17 minute read
OUR WRITERS
A magazine is only as good as the content inside and with some of the leading specialists within the gaming industry. With specialised articles covering customer service, the gaming law, new products, technology and current affairs with the sector the Infinity Gaming Magazine is delighted to showcase our superb line-up of contributing
Christina Thakor-Rankin
Christina is Principal Consultant at 1710 Gaming Ltd, a specialist betting and gaming consultancy, delivering a range of services including licensing and compliance (incl. regulation, money laundering and social responsibility), business start-up, training and strategic re-engineering, project management, research, business analysis and development, to start-ups and established multi-national operators and providers, gambling regulators, law enforcement and government agencies, media, and specialist interest groups and associations within the sector, in both established and emerging markets across the world.
www.1710gaming.com Teresa Tunstall – Independent Gaming Consultant
After many years of working in casinos in the UK and on USA ships as a croupier and inspector, Teresa turned from ‘poacher to gamekeeper,’ spending 16 years with GamCare, who offer help and support to those who develop problems with their gambling.
Working closely with the betting and gaming industry, She developed strong links delivering Social Responsibility and Problem Gambling training around the world,
Teresa now works independently consulting on all issues relating to Social Responsibility and Problem Gambling.
To contact Teresa regarding consulting please email:
Andrew Cosgrove - Slots Guru
Andrew Cosgrove is a seasoned slot operations veteran and certified project manager with over 24 years of hands on experience in Latin America and the Caribbean. Andrew has worked on both the operator and supplier side of casino slots and continues to help clients succeed and exceed customer expectations. Andrew can be reached at andy.cosgrove@hemingwaycasinoconsulting.com or see http://hemingwaycasinoconsulting.com/
Lynn Pearce de Freitas
Lynn has extensive senior management experience in online gaming. She is an experienced, data-driven, commercially focused, strategic marketing leader. She has over 15 years of proven success in gaming, from land-based casinos, to online gaming companies offering sports betting, poker and casino, live casino and Esports. Lynn has many start-ups under her belt and is now co-founder and CEO of a start-up igaming company, Mobius Interactive Ltd, headquartered in Vancouver BC Canada.
Tim Cullimore
From dealer to CEO in the U.K., Europe and North America, Tim has pretty much seen it all in Casino gaming. For over 40 years, from running slot rooms which needed to frisk for guns to the Ritz in Mayfair, arguably the most luxurious casino in the world, Tim has never stopped challenging what we think we know about casinos. Tim is a well-respected Consultant to the gaming industry, encompassing project management and operational analysis, as well as representing and advising some key manufacturers within the industry. Tim is a renowned conference speaker and also proud to be visiting lecturer at the University of West London College of Hospitality and Tourism.
UK Gaming Council crackdown on black market operators
Results of a study released for the new standards body, the Betting and Gaming Council, (BGC) which represents UK regulated operators, revealed that consumers are exposed to a huge number of unlicensed operators, 38 per cent, through search results for key gambling terms on major search engines.
As a result, the BGC has called on the government to ensure that the Online Harms Bill, which is soon to be introduced in parliament, includes action to crack down on platforms that profit from unregulated, black market gambling operators.
Michael Dugher, chief executive of the BGC, stated: “Search platforms are promoting black-market gambling operators for profit, putting the British consumers, including children, at risk. None of the UK’s strict licensed safeguards are in place on these illegal sites. “Regulated bookies and online operators have a strict zero tolerance approach to underage gambling, yet unlicensed operators are free to prey on vulnerable consumers.
“We welcome the Government’s Online Harms Bill. But it also provides the Government with a chance to clamp down on the black-market and help protect punters who want a flutter in a safe environment.”
The study found that a particular danger is that children are accessing websites because there are no strict ID and age verification measures. Strict verification procedures were introduced in May 2019 for UK licensed operators that require full verification of name, age and address before anyone can open an online account or place a bet.
The BGC findings also revealed that four in 10 search results for key gambling terms on major search engines are unlicensed black-market operators. There are 27 million visits from UK IP addresses to black market gambling sites and an estimated 200,000 people in the UK have used illegal gambling sites in past 12 months.
This follows the regulatory Advisory Board for Safer Gambling warning in 2018 that internet service providers, app stores, search engine companies and other relevant providers should be vigilant to the possibility of third-party use of their products to provide illegal gambling to children and young people, and should be proactive in preventing it.
The sizeable proportion of customers using unlicensed operators shows that the revenue of the active ‘black market’ in the UK today is worth around £1.4bn in stakes.
The BGC is the single industry association for betting and gaming, representing betting shops, online gaming businesses and casinos.
2021 INTERNATIONAL GAMING AWARDS
AT THE SAVOYHOTEL
8th September 2021 London
SECTION TITLE
2021 INTERNATIONAL GAMING AWARDS
MAGAZINE
The Champagne Reception
Sponsored by BBIN
SECTION TITLE
When you have a chance to speak to some of the leading figures from the online and land based gambling industry Clever Duck Media and our interviewer Lauren Morris did not miss the opportunity.
The team were on hand to turn on the lights and record some truly memorable moments from the Champagne Reception sponsored by BBIN. The reception party was in full swing thanks to the superb music on offer.
With the champagne flowing for the first time in 18 months attendees were delighted to network at the first major event back in the gaming industry.
As always with the International Gaming Awards there were some glamorous dresses by the ladies and all the men dressesd to impress.
This is a night for the entire gambling industry to get together and celebrate theirs and others achievements.
The setting for the 2021 International Gaming Awards was the Savoy Hotel London and attendees were treated to the highest level of service only one of the most exclusive hotels in the World can deliver.
Everything was in place for what was going to be one of the best nights ever for the awards ceremony and all those in attendance.
MAGAZINE
Right IGT
SECTION TITLE
Above Netwroking at the Champagne Reception
Left Celebrating being back to face to face events
Above & Right Everywhere you looked great dresses and the men were well dressed too.
SECTION TITLE
And the winners are....
Below Galaxy Entertainment Casino Operator Of The Year Asia/Australia & Charitable Community Award
Below Digitain Winner of eSports Betting Software
Left BBIN Winner Australia/Asia Focused Technology Supplier of the Year
Below SOFTSWISS Wins Best Customer Service Of The Year
Top Right Innovator of the Year won by Coolbet (Operator)
Below Oryx Gaming Wins the Supplier version of Great Place to Work Above Majestic Bingo Wins Game of the Year
Left ComeOn scoops Great Place to Work (Operators)
Right Betconstruct Wins iGaming Software Supplier
SECTION TITLE
MAGAZINE
SECTION TITLE
Above Live Casino of the Year Winner 1xBet
Left Betsson Mobile Operator of the Year Winner
Right Lottery Product of the Year Winner - IGT Mobile Lottery Solutions
MAGAZINE
Winning an award You got to thank people
Above Coolbet Collects Mobile Sports Product of the Year
Right The Award for Online Casino Operator of the Year went to ComeOn
Top LeoVegas Scoops Online Gaming Operator of the Year
Above Relax Gaming Wins Unique Gaming Company of the Year
Left Just for the win takes Rising Star of the Year
MAGAZINE
Above Online Poker Operator of the Year Kindred
Above Winner Pragmatic Play RNG Casino Supplier of the Year
Right Yggdrasil wins Slot Provider Award
SECTION TITLE
Above Slots Operator of the Year - Videoslots
Below Betsson Awarded Safer Gambling Operator of the
And The Winners are The Stage Photos
Above Sports Betting Operator went to Kindred
Right Sports Betting Platform was won by Digitain
Above IGT receives Technology Provider/Supplier of the Year
Below Scientific Games picks up Sustainable Business of the Year
The After Party Sponsored By
Videoslots - Been Awhile For A Party
William Hill seals the deal with CBS
UK bookmakers, William Hill, this week sealed a deal with major US media company CBS to provide sports betting to the CBS Sports Digital network.
This gives the betting giants access to more than 80 million viewers who use the media channel to watch golf, American football and baseball.
Hill’s performance on the stock market has been lagging behind competitors who have clinched deals with US companies. Stricter gambling regulations in the UK have also affected Hill’s financial performance, including an upcoming ban on credit card gambling and a new cap on fixed-odds betting terminals.
However, the company has forged a relationship in Nevada where gambling rules are less strict, and signed a deal with Eldorado Resorts two years ago.
William Hill’s competitors, meanwhile, have enjoyed considerable success in transatlantic ventures. Flutter, the owner of Paddy Power and Betfair staged a successful takeover for fantasy sports company FanDuel in 2018. Sky Bet’s owner, Stars Group, who many say is about to merge with Flutter, has a deal with Fox Sports. And Ladbrokes Coral owner GVC has a contract with MGM Resorts.
The betting company’s shares have struggled compared with its competitors, which have risen sharply after agreeing deals with US companies.
American legislators in many states began reversing a decades-long ban on sports wagering almost two years ago, opening up a lucrative market for experienced operators from Britain.
William Hill’s deal with CBS means its sports channels will use William Hill’s odds and technology.
William Hill Chief Executive Ulrik Bengtssond: “Becoming the official sports betting provider to CBS is another major step forward for William Hill in our US expansion.
“We are already a market leader with leading access, a bespoke technology platform and the most experienced US team. branding and promotional rights across CBS’ leading digital sports properties in the US, to take the William Hill brand further and faster in the US.”
Jeffrey Gerttula, Executive Vice President and General Manager of CBS Sports Digital, said: “We’re thrilled to launch this momentous partnership, which will allow us to deepen our investment and further extend our leadership in delivering multi-platform sports wagering content, while providing William Hill with unprecedented reach for their market-leading betting platform as they continue to grow their industry leading US business.”
The partnership will kick off in March, with a full rollout planned for the fantasy football season — a major cash cow for the Viacom BCS-owned media firm.
UK bookies have been jockeying to expand into the US amid growing competition in the country’s recently legalised sports betting market.
ARE BACK
ARE BACK
Left Star of the Future (Supplier) was won by Valeria Russo
Below Young Leader of the Year (Operator) Winner Vanessa Simpson from The Stars Group
The WIG Diversity Champagne Reception
AFTER SUCH A LONG TIME ATTENDEES CELEBRATED THEIR RETURN WITH THE #WIGD LOGO
FINALISTS, THEIR COMPANIES AND COLLEAGUES RELAX BEFORE THE AWARDS START
SETTLING IN AT THE LONDONER HOTEL BEFORE THE AWARDS CEREMONY AND ENTERTAINED BY THE SUPERB VIVID JAZZ
The new supreme rulers of your fl oor.
Give your players the experience of nonstop action with four jackpot levels, the player-favourite Hold & Spin feature, player-selectable Multi-Denomination, and stacked wilds. Treat your players like Kings & Queens – add Olympus Link™ multi-level progressives to your fl oor.
Contact your account manager for more information or visit IGT.com
Motivating & Inspiring Carol Stewart Talk
When you have such an inspirational speaker at the WIG Diversity Awards all the audience listens, Welcome Carol Stweart: Carol is the founder of Abounding Solutions and author of Quietly Visible: Leading With Influence and Impact as an Introverted Woman (listed as one of the 10 best self-development books written by women to read during lockdown by BeYourOwn). She is an Executive, Career and Leadership Coach, specialising in introverted women who are senior leaders. Carol coaches women to lead with confidence, influence, and impact.
She has been the featured expert in Women and Home magazine, Good Housekeeping magazine, the Telegraph, and other media publications. She is a LinkedIn Top Voice UK 4 years running, and has received awards for developing women leaders.
Carol hosts the Quietly Visible podcast and a TEDx speaker.
MAGAZINE
Above Winner Fabienne Bourgaize - B2B Excellence Award
Below Betsson Group - Diversity & Inclusion Award
Let The Awards Begin
Above Winner The Coingaming Group - Best Diverse Place To Work
Below WinnerGamesys Group - Community Engagement Award
Above Employee of the Year went to Barbara Batari (Just for the win)
Right Best in House initiative Internal Communication - Scientific Games
Winning an award Means Hard Work
Above Diverse and Inclusive Team of the Year went to Gamesys Group
Right Company of the Year - Quickspin AB
Top Center: Excellence in Customer Service - Lais Bordallo (Coingaming Group)
Right Industry Achiever - Kajal Verma (Push Gaming)
SECTION TITLE
Above Employee Wellbeing Award - Microgaming
Above Innovation in Employee Engagement - Shondra Deloach-Perea (IGT) Received by Jennifer Bowman
Right Winner of Innovator of the Year - Julie Craig (Playtech)
Above Inspiration of the Year - Natasha Whittaker (Microgaming)
And The Winners Keep On Coming, You are all Amazing
Above Leader of the Year (Operators)- Lena Nordin (Betsson)
Right Leader of the Year (Suppliers)- Renana Faktor (Playtech)
Above Positive Role Model of the Year- Sarah Campbell (Microgaming)
Right Star of the Future (Operators) - Camilla Engelin (Betsson Group)
More Winners & Two Special Awards
Above Young Leader of the Year- Laura Peretta (Betsson)
Right Star of the Future (Suppliers)- Mara Costin (Just for the Win)
We are the Champions!
Two Very Special Awards With Two Amazing Ladies
Above Jennifer BowmanReceived The Outstanding Contribution Award
Left Industry Pride of the Year - Chu Yook (Greentube)
