November 2020 Infinity Gaming Magazine

InfinityGaming www.gaming-awards.com | ISSUE121

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW MARIO OVCHAROV

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW TRISTAN SJOBERG COMMUNITY AWARDS FINALISTS

GAMING + ARTICLES + BUSINESS+ GLOBAL + ONLINE + NEWS+ AWARDS + etc

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FINALISTS REVEALED

08 10

28 SMARK MARKETERS

24 GERMANY - SHADES OF GREY

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.

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

6 OUR WRITERS Meet our feature writers, the superb writers on our rosta.

08 ICA FINALISTS ANNOUNCED 16 TRISTAN SJOBERG INTERVIEW 32 NESSA DORMA MARIO OVCHAROV

36 BOB WALLER ARTICLE 54 ANDY COSGROVE ARTICLE

TRISTAN SJOBERG INTERVIEW

+ NEWS & MORE NEWS

16

from the gaming industry

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A note from the editor CONTACT US Clever Duck Media Centrix@Keys Keys Park Road Staffordshire WS12 2HA UK Tel: +44(0)1543 478 889 PRODUCTION Clever Duck Media Centrix@Keys Keys Park Road Staffordshire WS12 2HA UK

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PUBLISHING Infinity Gaming Magazine is operated by © Clever Duck Media Ltd ®

Lana Thompson - Editor

Welcome to the latest edition of the

Money Laundering Reporting Officer

Infinity Gaming Magazine and what a

and Anti-Money Laundering Compli-

magazine we have for you! With two

ance Officer for an online gaming com-

superb interviews from Mario Ovcharov,

pany.

the CEO of Ultraplay and Tristan Sjöberg the Executive Chairman of leading gam-

We hope you enjoy the magazine and

ing supplier TCSJOHNHUXLEY

just one more edition to go before 2021 which will include all the Community

We also have the virtual Industry Com-

Awards winners and detailing why they

munity Awards which takes place on

won.

Wednesday 18th November and is gohow the industry has helped others.

Inside are all the finalists and congrat-

As always- “May the Force be with you”

ulations to you all. Our judges for the

- Star Wars

Community Awards were a collective of Social Care Workers and Professionals and thank you to you all for your time.

We have again our superb writers offering a wealth of experience and insight on the gaming industry with contributions this month by, Andrew Cosgrove,

Regards,

Lynn Pearce de Freitas, Teresa Tunstall and Christina Thakor-Rankin.

Lana

Mentioning Tina, we at Infinity Gaming

The Editor

offer our publication for any budding writers out there who have something to say. To this inside is our first addition brought to you by Bob Waller, Bob is a

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Sponsorship Opportunities Colin@cleverduckmedia.com Business Partnerships Svetlana@gaming-awards.com Marketing & Advertising claire@cleverduckmedia.com Editorial Content & PR media@cleverduckmedia.com

ing to be a wonderful celebration of

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Infinity Gaming Magazine Contributing 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 prducts, technology and current affairs with the sector the Infinity Gaming Magazine is delighted to showcase our superb line-up of contributing writers.

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 reengineering, 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.

bility and Problem Gambling training around the world,

Working closely with the betting and gaming industry, She developed strong links delivering Social Responsi-

To contact Teresa regarding consulting please email: Teresatunstall1@gmail.com

Teresa now works independently consulting on all issues relating to Social Responsibility and Problem Gambling.

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 creatively strategized and implemented B2C and B2B acquisition, conversion and retention marketing campaigns. Lynn started off her igaming career consulting to LCI, a prestigious land-based casino in the UK, where she was responsible for the online marketing and project-management of conferences, events, presentations, video production, and other activities.

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.

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She joined Forwardslash, (an igaming marketing company) as Marketing GM: Creative Studio. She then went on to work for a sportsbetting company to launch a poker room and casino for a while, before being headhuntered to join a startup casino company in Prague, where she worked as the Marketing Operations Manager.

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2020 Industry Commu

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LeoVegas Pilot Games Scientific Games SlotsMillion Tangam Systems Tom Horn Gaming

Betsson LeoVegas Microgaming Scientific Games SlotsMillion Tom Horn Gaming

Community Award Suppliers Flowplay Microgaming Playtech Tangam Systems

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Business Continuity Award

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unity Awards Finalists

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Innovation Award Betconstruct IGT Melco Resorts & Entertainment Melco Resorts & Entertainment Playtech Scientific Games Tangam Systems UltraPlay

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10

Interview with

Mario Ovcharov CEO UltraPlay

Esports has finally got its deserved place on the global gaming map

Mario many thanks for speaking to the Infinity Gaming Magazine, you are the CEO at UltraPlay, can you tell our readers how long you have been with the company and what the company business is?

As I used to say you have to understand

Even though we are most known for our

the company’s product a hundred per-

eSports betting leadership globally, the

cent. It’s very important for every busi-

sports betting platform is actually with

ness to ensure there is enough data

what the business has started back in

and information for the clients to check

the days. Then we had a very strong

anything they want to know about their

disruption of the iGaming industry by

own projects.

launching one of the first Bitcoin casi-

I joined UltraPlay in 2014 when the

nos. Crypto wagering is something Ul-

company wasn’t on that scale as it is

Besides our cutting-edge technology

traPlay has been providing since 2012

now. This year UltraPlay turned its 10

products and services, it’s vital for the

and still enhances.

years on the market, which came along

business to be adaptive, flexible, and

with many company’s accomplishments

eager to innovate. The first two serve

In 2014 we became the first company to

as well as major developments of our

our clients perfectly. Innovation on

provide live betting on eSports, with my

core products - the turn-key iGaming

the other hand is something we do as

personal involvement as a live trader of

platform for sportsbooks as well as our

part of our mission to lead the iGaming

CS: GO. Over the last few years, we be-

multiple award-winning eSports betting

industry and contribute greatly to its

came a market leader for eSports par-

product.

overall development.

ticularly in Europe and Asia. Our eSports betting product ODDS.GG was awarded

You have been with the company for a long time, what makes UltraPlay so special?

The company has been operational since 2010 how has the business grown in the last 10 years?

in 2018 as the best B2B digital product solution in Asia, and now we hold 15 awards for our overall provision in the eSports sector.

What makes UltraPlay so successful?

Above all, it’s the hard work and unbeatable dedication expressed on a daily basis by our team members. It’s their effort, creativity, and winning spirit that goes beyond expectations and drives the company forward.

UltraPlay founder Dariy Margaritov how involved is he still with the company?

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The company is born by his bright vi-

out the years. It also distinguishes our

the fastest-growing markets in our in-

sion to deliver breakthroughs to the

brand from competitors and opens

dustry. Esports itself is growing expo-

iGaming industry. The business model

new business opportunities. The iGam-

nentially year on year. The audience is

to innovate has always been a central

ing awards’ reputation gives a further

very broad and there is a huge number

focus for him, which is well incorpo-

statement for the company as a trusted

of different products that are connected

rated in the company’s culture as well.

leader on the global gaming map. It’s

to the industry, like laptops or phones

As there’s a saying “he feels the com-

definitely a sign of our success that the

designed for gaming as well as con-

pany” and leads it to new and exciting

industry sees in us.

soles, and on top of that you can bet on

directions. Now, he’s an advisor to the management board, where his years of experience and knowledge of the in-

your favorite team or support your fa-

What jurisdictions does UltraPlay work in?

dustry guide the company in the right direction.

The company is very proud of the many awards it has won over the years, do you look at that as a sign of how successful the company is?

Winning an award is more than just receiving a trophy. It defines you as a lead-

vorite streamer.

If eSports continues to record such

Our products are compliant in many ju-

steady growth, we are definitely going

risdictions worldwide, and we can offer

to see more and more operators ex-

assistance to any other that is still not

panding this vertical. But more impor-

part of our portfolio and clients require.

tantly, they need to offer it the right way so that players are not only attracted but retained to the website.

UltraPlay works in the eSports world also, how fast is that sector growing?

er and acknowledges your hard work, integrity, and perseverance through-

Let’s say that eSports betting is one of

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This year with COVID-19 has been a very difficult time, how has the company managed its business during 2020?

turned first to the so-called sports simu-

Many operators turned to us to ask for

lating eSports.

our consultancy and especially the eSports product, having in mind our long

Moreover, we shifted successfully to

years of experience in the sector.

home office work. Each team - espeRegarding

your

previous

Does the company work in the US or interested in breaking into that market?

question,

cially the core ones as development

there was actually an unprecedented

and trading outperformed during the

increase in the eSports betting turno-

lockdown, so we haven’t experienced

ver of our clients’ network right after

any challenges in delivering our prod-

the COVID-19 breakdown. Bets placed

ucts and services to our clients. It was

We are keeping track of the dynamic

on eSports surpassed every other gam-

the main priority for us and we did our

growth and developments of the whole

bling vertical and it was logical as tra-

job well.

market there. It surely interests us and

ditional sports events were canceled or postponed. UltraPlay reported a 500% turnover growth (from mid-March to the end of April) compared to an average

we are considering it in the future.

What is the best innovation you are most proud of this year from UltraPlay?

yearly increase of 30% by the end of

What products are the most popular with clients?

2019. The top titles that players placed

As there were no other sports left to bet

their bets on were as usual CS:GO, Dota

on, eSports has finally got its deserved

2, and League of Legends, where we in-

place on the global gaming map. We

It depends on their business stage or

creased the events’ coverage by 20%

started offering eSports 6 years ago

experience so far. Some of the clients

so that players weren’t left without di-

when it was a totally new concept to the

come to us looking for a particular

versity and excitement of their favorite

industry. It started from our initial inter-

product, such as eSports, others want

games. There was also another trend

est towards the sector, as we are gamers

to change their platform provider or

that was seen - FIFA, NHL, and NBA2k

by heart, and evolved to what it is now -

now start the business and choose us.

recorded an increase in players’ inter-

a billion-dollar industry. So in that case,

We are flexible in our offering, so it is a

est. This was mainly due to the fact that

we innovate year on year by adding new

matter of the client’s needs and require-

sports bettors needed some time to

game titles and make them ready for

ments.

adapt to the eSports mechanisms and

betting with pre-match and live odds.

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Mario Ovcharov Exclusive Interview

Do you think expos and conferences will return and will the demand for face to face events always be hugely important for gaming companies such as UltraPlay?

Gaming events and conferences have always been at the heart of our busi-

13

Current times are very uncertain and we

Besides our eSports product, we are

adapt to new realities of virtual events

adding new features and updates to our

but also hoping that face-to-face events

iGaming platform. Our reporting and

will be back earlier next year.

player’s management system will be further enhanced, as well as the casino

It is a very uncertain time for everyone with the pandemic however how do you see 2021 for UltraPlay?

ness. It’s the type of business we are

module of our platform. Online casinos are experiencing a tremendous boost especially now. Over the past few years, besides our eSports product ODDS.

in - based on a lot of personal contact,

We are fully committed to our next

GG, we have put a lot of effort into ex-

references, and demonstrations. In that

business steps - our constant develop-

panding our casino portfolio. Offering

sense, events are the perfect place to

ment of the products and platform. We

a diversified and quality casino games

meet and present our brand and key

are adding new eSports titles to ODDS.

together with mobility and convenience

products to the industry. They offer a

GG, which now consists of more than 34

to our partners is definitely among our

great platform to exchange ideas, do

games offered with pre-match and live

priorities.

business and benefit from one another.

odds.

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GAMING NEWS

15

DraftKings Sign Up World Class Golfer

D

raftKings has announced an exclusive, multi-year relationship with World number six golfer Bryson DeChambeau, who will become the first active professional golfer to represent the digital sports entertainment and gaming company via an integrated brand, content, marketing, and VIP centric collaboration that will feature Bryson DeChambeau as the face of DraftKings golf. Bryson is currently ranked No. 6 in the Official World Golf Ranking and is coming off his first major championship at the U.S. Open in September, 2020. Starting with the 2020 Masters, the DraftKings logo will be featured on DeChambeau’s signature golf cap.

“Professional golf has been a key growth sport in both daily fantasy and sports betting, and our collaboration with Bryson DeChambeau is a notable new layer of mainstream

brand exposure and fan experience,” said Jason Robins, co-founder and CEO, DraftKings. “As one of golf’s most promising athletes and the current U.S. Open champion, DraftKings is strategically aligning with winning athletes like Bryson who embody and embolden the competitive fire of our customers.”

At DraftKings, golf remains the fourth-most-popular sport for daily fantasy while golf sportsbook handle has grown over ten times year over year. Excluding NFL games, the 2019 Masters ranked among the top five highest-bet sporting events on DraftKings while 2020 has featured many of the company’s most popularly bet golf tournaments of all time. Amidst this surge in golf betting, the athlete sponsorship also entails unique experiential elements to engage fans such as playing a round of golf with or receiving golf lessons from Mr. DeChambeau.

“DraftKings has been at the forefront of innovation for how people experience golf, and the company continues to modernize the game through technology built by and for sports fans,” said Bryson DeChambeau. “The gaming industry has already helped golf reach broader audiences, and I am proud to work with DraftKings on boosting fan excitement and engagement in the game.”

With the 2020 Masters taking place in November for the first time in history and overlapping with the NFL during the final round on Sunday, DraftKings is offering a $100,000 free-to-play pool that captures the action of both sports. This is the first multi-sport pool DraftKings has developed as the company further adapts to the unique sports calendar of 2020.

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Interview with

Tristan Sjöberg Executive Chairman TCSJOHNHUXLEY

Hi Tristan many thanks for speaking to Infinity Gaming Magazine, let us get straight to it and how are TCSJohnHuxley coping with the current pandemic?

We have been coping well but it has been tough at times with various parts of the business affected by both geographic and job function differences.

We have offices in six continents and as some parts of the world were not in total lockdown we were able to maintain a skeleton staff that were still able to produce products,such as items for our new Care & Protect Range. safely and securely. We launched with

some exciting developments happen-

Very early on we were able to have a lot

our Chip Sanitiser which utilizes UV-C

ing in the coming weeks and we look

of our non-manufacturing staff working

light technology in a unique patent

forward to sharing these soon.

remotelyand we werealso able to pivot

pending design that ensures every

some of our resources to provide much

surface of the chip is cleaned in three

needed PPEduring the height of the

minutes. We were able to bring this to

pandemic,such as face masks /shields.

market from concept to delivery in four-

Our teams were amazing on this front,

teen weeks, which by any standards is

suggesting how we can produce items

quick, but during a pandemic was pretty

to assist the NHS or charities that did

amazing. Other products include our

not have the resources or access to

Play Safe Screens which are produced

Obviously virus outbreaks such as

items that were in very short supply.

in acrylic in most countries, but in glass

N1H1, Sars, etc. are not new in Asia and

in South Africa (due to customer prefer-

the region is used to dealing with this –

ences).

as we have seen in the low number of

Has the company developed new products to help clients during COVID-19 times?

The company has offices all over the world including Macau, how soon was the company aware back in early 2020 that this virus was going to be a major pandemic?

COVID-19 cases and fatalities. We were We are focused on growing this range as

aware back in February at the ICE show

the current situation is not going away

that the situation was worsening and

I mentioned earlier our Care & Protect

and we know our customers will need to

our staff were briefed regarding social

Range which was launched in May to

continually ensure the safety and well-

distancing and hand hygiene, however

help our customers re-open quickly,

being of their staff and players. We have

even at that stage I don’t think any of us

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felt this was going to be as widespread

flutter and a meal or drink. Asia, being

and as significant as it has turned out to

the first region affected by COVID-19,

be.

was also the first region to see a rebound in player volumes.

The land based industry has been hugely affected, is there any regions that are doing better than others?

TCSJohnHuxley are known for their innovation and moving quickly to market, however what are the challenges with this currently?

Where casinos have been allowed to

On this what are the most innovative products the company is proud of at present in helping their clients?

Chip Sanitiser and Play Safe Screens which have made a big impact in helping our customers across the globe. We have also developed a mobile trolley that can take up to six chip sanitiser

open, we have seen an initial rush on

We have been very quick to bring cer-

units providing a total capacity of 600

demand and then visitation has set-

tain products to market during the pan-

chips that can be cleaned at a time. The

tled down, mostly due to restrictions

demic even with a reduced workforce

trolley incorporates its own power sup-

on numbers and general demand. Some

and facilities. The main challenges at

ply that allows it to be moved around

regions are definitely performing bet-

the moment centre around the supply

the gaming floor, where and when chip

ter than others with many casinos not-

chain. Our teams are pulling out the

sanitisation is required.

ing a change in demographic - younger

stops to provide our customers with all

crowds who are more comfortable be-

the tools they need to get their busi-

ing out socialising, and also the types of

nesses up and running safely but due

players. There has been a return of ‘real

to prolonged closures and reduced re-

players’ to casinos who are focused on

sources, many suppliers are struggling

gambling and not necessarilyinterested

to reach anywhere near their pre-COV-

an evening’s entertainment of having a

IDstock levels.

Because the event industry has been closed now almost the entire year, how are TCSJH communicating and reaching out to their clients?

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Tristan SjĂśberg Interview

19 It is certainly hard to predict anything at present, but how do you personally see 2021 turning out for the gambling industry?

The gaming industry is resilient and will bounce back, but we will need to adapt to a ‘new normal’. This will involve social distancing and providing clean and hygienic environments for players and staff, but without interfering with the casino experience as social interaction is so important. Clearly live table games face different challenges to gaming machines but casinos will adapt their operating procedures to compensate for this. But, I do not think the European bricks-and-mortar gambling industry will reach pre-COVID levels until 2022 and 2021 will be a challenging year for all regions.

The exciting part is that we are seeing

We have missed being able to meet up

seamlessly as we have experienced.

a new innovation phase for suppliers

with our customers at trade shows but

Saying all that, there has always been

and operators and technology being

have been communicating with them in

a strong focus on face to face events

fast tracked. For example, gaming has

various other ways. Our management

as our products really need to be seen,

been one of the last industries to adopt

and sales teams have strong relation-

touched and played in the flesh to ap-

cashless. This has mainly stalled due to

ships with their customers and have

preciate them fully, that and the fact our

regulation restrictions, but now there is

been keeping in touch with them and

industry is very socialable and we thrive

need to get this implemented quickly.

speaking to them throughout this pe-

on getting together!

riod when it has not been possible to meet face to face. We also continue to use social media, our website and digital communications to share important product and services information.

Has this pandemic made you adapt to new technologies and communications that you will use in the future, or is face to face events always going to be the best for TCSJH?

We remember that you and TCSJH were the first to call for G2E Asia to be postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic earlier in the year, do you think some event companies were slow to realize the dangers of this pandemic?

TCSJH has also an online gambling division, has this part of the business grown since the pandemic?

We have been the supplier of choice to the online live gaming industry for some time, working closely with some of the market leaders on developing bespoke products as well as items from

Businesses were being confronted with

our standard portfolio. Clearly during

unprecedented situations that were

lockdown when almost every casino

heavily impacting their ability to trade,

in the world was closed, many players

whether it be through lockdowns, travel

simply migrated to these operators. As a

Video conferencing software such as

restrictions or the safety and wellbe-

result, we found demand increased and

Zoom and MS Teams has definitely been

ing of their staff and we could see this

luckily we were able to continue to sup-

a significant bonus during this period

was going to take some time to recover.

ply our customers.

and without doubt have helped us to

Some event companies have made de-

keep in touch with our customers and

cisions quicker than others but overall

our team. If the pandemic would have

the right decisions have been made. We

happened even ten years ago, none of

all need to support eachother for the fu-

us would have been able to keep our

ture benefit of the industry.

businesses going, let alone as relatively

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Great Canadian Gaming Sold For $2.5 Billion

Conservative MP Joins BGC Conservative MP and prominent backbencher Laurence Robertson has agreed to work with UK gaming trade body The Betting & Gaming Council (BGC).

Although no official announcement has been made by either Mr Robertson or the BGC a recent report says that the

Apollo Global Management who

experience in the gaming sector will

only yesterday announced it had

provide additional strategic benefits

invested €500m into gaming and

to help expand our gaming and

lottery operator Sazka Group. And

hospitality offerings and to secure

earlier said that it was interested

our position as a long-term market

in acquiring the European assets

leader.”

of William Hill has now bought the Great Canadian Gaming Corp for

Great Canadian Gaming was found-

$2.5 billion.

ed in 1982 and operates a total of 25 venues from gambling, enter-

Eyes will now be raised on just who

tainment and hospitality in Ontario,

start of October.

are Apollo Global Management as it

British Columbia, New Brunswick,

makes major moves into the gam-

and Nova Scotia.

As with all MPs in the UK they are

bling sector with its recent deals and

Tory MP joined the trade body at the

legally obliged to show all incomes and Mr Robertson has filed an income of £2,000 per month for 10 hours of work

exactly what the equity firms plans

Alex van Hoek, a partner at Apollo

to do with them.

said: “Apollo recognizes the challenges the industry is facing and

a month for the BGC.

According to a press release by

is “committed to working with the

Great Canadian Gaming on the

management team, regulators and

According to the report the MP will be

breaking deal that represents a

health authorities to allow the

35% premium to the stock’s closing

company to reopen its properties as

and safer gambling.

price and the transaction has been

soon as it’s safe to do so.”

Robertson said he would not advo-

Canadian’s board.

BCG’s parliamentary adviser on sport

cate for the betting industry, nor make submissions to the gambling review on behalf of the cross-party parliamentary

unanimously approved by Great

Chief Executive Officer Rod Baker said: “We believe Apollo’s extensive

on betting and gaming, of which he is a member.

Mr Robertson the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tewkesbury since 1997 has been a longstanding supporter of the horse racing and gambling industry.

Up & Down For Flutter Full Year ForePaddy Power and Betfair operator Flutter Entertainment announced its expected full year earning saying that apart from the US market its earnings before interest, tax depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) will be at the £1.35 billion mark.

That is an improvement on previous forecasts which had the company around the £1.32 billion range, also the company said the lower end of expectations would be at £1.275 billion.

INFINITY GAMING

21

22

Canada’s largest-ever illegal casino Busted

A Toronto real estate tycoon said to

the norm.

be worth billions of dollars is at the

Sheldon Adelson Looking For Buyer For LVS Vegas Properties It appears that Sheldon Adelson is getting out of the casino business in the US after early discussions with potential buyers to acquire his Las Vegas businesses.

According to reports in both the Wall Street Journal and the South China Morning Post the company are looking at selling the Venetian Resort Las Vegas, the Palazzo and the Sands Expo Convention Centre to raise some $6 billion.

Quoting sources close to the company the billionaire is actively seeking a buyer for all his US casino operations and only wants to remain in Macau and

centre of charges against him for illegal

In the raid on 5 DeCourcy Court, a

gambling.

$10-million property believed to be Canada’s largest-ever illegal casino,

Wei Wei and his wife are facing criminal

police say that there was even a high-

charges for running what police say is

end restaurant for gamblers with its own

a national crime organisation operating

maitre ‘d, where families where found

casinos in huge mansions in Ontario

to be dining while gambling was taking

and Toronto. This follows the recent raid

place.

on one of Wei Wei where 11 weapons, ammunition and $1 million in cash was

Police also say that they believe along

seized along with 45 arrests made.

with cash gambling cryptocurrency was used to place bets.

The police say that Wei Wei is connected to organised crime gangs, money

Both Wei Wei and his Wei are due in

laundering and running illegal casinos

court in early November and deny all

inside huge sprawling mansions where

charges against them.

$20,000 per hand in baccarat betting is

Three Years To Build Greek Casino Resort

Singapore at present.

Mohegan Gaming were named as the winner of the bidding process build a

Indeed in last years annual figures from

casino resort on the development but

Las Vegas Sands revenues showed that

Mario Kontomerkos the boss of Mohe-

only 15% of the business derived from

gan Gaming says that the company have

US operations where 635 came from

yet to formally sign the license agree-

Macau and 22% from Singapore.

ment and also the location has only just begun removing the old airport.

Many believe the move is a smart one given the shrinking scale of the US casino industry. Also it is believed that the sale of the US business would allow Las Vegas Sands to consider other major development both at home and overseas.

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Even thou COVID-19 is wrecking The Chief Operating Officer of Mohegan

the economies of so many countries

Gaming & Entertainment said it will be

including Greece Mohegan Gaming is

at least three years till the casino resort

certain once the development is up and

will be built in the former Hellenikon

running it will help boost tourism and

International Airport.

create some 7,000 jobs.

Apple In Court Over “In-Play” Gambling Claim A law suit brought against Apple could

gambling games. It is the principal

decide on what is gambling and what is

promoter and facilitator of the illegal

not and if companies offering “in-play”

activity. Apple maintains dictatorial con-

purchases are actually termed gambling.

trol over what apps can be downloaded from the App Store, and the payment

The suit brought by Karen Workman

method to purchase in-app items.”

says she spent some £2,500 over a six month period on a free-to-play iPhone

If the case is won and it is unclear

App game called Jackpot Mania. The

how the case will go it very well could

plaintiff claims that the game offered

spell the end for any company offering

coin purchases so you can continue to

in-play purchases of this kind as they

play for a chance to win more time play-

would be deemed as gambling.

ing the game.

GAMING NEWS

COMMUNITYAWARDS

Last week the lawsuit was filed in the District of Connecticut, which claimed that Apple “promotes, enables, and prof-

The London High Court is hearing the

its” from gambling games.

case of Croatian businessman Juste Puharic who claims he is owed more

Apple says that it prohibits gambling

than £1.5 million after gambling £27

Apps in their App Store, however the

million at a Mayfair Casino in just five

lawsuit claims that you “have the abil-

days.

ity to win and therefore acquire more

According to lawyers for Mr Pu-

playing time” falls under the gambling

haric was offered a cash-back on his

category.

The Industry Community Awards have been scheduled for the 18th November, celebrating the amazing work many within the land based and online businesses have done to help and support not just their workers and colleagues but the wider community also.

Clever Duck Media who are presenting the awards have announced

amount staked over that period of 0.9% along with the £1.4 million he

According to AppleInsider who broke

actually won there during his stay

the story, lawyers for the plaintiff claim

which the casino has not paid.

that: ”that credits that are “recorded and allow one to extend play” are a thing

The case is still ongoing and a judge-

of value.” Furthermore, the complaint

ment will be made at a later date.

also read that “Apple is not some minor or incidental participant in these illegal

it will be a virtual event this year, showcasing the truly remarkable work done by so many companies during this terrible pandemic.

More details can be found by contacting the organisers.

UKGC Revokes Park Lane Casino License The UK Gambling Commission has revoked the operating

to the source

licence of Silverbond Enterprises Ltd which runs Park Lane

of funds

Casino.

(SOF) used to

The decision was made because there was a change in

acquire and

corporate control of the operator following the sale of

support the

the club and the Commission said it was not satisfied that

Licensee at

it would have granted the operating licence to the new

the time of the

owner.

change of cor-

Helen Venn, Commission Executive Director, said: “We

porate control

regulate gambling in the public interest and to maintain

or to whom

public confidence in the industry. In doing this we must be

future profits

provided with information about those who run or have

of the Licensee would be paid. We also identified concerns

significant interest in gambling businesses.

with the suitability of the new controller because of its unsatisfactory history in providing information requested

“We revoked this licence because we are not satisfied as

as part of our enquiries.”

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23

24

GERMANY No More Shades Of Grey

By Christina Thakor-Rankin

F

or as long as anyone can remember most operators have looked upon Germany as one of the palest of pale grey markets.

Whilst it may be illegal for an operator based in Germany to offer online or remote gambling, there is no such restriction on operators from outside of the country and therefore outside the scope of the law from doing so. Nor is there any law specifically restricting or preventing German citizens from accessing and using these ‘overseas’ gambling sites.

For many, the pull of one of Europe’s most lucrative betting and gambling markets, has been too strong to resist. Even the best efforts of national legislators trying to address the shortcomings of gambling legislation through Wire Act style financial laws preventing financial institutions from processing gambling transactions, have done little to stop those determined to maintain a presence in the county.

But all that looks like it is about to change. After failed attempts at a

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unified national approach in the past - due to a lack of agreement on the treatment of online gamblingwith some states leaning towards liberalization and others towards prohibition - the Lander (federal states) came together earlier this year and finally agreed a new German Interstate Treaty on Gambling (‘ISTG’) due to come into effect on 1 July next year 2021.

Between now and then is a Transitional period which began on 15 October and is ambiguous enough to allow operators a small window of opportunity (payment providers willing) to make some hay whilst the sun shines - for there are storm clouds on the horizon.

In order to arrive at a Treaty that all the Lander are happy with, those in favour of liberalization and a regulated domestic online gambling market have had to make some big concessions, with the result that Germany’s new regulated betting and gambling market is likely to be one of the most stringent and restrictive in the world.

It all starts off on a fairly positive note, the scope of the new regulations - the Gluecksspielneuregulierungstaatsvertrag - extending to online poker, sports betting and casino. And that’s where it ends. So far so good, and also where it slots and with online slots being deemed the virtual or digital equivalent of traditional land-based slot games there by making them subject to the individual laws of each federal state.

The ISTG 2021 includes a license regime to enable providers to obtain licenses to offer online sports betting, virtual slot machines and online poker. According to the new law, virtual slot machine games are simulations of terrestrial slot machine games offered on the internet. The possibility for obtaining a license for online casino games will be subject to separate laws of the individual federal states (see below).

Requirements for online gambling licenses

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The requirements for obtaining a license to offer online sports betting, virtual slot machines and online poker are very similar and only vary in details. The common requirements particularly contain the following: Security deposit: The applicant must provide a security deposit of at least 5 million euros. In individual cases, this amount can be increased up to the amount of the expected monthly average turnover (maximum 50 million euros). For online sports betting licenses, the competent authority indicated that this amount could be reduced upon request. Whether and under which circumstances this will be possible under the ISTG 2021 remains unclear.

Separation of different offers: Gambling providers may offer different forms of gambling (i.e. sports betting, virtual slot machines and online poker) via the same internet domain under the condition that the operator creates independent and graphically

separate areas for each form of gambling. The separation also means that it is prohibited to do “cross advertising” among the different forms of gambling. Further, a player must not be able to play in different areas at the same time.

Players’ accounts: Players must create an individual player account with their true credentials for every provider. The provider has to verify the player information. The ISTG 2021 only stipulates that the verification must be carried out by appropriate and reliable procedures. It does not contain any further specifications. The authority may define specific verification measure in the license.

Cross-supplier deposit limit: Upon registration on a website, the player must set a monthly cross-provider deposit limit of a maximum of EUR 1,000.00. This means that the limit will apply per player, not per operator (i.e. as a general rule 1.000 EUR/ month/player across all operators).

The competent authority will monitor compliance with the limit via a central “limit control file”. Providers must pay a fee to connect to and use the limit control file. In addition, providers have to offer separate providerrelated deposit limits which the player may set voluntarily.

Limitations of parallel playing: Players must not play offerings of different operators at the same time. Thus, providers have to check the players’ “activation status” with the authority’s activations system prior to enable them to play on the provider’s website.

Advertisement: Advertisements for online gambling offerings are generally allowed with specific limitations.

In particular, advertising must not be aimed at minors and must not be presented as a means of solving financial problems. The limitations further include a ban of broadcast and online advertising between 6 am and 9 pm.

In addition, the authority will specify

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Germany - No More Shades Of Grey certain notification obligations to be met by the provider.

Special requirements for virtual slot machines.

In addition to the general requirements, the ISTG 2021 provides additional requirements for virtual slot machines: *A game must last at least five seconds. *The maximum stake is EUR 1.00 per game. *Stakes and wins may not be used to build up a jackpot *Special requirements for online sports betting It is positive to note that regarding sports betting, bets will be allowed on the outcome of a game as well as on events during the game, or a combination of both. Further, live bets will be allowed under specific requirements. In addition, online sports betting licenses granted before July 1, 2021, will remain effective until December 31, 2022. However, a German court suspended the current licensing procedure in April 2020.

Special conditions for online casino The ISTG 2021 defines online casino games (in contrast to virtual slot machines) as virtual simulations of casino games and live broadcasts of terrestrial casino games with the possibility of participation via the internet (e.g. roulette, black jack). The law itself does not regulate licenses for online casino games. However, the German federal states can provide for respective regulations in their individual local laws. It is expected that online casino licenses will be available but subject to the specifications for a license to operate an offline casino.

This particularly includes a restriction on the number of licenses. The ISTG 2021 stipulates that the competent

authority may not issue more online casino licenses than licenses available for landbased casinos.

Germany is currently in the middle of approving new online gambling platforms, having introduced new gambling regulations earlier this year.

Here is a look at those regulations in more detail.

What are the current regulations for online gambling in Germany?

The Gluecksspielneuregulierungstaatsvertrag regulates online gaming activities such as betting at internetbased casinos. However, it must now be ratified by each state parliament in the country and be approved by the European Commission. The new regulatory framework of the GlĂƒÂźc ksspielneuregulierungstaatsvertrag includes strict measures with regards to elements like player protection guidelines and measures for tackling gambling addiction.

Under the new framework, online casino operators can provide poker, slot games, and sports betting. However, limits will be in place for spin-stakes, and online table games like roulette and blackjack will not be allowed during the transition period. If any online gambling platforms breach the regulations, it will result in license withdrawal and possible blacklisting.

What do the new regulations mean for sports betting?

Despite online sports betting becoming legal under the new regulations, there are still restrictions in place. For example, live sports betting is limited to markets on the next scorer or final result, even though that policy has been criticized by official bodies like the gambling operator association the Deutscher Sportwettenverband.

27

Under the new regulations, slot games will be subject to a stake limit of EUR1 per spin. They must also be offered separately to table games, and they cannot include jackpots or auto-play functions. Furthermore, each state in Germany will be able to decide whether to allow table games or not.

What do the new regulations mean for marketing?

The new rules mean operators of online gambling platforms will not be allowed to advertise between the hours of 6 am and 9 pm. However, some private broadcasters are challenging that decision because it will mean a reduction in potential advertising revenue for them and a reduction in attracting new visitors to the online casinos.

Do the new regulations mean there will soon be lots of new online casinos operating in Germany?

The official body that now regulates licenses for online gambling platforms, the Regional Council of Darmstadt, which is located in the state of Hesse, has yet to approve any new online casinos in Germany. But shortly after the new regulations were announced, the Regional Council of Darmstadt received 30 applications in February, and 20 more operators signalled that they intended to apply.

If all 50 applications are approved, it is thought sports betting alone will increase the online gambling market by up to 99%. But you will have to wait until next summer to see how many new online gambling establishments are actually granted approval.

What do the new regulations mean for slot games?

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28

Smart marketers reinvent traditional channels for younger audiences during lockdown

By Lynn Pearce de Freitas

I

was thinking about the “old” and golden days of traditional direct marketing and wondered whatever happened to some of those brilliant ideas and campaigns – and are those ideas still working today? Has online marketing made it obsolete, or is it seeing a resurgence due to lockdown living?

Some of these ideas and concepts have moved onlineand been transformed into the native advertising space and are still working effectively today. I seldom see “As seen on TV” or “As seen in…” whatever magazine, catalog or publication it would have been featured. Even the “Limited Time Offer” seems to have

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disappeared!

Nowadays, most marketers tend to focus their campaigns predominantly online with their “go-to-market” strategies and exclude in a large part the traditional media, like TV, radio and direct marketing activities, mostly because their target market are all online permanently, in some way or another.

Lately however, I started reading a number of articles on traditional media channels, with even Google Trends highlighting the resurgence in direct mail and TV viewership, mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has resulted in most of us experienc-

ing living in lockdown over the past year. This experience has shifted consumer behaviour and attention away from the normal day to day, leaving home, going to work, children going to school, coming back home – and chilling and relaxing in front of the TV. Instead, we have all been stuck in our own homes for varied periods of time – and will be in and out of lockdown for the foreseeable future. Our consumers lifestyles have changed and we need to adapt to these changes and trends right now, as companies who are able to pivot their marketing and embrace the opportunities that come with the challenges will stand the greatest chance of thriving in these uncertain times.

29 tomers say it makes them feel valued and drives loyalty to your brand.16% of customers will pass on the mail to relatives and friends, according to the same research stats.

Mail also drives word of mouthactivity online through various social media channels, with customers sharing the informationwith friends and posting pics of the mail on social media.

Direct mail and follow up emails work very well together, as emails are great for delivering short, sharp messages and driving customers to your websites to take up special offers.

The rise of direct mail once again is one of the continuing trends coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, not only because patterns of living and working have shifted, but because print itself seems more real, tangible and trusted. I read in a report in the Royal Mail MarketReach recently, that stated when the UK Government wanted to underline the importance of the initial lockdown, they chose to send a letter to every household. According to the research that followed, it demonstrably affected people’s behaviour – it literally brought the message home – and not just with older people! The biggest rise in engagement with mail came from people aged 18 to 34 – potentially because of the relative novelty of receiving post.

Direct mail also works with another trend coming out of lockdown over the past few months, as expanded on in a report by Gartner recently,

the Covid-19 crisis has shifted CMOs’ focus away from customer acquisition - to customer retention and loyalty, mostly due to the economic climate and realizing the value to the bottom line of retaining and consolidating the existing customer base.

However, I believe that smart marketers can take it much further and should incorporate mail into all stages of the customer journey, working alongside other media channels to deliver maximum value, particularly during periods of lockdown, where mail can be a tangible acquisition media, putting your brand directly into customer’s hands. According to stats over the past year, 25% of customers purchase because of receiving mail at home, thereby driving conversion to your online business. You could also use this mediafor repeat sales, upselling, cross-sell marketing activities and even reduce churn, as 70% of cus-

In the initial stages of lockdown, Radio was impacted negatively, as data has always shown us that radio is most used when people are outside of the home, driving to work, shopping, or taking children to school and back home again. Strangely enough, listenership has increased steadily over the past few months, albeit via streaming audio at home, which is now 60% higher than it was pre-Covid. Podcasts are also trending, so there is a big opportunity for marketers to include this media in their campaign activities for relatively low cost right now.

TV was taking quite a dive in viewership pre-Covid, obviously the pandemic changed that and the viewership habits of most audiences globally. Average daily consumption of OTT services, such as Netflix, literally doubled during the past year. TV advertisers are eager to reach these OTT viewers, who are also paying attention to linear TV more often during lockdown.

Now’s the time to explore unique ways of complementing your online marketing with traditional integrated offline activities, helping your brand stand out, now and in the future.

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GAMING NEWS

Casino Stocks Soar On Vaccine Hope

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Apollo & Sazka Group In For William Hill Assets?

Following recent news that Apollo Global Management the private equity investor group is interested in acquiring the European assets of William Hill, it has also announced along with KKGC Group that it has made an investment of €500m into gaming and lottery operator Sazka Group.

The announcement by pharmaceutical com-

pany Pfizer that it had a 90% effective vaccine in the fight against COVID-19 and is in the final stages of testing and could be available by the end of the year helped see casino share prices soar this week.

US companies saw the greatest rise in their stock market values as since the pandemic began back in March have declined significantly with closures to their businesses.

However Wynn Resorts Ltd. and MGM Resorts International both enjoyed major rises in their share prices early this week with Wynn soaring some 27.7% and MGM up 14.9%.

With the hope of at least one vaccine coming out this year and the prospect of life returning to normal in 2021 with gamblers returning to Las Vegas, stock brokers decided to jump on stocks in the gambling world that have dropped badly since June this year.

Other that saw rises in their share prices were Caesar with a jump of 10.9% and Las Vegas Sands with a 9.2% climb.

Karel Komárek, founder of KKCG and chairman of the board of Sazka Group said that the investment by Apollo will go into Sazka Entertainment. The new venture by Sazka and Apollo raises questions on the potential of the two joining forces for the potential assets of Wiliam Hill in Europe that Caesars Entertainment have indicated they want to sell once the £2.9 billion deal to acquire William Hill is complete.

Caesars have made it clear they intend to sell off all the bookies business in the UK and Europe along the casino operator is hoping their casino business also to debunk back to the US only.

Karel Komarek said on the investment: “Our business is entering a new era and this investment and strategic partnership will support our long-term expansion plans. I am happy that, after a series of discussions with major investment funds from around the world, we came to an agreement to partner with Apollo.

“I believe the interest in Sazka Group from one of the world’s leading investors in gaming and largest alternative investment managers and globally confirms the value and strategy of Sazka Group, and is an endorsement of the excellent work of the entire Sazka Group management team. In partnership with a strong US investor, Sazka Group is well positioned to expand in Europe, the US and other potential regions, continuing to focus on lottery and complementary gaming verticals.”

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32

Let no one sleep Nessun Dorma

By Teresa Tunstall

F

ar too many adults have been playing online throughtout this Covid-19 period which has not only taken over but also taken the lives of so many of us. However, it seems that some children have followed suit and also occupied themselves by gambling, but sadly without the knowledge of their parents.This begs the questionas to how do the underage manage to gamble not only without their parent’s knowledge and consent but also by using their bank cards? One traumatic example is of a 13 year

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old who plunged his father into debt to the tune of £60,000 over a period of 6 years! It’s a sorry tale that began when amazingly the child was only seven years old, and incredulously nobody was aware of it.

Lessons need to be learnt! Online gambling is an invisible form of gambling in as much that punters remain anonymous which in itself is a problem. I have heard of many adult players who choose to remain incognito, rarely even speaking with online staff whose job it is encourage them

to play. Whilst children who may have “stolen” a parent’s credit, debit or bank card in order to gamble are obviously guilty, there is also some responsibility and culpability on the part of the parents themselves. On the surface it’s easier to blame the child, but ask yourself how he or she learned just how and where to gamble? It’s apparent these kids are taking a leaf out of their parent’s books with life-changing and tragic results.

Furthermore Online gaming companies have to get their act together to stop these situations occurring

33

especially where such children are affected. The opera,Turandot, has a spine-tingling aria entitled “Nessun Dorma” which, translated, means ‘Let no-one sleep”… this seems aptly applicable to those children afflicted by a gambling bug who watch the night evaporate in front of a computer monitor!

Meanwhile the uncertainty of the global economic situation has resulted in financial woes in all sectors including worldwide currencies. The result has seen a “Gold Rush” which in August last saw this precious metal topping at £2000 an ounce; boosted by the pandemic a large number of UK listed companies rallied. Now the price has dropped to £1,900 an ounce

and has unfortunately lost some of its shine. “All that glitters may not be gold” is an old adage but nevertheless it will always have its appeal and will continue to be a hedge against currency drama!

The year 2020 is synonymous with the word “Lockdown” especially in the UK; it’s a word we are all familiar with currently, particularly when it comes to family issues.On a personal front, getting together with friends and family who reside long distances away is difficult especially as far as my 89 years old uncle is concerned. He lives circa 80 miles from me so catching up is not easy and very frustrating. There is no option but I’ll have to shelve my visit until Christmas and hope Boris

doesn’t expand Locdownthrough to the end of this year.Sometimes I feel LockedUP rather than LockedDOWN! There is no doubt that our UK Gambling Commission has moved on enormously keeping track of gamblers and Operators;in particular those affected by the Coronaviruswho are working from home… many find a form of relaxation and release by way of ‘having a gamble.’ Neither the Commision nor the gambler want to exacerbate any trouble with regard to gambling prolems so it’s commendable that attention is being paid to avoid same.

(PTO)

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34

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Teresa Tunstall Article continued

35

Apparently, The Government Ministry of Defence is set to renationalise the making of Britain’s nuclear warheads!

The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) has managed UK’s nuclear stoke pile since 2000, now AWE have been informed that this would ‘transfer back under the direct control and management of the Ministry of Defence in June 2021.’ Previously this has all been managed by AWE in which Serco holds a minority interest of 24.5% the US defence giants Lockheed Martin and Jacobs hold 51% and AWE Management had expected to run until 2025. I hope we all feel safer with the knowledge that finally only the UK has total control of our defences.

Which countries have the largest gambling losses per adult, worldwide? This question will rarely be accurate as some countries continue to hide the true figure. However, Australia ranked first in a list of countries with the highest gambling losses worldwide with losses of 958 US dollars per adult.

I was shocked to read that the Philippines gaming regulator is looking to set a tax rate of 42.5 percent on all online gaming revenue earned by land-based operators under what will be known as the “PIGO” (Philippines Inland Gaming Operator) license scheme, according to a source close to the matter.

On top of this, operators will pay a 5 percent gaming systems fee to the regulator, meaning that they will keep only around 28 percent of revenue gained from their online gambling operations.

If true, that would spell one of the highest online gambling tax rates in Asia.

Currently, Philippines Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) are required

to pay an additional franchise tax of 5 percent on turnover, in lieu of all kinds of tax – an amount that they’ve had trouble collecting from operators as it is.

You may be interested to learn that Fraudsters have scammed more than £60,000 from unsuspecting lottery players in the Midlands.On a personal level I was sorry to read that Police have confirmed that at least 10 people in the region have been duped by a scam within the last three months.

Conartists have been tricking people into believing they’ve won money but were instead fleecing them out of thousands of pounds.Victims have been receiving phone calls from scammers and tricked into believing they won either a UK or international lottery.

In point of fact, this is so similar to actually what happened to me. I received a telephone call purporting to be from Croydon Police stating that my Bank Card had been used to purchase goods and they needed to

verify that it was my card by sending someone collect it.During the 20 minute call I was convinced and stupidly handed over my Bank card to a “courier”… within 6 minutes they took £500 from my account! Fortunately, Lloyds Bank returned my money and I wasn’t out of pocket. But be warned: don’t trust anyone, ask for their telephone number and always check them out.

November is a month I always look forward to and watch the ‘Remembrance Day Commemoration” on television. My father was caught 30 miles from Dunkirk and later his failed attemptto escape from prison meant they moved him every year to a different prison until General George Patton opened his heavy metal prison doors and he was liberated. An annual event worth remembering every year…“Lest we Forget”.

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36

Compliance Vs Operations & Marketing A comment on experiences within online gambling. A personal view

By Bob Waller

I

find it baffling that operations and marketing teams (as well as some more senior management staffers), place the blame for low sign up and/or retention rates firmly at the door of compliance, payments, fraud and AML teams who advise on and implement the various processes by which these teams look to mitigate threats to the business.

When you consider that apart from cowboy and unlicensed operators who choose not to adhere to the prevailing legal and regulatory processes, most licensed operators have a similar KYC, CDD, EDD and payments frameworks that apply to customers. This means that albeit the methods for achieving passes in these areas may be different, based on the product used, the detail required is the same. Consequently, gamblers will be used to the hoops they are required to jump through as they move between operators and in general expect to be asked to jump through them in that same way we all expect to be asked to provide our personal and payment data when shopping online whether it be with Amazon, eBay or Tesco.

As these processes are not unique to

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the operator concerned, the dilution of perfectly reasonable compliance and fraud/ML mitigation processes, many of which are required by law and/or regulation, does not and will never increase or decrease for that matter, onboarding rates. This is because most customers are not actually impacted by these measures until after they have signed-up, deposited, played and then hit a ML threshold.

Notwithstanding the UK age requirement at sign up.

It is an established fact that online gamblers have little brand loyalty (most hold an average of 3 to 5 accounts). They are superstitious and value driven and are attracted by the bonus and promotional offers that best suit them. This is a group of people who will leave one operator for another on a whim and if asked to explain, blame the first thing that comes to mind for this change, ‘I don’t want to answer any more questions’, ‘I’m not allowed to withdraw to an account different to the one I deposited from’; anything except the real reason.

To be completely even handed, there are times when a withdrawal or gaming may be delayed because of the

aforementioned hoops in play, yet these will be required in order to satisfy legal or regulatory reasons and to protect the customer and the business. As mentioned already, not anything a regular gambler online hasn’t experienced before with other operators.

The reasons I believe are founded in a few camps. *The first being borne of the perception of luck and when a losing streak occurs, the gambler wants out to greener pastures where they are convinced their luck will improve. In general, the operator will see them again. Their activity is generally routine and not outstanding and in reality, they are the gamblers who maintain the ongoing business for operators along with genuine VIP gamblers who are a whole other issue. *Another is the gambler who only stays when they are getting something for nothing, first time bonus, new season bonus, first time casino bonus, new game bonus, anything that gives them the chance to play for free. If and when they exhaust these freebies, ask for and get no

37

more, they’re off to find another operator they can squeeze. * The next are those unfortunate gamblers who have a problem and cannot stop themselves, no matter how bad their situation becomes. These are the customers that may pass through initial KYC and CDD but rarely stand up to an EDD check and once their ability to afford their gambling levels is questioned, drop off the platform to find easier gambling opportunities.

This group has increased several-fold over the last 18 months due to greater media coverage of political and public debate about problem gambling, leading to a better understanding and awareness of the problem by all, including those in trouble and more recently COVID. * The last group are fraudsters and by this I include anyone who are serial bonus abusers, those using false identities, compromised payment data, arbitrage bettors sometimes using group funds for the big outcomes and the constant money launderers

in their many and complex forms. In many cases, this is the real problem group for anyone in the compliance, payments, fraud and AML teams because in many cases the gamblers from this group can, for quite a while, appear to be good customers and even potential VIPs. So, when one of these teams start to enquire as to the veracity of the gambler, their data and activity, operations and marketing get quite annoyed. This false premise is also built upon the fact that many of this group will send in proof of ID before even being asked for it, reassuring marketing and operations of their genuine intentions.

This last group are the cause of many a dispute between the teams and promulgates the divide that separates them.

It is unfortunate that due to many reasons surrounding monitoring, investigations and submissions of SARs (the lack of any constructive response following the submission of a SAR isn’t unique to gaming opera-

tors and it doesn’t help anyone for everything to be held in limbo), many of these investigations do not arrive at a conclusive answer, the person in question goes dark. In that I mean, they use any number of strategies to avoid detection or identification or to just keep everything too blurred to arrive at a conclusion. Self-exclusion, abandonment of the gaming account and even complaints to the regulator or more often, an independent paid complaint resolution service.

To improve retention rates and as a result, onboarding rates through word of mouth and favourable media coverage, both social and within the associated press, operators should strive to employ excellent PSP services who deliver a secure and stable service for customers, stable gaming platforms that encompass an accurate audit trail of internal and external activity and provide the necessary data and functionality to enable teams to monitor customer activity and communication and eliminate all the technical faults that really do make a difference to the

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THE INDUSTRY

COMMUNITY AWARDS CATEGORIES

Below a list of the categories for both operators and suppliers to enter, full deďŹ niions are available on the website.

Best Employees Support Award

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Clever Duck Media are proud to present a new innovaave

Business Connnuity Award

awards programme for the ennre gaming industry, both

Business Hero Award

online, land based and globally recognising those

Community Award

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Bob Waller Article

39

genuine gambler. I’m sure if you were to

payments, fraud and AML teams really

In

ask any operator for the top five com-

prevents gamblers from staying with

fraud and AML teams are queried and

plaints from their customers, in there

an operator or joining them. Let’s face

at times asked to justify the need to

would be, ‘I can’t deposit/withdraw or

it, very few people read the terms and

suspend, close and report accounts and

quickly enough’. ‘I wasn’t able to get my

conditions before ticking the box to

even fraud groups. They are rarely con-

bet on/stake that spin/play that game

confirm their agreement with and ac-

gratulated, let alone rewarded and this

because the system froze’. ‘The odds

ceptance of them, so how could these

is due to the perceived loss of income

were incorrect’, ‘I wasn’t able to access

processes impact the number of new

their actions result in. Whilst some may

the website’ etcetera, etcetera. Not

registrations with the exception of bad

think it so, this is not a case of sour

many would include reference to con-

press, be it word of mouth or otherwise.

grapes. Rather, it is time to take a fresh

firming their identity, address or payment instrument.

contrast,

compliance,

payments,

look at the work the compliance, payThese teams are there to protect the

ments, fraud and AML teams undertake

business, its senior officers and its gen-

to protect the business, understand it

The requirements to jump through

uine customers, not harm or restrict it.

fully and show them they are appreci-

hoops set by compliance, payments,

In fact, some of the most commercially

ated by supporting their actions accord-

fraud and AML teams are complained

successful operators in the world (Wil-

ingly.

about mostly by those groups outlined

liam Hill, GVC, Kindred) are using com-

above who are not genuine gamblers

pliance and player safety as a unique

but those who, whilst they may bring in

selling proposition and customers seem

money from time to time, do not repre-

to be responding positively. In taking

sent real profitability due to the cost of

this approach they attract more genu-

time and effort spent in attempting to

ine players with greater player lifetime

defend against them, identifying them

values and keep out those that are sim-

and reporting them. The reason being

ply a commercial and financial drain on

these checks highlight they are usu-

the company. A bonus ring of 20 play-

ally not who they say they are or they

ers who are successfully onboarded but

shouldn’t be gambling or are looking to

only deposit and play the minimum and

defraud the operator or someone else

only when the bonus is in their favour

in some way.

will always be up on the company. They

ABOUT BOB WALLER:

will improve the acquisition rates but The gamblers who are bonus hunters or

will result in a negative hit on the bot-

offer no commercial long-term value to

tom line. These operators have learnt

the company are the ones who gener-

the hard way being hit with some of the

ally complain the loudest and take the

largest fines meted out, which in turn

most time and resource to manage once

has had a reputational impact across

I’m known as Bob Waller and I am a

they get through.

the world.

Money Laundering Reporting Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance

Yes, a few gamblers will feel some ques-

It is a great shame that many whose role

Officer for an online gaming company. I

tions intrusive, especially considering

is within the compliance, payments,

enjoy the role I have as a follow on from

no one from PC World asks you where

fraud and AML fields are almost un-

my years as a police officer, working to

you got the funds to buy that £3,000

wanted but required for the business

safeguard others using common sense

television or Churchill ask if you really

to operate and retain the licence and so

and discretion. This I learnt on the front

can afford the £250 monthly payments

are tolerated, rather than cherished by

line of policing and during my 13 years

for your car insurance and would you

the employers they serve.

combating fraud and money laundering

please prove it in either instance! But in

in the gaming industry to create a bal-

the main, knowing these hoops are the

Across many industries, sales and mar-

ance in what I do day to day. I was born

same for each operator, merely a differ-

keting teams, although not so much

in East London, brought up and educat-

ent colour, genuine gambling customers

operations teams, are venerated and

ed in the borough of Greenwich and am

accept it as part and parcel of their gam-

rewarded for successes with some com-

married with 2 grown sons.

bling experience.

panies taking the top sales and marketing staff away on lavish trips and paying

I contend, after all of the above, that

large bonuses to them.

nothing put in place by compliance,

INFINITY GAMING

40

Slot Manager vs the end game Essential Dialogue Part 4 Essential dialogue and dealing with difficult conversations are critical if you want your operation to remain competitive and here’s what will happen if you choose to oppress opinions and ignore your own bias:

By Andy Cosgrove

I

n part parts one, two and three of essential dialogue, we concentrated on conversations between the slots manager and other key senior management staff. We explored the importance of essential dialogue and how to use it effectively to strengthen the leadership team by improving focus, increasing productivity, communicating more effectively and adding much needed extra value to the customer experience by enabling you (and your brand ambassadors) to transform your operation from the dreaded , “good, regular and fine” that nobody talks about, to the kind where excellence is the only standard, where the slots are consistently at 100% occupancy and where your only problem is how fast can you get more slot

INFINITY GAMING

machines in operation in order satisfy the surge in demand from your ever growing base of “hungry for more raving fans.”

While casinos everywhere continue to suffer the effects of Coronavirus, the need for engaging in essential dialogue and accountability conversations is greater than ever and as previously stated, the price of inaction and avoiding essential dialogue can, and will result in possibly irreversible consequences. In the final part of the essential dialogue series I am going to flip the coin on the theme and instead of providing practical examples of how to use essential dialogue to stop your slots revenues from falling off a cliff, I’m now going to give acause and effect analysis of

what not to do, say, or even think as sometimes having a clear view of what the “end game” looks like can be the shock to the system that your casino needs to not just stay afloat, but to move forward, grow stronger and shift focus from problem solving to problem prevention and increasing revenues in ways that you always knew was possible.

COMMUNICATION AND END GAME CAUSE – Marketing manager to slots manager: “We started another great slots promotion yesterday. I didn’t tell you or the slots staff about it because we’re so certain it’s going to be such a record breaking success that I concluded that I didn’t even need to say a word!”

41

COMMUNICATIONS AND THE END GAME EFFECT: It’s a well-known fact that clear and transparent communication with those you work with is, without a doubt, a key ingredient of success and, based on my experience, very few people (or possibly none at all) can disagree with the importance of communicationas without it, the risk of operators hemorrhaging cash increases significantly. If slots customers don’t know about a promotion, they won’t participate. If the slots customer doesn’t participate you won’t generate additional revenue. If you don’t generate additional slots revenue the promotion will lose money.

Yes, you heard it, the promotion will lose money. If you lose money on your slots promotion the slots manager will want to know why. When you choose not to tell even the slots manager about the new promotion he’s not going to be happy and will gladly communicate clearly his frustrations as, incase you didn’t realize, marketing is a significant contributing factor towards increasing slots revenues and if your promotions continuously fail

due to lack of communication, slots revenues won’t meet expectations and you won’t be marketing for very long and that’s what your end game looks like.

PRODUCTIVITY, THE END GAME CAUSE– GM to slots manager: “I need you to take on some extra work this month including, managing the animation team, facilities maintenance and graphic design.”

PRODUCTIVITY AND THE END GAME EFFECT: This is a slot managers worst nightmare, and any dedicated professional would protest and reject such a request and any competent GM would never make such a business killing invocation. This scenario demonstrates that the GM clearly has no clue of how to run a casino or how to keep his senior management team from plotting a rebellion because if this GM knew anything about leadership, they would know that in order for the casino to remain productive, the main focus has to be on adding value to the customer experience by

working together as a management team and as individual department heads. Multitasking is not welcome in a productive workplace and is the fastest way to reach the losing side of the end game. Multitasking will cripple your productivity, drive down your CS standards, scare away your customers, cause a decline in revenues and provide your key staff members with the excuse they need to run from the hills.

TRUST AND END GAME CAUSE: GM to slots manager: “I’ll need to meet with you 5 times a day to go over your progress because it’s important that we work together to make the casino a benchmark for excellence.”

TRUST AND THE END GAME EFFECT: I’m sure most readers will have had a micromanaging boss at one time or other and if you have dreams of being successful with the ultimate procrastinator breathing down you neck then you may want to stop for a moment and do a serious, in depth review of your expectations as your dreams

INFINITY GAMING

42

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Slot Manager vs Slots Shift Manager (continued)

43

will remain elusive. Procrastination opens the doors to its demons that include: the perfectionist, the idiot and the excuse maker who will throw you under the proverbial bus at the earliest sign of panic. Trust erodes everything from respect to talking straight to keeping commitments and delivering results. Your staff can smell the lack of trust in the air but it’s ultimately your customers who pay the price of bad service and angry employees and when that happens, your competitors will be laughing, and the only kind of game your boss will be observing will be the end game.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE END GAME CAUSE: Slots shift manager to slots manager: “I’m late again boss, but I’m sure you don’t mind seen as we’re friends. I know you’ll smooth thing’s out with my colleague who I totally neglected, right?”

no respect or accountability, no trust and we hate productivity. That being said, we expect you to drive this company towards success and your success will be mine and mine alone!”

ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE END GAME EFFECT: This kind of lack of accountability can come from multiple channels such as poor leadership, unclear expectations and,even worse, the deliberate avoidance of responsibility. In this case its highly possible that the slots manager is the root cause of this extreme case of negligence through weak leadership, fear of retribution (does the shift manager has powerful friends?) or maybe the slots manager is the kind that runs his department via absenteeism as the GM insists that they run the casino from the golf course. The effects of the lack of accountability are obvious as no accountability means no work being done and no work being adds no value to the customer, which adds no revenue to your casino which spells the end game for your operation.

SUCCESS AND THE END GAME EFFECT: Success isn’t something that this slots manager understands because success isn’t a just a goal you reach and don’t have to keep improving on. Success is a living, breathing, evolving organism that needs to be fed, cared for and nurtured. Achieving success is one thing but staying successful requires consistent hard work, strong leadership, teamwork, understanding, clear communications, clear expectations, innovation and 100% focus on identifying what will ultimately add value to your customer experience, motivate your staff to promote excellence and generate the kind of results that go above and beyond what your boss dreamed up at your last budget meeting. Without a well run operation, you won’t achieve success and you will eventually lose even your most loyal customers and the end game will come sooner than you think.

SUCCESS AND THE END GAME CAUSE: Slots manager to slots shift manager: “There’s no team work here,

horizon, there has never been a more relevant time for the effective use of essential dialogue. Change is not a new phenomena or something that only happens on election day. Change is real, change is inevitable and casino operators across the globe that fail to embrace change and encourage essential dialogue will not survive their self-inflicted end game.

----MY MINI-BLOG - 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 go to: http://hemingwaycasinoconsulting.com/

CONCLUSION –In such challenging times and with much hardship on the

INFINITY GAMING

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GAMING NEWS

47

New Blood - Introduction By Christina Thakor-Rankin

T

his industry is essentially a one trick pony. A bet is a bet.

Play, spin, investment, interest, wager, punt, entertainment and back to play - the only difference is the packaging and presentation. And it is this very ability to see things differently that has led to the industries success and sustainability over the centuries. The ability to see something differently feeds the creatively required to exploit opportunities and address challenges effectively and quickly.

Right now, the industry is under huge pressure. Beset by reputational and regulatory challenges driven by social responsibility concerns and stagnation and a lack of innovation diminishing the ability to engage a new generation of players.

before. So, this new feature could not have come at a better time. Name of feature seeks to attract, encourage, mentor and support new writers who would like to give voice to their thoughts. In doing this not only are we championing hidden talent, but also bringing to the table a new and fresh set of different perspectives, opinions and ideas which are to the benefit of the whole industry.

On that note over to Bob, an industry veteran and long-time friend who has seen the industry evolve from back-street bookie to to one of the biggest leisure sectors in the world.

Bob has quite literally, been there and seen and done it all, and in this first piece tackles the trickly relationship between compliance and commercial.

INFINITY GAMING MAGAZINE: We at Clever Duck Media HQ welcome the initiative that Tina has brought to the industry.

As an innoviative multi-purpose company we want to invite all budding writers out there to contact us and let our publication know if you want to take part in this superb idea on offering a platform to anyone who has an idea for an article that our global audience would be interested in.

So if you feel you have something to offer, then please do contact our editor at: media@cleverduckmedia.com WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU......

Right now, it needs the ability to think differently more than ever

INFINITY GAMING

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GAMING NEWS

51

BGC Turns One But How Have They done?

T

he Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) is celebrating its first anniversary – and what a 12 months it has been for the trade body, the COVID-19 pandemic certainly placed the trade body for the land based and online gambling industry in the UK front and centre during the year.

It had the responsibility to represent the industry during an unprecedented period, it had to learn on the job and the biggest difficulty was to get a government to listen while so many other industries were calling for their attention.

How well have they done? It is difficult to judge given the current situation and 2021 will be a big year for the BGC, the industry needs a trade body, but the BGC needs to know when to stick or twist on demands they may have for an industry that sadly is never looked on favourably by the government or the national press.

Below is a statement from BGC CEO Michael Dugher on how they looked on the year.

Of course, the Covid-19 pandemic – which no one could have foreseen

when we were established as the standards body representing betting shops, casinos and online gaming – has presented its own challenges, as it has to every industry around the world. But at no point did we take our eye off the ball when it comes to our top priority – raising standards and driving big changes across our industry.

From encouraging deposit limits and boosting spending on research, education and treatment services, to reducing the number of betting ads seen by children and introducing tough new rules on VIP schemes, the BGC has been determined to drive change. And we have lots more still to do.

Our importance as the regulated industry’s voice was really highlighted by the pandemic, when we quickly swung into action as the country locked down in March. Our betting shop and casino members, along with non-essential premises across the country, were forced to close, and we successfully lobbied Government to ensure they qualified for vital business rate relief at a time when they were unable to generate any revenue.

The BGC also published a 10-pledge action plan setting out the standards expected of our members during the crisis, including encouraging deposit limits and stepping up interventions if customers spent too much time or money betting. BGC members went further by removing all TV and radio gaming ads for six weeks, followed by a commitment that at least 20 per cent of ads in future should be safer gambling messages.

In May, BGC members announced they were making £10m available for a national gambling education programme for all 11-19-year-olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, delivered by YGAM and GamCare. And in June, our five biggest members confirmed they would provide £100m to improve treatment services for problem gamblers.

As we mark our first birthday, We know the Government is preparing to launch its Gambling Review, beginning with a “call for evidence”, something which will shape our industry for years to come. We hope that this will be an evidence-led review and are very much looking forward to playing our part in the process.

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GAMING NEWS

Sweden Wants Deposit Limits Extension

53

UK Consultation Into Tougher Restrictions

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is calling for views from the industry, consumers and other stakeholders on stronger requirements towards online operators to identify consumers who may be at risk of gambling harm and to then interact and take action to prevent those harms.

Launching today, Tuesday 3rd November the consultation calls for feedback from a range of stakeholders on proposals that strengthen the expectations on gambling businesses to act on information they have about a consumer’s vulnerability and to conduct assessments of whether the customer’s gambling is affordable at thresholds set by the Commission.

New proposals from the Swedish Government

to extend current gambling restrictions are being considered which would continue to limit gamblers depositing SEK 500 (490 euros) per week into online gambling sites.

If approved the extension to the limit would run until the end of June 2021, the government says the extension is in response to the global pandemic which is now affecting Sweden also.

The Minister of Social Insurance Ardalan Shekarabi said: “We see that the development of covid-19 is going in the wrong direction in several parts of the country. The situation is very serious. In the wake of the pandemic, we see continued risks in the area of ​​gambling, which means that we need to act to reduce the risks for vulnerable consumers.”

Initially the measures came into effect on the 2nd July as a temporary measure but now online operators fear that these could now become permanent. Even at the time the Swedish gambling regulator said the measure would have a “marginal effect” on gambling and gamblers and could encourage players to look at illegal unlicensed operators to play larger amounts.

It is also calling for evidence on what the thresholds for these affordability checks should be and the nature of those checks.

Tim Miller, executive director, said: “Whilst some operators have continued to improve their customer interaction processes, our evidence shows that many online operators are not setting thresholds for action at appropriate levels.

They are not taking the appropriate action or acting quickly enough when they do identify risks of potential harm.

“We are clear on the need for gambling companies to take further action and that the Commission must set firm requirements to set consistent standards. But we want to have an open discussion with the gambling industry, consumers, people with lived experience and other stakeholders, to ensure we strike the right balance between allowing consumer freedom and ensuring that there are protections in place to prevent gambling harm.”

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GAMING NEWS

55

£30 Million In Penalties Issued By UKGC

T

he UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) released their latest annual Compliance & Enforcement Report, reviewing the efforts the Commission takes to ensure all their licensees work within their permitted licenses and what actions the UKGC take if they are found foul.

In the year ending March 2020 the UKGC increased their penalties to operators by 50%, in total 12 penalty packages were issued and either paid in full or negotiated a lower fee for transparency by the operator. £30 million was issued by the UKGC in penalties over that time to both land based and online operators licensed in the UK. The previous year the total of fines stood at £19.6 mil-

lion to licensed operators failing their license agreements.

Neil McArthur the CEO of the UKGC said in the report: “Holding an operating licence or a personal licence is a privilege, not a right, and we expect our licensees to protect consumers from harm and treat them fairly. “ He went on to say, “In the summer of 2017, we made it clear that we would take a tougher approach to enforcement. At the time, some commentators doubted that we were serious about tougher penalties, but as this report shows, where licensees fail to meet the standards we expect, we will take tough action, including the suspension and revocation of licences. We also indicated our

focus was shifting towards personal management licence holders. Those in boardrooms and senior positions need to live up to their responsibilities and we will continue to hold people to account for failings they knew, or ought to have known about.

Regulatory settlements are a way of resolving enforcement cases which we have used to good effect. Frankly, however, there are too many occasions where settlement proposals are made at a late stage of our investigation process or approached as if a licence review is a commercial dispute to be negotiated.”

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56

Second Lockdown Hits Casinos & Bookmakers

Fluffy Animals Advert “Irresponsible” Says ASA Gala Spins recent advert on Facebook depicting fluffy animals has been ruled inappropriate and “irresponsible” by the Advertising Standards Association (ASA).

The advert that was released on August 12th has now been removed after a complaint on the advert was made and upheld by the advertising regulator.

In its decision the ASA said: “We considered that the cartoon-like imagery of five stuffed toy animals was likely to appeal to under-18s.

“We considered the game’s name “Fluffy Favourites,” and the ad’s caption “It’s a rollercoaster of cuteness”, were likely to strengthen that appeal.

“We considered that those factors combined to give the ad a child-like theme.

For those reasons, we considered that the ad was likely to be of particular appeal to under-18s, and therefore concluded that the ad was irresponsible and breached the Code.”

Gala Spins is part of the GVC portfolio of businesses and said that the advert was posted in error and that it was targeting women aged between 18-65 whom may be interested in gambling.

The UK government has again

long term damage to the industry

ordered a total lockdown for UK

will be quite devastating,” said one

businesses including all leisure busi-

gaming consultant and with casinos

nesses such as betting shops and ca-

only being open for a few months

sinos from Thursday 5th November

since the last lockdown it is certain

lasting until at least December 2nd.

that more casinos and retail bookmakers will close permanently.

The rise in COVID-19 cases in England and sadly deaths related to

Not only that but casinos and retail

them have triggered the government

bookmakers have spent millions

into another national lockdown.

combined in protecting their cus-

With Scotland and Wales already hit-

tomers with PPE and social distanc-

ting the gaming industry with their

ing measures and all for nought as

own local lockdown it means that

they again must close.

effectively all land based gambling is now closed.

“The problem is there is no exit strategy, operator’s fear that once

However the government has

this lockdown is over then in a few

allowed horse racing and elite sports

months another will come along.”

to continue which is good news for

said the same gaming consultant

companies with online sports bet-

who did not want to be named.

ting offerings but not for any land based gaming only business.

The land based gaming industry is not alone, with all leisure and hos-

The government have announced an

pitality facing the same devastating

extension to the furlough scheme

future, but with no clear exit strategy

for another month which was sup-

those businesses cannot see the

posed to end at the 31st October

light at the end of this dreadful

which offers some relief to compa-

tunnel.

nies and their employees. But “the

Macau October Revenues Down By 72% The Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau reported the October figures showing a drop of 72.5% fall in revenues for the month compared to the same month in 2019.

Total revenues for October stood at $914 million, however the month was an improvement on September by 228.8% but that was because of the Golden Week holiday. With now ten months of the year passed the total decline in revenues for the year so far is 81.4%.

INFINITY GAMING

Ladbrokes & Coral To Leave Racecourse Betting

Boyd Gaming Optimistic Following Q3 Results US gaming operator Boyd Gaming an-

pandemic thanks to our outstanding

nounced their third quarter results show- operating team.” ing a decline of 20% in revenues against the same period in 2019.

He went on to say, “We continued to build the foundation for future growth

Total revenues for the end of September through the expansion of our partnerstood at $652.2 million with net income

ship with FanDuel Group, successfully

at $38.1 million, that is compared to

launching mobile sports betting plat-

$39.4 million last year, however Ad-

forms in Illinois and Iowa and expanding

justed EBITDAR was $238.8m, a 12%

our digital reach to more than 30 million

increase from $213.5m.

adults nationwide.

For the first nine months of 2020 total

“We are proud of our team’s ability to

revenues stood at $1.5 billion which is a successfully execute our strategy and drop of 40% compared to the same nine are committed to sustaining a more efLadbrokes & Coral will be no longer seen on horse racing tracks after owner GVC announced it is to sell the entire business to oncourse booking Sid Hooper.

The announcement was made on Tuesday 27th October and

months in 2019.

ficient and profitable operating model into the future.”

Gaming Keith Smith the President and CEO of Boyd Gaming said: “During the third quarter, we successfully navigated the challenges presented by the COVID

Chinese 5-Year Plan To Include Online

in total the firm has 106 betting

Following four days of discussions in

officials want to build more of their own

pitches at racetracks in the UK and

China regarding the next five-year plan

domestic technology.

Ireland, with all now being sold

for the country it has decided that it

to the growing on course bookie

will be more inward thinking, with more

The plan is short of any specific detail

that two years ago snapped up all

focus on improving and boosting do-

only ideas and that has prompted ru-

of William Hill pitches when they

mestic demand and not just supplying

mours that China could consider allow-

decided to sell off their on-course

the outside world.

ing Macau Chinese operators to work

business.

within a new online gambling structure.

Indeed the government will it said

In total the growing bookie has

look at “focussing on boosting domes-

Some observers within Macau gam-

acquired 188 new pitches in two

tic demand along with increasing its

ing say that it is more and more likely

years now and is looking for more

reliance on its self for advancement in

that with current COVID-19 restriction

should the possibility arise.

technology.”

damaging the Macau economy lawmakers in Beijing are looking at the strong

However for Ladbrokes and Coral

The Chinese government wants more

possibility of allowing online gambling

it spells the end of an era, but Tom

quality growth as opposed to growth

within Chinese borders but ONLY from

Ritzema, GVC’s trading director,

at all cost, those words from Beijing

Chinese companies and Chinese tech-

said on the decision: “it was not

comes after analyst’s predict that China

nology suppliers.

taken lightly but the volume of

will have the only economy to see

business taken through the race-

growth this year given the COVID-19

This would strengthen the Chinese

course pitches is miniscule com-

pandemic with an expected gross do-

economy, help build more advanced

pared to the volumes generated

mestic product exceeding $14.9 trillion.

technology and more importantly

in our off-course retail and digital

officials believe would keep Chinese

businesses, and we no longer use

With recent times seeing prolonged

the operation to hedge into the

trade disputes with the US and also

racecourse betting ring.”

technology wars break out with the

money still in China.

recent Huawei 5G blacklisting Beijing

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57