����žž

Catch up on six of the stories our gambling compliance analysts have covered lately, and stay up-to-date on the latest news.

Esportes da Sorte Among Brazilian Operators Approved Via Court Rulings

Leading Brazilian betting brand Esportes da Sorte has received a federal licence to operate sports betting and online gaming, some three weeks after the launch of the country’s regulated market.

In a notice in the Brazilian government’s official gazette, the Ministry of Finance’s Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) said that Esportes da Sorte’s parent company Esportes Gaming Brasil had been granted an authorisation “in accordance with a handed down in court proceedings under judicial secrecy”.

The sponsor of several leading football teams including Corinthians, Esportes da Sorte has recently been implicated in investigations into alleged illegal gambling and money laundering, although no formal charges have been filed.

Despite their authorisation, Esportes da Sorte and sister brand OnaBet have not been included on the SPA’s official list of licensees.

Instead, they are named on a published on Wednesday (January 22) of companies able to operate in Brazil “due to judicial determination”.

Five further companies have also been authorised through court rulings, per the SPA list, including the operators of Megapix.bet and Sportsbet.io.

Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman To Step Down

Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) chairman Kirk Hendrick has announced he will step down early from his position at the end of the state’s 120-day legislative session that begins next month.

Hendrick’s decision to leave his position comes in the middle of his four-year term as Nevada’s top gaming regulator. Republican Governor Joe Lombardo will now have to fill two vacant seats on the control board following the departure of member Brittnie Watkins, who announced last week that she would not seek reappointment to the three-member control board.

In a statement, Hendrick, 60, said he had discussed with Lombardo how much the NGCB had accomplished since he was appointed chairman two years ago.

“We also discussed more to still be accomplished, including board priorities for the legislative session next month,” Hendrick said. “Our conversation concluded with me informing the governor of my intention to resign as board chair following the legislative session.”

The Nevada legislative session is scheduled to begin on February 3 and end on June 2.

“My announcement [Wednesday] allows Governor Lombardo time to find the next board chair and provides for a smooth transition of leadership,” Hendrick said. “It also allows me to tell all the amazing board agents and employees, as well as Nevada’s gaming industry, citizens and visitors, that I am dedicated to accomplishing much more over the next several months.”

Virginia Skill-Games Bill Clears Legislative Hurdle

A controversial bill that would regulate and tax skill games that are currently banned in Virginia passed its first Senate committee on Wednesday (January 22).

The Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology voted 9-6 to pass an amended Senate Bill 1323, sending the measure to the Finance and Appropriations Committee. On Monday, SB 1323 did not receive a second to a motion on the bill, so the did not vote on the bill before sending it to the full committee.

Republican Senator Christie Craig amended her bill to require those wanting to play skill games to show identification to make sure they are at least 21 years of age and reinstates an opt-out clause for cities and counties that want to ban the machines.

Prior to the vote on SB 1323, Craig tried and failed to incorporate her bill into Senate Bill 1287 that would establish the Virginia Gaming Commission. Senator Adam Ebbin, a Democrat and chair of the committee, did not think the move to incorporate this bill was appropriate.

After two-and-a-half years of work, Ebbin said her proposal could “potentially derail it by trying to introduce a new topic at the last minute.” Republican Senator Bryce Reeves, who authored SB 1287, said there were some good enforcement provisions in Craig’s bill that would actually strengthen his bill.

But Reeves left it to the committee to decide how to move forward. In the end, SB 1287 was approved 13-2 and referred to the Finance and Appropriations Committee.

North Dakota House Kills Sports Betting Bill

A bill that would give voters in North Dakota an opportunity next year to vote on a constitutional amendment to allow sports betting was overwhelmingly defeated Wednesday (January 22) in the House.

failed by a 24 to 70 vote, a day after the House Judiciary Committee recommended not passing the proposal.

Currently, commercial sports betting is prohibited in North Dakota. Tribes are authorized to offer retail and mobile sports betting within tribal lands, pursuant to a tribal-state compact.

“This is not about legalizing sports betting. It is about putting it on the ballot to let your constituents make the decision for themselves,” Republican state Representative Scott Louser, one of ten co-sponsors of HCR 3002, said prior to the resolution being defeated in the House.

If approved, HCR 3002 would be on the November 2026 general election ballot.

Connecticut Takes Flight With Betting On Planes Bill

Even though federal law prohibits gambling on domestic and international flights, a new bill would allow for in-flight sports betting on commercial flights originating out of Connecticut airports should the ban be removed.

, authored Representative Christopher Rosario, a Democrat and Deputy House Speaker Pro Tempore, would also set aside 1 percent of all revenue generated by in-flight wagering to support education.

Rosario told ����žž GamblingCompliance that he is aware that federal law prohibits in-flight betting. However, he stressed, with emerging partnerships like Delta Airlines and DraftKings, “it’s crucial Connecticut prepares for potential changes.”

The one-page bill ensures that all in-flight sports betting complies with state law and existing agreements with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut. DraftKings has partnered with the Mashantucket Pequot, FanDuel with Mohegan, and Fanatics Sportsbook with the Connecticut Lottery.

Delta’s partnership with DraftKings is being scrutinized by Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut. Blumenthal wrote to both companies demanding they “pause implementation of their partnership until they provide his office with details of the agreement."

“Senator Blumenthal's letter highlights existing regulations, but HB6051 anticipates a future where federal laws evolve,” Rosario said. “By passing this bill, we ensure our state is poised to capitalize on revenue opportunities when that day comes.”

“We're taking a proactive approach to position Connecticut for success, rather than reacting to future developments,” he added.

New York Seeks To Ban Sweepstakes Games

New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr., a Democrat and chair of the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, wants to close a legal loophole that allows online sweepstakes casino operators to do business in New York.

“One of my primary objectives as gaming chair is ensuring New Yorkers are protected from gambling operations that have the potential of becoming more problematic without proper legislative action, such as unregulated sweepstakes casino operators,” Addabbo told political news website City & State.

Currently, sweepstakes casinos are allowed to operate in New York, according to Addabbo.

“To close this loophole, I will work to ban or incorporate sweepstakes casinos in the state, akin to current laws in Michigan, Idaho and Washington, and I will push for iGaming as a safe, effective alternative for online casino enthusiasts,” Addabbo said.

In neighboring New Jersey, the Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee will hold a hearing on Thursday (January 23) on that would legalize and tax online sweepstakes casinos.

‍

Want to know more?

‍Request a demo with one of our experts today to gain full access to the stories we cover - and much more - and start learning how you can make compliance a competitive advantage for your organisation.