Gambling Regulatory Deadlines to Watch in January

Each month, we leverage data from our gambling regulatory updates to bring you a glimpse of the key response deadlines and legislation effective dates coming up, so you can plan and take action around some of the most important regulatory developments unfolding right now.

In January, there are 23 regulatory deadlines on the horizon — with 6 key consultation periods coming to an end and requiring a response, and 17 actionable deadlines to be aware of coming into effect.

What are the regulatory deadlines to watch in January?

Illinois

On October 25, 2024, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) announced it is seeking comments for two proposed rulemakings.

The first proposed rule would incorporate video gaming into the IGB's self-exclusion program for problem gamblers. Currently, the self-exclusion program includes only Illinois casinos and sports wagering operators.

A potential future rulemaking would “close [a video gaming self-exclusion] gap and provide consistent support and resources for problem gamblers in Illinois across all gaming segments", according to IGB administrator Marcus Fruchter.

Additionally, the IGB is seeking public comments and proposals on a potential future rule for implementation and regulation of cashless technology in video gaming.

According to the IGB, it is "initiating this public comment process to explore the feasibility of [...] potential changes because we recognize the significance of these issues and value input from the public and stakeholders as an important part of our process".

All comments must be submitted to the IGB by 5 PM CT on January 13, 2025.

Tennessee

On November 25, 2024, the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council published a notice of rulemaking for amendments to chapters 1350-01 to 1350-03 of the Rules of the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council. 

The chapters address sports gaming license standards, dispute resolution, and minimum internal control standards.

Among other changes, the proposed amendments add a definition for “account cool-off”, which means, as an alternative to voluntary self-exclusion, a program specific to a licensee as set forth in its responsible gaming plan under which players may restrict themselves by requesting the licensee place the player’s sports gaming account in a suspended mode for a player-selected time interval. 

A public hearing will be held on January 15, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. CST.

Slovakia

On November 27, 2024, the Slovakian parliament adopted a draft law amending the Gambling Act.

The amendments bring changes to the integrity requirement for the issuance of an individual gambling licence, which now has to be met by all natural or legal persons belonging to the licensee’s group, and by any natural person who is a member of the statutory body or is a statutory body of a legal person belonging to the licensee’s group.

Additional changes concerning the documentation accompanying an application for an individual licence have also been adopted. These concern, among others, the data necessary to request criminal records and documents proving the integrity of the applicant, and of the persons responsible for the organisation of gambling.

The amendments to the Gambling Act become effective on January 15, 2025.

North Carolina

On September 18, 2024, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission (NCSLC) proposed a notice of rulemaking for advance deposit and pari-mutuel wagering regulations.

The proposed changes amend several sections of the NCLSC regulations, including, but not limited to:

• New duty to report requirements for changes in key person information. 
• Requiring a certificate of compliance before commencing online or in-person operations. 
• Requiring operators to make commercially reasonable efforts to protect and account for player's funds. 
• Implementing a minimum of a 72 hour break for player's requesting to block themselves from wagering. 
• Requiring operators to report, on a monthly basis, all wagers canceled or voided without prior authorization from the NCSLC.
• A new subchapter specific to pari-mutuel wagering regulations. 
  

The NCSLC adopted a portion of the rules on December 18 which were previously amended on November 12, following the initial notice on September 18.

The adopted rules take effect on January 17, 2025.

United Kingdom

On January 17, 2025, the following change to the remote technical standards proposed in the government’s white paper takes effect:‍

• ‍Remote game design: Provisions such as bans on turbo, quick spin and slam stops, which enable a customer to reduce the time until the game result is given; a minimum five-second spin speed for non-slot titles; prohibition on autoplay for all online gambling products; requirements for all casino games to not "celebrate" a return that is less than or equal to the total stake gambled; and a requirement for elapsed time and net position to be provided for all casino products other than peer-to peer poker.
  

Delaware

On November 25, 2024, the Delaware Lottery issued a request for proposals (RFP) for professional services for lottery drawings and ticket destruction.

According to the RFP, the Delaware State Lottery seeks professional services for the on-site observation of all lottery drawings and the in-house review of the destruction of unsold instant lottery tickets.

Among other requirements, each proposal must be accompanied by a transmittal letter which briefly summarizes the proposing firm’s interest in providing the required professional services.  The transmittal letter must also clearly state and justify any exceptions to the requirements of the RFP which the applicant may have taken in presenting the proposal. Additionally, the transmittal letter must attest to the fact, at a minimum, that the vendor shall not store or transfer non-public state of Delaware data outside of the United States.

The deadline for receipt of proposals is January 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM EST. The lottery anticipates a notification of award by February 3, 2025.

The bid can be found on Delaware's procurement website. The bid contract number is FIN25001-PROFSVDRAW.

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We’ve only shown you a snapshot of January’s deadlines.

Want to see them all? Book a demo with a member of our team, who can show you the full Regulatory Deadlines Calendar for this month.