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Former US legislator likens online poker to terrorism
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Blanche Lincoln, former U.S. Senator from Arkansas, has compared online poker games to terrorism. She is working for a group funded to prevent or delay the casino industry from going online wrote this in an op-ed piece for the Financial Times.
She urged the Congress to revisit the 1961 Wire Act and institute an online gaming ban. She also cited a 2017 FBI Internet Crime Report that listed “victim counts” for the entire spectrum of internet activity.
“The FBI’s 2017 Internet Crime Report revealed that the victim count and financial losses suffered as a result of online gambling surpassed that of terrorism-related cybercrimes last year,” Blanche, a Democrat, wrote. “It is this clear pattern of targeting the helpless that stands out to me.”
However, a look at the report reveals the fear mongering.
In the FBI report, internet gambling was actually close to the bottom (no. 31 of 33) in terms of the number of victims in 2017. According to the FBI, there were 203 victims of internet gambling-related cybercrimes. There were 177 from terrorism-related cybercrimes. The number of online gaming victims was less than half the number of victims of charity-related cybercrimes. Per the FBI data, there were 24 times as many victims of malware or ransomware in 2017 than there were for internet betting. There were nearly 90 times as many victims of identity theft.
The FBI report listed internet lottery and sweepstakes-related cyberscams separately from the gambling category. There were more than 3000 victims of lottery cyberscams.
As for the financial loss, there were $19,000 in losses from terrorism-related cybercrimes, the FBI said. Online gambling was just under $600,000, but again near the bottom of the list. Losses from iLottery schemes were $16.8 million.
Calls to restore the Wire Act, which the Obama Department of Justice greatly watered down in 2011, have been around for about five years, ever since Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson called internet gaming a “toxin.” Adelson backs the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling. The billionaire casino boss once famously declared that he would “spend whatever it takes” to convince Congress to ban online casinos.
Included in past discussions to ban online gaming was an idea to give state-sanctioned online lotteries a carve-out. So far, six of the 45 lottery states have internet lottery offerings, while just three (Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware) have regulated internet poker. Offshore online casinos operate in grey or black markets in many other states.
The U.S. lottery industry had sales of $73.3 billion in 2017, up 1.4 per cent compared to 2016. Internet-based iLottery sales were $176 million, up 30 per cent compared to 2016. Lincoln’s op-ed calling for an online poker prohibition did not mention the lottery.
Lincoln was one of nearly 100 Senators to back the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, which dealt a blow to the poker boom of the mid-2000s.
In mid-May, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the federal government cannot force states to enforce a ban on sports betting. A handful of states have legalised sports betting thanks to SCOTUS’ interest in the case. Many, if not all, future sports betting states will at least consider allowing bets to be placed over the web.
“With states having been given the freedom to legalise online betting — and the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing states to offer sports betting — I am tremendously concerned about the rise of online gambling in our country,” Blanche wrote.
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Source: cardplayer.com
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Groove Technologies Shines in Georgia at SmartSoft Partner Event: Culture, Connection, and Collaboration Take Centre Stage
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Groove Technologies’ Account Manager Nathalie brought signature energy and excellence to the heart of the Caucasus during a vibrant industry gathering hosted by SmartSoft, one of the region’s most innovative gaming providers.
The event, held under the guidance of SmartSoft’s Regional Commercial Head, Beka Kipiani, unfolded in Tbilisi against a backdrop of Georgian tradition, art, and world-renowned hospitality. Far more than a business meeting, this immersive experience showcased the fusion of iGaming innovation and cultural celebration, reinforcing strong ties between Groove, SmartSoft and other participants.
From high-level strategy discussions to a glamorous Gala Dinner, Nathalie represented Groove with style, joining fellow iGaming leaders for an evening of fine cuisine, live music, and the unmistakable warmth of Georgian camaraderie.
The itinerary didn’t stop at the ballroom. A rich cultural programme took guests through historic landmarks, arts showcases, and curated experiences that brought Georgian heritage to life, echoing the fusion of legacy and future-forward thinking that defines both Groove and SmartSoft.
As part of her visit, Nathalie also took part in a focused meeting and dinner with Groove Georgia’s team, strengthening regional alignment and celebrating the local team’s fast-growing contributions to Groove’s global strategy.
SmartSoft’s innovative collection of arcade-style casino games and premium slots is redefining the casino experience by blending skill-based mechanics with immersive gameplay to create groundbreaking crash-style games and other non-traditional casino content. Among SmartSoft’s most popular titles is JetX, an adrenaline-fueled crash game where players bet on the soaring trajectory of a jet plane. With its thrilling risk-reward mechanics and social multiplayer appeal, JetX has captured the attention of gamers across the world.
Beka Kipiani, SmartSoft’s Regional Commercial Head, added: “Hosting Groove’s Nathalie and our many other industry friends in Georgia was both a pleasure and a privilege. We believe in the power of local pride and global ambition, Groove understands that language. This wasn’t just a company event; it was a celebration of partnership, trust, and shared growth.”
As Groove continues to expand its global network of premium gaming partners, experiences like these highlight the power of in-person collaboration in crafting tomorrow’s success stories. Groove’s 15,000+ game portfolio, powered by 150+ elite providers including SmarttSoft, already stands as one of the most comprehensive in iGaming.
Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO of Groove Technologies, said: “Groove thrives on relationships; real, human partnerships that evolve beyond emails and dashboards. Events like this give our people, like Nathalie, the chance to connect deeply with partners like SmartSoft, to understand their market, and to share a bit of our Groove DNA while embracing theirs. Georgia delivered beauty, insight, and opportunity in equal measure.”
The post Groove Technologies Shines in Georgia at SmartSoft Partner Event: Culture, Connection, and Collaboration Take Centre Stage appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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BetConstruct to Participate in SBC Summit Lisbon 2025
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BetConstruct is going to participate in the SBC Summit Lisbon 2025. The company will showcase its full spectrum of products and solutions and introduce latest innovations at the event.
Held at the Feira Internacional de Lisbon on September 16-18, SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 will unite thousands of delegates, hundreds of exhibitors and top-tier innovators from sports betting, online casino, affiliate marketing and emerging technologies. It is the arena where industry leaders connect, game-changing ideas are shared and the future is set in motion.
BetConstruct will be right at the heart of it, at Stand C120, bringing the full force of innovation, the intelligence of BetConstruct AI and a relentless drive for partner-focused growth. At the core of its platform lies the cutting edge AI suite including CRM AI, Umbrella AI and the Game Recommendation System. By predicting player behaviour, optimising engagement and powering strategies with unmatched precision, its AI ensures partners stay ahead of the game while unlocking the full potential of the BetConstruct ecosystem.
Alongside AI tools and features, the company will present a powerhouse lineup of leading products including Sportsbook, Casino Suite and The Last Battle Universe, as well as other flagship BetConstruct solutions trusted by operators worldwide to power their growth.
BetConstruct’s solutions from immersive gaming experiences to growth-driving tools are built for performance, scalability and flexibility, designed to inspire, engage and empower. At SBC Summit Lisbon, the company will connect with key decision-makers, spark new collaborations and prove why BetConstruct is a driving force in the global iGaming industry. For three dynamic days, expect innovation on the floor and impact beyond it, with strategic side events and activations shaping the industry’s next chapter.
The post BetConstruct to Participate in SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Ghana’s NLA Introduces New Sticker to Clamp Down on Illegal Lotto Operators
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The fight against illegal lotto operations in Ghana continues unabated with a major push led by the Director-General and Management of the National Lottery Authority (NLA).
On August 26, the Authority organised a press conference at Brennan Hall to re-emphasise the ongoing registration exercise for Lotto Writers under registered Private Lotto Operators, a process initially launched on September 18, 2024, under the previous leadership.
As part of the initiative, unique identification stickers are being introduced for all Writers and Agents of Private Lotto Operators (PLOs). This measure is expected to reduce illegal activities in the industry and significantly boost the Authority’s revenue.
Addressing the press, the Director-General, Mr. Mohammed Abdul-Salam, noted the growing difficulty distinguishing legitimate writers from illegal ones. He explained that the introduction of the new sticker system would firmly establish the Authority’s regulatory role. Supported by the Operations and Compliance teams, this initiative will be enforced from September 1, 2025, to clamp down on unlicensed operators.
The Executive Secretary of the Concerned Lotto Agents and Writers Association (CLAAG), Mr. Kwaku Duah, welcomed the development, stressing that it was time for Registered Operators to benefit from the fees they had paid. He further cautioned that any Agent or Writer who fails to comply with the new regulations would not receive their support when caught by the law.
The sticker will display the Agent or Writer’s name, location, phone number and payment details, among other information. A QR code generated upon payment will allow the compliance team to easily verify duly licensed operators during their visits.
Mr. Andrew Tuah, Head of Operations, added that the registration fee of GHC 250 for Lotto Writers was to be renewed annually. In addition to the sticker’s robust security features, which cannot be duplicated, he announced a nationwide sensitisation exercise for the Lotto Writers to familiarise themselves with this app.
The press conference was also attended by the Deputy Director-General, Mr. Eric Yeboah Wadie, the Public Relations Officer of CLAAG, Mr. David Agbeviadeh, members of the Executive Management, Management and Staff of the Authority.
The post Ghana’s NLA Introduces New Sticker to Clamp Down on Illegal Lotto Operators appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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