CasinoBeats

eCOGRA has received regulatory approval to expand its services across several markets in the US and Latin America.

The igaming testing, inspection and certification services provider is now approved to provide its services in the US states of Arizona and Indiana, as well as the country of Panama.

In each region, eCOGRA can now conduct independent compliance audits and certification services for igaming companies.

“Our recent approvals in Indiana, Arizona, and Panama underline our dedication to continually expand our offering, to support our growing portfolio of clients with their global growth plans,” commented Will Shuckburgh, Group CEO of eCOGRA.

“We are committed to ensuring that we bring the same quality, speed and service that marks us out to both our clients and regulators in these dynamic markets.”

In Panama, eCOGRA has been recognised as an Authorised Entity for Compliance Certification by the country’s Board of Gaming Control, specifically for slot machines and gaming s..

Off the back of publishing its new handbook to guide the gambling industry when it comes to ensuring safer gambling standards are met, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has underlined that Safer Gambling Week (18th – 24th November 2024), is “a good opportunity to recognise the important work being done by the industry”.

A vocal point for this year’s initiative is ensuring that players are aware of the toolbox and the assets that are available to them, to benefit from a safer playing experience.

Organised by the BGC, BACTA and the Bingo Association, Safer Gambling Week is now in its eighth year and will once again see a range of safer gambling messages, both online and in land-based venues, in a bid to grow the nationwide conversation about betting responsibly.

Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, said: “Ensuring safety should always be central to every aspect of gambling.

“However, Safer Gambling Week offers a valuable chance to emphasise this priority eve..

The Dutch Gaming Authority, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has confirmed its backing for a pilot program with Gamban to provide a comprehensive block of all online gambling websites and apps should players in the country feel they need it.

Central to the proposals is to ensure that “anyone in the Netherlands can obtain a free one-year Gamban subscription by contacting the country’s national support service, Loket Kansspel, via the website, WhatsApp, email, or phone.”

Operating in the UK since 2015, Gamban is recognised as the most comprehensive gambling block and self-exclusion solution in the industry.

Furthermore, Gamban will introduce its new Dutch version of the app in a bid to provide an efficient route to self-exclusion for Dutch gambling consumers, as the focus on social responsibility in the Dutch market elevates.

Nathalie Smit, Director at Loket Kansspel, said: “At Loket Kansspel, we believe that taking control of your online environment is crucial for breaking free from ..

The European Casino Association (ECA) has established the ECA Strategic Supplier Partnership, a collaboration between the association and land-based casino suppliers.

Revealed during the ECA Casino Industry Forum in Nova Gorica, Slovenia, the ECA has stated that the goal of the partnership is to “enhance industry cooperation and facilitate dialogue with policymakers and stakeholders on matters of mutual interest”.

The companies that are part of the inaugural Strategic Supplier Partnership include Aristocrat, IGT, Light & Wonder and Novomatic.

“We are pleased to welcome Aristocrat Gaming, IGT, Light & Wonder and Novomatic as the founding members of the ECA’s Strategic Supplier Partnership,” commented Erwin van Lambaart, Chair of the ECA.

“This collaboration allows us to share diverse perspectives and work towards solutions that benefit the entire gaming community, while respecting the distinct roles of operators and suppliers.”

The ECA noted that the partnership will aim to “advanc..

The SBC Digital – Player Protection online conference, presented in partnership with Vixio Regulatory Intelligence takes place this Wednesday, November 13, and sees a lineup of experts tackle the key topics surrounding the player protection space.

Taking place before Safer Gambling Week 2024, SBC Digital – Player Protection kicks off at 9AM GMT with a special presentation from lead sponsors Vixio Regulatory Intelligence. Vixio View: Global Player Protection Policy Trends will feature Vixio’s Chief Analyst and VP Americas, James Kilsby, discussing key regulatory trends on responsible gambling in Europe, North America, Brazil and beyond, and focusing on affordability, monitoring and intervention.

This will be immediately followed by a fascinating discussion on whether operator focus on player protection can increase shareholder value, and features Evoke’s Head of Player Safety, Yardena Almagor, she’s joined by leading industry consultant Peter Marcus, Founder & CEO of Better World Cas..

GambleAware is calling for several policy changes to gambling marketing in Great Britain to help protect individuals from gambling harm.

Changes that the gambling support charity would like to see implemented include a pre-watershed ban on broadcast adverts, restrictions on gambling content and marketing online, a blanket ban across sports and mandatory health warnings.

Drivers of Gambling Marketing Restrictions

The call for gambling marketing change comes in response to a new report from the University of Bristol and Ipsos titled ‘Drivers of Gambling Marketing Restrictions – An International Comparison’.

Commissioned by GambleAware, the study aimed to explore “the social and political levers that led to increased regulation of gambling marketing in countries with comparable policy and cultural background” and the implications of this for Great Britain.

The study looked at regulations in Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Australia since all of these countries,..

GamCare has announced that it will cease its Safer Gambling Standard operation at the end of the year as it couldn’t secure an appropriate new home for the service.

Nevertheless, the organisation noted that while it will no longer provide new Safer Gambling Standard services to the industry, it “remains committed to reducing gambling harm” and no other services, including the National Gambling Helpline, will be affected by the change.

Launched in 2019 and accredited by UKAS, the Safer Gambling Standard is an independent quality standard that evaluates gambling companies’ measures to protect people from gambling-related harm.

In December last year, GamCare’s board decided that the time was right for the Safer Gambling Standard to continue its work outside of the organisation under a different structure.

A strategic review was then initiated to find a new home for the Safer Gambling Standard.

However, despite in-depth discussions with many organisations, the organisation noted that..

Several comings and goings have taken place across the industry recently, as Entain, the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) and iGaming Ontario (iGO) are among those that have seen changes to their teams.

Entain

Entain has appointed Dafne Guisard as the company’s Chief Operations Officer, effective from 13 January 2025.

As COO, Guisard will be responsible for operational excellence, global strategic planning, customer service organisation and M&A integration.

“Dafne brings a wealth of experience in driving strategic growth and delivering transformation on a global scale,” commented Gavin Isaacs, CEO of Entain.

“Her appointment will help place Entain at the leading edge of innovation, as well as strengthen the executive management team as we build on a period of stronger-than-expected revenue growth and key market expansion. Dafne will be a tremendous asset to Entain.”

An advocate for the transformative power of technology, Guisard joins Entain from The Kraft Heinz Company. Here, ..