Latest News
888: Conclusion to UKGC Licence Review
888 refers to the announcement issued by the United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission (the “UKGC”) which marks the conclusion to the Licence Review process by the UKGC first announced on 15 May 2017.
888 has fully cooperated with the UKGC throughout this process and has concluded a voluntary regulatory settlement with the UKGC. 888 regrets the historic failings highlighted by the review and accepts the conclusion of the review which recognises the significant lengths that 888 has gone to in order to address the concerns raised and prevent the issues highlighted from reoccurring.
Changes and improvements
888 has always been focused on providing a safe and fair online gaming entertainment for our customers. The UKGC’s review highlighted some areas for improvement in 888’s tools and processes and we have swiftly taken action to address these issues.
888 operates two separate gaming technology platforms: one that hosts 888’s casino, sport and poker brands and a separate one that hosts 888’s bingo brands as well as a number of third party bingo brands. For a period of time, in some instances, a technical failure prevented customers who had requested to be self-excluded on one platform from being successfully excluded from both platforms. 888 alerted the UKGC about this technical failure and took the relevant customer actions.
It was never 888’s intention to benefit financially from this technical failure and we have completed a detailed process to identify all affected customers. The Group is refunding customers who were able to continue playing when they should have been excluded across 888’s platforms.
Over recent months 888’s senior management team have devoted significant resources to assessing and delivering improvements to 888’s responsible gaming tools, processes and technology. This effort is near completion as we move to optimise our new tools. We have worked closely with the UKGC and – aided by the fact that we develop and own our gaming technology – have been able to quickly and effectively make meaningful improvements to customers.
These improvements include:
– Expanding and enhancing the algorithms that 888 uses to analyse playing patterns so as to help identify players who might be, or might become, vulnerable to problem gambling. As a result, we can observe broader trends in customer behaviour and better identify potentially vulnerable players thereby enabling 888’s trained team to interact earlier with customers who may need our help and support;
– Lowering the thresholds across certain metrics tracked by our system that, when triggered, will lead to earlier customer interaction and the offer of support from a trained member of the 888 team;
– Improving our technology to significantly enhance our ability to identify customers who operate multiple accounts across 888’s platforms, thereby ensuring we can more effectively self-exclude customers who may have chosen to open multiple accounts; and
– Enhancing our checks on customers’ sources of funds to ensure that the deposits our customers make are legitimate.
Also coming out of the review process, we are training our team to help them identify and interact better with vulnerable or potentially vulnerable customers.
Values and ongoing commitment
We are constantly developing new and innovative ways to deliver a responsible gaming environment. Our goal is to ensure that all those who visit our sites can do so with confidence and that those for whom our games are not intended, notably underage individuals and those vulnerable to addiction, will not be drawn into the gaming environment and those few customers who develop a gambling problem are quickly identified and helped.
888 is absolutely committed to a proactive policy of corporate and social responsibility that reflects the high professional and ethical standards we set for ourselves across the business. Conducting business responsibly is fundamental to the future success of 888 and we understand that a responsible approach is both the correct way to do business and one that enhances credibility with all stakeholders, thereby supporting 888’s development. We will continue to focus on improvement in the area of responsible gaming to ensure we offer the most enjoyable and safest customer experience possible.
The review process has pushed 888 to enhance its responsible gambling technology and policies and leaves it well placed to continue to succeed in an environment where it will engage with customers in a way that those customers and regulators will demand going forward.
Compliance Updates
BC.GAME Secures New Curacao LOK License, Enhancing Legal Compliance and Global Reach
BC.GAME has secured a new gaming license that fully complies with Curacao’s updated regulatory framework, the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK). This achievement reaffirms BC.GAME’s unwavering commitment to providing a secure and legally compliant gambling environment for its global user base.
Jack Dorsey, CEO of BC.GAME, said: “We are immensely grateful for Curacao’s robust regulatory framework, which has been pivotal in the gambling industry. Obtaining this license is a vital milestone in BC.GAME’s ongoing development and our commitment to providing a trustworthy and secure gambling experience.”
The introduction of the LOK legislation, designed to replace the previous National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (NOOGH) framework, has set a new precedent in the gambling license domain. Under the NOOGH regime, BC.GAME operated under a sub-license issued by Curacao Interactive Licensing NV (CIL). The new LOK framework, however, brings about significant changes, including the discontinuation of new sub-license issuance and stringent requirements for existing licensees seeking renewal.
Curacao was one of the pioneering nations in establishing regulations for gaming activities. Consequently, this small Caribbean island nation has become a hub for gaming businesses worldwide aiming to adhere to the country’s comprehensive gaming legal framework. BC.GAME has set up a local office to ensure compliance with regulations and to offer support to fulfill the requirements of the local gaming ecosystem.
Acquisition of the license, specifically designed for LOK services, coincides with BC.GAME’s efforts to enhance user trust, forge new partnerships and broaden the accessibility of its comprehensive gaming services. Obtaining licenses and ensuring compliance are crucial steps in solidifying BC.GAME’s position as a dependable and well-regulated global online gaming platform.
“Curacao is an essential first step in our broader global strategy. As we continue to accelerate our expansion, expect more exciting developments and good news in the near future,” Jack Dorsey said.
Industry News
Trustly Announces Major Move to Guarantee Growth for Businesses Across Europe
Trustly announced a bold pledge to boost growth for businesses across Europe. In a major move to revolutionise the checkout experience for millions of people, the payments tech firm unveils the new Trustly Growth Guarantee.
The market-leading account-to-account provider is offering clients – current and new – a fresh way to pay at the checkout. As part of this, businesses are guaranteed to see an increase in conversion rates, to as high as 98.8%, and a clear reduction in the fees they pay in comparison with traditional payment methods.
Customers will enjoy fewer steps to pay and the added efficiency of return user recognition; Trustly guarantees supercharged success at the checkout. With predictable pricing, costs will be just one amount per transaction – with no variable fees at all. Trustly also states that it is dedicated to providing a seamless integration and will include Success Concierge as standard.
The initiative, revealed only a matter of days after impressive 2023 growth results were announced for the global leader in the industry, reflects Trustly’s unwavering confidence and commitment to continuing to innovate account-to-account payments. Last week, Trustly announced a 79% increase YoY in annual transaction value – reaching $58 billion in total.
Its track record for already attracting major global clients – some examples being Meta, eBay, HMRC, Zalando and Hargreaves Lansdown – signifies that there’s been a distinct change in customer preference and merchants priorities.
Businesses are making attempts to remain innovative and ahead of the curve as millions of consumers increasingly adopt open banking-enabled account-to-account solutions instead of other more standard options when they pay.
Jussi Lindberg, Chief Revenue Officer of Trustly Europe, said: “Our market-leading payment setup embodies Trustly’s mission: to be a growth partner for our clients. We don’t just provide payment solutions; we drive efficiency and value in their businesses. Trustly Azura has delivered remarkable results, and now businesses can experience its benefits. Account-to-account payments are booming, and we’re here to help businesses seize the opportunities it offers.”
If merchants do not see a boost in conversion or a drop in payment costs – at a processing rate of at least 50K transactions each month, for three months, Trustly will reimburse three months’ worth of processing fees. The guarantee is available for both new and existing European customers and is subject to Trustly’s general terms & conditions.
Baltics
CT Interactive has concluded a key deal with Twinsbet.lt
CT Interactive has concluded a key deal with Twinsbet.lt, marking a significant milestone in its strategic expansion across the Baltic region. The deal, primarily focused on the Lithuanian market, signifies CT Interactive’s commitment to enhancing its footprint in Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.
Milena Tsankarska, CCO at CT Interactive, expressed her confidence about the collaboration, stating: “We are thrilled to partner with Twinsbet.lt, a reputable player in the market. This strategic alliance aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver cutting-edge gaming experiences to players across the Baltics.”
Antonio Donov, Business Development Manager EMEA at CT Interactive, said: “Twinsbet.lt’s dedication to providing top-quality gaming services resonates with our own values. This collaboration opens up new avenues for growth and innovation, allowing us to cater to the diverse preferences of players in the region”.
Through this deal, games like Chili Fruits, Coffee Magic, Pot-o-Luck, 40 Treasures, Lucky Clover and more will become available at Twinsbet.lt.
“This collaboration with CT Interactive underscores our commitment to delivering unique gaming experiences to our customers. By leveraging CT Interactive’s expertise and innovative solutions, we are confident in our ability to elevate the gaming landscape in Lithuania and beyond”, commented a Gunnar Vilk COO of Twinsbet.lt.
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