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Parimatch: The future’s bright for Ukraine

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In this photo: Maksym Liashko, Partner at Parimatch
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As the betting industry in Ukraine prepares for major legislative progress in the first quarter of 2020, Maksym Liashko, Partner at Parimatch, one of the leading online betting brands in the CIS region, explores the proposed regulations, the country’s ‘progressive’ emphasis on virtual and eSports, and why the term gambling could be set to change in the coming decade…

Ukraine is set to enter a new age in 2020 as the country’s Cabinet of Ministers prepares to consider the latest gambling reform bill in mid-January following a request for revisions to the text in December.  Liashko, who is responsible for legal matters at Parimatch, is positive about the prospect of gaming regulation in the region stating he believes the law will be fully adopted within the coming two months.

The previous version of the draft law proposed a new license system for betting operators with limited numbers across casinos, bookmakers, and only 10 for online operators, covering both sports betting and online casinos. Commenting on possible amendments to this in the most recent version of the bill, Liashko said: “According to the MPs` discussions during the round tables, there will be no restrictions on the number of licenses for a particular type of activity, with the exception of lotteries since this type of activity is defined as state lotteries. Here the choice is made directly of the lottery operator. And the remaining sectors won’t be limited by the number of licenses. The draft law is expected to be re-voted on first reading in January.”

If the new bill is passed, any new licenses will be available for every sector excepting lotteries and slots which will be obtained through electronic auctions via a project established by the Cabinet of Ministers, which Liashko believes is fair in guaranteeing the best operators success in a new market.  “In the last agreed edition, which was submitted and presented in parliament by deputies (a certain agreed compromise document), a competitive procedure was established for operators of the state lottery, as well as electronic auctions for operators of slot machines,” he explained.  “For all the others, any restrictions on the number of licenses and auctions were cancelled. In general, we believe that the electronic auction is a fair method of distributing the limits of slot machines in the country. The final question is only in conditions. To win in such an auction, the price is important. Other supporting tools are the subject of an interest in how they will be evaluated. If it is only a price, then it will be a simple and transparent mechanism. The base for such auctions in Ukraine already exists.”

As the country prepares to open its doors to the wider gambling industry, the intricacies of the local market are a key point of attention for Parimatch as a leading betting brand in the region. Focussing on how to ensure Ukraine’s regulatory systems are workable and future proof, Liashko commented:  “I believe it is necessary to use the experience that other jurisdictions have. It should be understood that Ukraine has its own legal traditions, and most importantly its own domestic issues and some negative traditions associated with state regulation and the state’s habits in Ukraine to be directed towards tight control rather than development.

“Based on this, the use of all those methods of control of GGR and other methods that are used in European countries may be premature for Ukraine. Rather, you need to give priority to fixed, very high payments for a license, to abandon the practice of paying tax from the GGR, and leave only income tax. The presence of a fixed payment will make it possible to avoid all possible disputes with regulatory authorities, which in Ukraine are quite a large number. When in other jurisdictions a question arises with accrued bonuses, canceled bets, etc., you look for compromises with the governing bodies. In Ukraine at the moment there is no expertise in this matter since there was no gaming industry as such.”

 

In terms of Parimatch’s position in this potential new landscape, the company is keen to establish a strong and sustainable status in the market focusing on security and customer safety.  “At Parimatch, we take into account and work a lot with BI in order to understand the interests of the client first of all. We individually tailor their preferences,” Liashko said.  “We find the following issues the most important to develop and introduce to our clients: full remote identification; automatic data analysis to prevent fraud; interactive interfaces for communication with the client; automation of decision-making and cyber defense.  We also hope that the new legislation in Ukraine will contribute to this, and not force us to fill out paper forms.”

“Technology will change everything,” he added. ‘Over the next decade, I think such key changes will occur several times. In this context, the legislation in Ukraine is quite progressive, since now the projects include the regulation of virtual sports, eSports betting, virtual events with unpredictable results. This already provides the basis for the technological development of fast content for the gaming industry. At the same time, Internet technologies and the volume of data transfer of devices are developing quite widely. This will allow the gaming industry to reach a whole new level of entertainment.”

He concluded:  “When entertainment will prevail in all spheres of the gaming industry in principle. The word “gambling” itself may lose its relevance and becomes entertainment, as we have seen this trend in Europe over the past few years.”

 

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Eastern Europe

EveryMatrix opens new eco-friendly HQ in Bucharest as it announces 1,000th employee

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EveryMatrix opens new eco-friendly HQ in Bucharest as it announces 1,000th employee
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

EveryMatrix has officially inaugurated its new development hub, located at the heart of Bucharest, Romania, while also reaching a milestone of 1,000 employees. 

In collaboration with STRABAG Real Estate, construction on the cutting-edge business hub commenced in 2022 with the building now open, providing the tier-1 iGaming supplier’s Bucharest-based team of 400+ staff and growing with a modern, eco-conscious workspace.

EveryMatrix has also surpassed the 1,000-employee mark, just 16 years after it was founded in 2008. The company’s purely organic growth has sky-rocketed in the last four years, with the number of staff increasing by 90%, up from 525 employees in 2020 to 1,000 today. The business announced record profitability in 2023.

The new office is situated near University Square, the city’s focal point with the central location streamlining commute times, making it easily accessible to employees, clients, and partners.

Equipped with a large in-house gym, spa, pool, garden and state-of-the-art amenities across six dedicated floors, as well as free electric car charging points for all staff to encourage switching from fossil fuelled transport, Arghezi 4 was designed to offer the best working experience and environment, catering to the diverse needs of EveryMatrix’s employees.

Click here for an exclusive glimpse into the office and the benefits and features of the building’s beautifully crafted interiors.

The building meets rigorous LEED V4 Gold green certification using sustainable construction practices to minimise environmental and human health risks. Employing building materials and construction methods that are not harmful to the climate and environment, the new office sets a new standard for corporate and environmental responsibility.

Ebbe Groes, Group CEO, EveryMatrix, said: “Building our own HQ has been very exciting but has equally involved a great deal of work. This is our first purpose-built office here, so its opening, combined with our 1,000th employee represents a special moment in the company’s 16-year history.

“We are continually investing in the development of the business and its culture for both the well-being of our employees and to futureproof EveryMatrix, and I know from speaking to many of the teams here that it ticks all the boxes for our colleagues’ happiness.”

Marius Iancu, Global Head of HR, EveryMatrix, added: “This building is not just a new office; it also serves as an important part of our talent acquisition strategy from 2024 onwards. Every one of its elements has been designed to position EveryMatrix as an employer of choice and provide our teams with a work-life experience that goes beyond expectations.

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Eastern Europe

Wazdan boosts Romania footprint with Totogaming deal

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Wazdan boosts Romania footprint with Totogaming deal
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Wazdan, the gain-focused developer behind some of the world’s most rewarding casino game experiences, has further bolstered its presence in the regulated Romanian market after partnering with Totogaming.

The agreement has initially seen Wazdan provide 12 of its most popular titles to the online casino, including Magic Spins™, Hot Slot™:777 Rubies, Sizzling Eggs™ and the player-favourite Coins™ series.

Following the first tranche of games, more will be rolled out over the coming months as the supplier continues to deliver proven titles that resonate well with local customers.

It is the latest commercial expansion by Wazdan, which has enjoyed a strong start to the year, launching a number of key titles as well as undergoing a rebrand, which was revealed at ICE London.

Andrzej Hyla, Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan, said: “Our commercial expansion into key European regulated markets is a focal point for us, and we’re very happy to further grow our Romanian footprint in partnership with Totogaming.

“Our products have been well received in Romania already and we’re confident that we can add more value to Totogaming’s casino offering.”

Totogaming’s Product Directions Development Unit Manager, Kamօ Mayilyan said: “Wazdan has a reputation for creating exceptional, tech-friendly products and we’re delighted to add 12 of its best-performing games to our online portfolio.

With a long-term approach to our rollout collaboration, we look forward to enjoying an exciting relationship together.”

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Eastern Europe

Betano and the Romanian Football Federation extend partnership until 2030

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Betano and the Romanian Football Federation extend partnership until 2030
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Betano, Kaizen Gaming’s premium brand, announced the extension of their strategic partnership with the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) until 2030. The announcement represents a major milestone in this partnership and demonstrates Betano’s and FRF’s shared commitment to promoting excellence in sport in Romania.

Over the past two years, Betano and FRF have combined their vision and expertise for the growth of the Cupa Romaniei Betano, one of the most loved football competitions in Romania. The current competition season introduced a new format of the Cup, bringing the game closer to the fans in the stands and at home.

As part of the collaboration, Betano has been actively involved in marketing efforts, working alongside an extensive ecosystem of partners, including FRF, media partners and representatives of the teams that qualified for Cupa Romaniei Betano’s group stage. Their common goal is to develop campaigns that will increase the visibility of the competition and facilitate engaging football fans even more. The latest initiative is the development of the TV and digital show Bate Cupa. This is the first show putting a spotlight on all 24 qualified teams and showcasing the players’ skills in an unconventional and entertaining way.

Both Betano and FRF are dedicated to delivering even more initiatives to support Romanian football within this year.

“During the past two years, we have shared a common vision with the Romanian Football Federation to take Cupa Romaniei Betano to new heights. The new format of the competition has been a great step down that route. We believe that the enthusiasm and the prestige surrounding Cupa Romaniei Betano will rise even higher. The new multi-year agreement shows the belief we have in this competition and our burning passion for football. At Kaizen Gaming we remain committed to supporting the growth of sports in Romania with integrity and responsibility”, said Julio Iglesias, Chief Commercial Officer of Kaizen Gaming, owner of Betano.

On his part, the President of the FRF, Răzvan Burleanu, commented: “This is a special moment, as it marks the longest extension of a partnership ever recorded by the FRF – a 6-year extension of our collaboration with Betano for the Romanian Cup. This new contract reflects the mutual trust between the Romanian Football Federation and Betano, as well as the recognition of our partnership’s essential contribution to the development and promotion of Romanian football. Together, we aim to take the Betano Romanian Cup to another level and consolidate the position of this competition as one of the most important sports events in our country. Our work with Betano reflects our common commitment to promoting sports values. One of the remarkable achievements of this collaboration is Betano’s sustained effort in marketing projects dedicated to increasing the visibility and popularity of the Betano Romanian Cup”.

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