Finansdepartementet, the Ministry of Finance of Sweden has moved to equalise AML fines and penalties across high-risk Swedish industries.  The decision has been welcomed by Swedish gambling trade association Branschföreningen för Onlinespel (BOS) on the condition that gambling revenue specifics are recognised by authorities. Last Friday, Finansdepartementet published a memorandum which outlined changes to the Money Laundering Act, citing that …

Allwyn Group has announced the new leadership team that will oversee the delivery of the Fourth National Lottery, beginning on 1 February 2024.  The lottery conglomerate’s leadership team will be led by CEO Andria Vidler and will oversee the transformation of the National Lottery and the delivery of funds for good causes for the next decade. A media figurehead, Vidler …

DCMS Gambling Minister, Stuart Andrew, has stated that the government has heard UK racing’s call to improve funding of the heritage sport.  The statement was made at the ‘Parade Ring Reception’ hosted by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) at the House of Commons on 5 September. The event showcased to MPs the importance of horseracing to the UK’s economy, safeguarding …

The board of Sportech Plc has informed investors of its intentions to cancel the trading of ordinary shares on the London AIM Exchange. The recommendation follows a comprehensive review by the board considering “the pros and cons of the company being publicly traded on the London AIM”.   The review highlighted substantial costs (both monetary and other) tied to being a …

Gambling has been recognised as a ‘related factor’ in the UK government’s new strategy to reduce suicide rates by improving prevention and early intervention through the NHS and wider local public services. This morning, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) published details of its new “five-year strategy to reduce suicide rates”. DHSC Undersecretary for Mental Health, Maria Caulfield, …

The government of Chile has accepted the resolutions put forward by the Economic Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, needed to launch a regulated online gambling marketplace in 2023.  The Commission had been tasked with drafting legislative articles needed by the government and relevant authorities to define licensed and prohibited (criminal) online gambling activities. A legislative update was required as …

The board of Flutter Entertainment Plc has announced that Mary Turner has chosen to step down from all Non-Executive Director duties representing the FTSE100 gambling group. Turner’s resignation from all Flutter Committee and Corporate Governance duties will take effect on 30 September 2023. Flutter has announced that Nancy Cruickshank (NED) will assume the role of Chair of the Workforce Engagement …

France’s upcoming hosting of the 2023 Rugby World Cup has prompted l’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) to refresh its nationwide safer gambling campaign. The tagline, “Rugby has its codes, so does betting,” will be front and center for the ANJ, France’s unified gambling authority, during rugby union’s premier tournament taking place across France from 8 September to 28 October. For …

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published further specific details on concerns related to the “misuse of statistics”  as relayed by CEO Andrew Rhodes to Dame Caroline Dinenage, the Chair, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on 29 August. Micheal Dugher (CEO, Betting and Gaming Council – BGC), Wes Himes (Executive Director for Standards and Innovation, BGC) and Will Prochaska …

UK gaming and amusement trade body Bacta has completed its strategic reorganisation, announcing the members elected to its new National Council.  The National Council, revamped as part of a ‘head-to-toe restructure’ of Bacta, will be led by amusement and gaming machine veteran John Bollom as National President, and Scottish representative Joseph Cullis as Vice-President.  Representing gaming machine manufacturers and distributors, …