Enteractive

Reactivation and retention specialists Enteractive has bolstered its board of directors with two appointments with Enrico Bradamante and Christian Rajter strengthening the company’s ability to scale globally.

Bradamante has previous experience as the managing director of NetEnt and is currently CEO at Maverick Gaming, with Rajter’s experience gained as CEO of Expekt.com and founder and CEO of Mobenga.

“We’re really in the process of accelerating our scaling momentum with Enteractive. We’re seeing more operators than ever onboarding onto (Re)activation Cloud and we’ve never experienced this level of demand for our platform. 

“Enrico and Christian bring with them an amazing experience of global B2B go-to-market operations, and we’re honoured to have them both on our team.” – Marcus Krüger, Chairman of the Board at Enteractive

Holland Casino

State-run Holland Casino has extended the contract of current chief executive officer Erwin van Lambaart, recommending the renewal after the country’s gambling regulators gave positive feedback.

Set to serve for four more years, van Lambaart has been at the helm for the last three years and his original contract was due to expire next year.

“With the reappointment of Erwin van Lambaart, we ensure the continuity of Holland Casino’s successful strategy. In recent years, he has steered the company through turbulent times in a powerful manner and has ensured stability within the company.

“In addition, he has successfully managed to unite his team’s interests and the social role of Holland Casino through the ‘HC2020’ strategy, which has been implemented decisively. His knowledge and insights will be of great importance for the company in the coming period.” – Willem Bröcker, chairman of the supervisory board of the Dutch Ministry of Finance.

Betby

Sportsbook supplier Betby is targeting expansion across European jurisdictions after adding further strength via the appointment of Eva Berkova as chief operating officer.

Joining before this month’s SBC Awards, Berkova’s appointment comes as the firm generates consistent momentum since launching just over a year ago, with over 17 brands now live.

“We are pleased that Eva has joined the Betby team, and are eagerly looking forward to her bringing an analytical and innovative approach to a number of our processes.

“We have built a motivated, talented group at Betby and as we continue to bring in top-tier talent, we become more confident that we will enjoy a very successful 2020.” – Chris Nikolopoulos, CCO at Betby.

Gaming Laboratories

Gaming Laboratories International has promoted Lynda Hartzell, who holds accreditation as a CPA, CFF, CFE, CIA, and CPM. to audit director.

Previously occupying the position of chief of the audit division for the Nevada Gaming Control Board, since joining the firm Hartzell has been overseeing GLI’s Nevada audit process, lauded as a critical step for a company to obtain certification by the NGCB.

GLI supports industry suppliers and operators with guidance on new gaming landscapes and precision testing and certification to mitigate risk and ensure gaming innovations meet regulatory standards with confidence.

“Her knowledge, experience, integrity, and leadership have helped to create a team of professionals whose dedication and expertise have contributed to our mission of providing world-class testing, certification, and professional services, and we are thrilled to promote her to Audit Director,” – Tina Kilmer, senior director of engineering at GLI.

The post Part 12 | On the move: Recruitment round-up appeared first on CasinoBeats.

As a result of the WSOP’s arrival, the operator’s cooperation with the World Poker Tour (WPT), which has visited Amsterdam annually since 2015, has come to an end.

WSOP will be at Holland Casino Amsterdam Centrum in 2025 from 14 March to 22 March, but the two parties have worked together in the past.

The WSOP International Circuit has been taking place in the Netherlands since 2017 at Holland Casino’s locations in Rotterdam and more recently in Venlo, which will remain on the programme.

“With the WSOP, we have succeeded in bringing another strong international poker brand to Holland Casino Amsterdam Centrum,” commented Pieter Boers, Director of Gaming & Services at Holland Casino.

“I think we will make all poker-loving Netherlands very happy.”

As previously mentioned, with the arrival of WSOP, Holland Casino has ended its collaboration with WPT. WPT Amsterdam took place between 2015 and 2024, except for 2021 due to COVID.

Gregory Chochon, COO of the WSOP, added: “The players have shown that they deserve a second Circuit event in the Netherlands. We are excited to bring the World Series of Poker to Amsterdam.

“Holland Casino Amsterdam Centrum is an excellent location in a beautiful city. We expect a great turnout.”

Last month, Caesars Entertainment finalised the sale of the WSOP brand’s intellectual property rights to GGPoker’s parent company NSUS Group.

The transaction has been closed for the previously reported $500m price tag, which equates to $250m in cash and a $250m promissory note due five years after the transaction’s closing secured by the WSOP intellectual property assets being sold.

While Caesars has sold WSOP to NSUS, the operator will continue its relationship with the poker brand for several more years, both in a land-based and online manner. In addition, several WSOP executives will also take on leadership roles within the NSUS structure.

The post WSOP to take place at Holland Casino Amsterdam Centrum in 2025 appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Central to the support, the casino is looking to get the backing of the trade unions as it warns of the impact of the tax rises on the sector. 

The rises come following the 2025 Budget, which was presented by Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen, who is serving under the cabinet of Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

It’s a budget that saw the casino announce plans to reduce operating hours across its venues in Rotterdam and Amsterdam starting next year. In addition, its branch in Zandvoort has already been confirmed for closure by February 2025. 

Petra de Ruiter, Holland Casino CEO, previously stated on restructuring plans in the region: “For Holland Casino, the closure is essential to continue building a sustainable future for the company, in which we can continue to contribute to a safe and responsible gaming climate.”

Further battling against the plans, the casino is now seeking collaboration with trade unions in the country to try and build up a counter-stance against the tax hikes. 

The news was shared by Dutch trade union De Unie. One of the conditions of the union is for Holland Casino to launch the voluntary departure scheme (VAA), which is part of the Netherlands social plan. 

As a result of the tax elevation, the baseline will gradually go up from the current 30.5% to 34.2% in 2025, with a second increase following in 2026 to bring the income tax up to 37.8%. 

The hikes were formed as part of Schoof’s goal to reduce gambling harm in the country by opening up additional revenue streams to fund prevention and treatment campaigns. 

It is all part of the ongoing wider reforms of the Dutch Remote Gambling Act (KOA), first undertaken by the former Legal Protections Minister Franc Weerwind. 

The post Holland Casino looks to strengthen fight against looming tax hikes  appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Within a statement on its website, the Dutch state-owned operator noted that the closure is in line with its strategy outlined last year. 

This strategy was aimed at tackling the casino’s rising costs, increasing the robustness of the company and continuing to invest in its prevention policy.

Holland Casino said that it has used its strategy to thoroughly examine its branches across the Netherlands to determine the best distribution strategy, in addition to the prospect of healthy business operations.

As such, Holland Casino will now be closing its first-ever casino branch, which opened back in 1976. 

The operator noted that the closure is partly due to “changed visitor behaviour, deteriorating market conditions in Zandvoort and too much overlap with the catchment area of ​​other locations”.

Commenting on the Zandvoort casino, CEO Petra de Ruiter stated that the closure is “essential” for Holland Casino to continue building a sustainable future for itself, adding that it expects to relocate its Zandvoort employees to other locations.

“For Holland Casino, the closure is essential to continue building a sustainable future for the company, in which we can continue to contribute to a safe and responsible gaming climate,” said de Ruiter. 

“At the same time, the closure means an emotional farewell to the first branch that Holland Casino opened in 1976. However, we expect to be able to relocate most of our employees to other branches and we hope to welcome our guests to one of our other locations.”

Back in August, within its financial results for the first half of 2024, Holland Casino highlighted that the 1% increase in gambling tax in the Netherlands had cost the group a total of €3.7m since the beginning of the year.

The post Holland Casino Zandvoort closure ‘essential’ for sustainable future appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Within its tax plan, the government’s Ministry of Finance stated that it will initially increase gambling tax from 30.5% to 34.2% in 2025, before increasing again to the final figure of 37.8% in 2026.

The government added that this tax will be paid on winnings of more than €449 from a lottery or casino in the Dutch market.

Operators and associations alike from across the Dutch gambling industry have reacted to this tax increase, with the Nederlandse Online Gambling Association, VAN Kansspelen and VNLOK releasing a joint statement.

The statement reads: “The regulated gaming sector (represented by trade associations NOGA, VAN Kansspelen and VNLOK) reacts with great concern to the government’s intention to increase the gambling tax from 30.5%, 34.2% in 2025, to ultimately 37.8% in 2026. 

“In view of the phased introduction, the government shows some recognition of the risks of counterproductive effects on gambling policy objectives and the public purse, but does not allay concerns about the continued existence of regulated gambling offerings. This underlines the need to map the effects of the gambling tax, in conjunction with other announced policy changes, ongoing evaluations and previous parliamentary decisions, more fundamentally and carefully.”

The three organisations believe that the tax increase will cause more operators to leave the regulated market, resulting in decreased tax revenue.

“All the facts and figures indicate that the tax increase will lead to a further depletion of the regulated supply. Tax revenues will fall as a result. At the same time, an increase in illegal and therefore riskier gambling is to be expected. 

“This is to the detriment of the general policy objectives of the Dutch gambling policy, which specifically focus on consumer protection and the prevention of fraud, crime and gambling addiction. If this is abandoned, social costs will increase and therefore mean additional financial setbacks.

“The members of NOGA, VAN Kansspelen and VNLOK call on the government to bring the financial targets in line with the gambling policy, and to discuss this with the parties involved. In this context, the social importance of the safe and regulated range of games of chance on the one hand and the income for the state treasury on the other hand will have to be balanced with each other. 

“For these purposes, it is essential that the proper exploitation of legal supply remains possible, and it is precisely this that will come under serious further pressure as a result of the proposed tax increase.”

Earlier this week, Flutter Entertainment’s tombola announced that it would be leaving the Netherlands at the start of next month, citing the tax increase as the reason why.

The operator stated on its website: “The conclusion is that resources can be better deployed in larger or new markets. In addition, stricter regulations and gambling tax increases are also on the way. All these reasons have played a role in closing the doors permanently.”

Last month, Holland Casino reflected on the potential 7.3% tax increase, which has now become a reality, within its H1 financial results, stating that it was “irresponsible”.

CEO Petra de Ruiter said: “Our total tax burden will then be almost 50%. This means that black figures are not possible. We are going to make a big loss. Unlike supermarkets, we are not able to pass on price increases properly. 

“The only alternative is that we take very undesirable measures such as aggressive campaigns to attract new guests, encouraging people to spend much more or by significantly reducing the prize money. These measures are unacceptable to Holland Casino and irresponsible from the point of view of government policy on gambling. In addition, the planned investments in our prevention policy will also come under pressure.”

The post Netherlands government to increase gambling tax to 37.8% in two steps appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) MP Inge van Dijk has placed pressure on Finance Minister Eelco Heinen and the Dutch Tax Affairs State Secretary, Folkert Idsinga, over the country’s gambling ecosystem. 

According to Casinonieuws.nl, the CDA MP also took aim at the competitive viability of the state-owned Holland Casino, as van Dijk demanded the state sell off Holland Casino. 

Questions were also raised around the social responsibility credentials of the current framework, with van Dijk expressing belief that practices are being muddied by the fact that private online gambling operators are being handed ‘30 licences a day’.

Former Legal Protection Minister Franc Weerwind, who took the role in 2022, made it one of his foremost priorities to optimise the legislation and foster a better gambling market. 

Following Weerwind’s exit from politics earlier this year, a number of his key reform policies progressed.

Nonetheless, criticism of the Act has been piling up since its inception. This reached a boiling point in 2023 when the CDA vowed to introduce a “private members bill” led by CDA MP Anne Kuik to try and withdraw the KOA Act – a motion which is yet to see the light of day. 

A more significant reformist victory was achieved in April, when a KOA revision to ban almost all online gambling advertising was voted in by Dutch MPs.Most recently, Teun Struycken, who is Weerwind’s replacement under the new government, was put under the spotlight by MPs and asked whether he’ll finalise the gambling ad ban by including social media to the already existing prohibition regarding TV, radio and print.

The post CDA mounts pressure on Holland Casino  appeared first on CasinoBeats.

39%

Gaming Innovation Group’s rebranded stand-alone media group Gentoo Media generated €30m of revenue in Q2 2024, up 39% from 2023 comparatives of €22m.

Success of the firm and the growth of the group was significantly enriched by their M&A strategy as completed AskGamblers and KaFe Rocks deals provided an uplift for the group. 

GiG Chairman Mikael Riese Harstad commented on the group’s performance: “It is with this confidence that I am happy to announce the finalisation of our strategic split into two separate listed entities: Gentoo Media (formerly GiG Media) and GiG Platform. This split is now set to be completed by the end of September 2024.”

“I am fully confident that both companies will flourish as independent entities, each continuing to lead and innovate within their respective areas of focus.”

Overall GiG’s divested Platform & Sportsbook business registered a 21% decline in revenues to €7.3m (Q2 2023: €9m).

Revenue declines were anticipated as the divested Platform & Sportsbook business has changed its auditing structure under IFRS rules.

$330m

Georgian courts have ruled in favour of Aviator in the firm’s copyright and trademark infringement claim against Spribe and Flutter-owned Adjarabet.

The group was awarded $330m in damages after the ruling found copyright and trademark infringement and invalidated trademark registrations based on bad faith. 

One of the key elements of the case was Aviator seeking to halt Adjarabet from utilising copyrighted material by offering Spribe’s Aviator crash game.  

The Aviator brand registered by Spribe has gone on to become one of Adjarabet’s most successful crash games, the firm originally registered its own “Aviator” trademarks for computer games and gambling services, which the claimant argued were infringing on its original trademark.

Flutter has since confirmed it will appeal the decision, issuing the following the statement: “The level of damages sought is egregious in nature and bears no resemblance to the actual economics of the property under debate.”

€3.5m

Holland Casino revealed it suffered a loss of €3.5m in the first half of 2024. 

It’s a dramatic change from last year, when the company made a profit of €17.2 million in the same period. The company also blamed the 1% increase in gambling tax since the start of the year, which according to the group cost them a total of €3.7m.

CFO Ruud Bergervoet, commented: “Holland Casino’s finances are under severe pressure due to increased costs. This mainly concerns high inflation, the increase in the collective labour agreement and investments in our gaming offer and staffing. 

“As a company, we are also still working on paying off the corona debts. This makes our financial position vulnerable. It is crucial for our financial health that no further significant cost increases occur now. Only then can we prevent ourselves from ending up in a loss-making situation.”

High inflation was also cited by the group as a reason for the increasingly challenging times, as it revealed it has already taken into account a sharply reduced profitability. 

6

An update on affordability checks has been provided by the UK Gambling Commission as the regulator prepares to launch a six-month pilot for financial risk assessments. 

The Commission announced on 1 May 2024 that it would look at launching a pilot of its frictionless ‘light touch’ financial risk assessments from 30 August, this upcoming Friday. 

A four-stage plan was initiated by the UKGC back in May, hoping to adopt regulatory changes that will impact “remote game designs, terms and conditions on direct marketing, light-touch financial vulnerability checks, and tightening processes to support age verification checks in premises.”

Once launched on Friday, the pilot will run for six months to apply light-touch affordability checks with an initial threshold of customer deposits of £500 a month.

Subsequently, the pilot aims to reduce the deposit threshold to £150 a month by 28 February 2025.

The post GiG, Holland Casino and the UKGC: the week in numbers appeared first on CasinoBeats.

It’s a dramatic change from last year, when the company made a profit of €17.2 million in the same period. The company also blamed the 1% increase in gambling tax since the start of the year, which according to the group cost them a total of €3.7m.

CFO Ruud Bergervoet, commented: “Holland Casino’s finances are under severe pressure due to increased costs. This mainly concerns high inflation, the increase in the collective labor agreement and investments in our gaming offer and staffing. 

“As a company, we are also still working on paying off the corona debts. This makes our financial position vulnerable. It is crucial for our financial health that no further significant cost increases occur now. Only then can we prevent ourselves from ending up in a loss-making situation.”

High inflation was also cited by the group as a reason for the increasingly challenging times, as it revealed it has already taken into account a sharply reduced profitability. 

CEO Petra de Ruiter criticised the increase in tax as he said: “Our total tax burden will then be almost 50%. This means that black figures are not possible. We will then make a significant loss. Unlike supermarkets, we cannot pass on price increases properly. 

“The only alternative is then that we take very undesirable measures such as aggressive campaigns to recruit new guests, encouraging people to spend much more or by significantly reducing the prize money. These measures are unacceptable for Holland Casino and irresponsible from the perspective of government policy on gambling. Moreover, the planned investments in our prevention policy will also come under pressure.”

The post Holland Casino criticises gambling tax increase after challenging H1 losses  appeared first on CasinoBeats.

In 2019, Holland Casino was handed a designation by the KSA as an investigation discovered the operator “did not properly comply” with certain Wwft provisions. The KSA concluded that Holland Casino did not “sufficiently check the gambling behaviour of the players and the origin of the money used”.

An instruction was issued by the KSA at the time to Holland Casino demanding the firm become compliant with the Wwft, which the authority said the operator “complied with all the given guidelines within the time limits set at the time”.

The KSA noted that the publication of the designation and the decision on the objection “took into account” the decision of the College van Beroep voor het bedrijfsleven – Administrative Court of Appeal for Trade and Industry – made on 26 March 2024. 

The authority stated that the CBB’s ruling makes the designation “irrevocable” so therefore it is made public, alongside “the decision on objection that was directed against the designation”.

With Holland Casino’s appeal partially upheld by the CBB, the KSA said it has “led to an adjustment of the instruction to be made public and of the decision on objection taken on it, in the sense that parts of it that are the subject of the upholding of the appeal will not be made public”. 

In addition, the authority claimed that “the disclosure decision itself will not be made public, because it is subject to the duty of confidentiality of the Wwft”.

The KSA added that the designation’s publication is important as it makes the wider public aware of enforcement actions from the authority and the reasons for it, helps other providers become aware of such conduct that could lead to enforcement, as well as discourages other providers from violating the AML regulations.

Earlier this month, the KSA announced the establishment of a Duty of Care Online department to improve the supervision of online gambling operators’ duty of care.

The post KSA emphasises AML compliance with past Holland Casino designation appeared first on CasinoBeats.

In a ruling imposed by the Kansspelautoriteit, an instruction was sent to the land-based and online operator in June, however, an objection to the decision, and request of a provisional injunction, was subsequently issued.

The six-week period was suspended during this procedure, however, the regulator has notified that on November 16, 2023, the District Court of The Hague rejected the requests for interim relief. Therefore, the decision can now be published and the aforementioned time frame is imposed.

The gaming authority’s board of directors determined that the control database of Holland Casino does not comply with the technical and operational requirements imposed by, or pursuant to legislation and regulations, regarding such maintenance.

“Holland Casino does not take the necessary organisational and technical measures to guarantee the quality, completeness, topicality and irrefutability of the data contained therein,” it was determined.

Should non-compliance with the order ensue, Holland Casino has been warned that further regulatory action could be enforced.

This could include imposing a penalty or administrative fine, however, revocation of a licence to operate online gambling could be handed down “in extreme cases”.

The Ksa added: “Providers with a licence for online gambling in the Netherlands must have a CDB. They store data from gambling activities in this data vault. 

“Various legal requirements are imposed on this CDB. The CDB is used by the Ksa for supervision. An up-to-date CDB with the correct data is important to guarantee safe playing.”

The post Holland Casino warned of financial penalties over database shortcomings appeared first on CasinoBeats.