The UAE government established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) to oversee commercial gaming and the national lottery, reportedly confirmed by the government-owned Emirates News Agency on 3 September. The source names Jim Murren as chair and Kevin Mullally as chief executive.
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The United Arab Emirates is building a regulated gaming sector under the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority rather than opening to unrestricted gambling, Macau-based lawyer Sofia Linhares told AGB. She said the country is setting its framework in place before a large casino industry develops, and that Wynn Al Marjan Island, a $5.1bn resort in Ras Al Khaimah, will be the first major test.
Nevada casino compliance officers discussed new anti-money-laundering rules approved by the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission in April. The rules require Board review of casino AML oversight personnel and player-development employees, and operators must report certain employee separations; a ban on business-entity funding of patron deposits and casino credit takes effect in late October. MGM Resorts’ Stephen Martino said the funding restriction could affect gaming revenue.
The Nevada Gaming Commission approved new anti-money-laundering regulations recommended by the Gaming Control Board. The rules introduce oversight and licensing requirements for casino AML personnel, reporting duties for AML-related employee departures and limits on independent agents; provisions take effect immediately or after four or six months.
A Massachusetts legislative committee voted 11-0 to study House Bill 4431, shelving the online casino proposal for the current session. The bill would have allowed existing casinos to apply for licences, permitted up to three online sites per casino and imposed a 15% tax on adjusted gross revenue.
Nevada's Gaming Control Board issued a cybersecurity notice urging casinos to remain alert to threats against their operations and systems. The notice highlighted phishing and social-engineering tactics, including requests to reset passwords, transfer money or change payment instructions.