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Swiss officials launch Qatar World Cup bribery investigation

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Swiss officials launch Qatar World Cup bribery investigation

Swiss officials have launched an investigation into World Cup bribery allegations involving the Chairman of Paris St Germain and Sepp Blatter’s former right hand man.

 

The tiny country found on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula is currently being ostracized by its neighboring Gulf nations, who have accused Qatar of funding terrorism, but it didn’t stop FIFA from awarding the nation with the 2022 World Cup.

It had to be rigged right, after all this is FIFA we are talking about.

Despite the fears of bribery and corruption nothing concrete has surfaced regarding the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar, but a recent investigation by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General, has thrown up bribery allegations relating to TV broadcast rights.

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The quadrennial event is worth $5 billion to FIFA, and a big slice of that pie will be television broadcast rights. On Thursday, reports began surfacing that the Swiss authorities were interested in questioning Nasser al-Khelaifi, a Qatari businessman, Chairman of Paris St Germain (PSG) and the CEO of the beIN Media Group on allegations that he bribed the former FIFA general secretary, Jérôme Valcke, in return for lucrative broadcast rights.

The link to Valcke doesn’t help al-Kehlaifi’s case. Valcke is currently staring down the barrel of a ten year ban from all football relating activities after US Officials found him guilty of a number of ethical violations including misuse of private jets, dodgy World Cup ticket sales, and other financial discrepancies. He is preparing to appeal the decision. A third person is involved, but is being referred to as an ‘unknown businessman.’

The bribery allegations concern media rights to the 2018, 2022, 2026 & 2030 World Cup Finals. Investigators have searched the BeIN offices in Paris and a series of other locations in Greece, Italy, and Spain. A statement from BeIN says they, ‘refute all the allegations,’ and the PSG Chairman has not been questioned.

The latest investigations come two-years after the US Authorities announced a broad array of indictments connected to corruption within the corridors of power at FIFA leading to the removal from office of former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and his number two Valcke.

Nasser al-Khelaifi is the man who brokered the ridiculous €222m fee to take Neymar Jr from Barcelona to PSG, and is also considering a similar fee to make the loan signing of Kylian Mbappe from Monaco a permanent fixture.

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Qatar’s finance minister, Ali Shareef Al-Emadi has said they are willing to spend over $200 billion on stadiums, roads, and a variety of other amenities including a new airport and hospitals. At least four people have died during stadium construction prompting more stringent audits and checks. Over 36,000 people are employed just for the World Cup project.

Worker deaths, allegations of ties with terrorist groups, and suspicions of corruption have prompted William Hill to offer odds on a replacement World Cup host list for 2022.

The post Swiss officials launch Qatar World Cup bribery investigation appeared first on Eastern European Gaming – News – Interviews – Legal Market Updates – Premium Reports – Events – Directory.


Source: EEGaming.

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4Play

Fast Track Enters into Partnership with 4Play

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Fast Track, the leading player engagement platform built specifically for the iGaming industry, has partnered with 4Play, a dynamic and innovative gaming operator renowned for its exceptional player experiences in both casino and sports betting.

Launched in 2023, 4Play has rapidly gained recognition in the industry, primarily targeting the burgeoning Brazilian market. With a commitment to delivering unparalleled entertainment, 4Play offers its players a seamless experience in Portuguese, featuring popular gaming verticals such as casino and sports betting.

4Play’s decision to integrate Fast Track CRM comes as part of its strategic initiative to bolster player retention and streamline operations through advanced automation. Fast Track’s robust platform will enable 4Play to automate complex player journeys, ensuring each interaction is personalised and timely.

“We are excited to partner with Fast Track to elevate our player engagement strategies. Their innovative approach to CRM and their commitment to creating individualised player experiences align perfectly with our vision for 4Play. We look forward to leveraging their platform to enhance our player retention and operational efficiency,” Mateus Ihering, Chief Operating Officer of 4Play, said.

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Fast Track’s CRM platform, recognised for its real-time data capabilities and comprehensive automation suite, will support 4Play in achieving its business goals. By automating player communications and optimising the registration journey, 4Play aims to significantly increase its number of depositors while maintaining a high level of engagement among its 148,000 monthly active users.

Simon Lidzén, Co-Founder and CEO of Fast Track, said: “We are delighted to welcome 4Play into the Fast Track family. Their innovative spirit and dedication to providing top-tier player experiences make them an ideal partner. Together, we will set new standards in player engagement and retention, ensuring that 4Play continues to thrive in the competitive iGaming landscape.”

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Andrés Tamayo

Pragmatic Play Enhances FullReto Partnership with Virtual Sports Addition

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Pragmatic Play, a leading content supplier to the iGaming industry, has reinforced its commitment to Latin American expansion by strengthening its existing relationship with Colombian operator FullReto.

The latest agreement will see FullReto offer its players a broad selection of Pragmatic Play’s unique Virtual Sports titles, building on an already extensive offering of over 300 Slots and Live Casino games.

Fantastic League, Greyhound Racing, and the thrilling motor racing-themed Force 1 are among the games now available to FullReto customers as the operator looks to capitalise on the rapidly increasing popularity of Virtual Sports to consolidate its position as a leading platform in Colombia.

The multi-product partnership reaffirms Pragmatic Play’s intentions to expand its offering in the LatAm markets, with FullReto now offering a vast catalogue of Pragmatic’s award-winning games across three verticals.

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Victor Arias, Vice President of Latin American Operations at ARRISE powering Pragmatic Play, said: “Pragmatic Play is delighted to reinforce its partnership with FullReto by providing its players with access to its renowned Virtual Sports games. The deal not only emphasises Pragmatic Play’s desire to provide Colombian players with an exciting online gaming experience, but also demonstrates the supplier’s dedication to furthering its Latin American expansion.”

Andrés Tamayo, General Manager at FullReto, said: “FullReto’s continued collaboration with Pragmatic Play highlights our main objective of supplying the optimal player experience. The addition of Pragmatic Play’s Virtual Sports offering, on top of its Slots and Live Casino games, will ensure FullReto players have access to hundreds of fan-favourite games across a variety of verticals.”

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Alonso Huiman

Pragmatic Play Launches Live Casino Offer at Atlantic City

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Pragmatic Play, a leading content supplier to the iGaming industry, has expanded its Live Casino footprint across Peru after going live with major local operator, Atlantic City.

The partnership sees Pragmatic Play’s full Live Casino portfolio integrated with the operator, enabling players in Peru to enjoy market-leading titles such as Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat from the supplier’s award-winning portfolio.

This latest agreement showcases Pragmatic Play’s plans for growth in LatAm, exhibiting an array of its verticals across multiple territories in recent months. It is the latest deal signed by Pragmatic Play with a Peruvian operator, following a comprehensive growth strategy in the country.

Victor Arias, Vice President of Latin American Operations at ARRISE powering Pragmatic Play, said: “Atlantic City is one of Peru’s most reputable operators and offers another opportunity to showcase the Pragmatic Play Live Casino portfolio in Peru. With an offering that will deliver exceptional gaming experiences to players, this partnership promises to cement Pragmatic Play’s position at the forefront of the Peruvian iGaming industry.”

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Alonso Huiman, Chief of Online Casino at Atlantic City, said: “This landmark agreement with Pragmatic Play is a pivotal moment for us. Its vast selection of table and card games will resonate seamlessly with our player base and we are confident that this will propel our brand to new heights.”

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