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ESSA reports 267 suspicious betting alerts in 2018
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International betting integrity body ESSA (Sports Betting Integrity) reported 83 cases of suspicious betting to the relevant authorities during the fourth quarter of 2018, bringing the annual total to 267 cases. Tennis (178) and football (52) constituted 86% of all alerts during the year. Geographically, Europe maintained its position as the primary location of sporting events on which alerts have been generated, totalling 148 (55%) in 2018, with Asia continuing to fill second spot with 48 alerts (18%).
Khalid Ali, ESSA Secretary General, stated that: “ESSA’s alerts remain an important barometer for gauging betting related corruption globally. Outside of tennis and football, we are beginning to see new threats emerging such as the increased number of alerts on eSports.” He added: “Given the multi-jurisdictional nature of match-fixing, regulators around the world are now beginning to make it a requirement for operators to be part of an international monitoring system, which we fully support.”
It was also announced that Jon Russell, Global Head of Trading at Betway, would take over as ESSA’s new Chair. He said: “I would like to thank the previous Chair, Heike Mayer, for her valuable contribution to ESSA and its members over the last couple of years. The association took on a new focus and direction during Heike’s tenure and I will be seeking to work with my board colleagues and the wider membership to build upon on the success of that approach and the positive impact that it has had.”
He added “The year ahead is expected to pose new challenges and opportunities for the sector and ESSA is setting out a clear plan of action to ensure that its members are best placed to meet those. Indeed, being part of a collective global monitoring network has never been of greater importance from both a business and integrity perspective, and I call upon all responsible operators to join us in ESSA.”
ESSA holds positions on high-level betting policy forums at the European Commission, Council of Europe and the IOC. It is driving a number of important initiatives aimed at addressing match-fixing.
A copy of ESSA’s 2018 annual integrity report is attached and can also be accessed here, along with previous reports.
About ESSA:
ESSA represents many of the world’s biggest regulated sports betting operators, serving over 40 million consumers in the EU alone. Concerned regulated bookmakers created ESSA in 2005 to monitor betting markets and alert sporting bodies and national regulators to suspicious betting patterns. The goal was, and is, to protect consumers from potential fraud caused by manipulating sporting events. ESSA helps to combat this with evidence-based intelligence it provides to sporting bodies and regulators.
Every year, our members invest over €50m in compliance and internal security systems in order to help combat fraud. They also give back to sport and society by spending €400m on sponsorship around the world – €250m of that in Europe alone. This increases substantially when advertising and photo and video-streaming rights are taken into consideration. ESSA and its members also co-fund an education programme on gambling with EU Athletes that reaches out to 15,000 athletes/players across at least ten different sports in 13 EU countries.
ESSA continues to play a key role as the regulated betting sector’s representative body at national and international match-fixing policy forums and holds positions on working groups at the European Commission, Council of Europe and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The organisation is continually reassessing and improving its alert and reporting systems and has established information sharing arrangements with a range of sports bodies and regulatory authorities.
ESSA members include: 888sport, ABB, Bet-at-Home, Betclic, Betdaq, Betfred, Betsson, BetStars, BetVictor, Betway, bet365, bwin, Cashpoint, Expekt, Fonbet, Gamesys, Interwetten, Ladbrokes Coral, Paddy Power Betfair, Perform (Affiliate) Sky Bet, Sportingbet, Sporting Index, Sportium, Stanleybet, Stoiximan, Unibet and William Hill.
For more information see ESSA’s website at http://www.eu-ssa.org/
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: ESSA reports 267 suspicious betting alerts in 2018

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Playtech Announces New Partnership with Progress Play
Playtech has announced a new long-term partnership with Progress Play, selecting Playtech as their exclusive Bingo provider for their extensive network of brands.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone as Progress Play becomes the first white label network to launch Playtech’s brand new innovative Bingo platform, which went live in December 2024.
This strategic partnership strengthens the existing relationship between Progress Play and Playtech, further cementing Playtech’s Bingo position as the B2B market leader. By joining Playtech’s network, Progress Play will benefit from the largest B2B liquidity in the market, offering a wide variety of networked rooms that are well-known and loved by Bingo players.
As Progress Play embarks on its first-ever Bingo launch, they will work closely with Playtech’s Bingo experts to tailor the product to their specific needs. Playtech’s network management team will provide ongoing support and consultation to ensure the success of the Bingo offering.
The deal also includes a variety of side games featuring content from Playtech’s Eyecon studio, renowned for their industry-leading Bingo slots. Together, the Playtech and Progress Play teams will leverage the liquidity and these games with exciting campaigns already underway.
Marat Koss, VP of Interactive Gaming at Playtech, said: “We are delighted to welcome Progress Play to the Playtech Bingo network. We have enjoyed working together for many years, and we are excited to extend this partnership to Bingo vertical. By joining Playtech’s network, Progress Play will be able to offer a best-in-class bingo experience to their vast pool of players who will benefit from a wide choice of content, attractive prizes and large variety of games. We look forward to a continuing our long and successful partnership.”
Itai Loewenstein, CEO at Progress Play, said: “We are thrilled to extend our partnership and integrate Playtech’s innovative Bingo platform into our offerings. This collaboration allows us to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience and next level entertainment to our players. We look forward to the exciting campaigns we have planned together.”
The post Playtech Announces New Partnership with Progress Play appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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IGT Lottery Secures EL Responsible Gambling Certification for the Sixth Consecutive Time
International Game Technology PLC announced that its Italian subsidiary, IGT Lottery, obtained the European Lotteries (EL) Responsible Gaming (RG) Certification for the sixth consecutive time. Through an agreement between European Lotteries and the World Lottery Association (WLA), IGT Lottery has also obtained WLA Responsible Gaming Certification Level 4, the highest level available.
The EL RG Certification was developed to promote the adoption of RG best practices across EL membership organizations. The EL RG standards are also designed to be complementary to the WLA RG Principles and Framework, allowing companies that meet the implementation of the EL RG Standards to also achieve Level 4 certification of the WLA Framework.
“IGT Lottery achieving responsible gaming recertification by EL for the sixth consecutive time, paired with the highest level of WLA certification, showcases our status as a true global leader in sustainability. ‘Advancing Responsibility’ is vital to our success as a lottery company, and central to our sustainability strategy. We will continue to deliver innovation while operating with the highest level of integrity to protect our people, products and processes,” said Marco Tasso, IGT COO of Italian and International Sales and Operations.
IGT Lottery’s RG programme is guided by international best practices. Consistently updated to meet evolving standards, the programme operates on three macro guidelines: the promotion of a positive approach to gaming, the prevention of underage gambling and support for players who need it.
The EL RG certification was issued following an in-depth examination of IGT Lottery’s tools, activities and processes that comprise its RG programme in Italy. IGT Lottery was found to be fully in line with the international standards established by the EL, which require specific actions to protect players by the gaming operator, reaching a score of 100% for each of ten specified areas.
The post IGT Lottery Secures EL Responsible Gambling Certification for the Sixth Consecutive Time appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Meridianbet Expands B2B Operations into Nigeria, Entering a Regulated $2 Billion Betting Market
Meridianbet, a subsidiary of Golden Matrix Group, Inc., has officially launched its B2B operations in Nigeria, one of the largest and fastest-growing betting markets in Africa. The company’s entry into Nigeria further strengthens its 20-year presence in Africa, leveraging its proven track record in regulated markets to deliver world-class gaming products.
Through its newly licensed local entity, Masterlive Network Limited, Meridianbet has secured full regulatory approval from the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA), allowing it to operate in both sports betting and online casino verticals under License No: LSLGA/OP/OSB/MB041124.
The official launch of Meridianbet.ng marks a strategic expansion into a market worth over $2 billion, according to the research of Orange Business Intelligence Technology, with over 60 million Nigerians actively participate in betting, contributing to one of the fastest-growing industries on the continent.
Zoran Milosevic, CEO of Meridianbet, commented: “Our expansion into Nigeria marks a significant step in our long-term strategy to deepen our presence in Africa’s most dynamic gaming markets. With a highly engaged player base and strong industry growth, Nigeria presents a major opportunity for our B2B model. We are committed to bringing our cutting-edge technology, AI-powered betting solutions, and localized expertise to drive long-term success for our partners in the region.”
FY 2024 Revenue Growth & Investor Outlook
Golden Matrix Group has provided a preliminary full-year 2024 revenue estimate of $150 million, reflecting the company’s continued growth trajectory. The Group expects to release its audited FY 2024 financial results in the coming days, offering investors a comprehensive performance overview. The Nigerian market represents a strategic opportunity for future revenue expansion, aligning with GMGI’s global strategy to strengthen its presence in high-growth gaming markets.
Key Market Potential & Strategic Expansion
According to the Orange Business Intelligence Technology (ORBIT), Nigeria’s betting industry surpassed $2 billion back in 2020, with projections indicating up to $4.7 billion in annual revenue potential over the next decade. Football remains the primary driver of market growth, with a vast customer base engaging both online and offline. Meridianbet’s B2B model will provide advanced technology solutions, gaming content, and platform services to local operators, offering a scalable and highly adaptable system tailored to the Nigerian market.
A Strategic Milestone in Meridianbet’s African Growth
With operations in 18 markets across Europe, Africa, and Latin America, Meridianbet has built a reputation as a leading technology provider and betting operator. The company’s expansion into Nigeria follows its long-standing success in established African markets, where it has been a dominant player for over two decades.
The soft launch of Meridianbet.ng is already delivering positive early results, with strong partner satisfaction and excellent customer feedback.
AI-Powered Innovation & Market Expansion
As part of this rollout, Meridianbet is introducing its proprietary AI Sports Betting Recommender and AI Casino Recommender, delivering personalized betting experiences based on real-time data, player behavior, and predictive analytics. These innovations, already proving successful in multiple markets, will enhance customer engagement, retention, and overall user satisfaction in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving gaming landscape.
The post Meridianbet Expands B2B Operations into Nigeria, Entering a Regulated $2 Billion Betting Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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