CasinoBeats

KSA fines LCS and Blue High House for repeat offences

Kansspelautoriteit, the Dutch Gambling Authority, has issued fines to LCS Limited and Blue High House for operating illegally in the Netherlands.

LCS Limited was handed a penalty fee of €2.07m in October 2023 having been found to offer Dutch players illegal games of chance via its Sons of Slots online casino brand in 2022.

However, the KSA found LCS Limited to have still been operating illegally in the Dutch market through another online casino brand, Yugibet. As a result, LCS has been handed a €165,000 penalty on top of the initial €2.07m fee.

Around the same time in October 2023, Panama-registered operator Blue High House was imposed a cease and desist order subject to penalty for offering illegal games of chance via Concrete Line, one of its online casino websites.

The KSA claims that these breaches have not ceased and has handed the operator a €129,000 fine while suggesting that another fine “may also be imposed”.

René Jansen, Chairman of the KSA: “An order subject to a p..

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Inspired seeks to reduce carbon footprint with Tunley Environmental

Inspired Entertainment has formed a partnership with sustainability consultancy Tunley Environmental with the goal of reducing its carbon footprint.

Through the agreement, Tunley Environmental will conduct a thorough business carbon assessment of Inspired, in addition to embodied carbon and lifecycle carbon assessments of the supplier’s products.

In turn, Inspired will use these assessments for its economic, social and governance objectives to align with the company’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Tunley Environmental,” commented Stephen Howlett, VP of Commercial Operations at Inspired Entertainment.

“As a responsible and forward-thinking organisation, we are dedicated to integrating sustainability into our operations. Tunley Environmental’s expertise and tailored solutions will be instrumental in guiding our sustainability initiatives, and we are confident that this partnership will drive positive change with..

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German regulator launches study into internet and TV gambling advertising

Germany’s Gambling Authority is hoping to evaluate the impact that gambling advertising on television and the internet has on problem gambling by launching a study into the issue.

Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder, the nation’s gambling regulator, has launched the study to not only examine the effect of advertising and sponsorship, but also of ‘advertising reporting’ on all recipients, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups.

Titled ‘Gambling advertising on television and on the Internet in the tension between channelling and addiction prevention’, the study will look into individual advertising measures, including TV spots and social media advertising, as well as special advertising measures such as bonus offers and other player acquisition tools.

The project will carry out an impact evaluation of the advertising provisions of the GlüStV, Germany’s State Treaty on Gambling introduced in 2021, with the GGL expecting to find out which provisions are suitable or can be ..

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Play’n GO pushes for safer gambling by joining Canadian Gaming Association

Play’n GO is hoping to ensure player safety and uphold responsible gambling in Canada’s growing igaming market by joining the Canadian Gaming Association.

Extending its relationship with Canadian players having supplied its slot releases in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, Play’n GO will join the over 70 CGA members to advocate for a ‘regulated, responsible, sustainable industry’.

Saam Hafezi, Head of Region, North America at Play’n GO, remarked: “Play’n GO has long advocated for a safe, regulated igaming industry, and we’re proud to join an official body like the CGA that shares those goals.

“We look forward to collaborating with fellow stakeholders within the Association to achieve a brighter, more sustainable future for us all, and we thank the CGA for accepting our membership application.”

Having been in business for more than two decades, the CGA represents both operators and suppliers across the Canadian igaming industry, with representatives from gaming, sports betti..

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UK election: Manifesto week may provide clarity on gambling industry framework 

As we enter manifesto week in what has been a turbulent election campaign so far, the eyes of the UK gambling industry will once again be cast onto the country’s key political stakeholders.

Prior to Rishi Sunak’s surprise decision to call the election, the industry had found a degree of clarity in what the future holds for framework and regulation.

However, as we move forward into a new political era for the UK, the question remains of whether that work will be undone and previous decisions will be altered.

Imogen Moss, Solicitor for licensing law firm Poppleston Allen emphasised that the wider question for the industry is ‘whether changes of the review will be implemented as planned or confined to the legislative scrapheap?’

In all likelihood, there will be further knowledge outlined on this this week when the surging Labour Party, led by Sir Keir Starmer, detail their plans for the country should they be granted with the keys to number 10 on 4 July.

On the day that the Torie..

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Australia enforces credit card ban for online gambling

Australia has enforced an online gambling credit card ban, meaning that players can no longer use them as a payment method.

Late last year, legislation was passed by the Australian Parliament to amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, bringing online gambling into line with land-based gambling by banning the use of credit cards.

Following a six-month transition period, the ban has now come into force. Any company that fails to comply with the regulation – ban on credit cards, credit-related products and digital currencies – may be subject to fines of up to A$234,750.

The new laws have also expanded the powers of the Australian Communications and Media Authority to ensure enforcement of the new and existing civil penalty provisions.

Communications Minister, Michelle Rowland, commented: “Australians should not be gambling with money they do not have. Last year, the Albanese Labor Government committed to banning credit cards for online wagering – and we’ve delivered.

“This ban build..

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EPIC to spread gambling harm awareness via William Hill-SPFL deal

EPIC Global Solutions will spread gambling harm awareness across Scotland through the recently announced William Hill–Scottish Professional Football League sponsorship deal.

Last week, William Hill agreed to a five-year deal with the SPFL, becoming the title sponsor and official betting partner of all four divisions of Scottish football.

EPIC, a gambling harm minimisation consultancy, has been included in the deal to deliver a gambling harm awareness programme, educating players, staff and supporters at all SPFL clubs from the start of the 2024/25 season.

This programme will be delivered predominantly via face-to-face sessions, with audiences learning from the lived experience of those who have faced problem gambling. It will also be the first of its kind to encompass the entire competition across Scotland.

John Millington, Senior Director at EPIC Global Solutions, stated: “We’re proud that we’ve once again been seen as the perfect partner to raise awareness around problem gambling..

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René Jansen: Ball ‘in the operators’ court’ to help curb excessive gambling

René Jansen, the departing Chair of the Dutch gaming authority, Kansspelautoriteit, has stated that the ball is “in the operators’ court” to help reduce excessive gambling following the publication of the amended Responsible Gaming Policy.

Posted on the KSA’s website, Jansen gave his last speech to providers at the recent Gaming in Holland conference, where he commented on the amended Responsible Gaming Policy, which was published in the Government Gazette earlier this month.

The amended Responsible Gaming Policy details a range of adjustments and clarifications for all licensed operators in the Netherlands, including the obligation for real-time monitoring and financial deposit limits.

Deposit limits of €300 per calendar month for players aged 18-24 and €700 per calendar month for players over 24, will be implemented from October 1 later this year.

From this date, if a player hits their respective deposit limit during a calendar month, operators must block any further deposits and..

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William Hill places social responsibility at the heart of long term  Scottish football extension 

Online sportsbook and casino William Hill has agreed a new sponsorship with the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL).

The record-breaking, five-year deal serves to significantly bolster William Hill’s presence and exposure in the country. The deal includes a partnership with EPIC Global Solutions, a gambling harm minimisation consultancy.

William Hill’s Marketing Director, Michael Sheehan, said: “We’re delighted to become title sponsor and Official Betting Partner of the SPFL, as well as launching a pioneering Gambling Harm Awareness programme, delivered by EPIC. For decades, we at William Hill have loved Scottish football and its fiercely loyal and passionate fans. Now, building on our long-standing association with Scottish football, we are delighted to be playing our part in five exciting seasons of the SPFL.

“In addition to our sponsorship, we will work proactively and extensively to raise awareness of the potential risks associated with betting across the Scottish footb..

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SkyCity-AUSTRAC A$67m AML/CTF penalty given Federal Court approval

The Federal Court of Australia has ordered SkyCity Adelaide to pay a A$67m penalty to the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre for breaches of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006.

SkyCity has also been ordered to pay the Australian Government agency’s costs of $3m.

Civil penalty proceedings were initially commenced by AUSTRAC in December 2022, analysing historical contraventions of the AML/CTF Act during the period of December 7, 2016 to December 14, 2022.

This action stemmed from a compliance campaign initially started by the agency in September 2019.

Last month, SkyCity and AUSTRAC filed joint submissions with the Federal Court, with the operator admitting that it operated in contravention 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 cer..

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