Month: June 2024

Former UK Tote product director and UK industry veteran Jamie Hart is seeking to streamline integration efforts for operators in his newly established role as head of gambling at UK technology consultancy Conquer Technology.

Hart, who also spent time as an executive director at Tabcorp and director of innovation at William Hill, said the move was prompted by a desire to help operators fix their biggest technology and integration problems in a nimble and innovative way, in contrast to the clunky processes that are often in place.   

He said that as an operator the majority of technical decisions are made through necessity around regulatory changes, “leaving not much room to solve other technical problems”. 

“Integration is typically the biggest issue for betting companies and that will be our number one target,” Hart added.  

Conquer Technology describes itself as a full-service development studio specialising in transforming client problems into top-notch solutions.  

Hart said he met Conquer Technology chief commercial officer David Carter when the company participated in an innovation competition during his time at William Hill, between 2008 and 2016.  

Conquer Technology focuses on small-scale technical innovation. Hart said the firm would take on the risks associated with small-scale innovation, making it easier for operators to implement new or challenging technologies.  

Hart said Conquer Technology would be seeking to help firms innovate in various areas including regulation, Know Your Customer and new betting products and bet types.  

“Operators find it difficult to get the bandwidth to experiment and test new things. It might be quicker and cheaper to do those with us than in-house,” Hart said.  

“[At operators] there certainty seems to be a lot more people involved in projects now than there was 20 years ago. I’m hoping we can provide a unique outsourcing model,” he said.

“UK Tote was limiting”

On his move, Hart said the Tote had been a passion project but he had aspirations to solve other technical challenges. 

“There’s a lot more I want to do and change [in gambling] and the Tote’s product was difficult to innovate,” he concluded.

David Gorsic, a Slovenian former player, and Steven Nguyen, an inactive Australian national-level official, have been charged. Both admitted to betting on tennis while covered by the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme (TACP).

Gorsic, who reached a career-high world singles ranking of 1,399 back in 2015, admitted to betting between 2017 and 2018. 

He faces a six-month ban, three months of which are suspended. This means he will not be eligible between 21 May and 20 August. He has also been fined $5,000 (£3,926/€4,660), with $3,500 of that figure suspended.

Nguyen, who has officiated at ITF junior, wheelchair and W25 events, was found to have bet on tennis between 2021 and 2023. He will serve a three-month sanction – from 23 May to 22 August – and pay a $2,000 fine, with $1,400 of that suspended.

The ITIA did not disclose any further information on the cases. However, it did confirm that the sanctions prohibit both Gorsic and Nguyen from officiating at or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA.

ITIA continues to tackle tennis corruption

The sanctions are the latest issued by the ITIA as part of its crackdown on corruption and betting-related offences.

Just last month, the ITIA handed Venezuelan official Armando Belardi a lifetime ban from tennis. This came after he was charged with 26 breaches of the TACP.

Also in May, Italian player Emanuele Bastia was suspended for four months and two weeks after admitting to wagering on tennis. Meanwhile, Austrian wheelchair tennis player Nico Langmann accepted a fine for breaching betting sponsorship rules. 

Other recent cases include a lifetime ban for Alejandro Mendoza Crespo and three-year ban for Jorge Panta Herreros. Both cases are linked to a wider syndicate in Belgium, which led to its leader, Grigor Sargsyan, being given a five-year custodial sentence.

Following sentencing, seven players were banned in November for varying durations. This was after they were found to have breached the TACP.

A host of other players have faced similar charges in the months that have followed.

Harrington’s tenure will officially wrap up at the end of 2024. She agreed to stay on until the end of the year to support the transition to a new CEO.

During her time in the role, Harrington oversaw a number of changes within the BHA and wider British horseracing. This included garnering support for British horseracing’s long-term industry strategy and working to progress its people strategy. With the people strategy, Harrington introduced the Horseracing Industry People Board.

This growth, Harrington said, is why now feels like the right time to leave her role as CEO.

“With so much now in place to develop and grow the industry strategy, which will secure a brighter future for British horseracing, it felt like the right time to move on and let someone else steer the sport through its next exciting phase,” she explained.

“It has been a huge privilege to lead the BHA during what has been a period of real change as the sport has developed and implemented shared strategies for a sustainable future and an ability to speak with one united voice.”

Harrington added that she is proud of how far the industry has come, particularly in relation to horseracing’s governance strategy. This strategy was agreed upon in November 2022 and involved rearranging the BHA’s corporate governance agreements. It paved the way for the industry strategy to be implemented.

“I love working in horseracing; it is an amazing sport to be involved in,” she continued.

“I am proud of the progress the industry has made over the past three years, especially in improving the governance structure and I hope that racing’s stakeholders will continue to work together cooperatively to attract new audiences, further improve the customer experience and grow the sport.”

BHA chair Joe Saumarez Smith also moving on

As for her next steps, Harrington said she would likely move to a non-executive role.

Alongside the announcement of Harrington’s departure, the BHA also announced that Joe Saumarez Smith will be stepping down as chair. Smith’s time as chair will come to an end in May 2025. The process to find his replacement began last month.

Harrington noted that her resignation allows the nomination committee to organise a smooth handover. In addition, it will allow Smith’s replacement to partake in the final stages of CEO recruitment.

Smith said that Harrington’s tenure had been influential for both the BHA and British horseracing.

“During Julie’s tenure we have completely changed the governance of the sport and the BHA’s role within it,” he said. “Her influencing skills, often behind the scenes, have been key to that change and also in the positive adjustments made to the Gambling Act white paper that posed such a threat to our sport.”

When the Gambling Act review white paper was published in April last year, the BHA was generally positive about the policies included. Harrington pointed to the confirmation of a review of the horseracing betting levy as a highlight.

However, at the beginning of May, Harrington expressed caution around the affordability checks pilot announced by the GB Gambling Commission. The pilot will allow the Commission to test whether it can “refine the data sharing processes before assessments are rolled out in a live environment”. It will last for six months.

The backdrop for this potential shift lies in the narrow defeat of gambling legislation in the Alabama senate in April. The bill fell short of passage by a single vote.

Proponents of the legislation, which included both Democrats and Republicans, argued that casinos would generate significant tax revenue for the state, create jobs and boost tourism. The Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama previously reported analysis that showed that gambling could lead to $749m in annual state revenue. Other reports put the total at as much as $1.2 bn.

On the other hand, opponents, primarily on moral grounds, expressed concerns about the potential social ills associated with gambling.

The redistricting case under way challenges the current state senate district maps, alleging racial gerrymandering. The US Supreme Court has already ruled that the Alabama legislature’s map violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

This November, the subject will return to federal court, as AL.com reports. If the court finds the maps to be unconstitutional, it could order the legislature to redraw the districts.

This redistricting process could alter the makeup of the senate, potentially creating a more gambling-friendly body. However, there’s still only a slim chance it would make a difference for casino hopes or for state-wide sports betting legalisation. “I don’t think we’ll see gambling next year unless it’s lottery only,” Senator Sam Givhan told AL.com.

Read the full story here.

KSA previously reached out to both LCS and Blue High House about the issue. However, the operators continued to illegally run online games of chance without approval in the country.

As such, KSA has ordered both operators to pay a financial penalty. LCS faces a penalty of €165,000 (£139,066/$177,308) and Blue High House €129,000. KSA added that it could take further action over the matter.

“An order subject to a penalty is more than a warning to an illegal provider,” KSA chairman René Jansen said. “Illegal providers who do not take the right measures to ban Dutch players will be dealt with harshly by the KSA and will feel this where it affects them most – in their wallets.”

KSA references ongoing breaches at LCS

The LCS case dates back to August 2022 when KSA imposed a €165,000 penalty on LCS for offering gambling without a licence. Investigations into the matter began in March of that year.

KSA followed this up with a cease-and-desist order a month later. The operator was found to have offered online games of chance to Dutch players via its Sonsofslots.com website.

LCS hit back at the order, launching legal action in a bid to continuing operating. However, a year later, KSA opted to impose a fine of €2.1m for breaching national laws by offering online games without regulatory approval.

In the days that followed, LCS vowed to “aggressively” appeal against the fine, describing the ruling as “unjustified”. LCS criticised the decision to issue such a large penalty, saying the case relates to a single incident on Sonofslots.com in early 2022. It added that it took immediate action to rectify this. 

As to how KSA reached the €2.1m figure, LCS also criticised this methodology, describing it as “flawed”. LCS says the total is based on estimated figures, which it adds have since been proven to be wrong.

In the latest development that led to the new penalty, KSA said a re-inspection in October 2023 – the same month in which it issued the multi-million-euro fine – found games were being offered illegally via Yugibet.com

This, the KSA said, means that the previously imposed penalty payment is forfeited, even if the violation has now ceased. As such, in addition to the previously imposed fine, the KSA is ordering LCS to pay a further €165,000.

Blue High House could also be fined 

In the case of Blue High House, the operator was issued a cease-and-desist order in October last year, around the same time LCS received its fine. The regulator began its investigation of Blue High House in December 2021.

This charge was due to it offering online gambling without a licence, via Websitebetline.ag. At the time, KSA warned it would issue weekly €43,000 fines up to a maximum amount of €129,000 if the operator did not comply. Blue High House had two weeks from the decision – dated 29 September – to comply with the order. This meant a final deadline of 13 October.

In the latest development, KSA noted that the offence has not stopped, with Dutch players still able to gamble via the website. As such, it is issuing the €129,000 penalty. The KSA added that a fine may also be imposed on Blue High House.

LCS hits back at penalty

Since iGB published the story earlier today, Blenheim, the legal firm representing LCS in the case with the KSA, has responded. 

Speaking through Blenheim, LCS said it wished to make clear it has not re-entered the Dutch market. LCS also called the decision by KSA to issue a penalty as “unjustified”, the same term it used to refer to the October fine.  

It refers to how KSA takes the view that the order for periodic penalty payments imposed on LCS would have been breached, Therefore, periodic penalty payments were forfeited by operation of law.

However, LCS said it cannot agree with this and considers both decisions unjustified. This it says, is due to “various inaccuracies and the unlawful and unauthorised action of the KSA”. As such, it has filed an objection to both decisions.

“Let there be no misunderstanding: we take our obligations under Dutch law seriously,” LCS said. “The recovery decision is unjust in view of the facts. LCS has taken various technical measures to deny or impede access to players from the Netherlands. 

“It is inimitable for KSA to claim LCS has not taken technical measures and has breached the order or has violated any laws or regulations, while the KSA is trying to participate in gambling on the website by using a VPN and false data.”

LCS makes reference to how the KSA previously confirmed it has ceased all operations in the Netherlands and that the charge has been complied with. This, it adds, has been the case since 14 September 2022, when the KSA issued a statement on the matter.

“Unjustified” action

“In this regard, KSA’s own confirmation is self-evident proof of our compliance,” LCS said.

“The recovery of alleged forfeited penalty payments can be seen as more unreasonable. It is a violation of the protection of the legitimate expectations of any reasonable entity. It is paramount to clear up any confusion created by recent media reports. 

“We wish to make it explicitly clear LCS has not re-entered the Dutch market in any capacity. We dispute this unjustified recovery and remain fully committed to compliance and fairness in our operations.”

Revenue in Q2 – covering the three months to 30 April – was ahead of €169.1m in the same period last year. Groupe Partouche noted growth across both its casino and hotel operations during the quarter.

Beginning with casino, this segment was helped by the reopening of two venues in France. Lyon Vert casino has been transformed into the Pasino Grand-La Tour Salvagny after a two-year renovation project costing €2.1m.

Groupe Partouche also referenced the partial reopening of Annemasse Casino. The venue has been undergoing renovations since October 2022 at a cost of €8.1m. In January, phase one of the project completed, allowing the area that houses slot machines to reopen. 

In other casino news, Groupe Partouche has sold a 40.0% stake in Cannes Centre Croisette to Palm Beach Exploitations. Cannes Centre Croisette operates Casino 3.14 in Cannes, with the venue now set to under extensive renovations over the coming summer months.

As for the hotels segment, this was also helped by the reopening of the two locations, with each site also featuring hotel facilities.

Swiss online gambling growth in Q2

In terms of geographical performance in Q2, some €154.8m of gross gaming revenue came from operation in France. This is up 1.7% year-on-year, helped by higher revenue from the reopened venues.

In France, slots revenue was 2.5% higher at €124.6m, although table games revenue fell 1.4% to €30.2m.

Looking outside France, revenue from operations in other countries increased by 11.5% to €18.9m. This, Groupe Partouche says, was helped by a 48.9% rise in revenue from online gambling in Switzerland. The group operates the Pasino.ch brand in the country.

Groupe Partouche also notes the impact of a 31.7% rise in revenue from its Middelkerke casino in Belgium.

Turnover tops €101.9m

The group did not publish a full breakdown of figures for Q2. However, it did reveal certain other financial results.

These include levies payments, which totalled €92.2m, an increase of 2.6%. This resulted in net gaming revenue of €81.5 up 2.8% on the previous year, with an additional €21.7m in other turnover was also noted.

After also accounting for fidelity programme costs, consolidated turnover for Q2 hit €101.9m, a rise of 2.6%. Of this, €93.4m came from casino operations, €6.5m hotels and €2.0m other activity. 

Q2 success pushes Groupe Partouche to growth in H1

Growth in Q2, coupled with earlier increases in the first quarter, meant higher revenue for the first half. For the six months to the end of April, gross gaming revenue was 1.7% higher at €346.9m. 

Levies payments totalled €167.2m, leaving €179.7m in net gaming revenue, up 2.1%. Groupe Partouche also reported €42.4m in other turnover and fidelity programme costs of €1.4m.

As such, this left €220.6m in total consolidated turnover for the period, up by 2.3% year-on-year. This includes €203.8m from casino operations, €12.7m hotels and €4.1m other activity.

Genius will become an associate member of the IBIA. The deal will involve Genius and IBIA sharing information on sports integrity, establishing a “powerful alliance”.

The partnership will give IBIA access to Genius’ technological resources and integrity reports. It will also increase the potential for collaboration on global match-fixing.

Simon Martyn, Genius’ director of integrity and rights enforcement, believes cooperation is crucial in the battle against match-fixing.

“Our partnership with IBIA will provide us and our partners with greater transparency over global betting patterns, helping to identify, manage and prevent any integrity threats,” Martyn said.

IBIA CEO Khalid Ali added: “I am delighted that we have reached this important agreement with Genius Sports. It brings together two leading global players in the sports technology and betting integrity environments with a clear focus on protecting sporting events from betting-related corruption.”

Genius deal boosts IBIA’s South American influence

Ali highlighted Genius’ work in North and South America as key for allowing IBIA to grow its influence in those regions.

“The addition of Genius Sports as an associate member of IBIA is particularly welcome given the breadth of its sporting and integrity relationships across North and South America, which will assist IBIA’s operational expansion across those regions,” he explained.

A match-fixing scandal is currently heating up in Brazil. Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas owner John Textor has made allegations of match-fixing involving Palmeiras. The claims led to a parliamentary inquiry commission (CPI) being set up to investigate manipulation claims in Brazil.

Last week, Palmeiras president Leila Pereira rejected Textor’s claims in a CPI appearance, stating the American businessman should be banned from Brazilian football should he fail to provide evidence to support his accusations.

Senator Jorge Kajuru, president of the CPI, said Textor should be expelled from Brazil if he “proves absolutely nothing”.

IBIA reports Q1 increase in suspicious alerts

The IBIA’s integrity report for Q1 revealed it had received 56 suspicious betting alerts over the first quarter of 2024.

That figure was a 64.7% rise on the previous quarter, as well as a 12% rise on the revised figure of 50 alerts from Q1 2023.

Football and tennis alone combined for 38 alerts, 67.9% of the total Q1 notifications.

In 2023, IBIA alerts contributed to the investigation and sanctioning of 21 players, officials and clubs. This was six up on 2022’s total of 15 sanctions in 2022.

Genius ups estimates after strong Q1

In announcing its Q1 results, Genius increased its 2024 outlook following a better-than-expected start to the year.

Genius announced group revenue of $120m (£94.1m/€111.6m) for Q1, a 23.1% increase on the same quarter last year. It was also 2.5% ahead of previous estimates.

Genius posted a 14% year-on-year increase in revenue for its betting technology, content and services sector to $73.9m. Additionally, media technology, content and services revenue hiked 63% to $35.5m.

As a result of its Q1 performance, Genius upped its group revenue target to $500m from $480m previously, while it also now expects adjusted EBITDA to reach $82m, again up from its prior objective of $75m.

Adventure Box has entered into a letter of intent that would see it acquire 100% of Lion Gaming for around SEK475m ($44.9m/€41.7m/£35.3m). While negotiations over the finer details continue, the target is to finalise the acquisition in the second half of 2024.

Stockholm-headquartered Adventure Box is the company behind social gaming platform KoGaMa (pictured), used by around 30 million people worldwide.

Lion Gaming, which has offices in North America and Europe, provides white label and turnkey casino and sportsbook solutions. It has a projected turnover of approximately SEK350m and an EBITDA of approximately SEK180m in 2024.

Adventure Box said the transaction marks the beginning of its expansion in the igaming market.

“A new major gaming company is taking shape in Sweden, ready for the global igaming market,” it added in a statement.

Synergies between platforms

Mads Jørgensen, chairman of Adventure Box, added: “We see opportunities for synergies between the KoGaMa platform and Lion’s gaming platform. This acquisition lays the foundation for a global player.”

Adventure Box said major shareholders in Lion support the transaction, which they believe provides a strong foundation for future cooperation. Lion Gaming currently has approximately 70 shareholders, including financial institutions, individuals, and venture capitalists from North America, Europe and beyond.

“Adventure Box and Lion share the same vision for the gaming market, especially with synergies between the KoGaMa platform and Lion’s gaming platform and universe, including Web3 development and cross-user acquisition,” it added. “This transaction opens up opportunities in game development and aligns with Adventure Box’s strategic focus and business objectives.”

Lion to tap Adventure Box resources

Lion Gaming has several subsidiaries and brands, including Lion Gaming, MAMMOTH Workshop, Fer0x and Aggretron. Lion also holds several licences, including B2B and B2C licences in Malta and a Curaçao gaming licence.

“We look forward to becoming part of Adventure Box, said Duncan McIntyre, chief executive of Lion Gaming. We will benefit from their extensive experience and resources to further develop our business.

“This merger gives us the opportunity to benefit from synergies and strengthen our presence globally. We are confident this transaction will provide us with the tools and support we need to continue to be a leader in igaming technology. This is through organic growth and acquisition of new businesses.”

Rhode Island credit limit potentially doubling

On Thursday (6 June), the Rhode Island senate voted to increase the outstanding credit per player to $100,000 (£78,697/€92,973). The house is now expected to review the bill this week.

The amended bill passed with a vote of 28-5 to raise the limit from the previous $50,000 which had been in place since 2014.

Igaming launched in Rhode Island in March. Bally’s Corporation essentially has a monopoly on igaming in Rhode Island following state legislators’ 2021 approval of a 20-year contract for Bally’s and supplier IGT.

The bill was introduced by Senator Frank Ciccone III and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. The bill’s text states that the aim of the rising credits is to “increase Rhode Island’s competitiveness in the gaming industry”.

However, the bill is also facing opposition. As reported by the Rhode Island Current, Senator Sam Bell, who voted against the proposals, said: “We should not maximise profit when it comes to an addictive product.”

SPFL announces “record” William Hill sponsorship

William Hill has been named as the new sponsor of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL). It will become the title sponsor of the top four divisions in Scottish football.

The operator will also become the SPFL’s official betting partner from the start of the 2024-25 season. The deal has been described as “record-breaking” and will last for the next five years.

Neil Doncaster, SPFL group chief executive, labelled the sponsorship “tremendous news”.

“Everyone at the SPFL is looking forward to working with William Hill to promote the passion, drama and excitement of the league and its 42 clubs over the next five seasons,” Doncaster said.

Caesars releases social responsibility report

Last Thursday (6 June), Caesars Entertainment released its 2023 corporate social responsibility report.

The report outlined progress in four areas. These included Caesars implementing a new greenhouse gas reduction target of 46.2% by 2030. This comes after meeting its emissions reduction goal three years ahead of expectations in 2022.

Caesars hailed its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, as well as its community investment. Additionally, Caesars highlighted its achievements in increasing team member support to “stimulate self-development and professional growth”.

Parker appointed Mohegan’s chief strategy officer

Nelson Parker has been named Mohegan’s new chief strategy officer. Parker’s new role will oversee the identification, assessment and execution of new growth opportunities and ventures for Mohegan.

Parker has been promoted from his position as Mohegan’s senior vice-president of strategic development, assuming that role in April 2022 having previously served as managing director at hotel investment business Driftwood Capital.

Prior to joining Mohegan, Parker held positions at Penn National Gaming and Hard Rock International.

Playbook Fusion will seek to combine gambling and video games to develop a new genre of sports-themed betting products. This content will be made available to operators in markets around the world.

Each title, Playbook Fusion says, will offer a deeper and more persistent experience than the games currently available. This, it adds, will require players to use skills and optimise their strategy to impact the outcome of each game.

“Recognising how players of video games enjoy the feeling of ownership and pitting their skills against other players in the global community, Playbook Fusion takes that same desire for connection and community into the sphere of gambling,” Playbook Fusion said.

Playbook Fusion targets immersive experiences 

Rogers worked with Santiago Jaramillo to develop and launch the new venture. Jaramillo has spent more than 12 years working in the video games industry, including spells at Scopely and Electronic Arts. 

“I am proud and excited to launch my new venture,” Rogers said. “Bringing together a super-talented team from the gaming and gambling spheres, including the amazing Santiago Jaramillo, to develop a new genre of immersive, persistent sports-themed gambling products is so exciting. It’s great to finally be able to talk more about our plans.

“It’s fascinating to be able to take insight from the games industry to understand how creative directors develop sophisticated game mechanics and ecosystems to engage their players and then looking at how they can be brought into the gambling sphere.

“The game is about to change.”

The launch comes six months after he left Inspired. Rogers served as CCO at the developer for more than 25 years before stepping down in November last year.

Inspired moved quick to replace Rogers, announcing the appointment of Ian Freeman ahead of his departure. Freeman joined from FSBTech having also previously worked for Kambi Group and EveryMatrix.