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EGBA Pitches ‘Online Gambling 2.0’ To European Commission
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The European Commission’s guidelines on consumer protection for online gambling have failed to achieve their primary objective and should be replaced with new attempts at harmonisation, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has told European lawmakers.
Commission Recommendation 2014/478/EU was designed to establish a high bar of minimum consumer protection standards across Europe. However, varying national interests and the recommendation’s voluntary nature have seen it unable to achieve its primary aim, said researcher Dr Margaret Carran and the EGBA at an event held at the European Parliament on Tuesday.
The trade group said it wants to encourage a “high level of consumer protection” across Europe and see national gambling authorities provided with a “coherent cooperation framework”, something it believes the commission’s recommendation has failed to achieve.
Other aims include having the compliance of national gambling regulations with EU law “fully enforced” and for regulated online operators to be able to offer their services “without undue administrative burdens”.
The European Commission controversially announced in December 2017 that it was dropping all online gambling enforcement cases, leaving key decisions about compliance with EU law to the national courts.
As of now, the EGBA is calling on the commission to “urgently” review the implementation of its recommendation, according to a manifesto entitled “An EU framework for Online Gambling 2.0″.
“If we think they [the European Commission] wanted to achieve harmonisation, the recommendation has not done so. State-to-state regulations are extremely divergent. Even if regulation appears to be similar, in detail they are still very different,” said Carran.
She added that although the recommendation has produced some positive results, it has been unsuccessful in its “nudges” to encourage member states to enforce it.
Discussing the report with GamblingCompliance, Carran said: “This issue of inconsistency must be highlighted for both the consumer and operators.
“As of now there is no consensus on what the regulatory balance should be. Some countries might see enforcement issues such as advertising as beneficial to their state, but others do not.”
“There are various issues in creating a European consensus, but this is what is required in order to create consistent regulation across gambling markets,” she said.
Despite the recommendation being voluntary, Belgium went so far as to launch a legal challenge to block it, highlighting the difficulty of establishing any regulations that would be enforceable across the EU.
However, as recently as last month, Belgian Gaming Commission director Peter Naessens was chosen as the head of a CEN standardisation project that would introduce similar voluntary guidelines for online gambling reporting.
The project is seen by the EGBA and other trade groups as another method of pushing the European Commission towards harmonisation, with an eye towards European elections and a new commission next year.
However, Carran said she does not believe that “voluntarily there is any chance” of achieving continental consistency in online gambling regulation.
As it stands, consumer protection still varies greatly from state to state in Europe. Even fundamental issues such as minimum gambling age have not yet been agreed across the continent.
“We are experiencing a digital revolution. Online gaming companies have extra responsibility for players and consumers, especially for the population of problem gamblers,” said Jesper Kärrbrink, the CEO of Mr Green, also speaking at the event in Brussels.
“We need corporate leadership and regulations that reflect the digital world we are living in. We are one of the few industries that are asking for more regulation, our customers should have more protection than other consumers. This is not the case today,” he said.
Maris Bonello, head of player sustainability, research and integrity for Kindred Group, echoed Karrbrink’s sentiment, claiming a “practical level playing field for online gambling regulation is needed”.
The call for more regulation did not go unheard, garnering a response from European commissioner for justice Vera Jourova.
“It’s not very often to hear we want more regulation, but we have to do smart and proportionate regulation. We do not want to over regulate. But, online must not become a jungle,” said Jourova.
However, she was reluctant to commit to the introduction of additional European online gambling regulation, instead insisting that countries should simply apply existing laws, as the “rules are still relevant”.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
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Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Chooses QCI Chatalytics to Enhance Casino Operations with Integrated AI Solutions
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort has chosen Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Chatalytics, an AI-based platform, to transform casino operations and enhance guest satisfaction.
The QCI Chatalytics package—encompassing Slot Copilot, Player Copilot, the Dashboard, and the Robot Button—integrates OpenAI technology for real-time insights and efficient decision-making across the gaming floor.
Designed to boost both player and slot management, QCI Chatalytics delivers an advanced combination of AI-driven features. Slot Copilot empowers operators with live slot machine performance monitoring, predictive analytics, and automatically assigned tasks. Player Copilot focuses on personalized engagement by analyzing guest data to guide service strategies and reward offerings. With the Dashboard, teams benefit from an easy-to-read, real-time overview of key performance metrics, enabling swift, data-informed insights. Additionally, the Robot Button automates routine tasks, freeing up staff to concentrate on more valuable responsibilities and boosting overall productivity.
Dr. Michael Lynch, Director of Database Marketing at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, conveyed his enthusiasm: “Bringing QCI Chatalytics on board represents a vital step in leveraging AI to enhance our operations. With cutting-edge tools like the Robot Button, Slot Copilot, and Player Copilot, we can offer more tailored guest experiences while gaining a clearer understanding of our gaming operations.”
Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI, outlined his perspective on the new partnership: “We are thrilled to introduce QCI Chatalytics to Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. By weaving OpenAI’s capabilities into our solution, we deliver an unprecedented degree of automation and clarity. We believe Chatalytics will be a key factor in refining casino floor management and boosting guest satisfaction through instantaneous, data-driven decision-making.”
The QCI Chatalytics suite is part of Quick Custom Intelligence’s broader mission to spur innovation in the gaming sector, offering a robust set of tools that streamline operations and enhance the overall player experience.
The post Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Chooses QCI Chatalytics to Enhance Casino Operations with Integrated AI Solutions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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THE MONEYMAKER TOUR EXPANDS ITS SCHEDULE WITH A NEW STOP AT MGM NATIONAL HARBOR IN APRIL
The Moneymaker Tour’s first venture to the Northeast set to guarantee $400,000 across the series
Poker legend Chris Moneymaker today announced that he is bringing his new live tournament to Baltimore when The Moneymaker Tour comes to MGM National Harbor, Maryland next month.
American players from the mid-Atlantic and Northeast will get their shot at greatness and to follow in the footsteps of Moneymaker, the 2003 WSOP Main Event winner who came from amateur obscurity to beat the best poker players in the world.
Scheduled from April 21-28, this will be the fourth Moneymaker Tour stop for 2025 and will guarantee more than $400,000 across 12 trophy events, including a $1,500 Main Event which has $300,000 guaranteed.
This event marks the second partnership between The Moneymaker Tour and MGM, building on the success of The Moneymaker Tour stop at MGM Grand Las Vegas in July 2024, where the Main Event prize pool reached $2,163,830 – more than double its $1M guarantee.
“We’re thrilled to bring the Moneymaker Tour to the Northeast for the first time, kicking things off at MGM National Harbor,” said Tony Burns, Executive Manager. “As we continue to grow our partnership with the MGM brand, this stop marks an exciting milestone in expanding our reach and bringing an unforgettable experience to a new audience.”
“We’re excited for the Moneymaker Tour’s debut at MGM National Harbor,” said Alex Alvarado, VP of Casino Operations for the resort. “This tournament is sure to be filled with high-stakes action and unforgettable moments. We can’t wait to welcome players and fans to what promises to be a great event.”
Established in 2023 by 2003 WSOP Main Event Champion and ACR Poker Pro, Chris Moneymaker and Moneymaker Tour Executive Manager, Tony Burns, the Moneymaker Tour was conceived as a way to offer poker players their own ordinary-to-extraordinary moments, much like Moneymaker did. Since then, the tour has expanded across the US, with stops in Florida, Cincinnati, Houston, Ohio, and now Maryland, along with international events in Aruba and the newly announced stop at Playground, Canada.
After a milestone 2024 featuring 10 stops across the US and its first international series in Aruba, the Moneymaker Tour continues its rapid growth. Recent highlights include successful events in Florida, such as Palm Beach Kennel Club, and upcoming stops at Dania Beach on March 6 – 9 and Daytona Beach on April 2 – 14 before heading to the MGM National Harbor, Maryland. Next, the tour makes its debut in Canada with a CAD$1 million series guarantee from May 7 – 20 before returning to Aruba from September 18 – 28, alongside the Caribbean Poker Series.
2025 Moneymaker Tour Schedule:
- The Casino at Dania Beach, Florida, March 6 – 9
- Daytona Beach Racing & Card Club, Florida, April 2 – 14
- MGM National Harbor, Maryland, April 21 – 28
- Palm Beach Kennel Club, Florida, April 30 – May 13
- Playground Poker, Quebec, May 7 – 20
- The Casino Aruba at Hilton, Aruba, September 18 – 28
For more information visit: moneymakerpt.com
The post THE MONEYMAKER TOUR EXPANDS ITS SCHEDULE WITH A NEW STOP AT MGM NATIONAL HARBOR IN APRIL appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Clover Casino in Aguascalientes is now home to Zitro’s CONCEPT cabinet line, courtesy of renowned operator Golden Lion Entertainment Group.
The CONCEPT line is a marvel of modern design, seamlessly blending ergonomics, comfort, and state-of-the-art multimedia features. A spectacular light show, synchronized with the game sequences, creates a visually stunning atmosphere. The giant Screen Deck touchscreen further elevates the user experience, providing unparalleled convenience and functionality for both players and operators.
Beyond the striking new cabinets, Clover Casino has also bolstered its game library with the addition of Legendary Sword, Triple Charm Journey, and Fairyland Quest. These three titles are celebrated for their breathtaking graphics, innovative gameplay mechanics, and enticing prizes.
“We are absolutely delighted with this addition and confident it will transform the gaming experience at our casino,” says Golden Lion. “We already feature a wide array of Zitro products and are committed to regularly expanding our offerings to consistently provide our players with the very best.”
Zitro founder Johnny Ortiz Viveiros added, “The introduction of CONCEPT empowers us to offer operators a wider selection of hardware for our extensive game library, fostering a more diverse and engaging gaming environment. We are certain that CONCEPT will be a tremendous asset for Golden Lion, a true leader in Mexican entertainment.”
The post ZITRO’S CONCEPT CABINET LINE AND NEW GAMES ARRIVE AT CLOVER CASINO IN MEXICO appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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