Industry News
Experts from Las Vegas and Macau to Appear at Arabian Business Casino Countdown Conference
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Some of the world’s biggest casino bosses from Las Vegas and Macau have been confirmed to speak at “Casino Countdown,” the first-ever Arabian Business Conference to focus entirely on gaming. The event will take place at The Atlantis, Royal on January 25 next year, from 9 am.
The stellar line up is being led by Debra Nutton, an industry legend with experience working at MGM, Bellagio and Wynn Resorts. She will deliver a keynote on the opportunities and challenges the industry faces, along with revealing the best practices and innovations the ecosystem will need to keep in mind.
Also confirmed to speak is Alex Dixon, the President and CEO of Q Casino and DRA. Another industry legend who worked in Las Vegas, Dixon has previously held senior leadership roles at MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment Corp, and Goldman Sachs & Co. Dixon will delve into the financial intricacies of the gaming landscape, while outlining the investment model and prospects for potential operators, including the positive economic impact on local communities.
The UAE announced this year the appointment of its first-ever gaming regulator – the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) – and regulations are set to play a key part in any growth of the industry.
One of the world’s most renowned lawyers in gaming, Antonio Lobo Vilela, is flying in from Macau to speak on the topic. He previously played a key role as the senior legal adviser to the Macau Gaming Commission, where he oversaw the first gaming concessions in the special administrative region. Vilela will deliver insights into successful regulatory models and best practices, while touching on the trends of gaming regulations worldwide.
The event will also have a special focus on technology including the opportunities in the thriving world of Web 3.0. The UAE is a global pioneer in this field, with Dubai already unveiling a plan to become a hub for metaverse development. One leading firm in this arena, metaverse-focused specialist Megavrse, will showcase how consumers will be able to experience gaming virtually, and the impact this could have for the ecosystem both in the region and further abroad.
Other key speakers will be announced in the coming days.
Industry News
IGT Achieves Improved ESG Score from FTSE Russell
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International Game Technology PLC announced that it has achieved an environmental, social and governance (ESG) Score of 4.3 out of 5.0 from FTSE Russell, positioning IGT in the 97th percentile within the Travel and Leisure sector of FTSE Russell’s ESG Scores. This was an improvement from IGT’s previous ESG Score of 4.2 out of 5.0 in 2023, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to enhancing ESG performance.
“As a company committed to continually elevating our sustainability practices and leadership, IGT is proud to once again achieve an improved ESG score from FTSE Russell. Through our global Sustainable Play program, we execute sustainable practices and policies throughout our company and this improved score validates our ongoing efforts,” Wendy Montgomery, SVP of Marketing, Communications and Sustainability at IGT, said.
FTSE Russell’s ESG Scores and data model allows investors to understand a company’s exposure to, and management of, ESG issues in multiple dimensions. The ESG Scores are comprises an overall rating that breaks down into underlying pillar and theme exposures. Scores built on over 300 individual indicator assessments are applied to each company’s unique circumstances. The ESG Scores align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), all of which are reflected in FTSE Russell’s ESG framework.
The post IGT Achieves Improved ESG Score from FTSE Russell appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
Super Group Appoints Merrick Wolman to its Board of Directors
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Super Group has appointed Merrick Wolman to its Board of Directors, effective from February 18, 2025.
Mr. Wolman is the Chief Executive Officer of a global finance company and has worked closely with the Super Group executive team for over two decades.
Neal Menashe, Chief Executive Officer of Super Group, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Merrick to the board. His deep understanding of the gaming industry, alongside his wide range of experience in executive roles, will be of great value as we continue to pursue our global growth strategy and build on our successes to date.”
This appointment brings the total directors on Super Group’s board to nine, including five independent directors.
The post Super Group Appoints Merrick Wolman to its Board of Directors appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
Kindred Reports Decline in Revenue from High-risk Players for Q4 2024
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Kindred Group has reported decline in its share of revenue from high-risk players for the fourth quarter 2024 at 2.7% (Q3 2024 3.2%). The percentage of detected customers who exhibited improved behaviour after interventions showed an improvement at 92.2% (compared to 87.3% in Q3 2024). This positive trend is mainly the result of stricter measures across key markets, improved internal processes, as well as the exit from non-locally licensed markets as part of to the acquisition by La Française des Jeux (FDJ) in October 2024. This shift reflects Kindred’s broader commitment to maintaining high regulatory standards and fostering safer gambling practices.
“It is pleasing to see the decline in high-risk revenue during the fourth quarter of last year. We know that the share fluctuates between quarters, but the long-term trend is showing a steady decline. We remain dedicated and focused on improving our systems and processes to ensure we offer our customers a safe and fun experience,” Esther Scheepers, Head of Responsible Gambling at Kindred Group, said.
“The increased focus on responsible gambling by regulators and the industry is welcomed. From our end, we see that by combining our expertise with emerging technologies, we can further enhance detection capabilities. We are currently working on our existing detection system in combination with an additional system that will enable us to integrate more robust compliance features and optimize our overall approach to safer gambling. Furthermore, we are exploring opportunities to expand our research efforts, aiming to support data-driven discussions and looking at emerging trends in consumer protection. All these aspects are important to protect the integrity of the licence model and maintain a level playing field,” Esther Scheepers added.
The post Kindred Reports Decline in Revenue from High-risk Players for Q4 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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