Stay informed and elevate your gambling experience through our fresh casino news, in-depth game reviews, and informative insights. Discover a world of exciting opportunities.
Stay informed and elevate your gambling experience through our fresh casino news, in-depth game reviews, and informative insights. Discover a world of exciting opportunities.
The Czech lottery giant Sazka Entertainment has rebranded its entire enterprise to Allwyn, effective immediately.
Allwyn, formerly known as Sazka Entertainment, declared the rebranding to reflect its progression from a pan-European lottery operator to a worldwide business.
The operator stated the new name mirrors its transformation from a pan-European lottery operator to a global enterprise.
Sazka declared in April that it would be merging its UK operations under the new Allwyn brand, as it competes for the market’s newest national lottery license.
The brand will now extend across the entire business, but its individual brands will remain and continue to operate without any modifications.
Headquartered in the Czech Republic, Allwyn also operates in Austria, Greece, Cyprus and Italy.
Allwyn is seeking to enter the UK market by bidding for the fourth national lottery license.
Allwyn announced its bid intention last October and faces competition from three other operators, with the National Lottery confirming in October that it had received four final license applications.
The National Lottery did not reveal the identities of the applicants, but besides Allwyn, Italian lottery operator Sisal, pan-European lottery and health lottery operator Northern Shell have also applied. India’s Sugal & Damani applied but later withdrew from the competition.
Camelot, the present license owner, completed the application procedure in October 2020. They have not revealed if they will attempt to retain the license.
Lord Sebastian Coe joined the board of Allwyn in September. He is the first independent member on the board.
A Brazilian sports betting company, Esportes da Sorte, has forged a strategic alliance with Atlético Mineiro, a prominent club in Brazil’s Serie A league.
Esportes da Sorte will assume the role of Atlético Mineiro’s primary jersey sponsor, with its logo prominently displayed on the front of the players’ uniforms. The partnership will also grant Esportes da Sorte extensive brand visibility across various official club assets.
Darwin Filho, the head of Esportes da Sorte, remarked, “Atlético is an exemplary club that embodies a business-oriented culture, characterized by its modernity and innovative spirit, values that resonate deeply with the core principles of Esportes da Sorte.”
Filho further elaborated, “Our ambition extends beyond merely being another primary sponsor. We aspire to fully embrace the club and forge lasting memories with its ardent fanbase. We anticipate a high level of support, engagement, and activation from the fans.”
Mario Celso Petraglia, the chief executive of Atlético Mineiro, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are immensely delighted and proud to welcome Esportes da Sorte at this pivotal juncture in the club’s history.”
The club is poised to commemorate its 99th anniversary this year.
A worldwide sports integrity pact has been established between Genius Sports and the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) to bolster efforts against match manipulation.
Genius Sports will join the IBIA as an associate member, forming a robust alliance to share information regarding sports integrity.
This collaboration will grant the IBIA access to Genius Sports’ technological resources and integrity reports, enhancing the potential for joint action against match fixing worldwide.
Simon Martin, Genius Sports’ Chief Integrity and Rights Enforcement Officer, emphasized the significance of cooperation in the battle against match fixing.
“Our partnership with the IBIA will provide us and our partners with enhanced transparency into global betting patterns, aiding in the identification, management, and prevention of any integrity threats,” stated Martin.
Khalid Ali, CEO of the IBIA, added: “I am pleased that we have reached this significant agreement with Genius Sports. It unites two global leaders in sports technology and betting integrity, with a clear commitment to shielding sports from betting-related corruption.”
The agreement with Genius Sports strengthens the IBIA’s presence in South America.
Ali highlighted the significance of Genius’s activities in North America and South America for IBIA’s growth in these areas.
“The inclusion of Genius Sports as a partner member of IBIA is particularly gratifying, considering its extensive network in the North and South American sports and integrity sector, which will aid IBIA in expanding its operations in these regions,” he stated.
Brazil is currently experiencing a major match-fixing controversy. Botafogo Football Club owner John Textor has accused Palmeiras of manipulating matches. These allegations led to the Brazilian Congress establishing a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) to examine the match-fixing claims.
Last week, Palmeiras president Leila Pereira denied Textor’s accusations during a CPI hearing, asserting that the American entrepreneur should be prohibited from Brazilian football if he cannot provide evidence to support his assertions.
Senator Jorge Kajuru, the head of the CPI, stated that Textor should be deported from Brazil if he has “no proof.”
IBIA reports an increase in the number of suspicious warnings in the initial quarter
IBIA’s first-quarter integrity report revealed that it received 56 suspicious betting warnings in the first quarter of 2024.
This figure represents a 64.7% rise from the previous quarter and a 12% increase from the revised 50 alerts in the first quarter of 2023.
Football and tennis alone accounted for 38 alerts, representing 67.9% of the total notifications in the initial quarter.
During the year 2023, IBIA’s warnings aided in the examination and penalization of twenty-one players, referees, and teams. This represents a rise of six compared to the fifteen penalties given in 2022.
Following the release of its initial quarterly results, Genius upgraded its forecast for 2024 due to an unexpectedly positive start to the year.
Genius declared that its first-quarter group income was $120 million (£94.1 million/€111.6 million), signifying a 23.1% year-over-year increase. This surpasses prior expectations by 2.5%.
Income generated by Genius’s betting technology, content, and services division saw a 14% year-over-year increase, reaching $73.9 million. Moreover, media technology, content, and services revenue experienced a 63% growth, reaching $35.5 million.
Based on the robust first-quarter performance, Genius adjusted its group revenue target from $480 million to $500 million, while projecting adjusted EBITDA to reach $82 million, exceeding the previous target of $75 million.
Global gaming giant EveryMatrix has just revealed a significant agreement with BetMGM, a prominent figure in the American gaming landscape. This collaboration grants BetMGM users in New Jersey access to games developed by EveryMatrix’s two studios, Spearhead and Armadillo. The companies intend to expand their reach to additional states in the near future.
BetMGM customers will have access to a wide selection of games from these studios, including notable titles such as John Daly Spin to Win and Lioness with Amanda Nunes. These games draw inspiration from real-life personalities, such as UFC champion Amanda Nunes.
Eric Nyman, the head of EveryMatrix in the United States, expressed enthusiasm about being part of BetMGM’s success. Both EveryMatrix studios have ambitious plans for the remainder of the year, and this partnership represents a significant milestone in their journey.
BetMGMs Director of Gaming, Oliver Bartlett, stated: “We are thrilled to collaborate with EveryMatrix to deliver their top-notch content to players in the United States. We are consistently dedicated to providing the finest gaming experience, and by incorporating their games into our platform, we anticipate strengthening our standing as the foremost operator in the nation.”
Regarding BetMGM
BetMGM is a prominent sports betting and gaming entertainment enterprise and a frontrunner in the online gaming sector. BetMGM was established by MGM Resorts International in partnership with Entain and possesses exclusive rights to all of MGM’s land-based and online sports betting, major tournament poker, and online gaming operations in the United States. Utilizing Entain’s cutting-edge technology, licensed in the US, BetMGM offers sports betting and online gaming through leading brands including BetMGM, Borgata Casino, Party Casino, and Party Poker. BetMGM was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in New Jersey.
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Concerning EveryMatrix
EveryMatrix supplies iGaming software, solutions, content, and services for top-tier operators and emerging brands, targeting casino, sports betting, payments, and affiliate/agent management. The platform is highly modular, scalable, and compliant, enabling operators to select the most suitable EveryMatrix solutions based on their requirements and existing internal technology and capabilities.
EveryMatrix assists companies in realizing their ambitious visions within regulated marketplaces, ensuring a delightful experience for participants. They boast a workforce exceeding 650 individuals across ten locations, collaborating with 140 clients globally, including the United States.
EveryMatrix is a member of the World Lottery Association, the European Lottery Association, and the American iDEA Growth.
Germanys lottery ticket sales experienced a downturn in 2021, despite a robust online performance.
The German populace spent €7.9 billion on lottery tickets in 2021, a minor decrease from the preceding year, but virtual sales continued to climb.
German lottery sales declined in 2021, despite online expansion.
Data from the German State Lottery Association (DLTB) indicates that lotteries and associated taxes produced €3.2 billion in revenue for the public good, equivalent to approximately €8.8 million daily. These funds are utilized to support social welfare programs, athletic endeavors, cultural events, heritage preservation, and environmental protection.
Axel Hollhaus, co-managing director of Toto-Lotto Lower Saxony, stated that the outcomes were satisfactory, considering the fluctuations in the prize pool and the abbreviated accumulation periods. He assumed the role of chairman of the DLTB on January 1st of this year.
Over the preceding year, the Lotto 6aus49 game remained the most favored, accounting for 50.6% of all channel sales, or €4 billion. This was attributed to the adjustment of the draw formula, which resulted in elevated prizes across all categories and larger jackpots.
Eurojackpot, the pan-European lottery game, also attracted participants, accounting for 17.7% of sales, or €1.4 billion. However, it experienced a year-on-year decline due to shorter jackpot stages, resulting in a smaller prize pool.
Despite the overall decrease in sales, online lottery sales experienced a 7.8% year-on-year increase, reaching €985 million.
Sven Ostov, the head honcho of Hallhuber, declared that this demonstrates the DLTB members’ capacity to fulfill their obligation of directing gambling towards regulated platforms.
Ostov elaborated, “The widespread political agreement in favor of the 2021 Gambling State Treaty is a triumph. Otherwise, a hodgepodge of gambling regulations would have materialized, which would have had a detrimental effect on player and underage protection.” He further stated that these endeavors benefited from the new Gambling State Treaty (GlüNeuRStV) enacted on July 1, 2021.
At the commencement of his three-year term leading the DLTB at Toto-Lotto Lower Saxony, replacing Rhineland-Palatinate Lotto, Hallhuber asserted that one of his primary priorities would be to enhance lottery products with cross-state player participation to better contend with the expanding online gambling market.
Ostov added, “We anticipate utilizing our digital know-how to assist the DLTB. Through this digital metamorphosis, it is essential to uphold the objective of serving the common good.”
Gold Matrix revealed a financial deficit in the second quarter, even though it witnessed a year-on-year increase in earnings.
The online game creator and licensor, Gold Matrix Group (GMGI), reported a net loss in the second quarter, despite seeing an increase in revenue year-over-year.
Gold Matrix reported a net loss in the second quarter, despite seeing an increase in income.
GMGI stated that the second quarter is traditionally its slowest quarter, and it was satisfied with the revenue performance of its B2B and B2C divisions in the three months ending April 30.
However, the group mentioned that a system malfunction affected the revenue and profitability of its RKings B2B business when a significant number of customers purchased tickets for high-value prize competitions.
Addressing the problem, CEO Brian Goodman stated that the technology has been updated so the system can handle higher player traffic in the future.
“Collaborating with Amazon AWS, the technology has now been upgraded to enhance the performance and speed of the RKings servers and accommodate increased player engagement,” Goodman said.
“Having addressed this issue, we remain optimistic about the continued success of RKings in the UK and anticipate introducing its scalable platform to more geographical markets.”
Increased expenses offset revenue growth
Earnings in the second quarter reached $1.31 million (£8.1 million/€9.5 million), up 21.2% from $830,000 a year ago. The RKings B2B division contributed $3.8 million, while the 6.
Mexplays business-to-consumer operations generated $5 million in revenue.
Examining expenditures, the cost of goods sold rose by 39% to $8.2 million, while operational costs also climbed by 44.4% to $26 million.
GMGI also reported additional income of $29,281 from interest and currency exchange gains. However, the effect of increased spending resulted in a pre-tax deficit of $461,452, in contrast to a profit of $873,229 in 2022.
The company paid $72,301 in income tax, leading to a net loss of $533,753, compared to a profit of $586,984 in the previous year. Even after factoring in $96,343 in foreign currency translation, the consolidated net loss reached $437,410, compared to a profit of $476,749 in the same period last year.
Net Loss in the Second Half
The group’s figures for the initial six months of the fiscal year exhibited a similar trend. Revenue increased by 21.3% to $21.1 million, but elevated spending resulted in a net loss.
Cost of goods sold reached $16.6 million, while operating expenses amounted to $5.3 million. Income related to finance reached $60,401, but pre-tax loss was $759,287, compared to a profit of $1.4 million in 2022.
Income tax payments totaled $217,987, resulting in a net loss of $977,274, compared to a profit of $1.1 million in the same period last year. After considering $248,602 in foreign currency translation, the consolidated net loss reached $728,672, compared to a profit of $833,182 in the same period last year.
MeridianBet Acquisition Nearing Completion
GMGI also provided an update on its planned acquisition of MeridianBet Group and its associated companies.
The collective came to a consensus in January to take possession of the B2C sports wagering and gaming enterprise for roughly $300 million.
GMGI declared that the parties have verbally consented to extend the cutoff date and adjust extra stipulations of the accord to expedite the conclusion of the deal. Plans to affirm the new ultimate completion date will be publicized in the imminent future.
“This is an exhilarating period for our organization,” Goodman stated. “We enter the latter half of the year with a robust financial position and two established verticals, as well as a burgeoning casino operation in Mexico.
“With the triumphant acquisition of MeridianBet Group, the consolidated entity will generate numerous gaming income streams while furnishing the most sought-after and superior products, encompassing casino games and sports betting, to patrons worldwide.”
SoftGamings, a top provider of casino aggregation and software, has been granted regulatory approval from the Romanian National Gambling Office (ONJN). This opens the door for the company to broaden its global presence.
The company’s prize-winning platform has now secured a compliance certificate from the ONJN, showcasing SoftGamings’ dedication to ensuring its products meet the highest industry standards across all major regulatory environments.
This certification follows the company’s acquisition of a B2B license (Category 2) from the ONJN in November 2022. This empowers SoftGamings to introduce its platform into the regulated Romanian market, making it accessible to all ONJN-licensed operators and those seeking to obtain a license.
Moreover, this official document affirms the comprehensive testing of leading gaming content suppliers (possessing their business-to-business permit in Romania), signifying approval for delivering all accessible content to ONJN-licensed operators through a unified integration (rather than numerous integrations with each game provider).
Romanian legislation mandates that all vendors and operators secure the essential licenses and certifications to offer their products and services to businesses and consumers within the country. Prior to issuing such certificates, thorough examination processes are undertaken, and through these procedures, SoftGamings’ platform has earned the distinction of fairness and security for operators and users.
SoftGamings’ subsequent steps involve forming alliances with licensed operators in Romania and providing top-notch casino software solutions.
Anna Lalina, Head of Partnerships at SoftGamings, stated: “The recent certification for our platform aligns with our company’s strategy to establish a noticeable and enduring presence in the Eastern European market. With this compliance certification, we can now address numerous partnership inquiries from Romanian operators and introduce turnkey and other casino software solutions to this developing market.
“Each time we obtain certification for our software, it represents a significant achievement in the company’s growth.”
This provides us with the assurance that our solution can rival the top contenders in the marketplace, particularly in challenging markets such as Romania.
The New Zealand Game Machine Association (GMANZ) has voiced worries about proposed modifications to gambling rules, labeling some of the suggested provisions as “unreasonable, illogical, and impractical.”
GMANZ will attend a High Court hearing this week concerning new rules established by the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Three GMANZ members will also participate in the hearing.
The final portion of the regulations, designed to minimize potential gambling risks, will take effect on December 1st, less than two weeks away.
GMANZ states it supports effective oversight to minimize potential harms. However, it has also expressed concerns about numerous clauses in the new regulations. The organization added that the clauses do not address the larger issues in the regulation of Class 4 gambling.
GMANZ’s independent head, Peter Dengate Thrush, specifically criticized the development of the new rules without “proper” discussion.
“Who is better positioned to identify potential risks than those who work in the venues?” Dengate Thrush inquired.
A significant number of the suggested rules are merely superficial attempts to reduce harm, or could potentially exacerbate the situation. These choices are made by bureaucrats who lack practical experience in the specified environment.
**Critique of New Zealand’s regulatory body**
Dengate Thrush, in his critique, highlighted several proposals. These include a marker for problematic gambling, which is patrons making more than two cash withdrawals at the designated location in a single day. However, since these locations can also function as bars and pubs, it’s impossible to definitively determine how the funds were spent.
He also criticized a proposal mandating staff to record the identity of every individual in the gaming area every 20 minutes, including their physical characteristics for future reference. Dengate Thrush stated that this could involve 20 individuals, three times per hour, for 12 or 14 hours of operation daily. He added that this would result in 720 entries daily, or approximately 250,000 annually.
“Employees are expected to perform this task in addition to serving beverages, cleaning, monitoring intoxication levels, and fulfilling all other responsibilities of accountable venue managers,” he stated. “Our venue operators believe this is impractical. We have communicated these concerns to the DIA directly, through workshops and online seminars, but they remain completely unresponsive.”
“The new regulations present significant operational challenges, such as the cash withdrawal obligation and the related gaming area monitoring duty.”
**GMANZ: DIA unresponsive to concerns**
Darcy Trash also lambasted New Zealand’s industry overseers. He stated that defects in the rules reflected a broader, more widespread issue, that overseers “are not fulfilling their duties.”
He highlighted: “The new rules don’t take into account the realities of tier four locations, nor the individuals on the front lines doing problem gambling mitigation work.” “The overseers appear to have not paid attention to the industry and instead crafted rules that don’t work to justify their presence.
“We desire rogue, unlawful operators in the industry to be prosecuted, just like anyone else. But this type of rule is not sufficient in this industry – we on the front lines deserve better.”
Darcy Trash went on to say that GMANZ was eager to receive problem gambling tax funds to utilize for training and investing in technology to reduce gambling harm. This includes facial recognition to provide extra protection and support.
Darcy Trash said: “The shared objective of the entire industry is to reduce harm and provide support for those who require it.”
“We don’t have any members who want anyone to be harmed by any location. We want any host who is not seriously fulfilling their responsibilities to be targeted, and those who are not following the process to face prosecution. These rules could make things worse.
“We need the Ministry of Internal Affairs to truly listen to us, because we are a vital part of the environment.”
The Path to ICE 2024: The Ascent and Descent of Digital Currency – Digital Currency Wagering – iGB
In the countdown to ICE, iGB will be covering the latest advancements since the 2023 exhibition with this new series, preparing you for the largest event of 2024.
Home > Digital Currency Wagering > The Path to ICE 2024: The Ascent and Descent of Digital Currency
The Path to ICE 2024: The Ascent and Descent of Digital Currency
In 2023, the utilization of digital currency continued to expand, with the sector becoming increasingly cognizant of the advantages and disadvantages of digital currency.
Earlier this year, Fabio Panetta, a member of the European Central Bank’s Governing Council, suggested that regulators should oversee the trading of unsupported digital currencies under gambling regulations. Panetta pointed to the collapse of several digital currency schemes in 2022. He argued that these collapses were the consequence of a poorly structured and malfunctioning digital currency market.
While some existing laws, such as the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, concentrate on regulating digital currency, Panetta stated that more needs to be accomplished to effectively manage the industry.
In 2023, Stake.com was one group that encountered difficulties with digital currency. The Drake-backed company suffered several unauthorized digital currency transfers in September. This impacted Ethereum, Polygon, and Binance Smart Chain wallets on Stake.com.
While Stake.com did not confirm the amount stolen, media reports in the digital currency community stated that the amount stolen was $41.3 million (£32.8 million/€38.4 million).
The Expansion of Digital Currency Wagering
While there’s debate about digital currencies, some industry experts have voiced their backing for it in 2023.
In a chat with iGB, Joe McCallum, then head of Yolo Group, discussed the company’s aim to expand cryptocurrency gaming to a broader audience. This involves targeting a younger demographic, specifically those aged 25-35, who are heavily engaged in social media.
As the owner of Sportsbet.io and Bitcasino, two platforms offering cryptocurrency gambling, Yolo Group is well-equipped to take advantage of the cryptocurrency trend in the upcoming year.
In May, the European Council approved rules requiring cryptocurrency businesses to obtain licenses. This legislation set a deadline for authorities across Europe. They were given a three-month window to establish the necessary licensing framework.
SkyCity has appointed Philip as their new head of Human Resources and Culture.
Philip will commence his new role on September 4th. He will take over from Greg McNair, who currently holds the position of General Manager of Employee Services for Auckland Human Resources and Culture.
Philip brings a wealth of experience in human resources. He previously served as the Chief Human Resources Officer for Chorus NZ for over five years. Prior to that, he held various positions at AMP for over a decade, including General Manager of Human Resources. He also worked at Telecom New Zealand as a Learning Capability Manager.
Philip’s appointment is still subject to government approval.
SkyCity also announced in January their intention to recruit David Attenborough, the former CEO and Managing Director of Tabcorp, as a non-executive director. They aim to finalize the appointment by March 1st. Attenborough has agreed to accept the new position, but a formal announcement is yet to be made.
In the previous month, SkyCity brought Carolyn Kidd on board to fill the newly established role of Chief Risk Officer.
