ï»¿AGA Den<span id="more-4445"></span>ounces ‘Damaging’ IRS Proposals On Capitol Hill

Geoff Freeman, AGA president: ‘This could have enormous implications not just for loyalty cards within the casino industry but in the broader hospitality industry.’

United states Gaming Association (AGA) President and Chief Executive Geoff Freeman testified at an IRS hearing on Capitol Hill this week, voicing industry issues over plans to lower the tax reporting threshold for slot winnings from no deposit codes planet 7 oz $1,200 to $600.

Also present at the hearing were casino executives and tribal representatives.

The consensus inside the casino industry is that the proposals would be detrimental to customer experience, while increasing paper work for casinos and disrupting the casino floor.

Casinos would also require high priced upgrades to their backend systems.

You can find concerns, in particular, about IRS suggestions that the proposed rule could possibly be enforced through the electronic monitoring of players’ gambling practices through their customer commitment cards.

‘ The gaming industry is aware of no other industry in the national country for which the IRS has issued regulations requiring the industry to deploy its consumer loyalty program for federal income tax collection purposes,’ the AGA said recently.

‘Customer Would Walk’

‘While we recognize the IRS’ concerns and goals, we question the requirement to impose mandatory, across-the-board use for the player-tracking tool for tax reporting purposes,’ said Freeman. ‘Instead than mandating use that is across-the-board tax reporting, we believe a more targeted approach is achievable for reaching the IRS’ objective.’

‘The customer would walk away,’ Freeman said in an interview that is post-hearing the Las Vegas Review Journal. ‘This would have enormous implications perhaps not just for loyalty cards in the casino industry however in the broader hospitality industry: hotels, airlines and others.’

‘The reduction in the threshold that is reportable have a devastating effect on our company, and we strongly oppose the decrease,’ included John Canham, VP of casino operations at Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.

The AGA has launched a petition that is online the proposals, already finalized by 10,000 people. These signatures were from casino employees and clients alike, from across all 50 states, said Freeman.

The AGA represents operators and gaming suppliers that collectively support 1.7 million US jobs.

Illegal Gambling Advisory Board Established

Somewhere else, the AGA’s brand new Illegal Gambling Advisory Board held its meeting that is inaugural this.

This really is perhaps not, once the name may recommend, a hotline offering suggestions about how to locate the greatest chances from illicit bookmakers, it is, in fact, the reverse.

The board is set up as an element of the AGA’s ‘Stop Illegal Gambling: Enjoy it Safe’ effort, and seeks to tell apart the regulated gaming market from the ‘criminal networks that rely on illegal gambling to finance violent crimes and drug and human trafficking.’

‘The Illegal Gambling Advisory Board, along side forthcoming partnerships, will make certain that illegal gambling is delivered to the forefront of public discussion so that individuals can clearly differentiate our highly managed industry from the enterprises that are illegal fund negative activities and tarnish our reputation,’ explained Brian Cohen, director of Ally developing for the AGA.

Californians for Responsible iPoker Latest Effort to Legalize online Gaming in Golden State

Californians for accountable iPoker has been created to promote market inclusivity by PokerStars and its coalition partners, calling for an end to ‘divisive politics.’ (Image: calvinayre.com)

A fresh PokerStars-backed coalition called Californians for Responsible iPoker is looking for supporters in the Golden State through the advocacy group that is new. Too as collecting signatures from resident proponents, the alliance lays down its aims and principles in a ten-point plan for responsible regulation.

It announces the establishment regarding the PokerStars Pro Tour, that will see well-known players like Chris Moneymaker, Daniel Negreanu, Vanessa Selbst, and Jason Somerville visiting card rooms across California in an effort to win hearts and minds.

‘ The Morongo Band of Mission Indians, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, California’s three largest card clubs (the Commerce Club, Hawaiian Gardens Casino and the Bicycle Casino) and Amaya Inc, which owns and operates PokerStars, have formed a business alliance to market legislation that authorizes and regulates intrastate real-money online poker in California,’ states the site.

Market Inclusivity

‘Today, millions of California poker players cannot perform the game we love online, while other states and lots of nations have authorized iPoker,’ it says. ‘Authorizing a well-regulated ipoker market in California will protect the state’s poker-playing customers, support neighborhood business, and produce both jobs and revenue in California.’

The coalition demands market inclusivity plus an end to the ‘failed, divisive politics of the past,’ that have derailed previous efforts at regulation and is set to do so this year. The group is opposed by an alliance of tribal operators who desire to exclude PokerStars and also the California racetracks from the regulated online poker market.

‘After more than six years of unsuccessful efforts in California, it is obvious that stakeholders must achieve consensus that is substantial order for any bill to pass. We should abandon the failed, divisive politics regarding the past that motivated anti-competitive and most likely unconstitutional legislative proposals specifically intended to exclude one of the most successful and iPoker that is well-regulated provider from Ca’s market,’ the group’s message continues.

Implicit Support for Racetracks

CRP may or might not wish race songs along for the trip, nevertheless the wording of its agenda would imply that tracks would be incorporated into any positive outcome.

‘ We ought to help legislation which allows California’s existing licensed video gaming providers, including tribes, card rooms, and others, to take part in the marketplace after strict vetting that is regulatory suitability.’

The group’s opponents, but, remain as steadfast as ever. The Viejas Band of Kumayaay Indians recently established a radio advertisement campaign that went right for the jugular.

‘California Legislature must certanly be wanting to stop Internet scam artists and conmen,’ it began, before it became clear that the Viejas includes PokerStars in that category.

The operator accused PokerStars of being ‘corrupt’ because of this Black Friday indictments and the current securities trading research into Amaya Inc.

‘This hasn’t stopped PokerStars from lobbying our state legislature for them to take part in on-line poker here in California, gaining access to every computer, tablet and smartphone in their state,’ the spot continued.

The poker wars will no doubt be heating up for the second half of 2015 with this new coalition. a recent $280 million investment in the iPoker that is global’s moms and dad’s parent Amaya by PointState Capital, a hedge investment, has already established many wondering if at least the much-touted PokerStars New Jersey launch may at last be imminent.

Once the operator gains a foothold back to the United States market, A ca presence could become much more tenable. Perhaps it is this possibility for which Californians for Responsible iPoker is readying itself.

Slot Machines At US Army Bases Generate $100 Million

The Department of Defense runs some 3,000 slots in military bases across the world; that’s doubly many Caesars Palace. (Image: stripes.com)

Army slot devices rake in millions but none of that money goes to supporting soldiers with gambling problems.

As such, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has demanded a report be conducted by the political Accountability Office into whether recourses are needed seriously to assist US servicemen who are battling gambling addiction.

This comes after the revelation that the Department of Defense runs some 3,000 slots at US military bases across the planet that yield estimated annual revenues of $100 million each year.

The US Senate this adopted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act in order to pave the way for the study week.

‘If the military is going to use gambling facilities that make tens of millions of dollars in revenue, additionally needs to ensure there is certainly prevention that is adequate therapy, and financial guidance readily available for service users suffering gambling addictions,’ said Warren.

Problem Gambling High among Soldiers and Veterans

‘By examining the risk of problem gambling among service members and the resources currently available, this amendment is a significant step that is first helping members associated with the military and their loved ones who are suffering from problem gambling,’ she added.

Despite the millions that slot machines bring in each year to Defense Department coffers, and the millions more generated by bingo games, it’s never ever established any style of treatment system or prevention efforts to help combat gambling problems among its servicemen and females.

Meanwhile, research reports have consistently found that members associated with the armed forces are at a greater risk of pathological gambling than the general population.

According to the nationwide Council on Problem Gambling, around 36,000 active-duty members of the meet that is military for a gambling problem.

A research by the University of Georgia recently reported that rates of pathological gambling and problem gambling was much higher than average among veterans, army recruits and current service people.

May Affect Military Readiness

‘Research suggests that Military workers have reached threat of experiencing negative consequences as a result of gambling related issues such as for example stress from economic debts, that might have a effect that is negative military readiness,’ the research stated. ‘Furthermore, military and veteran populations are more prone to substance abuse, mental health conditions, and suicide, each of which are highly co-morbid with issue gambling.

‘There is a need that is clear screen military personnel and veterans for problem gambling,’ it continued. ‘The identification of those at risk of and suffering from problem gambling provides opportunities to intervene, which may reduce steadily the incidence and prevalence of problem gambling, too as alleviate associated negative impacts to public wellness.’

The study figured issue gambling is associated with increased risk-taking and overconfidence, while combat experiences, including contact with violent combat, killing some body, and experiencing high quantities of trauma, predicated a greater risk-taking propensity on return from implementation.