Codere Criticises Spain's Stance on Gaming EMEA
Codere’s Norman Sorensen has attacked the 'false beliefs' and 'radical political and social positions' that he believes exist against the gaming industry in Spain
Sorensen made the claims as part of Codere’s Integrated Report which highlights the significant policies and actions adopted by the group over the last year
SPAIN LEGISLATION
SWITZERLAND – Greentube, the NOVOMATIC Interactive division, has further bolstered its presence in the newly-regulated online market in Switzerland after launching its premium slot titles with Swiss Casinos Group.
Swiss Casinos is the third operator in the country to take on Greentube’s popular content including Queen Cleopatra and Golden Games’ Super Cherry series which have all proven successful in Switzerland’s land-based casino sector. Top- performing titles like the widely popular Book of Ra deluxe, Lucky Lady’s Charm deluxe and Sizzling Hot deluxe will be added to the operator’s online offering in April 2020.
By partnering with Swiss Casinos, Greentube has strengthened its presence in Switzerland. The international supplier was one of the first to provide its services in the Swiss online market, following the introduction of new legislation in 2019 which enables the country’s land-based casinos to operate online.
GREECE – Intralot has announced that Sokratis Kokkalis, who remains Executive Chairman of the Board, has stepped down as Group CEO and will be succeeded by Christos Dimitriadis, effective
March 9 2020. In parallel, Mr. Dimitriadis has been elected Executive Member of the BoD, in replacement of Mr. Dimitrios Klonis.
The Chairman of the BoD, Mr. Sokratis Kokkalis stated: “Following a transition period of reorganisation during the last year, the company will evolve with emphasis in the digital technology, with Mr. Dimitriadis as its new Group CEO. Mr. Dimitriadis has a long experience with our company for the past 12 years and possesses in depth knowledge of the technologies in our industry. I wish him every success in his new role.”
Mr. Christos Dimitriadis stated: “I would like to thank the Founder of Intralot and Chairman of the BoD Mr. S. Kokkalis for the opportunity that he offers me to contribute from the position of the Group CEO.
“This is an honour and great responsibility. Intralot is a company with a great history and a promising future. We export technology, products, and services globally. We are proud of our subsidiaries that serve our customers and compose the multinational nature of our company. Intralot is a company with unique DNA that has succeeded to penetrate markets that seemed impossible to establish presence in, a company that leapfrogged from being a spinoff to achieving and retaining a position at the top three of its industry.”
P18 NEWSWIRE / INTERACTIVE / MARKET DATA
"We are witnessing, in recent years and in some of our markets, that the construction of false beliefs about the reality of the industry - possibly exacerbated by an overexposure of online gaming - is leading to radical political and social positions in regards to it in many cases in an unjustified way, if we take into account the data that emerges from the different statistical and social studies, which do not reflect the inappropriate growth of gaming activity or the prevalence of problematic behaviours in recent years,” stated the non- executive president of Codere, Norman Sorensen.
Te statements were part of the annual report that the company sends to the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) in Spain. Sorensen said that although "2020 presents important regulatory, fiscal and macroeconomic challenges" the group's perspectives, in a delicate financial situation are "positive." He also highlighted the progress the company has made when it comes to responsible gaming. “During this year, in Codere we have dedicated important efforts to listen to the needs and expectations regarding the company and the sector of our stakeholders, and respond to them
Casinos close across Germany as operators take no chances
Germany
Casinos in Germany took early decisive action in early March to close across the country, despite official rules at the time merely limiting the gathering of over 1,000 people. Gaming operations in all 10 state-licensed casinos in Lower Saxony ceased with immediate effect initially until March 31, 2020.
Managing Director Max Rösle underlined that the protection of guests and employees has top priority and that Spielbanken Niedersachsen wants to support the containment of the virus with this short-term decision.
Te closure of the 10 casinos was orderly and quiet. Te guests had shown
through a Corporate Social Responsibility Plan, which establishes firm positions, commitments and action guidelines to ensure the development of the industry in a sustainable way, minimising its possible social impact through the implementation of best practices of responsible gaming, the promotion of transparency and the promotion of public policies that favour user guarantees and ensure the protection of vulnerable groups, especially minors. Tis plan includes an ambitious responsible gaming program and expresses Codere's willingness to lead the industry's movements in these aspects.”
Sorensen’s comments come after a number of local governments in Spain have agreed to restrict the number of betting establishments in their region. In addition, strict advertising rules are now on the way. In February the government introduced its draft of the Royal Decree on the future Law of Gaming, which aims to protect minors with measures such as the limitation of schedules, the restriction of the contents that may appear in betting announcements online and the ban on using celebrities. Tis law is expected to be approved in the summer.
understanding and the employees had reacted prudently.
Te casino group Spielbanken Niedersachsen operates state- licensed gaming at 10 locations in the state and employs around 430 people.
Te casinos in Hanover, Bad Harzburg, Bad Bentheim, Bad Zwischenahn and Osnabrück offer classic table and slot machine games. Slot machines are also located in Wolfsburg, Seevetal, Bad Pyrmont, Göttingen and Norderney.
Te Bavarian casinos are closing all nine state casinos in the Free State with immediate effect. Tey will stay closed until Sunday, April 19, 2020.
Te NRW casino operator Westspiel is also closing its casinos for the time being. Te houses in Aachen, Bad Oeynhausen, Duisburg and Dortmund are affected.
Portugal
Pragmatic Play has signed an agreement with casino operator Pomadorro. Te new deal gives Pomadorro access to Pragmatic Play’s live casino along with its slot games such as Mysterious and Master Joker as well as top- performing titles Mustang Gold and John Hunter and the Aztec Treasure.
Tis deal enhances Pragmatic Play’s global presence and is the latest in a string of deals with a growing number of operators.
Lena Yasir, Vice President at Pragmatic Play, commented on the agreement with Pomadorro: “We’re delighted to have signed this partnership with multi- brand casino operator, Pomadorro and to offer our games to its audience. Global expansion is a high priority for Pragmatic Play, and we’re sure our full suite of games will be a hit with Pomadorro’s customers.”
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