Top Sport handed €25,000 fine in Lithuania

Delegates at Malta Week got to enjoy a night of gripping bouts at the Centurion-FC cage, TaQali. Centurion-FC hosts earth-shattering MMA bouts Centurion-FC, in collaboration with SiGMA Group, has put up yet another stellar display of MMA prowess. Joining the festivities at Malta Week, a lot of work and organization was put forward to make the night a success. The event took place on the 16th of November, the penultimate night of the SiGMA and AGS Europe Summits. From the spectacle of fighters being carried to the cage by Roman Centurion Soldiers to raw strength and emotion expressed in the ring, Centurion FC showcased all facets of this great sport as part of the event. This evening saw many prominent athletes of the European scene putting up a great show and exciting the audience present. [caption id="attachment_738597" align="aligncenter" width="492"] Winners of the five bouts fought throughout the night.[/caption] Who's Who? Roberto Gallo Roberto Gallo is the MMA force of nature behind Centurion-FC. With the sport pumping in his very veins, the MMA legend founded Centurion with an undefeatable goal in his mind. The vision is to super-size MMA in southern Europe. In 2017, Gallo's mission was to assemble quality fight cards by identifying high calibre fighters, training the competitors and arranging every aspect of tournament logistics. A few years down the line, he pivoted Centurion-FC from pure event promoter to gaming affiliate. Catch Gallo and the Centurion story in the latest digital issue of the SiGMA Magazine.

The significant yet seamless move will be achieved by bringing together sportsbook providers, a live stream platform and betting operators, integrating them all on one synchronised area of Centurion's soon to be relaunched site. - Roberto Gallo, Founder of Centurion-FC

Head over to the Hilton Hotel for the AIBC and Med-Tech World Summits The SiGMA and AGS Europe Summits may have come to an astonishing conclusion on the 16th, but Malta Week is not over yet! Head over to the Hilton Hotel, Saint Julians for KOL-led conferences covering the latest developments from the massive digital health and emerging tech industries. Don't have a ticket? Benefit from all of this and premium networking opportunities by hopping onto the bandwagon and getting your ticket now! The AIBC and Med-Tech World Europe Summits are taking place between the 16th and 18th of November at the Hilton Hotel, Saint Julians, Malta. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrSWHbmNjr0

Gibtelecom expands footprint through establishing a presence in Malta connected to its extensive global network. The Malta operations will offer hosting, managed solutions, and a full suite of cloud services. A dedicated Business Development Manager has been appointed in Malta, with a wealth of  experience in iGaming and the Maltese business environment. Gibtelecom, a global provider of data centre facilities, managed solutions and cloud services, has launched a full suite of services from its latest ‘point of presence’ in Malta. This cements Gibtelecom’s position as a trusted provider of co-location and cloud services to the iGaming and wider business community, including financial services and communications. Gibtelecom, headquartered in Gibraltar, currently operates cloud hubs and hosting facilities in Gibraltar, London, Dublin, Malta and Malaysia. Its points of presence are connected via a private global network to provide truly global service capabilities across three continents. The facility, which offers hosting, managed solutions (including managed security) and a full range of cloud services, will be connected directly to the company’s core network. This ensures established links for Maltese businesses with their operations in Asia, Europe and the Middle East and to other leading Tier 1 providers. Built to Tier III specifications the data centre facilities are PCI and ISO:27001 compliant and connected to a redundant resilient global IP backbone. The rules of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) require that, whilst remote gaming operators may have their equipment and servers located anywhere in the EU/EEA, there still needs to be a live copy of any databases including player information and financial and gaming transactions within Malta itself. This is a requirement in order to obtain a Maltese gaming license. With decades of experience servicing the iGaming industry, Gibtelecom’s services are fully compliant with the Maltese gaming regulations, making it a great solution for Malta-based operators. Gibtelecom prides itself on being a responsive, agile partner to its business customers, with industry-leading support SLAs and dedicated account managers and pre-sales consultants. It has recently strengthened its sales team with the appointment of an experienced iGaming professional as its Malta-based Business Development Manager. Andrea Thorvaldsen has a decade long career in the iGaming industry, including setting up a gaming operation in Malta, and has worked with many leading organisations and regulatory authorities on the island. During this time, she has gained a true understanding of what the industry needs. Andrea said “It’s really exciting to join an expanding organisation that provides global solutions for some of the world’s biggest iGaming brands. I look forward to working with the wider Gibtelecom team to support our clients with our world class end-to-end solutions and providing truly tailored offerings to meet their requirements. Malta is a leading jurisdiction for iGaming and we can offer a wide range of services with a global network designed to maximise performance and security and a high performing suite of cloud services.” Gibtelecom’s Head of Sales and Business Development, Gareth Hooson-Owen said “We’ve been preparing the building blocks for a Malta launch for some time to ensure that we offer best-in-class services designed to meet the needs of the industry. We are sure that Andrea’s knowledge of the local business and iGaming communities, paired with her international experience, make her the ideal candidate for our growing business and for the success of the Maltese operation. She will be backed by an experienced and highly skilled Gibtelecom team providing round-the-clock support.” About Gibtelecom Gibtelecom is Gibraltar’s leading telecommunications provider.  Its products and services are of the highest standard, on par with global telecommunications leaders. Its influence spreads beyond Gibraltar. With leading edge technologies and 24x7x365 support, Gibtelecom has embarked on a global datacentre and network expansion strategy. International expansion of its hosted datacentre services for enterprise customers and private, public, and hybrid cloud services, positions Gibtelecom as a global player. Its global network backbone is built on the Europe India Gateway (EIG). This submarine cable system stretches from London to Mumbai, with onward connections into Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Over the last decade, the organisation has invested heavily in technology and infrastructure. This drive has established Gibtelecom as the carrier of choice in Gibraltar and allowed for new and exciting possibilities in the local and international market.   THE 300 SPARTANS: After triumphing in key locations across Asia and Europe, AGS is flying 300 top affiliates to Malta, for an all inclusive deluxe trip. The event will happen alongside SiGMA, 14-18th November, during SiGMA Europe. Read more about the 300 Spartans here.

BLOX has announced a partnership with up and coming slot game developer Gamzix, adding even more variety to its offering

One of the hottest new game developers out there, Gamzix was established in January 2020 by a seasoned team of industry professionals, and has since released a flurry of exciting slots, ranging from the classic fruit themed Burning Power and 40 Chilli Fruits, through to the video game inspired Hot Life and toon-style The Lion.

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The curtains have closed on the EUROs but there are still a number of major sporting events waiting to happen in 2021 Wondering what to try your luck on after the Euros came to a rousing end last Sunday? Do not fret, it's not just about what European footballers get up to. In fact, there's a pretty packed calendar going on, offering enthusiasts some exciting options in terms of betting on your favourite sport, even if that happens to be football. (more…)

Betwinner has just closed a partnership with ESPN to promote its brand on Sportscenter, a daily program about national and international sports highlights Under the agreement with ESPN, for four months Betwinner will be daily in the SportsCenter program, with its QR Code, as a way of branding and for interaction with its customer base. (more…)

Directory for iGaming affiliates and operators AffPapa has announced its new partnership with online gaming operator BetitAll The operator is owned by entrepreneurs and former professional poker players who have over 20 years of experience in the industry. The company prides itself with the offering of exceptional quality, speed and efficiency. (more…)

The jackpot slot offers multiple ways for players to win big with five winning opportunities, including Rapid, Midi, Maxi, Major and Mega Jackpots Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of unique content has unveiled its Dream Drop Jackpots product, a five-tiered progressive jackpot slot designed to revolutionise slot gameplay, offering players the biggest must-hit jackpot to date. Enabled by the Relax Apex™ platform, the jackpot offers multiple ways for players to win big with five winning opportunities, including Rapid, Midi, Maxi, Major and Mega Jackpots, all of which lead to a guaranteed hit. Relax will level up the Dream Drop every two wins, increasing the overall maximum prize by €500,000. This cycle will continue until the Mega Jackpot reaches an astonishing maximum of €10,000,000. The first game to feature the Dream Drop Jackpots will be the highly anticipated sequel to Temple Tumble, Temple Tumble 2, which will be released on May 4^th, 2022. Additionally, Dream Drop Jackpots will be underpinned with an impressive 1,000,000 euro launch campaign following its launch. It’s expected that Dream Drop Jackpots will also be added to a wide range of leading titles from Relax Gaming’s award-winning catalogue by the end of 2023. Heralding the release of Dream Drop Jackpots, Simon Hammon, Relax Gaming CPO, said: “This is without a doubt one of the biggest product launches that Relax Gaming has ever announced. We’re incredibly proud to enter the jackpot space with a highly unique product, underpinned by our strong technology and commitment to drive differentiation.” Daniel Eskola, Relax Gaming Deputy CEO, added: “Early on in the creative process, we decided that a classic legacy type jackpot was off the table, as the market is already saturated with multiple jackpots like this. “With Dream Drop Jackpots, players will experience the most heart-racing jackpot on the market thanks to the multimillion must win element. Operators with Dream Drop will have an extremely powerful tool for acquisition and retention. “The reception and feedback we’ve received from operators so far has been phenomenal and we have high hopes that this launch could be the future of jackpots” Relax now offers its partners more than 3,000 online casino games, featuring headline slots from its in-house studios along with a vast collection of content aggregated through its Silver Bullet and Powered By Relax partnership programmes. Recognised by the industry as a true driver of differentiation, Relax Gaming has won a host of industry honours in recognition of its innovative approach. The studio celebrated more than 15 major award wins last year, including “Casino Content Supplier” at the 2021 EGR Nordic Awards, as well as “Casino Software Supplier” and “Innovation in Mobile” at the EGR B2B 2021 Awards.

About Relax Gaming

Relax Gaming Group was founded in 2010 with the goal of simplifying B2B content delivery for the modern iGaming landscape. With business simplicity and collaboration central to its ethos, its rapid and sustained expansion has been conceived in order to deliver unparalleled global reach. Via a quick one-time integration, Relax Gaming now provides access to a roster of 3000+ casino games and a diverse range of proprietary products, including Poker, Bingo and its own extensive slot portfolio. High-quality aggregated content from more than 75 partner studios, is provided through its selected Silver Bullet (commercially represented) and Powered By Relax (commercially independent) partners. Regulated markets are also at the heart of its growth strategy, with licenses held in multiple jurisdictions including: the Malta Gaming Authority, the Gibraltar Licensing Authority, the UK Gambling Commission and the Romanian National Gaming Office (ONJN). In addition to licensed operations, Relax Gaming fully supports regulated markets such as Denmark, Sweden, Estonia and Latvia. Relax Gaming was acquired by the Kindred Group in July 2021, valuing the company in excess of 300 million Euros. The acquisition accelerates Kindred’s strategy to increase its focus on product and customer experience, as well as strengthening Kindred’s product control and product differentiation capabilities.   Join us for SiGMA Americas – Toronto: Toronto is the perfect hub for SiGMA’s growth in North America, making it a nexus of networking and business development in the region with regards to land-based, iGaming, sports betting, and more. Playing host to a massive iGaming industry, Toronto will be the home for the SiGMA Group’s initiative to link the industry pioneers of the continent together for 3 days of networking, workshops, and awards. To learn more about sponsorship and speaking opportunities or to inquire about attending the event, please contact Sophie on [email protected].

Innovative sports betting supplier BETBY has continued the growth of its esports offering Gamingtec, one of the fastest growing turnkey and white label providers in the iGaming industry, already features BETBY’S sportsbook product in its portfolio and will now be joined by the supplier’s growing esports offering. (more…)

Survey on the German gambling treaty

Back in September 2020, the German gambling regulatory authorities suggested the introduction of new restrictions on whether on not online casinos in Germany would be able to operate and whether to allow online casinos to exist in Germany at all

The proposed “Glücksspielneuregulierungstaatsvertrag” legislation, or “GlüNeuRStV” as it is more well known, proposed that casinos licensed by German regulatory authorities were given 3 months to implement and comply with the necessary changes required by the introduction of GlüNeuRStV. The GlüNeuRStV was finally approved by the minister presidents in November 2020, meaning that by July 2021, the legislation would officially become part of German Law.

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The Dutch casino regulator says Holland Casino was told to stop advertising its physical properties online, as the two licenses are different. The regulator - the Ksa - found in October last year that Holland Casino’s online offering also contained links to information about the group’s land-based casino locations. It said that under the Remote Games of Chance Decree, an online license holder may not advertise services and goods other than those for which the license is granted.  The Ksa said the decision could only be published this month due to pending procedures. It gave no further details.  Holland Casino has a monopoly in the Netherlands for land-based casino games. It operates 14 casinos across the country. The Ksa said the operator has since taken measures to remedy the situation.  The Netherlands opened its market to online gambling from October last year. The legal online gambling market was estimated to be worth €596.7 million from January to July 2022 and is expected to grow further as more licenses are granted. The Ksa has been actively enforcing measures to enhance player protection and has been particularly focusing on advertising.  Ahead of the World Cup it warned operators against irresponsible advertising, while it has also moved to ban the use of celebrities in gambling ads. This includes soccer players, influencers and models.

A report commissioned by the BGC finds that gambling in Britain contributed £7.7bn to the economy in 2019 According to an Ernest & Young (EY) report commissioned by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the gambling industry contributed £7.7bn to the economy in 2019. The report was made in bid to uncover the extent to which COVID-19 pandemic impacted the industry. (more…)

Join the fun and get fit while saving the planet with SiGMA Foundation (more…)

Esports Entertainment says it’s looking for a new CEO, who will be responsible for setting a new strategic direction for the group, including a possible sale of its iGaming assets. The Malta-based company confirmed earlier this week that its CEO Grant Johnson has left the company. It also announced the appointment of Jan Jones Blackhurst as chair of the board and an independent director.  “Grant recognized the value of esports and online gambling and founded EEG on that basis,” Jones Blackhurst said. “On behalf of the Board, we wish him well. The company is looking forward to bringing in new leadership to work with Board to realize the full potential of our acquired esports businesses." Esports Entertainment said it had begun a strategic assessment of options for the iGaming business. This includes a potential sale due to increasing regulatory burdens and competition.  The strategic options also include a potential merger with a third-party. Esports Entertainment said it had recently received a non-binding letter of intent and is evaluating the proposal. The combined company would focus on growing esports revenues, it said.  In an effort to cut costs, Esports Entertainment has already announced the sale of its Spanish online casino business, which is expected to close on Monday. The proceeds will be used mostly to pay down principal on a senior convertible note. It has also announced that it is closing the Argyll iGaming operations in the U.K. due to the high costs of operation in the markets and an inability to generate profits there.  Esports Entertainment earlier this week said it has managed to retain its listing on the U.S. NASDAQ stock exchange. However, it will need to comply with certain NASDAQ requirements by the end of March next year. 

888 Holdings has reached an agreement to buy William Hill's European business from casino giant Caesars Entertainment.

The landmark deal will include William Hill’s 1,400 UK betting shops which will see the online-only 888 move into the retail channel for the first time. Although many U.K. companies have closed their physical stores after government crackdowns made them less profitable, 888 plans to keep them operational.

[caption id="attachment_147244" align="alignright" width="263"] 888 CEO, Itai Pazner[/caption]

Chief Executive Officer Itai Pazner said in an interview.

“It’s a stable business, positive cash flow, profitable — very profitable — so I see no reason not to keep it, and keep investing in it,” he said by phone, referring to the brick-and-mortar stores. “It’s obviously not a significant growth business, but it is a very stable business.”

888 has been a relatively small player in a U.K. betting market dominated by the likes of Flutter Entertainment Plc and Entain Plc. The deal will allow 888 to use the William Hill brand everywhere apart from the U.S, combining a group of more than 12,000 employees with an estimated savings of around £100m a year, along with the potential to increase revenue with enhanced customer proposition and product offerings.
The operator said the acquisition would give it "significantly enhanced exposure to sports betting, the world's largest and fastest-growing online segment, with the addition of an iconic sports brand".

“The acquisition of William Hill International is a transformational and hugely exciting moment in 888’s history,” 888 chief executive Itai Pazner said. “This transaction will create one of the world’s leading online betting and gaming groups with superior scale, exceptional brands, increased diversification, and a platform for strong growth.”

“William Hill is an iconic sports brand, making it the ideal complement to 888, one of the leading global online gaming brands. Our strategies are also complementary, being digitally-led, customer-focused, and committed to player protection and raising industry standards around safer gambling.”

Caesars Entertainment

Caesars Entertainment purchased William Hill nearly a year ago for $3.7bn as part of a wider consolidation, which saw several U.S. companies snap up London-listed groups to gain the upper hand on the fast-growing US market after the supreme court legalised sports betting in 2018. Caesar’s lack of interest in William Hill’s high-street shops or non-US online operations prompted a bidding war involving Apollo Capital Management and CVC Capital Partners along with 888.

“We have found an owner for the William Hill business outside the U.S. which shares the same objectives, approaches and longer-term ambitions of that business," Caesars CEO Tom Reeg said.

Funding

888 successfully gained £2.1bn in fully committed debt financing from JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley and Mediobanca, including £1.6bn of term loans and £500m of bridge loans/senior secured notes in order to fund the deal. The online gambling firm also obtained a fully committed revolving credit facility of £150m and will attempt to raise £500m by issuing new equity via a capital raise in the near future.

What's Next  

The Acquisition is classified as a reverse takeover under the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") as such it remains subject to a host of approvals of 888’s shareholders. The betting company has already revealed that it secured the backing of its largest shareholder, its founders’ Dalia Shaked Trust, which holds a 23% stake in the operator. Additionally, 888 and Caesars must also finalise an agreement with Caesars over the restructuring of the William Hill US and non-US businesses.

Subject to satisfying all of these conditions, 888 hopes to finalise the purchase during the first half of 2022.

“We have been incredibly impressed with the William Hill management team, and I look forward to working with them and the wider William Hill team to create great products for our customers, driven by best in class technology, powerful brands, and benefitting from our significantly enhanced scale,” Pazner added.

SiGMA Americas Virtual 2021:

The turnover tax on betting operators will remain in place until at least December 2021, or until yearly quotas are reached MPs in Italy have approved the introduction of a 0.5% turnover tax on licensees’ sports betting turnover to fund the recovery of the country’s sports following the COVID-19 lockdowns. (more…)

The virtual Careers Fair will tackle issues of recruitment and retention in the gaming industry and provide a valuable resource for HR managers looking to target more niche areas of employment In association with whyiGaming, the upcoming SiGMA Virtual Expo, which runs from the 24th to the 25th of November will include a dedicated area on its floor plan for recruitment purposes. (more…)

SoftSwiss is excited to announce that SoftSwiss Game Aggregator has finished the integration with Zillion

The game developer with a fast-growing portfolio of progressive and renovational casino titles. Zillion’s game portfolio will now be added to the SoftSwiss library, joining more than 11,000 different casino games from global leading game providers.

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In the wake of the Titan exploration’s disaster, it has been discovered that over $300,000 was wagered over the mini submarine’s fate. When the Titan submarine suffered a presumed water pressure-induced implosion, bets soon flooded in against numerous variables related to the submersible’s re-discovery or survival. Winners and losers Unfortunately, those who bet against the finding of the Titan sub and the passenger's survival were far better off once the extensive search mission yielded debris from the vessel 1,600ft from the wreckage of RMS Titanic, the exploration’s subject. This halted rescue efforts as in addition to this debris, the estimated available oxygen supply was believed to have run out on the 23rd of June, prior to the discovery. Polymarket The wagers in question were placed on the cryptocurrency platform, Polymarket, with many obscenely betting on instances such as the submersible never being found and the mortality of those on board. Criticisms and condemnations This wagering activity unsurprising drew heavy critical attention, particularly on the social media platform Twitter, where users condemned the gamblers for in no uncertain terms profiting off tragedy. One such tweet read, 'what stage of capitalism is investing in someone's death,” and another 'actually insane. Imagine making money off if someone is gonna die or not.' Even a gambler who partook in the market claiming to have profited $3,250, had this to say on the matter:

The markets are fundamentally immoral. There's no ethical consumption under capitalism.

Defences and rebuttals Digressing from his earlier statements, the gambler in question also took the view that, unlike markets that are consistently accepted be immoral, such as buying defence or oil stocks, betting on the submersible had no effect on the outcome. Polymarket also made this statement against the backlash:

If the families were privy to Polymarket, they could use the market as a way to obtain real-time, unbiased probability of the submarine being recovered.

The crypto market would go on to explain how this was a far more valuable service to the victim’s families than the media coverage that followed the submersible, invasively describing it as “sensationalist”. Arguing that Polymarket itself was proving true probabilities. SiGMA Europe SiGMA Europe will return this November, promising to be bigger and better than ever. Bringing a wildly diverse wealth of knowledge, industry leading innovations and insights along with a phenomena of premium networking opportunities. https://youtu.be/7zzScAToCeY

Malta-based Betsson has been granted a seven-year license for online gaming and betting in Greece Betsson has been granted an entry into the Greek gambling market by the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) and will be launching its flagship brand in the next coming weeks, the company announced.  (more…)

Relax Gaming is in the process of opening seven new offices over the next 12 months to accommodate its rapidly increasing workforce

The supplier has recently opened an office in Gibraltar after receiving a B2B gaming licence from the Licensing Authority and is soon to establish a base in Stockholm to complement its Malmö office and further cement its presence in the Swedish market.

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Oddspedia is looking to be the biggest community of sports fans and bettors from all around the world

Currently, the company has the ambition to take this role for the casinos fans as well. One of the most expensive domains, Casino.online, is part of the portfolio of the company. The super domain had a history with a sale price for $201,250.

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Nektan is believed to have “breached conditions of its licence” The UKGC has suspended Nektan's licence following a pending investigation into its Gibraltar-based business after investigations lead to the regulator concluding that the company was in breach of its licence. Nektan is the British-facing B2C arm of the gambling business that was sold by administrators in early 2020. The gaming regulator said that the business was unsuitable to carry on the licensed activities, and the licensed activities are being or have been carried on in a manner which is inconsistent with the licensing objectives. Nektan's UK bingo and online casino licences is still pending a formal investigation. Until the process of the investigation goes through, the regulator has suspended their licence 'until such time as the operator can satisfy the Commission it is operating compliantly”. (more…)

UK gambling giant William Hill has announced a collaboration with a reality television show "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here" that is being filmed in South Africa. A number of celebrities will be participating including musician Shaun Ryder, boxer Amir Khan, Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell, Diversity dancer Jordan Banjo, model Janice Dickinson, sportsman Phil Tufnell, Olympian Fatima Whitbread and TV Presenter Carol Vorderman. The show will have a new format this season with the absence of the very popular voting open to the public and will be hosted by Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.

It is quite brutal this year - it's slightly different to the show we did in Australia because the celebrity contestants go head to head in trials and whoever loses leaves," Ant and Dec- Media personalities and hosts of "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here"

Gain in traction for betting activity Betting has always been popular with television shows that have a competitive element such as the Eurovision. However with the waning interest in the Eurovision over the last ten years, there has also been a marked decline in betting during the show, once a much-awaited event by tv audiences. While Eurovision and some other shows have typically experienced a downturn in betting interest, other TV programmes are clearly seeing an increase in traction in recent years. There are a number of other UK reality tv shows sponsored by William Hill such as BBC Sports Personality of the Year and Love Island. William Hill is also offering tips on what kind of behaviour to expect from contestants of the show. The show's fans and seasoned tv audiences were therefore not surprised when William Hill announced the partnership with the South Africa series of this show, its first series filmed in South Africa. William Hill promises exciting content, exclusive interviews and great betting tips during the duration of the series which will conclude in three weeks' time. Recovery after a record-breaking fine William Hill recently was hit with a record-breaking £23.9 million penalty by the UK Gambling Commission. It has been an eye-opening experience for the company. After such a huge financial loss as a result of the fine, the Company is working on avoiding any similar reputational risks in the future. Partnering with a much-loved, high profile show will certainly help William Hill's customers gain confidence in the brand. The good publicity through its partnership with the tv show will bring back the company's positive exposure to the forefront. I’m A Celebrity South Africa I’m A Celebrity: South Africa started to air on Monday this week. The show will continue to air each weekday at 9pm GMT via ITV in the UK and is also available online for international audiences. The series will go on for three weeks, with a grand finale on Friday, 12 May. There will be many more celebrities taking part in the series but viewers will have to watch to find out who they are and when they will enter camp. Related topics: Overcoming identity verification in Brazilian gaming sector SiGMA Insight: Paving the way for ESG in the gaming sector SiGMA Insight: Gaming in Thailand STOP PRESS:  SiGMA Americas – World iGaming Festival will take place in Sao Paolo from 14 -18 June.  

Swedish gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, has been authorised the utilisation of some new measures as a component of the Nordic nation’s efforts to protect the public from all threats derived from illicit gambling activity through stringent regulatory action. Under this new directive the Spelinspektionen will be allowed to purchase gambling services under an anonymous circumstance in order to improve standards and test fail safes with regards to the operation of gambling activities. On the other side of the coin, payment service providers will be permitted to block various transactions such as bets and payment of winnings to and from unlicensed gaming companies as part of these regulatory alterations. Additionally gaming companies will be obliged to disclose any information regarding their activities to the police in connection with any gambling related criminal investigations. These include most notably, the threat of money laundering and gambling addiction. Attempts have also been made within the framework of these modifications to protect professional sport from the long standing issue of match-fixing. As a result, the storage and dissemination of personal data will be accommodated for. These enactments come in lieu of the recently announced plan from the Swedish government to encourage greater regulatory collaboration between Spelinspektionen and Finansinspektionen, Sweden’s financial supervisory authority. This collaboration is being motivated in the hopes that these regulatory bodies can, together, enhance the ongoing efforts to ensure greater control and observation related to monetary transactions derived from gambling operations. In their initial call for this particular co-operation, the Swedish government made reference to new powers that had been issued and made light of the powers that were to follow, including the dual actions highlighted in this article. The Spelinspektionen director, Camilla Rosenberg, made this statement on the matter:

The strengthened cooperation with the financial supervisory authority will provide good conditions for all tools to be used efficiently, which we see as positive.

[caption id="attachment_840898" align="alignleft" width="300"] Sveriges riksdag, Stockholm, Sweden.[/caption] To support this new push towards regulatory improvement, the Swedish government also confirmed that a funding boost would be afforded to Spelinspektionen to aid the strengthening of their powers. The figure estimated at something close to SEK2.4 million formed part of the spring 2023 budgetary amendment which is expected to be passed in June. This push comes as a direct result of the Enhanced Gambling Regulations Bill, passed into law back in November. Seeking to alter the landscape of Swedish gaming in its entirety, which regardless of result will most certainly require effective and timely regulatory protections for problem gamblers. SiGMA Europe SiGMA Europe will return this November, promising to be bigger and better than ever. Bringing a wildly diverse wealth of knowledge, industry leading innovations and insights along with a phenomena of premium networking opportunities. https://youtu.be/7zzScAToCeY

In collaboration with Beating Hearts Foundation Malta, RE/MAX & Friends Foundation Malta has created the perfect corporate gift for Christmas with the publication of an exclusive coffee table book that will raise funds for the purchase of much-needed equipment to detect congenital heart disease (CHD) during pregnancy

Founded by the real estate company, the foundation focuses on supporting children with chronic disease. In collaboration with Beating Hearts Foundation Malta, RE/MAX & Friends Foundation has now published an exclusive coffee table book that will raise funds for the purchase of much-needed equipment to detect congenital heart disease (CHD) during pregnancy.

Speaking of the coffee table book, RE/MAX & Friends Foundation board member Jeff Buttigieg (seen left) says:

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BeyondPlay, a B2B startup that has found its niche in building next-generation engagement software for online gaming operators, has received an additional US $6.2 million from a diverse group of established industry investors. The round was led by Bettor Capital, a US-based early-stage venture capital firm that is focussed on software and technology providers in the gaming sector. BeyondPlay has received funds in a series of stages. The single seed round and initial funding of US $1.86 million came in April 2021 from LeoVentures, the venture arm of LeoVegas, known for its strategic investment in companies with a global potential. Tigrim Capital, Winforton Investments, and a few other entities have stepped in to supplement BeyondPlay's latest finance round. Feda Mecan, Mark Blandford, and Alexandre Tomic, who have a track record of investing in successful enterprises such as Alea Gaming, BlueRibbon, Fliff, Future Anthem, Gaming Realms, and KaFe Rocks, have also participated the second stage investment. Multi-operator expansion Following the funding round, BeyondPlay has announced that David VanEgmond, founder and CEO of Bettor Capital has joined the board of directors. VanEgmond started his career at Barstool Sports and FanDuel. He joins a strong lineup that includes Daniel Burns of Oakvale Capital.

BeyondPlay continues to innovate, developing exciting technology for the online casino market. The company’s software provides more fun and engaging experiences to consumers through jackpots and emerging multiplayer capabilities that make any content playable with friends. We are thrilled to back BeyondPlay’s team of experienced industry professionals, including a founder and leader in the online casino space like Karolina, as the company takes its next steps in its journey to launch.” David VanEgmond, Founder and CEO - Bettor Capital

BeyondPlay's expansion programme will be supported by strategic investment, with a focus on completing the final phase of its revolutionary Multiplayer software and extending the product offering with new features and verticals into new sectors. Funds will be used to enhance BeyondPlay's team in preparation for the various launches planned for 2023/24, with a particular emphasis on entering North American markets. And yet another milestone

This is another major milestone for BeyondPlay, and we’re excited to have secured the confidence and support of such reputable and knowledgeable investors. A combination of Bettor Capital’s leading strategic expertise and the mindsets and experience of some of the industry’s most successful serial entrepreneurs will take our growth to the next level." Karolina Pelc, Founder and CEO - Beyond Play

Pelc added that the company's funding target exceeded expectations and this is proof of the hard work and dedication of BeyondPlay as a team. She added that balanced risks are needed for innovation and the company's momentum towards expansion has been recognised and trusted by the interest from investors. Only a few weeks ago, BeyondPlay was granted a Remote Casino Host and Gambling Software Licence by the British Gambling Commission in addition to the B2B Critical Supply Licence granted by the Malta Gaming Authority in December 2022. Additional license applications are currently being processed as the start-up prepares for the first of many planned operator launches. Related topics: Milestone for Karolina Pelc as BeyondPlay acquires UKGC licence

When it comes to betting on esports in Italy, there have been some important markers of progress over the past 2 years. Non-endemic organisations have increased their involvement in Italian esports, the FIFA esports landscape is changing and there have been some rocky but successful steps on the regulation front. Dasha Kirilishina, Senior Sales Manager at PandaScore takes a deeper look. Nuances to the Italian esports betting market [caption id="attachment_796854" align="alignleft" width="199"] Dasha Kirilishina, Senior Sales Manager at PandaScore.[/caption] Every market has its own nuances, be it regulation, bettor tastes, marketing opportunities and more. Italy shares many of the benefits of other European jurisdictions, but comes with key nuances that impact esports betting. The most notable caveat for the Italian market is the absence of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). Current legislation means that operators cannot offer CS:GO, the most popular esport for betting across the globe. Despite this, there are strong followings in the country around League of Legends, one of the other ‘Big 3’ esports betting titles, as well as an incredibly passionate FIFA scene. While Counter-Strike being off the table for operators targeting Italy is a drawback, one silver lining is that you can devote those marketing and acquisition resources elsewhere. CS:GO ordinarily commands a decent chunk of your esports betting marketing spend (and rightly so), but with those resources freed up, there are greater opportunities for more interesting and engaging campaigns across other popular titles. Additionally, the large-scale ban on gambling advertising in Italy dating back to 2018 might seem like a restriction, but actually puts Italian operators in an advantageous position when they market esports betting. Many operators in the Italian market pivoted to building out media and content wings as a means of reaching their target audience, including partnering with leading football clubs to create sports content. These kinds of operations are exactly what esports bettors are interested in and resonate within almost every market, meaning Italian operators already have the blueprint for creating engaging esports betting campaigns. Sports simulation huge in Italy Esports tastes in Italy are a little different to what you might find elsewhere in Europe, with sports simulation games proving to be much more popular. Football-simulation titles like FIFA is a staple in the Italian esports scene, with many domestic and international esports teams fielding esports teams, often in partnership with big football clubs. One recent example is the Italian esports organisation Mkers partnering with football giant Inter Milan. The Nerazurri see it as an important step in engaging with younger audiences, while Mkers welcome the additional resources, infrastructure and collaboration. Considering game publisher Electronic Arts (EA) announced that it will no longer make FIFA-branded football games, instead producing its own branded game, it’s likely we’ll see a split in football simulation esports across the newly branded EA Sports FC title and Konami’s eFootball title. The changing landscape of football simulation esports is one that suppliers and operators alike are watching closely. We’re seeing Italy already take early steps in this direction, with a Coppa eFootball Italia tournament being announced late last year. The competition serves as an activation for 7 leading Italian clubs, including AC Milan, AC Monza, AS Roma, Atalanta, Inter Milan, Lazio, and Napoli, with a youth player, esports pro and selected fan all forging a team to compete for the cup. Regulation has come around, with a bit of controversy Italy made headlines across the gambling and esports spheres last year when the regulator shut down several esports gaming halls and seized their equipment, including gaming PCs, for allegedly breaching iGaming VLT regulations. Following a review by the Italian Undersecretary of Finance, it was found that the breach was the result of unclear regulation – a gaming PC isn’t the same as a physical slot machine. Good has come out of this, with recognition of esports and more specific regulation on the cards. Clearer definitions of what esports is will have positive benefits for operators, who will have clear guidelines to follow just as they do with offering sports betting. This is in contrast to many other jurisdictions where esports is in an in-between space, or regulated on an event-by-event basis like in the US, putting Italy in a good position to harness the popularity of esports in the country.

Spain are imposing stringent restrictions which will see gambling operators unable to sponsor sports organizations. Advertisements on TV can air after midnight only Spain are imposing new draconian like restrictions on gambling companies. These new regulations mean that gambling companies will only be able to advertise under strict and rigorous rules.   (more…)

The new deal will see Superbet access the Belgian market through Napoloeon Sports & Casino Romania-based, Superbet, has struck a deal to acquire outright the shares of Napoleon Sports & Casino from its current owner - investment fund Waterland Private Equity investments. The M&A deal is in line with Superbet's aim to continue to grow across Europe and beyond as the new acquisition has helped them gain access to the regulated Belgian market. Superbet's chief executive, Johnny Hartnett expressed his delight at the deal, which apart from allowing access to a newly regulated market - Superbet will also take on & welcome Napoleon's staff. (more…)

Fast Track adds BlueRibbon’s innovative, product-agnostic jackpot solution to its portfolio of third-party Alliances Fast Track has been building a portfolio of different integrations to enable operators to manage all aspects of their communications and rewards from within the Fast Track Platform. These diverse ‘Alliances’ include suppliers such as Enteractive, LinkMobility and Red Tiger. The addition of BlueRibbon will be an exciting opportunity for the operators working with Fast Track to add a new form of engagement to their arsenal. (more…)

On the 14th of March, Roberto Gallo and Johnny Walker sat with Mark Borg for a fireside chat at the SiGMA Eurasia Summit, Dubai. The SiGMA / AGS conference kicked off on a high note with a remarkable pre-registration turnout at the Intercontinental Hotel, Festival City, Dubai on March 13th. Upon arrival, delegates were greeted with a vibrant expo floor that set the tone for the event. To kickstart the conference proceedings, a fireside chat was held with two esteemed guests - legendary MMA fighter Johnny Walker and Roberto Gallo, the innovative CEO and Founder of Centurion FC. Johnny Walker and Roberto Gallo: Unveiling the Secrets of MMA Success

To achieve greatness in this game, there's no substitute for hard work, day in and day out. Consistency is the key. There are no shortcuts to success, only the grind. You must remain adaptable, stay nimble, and be ready to pivot at a moment's notice. Personally, I've been sharpening my boxing defence of late, because I know that in this sport, there's always room for improvement. It's all about putting in the work, respecting the process, and staying humble along the way

Commenting on his career, 95% finish rate and recent 2-win streak, Johnny Walker shared his insight on the key to success in MMA. The conversation then shifted gears to Roberto Gallo's ground-breaking efforts to merge the worlds of MMA and iGaming, leveraging the tremendous potential of both industries to create new and exciting opportunities for fans and players alike. Describing himself as “just a smart guy with an ambitious plan,” he remarked on his ongoing collaboration with SiGMA to reach this end. “We are happy to be collaborating with SiGMA when it comes to our vision of linking iGaming to MMA Fighting. The iGaming industry is booming with action, and MMA has everything other entertainment venues have to offer to the industry.” Fielding questions from an engaged audience, Gallo shared his thoughts on the formidable challenges of navigating the regulatory landscape while striving to change the MMA game. Despite the obstacles, Roberto Gallo remains undaunted in his pursuit of pushing the boundaries and elevating the sport to new heights. Centurion FC Centurion FC, a premier MMA organisation, prides itself on delivering a captivating show for its audience. With a commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities, the company is currently embarking on a significant rebranding effort to enhance its appeal and reach. Central to this effort is a strategic focus on South America, where the company recognizes the importance of a nuanced approach and a deep understanding of the market. By prioritising their due diligence and ensuring they know the game, Centurion FC aims to deliver an unforgettable experience to fans, cementing its position as a dominant force in the MMA world. Catch Centurion FC’s MMA Fight: Rex Deserti 2023 - 15th March at 19:30 Get ready, fight fans! Centurion FC is roaring back into the fray, and Dubai is their battleground. Brace yourselves for an epic clash between titans of the ring in a no-holds-barred showdown that will leave you breathless. Presenting elite fighters who have trained relentlessly, honing their skills and thirsting for glory. On March 15th, 2023, they'll step into the arena and leave it all on the line, battling with every ounce of pride and passion in their hearts. Don't miss a minute of the electrifying action as Centurion FC once again redefines the limits of MMA excellence. Grab your tickets here!

BetConstruct’s game Talisman, also known by the animal game title, got certified under the Type 1 Licence granted by the Malta Gaming Authority The Maltese regulator gave its official approval to BetConstruct’s in-house developed Talisman enabling the vertical under its MGA/B2C/292/2015 B2C - Gaming Service and MGA/B2B/286/2014 B2B - Critical Gaming Supply licences. The granted approval allows BetConstruct to provide Talisman under its own licence and to other MGA licensed operators. (more…)

Directory for iGaming operators and affiliates, AffPapa is pleased to announce its latest partnership with Jim Partners

Jim Partners has been active in the industry since 2017, and has become a direct advertiser for seven different online casinos, including the likes of Slottica, LuckyBird, SlottyWay, Loki and others… The company is currently working for a large audience in many countries including Switzerland, Chile, Australia, South Africa, Poland and more… 

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 Relax Gaming, igaming aggregator and supplier of unique content, has launched its market-leading slot portfolio with a fast-growing online casino operator, Roobet The supplier’s library of in-house developed titles, including the top-performing Tumble series and recent hits such as Hellcatraz, has gone live on Roobet’s platform in European markets, which allows players to place bets in cryptocurrency. (more…)

32Red, a Kindred Group brand, is live with their own, bespoke instance of Fast Track CRM

32Red is one of the most recognised online casino brands in the UK and has won multiple awards, highlighting their dedication to the player experience and great customer service. The primary goal of their partnership with Fast Track has been for the team to be able to achieve greater flexibility in their campaigns with less manual labour. Fast Track’s platform provides them with the rich real-time data and automation capabilities that are key to achieving this.

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