Compliance Updates
The Art of Staying Compliant w/ Greg Ponesse, Chief Revenue Officer at Compliable
How can operators and suppliers best ensure that they stay on track of ever-changing rules and regulation once they are live in a market?
Fundamentally, it’s about keeping a finger on the pulse of the market and curating a broad network of industry sources to ensure that you are up to date on any new developments. Industry press releases, newsletters and magazines are all excellent places to begin, and getting into the habit of checking regulator websites on a monthly basis is a good next step. In general, regulators maintain open communication with the public concerning new regulations; as it’s rare to have a dedicated contact person from any given agency checking in to ensure that you’ve kept up with any updates, however, it will still fall to you to make sure that you’re keeping current with any changes. Ultimately, it is always the responsibility of the licensee to ensure that it is compliant and, if mistakes are made, there are rarely, if ever, any get-out-of-jail-free cards.
Additionally, building a network of compliance professionals that you can reach out to on short notice can be a huge help, as urgent situations can arise without warning and require you to react quickly. It’s not always possible for every company to field an in-house compliance team that can deal with every request and change, even if that would be very preferable, so having experts just a call away is always a smart choice.
Compared with entering a market, how time consuming is maintaining compliance for teams?
While entering a new market is complex, maintaining compliance is equally important, and introduces its own challenges of minutiae and attention to detail. Renewal windows need to be carefully monitored, new regulations need to be constantly observed, and required updates need to be passed on to regulators in a timely manner.
These challenges are true no matter the size of the company in question. A small company could be licensed in 16 regions, with one person managing the process for all those markets. In such a case, that one person would probably need to spend a decent portion of their work days just to ensure that compliance was being maintained across all those markets, even if the individual number of licenses was low. A large company operating in fewer locations, on the other hand, might have thousands of employees and licenses to maintain for that location, and not one of those employees or licenses could be allowed to fall through the cracks. Each license would need to be tracked, and each renewal dealt with in a timely fashion. In either case, maintenance of compliance should be expected to take up a sizable amount of time.
Are there common mistakes that occur and what impact can this have on operations?
At the risk of sounding reductive, the most common mistakes are not filling out the application correctly or failing to include the correct documentation. Attention to detail matters so much in the process and taking the time to parse what can often be very complex sets of instructions is critical.
No matter the type of licensure, there is always going to be a large amount of information and documentation required, and making sure that you have all of that information and documentation at the ready before you begin is also critical to your success in the process.
Most simply, you could equate the process to that of buying a house. Everything needs to be in order before you place your bid, or it will fall through and someone else will likely swoop in and take the house right out from under you. It’s more or less the same when a company is going through the licensing process. If everything isn’t in order, you might have to wait a long time after submitting your initial application just to be told that something is wrong or missing. Once those issues are corrected, you would have to resubmit the application, starting from the back of the queue again. This would obviously delay the issuing of a license in an industry where first-mover advantage is crucial.
How can tech solutions help teams stay compliant once they are live in a market?
There are many ways in which such solutions can assist with compliance. Our platform, for example, allows you to input all of your information and upload all your documents exactly once, and to then output that information to multiple forms at the same time. It also tracks the application status, which can be very challenging to handle on your own if you are active in numerous regions or have a lot of employees. Furthermore, it reminds you of expiration dates, so you can be well prepared and organized when the time comes for renewals. Finally, because we store your information, you are also not required to re-enter all of your information year after year, making the renewal process much more efficient; you will only have to update information if the regulator has changed their forms, otherwise, everything will slot right in where it belongs.
We put an immense amount of effort into ensuring that our forms and other documents are kept up to date with all regulatory requirements and guidelines. Thus, when you use our service to generate forms for any application or renewal, you can be assured that you are filing the correct forms, and that all the questions on that form have been filled out correctly. In short, using our platform ensures that compliance teams can focus on other important tasks while resting safe in the knowledge that their licensure forms have been completed correctly, and that their licenses and renewals are being effectively tracked.
Compliance Updates
Arizona regulator orders five operators to stop alleged illegal gambling activity
Cease-and-desist letters cite alleged felonies and underage access tied to BetOpenly, Bookmaker, Club WPT Online Poker, Kutt Inc., and Raffle Creator.
The Arizona Department of Gaming said it has issued cease-and-desist orders to five online platforms—BetOpenly, Bookmaker, Club WPT Online Poker, Kutt Inc., and Raffle Creator—after investigations that the Department says involved alleged illegal gambling activity and underage access in Arizona.
In its announcement, the Department said each enforcement action alleges conduct giving rise to three felonies under Arizona law: promotion of gambling, illegal control of an enterprise, and money laundering. The agency cited Arizona’s prohibition on gambling unless specifically authorized (Ariz. Rev. Stat. Tit. 13, Ch. 33) and said the legal gambling age in the state is 21.
“Arizona is taking decisive action against illegal gambling operators that put Arizonans at risk,” said Jackie Johnson, Department Director. “Our top priority is protecting Arizonans and I’m grateful for the efforts of our intelligence unit led by Chief Law Enforcement Officer Doug Jensen to do just that. Through these cease-and-desist orders we are putting operators on notice: their conduct runs contrary to Arizona law and they must stop promoting illegal gambling.”
The Department’s letters describe different alleged violations by operator. For BetOpenly, the Department said peer-to-peer gambling rules prohibit third-party benefit, and alleged the platform benefited via a commission structure while enabling event wagering and daily fantasy sports contests without the required state licenses, including availability to underage Arizonans. For Bookmaker, the Department said its investigation found wagering on horse racing, casino games, and sports betting without an event wagering license or an advanced deposit wagering provider license, adding that online casino games are not legal in Arizona.
For Club WPT Online Poker, the Department alleged the platform enabled individuals under 21 in Arizona to enter pay-to-play online poker tournaments for prizes while using deceptive “no purchase necessary” language; the Department said online poker is illegal in Arizona. For Kutt Inc., the Department said Arizona “social” gambling prohibits third-party benefit and directed the operator to stop allowing Arizona users to deposit money and wager on sports, politics, pop culture, and casino-style games. For Raffle Creator, the Department said the operator did not meet requirements that allow Arizona nonprofits to conduct lawful raffles and alleged it allowed people under 21 to purchase tickets for prize chances.
The Department said the notified entities are directed to immediately stop all gambling operations and activities in Arizona “whether through mobile applications, online, or otherwise,” and to cease any future illegal gambling in the state. It added that future actions may include criminal charges or civil action against entities, principals, and employees, and that operators “may be subject to a potential award of restitution” and forfeiture of monies acquired due to the alleged conduct.
The post Arizona regulator orders five operators to stop alleged illegal gambling activity appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
Arizona Department of Gaming Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Multiple Operators Linked to Underage Gambling and Illegal Activity
Investigations into five online platforms lead to cease-and-desist orders alleging Arizona felonies: Promotion of Gambling; Illegal Control of an Enterprise; and Money Laundering
The Arizona Department of Gaming (Department) announced today that it has issued cease-and-desist orders to the following entities: BetOpenly, Bookmaker, Club WPT Online Poker, Kutt Inc., and Raffle Creator. Each enforcement action alleges conduct giving rise to the following felonies: promotion of gambling, illegal control of an enterprise, and money laundering. The cease-and-desist orders underscore the Department’s commitment to guard the integrity and safety of Arizona’s regulated gaming market while promoting consumer protection.
“Arizona is taking decisive action against illegal gambling operators that put Arizonans at risk,” said Jackie Johnson, Department Director. “Our top priority is protecting Arizonans and I’m grateful for the efforts of our intelligence unit led by Chief Law Enforcement Officer Doug Jensen to do just that. Through these cease-and-desist orders we are putting operators on notice: their conduct runs contrary to Arizona law and they must stop promoting illegal gambling.”
The cease-and-desist orders outlined below follow Department public safety initiatives aligned with Arizona law, which prohibits gambling unless it is specifically authorized (Ariz. Rev. Stat. Tit. 13, Ch. 33) and where the legal age to participate in gambling is 21 years old.
Regarding BetOpenly, peer-to-peer gambling in Arizona prohibits any third-party from benefiting, and that the peer-to-peer sports betting and casino games on the BetOpenly platform benefited the operator via a commission structure. Further, the Department alleges that BetOpenly enabled event wagering and daily fantasy sports contests without the requisite state licenses, facilitated availability to underage Arizonans, and allegedly engaged in illegal felony conduct: promotion of gambling; illegal control of an enterprise; and money laundering.
View cease-and-desist letter here: gaming.az.gov/sites/default/files/BetOpenly_Signed%20Cease%20and%20Desist_Redacted.pdf
Regarding Bookmaker, the Department found through its investigation that the platform facilitates wagering on horse racing, casino games, and sports betting, without holding an event wagering license or an advanced deposit wagering provider license. Online casino games are not legal in Arizona. The Department alleges that Bookmaker engaged in illegal felony conduct: promotion of gambling; illegal control of an enterprise; and money laundering.
View cease-and-desist letter here: gaming.az.gov/sites/default/files/Bookmaker_Signed%20Cease%20and%20Desist_Redacted.pdf
Regarding Club WPT Online Poker, the Department alleges that the platform enabled Arizona individuals under the age of 21 to engage in pay-to-play online poker tournaments for prizes while using deceptive “no purchase necessary” language. Online poker is illegal in Arizona. The Department alleges that Club WPT Online Poker engaged in illegal felony conduct: promotion of gambling; illegal control of an enterprise; and money laundering.
View cease-and-desist letter here: gaming.az.gov/sites/default/files/ClubWPT%20Online%20Poker_Signed%20Cease%20and%20Desist_Redacted.pdf
Regarding Kutt Inc., the Department warned the operator that legal “social” gambling in Arizona prohibits any third-party benefit, as seen in Kutt Inc.’s operations. The Department directed the platform to stop allowing users located in Arizona to deposit money into accounts and wager on sports, politics, pop culture, and play casino-style games. The Department alleges Kutt Inc. engaged in illegal felony conduct: promotion of gambling; illegal control of an enterprise; and money laundering.
View cease-and-desist letter here: gaming.az.gov/sites/default/files/Kutt%20Signed%20C%26D_Redacted.pdf
Regarding Raffle Creator, the Department identified that the operator, which did not meet the requirements that allow Arizona nonprofits to conduct lawful raffles, allowed people under the age of 21 to purchase tickets for the chance to win prizes. The Department alleges that the operator engaged in illegal felony conduct: promotion of gambling; illegal control of an enterprise; and money laundering.
View cease-and-desist letter here: gaming.az.gov/sites/default/files/Raffle%20Creator_Signed%20Cease%20and%20Desist_Redacted.pdf
With the cease-and-desist orders, notified entities are directed to immediately stop all gambling operations and activities in Arizona, whether through mobile applications, online, or otherwise, and are further directed to desist from any future illegal gambling operations in the state. Future actions may include the filing of criminal charges or a civil action against entities, principals, and employees, and the operators may be subject to a potential award of restitution to those who lost money as well as an action for forfeiture of all monies acquired due to the illegal conduct.
Arizona residents are encouraged to Check Your Bet: verify that any gambling, event wagering, or fantasy sports platform appears on the Department’s list of approved operators before participating. Regulated gaming operators are subject to Arizona statutes and rules, including applicable taxes or financial contributions that benefit the state. Regulated gaming provides important consumer protections, ensuring fair play and fair winnings, data security, accountability, and a safer overall experience.
Consumers may contact the Department about potential illegal gambling activities by emailing [email protected] or by calling 602-255-3886; consumers may remain anonymous when submitting information and tips.
The post Arizona Department of Gaming Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Multiple Operators Linked to Underage Gambling and Illegal Activity appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Compliance Updates
KONAMI GROUP’s Konami Gaming Inc. First to Submit Manufacturer License Application in Japan’s Emerging IR Market
KONAMI GROUP CORPORATION’s long-established gaming & systems group company Konami Gaming Inc. announced it has become the first manufacturer to submit license applications with the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission (JCRC), government regulatory agency set forth by The Cabinet of Japan. Additionally, Konami is the first manufacturer to file across all applicable license categories. These filings represent milestone events for the nation’s regulatory framework, as Japan’s emerging integrated resort (IR) market progresses in responsible development. As a leading manufacturer of casino games and technology in 400+ regulated markets worldwide, Konami is taking proactive measures in support of the Japan IR market, highly relevant to the organisation’s rich heritage as a Japanese company.
“Konami’s early filing demonstrates our commitment and readiness to engage constructively with Japan’s regulatory framework from the outset. We have approached this process with a focus on transparency, preparation, and alignment with the stringent standards established by the JCRC,” said Lori Olk, senior vice president & chief compliance officer at Konami Gaming Inc.
Construction is currently underway for the first integrated resort in Japan—an expansive development planned for 2030 opening by one of the world’s largest casino and entertainment operators. Against this backdrop, Konami’s early submission positions the company to participate during the formative stages of this emerging regulated market. Committed to the long-term health of Japan’s IR market, Konami has invested significant resources in localisation, documentation and operational planning to ensure alignment with the nation’s legal, regulatory and cultural expectations. The supplier has leveraged its longstanding compliance infrastructure, governance processes and global licensing experience to fulfill detailed requirements of the Japanese regulatory framework.
“This milestone in Konami’s application process with the JCRC represents a significant, coordinated effort across multiple business units and jurisdictions, supported by decades of experience operating in highly regulated gaming markets worldwide. As Japan continues to expand its IR framework, Konami remains focused on supporting regulatory objectives and partnering with stakeholders to deliver compliant, high-quality gaming solutions tailored to the needs of the Japanese market,” said Tom Jingoli, president & chief operating officer at Konami Gaming.
The post KONAMI GROUP’s Konami Gaming Inc. First to Submit Manufacturer License Application in Japan’s Emerging IR Market appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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