Industry Agrees Upon Ad Restrictions EMEA
Te new code establishes the prohibition of those under 25 starring in gambling advertisements; limits to €200 the maximum amount of welcome bonuses
Te new regulations follow the ban on gambling adverts in the UK which coincided with the start of the football season
SPAIN LEGISLATION
SPAIN – The Governing Council of Madrid has agreed on the urgent passing of the decree that will temporarily suspend the opening of any more gambling venues. During a press conference the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso announced the temporary suspension of the granting of licenses to bookmakers and gambling halls. The government has temporarily suspended licenses to bookmakers and gambling venues, until the drafting and approval of a new planning decree is approved. Ayuso announced that the measure comes after detecting a "public health problem" due to the proliferation of gambling venues, of which "there are 678 in Madrid, a much higher average than in the country."
The number of sports betting shops has increased by 125 per cent since 2014 according to Ayuso who emphasised that the decree did not mean an outright ban on gambling: "We believe it would be good to study license concessions, which does not mean banning them, nor stopping them, but studying their proliferation."
In recent months, the regional government has taken the first steps in launching a prevention and research centre for gambling. It has also undertaken a number of new studies into addictions in adolescents and children and included training in schools aimed at students, teachers and families to try and combat gambling addiction. In addition, the government is developing new regulations that will seek to toughen penalties for underage gambling and is developing restrictions whereby gambling will no longer be endorsed by celebrities.
DENMARK – EveryMatrix is closing its white label brands
www.casinohouse.dk,
www.777.dk,
www.victoriamilan.dk and
www.jetbull.dk in the Danish market. EveryMatrix explained that while the overall direction of the company has shifted towards providing B2B specialised software solutions, the company will continue to provide a fully certified and reliable platform and software solutions to Danish licensed operators. EveryMatrix is fully committed to further strengthen its position as a market leader in the B2B space, and it will continue to build and develop in that direction.
CZECHIA – Leon Tsoukernik, a famed poker player and owner of the King’s Casino in Rozvadov , Czech, has bought another Czech gaming property in Casino Atrium at the Hilton Hotel in Prague, home of the European Poker Tour (EPT).
Mr. Tsoukernik, who founded the King’s Casino in Rozvadov in 2003 and grew it into the largest poker room in Europe, says he is ‘planning a major reconstruction’ to ‘bring the Kings Casino look and atmosphere to Prague.’
P20 NEWSWIRE / INTERACTIVE / MARKET DATA
Te latest code of advertising conduct has been unanimously approved by the Joint Self- Monitoring Commission. New rules will prohibit active athletes from starring in gambling and betting advertisements. Te initiative was put forward by Jdigital - Te Spanish trade association of digital gaming. According to Jdigital the industry has undertaken the establishment of additional control measures for radio, television and internet advertising in order to "strengthen the protection of consumers" especially when it comes to "minors and other vulnerable groups. "
Te measures introduce additional limits to advertising during certain hours. Te new code establishes the prohibition of those under 25 starring in gambling advertisements; limits to 200 Euros the maximum amount of welcome bonuses shown in advertisements; and will reinforce the limitations of gambling advertisements broadcast during children’s hours.
Te operators adhering to the self-regulation
App and digital provider mkodo acquired by Pollard Banknote
UK
mkodo, the app and digital product provider, has entered into a binding agreement to be acquired by Pollard Banknote. Pollard will pay an initial purchase price of £7.8m, plus further potential earn-out payments based on mkodo meeting future EBITDA targets. Completion of the transaction is subject to certain regulatory and third-party approvals.
Pollard Banknote is a lottery partner to more than 60 lotteries worldwide, providing instant ticket products, licensed games, Schafer Systems and Fastrak retail merchandising solutions, and a full suite of digital offerings, ranging from game apps to comprehensive player engagement and iLottery solutions, including strategic marketing and management services.
agreement will include a standardised warning at the end of the advertisement which urges players to play responsibly and remind viewers that online gambling is illegal for those under 18 years of age.
"Tis agreement is the result of a long process of almost a year of work and has been possible thanks to the efforts of all operators. We are very happy to be able to reinforce the message of responsible gaming that operators have promoted since the entry into force of the gaming law in 2012, “the President of Jdigital, Mikel López de Torre said.
Te new regulations follow the ban on gambling adverts in the UK which coincided with the start of the football season. Te gambling industry announced the voluntary measure last year. Under the agreement, no gambling ads will be shown during live sport televised before the 9pm watershed for a “whistle to whistle” period beginning five minutes before the start of a match and ending five minutes after. Te curbs exclude horse and greyhound racing.
Stuart Godfree, mkodo co- founder and majority shareholder, said: “We are excited to join the team at Pollard and look forward to expanding our reach in the gaming world in collaboration with our new colleagues. Not only do we see a great cultural fit with the two organizations but joining the leading lottery partner will allow mkodo to take the next step in its ongoing evolution as the foremost supplier of mobile lottery solutions in the world.”
“We have grown mkodo organically over the past 18 years into a market leading technology player in the betting, gaming and lotteries sector,” added Sue Yoxall, mkodo co- founder and majority shareholder. “Pollard Banknote is an excellent fit with mkodo at this stage in our development – having the longevity of experience, excellence in product range, and an understanding of the value their team members and partnership relations.”
Lichtenstein
Te Grand Casino Lichtenstein opened in Bendern on December 11 becoming the fourth and largest casino yet to launch in Liechtenstein. It is located in the former building of the private clinic Medicnova in Bendern, which filed for bankruptcy in July 2018. Under one roof, next to the casino, there is a hotel with 20 double rooms, a poker room and a restaurant with capacity for up to 60 guests. Te gaming floor offers eight live game tables, including roulette, blackjack and punto banco. Te second phase is scheduled for completion in autumn 2020. Ten casino and poker area will extend to 6,000sq.m with an expected total of 150 employees. After completion of the second construction phase, 500 to 600 guests are expected daily. In contrast to the other casinos in Liechtenstein, the Grand Casino wants to specialise in poker. In the first phase six poker tables are available. In the long term, the casino seeks to host international tournaments.
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