Press Releases

GVC Sets out plan to safely welcome customers back to betting shops

Published

4 years ago

June 10, 2020

German sports-betting licences for GVC Holdings

Reading Time: 3 minutes

GVC Holdings PLC, the global sports-betting and gaming group, has today set out the comprehensive plan it is implementing to safely re-open its Ladbrokes and Coral betting shops. From 15 June, all 2,445 shops in England will open their doors, followed by the remainder of the Group’s c.3,000 shop estate, as the devolved administrations in the UK ease their own lockdowns.

The guiding principle behind the plan is to ensure the health and wellbeing of all colleagues and customers. The plan details the social distancing and safety procedures put in place alongside the provision of new protective equipment installed in store and provided to the shop personnel. The new measures have been designed to meet or exceed guidelines laid down by the UK government and World Health Organisation.

The key elements are summarised below, with each element supported by detailed guidance and the provision of additional equipment and training where required:

Pre shop-opening checks

Property maintenance checks.
Facilities, screens, bet stations, gaming machines and till systems cleaned.
Review of security hardware in shops.

Tools to support social distancing

Installation of additional equipment including ‘sneeze screens’, protective barriers between gaming machines and bet stations to act as a physical barrier between colleagues and customers to ensure social distancing.
Installation of customer signage and floor markings to provide direction on social distancing whilst in shop.
Compulsory social distancing training module for all colleagues.

Health and safety provisions

Supply of stylus pens for customers using bet stations and gaming machines, to avoid customers physically touching screens.
Provision of additional hand sanitiser stations, hand wash and cleaning products to promote and maintain good hygiene standards.
Provision of colleague comfort measures such as face masks, protective shields and disposable gloves.
Introduction of enhanced colleague cleaning routines in both the customer and colleague areas.

Shop operation guidance

Clear guidance on maximum customer occupancy levels, based on size and layout of each shop, to support social distancing.
Guidance on customer entry/exit management procedures.
Guidance on bet placement and payment processes, with use of contactless payment encouraged.

Colleague wellbeing

Installation of dividing partitions between till positions to act as a physical barrier between colleagues and ensure social distancing.
Restrictions on transfer of personnel between multiple shops to reduce exposure.
Provision of a third-party app “Unmind” to promote mental wellbeing.
Supply of video and printed training materials.
Employee Assistance Programme made available to all colleagues and their families.
Open and honest communication channels with all colleagues.

Safer gambling

Increased monitoring of customer behaviour and wellbeing, to identify potentially vulnerable customers and ensure they are playing within their financial means.
Guidance on interactions with vulnerable customers whilst social distancing
Review of self-exclusion lists.

Commenting on the plan GVC CEO Kenny Alexander said:

“We are very pleased to be re-opening our shops in England as the UK begins the first steps in returning to some form of normality. Ever since the lockdown was introduced, we have been working tirelessly on a plan which will deliver the safest possible environment for both our customers and our people. I am confident we have achieved that and look forward to welcoming our customers back in the near future.”

Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said:

“I’m delighted that GVC, home of some of the world class brands in betting, will be able to re-open their English betting shops safely from 15 June. GVC make a significant contribution to the economy, supporting good jobs in communities across the country, and it’s great to see at first hand their commitment to ensuring that their reopened shops will provide a safe and enjoyable environment for staff and customers alike”.

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Central Europe

Wazdan amplifies Swiss presence with Swiss4Win launch

Published

1 hour ago

April 19, 2024

George Miller

Wazdan amplifies Swiss presence with Swiss4Win launch

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Wazdan, the gain-focused developer behind some of the world’s most rewarding casino game experiences has further expanded in the regulated Swiss market, taking its games live with Swiss4Win.

The collaboration enhances Wazdan’s profile in the country with Swiss4Win’s leading online gambling platform revolutionising player experiences with the introduction of the studio’s exciting range of games.

As Wazdan continues to deliver the world’s most rewarding casino game experiences, this new partnership heralds a new era of entertainment. Players can look forward to a diverse selection of captivating slots designed to appeal to Swiss players.

In conjunction with this partnership, Swiss4Win unveils its new website, meticulously crafted to enhance user engagement. The platform boasts a cutting-edge SEO-oriented design, complemented by a sleek dark mode interface. With a heightened focus on slot providers, the website features a dedicated page showcasing premier gaming offerings.

Radka Bacheva, Head of Sales and Business Development at Wazdan, said: “We’re excited to join forces with swiss4win.ch to introduce our latest games to players worldwide. This collaboration represents a shared commitment to innovation and excellence in the iGaming industry.”

Paolo Sanvido, Chief Executive Officer at Casino Lugano and Swiss4Win, added: “Wazdan’s distinguished reputation stems from its exceptional graphics and innovative features, which have resonated with players globally. Its dedication to crafting enriching casino experiences offers players greater control over their gaming preferences and seamlessly aligns with our audience’s interests.”

Latest News

Good 1st quarter of 2024 for FDJ, in line with Group projections

Published

2 hours ago

April 19, 2024

George Miller

Good 1st quarter of 2024 for FDJ, in line with Group projections

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Revenue for the 1^st quarter of 710 million euros, up 7%
- Gaming revenue[1] in France of 645 million euros, up 3% on a high basis of comparison in the 1^stquarter of 2023
- Strong momentum in online games, with revenue of 100 million euros, representing almost 15% of the Group’s total gaming revenue

Tender offer for Kindred opened on 20 February 2024 for a maximum period of 9 months
- The completion of the tender offer remains subject, in particular, to obtaining regulatory approvals and to FDJ acquiring at least 90% of Kindred’s share capital

La Française des Jeux (FDJ), France’s leading gaming operator, has announced its revenue for the 1^st quarter of 2024.

Stéphane Pallez, Chairwoman and CEO of the FDJ Group, said: “FDJ has made a good start to the year, in line with its 2024 objectives. All our activities are growing, thanks to our network of over 29,000 retailers and a dynamic online gaming business, which now accounts for 15% of the Group’s gaming revenue. We are also confidently pressing ahead with the Kindred acquisition announced at the end of January.”

Highlights of the 1^st quarter of 2024

Revenue up 7% to 710 million euros

	Q1 2024 €m	Q1 2023 €m	Change in %	of which change on a like-for-like basis %
Lottery	504	497	+1.4%	+1.4%
Sports betting and competitive online gaming	141	129	+9.5%	+0.9%
Other activities	65	37	+77.4%	-3.7%
Group total	710	662	+7.2%	+1.1%

Revenue for the 1^st quarter of 2024 came to 710 million euros, up 7.2% and 1.1% on a like-for-like basis, a performance in line with Group projections.

Gaming revenue in France rose by 3.1% to 645 million euros.
- Lottery revenue rose by 1.4% to 504 million euros, driven by over 4% growth in instant games, driven by the success of gaming portfolio animation such as the launch of Ticket d’Or (€5) at the beginning of January. Draw games, as expected given the unfavourable base effect, mainly for Amigo, were down by 3%. Excluding Amigo, which decline is attributable to its new formula launched at the beginning of June 2023 has stabilised, lottery revenue would have grown by more than 4%.
- In sports betting & online gaming open to competition, revenue came to 141 million euros, up 9.5% and up 0.9% excluding the integration of ZEturf, despite a high basis for comparison in the 1^st quarter of 2023, which had benefited in particular from the very positive impact of the World Cup at the end of 2022.

This performance is attributable to the strong growth in revenue of ParionsSport En Ligne, which rose by more than 25%; which, in addition to its intrinsic momentum, also benefits from the attractiveness of poker, with a high level of cross-selling.

Revenue from other activities (International and Payment & Services) came to 65 million euros, compared with 37 million euros in the 1^st quarter of 2023, an increase attributable to the integration of PLI, which performed well, driven in particular thanks to EuroDreams.
The momentum of online games remains very strong, with revenue up by more than 30% to 100 million euros, representing almost 15% of the Group’s total gaming revenue. Excluding ZEturf and PLI, growth in online games revenue exceeded 20%, driven both by sports betting and online gaming open to competition and by the online lottery, which benefited from EuroDreams’ very high rate of digitalisation, as well as from the attractiveness of instant games and of the exclusive online offer.
Tender offer for Kindred
- On 20 February 2024, the tender offer for Kindred was opened for a maximum period of 39 weeks. Its completion remains subject, in particular, to obtaining regulatory approvals and to FDJ acquiring at least 90% of Kindred’s share capital.
- On 15 March 2024, Kindred’s shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting approved an amendment to the Articles of Association to allow a squeeze-out procedure to be implemented by any shareholder holding at least 90% of Kindred’s share capital.
- On 28 March 2024, following Veralda’s offer to sell 49% of its Kindred shares, i.e. 2.4 million shares corresponding to 1.12% of the outstanding shares, at a price of SEK122.5 per share, FDJ decided to exercise its right of pre-emption linked to Veralda’s irrevocable commitment, communicated when the transaction with Kindred was announced on 22 January 2024.

As a result, FDJ acquired 2.4 million Kindred shares for SEK 294 million (€25.8 million) and Veralda’s irrevocable commitment continues to apply to its remaining 1.18% stake in Kindred. FDJ now holds 1.12% of Kindred’s outstanding shares and the irrevocable commitments (Corvex Management LP, Premier Investissement SAS, Eminence Capital, Nordea and Veralda) now represent 26.82% of Kindred’s outstanding shares.

Annual General Meeting

FDJ’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 25 April 2024 at 14.30 at the Palais des Congrès in Issy-les-Moulineaux (25, avenue Victor Cresson – 92130
Issy-les-Moulineaux).

On this occasion, the Group will propose a dividend of 1.78 euro per share in respect of the 2023 financial year, to be paid on 7 May 2024.

Next financial communication

FDJ will publish its half-year results on Thursday 25 July 2024 after the close of trading.

Affiliate Industry

47 New Brands in Q1’24: Affilka by SOFTSWISS Results

Published

3 hours ago

April 19, 2024

George Miller

47 New Brands in Q1’24: Affilka by SOFTSWISS Results

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Affilka by SOFTSWISS, a leading affiliate management software provider, is approaching a new milestone of 360 brands in Q1’24.

The first quarter of the year brought remarkable achievements to the Affilka by SOFTSWISS team. The Asian gaming community recognised the company’s affiliate management software as the Best Affiliate Marketing Solution on the market.

This year, Affilka’s team participated in iGB Affiliate London 2024 with a dedicated stand for the first time. During the concurrent iGB and ICE events, the team had nearly 200 meetings over several days. First agreements quickly followed and were signed shortly after the exhibition period.

Affilka by SOFTSWISS experienced substantial growth, adding 47 new brands to its partner network, bringing the total to nearly 360 brands in Q1 2024. More than 33 thousand new affiliate accounts were registered during this period, marking a 118% increase compared to the previous year’s last quarter.

The rise in new affiliate accounts has led to an acceleration in new player registrations, exceeding 7.4 million over the first quarter of the year. Compared to the last quarter of 2023, this metric demonstrated a 106% increase.

The number of unique clicks on referral links with Affilka by SOFTSWISS during this period showed 115% growth and reached almost 436 million in absolute numbers. The rising metrics underscore the crucial role of effective affiliate management in achieving success within the iGaming industry.

Moving to the financial metrics of Affilka by SOFTSWISS, stable growth is evident over the first quarter of 2024 compared to the last quarter of 2023. The affiliate GGR revealed a 112% increase, while the player deposit amount showed a 113% enlargement. The growth within affiliate payments amounted to 117% in Q1’24 compared to the previous quarter.

Anastasia Borovaya, Head of Affilka by SOFTSWISS, summarises: “The recent product performance showcases a steady and continuous growth trajectory, a testament to our ongoing investment in innovation and user experience enhancement. Acknowledging affiliate marketing’s crucial role in the iGaming ecosystem, we prioritise delivering exceptional service to exceed our clients’ expectations.”

The global affiliate marketing industry is expected to double in size within the next five years. Finding a reliable affiliate marketing platform provider ensures a competitive edge in the rapidly expanding market.

The team is ready to share valuable industry insights and unveil the upcoming updates at the SiGMA Americas Summit in San Paulo on 23–25 April. Clients and potential partners can book a meeting with the Affilka team at stand i70 on the SOFTSWISS events page.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international tech company supplying software solutions for managing iGaming projects. The expert team, which counts over 2,000 employees, is based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.