control Board Considers Status of Philadelphia Casino License
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (“PGCB”) Chairman, William Ryan stated that the PGCB met last week to discuss the status of the remaining Philadelphia casino license, which was revoked from its prior holder in December 2010. Ryan stated, “At least for now, we decided not to do anything,” however [the Board] will revisit the issue… in the not too distant future.” The second Philadelphia casino license, however is not the only remaining opportunity for a new casino in Pennsylvania. There is a pending challenge to the Board’s awarding of a “resort” casino license to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort outside of Pittsburgh. There is also a remaining racetrack casino license recently held by Centaur in western PA.
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Duane Morris Helps Secure $19.5 Million Tax Credit for Casino
A team of Duane Morris lawyers, led by Gil Brooks of the firm’s Cherry Hill office, helped the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel reach a settlement agreement with Atlantic City getting the casino a $19.5 million tax credit. The team representing RIH Acquisitions NJ, LLC, which owns and trades as Atlantic Club, included Duane Morris attorneys Frank Suglia, Cathy Sakach and George Kroculick, among others. The settlement approved by A.C.’s City Council after numerous property tax appeals in the Tax Court of New Jersey, reduces the casino’s taxable assessed value by more than two-thirds, from $543 million down to $165 million. The casino’s multimillion dollar tax credit will reportedly be delivered in some combination of cash payments and future credits.
To read articles on the settlement, please visit the Press of Atlantic City and NJBIZ.
Officers Close Philadelphia Internet Sweepstakes Café
Monday morning Philadelphia Police culminated a several month investigation by raiding a South Philadelphia storefront and seizing 30-40 computers and equipment. Both myfoxphilly.com, http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/Internet_Sweepstakes_Cafe_Raid_South_Philadelphia_052112 and 6abc.com, http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/Internet_Sweepstakes_Cafe_Raid_South_Philadelphia_052112 reported on the law enforcement activity at the parlor suspected of housing an illegal online gambling operation. The location had been the recent subject of an article earlier this month in the national publication, The Daily, http://www.thedaily.com/page/2012/05/13/051312-biz-sweepstakes-cafes-kelley-1-4/ , GAMBLING ON A LOOPHOLE, which quoted Duane Morris’ J. Scott Kramer
New Jersey Pushes Forward to Legalize Internet Gaming
The New Jersey Legislature took another step towards legalizing online gaming in New Jersey. On May 10, 2012, the New Jersey Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee introduced amendments to the prospective internet gaming legislation which was recently passed by a State Senate committee. The amendments provide additional clarity with respect to the licensing of prospective internet gaming service providers. The proposal also increases the tax rate on internet gaming revenue and provides additional safeguards to keep out dubious internet gaming companies that have facilitated what the U.S. government considers to be illegal wagering from U.S. residents.
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