Month: January 2022

AnonyMind provides confidential online treatment for individuals suffering from gambling harm. It also offers clinic-based treatment through Leon House Private Clinic, its parent company.

Leon House first launched AnonyMind in July 2020.

Atha previously held the position of operations director at digital healthcare provider Push Doctor, and has professional experience in the gambling industry, including at Sky Betting and Gaming.

“There is a huge need for easy access to effective treatment giving people the skills and support they need to cope with their issues while providing insight to gambling operators to devise and enhance their robust responsible gaming strategies,” said Atha.

“AnonyMind have built their processes and capacity and they have now reached a point where I have a real opportunity as the new COO to help increase awareness and funding for its innovative and potentially life-saving problem gambling treatment.”

The appointment comes after the company reported a rise of 600% in registrations for its services in Q4 2021, compared to Q3.

AnonyMind co-founder Andy Iddon added, “Andy will make a perfect captain for our ship, he has an outstanding combination of gambling industry experience and operational leadership in health tech for AnonyMind.”

“Our clinicians, clients we treat, and peers we work with appreciate that compulsive gamblers face barriers in accessing traditional walk-in and residential treatment, from stigma and GP referrals to waiting lists and the cost and time of attending face-to-face centres.”

“With our client-first model of online treatment, we’re proving those barriers can be removed.”

While inspecting the operator’s website (idrottensbingo.se) in September 2021, Spelinspektionen found a lack of logos displaying information on self-assessment tests, deposit limits, login time and suspension from games on the site’s logged out page – a violation of Sweden’s gaming legislation.

Information about the licencee, such as name, telephone number and email address were also missing.

When responding in October 2021, the Swedish Bingo Association claimed that the necessary information was visible when logged into the site, regardless of which type of device the player signed in with.

Spelinspektionen then carried out another inspection later that month and found that the required information was still missing from the logged out page. The Swedish Bingo Association rectified things in November 2021 by displaying the necessary information on the logged out page in addition to providing the licencee information.

The regulator decided that a reprimand was sufficient, stating that “the violations are not to be regarded as serious, but neither as minor nor excusable”.

Spelinspektionen director general Camilla Rosenberg said: “In the current case, it appears that all logos according to the legislation have been placed at the top of both the regular website and the mobile-friendly website in logged-in mode, which means better protection for players than if the information had been completely missing. 

“The shortcoming regarding the logos was only a small part of the information linked to gaming responsibility. These circumstances are according to Spelinspektionen mitigating and show that there was no intention from Sweden Bingo Association’s page not to follow the regulations, or that it was about systematic shortcomings in the field of gambling responsibility.”

In July 2021, Spelinspektionen issued a warning to bingo operator Tombola for similar information display failings.

As of the end of December 2021, some 30,451 people were registered with ROFUS, up from 26,115 at the same point in 2020.

Since the scheme launched in 2012, Spillemyndigheden said about 4,000 people were signing up to self-exclude from gambling every year.

The 20-29 age group made up the bulk of those on the list (30%), just ahead of the 30-39 bracket with 28%.

In comparison, just 8% of all those included were above the age of 60. Six per cent were in the 60-69 age group, split evenly between men and women, and 2% were aged 70-79, again an even split. 

The regulator also noted that the majority of people registering with ROFUS are men, with 76% of all those on the list being male and 24% female.

Younger men in particular made use of ROFUS, with 26% of registrants being male and in the 20-29 age group, while 22% were men aged between 30 and 39.

A further 4% of men signed up to ROFUS were under the age of 20.

Commissioned by the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) and online gambling self-exclusion service Gamstop, the survey of 2,000 students found 80% of them had gambled at some point.

Some 35% had used money from their student loan or overdraft, or borrowed from friends or payday loans to help fund their gambling, with 19% admitting to using their student loan to gamble.

Other key findings for the study included that the average spend among those who gambled was £31.52 per week, and while 18% admitted to spending £50 a week, 45% did not spend more than £10 per week.

Of those who gambled, 38% did so at least once a week, with 63% gambling at least once a month, while 28% said they are gambling as often, or more often, than before the pandemic and 29% are spending as much or more than before the pandemic. 

The most popular gambling products during the pandemic have been the National Lottery, with 32% of gamblers playing, ahead of online sports betting on 25% and online bingo with 18%.

As to why students gambled, 46% said that making money is a motivation, with one on four saying they enjoyed the risk. More than half said gambling makes them feel excited and one in three said it makes them happy, but one in five said they feel anxious when gambling.

Some 34% of students said their friends are the biggest influence on their gambling, while 23% said they were most influenced by social media and 14% gambling advertising.

Following the publication of the report, YGAM and Gamstop will partner with RecoverMe, an app that provides self-help tools to those suffering from a gambling problem, to launch a campaign raising awareness of gambling harms among students and promoting support available to those who may be struggling. 

The Gambling Support University Tour will see the three organisations visit university campuses throughout Great Britain to speak with students and university staff, while YGAM will also offer City & Guilds assured training to university teams to better equip them to support students. 

“This research provides us with some valuable insights into the behaviours of students during the pandemic,” YGAM’s director of external affairs, Daniel Bliss, said. “We’re keen to build on this piece of work to better understand how our programmes can safeguard and support students.

“The findings reiterate the importance of educating our young people on the risks and harms associated with gambling. Education is a powerful tool to ensure students are equipped with the knowledge and understanding to help prevent harm.”

Gamstop chief executive Fiona Palmer added: “Gambling-related harm on our campuses is a subject that is rarely addressed, but for any students experiencing problems with their gambling, self-exclusion can give them valuable breathing space whilst they seek additional help.

“With online gambling increasingly prevalent during the pandemic, the research shows the importance of raising awareness of a free online self-exclusion service which is accessible to all.”

Under the agreement, GiG will continue to provide Avento with its GiG Comply automated marketing compliance.

GiG Comply enables operators to scan web pages for content, links and igaming code red words, helping to ensure they are fully compliant in jurisdictions around the world.

The software analyses advertising campaigns and delivers reports to operators about the type of content that is being used to promote their brands, allowing them to see if affiliates are fully aligned with their brand guidelines and responsible gaming requirements.

“We are super delighted to continue our agreement with GiG Comply; this shall continue to ensure our commitment at being a fully compliant company within the industry thanks to GiG Comply,” the Avento Group compliance team said.

GiG’s chief marketing officer Jonas Warrer added: “As new markets continue to regulate, there is an increased need for operators to ensure they comply with the ever-changing regulations in all jurisdictions they operate.”

“It makes us very proud to have a young and innovative partner like the Avento group, which values the importance of creating a safer and more sustainable gaming environment and continues to place trust in GiG Comply.”

Under the deal, Bet365 will have access to additional video content including low latency broadcasts from a number of top tier football competitions from around the world, as well as American football’s National Football League (NFL) folr customers outside the US.

Streaming content will be combined with Genius Sports’ portfolio of official data across thousands of events per year, including the NFL and England’s Premier League top tier club football competition

In addition, Genius Sports will deliver its official data-driven marketing campaigns, which it said will help drive deeper engagement and lower cost of acquisition across display, video and connected TV for Bet365.

“The expansion of our partnership with Bet365 further validates Genius Sports’ long-standing strategy to power live betting experiences backed by the highest quality official data and video content,” Genius Sports’ chief executive Mark Locke said. 

“This agreement is particularly significant for our live streaming service which combines premium content from competitions with thousands of other low latency broadcasts from sports right around the world.”

Tod will join Tab NZ after a spell as the executive general manager of corporate affairs for Commonwealth Bank, while at the same time he served as a strategic advisor in the health care, sports and agriculture sectors.

Prior to this, Tod spent more than 18 years with Air New Zealand, serving in a number of roles such as chief marketing and customer officer, advisor to the board and chief executive, and general manager for marketing and communications.

His other roles have included director for the Queenstown Airport Corporation, strategic advisor to Live Ocean Racing, advisory board member for Mastercard and co-founder of Pacifica Investments.

“Tab NZ is an iconic organisation that is inextricably linked to New Zealand’s way of life,” Tod said. “Now that the racing industry reforms are well advanced, this allows TAB NZ, as a commercial wagering operator, to focus on its objectives of maximising profits for the long-term benefit of racing in New Zealand, to maximise returns to New Zealand sporting organisations, and to support our communities.”

Tab NZ board chair Mark Stewart added: “The board and I are thrilled to welcome someone of Mike’s international experience to lead TAB NZ. He is a deeply customer-centric leader with extensive experience in key areas of focus for our organisation, including product and service innovation, marketing, brand and consumer engagement. 

“His appointment and those areas of focus will allow us to drive further revenue growth for our racing and sporting stakeholders.

“Mike’s global experience with Air New Zealand – in particular as chief marketing and customer officer where he led the resurgence of the brand and delivery of proactive and service innovations internationally – places TAB NZ in a strong position to meet its financial potential and to deliver upon the expectations of its stakeholders.”

Under the agreement, Caesars Sportsbook will become an official mobile sports netting partner of the team and acquire naming rights to a new sportsbook-style premium club lounge at the Bills’ Highmark Stadium.

Caesars Sportsbook will also gain access to the use of official Bills logos and marks, as well as a wide range of VIP experiences and hospitality assets that will be made available for Caesars Sportsbook customers through the app’s integration with the operator’s Caesars Rewards loyalty program.

Other aspects of the deal include broadcast and digital content across Bills’ properties and TV-visible in-game signage, as well as access to fan activations at Highmark Stadium.

Read the full story on iGB North America.

The measures, which are subject to a consultation period that concludes today (17 January), include a deposit limit of SEK4,000 per week.

The deposit cap would then be implemented, along with other proposed restrictions, from February until June. Other proposed temporary restrictions include players setting a time limit on online gaming.

Sweden first implemented a controversial deposit cap of SEK5,000 in June 2020. This was extended to May 2021 and then to November 2021.

In response to the consultation, BOS, which already attacked the new measures when they were first announced, said the measures were “counterproductive” and could have a negative impact on the market.

“We have requested evidence of the government’s findings of alarming increases in online casino play, as we have not seen such a development in our own books,” said Gustaf Hoffstedt, secretary general of BOS.

“We have also pointed out that the restrictions are counterproductive. They have an impact on the gaming market and consumers that is negative for consumer protection and public health.”

BOS believes that the restrictions could be damaging to customer protection efforts by encouraging players to play under different licensees or seek offshore gambling operators.

“The restrictions create incentives for the high-volume consumer to, instead of playing with a single gaming company, instead play with many companies, in order to thus override the deposit limit,” said Hoffstedt. This, he argued, meant that consumer protection efforts were undermined.

“It also creates additional incentives for consumers to move away from the regulated market.”

The Ministry stated that the proposals are to ensure player protection as the pandemic continues.

Earlier today Sweden’s gambling regulator Spelinspektionen said that it would not object to the proposed measures. However, it emphasised that the effects of the restrictions, whether they help or hinder player protection efforts, are uncertain.

With effect from today (17 January), Shay Segev (pictured) will become sole chief executive of the business, having previously served as its co-CEO since joining in June 2021.

Prior to joining DAZN, Segev was chief executive of Entain, taking on the role when Kenny Alexander left the operator in June 2020. Segev was also previously chief operating officer of Entain.

“Shay’s technology background and outstanding history of delivering a strong performance culture will be hugely beneficial as DAZN introduces additional interactive fan engagement services such as betting and e-commerce for users to enjoy alongside our core offering of live sports streaming,” DAZN group chairman Kevin Mayer said.

DAZN co-founder James Rushton will continue with his existing responsibilities overseeing growth in local markets, rights and content. Rushton spent most of his career with Perform Group and oversaw a series of ventures, including the launch of DAZN in 2016.

Meanwhile, Darren Waterman will join DAZN as group chief financial officer. Waterman will take on the new role having previously led the finance team responsibly for Prime Video internationally at Amazon. 

Stuart Epstein, who spent almost four years as CFO, will remain as senior advisor and also a member of the DAZN board.

 “James’ expertise in sports rights and deep understanding of the markets will ensure that DAZN continues to nurture and grow its core business,” Mayer said. 

“We thank Stuart for his many valuable contributions and look forward to his on-going involvement in this new capacity and we are delighted to be onboarding such strong talent as Darren Waterman.  

“Being able to attract such high calibre individuals is a testament to the strength of our business and our future.”

The management reshuffle comes after DAZN in September also appointed Ian Turnbull, formerly of Entain and Microgaming, to the newly created role of executive vice president for betting and gaming.