Compliance Updates
WFH could mean your Grand National workplace sweepstake is illegal
Traditional office sweepstake risks falling foul of gambling law if participants enter remotely
Gambling regulation expert provides guidance on how to comply with law when setting up workplace pool
The recent trend towards flexible working means many businesses are at risk of falling foul of gambling legislation, if organising the traditional office Grand National sweepstake, a leading law firm is warning.
With this weekend’s big race at Aintree attracting the interest of not just racing fans but the general public at large, it is typically one of the most popular events for an office sweepstake.
In pre-Covid times there was little risk involved in such a contest, other than perhaps an excess of workplace rivalry, especially given the event’s propensity for surprises and upsets.
However, Poppleston Allen, a leading gambling licensing law firm, says that with the shift towards hybrid working, organisers now need to be more cautious.
“While formal gambling activity is heavily regulated by the Gambling Commission, there is an exception designed to allow the general public to have a bit of fun by taking part in what is officially called a work lottery,” says Richard Bradley, associate solicitor and gambling regulation expert at Poppleston Allen.
“But what many people may not realise is that the rules are very clear in that you can only sell physical tickets and all players must work in the same office – contests running across different office locations of the same company are not allowed.
“Therefore, if the pandemic has led to staff working from other offices or largely working from home, extra care needs to be taken when running a Grand National sweepstake.
“Organisers, whether employers or employees, must make sure they do not sell any tickets via email or over the phone. Any staff member who wants to play must visit the office and buy a physical ticket. If these rules aren’t followed, organisers and players would technically be involved in illegal gambling.”
Bradley says other rules to make sure a workplace sweepstake doesn’t land anyone in hot water with the Gambling Commission include the following:
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All players must pay the same amount for a ticket;
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Horses must be decided by chance, for example, drawn out of a hat;
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No one can make a profit and all stakes must be returned as prizes, though an organiser can deduct administration costs for running the contest;
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The sweepstake can only be advertised at the work premises; and
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There must be a winner – the prize cannot be rolled over.
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Industry-leading provider secures license to provide slots and live content in Denmark
Award-winning casino content provider Stakelogic has obtained a license from the Danish Gambling Authority, Spillemyndigheden, to provide its gaming content in Denmark.
The license will allow Stakelogic to bring its premium portfolio of online casino slots and live dealer content to the Danish market, including recent releases like Fire and Gold Cluster Breaker, Super Wheel Game Show, Trident of Legends, and The Watcher.
Stakelogic is able to partner up with leading Danish operators, establishing itself as a must-have provider in the country. The move further highlights Stakelogic’s commitment to strengthening its position in the European market and exploring new and exciting regulated markets.
The license also further cements the company’s presence in the Scandinavian markets, having secured a license from the Swedish authority, Spelinspektionen, in 2023 and establishing itself as a popular provider among Swedish players.
Denmark is one of Europe’s fastest-growing markets, with a strong focus on customer care and responsible gambling. Stakelogic is proud to have met all the requirements needed to obtain the license, highlighting its commitment to providing players with the best and safest gaming experiences.
Stephan van den Oetelaar, CEO at Stakelogic, said: “Denmark is one of the fastest growing markets in Europe, and we are proud to have achieved a license to the newly regulated market.
We are grateful to Spillemyndigheden for their support in us and we are excited to take our next steps into the market.”
The post Stakelogic Secures License to the newly regulated Danish market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Charles Counsell OBE has been appointed as Interim Chair of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) for a nine month term which will commence on 1 February 2025.
Charles was Chief Executive Officer of The Pensions Regulator from April 2019 to March 2023. Prior to this he was CEO of the Money Advice Service, and Executive Director of Automatic Enrolment at The Pensions Regulator.
As CEO of The Pensions Regulator, Charles developed the new corporate strategy to put the pension saver at the heart of the Regulator. He delivered their first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Climate Change strategies – both focused on driving change in the regulator and across the Pensions Sector.
Throughout his career, his roles have focused on setting up and delivering large change programmes requiring significant stakeholder relationship engagement: initially in the private sector and latterly in senior public sector appointments.
The post UKGC Appoints Charles Counsell OBE as Interim Chair appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
SYNOT Games has obtained a B2B online slot games supplier license in Denmark, authorising the company to supply its gaming content within Denmark’s regulated market. This B2B license, issued by the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden), becomes effective on January 1, 2025, aligning with new regulatory requirements mandating that all game suppliers hold such a license from that date forward.
This development enables SYNOT Games to offer its portfolio of slot games to Danish operators, reinforcing its commitment to compliance and responsible gaming practices.
“Obtaining the B2B license from the Danish Gambling Authority marks a significant milestone for us in the Danish market. This license not only aligns with new regulatory requirements but also reinforces our commitment to adhering to the highest industry standards. We are thrilled to continue offering Danish players the immersive gaming experience our portfolio provides,” said Martina Krajčí, CCO of SYNOT Games.
The post SYNOT Games Secures Danish License appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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