Compliance Updates

Betting Companies halted from GAA Sponsorship

Published

7 years ago

February 27, 2018

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As a motion prohibiting the involvement of betting companies received inordinate back up at the Annual Congress, the BETTING companies have been halted from sponsoring GAA teams, competitions, playing gear, and facilities. While addressing the first motion of a busy Congress at Croke Park, Roscommon’s, Michael Rock affirmed that gambling has now emerged as an “endemic in all sports”.

“And we are besieged by opportunities to gamble” and said that a ban on betting companies would “enhance the moral standing of the GAA in Irish life. Any existing sponsorship arrangements with betting companies would be “given time to be phased out” and the motion received the backing from delegates on the floor,” he added.

While a delegate from the Gaelic Players’ Association said: “The GAA is a family-orientated and hugely socially significant organisation. Gambling is a huge concern for the inter-county player.”

Over 100 players have received support from the GPA for gambling specific issues and, in expressing his support for the motion, Down delegate Jack Devanney called for it to be extended to alcoholic drink firms.

“It’s difficult to speak against this motion,” said the Bredagh clubman.

“I welcome this motion and I welcome the fact that the GAA is trying to address the problem.”

The motion was carried with 252 (93 percent) of delegates voting in favour.

A MOTION seeking to make it illegal for anyone who wasn’t a fully paid up member of a GAA club to manage, coach or act as a selector of any of that club’s teams was defeated.

The motion – aimed at deterring payments to club managers – was tabled by the Wolfe Tone’s club in county Clare.

Armagh delegate Sean Reavey spoke against the motion before the vote took place and highlighted the success of Ulster clubs who had brought in ‘outside’ managers.

He asked. “Would Slaughtneil have been as successful if Mickey Moran (from Maghera) hadn’t been involved with them?.”

“Would the Moy have won their championship without an outside manager or would Maghery have won their first Armagh Championship last year if they hadn’t gone outside the club?”

The Director-General Paraic Duffy added: “I empathise with what the club is trying to achieve here.

“The motion mentions three specific roles and unfortunately we have a good record of getting around the rules. You could hear that a club isn’t appointing a manager, they’re appointing a ‘director of football’ or a ‘director of hurling’. Will that breach this rule?”

The motion was defeated with 85 per cent of delegates voting against it.

A MOTION calling for the cut-off point for sanctions for players looking to play in Canada or the USA to be brought back until June 15 was defeated at Congress.

Currently, the cut-off date is July 1 for the Canadian and USGAA Boards and July 20 for the New York GAA Board.

“I urge delegates to oppose this,” said a USGAA delegate and he received support from a member of the New York County Board.

“In New York, in 2017 there was a total of 62 sanctions – this is a very small number of players,” he said.

“The reality on the ground is that these players are going to be in New York and they want to be playing football. We don’t want the situation where anyone is playing illegally.”

The number of players who can be sanctioned to play for a club in New York is limited to encourage the development of home-grown players.

“We have been trying to develop our underage programme to the point that they can make an impact in New York,” explained the delegate.

Sixty-one percent of delegates voted against the motion.

Source: irishnews.com

Compliance Updates

IAGR confirms new Board members

Published

4 days ago

November 14, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) has announced the appointment of four new trustees to its Board, each bringing unique expertise and leadership to strengthen IAGR’s global regulatory efforts:

Anders Dorph, Danish Gambling Authority (Europe)
Peter Kesitilwe Emolemo, Gambling Authority of Botswana (Africa)
Kevin Mullally, General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (Asia/Oceania)
Louis Rogacki, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (North America)

IAGR President Ben Haden said, ‘I’m delighted to welcome our four new trustees to the IAGR Board. Their diverse expertise and leadership across different jurisdictions will bring fresh perspectives to our work, further strengthening our global approach to gaming regulation.

‘I look forward to collaborating with Peter, Louis, Kevin and Anders as we continue to foster innovation and drive forward effective, responsible regulation for the benefit of the global gaming community.

‘We also extend a big thank you to Trude Høgseth Felde and Mabutho Zwane for their dedicated service as they complete their terms on the Board, and I’m pleased to announce that Jason Lane will continue for another term as a Trustee.’

As a leading forum for gaming regulators worldwide, IAGR enables members to meet, share information, discuss legislative developments, exchange views and learn best practices in gaming regulation.

In recent news, IAGR has also confirmed that its 2025 annual conference will be held in Toronto, Canada, from 20 to 23 October 2025, with registrations opening in early 2025.

Compliance Updates

MGA Issues First ESG Code Approval Seals to Licensees

Published

7 days ago

November 11, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has awarded its first-ever ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Code Approval Seals to licensees in the online gaming sector, marking a milestone in the Authority’s commitment to promoting responsible and sustainable industry practices.

This initiative follows the launch of the voluntary ESG Code of Good Practice last year, which invited licensees to submit their ESG disclosure returns. The Code, which covers 19 topics categorised under Environmental, Social and Governance pillars, offers a strategic roadmap for online gaming companies to streamline their reporting efforts.

Following the first annual reporting cycle, 14 gaming operators have been awarded the ESG Code Approval Seal. The Code supports two levels of reporting: Tier 1, which establishes foundational ESG standards, and Tier 2, which represents a more aspirational approach.

Seals are valid for one year, with flexibility for renewal in the subsequent reporting period, allowing operators to advance or adapt their reporting tier year by year.

“We believe this initiative will significantly enhance the industry’s reputation and sustainability credentials,” MGA CEO Charles Mizzi said.

“By integrating ESG considerations into their operations, gaming companies not only contribute to the wellbeing of society and the environment but also strengthen the trust and confidence that consumers, investors, and regulators have in the industry. This initiative sends a clear message: sustainability, in the broadest sense of the word, is integral to the future of the gaming sector.”

Compliance Updates

Turkish Football Federation to Penalise Clubs Promoting Illegal Betting

Published

7 days ago

November 11, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has introduced new regulations to crack down on illegal betting advertisements in professional football.

According to the TFF, clubs found violating the new rules will face fines and, in case of repeated offenses, the deduction of points.

Under the updated guidelines, any club in the Turkish Super League involved in unauthorised betting promotions will face a tiered penalty system.

The first violation will result in a fine of 2 million Turkish Liras (around $58,000), and the second offense will incur a 5 million lira fine and a third violation will see the fine increased to 10 million liras. For subsequent breaches, clubs will be fined 10 million liras for each offense, along with a three-point deduction from their league standings.

“It is forbidden to promote or advertise betting organizations not licensed by competent authorities. This includes any media, billboards and other equipment used within stadium,” the TFF stated.

The TFF emphasised that the ban also applies to entities affiliated with these betting organisations, including those involved in promoting and advertising activities in a way that suggests endorsement of illegal betting.

The global scale of the illegal betting market is staggering, with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimating its worth at $1.8 trillion. In Türkiye alone, the sector is projected to exceed 100 billion liras, according to the Financial Crimes Investigation Board.