statement-from-william-hill-ceo-ulrik-bengtsson-on-the-gambling-review

Statement from William Hill CEO Ulrik Bengtsson on the Gambling Review

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“William Hill welcomes the gambling review which the Government has launched today. Our industry is more committed than ever to keeping gambling as safe as possible and we have been getting on with raising standards. Whether it’s ensuring under-18s and vulnerable people are not exposed to gambling adverts or identifying at-risk players through technology, we are continually driving up standards to ensure gambling remains a safe and fun pursuit for millions of people in the UK.

We look forward to engaging with the Government throughout the review to ensure that any new regulations work alongside progress made by our industry and provide clarity and certainty for customers, operators and all those who work in the sector.  It is important that the review is evidence-led, strikes the right balance between protecting the vulnerable and the continued enjoyment of the many tens of millions who happily place the occasional bet, as well as  taking a critical look at the growing risks of the black market where there are no consumer protections”.

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New German Regulations Give Much Focus on Age Verification

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The progress of legalising online gaming across Germany has been patchy, but there was a breakthrough on 12 March 2020 when the latest GlüNeuRStV was approved by the German heads of state. It acts as a compromise between states wanting the market to be open and those wanting gambling to be more restricted.

This treaty will open up the online market to all products and verticals, specifically poker and virtual slots, with the legislation set to come into force on 1 July 2021. It will, therefore, significantly liberalise the market, subject to strict conditions concerning player protection.

Ahead of July 2021, a transition period was agreed to enable all existing operators and the German Länder to adapt to the new legal framework. This period began on 15 October 2020 and will be used to clarify existing and forthcoming mandates, including those on age verification. However, it’s important to note the industry must comply with the new laws as of 15 October (with a few exceptions deferred to 15 December).

Age verification has been a hot topic in Germany since an investigation by the Bavarian Consumer Centre highlighted the ease at which under-18s could access five major online gambling sites. To get a license in Germany under the new regime, online gambling operators will need to demonstrate a robust age verification solution.

The risks of failure to demonstrate a system of age and identity verification, are significant. It will likely result in a licence application being rejected. For current operators in the German market, it could lead to the revocation of their license and fines of up to €500,000.

stefan-lundborg-leaves-the-board-of-directors-at-kindred-group

Stefan Lundborg leaves the Board of Directors at Kindred Group

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Stefan Lundborg has informed Kindred Group that he will resign from his role as non-executive Director at Kindred Group with immediate effect.

Kindred Group’s non-executive Director Stefan Lundborg has informed the company that he will resign from his role as non-executive Director at Kindred Group with immediate effect. The resignation is related to Stefan Lundborg being investigated for insider crime by the Swedish Economic Crime Authority (SECA). Kindred does not have further information at this time and is fully cooperating with the Public Prosecutor and the SECA in their investigations.

“The resignation of Stefan Lundborg was unavoidable considering the investigation against him by the Swedish Economic Crime Authority. The Board would like to emphasize that no other representatives of the company have been served any suspicion of misconduct and neither is the company itself under any suspicion”, comments Anders Ström, Chairman of the Board at Kindred Group.

Additional information will be provided to the market when required, however no further comments will be given as long as the investigation is ongoing.

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Sweden’s Spelinspektionen Clarifies New Sports Betting Restrictions

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The Swedish gambling authority Spelinspektionen has sought to clarify the scope of new restrictions on the markets that licensed operators can offer for betting.

New rules on sports betting that enter force on January 1 prohibit betting on football leagues below Sweden’s top four tiers. They also prohibit betting on violations of rules, such as bookings and red cards in football, and on the individual performance of players aged under 18.

Spelinspektionen said that the new rules against betting on under 18s’ “individual performance” cover bets on scoring or shots on goal in team games like football, performance in individual sports such as athletics, skiing, or shooting, and performance in singles matches in sports such as tennis, badminton or table tennis.

However, the rules do not prohibit betting on doubles matches in sports such as tennis if the other participant in the doubles team is over 18, provided that the bet is on the pair’s overall performance or on the adult’s performance but not specifically on the under 18’s performance. But, if the majority of players (three out of four) in a doubles match are under 18, then all betting will be forbidden.

The new regulations apply to events in Sweden only. For competitions that have more than one leg, with one leg held in Sweden and one or more held abroad, both the event held in Sweden and the overall result of the competition will be subject to the regulations, but not the individual event or events held outside of Sweden.

As for betting on violations, operators had queried whether the restrictions prohibited taking bets on penalties or free kicks. Spelinspektionen has clarified that betting on a penalty or free kick being awarded will be prohibited, but betting on the result of the penalty of free kick once it has already been awarded will not.

The regulator also clarified that all of the regulations also apply to esports, but again only to competitions that take place in Sweden.

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ASCI Publishes Guidelines on Advertising Real Money Games

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The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has published its first set of guidelines on advertising real-money gaming.

ASCI advised its members to exercise caution when promoting real money games, an advertising segment deemed to be high-risk by the watchdog.

ASIC guidelines state that members must ensure that real-money advertisers cannot promote games or services “depicting any person under the age of 18 years” – a requirement enforced across all mediums.

All real money gaming adverts must carry a “Please Play Responsibly” disclaimer, warning consumers of the associated financial risks and potential addictions – with warnings implemented across audio and video platforms.

Also, Indian broadcasters and media owners must ensure that participation in real money games is not depicted as an “income opportunity or employment option.”

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Microgaming’s PlayItForward to Support Gordon Moody Association

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Microgaming has announced its support for the Gordon Moody Association, a charity that provides help and support to addicted and compulsive gamblers.

Through its CSR programme PlayItForward, Microgaming will provide the charity with funding to support the families of those receiving therapy for problem gambling.

“Collaborating with the likes of Microgaming and the wider industry is integral to what we do. On behalf of the team at Gordon Moody Association, we would like to thank Microgaming for their generous support and for all of the good work they are doing in the space of CSR and responsible gambling. The donation from Microgaming PlayItForward will go towards a comfort fund. It will also help to assist families physically, emotionally, and mentally to find peace of mind while their loved ones access therapy for problem gambling,” Rob Mabbett, Head of Growth at Gordon Moody Association, said.

“At Microgaming, we strive to promote and support a safe, responsible environment for our customers and wider communities, which is why engaging and collaborating with charities such as Gordon Moody Association is incredibly important to us. Gordon Moody Association plays a key role in our community, providing individuals and families with much needed support and care in treating and minimising the harm that can be caused by problem gambling. We are delighted to help support them and hope that this donation will go some way towards helping the charity continue the incredible work they do,” Kimberley Broad, Director of Compliance at Microgaming, said.

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Ukraine’s UGLC Appoints New Members

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Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers has completed the selection process to appoint new members to the Ukrainian Gambling and Lottery Commission (UGLC). The Commission now has seven members following the new selection process.

One of the new members is Yevhen Hetman, who has a background in the field of international relations & cooperation, and has worked with regulatory bodies and ran public and private enterprises.

Another new member is Tetyana Kiriyenko. Her background features experience in law, economics and internal affairs. She has also received special judge training.

Also taking up membership are Khrystyna Dutka-Gefko and Yuriy Kravchenko. Dutka-Gefko has a background in law having worked in local branches of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine. Kravchenko’s background is in law and IT, as they are a member of the Supervisory Board of the International Club of IT Architects and a member of the Game Development Club.

Oleksiy Botezat and Olena Vodolazhko are the final two to be named as members of the commission. Botezat has a background in law and management having previously worked at central and local executive bodies, while Vodolazhko is a lawyer and member of the Ukrainian Bar Association and has worked with different regulatory bodies.

All selected candidates are yet to pass a special test before joining UGLC, details of which have yet to be formalised by the Cabinet of Ministers.

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Bacta to Ban Under-18s from Playing Category D Cash Fruit Machines

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Members of Bacta, the British amusement machine association, are going to ban under-18s from playing Category D cash fruit machines in seaside arcades and family entertainment centres.

Approved by Bacta Division 1 members at the organisation’s extraordinary general meeting this week, the proposal will be ratified at the annual general meeting on 26 November, before coming into effect from 1 March next year.

Bacta president James Miller said the new age restriction would send a message to customers that family seaside amusement arcades are safe environments for all families.

“Our members are all about providing fun and entertainment to the whole family as part of their annual holiday or day trip to the seaside,” James Miller said.

“We take social responsibility extremely seriously and although Category D cash payout fruit machines operate at very low stake and prize limits which are predominately played by adults for fun and nostalgia, we wanted to do our utmost and limit any potential risks to gambling harm,” James Miller added.

“Category D fruit machines have been long considered as part of the entertainment offer associated with seaside holidays and a trip to the arcade. Regulators in the past have therefore not imposed an age restriction on them,” John White, chief executive of Bacta, said.

“However, our members understand that perceptions change and we want to ensure that we do everything possible to protect players,” John White added.

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Carousel Group Secures Malta Gaming License

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Carousel Group, the operator of SportsBetting.com, has secured a B2C online sports betting and casino gaming license from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).

In September, SportsBetting.com launched in Colorado and expansion plans include four additional U.S. states by the end of 2021.

With the Malta license, SportsBetting.com will be well-positioned for potential favourable legislation in Canadian provinces such as Ontario and marketing spillover from extensive advertising in the United States. Furthermore, the MGA license provides a tax-efficient structure for entering European markets in the future.

“Receiving our license from the MGA is a major achievement for our company and a catalyst for our future goals. After two years of product development and building our team of more than 100 employees, SportsBetting.com is now live in the U.S. and we could not be more excited to compete. We have built a proprietary and hyper-personalized sportsbook that gives bettors the content they want, timely betting information and market-leading pricing and limits,” Daniel Graetzer, CEO of Carousel Group, said.

“We’re thrilled about our U.S. expansion and we look forward to bringing SportsBetting.com to more markets. As our brands become household names in the gaming space, we will make a positive and everlasting impression on the global gaming community,” Graetzer said.

betixon-secures-uk-gambling-commission-licence

Betixon Secures UK Gambling Commission Licence

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Games studio Betixon has received a Casino Software and Game Host licence from the UK Gambling Commission.

The licence will enable the group to go live in Europe’s biggest igaming market once it has finalised a number of agreements with a number of leading UK-focused operators.

“We are delighted to have received our UK Gambling Commission licence. It not only demonstrates our ongoing strategy to increase our global footprint but also our commitment to working within regulated markets. We are extremely proud of our games portfolio, including our upcoming, first series of premium games Fortune Breakers, which will be jam packed with intensive graphics and features. We can’t wait to share this with operators as we continue our stride into new markets,” Lior Cohen, co-founder and CTO of Betixon, said.