Gaming review: SiGMA lands a new home in Brazil

In another initiative to protect vulnerable customers, the has confirmed a series of measures that will impose additional checks on online gamblers who lose £500 or more per month, starting from August.

The threshold for these additional checks will be reduced to £150 of online betting losses per month from 28 February of the following year. Furthermore, certain features of online casinos and poker platforms that give players an illusion of control, including “turbo” and “slam stops”, will be banned from 17 January. This ban also extends to autoplay and sounds and visuals that celebrate returns less than or equal to the stake.

These measures follow the publication of a government white paper on gambling reform last year, which proposed a mandatory levy to fund addiction treatment, education, and research, as well as affordability checks and new online slot machine limits.

Impact on Gamblers

From August, operators will use publicly available data to identify customers who might be financially vulnerable. This includes those subject to bankruptcy orders or with a history of unpaid debts. Gambling companies could encourage customers deemed to be at risk from harm to set a deposit limit, or in more extreme cases, limit the amount the customer spends or close their account entirely.

The regulator also announced a pilot of financial assessments for customers at risk of losing large amounts in a short time. The aim is to reduce instances of rapid financial loss.

a charity that supports families bereaved by gambling-related suicide and campaigns for change, said that intervention needs to be early and effective. Carolyn Harris, a Labour MP who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on gambling-related harm, said that the proposals were a step in the right direction, but that stronger action was needed on gambling sponsorship and marketing.

Andrew Rhodes, the chief executive of the Gambling Commission, said the rules were being introduced after a consultation process with customers and other parties. He emphasized the need to balance protecting people from the potentially life-ruining effects of gambling-related harm and respecting the freedom of adults to engage in an activity that the vast majority do so without experiencing harm.

Wynn Macau experienced a remarkable 66.4 percent surge in operating revenues during the first quarter of 2024, reaching almost $1 billion (€930 million). This impressive growth surpassed expectations and overshadowed its other segments.  

Operating revenues soared to $998.645 million (€929.08 million), with significant increases recorded both in the Cotai Strip property (56 percent rise) and on the peninsula (78.5 percent surge), reaching $586.9 million (€546 million) and $411.74 million (€383 million), respectively.  

’s adjusted property EBITDA has more than doubled, rising from $155.8 million (€144.9 million) to $339.55 million (€315.9 million) compared to the previous year, with the company's results leading at $246.26 million (€229.1 million).  

Wynn Palace, the group's Cotai operation, witnessed operating revenues of $586.9 million (€546 million), marking a substantial $217.5 million (€202.35 million) yearly increase. Adjusted property EBITDAR nearly doubled, reaching $202.4 million (€188.3 million).  

The peninsula property contributed significantly to the revenue surge, generating $411.7 million (€383 million) in operating revenues, up $181 million (€168.4 million) yearly, with EBITDAR at $137.2 million (€127.6 million), a strong rise from $44.7 million (€41.5 million) in the first quarter of 2023.  

The increase in operating revenues was primarily driven by higher gaming volumes, increased hotel occupancy, and restaurant covers across the Macau properties.  

Total casino revenue for the , including non-Asian operations, improved by 46.2 percent yearly, totalling $1.12 billion (€1.11 billion), while non-casino revenue increased by 12.9 percent, reaching $741.44 million (€689.79 million). Company-wide revenue surged to $1.86 billion (€1.73 billion), up 30.9 percent yearly.  

Wynn Macau maintained exceptional occupancy rates, with the Cotai property at 98.8 percent and the peninsula property at 99.4 percent, reflecting a significant increase compared to the previous year.  

The group's net income witnessed a substantial increase, reaching $144.2 million (€134.15 million), compared to $12.3 million (€11.4 million) in the same period of last year. Property EBITDAR rose to $654.5 million (€608.9 million), with gains across Wynn Macau, Cotai, and Las Vegas, despite a decrease in Encore Boston Harbor.  

Wynn Macau's exceptional performance in the first quarter of 2024 underscores its strong position in the gaming industry, driven by robust revenue growth and enhanced profitability across its properties.  

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 2 – 5 June. Find all the details .  

In times where digital platforms have become the new marketplace, against the promotion of offshore online betting and gambling platforms by influencers. This move comes in response to the growing concerns over the adverse impacts of online gambling, particularly on the youth.

The Ministry’s advisory is a clear message to social media influencers who have a significant impact on their followers’ behaviours and choices. The advisory warns them against promoting or advertising offshore online betting and gambling platforms. The ministry has highlighted the significant financial and socioeconomic implications of online betting, emphasizing the potential harm it can cause, especially to the younger generation.

The advisory also extends to online advertisement intermediaries, urging them not to target Indian audiences with promotional content related to gambling. In addition, social media intermediaries have been called upon to conduct sensitisation efforts among users, discouraging them from publishing such content.

Non-compliance with the advisory could lead to stringent actions under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. This includes the removal or disabling of social media posts or accounts, along with penal action under applicable statutes.

The advisory draws attention to section 79 of the IT Act, 2000, which exempts intermediaries from liability for third-party information. However, it underscores that this exemption does not apply if intermediaries fail to expeditiously remove or disable access to unlawful material on receiving actual knowledge or notification from the appropriate government or its agency.

Furthermore, the Ministry reiterated the concerns expressed by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) regarding endorsements of betting/gambling platforms by celebrities and influencers. The CCPA had previously cautioned against any direct or indirect advertisement or endorsement of such activities, subjecting them to rigorous scrutiny.

This move by the ministry is a significant step It focuses on responsibility that influencers and intermediaries hold in shaping the digital landscape and the need for them to exercise their influence responsibly. The fight against online gambling is far from over, but with measures like these, we are moving in the right direction.

has announced its decision to divest its B2C Italian brand, Newgioco This strategic move was disclosed in an SEC filing dated 30 April, revealing that the parent company of Newgioco, Multigioco Srl, is set to be acquired by an undisclosed buyer.

The completion of this transaction is contingent upon obtaining regulatory approvals from the Agenzia delle Doganee dei Monopoli (ADM), and clearance from the Italian antitrust competition agency, Autorità Garante della Concorrenzae del Mercato. Once these conditions are met and the sale is approved by an Italian notary, Elys will detail the sale in a future 8-K SEC filing¹.

Newgioco, although not a dominant player in the Italian gaming market, has been operating since 2015 when it first received trademark approval from the Italian authorities. The brand is part of Elys BMG Group’s journey, which saw a rebranding from Newgioco Group to Elys Game Technology in 2020 to better penetrate the burgeoning US sports betting market.

In January 2024, the company underwent another rebranding to become Elys BMG Group. However, in October 2023, Elys was de-listed from the Nasdaq stock exchange due to its share price falling below the $1.00 minimum required by listing rules. Despite this setback, Elys announced its entry into the US B2C space through its newly created SportsBet.com brand in the same month.

Elys’ strategic divestment of Newgioco marks a new chapter in its corporate narrative, reflecting its focus on expanding its footprint in the lucrative US market. This move follows Elys’ market access deal with Caesars in November, which paved the way for the brand to launch in Colorado, its first state.

Elys BMG Group, originally incorporated in 1998, has a rich history in the gaming industry. The company was formerly known as Elys Game Technology, Corp. and changed its name to Elys BMG Group, Inc. in January 2024. The company is based in Toronto, Canada, with its headquarters in Las Vegas, NV.

Elys BMG Group offers a full suite of gaming products and services to clients in Italy, where it processes nearly $1-billion in handle, producing annual revenue of roughly $50 million. The company is developing a rapidly-growing footprint in the U.S., with operations in five states already and new jurisdictions expected, as more states authorize wagering.

The company’s stock price history shows a journey of ups and downs. The latest closing stock price for Elys BMG as of October 2023, was $0.41. Despite being de-listed from the Nasdaq stock exchange in October 2023, the company continues to innovate and expand, particularly in the U.S. market.