IGT Announce Retirement of Donald R. Sweitzer, Chairman of IGT Global Solutions Corporation

LONDON, U.K. (December 5, 2018) -- International Game Technology PLC (IGT) (NYSE: IGT) announced that Donald R. Sweitzer will be retiring on Dec. 31 after 20 years of leadership in IGT's government affairs and business development. As Chairman of IGT Global Solutions Corporation, Don has been an accomplished ambassador to IGT's current and prospective global customers and government officials, and instrumental in its development, growth, and industry leadership.

IGT is the global leader in gaming. We enable players to experience their favorite games across all channels and regulated segments, from Gaming Machines and Lotteries to Interactive and Social Gaming. Leveraging a wealth of premium content, substantial investment in innovation, in-depth customer intelligence, operational expertise and leading-edge technology, our gaming solutions anticipate the demands of consumers wherever they decide to play. We have a well-established local presence and relationships...

Donald Sweitzer Chairman, IGT Global Solutions Corporation

"Don's expertise building and nurturing relationships with state and commercial partners around the world, along with his insights into complex geopolitical situations, have been important to IGT's continued expansion and leading market position," said IGT CEO Marco Sala. "I will always be grateful for his integrity, insight, and leadership. His achievements with IGT will continue to resonate far into the future."

"I am grateful to Marco Sala and the entire IGT family, our customers, and business partners for the extraordinary opportunities and meaningful relationships we have built together throughout the last 20 years," said Don. "I can honestly say I have enjoyed coming to work every single day during my time here, and I love the people in this company. It's now a good time in the business to retire on a positive note, with a spectacular future ahead for IGT."

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Prior to his role as Chairman of IGT Global Solutions Corporation, Don was Senior Vice President of Global Business Development and Public Affairs. In this role, he identified and developed new business opportunities and supported the expansion of the Company's products and services in existing jurisdictions. He also continuously enhanced the Company's communications and services to its worldwide government and commercial clients.

Before joining the Company in 1998, Don served in prominent senior roles in federal and state politics. He was political director of the Democratic National Committee during the first term of former U.S. President Bill Clinton. He was also a trusted advisor to elected representatives, including Senators Edward M. Kennedy, D-Massachusetts and Howard M. Metzenbaum, D-Ohio. Don first became involved with politics when he was elected to public office, formerly serving as deputy town supervisor and councilman in East Greenbush, New York.

In addition, he has held roles on the boards of non-governmental organizations including current Co-Chair and past Chairman of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and current board member of the Providence Performing Arts Center. Don is also a member of the Lottery Industry Hall of Fame.

About IGT

IGT (NYSE:IGT) is the global leader in gaming. We enable players to experience their favorite games across all channels and regulated segments, from Gaming Machines and Lotteries to Digital and Social Gaming. Leveraging a wealth of premium content, substantial investment in innovation, in-depth customer intelligence, operational expertise and leading-edge technology, our gaming solutions anticipate the demands of consumers wherever they decide to play. We have a well-established local presence and relationships with governments and regulators in more than 100 countries around the world, and create value by adhering to the highest standards of service, integrity, and responsibility. IGT has more than 12,000 employees. For more information, please visit www.igt.com.

CONTACT:

SOURCE: International Game Technology PLC (IGT).

INTRALOT Signs Contract with Nederlandse Loterij for Lottery System and Terminals

ATHENS, Greece (December 6, 2018) -- INTRALOT S.A. announces the signing of a new contract for NEDERLANDSE LOTERIJ, operator of the Dutch Lottery and numerous other gaming brands, following a competitive international tender. 

Within the scope of this contract INTRALOT provides a Central System and installs technology solutions in all retail locations of Nederlandse Loterij. INTRALOT services are planned to transition in 2019.

Nederlandse Loterij has been formed in April 2016 through the merger of the Nederlandse Staatsloterij and De Lotto. Nederlandse Loterij offers seven well-known games of chance in the Netherlands, including brands like Staatsloterij, Lotto, Toto, Eurojackpot, Miljoenenspel, Lucky Day and Krasloten. Its mission is to invest in a happier and healthier society by donating a large sum, 37%, of its revenues to national sport and charity organizations. The remaining 63% is donated to the Dutch national treasury.

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Arjan Blok (Chief Financial Officer) Nederlandse Loterij stated: “After an intensive international tender process in which we have compared services of top suppliers in the gaming industry, we are confident INTRALOT will be able to deliver the quality and flexibility we need to meet the challenges in a fast and changing market.”

Nikos Nikolakopoulos, Chief Commercial Officer for INTRALOT states: “We are thrilled to be selected by Nederlandse Loterij for the supply of a new central system and terminals solution. Through this cooperation opportunity we bring our latest technological innovations of a flexible modular central system that minimizes time-to-market and reduces operator total cost of ownership along with the most advanced camera clerk operated terminal that will offer tremendous benefits to the operator and the retailers’ network”.

About INTRALOT

INTRALOT, a public listed company established in 1992, is a leading gaming solutions supplier and operator active in 52 regulated jurisdictions around the globe. With €1.1 billion turnover and a global workforce of approximately 5,100 employees (3,100 of which in HQ and subsidiaries and 2,000 in associates) in 2017, INTRALOT is an innovation – driven corporation focusing its product development on the customer experience. The company is uniquely positioned to offer to lottery and gaming organizations across geographies market-tested solutions and retail operational expertise. The company has designed a new ecosystem of holistic omni-channel solutions across verticals (Lottery, Betting, Interactive, VLT) for Lotteries digital transformation. INTRALOT has been awarded the prestigious WLA Responsible Gaming Framework Certification by the World Lottery Association (WLA) and the WLA certificate for the Security Control standard.

For more info: Mr. Chris Sfatos, Group Corporate Affairs Director, Phone: +30-210 6156000, Fax: +30-210 6106800, email: sfatos@intralot.com.

SOURCE: INTRALOT (www.intralot.com) press release.

Annual Review Reaffirmed Lotto Niedersachsen’s Dedication to Safety Standards and Player Protection

HANNOVER, Germany (December 5, 2018) -- Safety standards and player protection are very important to Lotto Niedersachsen. The information security management system at Lotto Niedersachsen is implemented and maintained with exemplary care and a high level of safety awareness among all managers and employees.

This reaffirmed the positive outcome of the annual review of information security measures based on the WLA Security Control Standard (WLA-SCS: 2016) and the international standard ISO / IEC 27001: 2013.

No complaints were found in the November investigation by the company "DNV GL Business Assurance Certification and Environmental Verification GmbH, Essen".

This certification demonstrates that the games offered by Lotto Niedersachsen are offered responsibly and safely in accordance with the rules set by the WLA.

These high quality standards differentiate Lotto Niedersachsen from the increasing number of providers operating abroad who offer bets on the draw results of the state lotteries without German or Lower Saxony permission.

The WLA, the World Lottery Association, is a global membership organization based in Basel and Montreal, which has developed standards for responsible, professionally organized and reputable lottery delivery.

Lotto Niedersachsen will continue to attach great importance to security and quality control in the implementation of lotteries in order to guarantee safe and responsible gaming for its customers in Lower Saxony.

SOURCE: Lotto Niedersachsen.

$1,000,000 Voyage Promotion Unites Lotteries Worldwide

Alchemy3 introduces a new global adventure

ROSWELL, Georgia (December 5, 2018) -- Alchemy3 and Royal Caribbean International have announced a partnership to introduce the first worldwide lottery promotion - $1,000,000 Voyage.  The event allows lotteries all over the world to join together and award an amazing adventure on the newest, largest and most state-of-the art ship in the world -- Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas.

The $1,000,000 Voyage promotion includes: a private island takeover on CocoCay, an exclusive beach concert at the Atlantis resort featuring an international superstar, plus more than $2,000,000 in cash prize giveaways throughout the voyage; including a GUARANTEED $1,000,000 winner.   “We know that lotteries worldwide have expressed interest in working together to create an international, multi-jurisdiction program” said Paul Guziel, CEO of U.S. based Alchemy3.  “$1,000,000 Voyage provides a combination of aspirational prizing for both lottery and non-lottery players.” Guziel added.

The Program is designed as an instant/scratch game to allow the greatest level of participation.   However, lotteries can award prizes in a way that best suits their customer base.  This provides each lottery maximum flexibility in designing a program with the greatest consumer appeal.  Alchemy3 is available to assist lotteries in creating custom program executions with regional appeal.

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Alchemy3 recently introduced the global promotion concept to lotteries at World Lottery Summit (WLS) in Buenos Aries, Argentina.  May Scheve Reardon, Executive Director of the Missouri Lottery and Board President of the U.S. Multi-State Lottery Association said “For quite some time, U.S. Lotteries have been interested in designing a worldwide lottery game.”

“$1,000,000 Voyage provides the opportunity to test the waters by bringing together multiple lotteries through a joint promotion” Scheve Reardon added.

Webinars are scheduled for December 19th and 20th to introduce the program  to lottery personnel  around the globe. The $1,000,000 Voyage promotional period is set for early 2020 leading up to the winner prize voyage in early 2021.

About Alchemy3:

Alchemy3 is a broad-based, fully integrated lottery marketing Services Company. A3 was founded in 2007 by lottery and gaming industry veterans with the goal of creating smart gaming solutions that pair lotteries with great consumer brands and represent “win-win” outcomes for both the lottery and the brand. Over the last twelve years, the Company has methodically built a foundation of strategic gaming and licensing platforms that has made it a dominant player in both the lottery services industry and consumer products licensing industries.

A3 is based in Roswell, GA, and it is a leading provider of licensed brands, player loyalty programs, and value-added services to lotteries across the U.S. and Canada. The Company provides its customers with a premium, integrated marketing solution that increases lottery revenue and drives player participation across a variety of age groups and demographics. A3 provides lotteries with relevant market research, creative game design, advertising and promotional support, drawing and fulfillment services, web design, mobile app development, social media engagement and game player support throughout the entire life of a game.

For more information, press only: Jeffrey Schweig, 770-442-6993, E: js@alchemy3.

SOURCE: Alchemy3.

The Lott Launches a New Campaign to Highlight ‘Everyday Winners, Winning Every Day’

QUEENSLAND, Australia (December 3, 2018) -- Mowing the lawn, having a coffee, or getting something out of the fridge – ordinary moments are quickly turned into winning moments with a new campaign from the Lott that features ‘everday winners, winning every day’.

The new initiative features everyday people, in their everyday moments, discovering they are one of the 74 million Australian winners that collected more than $2.7 billion in prize money last year playing one of lottery games at the Lott.

The campaign is being brought to life through free-to-air television, radio, billboard and digital channels.

With about three Australian lottery winners crowned every second, the Lott marketing manager David Liddell said the campaign aimed to celebrate everyday winning moments.

“One of the biggest misconceptions about lottery games is that no one wins, when in fact, we have multiple winners every second of every day. These winners can take home a prize that ranges from $5 to $50 million and beyond!” he said.

“With the launch of this new campaign, our players and customers will get a fresh perspective on just how often these wins occur and how everyday moments are turned into winning moments when people simply check their tickets.”

The ‘everyday winners, winning every day’ campaign commences Monday 3 December 2018 and aims to support the existing marketing campaigns being run by individual lottery game brands at the Lott.

The new campaign runs until March 2019.

Agencies involved in the creation and delivery of the Lott’s newest brand campaign:

• Creative agency: Y&R Brisbane
• Media agency:  Carat

About the Lott

The Lott is the mark of trust that unites Australia’s Offical Lotteries by Tatts, NSW Lotteries, SA Lotteries and Golden Casket under one banner.

In the 12 months to 30 June 2018, 74 million winners took home a total of $2.7 billion in prize money from their favourite games which include Saturday Lotto, Monday and Wednesday Lotto, Powerball, Oz Lotto, Set for Life, Lucky Lotteries and Instant Scratch-Its.

For more information visit our media centre at mediacentre.thelott.com.

To view and download the TVC click here.

SOURCE: The Lott press release.

“Alexa, Tell Me the Latest Virginia Lottery Winning Numbers!”

Lottery Information is Now as Close as Your Virtual Assistant

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RICHMOND, VA (December 4, 2018) -- So you want to know the latest winning numbers? How about the date and time of the next big drawing? How big is the jackpot? What games are available from the Virginia Lottery?

No problem. Alexa knows.

The Virginia Lottery has become one of the first lotteries to make information available via Alexa, the virtual assistant developed by Amazon.

The Virginia Lottery partnered with COLAB to develop the “skill” to help any Alexa user who wants information about the Virginia Lottery.

Almost one in three Americans owned a voice-activated smart speaker in August 2018, and up to half of adults could own one after the holiday shopping season, according to Adobe and the Consumer Technology Association.

To use the skill, you simply say, “Alexa, enable the Virginia Lottery.”  Some sample phrases could then be:

• “Alexa, ask Virginia Lottery: What were the winning Cash 5 numbers?”
• “Alexa, ask Virginia Lottery: What is the Powerball jackpot?”
• “Alexa, ask Virginia Lottery: What games can I play?”

“This is just the latest way in which the Virginia Lottery is using today’s technology to meet customers where they live and shop today,” said Virginia Lottery Executive Director Kevin Hall.

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“Along with our new smartphone app and the Lottery’s hugely popular touchscreen vending machines, Alexa helps us empower our players by providing quick, easy access to drawing results and other consumer information.”

In the future, as part of the Virginia Lottery’s Play Responsibly campaign, Alexa will be able to provide users with the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline number, where people with questions about gambling addiction can go to seek help.

COLAB is a digital agency based in Richmond, Virginia, that creates web-based solutions to solve real business problems for its clients.

Through its expertise in strategy, design, development, and project management, COLAB builds custom web applications, websites and enterprise-wide digital partnerships.

Now in its 30th year, the Virginia Lottery generates more than $1.6 million per day for Virginia’s K-12 public schools.

Operating entirely on revenue from the sale of Lottery products, the Lottery generated more than $600 million for Virginia’s public schools in Fiscal Year 2018.

For more info, visit our website, download our app, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and check us out on YouTube. Please play responsibly.

SOURCE: Virginia Lottery press release.

Minnesota Lottery and Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance Participate in National Holiday Responsible Gambling Campaign

ROSEVILLE, MN (November 29, 2018) -- The Minnesota Lottery and the Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance (NPGA) announced today they are participating in a national responsible gambling campaign to raise awareness about the risks of underage lottery play during the holiday season.

Both organizations will promote the importance of responsible gambling through various media channels, joining a growing effort to raise awareness about this issue around Minnesota, the United States and North America.

The campaign, now in its eleventh year, is led nationally by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and internationally by the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University.

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December is a time when many cultures share in gift giving, and some may consider giving scratch tickets to young people as gifts. “While a scratch-off ticket may provide momentary excitement, underage recipients don’t have the cognitive development to discern the potential risks of gambling,” says Susan Sheridan Tucker, Northstar executive director. “This is why tickets sales are limited to adults.” When a trusted adult provides a ticket to a minor, it sends the message that the activity is an acceptable practice.

Youth gambling is particularly concerning because researchers have established a link between the age at which a person first gambles and the occurrence of excessive or problem gambling later in life. Studies have also shown that many adolescents gamble at least occasionally, and that lottery products, particularly scratch tickets, often serve as an introduction to gambling activities for youth.

For some youth, lottery products may be a gateway to excessive or problem gambling. Youth gambling has been linked to other risky behaviours, including smoking, drinking and drug use.

The NCPG reports the following statistics on youth gambling:

• Young people report their first gambling experience occurs, on average, around 9-11 years of age
• Approximately 80% of high-school aged adolescents report having gambled for money during the past year
• 2-4% of adolescents presently have a gambling problem while another 10-14% are at-risk for developing a gambling problem; in contrast, adult problem gambling rates for the general population are about 1-2%
• Adult problem gamblers report an earlier onset of gambling, often beginning between the ages of 10-19
• Early gambling experiences are a risk factor for later problem gambling
• While male adolescents gamble more frequently than females; female adolescents are more actively involved in lottery play
• Lottery scratch-off tickets have been shown to present a possible gateway to other gambling activities

“While we think lottery tickets make for fun gifts for adults, they are not appropriate as a gift for minors,” says Robert Doty, executive director of the Minnesota Lottery. “The commitment of the Minnesota Lottery and so many other lotteries around the country demonstrates our interest in ensuring that lottery participation is both fun and safe.”

Both Tucker and Doty feel that responsible gambling is a positive approach to minimizing gambling-related harm and maximizing public benefit.

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 Problem gambling, also known as gambling addiction or compulsive gambling, is defined as the urge to gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. It’s estimated that approximately 160,000 to 214,000 Minnesotans struggle with this addictive disorder, which can destroy lives, threaten family relationships and empty personal and family savings. For more information about problem gambling in Minnesota, visit NorthstarProblemGambling.org.

About Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance

Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance is a nonprofit, gambling-neutral organization dedicated to improving the lives of Minnesotans affected by problem gambling. A 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, NPGA is funded by membership fees, financial and in-kind donations, and state and private grants. NPGA serves as Minnesota’s affiliate to the National Council on Problem Gambling.

About Minnesota Lottery

The Minnesota Lottery raises money for programs that positively impact the lives of Minnesotans. It offers uniquely Minnesotan games of chance that are held to the highest standard of integrity and security. Since 1990, the Lottery has returned more than $2.9 billion to programs that benefit all Minnesotans, including the state’s most precious natural resources, education, health care and more.

CONTACT: Susan Sheridan Tucker, Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance, Phone: (612) 424-8595, Email: sst@northstarproblemgambling.org.

SOURCE: Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance and Minnesota Lottery.

Svenska Spels CEO and Chairman Describe How the Group Prepares for the New Gaming Market and Legislation

VISBY, Sweden (November 29, 2018) -- DI Debatt today publishes a debate article on 29 November, where Svenska Spels tf. CEO Marie Loob and Chairman of the Board Erik Strand describe how the Group prepares for the new gaming market and legislation by carefully dividing the business into three parts.

The debate also addresses the criticisms that the Industry Association for Online Games (BOS), representatives of a number of foreign gaming companies, expressed in a previous post on DI Debatt.

Marie Loob and Erik Strand write, among other things, that Svenska Spel's assessment is that the Group is divided exactly as the Riksdag thought and in accordance with the competition law.

Furthermore, they write about the importance of gaming companies taking their responsibility on the regulated market:

"Next year will be important for the Swedish gaming industry and the Swedish gaming consumers. Svenska Spel will do its utmost to ensure that the new markets are characterized by a greater degree of responsibility for customers, gaming and marketing."

"Svenska Spel, like the whole of Sweden's gaming company, will continue to show the way in the Swedish gaming market. From January 1, we will do it in three separate business areas. We are looking forward to competing on schysta terms. It deserves gaming consumers. "

Read the entire debate article on DI Debatt

New Gaming Market

At the turn of the year, a new spell legislation enters into force. The game monopoly is abolished for certain games, a licensing system is introduced and the tax rules are changed. At the same time, the Lottery Inspectorate changes its name to the Spelinspektionen and receives more tools for the supervision of a new Swedish gaming market with care for the customers in focus.

Now all gaming companies operating in Sweden or offering games to Swedish customers will be subject to the same regulations and the same supervision. Customers get better consumer protection. A new crime breach, spell cheating, is introduced. A special cooperation council is established to better counter match fixation.

As the whole of Sweden's gaming company, we look forward to acting on a market with equal terms for all gaming companies. An arena that gets safer and sharper both from a competitive and consumer perspective, which also gives us the opportunity to offer new games.

But what's actually happening on January 1, 2019? How is Svenska Spel, our customers and the market in general affected by the new law?

Clearer gaming market

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Click here for the latest electronic version of Lottery Insights.

Let's start with the gaming market, which is divided into three parts. A competitive part, a public benefit and a part that is still reserved to the state.

In the competitive part, all gaming companies - both state and private - seem to apply for and are licensed by the Spelinspektionen. The games that are competitive are online casino, online bingo, online poker and betting. The license also follows an increased consumer and gaming responsibility in terms of, among other things, customer registration, marketing, bonuses and gaming limits.

The public utility, which includes number games and lotteries, is less affected.

The third part of the new gaming market is the land based business that Svenska Spel currently operates in the form of land-based casinos (Casino Cosmopol) and slot machines at restaurants and bingo halls (Vegas). This part remains largely intact and continues to be reserved for the state.

The business is divided

The consequence for Svenska Spel is that we adapt from the beginning of the year to the organization to match the three different market conditions that the new gaming legislation entails.

Svenska Spel will also continue to be a coherent group with group-wide functions, but gaming activities are divided into three separate business areas. Then we create clearer focus and customer offerings and at the same time ensure compliance with the competition law and spell legislation in the new gaming market.

Our tour products (number games and lotteries) stay in the parent company AB Svenska Spel. Vegas and Casino Cosmopol continue as a separate business. The big change is that all our sports games, net poker and netbingo move to the new subsidiary Svenska Spel Sport & Casino AB. We are also starting to offer the news online casino in the same subsidiary.

New account for customers

After the turn of the year, Svenska Spel's customers can continue to play games like Lotto, Keno and Eurojackpot as usual, both online and in the game store. The same applies to customers who play at Vegasautomater and at Casino Cosmopol.

To play on our sports games, online bingo, online poker and online casino, however, a new gaming account is required at Svenska Spel Sport & Casino AB. Customers can register on Svenska Spel Sport & Casino's website or in their game store as of January 1, 2019.

Until the end of the year is also possible to pre-register on svenskaspel.se/forregistrering

SOURCE: Svenska Spel.

Lottery Inspectorate Announce Its First Online Gambling License Decisions

STRÄNGNÄS, Sweden (November 30, 2018) -- The Lottery Inspectorate, which changes its name to Spelinspektionen at the turn of the year, announces today the first license decisions.

"This is a historic day for the game. I am very proud that the Lottery Inspector's staff under severe pressure, with a whole new legislation, worked out the first license decisions," said Director General Camilla Rosenberg.

So far, the Lottery Inspectorate has received 95 license applications, of which more than 70 involve games in the competitive online gaming market. However, the figures do not provide the full picture of the number of trademarks because an application may be filed by a company that has several brands.

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"Since one of the objectives of the reform of the game was to achieve high channelization, it is gratifying that many gaming companies that are currently targeting the Swedish market want to be part of the new licensing market after the turn of the year," says Camilla Rosenberg.

Companies licensed

Today, 16 gaming companies have received their license applications, which will begin on January 1, 2019. Click here to see who have been licensed.

More decisions in time

It is important to emphasize that the decisions announced today are the first in the line of decisions announced.

"We will continue to make decisions so that the person who submitted his application and completed in good time will also be given a decision in his case over the next few weeks, depending on the complexity of the case," says Operations Manager Patrik Gustavsson.

The Authority has also granted licenses with a shorter period than the maximum five years.

“In cases where we estimate that we need to follow the company extra carefully, we can grant a license for a shorter period. For example, it may be about past offenses in other markets," says Camilla Rosenberg.

Restrictions on betting

With the first license decisions, a further step is also taken in the fight against match fixing, where the Spelinspektionen will have a coordinating role. Among other things, gaming companies must adapt to the following limitations in the game range:

• No one may offer betting on events or events where the majority of participants are under 18 years old.
• No one may offer betting that is offensive or inappropriate from a public point of view.
• No one may offer bets that are subject to the forthcoming rules on bans with regard to match fixing.

It is now the responsibility of licensees to comply with these limitations, while the Spelinspektionen will work out regulations in this area.

Games and logos

The companies that are now licensed are obliged to join Spelpaus.se, the Authority's national self-shutdown system. Read more about Spelpaus.se.

The companies should also place three logos at the top of their web pages, so that consumers can easily access tools to better control their gambling. Read more about game response logos.

Gaming and logos for gaming are two of the many components in the construction of a safer and safer gaming market.

CONTACT:  My Hamrén, Press Officer, Tel: 0152-650 174, 0765-330 174, E: my.hamren@lotteriinspektionen.se

SOURCE: Spelinspektionen press release.

Gambling Commission Takes Widespread Regulatory Action Against Online Casino Operators and Senior Management

BIRMINGHAM, U.K. (November 29, 2018) -- Online casino companies and their senior management have faced widespread action from the gambling regulator, as part of an ongoing investigation into the way the industry combats problem gambling and money laundering.

The Commission has imposed nearly £14m in penalties on three companies as result of their failings to put in place effective safeguards to prevent money laundering and keep consumers safe from gambling-related harm.

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Following licence reviews, the Commission has ordered Daub Alderney to pay a financial penalty of £7.1m (as previously announced) and Casumo  has been ordered to pay a financial penalty of £5.85m. Videoslots will pay £1m in lieu of a financial penalty.

Another company - CZ Holdings - will no longer be able to provide gambling services to consumers in Britain as it surrendered its licence after a licence review had been commenced. Nine other operators have been issued with Advice to Conduct letters and a further six are still under investigation.

The Commission has also taken regulatory action against the individuals responsible for the failings. Three Personal Licence Holders (PML) have now surrendered their licenses, four have been issued with a warning and two have been issued with Advice as to Conduct notices. A further three individuals who hold PMLs are still under investigation.

Neil McArthur, Commission CEO, said: “I hope today’s announcement will make all online casino operators sit up and pay attention, as our investigations found that a large number of operators and their senior management were not meeting their obligations.

“It is not enough to have policies and procedures in place. Everyone in a gambling business must understand its policies and procedures and take responsibility for properly applying them.

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“We expect operators to know their customers and to ask the right questions to make sure they meet their anti-money laundering and social responsibility obligations.”

Mr McArthur added: “Anyone in a position of authority needs to be aware that we will not only act against businesses when we take regulatory action - we will also hold individuals to account where they are responsible for an operator’s failings.”

Jeremy Wright, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: “Any online operator that thinks it can ignore its duty to protect players should take note today - there will be consequences. Protecting vulnerable consumers is our prime concern, and it must be the priority for gambling operators too.

“There are robust requirements to safeguard players and prevent money-laundering which all businesses must adhere to if they wish to operate in the British market. I am pleased to see the Gambling Commission taking the strongest possible action when companies fail to meet their obligations.”

Operators are advised to read our lessons to be learned regarding this investigation.

Review of Casumo Services Limited’s operating licence

Breach of conditions relating to anti-money laundering and failure to comply with social responsibility codes

SOURCE: Gambling Commission.

Global Lottery Monitoring System Publish Its Code of Conduct

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (December 5, 2018) -- GLMS published today its Code of Conduct. The Code applies to everyone engaged with the GLMS family, including members (individual and associate), partners, employees and Executive Committee Members. The Code was unanimously adopted by the GLMS membership base at the GLMS General Meeting in Buenos Aires on November 20. Although the Code might not address every issue that might arise, it seeks to provide a solid foundation for making good decisions.

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GLMS President, Ludovico Calvi has stated: “Competent and effective performance is critical to our success, but just as important is how we go about achieving results – with honesty , transparency and respect, without taking shortcuts, and by operating ethically and with integrity in all that we do. The adoption of the present Code not only, once again, demonstrates that GLMS Members - Lotteries take their responsibility towards society in serious, but also proves the real commitment of the entire GLMS family to making zero compromises when it comes to the integrity of any step we take in our daily activity and operations”.

The Code also includes recommendations towards Lottery-Members regarding their Sports Betting operations. These recommendations, which should be seen as complementary to the jurisdictional, legal and regulatory requirements within each national jurisdiction, address numerous relevant issues, such as protection of minors, cautious selection of events and betting types to be offered, avoidance of conflict of interests, obligation to report suspicious betting activity, contribution to good causes, etc. They are also in line with the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sport Competitions.

In addition, the Code outlines the corporate ethics principles and guidelines mandatory for all employees and ExCo members of GLMS, and the core ethical principles of respect, equity and non-discrimination, effectiveness, honesty, loyalty, transparency, responsibility, legality, impartiality and integrity, governing the behaviour and everyday professional conduct of all those who belong to the GLMS family.

LINKS:

Click here to read the GLMS Code of Conduct.

CONTACTS: GLMS

•  Giancarlo Sergi, GLMS General Secretary: giancarlo.sergi@glms-sport.org

•  Evangelos Alexandrakis, GLMS Deputy General Secretary, evangelos.alexandrakis@glms-sport.org

About GLMS

GLMS is the state lotteries’ mutualized monitoring system on sports betting. It aims at detecting and analyzing suspicious betting activities that could question the integrity of a sport competition. Building on six years of experience with the establishment in 2009 of ELMS with European Lotteries, GLMS went global in January 2015 extending the network to other continents. GLMS facilitates the sharing of sports betting information as part of the collective efforts of its members in ensuring sports integrity globally, and is dedicated to effective cooperation with all key stakeholders: regulators, law enforcement authorities, sports organizations.

GLMS currently has 31 individual Members from 4 continents (Österreichische Lotterien - Austria,  Loterie Nationale – Belgium, Hrvatska Lutrija – Croatia,  Danske Spil – Denmark, Veikkaus – Finland, La Française Des Jeux – France,  Staatliche Loterieverwaltung in Bayern – Germany, Opap SA – Greece,  Szerencsejatek – Hungary, Islenk Getspa – Iceland,  Israel Sports Betting Board  - Israel, Lottomatica – Italy, Sisal – Italy,   Maltco Lotteries Ltd- Malta, Norsk Tipping – Norway,  Santa Casa De Misericordia da Lisboa – Portugal,   Stoloto-Russia, Sportna Loterija – Slovenia,  Svenska Spel – Sweden,   Loterie Romande – Switzerland, Swisslos – Switzerland,  Nederlandse Loterij, the Netherlands,  Hong Kong Jockey Club – Hong Kong, Singapore Pools – Singapore,  Ktoto Co – South Korea, China Sports Lottery – China, Loto-Québec- Canada,  Polla Chilena de Beneficencia – Chile, Banca de Quinielas de Montevideo – Uruguay, La Marocaine des Jeux et des Sports, Morocco,  Loterie Nationale du Sénégal – Senegal) and 2 collective Members (European Lotteries Association and World Lottery Association)

GLMS has 1 associate Member – Scientific Games

Visit the GLMS website.

SOURCE: Global Lottery Monitoring System (GLMS).

MGA Publishes Alternative Dispute Resolution Directive

By Malta Gaming Authority

MALTA (December 3, 2018) -- The Malta Gaming Authority hereby notifies its licensees and the general public that in pursuant to article 7(2) of the new Gaming Act (Cap. 583 of the Laws of Malta), it is issuing the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Directive, found here, as a binding instrument in order to delineate in further detail the specific requirements in relation to Alternative Dispute Resolution.

By virtue of regulations 13 and 14 of the Player Protection Regulations, B2C licensees must make readily available to players the applicable procedures for making a complaint to them and for referring a complaint to an ADR entity. This Directive is intended to provide additional guidance to B2C licensees as to the nature of the ADR entity which B2C licensees must refer players to, and details as to the specific information which must be notified to the MGA.

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Those who have not yet informed the MGA as to which ADR entity they have entered into an agreement with, are to do so as soon as possible, by sending an email on support.mga@mga.org.mt with the subject “ADR Notification”, detailing the name(s) of the ADR entity or entities, and the duration of the agreement.

Monthly reports which detail all the disputes which have been referred to ADR entities, including the player ID and the subject-matter of the dispute, as well as the conclusions of the ADR entities may be submitted as of 21 January 2019. More guidance as to the format which such notification should follow will be issued closer to the date.

The MGA will be distinguishing between players’ complaints and disputes. As of 1 April 2019, the MGA’s Player Support Unit will no longer be delving into the merits of a dispute between a player and a B2C licensee, since this function is reserved for the relevant ADR entity. Disputes are understood to be a disagreement between a player and the MGA B2C licensee with which that player is registered.

However, the Player Support Unit will be open to receiving complaints from any individuals. Complaints are understood to be a report by any individual that any aspect of the provision of the gaming service by an MGA licensee is unlawful, or conducted in a manner which is not safe, fair, or transparent. In the event that the Player Support Unit receives a dispute which also includes a complaint, the Unit will be examining the complaint independently of the ADR entity, as part of its compliance functions.

Furthermore, the Player Support Unit will be examining the monthly reports submitted by B2C licensees which details the disputes which have been referred to the relevant ADR entities.

To this end, B2C licensees are instructed to ensure that their player dispute procedures do not refer players to the Malta Gaming Authority, but rather to the relevant ADR entity, in accordance with Article 4 of this Directive.

This Directive is applicable as of 3 December 2018.

SOURCE:  Malta Gaming Authority.