News April 2025
Olympic Casino fined in Lithuania Operator News
Olympic Casino Group Baltija has been fined almost €8.4m for failing to take sufficient steps to identify the origin of Lithuanian businessman, Šarunas Stepukonis’ losing funds, and the monitoring of his financial transactions was only formal and ineffective. Such violations were identified by the Gaming Supervisory Authority, which conducted an inspection of OCGB’s activities in Lithuania. Gambling organisers must report suspicious
transactions to the FNTT. Stepukonis’ transactions had obvious signs that should have raised suspicions for the gambling organiser. However, the FNTT was not informed about this. During the inspection, evidence was also collected that Š. Stepukonis’ gambling was irresponsible. Te gambling company should have noticed this, especially since the client was assigned a personal
Casinos Austria locations at risk Operator News
Casinos Austria’s General Director, Erwin van Lambaart, has warned that the tax plans of the new federal government will leave the company’s smaller casinos exposed to the risk of going out of business. As part of its budget consolidation, the new
government has decided to increase betting tax from two per cent to five per cent from April 1,
Supplier News JCM-E names new MD
JCM Global Europe (JCM-E) has appointed Yuichi Yamamura as its new Managing Director, succeeding Mitsuhiro Ueno, who returns to JCM Headquarters in Japan after leading the European division through a period of significant growth and challenges. Yamamura brings a strong background in corporate finance and strategic planning, positioning him to drive JCM-E’s continued expansion across the EMEA region.
manager who saw all of his transactions. “Instead of finding out whether Š. Stepukonis
had a gambling problem or informing the supervisory authority, Olympic Casino encouraged him to gamble even more. An individual incentive package was prepared for him. A total of €1m was allocated for this. Tis ‘bonus’ could only be spent on gambling. Other incentives were also allocated,” said LPT Director Virginijus Daukšys.
which is expected to generate an additional revenue of €50m. Te government programme also includes a 10
per cent increase in gambling tax. Te additional tax revenue from gambling for the public sector is to increase to €129m in 2026 and then to around €150m in 2027. If implemented, Mr van Lambaart believes the increased taxation will leave up to five venues at risk of closure, highlighting casinos in Zell am See, Kitzbühel, Seefeld, Kleinwalsertal and Velden.
Supplier News BetComply hires Jez White
Technical and regulatory compliance firm BetComply has hired former Entain executive Jez White in a new role overseeing safer gambling and sustainability. White joins BetComply as the firm’s first Safer Gambling & Sustainability Specialist, following more than eight years at Entain. In his new position, White will design and implement safer gambling strategies, audit existing safer gambling models and design CRM strategies for clients.
Supplier News GLI leadership changes
Gaming Laboratories International has announced two leadership changes for GLI EMEIA. Devon Dalbock has ascended to a broader external role of VP of Government and Regulatory Affairs, where he will be focused on working with regulators and government officials across the region with existing and emerging jurisdictions. Harinder Grewal will transfer from his current role as Director of Engineering to VP of Operations, EMEIA.
Thai casino project locations revealed Legislation
Te special committee charged with formulating Tailand’s entertainment complex blueprint has announced that the tourist regions of Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai and Phuket will be the first four locations chosen for casino development. Previous discussions have highlighted five casino projects in total with two being earmarked for the capital of Bangkok. Vice-Chairman of the special committee, Nikom
Boonwiset, predicted that the new casinos would attract at least 50m visitors each year and generate jobs for over 40,000 people. Each development will boast a five-star hotel, a
world-class shopping mall, an amusement park, a sports arena, a convention and exhibition centre, with less than 10 per cent of the footprint given over to the gaming floor.
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Since mid-2021, gambling companies in
Lithuania have no longer been allowed to offer incentives to their customers that they would later lose. Just before this tightening came into effect, Š. Stepukonis’ virtual gambling was moved from Lithuania to Estonia, where it was still allowed to encourage gamblers. In this way, it was possible not only to maintain incentives for gambling, but also to avoid supervision by the LPT.
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