Gaming Commissions: Guardians of Integrity, Champions of Transparency

Gambling has come a long way in the United States. The activity has crossed so many hurdles to become acceptable at the federal and state levels to a relatively good extent. There are still many states that still need to open their doors. Nevertheless, the online gambling market is projected to reach US$23.03bn in revenue this year. This market is also expected to have an annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.53% between 2024-2028, resulting in a market volume of US$33.15bn by the end of 2028. These, of course, require strict regulation to ensure fairness, which happens through gaming commissions.

While these market revenue stats look impressive, they are still a bit low compared to the revenue of other industries. This is due to the high regulations carried out by gaming commissions, also known as gaming control boards.

In this casino news, we will highlight the primary gaming commissions in the US and their functions.

Inside the Vigilance of Gaming Commissions Across America

Gaming commissions are regulatory bodies established to monitor and oversee online casino gambling operations, including real money games. They work hard to ensure the industry’s integrity is not breached. 

The multiple gaming commissions in the United States are all composed of experts in law and consumer protection and knowledgeable about the gambling industry. However, all these commissions work independently. 

These commissions also have a solid organogram; various departments are within them, each with specific roles in the regulation of online casino activities. 

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Gaming Commissions: Safeguarding Players Nationwide

Primarily, there are two major gaming commissions: State and federal. Here are their Roles. 

National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC)

NIGC is a federal gaming commission established in 1988, led by a chairman and two other associates (commissioners). This commission oversees the affairs of tribal casinos by regulating their bingo and the operation of their casino games. The experts in this commission review submitted gaming reports to monitor these establishments’ compliance with regulations. They also audit financial statements annually and conduct investigations. NIGC works closely with tribal casino operations on Internally generated revenue matters. 

State Gaming Commissions 

A gaming commission regulates and oversees operators’ affairs in any state where casino gaming is legal. Most state gaming commissions have unique properties in terms of what they permit and what they frown upon. The Nevada Gaming Control Board, for instance, is one of the most famous commissions for both land-based and online establishments that provide games like the European Roulette Casino Game, slots, table games, and other casino games. 

These gaming commissions have three major functions: licensing, monitoring, and enforcing. However, how they handle these functions differs. The licensing process is often very challenging, as these commissions want to filter out people who are in some way connected to crime. 

They scrutinize and pay attention to every little detail requested from any applicant. They have different certification processes. Once found to have a good standing, they approve it, and if otherwise, they deny such application for the license. Also, the commissions can withdraw licenses and stop casino gaming operations. 

State gaming commissions’ monitoring activities are quite similar. They all review financial reports and can inspect gaming operations informally and formally, but at different times. Some do it periodically, quarterly, weekly, or annually. 

The third role they perform is to enforce their authority. Some can seize illegal gaming equipment. They can dish out fines or shut down a gambling establishment directly or indirectly. They can also establish rules of games.  

Keeping the Play Ethical

Overall, state and federal gaming commissions aim to protect players. They allow only reputable groups or individuals to operate casinos and collect taxes to boost the local economy. Without their regulations, gambling would be unsafe. 

In the USA, there are several gaming commissions at both the federal and state levels. Some of the most notable ones include:

• Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB)
• New Jersey Casino Control Commission (CCC)
• Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB)
• Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC)
• Illinois Gaming Board (IGB)
• California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC)
• Mississippi Gaming Commission (MGC)
• Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB)
• Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB)
• New York State Gaming Commission

Gaming Commissions also ensure that companies operate within a Responsible Gaming frame, ensuring players are aware of the risks of playing and learn how to play responsibly, by knowing the games’ structure, pay tables, bonus features, and more. You can learn more about each game by following our American Casino Guide section.

Fair Play, Integrity, and Compliance

Where there is no law, there is no sin. Gaming Commissions are the rate-limiting step that weed out bad gaming operators or those who will be bad ones, even if they promise free roulette games and impossible bonus schemes. Only six states in the US permit online casino gaming, and the latest to do so is Rhode Island, which became legal on March 1, 2024.

If you are within the legal regions, you can visit Slots Paradise Casino to play slot games with payline online structures. 

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