Wire EMEA
APPG Launches White Paper Inquiry
Following the publication of the UK Government’s White Paper on gambling regulation, the Gambling Related Harm APPG has launched a new inquiry.
Whilst ‘pleased’ on several fronts, the APPG said it was 'disappointed' to see the ‘relatively weak proposals’ set out on restrictions to gambling advertising.
UK LEGISLATION
UK - Betsson integrates SIS esports SIS has agreed a deal with Betsson to supply its esports betting product, Competitive Gaming, to the operator. The operator has integrated the supplier’s full end-to-end solution, representing another feather in the cap for Competitive Gaming following in the footsteps of bet365 and Spreadex.
SIS’ Dave Richardson said: “We are delighted that our esports offering is being trusted by another highly respected operator, which is a testament to the hard work that has gone into developing such a robust product proven to drive engagement.”
Austria - NOVOMATIC rating upgraded Standard & Poor has analysed the strengths and risks of Austrian slot manufacturer NOVOMATIC, upgrading its rating from BB to BB+ due to the company’s ‘solid operating performance’ in the 2022 financial year and reduction in debt.
CEO Johannes Gratzl said: "The improvement of our rating once again confirms not only the success of our dual strategy as a producer and operator, but also that of our growth strategy and investments in our core markets."
Germany - DSWV contends media reports The German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) has reported that the number of entries in the OASIS national player ban file has increased from 47,000 bans in 2020 to 192,600 bans at the beginning of May 2023.
In this context, some media outlets falsely make it appear that the increase in player suspensions in the OASIS suspensions file in recent years is due to a substantial spread of problem gambling behavior in society. The German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) disagrees with this conclusion as it is incorrect. As recently as June 2021, only 464 gaming operators with 1,529 operating sites were connected to OASIS. These were mainly gaming arcades in Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate as well as casinos and a few sports betting operators.
"It is not the number of gambling addicts that has increased, but the number of players who can be entered into OASIS and thus protected across all providers. The development of the OASIS figures is proof of successful player protection and the functioning blocking system,” explained DSWV President, Mathias Dahms.
“However, to derive a general attack against the State Treaty on Gaming or the licensed gaming providers from the increased figures does not do justice to the history of the blocking file, nor to the improved player protection situation on the German gaming market."
P14 WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS
Following the publication of the UK Government’s White Paper on gambling regulation, ‘High Stakes: Gambling Reform for the Digital Age’, the Gambling Related Harm APPG has launched an inquiry to ascertain if the government has the right ideas and ability to implement the measures in a timely manner.
Te inquiry has been implemented to ensure that commitments made in the White Paper are taken forward as a priority, specifically the attribution of greater powers to the Gambling Commission to ensure enforcement. Whilst ‘pleased’ on several fronts, the APPG said it was 'disappointed' to see the ‘relatively weak proposals’ set out on restrictions to gambling advertising including for white label and affiliate products, adding that 'much more' must be done on advertising to protect children and young people.
“Whilst we entirely welcome many of the proposals set out in the white paper, and are pleased the Government has listened to our
UK Entain braces for hefty HMRC penalty
Entain is bracing for a substantial UK financial penalty after a four year HM Revenue & Customs probe into tax and bribery offences by one of the Group's former Turkish subsidiaries.
Te owner of Coral and Ladbrokes said it was in deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) negotiations with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and is working towards achieving a resolution of the ongoing HMRC investigation. HMRC began an investigation into the group's former Turkish-facing online betting and gaming business, which it held from 2011 until it was sold in 2017, in November 2019.
In July 2020, HMRC widened the scope of the investigation and was examining potential corporate offending by an entity (or entities) within the group. Shares in the group fell by as much as 3.3 per cent.
Barry Gibson, Chairman of Entain commented on the investigation and impending fine, stating: “We are keen to achieve a resolution to what is an historical issue relating principally to a business that was sold by the Group nearly six years ago.
“Entain has been through a period of extraordinary transformation since then, and has taken decisive action to be a best-in-class, responsible operator with outstanding corporate governance.Te Board and leadership teams have been overhauled, 100 per cent of our revenue is now from regulated or regulating markets, and our business model, strategy and culture have been reviewed, analysed, and stress-tested.
“We will continue to work closely with both the CPS and HMRC to ensure that this matter can be concluded as soon as is practical.”
calls for reform, there is clearly more work to be done," commented Carolyn Harris MP, Chair of the Gambling Related Harm APPG. "Te APPG will now seek to inform the Government with further evidence and analysis during the important consultation phase, and ensure that measures and commitments made, that will help save lives, are implemented as a priority.”
Te APPG is welcoming evidence for submissions by 11 July to inform its 'thinking and recommendations' specifically around:what the optimal stake limit for online slot content should be and how online game design should be modified to prevent harm including opt-out deposit limits; how the Statutory Levy should be operated and administered; how affordability checks should be operated and the proposed parameters set out by the government; what the optimal system for data sharing should be; how an Ombudsman should be operated and administered; and what further steps should be taken to protect children and young people from gambling advertising.
Cyprus
Europe’s first integrated resort, City of Dreams Mediterranean, had its soft opening on June 12 with TCS John Huxley chosen to supply all of the gaming equipment.
TCS supplied 125 custom designed gaming tables, Chipper Champ chipping machines, Saturn Roulette Wheels, Ora Grande Winning number displays with the new Dynamic Display System (DDS) software, table game accessories and Matsui poker tournament chips. Te project has taken several years to come to fruition, with the TCS John Huxley team working in partnership with Melco to provide bespoke gaming equipment crafted to the highest standards.
City of Dreams Mediterranean’s Lykourgos Vasmanolis said: "We had a very exacting brief for this prestigious project that required outstanding quality and the highest level of detail, and I’m pleased to say TCS John Huxley has delivered on all fronts."
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