Compliance Updates
Referral Fi2024/01087, Closing state casinos and a more effective money laundering supervision
BOS comments on the government’s closure of Casino Cosmopol, Sweden’s last remaining land-based casino:
“OK to close the state casino but at the same time open up for private initiatives”
The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) today submits its opinion on the government’s initiative to close the last physical casino in Sweden, state-owned Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm.
BOS supports the proposal, agreeing with the government’s argument that governments should not operate casinos. At the same time, BOS believes that the government should allow private land-based casinos in Sweden. This is currently prohibited and is proposed by the government to be prohibited in the future as well. As a consequence, Sweden will therefore not have a single legal land-based casino in the near future.
“Land-based casinos play a very small role in terms of their turnover, but they still have a function in the overall ecosystem of the gambling market. In addition, they fulfill a function for Sweden as a tourist country and to deter illegal gambling clubs. We propose that the government, at the same time as they close their own government casino, open up for private companies to offer land-based casinos in Sweden”, says Gustaf Hoffstedt, Secretary General, BOS.
The government’s memorandum can be read in Swedish here: https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/departementsserien-och-promemorior/2024/05/avvecklande-av-statliga-kasinon-och-en-effektivare-penningvatttillsyn/
The BOS opinion statement can be read here:
- It shall no longer be permitted to operate casinos in Sweden
The Ministry of Finance’s proposal: a) The gambling form gambling at a casino should no longer be included in the state gambling license type, b) Nor should any other license type be able to grant the right to provide gambling activities at a casino.
BOS approves proposal (a) and disapproves proposal (b).
- The restriction on state lotteries should be removed
The Ministry of Finance’s proposal: There should be no special restrictions on the types of lotteries that may be provided with a state gambling license.
BOS disapproves the proposal.
Australia
Roadmap for Gaming Reform report published
The Independent Panel brought together, for the first time, a mix of industry representatives, harm minimisation experts, police, experts in cybersecurity and privacy, academics, community organisations and a person with lived experience of gambling harm.
Specifically, the Independent Panel examined the feasibility and acceptance of implementing cashless gaming technologies in clubs and hotels in NSW to gain insights from the technology to inform the Roadmap report.
Independent Panel for Gaming Reform Chairperson Michael Foggo said the panel’s Executive Committee has put forward an ambitious roadmap for gaming reform for the government to consider.
“This has been challenging and complex work, and I thank each of the panel’s 16 members for their time, expertise and enthusiasm over the 16 months of the panel’s work, and for contributing their views to developing the recommendations,” Mr Foggo said.
“The trial of this new technology was an important step to better understand the benefits and challenges for its implementation, giving technology providers, venues, patrons and government insights on operational issues tested in the real world.
“The trial learnings, advice from experts, research and evidence have informed the recommendations and safeguards to manage gambling harm and money-laundering risks and inform reasonable implementation timeframes to minimise impacts on industry.
“The roadmap also includes recommendations to progress the government’s commitment to reduce the overall number of gaming machine entitlements in NSW, as well as removing unnecessary complexity and further streamlining existing gaming regulatory regimes.”
The Independent Panel provided the government with separate advice on issues including mandating facial recognition technology to identify self-excluded patrons, and the establishment of a statewide exclusion register with third party exclusions.
The Executive Committee noted that further work needs to be undertaken by the government in developing its preferred approach to gaming reform.
Compliance Updates
EGT obtained World Lottery Association Security Control Standard: 2020 Level 2 Certification
EGT is proud to announce that it is already a member of the World Lottery Association (WLA), having successfully attained certification under its security standard WLA Security Control Standard: 2020 (WLA-SCS:2020) Level 2. This standard defines the requirements for information and operational security, as well as ensuring the integrity of the activities in the lottery and sports betting industries.
The main subject of the certification is EGT’s VLT solutions. To receive this designation, the company completed a two-stage process. First, it covered the requirements of the international standard for information security management systems ISO/IEC 27001 at the end of 2023. After that, it met additional lottery-focused security requirements set by WLA.
Mr. Vladimir Dokov, CEO of EGT, commented: “This achievement recognizes EGT’s commitment to sustainable development. It reaffirms our position as a leader in information security and underscores our ongoing dedication to creating products that meet the criteria of international accrediting institutions.”
Compliance Updates
Thunderkick secures new Danish supplier licence
The licence extends Thunderkick’s Danish content provision to 2029
Independent slots studio Thunderkick has obtained a B2B licence from the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden).
The new licence is valid from 1st January and will enable Thunderkick to continue distributing its games to Danish operators through to 2029.
Thunderkick is among the first game suppliers to be granted the newly introduced licence, allowing the studio to maintain and grow its market presence in the coming year.
The Stockholm-based company currently offers its games across several major regulated European markets, and the extension of its commercial operations in Denmark highlights Thunderkick’s dedication to becoming a prominent provider of distinctive content on its home continent.
Wan Kim, Chief Compliance Officer at Thunderkick, said: “Thunderkick continually strives to amplify its position in Europe, partnering with leading operators across target markets to enhance brand visibility and increase our player base.
“Obtaining a B2B licence has been a focus since the Danish Gambling Authority announced the new regulations earlier this year, and our application’s success emphasises the quality of Thunderkick products and our unwavering commitment to adhering to consistently updating regulations.
“The licence will facilitate our continued growth in Denmark, where some of the country’s biggest operators offer our unique content to local players.”
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