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The UK Gambling Commission said that starting the 14th of April 2020, no gambling business can allow consumers from Great Britain to use Credit cards to add funds . This news comes after the review of the Commission of online gambling and the Government’s Review of Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures. A public consultation was carried out between August and November 2019.

In Great Britain there are currently 24 million adults that gamble, with 10.5 million of those gambling online. Around 800,000 consumers use credit cards to gamble according to UK Finance. Separate research undertaken by the Commission shows that 22% of online gamblers using credit cards to gamble are classed as problem gamblers – with even more at some risk of harm.

This decision however will not affect consumers using their debit cards or prepaid cards.

Neil McArthur, Gambling Commission chief executive, said, “Credit card gambling can lead to significant financial harm. The ban that we have announced today should minimise the risks of harm to consumers from gambling with money they do not have. Research shows that 22% of online gamblers using credit cards are problem gamblers, with even more suffering some form of gambling harm.

We also know that there are examples of consumers who have accumulated tens of thousands of pounds of debt through gambling because of credit card availability. There is also evidence that the fees charged by credit cards can exacerbate the situation because the consumer can try to chase losses to a greater extent.”

“We realise that this change will inconvenience those consumers who use credit cards responsibly but we are satisfied that reducing the risk of harm to other consumers means that action must be taken.” he said. “But we will evaluate the ban and watch closely for any unintended circumstances for consumers.”

“The ban is part of our ongoing work to reduce gambling harm. We also need to continue the work we have been doing with gambling operators and the finance industry to ensure consumers only gamble with money they can afford to spend.”

Culture Minister Helen Whately said, “Whilst millions gamble responsibly, I have also met people whose lives have been turned upside down by gambling addiction.  There is clear evidence of harm from consumers betting with money they do not have, so it is absolutely right that we act decisively to protect them.

“In the past year we have introduced a wave of tougher measures, including cutting the maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals, bringing in tighter age and identity checks for online gambling and expanding national specialist support through the NHS Long Term Plan. We have also secured a series of commitments from five leading gambling operators that will include £100 million funding towards treatment for problem gamblers.

But there is more to do. We will be carrying out a review of the Gambling Act to ensure it is fit for the digital age and we will be launching a new nationwide addiction strategy in 2020. We will not hesitate to take any further action necessary to protect people from gambling harm.”

Also today it has been announced by the Commission that there will be changes to licence conditions which will require all online gambling operators to participate in the GAMSTOP scheme and offer their customers the service from 31 March.

The Artificial Intelligence Summit is being organised by Eventus International and it will take place between the 26th and 27th of February, 2020 in Dubai, UAE. Eventus International is a summit and exhibition company that connects leaders with leaders and turns opportunity into possibility.

Their summits and exhibitions have a longstanding reputation for gathering primary stakeholders in the industry to discuss the future of the gaming sector. They operate in profitable vertical industries with significant international growth potential while promoting the growth of emerging markets.

AI adoption will account for 45% of the world economy’s total gains by 2030. The UAE ranks first in the Middle Eastern world in terms of expected annual growth of AI contribution to the economy at 33.5%. As a hub for technology and innovation, Dubai is the epicenter of all things AI in the Middle East. In addition, Dubai also has a burgeoning gaming market for games of skill and games of chance, video gaming, the racing industry, AR, VR and eSports.

Speakers at AI in Gaming:

• Andrew Pearson – Founder and Managing Director @Intelligencia Limited

• Christopher Ghenne – Global Lead for Banking/Compliance Solutions @ SAS

• Earle G. Hall – CEO/Chairman @ AXES/GSA Blockchain

• Hala Bou Alwan – Founder and CEO @ Hala Bou Alwan Consultancy

• Jan Enri Arquero  – CEO @ The Prodigal Developers

• Joseph F. Borg – Partner @ WH Partners

• Dr. Joshua Ellul – Chairman @ Malta Digital Innovation Authority

• Michael Budow – Audio Designer @ The Prodigal Developers

• Nameer Khan – Founding Board Member @ Mena Fintech Association

Discussion Topics:

• Uncovering the potential of AI in the Middle East countries – The role of government and industry
• Blockchain innovations most likely to disrupt the gaming and entertainment industries and where to focus your attention now and next
• How AI is revolutionising games of skill
• The critical issues created by AI and how regulators should address them
• Man vs. Machine: Will AI replace human performance?
  

Other events organised by Eventus International: Sports Betting East Africa+, SPiCE India, Sports Betting West Africa+, Cyprus Gaming Show, Scandinavian Gaming Show, AI In Gaming, International Lottery Play Summit, iGaming Germany (iGG), All-in Gaming Ukraine Summit, Gaming & Affiliate Marketing Expo (GAME), Gaming Expo Francophone Africa, ACE (Affiliate Conference & Expo) 2020, Play Social – Social Gaming China  and the All American Sports Betting Summit.

For more info about the event click here.

Every year, one of the biggest iGaming Affiliate Conference, London Affiliate Conference 2020 is coming this February between the 5th and the 8th at ExCel London, UK.

5 February – Pre-registration and welcome drinks
6-7 February – Exhibition, Conference, Awards and Closing Party
8 February- Unwind Session.

If you are an iGaming Affiliate you might be looking for:

• New licensed operators to work with 
• Information about latest developments in regulation and next steps from the perspective of those who make the rules
• New and emerging markets to dive into, don’t forget the event is international, and open to opportunities from North America to Africa!
• How to plan and implement a growth strategy in a world that’s constantly changing
• New and innovative ways to drive traffic and engagement for clients and maximise commission for yourself
• Networking and idea sharing with other affiliates and like-minded individuals to takeaway actionable plans.

If you are an iGaming Operator you might be looking for:

• Affiliates, lots of them! 
• New ways of acquiring and growing traffic
• A dedicated conference to help you map out the latest regulation and new market updates
• The right tools to continue a successful and sustainable business and growth strategy
• A platform to show case your new products and promote your brand
• A perfect balance of work and play at our reputable and engaging networking parties
• A place to catch-up with existing partners, colleagues and friends in the largest community gathering of iGaming Affiliates.

With over 90 different nationalities and more than 5,000 attendees, if you are looking for a new deal, offer your service or network, then be there.

The Agenda includes topics such as:

• This Time Next Year, We’ll be Brazilianaires!

• Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: How Operators and Affiliates Can Help Each Other Stay Compliant

• SEO: Satisfy user intent and rank

• RETENTION panel – Giving your Customers What They Want to Keep Them On-Site

• RAiG Against the Machine: Redefining Affiliate Responsibility for the 2020s

• PPC: Pointless, Powerless, Costly? Or Are You Just Doing It Wrong?

• OK, Google. How can I rank #1 for Voice Answers?

• LatAm, The One and Only! You Can’t Take That Away from Me

• It’s the Sportsbook, Stupid! Making Your Way in US iGaming

• European Regulatory Roundup – UK, Sweden, Italy and many more.

Don’t forget, Affiliates and introducing Brokers go for FREE.

For the full agenda, registration and prices, accommodation and exhibitor list please visit LAC website.

See you all there!

The Fath El Kheir reaches Sliema Harbor today the 24th of September 2019 @ 17:00 hours.

The Cultural Village Foundation – Katara launches ‘Fath Al Kheir 4’ journey, which will travel to a number of European and Arab cities on a two-year trip to promote the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The journey started from Istanbul to the Mediterranean Sea, navigating to Greece, then Albania, Croatia. It will stop at the Italian port of Genoa. From there it will continue to Monte Carlo, Nice, Marseille, Barcelona, Tangier, Algeria. and reach Tunisia in 2021.

Although it wasn’t schedule to come to Malta, this has changed en route and we can enjoy the beautiful 40 meter long dhow.

The Fath el Kheir Journey represents one of the most important activities of the Katara Traditional Dhows Festival. It aims at reviving the heritage of ancestors in traveling and navigating through the gliding dhows, preserving this kind of heritage and teaching the youth how to navigate and travel bu sailing dhows.

This is the first trip of its kind in the region, with the availability of modern means of navigation and the difficulty of providing dhows capable of accommodating such maritime trips, in addition to the readiness of a group of experienced youth.

Join Malta is leading the charge in the implementation of regulation for blockchain and cryptocurrency. This presented the opportunity to host the first official conference launching Malta as a regulated virtual currency and ICO centre. 
With the launch of the public consultation for AI strategy, Malta is continuing to position itself as a cutting- edge hub for emerging technology companies seeking to establish themselves in this space, as well as providing a place for individuals to develop and innovate.

As Malta’s official platform, DELTA Summit will be bringing together not only blockchain and cryptocurrency technology, but also cognitive technologies such as AI and IOT, whilst also providing a platform for the growing ESports market. Its aim is to provide a venue to allow companies- large and small- from all over the world to promote technology at the highest level.
DELTA Summit serves to bring together companies and individuals under one roof to congregate and exchange ideas, as well as to promote discussion and to further highlight the Government of Malta’s efforts to establish Malta as a pioneer in the disruptive technology sector.

The aim of DELTA was always to expose the innovative legislation and opportunities not only to the locals currently residing in Malta are benefitting from, but also to the entire global community.

This conference has served and will serve as a marketing platform for Malta as the innovator and ideal hub for companies seeking to establish themselves in the mentioned space, as well as individuals who are intrigued by the technology and its opportunities.

DELTA will also serve to be a platform to promote the technology, the business opportunities related, the legal platform adopted by the government and will serve as a congregation for enthusiasts, doubters and experts.

The 2019 version of DELTA Summit aims to create an even greater global debate on the subject and to further expose the efforts of the Maltese government in establishing Malta as the pioneering blockchain nation.

When? Between the 2nd and the 4th of October 2019 @ MFCC Malta.

To purchase your ticket here: https://delta-summit.com/tickets/

FINMA guidance: stringent approach to combating money laundering on the blockchain

The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA has published guidance on how it applies Swiss anti-money laundering rules to financial services providers supervised by FINMA in the area of blockchain technology. FINMA has also issued banking licenses to two new blockchain service providers.

FINMA recognizes the innovative potential of new technologies for the financial industry. It applies the relevant provisions of financial market law in a technology-neutral way. However, blockchain-based business models cannot be allowed to circumvent the existing regulatory framework. This applies particularly to the rules for combating money laundering and terrorist financing, where the inherent anonymity of blockchain technology presents increased risks.

Combating money laundering requires identification

On 21 June 2019 the international body tasked with developing policies to combat money laundering, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), issued guidance on financial services in the context of blockchain technology. As for traditional bank transfers, information about the client and the beneficiary must be transmitted with transfers of tokens (with the exception of transfers from and to unregulated wallet providers). Only then, for example, can the provider receiving this information check the name of the sender against sanction lists or check that the information provided about the beneficiary is correct.

Anti-money laundering regulations apply to the blockchain

FINMA has consistently applied the Anti-Money Laundering Act to blockchain service providers since their emergence. In its guidance published today, FINMA provides information about this technology-neutral application of the regulation to payment transactions on the blockchain. Institutions supervised by FINMA are only permitted to send cryptocurrencies or other tokens to external wallets belonging to their own customers whose identity has already been verified and are only allowed to receive cryptocurrencies or tokens from such customers. FINMA-supervised institutions are thus not permitted to receive tokens from customers of other institutions or to send tokens to such customers. This practice applies as long as information about the sender and recipient cannot be transmitted reliably in the respective payment system. Unlike the FATF standard, this established practice applies in Switzerland without the exception for unregulated wallets and is therefore one of the most stringent in the world.

New blockchain service providers in Switzerland

For the first time, FINMA has issued banking and securities dealers’ licences to two pure-play blockchain service providers. The companies involved are SEBA Crypto AG registered in Zug and Sygnum AG registered in Zurich, which will offer services for institutional and professional customers. As usual, various conditions are attached, ensuring that the businesses are set up in an orderly manner. The practice set out in the guidance published today applies in full to the supervision of the two new institutions.

Contact

Vinzenz Mathys, Media Spokesperson
Tel. 031 327 19 77

Website: https://www.finma.ch
Emai: vinzenz.mathys@finma.ch

The fifth edition of SiGMA will take place between the 28th and 30th of November 2018 at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta’ Qali. Positioned at the cutting edge of a very competitive industry, it has evolved into the definitive iGaming showcase.

SiGMA 2018 will welcome over 400 sponsors and exhibitors, 200 industry-leading speakers and a record-breaking 12500 attendees from over 80 countries – solidifying its reputation as a staple on the global iGaming calendar.

Simka Consulting will be present on all days and we are proud to be organizing this event for a Tech industry leader looking into expanding their portfolio.

As a Media Partner of SiGMA, If you want to meet and discuss business opportunities or book an interview with our team, contact us at info@simkaconsulting.com.

See you all soon!

Gaming Innovation Group Inc. (GiG) has signed an agreement with Mr Green, one of the brands of MRG Group (MRG), for the provision of its newly launched, innovative B2B marketing compliance technology, GiG Comply.

This monitoring service is designed in response to operators’ needs to further strengthen control over third party advertising and brand protection. GiG Comply drives responsible gaming by providing improved visibility of where and how brands are being advertised. The service helps protect them from promotion on websites which are not brand-safe. It also protects from misleading advertising in their name and helps them to adhere to complex advertising standards in their regulated markets.

This scalable tool is based on cutting-edge technology, putting flexibility in the hands of the operators who can set up their own criteria and checklist parameters to scan and check affiliate websites or any requested domains on a daily basis.  This will allow them to scan for anything they need, such as ensuring responsible gaming measures are visible on relevant pages or that terms and conditions are correct and up-to-date.

Jesper Kärrbrink, CEO Mr Green Ltd comments; “We always look for ways to improve our Green Gaming thinking. By using this technology, we can ensure traffic coming to our brand does so in a compliant and green way.”

Richard Brown, Chief Digital Officer at GiG commented: “We are immensely proud to expand our partnership with Mr Green to include GiG Comply services. Mr Green is already well-known in the market for having sustainability at the heart of its business and, as the first customer to sign up with GiG Comply, Mr Green is now also an early leader in using new technology to help strengthen its marketing compliance.”

For further information, please contact:

• Robin Reed, CEO of GIG, +356 9999 0382, robin@gig.com
• Richard Brown, CDO of GIG, +356 9901 570 35, richard.brown@gig.com
• Anna-Lena Åström, GIG Head of IR & Corporate Communications, +356 796 998 48, anna.lena@gig.com

About Gaming Innovation Group (GiG):

Gaming Innovation Group Inc. is a technology company providing products and services throughout the entire value chain in the iGaming industry. Founded in 2012, Gaming Innovation Group’s vision is ‘To open up iGaming and make it fair and fun for all’. Through our eco-system of products and services, we are connecting operators, suppliers and users, to create the best iGaming experiences in the world. Gaming Innovation Group operates out of state-of-the-art offices in St George’s Bay, Malta and is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GIG.

For more information about GiG and services also see:

https://www.gig.com/

https://www.mrgreen.com/