Compliance Updates
Swintt granted permission to operate in the UK
Leading online casino software supplier announces much-anticipated licensing agreement to bring its award-winning catalogue of games to players at UKGC-regulated platforms
Innovative software supplier, Swintt, is delighted to announce that it has been successful in its application for a UK license, meaning players at UKGC-regulated platforms will soon be able to enjoy its extensive collection of award-winning video slots and live casino games.
Having been founded in 2019, Swintt has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the iGaming industry over the past few years and now boasts a rich and varied catalogue of over 140 state-of-the-art releases. Such has the studio’s impact been in that short space of time that the company was named Innovation in Mobile winner at the EGR B2B Awards in 2022 in recognition of its ground-breaking product offering.
Now that the company has gained approval to distribute its games in the UK, Swintt will continue with its over-arching strategy to expand into regulated markets worldwide and bring its titles to a vast new audience, many of whom may not yet be familiar with the studio’s pioneering range of bonus features.
As part of the first phase of the launch, Swintt will unveil a couple of titles in its signature Xtra range of slots, Aloha Spirit XtraLockTM and Mystic Bear XtraHoldTM, as well as the popular mobile-first release, Candy Gold. Boasting trademark features such as jackpot Tiki Spins, locking re-spins and purchasable block-busting power-ups, all three titles will offer a totally unique slot experience to UK-based players.
This popular trio of games will be further complimented by the release of a title that will no doubt strike a chord with casino fans in the country – The Crown starring Vinnie Jones. Featuring a celebrity appearance from the former Welsh international footballer turned actor and philanthropist, The Crown sees players put together a crew as they prepare for a daring heist on London’s famous jewels.
The first slot in the Swintt catalogue to feature multiple base game locations, The Crown allows players to play at one of four different venues, each of which boasts its own signature wild and bonus feature. Should they land three or more jewel scatter symbols at any location, they’ll also trigger the Crown Caper feature, where they’ll be able to collect up to 12 Free Spins with a maximum 7x prize multiplier.
The Crown should prove to be a big hit with fans of the Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels movie and will certainly provide plenty of entertainment as Swintt continues to roll out the rest of its releases across the UK.
David Mann, Chief Executive Office at Swintt, said: “Swintt is thrilled to be able to announce the issuance of a UK licence that will enable us to share our incredible collection of games with players at UKGC-licensed platforms for the very first time.
“While we should be able to announce the first of our UK partners shortly, in the meantime I can assure players that it won’t be long until they’re able to access some of our award-winning titles and experience the features that have helped us become one of the leading software providers.”
Asia
Uzbekistan Legalises Online Betting and Lotteries
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree on April 19 titled “On Measures to Improve the Regulation of the Organization and Conduct of Lotteries and Risk-Based Games in the Republic of Uzbekistan”. The document abolishes the ban starting from January 1, 2025, and introduces a legal framework for the organisation of risk-based games online and betting activities.
The issue of legalising betting activities has been a long-standing topic in Uzbekistan. In December 2019, the president signed a decree to legalise bookmakers, but this decision was revised in April 2022. In April 2023, the head of state instructed the development of a regulatory framework for betting activities.
The National Agency for Advanced Projects (NAAP), the authorised state body for regulating and licensing activities in this sector, provided insights on the necessity of introducing state regulation in the gambling sector in Uzbekistan. The agency emphasised the need to prevent illegal gambling businesses, protect players’ rights and generate additional income for the state budget.
The president’s decree aims to introduce advanced foreign experience and modern technologies in regulating the organisation of risk-based games and lotteries to increase investment attractiveness, tourist potential and attract additional funds to the country.
The measures outlined in the decree include the creation of legal foundations for the legalisation of activities related to risk-based games online, betting activities, and lotteries, implementation of mechanisms to protect citizens’ rights and interests, prevention of gambling addiction and the generation of additional state budget revenue.
Starting from January 1, 2025, a taxation system will be introduced for license holders, where organisers of online games, betting activities and lotteries will pay a turnover tax. This system aims to prevent the concealment of taxable revenue and is expected to generate additional tax revenues for the state budget.
Overall, the implementation of the decree is intended to establish a reliable foundation for the legal regulation of activities related to organising risk-based games online, betting activities and lotteries in Uzbekistan, protect citizens’ interests, combat gambling addiction and provide additional sources of income for the state budget.
Compliance Updates
IAGR & IMGL Open Ticket Sales for 2024 Conference in Rome
The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) has opened registrations for its annual conference, taking place in Rome, Italy, from October 21 to 24.
With the theme Navigating the Future of Gaming Regulation in a Transforming World, this year’s event is a partnership with the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL).
“IAGR and IMGL’s Rome conference is a four-day event that brings together regulators, industry thought leaders and experts to share ideas and shape the future of gaming regulation across the world,” the President for the IAGR, Ben Haden, said.
The conference follows last year’s event in Gaborone, Botswana, which brought together the largest number of attendees in IAGR’s history.
“This year, participants can look forward to diving into themes that are at the forefront of the gaming regulation landscape including advancements in technology, the evolving regulatory challenges and strategies for future-proofing the global gaming industry,” Haden said. “In an era where technology is rewriting the rules of our industry, the question isn’t whether to adapt, but how swiftly we can. IAGR 2024 is about coming together as a global community to not only keep pace with change but to drive it.”
Confirmed speakers will be announced from May.
Conference highlights:
- Expert-led sessions and panel discussions on the latest in gaming regulation
- Joint conference sessions and events with IMGL, providing further networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities
- Networking events set in the heart of Rome including an opening reception and gala dinner featuring the International Regulatory Awards ceremony
Early-bird pricing is available until July 31 with super-early bird prices available until May 31. Head to the IAGR website for more details and ticket sales.
Asia
Indonesia Establishes Task Force to Combat Online Gambling
Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Kominfo) has revealed plans to establish a task force to combat online gambling.
In a statement, Kominfo said the task force would comprise representatives of multiple government agencies including the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) and the police.
It will also work with Interpol to combat cross-border cases given the government’s lack of past success in blocking foreign operators.
“Kominfo will oversee the digital space, OJK will manage accounts and PPATK will handle fund flows, and the police will carry out arrest and investigation duties,” said Usman Kansong, the Ministry’s Information and Public Communications Director.
Minister Budi Arie said: “The Ministry has also issued a warning to all social media platforms, cellular operators and internet service providers not to facilitate any form of online gambling promotion. We have done everything within the authority of Kominfo.
“We from the Ministry of Communication and Information are fully determined. At the beginning of the week I gathered all our teams at Kominfo to work together to eradicate online gambling.”
-
Asia7 days ago
Onlyplay Enters into Strategic Partnership with Ritchie Rabbit
-
Interviews7 days ago
Tom Galanis: giving a First Look at the Top of the Slots
-
Baltics6 days ago
Evoplay bolsters presence in Lithuania with Betsafe deal
-
Australia7 days ago
Crown Reinstated at Sydney Casino
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
EGBA Welcomes European Parliament’s Approval Of New EU Anti-Money Laundering Framework
-
Interviews6 days ago
The Full Spectrum Strategy: How Betting on Both Popular and Lesser-Known Sports Pays Off
-
Gambling in the USA7 days ago
Nebraska’s First Permanent Casino to Open in May in Columbus
-
Latest News7 days ago
William Hill Announced as Official Betting Partner of Qipco Guineas Festival