Tag: Compliance Updates

65-suspicious-betting-alerts-reported-by-ibia-in-q3-2021

65 suspicious betting alerts reported by IBIA in Q3 2021

October 19, 2021 Published by
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) reported 65 cases of suspicious betting to the relevant authorities during the third quarter (Q3) of 2021. The Q3 2021 total represents a 14% decrease compared to Q3 2020, which saw 76 alerts. The Q3 2021 alerts covered tennis (23 cases), football (18), table tennis (17), esports (2) and one each in handball, cricket, squash, basketball and futsal. From a geographical perspective, Europe accounted for nearly 60% of all alerts reported during Q3, followed by Asia with 15% and Africa 12%.

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, said: “The 65 cases in Q3 brings the nine-month total to 167 alerts, a 17% decrease on the same point in 2020 with 202 alerts. Tennis provided the highest number of alerts during the first three quarters with 47, followed by football with 46, table tennis 33 and esports with 25 cases. These four sports made up 90% of alerts reported in the first nine-months.

“The benefits of being part of an international integrity monitoring body continue to be recognised; the association welcomes the decision of the Ontario authorities to require all licensed betting operators to be part of an integrity monitoring body, a position which is already in force in the recently opened market in the Netherlands. IBIA members are well-placed in those markets.”

Other key data for Q3 2021:

  • 28 – different countries where alerts were reported
  • 23 – alerts reported in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Russia (more than one third of the Q3 total)
  • 9 – the number of different sports on which alerts were reported
  • 6 – alerts on sporting events in the Americas

The International Betting Integrity Association is the leading global voice on integrity for the licensed betting industry. It is run by operators for operators, protecting its members from corruption through collective action. Its monitoring and alert platform is a highly effective anti-corruption tool that detects and reports suspicious activity on its members’ betting markets. The association has longstanding information sharing partnerships with leading sports and gambling regulators to utilise its data and prosecute corruption. It represents the sector at high-level policy discussion forums such as the IOC, UN, Council of Europe and European Commission.

holland-casino-live-with-bragg-gaming-group’s-oryx-hub-igaming-content

Holland Casino live with Bragg Gaming Group’s ORYX Hub iGaming content

October 19, 2021 Published by
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Dutch state-owned casino live online with ORYX’s exclusive content as well as its casino gaming aggregator product in the newly regulated iGaming jurisdiction of the Netherlands

ORYX Gaming, a Bragg Gaming Group company, is live with Holland Casino in the Netherlands after the operator was awarded one of the first ten licences announced by the Dutch regulator.

Holland Casino has been operating land-based casinos in the Netherlands since 1976, and runs 14 properties across the country. An instantly recognisable brand in the region, it is fully owned by the Dutch state and employs around 3,500 people.

To supply Holland Casino’s brand-new online offering, ORYX completed an integration with the Playtech Marketplace Platform, the operator’s iGaming technology partner.

Holland Casino’s new online players will now be able to access ORYX-exclusive titles from GAMOMAT and Peter & Sons, as well as from ORYX’s in-house studio. Furthermore, ORYX will supply aggregated casino games from industry-leading suppliers to complete the full content offering.

All games supplied via the ORYX Hub, whether exclusive or aggregated, can be used with ORYX’s proprietary FUZE player engagement tools which include free rounds and gamification features such as tournaments, missions and quests; all with built-in, in-game messaging.

Chris Looney, Chief Commercial Officer at Bragg Gaming, said: “Holland Casino is an iconic brand in the Netherlands. It’s been 45 years since their first casino launch almost to the day, so we wish them a happy birthday and congratulate them on now being among the first group of operators to be granted an online licence for games of chance by the regulator.

“The Netherlands is an important part of our regulated market expansion strategy and we’re proud to be a major content partner to Holland Casino, and excited to bring our games to a brand new audience, while ensuring the highest standards of safer and responsible gambling.”

Jeroen Verkroost, Digital Transformation Director at Holland Casino, said: “The ORYX Hub iGaming content is proven in markets across Europe, and we are thrilled to bring it to our customers as they play online at Holland Casino for the first time. We’ve been impressed with ORYX’s commitment to the new Dutch market and our partnership, demonstrated by a rapid and efficient integration on our platform, early technical compliance approval, and of course, a superb range of games certified for the Netherlands. The legal market opening marks the start of a new era in Dutch casino gaming, and we look forward to providing the very best in casino entertainment to our players, together with our partner ORYX, for many years to come.”

finland:-eurosport-fined-e800,000-for-gambling-ads

Finland: Eurosport Fined €800,000 for Gambling Ads

October 16, 2021 Published by
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

The National Police Board (NPB) has imposed a conditional fine of EUR 800,000 on an international broadcaster Eurosport 1 television channel recently for marketing of gambling services in Finland.

Earlier, on 16 September, the NPB prohibited Eurosport SAS (Eurosport) from marketing gambling services in Mainland Finland.

The prohibition remains valid for a period of three months and shall apply from 30 days after the date of service of the decision, unless otherwise directed by the appeal authority.

The NPB has detected that the marketing of gambling services has occurred regularly, extensively and for several years in the Eurosport 1. Gambling services have been marketed in advertisements during commercial breaks in television broadcasting.

“The supervision process in accordance with our legislation gives companies the opportunity to alter their operations and have their views heard,” said Anna-Emilia Sirén, Senior Adviser, Gambling Administration at the NPB.

Despite a number of exhortations, Eurosport has, however, continued the marketing that is considered unlawful by the authority.

Before imposing the marketing ban, the NPB has issued a statement to the company about the marketing of gambling and informed the company of the fact that only Veikkaus holds the exclusive right to market gambling services in Mainland Finland.

In its statement, the NPB, among other things, said that the marketing of gambling services on the channel violates Finland’s national legislation, regardless of the marketing being carried out from outside the Finnish borders.

Eurosport has not provided a response to the statement issued by the National Police Board in March 2021.

“The starting point for supervision is that the full range of methods, from the lenient to the strict, are used,” Sirén said, adding, “as an authority, we take the other party’s views into account, but if necessary, we prohibit the activity that we consider unlawful.”

With TV broadcasters in particular, there has been disagreement about the impact of EU law on the illegality of activities. The NPB has taken measures not only against Eurosport, but two other international TV broadcasters as well.

mga-launches-consultation-on-the-revised-audit-service-provider-guidelines

MGA launches Consultation on the Revised Audit Service Provider Guidelines

October 14, 2021 Published by
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

The Malta Gaming Authority invites the gaming industry, service providers as well as wider interest groups to express their views and provide their feedback in relation to the Revised Audit Service Provider Guidelines (‘Guidelines’).

In 2018, the Authority introduced a process whereby service providers interested in performing relevant auditing work (‘Service Providers’) are required to apply to the MGA for their suitability to be assessed and approved. The process proved to be effective, providing the MGA with the appropriate mechanism to approve independent and competent Service Providers as well as remove or suspend providers in case of unsatisfactory performance. The Authority has recently reviewed the requirements applicable to audit services to ensure that they remain up to date in view of the ongoing developments in the sector and in line with the MGA’s expectations.

In view of the Authority’s commitment to an open and transparent decision-making process, the MGA is issuing this consultation paper to communicate and refine its proposal in relation to revised Guidelines and promote a greater understanding of the proposal itself. The consultation, which will run until 11 November 2021, seeks feedback from the industry in relation to:

  • the amendments introduced in the Guidelines (as listed in Section 3 of the Consultation document); and
  • the extension of the applicability of the Guidelines to statutory audits carried out in accordance with international financial reporting standards as required by Article 41(2) of the Gaming Authorisations and Compliance Directive (Directive 3 of 2018).

Following the consultation process, the Authority intends to publish its decision, including the final version of the Guidelines and any other supporting documents, by the end of the year 2021.

gaming-apps-block-access-in-karnataka-as-ban-takes-effect

Gaming Apps Block Access in Karnataka as Ban Takes Effect

October 13, 2021 Published by
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

Gaming apps have blocked user access in Karnataka after the state imposed a ban on online betting games.

Sequoia Capital-funded Mobile Premier League (MPL) was among the first few gaming startups that began blocking access to users in the Indian state of Karnataka on Wednesday following a ban on online gaming.

On Wednesday morning, MPL’s gaming app showed messages to users in Karnataka that said: “Sorry! The law in your state does not permit you to play Fantasy sports”, “Fantasy games are locked” and “cash games are locked”.

The law, which came into effect last Tuesday, bans online games involving betting and wagering, and “any act or risking money, or otherwise on the unknown result of an event including on a game of skill”.

The latest ban has intensified concerns that growing state regulations could hit the nascent but booming gaming sector in India, where foreign investors have pumped in millions of dollars in recent months.

softgamings-gains-iso-27001-certification

SoftGamings Gains ISO 27001 Certification

October 11, 2021 Published by
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

SoftGamings receives ISO 27001 from ISO/ICE — a certificate that reiterates its dedication to maintaining and improving the security system within its organisation.

This certificate, issued by ISO (the International Organisation for Standardisation) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical Commission), is there to testify that its owner has met all the requirements for the information security management system imposed by the issuer.

This certificate also implies that the player data protection and overall safety and security of the system are the pillars of SoftGamings’ business venture. Even before the certification, the IT security system within the company used to be regularly monitored, assessed, and improved, which is why it is now in perfect alignment with the practices on an international scale. With the ISO 27001, the company can reassure its clients that the development of the IT safety infrastructure and the protection of sensitive information — from player details to transactions — are a part of the general business strategy of the company going forward.

Commenting on the awarded certificate, Irina Sazonova, the director of partnerships at SoftGamings, had this to say, “Receiving the ISO 27001 certification is an important milestone in the company history and a vital acknowledgement that our information security systems and our management of them and corporate governance meet the highest possible industry standards. Being a reliable and trustworthy partner that provides not only quality but completely safe services is of huge importance to us, and we wish all our present and potential partners know that. ”

By unlocking the ISO 27001 achievement, SoftGamings has become prepared to enter new markets where such a certificate is a requirement.

double-dutch:-1x2-network-launches-in-the-netherlands

Double Dutch: 1X2 Network launches in the Netherlands

October 5, 2021 Published by
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Slots and table games from the developer’s 1X2gaming and Iron Dog Studio subsidiaries now available to operators in the just-opened regulated market

1X2 Network, the award-winning casino content provider and aggregator, has made its debut in the just-regulated Dutch market after receiving the necessary approvals from regulatory body, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA).

1X2 Network is permitted to offer online slots and table games from its 1X2gaming and Iron Dog Studio subsidiaries to operators licensed in the Dutch market, which officially opened its digital doors at the beginning of the month.

Entering the Dutch market forms part of wider plans to obtain certifications in key regulated markets. Currently, 1X2 Network is live in 12 jurisdictions – the UK, Isle of Man, Malta, Gibraltar, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Colombia, Romania, Greece, Germany and now the Netherlands.

Operators licensed by KSA can partner with 1X2 Network to offer their players games such as MegawaysTM Jack, Rock the Reels MegawaysTM, 1 Million MegawaysTM BC, Battle Maidens TM Cleopatra,  Book of Loki and Smoking Hot Fruits.

1X2 Network has built a formidable reputation for developing online casino content that combines striking design with smart math and complex mechanics. This ensures a fun, entertaining and ultimately thrilling experience across all games.

Operators will also be able to access Branded MegawaysTM, an award-winning concept from 1X2 Network that allows them to quickly and cost-effectively launch their own MegawaysTM slots. This takes player engagement and loyalty to the next level.

Kevin Reid, CCO at 1X2 Network, said: “We are delighted to have received the necessary approvals to offer our award-winning slots and table games to operators in the newly-regulated Dutch market. This forms part of wider plans to secure licenses in core regulated markets around the world.

“Our games have been developed to engage players and deliver fun and excitement with every spin. Titles such as 1 Million MegawaysTM BC have gone on to top the charts in global markets and we believe they will be just as popular with players in the Netherlands.

“We look forward to going live with our first operator partners shortly and to play a part in the market growing and maturing in the coming months and years.”

bos-rejects-austerity-measures-for-gambling-advertising-in-sweden

BOS rejects austerity measures for gambling advertising in Sweden

October 2, 2021 Published by
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gaming (BOS) submits its opinion to the Ministry of Finance on its proposed austerity measures for gambling advertising. The Government proposes that gambling advertising should go from being regulated on the basis of a requirement for moderation to special moderation.

The online gaming industry association – BOS – is critical of the proposal and calls on the government to withdraw it.

– This is another proposal from the government that plays the unlicensed gaming companies in Sweden straight into the hands. The trump card of the Swedish-licensed gaming companies vis-à-vis the unlicensed has been the opportunity to market themselves and thus channel gaming consumers into the safe Swedish licensing system. If the possibility of doing so becomes even more difficult, the leakage out of the Swedish licensing system – already today 25 percent of the turnover for online casinos leaks out of the licensing system – will fall to even more critically low levels. In the name of consumer protection, this proposal must be withdrawn, says Gustaf Hoffstedt.

Link to BOS consultation response

leovegas-group-adapts-to-policy-changes-in-the-netherlands

LeoVegas Group adapts to policy changes in the Netherlands

October 1, 2021 Published by
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

Following recent policy changes in the Netherlands, LeoVegas Group has decided to cease provision of services in the country.

LeoVegas Group’s expansion strategy is to grow in locally regulated markets, and the group will apply for a Dutch license later this year. The Group has decided to cease provision of service as of 30 September 2021.

LeoVegas Group has over the past few years taken various measures to ensure full compliance with the Dutch prioritisation criteria and the policies published by the Dutch regulator KSA.

The Netherlands has accounted for a low-to-mid single-digit share of the Group’s total revenues in recent quarters. Further updates will be given in connection with the quarterly report on November 11.

dutch-gambling-regulator-imposes-e531,250-fine-on-tipico

Dutch Gambling Regulator Imposes €531,250 Fine on Tipico

September 28, 2021 Published by
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has imposed a fine of €531,250 on Malta-based Tipico Co. Ltd. for illegally offering online games of chance to Dutch consumers.

The online games of chance were offered via the tipico.com website. A starting fine of 200,000 euros applies for this violation. The fine was increased 3 times by 75,000 euros: once for the bonuses on offer and the large number of games and bets offered, once for the use of an inactivity fee and once for offering live betting.

This form of betting carries a higher addiction risk than bets that can only be made before the start of matches. Furthermore, the fine was increased because the age of the players was not visibly verified. Tipico’s website can no longer be reached with a Dutch IP address.

Latest Members

Recent AchievementsYou must be logged in to view earned achievements

What is a Wire Coin?

Find connections

Who is online

Latest Hashtags

#artificialintelligence #betting #blockchain #casino #esports #fintech #gaming #hiptherfestival #hipthers #igaming #slots #technology