Compliance Updates
CMA: Spreadex required to sell Sporting Index
An independent CMA panel has decided Spreadex should sell Sporting Index after finding the deal harmed competition for licensed online sports spread betting services.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has accepted the proposed sale of Sporting Index, to address the competition concerns it had found in the licensed online sports spread betting market, with some modifications and enhancements.
Last year, Spreadex acquired the ‘business-to-consumer’ business of Sporting Index from Sporting Group Holding Limited (Sporting Group). Spreadex and Sporting Index both provide sports fixed odds betting and sports spread betting services to customers based in the UK.
Sports spread betting involves customers betting on a range of outcomes of sporting events rather than the standard ‘win or lose’ outcomes offered by fixed-odds betting. In spread betting, the closer a customer’s bet is to an outcome, the more money they stand to win, and the further away from the outcome they are, the more they stand to lose. This means that, in contrast to fixed odds betting, customers’ wins and losses could be far higher than the amount they bet.
After conducting an in-depth Phase 2 investigation into the deal, the CMA’s independent panel has concluded the deal created a monopoly in the UK licensed online sports spread betting market, eliminating competition in that market. The panel concluded that the merger could lead to a worse user experience, a more limited range of products and/or higher prices for consumers in the UK.
The panel has concluded that, with some modifications and enhancements, the sale remedy proposed by Spreadex is sufficient to remedy the competition concerns and restore competition in this market that is lost as a result of the deal.
The CMA now has 12 weeks to either accept Final Undertakings from Spreadex, or to make a Final Order requiring Spreadex, to sell Sporting Index to a suitable CMA-approved buyer.
Richard Feasey, the chair of the independent panel reviewing the merger, said:
“This deal eliminates competition in the supply of licensed online sports spread betting services in the UK.
Sports spread betting – like any other market – needs competition to drive good customer experience, maintain choice and keep prices competitive. To achieve this, we have decided that Spreadex should sell Sporting Index, so that customers can choose between two firms for the best user experience and prices, rather than having to use only one. “
Further details are available on the SpreadEx / Sporting Index case page.
The post CMA: Spreadex required to sell Sporting Index appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Zitro Digital has announced its entry into the newly regulated Brazilian iGaming market. With deep roots in Brazil, Zitro Digital is to bring its portfolio of in-house content to local players, marking a new chapter in the company’s long-standing connection with the country.
Brazilian players can now enjoy a selection of Zitro Digital’s slots, including the popular series Fu Frog, as the company introduces its offerings to operators within the country. The move comes as part of Brazil’s ongoing efforts to create a regulated and secure online gaming environment for players, offering a responsible platform for gaming activities.
“Brazil is one of the most promising regulated markets in the world, and we are proud to be part of this exciting development. The potential here is immense, and we are committed to offering a diverse range of high-quality, localized content to meet the tastes and preferences of Brazilian online players. Our focus is on adapting our games to the local context, ensuring we respect cultural preferences while contributing to the responsible growth of the sector. This launch marks a significant step in our Latin American expansion and reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative, engaging experiences to players in regulated global markets,” Jose Javier Martí, COO of Zitro Digital, said.
The post Zitro Digital Announces its Entry into Brazilian iGaming Market appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced changes aimed at increasing consumer control over deposit limits and greater transparency of customer funds protection by operators.
A further change to the Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) will also pave the way for implementation of Government’s upcoming statutory levy.
The changes follow a consultation and are consistent with the 2023 White Paper High stakes: gambling reform for the digital age.
New rules will give consumers more effective ways to manage their gambling by making it easier to set and maintain deposit limits on their online accounts, in ways that work best for them.
From 31 October 2025 all gambling businesses must prompt their customers to set a financial limit before they make their first deposit and make it easy to review and alter this limit at any point after.
These rules will take good practice already offered by some operators and expand that so customers can expect the same standards across the industry.
Gambling businesses will also be required to remind consumers every six months to review their account and transaction information – this will help consumers consider if they want to change existing, or set new, deposit limits.
Operators who hold customer funds must set out in the terms and conditions whether these are protected in the event of insolvency, the level of such protection and the method by which this is achieved. They must also make this information available at the point at which a customer first deposits money.
The Commission’s LCCP currently requires operators to make annual financial contributions to a list of research, prevention and treatment organisations. This requirement will be removed close to the introduction of the government’s statutory levy (opens in new tab) (expected to come into force on 6 April 2025) as it will become obsolete.
“These changes illustrate our commitment to ensuring gambling is fair and open by improving consumer empowerment and choice. These changes will help consumers decide on deposit limits, enable them to keep track of their spending and ensure they are fully aware of what happens to their funds should an operator become insolvent. We will now continue our work to deliver our remaining White Paper commitments, including our programme of evaluation,” Tim Miller, Commission Executive Director for research and policy, said.
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Delasport, a global leader in sportsbook and iGaming solutions, launched its first official partnership in Brazil. With this key step, Delasport is expanding its global presence and advancing the Brazilian sports betting landscape with its highly innovative technology and comprehensive player engagement tools.
Following the recent regulatory advancements in Brazil’s gaming sector, Delasport has successfully obtained the necessary certifications to operate in the country. The company’s entry into this high-potential market aligns with its global strategy to provide world-class betting experiences in regulated markets worldwide.
“Brazil represents a key milestone in our global expansion strategy, and we are happy to launch with the first partner and another one on the way, this time with our full solution,” said Unai Concha, Senior Business Director at Delasport. “We are thrilled to bring our premium sportsbook and iGaming solutions to Brazilian operators, empowering them with the best technology available in the industry today.”
Delasport’s offerings in Brazil include:
- A fully managed localized sportsbook platform that is full of innovative features tuned to elevate players’ betting experience
- AI-driven personalization and engagement tools to optimize player retention
- Advanced risk management and fraud prevention solutions
Brazil’s regulated sports betting market is expected to experience rapid growth, and Delasport is committed to ensuring a seamless and responsible betting experience for operators and players alike. By leveraging its expertise and innovative solutions, the award-winning B2B supplier aims to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of online gaming in Brazil.
The post Delasport Launches First Partnership in Brazil appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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