Kwiff faces ASA sanctions for breaching rules on underage marketing. Spanish National Police initiates an inquiry into match-fixing claims. Meanwhile, Betsson’s BML group receives a fine and marketing prohibition for violating Finnish regulations. Sweden grants gambling regulator the power to block payments. And APPG for gambling and gaming in the UK decides to dissolve.
ASA sanctions Kwiff for violating underage marketing regulations
Eaton Gate Gaming, a UK online gaming startup, faces consequences from the ASA for breaching regulations while marketing their Kwiff igaming brand. The violation occurred when a Kwiff ad emerged on a news article related to the Junior Blues on Portsmouth FC’s official webpage.
The ASA raised concerns about targeting underage individuals, as ads shouldn’t cater to those under 18. Eaton Gate argued their ad was on a separate news section, not aimed at children. They claimed their precise targeting tools excluded individuals under 18 but acknowledged a slight chance of minors seeing the ad.
Despite Eaton Gate’s arguments, the ASA upheld its ruling. The ad appeared alongside a webpage titled “Join the Junior Blues,” designed for individuals under 18, disregarding gambling advertising regulations.
The Spanish national police initiate a match-fixing investigation
The country’s National Police will launch a probe into allegations of match-fixing, following the detection of suspicious betting activities and sports competition manipulation by the local gambling watchdog. The Global Betting Market Research Service (SIGMA) division of the General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) uncovers potential infractions linked to match-fixing.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the General Directorate of the Police, which falls under the Ministry of the Interior and oversees the National Police, will conduct a criminal inquiry into the possibility of match-fixing. As part of this partnership, the National Police will have authorized access to the SIGMA database and will be responsible for investigating any alerts generated by the system regarding sports events and betting.
Betsson’s BML group hit with a fine and marketing ban for Finnish breach
In light of infringing the Finnish Lotteries Act, BML Group faces a €2.4 million fine and a prohibition from promoting gambling services to Finnish gamblers. The National Police Board found that BML illegally targeted mainland Finland’s players through an extensive and prolonged marketing campaign.
Only Veikkaus, the gambling monopoly, can promote gambling to Finnish consumers. BML failed to comply despite multiple opportunities. The ban covers BML’s website, communications, campaigns, podcasts, and articles promoting gambling in Finland.
BML must remove existing material, refrain from marketing on external websites, and comply with payment blocks. Failure to do so will result in the enforcement of the conditional fine.
Sweden empowers gambling regulator with payment blocking authority
Sweden’s gambling watchdog has been granted expanded authority by the Swedish legislature, known as the Riksdag. The regulator now possesses enhanced capabilities, including the ability to block payments from unlicensed money-wagering operations.
These new powers are part of Sweden’s revised gambling regulations, which involve amendments to the Gaming Act and are scheduled to take effect on July 1 of this year. As of that date, Spelinspektionen will be allowed to anonymously purchase gambling services to closely observe the activities of gaming businesses operating in the regulated market.
Additionally, the regulator will be authorized to collect and share personal data to combat match-fixing. Furthermore, gambling businesses will be obligated to disclose information related to crimes associated with the gaming industry to the police.
The betting and gaming APPG to disband in the UK
The Parliamentary All-Party Betting & Gaming Group (APPG) will officially close in the UK, following its formation in June 2015 as an informal cross-party association of gambling industry enthusiasts. Steve Donoughue, a gambling counselor and member of the APPG, revealed the decision to disband in a LinkedIn post.
Donoughue expressed gratitude for industry engagement and stated that the group plans to establish an informal network for individuals interested in the British gambling vertical, organizing meetings and discussions independently from the formal APPG structure.
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