The Gaming Americas Quarterly Meetups by Hipther Agency are designed to keep you up-to-date with what is fresh in the North American and Latin American gambling industry.
The meetups feature several panel discussions per region and topics that are joined by key industry experts, CEOs, C-Level Executives, Business Development Managers, and sometimes government officials/regulators.
The Gaming Americas Q3 Virtual Meetup that took place on September 13 brought back the quarterly US Legislation Round-up with our favorite experts, Bill Pascrell, III (BP3), Partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group, Martin Lycka, SVP for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling at Entain, and Jeremy Kleiman, Gaming Attorney and Member at Saiber LLC.
Gaming Americas Q3 Session 2: US Legislation Round-up
Speakers: Bill Pascrell, III (BP3) | Martin Lycka
Moderator: Jeremy Kleiman
Watch the Session on YouTube and HiptherTV!
In this edition of the US Legislation Round-up, moderator Jeremy Kleiman immediately delved into the major developments of the past quarter. He invited Bill Pascrell to kickstart the conversation with insights into Florida’s online sports betting launch, thanks to the Seminole-Hard Rock collaboration.
Bill shared his unique perspective, having represented Hard Rock International for the last 11 years. He revealed that while Hard Rock had initially launched betting, legal challenges forced a temporary shutdown. However, recent legal developments suggest that Hard Rock is poised to relaunch on September 19th. Bill credited this success to Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming, as well as the entire Hard Rock Team and the Seminole Tribe.
Bill also touched upon the legal complexities surrounding this case, especially regarding the Indian Gaming Act. He expressed excitement about Florida becoming the largest state in the nation to launch sports betting, emphasizing the enormous opportunities it presents.
Jeremy followed up by asking about the regulatory framework and potential collaborations with Hard Rock. Bill explained that opportunities for collaboration, both online and in retail, hinge on the Indian Gaming Act’s provisions. He also hinted at the possibility of ancillary services and additional partners.
Martin Lycka joined the conversation, emphasizing that Florida’s unique regulation is an example of the intricacies in US gambling and sports betting laws. He discussed the tax rates and restrictions in Florida and how four key states, including New York, California, and Texas, will shape the future of the US market.
The discussion then shifted to California, where Bill discussed the need for a ballot referendum due to the state’s complex political landscape and gaming entities.
Regarding Texas, Bill shared that it has no history of gaming, with many Texans crossing state borders for gambling. Regulatory attempts in the state have thus far failed, with potential regulation expected in the spring of 2025.
The conversation touched on the crucial role of professional sports teams in shaping gaming regulation. Bill emphasized that these teams will be license holders for venues and possess significant political influence.
Martin pointed out the cultural contrasts in Texas, a conservative state with popular sports teams eager to embrace sports betting. He also drew attention to New York’s high tax rate, which poses challenges for operators.
Jeremy shifted the discussion to responsible gaming, with Martin informing us that September is the Responsible Gambling Education month in the US, underscoring the importance of responsible gaming education throughout the year.
In summary, our panel of American gaming specialists provided a comprehensive session with valuable insights into US gambling legislation. They highlighted both the challenges and progress in key states, setting the stage for the future of the industry.
Watch the full US Legislation Round-up for Q3 on HiptherTV
Stay tuned for Session 3 of the Gaming Americas Q3 Meetup and the special focus on “AI Issues”!