Compliance Updates
ITIA Bans Seven Belgian Tennis Players for Match-fixing
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed that seven Belgian tennis players have been suspended from the sport after admitting to breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP).
The sanctions are linked to a recently concluded criminal case involving a match-fixing syndicate in Belgium. Collaboration between the ITIA and Belgian authorities led to a five-year custodial sentence for the leader of the syndicate, Grigor Sargsyan.
All seven players – Arnaud Graisse, Arthur de Greef, Julien Dubail, Romain Barbosa, Maxime Authom, Omar Salman and Alec Witmeur – were convicted by the criminal court and have subsequently agreed sanctions with the ITIA.
Three players – Witmeur, de Greef and Barbosa – have been provisionally suspended by an AHO since May 2021 when they were formally charged in the criminal process in Belgium, as they were active players at that time. Time served under provisional suspension will be credited against these players’ periods of ineligibility. Witmeur admitted to six breaches of the TACP, while de Greef and Barbosa both admitted to nine breaches.
As such, their sanctions are as follows:
- Arthur de Greef, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 113 in 2017, has been suspended for three years and nine months, and fined $45,000 with $31,500 suspended. De Greef’s suspension ends on 26 February 2025.
- Romain Barbosa, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 403 in 2016, has been suspended for three years and nine months, and fined $45,000 – with $31,500 suspended. Barbosa’s suspension ends on 26 February 2025.
- Alec Witmeur, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 1056 in 2011, has been suspended for two years and seven months, and fined $30,000 – with $21,000 suspended. Witmeur’s suspension ends on 26 December 2023.
For the remaining four players – Graisse (12 breaches), Dubail (nine breaches), Salman (six breaches) and Authom (six breaches) – the sanctions take effect from the date of their agreed sanction.
Their sanctions are as follows:
- Arnaud Graisse, unranked, has been suspended for four years and 10 months, and fined $60,000 – with $42,000 suspended. Graisse’s suspension began on 2 October 2023, and will end on 1 August 2028.
- Julien Dubail, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 371 in 2012, has been suspended for three years and nine months, and fined $45,000 – with $31,500 suspended. Dubail’s suspension began on 4 October 2023, and will end on 3 July 2027.
- Maxime Authom, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 143 in 2013, has been suspended for three years and nine months, and fined $30,000 – with $21,000 suspended. Authom’s suspension began on 28 October 2023 and will end on 27 July 2027.
- Omar Salman, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 464 in 2018, has been suspended for two years and seven months, and fined $30,000 – with $21,000 suspended. Salman’s suspension began on 9 October 2023, and will end on 8 May 2026.
These sanctions conclude ITIA proceedings against Belgian players in relation to the Sargsyan match-fixing ring, though syndicate cases relating to players from outside Belgium remain ongoing.
During the players’ suspensions, they are prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA: ATP, ITF, WTA, Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open, or any national association.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has appointed Mark Evenson as its new board member. Evenson, a seasoned financial executive from South Lyon, is the Chief Financial Officer at Diversified Members Credit Union. His appointment took effect on Sept. 10, 2024, and will continue through Dec. 31, 2026.
Evenson succeeds Northville resident Robert (Bob) Anthony, a senior risk and quality partner of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, who had resigned.
“We are excited to welcome Mark Evenson to the Michigan Gaming Control Board. His extensive background in corporate finance and community service will be invaluable as we continue our mission of ensuring fair and honest gaming operations across Michigan. His leadership will further strengthen our efforts to protect the interests of Michigan’s citizens and uphold the integrity of gaming within the state,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said.
Evenson brings with him a wealth of experience in management and corporate finance. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree in corporate finance from Walsh College. His leadership experience extends beyond the finance industry, having served for four years on the board of directors of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, including a year as the Chairman of the Board. He has also held other volunteer positions, including as a trustee with the Plymouth Canton Schools Educational Excellence Foundation and as a volunteer with the Plymouth Community United Way.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to be appointed to serve in this capacity. I’m looking forward to making an impact with the Board and our community as a whole,” Evenson said.
The MGCB is responsible for implementing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of the law related to the licensure, regulation, and operations of the three authorized Detroit casinos — MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown. The agency also licenses and regulates fantasy contests, regulates pari-mutuel horse racing and casino-style charitable gaming (millionaire parties), and audits tribal gaming compact agreements for the state’s 12 federally recognized tribes.
Compliance Updates
FDJ Brings Forward the Expiry of the Acceptance Period of its Offer on Kindred to 2 October After Having Obtained All Necessary Regulatory Approvals
La Française des Jeux (FDJ) has brought forward the expiry of the acceptance period of its offer on Kindred to 2 October, after having obtained all necessary regulatory approvals.
On 22 January 2024, FDJ, announced a recommended public offer to the holders of Swedish Depository Receipts (the SDRs) in Kindred Group plc to tender all their SDRs in Kindred at a price of SEK 130 in cash per SDR (the Offer). An offer document relating to the Offer was published on 19 February 2024 and supplements to the offer document were made public 25 April 2024 and 25 July 2024.
FDJ announced that it has obtained final approval from the French Competition Authority to complete the Offer.
The definitive clearance of the acquisition of Kindred by the French Competition Authority was the last regulatory condition required for the completion of the Offer. Thus, having obtained all necessary regulatory clearances, approvals and decisions, FDJ has decided to bring forward the expiry of the acceptance period of the Offer to 17.00 CEST on 2 October 2024 (from the initial date of 19 November 2024).
Completion of the Offer remains subject to other conditions, notably it being accepted to such an extent that FDJ becomes the owner of more than 90% of the total number of shares in Kindred (on a fully diluted basis):
• To date, five shareholders (Corvex Management LP, Premier Investissement SAS, Eminence Capital, Nordea and Veralda), representing 26.72% of Kindred’s outstanding Swedish depository receipts, have made an irrevocable commitment to tender their SDRs to the offer.
• In addition, FDJ acquired 1.11% of Kindred’s outstanding SDRs directly from Veralda in March.
FDJ will announce the result of the Offer on or around 3 October 2024 at the close of the market. If the Offer is completed, settlement and delivery for Kindred shareholders who tender their SDRs will take place on or around 11 October 2024.
The post FDJ Brings Forward the Expiry of the Acceptance Period of its Offer on Kindred to 2 October After Having Obtained All Necessary Regulatory Approvals appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
ECA Announces its Security and Safety Workshop to be held during the Global Table Games & Game Protection Conference
The European Casino Association (ECA) is going to conduct its 2024 Security and Safety Working Group meeting in conjunction with the Global Table Games & Game Protection Conference (GTGC/GGPC) at the Hippodrome Casino in London from November 18-20, 2024.
This collaboration marks a significant expansion of the ECA’s annual Security and Safety Working Group meeting, now encompassing a broader range of crucial industry topics.
The Global Table Games & Game Protection Conference (GTGC/GGPC) will address a wide array of subjects vital to the European casino industry, including:
• Security and Safety
• Safer Gambling Practices
• Customer Experience Enhancement
• Game Protection Strategies
• Technological Advancements in Casino Operations
Guido Berghmans, ECA Board Member, Working Group Leader, and Director of Casino 2000 Luxembourg, stated: “We are pleased to integrate our ECA Security and Safety Workshop with this conference. The GTGC/GGPC Euro provides our members with a valuable opportunity to engage with security experts and gain insights into the latest developments in game protection and secure casino operations.”
The GTGC/GGPC, organised by game protection expert Richard Marcus, is making its European debut following three successful years in Las Vegas. The event will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, including:
• Simon Thomas, ECA Board Member and Executive Chairman of the Hippodrome Casino
• Ted Whiting, Corporate VP of Surveillance and Asset Protection for MGM Resorts International
• Mike Matranga, former Secret Service agent and founder of M6 Global Defense Group
• Richard Noble, COO at Crown UK
• Michael Boettcher, industry veteran and President of Storm International
• Last but not least, conference organiser Richard Marcus.
Marcus is considered to have been the most significant professional casino cheat of all time. He turned the tables to become a casino game protection consultant and trainer with clients worldwide. Marcus began his career as a blackjack dealer in Las Vegas and later became infamous for his ingenious cheating methods. He has dedicated his expertise to helping casinos worldwide improve their security measures and game protection strategies. Richard Marcus speaks French and German, enhancing his ability to communicate with a diverse European audience.
The conference will address current security risks in casinos and the methods to detect and prevent fraud and manipulation at gaming tables and slot machines. Key topics include AI in surveillance, facial recognition technology, and cybersecurity. Additionally, the conference will cover other relevant subjects, making it appealing not only to security managers but also to all executives in European casino companies. This event offers an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge and network with industry peers.
Guido Berghmans added: “This collaboration between the ECA and GTGC/GGPC underscores our commitment to advancing security and safety standards in the European casino industry. We encourage all our members to attend and recommend that European land-based casino operations consider sending their key employees to participate in this conference. It presents a unique learning and networking opportunity that merits serious consideration.”
As part of this collaborative effort, on November 20, the managers of ECA member casinos responsible for security and safety will convene with experts and relevant consultants at their annual Security and Safety Working Group meeting to exchange experiences from the past year and discuss improved casino security practices.
The post ECA Announces its Security and Safety Workshop to be held during the Global Table Games & Game Protection Conference appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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