Infinity Gaming Magazine June 2023

THE UAE & GAMBLING

ANARCHY IN THE UK

Opinion Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in all external articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Infinity Gaming Magazine Any content provided by our feature writers or authors are of their opinion, and are not intended to malign any religion, ethic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.

HISTORY MAKER

4 EDITOR NOTES

Editor welcomes you to the latest edition of Infinity Gaming Magazine.

6 THE WIG AWARDS

Everything that happended

31 LENA NORDIN

32 SARANN KNIGHT-PREDDY

50 DATA TO CASH

THE 2023 WIG WINNERS ARE

54 JUST ONE GOOGLE SEARCH

+ NEWS & MORE NEWS from the gaming industry

UNTAPPED POTENTIAL

A note from the editor

speeches not just on thanks to the judges and their companies but all saying how important it is for each and every company to support a diverse and inclusive workplace.

AND THE WINNERS ARE.

The Latest Edition of the Infinity Gaming Magazine

Welcome to the latest edition of the Infinity Gaming Magazine and congratulations to all the winners and the finalists of the 2023 annual charity focused Women in Gaming (WIG) & Diversity Awards which took place on the 8th June at the stunning Savoy Hotel.

It was an amazing evening with a sold out venue with every major company attending and supporting their colleagues. Of course without our superb sponsors who believe in what the WIG Diversity is all about it would not be possible, so thank you to Digitain, Playtech, Light & Wonder, IGT, Gamomat, Betsson Group, The10Best Companies and Pilot Games.

The evening celebrates diversity and inclusion and we had some wonderful recipients making some superb

Two very special people to mention out of all the great winners on the night are Sue Dawson from LiveScore Group who received the Industry Pride and Lena Nordin who received the Outstanding contribution award, well done ladies and truly deserved.

On to the magazine and thank you to Lynn Pearce, Tim Cullimore and Kevin Dale for their wonderful articles and also we look into the Arab Gulf and the forthcoming legalisation of gambling among all the latest news and views.

Enjoy the magazine it will keep you busy for a long time and have a wonderful summer.

“To Infinity and Beyond!”

Regards, Lana

The Editor in-Chief

Lana Thompson - Editor in-Chief

The 2023 Women in Gaming

CELEBRATING

Gaming Diversity & Inclusion Awards

DIVERSITY

Some 43 companies attended the 2023 WIG Diversity Awards, making it the largest gathering so far to celebrate the achievements within the sector.

Sponsored by Digitain

The WIG Diversity Champagne Reception

A TIME TO MEET OLD AND NEW FRIENDS AND OF COURSE TO NETWORK WITH COMPANIES STRIVING TO ACHIEVE DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

FINALISTS, THEIR COMPANIES AND COLLEAGUES RELAX BEFORE THE AWARDS START

SETTLING IN AT THE SAVOY HOTEL BEFORE THE AWARDS CEREMONY AND ENTERTAINED BY THE SUPERB HOSPITALITY OF THE HOTEL.

Motivating & Inspiring Joy Poole Talk

When you have such an inspirational speaker at the WIG Diversity Awards all the audience listens, Welcome Joy Poole:

Joyhas some 20 years working for and consulting to big tech companies, she is a much sought after leadership coach and work/life fulfilment expert.

She offers her advice and coaching to major companies all over the worldand at the Women in Gaming Diversity & Inclusion Awards Joy talked about how to achieve your goals and what exactly are your goals, not always what you think they are.

Sometimes you can get stuck in a cycle of pursuing those goals and never achieve them, on the evening Joy explained how to avoid this cycle and how to focus on reaching your true golas in life and career.

Above Winner B2B Excellence Award (Companies)- Pragmatic Play

Below Lena Nordin - Outstanding Contribution to Diversity & Inclusion

Let The Awards Begin

Above Industry Pride of the Year Recipient - Sue Dawson (LiveScore Group)

Below Winner HR Champion Leila Goelz (received on behalf of) - Games Global

Above Industry Achiever of the Year –(Operator) went to Alexe Reichert 888

Right Industry Achiever of the Year (Supplier) Magdalena PodhorskaOkolow - Light & Wonder

Winning an award Means Hard Work

Above Company of the Year – (Operator)went to Playtech

Right Innovator - Entain

Top: B2B Excellence Award (Individuals)

Winner - Clemnece Dujardin - Myaffiliates

Right Winner Community Engagement

OpenBet Athens

Above Best Diverse Place To Work Winner Yolo Group

Above Diversity and Inclusion Winner - IGT

Right Diverse and Inclusive Team of the Year Light & Wonder

Above D&I Wellness Initiative Award - Flutter Entertainment PLC

And The Winners Keep On Coming, You

all

Above Employee of the Year – (Supplier) Hamest Safaryan (received on behalf of) Digitain

Right Excellence in Customer Service –(Supplier)Elaine Newton Playtech

Inspiring & Motivating Others

Above Employee Wellbeing Award

Betsson Group

Right Inspiration of the Year – Operator

Lorena Puentes (received on behalf of)

Bally’s Interactive

Every Winner was Applauded by all in the room

Above Inspiration of the Year – Supplier

Linn Lange - Quickspin

Right Leader of the Year (Operators)

Laura Craddock - Buzz Bingo

Above Left Excellence in Customer

Service – (Operator) Beatrice Pace

Casumo

Far Left Leader of the Year (Suppliers)

Dr Alexandra Krone - Gamomat

Left Marketing Campaign of the Year

Entain – International Women’s Day

Top: Positive Role Model of the Year – (Operator)

Rani Wynn - LiveScore Group

Right Positive Role Model of the Year – (Supplier)

Barbara Batari - Just for the Win

Below Star of the Future (Operator)

Elizabith Crutchfield - Entain

Right

Bernie

Above Young Leader of the Year Alice Timson - Realistic Games

Above The Outstanding Mentor Award

Kajal Verma - Push Gaming

Star of the Future (Supplier)

Fedigan - Pragmatic Play

Lena Nordin Receives Outstanding Contriubtion Award

The 2023 Women in Gaming Diversity & Inclusion Awards took place on the 8th June at the always stunning Savoy Hotel in London.

Held annually and rewarding and recognising the very best companies and individuals for their efforts within diversity this year saw the Outstanding contribution award for work in diversity and inclusion given to Lena Nordin the Chief HR Officer at Betsson Group.

Lena has worked for several years within Betsson to ensure a fair and open workplace for all staff and over the last couple of years Lena and her team have expanded their work into holding conferences through europe, inviting all companies to discuss and share their experiences with other indivduals and at no cost to attend.

The award is bestowed only upon the most influential women in the

industry who have made a significant impact towards the success of their organisation, showed dedication and commitment and influenced development of the gaming industry as a whole. It is even more special given the fact that it is not awarded every year.

Lana Thompson the founder of the Women in Gaming Diversity and Inclusion Award went on stage to present the award to Lena, who had

no idea what so ever that it was her.

Lena said on receivng the award: “It’s a tremendous honour to receive this award and I will carry it with pride and use it as fuel to continue pushing the boundaries to make a positive impact in the igaming industry. I want to extend my appreciation to all amazing Betssonites who inspire me every single day.”

HISTORY MAKER Sarann Knight-Preddy

THE FIRST EVER BLACK WOMAN CASINO LICENSE OWNER

The first black woman in history to receive a gaming licence and later set up an integrated casino, Sarann Knight-Preddy is an inspiration to millions of black – and white - women worldwide.

Born in 1920 at Eufaula, Oklahoma,she grew up in a period when a woman’s place was considered in the home –not running a business, and as a serial entrepreneur to boot. Discriminated against for being both black and female, she didn’t let the naysayers stop her. To the extent she wasn’t just a gaming pioneer, she also later went on to become a much-admired civil rights activist.

It wasn’t until 1950 when Knight-Preddy received her gaming licence. This was after she moved to Hawthorne, Nevadawith husband Luther Walker in 1942. The pair ‘upped sticks’ to look for a better life. They landed in the West side of Town on Jackson Street – an area synonymous with black business. Her first foray into the world of gaming was a Keno writer at the city’s Cotton Club here. But it wasn’t long before she craved more action and took up residence at the Tonga Club– the only casino for black Americans in town. Borrowing $600.00 from her father to

fund the venture, she turned it into a nightclub and casino for locals. She happily dealt tables there for seven years before finally heading off to Las Vegas and working as a dealer at Jerry’s Nugget. She had intended to just work for six months as the only black dealer on the Strip. But she stayed six years, before returning to the black neighbourhood to open her own casino, The People’s Choice.

Knight-Preddy’s activism led to her becoming one of the original founders of the Las Vegas Black Historical Society. She was also former vice-president of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP).

In later life, she and her third husband, Joe Preddy,fought to bring the dilapidated casino and bar Moulin Rouge in Las Vegas, back to life. An important building to Knight-Preddy, being the first integrated hotel-casino in the city when it opened in 1955, she wanted to revive its legacy. After all, it was here that a document was signed on March 26, 1960 that made segregation on the Las Vegas Strip illegal. Despite working on the building between 1985 to 1997 – and selling her own home to fund the project – she was finally forced to

put her plans on hold due to further funding difficulties. The fact that at that point Knight-Preddy was also refused a long-term gaming licence, didn’t help.

During her 20s and 40s Knight Preddy divorced her first husband, married another and gave birth to four children. In total she married five times.

It wasn’t her money men were after. There was her indominable spirit, of course. But Knight-Preddy was also stylish, beautiful and compassionate. In other words, she had everything going for her; she was admired by both men and women.

Sarann Knight-Preddy

One of these people who revered her was Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow. He described her as ‘a true Nevadan.’ And that was in terms of the work she’d done for the city alone.

He added: “You couldn’t get around that she was such an elaborate dresser. She had an elegant turn of phrase and carried herself well. Not only that, but she handled most situations very well and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, even if she didn’t agree with you. She was a beautiful person inside and out.”

Fellow politician, State Assemblyman Harvey Munford also delivered a turkey to Knight-Preddy and her family every Thanksgiving. “She had her heart and soul in the community,” he said.

In a recent interview when she turned 90 years old – and was still driving - Knight-Preddy said: “I feel proud. Sometimes I think, ‘How did I do all of those things?’ Then I think, ‘I’m 90 years old. I had to do something, “I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I wasn’t busy.”

She added: “My life has been really great,” she said in 2011. “I never worry about the past. I’m always looking toward the next thing.”

As you might expect, Knight-Preddy’s legacy lives on in the area in which she lived and worked. She became the first President of the Nevada Black Chamber of Commerce, after all. A position she used to help her advocate for the needs of the residents of West Las Vegas. Anaffordable housing complex on Jackson Avenue, built in 2009, is named after her.Its community room is a shrine to her achievements.

Manager of the complex is Dora LaGrande. She was lucky enough to meet Knight-Preddy back in 1985. “She was one of the most compassionate women you will ever meet,” she said.

“We developed a heart-warming relationship, she was a mother figure to me.”

Knight-Preddy’s great-grandson Avree Walker is also keen to keeps

her memory alive.

“I think my grandmother was such a great example of how much you can be effective as one individual,” he said.

“An individual who was African American, she took risks and made sacrifices for the benefit of people who look like me. She made sure you understood that you had power within you,” he added.

Knight-Preddy, herself modestly put most of her successes down to “good timing.” At the age of 88 she received an honorary doctorate from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. She is only the second black woman to do so – the first being singer Diana Ross.

She passed away in December 2018, aged 94. Her fascinating and eventful life history is detailed in her autobiography, titled‘72 Years in Las Vegas.’

THE ARAB GULF

what’s changed for gambling

By Jill Stevenson

For centuries it was considered unthinkable, but now gambling is to go ahead in the Middle East. And it’s not in Dubai or Qatar either, but rather the traditionally strict Arab Gulf.

Ras Al Khaimah(RAK) is a group of seven islands in the United Arab Emirates, and the location for US casino operator Wynn Resorts latest multiintegrated holiday destination venue. The 1500-bedroom resort will be built on the small, little-known man-made island of Al Marjan which sits off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah.

To get its casino approved, Wynn has managed to bypass the restrictive Shariah law ban on gambling. The authorities there have accommodated this through simply re-writing the guidelines for the region. This is despite the practise of gambling being regarded as ‘haram’ in the Islam

religion (and which is the dominant practice in the majority of Arab countries).

Earlier this year, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) announced it was creating a new Department of Entertainment and Gaming Regulation. This was to facilitate the merger onto the island of such “integrated resorts” as well as to “consider the social, cultural and environmental landscape of the emirate and cover licensing, taxation, operational procedures and consumer safeguards.”

The department’s main priority it added, would be to get a regulatory framework to ensure “the responsible practice of recreational gaming at all levels”.

Raki Phillips, the chief executive of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development

Authority (RAKTDA) said: “The UAE is a very forward-thinking nation, especially when it comes to tourism and what that impact of an investment will do. Regulations have been put into place, there are a lot of elements that have been put in.”

He added: “Gaming is a responsible form of entertainment and leisure tourism that takes into consideration community, cultural and social norms.”

The regulations, one gambling industry analysts announced, would be similar to those in countries such as Singapore and the United States. Vitaly Umansky, of the Sanford C Bernstein investment company in Hong Kong, said that although the casino would be integrated with the leisure facilities at the resort, it would practically be concealed, with casino tables and slots remaining in the background.

Umansky added: “The regulatory environment would be the kind that hides the casino, kind of like Singapore but even more so. It won’t be like Vegas where the casino is out there.”

In addition, he added, the whole gaming environment was about boosting tourism by attracting foreigners. To that end he didn’t see the practice becoming commonplace among Arab residents or other middle eastern citizens –only those who could afford to stay at the resort.

The man tasked with overseeing the project is Thomas Schoen. A hospitality expert for more than three decades, he is certainly a big figure in the resort industry. His current role is president of the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort. It’s a job that is twofold – to make a

success of the venture and, at the same time, to ensure the introduction of gambling into the Arab world goes smoothly. And certainly, the acceptance of the casino will be key to the resort’s success.

Shoen’s years as a CEO and complex general manager for seven years, an area general manager for eight years, and a hotel brand experience manager for six years, will certainly stand him in good stead. Not only that, but he is comfortable in luxury environments dealing with multi-millionaires. His forte is creating ‘exceptional guest experiences.’ It’s made him a wellloved figure by many prominent brands in the hotel sector. These include Sheraton, Pine Cliffs Resort, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Le Meridien. He has worked in a total of 12 different countries throughout his career, including the UK,

Europe and Africa.

CEO of Wynn Resorts is Craig Billings. He describes the Arab Wynn Resort as ‘one of the most exciting projects of the decade’ – both for personally, and the company itself.

“We’ll be operating on our own, which makes it quite exciting,” he said. “When you think of a market like that where for some period of time you’re going to be the sole operator, you certainly don’t want to underbuild the casino, but you want to keep that feeling of energy.” He went on to say the Gulf Wynn Resort represents a new chapter for the company.

“The UAE is already a substantial destination not just for the region, but for Europe, for Brits, for Germans, for people everywhere. So this is a significant opportunity

for customer acquisition and a truly material extension of our brand,” he added. “When we open this property, 95 per cent of the world’s population will be within an eighthour flight of a Wynn Resort.”

Earlier this year Billings received an 11 per cent pay rise, taking his annual earnings to $2m. His contract was also extended for a further four years – until 2027, around the time the RAK casino and resort is expected to be completed.

Despite the fact the size of the casino at RAK is only four per cent of the total Wynn Resorts development, it is twice as large as the company’s US offering in Las Vegas. In fact, it measures around 18,500 square meters in area, securing its place as one of the top 10 largest casinos in the world. The entire resort is expected to cost around $3.9 billion and open in four years’ time.

The announcement by RAK to open a casino in the region is likely to open the way for casinos and gambling in other Middle Eastern Nations. The tourism-friendly Dubai already boosts a Caesar’s Palace resort (although no gambling occurs there – yet). Abu Dhabi announced it was to build an MGM more than a decade although, although that never came to fruition. Now it’s believed the Emirates and other Middle Eastern nations will be competing for tourism by pressing the authorities to allow them to open their own gambling venues.

Certainly, RAK is aiming to boost it is tourism by one third by introducing gambling into the Wynn Resort. Recent data shows five per cent of the region’s GDP was the result of tourism spending on food and accommodation. The majority of tourists to the region were Chinese.

In the same year – 2019 - the number of tourists in the UAE as a whole reached the highest-ever number at 1.3 million visitors with tourism contributing more than 11 per cent to the nation’s GDP. That was equivalent to ($49.13 billion. By 2031 they plan to have increased income to a whopping $450 billion.

“The integrated development, featuring a world-class hotel, entertainment and gaming amenities, will add to the emirate’s destination strategy to attract tourists from across the world,” said Abdulla alAbdooli, chief executive of Marjan, the master-developer of freehold property in Ras Al Khaimah.

The reason the Middle East and countries such as Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, Dubai and Qatar are so keen to boost their tourism sector is because oil is playing a smaller part in their economies. This is down to OPEC-agreed production cuts, subdued external demand and higher interest rates causing a slowing of interest from the non-oil sector. As a result, the GDP of the UAE this

year is expended to see a three per cent expansion (compared to more than seven per cent last year). That’s according to data analytics company GlobalData.

Opening a casino in RAK and making the island a ‘rich man’s playground’ will potentially also lead to plenty of property investment in the UAE. This is the findings of a report from Knight Frank. The property company’s Destination Dubai report found that East Asian multimillions were particularly keen to lay down physical roots there.

More than 183 ‘ultra-high-networth individuals’ agreed to take part in the Knight Frank survey. All were worth around US$3.2 billion, with a spending power of US$2.5 billion. It noted not simply developer interest, but also residential leanings amongst the tycoons.

In fact, 48 percent of those asked said they would probably buy a house on Dubai with the opening of a casino there. In addition, slightly less of those surveyed (45 per cent) were sure they would see another casino opening in

the Emirates within the next 12 months. The most likely destination for the next casino to open is in the largest and most conservative Arab state – the capital city Abu Dhabi. That’s according to 59 per cent of those asked in the survey. This compares to 58 per cent of respondents who are convinced the next gambling venue will be in Dubai at Caesar’s Palace or MGM (or both). In addition, Dubai still has the ship, the Queen Elizabeth 2, operating as a hotel in the area, and with deactivated slot machines on board.

Analysts point out that the airport currently runs raffles for tourists passing through on Emirates flights. In addition, a national Loto has been running for the past three years. This is where players buy a photo of a UAE location and are entered into a draw. This is achieved by buying a bottle of water for $9.50 and which is to be donated to charity. This is allowed in Sharia law because there is ‘an exchange of value’ (ie the bottle of water). There are horse racing courses in various UAE states where it’s possi-

ble to enter a competition for ‘pick six’ for free. The prize is in cash.

Dubai has already denied it is handing out a gambling licence to the likes of Caesars on it is Bluewaters Island resort. But, there is no doubt that in order to maintain its authority as the most-visited city in the UAE, it will have to come up with an offering to rival RAK. Perhaps that will be the three luxury Las Vegas brand hotels named The Island. From casino operator MGM Resorts these are due completion soon.

Dubai still doesn’t have permission for casinos to operate but it may only be a matter of time before the rules are overturned there too. After all, there is already a precedent of making major changes to the law. Today sex before marriage is legal, so too is drinking alcohol. And, as one, diplomat said recently, Dubai casino plans had been voiced earlier, but were put on hold ‘due to deference’ to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was then president.

Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia all have casinos and sit in what could be described as the Middle Eastern part of the world. The question is, when gambling is introduced to the UAE and other Gulf nations, will it encourage Middle Eastern high-end individuals to seek entertainment further afield too, such as to the UK and America as the gambling bug takes hold?

Pull out box

What is Ras al-Khaimah like?

Ras al-Khaimah means the top of the tent’ in Arabic. It is the furthest north of all the emirates in the UAE and, at its highest point, sits 6,345 feet above sea level.

The island currently has a population of around nine million, but many of those are foreign workers. Those who live and work there abide by the rules of Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi. An autocratic head of state, he has the ultimate say over what happens on the island. Unlike on other UAE resorts, there aren’t strict licencing laws here.

RAK is famous for it is bathroom suites and other fittings here in the UK, and around the world. But that industry in itself won’t sustain the island’s economy. Instead it focuses on beach holidays and outdoor pursuits, with visitors from the likes of the UK, Russia, India and Egypt particularly prevalent.

$1 Billion Casino Resort Opens In Toronto

The $1 billion Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto opened its doors to customers on Tuesday 20th June. The resort is adjacent to the Woodbine Racetrack in Rexdale and is said to be the most expensive resort ever built in Canada and one of the largest in North America.

It has been incorporated into the already existing Casino Woodbine which was operational during the build of this huge resort.

Great Canadian Entertainment who run the new resort said it has 145 live gaming tables, 4,800 slots, VIP Rooms and sports betting facilities. Although

the casino is open the 400 hotel room which is on 11 floors will not open till later in the summer.

A spokesperson said on the new resort: “In the coming months, the property will unveil a state-of-the-art 5,000-person entertainment venue, providing a versatile destination for live music, comedy, sports and special events,” going on to say, “Through an exclusive booking partnership with Live Nation, The Theatre at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto will feature world-class artists to amplify the guest experience.”

Matthew Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer of Great Canadian Entertain -

ment said: “We are thrilled to finally unveil Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto to the world,” He went on to say, “Our team has worked tirelessly for several years to create an unrivalled entertainment experience that will leave a lasting impression on our guests. The opening of this first phase of Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto is incredibly exciting for all of us, and we are very eager to reveal the next phases, including the hotel and The Theatre, in the coming weeks and months.”

It is estimated that the resort will generate $500 million to the local economy once fully operational.

THE UNTAPPED POTENTIAL OF HORSE RACING IN ONLINE GAMING

By Lynn Pearce

The s port of horse racing has galloped its way into the online betting market, riding the wave of digital and mobile platform trends. The advent of mobile technology has democratized access to betting, propelling horse race betting to high popularity levels.

A t the heart of this equestrian excitement sits the United Kingdom, where horse racing has long been a tradition. Esteemed events such as the Grand National, the Cheltenham Festival, and Royal Ascot stir up public fervour, staking a claim for horse racing among the nation’s most wagered sports.

C rossing the Atlantic, the United States has a deeply ingrained culture of horse racing, steeped in history and competition. The Triple Crown series, which includes the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, draws

a substantial betting audience, turning these events into major spectacles on the sports calendar.

O n the other side of the globe, Australia’s love affair with horse racing is palpable. The Melbourne Cup, in particular, generates a worldwide betting bonanza, offering a thrilling mix of international competition and betting excitement. Equally prestigious is the Middle East’s Dubai World Cup, known not just for the sport but

the glitz and glamour surrounding it.

I n East Asia, Hong Kong and Japan are distinguished by their highprofile races that mesmerize global bettors. It’s a testament to this allure that punters like Bill Benter and his team could amass close to a billion dollars betting on horse races in Hong Kong during the 1990s.

Historically popular among older generations, online horse race betting is now making impressive strides with younger demographics, particularly Gen Z and Millennials. Thanks to more user-friendly platforms and engaging features like live streaming, younger customers are being drawn to the thrill of horse racing. Encouragingly, according to data from Equibase, horse racing in the USA saw a total wagering handle of $12.2 billion in 2021, marking a nearly 12% yearover-year increase.

Yet, a nagging question persists: why do online operators exhibit reluctance in actively promoting horse racing? When probed, a common response concerns the disproportion between

the risks involved and the commission, or “rake,” that operators earn. In horse racing, this rake is usually a percentage of the total bet amount, typically hovering between 10% and 20%. The ultimate profitability of horse racing for online gambling companies is influenced by an assortment of factors, including jurisdiction, the business model in place, the races on offer, and the number of customers.

My personal journey within the gaming industry has spanned over 15 years, with involvement in both B2B and B2C facets. My passion for horse racing has always urged me to promote it within the gaming sphere, though the opportunity has eluded

me. Having grown up in South Africa, my father and both of my grandfathers were horse racing enthusiasts, they would study the race cards, the numerous handicapping factors, the weather conditions, speed, class, pace, form, weight, distance, surface, trainer, jockey, pedigree, and would then go bet at the racecourses every weekend, something they all thoroughly enjoyed. My father’s brother bred racehorses and that allowed me to be in the winner’s circle on quite a few occasions as I grew older. Going to the races was always an occasion, and the adrenalin rush when winning was unbelievable, loads of fun and excitement.

A recent interaction with a friend working for a prominent online betting company in the UK revealed a shared frustration. Despite his efforts, the company has shown lukewarm interest in capitalizing on the horse racing segment beyond merely featuring it on their site. This led me to explore the underlying reasons behind such corporate reticence.

Upon researching, I unearthed concerns about large-scale betting syndicates using sophisticated, technology-driven strategies to maximize their winnings, and lately these have included AI-enabled apps to give them the betting edge. These encompass methods like arbitrage, exploiting inefficiencies in betting pools, and employing complex data analytics to gain an advantage over traditional punters and even the betting companies themselves. Another approach involves harvesting vast quantities of data from the internet, analyzing it to discern a horse’s actual odds, and juxtaposing it with the pari-mutuel price – a critical factor in automated wagering. With the aid of AI technology, they time their betting to the last possible instant before the

horses leap from the gates, submitting an enormous number of wagers as close to the start as feasible.

In a more positive turn of events, DraftKings recently entered into a partnership with Churchill Downs, rolling out their DK HORSE app. Anticipated to turn profitable quickly, the app looks set to benefit from DraftKings’ substantial user base, which boasted 1.6 million unique paying monthly users as of the end of September. Despite wading into an already crowded horse racing market, DraftKings appears bullish about its venture.

This development holds out hope for other online gaming operators to reconsider their stance on horse racing betting. Encouraged by DraftKings’ bold step, perhaps more operators will recognize the latent potential in promoting horse racing betting within the regulated online gaming vertical. As we navigate this evolving landscape, it’s essential that governing bodies strive to create policies that protect both the casual bettors and the operators, all the while preserving the inherent excitement and

integrity of the sport.

ABOUT LYNN PEARCE:

Lynn is an accomplished CMO with over 15+ years of experience in the igaming industry. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, creative direction, branding, procurement, resource allocation, and staff mentoring. With her deep understanding of the industry and consumer preferences, she has created content strategies that attract, engage, and retain customers.

Lynn’s ability to negotiate, manage, and maintain successful partnerships has helped her create lasting relationships that drive revenue and create value for all parties. She has a keen focus on maximizing revenue potential while effectively managing expenses and consistently driving top-line growth for the companies she has worked for.

Lynn’s data-driven strategies and her talent for leading her teams in executing these strategies have created value for both customers and stakeholders alike.

Kindred Announce New Executive Appointments

The Kindred Group has announced that Patrick Kortman assumes the role as Interim CFO at the company as of 21 June, taking over from Johan Wilsby who resigned earlier this year. Patrick has been with Kindred Group since 2018 and will be supported by Johan Wilsby during a transition period.

Kindred Group plc’s (Kindred) Director of Corporate Development and Investor Relations, Patrick Kortman, assumes the role of Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) as of 21 June 2023. Kindred’s previous CFO, Johan Wilsby, announced on 15 May that he will leave Kindred.

Patrick has been at Kindred since 2018 working closely with the Board,

the Executive Team, and the Financial Department. He also has extensive experience from the financial market having held senior positions at Nordea and Ratos.

“I am very pleased that Patrick has agreed to take on the role as Interim CFO at Kindred. Patrick knows Kindred very well and has a vast experience from the financial sector, and he will continue to bring great value to Kindred’s financial operations, to the wider Executive Team, and to the Board as we continue to focus on the strategic review”, says Nils Andén, Interim CEO at Kindred Group.

Johan Wilsby will continue to support the Executive Team until he leaves Kindred.

In addition to the Interim CFO role, two additional interim appointments have been made to the Executive Team. Usha Ganesan will assume the role as Interim Chief Finance Operations Officer, and Neil Banbury will assume the role as Interim Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer. All appointments will remain as interim until the strategic review is concluded.

“I am delighted that we can maintain momentum and consistency across the company during this period thanks to our excellent senior leaders and strong employee base”, continues Nils Andén.

Anarchy In the U.K.

By 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.

What a start to the summer we have been having here in the U.K. Great weather, but not so great politics. Our Politicians have not been looking good over the past few months, with a former Prime Minister being shown to have lied to just about anyone he spoke to. Not a good look for a country that has previously prided itself on being the “Mother of Parliaments”. Still, it couldn’t get any worse, could it?

A nd now we have the drip feeding of information relating to the Government White Paper on Gambling, a proposal, if you like, of new legislation, bringing the laws up to date. Of course, these proposals will be discussed and debated over the coming months, with those wishing to strengthen legislation pushing for more stringent regulation, and those who see this as an opportunity to bring the industry

into the 21st Century.

N aturally politics always rears its ugly head, and due to the upheaval of recent times the ministers responsible for making the changes have themselves all changed. And as we all know, whichever country we ply our trade in, politicians don’t like talking about casinos and gaming unless they have to, firstly because they are afraid of supporting an industry that through general ignorance is considered, by members of the public and the press, on the margins of society, and secondly because they have no idea of what they are talking about and there are no votes to be had.

M y sources in France tell me that although there is a broad consensus on legalising remote gaming in their country, the political situation means that legislation will not be passed anytime soon, as politicians spend more time fighting

for survival rather than looking to regulate a Europe wide industry, and clamp down on illegal online gambling, which is rife in France. Whilst both Belgium and Switzerland have successfully implemented laws for remote gaming, the Hexagon has gone quiet on the subject.

S o, we are not alone on the U.K. in seeing our business hampered by events which are out of our control. After consultation with the industry, operators and “stake holders”, most of us were mildly optimistic that some good would come from the hard work and effort made by everyone concerned. But as a General Election looms on the horizon, perhaps in as little as a year, it is hard to see how legislation will be passed. And if there is a change in government, which as of today seems likely, it could be back to square one.

The Right to Party

This has been one of the busiest periods of my long career in the Casino industry, to the point where I have sadly had to turn down opportunities for a party! Those who know me well will see that this is a catastrophic situation for me to be in.

Firstly, I was very sad to have missed the European Dealer Championships in Brussels. This would have obviously been a great opportunity to visit one of my most cherished old Casinos, which is now in the more than capable hands of the great Mr Banks. I would have very much liked to have spent time with the dealers, and reports tell us that the level was especially high this year. Well done to Alessandro Mesina of Les Ambassadeurs in London for taking the top prize.

I would also have loved to attend The 2023 WiG Diversity & Employee Wellbeing Awards at the Savoy in London earlier this month. A very

well-respected event, and not only are Women in Gaming extremely professional people, (I have written before about having worked successfully for and with just as many women in my career as men), I am pretty sure the party will have been a great success as well, another one missed!

And this month sees the summer social event of the year for Mayfair Casinos, the Royal Ascot horse racing occasion. This is an event that everyone who has the opportunity should attend at least once in their life, especially if you can be invited by one of the top London casinos. It is very special, and this year the first in the presence of our new King. But business must come before pleasure, so another chance to drink champagne in great company is lost for this year.

Here Comes Summer

I have been living on the South Coast of England for close to two years now, and I love being close to

the sea, and experiencing the best weather the U.K. can offer. And as Summer approaches I am enjoying visiting the many fine towns along the coast, and of course popping into the casinos that we have down here. But I’m always a little saddened that we don’t have the same casino culture that one can find not that far away on the coasts of France, Belgium and Holland. This is of course due to historical and cultural attitudes to Casinos. Whereas along the Northern European coast you can find beautiful Belle Epoque buildings housing vibrant and elegant gaming venues, here we have casinos hidden away in shopping malls or back streets. If we had casinos of the same Grandeur as Deauville and Knocke, or with the dynamism of Zandvoort, I am sure Mrs Cullimore and I would visit more often. Still, we can’t always have everything in life, at least we have great Pubs!

I wish all my friends, colleagues, and readers a wonderful summer.

Gaming

The Fight for Power at 888 Holdings

As the iGaming Post reported previously on the move to install former GVC (now Entain) boss Kenny Alexander to chief executive of 888 Holdings, things have moved rapidly with reports now that Alexander has the backing of several investors in 888 and the investor group will create a coup if they do not get their way.

Unless the investor group FS Gaming Investments see Alexander named chief executive and have Chairman Lord Jonathan Mendelsohn removed there could be a power struggle within the company.

FS Gaming has taken a 6.6% stake in 888 and is backed by Lee Feldman, GVC’s former chairman, Steve Morana a former executive of GVC and another former GVC chief executive Shay Segev.

Not just this but hedge fund giant Parag Vora who has a 5% stake in 888 also backs the plans by FS Gaming. Indeed the group have now hired investment bankers from Numis to help with a potential share raid to take control of the company.

All parties involved in the call for Alexander to get the top job believe that 888 paid over the odds when they were in a bidding war with US investment firm Apollo to acquire William Hill for £2.2 billion. This the group says has weighed heavily on 888 share price since the acquisition in September 2021.

On Friday 888 share price stood at 120p each, way off from the heady days of 458p, now the share value of 888 stands at £500 million.

However the biggest shareholders the Israel-based Shaked family are

bucking against FS Gaming demands and apparently support their chairman Lord Jonathan Mendelsohn.

At present it seems both parties are discussing the situation on friendly terms with 888 saying: “FS Gaming’s investment “reflects the significant value creation potential in our business”.

Going on to say: “The board remains highly confident in its long-term strategy to maximise value for shareholders. We look forward to updating and engaging with all our shareholders as we continue to deliver against our clear strategic and operational priorities.”

It is unlikely the situation will stop there and it could be a long summer for those involved in the power struggle for 888 Holdings.

Turning gaming data into cash

By Kevin Dale

Data i s intangible, can be overwhelming and, for such a small word, it even manages to sound complex! Yet in the right hands in the right format and at the right time, it can be both powerful and profitable.

U ltimately, the case for data can only be made under the premise that it either makes or saves more money than it costs. Those costs include buying it, understanding it, or receiving it in the format needed to inform decision-making.

S imples….!

For complex decisions such as new market entry strategies, we might first choose filters by country to ask the basic questions such as which operators are active in Italy and which studios or games are popular there?

For these types of decisions, the

way we consume data is complex. We will need a variety of filters to allow for probing, for example, by operator, by studio or by game type to understand in detail, what ranks well in that market.

You may also want to slice markets or specific operators by user preferences, such as % slots vs table games, live games or video bingo, or to understand the most popular

volatility levels and game themes locally. Understanding these differences either as a studio or as an operator will allow for commercially rewarding choices.

S tudios can push titles that best suit local preferences and/or develop games to match volatilities or themes, that are popular there. Operators can analyse the breadth and depth of their competitors’

casino offerings in advance of entering the market. They can tailor their product to local preferences and tastes. Which studios or games should they add and how should they prioritise game content according to preferences? All of these decisions bear a direct correlation to both game and site stickiness, i.e. user retention and ARPU.

The account management function may look for simpler reports, such as which of my games are either a) not on all brands of my operator group client, or b) not on the right subpages there or c)not high enough on the page itself. These data needs lend themselves better to alert-style KPI-driven reports, that can be run, say, weekly.

A few years back my daily GGR report showed a massive drop in revenues overnight. The cause was simple: our blackjack and roulette games had been taken off the featured page of all brands of a major operator - by error as it happens, and these were easily restored.

When you have just a handful of games across a handful of pages,

cause and effect are clear.But for the 400+ studios that have upwards of 50 games across 1,000 pages of 200 operator sites, this monitoring piece is not so easy. One alert can save or make cash for a studio overnight.

For operator content management, not having the latest hit title,which is gaining traction across affiliates or competitors,will have customers searching in vain for content, that you’ve not yet put live. Again, these have a direct impact on ARPU and retention.

If you want to create collections, such as high-volatility Irish themed slots, Megaways or Branded content, access to good metadata is a must. Game metadata can also be put to great use in game recommendation engines.

When personalising content for users based on previous game choices, you need access to game variance, hit frequency or theme data to make your suggestions that much more powerful. The impact of using data in this way is easily measured too: just AB test user behaviour with and without

recommendation algorithms, using metrics, for example,such as time on site, % of suggestions adopted and/oraverage player values.

One game or site added where content was missing, one percentage point change to ARPU or retention metrics – these are all large numbers. If data access is aligned with the needs of different decision-makers, it can produce dramatic results.

Kevin Dale is the co-founder of Egamingmonitor. He was previously CEO of Gameaccount (now GAN plc) and CMO at Eurobet, Sportingbet and Betfair. Egamingmonitor. com is an advisory firm to the gambling industry, with proprietary data covering 48,000 games from 1,500 suppliers across 2,400 operator sites. Their data is used as input for official casino charts and industry awards. For a demonstration of how data can power your decisions, get in touch.

The leading cross-platform global games company

Connie James EVP & Chief Financial Officer

Roxane Lukas EVP & Chief People Capability Officer

Siobhan Lane EVP & Group Chief Executive Officer, Gaming

Tracy Skenandore VP, Corporate Social Responsibility

Katie Byers VP, HR - iGaming

The Fascinating yet Polarizing World of Teer Gambling

Teer, a traditional form of gambling in northeastern India, has come under the spotlight after a recent bust by the Central Guwahati Police District. This popular game involves betting on the number of arrows shot at a target and has been linked to organized crime in the region. The game’s lack of transparency and corruption have been criticized, and there is a growing demand for stronger regulation and enforcement of gambling laws.

Although Teer is regulated by the Meghalaya Amusements and Betting Tax Act, 1982, it has been a source of controversy in the region for some time. The recent bust in the FCI godown area in Bamunimaidam has highlighted the need for stronger regulation and enforcement of gambling laws to stamp out illegal activities.

Teer has a rich cultural history and has been played in the region for centuries. Originating in the Khasi hills of Meghalaya, the game involves shooting arrows at a target, with players betting on the number of arrows that

hit the bullseye. The game has since spread to other parts of the region and has become a popular form of gambling.

However, critics argue that Teer lacks transparency and fairness. Many illegal dens operate in the region, and the results are often rigged to favor the house. This has led to allegations of corruption and organized crime involvement in the industry.

To regulate Teer, the Meghalaya government imposed a tax on the game. Under the Meghalaya Amusements and Betting Tax Act, 1982, Teer operators are required to obtain a license and pay a tax on their earnings. However, the law has been criticized for its lack of enforcement.

The recent bust in Guwahati has demonstrated that illegal Teer dens are still operating in the region, and there is a dire need for stronger enforcement of gambling laws. To this end, the police have launched an awareness campaign to educate the public about the dangers of gambling and

set up a helpline for people to report illegal gambling activities.

The crackdown on Teer gambling is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to stamp out illegal activities in the industry. The government should take a more proactive approach to regulate the industry and enforce the laws. This will help to protect the public from the dangers of gambling and prevent organized crime from profiting from illegal activities.

In conclusion, Teer is a popular but controversial form of gambling in northeastern India. While it has a rich history and cultural significance, it has also been linked to corruption and organized crime. The recent bust in Guwahati highlights the need for stronger regulation and enforcement of gambling laws to protect the public and prevent illegal activities in the industry. It is up to the government to take action and ensure that Teer is played in a fair and transparent manner.

One Google Search Releases 0.2g of Carbon Dioxide

So How Much does Online Gambling Use?

By Staff Reporter

Every time you put a search question into Google the giant search engine company spends 0.0003 kWh of energy looking for an answer. That’s equivalent to releasing 0.2g of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Energy use when logging on is not actually something most of us think about – we’re too busy trying to check our email, update Facebook or look at the weather app. But, thankfully, how much energy our phones and computers useis an issue some scientists are seriously homing in on.

And it’s probably just as well: especially when you consider that Google’s global data centres use around twice as much electricity as the entire city of San Francisco.To the extent, the company used 15.5 terawatt hours of electricity back in 2020 (the most recent figures

available).

But, of course, it’s not just Google’s huge data centres that consume vast quantities of the world’s electricity. Other internet giants, such as Microsoft, Apple and Facebook are similarly culpable. In fact, recent government figures from the Republic of Ireland show that data centres based there, used up around one fifth of all the electricity for the entire country last year. And it doesn’t stop there. That figure is expected to rise to 30 per cent by 2028, according to the Republic’s national energy provider EirGrid.

For the uninitiated or tech-adverse, data centres are simply warehouses containing computer servers – lots of them (hundreds, thousands and millions of them, depending on the company). Not only do these technological outposts require electricity to function,

but they also need air conditioning to keep the computer servers cool enough to continue to work.

The Republic’s Central Statistics Office (CSO) said data centres accounted for more than 5,200 gigawatt hours (GWh) last year – a 400 per cent increase since 2015. It’s possible to calculate because most of the giant tech companies publish statistics on their energy usage and size of carbon footprint every year.

Only Amazon refuses to. Their reasoning is that it’s because they are “more complicated in terms of physical infrastructure and delivery network” said a spokesman. He then went on to say the company planned to use 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025 and be carbon neutral by 2040. Google plans to be carbon neutral a decade earlier and says it has been offsetting emissions since 2017.

Facebook said it reached it is goal to operate on 100 per cent renewable energy in 2021. But a year later it caused a furious outburst in the Netherlands after announcing plans to build a massive data centre in the country. It is to be used for holding content not just for Facebook, but also WhatsApp and Instagram. It’s believed the166-hectare (410-acre) complex will use around 1,380 gigawatt hours of energy every year – as much electricity as the Netherlands national railway system. But it added that all energy use at Zeewolde would be from renewable sources.

That’s not the answer environmental activists want though. They say the Meta plan is hampering the country’s climate change targets. A similar Microsoft facility in the country’s Wieringermeer was responsible for using up the majority of electricity produced by 82 wind turbines. In Denmark, Meta is expected to use up 15 per cent of the country’s energy production by 2030.

But it’s not just internet companies with their huge data centres that are energy guzzlers (although, certainly they are

the biggest users). Other sectors of industry drain our energy resources too. Of these supermarkets are amongst the worst culprits. A report by United Gas and Power in 2021 showed that large supermarkets consumed around 1130000 kwh a year. The reason is to keep refrigerators, freezers and large lighting units working.

Hotels, with their restaurants, pools and saunas use up around 250,000 kwh a year, while 24 Hour Gyms or Leisure Centres are burning 125,000 kwh a year.

Although the tech companies we have already mentioned are amongst the highest energy users in the world, they’re not the highest in their sector. That’s because the biggest consumer of energy worldwide in 2021 was Samsung. The South Korean electronics company utilised more than 25 million megawatt-hours (MWh). Second highest was Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). They were then followed by Google, Microsoft, Intel, Meta and Apple. In eighth place sat on-

line payments system Paypal.

But before you start despairing it’s worth noting some research published recently by two leading US tech scientists. Eric Masanet and Jonathan Koomey both former researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory insist many claims of excessive energy use are exaggerated. That’s because these Doomsday scenarios aren’t taking in to account the speed at which technology moves interms of processing, memory, storage, networks and, ultimately, energy-saving innovations.

To back up their theory, the pair use data usage examples from large international network operators, Telefónica and Cogent in 2020. Telefónica saw a 45 percent jump in network data but no increase in energy use. Similarly, Cogent saw its data traffic increase but it’s energy use actually fell by 21 per cent.

“Yes, we’re using a lot more data services and putting a lot more data through networks,” said Mr. Koomey, now an independent analyst. “But we’re also getting a lot more efficient very quickly.”

The cloud data centres of too are also far more efficient than their computer predecessors. In the past large corporations hosted their own traditional data centres, at vast energy expense. Now most centres are centralised and cloudbased.

One area they will caution on though is Bitcoin. The data mining exercise consumes vast amounts of energy and little is known of the crypto mining centres in countries such as China and Russia. Some research shows that Bitcoin uses up 0,4 per cent of global electricity. This compares to one per cent for all of the data centres around the world. The latter is justified and a good use of electricity, says Koomey. But, as for Bitcoin well, that’s another matter completely, he warns.