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UKGC: Information for operators re-opening land-based gambling premises

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As restrictions on the lockdown ease the UKGC has published a number of frequently asked questions covering its expectations from land-based operators.

These FAQs are aimed at helping operators manage compliance with Government guidance on reopening with continued compliance with the Licence conditions and codes of practice (LCCP).

The Commission is also reminding operators they are still expected to continue to follow Customer Interaction guidance as doors are reopened to consumers.

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Frequently asked questions

Which premises can open from 15 June?

Just betting offices in England are able to open from 15 June.

 

Do Operators still have to meet all the Gambling Act and LCCP requirements?

Yes, there are no changes to operators’ obligations. We therefore expect operators to have confidence in their ability to be fully compliant with our requirements when they reopen. Where we find evidence of non-compliance, we will take swift action.  

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Will the Commission undertake premises-based assessments?

The Commission’s approach will support the following Government objectives as set out in guidance:

  • To minimise the contact resulting from visits to stores or outlets
  • To minimise the number of unnecessary visits to offices
  • To minimise non-essential travel

This means that the Commission will look to obtain premises information by remote means. This includes requesting electronic data or recordings and where possible/necessary undertaking Skype meetings.

 

Will Licensing Authorities undertake premises-based assessments?

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LA requirements remain the same. Individual LAs will undertake their own risk assessments and implement policies and procedures accordingly.

 

Who do I report my concerns to if I think government Covid-19 guidelines are not being followed correctly?

The Gambling Commission is not responsible for addressing breaches of Covid19 guidance. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE), Local Authorities, and local Police Forces (England & Wales only) have the relevant information on their websites.

 

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Risk Assessments 

General business risk assessment

Whilst not a requirement, we would expect operators to consider the risks posed to compliance with the Act, LCCP and associated guidance. As such we may seek evidence to support this.

 

Do operators need to review their premises [local] risk assessment(s)?

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Operators may have to implement changes to manage social distancing and to protect staff and customers. Where these changes are significant, and could affect the mitigation of local risks, operators must review and where necessary update their risk assessments.

 

Do operators need to update their AML risk assessment?

Land based operators in the regulated sector are required to regularly review their AML risk assessments. Casinos are not reopening in June, but we would expect them to review the risks when they do. Operators in the unregulated sector are expected to review the risks and if required update any risk assessments.

 

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Premises  

What do operators need to consider if they are putting screens around machines for customer protection?

Operators must ensure that whatever measures they put in place to socially distance customers, staff can continue to supervise the premises, monitor customers behaviour for signs of gambling-related harm and monitor compliance with age-restrictions.

 

Do the social distancing rules mean customer interactions are suspended?

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No. Operators must ensure that staff can and do undertake customer interactions that are meaningful and effective and that they comply with the LCCP and with our Customer Interaction guidance .

 

Do operators still need to undertake Age Verification (AV) check programs?

Operators are still required to undertake these programs. Suppliers (e.g. Serve Legal) could also be undertaking their own business risk assessments that may require changes to the process.

 

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If customers are wearing PPE (facemasks), are operators still required to undertake AV checks?

Yes, Government guidance states that customers can be asked to remove their masks for AV checks. If customers refuse, then staff should follow operator guidance on refusing service.

 

If customers are wearing PPE (facemasks), are operators still required to enforce self-exclusions?

Yes. There are no changes to an operator’s responsibilities.  Operators are expected to review their policies and procedures and to take a pragmatic approach.

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Can operators move their gaming machines to allow for social distancing? Where plans submitted to LA stipulate specific areas for machines (most likely betting shops) operators must contact the LA for advice first.

Can operators expand the use of TITO?

We expect full and proper supervision of these facilities, in particular the monitoring for potential money laundering or safer gambling issues. Operators must ensure that they can evidence appropriate controls when installing TITO and all gaming machines must comply with the relevant technical standards.

 

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Can betting operators increase the number of SSBTs?

We expect full and proper supervision of these facilities. In particular the monitoring for potential money laundering or safer gambling issues. Provided operators can evidence appropriate controls when installing SSBTs, use can be expanded. 

 

Can operators replace safer gambling messaging (posters/leaflets etc.) with social distancing/Covid 19 messaging?

Our guidance on the provision and display of information has not changed.

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Will the Commission suspend test-purchasing?

We will continue to carry out test-purchasing to identify those that are operating unlawfully.

 

What will the Commission do about the period of time during which there were no test-purchase exercises?

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We do not want operators to be disadvantaged and so we will be calculating results only for the periods during which premises are open.

 

Staff  

What happens if staff will not or cannot undertake customer interactions due to social distancing or Covid 19 concerns?

Operators must ensure customer interactions take place. Staffing issues are a matter for individual operators, but our expectation is that they are confident in their abilities to meet all of our requirements, including customer interactions, when they reopen. Where we find evidence of non-compliance, we will take swift action.  

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What happens if a PML goes sick with C-19 or has to self-isolate?

Our expectation is that operators will have in place contingency plans. So long as this is the case, wherever possible the Commission will be flexible on arrangements.

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Latest News

Nolimit City gets its hands dirty in its latest release, Seamen

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Get your mops out, this ship is one big floating mess! Only the dirtiest of sailors can sail the seven seas aboard Nolimit City’s latest release, Seamen. This rowdy slot falls in Nolimit City’s classic slot category with the likes of Brute Force: Alien Onslaught, Stockholm Syndrome and Flight Mode.

If you’re 6ft tall, love the open sea and have a taste for working with seamen, then join the White Pearl today! This ship is used to carrying some big loads.

The only thing that stays clean on deck are the reels! Featuring a 3-5-5-3 setup where winning symbols are paid out before triggering a respin. The multiplier on those winning symbols increases by 1 each respin. On each respin, one extra Fire Frame is added to another position. Each position that gets a Fire Frame has its multiplier increased by +1. Winning symbols with a Fire Frame increase by +2.

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xWays®

When people say the more the merrier, no one tells you it’s messier. xWays® Symbols reveal 2-4 symbols of the same kind and increase the number of win ways. If more than one xWays® symbol lands on the reels then all xWays® symbols will reveal the same Symbol.

Molotov Fire

To heat up the reels, Molotov Fire transforms itself into a Wild Symbol and adds Fire Frames to all symbols on its column.

Bombs Away

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What’s better than fire? That’s right, boys… I mean bombs! Bombs appear on the reels and explode to remove symbols based on their type. Any symbol removed by a Bomb has its position multiplier increased by +1 or +2 if there is a Fire Frame on that position. Be careful, out at sea there is more than 1 type of bomb:

  1. Coconut: Removes itself and increases the position multiplier by 5x, 10x, 15x, 20x or 100x, in addition to the standard multiplier increaser.
  2. Cross Bomb: Removes itself and all regular symbols on its reel and row
  3. Naval Mine: Removes itself and all low paying symbols on the reel area.

Rigged Spins

Thats weird… the deck is slippery but sticky at the same time. Landing 3 Bonus Symbols will trigger 5 Rigged Spins where position multipliers are kept during all the Free Spins.

Super Rigged Spins

Landing 4 Bonus Symbols will trigger 7 Super Rigged Spins where positions are kept during Free Spins. Additionally, to spice up the deck, more Fire Frames are awarded per spin on average.

Extra Spin

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Extra Spin returns! Players might get the opportunity to purchase an additional spin when a round ends. The additional spins will keep the position multiplier, Fire Frames and Bonus Symbols of the previous spin. The cost of the spins is calculated based on position multipliers.

 

Nolimit Boosters

Don’t get caught with your pants down on the slipway. Prepare yourself with the following Nolimit Boosters:

  • Bonus Booster – guarantees a Bonus Symbol on the top position of the second leftmost reel.
  • Big Load Spins – guarantees a spin that starts off with 3x multipliers on all positions.
  • Bigger Load Spins – guarantees a spin that starts off with 6x multipliers on all positions.
  • Coconut Spins – guarantees a spin that starts off with Coconuts on all positions.

Do you have what it takes to join this filthy crew? Seamen has a maximum payout of 20,000x the base bet. Seamen is rated as “Highly Volatile” delivering the thrilling high-stakes gameplay that Nolimit City fans know and love.

Per Lindheimer, Head of Product at Nolimit City, said: “No comment on this one. What more is there to add besides, it’s always a good time when the boys get together. Fire Frames, Bombs and xWays® combine to make one hell of a splash.”

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Seamen’ will be available to all Nolimit City partners on August 5th, 2025.

The post Nolimit City gets its hands dirty in its latest release, Seamen appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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C8 Secure

Continent 8 provides pen testing to Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission to strengthen the regulatory authority’s cybersecurity posture

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Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) service enables the independent gaming commission to test IT infrastructure for vulnerabilities

Continent 8 Technologies, the leading provider of managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity solutions for the tribal gaming industry, supports Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission (TGC) with its proven Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) services.

The Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission is the independent tribal gaming regulatory authority established in 1993 under Chapter 16 of the Cherokee Code of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Charged with the duty to ensure fairness and integrity of the gaming activities within its facilities, the commission enlisted Continent 8, and its cybersecurity division, C8 Secure, to conduct pen testing.

The VAPT service provides a comprehensive security assessment of an organization’s infrastructure and applications. Often mandated by regulation, it helps organizations measure the real-world effectiveness of their security controls and incident response capabilities. Additionally, the service provides actionable insights, including prioritized recommendations and industry best practices to address identified vulnerabilities and strengthen overall cybersecurity posture.

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Emra Arkansas, Executive Director at Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission said: “We are sincerely grateful to Continent 8, especially Patrick Gardner, Anthony Engel and Jerad Swimmer, for their partnership and recognition of our ongoing cybersecurity initiatives. The Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission remains firmly committed to protecting not only our critical infrastructure but also the sovereignty that underpins our regulatory authority. In an era of growing cyber threats, safeguarding Tribal IT systems is more than a technical priority, it is a sovereign responsibility. With Continent 8’s trusted expertise, we are proud to set a higher standard for cybersecurity in Indian Country, ensuring our operations remain secure, resilient and self-determined.”

Patrick Gardner, Chief Security Officer at Continent 8 said: “In response to today’s evolving cyber threat landscape, the Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission is working to establish a new standard in cybersecurity – and we are proud to support this important initiative. Their proactive efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure reflect a deep and ongoing investment in cybersecurity resilience.”

Jerad Swimmer, Regional Sales Director at Continent 8 added: “It was a pleasure collaborating with the Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission in conducting a comprehensive evaluation of their IT infrastructure. Their team has shown a tremendous awareness of the escalating cybersecurity challenges within the tribal gaming sector. It is encouraging to see both enterprises and regulatory authorities actively enhancing their cybersecurity measures.”

The post Continent 8 provides pen testing to Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission to strengthen the regulatory authority’s cybersecurity posture appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Compliance Updates

SPRIBE WINS UK COURT INJUNCTION AGAINST AVIATOR LLC TO PROTECT SPRIBE’S ICONIC AVIATOR CRASH GAME

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In a key ruling, on 1 August 2025 the UK High Court granted SPRIBE an interim injunction preventing a Georgian company, Aviator LLC, from launching or marketing its copycat crash game in the UK. The order was granted to protect SPRIBE’s award-winning Aviator game.

Speaking today, SPRIBE’s founder, David Natroshvili, said: “I am pleased that the highly respected UK Court supports our position and has granted an injunction preventing Aviator LLC from launching and promoting its copycat game. SPRIBE created the Aviator crash game in 2018 and is the sole owner of the game globally. We will continue to take all necessary steps globally to protect SPRIBE, our partners and players from any third parties who seek to undermine or infringe our rights.”

Granting of UK High Court injunction
SPRIBE obtained a UK gambling licence for its Aviator game in December 2020 and has been very successful in the UK market. A Georgian company, Aviator LLC, recently stated its intent to release a copycat game in the UK, also branded Aviator, and has engaged in promotional communications targeted at SPRIBE’s UK customers.
This copycat game is not authorised by SPRIBE. It blatantly infringes the copyright works which SPRIBE owns in its game and seeks to misappropriate the goodwill which SPRIBE has created in its Aviator brand. To prevent the clear risk of reputational and financial damage from any unlawful action by Aviator LLC, SPRIBE has sought, and now won, an interim injunction preventing Aviator LLC from launching or marketing its copycat game in the UK.

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Throughout these proceedings and elsewhere, Aviator LLC has provided conflicting and contradictory evidence.  At the hearing Aviator LLC sought to evade responsibility for this matter, including attempting to misdirect the UK Court by obscuring its role through the creation of a shifting network of licensing entities, denying previously stated plans to enter the UK market and refusing to provide key evidence. This led to Aviator LLC’s conduct being described by the Court as ‘childlike’ and ‘petulant’.

Further information relating to bad faith actions by Aviator LLC
This activity by Aviator LLC forms part of a continuing chain of bad faith actions by Georgian businessman Temur Ugulava, who is behind Aviator LLC and a series of connected companies, aimed at exploiting the commercial success and international reputation of SPRIBE’s brand.

Unfounded and opportunistic claims were launched in the Georgian courts last year by Aviator LLC, seeking to expropriate – for the territory of Georgia only – the Aviator branding and logo used by SPRIBE. The flawed Georgian ruling followed an unusually rapid and procedurally flawed legal process in a jurisdiction where concerns around judicial independence and transparency have been widely documented.

SPRIBE continues firmly to reject these claims brought by Aviator LLC, which related solely to the use of a specific logo and branding in Georgia and did not concern ownership of the Aviator game itself. SPRIBE’s trademarks remain valid and protected outside of Georgia, including in the EU and UK.

SPRIBE is aware that Aviator LLC and companies affiliated to it (such as Aviator Studio Group or AviGroup) have directly contacted SPRIBE customers, falsely claiming to be the owner of the intellectual property rights in the branding of SPRIBE’s Aviator game, whilst at the same time promoting their own copycat version of it. These claims are bogus. The Aviator game, including its features, branding and intellectual property, are entirely created and owned by SPRIBE. SPRIBE will continue to take all necessary steps to defend its rights against any third parties who seek to undermine or infringe them.

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Aviator LLC has also sought to use the flawed ruling in Georgia to launch spurious proceedings elsewhere. Such claims are without merit and will be vigorously defended.

The post SPRIBE WINS UK COURT INJUNCTION AGAINST AVIATOR LLC TO PROTECT SPRIBE’S ICONIC AVIATOR CRASH GAME appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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