The United States Virgin Islands Casino Control Commission hosted the International Masters of Gaming Law annual Spring Conference on St. Thomas on March 29–31. The conference started off with a welcome from USVI Casino Control Commission Chairman Violet Anne Golden and a keynote address by USVI Governor Kenneth E. Mapp. Governor Mapp advised the conference audience that it is time for the USVI to expand its gaming operations beyond the current casino on St. Croix and explore initiation of Internet gaming in the USVI. Governor Mapp emphasized that he supports the USVI gaming industry and its expansion as an element of the USVI economy. In this regard, the USVI Attorney General issued an opinion in 2013 concluding that the USVI's previously enacted gambling law, which allows Internet-based gambling, does not conflict with federal rules. However, it is recognized that the previously adopted legislation requires tweaking in light of legal and regulatory developments regarding Internet gaming since the original enactment of the USVI gaming legislation in 2001. The USVI is also investigating the possibility of opening the USVI to sports betting.
The International Masters of Gaming Law Conference featured speakers from around the world discussing online and offshore gaming, fantasy sports, legalized sports wagering, global gaming reforms, lottery expansion efforts, compliance issues, FinCEN's AML protocols for casinos, and the increasing expansion of Internet gaming on a worldwide basis.
In addition to several IMGL master classes set for the iGaming Compliance Conference in Amsterdam (June 25) and G2E in Las Vegas (September 28), the IMGL will host its annual Fall Conference this year in Lima, Peru, on October 14–16 in conjunction with the International Association of Gaming Regulators.
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