BtoBet, a sportsbook solutions provider owned by NeoGames, has expanded its team with a new addition. Malte Hegeler, an experienced sports betting worker, will join the company as its new vice president of product.

Malte Hegeler Becomes BtoBet VP of Product

Hegeler has over 15 years of experience in sports betting and is well familiar with the sector. Thanks to this, he will be able to help BtoBet improve its offering. In his new position at the sports betting supplier, the appointee will be responsible for the company’s product strategy. He will also oversee the BtoBet roadmap and the development of new products.

Hegeler’s experience made him a perfect pick for the position. He will leverage his expertise in sports betting to help BtoBet produce more and better products for leading sportsbooks.

The new hire joins the NeoGames subsidiary from OddsMatrix, EveryMatrix’s sports data platform, where he served as an interim chief executive officer and head of product development. Prior to that, Hegeler worked as head of sportsbook at RSF Management. His earlier experiences include four years with Primebet, as well as four years with Sportigo, among other roles.

MD Reiderman Welcomed Hegeler to the Company

BtoBet’s managing director, Dima Reiderman, welcomed Hegeler on board, saying that the supplier is happy to have him around. Reiderman said that BtoBet should secure strong product vision and leadership if it is to further evolve and develop best-in-class sports betting products for its partnering operators around the world. The MD concluded that Hegeler’s knowledge and skill will be crucial to realizing the company’s vision and cementing BtoBet as a leading sportsbook supplier.

Hegeler also spoke about his new position. He lauded BtoBet as a company that has been continuously meeting the requests of influential companies within the sports betting industry. He praised BtoBet’s knack for devising market-leading sports wagering solutions and said that he is excited to be a part of the company.

Coupled with BtoBet’s commitment to deliver flexible and superior sportsbook solutions and services, I’m thrilled to join this talented team and build on their momentum.

Malte Hegeler, VP of product, BtoBet

BtoBet has been steadily expanding its global presence. In 2022, one of the company’s focuses was the budding African gaming industry. Earlier this year, the supplier agreed to provide its solutions to Ngnatat Sarl Trading’s Bet237 brand in Cameroon. In August, the supplier also launched in Mozambique with SOJOGO and in Ethiopia with UtopBet.

Loto-Québec, а Canadian lottery operator, has posted a new report, detailing the benefits of online casino and lottery. The digital vertical significantly contributed to the company’s revenues during the first half of the 2022-23 financial year, the company announced.

Loto-Québec Posted Its FT 2022-23 Results

As reported by the Canadian lottery giant, the company’s total revenue for the April-September period had a remarkable increase of 35.4%. In just six months, Loto-Québec reported record-breaking revenue of $1.07 billion (in USD, current conversion rates). The lottery company also announced that its consolidated net income reached $589.3 million for the period, representing an impressive 37.9% year-on-year increase.

Loto-Québec pointed out that the dramatic year-on-year difference is in part because the previous financial year saw the company halt its activities a few times because of COVID-19. When comparing the lottery corporation’s revenue and net income to the pre-pandemic levels, we see that these metrics increased by 3.5% and 9.4% respectively. In short, Loto-Québec not only recovered from the pandemic but surpassed the pre-pandemic results.

Despite everything, the overall lottery revenue actually declined by 5.8% over the same period during FY 2021-22 because of of lower Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max sales.

Finally, Loto-Québec reported that the cost-to-revenue ratio improved from 31% to 27.9% which shows that the crown corporation is now better at managing its resources. The company attributed this improvement to its robust efforts to control its costs.

Online Sales Skyrocketed

While Loto-Québec’s post-COVID recovery is nothing short of impressive, the aforementioned metrics would not have been possible without the company’s online vertical. Online lottery sales accounted for 12.7% of the total lottery revenue, the corporation reported. While this may seem rather low compared to other more online-oriented brands, it represents a whopping 273% increase from the pre-pandemic period when only 3.4% of the lottery revenue came from the digital segment.

Likewise, online casino sales now accounted for 23.8% of the total casino revenue, representing a huge increase from the 8.9% recorded before COVID-19 hit.

Loto-Québec – Enthusiastic yet Cautious

Loto-Québec’s chief executive officer, Jean-François Bergeron, applauded the results, praising the company for meeting and exceeding its budget target. He praised everyone at the company for their efforts, saying that the record-breaking results would not have been possible without the Loto-Québec team’s excellent work. Bergeron emphasized that personally, he is very satisfied with the company’s performance.

Despite the favorable metrics, the CEO noted that Loto-Québec remains wary of the economic headwinds. The company acknowledges that many of its peers are struggling because of the macroeconomic situation and the rising costs of energy. While Loto-Québec is very enthusiastic about its success, the company will remain cautious moving forward.

Bergeron concluded that the crown corporation will continue to reposition its brand in order to maintain its success.

The scene is growing in Pennsylvania but that doesn’t mean it should come with relaxed regulations. When rules are broken, eventually it all comes up.

$7.5K Fine Over Illegal Sports Betting on Boxing

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) jointly fined casino operator BetMGM and sports wagering operator Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing Association (MTRA) over illegal wagers. The fine was the result of a Board’s Office of Enforcement Counsel (OEC) consent agreement that PGCB approved during its Wednesday meeting. The infringement in question concerned accepting an unauthorized wager on a boxing match between Evander Holyfield and Vitor Belfort that took place on September 11, 2021.

The approved consent agreement resulted in a $7,500 fine, following negotiations between OEC and MTRA, as well as BetMGM, agreeing to pay out the wagers on the Holyfield vs Belfort match. BetMGM has reportedly accepted 76 wagers in total, despite the PGCB specifically informing operators that the match was off-limits for wagering activities.

This is especially important as details surrounding the match were also making headlines during that time. Belfort was supposed to be matched up against Oscar De La Hoya, who wasn’t able to step on the ring following a positive COVID test. This eventually led to Holyfield accepting the match on very short notice, increasing speculation, especially in gambling circles.

Minors Exposed to Gambling a Growing Issue

Aside from the fine, PGCB also moved with moving five adults into the Involuntary Exclusion List – effectively banning them from all PA casinos – over leaving children unattended at or near casino venues. A report by PennWATCH has provided more information on the individuals, citing that so far in 2022, the PGCB has identified a total of 285 incidents of adults leaving children unattended in order to gamble. These incidents involved 464 minors.

It was less than a month ago when the PGCB launched its “Don’t Gamble with Kids” campaign. It was aimed at warning patrons visiting casinos during the busy Thanksgiving weekend to not bring their children along, or at least to not leave them alone while gambling. PGCB’s information from back before that weekend stated 269 cases regarding 441 minors left unattended by adults gambling. The campaign also contained a few public service announcements.

BetMGM’s $7,500 fine is only slightly lower than the $10,000 fine that Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment – the operator of Parx Casino – received over an incident involving an 18-year-old male being able to enter the establishment and play at a casino table. The minimum gambling age in Pennsylvania is 21.
The topic of underage gambling has been gaining popularity lately, with both the UK, as well as Australia appearing in headlines over issues with it. In the case of Australia, this was especially shocking, as a recent report by the Alliance for Gambling Reform said that more than 430,000 kids under 16 were gambling in the country, with 40,000 categorized as at-risk gamblers, and 14,400 already identified as problem gamblers.

NYSE-listed, global casino entertainment company Bally’s Corporation has scored a big victory in its endeavor to see its new flagship casino rise in Chicago. The City Council offered a favorable vote to an amendment to Planned Development No. 1426 which would give the green light for zoning for the building of Bally’s $1.7 billion Chicago Casino.

First Phase of the Chicago Casino Project

During the first phase of the massive project, Bally’s will be busy building a casino building that will spread across one million square feet, along with a hotel hosting 500 rooms with a rooftop bar, an event space that would receive 3,000 guests, and a large open space for the general public. Bally’s will also bring several improvements to the infrastructure in the area. The project also includes a public riverwalk featuring a taxi stop, a 20,000-square-foot exhibition space, an outdoor green space and an outdoor music venue.

Chicago Aldermen also gave the green light to the ordinance which would allow as many as 3,000 new construction jobs to become available, together with an equal number of permanent jobs. The new casino is also expected to generate millions in tax revenue on a yearly basis.

Bally’s considers the new development a “significant achievement” as well as a new critical step in the process. The good news comes right after the operator received the support of the Plan Commission and Committee on Zoning which lobbied for the approval of the project to the council earlier in the week.

Expected Benefits of the New Riverfront Casino

During the city council vote, development team members spoke about the perks and resources that the new casino would attract to the area. Among others, they mentioned new vendor contracting, the growth of the workforce in the region, and a series of equity ownership opportunities for both women and minority groups. Bally’s chair Soo Kim also expressed confidence in the “numerous long-term, positive economic benefits” of the project, including rewarding union jobs with good pay.

Bally’s Chicago aims to showcase “The Best of Chicago” in terms of spots, food, culture, arts, entertainment, and curated dining. The venue will be built on the 30-acre Chicago Tribune Publishing Center located at the intersection of Halsted Street and Chicago Avenue and it is expected to change the site that is not currently in use into a big economic driver for Chicago.

The casino will host 170 table games, 3,400 slots, and ten venues dedicated to food and beverage.
At the start of the month, Bally’s representatives addressed the concerns of the local community regarding the new project. The corporation won the bid for running the new casino at the start of May.

Lottery ticket retailer Jackpocket officially announced its participation in 2022’s Gift Responsibly Campaign. The project aims to raise awareness regarding the risks of gifting lottery tickets to minors, rallying community organizations and lotteries worldwide behind its cause. Jackpocket is a long-time supporter of the campaign and is well-regarded for its responsible gaming efforts.

The Campaign Seeks To Prevent Youth Gambling

This year’s Gift Responsibly Campaign was possible thanks to the efforts of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the McGill University-based International Center for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors. 2022’s campaign received support from hundreds of organizations helping educate communities on the dangers of gifting lottery tickets to children and the associated risks of youth gambling.

2022’s campaign has enjoyed significant participation from American, Canadian, and European Lotteries and dozens of non-lottery organizations worldwide. Many partners have pledged to contribute with radio and TV ads, digital media content, and in-store signage to spread the initiative’s powerful message.

According to the campaign organizers, youth gambling has become a significant and growing public health issue, which is why the participation of such high-profile organizations was vital to ensure their warnings reached as many people as possible. Jackpocket is the pioneer official third-party lottery ticket app in the USA, so its contribution will be a substantial boon to the cause. NCPG Executive Director Keith Whyte lauded the company’s enduring support and used the opportunity to reiterate the campaign’s motto.

We applaud Jackpocket’s commitment to raising awareness about risks of youth gambling. Our message is a simple one: lottery tickets are never appropriate gifts for children.

Keith Whyte, NCPG Executive Director

The NCPG bases its warnings on several studies on the impact of lottery tickets on children. The worrying results indicated that early exposure could result in problem gambling tendencies later in life, and said exposure could be seemingly innocuous, like gifting your child a scratch ticket.

Jackpocket Is a Strong Proponent of Responsible Gaming

Jackpocket has earned a reputation for its stalwart commitment to player protection. The company was the first third-party lottery retailer to receive NCPG’s responsible gambling certification due to its focus on implementing features promoting responsible play. Users can set daily deposit and spend limits, use self-exclusion options, and easily access safe gaming information and assistance.

Jackpocket founder and CEO Peter Sullivan reaffirmed the company’s stance on problem gambling, promoting a safe and sustainable business model benefiting players and operators alike.

We are proud to stand with the NCPG in raising awareness that lottery tickets and scratch-offs are appropriate gifts for adults only.

Peter Sullivan, Jackpocket founder and CEO

Sullivan noted that while the campaign only lasted throughout the holiday season, its message applied year-round. The company has a foothold in 13 states after its most recent expansion, making its voice a vital part of conveying the campaign’s message.

Image Source: Shutterstock.com

The company on a mission to make sports entertainment more engaging and fun, Better Collective, announced a leadership-level appointment Thursday. As a result, Petra Zackrisson, a seasoned veteran with years of experience in the industry, was appointed senior vice president of growth.

Targeting Expansion, Better Collective Appoints SVP of Growth

The appointment comes at a time when Better Collective plans to expand further its global presence. The company explained that the leadership-level hire seeks to boost its growth and accelerate the company’s presence in new jurisdictions around the globe. As an SVP of growth, Zackrisson will oversee strategic processes primarily related to Better Collective’s expansion in new markets. She will spearhead those processes which ultimately are expected to help the company establish its presence in emerging markets.

The new appointment comes as no surprise, considering that Zackrisson collaborated with Better Collective for the last five months. During that time, she held the role of an external consultant for the company. Now, as SVP of growth, Zackrisson will be based out of the company’s Stockholm office. According to Better Collective, she will step into her new position effective January 9, 2023.

“I am excited about this new opportunity and I look forward to joining the team at this stage of the group’s amazing growth journey.“

Petra Zackrisson, SVP of growth at Better Collective

Zackrisson said that it is exciting to join the company at such a vital moment and contribute to its growth. She acknowledged that she has the necessary experience and knowledge to help Better Collective scale up its operations and transform the business to deliver long-term sustainable growth.

The company’s recently appointed SVP of growth added that diversity is significantly important. Finally, Zackrisson said: “I look forward to continue to raise awareness and make incremental changes so that Better Collective can become an even more diverse, profitable and sustainable business.”

The Company’s Co-founder Welcomes Petra Zackrisson to the Team

Before joining Better Collective, Zackrisson was a part of leading companies in the industry. She was most recently a part of KaizenGaming where she served as chief strategy and business development officer. Before that, she was employed by Betsson Group. During her tenure at Betsson, she held different leadership positions.

“I am pleased to welcome Petra to our management team where her focus will be on how to further scale our business.“

Christian Kirk Rasmussen, co-founder and COO of Better Collective

Christian Kirk Rasmussen, Better Collective’s co-founder and COO, welcomed Zackrisson to the company’s leadership team. He acknowledged that initially, Zackrisson joined the company as a consultant and by now, she understands its strategic objectives and processes. Last but not least, Rasmussen said that Zackrisson will leverage her experience and help Better Collective continue to grow further.

Croatia vs Morocco is the clash for the 3^rd place of the 2022 World Cup. It’s a rematch of their group stage game, which finished 0-0 some three weeks ago. The second-ever duel between these two nations might not finish goalless. In fact, none of the World Cup 3^rd-place games has ever finished without goals.

But if we’re going to see some goals on Saturday, December 17 at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, which team will score more? That’s the question we’ll try to answer in our Croatia vs Morocco preview.

Croatia vs Morocco Odds

Match-Winner

Goals Over/Under

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar
• Date: Saturday, December 17, 2022
• Time: 10:00 AM ET
• How to Watch: FOX/Telemundo

The Checkered Ones are Seen as (Slight) Favorites in Saturday’s Game

Four years ago, Croatia finished second in the World Cup. This time, the best they can do is win third place. Even though they came to Qatar as underdogs, they were able to get all the way to the semifinal. They got there after knocking out a couple of real heavyweights, most notably, Brazil in the quarterfinal.

Truth be told, the Croatians weren’t too impressive on the pitch. In fact, they went passed Brazil after beating Tite’s team on penalties. That’s the same method they defeated Japan a round before.

After two straight games that lasted for over 120 minutes, they finally played a game that ended in normal time. Unfortunately for that, they weren’t the ones to win that game. Instead, Argentina beat them 3-0 in the semifinal.

Morocco Have Already Achieved a Lot

The Atlas Lions have carved their names in the history books by becoming the first African nation to qualify for the World Cup semifinal. They did it by following a similar pattern to Croatia. They too played defensive soccer, which is why they kept a clean sheet in four of the six games they’ve played so far.

They were unable to do the same against France in the semifinal, which they ended up losing 2-0. Still, there’s a feeling that they knew their chances were minimal, so the loss did not hurt their feelings too much.

Against Croatia, they do stand a good chance, especially considering that they’re physically superior to their opponents.

Croatia vs Morocco Prediction

Both teams have huge motivation to win Saturday’s game. After all, the winner gets $2 million, as well as the bragging rights for being the world’s third-best team. If Croatia do it, it’s going to be the third time they’ve finished in the Top 3. If Morocco do it, it’s going to be the first time a team from Africa has done it in the history of the World Cup.

That said, the motivation might be on the side of the Moroccans, although that’s up for debate. What’s non-debatable is that the Atlas Lions have better stamina than their rivals for the 3^rd spot. Not only have they spent fewer minutes on the pitch than Croatia, but their key men are much younger than those playing for Croatia.

For example, Croatia’s captain Luka Modric is 37, while Morocco’s skipper Romain Saiss is five years younger.

Pick: Morocco to win the 3^rd place