Industry News
Dutch Gambling Regulator Imposes €600,000 Fine on Virtual Coin Gaming
Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has issued a fine of EUR 500,000 against the Curacao-licensed operator Virtual Coin Gaming (VCG) and a separate EUR 100,000 fine against an unnamed employee of the company for creating online games that the authority deemed to be games of chance.
VCG offered games via the websites www.futgalaxy.nl and nl.futgamer.com, which included online betting for football, hockey, and US sports, a FUT jackpot and game packs. Its online games were based on FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT), a card game that is part of the EA Sports FIFA video game franchise, in which players earned credits in the FUT video game either by purchasing these credits directly on www.futgalaxy.nl and nl.futgamer.com or by exchanging virtual currency earned in the EA Sports video game FIFA.
These game packs were a simulation of loot boxes found in the FUT-based FIFA video games in which players had the option to purchase six different packs with values ranging from 5000 to 100,000 credits. Highly rated soccer players were randomly added to the packs. Since the Dutch Betting and Gaming Act does not issue licenses for internet gaming, online games of chance are forbidden in the Netherlands.
Since 2018, in response to research that revealed a link between loot box games and gambling addiction, the KSA has focused on loot boxes, particularly in-game packs in FIFA video games.
The KSA pointed out that online games of chance violate the Betting and Gaming Act. According to the KSA, it was clear that this was a case of an unlicensed operator that specifically target Dutch consumers through the use of the Dutch language, the .nl domain extension and the use of the Dutch payment system iDEAL.
The KSA deemed the VCG game packs to be games of chance. Research carried out by the KSA in January 2019, bolstered by announcements on the websites themselves, revealed that participants generally are not able to predominantly influence their chances of receiving prizes from VCG loot boxes. The KSA also referred to a decision of the court The Hague of 15 October 2020 regarding Electronic Arts, which ruled that in-game packs (i.e. loot boxes) inside FIFA video games constituted games of chance.
Industry News
Public Voting Starts for Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 3.0
The highly anticipated Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 3.0 has officially entered the public voting phase as submissions are closed.
More than 70 game providers have turned in over 160 submissions, including Tom Horn Gaming, Pragmatic Play and RubyPlay. Public voting involves enthusiasts casting their votes to pick the winner of the Game of Public Choice category.
The Public voting phase ends on December 1st 23:59 GMT+4.
Concurrent to public voting, the first phase of private voting also starts during which all participants who have submitted entries get the chance to vote for one favourite in each category. An international auditing company oversees this phase to eliminate duplicate votes and self-votes. This phase ends on November 19, 23:59 GMT+4.
The second phase of private voting will also take place with a jury of industry experts making their decisions based on the shortlist picked by participants during the first phase.
The post Public Voting Starts for Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 3.0 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
BC.GAME Launches Exclusive Airdrop for Polymarket Users, Rewarding Participation in U.S. Election Prediction Markets
Following the frenzy surrounding the 2024 U.S. presidential election, global leading crypto igaming platform BC.GAME has officially announced an exciting airdrop campaign aimed specifically at Polymarket users. This initiative will bring BC.GAME’s gaming entertainment together with the wisdom of Polymarket users, offering a much-needed opportunity for those who actively participated in the election prediction market.
Airdrop Frenzy Amid the Hype: Special Rewards for Polymarket Users
Following the intense activity during the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Polymarket saw an unprecedented surge in user participation. Thousands of individuals placed bets on the election results, turning this prediction market into a major financial event.
To capitalise on this momentum, BC.GAME is launching an exclusive airdrop for Polymarket users. The campaign will reward active participants with exclusive prizes and access to BC.GAME’s expansive gaming ecosystem, creating an exciting opportunity for those who took part in one of the most talked-about prediction markets in history.
Exclusive Airdrop: A Chance to Turn the Tide
The BC.GAME airdrop campaign will offer Polymarket’s active users unique rewards, creating an exciting and unparalleled experience in the crypto gaming space. By leveraging the buzz surrounding Polymarket, BC.GAME aims to bring its innovative gaming ecosystem to more users, giving them the opportunity to earn substantial rewards through this airdrop. Polymarket users will not only enjoy exclusive games on the BC.GAME platform, but also have the chance to claim specially designed rewards. The BC.GAME team guarantees a transparent and fair process throughout the event, ensuring that every participant receives maximum benefits.
BC.GAME: Igniting the Future of Crypto Communities
BC.GAME has always been at the forefront of innovation, providing users with a never-before-seen gaming experience. According to data from 1ml .com, BC.GAME is ranked 14th globally in the crypto gaming space and supports hundreds of cryptocurrencies, including Poly, providing users with diverse payment and gaming options.
In addition, BC.GAME actively participates in the development of the crypto community by investing in NFTs and supporting the growth of the metaverse. For example, BC.GAME has invested 700 ETH into various NFT projects to foster growth in the metaverse and iGaming sectors. By engaging with Polymarket users, BC.GAME is lighting up new possibilities in the crypto world and paving the way for the future of digital entertainment.
The post BC.GAME Launches Exclusive Airdrop for Polymarket Users, Rewarding Participation in U.S. Election Prediction Markets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
Double win for Kaizen Gaming at the SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2024
Kaizen Gaming, one of the biggest GameTech companies in the world, had an impressive double-win at the SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2024 on the 31st October in Miami, Florida. Awarded ‘Brazilian Market Entrant of the Year’, and ‘Marketing Campaign of the Year’, the two wins follow an impressive year of growth and exposure for Kaizen Gaming, as well as its premium brand Betano, across Latin America and globally.
Betano is rapidly growing its user base and presence in Brazil, serving as the main and title sponsor of Brasileirão Betano and Copa Betano do Brasil. As a founding member of the ANJL and IBJR regulatory bodies, Betano is recognised for its dedication to upholding the highest standards of responsible gaming and integrity. Furthermore, the Betano brand has launched multiple CSR initiatives across the country in partnership with sponsored team, Clube Atlético Mineiro. It also recently launched the “Juntos em Campo” long-term program in cooperation with CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) to promote initiatives focused on gender equality.
Awarded for the results and creativity of its innovative “Football in America” marketing campaign, Betano successfully introduced Latin America to its “Confia” brand platform by leveraging on its CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 sponsorship. The campaign chimed with the spirit of fans across the continent by celebrating Latin America’s rich football heritage, playfully responding to Kylian Mbappe’s 2022 comments questioning the region’s football quality.
Vangelis Skarkalis, Kaizen Gaming Senior Commercial Director LATAM, said: “Latin America is one of the world’s most dynamic and exciting regions for i-gaming. Being recognised as a leading player in this important market with two wins at the prestigious SBC Awards Latinoamérica is a great honour – especially on the heels of our recent double-win as ‘Operator of the Year’ at both the EGR Operator Awards and SBC Awards. Achieving this success requires an exceptional team of dedicated, ambitious professionals. This award honours everyone’s hard work and commitment to always going above and beyond in delivering the best experiences for our customers not only in Latin America, but worldwide too.”
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