Philippines’ new era of online gambling

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) imposed a $100,000 on Live! Casino and Hotel Philadelphia for breaching regulations related to proxy betting.

The violations occurred when several employees at Live! Casino Sportsbook accepted and placed 15 proxy bets totalling $287,421 over eight days for a customer who was not physically present at the casino. The customer claimed  he would arrive later to settle for the bets, which were made via phone calls. These actions violated both casino policies and Pennsylvania state laws, including the Gaming Act, which mandates that wagers must be placed only by the individual making them. Moreover, the bettor never came to the casino to pay for either his bets or the resulting losses.

Following the violations, three sportsbook employees involved in accepting and placing these bets were terminated and had their licenses revoked. The patron responsible for these wagers has been banned from gambling in Pennsylvania and placed on the PGCB's involuntary exclusion list, banning him from placing bets in Pennsylvania casinos.

In response to the violations, Live! Casino Philadelphia reiterated its commitment to compliance and transparency. The casino has implemented several measures to prevent future instances of proxy betting. They have for instance reduced the surveillance notification threshold for wagers to $10,000 to increase oversight. Personal cell phones are now banned within the sportsbook area, and employees have been issued company phones with restricted use. Training programs for staff have been implemented, with increased focus on recognising proxy betting and suspicious activities.

Live! Casino Philadelphia has faced previous regulatory challenges, notably involving the recent arrest by Pennsylvania State Police of five individuals, including a table games dealer, implicated in a cheating scheme aimed at defrauding the casino of over $170,000.

 Summit powered by Soft2Bet, will take place in Budapest from 2-4 September 2024.

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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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 .

 Summit powered by Soft2Bet, will take place in Budapest from 2-4 September 2024.

Sir Philip Davies, considered to be a very prominent figure in the Conservative Party, has been reported to be involved in the controversy involving election betting. The allegations suggest that Davies placed a bet of £8,000 against his own victory in the forthcoming election, a move that has stirred up considerable debate.

Davies, who is vying for the Shipley seat in West Yorkshire, has been a significant player in the UK political scene. His candidature, however, has been overshadowed by the betting scandal. The controversy has raised questions about the ethics of a candidate betting against their own success, and whether such actions could potentially influence the outcome of the election.

When questioned about the alleged bet, Davies responded with a dismissive attitude, stating, “What’s it got to do with you whether I did or didn’t.” He further asserted that the bet was “nobody’s business,” a statement that has only fuelled the ongoing speculation.

Despite the controversy, Davies remains committed to his campaign, expressing his determination to win the election. He stated, “I hope to win. I’m busting a gut to win. I expect to lose.” This paradoxical stance, hoping for victory while expecting defeat, adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Davies has been associated with such a bet. He admitted to having placed a similar bet on himself during the 2005 election, which he ultimately won, causing his bet to “go down the pan.”

In the face of Davies maintains his innocence. He invites anyone who believes he has acted illegally to make their accusations, confident in his assertion that he has not broken any laws.

This incident has cast a spotlight on the issue of election betting, prompting a broader discussion about its implications on the democratic process. As the controversy continues to unfold, the focus remains on Davies and the outcome of his election campaign.

The nature of politics is indeed unpredictable, where even a seasoned politician like Sir Philip Davies has not ben immune to this controversy. As the date for the election approaches, this extraordinary

 Summit powered by Soft2Bet, will take place in Budapest from 2-4 September 2024.