Compliance Updates
ITIA: Three Tennis Players Provisionally Suspended
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed that three tennis players – Timur Khabibulin, Sanjar Fayziev and Igor Smilansky – have been provisionally suspended pending consideration on sanction following multiple breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme (TACP).
The decision was made by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Janie Soublière, who upheld the ITIA charges against the three players for related match-fixing activity.
Khabibulin reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 753 in 2016, Fayziev reached a career peak of 253 in 2017, and Smilansky 451 in 2018.
AHO Soublière determined that Khabibulin, from Kazakhstan, had committed 18 breaches of the TACP between 2014 and 2018. Fayziev, from Uzbekistan, and Smilansky, from Israel, were found to have, following an approach from Khabibulin, committed five and three breaches of the TACP respectively.
The players were collectively found to have contrived aspects of matches, facilitated wagering, failed to report corrupt approaches, and, in Khabibulin’s case, offered money to negatively influence players’ best efforts. The decision on sanctions for the three players will follow in due course.
In the meantime, as of 25 July 2023, all three players are provisionally suspended and, therefore, prohibited from competing in or attending any sanctioned tennis events organised or recognised by the governing bodies of the sport.
The provisional suspension was imposed under section G.4.a of the TACP 2023:
“In the event that the Covered Person is found liable of one or more of the charges against them and sanction is not determined at the same time as the decision on liability, the AHO, either of the AHO’s own volition or on an application by the ITIA, must impose a Provisional Suspension pending the final decision on sanction.”
The ITIA is an independent body established by the International Governing Bodies of Tennis to promote, encourage, enhance and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide.
Compliance Updates
UKGC Appoints Two New Members to the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling
The UK Gambling Commission has appointed two new members to the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (ABSG), Dr Virve Marionneau and Dr Spencer Murch.
Anna van der Gaag, Chair of ABSG, said: “We are very fortunate to have Virve and Spencer as our newest members.
“They are highly respected academics, both with a strong record of achievement in the field of gambling studies, and together they will expand the national and international research expertise we offer to the Commission. Gambling is a global business and the regulatory challenges faced in different jurisdictions have much in common. I am delighted to be welcoming them and have no doubt they will bring valuable new insights to an ever-expanding range of topics which inform policy and practice in gambling regulation.”
Dr Marionneau is a sociologist and the director of the Centre for Research on Addiction, Control and Governance at the University of Helsinki, Finland.
Her research focuses on a wide range of gambling-related topics, including regulations and policy evaluations, digital gambling environments, gambling industry practices and qualitative investigation of gambling experiences and harms.
She said: “I am honoured to join the ABSG, especially at a time when increasing international and cross-sector collaboration is needed to regulate and control gambling. I am thrilled to be a part of this impressive team of experts, and I look forward to advising particularly on regulatory practices and research from other jurisdictions.”
Dr Murch is a cognitive psychologist and AGRI Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Calgary, Canada. His work seeks to:
• understand the cognitive, behavioural and psychophysiological profiles of addictive digital product use
• explore new opportunities for improving human health by using emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to detect, intervene and ultimately prevent gambling-related problems.
He said: “I am eager to contribute to such a talented team as the ABSG. As AI technologies and digital gambling opportunities continue to evolve, it is more important than ever to understand clearly the threats posed to human health in the United Kingdom and around the world. The mandate of this group is important, timely, and represents an opportunity to transform research insights into working harm prevention policies.”
Compliance Updates
Playnetic reinforces European foothold following regulatory approval from the Malta Gaming Authority
Playnetic, the new B2B iGaming provider, has received regulatory approval from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
The news sees the innovative gaming content provider recognised by the MGA, allowing Playnetic to provide its captivating portfolio of games to Maltese licensed operators. This strategic move allows the company to secure partnerships in one of the most prominent online gambling markets in the world, further solidifying its global footprint.
The major milestone comes fresh from a successful exhibition stand at the SBC Summit Lisbon, where the company launched a range of new game titles, including Patrick vs Joker and Medusa’s Fury. Both titles were showcased as the feature games at the show, with a range of activities including daily tournaments and prizes as well as the signature ‘Playnetic Cocktails’.
In the last few months, the company has secured licences in both Sweden and Romania, with recognition in Malta further expanding Playnetic’s reach. This success allows the company to continue its ambitious expansion plans in regulated markets across the globe.
Dan Phillips, Playnetic CEO said: “We’re delighted to have gained our recognition notice in Malta, where there continues to be incredible market potential, and we’re excited to have gained recognition in yet another country so quickly.
“This achievement sees us push forward with our goal of becoming a trusted and reliable partner, focussed on offering quality innovative games to operators on time, every time. The recognition notice also demonstrates Playnetic’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of regulatory compliance.
“This is just the beginning. Playnetic is actively pursuing additional licenses, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to global expansion. Securing this approval from the Malta Gaming Authority fresh off the back of the exciting discussions at SBC Summit Lisbon, underscores our commitment to expanding our reach and offering our partners even more opportunities.”
Australia
AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas Announced as Speaker for Regulating the Game 2025 Sydney
The organisers of Regulating the Game 2025 have announced that Mr Brendan Thomas, chief executive officer of AUSTRAC, will be a featured speaker at the 2025 edition of the conference, taking place at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour from 10-13 March 2025.
Mr Thomas, who began his 5-year term as AUSTRAC CEO in January 2024, brings extensive experience in leading public services and delivering reforms, particularly within NSW’s criminal and civil justice systems.
As the head of Australia’s financial intelligence unit and AML/CTF regulator, he oversees AUSTRAC’s efforts to safeguard the financial sector from criminal exploitation while providing critical intelligence to support national security, law enforcement and regulatory partners.
AUSTRAC has intensified its focus on the gambling sector, following a series of high-profile enforcement actions against major casino operators and several corporate bookmakers. Reports in the Financial Review have also highlighted AUSTRAC’s increased scrutiny of pubs and clubs in the wake of the 2022 NSW Crime Commission’s Project Islington, which, while finding no widespread laundering of criminal proceeds, revealed significant amounts of illicit funds being gambled in these venues.
Paul Newson, principal at Vanguard Overwatch and organiser of Regulating the Game, said: “Having Brendan Thomas speak at the conference signals AUSTRAC’s ongoing commitment to the gambling sector. His participation emphasises the importance of making sure the industry is alert to money laundering risks and continually strengthened against financial crime.”
Mr Thomas’ presentation is expected to offer invaluable insights for regulators, industry leaders and key stakeholders, especially as AUSTRAC’s role in combatting financial crime is set to expand further with the anticipated passing of the Government’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2024. This legislation aims to extend the AML/CTF regime to high-risk professions, such as real estate agents, lawyers, accountants and dealers in precious metals and stones, marking a pivotal shift in Australia’s regulatory landscape.
Regulating the Game 2025 will be held in Sydney, Australia, from March 10 to 13. The event will once again serve as a platform for thought leaders, innovators and regulators to come together and explore the most pressing issues in the gambling sector.
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