Compliance Updates
ASA Bans Betway Ad Featuring 20-year-old England Footballer Declan Rice
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned an ad by the gambling firm Betway for featuring footballer Declan Rice because he is under 25 years old.
The video on the company’s YouTube account, seen in October, showed a car clamp prank being played on the England and West Ham star. A viewer complained that the ad breached advertising rules by featuring Rice, who was 20 years old. People under 25 are not allowed to play a significant role in gambling advertising, according to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) guidelines.
Betway said the video did not feature the player in a sporting context, did not refer to odds or promotions and contained no link to the Betway website where a bet could be placed, describing it as “editorial content” rather than an ad.
But the ASA said the video appeared on the Betway YouTube channel, featured sportsmen who consumers would be able to place bets on in the future and were wearing football shirts with a prominent Betway logo, and ended with the brand name “Betway.”
“We, therefore, considered that the video was promoting the Betway brand. Because Declan Rice was under the age of 25, and played a significant role in the ad, we concluded that the ad breached the Code,” the watchdog said.
“Although the prank was genuinely intended as a stunt for content purposes rather than an advert, Betway fully accept the ASA ruling and have already removed the video,” a Betway spokesman said.
Chief Compliance Officer of the Year award
Rush Street Interactive’s Laura McAllister Cox Named Chief Compliance Officer of the Year at Vixio Global Regulatory Awards
Rush Street Interactive, Inc. is proud to announce that Laura McAllister Cox, RSI’s Chief Compliance Officer, has been awarded the highly coveted Chief Compliance Officer of the Year award at the prestigious Vixio Global Regulatory Awards in London. This recognition celebrates Laura’s exceptional leadership, her instrumental role in navigating the ever-evolving regulatory landscape, and her unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of compliance and responsible gaming at RSI.
The Chief Compliance Officer of the Year award highlights compliance leaders who go beyond the call of duty, leading their departments through the complexities of regulatory change while significantly elevating compliance standards across their organizations. Laura’s nomination reflects her steadfast dedication to these principles and her unmatched contributions to the gaming industry.
“Laura McAllister Cox exemplifies the qualities of a transformative compliance leader,” said Richard Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer of Rush Street Interactive. “Her vision, expertise, and unwavering commitment to regulatory excellence have not only positioned RSI as a pioneer in responsible gaming practices but also ensured that RSI consistently sets the industry standard for compliance and innovation. This award is a testament to her extraordinary impact on our company and the broader gaming landscape.”
Laura’s achievements include leading RSI to become the first U.S. operator to receive the Responsible Gaming Council’s RG Check Accreditation, an honor that underscores the company’s dedication to the safety and well-being of its customers while fostering a sustainable gaming environment. Under her guidance, RSI has also achieved market-leading profitability and strategic expansion into new jurisdictions, all while navigating complex regulatory frameworks with precision.
As Chief Compliance Officer of publicly traded Rush Street Interactive, Laura oversees the company’s compliance strategy across a range of critical areas, including regulatory, licensing, anti-money laundering, technical compliance, and responsible gaming. Her leadership has been instrumental in building RSI’s compliance department into a world-class operation with specialized subject matter experts across these domains.
Beyond her achievements at RSI, Laura is widely regarded as one of the most respected voices in the global gaming industry. Her distinguished career spans nearly four decades and includes serving as President of the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) from 2017 to 2018, as well as legal and compliance leadership roles at esteemed organizations such as Rush Street Gaming, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and Gaming Partners International Corporation. Her expertise in gaming law and corporate compliance has solidified her reputation as a trusted authority in the field.
Laura’s ability to identify and cultivate exceptional talent, foster collaborative relationships with regulators, and implement forward-thinking compliance strategies has made her an unparalleled leader in the gaming industry. Her initiatives, such as yearly team summits and ongoing training programs, ensure RSI’s compliance team remains agile and equipped to address the ever-changing regulatory landscape.
“I am deeply honored to be named the Chief Compliance Officer of the Year,” said Laura McAllister Cox. “This recognition is a reflection of the incredible work of my team and RSI’s unwavering commitment to compliance excellence and responsible gaming. At RSI, we strive to lead by example and set the standard for innovation, integrity, and collaboration in the gaming industry. I am grateful to be part of a company that values these principles and to work alongside such talented professionals every day.”
The Vixio Global Regulatory Awards celebrate achievements and innovation in compliance and responsible gaming across the global gambling industry.
Compliance Updates
Vixio Announces Winners for the 2024 Global Regulatory Awards
Vixio, a leading provider of regulatory intelligence solutions, unveiled its 2024 Global Regulatory Awards (GRAs) winners last night during an event in London.
More than 300 industry leaders, regulatory experts, and esteemed professionals of the global gambling industry attended the prestigious event. The independently judged GRAs recognise and celebrate the achievements of individuals, teams, and organisations in the gambling industry who have excelled in compliance, corporate social responsibility, and safer gambling.
The eighth annual awards ceremony recognised winners across 20 categories. Notable winners on the evening included Betsson Group, Mindway AI, and Paysafe, each winning two awards. Vixio also recognised outstanding individuals, such as Jessica Feil of OpenBet, named Compliance Professional of the Year, and Laura McAllister Cox of Rush Street Interactive, awarded Chief Compliance Officer of the Year. “A big thank you to everyone who attended last night’s Global Regulatory Awards event in London. Vixio has been proud to host independently judged awards for the last eight years. Our selection process ensures that each winner is the best in class and has displayed clear dedication to trustworthy gambling and regulatory compliance, so huge congratulations to all the winners.” stated Mike Woolfrey, CEO of Vixio.
Docaposte, Draft Kings, eCOGRA, Gaming Associates, Scientific Games, and charity partner Ygam were among the sponsors for this year’s Global Regulatory Awards. The 2025 Global Regulatory Awards presentation will take place on November 19th, returning to the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London.
The official 2024 winners are as follows:
AML or MLR Professional of the Year – Brian Doran, Metropolitan Gaming
Award for Commitment to Compliance by an Operator – Betsson Group
Chief Compliance Officer of the Year – Laura McAllister Cox, Rush Street Interactive
Compliance Innovator of the Year – Mindway AI
Compliance Professional of the Year – Jessica Feil, OpenBet
Compliance Lifetime Achievement Special Award – David Rebuck
Compliance Rising Star Special Award – Jamie Delaney, Apricot
Compliance Team of the Year – Betsson Group
Head of Regulatory Affairs or Government Relations of the Year – Martin Lycka, Entain
Legal Team of the Year – Paysafe
Outstanding Contribution to Safer Gambling – Flutter Entertainment
Outstanding Contribution to Sports Betting Integrity – Entain
Outstanding Individual Contribution to Safer Gambling – Paul Buck, EPIC Global Solutions
Payment Service or Solution Provider of the Year – Paysafe
RegTech Provider of the Year – Mindway AI
Regulatory Initiative of the Year – National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program, idPair
Regulatory Law Firm of the Year – Bird & Bird
Regulatory Lawyer or In-House Counsel of the Year – Sue Dawson, Light & Wonder
Responsible Gambling Service or Solution Provider of the Year – BetBuddy by Playtech
Testing Service or Solution Provider of the Year – BMM Testlabs
The post Vixio Announces Winners for the 2024 Global Regulatory Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
MGA Publishes Skills Gap Report, Unveiling Insights into Workforce Trends and Industry Challenges
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has released its latest report analysing the skills gap in the online gaming industry, based on surveys conducted between 2020 and 2024. The findings, reflecting data from 2019 to 2023, provide valuable insights into workforce trends, challenges, and opportunities across MGA-licensed activities in Malta.
Key Findings from the Report
Positive Labour Market Dynamics
75.8% of surveyed respondents rated Malta positively in areas such as labour market trends, skills availability, and training opportunities when compared to other jurisdictions.
Vacancy Trends in 2023
At the end of 2023, 74.9% of job vacancies had been open for less than three months.
There were 92.5 vacancies per 1000 employees in MGA-licensed activities, with a total of 885 open positions reported by online gaming companies in Malta.
Vacancy Breakdown by Level
79.2% of open positions were at the operational level.
18.8% were at middle management, while top management roles accounted for 2.0% of total vacancies.
Roles in Demand
Marketing roles (including customer care) represented 21.1% of vacancies, while technology-related positions made up 16.8%.
Top Barriers to Recruitment
The most common reasons for unfilled vacancies over the reporting period were:
Lack of work experience.
Competition from other firms.
Insufficient qualifications.
Recruitment Trends in 2023
84.9% of surveyed firms hired personnel from other companies within the industry.
Only 25.8% recruited directly from university graduates, underscoring the need for better alignment between educational programmes and industry needs.
Addressing Skills Gaps
71.7% of firms implemented in-house training or mentoring programmes to address skill shortages.
55.4% intensified employee retention efforts as a strategy to close skills gaps.
MGA CEO, Charles Mizzi, commented on the report’s findings:
“As Malta’s gaming industry evolves, it is essential to adapt and strengthen the foundations that support its success.”
“The Skills Gap Report reveals important insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead, particularly the need for targeted skills development and stronger partnerships between educational institutions and industry. By addressing these priorities, we can ensure sustainable growth and maintain Malta’s leadership in the global gaming ecosystem.”
The post MGA Publishes Skills Gap Report, Unveiling Insights into Workforce Trends and Industry Challenges appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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