A representative from the Gibraltar Gambling Division, who specialises in sports integrity matters, has attended a high- level workshop hosted jointly by the International Olympic Committee and UEFA at Olympic House in Lausanne Switzerland. The cost of the trip was funded by the international sports governing bodies.

With both the Olympics and the Euros being held later this year, the meeting was an opportunity for all stakeholders, including gambling regulators in a number of jurisdictions (including Gibraltar) to discuss a coordinated strategy to identify suspicious betting activity and to prevent match (competition) fixing on a proactive basis.

In 22/23, the Gambling Division received 42 betting integrity reports from gambling operators, 13 requests for assistance from the Olympic movement Unit of the Prevention of Manipulation of Sports competitions and was involved with a large number of disseminations to domestic and international sports governing bodies (including FIFA and UEFA); as well as engagement with law enforcement authorities.

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Last month, the GFA hosted a UEFA Seminar on match fixing in Gibraltar which was also attended by representatives from the Gambling Division.

Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner Andrew Lyman said: “Sports integrity work and liaising with stakeholders on match fixing is an important, but often unseen part of our work. Operators are obliged to report suspicious activity in this area and the Gambling Division applies its expertise to enhance intelligence and support the lawful flow of information to the appropriate authorities, including sports governing bodies, for further investigation.

“The manipulation of sports competition by spot fixing or match fixing undermines the very essence of fair and unpredictable sporting outcomes. The forthcoming Gambling Bill will introduce a criminal offence of cheating at gambling which will serve to further deter such activity.”

SiGMA Group has announced it has acquired a majority stake in iGaming Academy, which offers vocational and compliance training in over 25 jurisdictions, to more than 60,000 gaming professionals yearly, for an undisclosed figure.

This acquisition is set to greatly complement their current portfolio by embedding various forms of industry education throughout SiGMA’s global event schedule and online network.

Eman Pulis, Founder of the SiGMA Group, said: “The acquisition comes at a perfect time for us. We’ve been working closely with iGaming Academy for many years now. I love what Jaime and the Conexus Group have built and look forward to supporting this growth with new initiatives and a wider offering of educational programs globally. The industry is crying out for more talent and regulatory insight, with new markets continuing to regulate. As a result, we want to be very active in this business.”

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Robert Dowling from Conexus Group said: “Conexus will remain actively involved in the iGaming Academy and our clients will continue to receive the outstanding training they expect from this brand,” said Rob Dowling, CEO of The Conexus Group. “We are confident that this strategic acquisition by SiGMA will allow the iGaming Academy to expand and improve its services offering to better serve the evolving training needs of the iGaming industry.”

Jaime Debono said: “This acquisition marks a major milestone for iGaming Academy – our mission has also been to educate the industry – both on key regulatory compliance topics as well as vocational training for existing and new markets. With the support of SiGMA Group, we will be able to accelerate this strategy through their global event calendar, enrich both training and event content and reach a much wider audience than ever before.”

Vinicius Moraes de Carvalho, Investment Partner at Ikigai Ventures, said: “The acquisition of IGA is another important milestone for SiGMA’s vision. IGA’s extensive training library rounds up our offer of services for the igaming industry by allowing us to be at the forefront of educational and regulatory tools for the market. We have strong confidence in Jaime and his team and are thrilled about the next chapters.”

iGaming Academy will continue to work in their current organisational structure with Jaime Debono remaining as company CEO and continuing to work alongside his team.

The deal will continue to see the management at iGaming Academy at the helm, with SiGMA’s corporate governance and marketing arm supporting the business to go from strength to strength.

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Following the acquisition, the iGaming Academy is setting up an office in Cyprus to build its online offering and content development. In addition, its revenue streams will also be bolstered through new affiliate partner deals. More courses will also be made available in multiple languages, thus meeting the global demand for training.

HIPTHER, the premier event organizer in the iGaming and Technology sectors, is thrilled to unveil the final agenda of the highly anticipated MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit, packed with expert-led sessions and significant networking opportunities. Scheduled for June 4-5, 2024, at the Hilton Tallinn Park, this annual event serves as the leading platform for learning and networking in the Baltic and Nordic regions. Hosted yearly in a Baltic capital, it attracts top professionals from the iGaming, blockchain, fintech, and artificial intelligence communities.

This year’s event promises to foster groundbreaking discussions and provide actionable insights across several dynamic sectors. The summit will feature an impressive lineup of topics, including “Regulatory Evolution in iGaming: Adapting to the Baltic and Nordic Standards,” “Global Stakes: Navigating iGaming Regulation in Serbia, the USA, Spain, and Austria” and “Financial Evolution: Merging Traditions with Fintech and Blockchain Innovations.”

The MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit serves as the main hub for industry leaders to connect, share ideas, and explore new partnerships. The summit’s strategic location rotates among the capitals of the Baltic states, underscoring its importance and central role in shaping the tech and gaming landscapes in the region.

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Zoltan Tuendik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER, stated, “We are proud to host another edition of the MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit. Each year, we strive to surpass the expectations of our attendees, providing them with invaluable insights and networking opportunities that are second to none. This year’s agenda is especially significant, tackling some of the most pressing issues facing the industries of our focus.”

Highlights of the summit include:

• Expert panels discussing the integration of new regulatory frameworks and technological innovations.
• Networking opportunities with industry leaders and policymakers.
• Interactive workshops designed to provide hands-on experience in dealing with current challenges and leveraging emerging opportunities.

In addition to the comprehensive conference sessions, the summit will host several networking events, including welcome drinks and exclusive evening parties, offering attendees the chance to form lasting connections with peers and industry leaders.

Professionals from across the globe are invited to join this landmark event to gain deeper insights into the future of these rapidly evolving industries and to network with fellow experts in a collaborative setting.

For more information and to register for the MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit, please visit https://hipther.com/events/tallinn/

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