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Compliance Updates

Vivaro Limited agrees Regulatory Settlement with UKGC for AML and Social Responsibility failing

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The UK Gambling Commission has announced that Malta-based Vivaro Limited has agreed to pay £337,631 as a regulatory settlement after a series of shortcomings were identified.

An investigation following a compliance assessment conducted in April 2021 into Vivaro found specific failures in its processes aimed at preventing money laundering and ensuring safer gambling, the Gambling Commission stated in a public statement on January 17, 2023.

Specific failures between October 2020 and June 2021 saw customers deposit ‘significant’ sums of money before KYC checks were carried out, whilst the company’s staff were not sufficiently informed of Source of Funds (SoF) processes. The Commission deemed Vivaro’s AML checks ‘ineffective’ in establishing source of funds as bank statements were not fully scrutinised and a ‘reliance was placed on winnings from other operators.

The UKGC pointed to examples of one customer who deposited £14,850 within two months without SoF being established, and another who showed a bank balance of over £270,000, said to be winnings from other betting accounts.

The UKGC explained that whilst their view was that some checks were conducted, they were not sufficient until the customer had met the Licensees’ ‘very high AML threshold’, and that Vivaro were over reliant on the customer’s net gambling position. In addition, they believed
Vivaro failed to sufficiently consider the risks associated with recycled winnings, in particular, no additional checks were undertaken to confirm the origin of the funds that had been used to gamble. However, the Commission also confirmed that they found no evidence of criminal spend during the compliance assessment.

Lastly, the Commission also criticised Vivaro for failing to ‘sufficiently consider the risks’ associated with crypto currency trading. Crypto currency is considered high risk by Commission Officials and should be subject to further investigation.

The Gambling Commission said all £337,631 settlement, which is in lieu of a penalty package of £302,500, will go to “socially responsible causes”.

When determining the appropriate action to take, the regulator said there were “significant licence condition breaches for a sustained period of time, however, Vivaro was “proactive and timely” in addressing all the issues identified, as well as being “open and transparent from the outset of the investigation and fully co-operative throughout”.

Alongside the settlement, Vivaro has also agreed to undertake a third-party audit within 12 months of the review’s conclusion.

Compliance Updates

Danish Gambling Authority Opens Applications for Land-based Bingo Licences

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The Danish Gambling Authority has officially opened applications for land-based bingo licences under the country’s new regulatory framework.

The licences will be valid from 1 January 2025 for applicants who meet the required conditions and submit complete applications by 10 December 2024.

This development provides opportunities for operators to offer land-based bingo within a regulated environment.

To assist prospective applicants, the Danish Gambling Authority has created a dedicated “Land-Based Bingo” webpage. Here, operators can access application materials, guidelines and instructions to ensure submissions are completed accurately.

Operators seeking a licence valid from 1 January 2025 must submit their applications by the 10 December deadline. Applications that meet all requirements will be processed in time for the start date.

In cases where additional information or conditions are needed, the authority may issue licences with specific stipulations, granting operators additional time to address outstanding issues.

To support industry stakeholders, the Danish Gambling Authority will host an information meeting about the new land-based bingo rules on 5 December 2024. The session will take place at Englandsgade 25, Odense, and interested parties are encouraged to register by 29 November 2024.

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Compliance Updates

CT Interactive announces certification of new games for the Italian market

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CT Interactive announces certification of new games for the Italian market
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CT Interactive is thrilled to announce that new titles have officially received certification for the Italian market, ready to bring a fresh wave of entertainment to players across the country. This certification ensures that the games adhere to Italy’s stringent regulatory standards for fairness, security, and quality, reinforcing CT Interactive’s dedication to providing top-tier gaming experiences.

The newly certified games include: 5x Cherry PartyChristmas StormJester JackLucky KiwiMega GnomePiggy CrashStar GirlThe Big ChilliThe New Queen of FruitsTreasure Chase.

These exciting games offer a diverse range of themes, from the festive charm of Christmas Storm to the whimsical adventures of Piggy Crash and Mega Gnome. Whether players are in the mood for the nostalgic appeal of a classic fruit slot like The New Queen of Fruits, or looking for thrilling treasure hunts in Treasure Chase, there’s something for every type of player.

Each game has been developed with a focus on delivering engaging features, rewarding bonuses, and immersive gameplay. With unique mechanics and visually striking graphics, these releases are designed to captivate Italian players and keep them returning for more.

CT Interactive remains committed to enhancing the Italian gaming landscape by consistently providing fresh, exciting content and introducing new ways to play.

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Compliance Updates

MGA Marks Safer Gambling Week by Hosting Focus Group on Addressing Problem Gambling

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As part of Safer Gambling Week, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has launched the first in a series of focus groups aimed at addressing problem gambling and its effects on Maltese communities.

Bringing together key stakeholders such as Caritas Malta, Aġenzija Sedqa, the OASI Foundation and the Responsible Gaming Foundation, the session explored a self-assessment tool that the Authority is currently developing, grounded in recent research and industry trends.

The self-assessment tool, which will be available both in English and in Maltese, will guide individuals through a set of questions to help them identify whether gambling is causing harm in their lives. Based on the user’s responses, the tool will provide personalised recommendations and direct them to appropriate support services.

With invaluable input from organisations experienced in supporting individuals affected by problem gambling, the tool will undergo further refinement to maximise its effectiveness and relevance.

Clinical Chair at Aġenzija Sedqa, Anna Maria Vella, hailed the focus group as a “welcome initiative” which brought together a multidisciplinary team of experts.

“Working together and not in silos is always beneficial. We learn from each other to be more effective.”

Louis Bellizzi, Secretary of Caritas’ Foundation for Victims of Usury, said: “The MGA is in a unique position to coordinate the national effort to help alleviate the scourge of gambling addictions.”

In recent years, the Authority has taken significant steps to promote safer gambling practices, ranging from regular supervisory reviews on responsible gambling to enforcing stricter regulations.

The MGA closely monitors operators’ implementation of behavioural monitoring systems, self-exclusion systems and responsible marketing practices.

With a focus on high-risk areas, the Authority is refining its supervisory approach to be more dynamic and data-driven, ensuring responsible gambling practices are maintained and continuously improved to protect players effectively.

The MGA’s efforts align closely with the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA)’s initiative to establish a unified European standard for identifying markers of harm. The MGA is actively engaged in this initiative, working closely with fellow regulators and industry experts to create a comprehensive standard aimed at early identification of behaviours indicative of problem gambling.

The Authority’s proactive involvement in such initiatives underscores its dedication to fostering a responsible and transparent gaming sector, both locally and across Europe.

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