Compliance Updates
Sazka, the largest Czech lottery company, goes live with OpenBet’s Neccton technology to sharpen compliance capabilities
Czech lottery brand benefits from sportsbook provider’s newly acquired responsible gaming, anti-money laundering (AML) and fraud detection service
OpenBet, a leading content, platform and service provider to the sports betting industry, has strengthened its partnership with Sazka after delivering Neccton’s gambling compliance products to the Czech Republic lottery operator.
Sazka has integrated the AI-based solution across its lottery, sportsbook and casino offerings. It marks the first launch of Neccton’s technology after the leader in responsible gaming, anti-money laundering (AML) and fraud detection was acquired by OpenBet in June 2023.
Operating across more than 30 countries, Neccton has over 15 years’ experience in developing software and services for the gaming sector under the leadership of industry pioneers Dr Michael Auer and Andreas Schneeberger.
Part of the Allwyn Group, Sazka is the largest lottery operator in the Czech Republic with leading market positions in lotteries and similar games. The launch marks the next chapter of the lottery’s partnership with OpenBet, after its sportsbook arm, Sazkabet, transitioned onto OpenBet’s sports betting technology and services in July 2022.
Jason Ayton, VP, Corporate Development & Strategy at OpenBet, said: “Partnering with Sazka to integrate Neccton’s leading technology across a number of its offerings demonstrates the core reason we expanded our capabilities within the gambling compliance arena. Operators are keen to extend their resources in this area, and now we have the product suite to cater to those demands following our acquisition of Neccton.
“We are proud to work with WLA members and help them remain compliant, while improving their player experience.”
Pavel Gernt, Player Protection Manager at Sazka, said: “Sazka is about fun and responsibility. In addition to complying with all legislation, we also take a number of measures beyond the law. We are dedicated to prevention, early identification of risky players and cooperation with non-profit institutions that are able to lend a helping hand.
“No matter how good the intervention strategies you have in place, you can’t use them if you are blind, therefore we decided to implement Neccton’s compliance toolkit and further improve the quality of detection of players at risk.”
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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