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.

The post Las Vegas Judge Opts for Probation in William Hill Embezzlement Case appeared first on Keno Wizard.

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.

The post William Hill Stands at the Heart of Irish Racing with Four New Ambassadors appeared first on Keno Wizard.

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.

The post Play’n GO Grows in Italy with William Hill appeared first on Keno Wizard.

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.

The post William Hill US Launches Renewed App in Nevada appeared first on Keno Wizard.

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.

The post Play’n GO Forays into Retail Gaming, Launches Book of Dead with William Hill appeared first on Keno Wizard.

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).

The post 888 Holdings’ William Hill Keeps the Status Quo in 2022 appeared first on Keno Wizard.

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.

The post William Hill to Use Eurovision Profits to Support Ukraine appeared first on Keno Wizard.

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.

The post 888 Is Prepared to Pay the $24M William Hill Fine appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Hacksaw Gaming and William Hill have created a branded version of the popular Mines games that will be available exclusively at the operator and bear the signage, IP, and “unmistakable bold branding” of the prominent casino operator.

Players in Control for an Even Better Experience

William Hill has also taken this opportunity to give players more control over their gameplay and help them adjust the size of the grid along with the bet for a truly upgraded arcade feel. Just like in the classic game, players would need to uncover Diamond symbols while trying to not come across a Bomb symbol.

Every Diamond symbol that is successfully revealed will significantly increase the payout potential. This is the latest of a three-part game series that already features the Boxes and Coins games, which have proved true blockbusters over the past year.

Hacksaw Gaming introduced this bespoke experience as part of its Dare2Win portfolio which seeks to revamp traditional gaming experiences and make them suitable for modern gaming audiences. William Hill will benefit from this opportunity as it seeks to strengthen its presence in the online casino vertical and deliver the best experience for modern players.

Showcasing Hacksaw’s True Potential

Hacksaw Gaming CCO Gabrielle Star was confident that this opportunity would allow the company to showcase its development nous and prowess once again. Star was happy to celebrate another milestone achievement with the release of Mines as well. She added:

Our designers did a brilliant job incorporating William Hill’s iconic branding into the game, offering a more straightforward vintage style of gameplay which has entertained casino fans for decades.

Hacksaw Gaming CCO Gabrielle Star

All of this comes as part of the company’s ambition to expand its Dare2Win range and reach bigger audiences. William Hill global gaming content delivery manager Keiron Downs was of a similar mind. Downs welcomed the new product and said that it was a fantastic opportunity to offer alternative gaming experiences to players.  “Really looking forward to what the future holds,” Downs concluded.

The post William Hill and Hacksaw Launch Branded Version of “Mines” appeared first on Keno Wizard.

In 2022, the gambling operator 888 struck a deal with Caesars Entertainment to acquire all of William Hill’s non-US assets. However, this deal might prove to be disastrous for the former company. Not only were 888’s revenues undermined by the acquisition, but the company now how to face the result of William Hill’s regulation breaches.

This news comes as the United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission prepares to slap the British betting brand with a fine that may surpass $18 million, reports claim. Some of the most pessimistic estimates put the maximum fine at almost $24 million.

The fine comes amid a probe into William Hill’s business. The company allegedly violated the anti-money laundering (AML) and social responsibility protocols required by the UKGC. This wouldn’t be the first time William Hill has breached the rules either, as the company has been previously handed fines for various failings.

William Hill’s failings almost cost it its license in 2022, forcing 888 and Caesars to introduce quick amendments to their deal. A few months later, the British operator faced another $100,000 fine following a regulatory complaint.

888 Faces Many Troubles

The UKGC is not famous for its leniency when it comes to handing out fines. For example, in 2022, the regulator presented Entain with a fine exceeding $20 million. This is by far the biggest fine any UKGC licensee has received. However, 888 should be wary as its William Hill subsidiary might just surpass that record.

According to sources, 888 is already preparing to cover the fine. The parent company itself also isn’t exactly guiltless. It was recently found guilty of breaching various AML and know-your-customer rules in Gibraltar. Despite that, 888 managed to retain its license, as it was highly cooperative with the investigation and committed to transparency.

888 acquired William Hill last year after its shareholders voted in favor of the $2.37 billion deal. Although the holding expected to be set back by the acquisition, it was likely not prepared for the fallout it now has to deal with.

888’s business has been steadily declining for the past few months. Adding up to its woes, the operator was recently found guilty of illegally offering its betting products in Austria. Now, local customers are seeking their money back from the operator. The ongoing situation might cause 888 and Flutter, which has also been found guilty of the same thing, to lose millions of dollars.

The post Upcoming William Hill Fine Adds to 888’s Woes appeared first on Keno Wizard.