BtoBet Group, the igaming and sports betting technology provider, has launched two new dedicated divisions for gaming and sports betting following an internal restructure. The Malta-based company has unveiled its new BtoBet Sports and BtoBet Games units after bringing iTrading Solution (ITS) and iGaming Solution (IGS) into the organisational fold. ITS specialises in risk management […]

BtoBet Group, the igaming and sports betting technology provider, has launched two new dedicated divisions for gaming and sports betting following an internal restructure.

The Malta-based company has unveiled its new BtoBet Sports and BtoBet Games units after bringing iTrading Solution (ITS) and iGaming Solution (IGS) into the organisational fold.

ITS specialises in risk management and trading while IGS is an experienced games aggregator.

Both companies will sit alongside the BtoBet service, under the BtoBet Group umbrella, and provide services for BtoBet Sports and BtoBet Games.

ITS’s co-founder and chief executive, Davide Ruggeri, already serves as BtoBet’s head of sportsbook.

According to the group, the divisions will operate “under the same roof” and adopt “the same foremost technology”.

“BtoBet Sports is focused on bookmakers’ needs and sportsbook players’ preferences,” BtoBet chairman Alessandro Fried said.

“A dedicated team ensures the sports-betting brand provides the ultimate betting experience to the bettors.

“Based on BtoBet’s sports platform, Neuron Sport, BtoBet Sports provides a highly customisable frontend for each operator, giving all the tools needed for risk management across all pre-match, live betting and virtual jackpot betting products.”

Regarding the new BtoBet Games division, Fried added: “This new department is aimed at providing the perfect set of products and services needed for today’s igaming business.

“A pull of skilled and dedicated experts assists and satisfies any of operator’s iGaming needs and requirements.”

“The Neuron Casino omnichannel platform, based on artificial intelligence technology, ensures tailored offers to maximise the effort of delivering the perfect games offer.”

Under new legislation unveiled by the government offshore operators in Argentina could face paying Value Added Tax (VAT) of up to 27%. According to Review-Casinos.com , the draft bill sets out plans to impose VAT on offshore digital service providers, such as gambling companies. Other services likely to be hit by the proposed legislation include […]

Under new legislation unveiled by the government offshore operators in Argentina could face paying Value Added Tax (VAT) of up to 27%.

According to Review-Casinos.com , the draft bill sets out plans to impose VAT on offshore digital service providers, such as gambling companies.

Other services likely to be hit by the proposed legislation include downloading or streaming media and games, software provided over the cloud, web hosting, and mobile applications. Argentina’s Senate passed the draft bill on December 27, before state president Mauricio Marci signed off on the legislation just two days later.

Although the bill does not include the exact rate operators will face, it could be as high as 27% – the current rate applied to the supply of telecommunications, water, electricity and gas that are not used exclusively in a dwelling.

Gambling operators in Argentina already face high levels of taxation, with a rate of 41.5% applied to corporate income, in addition to 0.75% on each bet and a 2% tax on each wager place via online gambling channels.

Following a consultation exercise undertaken by the Malta Gaming Authority a new fiscal structure is being introduced by the Government that shall bring into force the Gaming Licence Fees Regulations as of 1st January 2018. This change is part of a stepped approach required in the light of the legal and regulatory overhaul that governs […]

Following a consultation exercise undertaken by the Malta Gaming Authority a new fiscal structure is being introduced by the Government that shall bring into force the Gaming Licence Fees Regulations as of 1st January 2018. This change is part of a stepped approach required in the light of the legal and regulatory overhaul that governs gaming in Malta.

The Gaming Tax Regulations included in the proposed laws accompanying the White Paper proposing major reforms to Malta’s gaming legal framework, are intended to be brought into force together with the remaining new legislation.

In order to facilitate this change, there will be a transitory period of six months, therefore existing licensees shall continue effecting payments due in accordance with the current Remote Gaming Regulations (S.L. 438.04) until the end of June 2018.

As announced by the MGA, the same authority shall reconcile reference months January to June with the provisions of the new regulations by means of a ‘true-up’:

Licensees that shall have overpaid shall receive a credit against future amounts due, equivalent to the excess amount paid and to be distributed over a number of months;
Underpayments relative to the transitory period shall be settled by the 20th October 2018.
The licensees will be subject to making payment in accordance with the new Gaming Licence Fees Regulations as of 1st July 2018.

The respective fees have been published in the Government Gazette dated 22nd December 2017.

Industry experts believe that 2018 is going to be an important year for the gambling industry and they cite certain emerging trends to be the reason for its growth. The gambling industry globally is growing at an unprecedented rate and is estimated to reach a CAGR of 18.84% by the year 2021. To keep up […]

Industry experts believe that 2018 is going to be an important year for the gambling industry and they cite certain emerging trends to be the reason for its growth.
The gambling industry globally is growing at an unprecedented rate and is estimated to reach a CAGR of 18.84% by the year 2021.

To keep up with the times, casino owners and gambling enthusiasts need to keep an eye on these upcoming gambling trends for 2018:

Move from brick and mortar casinos to mobile gambling

The younger, millennial crowd is the most affected by the shift from traditional, physical casinos to online game rooms.
Professional and amateur gamblers alike are using the services of mobile gambling operators more frequently, leading to the huge growth spurt experienced by the industry.

The birth of a younger gambling demographic

Till date, it was the middle-aged, 48+ men and women, with a semblance of savings and a low appetite for risk who were frequent visitors to roulette houses. But, with mobile gambling becoming a reality, the gambling demographic has a new segment with an average age of 32-34 years.
A large group of younger people, especially those in secure and high-paying jobs, are making use of online and mobile gambling facilities.
With a newer demographic comes new opportunities for casino owners.
Now, they can expand their business online, while catering to a group who is more open to risk-taking behavior.

The rise of new foreign markets

Although not a trend in itself, the potential legalization of casino gaming in Japan will open a new and unexplored market for casino and online gaming platform owners. A multi-million dollar virgin market, the Japanese gambling industry will be a goldmine for both homegrown and foreign businessmen.
The Japanese market will also prove to be a great playground for foreign big betters who wish to try their hand at a relatively unknown market. The potential legalization of Japanese casino gaming may also pave the way to legalization of casino gaming in other Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

Establishment of electronic gaming devices in retail stores

With more US states legalizing casinos, the move to introduce the casino culture in non-casino environments is the obvious next step.
The United States may soon pave the way to legalizing gambling in places as small and obscure as truck shops and liquor stores.

As it is reported Melco International Development Ltd. it would be increasing its stake in the casino that’s currently being developed in Cyprus. Melco currently owns a 70% stake in the project and will be increasing it to 75%. The increase in stakeholder ownership will occur via a share subscription agreement with Cyprus Phasouri (Zakaki) […]

As it is reported Melco International Development Ltd. it would be increasing its stake in the casino that’s currently being developed in Cyprus.

Melco currently owns a 70% stake in the project and will be increasing it to 75%. The increase in stakeholder ownership will occur via a share subscription agreement with Cyprus Phasouri (Zakaki) Ltd, a conglomerate based in Cyprus.

According to the shareholder’s agreement, a Melco Resorts subsidiary or Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd. will be responsible for managing the project and offering various additional services to the firm developing the project. The management services mentioned in the filing refer to aspects such as design, construction, development, pre-opening, corporate management, and access to proprietary systems and intellectual property.

The Cyprus project is being labeled as a unique venture by Melco. The casino giant expects it to be a great business opportunity that is in line with Melco’s larger goal of becoming a leading international gaming and entertainment operator. Melco also stated that the Cyprus Phasouri partnership was of great value to the project and its development.

This isn’t the first time Melco has boosted its stake in the project. It had already done so in September by including its purchase of Hard Rock International. Earlier, Melco only owned a 35.37% stake. This was when it formed the consortium to bid for the license. However, by acquiring a stake in Hard Rock and including it in the scheme, it managed to raise its stake to 70.74%.

The license for the casino, granted by the government in Cyprus, is said to be valid for 30 years.

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is set to investigate a series of problems regarding self-exclusion after a report from the BBC. An undercover reporter from BBC Radio 5 Live managed to bet in 19 out of 21 bookmakers he visited Grimsby. He signed up to the government’s self-exclusion scheme. Following up his submission the United […]

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is set to investigate a series of problems regarding self-exclusion after a report from the BBC.

An undercover reporter from BBC Radio 5 Live managed to bet in 19 out of 21 bookmakers he visited Grimsby. He signed up to the government’s self-exclusion scheme. Following up his submission the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) decided to proceed with further investigation of the problem.

Rob Cave, the reporter from the BBC, signed up to the Grimsby scheme, which automatically sends someone’s name and picture to the gambling places located in the territory, and was able to play on FOBTs in 16 shops before he entered another facility and was asked to leave.

“The result of the BBC investigation is concerning and we’ll be making our own inquiries into what happened in this case. We’re determined to drive improvements in behavior across the industry in terms of the effort they put into reducing gambling-related harm, and it really is getting to the stage where there is nowhere to hide for businesses who don’t take this seriously. What we would like to see is much more emphasis from gambling businesses on intervening at an early stage before there is a need to self-exclude.”: UKGC executive director, Sarah Gardner said.

The problems were highlighted months before the likely introduction of the online National Online Self-Exclusion Scheme (NOSES), which will be known as GAMSTOP, in spring 2018.

The Remote Gambling Association (RGA) is leading the implementation of the scheme, with support from business services company KPMG.

In an interview Michael Pedersen of LetsBet.com noted that players enjoy indirect presence of others even if they don’t have particularly deep or regular contact with them. Most of online-casinos try now to replicate the atmosphere to the greater extent as in land-based casinos. To recreate that social atmosphere in online casinos, Pedersen said online […]

In an interview Michael Pedersen of LetsBet.com noted that players enjoy indirect presence of others even if they don’t have particularly deep or regular contact with them. Most of online-casinos try now to replicate the atmosphere to the greater extent as in land-based casinos.

To recreate that social atmosphere in online casinos, Pedersen said online operators should take live streaming of their offerings to new heights.

“So far, people are using it [live streaming] for casino dealings, so there will be some exciting stuff out there. Its social aspect, social features… there’s so much happening with Twitch. People, let’s say, wanting to socialize,” Pedersen told CalvinAyre.com. “We are trying to take that sort of social atmosphere from land-based and put that into online.”

Letsbet.com, the new online casino brand is set to launch by early 2018.

According to Pedersen, the new offering is a product of their company’s end goal of creating a dynamic proposition for online casino players, in combination with the best in live streaming, social engagement and player gamification utilities.

Source: calvinayre.com

William Hill will appeal against a €300,000 fine issued by the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) for targeting players in the country without an iGaming licence. The regulator penalised the bookmaker for offering online games of chance to Dutch consumers via its WilliamHill.com website and two mobile applications. Online gambling is currently prohibited in the Netherlands, […]

William Hill will appeal against a €300,000 fine issued by the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) for targeting players in the country without an iGaming licence.

The regulator penalised the bookmaker for offering online games of chance to Dutch consumers via its WilliamHill.com website and two mobile applications. Online gambling is currently prohibited in the Netherlands, with a bill to re-regulate the market currently stalled in the country’s legislature.

Consumers had been able to play casino games such as blackjack, roulette and poker, as well as betting on sports.

In its ruling, the KSA noted that customers had the option to translate the site into Dutch, as well as offering the iDEAL online payment solution for processing deposits and withdrawals. iDEAL is only available to those with a Netherlands bank account, and is by far the country’s most widely-used online payment solution.

However, a William Hill spokesperson has said that the bookmaker will “definitely be appealing against the fine”, having been that the KSA was preparing to impose a penalty weeks in advance.

Speaking on behalf of the KSA, René Jansen, chairman of the executive board at the regulator, said the fine represents its ongoing effort to protect consumers in the Netherlands from unregulated activities.

“A player who gambles with an illegal provider does without any protection; there is no supervision so it is impossible to ensure these companies are conducting business fairly, and that is why the KSA acts against illegal providers,” Jansen said.

“Protecting the consumer is an important objective of the KSA, in addition to preventing gambling addiction and combating illegality.”

Although online gambling traveled and flourished across different countries of the world, has a prominent influence on the UK. Unforeseen, online gambling continues to drive the gaming market in the country, as per the new figures revealed by the UK Gambling Commission, which is the regulator of all gambling activities in the country. The UK […]

Although online gambling traveled and flourished across different countries of the world, has a prominent influence on the UK. Unforeseen, online gambling continues to drive the gaming market in the country, as per the new figures revealed by the UK Gambling Commission, which is the regulator of all gambling activities in the country.

The UK Gambling Commission publishes industry statistics in May and November every year, and gives an insight into the performance of all industry sectors. The gambling market in the UK attained a milestone of £13.7 billion (USD 18.2 billion), recording a 10 percent growth rate in gambling revenues. Between April 2016 to March 2017, the gambling industry’s revenue increased by 1.8% from what it was in the same accounting period a year before.

The National Betting Authority announced that it has suspended the operations licence of Royal Highgate Public Company Ltd for two months for non-compliance with its terms. In an announcement, the authority said Highgate “will not be able to provide betting services according to the 2012 law on betting as its licence has been suspended for […]

The National Betting Authority announced that it has suspended the operations licence of Royal Highgate Public Company Ltd for two months for non-compliance with its terms.

In an announcement, the authority said Highgate “will not be able to provide betting services according to the 2012 law on betting as its licence has been suspended for two months”.

The same applies for all establishments acting as authorized representatives of the company in question, the authority said.

The leading gambling hub, Malta, announced that Bookmakers and Betting exchanges will be exempted from Value Added Tax (VAT). Starting from January 1st 2018 the Maltese government would no longer impose VAT on bets and wagers, including the services of bookmakers and betting exchanges, according to the report of The Times of Malta. Last week […]

The leading gambling hub, Malta, announced that Bookmakers and Betting exchanges will be exempted from Value Added Tax (VAT).

Starting from January 1st 2018 the Maltese government would no longer impose VAT on bets and wagers, including the services of bookmakers and betting exchanges, according to the report of The Times of Malta.

Last week it was announced on the Government Gazette that bets on actual and virtual sports events, lotteries, competitions, lotteries, performance of an index, and even natural disasters and other phenomenon would also be exempted from the tax.

The Maltese government, however, clarified that the VAT exemption under the new tax regime did not include bets on the outcome of casino table games, including blackjack, roulette, poker, or any other casino-style game of chance. Any gambling services provided through the use of remote technology would still pay the VAT, the government added.

Government lotto and lotteries are currently exempted from the tax.

The Value Added Tax Act was enacted in order to keep up with the Council of Europe directive on the common system of VAT. According to the Council of Europe’s directive, a EU State may exempt betting, lotteries and other forms of gambling subject from VAT although such measures are still subject “to the conditions and limitations laid down by each Member State.”

Malta’s gaming industry accounted for over 12 percent of the nation’s economy in the first half of 2017.

According to an announcement on Thursday by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) on its website, the Chief Executive Sarah Harrison has resigned from the Organization leaving at the end of February 2018, following Nick Tofiluk’s departure. Ms Harrison will take a senior role with the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Neil McArthur who […]

According to an announcement on Thursday by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) on its website, the Chief Executive Sarah Harrison has resigned from the Organization leaving at the end of February 2018, following Nick Tofiluk’s departure.

Ms Harrison will take a senior role with the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Neil McArthur who is currently the Chief Counsel & Executive Director of the Organization, will take the place of the ex Chief Executive until a permanent replacement is found.

“I am proud of the work that all at the Commission have delivered together; I am very confident that as the Commission delivers its new strategy it will go from strength to strength and will continue to make gambling in Britain fairer and safer,” Ms Harrison said.

The Chairman of the UKGC, Bill Moyes, added: “The Gambling Commission has set an ambitious agenda and clear priorities for treating customers fairly and making play safer and our new three-year strategy embeds this approach for the future. Sarah’s impact has been significant in shaping this direction of travel.

“I and my board colleagues wish Sarah every success for the future and look forward to continuing to work with her to deliver this agenda over the next few months.”