Provider of geolocation technology services GeoComply filed a motion in court to compel a third party to provide certain materials related to the infringement lawsuit against Xpoint.

OTG Holds the Key

The motion filed by GeoComply requested the court to compel Out The Gate (OTG), an online gambling company based in New Jersey, to provide all materials related to an internal presentation held by OTG’s chief operating officer Lee Terfloth in July last year, claiming that the presentation revealed that Xpoint had “identical code processes” to GeoComply.

Should GeoComply become aware of the copying of their product, they could issue a cease and desist, which would require Xpoint to potentially shut down their product.

GeoComply statement

In September last year, GeoComply filed a legal case against Xpoint in Delaware’s District Court, alleging that Xpoint’s operation is infringing on GeoComply’s patent covering a geolocation engine technology invented by GeoComply chief executive officer and co-founder Anna Sainsbury.

GeoComply sought injunctive relief from the court to protect its investment-based risk but Xpoint released a statement dismissing the patent infringement allegations as “meritless,” adamant that there would be no more comments until the matter is resolved in court.

Concerned that their code has been directly copied by their competitor, GeoComply submitted the presentation as evidence and subpoenaed OTG to provide the source code it had received from Xpoint, as well as any correspondence or work product associated with Xpoint but the New Jersey-based online gambling company refused.

Judge to Decide

In the objection filed to the subpoena, OTG outlined that GeoComply should first receive discovery from Xpoint rather than seek a “wide breadth of discovery from OTG” at such an early stage of the litigation, highlighting that what documents and information GeoComply seeks from OTG are “equally or more likely to be in Xpoint’s possession.”

Arguing that GeoComply’s request is an overstep, OTG stated that this type of information should not come from a third party but from Xpoint and its discovery. The company also claimed that the scope of the request creates an undue burden on the business.

Following the motion filed by GeoComply to compel OTG to submit all presentation-related materials and correspondence with Xpoint on January 9, OTG was given until January 23 to file its opposition to the motion, with GeoComply having to file its response until January 30, while ruling on the motion by Judge William C Bryson is expected in early February.

Gambling self-exclusion programs enable individuals to restrict their access to participating in the activity. This in turn can help decrease the risk of problem gambling or restrict losses by at-risk gamblers. Those programs work not only for land-based venues but for online gambling activities as well.

Self-Exclusion Schemes in NSW Are Ineffective

Now, a new report released by The Guardian reveals that the self-exclusion schemes in New South Wales (NSW) aren’t as effective as they can be. Under an existing self-exclusion scheme available in NSW, gamblers can exclude from the activity for approximately 35 gambling locations. This capacity limit restricts the effectiveness of the self-exclusion programs, considering that gambling is widespread in Australia. In fact, the country is infamous for having the most gambling machines per capita of the population and every year, Australians lose billions to gambling.

Speaking about the self-exclusion scheme in NSW, Jim Wackett, Wesley Mission’s general manager, acknowledged that it is ineffective. He explained that the scheme doesn’t provide the necessary support especially for “people who need it most.”

In a recent interview for the publication, a problem gambler called Greg also criticized the effectiveness of NSW self-exclusion programs. The man, whose last name wasn’t disclosed, wants to quit gambling but points out that this is incredibly difficult, considering that there are many gambling establishments within the area where he lives.

Greg said that the self-exclusion limit of 35 venues is nearly not enough and criticized the overall effectiveness of the schemes. “How are you supposed to remember every place around you? And 35 places? That’s like two postcodes here, so it just absolutely doesn’t work at all,” he said when interviewed.

Another point raised by Greg was that it is challenging to shake off gambling, considering that there are flashing lights offering $100,000 jackpots everywhere. He even compared the advertisements to the flashy lights from the gambling capital of the world, Las Vegas.

Besides self-exclusion programs, cashless gaming cards can also help reduce gambling harm. The proposed reform was welcomed by unions, charities and the NSW police commissioner. Still, it faced criticism from ClubsNSW and other stakeholders within the industry that questioned the effectiveness of the cashless gaming card.

Just last week, Fanatics Holding reinstated its big plans to bring its sports betting platform to several states in the US during the first quarter of 2023. The parent company of Fanatics Betting and Gaming (FBG), Fanatics Commerce, and Fanatics Collectibles expressed its goals during a meeting it held with the Massachusetts regulator for gambling, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC).

Now, the MGC has announced that it had given a unanimous vote to find Fanatics Betting and Gaming “preliminarily suitable for a Category 3 sports wagering operator license.” The important decision came at the end of MGC’s review of the company’s application for a sports betting license as an operator.

Fanatics Will Present the MGC with an Internal Responsible Gaming Plan

As part of the commissioner’s request, Fanatics will need to approve an internal plan for responsible gaming and also present the plan to the commission before officially launching its sports betting services in the state of Massachusetts.

For the time being, Fanatics is eligible to ask for a temporary license to provide sports wagering to bettors while MGC’s Investigations and Enforcement Bureau will complete its full suitability review.

The category 3 license would be tied to Plainridge Park Casino’s category one license for sports wagering activities.

Once a temporary license would be granted to Fanatics, the company would need to also receive an operations certificate while complying with more requirements. These conditions will all need to be met prior to the sportsbook being allowed to take sports wagers on any approved sporting event.

Temporary Category 3 Licenses, Ahead of Category 1 Licenses

According to data from the MGC, retail sports wagering at operators with a Category 1 license will be launched in the state on the last day of the current month. At the same time, mobile and online sports betting is expected to be officially launched sometime in March.

The Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 23N states that the MGC is allowed to offer Category 1 sports wagering licenses to entities that own a gaming license under MGL Chapter 23K, provided the respective entity would be interested in providing sports betting.

The same entities would also need to fully comply with all the requirements that have been established by the MGC while also covering all associated fees.

Category 1 sports wagering licenses allow holders to offer sports betting services using up to two individually-branded mobile apps and other types of digital platforms that have been given the green light from the commission.

Finally, all platforms need to have the right qualification and hold a Category 3 three sports wagering license in accordance with MGL Chapter 23N.

Kindred Group, a principal club sponsor of English Football League (EFL) side Middlesbrough FC, announced that it has donated its front-of-shirt space to the MFC Foundation for the upcoming match with Millwall.

Part of EFL’s ‘Week of Action’

The announcement that the shirt space reserved for the Unibet’s logo would feature MFC Foundation’s branding this Saturday came as part of the EFL’s ‘Week of Action’ initiative. The logo of Kindred Group’s flagship brand will also be replaced by MFC Foundation’s branding on the team’s warm-up gear.

Neil Banbury, managing director in the UK for Kindred Group, outlined that the idea is part of “a new kind of sponsorship model” the group is “determined to implement” to leverage its position and “positively influence clubs and communities.”

“That’s why it’s great to be able to highlight the MFC Foundation – and its range of work across the region – in this weekend’s game,” he added.

MFC Foundation aims to improve the odds of succeeding in life for young people and adults across Teesside and is partly funded by the football club’s commercial partners, including Kindred Group. By donating its front-of-shirt space, the gambling firm is seeking to draw attention to the foundation’s work and popularize its projects and services within the local community.

Draw Attention to MFC Foundation’s Work

We’re delighted to have this opportunity to reinforce to the wider footballing community the importance of the MFC Foundation.

Lynsey Edwards, head of the MFC Foundation

Edwards is appreciative of the support the foundation receives from its partner to keep its “varied work across the region,” and is “looking forward to building on that in the months ahead.”

Kindred Group also supports MFC Foundation’s ‘Think With Your Feet’ program that enables young men to meet and play football, as well as discuss their mental health issues, and for the upcoming fixture with Millwall, has donated its hospitality access to participants from the Foundation’s Walking Football and East Cleveland fitness sessions.

The idea to donate its front-of-shirt space to the MFC Foundation dates back to November 2020 when Kindred Group announced it would offer up its shirt sponsorship to the foundation, along with the third strip for one game per season, while players will wear warm-up gear branded with the foundation’s logo for three games per season.

Kindred Group also donated its front-of-shirt space with both Middlesbrough and Rangers FC during the Safer Gambling Week in October to help the industry encourage safer gambling practices in the UK.

An actor in Singapore is under investigation for an alleged breach of the Gambling Control Act by promoting an illegal gambling website in three video commercials.

Gambling with Unlicensed Operators

Terence Cao, 55, participated in various roles in the three video commercials and all of his roles silently promoted the excitement and fun derived from gambling with small amounts, reported Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao.

In one of the videos, Cao featured in two roles: one of the characters he embodied had gambled and lost SGD500 ($378), while the other character initially was trying to console the one who had lost the bet and eventually pulled up a mobile phone displaying he had won SGD50 ($38).

The video commercial lasted less than 2 minutes but clearly displayed the logo of the gambling firm where the second character embodied by Cao had won the wager, and according to the lawyers the reporting media has spoken to, represents a breach of Singapore’s Gambling Control Act.

Lawyers also confirmed that the displayed gambling website in the commercial is illegal in Singapore and that it is illegal for individuals to participate in advertising or promotions of such websites.

The video has been removed from the gambling website but the media confirmed with the police that it was notified of the issue and that the case was already under investigation.

According to Singapore gambling law, all unlicensed gambling is expressly prohibited and the only licensed operator is Singapore Pools, which received a three-year license from the Gambling Regulatory Authority in October last year.

Unaware of Video Context and Gambling Website

When contacted for comments from the reporting media, Cao claimed that he had been approached by a production company that he had never worked with before and had been unaware of the context of the videos, or the gambling website.

At one moment Cao even suggested that the videos had been created to deter people away from gambling but then stopped the chat communication with the reporter and did not pick up his phone when called. Cao runs live streaming sales company Sibay Shiok.

Singapore is one of several countries in the Asia-Pacific region which have been very consistent in their efforts to oust illegal gambling. Due to the effectiveness of its police authorities, the state city has registered significant success in the past three years during which a total of 2,400 people had been arrested, of which 800 had been detained for dealing with illegal sports betting.

GeoLocs promises advanced technology that is self-manageable, seamlessly implemented, easy to use, and designed with the needs of iGaming operators in mind. Featuring geo-based marketing and promotional offers, GeoLocs promises easy regulatory compliance. The developer’s solution was tested with the help of several trusted partners and is now available to operators.

The Developer Prioritizes the Customer Experience

Mkodo’s focus on cutting-edge technology and its understanding of current industry trends has helped the company stay one step ahead in an increasingly competitive market. Tom Atfield, Creative Director at mkodo, recently shared his thoughts on the operators’ growing dependence on technology and the importance of accessible, easy-to-use services.

The company primarily focuses on front-end development, specializing in bespoke iGaming apps with a focus on user experience and player retention. Mkodo’s other products include the secure API management framework mCloud Gateway and the GeoLocs iGaming-focused geolocation service, which is now available to operators.

GeoLocs Is a Comprehensive Compliance Solution

Mkodo spent the last ten years polishing GeoLocs with the help of several trusted partners who lauded the product’s features and underlying technology. Operators can easily ensure they remain compliant with regulations by verifying player location. This feature is especially relevant in the Canadian market, where local gambling restrictions can differ wildly.

The technology, knowledge, and expertise behind GeoLocs has been key in supporting us to license and operate in Ontario.

Mark Busittil, Chief Product Officer at Casumo

GeoLocs fully embodies the developer’s principles, delivering an easy-to-integrate solution compatible with most operating systems and devices. Mkodo managing director Stuart Godfree noted that compliance was an ever-growing concern for iGaming companies, highlighting GeoLocs’ proven track record with the company’s trusted partners.

We are thrilled to now be able to offer GeoLocs to a wider audience, at a time when… emerging markets… require a solid, smooth and trustworthy geolocation solution to ensure full compliance.

Stuart Godfree, mkodo managing director

The service uses satellite navigation and IP location to verify a player’s position without any need for companion apps, preserving the focus on the player experience and ensuring a smooth onboarding process. Mkodo holds licenses in Ontario and British Columbia, ensuring that GeoLocs is available in some of North America’s most challenging markets.

GeoLocs’s innovative compliance solution also allows location-based marketing. Players within a specified area can receive custom promotional offers and other front-end or marketing communications tailored to local regulations. Mkodo is confident that the product will attract significant attention from operators and propel the developer to new heights during the coming year.

Last November, Caesars Windsor announced it would open several sports betting kiosks inside the Poker Room on the main Skybridge entrance floor. The kiosks were announced ahead of the upcoming grand opening of the much-anticipated Sportsbook Lounge of the casino in the Detroit–Windsor area.

Now, Ontario has finally announced that it has opened the gates to its very first full-service sportsbook thanks to Caesars Sportsbook’s launching at the venue.

What Can Ontario’s Sports Aficionados Expect?

The brand-new sportsbook features a total of seven sports betting kiosks and three betting windows spread across 1,618 square feet. The kiosks are located at the base of Skybridge, right outside the poker room and inside the new sportsbook location.

The new sportsbook also incorporates 22 large-screen High Definition LED TVs along with comfortable seating and state-of-the-art sound. Sports bettors will have the chance to take their pick 24/7 from a rich variety of betting options, including bets on soccer, professional football, baseball, basketball, car races, and hokey, among others.

All sports betting kiosks will offer detailed information and instructions on how to place bets while providing clear definitions of all sports betting terms.

Caesars Windsor’s president Kevin Laforet expressed their excitement to be able to provide sports bettors with the opportunity to jump on the wagon and be introduced to the action happening in their favorite sports while enjoying “the thrill of single-event betting as part of our world-class resort experience”.

Big Names at the Opening Ceremony

Windsor-West New Democratic Party Member of Parliament Brian Masse, Windsor’s mayor Drew Dilkens, and six-time All-Star Grant Fuhr included in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003 all attended the opening ceremony for the new sportsbook.

Fuhr also helped cut the symbolic ribbon and had the honor of placing the first bet. Winnings were directed to The Grant Fuhr Foundation.

The sportsbook project was designed with the help of Tandem Engineering Group together with Artisan Construction which was the general contractor.

The grand opening also introduced attendees to a number of fresh menu items from Legends Sports Bar. Wishing to give back to the community, the Caesars for a Cause charity event was also held during the grand opening of the new sportsbook. As part of the event, Caesars Windsor Cares announced it would donate $1 for every specialty menu item that Caesar would order from the Drinks & Bites menu to The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County.