AGA Denounces ‘Damaging’ IRS Proposals On Capitol Hill

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February 19, 2020
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AGA Denounces ‘Damaging’ IRS Proposals On Capitol Hill

AGA Den<span id="more-3865"></span>ounces ‘Damaging’ IRS Proposals On Capitol Hill

Geoff Freeman, AGA president: ‘This could have implications that are enormous only for loyalty cards in the casino industry however in the broader hospitality industry.’

American 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 reduce the tax reporting limit for slot winnings from $1,200 to $600.

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

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

Gambling enterprises would also need expensive improvements to their backend systems.

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

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

‘Customer Would Walk’

‘While we recognize the IRS’ concerns and objectives, we question the need to impose mandatory, across-the-board use regarding the player-tracking tool for tax reporting purposes,’ said Freeman. ‘Instead than mandating use that is across-the-board tax reporting, we think a more targeted approach can be done for attaining the IRS’ objective.’

‘The customer would walk away,’ Freeman said in a post-hearing interview with the Las Vegas Review Journal. ‘This would have enormous implications 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 business, and we strongly oppose the decrease,’ included John Canham, VP of casino operations at Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.

The AGA has launched an online petition opposing the proposals, already signed by 10,000 people. These signatures were from casino employees and customers alike, from across all 50 states, said Freeman.

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

Prohibited Gambling Advisory Board Established

Elsewhere, the AGA’s new prohibited Gambling Advisory Board held its inaugural meeting this week.

This is not, as the true name may recommend, a hotline offering advice on how to locate the greatest chances from illicit bookmakers, it is, in fact, the opposite.

The board happens to be set up included in the AGA’s ‘Stop Illegal Gambling: Play it Safe’ effort, and seeks to tell apart the regulated gaming market from the ‘criminal sites that depend on illegal gambling to finance violent crimes and drug and human trafficking.’

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

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

Californians for Responsible iPoker was formed to advertise market inclusivity by PokerStars and its coalition lovers, calling for an end to ‘divisive politics.’ (Image: calvinayre.com)

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

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

‘ The Morongo Band of Mission https://casino-online-australia.net/planet-7-oz-casino-review/ Indians, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, California’s three card clubs that are largest (the Commerce Club, Hawaiian Gardens Casino and the Bicycle Casino) and Amaya Inc, which owns and operates PokerStars, have formed a business alliance to advertise legislation that authorizes and regulates intrastate real-money online poker in California,’ states the website.

Marketplace Inclusivity

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

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

‘After more than six many years of unsuccessful attempts in California, it is obvious that stakeholders must achieve significant consensus in order for any bill to pass. We ought to abandon the failed, divisive politics for the past that motivated anti-competitive and likely unconstitutional legislative proposals specifically meant to exclude very effective and well-regulated iPoker service provider from Ca’s market,’ the group’s message continues.

Implicit Support for Racetracks

CRP may or might not desire race songs along for the trip, however the wording of its agenda would imply that tracks would be a part of any positive outcome.

‘ We should help legislation that enables California’s existing certified gaming providers, including tribes, card rooms, as well as others, to participate in the marketplace after strict regulatory vetting for suitability.’

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

‘California Legislature must be trying 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 investigation into Amaya Inc.

‘This has not stopped PokerStars from lobbying our state legislature for them to participate in on-line poker here in California, gaining access to every computer, tablet and smartphone in the state,’ the spot proceeded.

With this specific new coalition, the poker wars will no question be heating up for the 2nd half of 2015. a recent $280 million investment into the iPoker that is global’s parent’s parent Amaya by PointState Capital, a hedge fund, 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 US market, A ca presence could become much more tenable. Maybe 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 operates some 3,000 slot machines in military bases across the global world; that’s doubly many Caesars Palace. (Image: stripes.com)

Army slot machines 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 Governmental Accountability Office into whether recourses are had a need to help US servicemen who are battling gambling addiction.

This uses the revelation that the Department of Defense runs some 3,000 slot machines at US military bases across the entire world that yield estimated annual revenues of $100 million each year.

The US Senate this week adopted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to be able to pave the means for the study.

‘If the military is going to work gambling facilities that bring in tens of millions of dollars in income, it needs to ensure there was prevention that is adequate therapy, and economic counseling designed for service people struggling with 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 armed forces and their families that are affected by problem gambling,’ she added.

Despite the millions that slot machines bring in each to Defense Department coffers, and the millions more generated by bingo games, it has never established any form of treatment program or prevention efforts to help combat gambling problems among its servicemen and women year.

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

Based on the National Council on Problem Gambling, around 36,000 active-duty members of the meet that is military for a gambling issue.

A study by the University of Georgia recently reported that rates of pathological gambling and problem gambling was much higher than average among veterans, armed forces recruits and present service users.

May Affect Military Readiness

‘Research implies that army personnel have reached threat of experiencing negative consequences as a result of gambling associated issues such as for instance stress from monetary debts, which could have a negative effect on military readiness,’ the study stated. ‘Furthermore, military and veteran populations are more prone to drug abuse, mental health problems, and suicide, each of which are highly co-morbid with problem gambling.

‘There is a clear need to screen military personnel and veterans for problem gambling,’ it continued. ‘The identification of those at risk of and struggling with problem gambling provides opportunities to intervene, which could decrease the incidence and prevalence of problem gambling, also as alleviate associated negative impacts to general public health.’

The analysis concluded that problem gambling is linked with increased risk-taking and overconfidence, while combat experiences, including exposure to violent combat, killing some body, and experiencing high levels of trauma, predicated a larger risk-taking propensity on return from implementation.

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