The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has published a consultation paper on suspicious betting reporting requirements and other sports integrity measures. 

The paper follows the establishment of the MGA’s Sports Integrity Unit on 29 August 2019, and is in preparation for the bringing into force of section 43 of the Gaming Authorisations and Compliance Directive (Directive 3 of 2018), together with other measures. 

The paper sets out definitions of sports and sporting events, the specific suspicious betting reporting requirements, the requirements for designated points of contact, what exactly constitutes ‘suspicious and/or irregular’ activity, and the reporting instrument to be used between B2C licensees and the Authority. 

Underlining the potential complexity of the sports integrity issue for regulators and operators, the MGA has acknowledged that it understands “that any action taken by the operator relating to suspicious bets, especially where customer winnings may be voided or withheld as related investigations take place, is likely to generate customer disputes.” And that it “understands that this scenario involves considerable administrative time and effort on behalf of arbitration bodies and operators, with some cases taking years to be completed whilst the relevant sports governing bodies, law enforcement or integrity unity conclude investigations into potential corruption.”

Feedback is now being sought from licensees regarding the proposed bringing into force of the Suspicious Betting Reporting Requirements, and other measures which the MGA intends to implement. 

You can read the full consultation paper here. 

Staying with the MGA and sports integrity, last week we reported the authority had established a data-sharing agreement with the World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association (WPBSA). 

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Swedish sports betting operators can relax a little, as proposed emergency restrictions are revised to exempt sports betting from deposit limits. 

As we’ve previously reported, the proposed emergency restrictions on gambling in the country had included deposit limits of SEK 5,000, plus other measures, for all gambling for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.

However, social security minister Ardalan Shekarabi, a leading proponent of draconian restrictions, has now presented adjustments to the measures, which would exempt horse racing and sports betting from the deposit limits.

Although it’s obviously good news for all sports betting operators in the country, BOS, the online gambling trade association, has said it thinks the change of heart has little to do with consumer protection, and is instead “to provide benefits to gambling companies that it [the government] is closely connected to, such as horse betting company ATG, with a majority of its board members appointed by the government.”

AYO.NEWS says:

It really does seem like licensed gambling operators have lost all trust in Swedish politicians. And, as we’ve previously noted, as long as ideologically driven anti-gambling politicians like Shekarabi hold sway, things will only get worse. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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Italy is set to introduce a new emergency “turnover tax” on betting and virtual sports wagers. 

Last week the Italian parliament approved the new “temporary” 0.5% turnover tax across all betting verticals, including online, retail and virtual sports. It is set to apply until 31 December 2021. 

The new tax is part of the “Revival Decree,” which includes a raft of measures aimed at raising funds to support the post-COVID-19 recovery of the Italian economy and society. The tax will also enable the establishment of a “sports relief fund,” which aims to raise €90m by 2021. 

During March and April, the Italian sports betting industry saw revenues crash a record 72%, and estimates suggest it may take a year or more for it to recover to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Understandably, the new tax has been met with disbelief by many, who question the logic of increasing the tax burden on a sector that has been so badly hit by the crisis, and leading to the country becoming one of the highest-taxed regulated sports betting markets in Europe.

Italian sports betting operators already pay GGR betting duties of 20% for retail, 22% for virtual games, and 24% for online betting.

Though operators will be dismayed at the new tax, it could have been worse, as initial drafts of the legislation called for a 0.75% turnover tax. 

AYO.NEWS says:

The Italian government is hardly known for sound economic decisions, but this really does take things to a new level of absurdity – increasing the tax burden on one of the sectors COVID-19 hit hardest. 

Staying with Italian sports betting, don’t miss “Southern Change: Shaping Italy’s Online Betting Market.”

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has called for all parties in the supply chain of sports event data to adhere to global best practice standards. 

The IBIA says it believes this is the most effective approach to protect the integrity of sport, its data, betting markets generated by that data, and consumers using the products. 

Explaining the call CEO of IBIA, Khalid Ali, said:

“Upholding the reliability and credibility of sporting event data is of paramount importance for my members and the challenges posed by the pandemic have further highlighted the necessity for robust data chains. There is a clear benefit for everyone involved in the data supply chain in ensuring that such data is a product of high levels of accuracy and transparency.

“IBIA and its members have been considering this issue internally for some time and would like to go a step further and have a proper industry-wide debate. To that end, IBIA is asking all stakeholders, notably data providers, to proactively engage with the association and its members to develop and implement agreed best practice standards around the sale, collation, and distribution of sports data for betting.”

The IBIA is “run by operators for operators” and aims to protect its members from corruption through collective action. It runs a monitoring and alert platform that detects and reports suspicious activity on it’s members betting markets. 

With many information sharing partnerships in place with leading sports and gambling regulators, the association represents the sector at high-level policy discussion forums including the IOC, UN, Council of Europe, and European Commission. 

AYO.NEWS says:

With so many sports data providers, supplying an-ever growing volume of data, the importance of industry-wide standards and best practice is becoming pressing, so it’s good to see the IBIA is pushing for progress. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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Gaming and sports betting supplier Playtech has reported a strong first quarter, despite the COVID-19 crisis. 

In a trading update the company reported adjusted EBITDA for 1 January to 30 April as over €45m. Adjusted EBITDA for April – the first full month of the COVID-19 lockdowns, was €23m. 

Though, like many other companies, Playtech has implemented extensive cost-cutting measures in the face of COVID-19, it says it still has more than €600m in cash at its disposal, and overall cash flow remains positive. 

As to be expected, the crisis has hit Playtech’s B2B sports business most, with losses of €3m per month in adjusted EBITDA. 

Reflecting on the period Playtech CEO, Mor Weizer, said:

“So far this year, alongside actions taken to protect our people and our business, Playtech demonstrated remarkable operational resilience – demonstrating the strength and flexibility of our technology and our position in the industry. 

“We have added new Tier 1 licensees, added over 20 new brands and expanded agreements with some of our largest existing customers. Given this strategic progress and the actions we have taken, I am confident we will emerge stronger as the current restrictions related to COVID-19 ease.

“Playtech also launched its new sustainable business strategy, Sustainable Success. The strategy will consolidate Playtech’s position as a global leader in safer products, data analytics and player engagement solutions. 

“Playtech has made safer gambling a core pillar of its strategy. At this time actions being taken by Playtech and the wider industry to advance safer gambling and raise standards are more important than ever.”

At the end of the period Alan Jackson stepped down as Chairman, with Claire Milne appointed  as Interim Chairman to “provide continuity and stability. Commenting on his time as Chairman, Jackson said:

“It is with great pride that I look back over my time as Chairman of Playtech. During my time with the Company the gambling industry has changed dramatically and Playtech has demonstrated the strategic vision to grow into a diversified and trusted technology leader in its industry. In these uncertain times the Board and I are confident Claire’s appointment as Interim Chairman will bring the required experience, industry knowledge and stability needed.”

Staying with Playtech, a week ago we reported Fortuna, the largest betting and gaming operator in Central and Eastern Europe, had completed migration of its Polish sportsbook onto Playtech’s IMS platform. 

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The Nigerian government has assured sports betting operators in the country that it is committed to making sure their businesses survive the COVID-19 crisis. 

Despite developed nations starting to ease lockdowns, the situation is still far from stable in Africa, and Nigerian bookies are fearing for the future of their businesses. 

However, during a video conference meeting with Sports Betting permit holders across the country, Director General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Lanre Gbajabiamila, assured operators that the Federal Government would provide all necessary support. 

Gbajabiamila stressed the need to maintain close communication with sports betting operators, and to assess the operational challenges presented to the industry by the COVID-19 crisis, saying:

“As your regulator, we feel obliged to touch base with you, find out the challenges you are facing in your business and see how we can continue to work together, despite the difficulties occasioned by this ugly pandemic. Let me assure everyone that government will do the best it can to protect every business within the industry, we cannot fold our arms and watch our industry with the huge investment therein go down the drain.

“I am optimistic that the Federal Government will not hesitate to give necessary approvals for any form of palliative that will ensure your business remains viable because ours is a very peculiar industry which if properly harnessed would adequately shore up the much-needed revenue for the government. Yours is to ensure that you all play by the rule, while on the part of the government, we will do all it takes to give needed support for all business to remain viable.”

During the same video conference Gbajabiamila also said the NLRC remains committed to combating unlicensed betting operators in the country, but did admit that the regulator lacks sufficient resources to effectively tackle this issue. 

To improve its ability to combat illegal gambling operations, he said the NLRC is looking to work with Nigeria’s Communication Commission, the Nigerian Technological Development Agency, and the Central Bank of Nigeria. 

There is, however, some confusion about what exactly constitutes an ‘unlicensed’ operator in Nigeria, after the Lagos State Lottery Board (LSLB) blacklisted several NLRC licensees – with the state regulator insisting operators must have a local license and a federal one in order to operate there.

AYO.NEWS says:

Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, the Nigerian sports betting industry was booming, with the market attracting investments from major European operators. While operators are sure to welcome Gbajabiamila’s words, given the track record of the country’s government, many will doubt whether any meaningful help will actually materialise. 

In April we took a closer look at the sports betting industry in Nigeria, and why increasing numbers of betting companies are entering the market. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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