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MGA revokes TipBet licence with immediate effect

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The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has revoked the licence of TipBet Limited with immediate effect.

On 20 May, the MGA cancelled the licence authorisation of TipBet Limited, reference MGA/B2C/303/2015.

Founded in 1995, TipBet is one of the oldest online sports betting firms, with its headquarters in Gzira, Malta. TipBet operates as a pan-European operator with a presence in the markets of Germany, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Croatia.

The Authority used Section 9 of Malta’s Gaming Compliance and Enforcement Regulations to authorise the cancellation of TipBet’s licence.

The MGA’s order cited numerous Section 9 infringements as TipBet failed to comply with several regulatory obligations and discharge financial commitments of its operations.

The Authority believed that ‘failure of the operator was imminent’. TipBet also failed to meet commitments to players in a timely manner and did not pay amounts due to the Authority on time. The Authority determined that there was material and suffici..

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GambleAware responds to Good Law Project’s false complaint

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GambleAware stands by its reputation and independence as the UK’s leading charity fighting gambling addiction and minimising problem gambling harms.

The stern response was issued by the charity this weekend, replying to a damning article by iNews (DMG Media) accusing GambleAware of promoting the interests of the gambling sector.

The article confirmed that a ‘regulatory compliance case’ had been opened by the Charity Commission, due to a complaint submitted by the Good Law Project.

A non-profit organisation led by Will Prochaska, the Good Law Project claims that GambleAware has failed in its regulatory duties as a UK-licensed charity due to a striking conflict of interest, being directly funded by the gambling sector.

The complaint further questioned GambleAware’s treatment services, educational materials, advertising, and self-help tools, accusing them of normalising gambling, promoting wrong advice, and stigmatising those with harms.

Issuing a response, GambleAware CEO, Zoë Osmon..

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Cordish President claims igaming cannibalisation rate of 15 to 23 per cent

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At SBC Summit North America, Cordish Gaming Group President Rob Norton spoke with Sue Schneider, VP of Growth and Strategy for the Americas at SBC, during a fireside chat about several topics, including the relationship between igaming and land-based casinos. Written by Jessica Welman, this article was first published on SBC Americas.

To some in the industry, Rob Norton is an obstructionist. The president of Cordish Gaming’s stance against igaming legislation in states like Maryland has some in the business, like BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt, taking swipes at him.

During a fireside chat with SBC’s VP of Growth and Strategy for the Americas Sue Schneider, Norton elaborated on his gaming stance, including how it has changed over the years.

In favour of igaming at one point

“I was very pro igaming at one point in my career, and not so long ago honestly. But as as time has gone on and we’ve started to see the results of states that have brought on casino, and even as mobile sports bettin..

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DGOJ opens dialogue on common data registry for Spanish gambling

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DGOJ, Spain’s General Directorate of Gambling, has started discussions on data administration policies and practices needed to establish a ‘common data registry’ for gambling information.

The discussions on the framework to set up a centralised registry for customer data from all gambling operators licensed in Spain began on 16 May 2024.

Director General Mikel Arana led the initial proceedings, hosting the Sectoral Commission, the advisory body for Spain’s General Assembly on policy-making and the development of federal projects and directives.

The command to establish a common data registry was approved by the General Assembly in March 2023 as part of The Decree on Responsible Gambling Environments.

The registry is recognised as the central mechanism for how the DGOJ will implement its new regulatory approach to monitor the activities of gambling licensees, their conduct, and engagement with customers.

New compliance duties will require Spanish gambling operators to monitor and k..

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GambleAware fights back against Good Law Project inaccuracies and misrepresentations

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GambleAware has defended its reputation and independence as the UK’s leading charity fighting gambling addiction and minimising problem gambling harms.

The charity issued a stern response this weekend to a damning article by iNews (DMG Media), which accused GambleAware of promoting the interests of the gambling sector.

iNews ‘exclusive article’ revealed that the Charity Commission had opened a ‘regulatory compliance case’ following a complaint submitted by the Good Law Project. A non-profit organisation, led by Will Prochaska, the Good Law Project claims that GambleAware has failed in its regulatory duties as a UK-licensed charity due to a significant conflict of interest, being directly funded by the gambling sector.

The Good Law Project’s complaint further questioned GambleAware’s treatment services, educational materials, advertising, and self-help tools, alleging they normalise gambling, promote incorrect advice, and stigmatise those with gambling harms.

Issuing a response, Gam..

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Dave & Buster’s skill games facing ban in Illinois

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The Illinois House Gaming Committee is taking legislative action in response to Dave & Buster’s recent decision to begin offering social wagering through its rewards app.

The committee has approved Amendment 1 to House Bill 394, which aims to make changes to the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. The proposed amendment, sponsored by Rep. Daniel Didech, establishes the Family Amusement Wagering Prohibition Act.

“The state of Illinois closely regulates our robust gaming industry to ensure that businesses are operating in a manner that is fair for players and safe for families,” said Didech. “We do not need gambling to irresponsibly expand into family-friendly environments.”

Earlier this month, Didech introduced House Bill 5832, which aims to ban “family amusement establishments” from offering or promoting real-money wagering on their games. The measure explicitly states that video gaming terminals are not included.

Illinois allows brick-and-mortar establishments to offer VGTs but onl..

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BGC, Rank and Bacta welcome DCMS proposals for land-based gambling

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The Betting and Gaming Council, Rank Group and Bacta have shown their support for the land-based gambling proposals published by the UK government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

The DCMS published the new regulations in response to a consultation regarding measures relating to the land-based gambling sector from the April 2023 gambling white paper.

After reviewing the consultation responses, the DCMS intends to increase the number of gaming machines allowed at certain land-based casinos to 80 and more than 20 for smaller casinos; allow a 2:1 ratio of Category B to Category C and D gaming machines in arcades and bingo halls; allow direct debit card payments on gaming machines; introduce an age limit of 18 and over for the use of ‘cash-out’ Category D slot-style gaming machines; and increase the maximum chargeable premises licence fees.

The next step for these regulations will be for them to be presented before Parliament.

BGC – ‘much needed reforms’

In response to the DC..

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French regulator tells operators to improve social responsibility

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French gambling has been told to increase action and safeguards halting the excess spending from gambling consumers.

Médiateur des Jeux, France’s gambling mediator, united with the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) for a report that sought to shine a light on social responsibility shortcomings in the region.

The four key recommendationssaw Denys Millet, an honorary magistrate and France’s gambling mediator, state that currently French operators are “almost systematically” delaying or rejecting account suspension measures.

Millet emphasised that the measures should be implemented “as soon as the player does not respond to prevention messages, avoids any attempt to contact them or changes his gambling behaviour by increasing his deposits and bets, reflecting a clear loss of control that exposes him to heavy losses”.

This would make it possible to engage in a discussion with the gambler in order to provide better support and identify and support excessive or pathological gamblers.

..

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SkyCity and AUSTRAC agree $67m penalty for money laundering and terrorism infringements

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SkyCity Adelaide and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre have filed joint submissions with the Federal Court of Australia, proposing a $67m penalty for the casino over its violation of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006.

Reaching an agreement, SkyCity admitted that it operated in infringement of the AML/CTF Act under two different sections.

Section 81 – its AML/CTF Programs did not meet the requirements of the AML/CTF Act and AML/CTF Rules.

Section 36 – it did not carry out appropriate ongoing customer due diligence with respect to certain higher-risk customers and customers transacting through higher-risk channels.

Justice Lee will consider the proposed settlement between SkyCity and AUSTRAC when the court hearing takes place on June 7.

While a $67m penalty has been agreed to between the two parties in question, the court will have the final say on the appropriate penalty to be issued.

AUSTRAC’s Chief Executive Officer, Brendan..

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Gaming Caucus Chair Dina Titus speaks out on federal excise tax and GRIT Act

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Although she could not attend in person, Congresswoman Dina Titus still made her presence felt at last week’s SBC Summit North America.

In a 15-minute video message played at the event, Titus reiterated her support for repealing the federal excise tax on sports betting and also laid out five recommendations for sports organizations to combat sports betting issues within professional sports.

Federal excise tax on betting handle

Titus, who co-chairs the Congressional Gaming Caucus, has been an opponent of the federal excise tax on sports wagers for over a decade. Currently, a sports betting operator is required to pay a 0.25% tax on its total sports betting handle.

In her video message, she said that the tax “serves no dedicated purpose” and instead “penalizes” the regulated industry. She added the tax “empowers illegal operators” as they can attract customers by offering better odds due to not paying the tax.

Titus has put forth numerous bills over the past decade to repeal the fe..

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