Latest News
Cyprus National Betting Authority Boss Under Investigation
President of the Cyprus National Betting Authority, Ioanna Fiakkou, is under criminal investigation in connection to match-fixing claims after she refused to answer MPs’ questions at a House hearing.
The House’s Ethics Committee called Fiakkou after she refused to provide information about corruption in football.
Reportedly, Fiakkou refused to hand over information to the Cyprus Sports Ethics Committee, former board member and lawyer Charis Savvides claimed.
As then head of the Sports Ethics Committee, Savvides had been investigating allegations by investor in Nicosia club Omonia FC Stavros Papastavrou about corrupt acts by prominent people within the football association.
Savvides claimed he had asked Fiakkou to provide relevant information on suspicious betting activity in 2021, but she refused to do so, citing personal data protection.
The required information involved a specific betting company active on the island.
Fiakkou was invited to give her side of events but refused to answer questions posed by House Ethics Committee chair AKEL MP Irene Charalambides.
Infuriated, Charalambides demanded that Fiakkou respect the House and answer the questions, noting that concealment is a criminal offence.
The head of the National Betting Authority responded by saying her obligation is to report to the investigating authorities, asking for the intervention of the Legal Service.
A spokesperson for the Legal Service told the committee that a person under investigation has the right not to answer because anything they say before the House Committee can be used against them in court.
Those comments revealed that Fiakkou is under investigation in connection with match-fixing, with Charalambides telling her she should have made that clear to MPs.
Last month, Savvides, the former head of the Sports Ethics Committee, had told MPs that the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) had recently sent an email involving red notices for 16 matches likely to have been manipulated.
He claimed a coverup by the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) and a UEFA official.
Savvides told MPs the CFA did not take the designated measures to investigate warnings over possible fixed matches sent by UEFA and even denied receiving any red notice.
Book of Sobek
Hölle Games Releases Book of Sobek
Hölle Games has released its latest online slot, Book of Sobek. This 5×3, 10 payline slot invites players to dive deep into the magical Nile and enter the aquatic temple of the ancient Crocodile God.
With every spin, the mighty Sobek may rise from the depths to bless the reels. When players manage to uncover 3 or more sacred Books, the temple chambers swing open, granting entry into the Free Games. Within this inner sanctum, a special expanding symbol is chosen; should it land, it will stretch across the reels like the flooding Nile, paving the way for monumental wins of up to 5000x. Featuring both Feature Buy and Fire Stake options, the game is available now for MGA with other markets coming soon.
The post Hölle Games Releases Book of Sobek appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Hub88
Hub88 and Odds88 Enters into Strategic Partnership with MINT
Hub88 and Odds88 have entered a strategic partnership with MINT, the advanced iGaming platform built on Web3 infrastructure, seeking to expand the new operator’s position at the forefront of iGaming innovation.
MINT is designed as a next-generation gaming ecosystem, set to provide tier-one iGaming and sportsbook expertise with the agility of Web3 technology. Backed by industry heavyweights including Hero Gaming, the platform will bring credibility, technical reliability and a premium user experience to a rapidly evolving market.
Through the partnership, Hub88 will provide MINT with seamless access to its portfolio of more than 12,000 titles, while supporting efficient platform development, streamlined integration and long-term scalability through a robust API. Odds88 will provide the operator’s sportsbook platform, with a highly customisable front-end, access to multiple odds feeds, with coverage of more than 1.5 million sports fixtures, and industry-leading risk management.
By leveraging both brands’ expertise, MINT will be able to focus on delivering consistency across verticals, frictionless onboarding and UX innovation – helping bridge the gap between traditional iGaming standards and emerging technological capabilities.
Ollie Castleman, Managing Director at Hub88, said: “MINT represents a new generation of iGaming platforms that are approaching Web3 with the maturity and high standards the industry expects.
“Alongside Odds88, this partnership aligns with our focus on supporting innovative operator brands that prioritise scalability, reliability and user experience.”
Will Fyler, Managing Director at Odds88, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with MINT along with Hub88 as we raise the game. Our vision to disrupt the industry and deliver a truly forward-facing proposition make this collaboration truly exciting.
“The operator is driven by exceptional talent, and we can’t wait to go live this quarter. Let’s get minted.”
Zak Manhire, CEO at MINT, said: “MINT is all about redefining expectations. We will not only push the limits of Hub88 and Odds88 and challenge what’s possible, but in doing so, we’ll grow together, champion innovation, and deliver a platform that surprises players in the best possible way.”
The post Hub88 and Odds88 Enters into Strategic Partnership with MINT appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
ACMA
ACMA: Six Wagering Providers Breach Gambling Self-Exclusion Rules
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has concluded six more investigations into licensed wagering providers for breaches of self-exclusion rules.
The ACMA investigations found Tabcorp, LightningBet, Betfocus, TempleBet, Picklebet and BetChamps all failed to comply with rules that protect people who registered with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register.
The facts of each investigation are different but the breaches across the investigations included allowing registered individuals to open wagering accounts and to access wagering services, or marketing to registered individuals.
ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said these breaches undermine the protections from gambling harm that self-exclusion offers.
“The national self-exclusion register is designed to help people who are trying to avoid gambling services and stop gambling, but self-exclusion only works if wagering providers follow the rules,” Ms Lidgerwood said.
“These rules have been in place for more than two years and wagering providers should be taking their responsibilities seriously.
“When people decide to self-exclude from online and telephone gambling, they trust the system to protect them from gambling harm. These investigations have found that these companies broke that trust and let people down.
“All licensed wagering providers need to be aware that the ACMA is investigating compliance and enforcing the rules. Gambling companies must have effective systems in place to ensure self-excluded people cannot gamble with them.”
The investigations identified that the providers did not ensure that their underlying systems and processes were operating as intended and failed to adequately identify and protect people who had self-excluded.
In response to these findings, the ACMA has used a range of different enforcement tools available under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, having regard to the different facts arising under each investigation.
The ACMA has issued remedial directions to each of Betfocus, LightningBet and TempleBet. Under these remedial directions each of the providers will be required by law to commission an independent audit of their systems and implement any resulting recommendations.
This type of enforcement action is corrective and directed at future compliance with the rules. Failure to comply with a remedial direction is an offence and can result in civil penalties.
Tabcorp Holdings paid a penalty of $112,680 and agreed to enter into a court-enforceable undertaking requiring the company to commission a third-party review of its customer verification processes and train staff on their obligations around the Register. If not complied with, such an undertaking can be enforced in the Federal Court, with the Court being able to make such orders as it considers appropriate.
BetChamps was given a formal warning and the ACMA is currently finalising enforcement action for Picklebet.
All contraventions were found to have occurred in 2024. If these companies fail to comply with self-exclusion rules in the future, the ACMA may take stronger enforcement action, potentially including commencement of Federal Court proceedings to seek civil penalties.
The post ACMA: Six Wagering Providers Breach Gambling Self-Exclusion Rules appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
bingo halls6 days agoBingo Halls and Casinos in Colombia Increased Their Contributions to Healthcare System by 9.3% in 2025
-
Brightstar Lottery PLC6 days agoBrightstar Lottery Delivers Industry-Leading Sales Force Automation Solution to Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
-
Compliance Updates5 days agoFinland Govt Looks at Whether Scratchcards can be Gifted Again
-
Claire Osborne Managing Director of Interactive at Inspired Entertainment4 days agoTwo new slots from Inspired — Coin Inferno Step ‘N’ Stack™ and Mummy It Up™
-
Latest News4 days agoACR POKER GIVES PLAYERS A SHOT TO QUALIFY ONLINE FOR $700,000 GTD ENJOY POKER SERIES MAIN EVENT THIS FEBRUARY IN URUGUAY
-
Amusnet3 days agoWeek 5/2026 slot games releases
-
Canada4 days agoHigh Roller Technologies Signs Letter of Intent with Kindbridge Behavioral Health to Support Responsible Gambling in Ontario
-
Compliance Updates5 days agoVNLOK Report: Over 95% of Gambling Ads on Meta Platforms are from Illegal Providers



