For an insight into some of the key issues facing the gaming sector in 2020, CasinoBeats spoke to Roger Tyrzyk, Head of Sales for UK and Ireland at IDNow. 

Compliance is lauded as “undoubtedly the single biggest issue driving the gambling sector at present,” why is this so?

RT: “Compliance should be seen as an enabler for growth. If you build a sustainable, risk-based approach, you invest in the future of your company and your brand. 

“But also the fact that political (regulatory) authorities put a lot of pressure on the operators is a big issue in the industry.”

Do you believe the many branches that fall under the compliance banner are taken seriously enough industry wide? 

“Absolutely – 98 per cent of the companies are doing the right things, and their compliance teams are constantly making sure to fulfill all requirements across all areas of the business. 

“They can’t afford to fall behind, because otherwise, the costs of fines will be so much higher than the actual costs of implementing specific measures.”

The industry witnessed a variety of related fines across a number of jurisdictions in 2019, what more needs to be done?

“If we look at those fines, you will see that those are historical and date back a few years, which means that in the meantime, a lot of work had been done to correct failures in certain areas. 

“However, there are always some dark horses that try to get away with certain things and only see the quick dollar in their eyes. This will – 99 per cent – of the time come back to haunt you, though!”

How are impending changing regulations set to impact compliance measures?

“We are already seeing huge changes coming across Europe (and they come very fast), which impacts businesses even more because they don’t have much time to be prepared. 

“Many operators will start to ‘get out of’ specific markets because the operational costs are high and instead will focus on Asia, Africa and South America as compliance is leaner and, therefore, easier to operate in.”

How do solutions offered by organisations such as IDnow aid the issues as discussed above?

“Technology is now at the forefront of being compliant. Of course, some of the things will have to be manual, but it’s not sustainable at all anymore to manually check customers or even monitor them. 

“This is where the fines are coming from – because company ‘x’ didn’t have a process in place that helped them to cope with huge volumes. However, I also have to add that some of the technology companies are misleading operators and taking them on a route that they shouldn’t have even started in the first place. 

“Regulatory technology, transaction monitoring – and enhanced-due-diligence tech have to be the way forward for any operator anywhere in the world, and they have to be used properly.”

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The new appointment arrives with more than a decade of experience within the iGaming industry, having initially started his career at Betsson Group before he then went to work with large companies as well as start-ups.

Alexander Stevendahl, CEO at Videoslots.com, said: “Matthew joins us with a wealth of gambling industry experience and we are delighted to welcome him to our management team for 2020.

“Having held a number of roles within product management and UX, as well as leading teams and growing products, it’s clear to see that he will prove a valuable hire for the Videoslots team.”

Within his new role, Matthew will oversee and lead the product teams and will have a strong influence on the company’s product vision, strategy, design, development and marketing across a multitude of platforms.

Matthew Piscopo, Chief Product Officer, at Videoslots.com, added: “Videoslots is an industry leader and I can’t wait to get to grips with the role as we challenge ourselves to get even bigger and better.

“The whole team prides itself on innovation and giving players more choice than anybody else when it comes to online casino offerings and it’s sure to be an exciting year in terms of developments.”

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The proceeds of the transaction will be split 75 per cent to VICI and 25 per cent of the proceeds will go too Caesars. The annual rent payments under the Non-CPLV Master Lease between Caesars and VICI will continue to remain unchanged.

Under the terms of the new agreement, Caesars will continue to operate the property upon closing the transaction. This will then allow Caesars to cease operations at the property during the second half of 2020. When the term comes to its end, Caesars will then deliver the property to the buyer in a new and redeveloped non-gaming hotel with mixed-use development.

Tony Rodio, CEO of Caesars Entertainment said: “We recognize the long legacy of Harrah’s in Reno, where the brand began 82 years ago. We are pleased the Buyer is committed to the community and supports the redevelopment of this wonderful asset.”

The agreement will also allow for Caesars to retain its guest data and places no restrictions on Caesars’ marketing activities. Reno will continue to be a part of the Caesars Rewards network during the term of short-term lease with Buyer.

“Being originally from the Reno/Sparks community, it is with great pride that we are investing in the Reno area by redeveloping this property,” added Christopher Beavor, CEO of CAI Investments.

“CAI is excited to be working with Gryphon Private Wealth Management (GPWM) as capital partners for the project.  Kirk Walton and Philip Oleson, Principals of GPWM Opportunity Zone Funds, which will be investing the required capital for the project, believe in the long-term growth potential of Reno.”

The transaction is also subject to the closing of the Eldorado/Caesars combination, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

John Payne, President and COO of VICI Properties concluded: “The sale of Harrah’s Reno demonstrates our ability to continuously work constructively with our tenants to improve our individual businesses.

“This disposition will allow VICI to optimise the quality of our real estate portfolio and redeploy the proceeds towards other attractive growth opportunities while maintaining the existing financial terms of the Non-CPLV Master Lease with Caesars.

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Including titles such as virtual football game, Trident, the development comes in accordance with the gambling division of the Tax Administration of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Croatia. Magellan is toasting further success, after scooping the ‘Best Lottery Service Provider’ award at the CEEG Awards.

The entire championship can be completed in an hour with this game, and in the online and mobile versions of the product. It is also possible to play four games simultaneously within one single channel, allowing players to switch between the 3D and 2D viewing in a “simple and intuitive” way.

While being made with full HD graphics, Trident allows also users to follow the real-time results of eight or 10 simultaneous events on the screens. It also states that 41 different markets are available, including total goals, up to seven red cards and first goal scorer. One round becomes available every five minutes.

Previewing a select few of the features that Trident holds, the Magellan Robotech-developed product is also said to be “highly customisable to the needs of users”.

Trident and the entire Magellan Robotech portfolio will be presented for the first time at ICE in London from 4 to 6 February 2020.

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Following the successful soft launch eaglebet.com was promoted heavily in November, and has experienced what it and affiliates are describing as “phenomenal” early growth.

EagleBet’s operator, OGaming has expressed their gratitude for the deal: “These are early days and we have exciting plans to improve the site still further but EagleBet has enjoyed a golden start and now it is flying,” said CEO Tom Golding.

Continuing: “The response from members of the public and affiliates could not have been more positive. EagleBet’s slogan is ‘soaring with winners’ and so far at least we seem to be winning. I think the formula is to have best in class tech combined with real understanding of local markets to meet the needs of customers.

“So many brands claim to put the customer first but how many actually do that? From what our multilingual customer service team are picking up, punters really do appreciate the service we are giving them.”

Powered by SBTech and operating under a Malta Gaming Authority licence, EagleBet is said to have struck direct deals with a number of global game suppliers.

The company, which began as a start-up back in January 2018, has now gone on to boast a presence in multiple cities across the world. They have announced big plans for the new year with the imminent launch of the international brand BetGold, followed by the launch of “upmarket casino” entitled LasVegasCasino.com.

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The firm’s mystery, multilevel and daily jackpots solutions can now simply be switched on, no longer requiring additional integration.

Michael Tadross, head of account management at Playson, said: “We’re delighted to offer this innovative, out-of-the-box jackpots feature to all operators.

“We pride ourselves on constantly asking how we can do even more for our partners, and it’s great to see our hard work pay dividends with this innovative new tool.”

The jackpots are said to have “proved highly successful in driving customer loyalty” while also increasing the average bet with no influence on the game math.

Supported on multiple titles, they can be used in conjunction with other promotional tools from Playson such as feature triggers, tournaments and free spins.

The integration-free jackpots have now been made available on Playson’s entire games portfolio which also includes popular games such as Solar Queen and Red Chilli Wins.

This is the latest move made by Playson since they signed a new agreement with Royal Panda in a deal which saw them provide their full suite of titles to the online casino.

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Celebrating the accolade, Alison Gardner, Camelot’s head of corporate responsibility, said: “Camelot has developed tools and programmes to promote healthy play to all our players, as we continue to make The National Lottery the safest environment to play. 

“Achieving advanced level 2 of the GamCare Safer Gambling Standard endorses our work in this area, and is an important part of our overall strategy, as we continue to improve how we support our players, encourage healthy play and prevent underage play.”

The Safer Gambling Standard is GamCare’s social responsibility quality standard for licensed gaming operators, which looks to increase overall standards of social responsibility practice across the industry. 

Following a three-month accreditation process, GamCare carried out a review of Camelot’s responsible play policies and processes, including its website, visiting National Lottery retailers as well as interviewing members of staff across various teams at Camelot. 

The advanced level 2 of GamCare’s Safer Gambling Standard is said to mark a milestone in Camelot’s wider Corporate Responsibility strategy, which centres on promoting healthy play with National Lottery games, both within retail and online.

GamCare has also found that the responsible play measures that are in place are ‘well integrated into Camelot’s culture.’

This award comes as the lottery operator has continued to implement age verification checks carried out by Experian, weekly wallet load limits, daily instant win game play limit, self-exclusion options, default weekly spending limits and the ability to reduce limits instantly. The operator has also prohibited the use of credit cards on its platforms. 

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Closing the purchase of CC Gaming, Maverick is to acquire its gaming and non-gaming assets which include Colorado’s Z Casino in Black Hawk, Grand Z Casino Hotel in Central City, Johnny Z’s Casino in Central City and the Z Stop Convenience Store and Gas in Golden.

While the terms of the transaction have not been disclosed, the acquisition will add over 1,500 slot machines, 20 table games and 119 hotel rooms to the Maverick portfolio.

As a result of the purchase Maverick Gaming will now boast 3,200 slot machines, 350 table games and 1,330 hotel rooms across 26 properties in Nevada, Washington and Colorado.

Eric Persson, the majority owner of Maverick and its affiliates, commented: “We are very excited to bring the Z Gaming properties into the Maverick Gaming portfolio. Given Denver’s growing population of nearly three million people, with limited gaming distribution and a thriving economy, we are committed to invest in our new properties and add value to the Denver gaming market.”

Maverick have funded this transaction primarily with cash on hand along with financing from HG Vora Capital Management, a private investment firm: “HG Vora is an important financing partner for Maverick Gaming with deep experience in the gaming sector. We look forward to growing our portfolio over the near term with their partnership” Persson added.

“This purchase gives Maverick Gaming sports betting in two states and we look forward to adding two more jurisdictions in the coming months, as well as, working hard to educate Washingtonians on the benefits that sports betting will bring to their state. With our management expertise we do not anticipate partnering with a third party provider.”

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The relationship, will see an increased focus on the state lotteries sector at SBC’s portfolio of market-leading events in 2020. These include a Lottery Forum at both Betting on Sports Europe and SBC Summit.

GLMS will have a prominent role in this offer, providing invaluable expert input into the new specialist lottery content art the conferences.

For GLMS, involvement in events such as Betting on Sports America, Betting on Sports Europe and SBC Summit provides the perfect stage from which to deliver its key messages, and to also discuss the main issues shaping the future of the lottery sector with major players from around the world.

Rasmus Sojmark, SBC’s CEO, said: “We’re thrilled to have become a partner of such a renowned international organisation and I’m confident the agreement will help us to further build our growing reputation in the lottery industry.

“The involvement of GLMS in our offering for the state lottery sector means we can guarantee it will be of the highest quality and that it will reach the audience who can benefit most from it.”

Ludovico Calvi, GLMS President, added: “We’re delighted to enter into a strategic partnership with SBC and are excited by the prospect of providing prominent visibility to the lottery community worldwide through such a renowned stage.

“The GLMS team and Executive Members have attended and spoken at many previous SBC events and have always enjoyed the experience, so we jumped at the opportunity to be associated with such a professional and forward-thinking organisation.”

While being founded by the European Lotteries Association and World Lottery Association, GLMS is the sports integrity body of the global lottery sector. Its primary focus is the detection and analysis of suspicious betting activities that could call into question the integrity of sporting competitions as well as the overall dissemination of a culture of integrity and sport values.

SBC’s events division organises a range of industry-leading events for the sports betting and igaming sectors. Its 2020 schedule includes:

CasinoBeats Malta – InterContinental Malta, St. Julian’s, 24-26 March 2020

Betting on Sports America – Meadowlands Exposition Center, New Jersey, 28-30 April 2020

Betting on Sports Europe – Stamford Bridge, London, 2-4 June 2020

SBC Summit – Fira de Barcelona – Montjuic, 8-11 September 2020

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