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Merkur UK extend support to ground-breaking web3 research
Merkur UK has extended its safer gambling programme to support an academic research programme which will seek to understand dominant trends in the relationship between gaming and gambling.
The research will consider the differences between Web2 and Web3 gambling, include an analysis of the specific Web3 gambling features, platforms, activities and experiences, considerations of the different types of customers, customer awareness and how this might influence behaviour as well as provide a contrast between the context of gaming and gambling with other Web3 activities and platforms
Merkur UK is playing an important role in supporting the research which will help broader society to understand the relationship between gaming and gambling the transition to Web3 and its implications on mental health. The work is being led by ESG Gaming, the not-for-profit Corporate Community Interest Company founded by Lee Willows, with the research findings due to be presented at a Parliamentary Symposium in Q2 2023.
Explaining the importance and topicality of the initiative Lee Willows said: “Video games are one of the most popular recreational activities for adults and young people.
“Esports – defined as competitive spectator-driven video gaming played by professional gamers – now has upwards of 470 million spectators worldwide who are able to gamble on the outcome of an event in a way that’s similar to sports betting. As a consequence, the risk is that younger people are being drawn to gamble.
“In 2020, 17 percent of esports gamblers were aged 18-24 with the majority classed as ‘first time gamblers’. This situation is compounded by the fact that those who choose to gamble do not perceive themselves as traditional gamblers. Some good research does exist around this, but we’d like to contribute by taking it a step forward, by also considering how Web3 might change behaviour, which will allow organisations such as ESG Gaming to reimagine prevention and support.
“We have established an independent governance structure, for the initiative and the support from Merkur UK will enable ESG Gaming to undertake timely and purposeful research which will then be used to co-develop digital content with partners aimed directly at casual players to reduce harms. Merkur UK through its impactful 360 Program has set a high standard in terms of the implementation of safer gambling for the land-based AGC sector and we see this as a natural evolution of that work.”
Sascha Blodau general manager for Merkur UK believes in the importance of taking a broad approach to safer gambling. He stated: “Most industry observers will view safer gambling through the prism of online, licensed betting offices, casinos, or high street gaming entertainment centres. However, there is a significant demographic of players who are at risk but who do not even recognise themselves as gamblers.
“Supporting ESG Gaming to undertake this pioneering research with their academic partner will form the bedrock of an authentic outreach digital programme to engage with players and high-risk spectators alike. It will also enable us to reimagine safer gambling initiatives as the world moves to Web3. It promises to be an important and illuminating piece of work, conducted by experts and we are delighted to support it.”

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Poppleston Allen bolsters Gambling Team with specialist commercial law consultant
Leading licensing law firm Poppleston Allen is delighted to announce that betting and gaming industry stalwart Tom Grant is joining their Gambling Team as a consultant solicitor, bolstering its offering by advising on commercial contracts.
Tom has more than 20 years of experience in the gambling sector and has advised high-profile clients including Buzz Bingo, Cowells-Arrow, FSB and GAN as well as numerous growing businesses within the sector. Tom will work with the Gambling team drafting, negotiating, and advising on a range of commercial agreements that are essential to the growth of our clients’ business, such as sponsorship agreements, game development agreement, sports data rights licences, content licensing, platform agreements, affiliate terms, white-label agreements and customer terms and conditions.
Partner and department head Nick Arron comments: “I’m really looking forward to working with Tom. We’ve had a number of clients in common for years and our legal practices complement each other nicely. Tom’s expertise and understanding of regulatory frameworks and commercial challenges are fairly unique within the gambling sector, and allows us to offer additional services to our clients and reflects the opportunities we see in the gambling industry.”
Tom Grant said: “This is a great opportunity for both of us. The team has an outstanding reputation in the sector, and I look forward to contributing my expertise to help clients navigate the complexities of commercial agreements and achieve success in a competitive and dynamic market.”
Alongside his work with Poppleston Allen, Tom will continue to grow his own practice at Grant Legal.
The post Poppleston Allen bolsters Gambling Team with specialist commercial law consultant appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Altenar integrates Optimove’s Opti-X platform to deliver enhanced personalised content
Leading sportsbook technology provider adds dynamic layouts, real-time messaging and flexible experimentation tools
Altenar, a leading sports betting and iGaming software provider, has integrated Optimove’s Digital Experience Platform (DXP), Opti-X, to help operators boost engagement, personalisation and lifetime value from a player’s first visit.
Optimove’s DXP offers a Real-Time Messaging feature which allows operators to automatically trigger personalised messages across all marketing channels at the most opportune moments, ensuring timely and relevant communication that keeps players engaged.
Opti-X includes a Smart Search Engine powered by AI, which delivers lightning-fast, personalised search results. The engine tailors results based on a player’s past search history, platform behaviours, and betting preferences.
Altenar can now also offer more advanced end-to-end personalisation across all channels and platforms. Opti-X’s behavioural, historical, and predictive modelling equip operators to create detailed micro-segments, which promise more personalised interactions, fostering loyalty and increasing player value over time.
This strategic integration underscores Altenar’s commitment to continuously improving its offering and delivering innovative, player-centric solutions that have a significant impact for sports betting operators.
Diego Salas, Sales Manager at Altenar, said: “We are committed to enhancing the user experience and leveraging data to provide personalised content that offers clear benefits both to players and operators. Our partnership with Optimove allows our clients to better understand player behaviour and tailor their content to optimise their offerings and marketing messages.”
Adi Dagan, Senior Director of Partnerships at Optimove, said: “Altenar is a clear breakthrough leading sports betting software provider and being part of their solution is a true honour. This partnership is a boon for sports betting operators to ensure incredible personalised experience for each player. These are incredibly exciting times for online sports betting as we get to partner with an innovator like Altenar to take the industry to the next level.”
The post Altenar integrates Optimove’s Opti-X platform to deliver enhanced personalised content appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Spillemyndigheden Calls Attention to FATF’s Updated Lists of High-risk Jurisdictions
The Danish Gambling Authority has called attention to FATF’s (Financial Action Task Force) updated lists of high-risk jurisdictions: the Grey List (jurisdictions under increased monitoring) and Black List (call for actions). Among other things, gambling operators must include FATF’s lists of high-risk jurisdictions when assessing players’ risk.
Jurisdictions listed on the Grey List are Algeria, Angola, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, Croatia, DR Congo, Haiti, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Mali, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Venezuela, Vietnam and Yemen.
Jurisdictions listed on the Black List are Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran and Myanmar
Gambling operators are required to conduct enhanced customer due diligence (EDD) pursuant to section 17(1) of the Danish AML Act, if a player is assessed to impose a higher risk of the gambling operator being misused for money laundering or terrorist financing.
Gambling operators shall conduct this risk assessment based on Annex 3 to the AML Act (high-risk factors) which includes the FATF high-risk country lists (the so called black list and grey list)
It is not required that gambling operators perform EDD if a country is listed on the FATF’s list. EDD are only a requirement for players from jurisdictions listed in the EU Regulation of High Risk Third Country list pursuant to. 17(2) of the AML Act.
The post Spillemyndigheden Calls Attention to FATF’s Updated Lists of High-risk Jurisdictions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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