Gaming Report: WSOP Unveils New Rules, Anyone Considered a Health Risk Can Be Removed From Rio Premises & More

Gaming Report 13-08
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  • Namita Ghosh August 13, 2021
  • 5 Minutes Read

The increasing threat of the new Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus has prompted the World Series of Poker (WSOP) to come out with a new set of rules for the scheduled 2021 WSOP live edition set to begin on September 23 in Las Vegas. As part of the new rules, the WSOP staff will have the right to remove anyone from the tournament premises of Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino whom they consider a “health risk” to others.

Las Vegas has revived mask requirements for employees inside casinos, and many are wondering aloud if more restrictions are to follow, leading to the series being called off.

Even as speculations surrounding the WSOP ride high, MGM Resorts has warned employees that Vegas may soon bring back full-fledged COVID-19 restrictions. Already, the wearing of masks is mandatory for employees. The Clark County Commission will be reviewing the COVID-19 rules on August 17 and may impose further restrictions.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has received federal approval for the historic 30-year-old gaming compact between the tribe and the state government. While the compact still faces legal challenges, the tribe could start offering sports betting as early as October 15.

In what is the single-largest acquisition made by the Fantasy gaming giant DraftKings, the company has agreed to acquire the Golden Nugget Online Gaming (GNOG). The sale involves an all-stock transaction worth $1.56 Billion and awaits requisite shareholder and regulatory approval.

 

WSOP Unveils New Rules for the 2021 Live Series, Anyone Considered a Health Risk Can Be Removed From Rio Premises

Massive preparations are underway for the 2021 WSOP live edition scheduled to run from September 30 to November 23 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. WSOP recently published a new set of rules that underline its ‘health first’ policy. The rules give the WSOP staff the right to remove any visitor from the tournament premises if they found them a health risk to others.

Former WSOP social media manager, Kevin Mathers, tweeted a copy of the new rules.

Rule 115 of the company’s latest set of directives states that members of the Rio’s staff or the WSOP can “remove any participant” for any “health or safety-related reasons” solely and absolutely at their discretion.

Who can be classified as a health or safety risk? According to the WSOP, the following can:

> Anyone whom the staff feel is posing a health risk to others

> Anyone who has “come into close proximity, i.e., within six feet for 15 cumulative minutes of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19

> Any player who refuses to undergo health and safety screening when asked

What`s more alarming is that such participants will not be entitled to any compensation. WSOP wrote – “Participant shall not be entitled to any compensation or remuneration of any type, other than what the participant had already been awarded before being removed.”

If the player is in the money in an event at the time of their removal, they will be considered eliminated and paid according to the relevant payout.

 

Ambiguous Rules?

Many from the poker community are casting doubts on the ambiguously laid-down rules.

Veteran pro Eric Haber questioned Rio’s right to claim sole and absolute discretion on what can be considered a health risk.

Responding to one of the tweets, Kevin Mathers shared that WSOP can be relied on for making things clear soon.

Americas Cardroom brand ambassador Vanessa Kade stressed that a way of minimizing health risks would be to make masks mandatory and permit only fully vaccinated players.

The WSOP also has the right to postpone or reschedule a tournament if a significant number of players are removed. That said, the new rules leave a lot to still be clearly defined.

While the underlaid health diktat is in line with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, the much-awaited annual edition could witness player unrest and angry confrontations if things are not clearly outlined by the organizer beforehand.

 

Strict COVID-19 Restrictions May Return to Las Vegas – MGM Resorts Warns Employees

The reimposition of the requirement for the wearing of masks by casino employees has led to speculation that other COVID-19 restrictions may also be revived in Las Vegas. In fact, MGM Resorts has issued an internal memo to its staff, warning about the same.

Nevada had pulled back nearly all the COVID-19 restrictions for casinos, including the mandatory use of plexiglass barriers and wearing facemasks, on June 1. In July-end, the Clark County Commission unanimously voted for bringing back the mask-wearing requirement for employees of all businesses in Nevada.

Following this, MGM Resorts issued a letter to all its employees, sharing the new emergency directives from the Clark County Commission. The company pointed out – “This updated mask policy is an early example of how more restrictive measures could be reimposed if we can’t keep [covid] case numbers sufficiently low.”

Las Vegas Locally, a Vegas local daily tweeted a letter circulated by MGM Resorts.

The Board of Commissioners will revisit the rules on August 17 and may remove the mask requirements for employees. On the contrary, the fear of the more contagious Delta variant hangs heavy in the Sin City, and speculations on the return of more restrictions may yet turn true.

For now, Vegas is buzzing with growing crowds in casinos, musicals, and other live shows that are permitted to operate.

 

New Florida Gambling Compact Gets the Federal Thumbs-Up

The 30-year-old gaming compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the government has received federal approval, opening doors for sports betting in the Sunshine state.

The compact secured by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in April, and approved by the state’s lawmakers in May-end, is the most giant gaming compact in U.S. history. It permits the Seminole tribe to provide an expanded range of gaming options that include sports betting at the tribe-run seven casinos across the state.

The U.S. Department of Interior had 45 days to approve or veto the compact. The Federal department let the window expire, automatically deeming the deal valid and approved. The federal department did pen its reservations to the compact in a letter to the Seminole tribe. While underlining that the tribe will not be permitted to offer proposition bets on college sports, the Feds wrote – “The Department has concerns regarding the inclusion of provisions relating to jurisdiction over tort claims and mandatory vendor contracts. We also believe it is important that the Department address the provisions relating to the internet gaming activities and revenue sharing.”

The agreement allows the Seminole tribe to officially kick-off sports betting as early as October 15. However, the compact faces several legal challenges. Southwest Parimutuels filed a lawsuit against the compact in July, questioning the mobile betting permit accorded by the compact. According to Southwest Parimutuels, the compact violates the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act prohibiting betting outside of tribal lands.

Other sports betting operators, including DraftKings and FanDuel, have objected to certain legal aspects of the new compact. Clearly, despite the federal approval, it will not be a smooth road ahead for sports betting to enter Florida.

 

DraftKings to Acquire Golden Nugget Online Gaming For $1.56 Billion

DraftKings has entered a definitive agreement to acquire the Golden Nugget Online Gaming (GNOG) in an all-stock transaction valued at $1.56 Billion. The transaction now awaits approval by the GNOG shareholders and the requisite regulatory go-ahead.

This is the single-biggest acquisition made by DraftKings to date. As part of the transaction, DraftKings will undergo a reorganization to form a new holding company, New DraftKings, that will go public for both DraftKings and GNOG and be renamed as DraftKings Inc. at closing.

The agreement encompasses the following:

> Will allow DraftKings to leverage the Golden Nugget brand, the latter’s iGaming product experience, and its vast combined database of over five million customers

> Makes DraftKings the exclusive DFS, sports betting, and iGaming partner of the NBA franchise

> Allow DraftKings an expanded retail sportsbook presence

> Gives DraftKings the option to obtain market access on favourable terms through certain Golden Nugget casinos

Alongside, DraftKings has entered a second deal with the parent firm of GNOG to facilitate marketing integrations and sharing of sponsorship assets with the Fertitta Entertainment-owned NBA team, Houston Rockets. Fertitta Entertainment will continue using its retail properties, including those run under the Golden Nugget brand and other GNOG’s online business assets.

DraftKings’ CEO and chairman of the board, Jason Robins, asserted that the deal allows the company to expand its presence in the gaming market. “Our acquisition of Golden Nugget Online Gaming, a brand synonymous with igaming and entertainment, will enhance our ability to instantly reach a broader consumer base, including Golden Nugget’s loyal ‘gaming first’ customers.”

Owner, Chairman, and CEO of GNOG, Tilman Fertitta, said, “This transaction will add great value to the shareholders as two market leaders merge into a leading global player in digital sports, entertainment, and online gaming. We believe that DraftKings is one of the leading players in this burgeoning space and couldn’t be more excited to lock arms with Jason and the DraftKings family across our entire portfolio of assets, including the Houston Rockets, the Golden Nugget Casinos, and Landry’s vast portfolio of restaurants. This is a strong commercial agreement for both companies.”

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