Mankato City Council rejects gaming tax hike

Minnesota’s Mankato City Council rejected a potential gaming tax increase as it voted down a resolution that would change it from 3% to 5.5%.

US.- Each jurisdiction utilises its gaming tax money to fund different programs and segments. That’s why Mankato City, in Minnesota, recently aimed at a potential increase. However, the City Council voted down the switch from 3% to a 5.5% net contribution tax.

“Tonight’s vote showed that we want to make sure that  the city is utilising the funds that had been to them and show the charities that all 3% was being used for enforcement,” gambling manager, VFW, Donald Baker said.

Problem Gambling

Until now, consumer protection had been the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR)’s main concern. However, the organisation has declared problem gambling as its number one priority.

The new ‘Gambling Regulation – Global Developments 2018-19’ survey showed 88% of its participants are tackling problem gambling. That is 82% more than the last time the body assessed the issue, back in 2017. 

In spite of its major relevance, the survey showed fewer authorities target problem gambling directly than in 2017. The number fell from 59% to 54%. 

Paul Newson, the new president of the IAGR, explained how important such a survey is for gaming regulators.

“This is a tremendous tool to promote greater information sharing and collaboration around policy development and industry supervision where we exercise similar functions and confront common issues and challenges,” he said.