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Compliance Updates

Veikkaus Fined €2.9M for Advertising to Minors

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In May 2024, Finnish Operator Veikkaus received a request for clarification from the Police Board about its advertising in connection with television programmes that are also watched by minors. The company responded to the clarification request and adjusted its operations in cooperation with the authority. As a result, Veikkaus’ advertising will no longer appear in certain programme environments.

Veikkaus has received a marketing ban from the Police Board dated 12 November 2024 enhanced by a fine. It refers to the clarification request from May and highlights the wrongly placed advertisement that happened in July as a violation. In addition to this, it brings out new perspectives on the placement of advertisements in connection with television programmes. They have now included new programmes aimed at adults, but may also be of interest to minors. Examples include popular Saturday night entertainment programmes.

“It seems that the Police Board may interpret the matter in a new and broader way. We have been in contact with the Police Board as soon as the decision was made and we are going through this issue with them. We need clarity so that we know how to act correctly,” Anu Kytö, sales and marketing director at Veikkaus, said.

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“We are very sorry that, despite our joint development measures, our advertising has been seen in the advertising breaks of programs aimed at minors due to human error,” Kytö added.

Veikkaus’ advertising is bought in such a way that the target group is people aged 25 and over. The media office books and the television channel places the ads based on viewer profiles. The instructions have been reviewed together with the Police Board.

“Veikkaus has been buying TV advertising from us for years, with an age distribution set for the purchase: more than 70% of the program’s viewers must be adults. This is a jointly agreed model that has been valid for years and is known to the authorities. Now we are waiting for possible new instructions,” MTV’s commercial director Sauli Asikainen said.

The ban is valid for three months and its validity begins 30 days after notification. The Police Board imposed a fine of 2.9 million euros as an effect of the marketing ban.

The post Veikkaus Fined €2.9M for Advertising to Minors appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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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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