Press Releases

GVC Sets out plan to safely welcome customers back to betting shops

Published

5 years ago

June 10, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

GVC Holdings PLC, the global sports-betting and gaming group, has today set out the comprehensive plan it is implementing to safely re-open its Ladbrokes and Coral betting shops. From 15 June, all 2,445 shops in England will open their doors, followed by the remainder of the Group’s c.3,000 shop estate, as the devolved administrations in the UK ease their own lockdowns.

The guiding principle behind the plan is to ensure the health and wellbeing of all colleagues and customers. The plan details the social distancing and safety procedures put in place alongside the provision of new protective equipment installed in store and provided to the shop personnel. The new measures have been designed to meet or exceed guidelines laid down by the UK government and World Health Organisation.

The key elements are summarised below, with each element supported by detailed guidance and the provision of additional equipment and training where required:

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Pre shop-opening checks

Property maintenance checks.
Facilities, screens, bet stations, gaming machines and till systems cleaned.
Review of security hardware in shops.

Tools to support social distancing

Installation of additional equipment including ‘sneeze screens’, protective barriers between gaming machines and bet stations to act as a physical barrier between colleagues and customers to ensure social distancing.
Installation of customer signage and floor markings to provide direction on social distancing whilst in shop.
Compulsory social distancing training module for all colleagues.

Health and safety provisions

Supply of stylus pens for customers using bet stations and gaming machines, to avoid customers physically touching screens.
Provision of additional hand sanitiser stations, hand wash and cleaning products to promote and maintain good hygiene standards.
Provision of colleague comfort measures such as face masks, protective shields and disposable gloves.
Introduction of enhanced colleague cleaning routines in both the customer and colleague areas.

Shop operation guidance

Clear guidance on maximum customer occupancy levels, based on size and layout of each shop, to support social distancing.
Guidance on customer entry/exit management procedures.
Guidance on bet placement and payment processes, with use of contactless payment encouraged.

Colleague wellbeing

Installation of dividing partitions between till positions to act as a physical barrier between colleagues and ensure social distancing.
Restrictions on transfer of personnel between multiple shops to reduce exposure.
Provision of a third-party app “Unmind” to promote mental wellbeing.
Supply of video and printed training materials.
Employee Assistance Programme made available to all colleagues and their families.
Open and honest communication channels with all colleagues.

Safer gambling

Increased monitoring of customer behaviour and wellbeing, to identify potentially vulnerable customers and ensure they are playing within their financial means.
Guidance on interactions with vulnerable customers whilst social distancing
Review of self-exclusion lists.

Commenting on the plan GVC CEO Kenny Alexander said:

“We are very pleased to be re-opening our shops in England as the UK begins the first steps in returning to some form of normality. Ever since the lockdown was introduced, we have been working tirelessly on a plan which will deliver the safest possible environment for both our customers and our people. I am confident we have achieved that and look forward to welcoming our customers back in the near future.”

Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said:

“I’m delighted that GVC, home of some of the world class brands in betting, will be able to re-open their English betting shops safely from 15 June. GVC make a significant contribution to the economy, supporting good jobs in communities across the country, and it’s great to see at first hand their commitment to ensuring that their reopened shops will provide a safe and enjoyable environment for staff and customers alike”.

Balkans

Pateplay’s newest partner in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Published

16 hours ago

January 30, 2025

George Miller

pateplay’s-newest-partner-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Pateplay is thrilled to unveil its latest strategic partnership with WWin, a premier online operator in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Martin Yonovski, BDM & CMO at Pateplay, on the collaboration: “Partnering with WWin is a significant step forward for Pateplay. We’re eager to combine our strengths and expertise, and we’re confident this collaboration will open new doors for growth and huge success for both parties”.

Through this alliance, Pateplay is further accelerating its global expansion efforts, poised to achieve extraordinary milestones and deliver unparalleled experiences to players worldwide.

The post Pateplay’s newest partner in Bosnia and Herzegovina appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Compliance Updates

GoldenRace fuels growth in Europe with renewed MGA certification

Published

17 hours ago

January 30, 2025

George Miller

goldenrace-fuels-growth-in-europe-with-renewed-mga-certification

Reading Time: 2 minutes

GoldenRace, leading provider of award-winning Virtual Sports and betting solutions, is thrilled to announce the renewal of its Maltese certification, successfully tested by BMM lab and approved by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). This renewed certification keeps unlocking opportunities in Romania, Poland, Serbia and other MGA-regulated territories, giving operators a golden ticket to tap into new revenue streams in highly regulated markets.

In Romania, where 88% of the population has internet access, the online gambling market is thriving, offering significant opportunities for operators to attract a tech-savvy audience. Serbia, ranked 8th in Europe for gambling revenue, continues its rapid expansion with over 2,200 betting shops and a flourishing online gambling sector. Meanwhile, Poland’s well-regulated and mature market is a compelling destination for operators seeking sustainable growth.

Any games that have been approved under its newly recertified license in Malta, are also eligible for inclusion under its Class II license in Romania, upon the successful completion of the ONJN approval process. While this certification eases the path in these markets, local regulators may require additional approvals. Operators are advised to present these certifications to their respective regulatory authorities to ensure seamless compliance.

Markets on the rise demand winning content

Compliance may open the door, but content is what keeps players loyal. GoldenRace is helping operators target new demographics and grow market share by offering an incredible portfolio of certified games.

In markets such as Romania and Serbia, football is the main revenue force. GoldenRace continues to dominate this space with its newly certified football games, including its most new football format and games such as Football League, World Cup, Euro tournaments (Champions League & Euro League), La Libertadores and Single Soccer.

With online sports betting making up 58% of Romania’s gambling market and Serbia’s sports betting sector projected to grow by 4.93% between 2025 and 2029, GoldenRace has certified games such as Penalt2Win, Basketball 3×3, Horse and Greyhound racing, MMA (Single & Tournament) and several thrilling motor racing titles, such as Grand Prix Indianapolis 60, Motorbike and Speedway racing.

Eastern Europe’s enduring love for number-based games creates another profitable avenue for operators. Certified games such as Keno & Keno Deluxe, Spin2Win (Royale & American) and Perfect6 are designed to meet the unique preferences of players in these regions.

Insights show that players in Poland and neighboring regions prioritise financial rewards, with 56% listing it as their top motivator for gambling. For those players seeking big payouts potential, Crash Games are leading the charge. After a stellar debut in GoldenRace’s Crashmas campaign, games like Jet Escape, Boom Ball Juggle, Fire Crash, Bank Run and Meteoroid are now part of the certified portfolio.

The post GoldenRace fuels growth in Europe with renewed MGA certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Play Hawaiitopia now — Red Rake Gaming’s latest tropical video slot

Published

18 hours ago

January 30, 2025

George Miller

play-hawaiitopia-now-—-red-rake-gaming’s-latest-tropical-video-slot

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Red Rake Gaming presents Hawaiitopia, its new and exciting video slot that transports players to a tropical island full of excitement and wins. With innovative features, big multipliers and delightful fruits, Hawaiitopia provides a unique gaming experience.

Thanks to its 7×7 format, Cascading Reels and Cluster Wins, each spin presents a chance to win. By lining up 5 or more consecutive identical symbols, either horizontally or vertically, players can land successive wins that gradually accumulate to make up the final win. Each cluster win increases the general spin multiplier by a maximum of x5, giving players the chance to land even bigger wins.

Wild multipliers appear after cluster wins, taking the magic of Hawaiitopia to a whole other level. Additional multipliers are awarded when the two are joined together, further increasing players’ winnings.

During the free spins feature, which is launched after lining up 3 or more BONUS symbols, the general multiplier is not reset on each spin, allowing wins to accumulate continuously. Players can also collect BONUS symbols to unlock additional spins via a special progress bar, extending the feature by up to 25 free spins.

Hawaiitopia will bring unbridled tropical fun and big wins for your players. Don’t pass up the opportunity to incorporate this new video slot into your online casino and offer them a gaming experience like no other.

Your tropical adventure has only just begun!

The post Play Hawaiitopia now — Red Rake Gaming’s latest tropical video slot appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.