The Cyprus National Betting Authority has urged €1 million budget to create different mechanisms to push responsible gambling in the country. That way they seek to protect people, especially the youngest, exposed to the segment and potential addiction.

Ioanna Fiakkou, Chair of the regulator, has sent data to the parliament to explain the proposal. She explained money will be spent on a strategy to promote responsible gaming in Cyprus. Furthermore, it will deal with cases of gambling addiction once its already too late.

The regulator seeks to create a prevention and intervention centre to provide information and support. It would be specialised and would strengthen existing centres providing services to people experiencing addiction problems.

A four-year campaign against illegal gambling has been successfully wrapped up by the Police at a British military base in Cyprus. They shut down nine casinos that operated within their jurisdiction.

Superintendent Dinos Petrou said that the casinos generated hundreds of thousands of euros annually in illegal proceeds. Ten people received prison sentences, while 30 others were fined heavily.

Petrou said, many of the casinos were built in areas adjacent or partly falling within Cyprus‘ jurisdiction and that complicated matters. To circumvent that, base police carried out raids together with Cypriot law enforcement.

Petrou said police will remain vigilant against any resurgence of illegal gambling and that there would be no-let up in prosecuting law-breakers even after Britain’s departure from the European Union.

He also said that 30 of the 1500 personal computers seized during the police operations have been donated to local schools.

Industry veteran heads up Leander in Europe’s gaming hub

Leander is delighted to announce industry veteran Karl Grech has joined the company.

He will be based in Leander’s new Malta office.

Steven Matsell, Chief Executive at Leander said: “We decided to make Malta our European HQ and have recently opened an office to be the base of our planned expansion following recent deals. We are delighted that someone with Karl’s experience and knowledge has decided to join us in this next major phase for the company”.

A wealth of experience

Grech previously was Commercial Director at NYX responsible for Malta and the Nordic region and before that was Head of Account Management at Amaya. He has worked in the gaming sector for 20 years, with 11 of those spent in roles at B2B suppliers.

Grech said he was pleased to be joining Leander at this time. “Leander is well-established and has adventurous expansion plans and I am very excited to be joining and building a commercial team to support the strategy.”

“Hopefully I will be adding a few new customers along the way,” he added.

About Leander Games:

Leander Games is an independent gaming company whose mission is to deliver innovative game content to market more quickly than other solutions. It is accredited and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and Commission and is Security Audited to ISO 27001. An MGA license has been applied for and the MGA are allowing a continuance via the UKGC licence The platform runs with 32 languages and ISO 4217 currencies. Leander’s Game Studio creates high-quality video slots with innovative concepts and feature matched with top quality art and balanced mathematics. Partner games are aggregated to provide operators with the best and most innovative games.