Central Europe
German City to Shut All Betting Shops Amid Money-laundering Allegations
The German city of Bremen is planning to shut down all of its betting shops after the interior senator said their owners had failed to convince him that they were not fronts for money laundering.
Bremen, Germany’s smallest city-state, announced on Wednesday it had issued rejection notices to 32 establishments that had applied for betting licences under a new gambling law, meaning any bets placed on their premises would with immediate effect be deemed illegal.
The betting shops have until 5 August to legally challenge the decision or supply the senate with paperwork showing how they obtained their startup capital to open their businesses in the first place, such as a loan agreement with a bank.
Bremen authorities say they are tackling a problem that is not unique to their city but widespread across Germany. A 2019 report by the finance ministry and federal police said criminals were not only using legal gambling practices to launder dirty money but often directly investing money to buy up betting shops.
In some such cases, the entire gambling activity taking place on the shop’s premises was merely “simulated” and the profits showing up in the books came from illegal activities such as drug dealing, the report said.
Unlike in Britain, where most high-street betting establishments are run by large gambling companies such as William Hill or Ladbrokes, in Germany betting shops are mostly run by smaller businesses that buy a franchise licence from larger firms.
“At its core, this is about checking the reliability of these operators. We also want to guarantee that no money from dodgy businesses like drug dealing or human trafficking is being laundered here and thus flows into legal money cycles,” Ulrich Mäurer, Bremen’s senator for interior affairs, said.
Over the past few months, Bremen authorities approached four large betting companies that operate in the city, asking them to provide written evidence of how their franchise holders had acquired their startup capital, usually a sum of up to €120,000.
None of the betting shops had since handed in paperwork that met the authorities’ requirements, a Bremen senate spokesperson said. In one instance an application for a gambling licence had been rejected because the betting shop was located too close to a school, rather than because of the missing paperwork.
“Other states in Germany are looking with close interest at what we are achieving by taking this step. If we are successful, I expect many of them will follow suit,” said a spokesperson, Rose Gerdts-Schiffler.
The closures were criticised by Germany’s Sports Betting Association, whose president, Mathias Dahms, said the city’s actions were “arbitrary, legally questionable and completely out of proportion, motivated purely by political goals”.
Central Europe
Spinomenal teams up with Slovakian market leader Niké
Spinomenal, the leading iGaming content provider, has agreed a new content partnership with Slovakian giant, Niké. The integration will be completed via the Easit platform, part of Synot Group.
As one of Slovakia’s star performers, joining forces with Niké enables Spinomenal to amplify its presence in the region. Niké’s casino players will have seamless access to Spinomenal’s stunning selection of titles, which includes big hitters Queen of Ice, Wildfire Fruits, and Wacky Monkey.
Lior Shvartz, CEO for Spinomenal commented: “Teaming up with Niké adds momentum to our ongoing mission of increasing our presence within regulated markets. We’re buoyed by the chance to showcase our games to more players within Slovakia.”
Jan Pecha, Casino Director for N I K É added: “The collaboration aims to leverage the unique strengths and expertise of each company, fostering a synergistic relationship that will propel both entities to new heights. By combining forces, N I K É and Spinomenal are poised to deliver unparalleled value to their clients.”
The post Spinomenal teams up with Slovakian market leader Niké appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Central Europe
HIPTHER’s Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024 Boasts All-star Sponsors and Record Registrations
HIPTHER, leading event organizers for the iGaming and Technology industries, are thrilled to announce that the 2024 edition of their Prague Gaming & TECH Summit has reached an all-time record of registrations and renowned Speakers participations, while being supported by a star-studded lineup of Sponsors from the sectors of iGaming, Compliance, and Web3.
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024 will be the 8th edition of HIPTHER’s boutique conference that stands proudly in the heart of Europe as the pioneering event merging the future of iGaming and Technology. HIPTHER’s guiding principle for 2024,“Via Infinita” – the boundless journey of discovery – set the tone for the conference to reach new heights.
On March 25th, #hipthers will be welcoming more than 250 registered participants and over 90 speakers, sponsored by renowned companies from iGaming, compliance, and technology.
Sponsors Spotlight: The Companies Supporting Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024
HIPTHER is proud and humbled to have received increased Sponsorship interest by the gaming and technology ecosystems, gaining the support of innovative and successful companies. The #hipthers are thankful to these amazing sponsors for their invaluable contribution to the Premier iGaming & Tech Event in CEE, the Balkans, and D-A-CH regions:
GR8 Tech – Main Stage Sponsor
GR8 Tech is an International iGaming provider of high-performance Sportsbook and Casino platforms.
Atlas-IAC – Bracelet and Badge Sponsor
Atlas-IAC is a next-generation platform for iGaming operators, built by a team of industry professionals with key development offices in Europe.
SYNOT Games – Lanyards Sponsor
SYNOT Games is an innovative iGaming company crafting visually stunning and highly playable original slots, boasting 130+ titles in several jurisdictions.
NSoft – Pen and Paper Sponsor
NSoft is a B2B software development company specializing in custom software solutions for the iGaming industry.
Endorphina – Party Sponsor of the Endorphina Club 777 Networking Party
Endorphina is a top slot game provider for online casinos, captivating diverse markets by prioritizing player engagement.
Relax Gaming – Wellness & Relaxation Sponsor
Relax Gaming Group simplifies B2B content delivery for modern iGaming companies through a vast portfolio of 1000+ casino games.
Pixpel – Delegates Bag Sponsor
Pixpel.io is a multiplatform specialized to provide all-around services for the Web3 community.
Nordic Gambling – Scandinavian Legal Expertise Sponsor
Nordic Gambling is the only legal firm in the Nordic countries which specialises in gambling related law such as licensing, compliance advice and public affairs.
Gaming in Poland | RM Legal – CEE Legal Expertise Sponsor
Gaming in Poland is the only company in Poland offering multidisciplinary support for gambling industry entities operating in the Polish market.
Institute for Gambling Regulation (IFGR) Czech Republic – Strategic Partner
IFGR is the largest national professional association in the field of gambling, representing 95% of the legal gambling market in the Czech Republic.
Find out more information about the Sponsors at the official Prague Gaming & TECH Summit website.
Zoltan Tuendik, Co-founder of organizing company HIPTHER, commented about the record-breaking numbers of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit for 2024:
“As we approach another edition, the Summit continues to embody our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the exploration of future frontiers. It’s a testament to the power of community and the endless possibilities when we come together to shape the future”.
HIPTHER is looking forward to welcoming the distinguished 250+ participants of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, including top-tier executives, compliance experts, government officials, and thought leaders across iGaming, eSports, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Virtual/Augmented/Mixed Reality, for an extraordinary experience of learning and networking!
There is a limited number of spaces still available – Register Now and Join us in Prague!
The post HIPTHER’s Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024 Boasts All-star Sponsors and Record Registrations appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Central Europe
HIPTHER’s Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024 reaches new milestones with record registrations and prominent sponsors
HIPTHER, a leading event organiser for the iGaming and Technology industries, is proud to announce that the 2024 edition of their Prague Gaming & TECH Summit has achieved record-breaking registrations and secured the support of renowned sponsors from the iGaming, compliance, and Web3 sectors.
The Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024, the eighth edition of HIPTHER’s boutique conference, stands as the pioneering event in the heart of Europe, merging the future of iGaming and Technology. Guided by the principle ‘Via Infinita’ – the boundless journey of discovery – the conference is set to reach new heights.
On March 25th, #hipthers will welcome more than 250 registered participants and over 90 speakers, sponsored by distinguished companies from iGaming, compliance, and technology.
HIPTHER is honoured to have received increased sponsorship interest from the gaming and technology ecosystems. The #hipthers express their gratitude to GR8 Tech, Atlas-IAC, SYNOT Games, NSoft, Endorphina, Relax Gaming, Pixpel, Nordic Gambling, Gaming in Poland and the Institute for Gambling Regulation in the Czech Repulic for their invaluable contribution to the premier iGaming and tech event in Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Germany, Austria and Switzerland (D-A-CH) regions.
Zoltán Tűndik, Co-founder of HIPTHER, the company behind the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, said: “As we approach another edition, the Summit continues to embody our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the exploration of future frontiers. It’s a testament to the power of community and the endless possibilities when we come together to shape the future.”
HIPTHER looks forward to welcoming the distinguished 250+ participants of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, including top-tier executives, compliance experts, government officials, and thought leaders across iGaming, eSports, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Virtual/Augmented/Mixed Reality, for an extraordinary experience of learning and networking!
The post HIPTHER’s Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024 reaches new milestones with record registrations and prominent sponsors appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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