Oklahoma Indian tribal casinos get tick of approval

Two Oklahoma-based Indian tribal casinos have been approved by the US Department of Interior.

The Times Record reports the compacts with the Kialgee Tribal Town and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians were “deemed approved” by the federal department after a 45-day review period expired Thursday.

The new compacts would increase the fees the tribes pay on certain electronic games from six per cent to as high as 13 per cent if the tribes build casinos in new locations authorised under the deal.

Governor Kevin Stitt said the compacts reflect a “new, modern approach” to tribal gaming, but the agreements were quickly panned by the chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Commission.

“It is confusing to us that the United States Department of the Interior has allowed the clock to run out and not taken action on these unlawful gaming agreements between the Governor and the two tribes,” Matthew Morgan said in a statement.

“The inaction is disappointing and will lead to more costly, time-consuming and needless litigation.”

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has ruled Stitt overstepped his legal authority when he reached similar deals with two Native American tribes.

International association critical of Australia’s sports gambling market

Australia could do more to create a safer sports gambling market.

That’s the view of the International Betting Integrity Association, which said that Australia has existing guidelines to keep corruption and match fixing out of sports, but it could be better.

Calvin Ayre reported in July that IBIA is making suggestions for ways to improve Australia’s Sports Wagering Scheme framework, and it is up to Aussie regulators to decide whether or not to take the input on board.

The IBIA participated in an open call by gaming regulators in Australia to review the ASWS.

It was made so the government could receive feedback on its sports integrity initiatives.

IBIA recommends the removal of in-play betting restrictions, which it asserts will help protect the legal sports gambling market and further push out black market operators.

Previous reports have indicated underground gambling in the country is worth as much as A$2 billion.

Australian lawmakers and gaming regulators are considering the launch of a new regulatory body to oversee sports gambling.

Sport Integrity Australia would be used as a centralised data collection agency for all the country’s syndicated professional sports and would implement an integrity task force to monitor all sports wagers.

The creation of SIA came as part of a large review of Australia’s gambling scene.

As the name suggests, the 2018 Wood Review was presented two years ago and the IBIA feels Australia hasn’t done enough to implement the changes it recommended.

“It is particularly disappointed the government has not supported the Wood Review’s recommendation on in-play betting to properly address the integrity challenges presented by offshore betting, notably unregulated or poorly regulated Asian betting operators.

“The absence of an effective and coherent policy on in-play betting is detrimental to the regulated market.”

The IBIA also believes the SIA may not be necessary and wants the government to prove its value.

Gambling advertising to be removed from UK screens

The United Kingdom’s Betting and Gaming Council said all its members had voluntarily agreed to remove all forms of advertising for at least the next six weeks.

Bandt reported in April that the BGC, which represents betting shops, online betting and gaming, bingo and casinos, said the move would result in the removal of half of all product advertising on television and radio.

The move comes after the industry was blamed for exploiting vulnerable people during lockdown.