Latest News

BGC Publishes New Code Handbook on Fifth Anniversary

Published

2 months ago

November 7, 2024

Reading Time: 3 minutes

STANDARDS body The Betting and Gaming Council has published its first Code Handbook, comprising 20 Codes covering 100 measures all members commit to as part of the industry’s continued drive to raise standards.

The new Code Handbook – published to mark the BGC’s fifth anniversary – collates every voluntary commitment BGC operator’s sign up to as a condition of membership, including the BGC’s overarching Code of Conduct.

While three of the Codes have now become part of License Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) for members, the vast majority of these commitments go beyond license requirements set by the independent regulator, the Gambling Commission.

As well as these measures – which have already been implemented across the BGC’s diverse and growing membership – the BGC is also working closely with government and the regulator on over 50 additional workstreams to further raise standards following the publication of the White Paper last year.

Those include frictionless enhanced spending checks online, an industry Ombudsman to improve customer redress and expanding the scope of the Bank Transfer Block project to offer customers even more control of their spending.

The vast majority of the measures are around safer gambling, including core pledges on advertising and messaging, the promotion of safer gambling tools and signposting help and support to those who need it.

These measures apply across the diverse membership of the BGC, including land-based operators like casinos, which are a pillar of the hospitality and tourism sector, bookmakers on hard-pressed high streets and world leading online gaming operators.

Betting and Gaming Council CEO Grainne Hurst said: “I am delighted to announce this new Code Handbook, which comprises over five years of determined work to raise standards, across the board.

“It is also entirely fitting that we publish this landmark new Code Handbook on our fifth anniversary. The BGC was founded as the industry’s standards body, and this Handbook draws together our sector’s combined efforts, under the leadership of the BGC, to raise standards on safer gambling in the UK.

“With 20 Codes covering 100 measures, which all BGC members follow as a condition of membership, this comprehensive document should rightly be seen as the concrete demonstration of our member’s determination to deliver world-class standards.

“This Code Handbook is also not the final word on this work, because the commitment to raising standards does not stop for the BGC, or our members.

“That’s why we are working with the regulator and government on over 50 additional workstreams which will raise standards even further as part of the White Paper reforms.

“Taken alone, neither the recently published White Paper on gambling reform, or existing license conditions set by the Gambling Commission, can deliver the world class standards our industry strives for.

“It takes independent determination on behalf of our members, and collective ambition by the BGC to deliver that. This Handbook is the result of that determination and ambition.

“We are determined to deliver the foundations for a sustainable sector, built on stability, growth and diversity, ensuring our members set the global standard for our world-class industry.”

The BGC stressed these incredibly high standards are only found in the regulated sector, unlike the growing unsafe, unregulated gambling black market.

A recent study commissioned by the BGC found 1.5m Brits are annually staking up to £4.3bn with unsafe, illegal, unregulated black market operators, which don’t pay tax, don’t contribute to the economy or sport and do not hold the same rigorous high standards on safer gambling.

The Code Handbook includes measures like the whistle-to-whistle ban on TV betting commercials during live sport before the 9pm watershed, which led to the number of such ads being seen by children at that time falling by 97%.

The post BGC Publishes New Code Handbook on Fifth Anniversary appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Imagine Live Partners with King.rs

Published

2 days ago

December 27, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Imagine Live the live casino provider launches with Serbian brand King.rs

Imagine Live is thrilled to announce its innovative entry into the Serbia market, made possible through a strategic partnership with the operator King.rs.

The collaboration is aimed at delivering King.rs players a premium gaming experience. Two Blackjack and one Roulette table will be equipped with the latest technology, allowing seamless gameplay and interactive features catering to Serbian players’ localised preferences.

Hakob Manukyan, CEO of Imagine Live Armenia, commented: “King.rs is an established brand throughout Serbia focused on delivering exceptional products and gaming experiences by putting the player at the centre of their brand story. Imagine Live is equally committed to providing premium and customised live dealer solutions with bespoke tables and studios for our operator partners to ensure a complete brand experience that players enjoy and return, which drives deeper engagement and revenue opportunities. We look forward to supporting and growing the live dealer experience with King.rs over the coming months.”

Dragan Djordjevic, COO King, said, “Working with Imagine Live has been an absolute thrill. Their unique mix of live performances, tech, and real-time interactivity is a game-changer in entertainment. It’s exactly the kind of creative energy we love at King.rs, where we’re all about reimagining live gaming. This partnership feels like a natural fit—two teams, both passionate about pushing boundaries and creating something fresh. I can’t wait to see what we come up with together and how we’ll keep surprising and exciting players around the world”.

The post Imagine Live Partners with King.rs appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Digitain Announces New Slogan and Vision Ahead of ICE Barcelona

Published

3 days ago

December 26, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Digitain announces a bold new vision and slogan that embodies its forward-thinking approach and highlights its commitment to innovation and excellence.

Digitain, a global leader in Sportsbook and iGaming solutions for over 20 years, proudly presents its new company slogan: “BUILT TO LEAD.”. Announced ahead of ICE Barcelona 2025, this slogan highlights Digitain’s fresh perspective on its vision, positioning, strategic pillars, and essence.

Digitain’s new vision reflects its dedication and commitment to creating genuine connections, ensuring meticulous attention to detail, and maintaining a dynamic, leading-edge approach to innovation. The company’s lasting success is grounded in the strength of its partnerships, an obsession with achieving excellence, and a relentless drive to set new industry benchmarks. Guided by its strategic pillars—next-generation product innovation, unsurpassed service, industry expertise and pioneering new standards—Digitain is further solidifying its position as the trusted partner of choice for leading operators worldwide.

Aregnaz Hakobyan, Group Chief Marketing Officer at Digitain, stated: “A strong foundation and well-defined brand architecture are the cornerstones of our success and the roadmap to our future. The Brand Reboot Project was a project that we have worked for over 4 months and is more than a refresh—it’s a powerful step forward that enhances our value and clearly articulates our purpose. Our slogan,’BUILT TO LEAD.‘ encapsulates who we are and where we are heading, embodying our unwavering commitment to excellence and leadership. It also signifies that our company has reached a pivotal point—leading the iGaming and tech industry with innovation and unmatched expertise.

Our vision clearly indicates that we are shaping the future of iGaming as the leading technology giant and the partner of choice for top-tier operators globally. With unrivaled service and a passionately committed team, we are setting new industry standards, making iGaming safer and more socially accepted than ever before.”

The post Digitain Announces New Slogan and Vision Ahead of ICE Barcelona appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

North Star Network acquires Soccernet.ng to strengthen Nigerian presence

Published

3 days ago

December 26, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

North Star Network (NSN) has announced its acquisition of Soccernet.ng, a prominent Nigerian sports media platform, marking a significant expansion into the Nigerian sports scene and underscoring its ambition to solidify its footprint in the African media landscape.

Founded in 2014, Soccernet.ng has become a trusted authority on Nigerian football, providing in-depth daily coverage of local football alongside trending stories from the global soccer world. Known for its quality journalism and passionate team of football enthusiasts, the platform has achieved significant recognition, including the Sport Blog of the Year award at the Nigerian Blog Awards.

A Strategic Move into Africa

The acquisition of Soccernet.ng is part of North Star Network’s strategy to expand its portfolio in Africa. The platform joins NSN’s roster of over 30 respected sports media brands, which includes Afrik-Foot, Top Mercato, Football Whispers, Sportsmole, and Vringe.

Julien Josset, Co-founder of North Star Network, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition:

“We’re excited to welcome Soccernet.ng into the North Star Network family. Their passion for Nigerian football and commitment to quality journalism align perfectly with our global vision of bringing fans closer to the game they love.”

Preserving Soccernet.ng’s Legacy

Soccernet.ng will retain its original team of dedicated journalists, ensuring the platform’s authenticity and unique voice remain intact. The website currently engages readers not only in Nigeria but also across over 150 countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, and Spain.

Biyi Akangbe, Founder of Soccernet.ng, reflected on the platform’s journey:

“We started as a small website 10 years ago with a passion to deliver news about Nigerian footballers to readers. We’ve since grown into a globally recognized source for Nigerian football news. This acquisition by North Star marks an exciting new chapter for our brand.”

Co-founder Lolade Adewuyi will continue to contribute to the site as a columnist, maintaining the brand’s strong connection with its loyal readership.

Expanding Global Reach

The acquisition of Soccernet.ng reinforces North Star Network’s dedication to amplifying local voices in key regions while offering unparalleled sports coverage. With its innovative strategies and growing portfolio, the group is poised to drive sustainable growth across its media brands.

North Star Network is a leading global sports media group, operating in over thirty countries and committed to delivering world-class sports content to fans worldwide.

This acquisition sets the stage for a new era in Nigerian sports journalism and highlights North Star Network’s continued efforts to connect fans to the heart of the game.

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