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Compliance Updates

Ex-GSC inspector Nick Bowden joins SolutionsHub as Head of Regulatory Affairs

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Ex-GSC inspector Nick Bowden joins SolutionsHub as Head of Regulatory Affairs
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Douglas-based regulatory service SolutionsHub has appointed former Gambling Supervision Commission Inspector Nick Bowden as Head of Regulatory Affairs.

Nick spent much of his career in new business and compliance management roles, before becoming an Inspector for the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) in September 2020, where he gained invaluable insight into gambling regulation and the application of policy.

Nick graduated from university with a BSc degree in Health & Sport Studies, has since gone on to complete the International Compliance Association Specialist Certificate in Money Laundering Risk in Betting & Gaming and is currently studying towards the International Diploma in AML.

SolutionsHub helps companies with regulatory and licensing processes in the blockchain and gambling industries and has an unrivalled track record of success in helping clients acquire gambling licences and designated business registrations.

Nick said: “I greatly enjoyed my time at the GSC and worked with a wonderful team, so the decision to move was not an easy one, but SolutionsHub are one of the most trusted names in the industry and developed a reputation for leading new markets, especially blockchain and esports. I’m excited to get started in my new role as Head of Regulatory Affairs and to be working with such an innovative team, driving new markets and promoting the Isle of Man as the premier jurisdiction for the location, regulation and administration of gaming companies.”

SolutionsHub Chief Executive Officer Lee Hills said: “We are always looking for talented, results-driven people and Nick fits the profile perfectly. As a former Inspector, Nick brings a wealth of knowledge and is a fabulous resource for our clients, so we are thrilled to have him onboard.”

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Compliance Updates

Condor Gaming Group Secures Remote Bookmakers License from The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland

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Condor Gaming Group is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in its journey as a leading player in the iGaming industry. We are delighted to share the news that Condor Gaming Group has successfully secured a coveted Remote Bookmakers License from The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (THE GRAI), solidifying our commitment to providing exceptional gaming experiences in the Irish market.

This achievement marks a momentous occasion for Condor Gaming Group, as we expand our footprint and continue to deliver top-tier gaming services to our ever-growing customer base. The newly acquired Remote Bookmakers License from the GRAI underscores our dedication to regulatory compliance, fair play, and responsible gambling practices.

Condor Gaming Group’s CMO, Prash Patel expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are proud of this accomplishment and excited about the opportunities it opens up for us in the Irish market. This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to growth whilst delivering the highest standards of gaming entertainment and ensuring the safety and well-being of our players.”

The Irish Remote Bookmakers License represents a significant addition to Condor Gaming Group’s portfolio of existing licenses, further reinforcing the company’s position as a trustworthy and reputable operator in the iGaming industry.

Key Highlights of Condor Gaming Group’s Remote Bookmakers License:

Regulatory Compliance: The license is a testament to Condor Gaming Group’s commitment to adhering to the strictest regulatory standards, ensuring a safe and secure gaming environment for Irish players.

Expansion: With this license, Condor Gaming Group is well-positioned to expand its presence in the Irish market and offer a comprehensive sports betting experience to Irish players.

Responsible Gaming: Condor Gaming Group is dedicated to promoting responsible gaming practices and will continue to implement measures to safeguard players’ well-being.

Innovation: The company will leverage its extensive expertise to provide cutting-edge sports betting services, combining innovation with a user-friendly experience.

Condor Gaming Group is excited to embark on this new chapter in its journey and looks forward to delivering an unparalleled sports betting experience to the Irish gaming community. Our team is committed to providing top-quality services while ensuring the highest standards of integrity and fairness.

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Australia

Australia to Ban the Use of Credit Cards in Online Gambling

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Australians at risk of online gambling harm will be better protected through a ban on credit card payments and fines of up to $234,750 for companies who don’t enforce it, through legislation to be introduced by the Albanese Labor Government to Parliament.

The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Credit and Other Measures) Bill 2023 will seek to ban the use of credit cards and credit related products, as well as digital currencies, used for online wagering.

The Bill continues the Government’s priority work to protect vulnerable Australians from online gambling harms and will also provide the Minister for Communications with the power to prohibit additional credit-related products as they emerge as a way of “future proofing” the legislation.

The introduction of the Bill implements recommendations from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services (PJC Inquiry) from November 2021.

The Bill will expand the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s powers to ensure strong and effective enforcement of the new and existing civil penalty provisions under the Act. Penalties up to $234,750 could apply for any breach of the new provisions.

Industry and consumers will be provided with a six month transition period from the date of Royal Assent to change their business and betting behaviours respectively.

Since coming to Government Labor has prioritised work to reduce the harm caused by online gambling, including through implementing the final measures under the National Consumer Protection Framework.

This includes the introduction of monthly activity statements outlining wins and losses, new evidence-based taglines to replace “Gamble Responsibly,” nationally consistent training for staff working in online gambling companies and BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, which allows consumers to exclude themselves from all Australian licensed wagering services for a period of three months up to a lifetime.

In addition, the Government will also introduce mandatory customer pre-verification, requiring wagering service providers to verify a customer’s identity when they register for a new account and before they can place a bet. This requirement is expected to be in place by the end of this month.

The Government is carefully considering the recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling to inform future measures to help address the harm caused by online gambling.

A meeting of state, territory and Commonwealth ministers responsible for online wagering nationally will be held before the end of the year.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

“It’s as simple as this: people should not be betting with money they do not have.

“The Australian Government remains committed to protecting Australians from gambling harms.

“Legislating a ban on the use of credit cards for online gambling will help to protect vulnerable Australians and their loved ones.

“I would like to thank the wide variety of stakeholders, including harm reduction advocates, wagering and lottery providers, and banking payment organisations, for their contributions to and support for this Bill.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Social Services, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP:

“Since coming to Government we’ve prioritised addressing the harm caused by online gambling and I’m pleased we are taking the next step with legislation to ban the use of credit cards.

“You can’t use your credit card to place a bet for land-based gambling and the same rules should apply for online gambling too.

“We’re serious about protecting vulnerable Australians from the harm we know online gambling can cause. Any platform breaching the new rules will face penalties.

“We know minimising the harm caused by online gambling is not a set and forget exercise and I look forward to working with my state and territory counterparts on what comes next to continue this positive change.”

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Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)

AGCO issues $80,000 penalty related to dealer cheat scheme at Woodbine Casino

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The Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has served Ontario Gaming GTA Limited Partnership (“Casino Woodbine”) with notice of a Monetary Penalty totaling $80,000, following allegations of a cheat-at-play and dealer collusion scheme at Toronto’s Woodbine Casino.

In April 2023, the Ontario Provincial Police Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB), embedded within the AGCO, laid charges against five individuals. The charges follow an investigation into allegations that an electronic craps dealer at Woodbine Casino was in collusion with these patrons.

The AGCO’s Regulatory Compliance Branch subsequently conducted an in-depth compliance review to assess Casino Woodbine’s adherence to the Gaming Control Act, 1992 (the Act) and Registrar’s Standards for Gaming. The Registrar found that Casino Woodbine failed to detect or take appropriate action on available information to prevent the cheat-at-play and dealer collusion scheme, including:

  • internal financial reports and emails indicating substantial and atypical losses from the electronic craps game over a six-month period of time, which were not effectively acted upon;
  • table games supervisors were often absent from the craps table when suspicious gambling activities occurred;
  • video surveillance recordings showing that the electronic craps game failed to follow required rules and procedures and lacked effective supervision;
  • although Casino Woodbine had issued the dealer with seven procedural violations for inappropriately pushing dice to patrons before closing bets, the dealer was allowed to continue dealing electronic craps during that time.

Casino Woodbine fully cooperated with the AGCO’s regulatory review and has committed to addressing deficiencies.

Ontario’s gaming laws require casino operators to implement effective controls to limit the risk of criminal activity, including cheating and collusion between patrons and casino staff. In addition to these penalties, the AGCO will continue monitoring to ensure Casino Woodbine appropriately addresses their controls to better detect and prevent casino cheats and dealer collusion.

A casino operator served with a Notice of an issued Monetary Penalty by the AGCO has the right to appeal the Registrar’s action to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which is an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and part of Tribunals Ontario.

Additional Information

The Registrar issued a Monetary Penalty for multiple alleged violations of the Act, which arise from non-compliance with the Registrar’s Standards for Gaming:

  • Standard 4.3, paragraph 2, requiring operators to have adequate supervision in place to ensure adherence to required procedures, including rules of play.
  • Standard 4.14, requiring that operators have mechanisms in place to deter, prevent and detect collusion and cheating;
  • Standard 6.1 paragraph 1, requiring that operators conduct risk assessments to determine the potential for unlawful activities, including money laundering, fraud, theft and cheat at plays.
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