Month: May 2022

The scheme has been developed in a level-up format, with players able to earn reward points for each bet they place. Points can be redeemed as cash or free bets.

The loyalty scheme has a total of six levels, with players able to see their current number of reward points as well as how many they need to progress to the next level.

Honoré Gaming has already launched the program with a number of African operators in markets such as Congo Brazzaville, Chad and Nigeria.

“Operators are always looking for ways to retain players and reward them for their loyalty to their sportsbook or casino,” Honoré Gaming chief operating officer Christophe Casanova said. “Loyalty schemes have long been a powerful way of doing this, so we wanted to offer such a scheme to operators in African markets.

“The Honoré Loyalty Scheme has been designed to add an element of fun but also transparency with players able to see how many points they could receive from each of the bets they have placed. 

“We can already see just how effective our loyalty scheme can be with the operator partners that have been running it for the past few months, so we look forward to rolling it out with our other partners and for them to be able to drive bet volumes while boosting retention rates.”

An investigation by the VGCCC found that between 2012 and 2016, the Crown Melbourne casino allowed patrons to use CUP credit or debit cards to access funds to gamble. 

The VGCCC said this illegal conduct facilitated access to nearly $164m, from which Crown derived an estimated revenue of more than $32m.

The Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence (RCCOL) into Crown deemed the China Union Pay process to be illegal and in breach of sections 68(2)(c) and 124(1) of the Casino Control Act 1991.

Section 68 prohibits Crown from providing money or gambling chips in a transaction that involves a credit or debit card, as it did with the CUP cards. This measure, the RCCOL said, aims to avoid gambling derived from criminal funds and to support responsible gambling and minimise harm.

Section 124 requires Crown to keep certain accounting records to ensure the handling of money in Crown Melbourne is effectively supervised, as well as that Crown’s taxes and other financial obligations to the state and public are paid in full.

Crown Melbourne admitted that the China Union Pay process was illegal and “completely unacceptable”, while it also acknowledged it was appropriate for the VGCCC to impose a fine. 

This marks the first occasion the VGCCC has used its stronger enforcement powers under legislative amendments to the Casino Control Act, with the maximum allowable fine now $100m, up from just $1m prior to legislative changes.

“Crown’s CUP process was a clandestine, deliberate process, which not only breached the Casino Control Act but was also devised to assist patrons to breach China’s foreign currency exchange restrictions,” VGCCC chairperson Fran Thorn said.

“Crown was aware of the risk that the CUP process could be illegal but decided to run that risk. In doing so, it showed no regard for upholding its regulatory obligations. Indeed, it went to some lengths to hide what it was doing.

“Crown benefited handsomely from its illegal conduct. The fine will ensure that Crown is stripped of the revenue it derived from the CUP process and will send a clear message that it must comply with its regulatory obligations.”

Responding to the fine, Crown said: “Crown acknowledges its historic failings. The China UnionPay process ceased in 2016. Upon becoming aware of this historical conduct, Crown’s board immediately commissioned an independent investigation and shared the findings with the Victorian Royal Commission, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (the predecessor to the VGCCC) and other regulators.

“Crown’s Board and senior management are committed to the delivery of a comprehensive reform and remediation program to ensure Crown delivers a safe and responsible gaming environment and continues to cooperate with the VGCCC on all matters arising from the Victorian Royal Commission Report.”

The VGCCC added that during the disciplinary proceedings, it became apparent that in addition to the CUP process, there were other mechanisms that persisted after 2016 that enabled CUP cards to be used to access cash at Crown Hotels, which was then potentially used for gambling. 

Consideration of this did not form part of the current disciplinary proceedings and Crown Melbourne considers these transactions do not contravene the Casino Control Act. 

However, the VGCCC has decided to undertake its own investigation into these transactions and form its own view about whether further breaches have occurred in the period after 2016.

The VGCCC will now consider further disciplinary proceedings against Crown related to the other findings of the Royal Commission, which may each attract a fine of up to $100.0m.

In October 2021, a Royal Commission report found that Crown was not suitable to hold a casino licence in Victoria, after it revealed that Crown had engaged in “illegal, dishonest, unethical and exploitative” conduct.

This report was built on the Bergin report, which found that Crown was unsuitable to operate a casino in New South Wales. The company was also deemed unfit to operate a casino at the Barangaroo region of Sydney.

The agreement will see 3 Oaks Gaming titles become available across a number of global markets, including Parimatch’s base country Cyprus.

These will include multiple hold and win titles.

3 Oaks Gaming is also in the final stages of securing licences to operate from key online gaming jurisdictions including Malta, Bulgaria, Italy, Romania, Sweden and Colombia.

The news comes after 3 Oaks Gaming signed a comprehensive content agreement with operator Avento in April.

Sebastian Damian, managing director at 3 Oaks Gaming, said: “We’re extremely pleased to partner with Parimatch, a brand that is globally renowned, as we look to further grow our international footprint.

“It is clear that the momentum we’re generating is a result of operator’s taking notice of the valuable content we can bring to the market, and by delivering leading games we’re able to deliver fantastic gaming experiences to players.”

Nataliia Zaieva, head of casino at Parimatch Tech, added: “3 Oaks Gaming provides an array of content that brings diversity and innovation in equal measure, and this allows it to stand apart as a distributor in our space.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how its content is received in our markets across the globe, as well as embracing new products when made available through their platform.”

In March, 3 Oaks Gaming received a software supplier licence from the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission.

The group has developed its “The next big move is yours” campaign to promote its online gaming, sports betting and online casino services.

Developed by the Italia agency, the campaign will broadcast six spots related to its offering via television and social networks. The campaign begins this month and will continue throughout the year.

Codere said the ads recreate different everyday situations, such as at a bus stop, where players share the excitement of playing games.

Alberto Telias, chief marketing officer of Codere Online, said: “With the launch of this campaign, we continue to strengthen the Codere brand in the region and develop content, experiences and products that, together with the main soccer teams, bring us closer to the local customer.”

Codere Online began operating in the City of Buenos Aires in December 2021 after obtaining an initial five-year licence granted by Lotería de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (LOTBA), the gaming regulator of the City of Buenos Aires. Codere Online is also operational in the Latin American markets of Mexico, Colombia and Panama.

The business has signed a series of strategic alliances with the main football teams in the region, including the sponsorship of Real Madrid CF for Latin America and the sponsorship of Club Atlético River Plate in Argentina.

Argentina allows for gambling to be legalised on a state-by-state basis, with the City of Buenos Aires allowing operators to launch late last year.

Codere Online was previously a subsidiary of Codere but was spun off in 2021. 

All three operators were handed a fine of €25,000 (£21,286/$26,876) for breaching Article 10 (19) of Lithuania’s gambling regulations (ALI), which relates to encouraging participation in gambling. 

The decisions were based on Lithuania’s ban on gambling promotions, which came into effect last year. 

The Authority said that Olympic Casino Group Baltija’s OlyBet.lt website featured a range of promotional slogans that encouraged consumers to play its online slots and casino games.

The adverts included text such as ‘Specially selected casino games; play’ and ‘Hunt for a win in the Bonus Game! HIT BIG’.

In addition to the fine, the Authority warned Olympic Casino Group Baltija that is licence to offer such game could be suspended if further, similar breaches were noted. The operator has until 27 June to remove the adverts, with its licence up for renewal this year.

Meanwhile, Tete-a-Tete Casino was also found to have published promotional slogans on its CBet.lt website, with the aim of advertising its online slot games to players in Lithuania.

This text included phrases such as ‘Highest odds! 0% betting margin for you’ and ‘5 stars Live Casino’, with the Authority taking the view that this was illegal gambling advertising. 

Tete-a-Tete Casino was also given until 27 June to rectify the issue or face having its licence, which is due to expire this year, suspended.

Elsewhere, Baltic Bet was issued with a fine for publishing similar advertising slogans on its Optibet.lt website, with this deemed to be encouraging people to gamble.

These phrases, the Authority said, included ‘Would you like to try these new, exciting games? Come here!’ and ‘Enjoy the Las Vegas casino experience with us at Optibet’.

As was the case with the other two operators, Baltic Bet was ordered to remove these phrases from its sites or risk having its licence – due for renewal this year – suspended. 

The Authority added that none of the three decisions are final and the operators can appeal against the decision.

All three operators have previously faced disciplinary action in Lithuania, the most recent being Olympic Casino Group Baltija, which was in March this year fined €25,000 for publishing information about a poker tournament on its website.

Baltic Bet was fined €12,450 for “organising gambling outside of gambling regulations” in October last year, while Tete-a-Tete Casino in March 2021 became the first operator to be fined under new regulations in Lithuania for unreasonably setting betting limits on an online customer.

In recent weeks, a number of other operators have also been fined for breaching advertising laws in the country. Top Sport was fined €25,000 while 7bet operator Amber Gaming was handed a €6,789 penalty.

Also this month, both Unigames and Betsson were fined after being found in violation of the country’s ban on gambling promotion.

The study was conducted by Ipsos among a representative group of Dutch adults aged 18 years and older, and a representative group of young adult Dutch people aged 18 to 34 years old. The study took place between 14 February and 23 February 2022.

The second annual NOGA Online Gambling Barometer 2022 found that both young people and other adults have seen online gambling advertisements more often this year.

Other adults see these advertisements more often on TV, while young people see them more often on the internet and social media. Some 25% of other adults said they had seen adverts “very often” over the last 12 months, compared to just 6% in 2021, while 23% of young people reported the same.

The survey found that all those surveyed are not enthusiastic about online gambling advertisements, and want them only to be broadcast after 9pm and aimed as little as possible at young people and vulnerable groups.

Opinions are mainly negative, but more divided about the use of role models in advertising, with 25% of young people supporting this. Contrastingly, 15% of other adults support this.

Just 22% of respondents said they did not mind receiving or seeing advertisements for online gambling.

Earlier this month, Dutch Minister for Legal Protection Franc Weerwind revealed that regulator de Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) had launched an investigation into how operators advertise to players aged between 18 and 24.

The number of players has remained stable compared to last year and still mainly consists of men and the highly educated. The report states that 12% of all adults have gambled online in the last 12 months, compared to 11% in 2021. Among those aged 18-34, 21% have gambled online in the last 12 months, compared to 20% in 2021.

Just 2% of Dutch adults gamble daily, compared to 9% in 2021.

Sports betting is the most popular form of gambling, being that of 59% of those who have gambled in the last 12 months, compared to the second highest – online games – at 38%.

While familiarity with the legalisation of the online gambling market has hugely increased in the last 12 months, a large majority of players – about 70% — do not know how to recognise whether an operator is licenced in any case.

The majority of respondents view addiction as a major risk. They expect the provider to make an effort to prevent addiction, carry out age checks and provide information about the risks.

Under the deal, Betway will remain as the official betting sponsor of the competition, which this year takes place form 16-24 July in Rothenbaum.

The expanded agreement covers both the men’s and women’s competitions at the Open.

The 2022 Hamburg European Open will feature players such as Denmark’s Holger Rune, Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Danielle Collins of the US and tournament ambassador Andrea Petkovic from Germany.

“We are delighted to announce the expansion of our partnership with Betway,” tournament director Sandra Reichel said. “They came aboard last year in unusual times with a multi-year deal and now they committed even more generously to the idea of a men’s and women’s tournament. 

“They are supporting us in making history with the combined event returning to Hamburg after 44 years.”

Betway’s chief executive Anthony Workman added: “We are very proud to continue our fantastic relationship with Hamburg European Open. This year, we are also extremely happy to be creating a piece of history as we partner with the women’s tournament. 

“It’s very important for the women’s game to receive support in order to allow it grow, so it’s great that we’ve been able to play a part in this via our partnership with Hamburg European Open.”

Under the four-year deal, which comes into effect from 1 June, Argentina-based BetWarrior will become an official sponsor of the Argentina national team.

The agreement will also include sponsorship of Copa Argentina, a club football competition in the country, as well as certain other national tournaments. 

“Since we assumed our management of the AFA, we have worked to continue generating resources to improve the economic strength of the organisation and the clubs that are part of AFA,” AFA president Claudio Tapia said.

“Without a doubt, in this important year, we redoubled our efforts ,and we are focused on generating new agreements in this direction. We welcome BetWarrior to our Association.”

BetWarrior’s marketing director Santiago Gándara added: “For BetWarrior, we are proud to be a sponsor of the Argentine soccer team and of this team that has won the affection of the people. 

“BetWarrior is a unique product in the industry, a new and original model in the country, a platform of Argentine origin that seeks to lead the way for the future of the betting industry in LATAM. And for that, there is nothing better than being with the Argentine team.”

The MGA issued a statement confirming that Farrugia had been arraigned, but also clarifying that his employment with the regulator had been terminated in December 2021, after it initiated an investigation into “alleged wrongdoings”.

“The results of these investigations were passed on to the relevant authorities and the MGA has been, and remains, at their disposal and providing all required assistance,” the MGA said. “In the meantime, the MGA continues to take all the necessary steps to ensure the integrity of its data.”

The MGA had previously announced on 16 December 2021 that Farrugia “no longer has any connection to the MGA and can no longer represent it or speak on its behalf”.

Local media reports said that Farrugia pleaded not guilty to all charges, which they said include offences related to money laundering, extortion, acceptance of bribes and fraud.

Under the agreement, Kings Entertainment will combine with SVH and operate as a single business.

The deal is subject to a series of terms and conditions including shareholder approval and the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). Trading of Kings Entertainment’s common shares on the CSE will be halted during the approval process. 

Should the deal go through, current Bet99 chief executive Jared Beber will serve as CEO of the merged business, with Kings Entertainment CEO Steve Budin to continue to lead the group’s LottoKings operations and act in an advisory role. 

In addition, Adam Arviv, the founder and former CEO of Bragg Gaming Group, will become executive chair of the combined entity. 

“The combination of Kings Entertainment, a company led by pioneers of the international online sports gambling industry, and SVH, the parent company of operators of the market-leading Bet99 brand, will be transformative for the Canadian sports betting sector,” Budin said. 

“Our vision for Kings has always been to build leadership positions within each of the regulated jurisdictions that we enter, and this agreement will certainly accelerate that goal within the Canadian landscape and beyond.”

Beber added: “Merging with an internationally recognized online betting veteran such as Kings is a natural next step for SVH.

“Bringing the Bet99 brand to the public capital markets, through Kings’ CSE and OTC listings, will not only support expansion by engaging a much broader investor base, but will also build the Bet99 brand with an even wider audience of betting enthusiasts.”