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UK’s BGC calls for Online Harms Bill to crackdown on black-market unregulated gambling operators endangering children

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Standards body BGC Calls for government to use Online Harms Bill to crackdown on unregulated gambling operators

Analysis conducted for the new standards body, the Betting and Gaming Council which represents UK regulated operators, reveals consumers are exposed to large numbers of unlicensed operators (38%) through search results for key gambling terms on major search engines.

  • 4 in 10 search results for key gambling terms on major search engines are unlicensed black-market operators
  • Danger that children are accessing illegal websites with no strict ID and age verification measures unlike U.K. licensed operators.
  • 27 million visits from UK IP addresses to black—market gambling sites
  • Estimated 200,000 people in U.K. have used illegal gambling sites in past 12 months

The BGC calls on the government to ensure that the Online Harms Bill, soon to be introduced in parliament, includes action to crack down on platforms who profit from unregulated, black market gambling operators.

There is a particular danger that children are accessing these websites where there are no strict ID and age verification measures deployed by U.K. licensed operators. New strict age verification procedures introduced in May 2019 for UK licensed operators require full verification of name, age and address before anyone can open an online account or place a bet.

The regulatory Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (formerly RGSB) warned in 2018 that internet service providers, app stores, search engine companies, and other relevant providers should be vigilant to the possibility of third party use of their products to provide illegal gambling to children and young people, and should be proactive in preventing it.

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The sizeable proportion of gamblers using unlicensed operators reveals that the size of the active ‘black market’ in the UK today is worth around £1.4bn in stakes.

Web traffic statistics suggest that there are 27 million visits from UK IP addresses. Some unlicensed websites block customers from the U.K. but many of those can be circumvented using VPNs (Virtual Private Networks).

Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the BGC, said: “Search platforms are promoting black-market gambling operators for profit, putting the British consumers, including children, at risk. None of the UK’s strict licensed safeguards are in place on these illegal sites.

“Regulated bookies and online operators have a strict zero tolerance approach to underage gambling, yet unlicensed operators are free to prey on vulnerable consumers.

“We welcome the Government’s Online Harms Bill. But it also provides the Government with a chance to clamp down on the black-market and help protect punters who want a flutter in a safe environment.”

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BitLine Enhances Onboarding Experience in Collaboration with Jumio: Simplified KYC for Casino Patrons

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This collaboration emphasizes convenience, security and regulatory compliance

Through the BitLine app, users can seamlessly transact with up to US$10 million in casino chips 24/7

BitLine, a pioneering provider in the integration of digital assets for direct access to casino chips, proudly announces a strategic alliance with Jumio, an industry leader renowned for its comprehensive know-your-customer (KYC) solutions.

This partnership marks a significant milestone as BitLine streamlines its onboarding process for casino patrons, ensuring a seamless and secure journey into the realm of digital asset-based payments for gaming.

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The collaboration between BitLine and Jumio signifies a commitment to delivering unparalleled convenience while upholding the highest standards of security and regulatory compliance. By leveraging Jumio’s advanced technology, BitLine reinforces its dedication to building trust among users and offering a frictionless experience for individuals seeking access to casino chips via digital assets.

Richard Jones, the Chief Executive Officer for BitLine by Ibanera, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating: “Trust and compliance are the cornerstones of every successful casino venture. At BitLine, our vision to innovate this industry through digital assets hinges on maintaining trust and adherence to regulations. Our collaboration with Jumio represents a monumental stride towards achieving this vision, ensuring that casino patrons transact securely and confidently through our platform.”

Echoing this sentiment, Robert E Prigge, the Chief Executive Officer for Jumio, commented: “The evolving landscape of digital assets presents endless possibilities and BitLine’s innovative approach has reshaped the casino industry. By eliminating withdrawal limitations and expanding accessibility, BitLine has ushered in a new era of gaming. We are thrilled to contribute to BitLine’s journey by providing essential elements of security and compliance.”

BitLine by Ibanera grants cryptocurrency owners unprecedented access to up to US$10 million in casino chips, 24/7/365, serving as a conduit for liquidity on the casino floor. Through the intuitive BitLine app, casino enthusiasts worldwide can initiate transactions within minutes, leveraging their digital assets to unlock funds effortlessly.

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Sportradar Names New CFO, Craig Felenstein

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Sportradar Group AG today announced that Craig Felenstein has been named Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective June 1, 2024. Felenstein joins the Company from Lindblad Expeditions where he most recently served as Chief Financial Officer. He will report directly to Sportradar Chief Executive Officer Carsten Koerl.

Felenstein brings nearly 30 years of senior finance and operating experience for US publicly listed companies across the media, entertainment, experiential and digital content industries to his new position at Sportradar. Most recently, Felenstein served as Chief Financial Officer at Lindblad Expeditions, a global leader in expedition cruises and adventure travel, where he oversaw the company’s global finance organization, as well their corporate development, information technology and human resources functions. In his role as Sportradar’s Chief Financial Officer, Felenstein will lead the company’s global finance, accounting and investor relations functions. Felenstein has a unique blend of financial rigor and operational insight and will partner with the rest of the executive leadership team to advance the company’s key strategic initiatives and grow the business while maintaining strong relationships with the investment community. He will be based in New York.

Carsten Koerl, CEO, Sportradar said: “With Craig’s deep international experience and successful track record building finance organizations as a CFO at US listed public companies, I am confident that he will be a strong addition to our team. His track record of helping drive financial strategy and building shareholder value will be instrumental to our continued success. We want to express our deep gratitude to Ger Griffin for his meaningful contributions to Sportradar during a transformational growth period for our Company.”

Prior to his tenure at Lindblad, Felenstein served as Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and Strategic Finance at Shutterstock where he oversaw all interaction with the investment community while leading the financial planning and analysis and corporate development functions. Prior to Shutterstock, he served in various management roles at Discovery Communications, LLC, including Executive Vice President of Investor Relations. At the same time, he was a member of the executive team for several of Discovery’s businesses including serving as the Chief Financial Officer of Digital, Chief Financial Officer of US Network Revenue and Chief Financial Officer of Animal Planet.  Prior to Discovery Communications, he held senior positions at News Corporation, Viacom Inc., and Arthur Andersen & Co.

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Felenstein said: “Sportradar has built an impressive leadership position in the rapidly growing global sports technology market and the Company is ideally situated to deliver sustained growth given their strong content portfolio, unmatched product offerings and commitment to industry innovation.  I am excited to work with Carsten and the entire Sportradar team, as well as the Board of Directors, to capitalize on the significant growth opportunities ahead and deliver additional value to our clients, partners and shareholders.”

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Should iGaming Be Worried About 2024 Bitcoin Halving?

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In its LinkedIn newsletter, ‘The SOFTSWISS Special’, SOFTSWISS, a global tech expert with over 15 years of experience in iGaming, delves into the impact of Bitcoin Halving on the iGaming realm. 

The recent historical moment of Bitcoin Halving took place on 19th April 2024. SOFTSWISS, a pioneer in crypto-friendly iGaming software, shares its insights and forecasts for how this event may shape the future of iGaming, shedding light on potential opportunities and challenges for industry stakeholders.

 

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What is Bitcoin Halving?

The Bitcoin halving is a scheduled event that occurs approximately every four years or every 210,000 blocks. During this event, the reward for mining and verifying new blocks is reduced by 50%, resulting in miners earning only half the number of BTC per mined block. 

Since its launch in 2009, Bitcoin’s mining reward has halved four times, occurring in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024. The recent April halving reduced the reward to 3.125 BTC per block. Such events are crucial for Bitcoin’s scarcity and inflation control, ensuring that the total supply never exceeds 21 million coins and aligning with its deflationary principles.

Historically, each halving event has resulted in a rise in Bitcoin’s price. This is attributed to the reduced supply and increased scarcity, although other market factors have also influenced these outcomes.

 

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Exploring the Impact of Bitcoin Halving on the iGaming Industry

To provide an in-depth analysis of the Bitcoin Halving impact on iGaming, SOFTSWISS invited Bradley Peak, blockchain expert and tokenomics adviser, to share its anticipations.

  • Bets rise: The halving is expected to lead to an increase in Bitcoin’s value. If the trend of impressive price surges persists, Bitcoin-friendly iGaming brands could see a positive impact.
  • Crypto adoption increase: Implementing crypto-friendly models has the potential to boost player trust and transparency in iGaming. Additionally, it could rejuvenate unique gaming experiences like provably fair games and decentralised casinos.
  • Regulatory frameworks improvement: The recent Bitcoin halving could prompt regulatory bodies to reassess their stance on cryptocurrency gambling. This could lead to new regulations ensuring fairness, responsible gambling, and anti-money laundering measures in the crypto-driven iGaming sector. 

Bradley Peak, blockchain expert, comments on the recent changes: “Any transformation will not be without its challenges. It is important to adapt – invest in employee learning and development, onboard crypto processing, and make sure your platform remains secure in the process.”

Explore the influence of the 2024 Bitcoin Halving on the iGaming industry in the fourth edition of The SOFTSWISS Special newsletter on LinkedIn.

 

About SOFTSWISS 

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SOFTSWISS is an international tech company supplying software solutions for managing iGaming projects. The expert team, which counts over 2,000 employees, is based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.

 

The post Should iGaming Be Worried About 2024 Bitcoin Halving? appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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