association

European Casino Association Calls for Action with 2025 Manifesto

European-Casino-Association-manifesto-seeks-support-of-new-European-Commission The European Casino Association (ECA) has released its 2025 manifesto, urging the European Union (EU) to collaborate on advancing the success of Europe’s casino industry. The manifesto comes at a pivotal moment with the new European Commission taking office under President Ursula von der Leyen. It marks the beginning of a fresh five-year term that will shape the future of EU gambling policies.

A Unified Call for Support, Protection, and Promotion

The ECA’s manifesto outlines a clear framework for the coming years, built on three central pillars: support, protect, and promote. These pillars reflect the core goals of the ECA as it seeks to contribute to both the growth of the EU’s gambling sector and its broader economic success.

Support: The ECA is committed to assisting EU institutions in ensuring a safe, regulated environment for gambling. It highlights the growing threat of illegal gambling operators, which not only evade taxes but also fuel criminal activity. According to the manifesto, these illegal operations cost the EU €10 billion in lost tax revenue annually.
Protect: The association underscores its commitment to consumer safety, ensuring that the gambling industry remains trustworthy and accountable. The ECA supports the responsible gaming initiatives and fair play regulations to safeguard players across Europe.
Promote: The ECA advocates for fostering economic growth by creating jobs, supporting local communities, and contributing to national and EU GDP. The association argues that legal, licensed operators have a pivotal role in sustaining economic competitiveness within Europe, providing a strong contrast to the impact of illegal operators who drain resources from EU member states.

Combating Illegal Gambling and Enhancing EU Competitiveness

The most pressing issue addressed in the manifesto is the threat of illegal gambling, which is rapidly growing across Europe. The ECA estimates that the illegal sector contributes up to €32 billion in unlicensed online gaming revenue. This not only damages the reputation of licensed operators but also poses risks to consumer safety, as illegal providers do not adhere to the necessary checks and safeguards.

The ECA is calling on the EU and member states to reinforce their commitment to combating illegal gambling by enhancing enforcement of anti-money laundering (AML) measures. They also urge policymakers to ensure that all gambling services are operated within national legal frameworks, emphasizing the need for regulatory uniformity across the EU.

Furthermore, the manifesto stresses the importance of ensuring fair competition in the market, advocating for a fairer approach to taxation and financial regulations for the land-based casino sector, which has long been overshadowed by illicit operations.

The Manifesto and Its Reception by Lawmakers

The manifesto has already made waves in the EU, with various lawmakers responding to the association’s calls for action. While some have supported the initiative, others have raised concerns about the impact of the level 2 AML risk classification for land-based casinos, which is set to be reviewed in the upcoming European Commission assessment. Despite differing opinions, the general consensus appears to favor stricter regulation of the gambling sector to protect consumers and ensure fair practices.

ECA Chair Erwin van Lambaart expressed strong optimism about the reform, stating: “This manifesto reflects our commitment to supporting EU efforts in regulating and promoting a safe, responsible gambling environment. We urge EU policymakers to work with us in eliminating illegal gambling and fostering a more secure and competitive marketplace.”

A Strategic Shift for the Gambling Sector

The ECA’s manifesto serves as a blueprintfor the next five years, focusing on the regulation of the gambling sector and the protection of consumers in the European Union. With the backing of major members like Holland Casino, Casinos Austria, and Casino Cosmopol, the ECA aims to leverage its influence to shape policies that support the growth of a regulated, fair, and economically viable gambling industry.

As the European Commission begins to implement its 2024-2029 agenda, the ECA’s vision and the strategic priorities it has outlined in this manifesto are likely to play a crucial role in the future of the European gambling market.

Source:

The European Casino Association Publishes Its Visionary Manifesto for EU Policymakers – European Casino Association, December 1, 2024

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Filed Under: Gambling News Tagged With: action, association, calls, Casino, european, manifesto

Ontario Regulator Stops Betting on World Boxing Association Events

ontario_halts_world_boxing_association_betting_over_integrity_concerns The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, the government body in charge of regulating sports betting and gambling in Canada’s most populous province, has ordered all licensed operators in the region to stop offering bets on events organized by the World Boxing Association (WBA).

The measure was due to concerns over the integrity of those events after the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario ruled that boxing matches organized by the WBA do not have adequate safeguards in place when it comes to preventing match fixing and insider betting. This all started after the regulator conducted a thorough review of the wagering activity of a title fight organized by the World Boxing Association.

The respective bout was the one between Yoenis Tellez and Livan Navarro, when the Ontario regulator observed suspicious betting patterns in live bets being placed over five and a half rounds during the match. The bout was observed by two registered independent monitors while the betting activity took place at a registered iGaming operator in the Canadian province.

There were also reports in the media claiming that the manager of Yoenis Tellez placed bets worth 110,000 dollars at a casino in Florida on the match going on for over five and a half rounds. The bet was a winning one as the match went on until the tenth round, when Tellez managed to knock out Navarro.

All Eyes on Insider Betting

The match took place in December 2023 in Florida and that is also when the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario started its review of the matter. One of the conclusions of the respective review was that bets related to boxing matches organized by the WBA don’t meet the current version of the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. This led to the indefinite suspension of betting on WBA events in Ontario.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario also underlined that its licensed operators were asked to demonstrate that the WBA prohibits betting from insiders and the respective operators were unable to do that. This means that coaches, managers, handlers or medical staff involved with one of the fighters could place bets on the respective matches while having the benefit of knowing non-public information. Moreover, the review found no proof that the World Boxing Association took any action to investigate past allegations of match fixing and insider wagering.

This is not the first time the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario takes such a measure. In December 2022 the regulator ordered licensed operators to stop offering bets on UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) matches following similar concerns over insider betting. That ban lasted just for a few weeks because the UFC then implemented new protocols to prevent insider betting.

Source: “Ontario halts World Boxing Association betting over integrity concerns“. iGaming Business. April 19, 2024.

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Filed Under: Gambling News Tagged With: association, Betting, boxing, events, ontario, regulator, stops, world

Major U.S. iGaming Operators Launch Responsible Gaming Association

leading_us_operators_launch_responsible-_online_gaming_association Seven key operators of online casinos and sports betting websites in the United States have announced their alliance with the purpose of creating the Responsible Online Gaming Association.

The aim of the respective association is to promote responsible gaming in the United States and to promote best practices for the iGaming industry in the country and not only.

The association was formed by BetMGM, Bet365, DraftKings, Fanatics Betting & Gaming, FanDuel, Hard Rock Digital and Penn Entertainment, operators that are licensed to conduct their business in several American states.

These seven companies are dominating the market in the United States, their combined market share reaching 85 percent of the American online sports betting and iGaming market. The seven companies pledged a sum in excess of 20 million dollars for the Responsible Online Gaming Association in order to finance its activity for the first year.

Dr Jennifer Shatley, a professional with 25 years of experience within the industry, was appointed Executive Director of the Responsible Online Gaming Association. She is also the President of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling and also a member of the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Five Main Objectives

The Responsible Online Gaming Association has set five key objectives for its activity. The first one is to promote research regarding responsible gaming, including funding independent research on the impact and effectiveness of current responsible gaming tools.

Moreover, the Responsible Online Gaming Association will also promote best practices for responsible gaming, encouraging companies in the industry to employ these principles in their activities.

Another goal of the association is to raise awareness about the problems generated by irresponsible gaming and encourage appropriate advertising for gambling services and brands.

The Responsible Online Gaming Association has also announced that it will work to create an independent data clearinghouse, a tool for the member companies to share information between them in order to protect their customers.

Last but not least, the Responsible Online Gaming Association will try to establish an independent certification programme. This will have the task of evaluating the responsible gaming efforts made by the member companies and provide objective feedback regarding their responsible gaming policies.

Source: “Responsible Online Gaming Association“. iGaming Business. March 27, 2024.

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Filed Under: Gambling News Tagged With: association, gaming, igaming, launch, major, operators?, responsible

Las Vegas’ Strat Complex Is Site of Yearly Fundraiser for Lung Association

Hundreds of participants are expected to take part in Sunday’s ‘Scale the Strat’ climb-a-thon up the Strat Hotel, Casino & Tower’s 108 floors.

Alexis Trujillo of Mexico City walks up the stairs at the Strat. He has taken part in prior Scale the Strat events in Las Vegas. (Image: KSNV)

Walkers need to make it up 1,455 steps to the top of the Las Vegas structure, some 800 feet above the ground. The ascent up the stairs takes place between 7 a.m. and noon on Sunday. It benefits the American Lung Association.

Current Record Time

Some participants have been able to make the journey in less than seven minutes. The current record was set last year when Wai Ching Soh of the Malaysia Tower Running Association reached the top stair in 6 minutes and 46 seconds.

Others are more likely to walk up the stairs at a more leisurely speed of about 40 minutes. Whatever their time, there is great anticipation over the philanthropic tradition.

Veteran climbers say it’s well worth the effort.

When you come out of that stairwell, you’re having trouble breathing, and you know what it’s like to fight for every breath,” Shannon Proctor, executive director of the American Lung Association of Nevada, told Las Vegas TV station KTNV last year.

Proctor’s own family members have battled lung disease. Her grandmother died from lung cancer, and both of her parents have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Participants include locals and visitors from many nations.

We can’t wait to welcome stair climbers from all over the world, as well as locals, who look forward to Scale the Strat each year,” Stephen Thayer, vice president and general manager of the Strat Hotel, Casino & Tower, told Las Vegas TV station KLAS.

Online registration has closed. But in-person registration takes place between 2 and 5 p.m. on Saturday and before 9 a.m. on Sunday.

Weekend registration is $50. There is a $200 fundraising minimum.

The Strat stair climb is affiliated with the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb national events.

Millions Have Been Raised

As of earlier this month, $215K has been pledged for this year’s Strat event. The fundraising goal is more than $300K. Since it began in 2008, Scale the Strat has raised more than $2.8M.

The American Lung Association uses the money raised in Las Vegas and throughout the US in similar events to prevent lung disease and improve respiratory health through advocacy, patient education, and research efforts.

Many of those taking part will be on voluntary teams, made of friends, relatives, or co-workers.

Those taking part can get a 35% discount on a Strat hotel room. They will also be given a $20 food and beverage limited credit. The event’s code is ALA24.

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The 2023 National Basketball Association Draft Lottery

the_2023_national_basketball_association_draft_lottery On Tuesday, May 16^th, 2023 the National Basketball Association draft lottery day has finally arrived, and the NBA is about to find out which franchise will possess the number one overall draft pick that will enable them the chance to select Victor Wembanyama in next month’s 2023 NBA Draft.

The NBA Draft Lottery Process

The 2023 NBA draft lottery will be held on Tuesday night in Chicago, Illinois where 14 – NBA franchises will ultimately have a chance to win the number 1 overall draft selection for the 2023 NBA Draft which will be held on June 22^nd, 2023. The Detroit Pistons, the Houston Rockets, and the San Antonio Spurs all have the best possibility of winning the number one overall draft pick at 14 % each.

The NBA draft lottery revolves around 14 ping – pong balls going into a machine, and the 1^st – four balls that come out will be matched to the predestined NBA teams that are assigned to them determining the order of the first several picks of this year’s 2023 NBA Draft this upcoming June.

The results from Tuesday night’s NBA draft lottery will be nationally broadcasted on ESPN even though the official National Basketball Association draft lottery itself actually occurs about an hour before air time in a secured room.

Each NBA franchise will have one representative in the room as well as some league officials, lottery observers, and some major sports media outlets will also be in the set room, but no one will be allowed to leave the room or communicate with anyone else until the results are eventually displayed on tv to the general public.

The NBA draft lottery originated way back in 1985. Throughout the first 5 – years, the NBA draft lottery teams (7 in 1985 – 1988, and 9 in 1989) all had an the same or an equal chance of winning the number one overall pick.

Odds started to be weighted way back in the year of 1990. During those 33 – years, the NBA franchise with the best odds of winning the number one pick only prevailed to go on and get it just 11 – times, or 33.3 %, but the NBA team holding (or tied for) the best odds entering the NBA draft lottery won the number 1 pick 7 – times over the course of last 8 – years.

Victor Wembanyama

The now 19 – year – old Wembanyama just so happens to be a 7 – foot 3 – inch power forward / center that can do it all on the hardwood. The young phenom from France is just now finishing up his 3^rd – professional basketball season overseas, and he has been the consensus number – 1 2023 NBA draft pick for quite some time now.

Victor Wembanyama has the overall size of a center, the shooting touch of a wing player, and the passing ability as well as the ball handling skills of a point guard too. He is predicted to be the best number one overall draft pick entering the NBA in quite a long time.

Victor Wembanyama’s Basketball Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards

Pro A Champion (2022)
LNB All – Star Game MVP Award Winner (2022)
2 – Time LNB All – Star Selection (2021, 2022)
2 – Time Pro – A Best Young Player Award Winner (2021, 2022)

Sources:

The Associated Press News Services. “Draft Lottery day arrives, with the NBA about to learn where Wembanyama is going”. The Associated Press. Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

Basketball Reference News Services. “Victor Wembanyama”. Basketball Reference. Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

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