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Compliance Updates

Spelinspektionen Suspends Licences of Vivaro and Fair Play Bets

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Swedish Gambling Authority Spelinspektionen has suspended the licences of Vivaro and Fair Play Bets. Vivaro has lost both its online gaming and betting licences, while Fair Play Bets only saw its online gaming licence taken back.

In a statement published on its website, the Swedish Gambling Authority defended its decision by claiming the operators had not begun either activity for which the licences were intended within one year of them coming into force.

Vivaro was granted its licences to provide online commercial gaming and online betting on 3 June 2020, while Fair Play Bets saw its licence awarded almost one month later on July 1.

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These licences required both parties to undertake activities related to online gambling, however, Vivaro reported sales amounting to zero Swedish krona from June 2020 to May 2021, while Fair Play similarly reported no sales between July 2020 and June 2021.

This triggered two separate reviews from the regulator, with Vivaro’s beginning on 13 July 2021 and Fair Play’s on August 13.

In its defence, Vivaro stated the Covid-19 pandemic and in particular its effect on the company’s staff in Armenia as reasons for its failure to begin the relevant business operations.

In addition, the company continued, the war with Azerbaijan resulted in over 50 of its employees being sent away to fight. Vivaro also added that for a heavily regulated jurisdiction like Sweden, it is important to spend extra time preparing for launch.

Fair Play’s reasoning differed slightly, stating instead that no gaming operations have been initiated due to a corporate restructuring which required a temporary reduction in costs and labour.

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However, neither argument was enough to sway the Swedish gambling watchdog who went ahead with its original decision to revoke both operators’ licences.

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Compliance Updates

Washington’s Lottery Achieves Nation’s Highest Level of Responsible Gambling Certification

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Washington’s Lottery announced that it has achieved the highest level of responsible gambling certification in the country. As acknowledged by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL), Washington’s Lottery officially was certified for “Responsible Gambling Verification Best Practices at the Sustaining Level” in December 2024, the culmination of a process that began with certification at the Planning Level in 2019 and Implementation Level in 2021.

Washington’s Lottery is only the third state lottery in addition to Virginia and Ohio to achieve this milestone. NCPG and NASPL also recognize nine other state lotteries that have achieved a similar certification through the World Lottery Association.

“I can’t begin to express how proud I am of the work our team has done to achieve this important standard. We have a unique obligation as a state agency that sells a gambling product and need to balance the goal of raising money for important state initiatives like education with the need to acknowledge and assist the small percentage of players who may experience gambling-related distress. We take that work very seriously and weave it into all aspects of our jobs,” Kristi Weeks, Director of Legal Services for Washington’s Lottery, said.

To receive the Sustaining Level certification, Washington’s Lottery was evaluated by a team of four independent experts, who reviewed the lottery’s efforts in eight key categories related to responsible gambling: planning, employee training, retailer training, public education and awareness, product oversight, research, advertising, and resources.

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“The key to our success has been the integration of responsible gambling initiatives into each and every employee’s position rather than centralizing it into only one or a few positions,” Weeks added.

The post Washington’s Lottery Achieves Nation’s Highest Level of Responsible Gambling Certification appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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CT Gaming Receives Approval to Launch Diamond King 4 in Bulgarian Market

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CT Gaming has announced that its latest multigame, Diamond King 4, has officially received certification to launch in the Bulgarian market.

“The certification of Diamond King 4 marks a significant milestone, allowing us to expand our presence in gaming halls across the country. This further solidifies our market position and provides operators and players access to one of our most innovative offerings,” Biser Bozhanov, Director of Strategy & Business Development at CT Gaming, said.

Built on the success of its predecessors, Diamond King 4 is designed to exceed expectations and establish itself as the next favorite among players. Launched in celebration of the company’s 25th anniversary, this multigame embodies CT Gaming’s core values – innovation and tradition. It combines classic and modern titles, appealing to both long-time fans of iconic games and new-generation players with enhanced graphics and contemporary gameplay solutions.

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One of Diamond King 4’s standout features is its integration with the progressive jackpot Diamond Tree Deluxe. The new concept introduces a variety of reward options and a more engaging player experience, enriched with additional bonus features. Furthermore, the multigame package includes the fan-favorite Duck of Luck, now featuring a fully updated Buy Bonus option.

“We believe this certification is just the beginning of Diamond King 4’s successful integration into key markets – both in Europe and globally,” Biser Bozhanov added.

The post CT Gaming Receives Approval to Launch Diamond King 4 in Bulgarian Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Network 10 Breaches Gambling Ad Rules During Formula 1 Grand Prix Broadcast

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Network Ten has been found in breach of broadcasting rules after airing gambling advertisements during the australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in March 2024.

An Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) investigation found four gambling ads were aired at prohibited times during a broadcast of the first practice round of the Grand Prix.

Under the Commercial TV Code of Practice (the Code), gambling promotions cannot be shown during broadcasts of sporting events between 5am and 8.30pm, including the five minutes before and after the event.

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Authority member Carolyn Lidgerwood said the rules around gambling advertisements on TV are there to protect the community from gambling related harms.

“Broadcasters should have strict controls in place to ensure compliance with the restrictions on gambling ads during sporting events,” Ms Lidgerwood said.

Practice rounds and qualifying rounds for motorsports are subject to the same restrictions on gambling advertising as the main event itself.

This is the first breach by Network 10 of the gambling advertising rules in the Code. During the investigation, Network 10 submitted that the broadcasts occurred due to human error.

Following the ACMA’s breach finding, Network 10 voluntarily improved the planning, checks and balances it has in place for ad scheduling and has, at the ACMA’s request, agreed to review its processes to introduce additional quality controls.

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Network 10 will also train staff to avoid similar issues in the future and will provide a written progress report to the ACMA.

In a separate investigation in 2024, the ACMA found that streaming service 10 Play, provided by Network 10, breached online gambling advertising rules during two live-streamed sports events.

“The ACMA will closely monitor these actions and Network Ten’s compliance with the broadcasting and online gambling advertising rules,” Ms Lidgerwood said.

The post Network 10 Breaches Gambling Ad Rules During Formula 1 Grand Prix Broadcast appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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