After a series of violations committed by the Live! Casino and Hotel Philadelphia in connection with sports wagering, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) imposed a fine of $100,000 on the casino operator Stadium Casino RE, LLC. The penalties came after the board accepted a consent agreement presented by its Office of Enforcement Counsel (OEC) during a public meeting.

Live! Casino Staff Fired and Fined for $287K in Illegal Proxy Bets

The offenses centered on several employees from Live! Casino Sportsbook accepting and placing 15 proxy bets amounting to $287,421 over an eight-day period for a customer who was not physically present at the casino. Prohibited by both casino policy and Pennsylvania state regulations, these proxy wagers were made through phone calls. The Gaming Act of the state also makes it illegal to accept bets from any person other than the one making them.

Three sportsbook staff members engaged in accepting and placing such bets have been fired while their licenses to work for casinos were canceled following this breach. The gambler has been prohibited from gambling again anywhere in Pennsylvania after being put under the involuntary exclusion list which is maintained by PGCB.

PGCB Denies Exclusion List Removals, Emphasizes Child Safety in Casino Environments

Apart from addressing issues related to proxy betting, other regulatory concerns were dealt with by the PGCB during the same meeting. Requests for removal from the Involuntary Exclusion List were denied by the board against two persons who had left children unattended while they gambled. This move was aimed at reinforcing protection measures set up by PGCB towards minors’ welfare as well as responsible gambling initiatives.

The PGCB noted: “Actions such as these to deny statewide gambling privileges serve as a reminder that adults are prohibited from leaving minors unattended in the parking lot or garage, a hotel, or other venues at a casino since it creates a potentially unsafe and dangerous environment for the children. To complement the efforts by casinos to mitigate this issue, the Board created an awareness campaign, “Don’t Gamble with Kids”.”

Following the regulatory action, Live! Casino and Hotel Philadelphia expressed its commitment towards compliance as well transparency stressing the need for training staff on how to identify and prevent proxy wagering while FanDuel which is a partner to Live! Casino has intensified the frequency of training exercises among workers so that they can ensure strict adherence to the laws.In other news, the PGCB fined Wind Creek Bethlehem $125,000 for allowing underage individuals to gamble on the casino floor.

The post Live! Casino Philadelphia Fined $100,000 by PGCB for Proxy Betting Violations appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Late last week, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) raised red flags against 11 online gambling platforms.

According to the federal watchdog, Greenspin, Slotman, Jeetcity, Betibet, Candyland Casino, Thunderpick, Golden Lion, Digits 7, Sector 777, New Vegas and PayID Pokies have been operating in violation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

In response to the breaches, ACMA has formally requested Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to all the mentioned casino sites.

The authority has the power to make such requests when an operator provides prohibited interactive gambling services to Australian online casino customers.

Blocking orders can also be issued for websites engaged in online gambling without a valid licence.

Since ACMA initiated its first blocking request in November 2019, a total of 893 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked.

Additionally, 220 illicit services have exited the Australian market since the authority began enforcing new rules against illegal offshore gambling in 2017.

“Website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options to protect Australians against illegal online gambling,” stated ACMA.

The authority also issued a reminder to consumers that even seemingly legitimate services are unlikely to have essential customer protections, putting Australians at risk of losing their money when using illegal gambling platforms.

The post ACMA Cites 11 Online Gambling Platforms Over IGA Violations appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Netherlands’ gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has slammed another operator with a hefty fine. The recipient of the fine is Betent, which operates in the country under the Betcity brand.

According to the announcement, Betent will have to pay EUR 3 million (roughly $3.27 million) for its violations of the Dutch regulations on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF).

Betent Failed to Comply

Known as WWFT, the Netherlands’ AML and CTF law requires gambling licensees to monitor their customer’s activity and report suspicious transactions to the Dutch Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). To that end, operators must employ robust know-your-customer (KYC) measures, check their clients’ risk profiles and make sure that their operations do not facilitate money laundering or the financing of terrorism.

As it turns out, Betent’s AML and CTF measures were lacking. While the KSA warned the operator to properly conduct these investigations back in September 2022, Betent failed to properly fulfill its obligations.

The KSA later investigated Betent’s business again, only to find out that the violations persisted. In many cases, the regulator reported, Betent either did not conduct investigations or started them too late. In addition, the company was lax in requesting sources of income from its customers. The KSA also pointed out that, in many cases, Betent did not report unusual transactions to the FIU.

Because of the seriousness of these violations, the KSA opted to hand Betent a significant fine of EUR 3 million.

Jansen: Licensees Were Warned

René Jansen, the chairman of the Kansspelautoriteit, commented on the matter, pointing out that in May 2022, the authority issued a broad warning to licensed gambling companies. Back then, the regulator asked all licensees to get their WWFT affairs in order and warned that incompliant companies risk fines.

We then indicated that if research shows that providers are underperforming in the field of the WWFT, sanctions will be imposed. We are now following up on this. We are now really out of the start-up phase of the market, and that also means that there are no more excuses for some things.

René Jansen, chairman, KSA

Speaking of Jansen, the KSA chair is set to depart from the authority next year. The regulator is already on the lookout for a suitable replacement.

In the meantime, the KSA just unveiled subsidies for six gambling harm prevention research programs.

The post KSA Issues $3.3M Fine to Betent for AML and CTF Violations appeared first on Keno Wizard.

In September, the gambling regulator in Victoria, Australia, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), issued 35 charges against the operator of the Tower Hotel in Hawthorn East, Rumotel Pty Ltd, over alleged failures to implement YourPlay, a mandatory pre-commitment technology, on their electronic gaming machines and kiosks. At the time, the regulator alleged that the operator also failed to ensure compulsory training for its employees.

Now, the VGCCC hit Rumotel with additional charges, alleging breaches related to responsible gambling. On Thursday, the gambling regulator revealed that the operator is facing an additional three new charges, claiming it breached the Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct. This happened after allegedly Rumotel failed to ensure a Responsible Gambling Officer was present at all times on the gaming floor.

According to the Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct, part of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, currently in effect in the state, operators that fail to ensure the presence of a Responsible Gambling Officer breach their license conditions. Moreover, the VGCCC alleged that the operator failed to maintain a Responsible Gambling Register.

Gambling operators in Victoria are required to have a Responsible Gambling Officer present at all times during operating hours. Such officers intervene whenever patrons show signs of excessive gambling or distress. Whenever such incidents happen, they must be recorded in a dedicated Register, something Rumotel failed to implement, as announced by the VGCCC.

The Regulator Continues to Monitor Compliance of the Gambling Operators

Annette Kimmitt, VGCCC’s CEO, revealed that there are strict rules in effect for gambling operators. Those rules, similar to the ones in other sectors, seek to protect the well-being of casino visitors and protect players from harm. “The VGCCC will continue to pursue venues that deliberately fail to apply their responsible gambling code of conducts in full,” explained Kimmitt in conclusion.

“Just as you wouldn’t operate a public swimming pool without a lifeguard, venues are required to continuously monitor their gaming floors and intervene whenever the welfare of players is at risk.“

Annette Kimmitt, CEO at VGCCC

In light of the additional three charges, the VGCCC said that a fine of AU$1,386,900 ($880,600) may be implemented. Considering the previously described 35 additional alleged breaches, the total for the 38 charges may result in a fine of AU$2,145,072 ($1.36 million).

Last month, the VGCCC hit eight gambling operators, alleging underage gambling. One of the gambling companies impacted at the time was Tabcorp. At the time of the announcement, Kimmitt said that it is an obligation of the gambling operators to stop underage individuals from accessing their venues.

The post VGCCC Issues Charges to Tower Hotel for Alleged RG Violations appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Dutch gaming regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has issued stern warnings to several gambling operators for flouting the country’s recent restrictions on untargeted gambling advertisements in August. 

KSA Issues Warnings Instead of Fines for Gambling Ad Violations

The crackdown came in response to multiple reports received by the KSA, revealing that various online gambling providers were still displaying advertisements on public billboards and bus shelters in violation of the new regulations.

Rather than immediately imposing fines, the KSA had initially informed these operators about the updated advertising guidelines, urging them not to push the boundaries of the law. It was made clear that any blatant infringements would result in enforcement actions. Once alerted to the violations, the KSA promptly contacted the concerned gambling providers. Following their prompt and cooperative responses, the regulator decided to issue warnings instead of pursuing penalties.

The affected advertisements ceased to appear following the KSA’s interventions, thus resolving the issue without the need for fines.

As the Dutch authorities continue to enforce these advertising restrictions, the KSA remains vigilant, aiming to create a gambling environment that safeguards vulnerable individuals and upholds the new rules governing untargeted gambling advertisements in the Netherlands.

KSA Introduced Rigorous Rules for Dutch Gambling Ads

The Dutch ban on untargeted gambling advertisements stipulates that such promotions are not permitted in public spaces or areas accessible to the public. This restriction extends to billboards, bus shelters, cinemas, arcades, and casinos. Furthermore, advertising on television and radio is strictly prohibited under the new regulations.

Nevertheless, the rules do allow gambling operators to advertise under rigorous conditions via various platforms, including the Internet, direct mail, and social media. However, these advertisements must adhere to strict age-related targeting requirements, with the goal of reaching an audience where at least 95% of viewers are over the age of 24. Sponsorships are also affected, with transitional periods for existing contracts.

Prior to the ban’s implementation, the KSA had adopted a somewhat hands-off approach, preferring to provide limited guidance and encouraging operators to take the lead in complying with the new rules. In anticipation of the ban, the Dutch gambling industry had also created a new set of self-regulation guidelines, known as the advertising code for online games of chance, to align their practices with the impending regulations.

Rene Jansen, Chairman of the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA), discussed upcoming changes in gambling regulation at a gaming conference in June. He emphasized the importance of data vault systems (CDBs) for Anti-Money Laundering compliance and highlighted that the new advertising regulations allow land-based operators to continue advertising their land-based offerings but, if they are also operational online, their ads must be notably different from online ads.

The post Dutch Regulator Issues Warnings for Gambling Ad Violations appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Gambling operator Tipwin has been hit with a substantial fine in Denmark after a year-long investigation into alleged breaches of anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. The Danish Gambling Authority, known as Spillemyndigheden, imposed a DKK100,000 ($14,476) fine.

Danish Regulator Escalates Case Against Tipwin

The troubles for Tipwin began in June 2022 when Spillemyndigheden, the Danish Gambling Authority, reported the company to the police, alleging severe violations of the Danish Money Laundering Act. The investigation revealed that Tipwin had negligently breached two subsections of the Act. These regulations pertain to risk assessments, policies, and internal controls concerning AML.

Spillemyndigheden’s concerns centered around Tipwin’s risk assessments, policies, business processes, and controls for both land-based and online gambling offerings. Spillemyndigheden reported Tipwin to the police for failing to address money laundering risks and violating the Anti-Money Laundering Act after Tipwin neglected to conduct a required risk assessment, provide printed policies for its retail offerings, and establish necessary business procedures and controls related to money laundering by set deadlines. 

Spillemyndigheden considered these obligations fundamental and gave Tipwin three months to rectify these issues, which included staff training on money laundering policies. However, it’s worth noting that the requirement for training improvement was annulled on September 9, 2022, following certain corrective measures taken by Tipwin.

Denmark’s Spillemyndigheden Steps Up Fight Against Money Laundering in Gambling

In recent years, Spillemyndigheden has intensified its focus on combating money laundering in the gambling sector. Tipwin is not the only operator to face AML-related actions, as other companies like Casumo, Casino Copenhagen, bet365 and Betfair have also faced injunctions in the past year.

The crackdown on AML activities began in July 2022, aligning with the Ministry of Justice’s new strategy to address these concerns effectively.

Denmark’s gambling regulator Spillemyndigheden has been diligently working to enhance player protection and industry sustainability. The regulator has tightened controls on deposit limits and bonuses, targeted illegal gambling websites, and even sought collaboration with tech giants like Google and Facebook to combat illegal gambling. 

Just last week, Spillemyndigheden blocked 49 illegal gambling websites, bringing the total number of blocked sites in Denmark since 2012 to 276. The regulator will now increase the frequency of blocking illegal gambling websites, implementing these measures twice a year instead of once. 

While Spillemyndigheden’s efforts set a positive example for other regulators worldwide, the complex regulatory environment in Denmark presents challenges for operators, requiring thorough documentation and compliance with over 750 individual requirements. Third-party solutions like SG:certified have emerged to streamline the regulatory process and help operators navigate the intricate landscape.

The post Tipwin Faces Hefty Fine in Denmark for AML Violations appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) announced that it issued an AUD 550,000 ($353,540 in USD) fine to the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH). According to the regulator, the gambling company had operated 220 gaming machines without mandatory pre-commitment technology (YourPlay) installed, violating Victoria’s gambling laws.

In addition to paying the fine, the operator will also be required to cover the legal costs of AUD 50,000 ($32,000).

For reference, YourPlay is the statewide pre-commitment scheme that allows players to set limits and moderate their playtime and spending. All electronic machines in the state are required to employ the scheme in order to protect players from gambling harm.

As noted by the VGCCC, ALH’s breach is a “serious and willful” one. The regulator slammed the operator for allegedly not installing YourPlay on purpose. While the gravity of ALH’s breach led to a fairly big fine, the operator’s guilty plea helped it avoid the maximum fine of AUD 1.35 million ($870,000). The regulator also acknowledged ALH’s cooperativeness with the investigation.

VGCCC Asked Operators to Be Responsible  

In an official statement, Annette Kimmitt, the chief executive officer of the VGCCC, praised the final verdict. She said that the outcome highlights the regulator’s commitment to protecting the Victorian market from the harmful opportunism and deliberate contraventions of gambling companies.

Kimmitt said that gambling companies should be responsible and wary of the negative impact their negligence can have on the market.

Gambling providers need to pay close attention to their obligations because the consequences for getting it wrong can be significant.

Annette Kimmitt, CEO, VGCCC

The fine concludes a months-long saga that saw the VGCCC probe ALH’s venues across the state. Thanks to an anonymous tip-off, the regulator launched an investigation and learned that a total of 220 machines across many of ALH’s properties did not have the YourPlay scheme installed.

The machines are now identified and turned off.

The VGCCC noted that this example proves that it takes public reports very seriously. The authority urged Victorian gamblers to communicate their concerns to the VGCCC through its official website.

In the meantime, Australia’s Communications and Media Authority continues its crackdown on offshore websites as Australia seeks to protect its customers from gambling harm and sites that lack sufficient player protections.

The post VGCCC Hands a $350,000 Fine to ALH over YourPlay Violations appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced the suspension of Percy Flores, a tennis white badge umpire from Bolivia. Flores will be excluded from the sport for 12 years over violations of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP).

The tennis authority learned that Flores had breached the TACP a whopping 31 times between November 2021 and October 2022. During ITF World Tennis Tour events, the umpire manipulated outcomes for betting purposes by purposely entering the wrong score into the umpire’s handheld device. In addition, he solicited another tennis official to engage in corrupt conduct, the ITIA remarked.

As a result, the umpire got handed a 12-year suspension and a fine of $15,000. Flores’ breaches, anti-corruption hearing officer professor Richard McLaren said, warranted a suspension of 15 years. However, various mitigating factors, such as Flores’ good conduct and admission resulted in the suspension getting reduced.

The suspension was backdated to the start of the umpire’s provisional suspension on December 8, last year. The penalty is thus set to expire on December 7, 2034. During that time, Flores will be prohibited from officiating at or attending any event that is authorized or sanctioned by the official tennis governing bodies.

Flores’ penalty follows the sanctioning of Mark Philippoussis who breached the rules on betting sponsorships in Tennis. Earlier, the organization issued lifetime bans to Nastja Kolar and Alexandra Riley who breached the TACP on multiple occasions.

A Breakdown of Flores’ Violations

As mentioned, Flores committed a total of 31 breaches. Notably, as a covered person, he committed 10 counts of directly or indirectly facilitating or encouraging tennis betting.

In addition, the ITIA reported that Flores committed 8 counts of purposefully delaying or manipulating scoring data for profit.

The umpire also committed 10 counts of being requested to influence or attempt to influence an event. Furthermore, Flores was found guilty of one count of not reporting suspicious activity by a covered person.

Finally, the umpire, as a covered person, was found guilty of incentivizing another person to commit, attempt or conspire to commit an offense.

To protect tennis from fraud, the ITIA just teamed up with the International Tennis Federation to launch mandatory integrity education for players with an active Juniors International Player Identification Number.

The post ITIA Bans Bolivian Umpire Flores over TACP Violations appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Betfair International Plc, a subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment, has been hit with three enforcement orders and a reprimand by the Danish Gambling Authority, Spillemyndigheden, for breaching Denmark’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Act.

Betfair Faces Regulatory Action for AML Act Violations in Three Key Areas

The regulatory authority found that Betfair had failed to meet the requirements set out in the AML Act in three key areas. The first order was issued because Betfair’s risk assessment did not adequately consider the inherent risk factors associated with its business model.

The second order was issued due to insufficient written procedures for customer due diligence. The procedures did not ensure that customer due diligence measures were conducted at appropriate times in accordance with the requirements outlined in the AML Act. 

Furthermore, the written procedures did not address how Betfair would become aware if an employee was convicted of a criminal offense during their employment, thereby increasing the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing.

The third order was given because Betfair failed to provide documented evidence of regular and appropriate controls in various areas such as risk management, customer due diligence, employee screening, investigation and reporting obligations, information storage, and internal controls.

The company must now submit an updated risk assessment that addresses the identified shortcomings, improve its written procedures, and provide documentation of future control procedures.

Betfair has been given a three-month deadline to rectify the issues highlighted in the first two orders, while a twelve-month deadline has been set for the submission of documentation demonstrating compliance with the third one.

Spillemyndigheden Issues Reprimand to Betfair over Customer Identity Control Deficiencies

Additionally, Betfair received a reprimand from Spillemyndigheden for its inadequate control of customer identity information up until May 16, 2023. However, this specific violation is no longer active and does not require further action.

The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (DFSA) introduced updated rules for the AML Act earlier this year, imposing stricter requirements for customer due diligence and monitoring individual transactions and money transfers.

Betfair now faces the challenge of addressing the deficiencies highlighted by the Danish Gambling Authority within the specified timeframes, in order to ensure compliance with the AML Act and maintain its operations in Denmark.

Betfair has also faced difficulties in Sweden and the UK. In April, the company was fined for providing betting markets on 148 matches between 2021 and 2022 in the U21 Allsvenskan, a youth soccer league where operators are prohibited from offering gambling opportunities. In May, Betfair faced a fine of £490,000 ($606,300) from the UK regulator for the dissemination of promotional material to individuals who had self-excluded themselves.

The post Betfair Faces Enforcement Action for AML Violations in Denmark appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Indianapolis Colts players Isaiah Rodgers Sr. and Rashod Berry, and free agent Demetrius Taylor, violated the league’s strict gambling policy, placing multiple bets on NFL games in 2022. Such actions blatantly violate sports integrity guidelines, justifying the harsh penalty. The case’s ramifications will undoubtedly have a long-lasting impact, deterring potential future violations.

The Punishments Will Deter Future Offenses

The NFL’s gambling policy explicitly prohibits players from participating in any form of gambling activities related to professional football, including betting on games, providing insider information, or directly associating with individuals involved in gambling operations. The league takes these violations seriously, as gambling-related activities have the potential to compromise the game’s integrity and damage public trust.

Recent investigations uncovered evidence of several players who bet on NFL games in 2022, ignoring the league’s gambling-related guidelines. Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr., his teammate Rashod Berry, and free agent Demetrius Taylor received indefinite suspensions. The Colts immediately distanced themselves from the offending athletes, waiving their contracts.

“The integrity of the game is of the utmost importance. We will continue to educate our players, coaches, and staff on… the significant consequences that may occur with violations.”

Chris Ballard, Indianapolis Colts general manager

These suspensions will have an immediate negative impact, disrupting their professional aspirations but also tarnishing their reputation. The Colts are suddenly missing two promising players, forcing the team to make adjustments and seek suitable replacements to fill the void. As a free agent, Demetrius Taylor may find it even more challenging to sign with a team in the future due to his history of gambling-related issues.

US Sports Betting Growth Poses Rising Challenges

The league also unveiled another suspension, banning Tennessee Titans’ Nicholas Petit-Frere from the first six games of the 2023 season for wagering on non-NFL sports at the Titans facility. The player claimed he was unaware of the restriction, prompting the team to double down on gambling-related educational programs.

This latest wave of suspensions highlights the rising dangers sports betting poses to game integrity. As more US states legalize online wagering, leagues will find it increasingly difficult to enforce the relevant rules and preserve sports integrity. Robust education programs and efficient cooperation between stakeholders are becoming increasingly necessary to uphold high professionalism and fair play.

The recent incident is a stark reminder that the NFL will not tolerate any breaches of its strict gambling policy. The league’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game is evident through its severe punishment of the players involved. As the affected players face the consequences of their actions, the NFL will continue improving its policies, ensuring the continued trust and support of fans and stakeholders in the league.

The post NFL Strikes Back against Gambling Violations with Three Indefinite Suspensions appeared first on Keno Wizard.