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Adam Cole, the co-founder of the now-defunct Football Index, is back in the spotlight with a new venture, KiX, a footballer trading platform bearing striking resemblances to its predecessor. The collapse of Football Index in 2021 led to users losing an estimated £90 million in virtual averaging losses of about £3,000 per customer, with many losing significantly more.

Cole, (pictured above), who served as the former CEO of Football Index, co-founded the company with Mike Bohan. Despite his silence on social media since a May 2021 statement expressing his devastation over the company’s downfall, Cole has resurfaced as an investor and advisor to KiX. This has been met with disappointment from the victims of Football Index, with campaigner David Hammel describing it as a “real kick in the teeth.”

KiX, like Football Index, allows users to trade in footballers, earning rewards based on their performance. However, KiX operates on a different model and structure, trading footballers in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and using cryptocurrency. While some see this as an exciting and innovative use of technology, others view it as a risky vehicle for financial speculation.

The KiX platform acknowledges the similarities with Football Index but insists it is a completely new platform. Despite Cole’s involvement, a KiX spokesman confirmed that he does not have executive input at the operational or board level. The spokesman also clarified that Cole is not an employee or a shareholder and draws no salary from KiX.

The story of Football Index and KiX serves as a cautionary tale in the world of virtual trading platforms. As the saga continues to unfold, the victims of Football Index are left to grapple with the consequences of their lost investments, while the world watches to see if KiX will follow in its predecessor’s footsteps or chart a new path in the world of football trading.

The downfall of Football Index, a once-promising virtual trading platform, was a complex event triggered by a series of missteps and oversights. BetIndex, the company behind Football Index, misrepresented the nature of their product in their , and failed to report necessary changes to their product. This lack of transparency was compounded by the Gambling Commission’s own lack of regulatory oversight, which failed to scrutinize BetIndex’s product and language thoroughly.

Financial mismanagement played a significant role in the platform’s collapse. Just days before its downfall, Football Index was found to be “minting” and selling new “shares”, a move that raised serious questions about the company’s financial practices. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), too, came under fire for its handling of the case. Criticized for its slow response to requests from the Gambling Commission and inconsistency in messaging on regulatory responsibilities, the FCA’s failure further contributed to the platform’s demise.

At its core, Football Index was a high-risk trading platform, allowing users to trade in derivatives that led to significant financial losses. The platform’s collapse in 2021 resulted in users losing an estimated £90 million in virtual footballer shares. The aftermath of this catastrophic event continues to reverberate, with many former users still feeling the trauma of their lost investments and the impact it has left on their lives.

After nearly three years of rigorous remediation, by the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC). The Chief Commissioner, Philip Crawford, acknowledged Crown’s significant progress and emphasized the need for its sustained commitment to maintaining suitability.

Crown Sydney has undergone a fundamental transformation in its business operations. The NICC’s assessment confirmed that the casino is operating within the parameters of the Act, the suitability deed, and its regulatory obligations. This marks a significant milestone in Crown’s journey, demonstrating its ability to run the casino lawfully.

Beyond legal compliance, Crown has made meaningful strides in other areas of its business. It has fostered a culture of transparency and accountability across its integrated resort, a crucial step in its remediation process.

Despite these positive changes, the NICC remains mindful of the misconduct exposed in 2021 when Crown was deemed unsuitable. Crawford stressed that to do to reach a steady state. The casino must continue to elevate its standards and sustain its cultural transformation.

The NICC itself has evolved as a regulator, now possessing enhanced powers, a singular focus on casinos, and a mandate to mitigate harm. This decision is a testament to Crown’s transformation and a positive outcome for its staff, the community, and Crown Sydney itself.

Crown Sydney has implemented hundreds of new internal controls as part of its reforms, reflecting the Bergin-based recommendations. These reforms have culminated in a new licence and a new regulatory agreement between Crown Sydney, the NSW Government, and the NICC.

The updated agreements include revised settings, such as the removal of restrictions on the NICC’s powers and the elimination of previous compensation trigger clauses from the casino legislation.

Crawford reminded Crown of the responsibility and privilege that accompany a casino licence. Crown Sydney’s future as a destination hospitality and entertainment venue, underpinned by the restricted gaming facility, hinges on its unwavering commitment to continuing suitability, accountability, and compliance.

is currently engaged in discussions with Berjaya and Genting Group regarding the possibility of establishing a casino in Forest City, located in Johor, a state located south of the country and known for beaches and rainforest.  

Forest City, often referred to as the nation's 'ghost city,' was initially unveiled in 2006 as part of a 20-year development project funded by a consortium of primarily mainland Chinese real estate developers. 

The massive $100 billion (€93.5 billion) property project, which also involves the nation's monarch as a shareholder, has garnered attention from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. A recent Bloomberg report said that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held preliminary discussions with Vincent Tan, the founder of Berjaya Corp, and Lim Kok Thay from Genting Group regarding the proposed casino venture. 

Despite the discussions, uncertainties loom over the potential project due to 's predominantly Muslim population and cultural aversion to gambling. The Muslim-majority nation's stance on gambling presents a significant hurdle to the establishment of a casino, raising questions about the feasibility of the proposed venture. 

Notably, the country's King holds a substantial stake of over 20 percent in the Forest City joint venture, which is overseen by developer Country Garden. Additionally, King Ibrahim has interests in Berjaya Assets Bhd, while his daughter serves as the Chair of Berjaya Corp. King Ibrahim recently ascended to the throne in January, adding complexity to the political landscape surrounding potential developments in Forest City. 

If the discussions lead to concrete agreements, the establishment of a casino in Forest City would mark Malaysia's second-ever casino licence. However, the project's realization hinges on navigating cultural sensitivities, regulatory considerations, and political dynamics within the Southeast Asian country. 

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In the first quarter of 2024, theof 0.4 percent, amounting to a total of £307.7 million. This slight growth was facilitated by a 2.7 percent rise in the number of active customers during the quarter, reaching 1.7 million.

The company’s B2C gross winnings revenue (GWR) constituted £297.6 million of the total revenue, marking a 0.1 percent increase. Simultaneously, the company’s underlying EBITDA saw a significant improvement, increasing by 20 percent to £59.3 million.

A noteworthy 84 percent of the GWR was generated from locally regulated markets during the quarter, setting a new record for the company. The CEO, Nils Andén, highlighted this achievement.

Breaking down the total GWR, 64 percent (£191.5 million) originated from Western Europe, marking a 9.9 percent year-on-year increase. The Nordics contributed 22 percent (£65.2 million) to the total GWR, despite a 14.9 percent reduction compared to Q1 2023. Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe accounted for 10 percent (£29.8 million) of the remaining GWR, experiencing a year-on-year drop of 7.7 percent. The final 4 percent (£11.1 million) came from other regions, which saw a decrease of 21.8 percent.

In terms of revenue by vertical, online casino and games led the way, accounting for 56 percent of the revenue. Sports betting followed, generating 39 percent of the GWR. Poker and other products contributed 3 percent and 2 percent to the total, respectively.

The business declared a profit after tax of £31.4 million, marking a substantial 22.7 percent increase from Q1 2023.

CEO Andén commented on the company’s solid start to 2024, with business operations performing well and operational initiatives progressing as planned. He mentioned the headcount reduction plans announced at the end of the previous year were progressing as intended, and the North America exit is set to conclude towards the end of the second quarter this year.

The growth plan launched during the fourth quarter of the previous year, focusing on Europe and Australia, continues at pace with dedicated strategic growth projects across locally regulated markets. Andén also expressed excitement for the upcoming summer of sports, including the UEFA Euros, the Copa America, and the Paris Olympics.

Looking beyond the end of the quarter, the business provided a trading update up to and including 21 April. The average daily gross winnings revenue for the group was £3.5 million during the period, 6 percent ahead of the daily average in Q2 2023. Excluding North America, gross winnings revenue was up 8 percent year-on-year.

The operator’s sports betting margin after free bets for the period was 11.3 percent, in line with Q2 2023 but ahead of the group’s long-term average of 9.8 percent.

The company continues to The deal was approved by the Swedish Financial Market Supervisory Authority in February, but still requires several regulatory approvals before going ahead, as well as amendments to Kindred’s articles of association.