January 2017 Infinity Gaming Magazine

InfinityGaming www.gaming-awards.com | ISSUE JANUARY 2017

IGA10 FINALISTS UNWRAPPED

Exclusive Interview with Georg Westin

NEWS VIEWS COMMENT GAMING + ARTICLES + BUSINESS+ GLOBAL+ ONLINE + NEWS

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18 PROBLEM GAMBLING Teresa Tunsall

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GEORG WESTIN INTERVIEW Founder Hero Gaming

42 FANTASY FOOTBALL APPS ON THE RISE Paul Swaddle

Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in all external articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Infinity Gaming Magazine Any content provided by our feature writers or authors are of their opinion, and are not intended to malign any religion, ethic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.

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4 EDITOR NOTES Lana welcomes you to the November edition of Infinity Gaming Magazine.

6 OUR WRITERS Meet our feature writers, the superb writers on our rosta.

08 THE IGA10 FINALISTS See all the finalists

18 PROBLEM GAMBLING

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Teresa Tunstall article

15 GEORG WESTIN Exclusive Interview

END GAME FOR FANTASY SPORTS Professor Nelson Rose

36 WHAT A YEAR! Christina Thakor-Rankin

TRUMP, BREXIT & 2017 Chritina Thakor-Rankin

42 FANTASY APPS Paul Swaddle

45 BYE PENNSYLVANIA No online gambling this year

+ ALL THE LATEST NEWS & Opinions

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A note from the editor CONTACT US Clever Duck Media Centrix@Keys Keys Park Road Staffordshire WS12 2HA UK Tel: +44(0)1543 478 889 PRODUCTION Clever Duck Media Centrix@Keys Keys Park Road Staffordshire WS12 2HA UK

The finalists have been announced, time to party!

PUBLISHING Infinity Gaming Magazine is operated by © Clever Duck Media Ltd ®

Lana Thompson - Editor

Welcome to the final edition of the Infinity Gaming Magazine for 2016 and a busy time for all.

Company Reg. No. 687 1018 (Registered in England) V.A.T reg. no 972 6372 91

Sponsorship Opportunities Colin@cleverduckmedia.com

Welcome to the last edition of Infinity

ing on the 6th February celebrating 10

Gaming Magazine for the year and what

wonderful years of charity fundraising

a year it has been, the usual mergers

and inspirational companies and peo-

and acquisitions and some shock elec-

ple.

Business Partnerships Svetlana@gaming-awards.com

that Japan will be joining the global

To all our readers have a wonderful

Marketing & Advertising claire@cleverduckmedia.com

gambling industry in the coming years.

Christmas or Hanukkah which coincide

tions, but most of all the exciting news

this year.

More exciting news comes in the form of the 10th International Gaming Awards finalists have been announced and what a tough time our judges had to make those calls after some very competitive categories, well done to all

Enjoy the magazine.

that made the finals.

So, “To Infinity and Beyond!”

We again have some excellent articles

by Christina, Teresa and Paul and a very

Regards,

special interview with Georg Westin the founder of Hero Gaming.

Lana

Have a wonderful festive season and a

The Editor

super New Year and hope to meet you all at what will be a very special even-

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Editorial Content & PR media@cleverduckmedia.com

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Infinity Gaming Magazine Contributing Writers A magazine is only as good as the content inside and with some of the leading specialists within the gaming industry. With specialised articles covering customer service, the gaming law, new prducts, technology and current affairs with the sector the Infinity Gaming Magazine is delighted to showcase our superb line-up of contributing writers.

Christina Thakor-Rankin - Gaming Consultant Christina is Principal Consultant at 1710 Gaming Ltd, a specialist betting and gaming consultancy, delivering a range of services including licensing and compliance (incl. regulation, money laundering and social responsibility), business start-up, training and strategic reengineering, project management, research, business analysis and development, to start-ups and established multi-national operators and providers, gambling regu-

lators, law enforcement and government agencies, media, and specialist interest groups and associations within the sector, in both established and emerging markets across the world.

www.1710gaming.com

Teresa Tunstall – Independent Gaming Consultant After many years of working in casinos in the UK and on USA ships as a croupier and inspector, Teresa turned from ‘poacher to gamekeeper,’ spending 16 years with GamCare, who offer help and support to those who develop problems with their gambling.

Teresa now works independently consulting on all issues relating to Social Responsibility and Problem Gambling.

Working closely with the betting and gaming industry, She developed strong links delivering Social Responsibility and Problem Gambling training around the world, from Antigua to Moscow, and Auditing in the UK.

To contact Teresa regarding consulting please email: Teresatunstall1@gmail.com

Paul Swaddle - CEO Pocket App A self-confessed ‘gadget geek, Paul Swaddle has been working at the leading edge of mobile technology for the past 15 years. He co-founded Pocket App in 2011 to bring the creative and technical development elements of mobile technology together under one roof.

This unique approach continues to differentiate Pocket App in today’s increasingly competitive landscape.

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Working across a range of communications disciplines such as acquisition, loyalty, retention and customer development, Paul understands the importance of a strategic and coordinated marketing approach, particularly between on and off-line communications. In the past decade he has enabled brands as diverse as Kellogg’s Fruit Winders, Barclays and Loaded magazine to get the best out of mobile.

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ALEA.com is an award-winning casino operator founded in 2012 by Alexandre Tomic and Charles Gross, who have over ten years' industry experience ranging from affiliate network owner to casino operator. They are driven by innovation and dedicated to staying on the cutting edge of technology; with this in mind, ALEA’s product, SlotsMillion, is an online casino with over 1,300 slots and many inventive features. This includes the world’s first real money virtual reality casino, which is available to play in both VR and 3D and has received very positive reactions at conferences and from industry and mainstream publications.

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MEET THE IGA10 JUDGES 01

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Christina Thakor-Rankin Gaming Consultant

Desmond Lam Ph.D - Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of Macau

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Gavin Isaacs - Vice Chairman of the Board at Scientific Games Corporation

Gemma Strath - Group Head of Marketing at Betfred

Isabelle Andres - Chief Executive Officer of the BetClic Everest Group

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Janet Viippola - Gaming Consultant

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Liz Karter - Specialist in Gambling Addiction in Women

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Marek Milewski- Operations Manager Casinos Poland

Mor Weizer - CEO Play-

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tech

Paul Armitage - Operations Director Grosvenor Casinos

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Onika Russell - Head of Gambling , Airlines & Travel Strategic Services, PayPal

Paul Swaddle - Founder and Chairman Pocket App

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MEET THE IGA10 JUDGES 13

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Peter Hoetzinger - CoCEO & President, Vice Chairman Century Casinos

Prof. Dietmar Hoscher Deputy Chariman of the Supervisory Board of Casinos Austria

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Professor I. Nelson RoseSpeaker & Gaming Law expert

Richard Noble – Chief Operating Officer of the Aspers Group

Roger Marris – CEO at The Ritz Club

Roger Raatgever – CEO Microgaming

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Sebastiรกn Salat - CEO

Zitro

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Stella Dalton - Head of Business Development at GamCare

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20 HAPP

Sim Bialk - CMO SUZO-

22 Stephanie Cheung - Chief Legal Officer at Melco Crown Entertainment

Tristan Sjoberg -Executive Chairman at TCS John Huxley

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The Scourge of problem gambling Gambling Commission survey finds 1% of those aged 11-15 begin to gamble after seeing adverts.

By Teresa Tunstall

T

he vulnerable part of society those who are underage, do you know what your children are watching? Are they playing games on TV or online as well!

Today’s generation of children grow up with computers playing online at school as well as home, simple fun games even as a babe on long journeys in the car, as they grow more proficient, challenging games are sourced and before you know it a gambling element supplely installed that challenges their skill.

If parents and schools can’t control their children’s gaming we have to look to the gaming providers to do so, even when 16 year olds can hack into Talk Talk! Responsibility lies with the operator they have to keep one step ahead all the time.

Producing ID for sign up or known passwords, all gambling operators have strategic controls in place which are continuingly updated to keep themselves one step ahead as all online services must for security.

Rightfully, the Remote gambling Operators have to take the responsibility for any underage that manage to infiltrate their websites, however, surely parents have a responsibility too? Education is the key.

There are underage gamblers who

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know gambling law, rules and regulation nevertheless, they take a chance and if manage to get through and gamble online, see themselves as a ‘winner,’ believing the next big win will be on their gambling. However, if they lose they also win by declaring they are underage and their stake must be returned by regulation law.

Alcohol, knives or drugs all of which impact today’s young generation are just some of the added dangers our children have to grow up and deal with. Recently, TV news featured a mother shouting at the camera,

“Do you know what your son is doing, who he’s with? Body search him check pockets leave nothing to chance,” the painful words of a mother who’d lost her son to a knife attack.

“You don’t survive on the high street for 55 years without caring for your customers,” The majority of betting shop staff do care about their responsibility to their customers and have set up a petition asking their customers to sign up. There’s little doubt that

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gaming and betting staff understand their job is reliant upon they customers, my 15 years of conducting audits throughout the betting industry has allowed me to witness many staff referring to customers as their friends.

Guidelines from the Gambling Commission on the collection of required data state; ‘These form some of the primary sources of data which enable us to undertake our statutory responsibilities and through which operators can demonstrate that they put the consumer at the heart of business decisions.’

Know your customer, who is the first person to recognize a customer with a problem? It has to be staff as the closest person to them whilst they gamble they are also the people who then have the enormous responsibility of whether and when to approach a gambler they have concerns about.

For all UK operators to comply with Regulation, they must have training in place so that staff feel safe in their job

and if approaching a customer who is thought to have problem they can call on higher level of management.

Whoever is chosen to handle this precarious situation is under pressure to get it right not always easy if you’re dealing with someone who has had a large loss.

A betting shop Cashier told me how concerned she was about a customer who was continually banging a machine, offering him a coffee he waved he away only to reach down to his bag pull out a hammer and proceed to smash the machine, immediately all the other customers (friends) eventually stopped him and reassure the Cashier she was safe. Petitions don’t carry staff stories of what they have to deal with but these are experiences that should be told.

Responsible Ads: Gambling Advertising The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) are responsible for writing and maintaining the UK Advertising Codes and providing authoritative

advice on the rules which include gambling and betting land based and online.

Does advertising have an impact on those watching or reading? On some definitely, I recall receiving many calls for help when a bookmaker advertised a £30 free bet adding in tiny script words, ‘online only.’ This appeared in a Saturday morning newspaper luring many people to head to the betting shop with their newspaper tucked under their arm, demanding the betting shop honored their ‘free bet.’

Clearly, clarity in advertising is of the upmost importance for both the operator and their customers something CAP will address by means of the launch of their new, ‘Responsible Ads: Gambling Advertising,’ eLearning programmes. However, we must always remember the end product is about people who gamble and the affect good or bad it has on them and how gaming and betting staff deal with it.

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GAMING NEWS

JANUARY 2017

Casino operator shares rise on Japan vote

W

ith Japan poised to vote to allow for casino resorts shares in International casino operators has risen on the hope that they will take a piece of the action in developing casino resorts in the country.

Estimates vary on the value of the Japanese gaming market from $20 billion all the way to $40 billion, but one thing is for sure is that Japan will become the second largest gambling destination behind Macau once the government permits casinos.

Casino operators such as Las Vegas Sands saw their stock rise 3% along with Wynn Resorts rising 2% both are strong favourites to win a casino license in Japan.

However in a recent poll of Japanese residents questioned by public television broadcaster NHK found that 44% opposed the vote to legalise casino resorts and only 12% in favour, 34% were undecided on the plans.

Should the government win the vote it does not mean casino resorts will start to be built, it means that a regulatory body will be formed in developing plans to regulate and license those operators applying for a casino resort license.

Some observers believe 2022 could see the first casino resort operational however others think that it could take to 2025 before they are reality.

GVC pull out of talks for Ladbrokes/Coral As quickly as the rumour started it is all over, according to the Times newspaper GVC has pulled out of talks with Ladbrokes/Coral over a proposed ÂŁ3.2 billion reverse takeover.

potential targets for acquisitions, especially from US companies who have found that the dollar at present gets you more value in buying targets.

Last Friday shares in the newly merged company rose on talk that gambling firm GVC who own Bwin were discussing the possibility of the deal, but Monday 12th December and the talks are all over and so the gambling industry wonders if any further deals will be done before the end of 2016.

Observers have noted that because of the current weakness of the sterling many UK based companies are

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Interview with Georg Westin – Founder Hero Gaming Founder of Hero Gaming talks exclusively to Infinity Gaming Magazine

Thank you Georg for speaking to us today and to start for our readers who may not know what is Hero Gaming?

has 80 employees and the busi-

nel, fast withdrawals, high trustworthi-

ness to heavily promote and run two

ness and fairness as well as the addi-

brands. The success I think comes

tion with gamification details such as

down to great people and a core focus

the Boss Fights and the Betser League.

on the player experiences we create.

Thanks, my pleasure! Hero Gaming was founded 3 years ago and has two main brands, Casino Heroes and Betser. In all that we do we try to create the feeling of WOW, to be amazing. For us gambling is entertainment and excitement

The industry now is super competitive and difficult now for a new online company to enter, what makes Hero Gaming popular with their customers?

and we enhance these feelings with the help of innovation and gamification.

You are the founder of Hero Gaming how did that come about?

I started thinking about why my friends were playing Candy Crush and Clash of Clans all the time, what makes players love casino games and how to create a deeper connection to a casino. From these ideas came Casino Saga and the first online casino that took the proper combination between gambling and gaming to the market.

The company is very young, founded in 2013, how successful has the brand been in such a short space of time?

We have been very successful and now

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Before Hero Gaming you were cofounder at Casumo, did that help you in coming up with the idea for Hero Gaming?

Well, at Casumo I set the basic algoFor the players out there, we have

rithm for the loyalty program such

both the base functions in place such

as levelling progress and receiving

as friendly and smart support person-

belts for the avatar and that of course

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helped in understanding these mecha-

line

nisms in a deep way. With Hero Gam-

I think in general we have been lucky

ing these ideas have been strength-

over the years that in Sweden we have

ened and created mechanisms more

had a great infrastructure with fast

related to traditional games than loy-

broadband connections, well built on-

alty programs and simple gamification.

line services and computers in schools.

How come you left Casumo after just a little over a year?

A few of the six founders quickly moved

gambling

entrepreneurs?

For the gambling industry I think the

Yes, with Betser we have a sports bet-

big companies with Unibet, Netent and

ting platform as well as great casino

Betsson has been a great school for

games and two concepts called Balls &

many in the industry, they showed that

Brains and the Betser League. The Bet-

it is possible to be successful quickly.

ser League is a unique concept where

to Malta after starting Casumo and a few of us stayed. Soon we saw the two offices growing in the same pace and decided to move the company completely to Malta to become more efficient. This was not a

the players compete against each other

For our non-online gambling readers as we enter the festive season, is online gambling busier over the period or less?

great time for me personally to move to Malta and hence had to stay in Sweden.

We have asked many of our previous interviewees that hail from Sweden, why is Sweden such a hot bed of commerce for on-

Back to Hero Gaming for a moment, what are the plans for the brand moving forward into 2017, you recently launched a sports betting platform?

in a league system about who is best at sports betting.

2017 will be exciting, we are recruiting a lot and have full backlogs of exciting

Over the years I have started to see De-

development, for example the 3.0 ver-

cember as a strong month! December

sion of Casino Heroes that will move the

24th is quite slow though, in Sweden

gamification even further for us. We will

we hang out with family and watch Don-

also have geographical expansion for

ald Duck!

both our brands.

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Hero Gaming have just made the finals of three categories at the 10th International Gaming Awards an amazing achievement for a young company, how much does that mean to Hero Gaming?

with Betsson and Boss Media, do you believe that has helped you in your current ventures?

ably have a powerful situation that can be very successful.

Also, to be an entrepreneur you need

Yes for sure. To see so any things

to be able to handle the pressure, and

from how technology is built, or-

not just the pressure to survive but to

ganizational efficiency and market-

make the right decision. It is like playing

It means a lot; it is fun to get recog-

ing strategies has been very help-

poker, you must have the guts to make

nized and that our efforts in creat-

ful. Also I have had so many cool

the right aggressive move with the best

ing something that stands out get

ideas over the years that has proven

hand even if it puts you at risk of going

noticed! It gives us an easier way

almost impossible to fulfil in a proper

out of the game.

to recruit and gives us energy to do

timeline, with Hero Gaming we can!

even better things moving forward.

Before we let you go Georg, when you was a young boy what did you want to be when you grew up?

What markets in Europe are most successful for Hero Gaming?

What advice do you give budding entrepreneurs wanting to start their own business?

We are quite focused on the Nor-

I think that I would not start a classi-

I sold cookies to my teachers and

dic countries which is perhaps natu-

cal gambling operator today without

spent hours reading about the share

ral with my background but we are

a very large budget, it is harder than

market and counted my money that

also successful for example in Japan.

one thinks. As I often do when creating

I had in a box under my bed every

something new, focus on coming trends,

evening. And a tennis pro of course

I wanted to become a business man,

You have an impressive background of companies you have worked for

if you can find one or several trends and combine them in a smart way you prob-

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Battle for online gambling in US begins

T

he battle for online gambling in the US has begun with Nevada Representative Dina Titus asking President elect Donald Trump not to re-enact the Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA) which would effectively outlaw online gambling in the country.

Titus sent the letter to Vice President-elect Mike Pence after 10 Republican attorneys general along with Titus’s own state Attorney General Adam Laxalt wrote to Donald Trump asking him once President to ban all online gambling in the country because it caused addiction, divorce and increased suicide.

Those remarks prompted the Nevada Representative to say it is inaccurate to blame online gambling for everything and stated in her letter “the attorneys general letter contains several inaccuracies and unfair allegations.” She went on to say, “I encourage you [Trump] to carefully study this issue before making any decisions that would infringe on state’s rights or eliminate jobs in the gaming industry.”

A strong opponent of online gambling and a large donator to the Trump campaign Sheldon Adelson, is desperately trying to ban online gambling and hoping his influence can sway the incoming President to ban online gambling and restore the Restoration of America’s Wire Act.

Yahoo gains UK license for Daily Fantasy Sports

Yahoo has been granted a UK license to operate Daily Fantasy Sports by the UK Gambling Commission and the online company will now be able to offer UK players a larger win pool by combining US& Canadian players with that of the UK.

With DraftKings and FanDuel already in the UK earlier this year receiving their licenses Yahoo have some catching up to do but now with the ability to involve both sides of the Atlantic the company is hoping that it will not take long

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GAMING NEWS

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Crown Resorts to leave Macau & pull plug on Las Vegas resort

A

s Macau operators celebrated the possibility of expanding to the newly legalised gambling zone of Japan James Packer and his Crown Resorts have retreated back to Australia.

it also said that its planned $2 billion resort in Las Vegas called Alon will now not go ahead at this time even thou it was only June when the plans for Las Vegas were announced.

The billionaire and his casino company has announced that it will sell off some 14% of its remaining 29% stake in Melco Crown Entertainment to its co-Chairman Lawrence Ho for $1.6 billion and said it is looking at options to sell the remainder.

It seems that Crown Resorts and James Packer are now entirely focussing on Australia and their multi-billion dollar Barangaroo project.

When this happens James Packer and Crown Resort will no longer have any stake in Macau gambling industry and Packer also announced as a result he will resign as deputy chair and non-executive director of Melco Crown Entertainment and leave Lawrence Ho as the single Chairman.

Crown Resorts are still fighting the arrests of several of its staff in China and it is unclear if this had a bearing on the decision to move away from Asia.

“The board’s decision represents a prudent alternative to the proposed demerger,” Crown chief executive Rowen Craigie said in a statement.

“These business decisions are strategic and for the longterm and will underpin the company’s future over the next decade,” Crown Resorts chairman Robert Rankin said.

No announcement has been made on Crown Resorts interest in the UK with Apsers who they have a share in the business and is expected to be the only enterprise that will remain outside of Australia for Crown Resorts.

However as Crown announced the withdrawal from Macau

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It’s law Japan will have casino resorts

I

nternational Casino operators were celebrating as Japan passed legislation to allow for casino integrated resorts to be opened in the country for the first time ever.

In the early hours of Thursday 15th December on what was expected to be the last day of parliament before the festive break the ruling Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe managed to push the legislation through even thou there was opposition from the government junior coalition party and opposition parties citing social unrest and problem gambling.

However now the legislation has been passed the government will set up a gaming body to see how casino integrated resorts will be licensed and managed.

Estimates on the first resort to be completed are from 2022 to 2025 with the market worth somewhere in the region of $30 billion a year.

Now that the legislation has been passed casino operators based in Macau will be vying for position to be able to receive one of a limited amount of licenses, although no official number has been given it is expected to be three to start.

MGM, Galaxy Entertainment, Wynn, Sands, Melco Crown Entertainment are all favourites to win a license, however the one operator that could sorely do with a rich vein of income Caesars Entertainment which itself missed out on a Macau gaming license is not expected to be in the running for one of the precious licenses issued by the Japanese government

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GAMING NEWS

JANUARY 2017

Playtech Live presents Christmas Roulette

P

laytech has unwrapped a dedicated live roulette room this Christmas as a gift to all licensees.

Going live just nine days before the big day on December 16th, the magical live dealer area will be a feast for your eyes and puts festive fun into every spin. Yule have a ball with this fully custom-built studio, bursting with colourful Christmas decorations.

The advent of the room will see players presented with a fully bespoke table layout and greeted by a host of Christmas characters, with dashing dealers dressed head-to-toe in festive costumes.

Christmas Roulette will be exclusively available to all of Playtech’s licensees as an additional dedicated room this festive season.

Playtech offers the largest number of live dealer table game variants including Omni-channel casino classics, Blackjack, Poker, Hold’em, Baccarat and Hi-Lo and new products including HTML5 mobile roulette that can be played in both landscape and portrait modes, and the suite of exclusive Prestige titles including the newly launched Prestige Baccarat.

Kevin Kilminster, Head of Live Casino Innovation, Playtech, said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer our licensees with a dedicated Christmas roulette room.

“This is our way of thanking our live casino clients for their custom and commitment this year as well as a great way to add some Christmas cheer to our live offering. We’re certain Christmas Roulette will be a big success with our licensees and their players. Merry Christmas everyone!”

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Brexit, Trump, and technology: the ‘realities’ of 2017

By Christina Thakor-Rankin

F

bling sector which already operates in

skins betting) doing something about

rom the UK’s decision to leave the

a fragmented landscape, outside of the

it. Whilst the issue of skins betting has

EU to the election of Donald Trump,

EU principles of freedom of goods and

quietened down, the optimism around

and all the bits in between, 2016 is set

services and where each member state

e-sports betting i.e. betting on the win-

to go down in history as one of those

determines its own regulations, or not.

ning team or individual continues apace.

years which change the world forever.

Currency fluctuations, and perhaps the movement of people excepted, it would

This is a sector where one of the most

The mechanism for change has done

broadly be a case of business as usual.

popular games boasts around 380,000

its work, but the nature of that change

Gibraltar remains a concern, however

unique active players at any one time,

remains unknown, which makes the

one assumes that the Brexit negotia-

the last tournament pulled in over 70

start of 2017 something of a leap into

tions would seek to safeguard the in-

million viewers globally, and had a prize

the unknown – so much so that even

terests of a strategic British out-post.

fund of over £14m (compared to £6.5m

the experts have stopped trying to predict what is likely to happen next.

for the British Open golf championship).

The USA on the other hand, is a different prospect altogether.

It is against this background of ‘anyone’s guess’ that I have been asked to

The phenomenon that is e-sports (com-

try and predict how the events of 2016

petitive video gaming) finally made

might impact the betting and gam-

it over into the world of betting. The

bling industry over the next 12 months.

scandal came not from the traditional activity of betting, but from the lesser

Firstly, Brexit. The UK continues to be

known activity of ‘skins’ betting. Skins,

embroiled in legal challenges, consti-

are items which can be purchased or

tutional debates and internal political

earned by anyone of any age playing

wrangling, all of which will ultimately

the game, and which can then be traded

determine whether Brexit happens

for real cash, or in this case, used as a

and if it does, what it looks like. There

‘currency’ on skins betting sites. The

is also the chance of one of the Euro-

public furore caused by youngsters be-

pean elections throwing up another

ing able to not only access both skins

Brexit - a ‘Nexit’ or ‘Frexit’ which would

and skins betting sites, but then go-

lead to further European fragmentation.

ing on to develop gambling additions, eventually resulted in Valve, the com-

Theoretically this would have no im-

pany that develops and supplies the

pact on the European betting and gam-

software (and ‘indirectly’ profits from

INFINITY GAMING

There is also the chance of one of the European elections throwing up another Brexit - a ‘Nexit’ or ‘Frexit’ which would lead to further European fragmentation.

JANUARY 2017

With the BBC, Sky/Fox Sports and ESPN

merger of DFS giants Draftkings and Fan

So, is 2017 the year that the US finally

all jumping on the broadcast bandwag-

Duel is a sign of things to come.

opens the door to online gambling? The

on pushing viewing figures to 300 mil-

early indications would strongly sug-

lion, sponsorship from brands like Coca

because they are less conscious of the

Cola and Red Bull, and US universities

time and digital spend, but also due to

looking to offer e-sports scholarships

the different ways in which a request

Whilst the rest of the world was watch-

this is more than just a fad – e-sports

to exclude is applied to the same ac-

ing the media circus that was the US

is big business and looks set to stay.

tivity, across different channels. Could

election, and the American Gaming As-

the customer justify continued play on

sociation, West Virginia, Arizona, Loui-

For betting operators, it is an oppor-

the basis that if the two activities car-

siana, Mississippi and Wisconsin were

tunity to tap into a market which this

ried the same level of risk, an exclusion

showing their support of New Jersey’s

year alone is due to earn $20billion and

requested in a physical premise would

constitutional

whose core consumers are millennials

automatically be applied to the same

Tom Cotton was filing a placeholder

and centennials (Generation Z) – both

activity in the online environment?

bill (S.3376) which seeks to reverse

of whom until now have proved elusive

gest caution.

state

rights,

Senator

the 2011 decision of the Department

or immune to the charms of traditional

On the up-side however, the regulation

of Justice that the Wire Act only ap-

betting and gaming.

of DFS has added more fuel to the fire

plied to sports betting, thereby al-

of regulated US sports betting. Hardly

lowing individual states to open the

2016 also saw the cash cow that was

surprising given the very marginal de-

door to regulated online gambling.

Daily Fantasy Sports being put through

gree of separation between fixed return

the legal and regulatory wringer, result-

head-to-head contests and fixed return

ing in the sector being hit by the triple-

sports betting. This, together with the

This new bill (S.3376) aims to restore

whammy of reduced liquidity (due to

other curve ball of 2016, the US elec-

not just the Wire Act to its pre-2011

some states banning it); increased cost

tion, already has the industry salivating

interpretation, it also seeks to future-

of compliance (due to some states regu-

at the prospect of what might come un-

proof it by ensuring that “the integrity

lating it); and the additional impact of

der a President whose name is as much

of laws enacted to prevent the use of

legal costs, fines, and investor confi-

associated with gambling as it is with

financial instruments for funding or

dence. The only means of survival when

anything else, and who has been suffi-

operating online casinos are not under-

faced with higher operating costs and a

ciently open to the prospect of online

mined by legal opinions not carrying

shrinking marketplace is consolidation.

gambling as to give it a go in New Jer-

the force of law issued by the federal

One can only assume that the recent

sey.

government lawyers.”

INFINITY GAMING

37

38

JANUARY 2017

Brexit, Trump, and technology: the ‘realities’ of 2017

Whilst the President-elect’s views on

and Japan look to be pushing regula-

the bill are unknown, we do know that

tion, whilst Australia and parts of Asia

Senator Cotton is a rising star of the

seem to be moving to a more restric-

The first game in this genre, Danger Are-

Republican Party, which now has con-

tive position – all driven ultimately by

na, gives the player 45 seconds to kill

trol of both the Senate and the House

the politics and economic necessities of

at least 6 robots on a randomly picked

of Representatives. We also know that

the day, and all largely out of our hands.

map. The maximum pay-out is 10 robots.

this bill is also supported by Sheldon

ent upon the level of the player’s skill.

Players are essentially betting on their

Adelson, the Party’s biggest donor, who

But what of those elements which do sit

FPS (First Person Shooter) skills. The ease

has also endorsed Trump, and who

within our control – product and prod-

with which a player can get the robots

despite making his fortune through

uct development.

depends on the map which is randomly

land based casinos has avowed to

generated. It is too early to say whether

see off the legalisation of online gam-

Virtual betting has done rather well

VGMs will catch-on, and whether they

bling at any cost. We also know that

in 2016, and promises to continue to

will attract the younger generation of

Mr Trump’s foray into the world of on-

do well in 2017. Adding new twists to

video gamers as hoped. There is every

line gambling in New Jersey was not

existing products such as early cash-

reason to believe that they will prove

his most successful venture to date.

outs, beating the clock, casual and

popular with some of the older players

social pool play, and new game vari-

who already enjoy similar interactive

Taking all of this into consideration,

ants will continue as operators vie for

bonus features on existing slot games.

what are the chances of Mr Trump op-

customer

posing a bill which seeks to ban an ac-

ment. These however are all varia-

The second is virtual reality (VR). The

tivity which is no longer linked to any

tions on a theme, what really ‘new’

sector has already seen some experi-

of his business activities, but which

things can we look forward to in 2017?

mentation (most notably Slots Millions’

acquisition

and

engage-

is being driven by the Republican Party’s biggest movers and shakers?

virtual casino and Microgaming’s VR The first is skill based slots - or video

roulette), whilst others have dismissed

game gambling machines (VGMs). Re-

it as irrelevant and of little traction.

Outside of Europe and the US the world

cently approved by New Jersey, and

will continue as it always has. There will

currently being tested in Atlantic City,

This could be for any number of rea-

be regulations both enabling and ban-

the concept is simple. An arcade style

sons: cost, ease of access and the fact

ning gambling – Africa, South America

game where the pay-out is depend-

that gamblers are generally creatures of

INFINITY GAMING

VS LostVegas.co.uk

#October2016

Brexit, Trump, and technology: the ‘realities’ of 2017

JANUARY 2017

habit who often need to be cajoled

active bonus feature/round installed

‘for real’, whilst remote operators

or incentivised before they are will-

on a machine with integrated head-

could strike deals with clubs to broad-

ing to try something new. Even then

set and gesture based VR applica-

cast the VR version of a match live to

there will be reluctance, unless the

tion where the bonus pay-out is

their players through their app with

new is wrapped up and presented

linked to the skills of the player and

as many in-play messages as they like

within the context of the familiar

you have a new twist on the familiar

and by-pass traditional broadcasting

or the promise of greater reward.

with a reason for the player to try it.

and its attending marketing restrictions

Most people, let alone gamblers, have

Other applications for VR centre around

never experienced VR. This is about

VIPs, marketing and operator ownership

So to summarise, and strongly caveated

to change. With a basic VR head-set

of the full player experience across mul-

with the usual ‘maybe’, ‘possibly’ and

now coming in at around $10-20, and

tiple channels. Land casinos, where reg-

‘just my humble opinion’, some of the

a limitless number of uses for the new

ulation allows, already offer live dealer

key discussion points of 2017 will be: US

technology - from education and ar-

streaming to VIPs featuring the players’

ban on online gambling at a federal level,

chitectural planning, to grocery shop-

preferred dealer. VR creates a whole new

e-sports, skill and virtual reality, I think.

ping and entertainment - virtual real-

world of multi-dimensional interactive

ity is set to become the new reality.

possibilities between player and dealer.

And whilst its application in betting and

The technology which brings to life the

month only in the Infinity Gaming Maga-

gambling has been minimal to date, the

experience of being in the crowd at a

zine

introduction of skill based slots could

match or game is already here. This al-

accelerate its use in land-based casinos.

lows land-based venues to offer their

Take an existing slot game with an inter-

players a chance to experience an event

completely. And this is just the start.

Read

Christina

Thakor-Rankin

INFINITY GAMING

each

41

42

JANUARY 2017

Fantasy football apps are on the rise & how apps can continue to match with the demand.

By Paul Swaddle, Chairman, Pocket App

While fantasy football may have started

their respective Fantasy Football Apps,

Delivering a market ready product is

out as a geeky, niche hobby, it’s since

aim to garner fan attention. Whether you

very important and the demand has

grown into a pop-culture phenomenon

are a fan of UK based Premier League or

seen companies such as ESPN launch

especially within the last twenty years.

The Sun’s Fantasy Football or US based

their offering to capitalise on this grow-

One of the big reasons for the growth

FanDuel or Draft Kings. These apps and

ing trend- with somewhat mixed reac-

in fantasy football’s popularity is the

inbuilt worldwide audience has grown

tions. As the NFL opened the floodgates

wealth of online tools that do away

year on year. Daily fantasy football

on the 2016 NFL season with a slate

with or minimize clunky bookkeeping,

unique audience growth has increased

of morning games in September. The

and it gets even better with modern

to 485% via computers and 847% on

ESPN Fantasy Football app and web-

mobile apps entering the fray. Fantasy

mobiles from 2015, within 41 million

site crashed, just as the early games

football is predicated on statistics.

worldwide. In the US, the industry is

kicked off, as countless fans opened

These numbers have formed fan inter-

worth over $15 billion with 32 million

went to open their fantasy team page

est to develop rapidly, both from the

playing Americans. More than 3.5million

even before many of them turned on

hardcore faction and casual ones alike.

people play the Premier League Fan-

the actual games, ESPN’s platforms

tasy Football app and these statistics

went down and left people in the dark

alone show the hunger for these apps.

about what was happening with their

Every July, the influx of national newspapers and Premier League advertising

INFINITY GAMING

teams. Even the UK based Premier

JANUARY 2017

League suffered a similar issue when

considered and seamless integration

a fixed “budget,” not terribly unlike a

it could not cope with the high num-

with client’s complex back-end sys-

salary cap. Players then select a team

bers of players seeking to make last-

tem, boasting an extremely engaging

from a menu based on how they think

minute changes and sign up before the

user experience allowed the reskinna-

real players will perform in just one

11.30am deadline in August of this year.

ble format being utilised by the client

game. If your team outperforms most

across additional branded products.

of the others, you win money. The bet-

Previously, Pocket App developed a

ter your team does relative to the other

mobile version of Fantasy League’s

This year the expansion of fantasy foot-

competitors, the greater your winnings.

Championship product, allowing us-

ball mobile app offerings has increased

ers to manage their teams on the go,

with providers such as ESPN Fantasy

As the market grows so do the changes

check where they stand in the league,

sports app, Yahoo Fantasy Sports app

in terms of formats and greater access

view the latest player points and make

and RotoWire producing new consum-

to quicker winnings. This factor means

those vital transfers. The application

er offerings. Edinburgh based unicorn

new opportunities for companies to

features a high-end UI design, boast-

FanDuel expanded from their US mar-

produce their Fantasy Football apps

ing an excellent user experience, mak-

ket to launch its Premier League prod-

and create new intuitive ways to ex-

ing any team changes a quick and easy

uct in the UK. The season-long product

pand on an already popular market.

task. The app features seamless integra-

in this country has 4 million regular

tion with the client’s complex back end

players and the popularity of the Pre-

At Pocket App, we are always more than

system, ensuring accurate content up-

mier League is without question. What

happy to talk to businesses about how

dates, relevant to player performance.

stands out is the explosive growth in

mobile can positively influence their

fantasy football apps – particularly is

performance, so if reading this article

The results saw the app rated for its

daily fantasy. Daily fantasy differs from

gives you food for thought, feel free to

high speed, mobility and user experi-

the traditional, season-long format in

give us a call on 02071 834 388.

ence by fantasy football players world-

a number of ways. Competitors pay

wide. Feedback from users on iOS

a fee for each game they play – as lit-

and Android Windows 8 version was

tle as £1 of real money – and then get

INFINITY GAMING

43

GAMING NEWS

JANUARY 2017

Pennsylvania waves goodbye to online gambling & all eyes to Michigan

P

ennsylvania waved goodbye to the chance of online gambling being made legal in the Keystone state for this year as last Wednesday 30th November saw the end of the legislature session for 2016 and unless some miracle of Christmas happens with a special session supporters will have to wait till 2017.

However with new lawmakers being voted in and starting work come January along with online gambling champion representative John Payne retiring it is unclear when in the new year online gambling will see the light of day again.

Lawmakers had penciled in $100 million in tax revenues from online gambling for 2017 and so that revenue will have to be filled some how come the new year but for now and the foreseeable future Pennsylvania will not be playing online games for Christmas.

However with Pennsylvania hopes gone supporters are looking over at Michigan for the last chance this year for a state to legalise online gambling.

Michigan still has a few days left in their legislative session and with online gambling bill SB 889 still waiting for a vote. However it has been waiting for some time since the Michigan Regulatory Reform Committee held discussions on it back in May and passed it for a vote.

It seems that it does not have the traction for a vote and observers believe it will still be sitting waiting when the New Year starts. With Michigan having a population of just short of ten million it is not the biggest state and with SB 889 only allowing for three licenses should it ever be voted through then it looks like supporters of online gambling will be asking Santa for 2017 to bring more states to the online gambling party than the current year, that is of course if Sheldon Adelson does not get involved.

INFINITY GAMING

45

GAMING NEWS

JANUARY 2017

UKGC report says 450,000 children gamble each week in UK

A

new survey conducted by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) into underage gambling has been released showing the youngsters are more in danger of taking a punt rather than smoking or taking drugs. However the most common forms of gambling are not online but lottery, betting shops and fruit machines.

Below are the report findings from the UKGC and the headline facts of the report, the commission surveyed 2,411 children from 103 state secondary schools in England and Wales to carry out the survey.

between friends. But we would encourage parents to speak to their children about the risks associated with gambling, so that if they choose to gamble in adulthood, they will do so in a safe and responsible way.”

Headline findings include: 1.The overall rate of gambling among 11-15 year olds has remained relatively static over time, whilst smoking, drinking alcohol and drug taking has seen a decline.

2.The proportion of 12-15 year olds classified as problem gamblers is 0.4%, a similar figure to the previous year.

Parents and guardians are being warned to be vigilant following publication of a new report indicating that 450,000 children are gambling in England and Wales every week.

3.Gambling in the week prior to taking part in the study was twice as prevalent among boys (21%) than among girls (11%).

The Gambling Commission’s Young People and Gambling Report also shows that around 9,000 of these are likely to be problem gamblers.

4.75% of 11-15 year olds have seen gambling advertisements on TV and 63% have seen these on social media websites.

The findings indicate that the overall rate of gambling among 11-15 year olds is around 16%. This figure compares to 5% of 11-15 year olds who have smoked and 8% who have drunk alcohol in the last week, while 6% have taken drugs in the last month.

5.Of those surveyed, almost 60% agreed that ‘gambling is dangerous’.

Tim Miller, Gambling Commission executive director, said “We’re often reminded to discuss the risks of drinking, drugs and smoking with our children. However our research shows that children are twice as likely to gamble than do any of those things.

“We want to reassure parents that our rules require gambling businesses to prevent and tackle underage gambling and we take firm action where young people are not properly protected.

“We recognise that there are some gambling activities in which young people are legally permitted to partake – such as using a crane machine to win a toy, or betting

6.The most popular forms of gambling continue to be fruit machines, placing a private bet with friends and National Lottery scratchcards.

7.8% of 11-15 year olds had gambled on a commercial premises in the last week, including betting shops, bingo halls and arcades.

8.Of those who played the National Lottery, the tickets/ scratchcards were typically purchased by a parent/ guardian.

9.3% of 11-15 year olds have at some point spent their own money on online gambling 10.6% have at some point gambled online using their parents’ accounts (either with or without permission).

INFINITY GAMING

47

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GAMING NEWS

JANUARY 2017

Cyprus to review OPAP lottery deal and start to ban online gambling sites

T

he Cyprus government now well into gambling following the decision to license the first casino resort earlier this year have now followed this by readying itself for the commencement of online sports betting with the National Betting Authority (EAS) preparing to block some 2,500 online gambling sites offering services to local players.

At the recent House finance committee’s meeting the EAS said they were in the process of blocking those sites that were not operating in the guidelines of the 2012 governments legislation towards online poker, online casinos and sports betting, which are all currently banned.

In October this year the EAS started accepting license applications from online operators towards offering online sports betting and wanted to clear the operators who were not currently in the process and offering online gambling to Cypriots.

Also at the meeting the committee discussed the current agreement with Greek lottery firm OPAP which MPs said was costing them €1 million a month in lost tax revenues.

OPAP and the Cypriot government signed an agreement in 2003 with OPAP paying €10 million a year in taxes to offer lottery services to players. That agreement seems to be coming to an end and the government is currently preparing new legislation that will offer the lottery service to a a lottery operator who will have to pay 24% tax on gross profits for a specific period of time and under specific conditions.

Tedi Sagi the founder of Playtech has decided to sell 10% of his stake in the company reducing it down to 23.6%, in a filing to the London Stock Exchange (LSE), Playtech announced the news that the billionaire is selling a third of his shares in the technology giant.

On completion of the sale it is estimated Sagi will receive £294 million for his 10% sale on the company that is currently valued at £2.94 billion. In the announcement Playtech said that following the sale Sagi and his investment vehicle he uses for the shares, Brickington Trading Limited will not sell any further shares for at least another 180 days.

The understanding for the sale is for Sagi to invest in other non-related sectors, the self made billionaire has diversified over the years and holds some 34 properties in Camden London with 465,000 square feet of space along with owning the famous Camden Market.

INFINITY GAMING

49

GAMING NEWS

JANUARY 2017

Founder of Paddy Power was against FOBT’s Jason O’Connor head of Crown’s VIP named in part of China arrests

S

tewart Kenny the founder of Paddy Power told the Irish government in a consultation in 2009 for them not to allow Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBT’s) in to betting shops as they are highly addictive and ‘particularly enticing to younger gamblers in disadvantaged areas’.

In an investigation by the Times uncovering a report from Mr Kenny to the Irish government he is reported to have said, “The machines were allowed in Britain only because the UK treasury was ‘as addicted to the tax revenue [from the machines] as vulnerable customers are to losing money in them”.

Even thou Paddy Power operates 1,400 FOBT’s machines in their 350 betting shops in the UK it seems the founder of the popular betting firm was not that keen on allowing them but once they became legal to do so Paddy Power had no choice but to follow their competitors.

Chinese authorities have confirmed that three Australian nationals from Crown Resorts are part of the formal arrests made regarding “on suspicion of gambling,” in China that is illegal.

One of the key Australian figures named by the Chinese foreign ministry is Jason O’Connor head of Crown’s VIP International team, if found guilty they could face three years in prison.

The investigating prosecution says that those arrested were involved in organizing groups of more than 10 Chinese citizens to gamble abroad, which under Chinese law is illegal.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Australia’s consular staff visited all three on Tuesday. They are being held in Shanghai.

In other extracts from the consultation Mr Kenny went on to add, ‘There is no public demand, other than from sections of the betting industry, for FOBTs to be legalised in Ireland. It is in no one’s interest, neither betting shop customers nor wider society.

“They are in good health, they are all represented by lawyers and we were able to provide advice and support and messages from their families,” Bishop told Sky News television.

‘Let us learn from the mistake in the UK of allowing them into betting offices, once they are in it is impossible to get rid of them or even curb their more addictive elements.’

“It is a very difficult circumstance, but we will continue to provide whatever advice and support that we are able,” she added.

Currently the UK government are looking at the possibility of reducing the amount gamblers can place on the machines, currently it is said that players can bet £100 each twenty seconds on the FOBT’s.

It is understood that the investigations will take three months before any formal charges and court action will be decided and in that time the accused remain in custody.

INFINITY GAMING

51

INFINITY GAMING

GAMING NEWS

JANUARY 2017

53

Yggdrasil partners with Lottoland

Y

ggdrasil Gaming has signed

ing, said: “Lottoland are one of the big-

in recent years that they are ahead of

a deal with Lottoland to inte-

gest success stories in gaming in the past

the curve when it comes to online slots

grate its full suite of video slots

few years and it’s a very proud moment

and gamification. Their games are very

directly into the leading online lottery

for us to sign this deal. It’s especially

impressive, while the accompanying pro-

betting operator.

exciting to integrate directly into them to

motional tools bring customer engage-

fully utilize the promotional tools in our

ment to a new level.

Lottoland becomes the latest Gibraltar-

portfolio, which is a clear sign that our

based operator to take Yggdrasil’s portfo-

efforts in Gibraltar are bearing fruit.

lio of industry-leading games. Yggdrasil

“We’ve already got over 4.5 million customers worldwide and that number is

received its Gibraltar licence earlier this

“I said a few years ago that lottery was

growing rapidly. I’m very confident that

year and has made a host of big signings

the final frontier in online gaming and

the launch of Yggdrasil’s content is going

in the jurisdiction, as well as in the UK.

Lottoland’s hugely impressive growth

to accelerate that growth, making our

has shown what a powerful vertical it is.

offering even more attractive to new and

In addition to Yggdrasil’s market-leading

We are two companies cut from the same

existing players.”

content, Lottoland will also gain access

cloth in that we want to shake things

to the supplier’s collection of in-game

up in the industry, and we look forward

Yggdrasil’s portfolio contains a wide

promotional tools, BOOST™, including

to a long and successful relationship

range of popular casino games, includ-

the recently-launched Missions feature,

together.”

ing: Bicicleta, Double Dragons, Seasons,

as well as the social sharing tool BRAG.

Vikings Go Berzerk, progressive jackpot Gavin Grimes, VP of Gaming at Lottoland,

Fredrik Elmqvist, CEO at Yggdrasil Gam-

Joker Millions, and Nirvana.

said: “Yggdrasil have consistently proven

INFINITY GAMING

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GAMING NEWS

JANUARY 2017

Baazov finds new financing for Amaya offer Former head of payments at PokerStars avoids jail term

B

loomberg news agency are reporting that David Baazov the former Chief Executive of Amaya Gaming has secured replacement funding in the form of two Hong Kong based investment firms that will cover the KBC Aldini Capital part of the finance that never was.

Last week it was announced by Baazov that KBC Aldini Capital was part financing his takeover bid of Amaya Gaming which KBC Aldini Capital then went on to deny any part of.

However Baazov now has Head and Shoulders Global Investment Fund SPC and Goldenway Capital SPC, both singing signed “binding equity commitment letters” to cover the financing of the deal along with the previous confirmed investors.

Stanley Choi, chairman of Head and Shoulders Financial Group, said he was “not at all” concerned by last week’s activities, adding that the company will “continue to support David Baazov”.

Now with the financing in place Amaya Gaming have still not made any indication of accepting the deal but an announcement one way or the other will be expected shortly from Amaya Gaming on the offer.

Paul Tate the former PokerStars Head of Payments who appeared in court Monday 28th October charged with running illegal online gambling has been given leniency by the judge in the case and only given a fine of $119,000 for his part in the April 15, 2011 indictments dubbed “Black Friday.”

What seems like a very long time ago Tate was one of 11 men indicted for their part in running online poker which was part of a crackdown by US authorities involving PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker.

But District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan praised Tate for handing himself over when he could of avoided extradition in the Isle of Man, however Tate flew to the US to face the charges laid against him.

“Given that you couldn’t be extradited for this, you deserve a world of credit for coming to face the music,” Kaplan said.

Tate told the judge: “I very much regret the choices I have made.”

Of the eleven men charged on that day nine have now faced the US courts only Isai Scheinberg the former owner of PokerStars and Scott Tom founder of Absolute Poker have avoided that particular pleasure so far.

INFINITY GAMING

55

GAMING NEWS

JANUARY 2017

AGE 2017 is already setting new records

V

isitor registration is open for AGE 2017, a full 7

event’s future at the new ICC Sydney at Darling Harbour.

months prior to when we were able to open it for

In November a group of 120 inquisitive exhibitors visited

the 2016 Expo and as with last year, Social Media

the ICC for a sneak peek of what to expect. Comprising

is making registration a simplified process with auto-

both large and small exhibitors, with their exhibition

filled fields via the most popular social networks on the

contractors and their staff, along with the AGE coordi-

planet. Registrants will be able to see who is attending,

nating team, it was a chance to get a first hand glimpse

identify the most meaningful and relevant Gaming Expo

of what is truly a world class venue for AGE 2017. The

contacts who they’ll benefit from meeting at the Event.

highlight of the visit was Hall 3 and while they saw only

We’ve also considered returning visitors, with fields pre-

½ of the massive 19,000 square metres of floor space

populated, requiring just a couple of clicks to complete

that AGE will be occupying in 2017, one visitor was still

the registration.

impressed enough to describe the hall as ‘Cavernous”.

And of course by registering now will save time by avoid-

Taking advantage of the multi-purpose seminar rooms

ing having to line up on the day.

complete with smart lecterns at the new ICC Sydney, at AGE 2017 we will be running complimentary seminars for

In another milestone for AGE, with 20% more floor space

registered exhibition visitors. The seminars will include

than what we had in 2016, 90% of the floor space has

a “Global CEOs Forum”, to be moderated by Michael Pas-

already been taken by 176 exhibitors. This is exciting

coe and a “Women in Gaming” event, along with a range

news with 9 months to go until the show’s start date,

of sessions about topical issues.

which is the world’s third largest casino gaming equipment exhibition.

The Australasian Gaming Expo is on the 15th to the 17th August, 2017.

Our optimism was further confirmed recently about the

INFINITY GAMING

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