After three years of repeated setbacks, closures, and national catastrophes, industry members pooled together to demand new and equitable contracts. With an incoming recession, labor leaders prioritized one thing—money.

Strike Prompts A Change Of Tune

Union member Ruth Ann Joyce explained their position in a brief comment. In June, she said,

“Historically our fights in general have dealt with health care. This go-round, it’s about economics. We can’t find workers because there’s no money, and it’s hard to hold onto the workers we do have because they can go somewhere else and make more.”

The casino workers union targeted five locations: the Borgata; Caesars; Harrah’s; and the Tropicana. A strike was authorized on June 16th, giving the gambling houses just two weeks to negotiate a fair deal.

As some had already expected, the New Jersey casino operators held out until the last possible moment before eventually buckling.

Just one hour before the July 1st deadline, representatives from MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment gave the contracts their sterling seal of approval.

Wage Increases At 18+ Casinos

Union leaders were able to secure immediate and significant raises for the casino staff at all four locations. Although the exact figures for the raise were not made public, workers seem to be satisfied with the deal.

Ronnette Lark, a housekeeper for Harrah’s, told reporters that the wage increases were substantial even for positions off the gambling floor. After receiving the news she said,

“I’m super excited, I’ve been here 24 years and we’ve never gotten a raise like this. We got big raises.”

And the fruits of this victory have spilled over to other casino workers across the city. At Bally’s and the Ocean Casino Resort, workers will receive improved contract renewals similar to those at Caesars and MGM-owned casinos.

These gambling houses preemptively protected themselves from the threat of a strike by signing “me-too” agreements. Now, they will have to comply with their promise.

Some were surprised by how quick retail casino operators were to agree on the contracts. American industries have historically punished those who threaten the establishment.

The Keys To Success

So what gives? Why did these gambling conglomerates budge so easily? Well there are a few reasons to take into consideration:

The first thing you need to know is that Atlantic City casino workers do not take a strike lightly. Previous employee strikes have resulted in months-long closures and, in some cases, complete casino shutdowns.

And although many of the affected gambling conglomerates now host 18+ mobile casino gaming and sports betting sites, in-person gambling generally turns a greater profit.

Games aside, retail casinos make money from resort stays as well as food and beverage consumption. Hospitality services are the bread and butter for any brick-and-mortar gambling house.

Knowing that the strike was supposed to start ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, it seems that MGM and Caesars agreed that the projected losses would be too great.

New Jersey is only the latest 18+ casino gambling state to see these kinds of demands from workers. With the success seen in Atlantic City, we anticipate that casino employees from across the country will begin to do the same.

Source: US News

In Atlantic City, for example, casino workers have taken an aggressive approach to these talks. On Wednesday, union members voted to authorize a strike if new contracts are not received by the end of June.

Workers Want Wage Increases

Employee contracts at many of the city’s most well-known gaming brands have expired since the first of the month. Upon renewal, laborers have asked that companies focus on notable wage increases.

One worker, Ruth Ann Joyce, stressed that the issues associated with pay disparity affect businesses from the ground up. In a comment to reporters, she said,

“Historically our fights in general have dealt with health care. This go-round, it’s about economics. We can’t find workers because there’s no money, and it’s hard to hold onto the workers we do have because they can go somewhere else and make more.”

Atlantic City’s longest strikes have often resulted in closures. These casino employees have a historic record of sticking to their word and making due when things don’t go their way.

And with the recent and increased use of trusted 18+ online casinos, these brick-and-mortar retailers could be under genuine threat.

What And Who To Watch

Gambling houses affected by the threat of strike include the Borgata, all three of Caesars Entertainment’s properties, and the Hard Rock. These casinos have yet to comment on the matter.

Strikes at the Borgata and Caesars Entertainment locations would commence on July 1st. The Hard Rock would have an additional two days to work out contract demands before their workers join the picket line on July 3rd.

There are a small handful of NJ casinos that will remain open and operational, regardless of any future protests at the above locations.

Bally’s and the Ocean Casino Resort are engaged in “me-too” contracts that hold them accountable for fulfilling any contract terms established by the broader strikes.

Doing Your Part

Those that feel inclined to do their part can do so by taking their business elsewhere. Many of the top online sportsbook brands even offer 18+ live dealer games for those that like the ambiance of the in-person experience.

If you feel unsure of how to get started or are intimidated by the incredible variety of online operators, we are here to help.

We have several pages of online casino reviews, so you can be confident in the operator that you choose. Plus, we have compiled all of the internet’s best bonuses and promotions to help you get a little more bang for your buck.

Just head over to any of the tabs above.

Source: Press Of Atlantic City

New Jersey Smoking Ban Catches Fire

S264, a prospective gambling law, aims to amend the state’s Smoke-Free Air Act to eliminate the casino smoking exception. The bill has backing from 15 sponsors, most of whom are Senate Democrats.

Even so, the measure hasn’t gotten any action since it was first introduced.

The Garden State currently allows casino operators to reserve 20% of its gambling floor for players who smoke. But employees have decried the rule, claiming that they are unwillingly at risk for health complications.

On Tuesday, a group of about 250 employees organized in a local park to protest the indoor smoking rule. Challengers of the measure spoke out, citing countless deaths and instances of illness as reasoning to repeal the casino loophole.

Senate Slow To Act, Employees Protest

Nicole Vilota, a casino dealer and vocal proponent of the smoking ban told reporters the following:

“It’s been 16 years of cancer diagnoses, 16 years of watching our beloved co-workers die…We keep hearing, ‘Now is not the time.’ When is it going to be the right time to care about us?”

This comes during a period of reconstruction where casinos all over the country are working tirelessly to return to pre-COVID profitability. Most of the New Jersey 18+ casinos have already cut down tremendously on staff and are at risk of shuttering their doors.

The Casino Association of New Jersey recently published a report stating that a ban on casino smoking could result in even more layoffs and corporate losses.

18+ Casino Union Pushes Back

A local union is also pushing back against the anti-smoking bill. In a letter to the Senate President, Bob McDevitt of Unite Here writes,

“While we want to ensure that our members work in a safe work environment, banning smoking in New Jersey casinos would mean lost jobs for our union and throughout the state, and lost tax revenues and less money for senior programs,”

It does not seem like the smoking ban has garnered enough support to pass. Legislators are reviewing other pressing issues at the moment. It would be unwise to make any drastic or unfavorable moves ahead of the 2022 Midterm Elections.

Nonetheless, casino workers can assert their leverage and go on strike if their requests aren’t met.

Fortunately for 18+ players, there are other options for gambling if the situation should become that dire. The most trusted online casinos for 18+ players are available all across the US.

There’s no need to worry about a smoking ban when gambling from your own home!

But that’s just something to consider.

Source: ABC News

While DOJ OLC Opinions do not carry the force of law as is, enforcement and implementation plans are already scheduled for April 15^th, 90 days after the DOJ released its new Opinion via Memo on January 14^th after its Criminal Division asked the Department to reconsider their 2011 Opinion on the Federal Wire Act. The DOJ’s new Opinion Memo will prevent gaming data, information, or wagering capabilities to cross state lines. This just means domestic online gambling industries will be required to have all of their operating needs, devices, data, payment processing systems, and information systems exist intrastate, i.e. within the state they are legally licensed to operate in.

However, this new Opinion will have rippling effects in the domestic gambling industry as some casino brands operate in multiple states and share information, several online poker player compacts between states will be broken, and lottery retailers whether online or physical will need to have their information and data in-state, essentially localizing multiple markets and increasing operating costs.

Some states like Pennsylvania have released statements notifying licensees of the new protocols detailed within the DOJ’s recently provided Opinion Memo and their need to comply by the end of the 90-day period. However, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board released a two-page memo asking licensees to detail and report within 30 days how their operations will be affected by the change. This may lead to a legal challenge which will either delay implementation until the domestic industries can comply with the new standard or reinstate the DOJ’s 2011 Opinion.

Many details are unknown about exactly what will be enforced, and which exact sectors of the gambling industry will be affected. However, many sources suspect industries like DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and even states like New Jersey to fight the new Opinion tooth and nail since the change directly encroaches on their current legal operations. It would be more of a surprise to see these businesses and goliaths in the industry roll over for the DOJ and not make any noise.

We will be following the development of the Department of Justice’s new Opinion closely and keep readers updated.

Connecticut is known for its tribal-run casinos but how will the relationship between tribal gambling entertainment, state licensors and regulators, and online gaming providers be affected by introduced sports gambling bills. We explain, but first, one must understand that Connecticut has long been in the background for passing sports gambling legislation.

While 2018 did not see the legalization of domestic sports betting in the state, 2019 shows a more favorable climate for passing sports gambling legislation.

One CT sports gambling bill known as LCO 578 was introduced in the 2019 legislative session on January 11^th and is a bipartisan bill. Bipartisan bills are likely to pass due to support by both party members. Senator Cathy Osten (D) has given her support for the bill, as well as, co-sponsored it.

Other members of the Southeastern state legislative submitted the bill in hopes of amending current state laws. The bill’s other 11 sponsors include Paul Formica, Susan Johnson, Doug Dubitsky, Mike France, Holly Cheeseman, Heater Somers, Joe de la Cruz, Christine Conley, Emmet Riley, Steve Cassano, and Senator-elect Needleman.

The bill introduced, if passed, would permit online and physical wagering. It would also place a minimum age restriction to players at least 21 years of age. Wagering could be made in-person or online but would include age and identity verification requirements and features.

However, Connecticut faces several issues concerning who will and/or can run sports betting operations. Currently, the native tribes which own a great deal of casino presence in CT want the exclusive right to offer sports gambling. Sportech Venues which operates CT’s off-track betting facilities wants to offer sports gambling, as well as, MGM Resorts, another large casino company hoping to establish a property in CT has played with the idea of offering sportsbooks.

Connecticut is surrounded by states which have pending or already launched state-licensed domestic sports gambling offers like New Jersey and Rhode Island. Some of which are online and offered through mobile devices. If Connecticut would like to retain domestic state dollars, they need to act fast and legalize CT-licensed and based sportsbooks for physical wagers and online services.

Senator Osten is excited about the competitive push and has been quoted saying, “Connecticut needs to play catch-up with surrounding states if we’re serious about modernizing our existing gaming industry. Fortunately, we can do that with a relatively simple regulatory fix”.

Bill LCO 578 is a simple outline of a sports gambling bill but is sure to fill out with more details as the 2019 session continues. Priorities are already laid out in the short document but need to be filled out with specifics. With support from the Deputy Majority Leader and Upper Chamber’s Deputy President, it is doubtful this bill will fail.

However, the bill currently contains provisions which allow the state lottery to offer online Keno games which would require a revision to the tribal gaming compacts made between the state and two CT native tribes. Nonetheless, expect swift resolutions with anything concerning CT gambling as it seems this state wants to get a move on.

Gambling is expected to be one of the most discussed legislative topics in the 2019 state legislative sessions. Numerous states have passed and legalized expanded gambling forms during the 2018 session, some of whom have already launched their operations.

States like New Jersey have reported incredible sports wager handles and tax revenue generated leading to the idea that many states during the 2019 session will introduce expanded gambling bills.

After the removal of PASPA by the Supreme Court from the Federal law books, states were able to introduce and legalize domestic sports gambling. In 2018, seven US states legalized sports gambling at the state legislative level; New Mexico also offers sports gambling but did not authorize sports betting via state legislation, rather native tribes offer them via gaming compact loophole.

We expect more states to queue legal sports gambling bills in the 2019 session as several states have introduced these bills during the 2018 session.

States like Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and New York are looking to offer their own domestic sportsbooks and plan to reintroduce sports gambling legislation not passed in the 2018 session the following year. The Capital of the US, D.C., is also looking to offer sports gambling via legal sports betting bill.

While sports betting legislation will take up most of the national focus, several US states are looking to expand their domestic gambling options by offering interactive gaming (iGaming), otherwise known as online gambling. States like West Virginia are looking to expand into the online gambling sphere. WV passed and launched domestic sports betting operations in 2018, but the state isn’t done yet as they hope to offer online gambling and online lotteries as well.

New York, Connecticut, Michigan, and Illinois are looking to legalize both domestic online gambling and sports betting. However, some of these prospects may have to adjust their focus and overcome local hurdles. Connecticut and Michigan both have strong tribal presences, each with thriving tribal casino markets. Tribes in these states want legislators to pass online gambling options before sports gambling because it is “better for all” in terms of who can offer what.

This is because tribes do not want to renegotiate their compacts for sports gambling and play the waiting game for federal approval –they hope lawmakers push for interactive gaming legalization first which is the easiest and fastest to implement.

For some states, passing expanded gambling legislation is just about getting their state House and Senate to agree, for another state it may be more about appeasing other gambling operators already active in the area. Regardless of the hiccups, we are sure more states will pass expanded forms of gambling before the end of the 2019 session. Some gambling legalization may even come as a surprise.

Rhode Island had sports wagering legislation passed earlier this year and was projected to begin offering their wagering services on October 1^st.

However, some revenue allocation negotiations held the state back from offering sports gambling in October but now with negotiations finalized the state can begin offerings this expanded form of gambling.

As of 3 pm, Monday, November 26^th, the Twin River casino in Lincoln has begun its sportsbook operations. The Twin River’s two casinos are the only casinos permitted to offer sports wagering at the moment, the Twin River’s second casino at Tiverton will be accepting bets in December.

The Twin River casinos will offer sports gambling in partnership with William Hill and IGT – who have more experience in the industry than the newly passed sports gambling state of Rhode Island.

Wagering revenue allocated in Rhode Island through state-licensed sportsbooks will be divided as follows: 51% will go to the state, 32% will o to partnering operators, i.e. William Hill and IGT, and 17% will o directly to the Twin River casinos.

The New England states now have their first sports betting state and New England residents are happier for the closer sports gambling option compared to Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, or West Virginia.

In fact, at Monday’s opening ceremony for Twin River’s sportsbook bettors from Massachusetts and around New England relished the fact that Rhode Island provided local betting.

At Monday’s ceremony, Chairman of Twin River Worldwide Holdings John Taylor, House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio were present and led waiting bettors inside.

Ruggerio, Mattiello, and Taylor each placed their own first legal RI wagers. Any bets placed by Taylor, Ruggerio, and Mattiello which won would go directly to a charity of their choosing.

Currently, Rhode Island’s Twin River sportsbook operation is in Phase 1, which seems minimalist and simply to begin offering this exclusive gambling form. However, word of a second Phase has many bettors excited.

Phase 2 will offer a sportsbook lounge with multiple televisions, but the casino must first move its simulcast horse and dog race betting area to construct their desired sportsbook lounge.

Rhode Island is only permitted the Twin River casinos to offer sports gambling, but this may soon change. The state is looking to expand sports betting to other locations and venue options like those which already support lottery agents, keno machines, and at sports bars according to the Rhode Island Department of Revenue.

Senate President Dominick Ruggerio is also looking into mobile or otherwise known as online sports betting options in RI.

Both House Speaker and Senate president for Rhode Island shared their common desire for state-regulated sports gambling and shoehorned the importance of this form of gambling as a revenue generator for the state.

Currently, sports bets must be placed in person at the Twin River’s Lincoln location; the Tiverton Twin river location will accept bets before the end of 2018. Bets can be made on both professional and collegiate sports, with the exception of bets made on Rhode Island college sports.

New Jersey must now increase enforcement of its gambling laws with a heavier hand amid expanded gambling options. As stated on our New Jersey state page, access to bingo, lotteries, greyhound race betting, horse race betting, and online bingo requires individuals to be at least eighteen years old. Individuals who are at least twenty-one may access poker rooms, Atlantic City casinos, and online casinos and poker.

However, with PASPA thrown out, NJ can now offer sports betting at physical Atlantic City casinos, NJ racetracks, and online and through mobile. Of course, all sports betting, whether wagers are made digitally or physically, must be made by a bettor who is at least 21. These minimum age restrictions are provided by the NJ Casino Control Act to protect young gamblers from premature exposure to high-frequency gambling which can harm them financially, mentally, and psychologically.

At the moment, sports betting is permitted within the Borgata casino and Monmouth Park, as well as, a few more select race venues and Atlantic City casinos. These venues were able to operate, place, and process sports wagers since June 14. Which means 21-year-old bettors may currently wager on various sporting events at previously named physical casinos and racetracks. Come July 11, remaining state-licensed casinos and racetracks will be enabled via special permit by the NJ Gaming Enforcement Division to offer online and mobile sports wagering. Domestic brick and mortar casinos and racetracks will be asked to allow online gaming entities to operate the sports betting portals for them. There are no carve-outs at the moment for sports betting at off-track venues.

New Jersey’s newly legal sports betting offers will surely have some kinks that need to be ironed out. Currently, NJ’s legal sports betting law stipulates that all wagers must be made by individuals either living in or visiting the Garden State as to avoid out of state individuals from accessing the state’s legal online gaming portals. Bettors will be able to freely wager on state-sanctioned betting portals and brick and mortar locations which will be able to offer betting options for Olympic events, professional sporting contests, college sports, international events, and so forth.

Betting in New Jersey will only be restricted in the form of domestic betting prohibition over NJ-based collegiate sports events that occur within the state and for events that occur elsewhere. Various betting restrictions apply to individuals attached to sports in any way career-wise, relationship-wise, etc. As online and mobile betting becomes the new standard in the US, online age verification tools will be used to further verify and certify the age of bettors to ensure compliance with state laws concerning underage gambling. Regardless, if young adults attempt to defy NJ’s minimum gambling age, they can simply choose to participate at offshore online casinos which legally accept 18-year-old bettors.