Compliance Updates
WFH could mean your Grand National workplace sweepstake is illegal
Traditional office sweepstake risks falling foul of gambling law if participants enter remotely
Gambling regulation expert provides guidance on how to comply with law when setting up workplace pool
The recent trend towards flexible working means many businesses are at risk of falling foul of gambling legislation, if organising the traditional office Grand National sweepstake, a leading law firm is warning.
With this weekend’s big race at Aintree attracting the interest of not just racing fans but the general public at large, it is typically one of the most popular events for an office sweepstake.
In pre-Covid times there was little risk involved in such a contest, other than perhaps an excess of workplace rivalry, especially given the event’s propensity for surprises and upsets.
However, Poppleston Allen, a leading gambling licensing law firm, says that with the shift towards hybrid working, organisers now need to be more cautious.
“While formal gambling activity is heavily regulated by the Gambling Commission, there is an exception designed to allow the general public to have a bit of fun by taking part in what is officially called a work lottery,” says Richard Bradley, associate solicitor and gambling regulation expert at Poppleston Allen.
“But what many people may not realise is that the rules are very clear in that you can only sell physical tickets and all players must work in the same office – contests running across different office locations of the same company are not allowed.
“Therefore, if the pandemic has led to staff working from other offices or largely working from home, extra care needs to be taken when running a Grand National sweepstake.
“Organisers, whether employers or employees, must make sure they do not sell any tickets via email or over the phone. Any staff member who wants to play must visit the office and buy a physical ticket. If these rules aren’t followed, organisers and players would technically be involved in illegal gambling.”
Bradley says other rules to make sure a workplace sweepstake doesn’t land anyone in hot water with the Gambling Commission include the following:
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All players must pay the same amount for a ticket;
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Horses must be decided by chance, for example, drawn out of a hat;
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No one can make a profit and all stakes must be returned as prizes, though an organiser can deduct administration costs for running the contest;
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The sweepstake can only be advertised at the work premises; and
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There must be a winner – the prize cannot be rolled over.
CT Interactive has strengthened its presence in the Bulgarian market by expanding its portfolio with a new selection of certified games. The latest certification reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering engaging and high-quality gaming content, providing operators with a diverse selection of fresh and innovative titles.
“Bulgaria remains a key market for CT Interactive, and this certification is another step in our strategy to continuously provide top-tier, regulation-compliant games to our partners. We are dedicated to expanding our portfolio with exciting content that enhances player engagement while meeting the highest industry standards,” Martin Ivanov, Chief Operating Officer at CT Interactive, said.
Some of the newly certified games include: The New Queen of Fruits, Book of Power, Guardians of Asgard, Clover Queen, Piggy Crash, Fruits & Sweets Buy Bonus, Hyper Cuber Buy Bonus, Duck of Luck Buy Bonus and others. These titles showcase a mix of dynamic themes and innovative mechanics, designed to appeal to a wide range of player preferences.
The post CT Interactive Strengthens its Presence in Bulgaria appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Malta Gaming Authority Enhances Regulatory Oversight and Outlines 2025 Supervisory Priorities
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is enhancing its regulatory oversight approach and is outlining its supervisory focus areas for 2025. These enhancements are aimed at strengthening its supervision of the online gaming sector while promoting transparency with stakeholders.
Building on its existing risk-based framework, the MGA is enhancing such framework to a more evidence-driven and outcomes-focused model. This strategic approach will enable the Authority to better assess and address industry risks, allocate resources more effectively, and foster a more proactive and responsive regulatory environment.
Central to this enhanced oversight strategy are the compliance, player protection and sports betting integrity regulatory themes. By prioritising these key areas, the MGA aims to uphold the highest industry standards and reinforce its role as a trusted regulator.
Key outcomes of this refined regulatory approach include:
• Risk-Based Resource Allocation: Directing resources to high-risk areas to ensure more effective regulatory interventions;
• Enhanced Collaboration: Strengthening collaboration with operators to promote compliance and best practices;
• Proactive Risk Management: Anticipating and addressing emerging challenges in a dynamic gaming landscape.
This approach aligns with the MGA’s broader strategy to bolster the resilience of the online gaming sector, safeguard player interests and foster greater stakeholder confidence in a sustainable and well-regulated industry.
The post Malta Gaming Authority Enhances Regulatory Oversight and Outlines 2025 Supervisory Priorities appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Washington’s Lottery Achieves Nation’s Highest Level of Responsible Gambling Certification
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.
“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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