BtoBet, a new member of the Aspire Global group, is teaming up with William Hill to introduce their sports wagering platform in Colombia. This alliance is a significant victory for both entities, strengthening Aspire Global’s already robust standing in the Latin American region, especially in Colombia.

For Aspire Global, this agreement is proof of their offerings’ excellence, paving the way for further growth into regulated sectors globally. Their Chief Executive, Tsachi Maimon, proudly declared that this collaboration demonstrates their capacity to attract and work alongside leading operators such as William Hill.

William Hill’s Chief Executive, Ulrik Bengtsson, shared the enthusiasm, expressing excitement about delivering a premium gaming encounter to Colombian users. He highlighted that BtoBet’s established foothold in the Colombian market makes them the ideal collaborator to realize this objective.

This joint effort follows closely on the heels of William Hill’s earlier announcement regarding the acquisition of a controlling interest in Alfabet, a Colombian provider. This calculated maneuver further emphasizes William Hill’s dedication to global expansion and diversification.

An Australian online sports wagering firm, Apple iSports (AiS), a branch of Prevention Insurance.com, is entering the horse racing sector strategically. They have inked a memorandum of understanding to purchase a 45% share in The Leg Up Australia (TLU), a leading media organization focused on horse racing.

The agreement, anticipated to be finalized later this year, entails an upfront disbursement of AUD 75,000 (USD 50,000) to TLU. In addition to the monetary investment, AiS intends to utilize TLU’s knowledge and scope via a collaborative marketing venture. This encompasses a fresh promotional campaign scheduled to debut in the final week of July 2023.

This alliance is mutually beneficial. AiS gains entry to TLU’s established base of approximately 100,000 active users across social media channels, in conjunction with their broadcast and wagering subscription offerings. TLU, as their director Blake Johnston notes, views this as a chance to “expand the company domestically and internationally.”

This acquisition indicates AiS’s goal to secure a firm position within the Australian sports betting market, leveraging TLU’s extensive comprehension and background in the horse racing sector.

Ace Corporation is genuinely thrilled about this partnership with Leg Up Australia,” shared Jeremy Samuel, Ace Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer. “They are an exceptional organization, and we are honored to back their endeavors as they grow their presence in Australia and the United States.”

Concurrently, in the state of Victoria, the authorities have revealed their intention to strengthen gaming regulations by 2024, encompassing limitations on the operating timeframe for wagering establishments.

The Irish gaming behemoth, Paddy Power Betfair, intends to reduce its staff by almost 10%, eliminating 650 positions. This announcement follows the February union of Paddy Power and Betfair, which resulted in some redundant roles.

A large portion of the job losses, approximately 350, will affect the United Kingdom, where the firm employs 2,875 individuals. This constitutes a substantial 12% decrease in their UK employee base. An additional 300 jobs will be eliminated in Ireland.

These reductions are part of a broader strategy to decrease expenses by £50 million post-merger, as detailed in a shareholder circular last November.

Although the precise consequences for individual offices remain uncertain, it is anticipated that Paddy Power’s retail personnel will be mostly unaffected, as their functions are not easily duplicated within the consolidated entity.

The Nigerian Combat League (NCL), an organization dedicated to showcasing the traditional fighting style of Dambe, has secured a major sponsorship agreement with Stake.com, a leading online wagering platform. This collaboration signifies Stake’s initial venture into African sponsorships, despite already making a significant impact in the international combat sports arena through their partnerships with the UFC and UFC Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.

Established in 2019, the NCL has rapidly gained recognition for its efforts in bringing the ancient striking art of Dambe to a broader viewership. The agreement will prominently display Stake’s branding throughout NCL events, encompassing fighter attire, the fighting area itself, and the organization’s online presence.

NCL Chief Executive Maxwell Kalu conveyed his enthusiasm regarding the partnership, stressing its importance for both the expansion of Dambe and the NCL’s own growing reputation. He emphasized Dambe’s distinct allure as a combat sport deeply ingrained in tradition, adding that the collaboration with Stake is a testament to the NCL’s success in attracting a worldwide audience.

This alliance represents a calculated maneuver for both parties. For the NCL, it furnishes a substantial boost in their objective to popularize Dambe, while Stake obtains a valuable entryway into the flourishing African market, capitalizing on the escalating interest in combat sports across the continent.

Akhil Sarin, the acquisition lead for Stake.com, expresses palpable enthusiasm for their recent collaboration. He views the African Wrestling Federation Championship as a vibrant entity within a rapidly developing region. Stake boasts a track record of supporting combat sports, making this venture feel like an organic progression as they broaden their footprint throughout Africa.

The firm 888 Holdings is venturing into the African market with the establishment of 888Africa. They are collaborating with five prominent entities in the internet gaming sector to realize this endeavor. At the outset, 888Africa will be granted a license to utilize 888’s recognized brand and digital platforms, customizing their services to cater to the particular tastes of African users. Nevertheless, 888 retains the right to augment its ownership in 888Africa down the line and could ultimately become the exclusive proprietor.

Spearheading this initiative is a group of seasoned experts with demonstrated accomplishments in the field. This includes individuals such as Christopher Coyne, a former senior leader at The Stars Group, and Andrew Lee, another industry veteran with a background at both The Stars Group and Voxbet. They are joined by other experienced professionals like Alex Rutherford, Ian Marmion, and Helen Scott-Allen, each contributing specialized knowledge from their respective domains.

Their objective is to introduce 888Africa in four distinct African markets during 2022, contingent upon regulatory clearances. This represents the initial phase in their ambitious strategy to establish a significant presence within the expanding African online gaming market. Itai Pazner, the Chief Executive Officer of 888 Holdings, conveyed his enthusiasm regarding the project and the formidable team they have assembled for 888Africa.

This nascent collaborative endeavor is strategically positioned to unveil 888’s celebrated online wagering and gaming offerings to a vast audience of prospective patrons across Africa’s burgeoning digital realm. The agreement’s framework enables targeted capital infusion within a high-expansion zone without detracting from 888’s primary activities and principal markets.

Spearheading 888Africa, Christopher Coyne conveyed enthusiasm for the alliance, underscoring their ambition to emerge as a leading power within regulated African sectors. He emphasized the team’s expertise and comprehension of the African terrain as critical assets. The support of 888, with its internationally acclaimed brands and specialized network, will further propel their expansion and solidify their positive projections.

3 Oaks Gaming has debuted its newest slot offering, “Magic Lamp,” showcasing an engaging novel feature known as “Hold and Win.”

This developer, renowned for its player-focused design philosophy, continues to amaze with this amenity-packed addition to their collection.

“Magic Lamp,” a 3×3 slot experience, marks the launch of the “Hold and Win” series, presenting players with two thrilling options: “Bonus Game” and “Super Bonus Game.”

The core mechanics center around the “Hold and Win” element, activated when players match three identical icons on the central reel. This initiates either the “Bonus Game” or “Super Bonus Game,” granting three starting spins in a “Lock and Win” style format.

Introducing an additional dimension to the primary gameplay, “Magic Lamp” incorporates special elements like the “Sticky Bonus” icon, appearing in the base game and persisting throughout the “Bonus Game.”

Within the bonus rounds, players can activate the “Multiplier” function, amplifying wins up to ninefold. Landing new multipliers on pre-existing ones merges their values, potentially resulting in substantial rewards. A “Collect” icon adds another layer of thrill, amassing the values of all “Bonus,” “Sticky Bonus,” and “Jackpot” icons until the round concludes.

“Magic Lamp” features four static jackpots, with the “Super Jackpot” granting an impressive 500 times the wager for aligning nine identical icons in the “Bonus Game.” Players might also encounter enigmatic symbols with the capacity to transform into any of the jackpots.

As gamers progress through the experience, a mystical lamp situated on the screen’s edge steadily charges. When brimming with radiant icons, it triggers a bonus round filled with exhilarating new opportunities.

The game boasts intuitive mechanics and captivating visuals, catering to both novice and seasoned players. This alluring straightforwardness is poised to draw a broad player base and keep them engaged.

Yuriy Muratov, Chief Business Development Officer at 3 Oaks Gaming, expressed his enthusiasm for the release: “We are delighted to unveil “Magic Lamp,” the newest title in our expanding catalog. This fresh game series was conceived to align with shifting market demands, as a substantial segment of players primarily seek out slot games for the excitement of bonus elements.”

He continued, “We are certain that both our operating partners and players will embrace this new game, and we eagerly anticipate their impressions.”

The National Football League is investigating a possibly prohibited collaboration between the New York Jets and the internet wagering service 888. Although the NFL prohibits the promotion of sports wagering platforms, 888 and the Jets have formed a partnership. While the team has not released an official announcement, 888 prominently features “Official Partner of the New York Jets” on its website. Spectators at MetLife Stadium last Sunday could not overlook the massive, vibrant orange 888 banners – a very noticeable display of the agreement. While the banners did not reference sports betting (which would violate NFL regulations), 888’s website prominently displays a football player image next to a direct link to its sports betting area. The NFL’s rules are designed to limit compulsive gambling, particularly among young adults. However, the 888 and Jets agreement may reveal a gap that has some concerned. This year, the NFL reversed its prohibition on casino advertising, further complicating the matter. Thus far, representatives from the Jets, the NFL, and 888 have declined to provide a statement.

A catastrophic inferno tore through a Cambodian gambling establishment, resulting in the loss of at least ten lives. The blaze consumed the Grand Diamond City casino situated in Poipet, a vibrant border town separating Cambodia and Thailand. Officials approximate that roughly 400 individuals were present within the structure when the fire ignited. While the origin remains unclear, distressing footage disseminated on social platforms portrays frantic people leaping from windows to flee the conflagration. Numerous wounded individuals have been conveyed across the border to a Thai medical facility for care.

This calamitous event underscores the widespread nature of cross-border gaming in the area. Thailand’s stringent gaming regulations compel many of its residents to pursue casinos in Cambodia, where regulations are less stringent. It’s important to acknowledge that Cambodian authorities have been taking action against unlawful gaming venues, closing down a considerable number of them. This occurrence serves as a grim reminder of the perils linked to these frequently unregulated venues.

Cambodias attempts to revitalize the tourism industry have yet to yield significant financial returns for the government. Despite the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s initiatives to attract visitors back, income generated from regulated gaming has remained stagnant. Consequently, the Commercial Gambling Committee (CGCC) has partnered with authorities to suppress unauthorized gambling activities seeking to exploit the current circumstances.

A major force in online gaming, CT Interactive, has partnered with Uplatform, a top-tier global platform provider. This alliance will substantially broaden the availability of CT Interactive’s varied game catalog to a larger player base.

Uplatform has swiftly gained an excellent standing in the sector for enabling operators globally to improve and refine their products. Their remarkable history of facilitating accelerated expansion for numerous brands speaks to their expertise.

Milena Tsankarska, Head of Business Development EMEA at CT Interactive, conveyed her excitement, remarking, “Joining forces with the exceptionally skilled team at Uplatform presents a fantastic prospect for us. Uplatform’s swift ascent is truly impressive.” She further highlighted, “With a committed staff of over 300 professionals, Uplatform achieved an astonishing 153% surge in 2021 alone, solidifying its platform’s triumph. We are certain that incorporating our games will equip Uplatform’s clientele to draw and captivate even more players. Our games have consistently demonstrated their exceptional caliber and have become player favorites throughout the years.”

CT Interactive, celebrated for its remarkable assortment of over 200 games, including captivating jackpot offerings, is set to make a considerable impact through this collaboration.

This partnership signifies a notable achievement for Uplatform, emphasizing their dedication to expanding their footprint in the dynamic iGaming market. By merging their proficiency and state-of-the-art technology, both entities are well-situated to deliver outstanding outcomes for their clientele and attain remarkable success in tandem.

Uplatforms is excited to unveil the integration of CT Interactives’ captivating titles, featuring popular choices like “Waterfall” and “Dice”, onto our system! We are certain that these groundbreaking and immersive games will connect with users and generate income for our collaborators. This alliance exemplifies our dedication to delivering the finest in digital gaming amusement to our clientele.

## Penetrating the Fortress of Casino Protection

Physical casino security extends far beyond a cursory review of surveillance feeds. This is paramount considering the diverse spectrum of threats these venues encounter today, ranging from the potential for firearm violence to intricate credit card scams.

To explore this vital facet of casino operations in depth, the recent G2E Las Vegas gathering convened a panel of specialists in casino security, observation, and regulatory adherence. This group, featuring Honoria Hebert, Head of Regulatory Conformity at the Lake Charles L’Auberge Casino Resort, and Derk Boss, a Security and Surveillance Advisor, offered valuable perspectives on the most critical challenges confronting the sector. Casino Life magazine was in attendance and presents the subsequent synopsis of the dialogue, skillfully guided by Darrin Hoke.

A central inquiry posed was how the observation unit can bolster compliance endeavors and the reverse.

Hebert stressed the shifting function of surveillance in tackling Title 31 and Unusual Activity Reports (SARs). She illuminated how, merely a few years prior, Title 31 primarily concerned record maintenance, with surveillance often being the final to be informed. Nevertheless, the situation has transformed significantly since then. Record preservation is now just one component of a much grander scheme.

If a visitor sets off several red flags in our system over a short period, I loop in my security staff. I’ll ask them to provide additional context on the individual in question and confirm my suspicions. I don’t want to bog them down with unnecessary details, as record management falls under my purview. However, I can share observed patterns, and they can reciprocate with insights and observational footage. This cooperative approach has proven instrumental in solving significant incidents.”

DB:

“We’ve transitioned from a reactive to a proactive approach. We scrutinize player information, expenditure patterns, evaluate current protocols, and collaborate with compliance. Our surveillance is targeted and intelligence-driven, not arbitrary. It’s encouraging to witness this shift where departments like compliance actively contribute to enhancing our effectiveness.”

What’s your perspective on the influence of “Customer Due Diligence” requirements on these processes? How do you envision these regulations shaping the future of security and surveillance?

HH:

“It’s noteworthy that the demand for comprehensive customer knowledge seems to be ever-increasing. Previously, in-depth background checks were primarily triggered by legal requests or high-profile incidents. Nowadays, the expectation is to possess this knowledge proactively, before any escalation.”

The true significance of safety measures and observation only hit home for me when I needed to control someone and delve into their financial affairs. Certain people deal heavily in cash, and that’s where monitoring and protection become my trusted allies, acting as our sensory inputs. I can examine documents, analyze habits, perhaps even do some online research, but observation can reveal if someone is a high-stakes player and explain their wealth. Is there anything questionable about their spending habits, artificially boosting their bank accounts and making them appear more financially active than they truly are? These methods can uncover an individual’s social circles. I’ve reaped substantial rewards from observation.

DB:
Regarding observation, we maintain a keen understanding of these individuals, arguably the best in the field. Naturally, we conduct extensive background investigations on players, examining aspects like their identification and wealth origins. I recall an instance involving a 22-year-old individual. He engaged in dice games daily, wagering substantial sums. He drove a dilapidated vehicle, raising questions about the source of his funds. Our inquiries revealed his employment at a carwash, suggesting either extraordinarily generous gratuities or suspicious activity. As it turned out, he was entangled in illicit dealings, likely drug trafficking. In the past, such funds would have simply surfaced at the gaming tables without scrutiny. Today, we can no longer afford to ignore such red flags.

High-level managers don’t desire to contemplate firearm incidents, but it’s our obligation to compel them to contemplate. Perhaps you could introduce recordings from the previous incident. You must make them comprehend this.” – Dirk Bos

**What is your perspective on the function of security during active shooter events? What about the function of observation? How can we surmount the bureaucratic obstacles to get them to recognize that this is an issue in the contemporary world?**

DB: Firearm incidents are something we must be cognizant of – in reality, we’ve become objectives. This is a perfect location to have a shooting – they desire the publicity. They yearn for acknowledgment, and what superior method than to execute it in front of numerous cameras? Therefore, I believe it’s a persistent menace that we must be aware of.

Nevertheless, I observe that individuals are not educated for this, they are not equipped. Very few of us have likely devised an active shooter protocol or strategy – what actions will you take, how will you vacate – but very few individuals have done that, and we’ve never rehearsed it. You must know your actions, and we are not adequately prepared for this.

I believe the security observation sector has to advance and declare that this is transpiring, and we need to conduct exercises. Whether anyone else engages or not, you must get the security observation personnel prepared. You are the sole individuals who can provide real-time data to law enforcement – what’s occurring, the location of individuals, where they should proceed, what’s behind that entrance.

I truly believe it’s wise to integrate new employees with education on responding to these types of scenarios. Initially, I encountered some resistance – leadership was hesitant to instill fear or unease in employees as they started their workday. However, the staff appreciated the knowledge – it was empowering for them to understand the appropriate course of action.

I comprehend that higher-ups may prefer not to dwell on these matters, but it’s our responsibility to make them – to ensure they grasp the significance. Perhaps showing them the footage from the recent incident would be impactful. I realize it’s disturbing, but they need to witness it firsthand.

We can establish comprehensive emergency protocols, but in my observation, they often remain unread until a crisis arises.

By the 25th of October, all company-issued equipment must possess the capability to scan the integrated microchip within a card. What are your perspectives on adhering to PCI regulations? How do you perceive the link between observation and safety?

HH:

To achieve PCI conformity, we’ve reached a phase demanding stricter adherence to protocols. We conducted numerous inquiries to obtain documentation regarding credit card deception – that’s when the connection between security and observation became undeniably clear to me. I could request the observation unit to review previous recordings to determine if we could pinpoint the individuals utilizing these credit cards.

Utilizing observation, we can better confirm individual identifications and track back to their potential check-in times. From a safety standpoint, mandating everyone to use a rotating door or submit to an identification scan could provide a clearer understanding of actual hotel entrants.

DB: Our organization has multiple internal divisions, such as regulatory compliance and internal reviews, tasked with detecting warning signs of deceptive practices. However, numerous instances have revealed insufficient investment in educating staff responsible for this work. Specifically, they lack instruction in loss avoidance, a weakness I observe in our procedures. Action is required to implement training on fundamental indicators, as their proficiency directly enhances the information they deliver.

Currently, deception is widespread, and the frequency of encountering fraudulent tactics is alarming. The US experiences a higher volume compared to other areas due to the use of new chip-and-pin cards, a technology long-established in Europe. Consequently, some larger entities are establishing dedicated task forces to investigate fraud. My familiarity with these teams, typically comprising nine to ten individuals, highlights their heavy workload, with each member managing 10 to 20 cases concurrently.

HH:”

The criticality of involving your revenue management, regulatory adherence, and even cash handling personnel in instances of potential credit card misuse cannot be overstated. While not always standard practice, it’s an absolute necessity. Consider this: a patron contacts you stating, ‘Someone utilized my card for a purchase I didn’t make.’ Perhaps it’s a relatively small sum. The auditing team might address it, but what about your surveillance and security departments? They remain uninformed. The account in question? No alerts triggered. An opportunity to apprehend the perpetrator? Lost.

Here’s where things become particularly compelling, especially with larger-scale incidents.

Every gaming establishment conducts some form of internal review for these discrepancies across various operational units. However, let’s be frank, it often resembles searching for a needle in a haystack. My own General Manager confessed last fall to being inundated with over 15,000 revenue audit anomaly reports. How can one realistically pinpoint genuine issues amidst such a deluge of data?

Conversely, we’ve encountered fraudulent activities where these exception reports proved to be the crucial element in determining the extent of recovery sought from the alleged offender. Imagine a casino supervisor feigning a slot machine malfunction and subsequently employing ‘customer compensation’ to pilfer small amounts repeatedly. These seemingly insignificant acts can accumulate significantly over time.

She received error notices practically daily, all originating from the same individual. When an employee has submitted fifteen thousand error notices, can you fault them?

Our aim, which has significantly improved due to numerous successful inquiries, is to analyze these recurring errors. Your revenue, audit, and compliance teams should be consulted to identify employees with the highest number of errors and to pinpoint specific error patterns. Upon investigation, you’ll uncover astonishing revelations – clear indicators of misappropriation that have never been escalated to surveillance or security personnel.

If you’re not already receiving error notice analysis, insist on it. Should you discover an employee engaged in illicit activities, have your compliance team retrieve all their error notices, as this will bolster your case. In certain instances, these notices can even be used to determine a precise monetary value, potentially elevating the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony. The data exists; you simply need to ensure it reaches you.

DB:
While they might conceal their actions, the consequences are undeniable – the funds are missing. If something untoward is occurring, there’s a trace – and this method can help you uncover it. You’re now transforming this data into actionable intelligence. By becoming highly specific, you can deliver a decisive blow.

This piece was initially released in November 2015.