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Compliance Updates

Congratulations on appointment and invitation to meet ahead of Gambling Review

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The below letter is from John White, CEO of bacta, the trade body which represents seaside arcades and adult gaming centres across the UK.

Congratulations on your appointment as Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy. We enjoyed a positive working relationship with your predecessor, Chris Philp MP, and look forward to enjoying a similarly productive relationship with you and your team.

The upcoming review of the 2005 Gambling Act provides a vital opportunity to update legislation to reflect the modern and rapidly changing nature of the industry. The result must be a system which delivers the most socially responsible products, provides the Gambling Commission with the powers it needs, and is fit for purpose in the 21st Century.

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As you know, bacta represents the amusement machine industry and supply chain. From creating jobs on the high street, permanent and seasonal work at the seaside, and high-tech manufacturing jobs in the supply chain, the amusement and gaming industry drives economic growth and spreads prosperity to all corners of the UK. Indeed, we provide economic activity in some of the most deprived areas of the country. We are also the sector that provides juke boxes, fruit machines and pool tables to pubs and clubs helping to support what is now, sadly, a dwindling number of venues. You will know both from when we met a few years ago and from direct correspondence that our sector is an important contributor to the local economy in Folkestone.

It is vital that the upcoming Review recognises the importance of the land-based sector to the wider industry, whilst also taking steps to ensure that those businesses on our high streets, seafronts and across the supply chain are given the support they need to flourish.

Ahead of the publication of the Review, which we have heard could be as soon as next week, we would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss our views on the Review and how it can support our members.

We were concerned by reports last month that the White Paper may not support our ask to allow debit card transactions for gaming machines in venues. It is our view that, while the Review is supposed to be about bringing the act into the digital age and redressing the balance between online and offline, such a move disadvantages members like ours, and stands in contrast to the wider societal trends towards cashless payments. This was a view we set out in a letter to the Prime Minister last week, and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you directly.

I hope you will be available to meet with us ahead of the publication of the Review, and look working with you in your new role.

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Yours sincerely,

 

John White

Chief Executive

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Bacta

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Compliance Updates

MGCB Executive Director Applauds Reappointment of Board Member Deidre A. Lambert-Bounds by Governor

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The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has announced the reappointment of Troy resident and Board member Deidre A. Lambert-Bounds by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. This reappointment reaffirms the governor’s confidence in Lambert-Bounds’ dedication, integrity, and invaluable contribution to the agency’s mission of ensuring a fair and transparent gaming environment.

MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams expressed deep appreciation for the governor’s decision, noting that Lambert-Bounds’ continued leadership will greatly benefit the agency.

“Board member Lambert-Bounds has consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment and insight in regulating Michigan’s gaming industry, and we are thrilled to have her continue as a vital part of our Board. This reappointment is a testament to her unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of integrity and fairness,” said Williams.

Reappointed for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2028, Lambert-Bounds is the president and co-owner of Ignite Social Media LLC, and the chief operating officer and co-owner of its sister company, Carusele Media. She also serves on the executive boards of the Sphinx Organization, International Women’s Forum, and the Michigan Partnership for Equity and Opportunity.

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The reappointment is Lambert-Bounds’ second four-year term of serving on the MGCB, representing Independents, for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2028. She previously served from July 22, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2024, and succeeded Barbara Smith, whose term expired Dec. 31, 2020.

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.

The Board comprises five Michigan residents appointed by the Governor, with one member designated by the Governor as the chairperson. Under the Michigan Gaming Control & Revenue Act, no more than three members may belong to the same political party.

The post MGCB Executive Director Applauds Reappointment of Board Member Deidre A. Lambert-Bounds by Governor appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Compliance Updates

Dutch Gaming Authority Maps Risky Gambling Behaviour with Markers of Risk Research

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The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has used collected (pseudo-anonymised) player data to map indicators of risky gambling behaviour. With the results of the research, the supervisor can compare the various license holders with each other in other areas than just extreme losses.

Gambling problems and excessive gambling are often associated with the loss of large sums of money. Gambling large amounts of money can indeed be an indicator of risky gambling behaviour, but other indicators also play an important role in detecting problem gamblers, such as playing time or changes in gambling behaviour (for example, gambling more often or at unusual times).

Licensed gambling providers have a mandatory data vault (CDB) in which pseudonymised player and transaction data is stored. The KSA has analysed this data to map risky gaming behaviour, to look at (the usefulness of) applied interventions by providers and to compare the different providers with each other.

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The study looked at various indicators of problem gambling: intensity (gambling many days, or losing a lot of money), loss of control (number of deposits per day), increase in gambling behaviour (gambling more often or for longer, spending more money), chosen game (for example sports betting versus slot machines) and interventions by the provider. The analyses were conducted based on one year of data from the CDB.

By comparing or linking different indicators, the KSA gained many new and interesting insights. For example, playing at night is generally seen as an important indicator of risky gambling behaviour. The data shows that players play casino games more often than sports bets at night. This could mean that casino games are riskier than sports bets. At the same time, it could mean that placing sports bets at night is a stronger indicator of risky behaviour: it occurs less often and deviates more from the norm.

The KSA is now looking at how this research and the findings from it can be used by the supervisor to gain more insight into possible problem players and how to tackle them. In addition, it is looking at how the insights obtained can be used in other ways to improve supervision.

The post Dutch Gaming Authority Maps Risky Gambling Behaviour with Markers of Risk Research appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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BMM Testlabs

BMM Testlabs Earns Accreditation in Maranhão, Brazil To Test Fixed Odds Betting Systems and Lottery Platforms

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BMM Testlabs, the world’s original gaming test lab renowned for exceptional product compliance and testing services, today announced its official accreditation to test systems and games for the Brazilian state of Maranhão.

This new accreditation allows BMM Testlabs to test fixed-odds betting systems and lottery platforms for the Maranhão market. The Company is now authorized in every Brazilian jurisdiction that has regulated at state-level online fixed-odds betting.

The Maranhão accreditation, issued by Maranhão Parcerias SA (MAPA/LOTEMA)authorizes BMM Testlabs to work with lottery operators in the state to ensure compliance and quality standards for the gaming and lottery industry through end-to-end product compliance testing for Maranhão’s standards.

Additionally, Brazil’s Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas has federally authorized BMM Testlabs to test betting systems, live gaming studios, and online games used by fixed-odds betting operators.

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BMM Testlabs’ Marzia Turrini, President of iGaming & Cybersecurity, said, “We are excited and deeply honored that the State of Maranhão’s official lottery has entrusted BMM Testlabs with the responsibility of testing products for their new online fixed odds betting program, knowing that we’ll do so with the highest levels of impartiality, technical expertise, transparency, efficiency, and, most of all, integrity.”

With the Maranhão accreditation, BMM Testlabs solidifies its position as the leading independent test lab in Brazil. BMM Testlabs is accredited in all jurisdictions that have authorized fixed-odds betting for online gaming and sports betting.

BMM Testlabs brings 44 years of global leadership in product compliance across regulated markets and is trusted by games, systems, and lottery manufacturers, suppliers, developers, and regulators worldwide.

In addition to product compliance testing, BMM Testlabs provides end-to-end cybersecurity protection solutions. Through its sister company, RG24seven Virtual Training, BMM also offers compliance-grade virtual training on responsible gaming, anti-money laundering, and other important topics – presented by industry experts and available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

The post BMM Testlabs Earns Accreditation in Maranhão, Brazil To Test Fixed Odds Betting Systems and Lottery Platforms appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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