Stakelogic handed six-figure GC settlement for slot speed violation

New Spanish betting deposit limits approved as gov’t keeps up pace of changes

Predictions, finance and a brewing storm of problem gambling

SOFTSWISS shows support for Cleaning up the World initiative

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SOFTSWISS has shown its support for the global environmental initiative ‘Cleaning up the World’, joining several other companies at a campaign in Poznań, Poland earlier this month.

On 16 September, SOFTSWISS representatives travelled to Poland for the 30th edition of the campaign, working with around 130 companies to help transform a significant area in the Polish city into a cleaner and more eco-friendly environment.

“We truly embrace the power of positive change, recognising the profound impact that each person’s contribution holds. Together, we are making real and noticeable changes that we can see, touch, and feel,” stated Katsiaryna Shved, Event Manager of Employer Brand at SOFTSWISS.

The ‘Cleaning up the World’ initiative aligns with SOFTSWISS’ social responsibility values. Along with environmental campaigns, the company also aids victims of natural disasters and military conflicts, supports individuals battling serious illnesses, champions social causes and fosters multicultu..

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New MA sportsbook logo reg could cost DraftKings over six figures

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DraftKings came to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) this week hoping to be granted an exception on the state’s new regulation involving logo displays at major sports arenas. It came away from Thursday’s meeting with no exception and a clear expectation from the commissioners that logos at Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium, and TD Garden will need to change.

That could be a very costly endeavor for DraftKings.

DraftKings says TD Garden update will cost “several hundred thousand”

In its waiver application, DraftKings claimed that updating the embedded logo on the wooden floor of the Boston Celtics basketball court at TD Arena would be prohibitively expensive, stating, “the projected cost to update this asset is several hundred thousand dollars, which would be a substantial hardship.”

The operator also argued that the umbrella DraftKings brand is designed to encompass products beyond just sports betting, including DFS, DK Horse, and DK Network. In fact, the embedded logo in the c..

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Further Iowa students admit underage gambling

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Four University of Iowa players have been fined $645 after pleading guilty to underage sports betting, a criminal offence in the state.

Three footballers and one basketball player were fined by the state court this week following several athletes receiving a similar punishment earlier this month.

Arland Bruce, Reggie Bracy, Jack Johnson and Ahron Ulis will all pay a fine of $645 for sports wagering under the legal age of 21.

Earlier this month, Hunter Dekkers, Jake Remsburg, former Iowa State player Dodge Sauser, and former Iowa athletes Aaron Blom and Gehrig Christensen were all fined the same amount after admitting betting on sports illegally.

The Iowa sports betting scandal has rumbled under the surface for much of 2023, with as many as 50 players being investigated for betting-related offenses.

In more serious cases, Denver Bronco and Iowa State alum Eyioma Uwazurike and Iowa State wrestler Paniro Johnson are being charged with felony identity theft. Both have denied the ..

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GamCare data highlights slots as ‘main challenge’ on player protection

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Data published by GamCare has shown a disparity between experience of problem gambling related to sports betting and online slots.

GamCare detailed that the number of people reporting problems with online sports betting to its National Gambling Helpline fell from 34% in 2018-19, to 20% in 2022-23.

The figures suggest that the sports betting side of the industry may be more advanced on know your customer (KYC), player protection and responsible gambling initiatives.

On the other hand, the number of people citing problems with betting exchanges increased from 0.3% to 7.6% over the past five years, according to GamCare’s latest data.

The biggest challenges encountered related to online slots, with 60% reporting problems with such products, a major increase from 34% in 2018-2019. On a broader, multi-product scale, 73% of the 5,660 callers to the helpline reported problems with gambling.

Colin Walsh, GamCare’s lived experience manager, said: “There is still a perception that gambling h..

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Phil Mickelson tells bettors to avoid ‘crossing line of moderation’ this NFL season

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Six-time golf major champion Phil Mickelson has described his gambling addiction as a “hurricane” that waves over his life, and warned bettors to not “cross the line of moderation and enter into addiction” this football campaign.

The NFL season launch is undoubtedly one of the most popular periods in the US sporting – and by natural extension sports betting – calendars. Sportsbooks spend months preparing marketing campaigns, new products and bonus offers for players to ensure they grab as many new players as possible ahead of the big kick off.

But while many players use this period for recreational and entertainment purposes, for some the NFL season kick off can be a time when temptation is at its highest and those who suffer with gambling addictions can struggle.

Mickelson, who has won the Masters three times as well as two PGA Championships and one Open Championship, took to X – formerly known as Twitter – to open up on his gambling addiction and warn others.

He wrote: “Most o..

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Jess Feil, OpenBet: Navigating RG and compliance

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In the realm of sports betting and iGaming, ensuring responsible gaming (RG) and steadfast compliance isn’t just a necessity—it’s an ethos. Jess Feil, VP of Regulatory Affairs & Compliance at OpenBet, has navigated the intricacies of regulatory affairs and compliance for several years, and certain strategies have emerged essential for operators.

She shares five approaches she believes can significantly sharpen an operator’s stance on RG and compliance.

1. Research and data must be a guiding light

Quality research that’s driven by independent parties with verifiable methods must be the foundation of our efforts. It’s not just about implementing best practices—it’s about understanding the rationale behind them.

For example, Dr. Michael Auer and Andreas Schneeberger have more than 15 years of unparalleled experience in developing software and services tailored for the industry, based on research that is peer-reviewed and published in reputable, academic journals. It is great that th..

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Prince Edward Island charts ‘new course for gambling’ with updated RG strategy

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The Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission has unveiled its new responsible gambling strategy for Islanders, which acts as an update and replacement for the previous strategy created in 2008.

The strategy, which was developed by independent consultant MRSB – contracted by the PEI Lotteries Commission – was created using five guiding principles, which are:

harm reduction;
accountability;
informed and healthy play;
equity and inclusion;
and supporting vibrant communities.

Citing an “entirely new era” where digital and online activity has been growing at “warp speed”, the new strategy will “chart a new course for gambling” in the province, according to Minister of Finance Jill Burridge.

Burridge, who is also Chair of the PEI Lotteries Commission, explained: “The gambling landscape has shifted considerably in the last fifteen years. This new strategy responds to emerging demands and provides a balanced approach, by ensuring those who want to gamble can do so in a safe and positive w..

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KSA funds 3 public projects on risk & harms detection 

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Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Netherlands’ gambling authority, has announced the funding of three new pilot projects to “raise awareness of problem gambling.”

The Addiction Prevention Fund (VPF) will finance the development of these projects, which aim to educate the Dutch public on detecting gambling risks and intervening in addiction and related harms.

Established in 2021, the VPF supports the launch of the KOA marketplace, which regulates online gambling in the Netherlands. The fund, managed by the KSA, collects a “levy from providers of high-risk games of chance”.

Working alongside the KSA, the Ministries of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) and Justice and Security (JenV) oversee the fund’s support for public initiatives related to addiction prevention, harm minimisation, research, education, and the improved supervision of the KOA market.

Announced this week, the VPF will fund a trial of an “e-learning early detection of problem gambling” training programme developed by the add..

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FanDuel adds Carli Lloyd and Tom Kim to RG program

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FanDuel has announced soccer star Carli Lloyd and PGA Tour golfer Tom Kim as the latest additions to its responsible gaming ambassador program.

Marking Responsible Gaming Education Month, FanDuel has widened its ambassador program by adding two new names to the roster that also includes Craig Carton.

Lloyd, a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner, enjoyed an illustrious career in US soccer and scored 134 for the USWNT during her 16-year international career. She will join FanDuel to help raise awareness of responsible gaming tools available to players on the app.

“I am excited to be joining the FanDuel team as a Responsible Gaming Ambassador,” said Lloyd. “As sports gambling continues to become more accessible, I think it is critical fans adopt a mindset that gambling is supposed to be a form of entertainment and that tools are available to them within the FanDuel Sportsbook app to stay in control of the way they play. I’m eager to help my fellow ambassadors spread the word on t..

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KSA to make player protection enhancement case to Dutch Justice Ministry

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The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch Gambling Authority, will recommend legislative and regulatory amendments around player protection to the Netherlands’ Ministry of Justice.

A KSA investigation into operator ‘duty of care’ practices concluded this month with the authority judging that companies could ‘intervene more quickly and effectively’ in cases of excessive gambling by certain customers.

In the regulator’s view, current operator player protection and intervention methods and measures are not sufficient to adequately safeguard bettors. As well as making recommendations to the government, the KSA will also enhance its own policies.

René Jansen, KSA Chairman, said: “The KSA puts safe play first. We receive worrying signals and, as a supervisory authority, we investigate providers who may far exceed the limits of their duty of care. If we notice this, we will intervene.

“With this research we see where, outside of these signals, providers are not doing well. Players must be..

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