Compliance Updates

Congratulations on appointment and invitation to meet ahead of Gambling Review

Published

2 years ago

July 14, 2022

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The below letter is from John White, CEO of bacta, the trade body which represents seaside arcades and adult gaming centres across the UK.

Congratulations on your appointment as Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy. We enjoyed a positive working relationship with your predecessor, Chris Philp MP, and look forward to enjoying a similarly productive relationship with you and your team.

The upcoming review of the 2005 Gambling Act provides a vital opportunity to update legislation to reflect the modern and rapidly changing nature of the industry. The result must be a system which delivers the most socially responsible products, provides the Gambling Commission with the powers it needs, and is fit for purpose in the 21st Century.

As you know, bacta represents the amusement machine industry and supply chain. From creating jobs on the high street, permanent and seasonal work at the seaside, and high-tech manufacturing jobs in the supply chain, the amusement and gaming industry drives economic growth and spreads prosperity to all corners of the UK. Indeed, we provide economic activity in some of the most deprived areas of the country. We are also the sector that provides juke boxes, fruit machines and pool tables to pubs and clubs helping to support what is now, sadly, a dwindling number of venues. You will know both from when we met a few years ago and from direct correspondence that our sector is an important contributor to the local economy in Folkestone.

It is vital that the upcoming Review recognises the importance of the land-based sector to the wider industry, whilst also taking steps to ensure that those businesses on our high streets, seafronts and across the supply chain are given the support they need to flourish.

Ahead of the publication of the Review, which we have heard could be as soon as next week, we would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss our views on the Review and how it can support our members.

We were concerned by reports last month that the White Paper may not support our ask to allow debit card transactions for gaming machines in venues. It is our view that, while the Review is supposed to be about bringing the act into the digital age and redressing the balance between online and offline, such a move disadvantages members like ours, and stands in contrast to the wider societal trends towards cashless payments. This was a view we set out in a letter to the Prime Minister last week, and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you directly.

I hope you will be available to meet with us ahead of the publication of the Review, and look working with you in your new role.

Yours sincerely,

John White

Chief Executive

Bacta

Asia

Indonesian Govt to Form Task Force to Tackle Online Gambling

Published

4 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Niji Narayan

indonesian-govt-to-form-task-force-to-tackle-online-gambling

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has chaired a limited meeting which discussed the efforts taken to eradicate online gambling in the country on Thursday 18 April, at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. Minister for Communication and Information Technology Budi Arie Setiadi, in his press statement after the limited meeting, said that the Government will form a task force to counter online gambling.

“It has been decided that within a week, we will formulate measures to form an integrated task force in order to eradicate online gambling,” Budi said.

Minister for Communication and Information Technology mentioned that forming a cross-ministries/institutions task force is aimed to handle online gambling more thoroughly, collaboratively and efficiently.

“Gambling is an illegal act based on regulations. So, we need to impose measures effectively to settle it,” Budi stated, adding that his ministry will focus on handling online gambling websites and contents, while the law enforcement officers will enforce the law.

“Our authority is only to take down the websites, while the Financial Services Authority (OJK) blocks their financial accounts, and then followed by law enforcement officers, police officers, and the public prosecution service officers,” he remarked.

Similarly, OJK’s Chairperson of Commissioner Board Mahendra Siregar also highlighted the importance of holistic measures in eradicating online gambling in Indonesia.

“Some online gambling activities are not conducted in Indonesia, some are cross-borders, some do not use bank accounts, some needs to be tracked and traced through bank accounts, including transfers and so on. So, the next layers must also be addressed, and that way it leaves no empty rooms,” Mahendra explained.

Mahendra said that according to the institution’s authority, from the end of 2023 to March 2024, OJK has blocked around 5000 bank accounts that indicate its relation to online gambling.

“So far, we have cooperated closely with Communications and Information Technology Ministry. So, if we receive a list of bank accounts suspected to be used or are being used in online gambling activities, we immediately block them, and it has reached up to 5000 bank accounts,” Mahendra mentioned.

The post Indonesian Govt to Form Task Force to Tackle Online Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Compliance Updates

BC.GAME Secures New Curacao LOK License, Enhancing Legal Compliance and Global Reach

Published

4 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Niji Narayan

bc.game-secures-new-curacao-lok-license,-enhancing-legal-compliance-and-global-reach

Reading Time: 2 minutes

BC.GAME has secured a new gaming license that fully complies with Curacao’s updated regulatory framework, the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK). This achievement reaffirms BC.GAME’s unwavering commitment to providing a secure and legally compliant gambling environment for its global user base.

Jack Dorsey, CEO of BC.GAME, said: “We are immensely grateful for Curacao’s robust regulatory framework, which has been pivotal in the gambling industry. Obtaining this license is a vital milestone in BC.GAME’s ongoing development and our commitment to providing a trustworthy and secure gambling experience.”

The introduction of the LOK legislation, designed to replace the previous National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (NOOGH) framework, has set a new precedent in the gambling license domain. Under the NOOGH regime, BC.GAME operated under a sub-license issued by Curacao Interactive Licensing NV (CIL). The new LOK framework, however, brings about significant changes, including the discontinuation of new sub-license issuance and stringent requirements for existing licensees seeking renewal.

Curacao was one of the pioneering nations in establishing regulations for gaming activities. Consequently, this small Caribbean island nation has become a hub for gaming businesses worldwide aiming to adhere to the country’s comprehensive gaming legal framework. BC.GAME has set up a local office to ensure compliance with regulations and to offer support to fulfill the requirements of the local gaming ecosystem.

Acquisition of the license, specifically designed for LOK services, coincides with BC.GAME’s efforts to enhance user trust, forge new partnerships and broaden the accessibility of its comprehensive gaming services. Obtaining licenses and ensuring compliance are crucial steps in solidifying BC.GAME’s position as a dependable and well-regulated global online gaming platform.

“Curacao is an essential first step in our broader global strategy. As we continue to accelerate our expansion, expect more exciting developments and good news in the near future,” Jack Dorsey said.

The post BC.GAME Secures New Curacao LOK License, Enhancing Legal Compliance and Global Reach appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Compliance Updates

Hub88 granted supplier licence in Peru

Published

1 day ago

April 22, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

Platform provider Hub88 has secured a supplier licence in Peru, a significant step as the company pursues further expansion across Latin America.

Granted by Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR), the new B2B certification permits Hub88 to provide its casino aggregation platform to locally licensed operators in the country.

New legislation entered into force in Peru at the end of 2023, introducing a licensing system for online betting and gaming with the regulated market soon to go live.

The regulatory approval further establishes Hub88’s position in LatAm where the provider has made great strides to become the aggregator platform of choice for local operators.

Hub88 can offer a gateway into the exciting region where its content is resonating well with local players, including titles from proprietary provider Bombay Live, the first supplier to be granted a licence to offer its live casino portfolio in the Province of Buenos Aires, with a dedicated studio in the region.

Hub88’s online casino game portfolio hosts more than 12,000 titles from more than 120 suppliers, including exclusive in-house studios OneTouch and Bombay Live, and a powerful back-office offering.

Ollie Castleman, Head of Hub88, said: “We’re delighted to receive this highly sought-after licence from MINCETUR as the regulated Peruvian market is about to launch, offering great potential.

“LatAm is a region of great importance to us and this approval will further strengthen our position as a leading platform provider in the territory, with a wealth of local knowledge and content proven popular with regional audiences. We are now looking forward to partnering with operators in Peru and bringing our games to local players.”