Gambling Regulatory Deadlines to watch in July

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 July, there are 12 regulatory deadlines on the horizon — with 4 key consultation periods coming to an end and requiring a response, and 8 actionable deadlines to be aware of coming into effect.

What are the regulatory deadlines to watch in July?

Illinois

Illinois’ new graduated sports-betting tax takes effect July 1, 2024, less than a month after its enabling bill was signed into law. 

On June 5, 2024, Governor J.B. Pritzker approved House Bill 4951, an omnibus budget bill, which implements a new sports-betting tax structure based on annual adjusted gross revenues. Revenues up to $30m will be taxed at a minimum rate of 20 percent; revenues between $30m and $50m will be taxed at 25 percent; revenues between $50m and $100m will be taxed at 30 percent; revenues between $100m and $200m will be taxed at 35 percent; lastly, revenues of more than $200m will be taxed at 40 percent.

Sweden

On May 14, 2024, the Swedish government published an act amending the Gambling Tax Law (2018:1139), which will increase the monthly gambling tax from 18 percent to 22 percent of the gross gaming revenue, from July 1, 2024.

In February 2024, the Ministry of Finance published a bill proposing a four percentage point increase in the monthly gambling tax from 18 percent to 22 percent of the gross gambling revenue. The government stated in the explanatory notes to the proposal that research conducted before the Swedish gambling market opened in 2019 indicated a tax rate just above 20 percent would be reasonable; however, the 18 percent rate was adopted for precautionary reasons. It reiterated that, "[t]he gambling market has since stabilised and channelisation has increased significantly. In addition, measures have been taken to exclude unlicensed gambling from the Swedish market".

The amendment act introduces the following wording of Section 9 of the Gambling Tax Law, effective from July 1, 2024: "Gambling tax must be paid with 22 percent of the balance for a taxation period."

Nevada

On May 28, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) published a memo establishing new timelines for the evaluation and approval of gaming technologies. 

The new guidelines state that when a field test or physical inspection is not required for the approval of a new gaming device, the evaluation of the device and its placement on the next scheduled NGCB and Nevada Gaming Commission meetings for approval will occur within 45 calendar days of receiving the application. When a field test or physical inspection is required by the NGCB technology division, the manufacturer will be notified within five days of receiving an application. When a field test or physical inspection is required, it will be undertaken within 90 calendar days of receipt. 

Other new guidelines include changes to the timeline for the approval of new associated equipment, modified gaming devices and associated equipment, and field tests of gaming devices and associated equipment. For new associated equipment, the NGCB will evaluate and render a decision on such a request within 20 days of receipt of complete application when a field test or physical inspection is not required, and 60 calendar days when required.  For approval of modified gaming devices or associated equipment, the NGCB will evaluate and render a decision on such a request within five days of receipt for a gaming device, and within ten days of receipt for associated equipment when a field test or physical inspection is not required. When a test or inspection is required, this goes up to 60 calendar days.

The new guidance takes effect July 1, 2024.

Ontario

On May 31, 2024, Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) announced it had issued a request for proposal (RFP) on its tender site, MERX, for a new technology platform provider to replace its backend lottery technology systems.

According to the announcement: "Future implementation of a new lottery platform will give OLG the foundation needed to capitalize on emerging technological trends and offer market-leading products and experiences. The benefits include greater innovation, faster time-to-market and new, exciting ways to play the lottery. These changes will allow OLG to keep pace with evolving customer expectations in the ever-changing Ontario gaming market."

The RFP, which closes on July 5, 2024, can be found here. Contact and other information can be found under the RFP.

Arizona

On June 7, 2024, the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) announced that it would begin accepting applications for event wagering licenses in July.

According to the announcement, the ADG will accept applications for no less than one event wagering license reserved for Arizona tribes and no less than one event wagering license reserved for Arizona sports franchises.

There are a total of 20 licenses available under the state sports-betting law, with ten licenses available to the state’s Class III gaming tribes and ten to professional sports franchises and facilities. There are currently 17 licensees active in Arizona.

The application window for event wagering licenses opens on July 8, 2024 and closes on July 19 at 5 PM, local time. Instructions and detailed information for the application process can be found on the ADG's website.

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We’ve only shown you a snapshot of July’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.