The multi-national lottery operator has been extremely busy in the past several months, balancing its latest high-profile acquisition with its upcoming UK responsibilities. Chvátal will focus the company’s efforts on the island nation, hopefully allowing Allwyn UK to complete its 2023 goals on time and without any significant setbacks.

The UK Remains Allwyn’s Current Priority

Allwyn has been frantically preparing to assume one of the most demanding positions in the company’s history by becoming the next UK National Lottery operator. Acquiring incumbent operator Camelot allowed the Czech company to immediately take the reins, but ensuring a smooth transition remains a daunting challenge.

The lottery operator already took steps towards bolstering its objectives by hiring Kerry Parkin as global communications director. While she pledged to help the group’s international objectives, Allwyn’s senior management was apparently unsatisfied with its UK progress, opting for another high-profile hire and concentrating the brunt of its efforts in the island nation.

The New CEO Boasts Substantial Experience

Robert Chvátal replaces David Craven as Allwyn UK CEO as Allwyn Group believes that successfully integrating Camelot and completing the company’s objectives regarding the national lottery appointment requires a different skill set and leadership style. Chvátal expressed readiness to ensure the success of Allwyn’s UK-facing efforts by delivering a smooth and seamless transition.

I look forward to working with our UK team and partners… to deliver on our commitment for a bigger, better, and safer National Lottery.

Robert Chvátal, Allwyn UK CEO

Chvátal is a tried and true industry veteran, occupying leadership positions with several high-profile companies. He spent ten years as CEO of T-Mobile’s Slovak and Austrian branches before moving on to head Czech lottery company SAZKA. He successfully steered the company for over seven years, turning it into one of the most dynamically growing lottery groups in Europe, and now stands ready to tackle an even harsher challenge.

Allwyn Builds on Its Previous Successes

Allwyn retains its commitment to deliver the transition to the fourth UK national lottery license on schedule. The company had to navigate many legal challenges to reach this point, so Chvátal will need to utilize his substantial experience in the lottery business to tackle the upcoming challenges.

Chvátal’s appointment should free up some of Allwyn Group’s attention to focus on the situation overseas. The Camelot acquisition was instrumental in another way, as it granted Allwyn its coveted entry into the US market. The company now manages the Illinois Lottery, paving the way for future expansion in the US. Allwyn also maintains a presence in Austria, the Czech Republic, Greece, Cyprus, and Italy, providing a solid foundation for future success.

At the start of the year, the holding company for leading online sports betting and gaming announced it would extend its global foothold in the US by acquiring Digital Gaming Corporation. Now, the parent company of Spin and Betway has announced that its board of directors has given the green light for the launch of a share repurchase program. 

The program’s flexible end date set to December 31 can be expanded or shortened by the same board. The buyback program has been capped at $25 million of the value of SGHC’s ordinary shares.

Repurchases to Take Place on the Open Market  

The group’s investors received notifications informing them that the group which holds multiple licenses in different global jurisdictions in Europe, Africa, North America, and South America was under no obligation to make any share repurchase. 

The company announced that any repurchases would be completed “from time to time on the open market” during negotiated transactions outside the market or at convincing prices. 

Super Group’s chief financial officer Alinda van Wyk took the opportunity to speak about the group’s strong “debt-free balance sheet”. She further explained the group’s interest in utilizing cash to generate shareholder value in the long run via new investments and cash returns to shareholders. 

Alinda also considered the newly approved, “modest share repurchase program” would show the efficient potential use of cash in relation to different types of scenarios on the market. 

Alynda has over two decades of experience under her belt in the online gaming world, leading Carmen Media Group’s finance crew and exercising her advanced financial solutions, evaluations, and reporting skills at Digital Outsource Services (DOS), among others. The latter turned into Super Group’s supporter for its globally recognized brands from the position of an outsourcing partner. Later on, DOS joined the group. 

Super Group to Attend the 25th Annual Needham Virtual Growth Conference

Earlier this week, Super Group announced it would attend the 25^th Annual Needham Virtual Growth Conference scheduled for January 12. Chief executive officer Neal Menashe together with president and chief operating officer Richard Hasson and CFO Alinda van Wyk were all announced as participants in the live webcast. 

Speaking about the presentation, Alinda expressed the company’s eagerness to attend the conference and explain the way the group has continued to stay well-positioned in the international iGaming market, “despite a variety of headwinds around the world”.  

Last November, right before presenting its third-quarter earnings report, the group was confident in its ability to stay on track and keep delivering results aligned with its original guidance for 2022. 

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that if the recommendation is accepted and approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission at their next meeting taking place on January 26, the legislative amendments will have immediate effect.

Nevada on Its Way to Pioneer Esports Betting Legislation

Nevada is again at the forefront of gambling regulations. Back in 2021, Nevada established the Esports Technical Advisory Committee with the goal to monitor and regulate the growing esports sector.

Already in 2020, the state of Nevada allowed for some wagering on a limited number of professional esports events, however, at the beginning of 2022 the Esports Technical Advisory Committee started exploring the possibility of allowing betting on esports in general across the whole state.

Esports is a swiftly expanding industry in Las Vegas. There are plenty of organized tournaments that are aired online and competitions also take place at the HyperX Arena at Luxor. Other major casinos, such as The Venetian, have also expressed their intention to host esports tournaments.

As a result, the Esports Technical Advisory Committee started work on a legislative proposal allowing esports betting back in March and they submitted their proposal for regulatory amendments to the Nevada Gaming Control Board in October.

Industry stakeholders and lawmakers have expressed doubts as to how much interest there will be in esports wagering but board member Phil Katsaros countered those comments with his opinion that esports is developing fast as an industry and Nevada should strive to be ahead of events when it comes to its legislation.

Katsaros further elaborated that the new approach of creating a committee to draw up the regulatory proposal seems to be an effective way to implement legislative changes and should also be utilized in the future.

Esports Betting Operators Will Have the Same Obligations as Sportsbooks

The Esports Technical Advisory Committee’s proposed amendments will change the current sports betting regulations to include wagering on esports.

Under those changes, sportsbooks will be obliged to report to the Nevada Gaming Control Board in case they notice any discrepancies or irregularities regarding the esports wagers they accept. Sports betting operators shall also have to monitor esports betting activities for any match-fixing indicators.

Senior Deputy Attorney General John Michela has commented that in case the amendments are implemented the regulators are going to keep a close eye on how the new market is developing and how much bets are placed on esports events. Regulators will also act immediately in case further amendments are needed.

The announcement came Thursday and sees Sands plan a massive entertainment, hospitality and casino location that is expected to boost the local economy and create jobs.

Sands Plans Massive Project in Downstate New York

Judging by a statement released by the company, it has already entered into agreements for a long-term lease of a site that is currently the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Via multiple transactions, Sands is expected to control up to 80 acres of land in Nassau County, western Long Island, New York. The announcement about the planned resort comes after the gambling regulator in the state, the New York State Gaming Commission, recently opened the application bidding process for three downstate casino licenses.

The multi-billion-dollar resort location is expected to offer plenty of amenities such as five and four-star hotel rooms, community spaces outdoors, as well as live performance sites. As with other world-famous Sands’ resorts, the new location is expected to offer celebrity chef restaurants, fine dining outlets, as well as ballrooms and convention spaces. Considering that the license allows casino gambling, the location would also offer supreme gambling experiences. Still, the casino floor, as revealed by Sands, is expected to cover approximately 10% of the total area, leaving plenty of room for other non-gaming amenities.

The Project Is Expected to Bring Economic Stimulus

David A. Paterson, a former New York Governor and Sands SVP, explained that the project is expected to be transformational for the community. He outlined that Sands is committed to delivering new opportunities for businesses and communities, creating thousands of jobs and bringing economic stimulus to the region. “Our diversity and inclusion strategies will foster an environment of collaboration and economic equity,” explained Paterson.

“Our proposed project would be designed to produce tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue for the local community on an annual basis, potentially offering property tax relief for residents.“

Robert G. Goldstein, chairman and chief executive officer at Las Vegas Sands

Robert G. Goldstein, Sands’ chairman and chief executive officer, added that the company has already proved it brings economic stimulus in regions where it operates. At the same time, he pointed out that Sands believes that the new location in Long Island will deliver incredible value for the region and become a leading entertainment and hospitality destination. According to Goldstein, the resort project is expected to boost the state’s coffers with millions in tax revenue. Finally, he explained that the project will bring new career opportunities for residents and make a strong bond with the local communities.

Kansas legalized wagering on sports back in May last year. It wasn’t until a few months later, in September, that the state officially launched its mobile and retail sports wagering market. And while many bettors enjoy wagering responsibly, as with any gambling activity, there are people affected negatively by addictions.

More Funds Are Needed for Gambling Treatment and Education

Stephenie Roberts, a clinical social worker and Chair of the South Central Kansas Problem Gambling Task Force, a group focused on raising awareness, educating and preventing problem gambling, said when interviewed by KWCH, that funds in the state for raising awareness have been declining. She outlined that the decline in funding resulted in losing problem gambling specialists and even flagged that a study on the topic in Kansas hasn’t been made in the last five years.

This is a significant issue, pointed out Roberts, saying that there are people in Kansas that haven’t even heard of treatment and support services for problem gambling. She pointed out that although there are ads that promote those services, “sometimes the print is so small that people can’t see it.” According to Roberts, one way to help gambling treatment programs and raise awareness is by legislative changes that dedicate more funds toward education and prevention.

Betting Is Fun, Only If Its under Control

Roberts said that without a proper study on gambling harm, it will be difficult to determine the effect sports betting has on Kansas residents. Still, she explained that the immediate and easy access to betting via smartphones is undoubtedly worrying. Acknowledging that placing wagers can be fun, the clinical social worker pointed out that users need to monitor their spending. Comparing wagering on sports to other recreational activities, Roberts said that bettors need to set limits.

“It can be fun, but you have to balance that with limiting yourself with how much you’d spend.“

Stephenie Roberts, Chair of the South Central Kansas Problem Gambling Task Force

Since the launch of regulated sports betting until the end of 2022, there were nearly $720 million wagered in Kansas, judging by details released by the gambling regulator in the state, the Kansas Lottery. The betting handle brought $20.9 million in net revenue for the operators and based on the 10% tax rate for the activity, the state collected $2,092,630. From that total, only a fraction was used to help promote responsible gambling and education in Kansas.