The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) confirmed that it has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC). As a result, the two authorities will continue working together into 2024 and beyond, supporting one another when needed.

The MoU aligns the MGA and AGCC’s common values and allows them to perform their tasks more effectively. By working together, the two regulatory bodies can bolster their crime prevention efforts, improve consumer protection and shield vulnerable demographics from gambling addiction.

Both parties recognize the benefits of collaboration, echoing the UKGC’s earlier calls for international cooperation between regulatory bodies. Cross-border partnerships between regulators are one of the hot topics of the industry today and reflect the need for joint action in tackling addiction, illegal gambling and gambling-related crime.

For reference, the AGCC is the regulatory body of Alderney and was established in 2000. Alderney is one of the Bailiwick of Guernsey’s three jurisdictions and is a British Crown dependency serving as an offshore licensing jurisdiction.

While still significantly smaller than Malta and Curacao, Alderney is ambitious to grow its overall presence in gaming.

The MGA and AGCC Value Their Partnership

The original MoU between the MGA and the AGCC was signed in 2013. Commenting on its renewal, MGA’s chief executive officer, Carl Brincat, said:

The renewal of the MoU with the AGCC continues to reaffirm our shared commitment towards supervising a safe and responsible gaming ecosystem across the board.

Carl Brincat, CEO, MGA

Andrew Gellatly, the AGCC’s executive director, also commented on the matter, saying that his team is excited by the opportunity to continue working with the MGA. He believes that the MoU benefits both the regulators and the industry as a whole.

With this MOU, we look forward to continuing and strengthening our valued collaboration with the MGA, to the benefit of both players and stakeholders.

Andrew Gellatly, executive director, AGCC

Speaking of Gellatly, the executive director just confirmed that Alderney’s money laundering and terrorism financing risk profile has been raised. He justified the increase with the European Commission’s most recent concerns.

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Earlier in the week, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), announced it would launch the fourth trainer and stable staff survey as a means of identifying yard-based problems and assisting the Industry People Board. 

Now, the authority whose goal is to build “a brighter future for our sport, our horses, and our people” has announced a series of changes to the start rules in British racing. The changes were given the green light after a comprehensive review of all stalls and starting procedures over the course of an entire year. 

Late Load Requests, Now Restricted 

One of the first changes to go into effect starting January 1, 2024, regards Late Load Requests. These represent privilege requests on race day issued by trainers for their horses to be loaded out of sequence.

According to the new tweaks, Late Load Requests have been restricted to horses that have shown signs of behavioral issues inside the starting stalls in previous races in Great Britain. 

At the same time, horses having their debut will no longer be eligible for a Late Load Request unless they have undertaken an assessment prior to the race which has indicated the existence of a behavioral concern inside the starting stalls.

Additionally, the rules regarding warnings for Late Load Requests and Stalls Tests have also suffered adjustments. 

For example, once a trainer has been given three warnings for the same horse in relation to behavioral issues inside the stalls within a one-year period, the horse will be asked to complete one Stalls Test instead of the standard requirement of two. 

Any additional Late Load Request for the respective horse will not lead to any more warnings over the course of the following 12 months, as opposed to the current rules that refer to the current lifetime late load.

The goal is to lower the number of Late Load Requests while improving the safety and fairness of the Start and making sure horses that do not have any behavioral issues are not in any way disadvantaged.

Loading Process Changes

Also effective starting January 2024, the process of twitching or grabbing the ear or tail of a horse during the loading process will only be allowed for safety purposes. 

This could be anything like gently holding the ear of the horse to help relax, placating a nervous or fractious horse during the loading, or ensuring the welfare of stalls, jockeys, or horses by helping settle unruly horses in the stalls.

Provided Stewards rule these actions as going well beyond what is deemed “necessary for the purposes of safety and horse welfare,” they will have the right to issue cautions for first offenses, followed by Band A fines for subsequent offenses.

Additional changes refer to BHA starters who will no longer be allowed to carry the hunting crop during jump-starts and also the requirement that all persons assisting at the start complete the BHA Trainer Representative – Starts Training Module. 

In May, BHA announced it would strengthen its board membership with two new independent non-executive directors, Kyrsten Halley and Tara Warren.

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Online casino and sports betting giant BetMGM has unveiled a renewal of its strategic partnership with the Philadelphia 76ers (Sixers), a Philadelphia-based professional basketball team. As per the agreement, BetMGM will continue to serve as the sports team’s official sports betting partner.

In the multi-year extension of the partnership between BetMGM and the Sixers, the two parties will work on special VIP fan experiences and watch parties. In addition, BetMGM will offer in-market odds boosts and will get increased courtside signage at Wells Fargo Center, the Sixers’ home arena.

Throughout the 2023-2024 regular basketball season, the operator will curate VIP fan amenities. This will include courtside access to pre-game shootaround, as well as luxury seating for games. Fans in Pennsylvania and New Jersey will also be able provided a 50% live odds boost token they can use during the Sixers’ games.

As mentioned, the BetMGM signage across the Wells Fargo Center will be increased. The company’s logo will feature across the arena on the grandstand, videoboard and courtside LEDs. In addition, the operator’s brand will be promoted across the Sixers’ social platforms and email campaigns.

Furthermore, MGM Resorts’ Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City will continue to serve as an official away game host of the basketball team. The resort will also host VIP watch parties for invited guests, will hand out merchandise and will feature appearances by 76ers alumni.

The Two Parties Will Allow Fans to Embrace Competition

The Philadelphia 76ers chief revenue officer, Katie O’Reilly, commented on the extended agreement, saying that her team is happy to join forces with BetMGM and provide opportunities for fans “to embrace competition.”

We are thrilled to build on our continued success here in the Philadelphia market and offer our unique experiences for BetMGM customers and 76ers fans alike.

Katie O’Reilly, CRO, Philadelphia 76ers

Matt Prevost, BetMGM’s chief revenue officer, also commented on the agreement, saying that the extension of the partnership will allow his team to improve the gameday experience for fans, both in the arena and at home.

We look forward to continuing our rewarding relationship with the 76ers this season and beyond.

Matt Prevost, CRO, BetMGM

Last but not least, Travis Lunn, the president and chief operation officer of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, said that his team is excited to continue serving as an official away game host of the basketball team. He noted that the resort will once again welcome fans of the Sixers to its BetMGM Sports Lounge.

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Global sports & culture company IMG has extended its exclusive international media, data and streaming rights partnership agreement with the Australian Professional Leagues (APL). Under the extended partnership, IMG will distribute APL media rights for several more years.

The partnership extension will allow the sports specialist to manage APL’s media rights in international markets, excluding Australia and New Zealand. At the same time, IMG’s IMG ARENA brand will record and provide official data from all APL matches over, supplying it to its extensive network of partnering sports betting operators.

The renewed contract covers both ALP’s men’s and women’s teams, allowing the APL to grow its presence. The league explained that the partnership with IMG will help it “drive audience and commercial growth” for some of the most highly-anticipated events of the seasons.

More Soccer, More Goals and More Stories for Fans

A-Leagues commissioner Nick Garcia commented on the extension of APL’s partnership with IMG, highlighting its potential to promote Australian and New Zealander soccer.  Garcia said that his team is looking forward to continuing the partnership with IMG, tapping into the global sports company’s extensive expertise in sports and benefitting from its expansive global network.

Garcia added that the A-Leagues are home to a variety of international soccer talents. He noted:

With three new women’s teams in the A-League Women, and two men’s teams to come to the A-League Men, we have more football, more goals, and more stories for fans to connect with.

Nick Garcia, commissioner, A-Leagues

In the meantime, Dale Levin, senior vice president and head of Australasia and Southeast Asia for IMG’s media business, also commented on the matter. He said that his team is very proud of its lasting relationship with the Australian Professional Leagues. According to Levin, the partnership has allowed the leagues to grow significantly over the past six years.

Earlier this year, IMG ARENA expanded its partnership with Major League Soccer, agreeing to supply tracking data for MLS Next Pro, a major soccer league in the United States and Canada.

In April, IMG ARENA also wrapped up its acquisition of the high-end virtual games provider Leap Gaming. The deal was officially announced in December 2022 and allows IMG ARENA to enhance its offering. IMG ARENA president Freddie Longe remarked that the acquisition will allow his company to “shape the future of sports betting entertainment.”

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EPIC Risk Management has renewed its partnership with the mental well-being specialist WHYSUP for another year. Now heading into its fifth year, the alliance between the two companies will continue to deliver impactful education programs on gambling-related harm and mental health.

The renewal follows positive feedback that highlighted the efficiency of the two parties’ programs during the 2022/23 academic year. Reviews say that EPIC and WHYSUP were able to generate a significant level of awareness among secondary students in the United Kingdom.

The two companies have delivered a total of 221 sessions across 158 state and private schools, reaching 28,734 students. Post-program surveys show that 88% of pupils have developed an understanding of the harm that gambling can cause. A stellar 93% of students said that they would either gamble less or refrain from gambling.

In addition to being efficient, EPIC and WHYSUP’s initiative was lauded as high-quality and age-appropriate by an overwhelming majority of school staff members. Teacher feedback also praised the program for outlining the connections between gaming and gambling. Tutors believe that this will help students realize how their hobbies might draw them toward gambling.

EPIC and WHYSUP Will Continue to Educate Students about Gambling Harm

Simon Wootton, EPIC Risk Management’s recently-appointed programme coordinator, was satisfied with the feedback, saying that it highlights the efficiency of EPIC and WHYSUP’s initiatives.  Wootton said that his team is trying to improve the program each year, which is why his team continues to see year-on-year improvements in the generation of awareness.

One teacher wrote to tell us it was “genuinely one of the most positive reactions we have ever had to an external visitor” while another said that their pupils were still discussing what they had taken from the talk two hours after it finished.

Simon Wootton, programme coordinator, EPIC Risk Management

Wootton added that his team is glad to continue its partnership with WHYSUP and leverage a lived experience model to teach secondary school students about the dangers of gambling.

WHYSUP’s founder, Mark Murray, echoed Wootton’s sentiments, saying that his team is just as happy about the opportunity to work with EPIC Risk Management for another 12 months.

When we first met Paul Buck [EPIC Risk Management’s CEO] in 2019, one of the things he shared was his passion to educate young people. Through four years of partnership, we believe we have made a real difference working in this space.

Mark Murray, founder, WHYSUP

Murray concluded that EPIC and WHYSUP’s goal hasn’t changed and promised that the two companies will continue to deliver outstanding gambling education programs to young people.

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Mount Airy Casino Resort, located in the Pocono Mountains, is the latest recipient of a renewed license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). The regulatory body announced that its members unanimously voted to let Mount Airy #1, the operator licensee, continue business for the next five years.

The process of granting the operator started as far back as late summer of 2022. As part of the process, the body conducted a public hearing in the operator’s host municipality, Paradise Township, to know the people’s opinion of the casino resort.

READ: Top US casino sites in 2023

Citizens, including public officials and community groups, had the opportunity to send in a written testimony or verbally express their minds during the hearing. In addition, PGCB evaluated Mount Airy’s performance by speaking to bodies working in the gambling industry such as the Office of Enforcement Counsel, Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement, Office of Compulsive and Problem Gaming, and Bureau of Casino Compliance.

The Paradise Township hearing was not the only hearing where Mount Airy was discussed. In Harrisburg, board members held a meeting to discuss any other lingering issues that may not have been thrashed out during the public hearing. However, when none was found, the board voted to renew the operator’s license.

Mount Airy is Pennsylvania’s first AAA Four Diamond casino and adults-only resort. The venue boasts a 284-room hotel, a large gaming floor with 1,632 slot machines and 84 table games, and a FoxBet sportsbook that offers online sports betting.

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