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BetGames expands operations in the UK with New UKGC Licences and Launch of Innovative Twain Sport12th April 2023: Leading live dealer and betting games studio, BetGames, has obtained multiple new licenses from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), allowing for significant expansion in the UK market. The latest approvals include licenses for Betting Host for Real Events, Betting Host for Virtual Events, and BetGames' existing Gambling Software and Casino Host licenses for the UK.With these new certifications, BetGames is now poised to offer its innovative games portfolio to all licensed UK operators, with initial launches set to be announced shortly. BetGames' highly anticipated Twain Sport, a unique and fast-paced sports betting offering, will be the first new product to hit the UK market. Twain Sport is a short-form, basketball, and football action game that operates 24/7, offering non-stop 60-second matches every two minutes, totaling 1,440 matches per day and 43,200 per month. This one-of-a-kind product is designed to cater to millennial and Gen-Z demographics with a low-staking, regulation-friendly format. BetGames' CEO, Andreas Koeberl, expressed excitement about the new UKGC licenses, stating, Our latest UK approvals are going to be an absolute game-changer for us. Live since October 2022; Twain Sport has already proven a resounding success, deployed with 45 operators globally in just six months, with 20 more contracts currently under negotiation. Koeberl added, Our mission at BetGames has always been to offer unique products for the iGaming industry. With Twain Sport, we have something truly special for the UK market - the first-of-its-kind high-turnover sporting action that will be the perfect cross-sell for sports betting and casino fans. Perfect for the new low-staking regulatory environment in the UK, we can't wait to see how it performs! Learn More About BetGames - Innovators in Live Dealer Fixed-Odds Betting GamesBetGames is a leading provider of live dealer fixed-odds betting games, known for its cutting-edge innovation in the iGaming industry. The company has received numerous accolades, including the 2019 SBC Award for 'Rising Star in Casino Innovation,' 'Live Casino Supplier of the Year,' and 'Leader of the Year' at the 2020 SBC Awards. Their impressive client base includes well-known operators such as Entain, Betway, Hollywoodbets, STS, and Parimatch. Introducing Twain Sport - Reinventing Short-Form Betting EntertainmentTwain Sport, launched in an exclusive partnership with the Hybrid Sports League and BetGames, is set to revolutionize the world of sports betting entertainment. This unique vertical offers thrilling 60-second matches in custom-built arenas, providing players with a high-frequency and engaging betting experience.Maintaining multiple layers of risk management to ensure the highest level of integrity, Twain Sport aims to bridge the demand for increased entertainment within sports betting.
One of the leading companies in the sports broadcasting niche, iGameMedia, has partnered up with THEO Technologies to bring out a brand-new low-latency solution for sports streaming. The new product is planned to go live in May 2023, and it will be available exclusively at bet365. So far, the industry standard for streaming was HLS, with a latency of seven to eight seconds. At the same time, the data feed for the betting markets moves at around 1-2 seconds, limiting the usefulness of live video streams. The new solution developed by the two companies aims to rectify the situation, significantly lowering the latency and aligning the video streams with data feeds. A New Generation Product The new product will be delivered to the partners via iGameMedia's One Platform API, allowing for simple integration. The API is integrated with all leading Sports Rights holders, mapping event IDs from multiple vendors into a single ID. iGameMedia partners will have access to this new platform that will feature ultra-low latency of just two seconds. For those who require it, the company will also offer streams with sub-second latency. All this will lead to a significantly improved user experience. 15 Years in the Making According to Mike Cobain, iGameMedia's Chief Executive, the company has been working on developing a sub-second streaming solution for close to 15 years, and they are delighted about the partnership with THEO Technologies, whose HESP protocol provides the only currently viable solution for low-latency streaming at the required scale. HESP is also a segment-based protocol with many convenient features, including the ability to respond to poor network conditions, seamlessly switching to a lower bit rate. iGameMedia is now ready to launch the product with bet365 and Infront Bettor, a rights agency, providing the first full-scale low-latency B2C solution in the industry. Introducing iGameMedia iGameMedia is a trailblazing company that leads the global market in collecting and sharing live sports events with the sports betting industry. They deliver some of the most renowned sports events from the stadium to the customers to provide their partners with the ultimate user experience. Their cutting-edge ultra-low latency OTT streaming platform, ONE Platform, has been specifically designed for the sportsbook market. This Platform is a content aggregation and integration solution that delivers all digital sports content provisions via a unified content API. In addition, they offer 100% fixture mapping consistency across critical content providers, making it easier for users to access and engage with the content they want. About THEO Technologies At THEO Technologies, they strive to revolutionize video streaming over the Internet. Their flagship product, THEOplayer, empowers top media and entertainment companies to offer state-of-the-art video playback on any device. They have also developed the High-Efficiency Streaming Protocol (HESP) and are among the founding members of the HESP Alliance. Their most recent innovation, THEOlive, is the first HESP-based real-time video API on a large scale for interactive entertainment, sports betting, and iGaming. It enables its users to deliver high-quality sub-second latency video to any audience size. About bet365 bet365 is the largest online sports betting company globally, with an annual sportsbook revenue of nearly $4 billion and over 6,000 employees worldwide. Their world-class proprietary product offers the industry's most extensive range of in-play sports betting events, with over 80 sports and over 780,000 live video-streamed annually. They cater to 88 million registered customers in over 160 countries worldwide.
Yggdrasil, the premier publisher always at the forefront of iGaming innovation, has released its latest title, Devour the Weak, set to wreak havoc and terrorize players. This 5-reel, 243 payline slot introduces an avalanche mechanic where all winning symbols and any of equal or lesser value are destroyed. This paves the way for new ones to come into play and create new wins, adding another layer of excitement by allowing players to form multiple winning combinations. What's unique about Devour the Weak is that every symbol has its hexed version, and whenever one of these is gone after a winning spin, a wild will appear in its place. Destroying six hexed symbols in a single avalanche will automatically award players ten free spins. During free spins, an increasing win multiplier that starts at x6 comes into play and can reach a maximum of x666 after multiple winning avalanches.If any hexed symbols land on the middle three reels during free spins, they automatically turn into wilds, leading to wins as high as 10,000x the player's stake. To make things even more exciting, players can activate the Golden Bet gives them an additional one of the six hexed symbols needed to trigger the free spins for 1.5x their normal bet. Those looking to increase their chances of winning can also use the Bonus Buy for 100x the bet for free spins with a 7x multiplier or x666 bet for an x33 multiplier. Stuart McCarthy, Head of Product & Programs at Yggdrasil, said, This exciting new slot isn't for the faint of heart, with a great theme featuring demonic nicely designed characters for an immersive experience. We can't wait to see players devour low-paying symbols and start racking up impressive wins via hexed icons, win multipliers, and free spins. Yggdrasil is known for its expertise in the online gaming market and is a pioneer in innovation, delivering industry-first initiatives such as the award-winning promotional toolset BOOST™. Yggdrasil's games are super fun, according to real players' feedback, operators' feedback, and partners worldwide, and the company continues to focus on innovation, creativity, quality, and technology leadership. Yggdrasil's headquarters are in Sweden, with operational HQ in Malta and offices in Poland and Gibraltar.
The genesis of the regulated online gambling industry as we know it today is mainly due to the progressive stance taken by the UK government. It was the 2005 Gambling Act that established the Gambling Commission (UKGC) and set the tone for the licensing and regulation that has allowed the industry to gain legitimacy worldwide. A Slow Burn Review Process However, the Gambling Act did not receive any notable updates or amendments since then, resulting in the UK falling behind its peers in many respects. A review of the act was run from December 2020 to March 2021, with more than 16000 submissions commenting on the current state of play and providing feedback on where it could be enhanced. In a concerted effort to create fair and sustainable amendments to the Gambling Act, various ministers, officials, and other stakeholders have spent the last two years meeting to debate how best to proceed. This process has had industry pundits fearing the worst as the UKGC had garnered a reputation for decision-making that served neither the players nor the business aspect of the industry as they enforced knee-jerk responses to short-term challenges. A Far Brighter Light Than Expected Despite these concerns, reviews of the whitepaper on the proposed amendments have been surprisingly positive. One industry expert said: “For the gambling industry, these measures are not as bad as once feared”. The general consensus is that the larger gambling sector will be much better served despite imposing limitations on operators. Here are some of the highlights of the proposal: Enhanced player protections: These will include financial vulnerability checks at predetermined loss and deposit levels. Improved player-centric tools: The Commission wants to make player-set deposit limits mandatory to help curb unexpected losses and compulsive behaviours. Limitations on high-loss games: The report proposes limiting stakes on video slots to between £2 and £15 per spin. Players aged 18-24 will automatically be limited to the lowest possible stakes as they are deemed vulnerable. Suppressing the lure of high-value prizes: The government felt the 2005 Gambling Act did not consider “prize draws which offer significant prizes such as a luxury home or car” and intends to impose regulations to address these incentives. With the UKGCs increased focus on protecting players from gambling harm, these measures are well within expectation and, in many cases, impose far lighter restrictions than anticipated. Plans to Super Charge the Commission A repeated concern with the actions of the UKGC under the existing Gambling Act is their apparent nonchalance towards the growing threat of unlicensed operators. Based on the proposal, the government was paying closer attention to this than we realised. The official statement says: “The threat of an online gambling black market does not mean we should avoid tightening controls on licensed operators. However, the threat does exist and could undermine the licensing objectives.” The plan will increase the Gambling Authority's scope to limit access to unlicensed sites and increase market channelling. The two essential action items will legally require internet service providers (ISP) to block access to unregulated gaming sites. The same will be true for payment providers who would be banned from processing deposit or withdrawal requests relating to unlicensed sites. Land-based Gambling Win While most of the upcoming amendments look at limiting online casinos and games of chance, the land-based gambling sector saw a massive relaxation in one key area – betting.Richard Williams of Keystone Law said: Overall, this is good news for the land-based gambling industry at the expense of the online industry. Casinos will be delighted with the proposals to offer sports betting, which has always been a strange restriction. In addition to allowing casino license holders to offer sports betting, the Commission will also free up dormant casino licenses to allow new operators to enter the market, increase the number of games allowed on gaming premises, and allow casinos to offer credit facilities to non-UK residents to bolster local venue revenues.
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Three major brands have entered into a new partnership in the UK’s signature St Leger horse-racing festival. New Sponsorship Deals Betfred, the Arena Racing Company (ARC), and Doncaster Racecourse have entered into new partnerships with the St Leger Festival, with Betfred becoming the title sponsor. New Name The newly christened Betfred St Leger Festival will take place on 14-17 September. More Races Attached Betfred, ARC, and Doncaster will also have branding tied to additional horseraces May Hill Stakes, Doncaster Cup, and Champagne Stakes. Betfred CEO Speaks BetFred CEO Fred Done commented on the new developments: “To have the Betfred name attached to the St Leger Festival is not just a sponsorship but a privilege.” Source of Pride Done further expressed pride on being “associated with the world’s oldest classic” which he equated with “legendary great horses like Triple Crown winner Nijinsky, Dunfermline for the Queen, and Oh So Sharp for Sir Henry Cecil.” ARC CEO Speaks ARC CEO Martin Cruddace expressed his pleasure at bringing Betfred into the St Leger Festival sponsorship fold: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Betfred as the headline sponsors of the St Leger Festival and of the Betfred St Leger itself.” Longstanding Support Cruddace further lauded Done and his team for their long-standing keen support of British racing “and the inclusion of this historic race meeting into their sponsorship portfolio is another indication of their commitment to the sport.” Looking Ahead Cruddace called the UK sport of racing overall “extremely fortunate to benefit from working in partnership with Fred and his team and we very much look forward to a fantastic Betfred St Leger Festival in September.” Betfred’s Rise Betfred continues forward in UK horse-racing sponsorship in a new deal after becoming sponsor of the Oaks and the Derby at Epsom Downs last month. Full Betfred Deal The Betfred deal is for a term of three years, with Betfred supporting two other races across the two-day Derby meeting, which this year 2023 takes place on Friday 2nd June and Saturday 3rd June. Betfred History The Betfred sponsorship remains the jewel in the new sponsorship crown of UK horseracing. Founded by Done himself as a single betting shop in Salford in 1967, Betfred grew to become the largest independent bookmaker on high street with 1,400 shops. Betfred is currently an official betting partner of Ascot Racecourse and Royal Ascot. Betfred’s Involvement in Horseracing Betfred’s longstanding support of British horse racing stretches back 50 years, with Betfred serving as the leading UK horse-racing sponsor between 2011 and 2018. Outlook With the additional sponsorships of ARC and Doncaster, the UK horse-racing market looks ready to expand.
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London, May 15, 2023 - In the wake of an exhilarating Eurovision Song Contest, prominent UK bookmaker William Hill has announced a generous donation of £200,000 to Support Ukraine. William Hill had yet confirmed to donate 100% of its profits from the Eurovision market to the UK-based charity. The funds presented will help many Ukrainians who have been compelled to seek refuge in the UK and support their families who cannot leave Ukraine in search of safety. The aid will encompass essential food supplies, toys, and humanitarian assistance. The Eurovision Grand finale captivated a live electric audience and a record-breaking average of 9.9 million TV viewers. Sweden's pop sensation Loreen made history by becoming the second person and the first woman to win Eurovision twice, mesmerizing audiences with her song 'Tattoo.' In a gripping finale, Loreen outshone Finland's entry, Cha Cha Cha by Käärijä. Israel's Noa Kirel, Italy's Marco Mengoni, and Norway's Alessandra Mele completed the Top 5, with all of them having odds of 40/1 or greater going into Saturday's final. Lee Phelps, the spokesperson for William Hill, expressed pride in the company's £200,000 donation to the Ukrainian appeal, emphasizing the significant impact it will have on thousands of Ukrainians now residing in the UK and their families back home. Phelps stated, Anyone who placed a bet on Eurovision this weekend has contributed to this cause, regardless of whether their bet slip was a winner. It has been more than a year since millions of Ukrainians had their lives turned upside down, and on the weekend when Eurovision should have been held in Kyiv, it is a stark reminder that the struggle continues. However, the relief efforts and the resilience demonstrated by a nation with a heart of steel persist. We are honored to offer financial support to those Ukrainians who need it most. A spokesperson for Support Ukraine expressed huge gratitude for the UK support and its people and commended William Hill for their remarkable gesture of donating all profits from Eurovision betting to their cause. The spokesperson said, "We are deeply moved by this £200,000 donation, which will assist in providing necessities to those affected on or near the frontlines and in the de-occupied territories. This includes vital medical aid such as medicine and much-needed medical evacuation vehicles." The Support Ukraine Coordination Hub, an expanding charity initiative based in London, has already played a crucial role in providing hundreds of meals to the growing refugee population of Ukrainians seeking shelter in London. They have also delivered meals and aid to families that choose to stay in Ukraine or cannot leave for personal reasons. In addition, the initiative extends its support through donations of food, toys, and other essential humanitarian supplies. For more information on the Support Ukraine project and to offer assistance, please visit their Neighbourly page.
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission has imposed a fine of £305,150 (€350,351/$378,299) on online casino operator SkillOnNet due to several infractions, specifically related to anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and social responsibility requirements. SkillOnNet, managing 50 online platforms across the UK, has agreed to this financial penalty as part of a settlement deal with the regulator, with proceeds earmarked for socially responsible initiatives. The Gambling Commission's review of SkillOnNet's operations from 2021-2022 revealed significant Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice breaches. In addition, the operator fell short in its anti-money laundering and responsible gambling policies, including inadequate assessment of risks related to money laundering, organized crime, and 'mule' accounts. Operator Failed to Implement Adequate Controls The Gambling Commission noted SkillOnNet's violation of licence condition 12.1.1 (2), which involves implementing measures to curb money laundering and terrorist financing. The operator lacked suitable procedures to review a customer's income for identifying excessive spending and overly relied on player declarations and unverified comments for anti-money laundering (AML) profiling and expenditure assessments. SkillOnNet breached two licence conditions: 12.1.1(3) and 12.1.2. They allowed customers to deposit and lose beyond the £2,000 limit, made assumptions about customers' reinvestment of winnings, and didn't sufficiently identify or manage money laundering and terrorist financing risks, failing to adhere to the 2017 regulatory standards. SkillOnNet's Social Responsibility Lapses & Regulatory Settlement Details The Gambling Commission cited multiple violations of the Social Responsibility Code Provision (SRCP) by SkillOnNet, which failed to engage with customers to mitigate gambling harm properly. Fundamental failings included not identifying harmful customer behaviours, overlooking risky betting patterns, and ignoring signs of unnecessary spending, as evidenced by a player losing £3,000 per month. The operator also didn't recognize extended night-time play as a potential harm marker. Furthermore, their customer interaction strategy, heavily reliant on automated pop-ups, was insufficient to prevent harm, as shown by a player who continued gambling despite multiple alerts and lost £3,225 over 41 days. These interactions lacked thorough scrutiny and relied too heavily on customers' declarations. Details of the Regulatory Settlement The Gambling Commission and SkillOnNet reached a regulatory settlement to conclude the case. The agreement included an initial payment of £305,150, an additional £9,079 towards the cost of the investigation, and a commitment to allow case details to be made public. SkillOnNet also consented to undergo an independent third-party audit and to enhance their AML and safer gambling policies. The Commission appreciated SkillOnNet's swift actions to correct the violations, cooperation during the investigation, and acceptance of all key identified failings.
UK giant Paddy Power has taken the hit from the UKGC enforcement system for nearly half a million pounds. The Fine The total fine for the Flutter-owned company operating under the PPB Counterparty Services Limited brand is £490,000 (US$603,000) as a penalty for sending notifications to excluded consumers. The Violations The penalties were handed down due to evidence of infractions dating to November 2021. In the inquiry, the UKGC discovered that the Paddy Power app had sent promotional communications to English Premiere League fans who had previously self-excluded themselves via GAMSTOP or Flutter’s self-exclusion program. Scale Though the number of penalisable communications remains unreleased, it is projected to be a significant amount proportional to the large size of the fine. The infraction has been acknowledged, and Flutter has accepted the fine without contest. Self-Exclusion The UK’s Gambling Act requires all operators to take necessary and appropriate measures to be responsible for avoiding sending communications to players who have self-excluded for obvious reasons. Self-exclusion refers to opting out of further information regarding gambling products. The challenge has arisen for operators to keep track of all those who have self-excluded the site or through other services such as Gamstop, which was made available in the UK as a national self-exclusion mechanism. Pioneering Operator Fined Fine recipient Flutter was one of the earliest operators to implement a social responsibility program in-house, starting with a self-exclusion program and mechanism. The UKGC Guidelines The UKGC guidelines make operators responsible for receiving a complete and current opt-out list with all the most recent persons who have added themselves to the self-exclusion program. The operators are then responsible for erasing the self-excluded customer’s name, contact information, and related information within two days of receiving the updated self-exclusion list. Minimal Harm, Yet… The regulator acknowledged that notifications were not sent intentionally, and no users placed bets as a result. Further, the regulator said many users did not likely see the messages, nor did anyone lodge a complaint with the UKGC. UKGC Fines to Date Even with all this said, the UKGC chose to levy the hefty fine, bringing total fines collected in 2023 to £50,721,772 (US$62.65 million) in fines. This projects for the year to be less than last year’s total of £218.21 million ($269.53 million) but is more than the $48.6 million collected in 2021. Outlook The fines show that operators must go beyond intention and remain fully compliant to avoid large fines that could otherwise harm their customers.
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