Hill Archives - Keno Wizard https://kenowizard.com/tag/hill/ The Ultimate Keno Destination for Odds, Tips & Tricks Tue, 30 Apr 2024 10:34:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 https://i0.wp.com/kenowizard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/cropped-keno-wizard-icon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Hill Archives - Keno Wizard https://kenowizard.com/tag/hill/ 32 32 230792155 Las Vegas Judge Opts for Probation in William Hill Embezzlement Case https://kenowizard.com/2024/04/30/las-vegas-judge-opts-for-probation-in-william-hill-embezzlement-case/ https://kenowizard.com/2024/04/30/las-vegas-judge-opts-for-probation-in-william-hill-embezzlement-case/#respond Tue, 30 Apr 2024 10:34:31 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2024/04/30/las-vegas-judge-opts-for-probation-in-william-hill-embezzlement-case/ In a recent ruling, a judge in Las Vegas spared two individuals from incarceration, opting instead for probation, following their involvement in an embezzlement scheme targeting the renowned sports betting company, William Hill. Unraveling the Scheme of William Hill’s Employee Fraud Investigation The investigation, initiated in December 2022 by a Nevada Gaming Control Board enforcement [...]

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In a recent ruling, a judge in Las Vegas spared two individuals from incarceration, opting instead for probation, following their involvement in an embezzlement scheme targeting the renowned sports betting company, William Hill.

Unraveling the Scheme of William Hill’s Employee Fraud Investigation

The investigation, initiated in December 2022 by a Nevada Gaming Control Board enforcement agent, uncovered a web of deceit involving multiple employees within William Hill, reported 8 News Now. The company, boasting over 100 race and sports books in Nevada and recognized as the state’s premier mobile sports betting app, fell victim to the fraudulent activities of Shravan Singh and Paige Steiner, along with two other accomplices.

The investigation into the embezzlement scheme at William Hill involved both the Nevada Gaming Commission and internal teams, with Shravan Singh and Paige Steiner facing numerous charges. Singh’s termination and subsequent arrest followed the discovery of fraudulent activity, with over $280,000 reportedly stolen. Investigators uncovered a pattern of suspicious transactions facilitated by Singh’s position, leading to further scrutiny and potential arrests of additional co-conspirators.

Singh and Steiner, charged with five counts each, confessed to their crimes earlier this year and agreed to jointly compensate the company with over $200,000 in restitution. Their sentencing, delivered by Clark County Judge Crystal Eller, resulted in probation terms. Violation of these conditions could lead to a minimum of three years behind bars for either offender.

Singh Unravels Role in the William Hill Embezzlement

According to investigators, Singh orchestrated fraudulent cash adjustments on a staggering 166 occasions spanning nearly 3,000 instances. Documents revealed Singh’s embezzlement spree, which commenced in October 2021, amounted to over $280,000. His position within the company shielded his illicit activities from detection until the investigation’s inception.

Authorities underscored Singh’s pivotal role in concealing not only his own fraudulent transactions but also those of others, impeding the timely reporting of compliance breaches by William Hill.

Additional individuals allegedly involved in the embezzlement scheme against William Hill were identified, bringing the total to five. Persha Stanley and Anthony Cuddeback were charged for their alleged roles, tied to fraudulent cash adjustments authorized by former employee Shravan Singh. Besides Stanley and Cuddeback, investigators implicated Passion Tatreoina Rich and Paige Steiner in the scheme, with potential charges pending against Rich. 

Meanwhile, a separate legal battle involving six individuals, including former William Hill staff, is ongoing in Las Vegas Justice Court, shedding further light on the pervasive nature of embezzlement within the sports betting industry.

The ruling marks a cautionary tale for both employees and companies operating in the gambling sector, emphasizing the severe consequences awaiting those who engage in fraudulent practices. Despite evading immediate imprisonment, Singh and Steiner will remain under judicial scrutiny, serving as a deterrent against future misconduct.

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William Hill Stands at the Heart of Irish Racing with Four New Ambassadors https://kenowizard.com/2024/01/29/william-hill-stands-at-the-heart-of-irish-racing-with-four-new-ambassadors/ https://kenowizard.com/2024/01/29/william-hill-stands-at-the-heart-of-irish-racing-with-four-new-ambassadors/#respond Mon, 29 Jan 2024 18:24:32 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2024/01/29/william-hill-stands-at-the-heart-of-irish-racing-with-four-new-ambassadors/ UK operator William Hill has welcomed four representatives of the Irish horse racing sector to its brand ambassador lineup. The new additions include a trainer, a presenter and two jockeys. According to the announcement, Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell, presenter and broadcaster Jane Mangan and National Hunt jockeys J J Slevin and Sean Flanagan are joining [...]

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UK operator William Hill has welcomed four representatives of the Irish horse racing sector to its brand ambassador lineup. The new additions include a trainer, a presenter and two jockeys.

According to the announcement, Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell, presenter and broadcaster Jane Mangan and National Hunt jockeys J J Slevin and Sean Flanagan are joining the gambling company’s team. The new additions align with William Hill’s desire to support and promote horse racing in the United Kingdom, Ireland and beyond.

As part of William Hill’s ambassadorial team, the four new additions will provide blogs, covering the latest developments in the world of professional horse racing. In addition, they will produce video content that will be distributed across the operator’s social media platforms, allowing it to engage fans of the sport.

The new ambassadors will commence their activities just in time for the Dublin Racing Festival where Slevin will team up with Fastorslow. The new deals also come in the wake of the extension of William Hill’s sponsorship of the William Hill Champion Chase on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival. As announced, the bookmaker will continue to sponsor the event over the next three years.

The Bookmaker Welcomed the Four Personalities

Andrew McCleave, William Hill Ireland’s head of marketing, welcomed the new additions to the bookmaker’s ambassadorial team.

We are delighted to announce Gavin Cromwell, J J Slevin, Sean Flanagan and Jane Mangan as our new horse racing ambassadors in Ireland. All four are very talented in their fields and will be able to offer fascinating and unique insight to our followers.

Andrew McCleave, head of marketing, William Hill Ireland

McCleave noted that his company has been a fervent supporter of the United Kingdom’s racing industry for years. William Hill now aims to also “position itself at the heart of racing” in Ireland as well, the head of marketing explained.

McCleave also commented on the extended William Hill Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival sponsorship, saying that it further reflects the bookmaker’s desire to “get into the DNA of Irish racing.”

In the meantime, William Hill also minted a new partnership with Off The Ball, an Irish sports media company. McCleave is convinced that this deal will further increase his company’s exposure in the world of Irish Racing.

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Play’n GO Grows in Italy with William Hill https://kenowizard.com/2023/12/21/playn-go-grows-in-italy-with-william-hill/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/12/21/playn-go-grows-in-italy-with-william-hill/#respond Thu, 21 Dec 2023 12:22:02 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/12/21/playn-go-grows-in-italy-with-william-hill/ Moving forward, William Hill players in Italy will have the opportunity to benefit from Play’n GO’s full range of award-winning games, which includes Book of Dead and various well-established franchises by the company, such as Reactoonz, Rise of Olympus and Tome of Madness, among some of the company’s most prominent options. Bringing Acclaimed Slot Franchises [...]

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Moving forward, William Hill players in Italy will have the opportunity to benefit from Play’n GO’s full range of award-winning games, which includes Book of Dead and various well-established franchises by the company, such as Reactoonz, Rise of Olympus and Tome of Madness, among some of the company’s most prominent options.

Bringing Acclaimed Slot Franchises to Players in Italy

This partnership follows up on the two companies’ ongoing alliance which has already seen the Book of Dead games introduced to fixed-odds betting terminals in the United Kingdom, bringing the popular online classic to the brick-and-mortar industry, and not the other way around in a surprising trend-bucking move.

Play’n GO and William Hill are both committed to expanding their local footprint despite regulatory headwinds that could see licensing fees in Italy go up by a significant margin, and competition in the market diminished.

Commenting on this fresh opportunity, William Hill Italy Head of Commercial Valerio Micchio welcomed this fresh opportunity and said that the company was very excited to see Play’n GO’s titles, hailing the supplier as a natural partner, and author of some of the best online slots.

“Our already-existing relationship points towards further success here in Italy, and we’re pleased to welcome a company who are as equally committed as we are to providing a safe, exciting experience to players everywhere,” Micchio added.

Building the Best Online Casino Experience Possible

The partnership was similarly hailed by Play’n GO Sales Leader, LatAm and Southern Europe, Michele Stefanelli who said that the company was very pleased to team up with William Hill and provide Italian players with the best online casino experience possible. Stefanelli added:

We’re confident that William Hill’s Italian players will love the opportunity to engage with our content, and we look forward to many years of success together.

Play’n GO Sales Leader, LatAm and Southern Europe, Michele Stefanelli

Play’n GO has been steadily adding to its list of titles, with more than 300 premium online slots to date, one of the latest of which was Mega Don Feeding Frenzy released earlier in December. Play’n GO also launched Dutch Flip in the Netherlands earlier this year.

More prominent releases by Play’n GO over the past months, continuing to build upon some of the supplier’s most original franchises, were Raging Rex 3 and Legacy of Dynasties. Play’n GO also recently scored 250 million played rounds in a single day, setting an eye-watering record.

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William Hill US Launches Renewed App in Nevada https://kenowizard.com/2023/08/16/william-hill-us-launches-renewed-app-in-nevada/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/08/16/william-hill-us-launches-renewed-app-in-nevada/#respond Wed, 16 Aug 2023 15:54:53 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/08/16/william-hill-us-launches-renewed-app-in-nevada/ William Hill’s US arm has launched an enhanced version of its sportsbook app in Nevada following a short shutdown. The release of the new app comes a few weeks ahead of the new NFL season, ensuring that bettors will have the best possible experiences. The new app launched earlier today, following a short maintenance period [...]

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William Hill’s US arm has launched an enhanced version of its sportsbook app in Nevada following a short shutdown. The release of the new app comes a few weeks ahead of the new NFL season, ensuring that bettors will have the best possible experiences.

The new app launched earlier today, following a short maintenance period during which the William Hill app was unavailable to bettors in the Silver State. Players can now play as usual and try out some of the brand-new features.

The renewed app boasts a host of new tools that its previous version didn’t. This includes enhanced offerings, new betting products, such as same game parlays, as well as new payment and withdrawal methods.

William Hill customers can rest reassured that their accounts and funds are safe and transferred to the new platform.

What’s New on the Platform?

William Hill confirmed the launch of its new Nevada sportsbook on its US-facing X account, William Hill US. In its post, the operator listed the new changes players can expect to see. This includes the following:

  • 24/7 app experience
  • Expanded events on wagering menus
  • Expanded in-play wagering menu
  • Expanded prop wagering menu
  • Same game parlays
  • Next Batter Up
  • Additional ways to fund/withdraw

The operator teased that more upgrades are on the way. In the comment section, it also noted that Football Teasers on the app will be a little different. A spokesperson told a customer that closer to the kickoff of the season, the app will have 10 and 14 point alternate lines allowing players to parlay or bet straight.

William Hill Wants to Provide a Better Experience to the Fans

In addition to enhancing the player experience, William Hill US’ new sportsbook may be a precaution, considering its sudden shutdown during last February’s Super Bowl. Back then, the operator’s platform went down amid the hottest event in American sports, causing disgruntlement among its customers. William Hill had to eventually apologize for the inconvenience.

Two weeks ago, William Hill joined forces with Eric Cantona, featuring the French soccer legend in its latest promotional campaign. The operator said that the brand ambassador’s unique charisma made him perfect for the campaign.

In early July, William Hill published its FY 2022 report, highlighting the resilience of its business in spite of the recent regulatory trouble in the UK.

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Play’n GO Forays into Retail Gaming, Launches Book of Dead with William Hill https://kenowizard.com/2023/07/06/playn-go-forays-into-retail-gaming-launches-book-of-dead-with-william-hill/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/07/06/playn-go-forays-into-retail-gaming-launches-book-of-dead-with-william-hill/#respond Thu, 06 Jul 2023 14:02:32 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/07/06/playn-go-forays-into-retail-gaming-launches-book-of-dead-with-william-hill/ Play’n GO, a developer of exciting casino experiences, announced that its best online slot, Book of Dead, will now be available at land-based casinos in the United Kingdom. The launch of the game’s retail edition comes thanks to a partnership agreement between the developer and William Hill. As a result of the deal, players can [...]

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Play’n GO, a developer of exciting casino experiences, announced that its best online slot, Book of Dead, will now be available at land-based casinos in the United Kingdom. The launch of the game’s retail edition comes thanks to a partnership agreement between the developer and William Hill.

As a result of the deal, players can now find Book of Dead at fixed odds betting terminals (FOBT) across William Hill’s brick-and-mortar casinos. The game is currently available at around 100 of the operator’s stores and will be launched in all of its venues in the coming weeks.

For reference, William Hill operates more than 5,800 FOBTs across its 1,450+ shops in the UK.

The retail launch was made possible by Play’n GO’s new framework, which will allow it to translate its digital slots to the retail space. This means that each title from the company’s extensive library of over 300 games can be potentially launched at a land-based casino.

UK players can expect to one day see new hits such as Boat Bonanza and Legion Gold hit the retail space.

William Hill and Play’n GO Are Excited to Innovate Safely

William Hill’s UK gaming director, Ian Millman, commented on the launch of Book of Dead at his company’s properties. He noted that William Hill is constantly looking to innovate and provide the best gaming experiences to its players.

Millman is certain that UK players will enjoy playing Book of Dead at the operator’s shops just as much as they’ve enjoyed playing it in the company’s online space for many years. He concluded that Play’n GO is one of the best possible partners for William Hill because of its passion for gaming.

We can think of no better partner than Play’n GO, who share our passion for responsible gaming and entertainment, to drive innovation through the gaming industry together.

Ian Millman, UK gaming director, William Hill

Play’n GO’s co-founder & chief executive officer, Johan Törnqvist, also commented on the launch, calling it a “significant day in the history of the company.” According to him, this attests to the hard work and expertise of the supplier’s team.

Törnqvist added that Play’n GO is excited to spearhead the convergence between iGaming and traditional casino gaming.

The convergence between the online and land-based gaming parts of our industry has been long overdue, and I’m excited to see the world’s most popular online slot game, Book of Dead, make its long-awaited UK land-based debut.

Johan Törnqvist, co-founder & CEO, Play’n GO

Törnqvist added that this is only the start, teasing that his company intends to further explore the translation of online slots into land-based setting. He concluded that his company will do so in a safe manner because it genuinely cares for safer gambling and the future of the industry.

William Hill believes just as strongly in this [in safer gambling] as we do, and I’m sure this land-based partnership will be a long and fruitful one.

Johan Törnqvist, co-founder & CEO, Play’n GO

This is notably the first time Play’n GO’s online slots have been available in a traditional casino. Some of the supplier’s latest games include Sweet Alchemy 2 and Rascal Riches.

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888 Holdings’ William Hill Keeps the Status Quo in 2022 https://kenowizard.com/2023/07/04/888-holdings-william-hill-keeps-the-status-quo-in-2022/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/07/04/888-holdings-william-hill-keeps-the-status-quo-in-2022/#respond Tue, 04 Jul 2023 20:10:12 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/07/04/888-holdings-william-hill-keeps-the-status-quo-in-2022/ William Hill Limited, a UK-based subsidiary of Gibraltar-based 888 Holdings, has published its annual financial report for 2022, a flat year in which foreign exchange gains helped the business to profit. Betting Shops Saved the Day For the 52 weeks ended December 27, 2022, William Hill generated net revenue of £1.2353 billion ($1.5688 billion), ending [...]

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William Hill Limited, a UK-based subsidiary of Gibraltar-based 888 Holdings, has published its annual financial report for 2022, a flat year in which foreign exchange gains helped the business to profit.

Betting Shops Saved the Day

For the 52 weeks ended December 27, 2022, William Hill generated net revenue of £1.2353 billion ($1.5688 billion), ending the year marginally down, 0.5%, from £1.2414 billion ($1.5766 billion) the business registered in 2021.

The result was mainly due to William Hill’s Retail division, which saw a return of people to the betting shops as there were no lockdowns in the period and delivered net revenue of £514.2 million ($653 million), a 53% increase on the previous year’s result of £336.8 million ($427.74 million).

The increase in Retail was offset by the drop in both UK Online and International businesses: online operations in the UK accounted for net revenue of £509.1 million ($646.6 million), a drop of 19% from £628.6 million ($798.3 million) registered in 2021, while the International business generated 23% less, £212 million ($269.2 million), as compared to £276 million ($350.5 million) in 2021.

The revenue decrease from online operations in the UK was influenced by the return of people to the betting shops, as well as the implementation of enhanced customer safety checks in preparation for the upcoming white paper on the ongoing review of the Gambling Act 2005. International was impacted by additional regulatory measures and William Hill’s departure from the Netherlands.

EBITDA, Operating Loss, Profit after Tax

The group’s Adjusted EBITDA for the period was £214.8 million ($272.8 million), an impressive 32% increase from £161.7 million ($205.4 million) in 2021. Across the divisions, Retail accounted for £95.7 million ($121.5 million) (£0.1 million in 2021), UK Online added £112.2 million ($142.5 million) (£153.5 million in 2021), and International contributed £33.1 million ($42 million) (£34.1 million in 2021).

Exceptional items and adjustments increased from a loss of £99.4 million ($126.2 million) in 2021 to a loss of £148.7 million ($188.8 million) due to deal-related costs and an increase in legal provisions.

William Hill registered an operating loss of £31 million ($39.4 million), down 52.7% from £65.5 million ($83.2 million) in 2021, due to a reduction in marketing expenses.

A one-off foreign exchange gain of £198.8 million ($252.5 million) on financing items as a result of exchange differences on the group’s debt to its parent helped profit after tax increase to £168.4 million ($213.9 million) and reverse the previous year’s loss of £58.9 million ($74.8 million).

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William Hill to Use Eurovision Profits to Support Ukraine https://kenowizard.com/2023/05/13/william-hill-to-use-eurovision-profits-to-support-ukraine/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/05/13/william-hill-to-use-eurovision-profits-to-support-ukraine/#respond Sat, 13 May 2023 23:03:21 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/05/13/william-hill-to-use-eurovision-profits-to-support-ukraine/ Ukraine has been at war with its belligerent neighbor which illegitimately invaded the country in February 2022. The events ever since have been well-documented, with the United Kingdom taking the side of the victim. William Hill Committed to Helping Ukraine Now, William Hill wants to do its part and the company has vowed to donate [...]

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Ukraine has been at war with its belligerent neighbor which illegitimately invaded the country in February 2022. The events ever since have been well-documented, with the United Kingdom taking the side of the victim.

William Hill Committed to Helping Ukraine

Now, William Hill wants to do its part and the company has vowed to donate 100% of its Eurovision profits to support displaced Ukrainian families. All bets placed on the contest through William Hill are going to be contributed to the Support Ukraine initiative, which is buying toys, staple foods, humanitarian aid for the displaced families, and more.

Commenting on this decision, William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps has said that the company is committed to helping relieve the distress of millions of Ukrainians who have had their worlds upside down.

The Eurovision Contest was originally planned for Kyiv in 2023, but this is no longer going to be possible due to the ongoing war. “We must not forget the disasters Ukrainians are still battling through, and the continued support Ukrainians require both in their home country and for those who have sought refuge here in the UK,” Phelps added.

A spokesperson for the initiative said that Ukrainians were immensely grateful for the kind welcome they received from the UK and British people. The initiative’s representative expressed gratitude for William Hill’s decision.

Support Ukraine Thanks William Hill for Kindness

“We are especially thankful to William Hill for their fantastic gesture to donate all profits from betting on the event to our cause. We are deeply touched,” they said. It’s not yet clear what the expected size of the donation would be, but William Hill is going to confirm a final sum on Monday.

Support Ukraine has been growing over the past months, with the charity eliciting more donations over the past months and assisting Ukrainians seeking refuge in London. The organizaiton has been donating food, toys, and humanitarian supplies, and even seeking to dispatch necessities to those still in Ukraine who live in the border regions of the Russian offensive, or de-occupied territories, and need different supplies.

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IGT wins 3-year extension on Rhode Island sportsbetting with Will Hill US https://kenowizard.com/2023/04/13/igt-wins-3-year-extension-on-rhode-island-sportsbetting-with-will-hill-us/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/04/13/igt-wins-3-year-extension-on-rhode-island-sportsbetting-with-will-hill-us/#respond Thu, 13 Apr 2023 14:01:11 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/04/13/igt-wins-3-year-extension-on-rhode-island-sportsbetting-with-will-hill-us/ Providence, Rhode Island-based International Game Technology (IGT) has announced that it has extended its contract with the Rhode Island Lottery (RIL) to provide sports betting technology to the state for another three years. IGT was formerly based in Las Vegas Nevada, but a successful acquisition by GTECH, formed in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, and later [...]

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igt_and_will_hill_extend_rhode_island_lottery_sportsbetting_contractProvidence, Rhode Island-based International Game Technology (IGT) has announced that it has extended its contract with the Rhode Island Lottery (RIL) to provide sports betting technology to the state for another three years.

IGT was formerly based in Las Vegas Nevada, but a successful acquisition by GTECH, formed in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, and later merged with Italian lottery giant and online game supplier Lottomatica/Spielo/GTECH saw the company assume its base of operations in the parent company’s home state and relinquish the legendary brand name along with all other acquired assets.

IGT Playsports Tech with William Hill Operations are a Good Match for Rhode Island

The extended contract with RIL will see IGT continue to seamlessly power sports betting in the state through the lottery with its IGT PlaySports solution along with its commercial partner William Hill US.

Bettors inside the state’s borders can continue to use the RIL Sportsbook Rhode Island app as well as access the sportsbooks at Bally’s Tiverton Casino & Hotel and Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort.

Bally’s recently introduced a model to the state legislature there to create legislation that would allow the company to offer online casino games statewide via servers located at the two casinos. Online casino games and execution would be managed through the RIL, according to the plan.

Rhode Island Lottery director, Mark Furcolo talked about the extended contract and mentioned how happy the agency has been with the non-lapsed agreement over the last half-decade. He made particular note of William Hill’s operational experience working in concert with the world-class IGT technology.

IGT recently invested significant resources to enhance our sports betting platform and mobile app […]

to maximize revenue and offer a solution that remains competitive among neighboring states

,” said the director.

Joe Asher, IGT’s president of Sports Betting commented that Rhode Island was “one of the early adopters [of newly legalized state-level sports betting]

in the post-PASPA era.”

He noted that the state was a pioneer in adapting to it in 2018. Asher said that IGT is happy “to continue driving Rhode Island’s sports betting growth.”

Rhode Island is home to very loyal sports fans who love following their New England-based teams.” He added inter alia: “Enhancements IGT has made to the Lottery’s sports betting platform and app [will help]

provide fans with a convenient and intuitive player experience [and provide the state with]

strong returns that support the Lottery’s commitment to generating revenue for good causes

.”

IGT is the exclusive supplier of lottery solutions such as traditional lottery, instant win tickets, video lottery terminals (casino “slots”), and internet lottery games in the state. That contract was recently extended until 2043 guaranteeing IGT exclusive rights to provide those games and services for another 20 years.

IGT Cut Through the Fog of Four Administrations to Clear other Ground

On an unrelated note, IGT recently sued the Department of Justice in US District Court in Rhode Island seeking a final answer one way or another (Declaratory Judgement) on whether the Wire Act of 1961 applied to interstate lottery business or anything else other than sportsbetting. The court declared that it applies only to sportsbetting, which would seem to have opened the door to cross-border online casino games in every state, but the ruling came with a cryptic caveat.

In the Motion for Summary Judgment the court held that “as to the parties now before it, the Wire Act applies only tobets or wagers on any sporting event or contest,’ leaving an unhealed wound on the gaming industry that has been open since the last Bush administration.

For background:

The Bush DOJ said all state-to-state and offshore online gambling not specifically carved out, such as horse race betting in the US, was illegal.

The Obama administration’s Office of Legal Counsel (DoJ) issued an opinion stating that the law only affected sports betting “over the wires”.

The Sessions DOJ under former President Trump reversed that opinion and proceeded with threats of prosecution against lottery operators who sold online products within their own state but whose traffic flowed through servers in other states.

Finally, the Biden administration made its position clear by not defending or prosecuting lawsuits originating in the previous administration. However, the Garland DOJ did attempt to have the recent IGT suit dismissed stating in its filing: “ [The] threat of future prosecutions [is]

too speculative an injury to confer Article III standing.

Earlier IGT Legal Action Could Become Catalyst

Further off the beaten path, it may be of interest that the decision could have facilitated a radical change in the business direction of the world’s biggest lottery company based on total combined wagers. IGT has annual revenue of circa $4.2 billion. As an “end to end” game company it manages about $30 billion in global lottery business each year

Interestingly, the former CEO of IGT’s International Interactive division announced last year that his new firm Games Global Ltd had acquired most of the assets of Microgaming Systems – one of the biggest online gambling companies in the world and players in the game since the 1990s.

A negative outcome in the Rhode Island lawsuit could have given IGT the direction in regulatory compliance they needed to protect existing assets in US internet markets. The positive decision could have given Microgaming (Games Global) and other international and offshore operators an opening to re-enter the US market that they abandoned following the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2016. That law focused on making payment processing a crime to “illegal online casinos” which were never “illegal” in the first place.

However, the law and its “guidance” impedes and punish US financial institutions rather than addressing the legality of online gambling itself. Without cooperation from US payment processors, interstate and offshore online gambling on the operator’s end can only be accomplished in violation of other laws, specifically “money laundering”. This “catch-22” is most likely what has stopped any current offshore operators from promoting their games and casinos in the US market after the ruling by the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. Said “Guidance” can be found on the Federal Trade Commission website as well as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (FDIC) online portal (.PDF).

There is currently no known legal reason why US-based operators have not taken the leap to launch nationwide online casinos, save that single cryptic caveat: “…as to the parties now before it”.

Source: IGT Extends Sports Betting Contract with the Rhode Island Lottery, iGaming News, April 10, 2023

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Will Hill has caught the largest fine ever from the UKGC https://kenowizard.com/2023/04/06/will-hill-has-caught-the-largest-fine-ever-from-the-ukgc/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/04/06/will-hill-has-caught-the-largest-fine-ever-from-the-ukgc/#respond Thu, 06 Apr 2023 13:46:55 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/04/06/will-hill-has-caught-the-largest-fine-ever-from-the-ukgc/ The Gambling Commission in Great Britain has ordered three businesses within the William Hill Group to pay the Commission’s largest fine ever issued, a combined £19.2 million. The penalties come as a result of social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures. The William Hill-owned online casino site, Mr Green, and the operator of more than 1,300 [...]

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biggest_fines_ever_from_ukgc_for_will_hillThe Gambling Commission in Great Britain has ordered three businesses within the William Hill Group to pay the Commission’s largest fine ever issued, a combined £19.2 million. The penalties come as a result of social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures.

The William Hill-owned online casino site, Mr Green, and the operator of more than 1,300 gambling venues across the UK, William Hill Organization Limited, were hit with various fines ranging from the land-based levy of £3 million to Mr Green with a penalty of £3.7 million, and most significantly williamhill.com operator WHG (International) Limited, with a £12.5 million smackdown.

License Nearly Suspended

Gambling Commission chief executive, Andrew Rhodes said: “When we launched this investigation the failings we uncovered were so widespread and alarming serious consideration was given to license suspension.”

A quick response of full cooperation to fix the failures appears to have saved the operator from even more stringent and robust enforcement.

However, because the operator immediately recognized their failings and worked with us to swiftly implement improvements, we instead opted for the largest enforcement payment in our history,” Rhodes added.

Just last week the GC fined 32Red and Platinum Gaming – two Kindred Group operators a combined total of £7.2 million. However, the William Hill penalties surpass even the previous record fines of £17 million – the amount Commissioners fined Entain (former GVC) in August 2022.

According to the public notice, the Commission has wrapped up more than two dozen enforcement cases resulting in more than £76 million in penalties for regulatory failures since the beginning of last year.

The first three months of 2023 have seen the following actions against UK-licensed operators:

  • William Hill Group businesses to pay record £19.2m for failures
  • Gambling Commission fines 32Red and Platinum Gaming £7.1m
  • Blue Star Planet faces £620,000 regulatory action
  • £6.1m fine for online operator In Touch Games
  • Online gambling business TonyBet fined £442,750
  • Vivaro Limited faces £337,631 regulatory action

Sanctions as Monetary Fines Levied Appear to be Working

Rhodes said: “In the last 15 months we have taken unprecedented action against gambling operators, but we are now starting to see signs of improvement. There are indications that the industry is doing more to make gambling safer and reducing the possibility of criminal funds entering their businesses.

Operators are using algorithms to spot gambling harms or criminal risk more quickly, interacting with consumers sooner, and generally having more effective policies and procedures in place.

Social responsibility failures at William Hill businesses include:

  • Allowing the potential for substantial losses in a short period:
  • A new customer spent £23,000 in 20 minutes without any checks.
  • Another new account holder spent £18,000 in 24 hours with no checks.
  • At Mr Green another customer opened an account and spent £32,500 over the course of two days with no checks.
  • One customer lost £14,902 in an hour and 10 minutes at Mr Green.

Dozens of other social responsibility and anti-money laundering (AML) failures are listed in the overarching public announcement with more details available within Public Statements for each of the three Will Hill-owned entities.

WHG (International) Limited Public Statement

Mr Green Limited Public Statement

William Hill Organization Limited Public Statement

As part of a regulatory settlement, the total penalty of £19.2 million will be disbursed for socially responsible purposes.

A board member of the William Hill business will be made to oversee an improvement plan as an additional license condition. The firm will also undergo a third-party audit to make sure effective AML implementation, safer gambling policies, improved procedures, and control systems are in place and functioning as required.

Source: William Hill Group businesses to pay record £19.2m for failures, Gambling Commission, March 28, 2023

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888 Is Prepared to Pay the $24M William Hill Fine https://kenowizard.com/2023/03/28/888-is-prepared-to-pay-the-24m-william-hill-fine/ https://kenowizard.com/2023/03/28/888-is-prepared-to-pay-the-24m-william-hill-fine/#respond Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:11:52 +0000 https://kenowizard.com/2023/03/28/888-is-prepared-to-pay-the-24m-william-hill-fine/ 888, William Hill’s ownership company, released a statement regarding the fine imposed by the United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission. As the group had previously announced, it is prepared to take responsibility for its subsidiary’s past failures. Earlier today, the UKGC slammed the British operator with a £19.2 million ($23.67 million), the largest penalty it has ever [...]

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888, William Hill’s ownership company, released a statement regarding the fine imposed by the United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission. As the group had previously announced, it is prepared to take responsibility for its subsidiary’s past failures.

Earlier today, the UKGC slammed the British operator with a £19.2 million ($23.67 million), the largest penalty it has ever handed to an operator in the UK.

The fine stems from William Hill’s past failings. Between 2020 and 2021, the British gambling company breached many social responsibility and anti-money laundering regulations. The investigation found William Hill guilty of not providing customers with sufficient safeguards, allowing new players to lose thousands of pounds in a single sitting and failing to check the source of funds of its customers, among other breaches.

The regulator said that had even considered suspending William Hill’s license but decided not to because of the operator’s cooperation and willingness to improve its practices.

888 Will Make Sure William Hill Does Better

Despite its recent struggles, 888, which acquired William Hill last year, said that it is prepared to pay the regulatory settlement and has set enough money aside in its accounts.

A spokesperson from the 888 emphasized that William Hill will do better under the new management and will follow a strict plan to address its past failings:

The settlement relates to the period when William Hill was under the previous ownership and management. After William Hill was acquired, the company quickly addressed the identified issues with the implementation of a rigorous action plan.

888 statement

The spokesperson added that the entire 888 shares the UKGC’s commitment to improving compliance standards across Britain’s gaming industry. As a result, 888 vowed to continue working closely with the regulator and other stakeholders to prevent future violations.

A Brief History of 888’s Acquisition of William Hill

888 acquired William Hill from Caesars Entertainment for approximately $2.5 billion. The deal, approved by almost all of 888’s stakeholders, had to be amended because of changes to the macroeconomic and regulatory landscape before closing. Soon after the acquisition, 888 introduced major changes to William Hill’s team, appointing new executives to oversee the business.

888 was always prepared to cover the fine. Despite that, the regulatory settlement comes at a somewhat inconvenient time for the company, which has been experiencing various hurdles over the past few months. The company’s latest financial reports highlighted the continuous declines in certain metrics. At the same time, the company faces regulatory problems in Austria and Gibraltar.

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