LeoVegas Group has been greenlit to launch its LVSports Limited brand in Germany after securing approval from the Gemeinsamen Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). Thanks to that, the company will be able to make a foray into one of Europe’s largest online gambling markets.

Under the terms of its license, LVSports Limited will be able to offer and market virtual slots across Germany. As a result, the company will be able to conduct nationwide marketing and offer its products in all sixteen German states.

LeoVegas believes that this launch is a significant opportunity for the company which has been keen on expanding its presence in Europe. Gustaf Hagman, the group’s chief executive officer, addressed the matter, saying that his team is excited about the launch. Given the company’s expertise in offering gambling across many jurisdictions, Hagman is certain that LVSports Limited will capture the hearts of German players while protecting them from harm.

We are looking forward to launching LeoVegas in Germany under the new nationwide license. With our track record of regulated markets, we will ensure the greatest iGaming experience with a high level of consumer protection.

Gustaf Hagman, CEO, LeoVegas Group

LeoVegas Wants to Innovate iGaming

LeoVegas Group is a leading iGaming giant that aims to reshape the online gambling ecosystem. The company offers iGaming, live casino and sports betting through its 10 brands in 9 markets. LeoVegas’ operations are made possible by its team of more than 1,000 employees, supporting the company from its offices in Stockholm and Malta.

LeoVegas seeks to be a true innovator and is also keen on supporting other brands through its LeoVentures investment division.

Last year, the group was acquired by MGM Resorts International, a global gambling juggernaut. Ahead of the acquisition, LeoVegas posted its financial results for the third quarter of the year, emphasizing a small decline in revenue.

Soon after that, three LeoVegas workers were arrested over insider trading. An investigation noted suspicious trading activity just before the merger with MGM Resorts was announced, leading to the eventual arrest of the participants. One of the arrestees held a senior management position at the company and had insider price-sensitive information, which he is suspected of leaking out to third parties.

In more recent news, LeoVegas just announced its decision to divest a quarter of BeyondPlay to Bettor Capital in a $2 million deal.

In February, Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City filed House Bill 1027, bringing sports aficionados and gamblers from Oklahoma one step closer to finally seeing sports betting legalized in the Sooner State.

After the legislation went through a smooth review from a friendly committee that was chaired by Luttrell, KOKO-TV announces that the House Committee on Appropriations and Budget has decided to pass the bill on Thursday.

27 “Yes” Votes, Four “No” Votes

Luttrell’s second trial to introduce sports betting to Oklahoma gathered 27 “yes” votes and it was only opposed by four “no” votes in the Appropriations and Budget Committee.

According to its initiator, the main purpose of the bill is to allow additional changes that might be necessary during the lawmaking procedure. In its current form, the legislation would enable Native American tribes to make their way into new sports betting compacts that legalize both in-person and mobile sports betting.

Tribes eager to participate would be allowed to ink partnerships with larger online sports betting sites or create their own gambling sites and platforms and sportsbooks. They would also be allowed to set limits to mobile betting and only allow the vertical on tribal land.

Luttrell explained that the new bill is the result of his lengthy work and collaboration with the tribes and gaming partners in his own districts as well as several other districts in Oklahoma.

While the bill was successfully passed out of committee at the start of March, this still does not offer any guarantee on the fact that it would also reach the House. Nonetheless, Luttrell has expressed his optimism that this would occur.

In the event that the bill would reach the House floor, it would still require clearance from the House and Senate prior to being signed into effect by Gov. Kevin Stitt.

The Power of Example

Further strengthening his argument that Oklahoma is currently missing out on a lot of money, Luttrell explained that after sports betting became legal in nearby Arkansas, the three casinos there generated a massive total bid of $500 million, with $11 million reaching the state’s treasury.

The bill’s initiator also argued that sports betting was already legal in New Mexico, Colorado, and Kansas, while adding that the purpose of the bill was not to expand gambling or gaming, but to offer “another option for those tribes that would like to provide this to their customers.”

If it would come into effect, the legislation would follow the same distribution of the fees that currently come to the state from other compacts.

Accordingly, 80% of the money would go to education while a separate provision would be used to combat problem gaming and provide counseling to problem problems and persons at risk.

While the legislation still has a long time to go before it turns into a palpable reality, the fact that it currently enjoys the support of both the tribes and the Governor can be taken as a good omen.

When you invest more than $600 million in players, you want to see some results. That’s exactly what Chelsea’s owner Todd Boehly demands from his team, but the Blues keep disappointing. Nevertheless, they do still stand a chance to advance to the next stage of the Champions League. For that to happen, they need to beat Dortmund on Tuesday.

Chelsea vs Dortmund Odds

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Stamford Bridge in London, England
• Date: Tuesday, March 7, 2023
• Time: 3:00 PM ET
• How to Watch: Paramount+

Chelsea Going All-In on Tuesday

The Blues have been horrible over the last couple of months, but they still have a chance to salvage the season. They stand a decent chance to advance to the quarterfinal of the 2022-23 Champions League.

After losing just 1-0 to Dortmund in Germany, the Blues can book their ticket to the next stage with a win on Tuesday. We say “just” because Dortmund are great when playing at Westfalen, so losing by just one goal isn’t too bad.

The big question is can Chelsea win in the rematch? They definitely have the manpower to pull it off. Since American businessman Todd Boehly bought the club, Chelsea have invested more than $600 million on transfers. The Blues’ roster is packed with amazing players, but they still haven’t clicked. Maybe they will click on Tuesday?

Dortmund Looking for Their Sixth Straight Away Win

Dortmund have been in fabulous form, both at home and on the road. In away matches, they’re 5-0 this season in all competitions. There is a caveat, however. They haven’t played against too many teams that are as strong as Chelsea.

They did beat the Blues in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16. However, it happened on their turf, and if we’re being honest, they weren’t too great in that game. In fact, they had only two shots at goal, one of which went in.

Dortmund players did well at the back in that game. Chelsea had eight shots at goal, but BVB’s goalie Gregor Kobel managed to keep a clean sheet.

Chelsea vs Dortmund Prediction

In their first duel, the Blues were the dominant side, creating plenty of scoring chances. Unfortunately for them, they failed to make them count. This time, however, we think they will get on target. They’ll have their fans to cheer them on to victory.

Pick: Chelsea to win

Several years ago, Kim Kardashian and Leonardo DiCaprio were interrogated by the FBI about their ties with Low Taek Jho “Jho Low,” a wanted fugitive. Low had a thing for celebrities and spent tons of embezzled money on expensive parties with famous stars and sponsored some of their gambling sessions.

Who Is Jho Low and What Is His Connection to DiCaprio?

As reported by Bloomberg, Jho Low fancied himself the “Mozart of the business world” and liked to party with stars and present them with lavish gifts. DiCaprio described him as a friend, which is not surprising at all considering that Low showered him with adoration and even financed his The Wolf of Wall Street movie.

Low claimed that his wealth comes from a generous patron based in Abu Dhabi. However, the truth was different as the billionaire was eventually found guilty of embezzling ludicrous amounts of money from the 1Malaysia Development Berhard government fund. Low eventually became a fugitive and is now believed to be hiding in China.

The 1MDB fund was founded by the former Malaysian PM Najib Razak, although many believe that it may have been Low’s idea. Razak was an accomplice for sure as he channeled a whopping $700 million toward his bank account, which eventually earned him 12 years in prison

When the FBI grilled DiCaprio, the famous actor suddenly found himself unable to remember many of the details surrounding his relationship with Low. He could not remember details about one of his former friend’s companies, nor the findings of the background check conducted by his managers when Low sponsored The Wolf of Wall Street.

Low Was Fond of Kim Kardashian

FBI documents reveal that Kardashian told the federals that she partied with Low on six occasions. The two of them first met in 2009 when the businessman paid the celebrity $50,000 to appear at his birthday in a Vegas nightclub.

He also gave her $250,000 to buy Kardashian a new white Ferrari as a wedding president for her marriage to Kris Humphries. Humphries, on the other hand, was the recipient of $100,000 Low gave him to buy fireworks for the occasion.

Low continued to support Kardashian and her husbands throughout the years and later presented her and Kanye West with a Jean-Michel Basquiat painting, which West ultimately declined. The now-fugitive also funded some of Kardashian’s gambling endeavors, including a Baccarat session from which she won $350,000.

Depending on how the investigation goes, however, Kim may be forced to hand some of these gifts over to the Department of Justice. This will apply if it turns out Low had used stolen money to purchase them.

The new findings resurged amid the current trial of Prakazrel “Pras” Michél, an ex-member of The Fugees. Michél was allegedly working with Low to fund money into Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign.

Caesars Entertainment joined National Problem Gambling Awareness Month with an official press release detailing the company’s continued commitment to the cause. Its updated self-exclusion program and enhanced 21+ gaming policy aim to create a better betting environment and ensure the operator’s continued commitment towards integrity and customer care.

Self-Exclusion Receives a Substantial Update

The first update to Caesars’ policies concerns the company’s self-exclusion program. The initiative will see significant expansion by the end of March, making it the widest-reaching exclusion option available in the USA. Large-scale integration among Caesars Entertainment’s brick-and-mortar and iGaming operations aims to ensure universal country-wide coverage.

Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg noted that the company’s position as a leading North American operator entailed a lot of responsibility to maintain a solid foundation and a sustainable, user-friendly business model. He lauded the updated measure and noted it benefited the company and community equally.

When a person tells us that playing with us is no longer in their best interest, we will be able to ensure that they are… excluded from every gaming platform we offer, in one simple step.

Tom Reeg, Caesars Entertainment CEO

Any person whose name is present in a self-exclusion accessible to Caesars will be added to the operator’s universal registry and be unable to bet on any of its gaming facilities and platforms. Furthermore, individuals considering this measure can register themselves, opting out of all online, retail, marketing, and complementary benefits.

Individuals under 21 Will Face Significant Restrictions

The other significant update to Caesars’ safe gaming efforts is the so-called 21+ gaming policy. It entails restricting users from jurisdictions that allow gambling under age 21 from using the operator’s services where permissible by law. As per the new rules, only individuals over that age can access iGaming and sportsbook content.

In jurisdictions that do not permit such restrictions, Caesars will limit all reward programs to individuals over 21. Company president and COO Anthony Carano highlighted the operator’s unwavering dedication to battling underage gambling by implementing proven and working solutions. He added that the new policy would ensure compliance across all sectors and jurisdictions.

Establishing consistent standards regarding age restrictions underlines our commitment to our guests and to the industry.

Anthony Carano, Caesars Entertainment COO

The company’s press release underlined the many ways Caesars contributed to local communities. The operator remains dedicated to providing responsible gambling training to all its employees and donates significant sums to charities and organizations dedicated to gambling harm prevention and research. The recent introduction of Caesars’ Responsible Gaming Council will help oversee all aspects of the company and help it maintain its place as a leader in safe gaming initiatives.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced today that it has reached an agreement with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to combat together unsolicited calls and texts, as well as phone scams.

Tackle Unsolicited Communication

The strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two government agencies in London this week will see them work together by sharing intelligence, assisting each other in respective investigations and coordinating their enforcement actions against entities operating out of third countries.

Commenting on the MoU, ACMA Chair, Nerida O’Loughlin, outlined the magnitude of the international problem created by “unwanted calls, texts and scams” and the need for cross-border intergovernmental collaboration as “an important part of the solution” if any sustainable results are to be achieved.

“This agreement will see us working with our UK counterparts to crack down on unlawful calls and messages, particularly when cross-border issues are involved,” O’Loughlin said.

The newly-reached accord between the ACMA and ICO will further strengthen their already strong working relationship and support both agencies’ continued efforts in regulating all types of unsolicited communications thousands of people in both countries receive on a daily basis.

UK Information Commissioner John Edwards also commented on the agreement, pleased to see the MoU reaffirm the “collaborative efforts to protect people against the misuse of their personal data for unlawful electronic marketing practices.”

“The ICO and the ACMA face common challenges in stopping companies from plaguing people’s lives with unlawful calls and text messages, and this MoU will help us remain effective in our mission,” Edwards added.

Gambling Operators at the Crosshairs

In recent enforcement action, the ACMA fined BetDeluxe with an AU$50,000 ($33,750) for failures to comply with the spam rules. The breaches were detected between December 2021 and February 2022 – a period in which BetDeluxe had sent more than 104,000 SMS promotional materials with no integrated option for the receiver to unsubscribe.

Recent research conducted by the Australian communications watchdog found that 98% of Australians had received some form of unsolicited communication in 2021, and around 80% of them had experienced negative effects from that communication.

The MoU signed with the ICO is the second ACMA memorandum announced within the space of two days that would directly affect the gambling industry after the advertising regulator signed a MoU with the Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (DITT).

Aimed at establishing greater cooperation in gambling regulation in Australia, the MoU will facilitate the collaboration between the ACMA and DITT in matters of compliance monitoring, enforcement and education for online gambling.

Operators in the Bay State can rest easy after the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) voted 5-0 to waive some of the restrictions regarding affiliate agreements. The regulator carefully weighed the pros and cons of maintaining the current ban and decided that CPA and revenue-sharing models should exist within its jurisdiction, allowing for proper oversight.  

Affiliates Remain a Highly Contentious Matter

The MGC first announced its intention to tackle revenue-sharing agreements in February. Current regulations in the Bay State prohibit all sports wagering operators from compensating third parties based on the volume of clients, wagers, or the outcome of specific bets. Such restrictions rule out the traditional affiliate models many operators depend on for marketing and promotions.

After a thorough review, the Commission agreed to hold talks with operators and affected parties to determine its future course of action. The regulator announced it would hold its final vote on 23 March. However, the date is almost two weeks later than the official launch of online sportsbooks in the state, so it would substantially hamper operators who depend on affiliates for much of their onboarding process.

The Regulator Is Working on a Permanent Solution

According to the latest updates, the MGC has conceded to a temporary waiver of CPA and revenue-sharing restrictions until 14 April. A unanimous vote decided that the stopgap measure would provide sufficient time to implement better safe gambling rules while allowing a smooth and problem-free online sports betting launch.

Despite the regulator’s willingness to tackle the matter, it is unlikely to make the waiver permanent without implementing additional safe gaming and compliance requirements. Several commissioners were cautious regarding the compromise, but most agreed that the MGC should take the initiative and impose a framework focusing on player safety.

Someone is going to fill the space…and we should be regulating this.

MGC Commissioner Jordan Maynard

The Commission has already taken measures to reign in affiliates with a new regulation classifying them in the same category as vendors, requiring them to register with the regulator. The MGC is also considering requiring them to apply for a vendor license or potentially introducing other regulations to prevent market saturation.

Affiliate marketing for operators remains a sensitive subject. MGC chairperson Cathy Judd-Stein noted that revenue sharing inherently contradicted the organization’s responsible gaming efforts. However, the Commission seems to agree that the practice is a necessary evil and is doing everything to ensure safe and reasonable implementation. With the 10 March online sports betting launch closing in, the Massachusetts regulator will undoubtedly face many other similar challenges.