Compliance Updates
IBIA reports 50 suspicious betting alerts in Q2 2023
The International Betting Integrity Association’s (IBIA) integrity report for the second quarter (Q2) details 50 incidents of suspicious betting activity reported to the relevant authorities. The Q2 2023 total is an increase of 4% on the revised Q1 figure of 48 alerts and is a decline of 44% on the 90 alerts reported in Q2 2022. That betting integrity information was identified across IBIA members’ global businesses, which number over 125 sports betting brands and US$137 billion in betting turnover per annum, making IBIA the largest integrity monitor of its type in the world.
The 50 incidents of suspicious betting in Q2 concerned eight sports, across 18 countries and four continents. Other key data for Q2 2023 includes:
- Football (soccer) had the highest number of alerts with 19, representing a 27% increase on the 15 alerts reported in Q1 but a 41% decrease on the 32 alerts reported in Q2 2022.
- The 12 tennis alerts reported in Q2 2023 represent a near 60% decrease when compared to the revised figure of 29 alerts for Q2 2022.
- The UK was the country with the highest number of Q2 alerts, with nine alerts concerning four sports (five for darts, two for football, and one each for bowls and boxing).
Khalid Ali, IBIA CEO, said: “The second quarter of the year saw a welcome downward trend with 44% less suspicious alerts compared to Q2 2022, and a near 30% decline in the first half of 2023 when considered against 2022. Much of that decline is a result of collaborative cross-sector efforts headed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency to eradicate match-fixing in tennis, the success of which was highlighted by the prison sentence recently handed out by a Belgian court. That judgment sends a clear and unequivocal message to corrupters that they will be caught, and harsh sanctions imposed.”
The Belgian court handed down sentences to 28 individuals convicted of match-fixing in tennis. This includes the ringleader of a gang that instigated and coordinated the fixing aimed at defrauding betting operators and who has received a sentence of 5 years imprisonment and a fine of €8,000. Ali continued: “The outcome is very welcome and IBIA congratulates the ITIA on its collaborative partnership working with key stakeholders and its continued resolve to identify and punish illicit activity. IBIA’s responsible regulated betting operators remain committed to working closely with sports to weed out corruption.”
The Q2 integrity report includes a breakdown of alerts reported on sporting events taking place in Europe between 2018-2022. It also contains a focus on the Netherlands which had eight suspicious alerts during 2018-22 (three for football and tennis, and one each for darts and beach volleyball). According to leading global gambling market intelligence company H2 Gambling Capital, the Netherlands’ onshore online sports betting market is due to increase from €276m in gross gambling revenue (GGR) in 2022 to €690m by 2028, albeit a sizeable offshore channelisation (€124m) will remain.
Of the 50 alerts reported in Q2 2023, two related to women’s events, 47 for men’s events and one for a mixed gender event. IBIA has recent released a ground-breaking study that analyses the size and characteristics of the women’s sports betting market and examines the potential vulnerability of women’s sports to match-fixing.
Industry-leading provider secures license to provide slots and live content in Denmark
Award-winning casino content provider Stakelogic has obtained a license from the Danish Gambling Authority, Spillemyndigheden, to provide its gaming content in Denmark.
The license will allow Stakelogic to bring its premium portfolio of online casino slots and live dealer content to the Danish market, including recent releases like Fire and Gold Cluster Breaker, Super Wheel Game Show, Trident of Legends, and The Watcher.
Stakelogic is able to partner up with leading Danish operators, establishing itself as a must-have provider in the country. The move further highlights Stakelogic’s commitment to strengthening its position in the European market and exploring new and exciting regulated markets.
The license also further cements the company’s presence in the Scandinavian markets, having secured a license from the Swedish authority, Spelinspektionen, in 2023 and establishing itself as a popular provider among Swedish players.
Denmark is one of Europe’s fastest-growing markets, with a strong focus on customer care and responsible gambling. Stakelogic is proud to have met all the requirements needed to obtain the license, highlighting its commitment to providing players with the best and safest gaming experiences.
Stephan van den Oetelaar, CEO at Stakelogic, said: “Denmark is one of the fastest growing markets in Europe, and we are proud to have achieved a license to the newly regulated market.
We are grateful to Spillemyndigheden for their support in us and we are excited to take our next steps into the market.”
The post Stakelogic Secures License to the newly regulated Danish market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Charles Counsell OBE has been appointed as Interim Chair of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) for a nine month term which will commence on 1 February 2025.
Charles was Chief Executive Officer of The Pensions Regulator from April 2019 to March 2023. Prior to this he was CEO of the Money Advice Service, and Executive Director of Automatic Enrolment at The Pensions Regulator.
As CEO of The Pensions Regulator, Charles developed the new corporate strategy to put the pension saver at the heart of the Regulator. He delivered their first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Climate Change strategies – both focused on driving change in the regulator and across the Pensions Sector.
Throughout his career, his roles have focused on setting up and delivering large change programmes requiring significant stakeholder relationship engagement: initially in the private sector and latterly in senior public sector appointments.
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SYNOT Games has obtained a B2B online slot games supplier license in Denmark, authorising the company to supply its gaming content within Denmark’s regulated market. This B2B license, issued by the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden), becomes effective on January 1, 2025, aligning with new regulatory requirements mandating that all game suppliers hold such a license from that date forward.
This development enables SYNOT Games to offer its portfolio of slot games to Danish operators, reinforcing its commitment to compliance and responsible gaming practices.
“Obtaining the B2B license from the Danish Gambling Authority marks a significant milestone for us in the Danish market. This license not only aligns with new regulatory requirements but also reinforces our commitment to adhering to the highest industry standards. We are thrilled to continue offering Danish players the immersive gaming experience our portfolio provides,” said Martina Krajčí, CCO of SYNOT Games.
The post SYNOT Games Secures Danish License appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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