Wire EMEA
Finland’s Monopoly at a Crossroads
A preliminary report from the Finnish Ministry of the Interior recommending an end to Finland’s gambling monopoly has received support from Veikkaus.
According to the preliminary study, a possible licensing system would in principle cover online casino games and online betting, with Veikkaus covering the rest.
FINLAND LEGISLATION
Romania - BETER Live opens two studios BETER Live has opened two new studios in Romania. The first comprises a European studio combining classic design with a modern approach. The floral patterns behind the glass add a tropical vibe and enhance the atmosphere of relaxation for a comfortable pastime.
The second studio is an Indian-style studio with traditional Asian games created in consultation with local designers to reflect the Eastern region’s cultural traditions. Each studio has BETER's signature mint colour in the table design.
France - Dominique Desseigne to step down The Lucien Barrière group has announced a change of governance with Alexandre Barrière, 36, son of Dominique Desseigne, current CEO of the group, set to succeed him soon.
Alexandre Barrière will take over the presidency of the Société de participation deauvillaise (SPD), the family holding company which owns 60 per cent of Groupe Lucien Barrière (GLB) and ‘together with the family, a 60.51 per cent stake in the capital of Société fermière du Casino municipal de Cannes (SFCMC).
UK - Betfred agrees new SIS agreement Betfred and Sports Information Services (SIS) have entered a new long-term production, distribution, and content agreement, with the bookmaker being the first to broadcast in high-definition.
The new deal ensures that Betfred’s UK retail customers can now enjoy top-quality content live from the most iconic racing events worldwide, all transmitted in HD video.
Betfred will also continue to benefit from the use of patented production technology from SIS until 2029, giving the operator additional flexibility over live broadcast schedules within its 1,400-strong retail stores in the UK.
The new agreement covers the distribution of live racing content across satellite and IPTV. This is delivered from a SIS portfolio of over 35,000 races annually, across more than 170 racecourses around the world.
Mark Stebbings, Group Chief Operating Officer at Betfred, commented: “We constantly strive to deliver the best quality racing to our UK retail customers and this deal provides us and them with great racing from around the world in high definition. This new agreement means that through advanced broadcast production technology and top-quality horse racing content offered by SIS, we are able to give our customers engaging races and regular chances to place bets.”
P12 WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS
In a preliminary report on Finland’s gambling monopoly, the Finnish Ministry of the Interior has said ‘the exclusivity system of gambling has come to a crossroads.’
As a recommendation for action in the study, it is stated that maintaining the regulation of Finland’s current gambling system is not a recommended option. Te report states that the amount of money lost outside the exclusive system (the so-called gaming margin) is considerable, according to the rapporteurs’ estimate, probably around €500 to 550m per year.
“About half of all online gambling is therefore directed to games outside the system. Gambling outside the system also causes significant harm to gambling, the effective prevention of which when operating under the current system is challenging,” the report states.
Olli Sarekoski, CEO of Veikkaus, emphasises that the study ensures that the volume of
Germany JCM Global acquires GPT shareholding
JCM Global has acquired UK trade association bacta’s shareholding in Game Payment Technology. GPT is the cashless payment solution company, previously jointly owned by bacta and Latitude 91, parent company of Polar Moment.
Te buy-in is a significant move by JCM Global to drive the amusement and gaming machine industry forward with cashless payment solutions. It follows the announcement that JCM Global would use the GPT cashless payment system to extend the functionality of the Ticket2Go ticketing system.
Payam Zadeh General Manager EMEA & Managing Director UK, JCM Global said: “Tere is no doubt that the need for cashless solutions alongside other forms of payment within the gaming sector and the wider world is growing. Terefore, this investment in Game Payment Technology is strategically very important for
JCM Global and an extension of the market- leading service our customers have come to expect from us.”
“Tese are exciting times for JCM Global and we anticipate that players in jurisdictions around the world will soon be able to pay and collect winnings via Ticket2Go using the GPT app, effectively replacing cash-handling with a simple, ticket-based solution. Te combination of the two systems means that operators can offer cashless payment without needing to alter individual gaming machines. Te solution incorporates social responsibility measures and opportunities for precisely targeted marketing initiatives,” added Zadeh.
Tim Stratton, director of Game Payment Technology, said “We are thrilled to see the GPT app, which we developed for the UK machine sector, find a new home with JCM Global.”
gaming margins outside the exclusive system is approximately half a billion euros annually. Playing in a market outside the system causes gambling harms that affect Finland.
Mr. Sarekoski added: “Te report is good and balanced. It is important that the amount of gaming margin outside the exclusive system is confirmed to be in the range of €500 to 550m, and thus also in the category we have presented based on data from H2 Gambling Capital. If the system change is directed towards the licensing system, it is desirable for Veikkaus that this change will take place faster rather than slowly.”
At the press conference of the preliminary study, alternatives to the gambling system were proposed to switch to a licensing system for online gambling or, alternatively, to strengthen the monopoly on the Norwegian model. “It would probably be possible to achieve a higher channeling rate of online gambling in the licensing system,” the study stated.
Malta
RAW iGaming has purchased Green Jade Games’ full arcade portfolio of games. Tis deal includes all of the highly entertaining arcade games, such as Candy Prize Big, Galaxy Wing and the popular Jade Puzzle.
Tom Wood, CEO at RAW iGaming said: “Adding Green Jade Games’ innovative arcade- style games to the recently purchased Spigo casual platform will increase the size of our games portfolio and will give our arcade players more skill-based entertainment options. RAW likes to innovate where innovation is lacking and adding Green Jade's games supports us in this mission by turning the neglected segment of casual gaming into an exciting opportunity.”
Ben McDonagh CEO of Green Jade, added: “RAW, similar to Green Jade Games, is interested and invested in delivering new gaming experiences for players and challenging the existing commodity of games.”
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