Compliance Updates
DSWV Urges GGL to Immediately Safeguard Germany’s Online Gambling Marketplace Against “Unlicensed Threats”
German sports betting trade association Der Deutsche Sportwettenverband (DSWV) has urged the new federal gambling regulator Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) to immediately safeguard Germany’s online gambling marketplace against “unlicensed threats”.
Last week, the GGL formally took charge of the regulatory supervision of GlüNeuRStv, Germany’s Fourth Interstate Gambling Regime, replacing the executive of Saxony Anhalt, who had as the market’s interim governing authority.
Established six months ahead of schedule, the GGL faces a raft of complex challenges to fix Germany’s unloved GlüNeuRStv regime. The market’s licensed incumbents have been vocal about operating challenges and commercial shortcomings related to the regime’s- licensing application, product restrictions, advertising rules, compliance demands/costs and terms of competition against land-based incumbents.
The leadership duo of Ronald Benter and Benjamin Schwanke will serve as joint chief executives of the GGL.
The DSWV welcomed the GGL’s formation, wishing “the new state gaming authority a successful start into a new era of regulation for German online gambling”.
Outlined as the most pressing of matters, the DSWV has urged the GGL to “effectively combat illegal online gambling”, as a key criterion for Bundesländer’s compromise of the regulator mandate of the GlüNeuRStv regime, back in 2021.
“The assumption of the task of combating the illegal market by the GGL is a milestone for the German gaming market,” – remarked DSWV President Mathias Dahms.
“The Authority is now facing major challenges, and we hope that they will also overcome them. The unregulated black market has been able to take on gigantic proportions practically unhindered in recent years. It must therefore intervene now and create a fair market as quickly as possible.”
The DSWV noted “worrying feedback” from the GlüNeuRStv’s 36 licensed sports betting operators who have observed an ‘unprotected marketplace’ in which unlicensed competitors “romp around without a care for necessary player protections”.
Monitoring Germany’s new online gambling marketplace, the DSWV has identified 507 illegal websites that are actively targeting German consumers as “registration from Germany is possible without any problems”.
The ease of engagement with German consumers has escalated licensed incumbents’ fear that “the volume of the black market can hardly be estimated” and that illegal operators have significantly increased their market share since the GlüNeuRStv’s launch.
The GGL has outlined that it will counteract black market threats by using its regulatory controls of IP and payment blocking on unlicensed operators.
The DSWV welcomed IP and payment blocking as short-term measures and advised the GGL to focus on creating a better-licensed offering as the effective solution to safeguard German consumers.
The DSWV deemed that the success of the GGL as regulatory authority will be measured by achieving a high channelisation rate, ensuring the consumers engage and play with licensed operators.
Dahms concluded: “The goal of everyone involved should be to create a secure market that is interesting for customers.”
“Effective action against illegal providers and an attractive range of products on the legal market can actually stop the increasing migration of players to the unregulated black market.”
Compliance Updates
Comtrade Gaming Obtains Romanian License to Distribute Games
Comtrade Gaming’s CG Games division has announced its approval for the distribution of casino content in Romania.
The license will allow players in Romania to access a range of games from the CG Games portfolio, including Sweet Treasure, Crash Soccer, Wild Miner, Diamond King, Break the Bank and many more.
“This is a key step for CG Games. We have been very successful in the Romanian market for many years, with our iGaming Platform, and this extension of our license means we can increase our offering to our partners. It also now allows us to work with all operators in that market, regardless of the platform they use, and we are very excited to bring our games to this market,” said Comtrade Gaming’s Chief Commercial Officer, Steven Valentine.
Compliance Updates
Betsson Group shortlisted for 4 awards at the Global Regulatory Awards
Betsson Group has managed to secure four award nominations for the 8th edition of the Global Regulatory Awards. Held annually since 2017, the awards hosted by Vixio, a leading provider of regulatory intelligence solutions, recognise the achievements of individuals, teams, and organisations in the gaming industry that have excelled in compliance, corporate social responsibility, and safer gaming.
According to the official website of the Global Regulatory Awards, Vixio received a record number of submissions this year, making 2024 their most competitive year by far.
The 2024 Global Regulatory Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on 4th December 2024.
Betsson Group is shortlisted for three company awards and one individual award.
1. Commitment to Compliance by an Operator
This award celebrates a leading compliance initiative by a gambling operator that has significantly improved internal expertise and set a new standard for industry best practices. The judges will look for an initiative that demonstrates transformative improvements in processes, technology, reporting, and training, while also promoting best practices across the sector.
2. Chief Compliance Officer of the Year – Corinne Valletta
This award celebrates an exceptional compliance leader who consistently exceeds expectations, expertly navigates regulatory challenges, and has significantly elevated the compliance standards within their organisation through pragmatic solutions, operational transformation, and thought leadership. The award seeks a leader who actively collaborates with management, their team, and regulatory bodies to foster a culture of compliance. Judges will look for concrete examples of the nominee’s impact, including industry conference appearances, introduced training initiatives, and demonstrations of thought leadership.
3. Compliance Team of the Year
This award honours a compliance team within an organisation that actively fosters a culture of compliance, responding effectively to regulatory changes and driving their organization to lead in new compliance standards. Judges will evaluate how the team has cultivated a compliance-focused culture, collaborated across the organisation, initiated training, and influenced business practices and industry engagement, including with trade associations. Special consideration will be given to teams that have led their organisation into new compliance jurisdictions in emerging markets.
4. Legal Team of the Year
This award recogises a legal team that protects the company’s reputation by ensuring compliance with regulations, demonstrating exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and organisational skills, and proactively advising management. Judges will assess how the team promotes best practices, keeps the business ahead of regulatory changes, and minimises the impact on both the bottom line and daily operations.
In conclusion, the above nominations highlight Betsson’s strong compliance culture and commitment to raising its standards in compliance to ensure a safe and stable business.
Compliance Updates
St8.io granted Isle of Man licence
The next-generation content aggregator St8.io has been awarded an Isle of Man OGRA Software Supplier licence, as the company continues to expand its regulated footprint worldwide.
The licence, granted by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission, will allow St8 to supply its product to other IoM-licensed B2B and B2C partners, as well as other Tier 1 operators.
“This is another important step in our mission to serve regulated markets worldwide,” said Vladimir Negine, founder and CEO at St8. “We’ve been really impressed by the robust licensing process of the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission, which allows us to deliver innovative technology in a manner that protects both our partners and the end user. As we expand our presence into more regulated markets, the proven reputation that comes with an IoM licence will serve us well.”
Lyle Wraxall, Chief Executive at Digital Isle of Man added: “I would like to congratulate St8 for gaining their Isle of Man Software Supplier Licence and look forward to them joining the thriving business community. St8’s decision to expand its operations here reinforces the Isle of Man’s position as a leading hub for the digital and gaming industries.”
St8 was guided through the licensing process by specialist consultancy Amber Gaming.
“We are thrilled to congratulate our valued partner St8 on securing their licence with the support of our advisory services. This achievement underscores our commitment to delivering expert guidance and driving success together,” said Jade Zorab, Managing Director at Amber Gaming.
Vladimir Negine added: “We chose Amber Gaming because we needed a partner with a complete understanding of this process, a flawless reputation and an efficient approach that matched with our timelines. They delivered perfectly on all of these, and I’d like to thank Lee-Ann, Abi and the entire Amber Gaming team for their fantastic support.”
St8.io’s Isle of Man licence is just the latest that the content aggregator has acquired. Last year, it was granted a licence from Romania’s National Gambling Office, and in June secured a recognition notice from the Malta Gaming Authority.
The company continues to bring world-class innovation to the aggregation space, including a recent major update to its St8 Art Kit, which now features animated thumbnails for high-performing games.
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