Australia’s youngest billionaire and co-founder of crypto gambling platform Stake.com, Ed Craven, will pay sign-on bonuses of up to $100,000 to get the best tech brains in the country working for him at EasyGo Solutions. Co-founded by Craven and Bijan Tehrani and based in Melbourne, the fintech is raiding major Australian tech firms such as Atlassian and Canva as part of a rapid expansion into cryptocurrency and online gaming.

EasyGo Solutions Offers Higher Salaries and Relocation Packages

EasyGo Solutions is also offering salaries 20% higher than industry standards for senior software engineers, principal software engineers and engineering managers, covering interstate relocation costs and providing “top-end” benefits, reported The Australian. 

EasyGo chief technology officer Dave Lemphers said experienced engineers were needed to tackle problems related to “hyper-scale growth”. He added that companies such as Atlassian, Canva, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google had experience scaling complex systems — making their employees among the most prized in Australia.

The Australian tech sector is grappling with a skills shortage expected to leave it needing 300,000 extra workers by the end of the decade. However, just 6,000 domestic students graduate each year with science, technology engineering, or math degrees. This has forced companies such as EasyGo to poach from other local firms.

EasyGo Solutions Doubles Down on Growth, Moves into Bigger Melbourne Office

EasyGo Solutions has taken on additional office space on Collins Street in Melbourne as it has grown from two staff members to more than 350 since being founded five years ago.

EasyGo Solution’s subsidiary Stake.com is among the world’s largest crypto casinos and takes about AUD400 million ($266.8 million) worth of bets per day after processing more than 200 billion wagers since its inception seven years ago. 

While Australians are banned from gambling online with cryptocurrency, EasyGo Solutions has diversified its investments by taking nearly 5% of ASX-listed online bookmaker PointsBet and applying for a bookmaking license in the Northern Territory.

EasyGo Solutions also plans to open a hub in Bogotá, Colombia — after buying Betfair’s Colombian operations — and hire more than 50 staff across Latin America by the end of the year. Additionally, it will also move into Peru, Mexico and Paraguay. 

Craven and Tehrani’s strategy features high-profile deals such as acquiring naming rights for Sauber Formula 1 team and sponsoring English Premier League team Everton, aimed at catapulting Stake.com into the mainstream.

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Altenar, a leading sportsbook and iGaming software provider, has strengthened its free-to-play engagement tools across its platform by partnering with Splash Tech. This strategic collaboration will see Splash Tech’s entire free-to-play sports product suite integrated into Altenar’s platform, enhancing the gaming experience for operators and players alike.

Integration of Splash Tech’s Innovative Games

Splash Tech’s suite includes popular titles such as Daily Jackpot Predictor, Pick6, and the newest addition, PlayBuilder, a free-to-play bet builder game. These daily games are designed to boost player engagement and drive regular traffic to operators’ sites, with customizable prize options available.

Dinos Doxiadis, Sportsbook Product Development Manager at Altenar, emphasized the importance of this partnership: “We know how important free-to-play games are for user retention and user engagement. Our partnership with Splash Tech solidifies our commitment to offer the best tools available for our operators to compete in a global market.”

Expanding Global Reach

One of the key advantages of Splash Tech’s games is their availability in 16 different languages, making them a perfect match for Altenar’s diverse and global client base. This multilingual support ensures that operators can effectively engage with players from various regions, enhancing the overall user experience.

Adam Wilson, CEO at Splash Tech, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “Over the last few years, I have watched and admired Altenar grow into an industry powerhouse. I am so excited by this incredible opportunity to drive engagement across the Altenar network via Splash Tech’s world-class product suite.”

Strengthening Player Engagement

The integration of Splash Tech’s free-to-play games is a significant step for Altenar in its mission to provide cutting-edge tools for its operators. Altenar aims to enhance player retention and engagement by offering engaging and innovative gaming options, ensuring that operators can stay competitive in the dynamic global market.

With this partnership, Altenar continues to demonstrate its commitment to delivering top-tier gaming experiences and innovative solutions to its clients. The collaboration with Splash Tech not only enriches Altenar’s platform but also sets a new standard for player engagement and entertainment in the iGaming industry.

Source: “Altenar partners with free-to-play games provider Splash Tech”. Altenar. June 13, 2024.

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Two years ago, the Nordic gaming group, Paf, announced the launch of an innovative tech education program called grit:lab. After it was presented, the program started accepting admissions and a year later, it started educating students. By now, 60 students from 20 countries around the world are in their final year of the intensive tech education program.

Building on the success of the first year, Paf confirmed Monday that the program will continue. The company revealed that applications for the grit:lab program will be open through December 2023 with online tests up until February 2024. According to Paf, the new group of students will start its grit:lab studies next autumn.

Paf’s education program within grit:lab represents a unique product that enables students to learn from each other without the need for teachers. The program is fast-paced and not everyone might find it suitable. However, for those participating, grit:lab helped accumulate important skills, including as time management, leadership and leveraging innovation.

A schedule released by Paf reveals that grit:lab includes four different phases. Throughout the education program, students will learn programming languages, including Go! and JavaScript. Each of the phases lasts for six months and culminates with Phase 4 which presents specialization options in different areas, including Cybersecurity, DevOps, Mobile Development, Blockchain and Crypto and other important tech verticals.

Crucially, grit:lab meets students with different backgrounds and enables them to collaborate together, promoting personal growth and an open mindset. The tech education program is completed in collaboration with Ålands Yrkesgymnasium on behalf of the Government of Åland, an autonomous region of Finland.

The Program Is Expected to Make Åland a Nordic Tech Hub

Anna-Lena Svenblad, the development director for Paf and director of grit:lab, revealed that the company saw approval from visiting groups and students for its tech education program. “It is a form of education that will meet the future needs of the job market,” she added.

“The fantastic response we have received both from the students and from many visiting groups is proof that there is a need for this type of education.“

Anna-Lena Svenblad, development director for Paf and director of grit:lab

Additionally, Svenblad explained that the program teaches students how to adopt and learn new technologies. According to her, grit:lab teaches important skills related to communication, troubleshooting, time management and self-leadership. Ultimately, those skills in combination with extensive training help the students to grow.

“grit:lab is a complement to traditional education and it will contribute to making Åland a tech hub in the Nordics.“

Daniela Johansson, deputy CEO and chief responsibility officer at Paf

Daniela Johansson, Paf’s deputy CEO and chief responsibility officer, praised the tech education program, predicting it will help develop Åland as a major technology hub for the Nordics. Finally, she spoke about the positive impact Paf’s program brings.

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Kindred Group, a leading gambling company, announced that it has expanded the North American footprint of its proprietary tech platform. The solution is now available in Pennsylvania, enhancing the experience for local clients.

Starting July 10, customers in the Keystone State were able to access the Unibet Casino and Sportsbook apps on the Kindred Platform. As a result of the launch of Kindred’s proprietary platform in the state, customers have access to an enhanced experience, personalized content and products and better analytics.

Pennsylvania is a key multi-product market for the company whose Unibet brand has been live in for more than three years now. The launch of Kindred’s proprietary platform in the state follows the successful launch in New Jersey earlier this year.

Kindred Group is an experienced operator that serves over 30 million customers across 9 brands. The company’s products are available in the United States, Europe and Australia, providing it with an extensive reach. Kindred fields a team of around 2,500 people and holds a variety of safer gambling certifications and accolades.

PA Customers Will Get to Experience a Better Platform

Kindred Group’s interim chief executive officer, Nils Andén, commented on the launch in Pennsylvania, saying that his team is glad that local customers will be able to experience the proprietary Kindred platform.

Andén noted that New Jersey customers were very content with the migration. He teased that his company is eyeing rollouts in extra states.

We are delighted to be able migrate our customers in Pennsylvania onto the Kindred platform. Since launching in New Jersey, our customers have reported enhanced design, navigation and stability. We look forward to rolling out the Kindred platform to further States.

Nils Andén, interim CEO, Kindred Group

In other news, Kindred Group’s Unibet brand just scored a major sponsorship agreement with Leeds United, becoming the soccer club’s official training wear partner. As a result, the brand’s logo will feature on the player’s training kits, increasing its visibility to sports fans. The deal came amid a period of intense scrutiny for sponsorship deals in British soccer.

In late June, the flagship Unibet brand secured Service Organization Controls 2 Type 2 compliance status for the market in Ontario, Canada. The certification followed an extensive probe led by a professional auditor that scrutinized Unibet’s business. The auditor concluded that Kindred meets the Trust Service Criteria of security and processing integrity requirements.

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Novusbet, a Cyprus-based B2B sportsbook and PAM provider has unveiled a new partnership with the award-winning no-code automation platform Flows. Under the new deal, Flows will provide Novusbet with its famed no-code platform, allowing the latter company to build innovative features and applications without code.

Novusbet is owned by the Softquo Group, which encompasses Goldenrace, xpress.tech and Spinmatic in addition to the provider. The B2B company is committed to driving innovation and improving the user experience through best-in-class tech.

By integrating Flows’ no-code automation platform into its business, Novusbet will be able to easily develop new features and automate personalized marketing campaigns, promotions and betting options. Flows’ capabilities will ensure a seamless process, removing all technical complexity from the equation. In addition, the no-code platform will provide Novusbet with unparalleled flexibility when it comes to trends.

Flows leverages a single interface and automation tool to accelerate iGaming businesses by simplifying integrations and optimizing workflows. The no-code technology helps its partners streamline processes while saving time and money.

Flows serves as a seamless bridge between systems and technologies, making data flow smoother, automating workflows and enhancing efficiencies. In addition, the company’s unprecedented voice-activated development, Flo, allows Flows’ partners to leverage the power of voice, automation and AI language to create tailored digital products.

Novusbet Expressed Its Trust in Flows

Flows’ director of sales, Domenico Mazzola, said that his team is excited to join forces with Novusbet, which he lauded as a leading sportsbook and platform provider. He added that the partnership attests to the supplier’s trust in Flows’ no-code automation platform.

Mazzola noted that the deal is a great opportunity to “empower Novusbet with the ability to build features and applications effortlessly.”

By leveraging Flows’ innovative automation technology, Novusbet can drive innovation and enhance operational efficiency, resulting in significant time and cost savings. We are excited about the prospects of this partnership and look forward to seeing how Novusbet utilizes our technology to engage its customers and drive a competitive edge within the industry.

Domenico Mazzola, director of sales, Flows

Novusbet’s head of operations, Simone Suppa, also shared his thoughts, saying that he is very enthusiastic about the partnership with Flows. He confirmed that his team trusts Flows to empower Novusbet with the ability to effortlessly construct remarkable features and applications without the constraints of code.

The automation technology, Suppa noted, will “unlock a world of innovation and operational efficiency” for his team.

Suppa concluded: “This partnership holds immense potential, and we eagerly anticipate witnessing how we will use it combined with Novusbet and Xpress.tech platform to captivate our customers and gain a competitive edge in our industry.”

A few days ago, Altenar also secured access to Flows’ cutting-edge platform.

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In mid-April, the operations of the major Canadian gaming and entertainment company, Gateway Casinos, were impacted by a cyberattack. The company announced an emergency shutdown on April 16 which at the time was described as a “system-wide malfunction.” In light of the security breach, Gateway decided to temporarily shut down the operations at all of its 14 different properties.

Reportedly, there were more than a few properties affected by the cyber-attack that include venues at Woodstock, Thunder Bay, Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie cities. Additionally, the ransomware attacks are believed to have affected the operations of casinos in Sarnia, North Bay, London, Innisfil and Clinton. Although five other venues were not impacted by the cyberattack, Gateway temporarily halted the operations at those casinos as well.

Carmi Levy, an experienced technology analyst explained that Gateway may face challenges when recovering from the cyberattack. The analyst, who was interviewed by CTVNews recently, explained that the operator will have to first “own” the cyberattack and then begin the hard work related to recovering from its devastating impact. Additionally, Levy said that Gateway would need to reestablish the trust of its stakeholders, as well as customers.

“Gateway Casinos is going to have to own this, and they are going to have to work hard to reestablish the trust of customers and other stakeholders who have done business with them in the past who may be hesitant to do so going forward, for good reason.“

Carmi Levy, Technology Analyst

The Company Started Reopening Venues

According to the technology analyst, to prevent and recognize cyberattacks, companies need to train their employees better. Levy said that usually, such attacks start with a “phishing type of message” showing in one’s inbox. He explained: “Clearly, someone clicked on the wrong thing in this event. Clearly, someone is going to click on the wrong thing in future events.”

Speaking about cyberattacks, Levy said that it may take years for companies to recover from such threats. He said that cyberattacks are “as bad as it gets” and pointed out that the recovery from such threats isn’t as simple as coming back online by flipping a switch.

Last week, Gateway confirmed it continues to work on its IT systems to reopen its properties. “We continue to restore our IT systems and are working to safely reopen our Ontario operations,” the company explained in a statement. On Saturday, Gateway confirmed the reopening of its Innisfil property. At the time, the company unveiled that it plans to implement a phased reopening plan for its businesses. Gateway confirmed that additional properties are expected to reopen soon.

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Sports tech leader Sportradar has unveiled a new partnership agreement with the Delhi Capitals, an Indian Premier League franchise. The collaboration will see the cricket team designate Sportradar as the official technology partner of the Delhi Capitals Academy.

The three-year deal will see Sportradar support and bolster the Delhi Capitals’ academy program, nurturing the development of young talents in professional cricket.

The sports technology company will also leverage FrogBox, a live-streaming tech solution, to help the Delhi Capitals grow. Currently, over 500 cricket clubs across England, Australia and Europe also use the FrogBox solution.

As agreed, Sportradar will furthermore deploy a market-leading electronic scoring app and a mobile-responsive match center to host live streams and share highlights of fixtures in addition to broadcasting live scores, scorecards and results.

Lastly, Sportradar will provide the Delhi Capitals Academy with its fan engagement and coaching application, Lilypad. Lilypad will allow the cricket team to curate highlights from streamed matches. This will make it easy for the team to compile games into playlists. These playlists can then be shared with students for coaching purposes or on social media to engage fans of the cricket franchise.

Sportradar Is Happy to Help the Capitals Nurture New Talent

Dhiraj Malhotra, Delhi Capitals’ chief executive officer, commented on the agreement, saying that the agreement with Sportradar is a key milestone for the cricket franchise. In addition, Malhotra noted that the Capitals are the first academy in India to join forces with the sports technology specialist and leverage its innovative video tech to develop new talents.

This partnership adds value in several ways including enriching local talent and boosting engagement with our fans. We look forward to working with Sportradar to help grow the game.

Dhiraj Malhotra, CEO, Delhi Capitals

Jarod Pickering, Sportradar’s head of cricket, also commented on the agreement, praising the Delhi Capitals for identifying and nurturing the next generation of talent through their academy program. He added that his team will work hard to help the Capitals realize their vision for the academy:

We will be working closely with Delhi Capitals to help realize their vision for the academy and will also reach out to more academies in India to showcase how our technological solutions can be used to further develop the sport that the entire nation is incredibly passionate about.

Jarod Pickering, head of cricket, Sportradar

In other news, Sportradar recently extended its partnership with Big 10 Network through the 2024-2025 college athletics season.

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With a ruling party super-majority in the Parliament of Hungary, simply pulling the levers of powers should be enough to move any desired legislation through the political process in a normal and legal manner. However, for well over 2,500 days now the government has used that absolute majority to do some things without transparent debate or utilizing other hallmarks of liberal democracy – instead relying on simple decrees to accomplish the State’s business.

That’s not to say that the emergency powers completely constipate the government, as can be seen in the online gambling industry through the lens of the country’s Gambling Act – something Hungary has been “trying to get right” since the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued rulings in 2016 and in 2017 which should encourage the government to come into compliance not to infringe the freedom to provide services (Article 56 TFEU) or grant non-competitive concessions.

The Supervisory Authority for Regulatory Affairs (SZTFH) has recently issued a decree implementing minor changes to allow amendments to the country’s Gambling Act to function more fairly or efficiently.

Technical Clarifications, Fees

Operators who wish to offer online sportsbetting there must meet certain financial requirements and prove up at least five years of experience offering licensed online gambling services in a European Economic Area state. Any operator who has offered unlicensed gaming within five years of the dated application will be rejected from consideration for a license.

In an attempt to protect bettors from harm, operators will be able to offer early cashouts on sports betting wins but the operator must warn the player about the immediate gratification of such an action as it could contribute to gambling addiction.

The decree reads: “The gambling operator is obliged to expressly draw the player’s attention to the fact that the use of this function entails an increased risk of excessive gambling and addiction and this information shall appear in the text of promotion in the same font size as the text.”

It continues: “The gambling operator shall also make available to the player on the gambling website the information that the use of that function entails an increased risk of excessive gambling and addiction.”

In order to facilitate early cashouts bettors will now be allowed to have segmented account balances rather than one master balance.

Early cashouts are subject to any regular terms and conditions of other withdrawals.

Recent History of Changes

Early last year, legislation was introduced to help Hungary come into compliance with anti-monopoly measures that should promote a more free and open market as many nearby EU states have done. At the dawn of 2023, several conditions or technical changes were made that could apply to casino operators as well as sports betting providers.

However, none of the changes loosen the hold on remote casino licenses that are still tethered directly to the three main land-based operators. While the CJEU ruled in Unibet’s favor in 2016, ostensibly opening the door to other European online casino operators, the land-based casinos can be declared a priority of national economic interest. This allowed budget items in the 2021 work sessions to grant 35-year extensions to the casino licensees without a public tender process.

The workaround used, according to local democracy watchdogs was to re-allocate the concessions as at least half of the original concession period had come to pass. This was purported to assure the state continuity in revenues for the long term.

A government-connected stakeholder in Las Vegas Casino group is operated by Diamond Játékaszinó Üzemeltető Kft. (LVC Diamond), the most important urban casino operator was originally granted a concession in 2015 that was set to expire in 2024 but now extends to 2056.

Our research does not find any mechanism in legislative accomplishments or decrees that would untether online casino licenses in Hungary from land-based operator licenses so it would appear as if at least one operator is locked in.

The LVC Diamond properties include The Atlantis, Atrium Eurocenter, Corvin Promenade, Sofitel, and Tropicana casinos.

Tax Authority Retaliated Against Operator for Lawsuit

One thing the Unibet lawsuit did accomplish was to tease out a CJEU ruling that recognizes Hungary’s online gambling rules did not allow the taxing authority to take retaliatory actions against other EU-licensed operators as it did in response to Unibet filing suit. Those actions included ordering ISPs to block access to the site and the levying of fines against the operator and its parent company, Kindred Group.

In short, while the process for licensing land-based casinos and thus their tethered counterparts online may not be in line with EU standards, there isn’t much, if anything standing in the way of a Malta Gaming Authority-licensed casino offering services there.

So far, SZTFH has not authorized any foreign operators to offer sports betting with all regulated consumer traffic still flowing through Tippmixpro.hu – operated by the former and still a de facto monopoly of Szerencsejáték Zrt.

Source: Hungary regulator implements new Gambling Act amendments, iGaming Business, March 29, 2023

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