igt-and-greentube-sign-patent-cross-licensing-agreement-for-remote-game-server

IGT and Greentube Sign Patent Cross-Licensing Agreement for Remote Game Server

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International Game Technology PLC (IGT) and Greentube, the NOVOMATIC Digital Gaming and Entertainment division, announced that they have signed a patent cross-licensing agreement that includes valuable patents related to remote game server (RGS) technologies for providing games over a network.

With the execution of this agreement, IGT can offer the global gaming industry a patent license to the combined RGS portfolios of IGT and Greentube. The financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

“This agreement continues the spirit of collaboration and innovation that IGT seeks to foster in our industry. We look forward to providing the entire gaming industry with the opportunity to license the combined RGS portfolios of IGT and Greentube which cover compelling technologies for delivering games to customers wherever they play,” Renato Ascoli, IGT CEO Global Gaming, said.

“We are very pleased to reach this significant intellectual property agreement with IGT, as Greentube continues to expand its premium gaming products and solutions. The combined RGS portfolios of Greentube and IGT are truly state-of-the-art, representing a combined prowess and gaming industry leadership that is well-positioned to fuel continued success,” Thomas Graf, CEO of Greentube, said.

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Ex-GSC inspector Nick Bowden joins SolutionsHub as Head of Regulatory Affairs

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Douglas-based regulatory service SolutionsHub has appointed former Gambling Supervision Commission Inspector Nick Bowden as Head of Regulatory Affairs.

Nick spent much of his career in new business and compliance management roles, before becoming an Inspector for the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) in September 2020, where he gained invaluable insight into gambling regulation and the application of policy.

Nick graduated from university with a BSc degree in Health & Sport Studies, has since gone on to complete the International Compliance Association Specialist Certificate in Money Laundering Risk in Betting & Gaming and is currently studying towards the International Diploma in AML.

SolutionsHub helps companies with regulatory and licensing processes in the blockchain and gambling industries and has an unrivalled track record of success in helping clients acquire gambling licences and designated business registrations.

Nick said: “I greatly enjoyed my time at the GSC and worked with a wonderful team, so the decision to move was not an easy one, but SolutionsHub are one of the most trusted names in the industry and developed a reputation for leading new markets, especially blockchain and esports. I’m excited to get started in my new role as Head of Regulatory Affairs and to be working with such an innovative team, driving new markets and promoting the Isle of Man as the premier jurisdiction for the location, regulation and administration of gaming companies.”

SolutionsHub Chief Executive Officer Lee Hills said: “We are always looking for talented, results-driven people and Nick fits the profile perfectly. As a former Inspector, Nick brings a wealth of knowledge and is a fabulous resource for our clients, so we are thrilled to have him onboard.”

german-regulator-to-wage-war-on-illegal-gambling

German Regulator to Wage War on Illegal Gambling

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The Glucksspiel (GGL), Germany’s new gambling regulator, has pledged to wage war on illegal gambling.

Now fully active after a year of preparation, GGL board member Benjamin Schwanke said in an interview that the authority expects a large number of legal actions to be started against illegal online operators annually.

“To protect players from manipulation and crime and to ensure that there is only a limited offer overall to reduce addiction risks is a basic goal. Player protection must come first.”

The 16 federal states in Germany, who have combined to produce an interstate treaty on gambling, opted to transfer responsibility for supervising gambling to the new GGL, setting it up in mid-2021. It is in the course of issuing licences to operate in Germany through a “white list”.

The GGL now has 75 permanent staff that it intends to expand to over 100 this year. So far there are 38 sports betting licences and 22 permits for online gambling issued.

Schwanke said that the organisation planned to take “the toughest approach against illegal online gambling”. It was aware of 1000 websites and 100 illegal marketing campaigns directed at German consumers and it has already begun prosecutions against 60 of them.

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MGA Publishes Amendments to the Player Protection Directive

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The Authority is hereby publishing the amendments to the Player Protection Directive (Directive 2 of 2018).

We believe that safe, sustainable, and responsible gaming is of paramount importance to the gaming sector. Following feedback received through the dedicated consultation process, the Authority is hereby publishing these amendments with the aim of strengthening and clarifying the current player protection framework.

This framework will support the Authority’s initiatives moving forward and will facilitate the Authority’s plans to continuously improve the player protection framework, including the eventual publication of detailed player protection guidelines for licensees. The Authority is in the process of conducting detailed research and garnering expert experience to serve as the foundation for the eventual publication of such guidelines.

The amendments delve into, inter alia, the licensees’ obligations regarding their responsible gaming policies and procedures, and the introduction of markers of harm that must be considered by licensees when determining effective measures and processes to detect and address problem gambling. Provisions relating to real-money reinforcement and staff training have also been addressed via the amendments.

The amendments are being proposed on the basis of a review of the key sections of the Directive carried out by an expert in the field, and on the basis of the Authority’s own research and experience garnered through the Responsible Gaming Unit’s audits and familiarisation visits.

Subject to the transitory provisions of the Directive, the amendments coma into force on 12 January 2023.

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Spinomenal obtains supplier licence in Greece

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Spinomenal, the leading iGaming content provider, is set to launch its superlative collection of slots within the Greek iGaming market.

The Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC), awarded Spinomenal with its Manufacturer A1 Suitability licence, which means players in Greece will have seamless access to Spinomenal’s innovative and remarkable games.

Having already met the strict standards and requirements by regulators such as MGA, Romania’s ONJN and the UKGC, Spinomenal can now count the Hellenic Gaming Commission amongst its impressive list.

Spinomenal has carved out a stellar reputation for numerous classics such as Demi Gods II, Majestic King and Book of Rampage. Greek players will also be able to immerse themselves within Spinomenal’s ground-breaking Universe concept which brings together storylines from several favourite games.

Spinomenal’s CEO, Lior Shvartz, commented: “Entering the Greek market is another top achievement for our business and perfectly wraps up another strong year. Our presence in Greece forms a major part of our expansion strategy within the leading regulated iGaming markets.”

neogames-obtains-wla-responsible-gaming-certification

NeoGames Obtains WLA Responsible Gaming Certification

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NeoGames S.A., a technology-driven provider of end-to-end iLottery solutions, announced that it has attained the World Lottery Association (“WLA”) Responsible Gaming certification. This global accreditation confirms that NeoGames has achieved full alignment with the WLA responsible gaming standards for Lottery suppliers.

The WLA responsible gaming (“RG”) standards framework was created to minimize the impact of problem gaming. With the awareness of the ever-increasing role that responsible gaming plays in lottery ‎supplier operations, the WLA established an RG ‎standard adapted to meet the specific needs of ‎WLA members.

NeoGames’ iLottery operations were assessed by an independent auditor and were found to align with WLA standards including research, employee programs, product and service development, remote gaming environments, advertising and marketing communications, client awareness, stakeholder engagement and reporting. NeoGames’ platforms meet the RG standards in every ‎aspect.

“We are proud to have qualified for Responsible Gaming certification by the WLA, recognizing its importance to our customers and the demand for alignment with industry standards. Responsible gaming is deeply rooted in every facet of NeoGames’ operations, from our products to our services and our employees, this certification confirms our continued commitment to being a responsible iLottery supplier.” NeoGames CEO Moti Malul

“The WLA is pleased to officially recognize NeoGames’ adherence to WLA Responsible Gaming Guidelines for suppliers, highlighting their corporate social responsibility practices and attesting that player protection is a core aspect of their operations.” World Lottery Association CSR Senior Manager Mélissa Azam

betway-granted-extension-of-their-sportsbook-licence-in-germany

Betway granted extension of their sportsbook licence in Germany

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Today, leading global online betting and gaming brand Betway, has announced an extension of its sportsbook licence from the Regional Council in Darmstadt.

Betway will continue to offer its best-in-class product to their German customers in a regulated gaming market where responsible gambling safeguards are put in place to ensure customers are betting in a safe and secure environment.

The Super Group owned brand are a prominent sponsor of high-profile sports in Germany. They boast an enviable portfolio in German Football that includes 2022 Europa League winner Eintracht Frankfurt alongside VfB Stuttgart, Hertha Berlin, Werder Bremen and Schalke 04. The brand is also a big supporter of Tennis in Germany and are Official Betting Partner at the Boss Open, Terra Wortmann Open and the Hamburg Open which are three of the four ATP tournaments that take place in the country.

Betway has also made a commitment to the German market by opening an office in Düsseldorf, Germany. The plans for continued growth include better localisation of their sportsbook product, easier access to talent as well as creating jobs in Germany.

Anthony Werkman, CEO of Betway, said:

“We’re really proud of being awarded an extension of our sportsbook licence, which means we can keep offering our much-loved products to sports betting fans in Germany.

“We’ve got an industry leading sponsorship portfolio, that further enhances our commitment to supporting sports that our customers know and love.

“We’ve got a great product and now we’ve got a great office and team on the ground which will help us continue to enhance a sporting experience for our customers whilst continuing to ensure they’re playing in a safe, secure and responsible environment.”

beyondplay-secures-mga-licence-as-jackpot-product-is-unveiled

BeyondPlay secures MGA licence as jackpot product is unveiled

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BeyondPlay, a B2B start-up developing next-generation engagement software for online operators, has secured a B2B Critical Supply Licence from the Malta Gaming Authority.

The granting of the MGA licence coincides with BeyondPlay revealing that it has added a robust jackpot engine to its portfolio of community-oriented products under development, which transforms solo game sessions into captivating multiplayer entertainment experiences.

Jacqui Gatt, COO of BeyondPlay, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the licence by the Malta Gaming Authority. As a start-up, without a dedicated Compliance Team until very recently, the management had to take on quite a heavy workload to make this happen. At the same time, we found the process to be very well managed and especially appreciate the efficiency of the MGA’s team and our advisors Helix Partners in the process of helping us reach this milestone.

“It’s especially thrilling to know that we are now taking these important final steps on the path to seeing our solutions going live, with Jackpots planned for launch with multiple operators early next year.”

The advanced, content-agnostic jackpot engine will be available as a software-as-a-service model to casino operators, offering branded and custom-tailored progressive jackpots to their players. Ahead of the launch, BeyondPlay has already secured three tier-one partners for the product, including leading brands ComeOn Group and Soft2Bet, with roll-out scheduled throughout Q1 2023.

Karolina Pelc, BeyondPlay’s Founder and CEO, added: “We feel passionately that we are building some of the most robust gamification solutions seen anywhere in the igaming sector and we are grateful to have these high-profile operators showing such early trust in and commitment to our first product going live – the BeyondPlay Jackpot.”

The company is currently also awaiting the approval of its UKGC licence and kicking off the application processes for licences in Ontario and the US, working towards submission in 2023.

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Slotegrator obtains Romanian B2B license

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Game aggregator and online casino and sportsbook software provider Slotegrator has completed the application process and acquired another license, this time from ONJN.

Online casino and sportsbook software provider Slotegrator can now offer its services in Romania.

ONJN, the Romanian regulatory body, offers licenses for B2C and B2B gambling companies. Slotegrator has obtained a Class 2 license, allowing the company to provide its products and services to online casino and sportsbook operators in Romania.

Romania is a very active and fully regulated jurisdiction which is highly attractive for operators, and getting authorized to work there is a big step in the right direction.

This is how Yana Khaidukova, the Managing Director of Slotegator, comments “Being on the market for over a decade, Slotegrator has built a reputation as a provider of high quality solutions for online casinos and sportsbooks, we have clients all over the world and our goal is to always offer them the latest trends and the most innovative technologies. We value the trust they grant us and do our best to justify it. Today we would like to offer them another great opportunity — the Romanian gambling market.”

Romania is becoming a popular target market for iGaming operators, spurring healthy and sustained growth. Total GGR for the market is estimated to be €900 million per year, driven by the country’s population of nearly 20 million, internet penetration rate of 88%, and longstanding cultural acceptance of gambling.

Popular casino games include video slots (especially games with progressive jackpots), live dealer versions of roulette and blackjack (as well as gameshow variations), and poker. Popular sports to bet on include football, cycling, handball, tennis and esports.

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Gaming Corps Announces Approval for Game Delivery in Greece

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Up-and-coming Swedish developer, Gaming Corps, has added another regulated market to its remit with the addition of Greece just weeks after announcing its Dutch certification. Gaming Corps is already working closely with Kaizen’s Stoiximan and is proud to announce Novibet as a new customer in the region, going live on day one of Gaming Corps’ approval in Greece. The company’s diverse portfolio of Plinko, Mine, Crash, Table and Slot content has been in demand within the market for some time, creating a pipeline of top tier operators ready to ensure Gaming Corps’ market presence.

Gaming Corps has previously announced that its growth strategy is to create more content within more markets, with an unerring commitment to integrity and player protection. Just some of the games set to launch in the region include: Jet Lucky 2, Coin Miner, Penalty Champion, Tikiz N Juice, Plinko, Black Jack, and Stormy Witch.

Juha Kauppinen, CEO at Gaming Corps, said “Our close relationship with many of the operators in Greece meant it was high on our list of priorities for market entry. We’ve been overwhelmed by the support of our existing customers who have an active presence in the region and the response of the new customers this allows us to deliver content to. We’re excited by the speed with which things are now moving and are grateful to our commercial team for their hard work and our customers for their support for yet another market entry.”

Gaming Corps is an established gaming company with a background in video games that is now experiencing growth in the iGaming sector. Having recently attracted some of the industry’s leading talent, its strategy is to grow within regulated markets.