Emerald Bay’s future: a deal in jeopardy or a misunderstanding? 

announced the structure and leadership of its newly formed brand, Aristocrat Interactive. 

Combining Anaxi and NeoGames, Aristocrat Interactive aims to lead online Real Money Gaming (RMG) solutions and be the “most trusted” interactive partner for connecting experiences for operators and players. The company offers a full suite of content, technology, and services. 

“ is a major step forward,” said Moti Malul, CEO. “We’re setting a new standard with our combined strengths.” 

Aristocrat Interactive will operate through five distinct business units:

• iLottery: Led by Chris Shaban, this initiative operates to transform the way governments conduct lotteries by taking them online.
• Content and aggregation: Adrian Bailey leads the top-quality content aggregation solutions.
• Gaming systems: Casino operators are provided with technology solutions led by Neil Crossan.
• iGaming and sports: Offers online operators content and tech products for online gaming and sports betting, led by Dima Reiderman.
• iGaming white-Label: Provides a turnkey solution for new RMG operators, led by Jonathan Chilton.

The company prioritises a responsible gaming environment that ensures a safe and positive experience for all users. It is firmly committed to operating within legal frameworks and adhering to the highest regulatory standards. Additionally, the company actively participates in advocating for advancements in regulations that benefit both the industry and its stakeholders.

As of 26 June 2024, all operations under Anaxi branding and . started operating under the Aristocrat Interactive brand. This launch marks a new chapter for Aristocrat, and the company plans to unite its global teams and deliver innovative solutions for the future of online gaming. A dedicated website for Aristocrat Interactive will launch on 1 September. 

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OPAP Cyprus Ltd has embarked on a new journey, having signed a Concession Agreement with the Republic of Cyprus. This agreement grants OPAP Cyprus the exclusive rights to conduct, provide, and manage designated games of chance in the Cypriot market for a period of 15 years.

This agreement is in line with the longstanding goals of the Republic of Cyprus, as outlined in the Law on Designated Games of Chance, published in June 2018. The law aims to safeguard public interest, enhance market supervision, combat illegal gambling, and promote responsible gaming. In this context, the National Betting Authority (NBA) of Cyprus has been appointed as the regulatory body overseeing .

The concession came into effect immediately after the NBA issued the relevant licence. The license fee will be paid in 15 annual instalments, calculated based on a specific mathematical formula that also takes into account the annual performance of the games offered by OPAP Cyprus. The first instalment of €4.2 million has already been paid, with subsequent instalments due on 31 January of each licence year.

As per the Law on Designated Games of Chance and the Concession Agreement, the Republic of Cyprus will receive 22.5 percent of OPAP Cyprus’ Furthermore, OPAP Cyprus is obligated to allocate an amount equivalent to 5 percent of its GGR to sponsor sporting, social, and charitable activities within the Republic of Cyprus. The minimum annual proceeds for the Republic of Cyprus are set at €20 million.

Kamil Ziegler, Executive Chairman of OPAP and Chairman of OPAP Cyprus, (pictured above), expressed his satisfaction with the new 15-year Concession Agreement. He emphasized the group’s commitment to continue offering popular games and appealing experiences to customers, supporting shared goals, and implementing impactful social initiatives.

OPAP has been a significant player in the Cyprus market since 1969, offering games that have become top choices for Cypriot customers. These include TZOKER, LOTTO, PROTO, KINO, SUPER 3, EXTRA 5, PROPO, and PROPOGOAL. The company’s network of over 200 stores forms the backbone of its business and is one of the largest commercial networks in the country.

OPAP Cyprus is a responsible partner of the Cypriot society, delivering tangible value to its stakeholders. It has made significant contributions in the field of Health, through meaningful interventions such as donating modern mammography equipment, supporting cancer treatment and awareness with Europa Donna, and standing beside leading health organizations.

In the realm of sports, OPAP Cyprus has institutional partnerships with the Cyprus Sport Organization and the Cyprus Olympic Committee, among others. It supports sport at all levels, from infrastructure to national championships, and even the Cyprus Olympic Team.

In the cultural sector, OPAP Cyprus cooperates actively with the Deputy Ministry of Culture and various cultural organizations to preserve and promote cultural heritage and support the development of the cultural sector. It sponsors a wide range of cultural events and organizations, including the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra Foundation.

In the field of Education, OPAP Cyprus has partnered with the Ministry of Education, Sport, and Youth to benefit Cyprus’ youth. It has implemented impactful initiatives, including providing free meals to thousands of students in rural areas during the major economic crisis, supporting the creation and operation of music and sports schools, strengthening special schools, and supporting innovative programmes that aim to inspire young people in the areas of science, culture, and sports. This commitment to education reflects the company’s belief in the value of investing in the country’s youth, its most valuable asset.

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An IPSOS , published today and commissioned by , reveals strong public support for stricter regulations on gambling advertising in the UK. This push for reform comes amid heightened advertising activity during the Euro 2024 and growing concerns about the impacts of gambling promotions on vulnerable groups, particularly children and problem gamblers.

GambleAware’s survey revealed that ads prompted approximately 40% of problem gamblers to overspend. Additionally, 24% of respondents who had gambled in the past year took gambling-related action after seeing an advert, with this figure rising to 79% among those experiencing gambling problems.

The Betting & Gaming Council (BGC) maintains that there is no established causal link between gambling ads and problem gambling, citing government research. However, GambleAware is challenging the previous government's stance on causation with its new data.

Recent research by GambleAware indicates strong public backing for tighter controls on gambling advertising. The study found that nearly three-quarters of British consumers believe there should be more regulations for gambling ads, with two-thirds feeling there are currently too many.

66% of those surveyed expressed concern about the impact of gambling ads on children, and 61% opposed the presence of gambling logos on football shirts.

GambleAware is advocating for comprehensive restrictions on betting advertisements at sporting events, which includes the removal of sponsorship logos from players' jerseys and all stadium advertisements.

It is also calling for a pre-watershed ban on gambling advertisements across television, radio, and video on demand. Additionally, GambleAware proposes that all gambling adverts should include health warnings to better inform the public about the risks and dangers associated with gambling.

The charity argues that the absence of significant changes in gambling advertising in the recent Gambling Act white paper was a missed opportunity. The charity's CEO, Zoe Osmond, explains that gambling advertising has been largely "overlooked," despite exposing vulnerable groups to harm.

According to the survey, about 64% of those experiencing gambling problems have not spoken to anyone about it, often due to stigma and discrimination. Many feel ashamed or worried about judgement, while others believe they can handle the problem themselves. Despite this, 76% of those who sought help felt better for doing so, and 63% wished they had done so sooner.

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Several DraftKings employees are facing serious allegations after a New York resident, identified in court documents as “John Doe”, claimed his personal information was leaked, resulting in a distressing assault and extortion attempt. This legal dispute has garnered significant public attention.

The incident reportedly began in March 2023 when John Doe, residing in Long Island City, was approached on a subway platform by an assailant who aggressively demanded $500,000. It's alleged that the assailant had been waiting for John Doe outside his apartment for several hours before confronting him at the subway platform.

The lawsuit claims this demand was linked to Gadoon "Spanky" Kyrollos, a prominent figure in sports betting.

John Doe asserts that his sensitive details were obtained through undisclosed means involving employees of DraftKings. According to the lawsuit, DraftKings is accused of exposing John Doe's personal information, including his address, betting history, and financial records, to Kyrollos and potentially others. The plaintiff claims this breach made him vulnerable to threats and physical harm, culminating in a terrifying assault that has left him living in constant fear for his safety.

DraftKings has vehemently denied these accusations, stating there is no evidence that any of its employees leaked confidential customer information. The company's response challenges the allegations as unsubstantiated. DraftKings also reiterated its commitment to customer security and privacy.

A DraftKings spokesman told Sports Handle: “In the complaint, the plaintiff does not identify any DraftKings employee, but rather alleges on ‘information and belief’ that an unknown and unidentified DraftKings employee provided private account information to ‘Spanky’ and to additional unnamed third parties. DraftKings has found no evidence of anyone at DraftKings providing plaintiff’s information to a third-party, and DraftKings denies acknowledging any such “security breach”.”

Spanky Kyrollos to the plaintiff's claims in a social media post. According to Spanky, the anonymous plaintiff and his attorney, Steve Jacobs, are one and the same person.

Spanky claims he had a contentious partnership with Steve Jacobs. He explained that, due to being banned from betting by certain operators, including DraftKings, he relies on bettors like Steve Jacobs to place bets. Despite their allegedly successful collaboration, Spanky claims that Steve Jacobs never shared any of the earnings with him.

This legal battle is linked to broader concerns about the security of personal data in the iGaming industry. With more states legalising and regulating sports gambling, protecting customer information from exploitation has become increasingly crucial. The DraftKings case, regardless of the veracity of the allegations, serves as a reminder of the potential risks individuals face when their information is mishandled.

As the legal proceedings continue, they are likely to spark discussions about regulatory frameworks and corporate responsibilities when it comes to consumer protection and .

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