Compliance Updates
PHAI Files Class Action Against DraftKings in Massachusetts
The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) and its Center for Public Health Litigation filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of Massachusetts citizens who opened DraftKings Sportsbook accounts in response to a $1000 bonus sign-up promotion that the gambling company widely advertised. The Institute is based at Northeastern University School of Law in Boston.
The lawsuit alleges that members of the class were not aware that, in order to qualify for the sign-up bonus of $1000, new customers were required to make an initial deposit of $5000. After that, they had to gamble $25,000 on certain qualifying bets over a finite time period. If they did all of that, they would qualify to receive non-withdrawable credits to use on the platform.
Plaintiffs Shane Harris and Melissa Scanlon responded to the offer and were confused as to why they never received the $1000 sign-up bonus. The Institute’s executive director, Mark Gottlieb, said “Shane and Melissa are typical of many thousands of people in Massachusetts who were misled by the bonus offer and would not have signed up had they understood DraftKings’ unfair and deceptive requirements.”
Massachusetts is one of 38 states that has approved sports betting in the past five years since the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way in the Murphy v. NCAA decision.
PHAI’s gambling policy advisor, Harry Levant, a therapist who treats patients with Gambling disorder, noted that “Gambling is a known addictive product similar to heroin, opioids, tobacco, alcohol, and cocaine.” Levant is also a doctoral student in Law and Public Policy at Northeastern who studies the public health impact of online gambling. “The time has come to bring public health reform and regulation to the gambling industry because lives are in the balance” Levant concluded.
Northeastern University Distinguished Professor of Law, Richard Daynard, who is also president of the Institute, is well-known for his pioneering work to hold tobacco companies liable for their products’ harms in court. “Online gambling is creating a public health disaster with increasingly addictive products right before our eyes,” said Daynard. “In fact,” he continued, “massive advertising using unfair and deceptive promotions to hook customers on an addictive product bears an uncanny similarity to what the cigarette companies used to get away with.”
Playson, the fast-growing digital entertainment supplier, has been granted an ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certificate, reinforcing its commitment to implementing robust compliance measures.
Having previously gained an ISO 27001:2013 certificate three years ago, this updated version is key in safeguarding sensitive information and required for Playson to hold its existing licences in valuable regulated markets.
This latest development coincides with Playson’s plans to further extend its outreach across a number of regions over the next 12 months, paving the way for the supplier to enter new jurisdictions in a more streamlined way.
The accreditation was awarded by Quinel and recognises the provider’s adherence in aligning with the standards that the International Organisation for Standardisation sets, demonstrating its ability to mitigate any information security risks whilst meeting all necessary legal and regulatory requirements.
The 2022 version includes updates and revisions to better address contemporary information security risks and challenges, such as those related to cloud computing, remote working, and emerging technologies. It provides organisations with a framework for implementing and managing an effective information security management system (ISMS) to protect their sensitive information assets.
Vsevolod Lapin, Deputy CEO at Playson, said: “The transition to ISO 2022 is welcome news for the business, and shows our continued dedication to compliance and regulation. Partners can rest assured of Playson’s heightened security measures and adherence to international standards with us acquiring this certificate.
“Greece, Ontario and Sweden are vital territories for Playson, with this certification also necessary for the Swiss market, and I expect the ISO 2022 to be required for more jurisdictions in the future, so this recognition has been received at a good time as we look to strengthen our global standing.”
The post Playson awarded ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Thai government is exploring the possibility of restricting gambling areas within entertainment complexes to no more than 5% of the total project space. This proposal was revealed by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, who also chairs the House committee responsible for evaluating the potential establishment of casino resorts in the country.
Amornvivat noted that the allocation of space for gaming activities within these entertainment complexes would be determined based on input from various governmental entities involved in a project.
Last month, Thailand’s cabinet approved a report from the National Assembly committee that examined the feasibility of introducing casino resorts in the country. The Ministry of Finance was tasked with conducting a 30-day study to assess the viability of implementing such a policy.
Each proposed venue would require a minimum investment of THB100 billion ($2.75 billion), according to the committee report. Amornvivat recently requested a two-week extension for the study period to further evaluate the matter in collaboration with 16 other government agencies.
The special House committee’s study focused on three main areas. First, it examined the potential impacts of introducing entertainment complexes with casinos on various aspects of Thai society, including economics, politics, social dynamics and the environment.
Second, the committee analysed the business framework of integrated entertainment venues, exploring revenue generation mechanisms such as taxes, fees and licensing structures. It recommended the implementation of specific casino taxes and the establishment of a fund aimed at addressing the negative effects of gambling activities.
Last, the report highlighted the importance of conducting a comprehensive review of the legal framework governing entertainment venues and gambling laws in Thailand. This effort aims to update existing legislation or develop new laws that align with the evolving societal landscape.
The post Thailand Considers Limiting Gambling Areas to 5% of Total Project Space appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
iGaming Ontario has welcomed the decision of the Ontario Superior Court, which found that iGaming Ontario’s model is consistent with the Criminal Code and that iGaming Ontario is conducting and managing igaming in the province.
“We have always been confident in our model and are pleased that the court has ruled in our favour, and that Ontarians can continue to play with confidence in our regulated igaming market,” said Martha Otton, Executive Director of iGaming Ontario.
“Ontario’s model meets the requirements and contributes to the public good by protecting players, their data and their funds, while helping to fund priority public services in Ontario, and bringing well-paid, high-tech jobs and economic development to Ontario,” Otton added.
In dismissing the application brought forward by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK), the Superior Court found that iGaming Ontario is the “operating mind” behind Ontario’s competitive igaming market in accordance with the conduct and manage requirements of the Criminal Code.
iGaming Ontario will continue to conduct and manage igaming as it has since the launch of the regulated market on April 4, 2022.
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