Compliance Updates
IOC and UEFA host joint betting integrity workshop
Sports betting entities and international federations joined UEFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 11 April for a full-day workshop focused on how sport and the sports betting industry can work together to fight match-fixing. Co-organised by the IOC and UEFA, and held at Olympic House in Lausanne, the workshop explored opportunities for cross-sector collaboration with a focus on integrity exchange in support of the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024 and the UEFA Euro 2024.
The workshop kicked off with presentations by the Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions (OM Unit PMC) and UEFA’s Anti-Match-Fixing Unit, exploring each team’s strategy for combatting match-fixing, engaging with the sports betting industry, and detecting and investigating potentially fraudulent betting activity.
UEFA promotes integrity through dedicated education, prevention, and awareness raising programmes and by detecting, investigating, and sanctioning match-fixing. Collaboration with stakeholders within football, particularly the network of integrity officers who work for UEFA’s 55 member associations, as well as the wider sports community is vital to this work.
UEFA upholds the integrity of all UEFA competitions via tailored, competition-specific integrity measures. Building on the integrity success of previous UEFA competitions, UEFA’s approach for EURO 2024 will feature close collaboration with host and participating nation stakeholders, public authorities, and sports betting entities as well as real-time betting market monitoring. Our secure UEFA integrity website will allow players, referees, officials, and members of the public to report suspected cases of match-fixing confidentially and anonymously. During the workshop, UEFA shared its competition risk assessment and mitigation strategy and explained the escalation, triage, and assessment approach for any potential integrity concerns.
“Sport alone cannot eradicate match-fixing. We must work together – raising awareness, sharing information, ensuring robust prevention and detection systems are in place – to protect sport and athletes. During the UEFA EURO 2024, our Germany-based staff (supported by the entire Anti-Match-Fixing Unit based in Nyon) will work hand-in-hand with betting integrity entities, betting operators and regulators, public authorities, and the national associations.” Vincent Ven, Head of Anti-Match-Fixing at UEFA
“The main objective is to ensure robust 24/7 monitoring of the competition in compliment to our dedicated prevention and education programme for all participating athletes and officials. UEFA’s multi-stakeholder Anti-Match-Fixing Assessment Group will manage pre and in-competition monitoring, ensuring that UEFA can immediately review and address any potential integrity threats to the tournament.”, Ven added.
“Collaboration is essential. During the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, we will work together with a series of betting operators, associations and major betting regulatory authorities to exchange relevant information about irregular betting patterns or suspicious betting activities detected that might imply competition manipulation.” Friedrich Martens, Head of the OM Unit PMC
Panel discussions with several sport governing bodies and betting integrity entities provided insight into best practices, trends, and success stories from each sector’s perspective, whilst two betting operators took the floor to share examples of recent fruitful cooperation with UEFA and the IOC on prevention and investigations.
The afternoon featured frank discussion regarding how to enhance cooperation between sport and sports betting entities, recent trends in sports betting and their potential impact on sport integrity, and how to improve information sharing in support of match-fixing detection and investigation.
The post IOC and UEFA host joint betting integrity workshop appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Australia
Crown Fined $2 Million for Self-exclusion Breaches
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has fined Crown Melbourne $2 million for allowing 242 people who had self-excluded from gambling to place bets at the casino over an 8-month period between October 2023 and May 2024.
VGCCC Chair Fran Thorn said: “It is an offence under the Casino Control Act 1991 (Vic) to allow an excluded person, including anyone who has self-excluded, to enter, remain or gamble in the casino. It also contravenes Crown Melbourne’s obligation to protect people at risk of gambling harm.
“Those who self-exclude must be able to trust that gambling providers will take all reasonable steps to enforce their decision to avail themselves of this harm prevention initiative.
“By allowing people who have self-excluded to enter the casino and gamble, Crown has put them at risk of experiencing further gambling harm. However, it is also clear that a number of these self-excluded patrons are going to considerable lengths to avoid detection and break their exclusion requirements.”
The self-exclusion breaches were detected through VGCCC’s ongoing monitoring of the casino’s operations. The Commission determined the breaches were due to system and control failures rather than deliberate or egregious disregard by Crown of its regulatory obligations.
“Accordingly, the Commission has issued a direction to Crown to engage an independent expert to assess the effectiveness of, and make recommendations for improving, the management of its self-exclusion program. In due course, Crown will be required to implement the independent expert’s recommendations,” Ms Thorn said.
In April this year, the Commission directed Crown Melbourne to implement a transformation plan to continue its reform and remediation following the findings of the Finkelstein Royal Commission.
The Commission acknowledges Crown has taken some steps to strengthen its controls for policing exclusion orders, and introduced measures to improve its monitoring activities, physical security, use of technology and training of staff.
“The VGCCC is committed to ensuring Crown continues its reform efforts,” Ms Thorn said.
The post Crown Fined $2 Million for Self-exclusion Breaches appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Claudio Caruana General Counsel for GiG
GiG grows regulated market footprint with new B2B supplier authorisation for Peru
Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has been awarded an authorisation and registration (homologation) for Peru, officially allowing it to partner with operators based in the newly regulated Latin American market, as GiG continues to grow its regulated market presence with over 29 complex regulated markets now available globally, on its revolutionary iGaming technology.
The accreditation process, which opened its doors earlier this year, marks an early entry for GiG that will allow it to serve a market expected to grow post regulation by up to 104%, up from €194m to €397m, in gross gaming revenue (GGR) over the next three years, according to H2 Gambling Data.
This new authorisation from the Peruvian authority, granted to GiG by Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo de Perú (MINCETUR) , and covers its award winning PAM, as GiG continues a long-standing commitment to regulated market expansion, reaffirming’s its position as a global leader for growth in highly regulated markets.
GiG’s Peruvian presence gained prominence with the announcement of the launch of Betsson Group’s Inkabet brand, in July, expanding on the successful partnership between the two, in regulated markets around the world.
GiG is continuing to expand its presence in global regulated markets, and across Latin America, with its innovative iGaming platform, as its powerful, secure, and scalable platform offers operators significant opportunities for exponential revenue growth, with a suite of dynamic localisation features. Peruvian operators will benefit from GiG’s integration with leading content and payment providers, with advanced AI tools, DataX and LogicX, enhancing decision-making and rule-building processes. This balance of cutting-edge tools and best-in-class features have proven highly effective in increasing player acquisition and retention, highlighting GiG’s competitive edge in complex regulatory environments like Peru.
Claudio Caruana, General Counsel for GiG says; “The addition of the Peruvian authorisation to our ever expanding list of supported regulated markets continues to demonstrate the focus we at GiG have placed on legislation, providing the framework essential for sustainable and prosperous growth within the online igaming industry. We are delighted to be fully prepared to power new and potential partners with our award winning technology in the area.”
Compliance Updates
SCCG Announces Strategic Partnership with Steelhead Compliance Solutions
SCCG Management, a global leader in Tribal gaming advisory and management services, has announced a strategic partnership with Steelhead Compliance Solutions LLC, a leader in tribal gaming compliance and regulatory affairs. This partnership aims to create significant opportunities for tribal nations by connecting them with SCCG’s expansive network of over 200 affiliated gaming companies and service providers. Together, SCCG and Steelhead will work to strengthen tribal gaming operations, enhance regulatory compliance, and uphold tribal sovereignty.
Stephen Crystal, Founder and CEO of SCCG Management, said: “Partnering with Steelhead Compliance Solutions aligns perfectly with SCCG’s mission to support the growth and success of tribal gaming enterprises across the U.S. Steelhead’s commitment to preserving tribal sovereignty and ensuring regulatory excellence will be instrumental in helping us provide unparalleled value to tribal nations. We are thrilled to bring our global network and expertise together with Steelhead’s deep understanding of tribal governance and regulatory frameworks.”
Richard Armstrong, founding partner of Steelhead Compliance Solutions, said: “Our partnership with SCCG represents an exciting new chapter in our commitment to supporting Indian Country. SCCG’s extensive management and service offerings, coupled with their unmatched global network, are the perfect complement to our expertise. Together, we will ensure tribal gaming operations not only thrive but also maintain the highest standards of regulatory compliance, protect tribal assets, and capitalize on new opportunities—all while safeguarding tribal sovereignty, which is fundamental to tribal nations.”
Steelhead Compliance Solutions brings over 80 years of combined experience, specializing in assisting tribal nations in navigating complex regulatory environments. The firm is known for its strong relationships with regulatory officials and leaders at tribal, state, and federal levels. Steelhead delivers comprehensive compliance, regulatory, and legal solutions, all while prioritizing the protection of tribal sovereignty. The partnership with SCCG aims to provide tribal nations with the tools and resources needed to grow their gaming operations while maintaining their independence and self-determination.
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