888 Holdings has established a new Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Committee of the Board, effective immediately.

The Committee will be chaired by Non-executive Chairman Jon Mendelsohn. Senior Independent Director Anne de Kerckhove and Non-executive Director Mark Summerfield will also be members of the Committee.

The Committee will provide Board-level oversight of 888’s ESG strategy, targets and progress against key performance indicators.

“As a Board, we are committed to ensuring that issues such as safer gambling, the climate change agenda, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement are consistently incorporated into the Group’s strategy and decision making. The creation of this Committee demonstrates 888’s firm commitment to continuous ESG improvements and ensuring sustainable and ethical best practice across the Group’s activities,” Jon Mendelsohn, Chairman of 888 and Chairman of the ESG Committee, said.

Powerhouse distributor expands its content portfolio with new games from leading slots supplier

QTech Games, a powerhouse distributor across Asia and all growth markets, has continued to build the strong momentum in its premium pipeline, thanks to its latest deal with leading supplier, Play’n GO.

Integrating content from one of the most innovative and creative online slots providers around adds yet more creative muscle to QTech Games’ prosperous platform, which is bringing the widest range of online games to emerging territories with established names sitting alongside a raft of rising-star providers.

Among the games made available to its partners via the deal will be recent releases from Play’n GO like Rich Wilde and the Amulet of the Dead, the latest in its popular Rich Wilde explorer series, alongside other Arthurian adventures and mythological-themed slots.

One of Play’n GO’s key cornerstone concepts is to put a modern spin to proven industry products – whether that means themes, formats or mechanics. Accordingly, dazzling graphics, immersive soundscapes and fantastical features are seamlessly complimented by unique maths modelling that leverages an exciting volatility spectrum for faster, more focused gameplay or deeper engagement.

Play’n GO’s games have been optimised for mobile, the central focus of QTech’s RNG model, which is founded on its fully-owned and customised technical platform, affording games providers and operators the fastest integration available. Through this progressive platform, which has sealed its definitive status as a global gaming one-stop shop, QTech ONE™, clients enjoy the best performance and customer support available, localised to every region across both developing and more mature markets.

Ulf Norder, CCO QTech Games, said: “We’re committed to rolling out high-quality content that drives revenue for our partners. So, this deal with Play’n GO consolidates our robust and packed pipeline for 2021. In today’s marketplace, only premium games of the highest standard separate you from the crowd, so we’re delighted to see how Play’n GO is routinely delivering on this consumer need, always innovating, but never simply for innovation’s sake. It’s a fine distinction which manifests itself in stunning graphics, coupled with the latest maths models for improved retention and high-variance volatility where required.”

Jeffrey Co, Head of Sales – Asia at Play’n GO, added: “Play’n GO doesn’t just sign content deals. We commit ourselves to our partners, and strive to always provide them with more.

“Whether that is in the robustness of our networks ensuring record up-time, the efficiency of our delivery team who roll out new titles across the globe simultaneously, or our best-in-class account-management team, we pour all of our resources into making sure our partners are successful and that their players are entertained by our world-class content.

“We can’t wait to get started with QTech, and expect that this is just the start of a long and fruitful relationship.”

Earlier this year, QTech Games broke further ground as the leading distributor across emerging markets with the launch of an industry-first, cross-supplier rewards feature, Network Progressive Jackpot, unpacking a cutting-edge acquisition and retention toolbox for its global partners.

Sands China has issued a statement distancing itself from an online gambling site based out of Guangdong Province that operates under the name “Sands Macao”.

The statement follows a press release from the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department published last week in which it outlined the results of a recent crackdown on cross-border gambling and named two large groups it continues to pursue, including one calling itself “Sands Macao”.

The “Sands” cross-border online gambling group is alleged to have recruited Chinese citizens overseas to engage in online gambling game development, customer service operation and maintenance activities, the Department said, while recruiting Chinese citizens to engage in criminal gambling activities through online and offline forms.

“At present, Guangdong public security organs have arrested many people involved in the case, but there are still some criminal suspects at large,” it said.

Sands China has responded with a statement of its own this week in which it noted that the criminal group “is not affiliated in any way” with its Sands Macao property on the Macau peninsula, or with the company as a whole.

“Sands Online Gambling Corp is using our company’s property name and trademarks without our permission and in breach of the law,” Sands China said.

“Sands China Ltd does not engage in online gambling activities of any kind and vigorously pursues all reports of trademark infringement.

“All websites purporting to offer online gaming and using our brands are fake and should be reported to the relevant authorities immediately.”

The Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department last week urged those involved to surrender by April 30, pointing to comments from China’s Ministry of Public Security earlier this year promising leniency to any suspects who turned themselves in.

“Public security organs will severely punish those who refuse to surrender and continue to engage in cross-border gambling and related illegal and criminal activities,” it said.