AGS Partners with The Rank Group to provide third-party contentCDC Gaming Reports · December 13, 2018 at 11:38 amGaming designer and supplier AGS announced Thursday it entered into an agreement to provide third-party slot content aggregation for real-money wagering to leading UK multi-channel gaming operator The Rank Group. The deal covers The Rank Group’s Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casino brands. “AGS’s game library has a lot of content that we previously didn’t have access to,” Bhotesh Maheshwari, Head of Product for The Rank Group, said in a statement. “Their wide variety of games coupled with our extensive player base and broad reach, will ensure that The Rank Group will continue to deliver an outstanding and consistently engaging player experience.” Under the agreement, AGS’s iGaming Platform will provide The Rank Group with an aggregation solution, as well as access to AGS’s full library of content partners, including more than 600 games from developers like 1×2 Gaming, Ainsworth Game Technology, Gaming Realms, and Reflex Gaming, among others. A large library… [continue reading]
Industry shows support for ICE London Consumer Protection ZoneCDC Newswire · December 13, 2018 at 8:28 amSponsors of ICE London’s Consumer Protection Zone (CPZ) have already generated in excess of £30,000 for charities and not-for-profit organisations working in the responsible gambling space. The first wave of progressive gaming companies to pledge sponsorship comprise: 888 Holdings; ALEA; GVC Holdings Plc; Kindred; LeoVegas, and Videoslots. The importance of providing a platform for responsible gambling and driving practical initiatives to protect players throughout the world has never been greater. Ewa Bakun, Director of Industry Insight and Engagement at Clarion Gaming and the person responsible for introducing the CPZ to ICE London, confirmed: “The Consumer Protection Zone is a focal point of the ICE London show floor and is fully dedicated to responsible gambling and consumer protection. We are delighted to have such proactive sponsors who are directly involved in supporting a progressive and responsible approach to gaming. It’s encouraging to see so many operators getting involved with this initiative… [continue reading]
Osaka to begin IR operator selection process in early 2019Inside Asian Gaming · December 13, 2018 at 7:53 amOsaka Governor Ichiro Matsui has revealed that the city will begin the process of evaluating the bids of IR operator candidates in early 2019. Matsui and Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura met with a team from Las Vegas Sands (LVS), led by President and Chief Operating Officer Rob Goldstein, on Wednesday with the US casino giant becoming the latest to pitch its plans to construct an integrated resort. Osaka is considered a leading contender city to win one of three IR licenses to be issued by the national government.
Gambling chiefs confirm ‘whistle-to-whistle’ television sport advertising banBBC.com · December 13, 2018 at 7:50 amGambling chiefs say they are “responding to public concerns” after confirming plans to effectively ban television betting adverts during pre-watershed live sport. Last week, BBC Sport reported Britain’s biggest gambling companies had agreed a “whistle-to-whistle” advertising ban. The Industry Group for Responsible Gambling (IGRG) has now confirmed the ban, which will begin in 2019. It follows political pressure about the amount of betting advertising on TV. No betting adverts will now be shown during live sport coverage before 21:00 in the UK from five minutes before the event begins until five minutes after it finishes, Horse racing and greyhound racing are exempt from the restrictions because of the commercial importance of gambling on their viability.
Ex-Disney VP Announces Plans for Spanish Mega ResortLuke Haward, CDC Gaming Reports · December 12, 2018 at 8:08 pmA big announcement in the last few days from a man who was once at the heart of Disney, ex-VP of Resort Development John Cora, confirming the rumours that have been swirling for some time now about the planned mega resort in Extremadura, Spain. Cora revealed last week that his company, Cora Alpha, plans to be heavily involved in the planned resort; the company’s investment is reported to be north of $3.5 billion. Pending approval, the resort is slated to be built on a 1200-hectare parcel in the Extremaduran town of Castilblanco The planned resort will include a casino and golf course, a football stadium and four hotels as well as a water part and theme park. A residential area of 2,000 homes is also planned. The mammoth venture has received a welcome boost from the recently passed LEGIO local tax law, which grants tax incentives to casinos and gaming… [continue reading]
Indian MP questions parliament on legalizing gamblingAsia Gaming Brief · December 12, 2018 at 7:02 pmAn independent member of India’s upper house of parliament and former Samajwadi Party General Secretary, Amar Singh, has raised a starred question on legalisation of gambling and betting in the country. Singh in his question asked Union Minister for Law and Justice, Ravi Shankar Prasad to state whether the Law Commission of India has sent a proposal to legalise gambling and betting, according to G.Laws.
Current casino oversight best for Singapore: regulatorGGRAsia · December 12, 2018 at 7:01 pmThe coordinated arrangements for supervising Singapore’s casino resorts are working well, a Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) official has told an international conference. The authority posted on its website a written statement saying CRA general counsel Tan Teck Wang attended the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) annual conference this year and contributed to a discussion about the difficult choices regulators must make in balancing the many roles they play. The CRA statement quoted Mr Tan as telling the conference that Singapore has a multi-agency approach to managing its casino resorts.
Sky City’s casino expansion begins to rise into Adelaide’s skylineG3 Newswire · December 12, 2018 at 6:58 pmWork on Adelaide Casino’s $330m expansion has achieved a key milestone with the pouring of the first suspended concrete slab, as the 12-storey development starts to rise into the city skyline. The highly complex and sophisticated construction includes the erection of a steel gantry to allow deliveries to continue below to the Adelaide Casino, Adelaide Festival Centre and Dunstan Playhouse, while construction continues above. Adelaide Casino General Manager Luke Walker said: “The expansion will transform Adelaide Casino into a world-class integrated entertainment destination with Adelaide’s most luxurious all-suite hotel, new signature restaurants and bars including a destination rooftop bar and a wellness centre.”
Peterborough football director Barry Fry charged over alleged bettingThe Guardian · December 12, 2018 at 6:54 pmBarry Fry, Peterborough’s director of football, has been charged by the Football Association with misconduct in relation to betting. A statement from the FA read: “It is alleged that he placed bets on the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of, or occurrence in, football matches or competitions during the 2017-18 season in breach of FA Rule E8.” Fry has until 6pm on 20 December 2018 to respond to the charge. The 73-year-old has been director of football at the League One club for over a decade after previously being manager at London Road for just under 10 years.
Slovakia’s Online Market to Open in July 2019Gaming in Holland · December 12, 2018 at 12:16 pmSlovakia’s online gambling market will open in July 2019. The decision by the parliament of the Slovak Republic leaves the Netherlands even more of an outlier in the EU. Online betting licenses and online casino licenses will be valid for ten years. For a combined land-based and online casino license, the maximum license period is five years with an option for an additional five years. The cost of online licenses will be set at €3m for online betting and for online casinos, although if operators apply for both, the combined cost will be reduced to €5m. The tax rate for online operators will be 22% of GGR. Any operators who were issued with a Blocking Order under the old Gambling Act will remain blocked under the new licensing regime.
