Week in Review
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04.02 – U.S. jobs report; Exxon earnings; Casino panic
Casino check: Macau casino stocks tumbled after Bloomberg reported that China could soon allow some forms of gambling in the southern province of Hainan.
That might draw gamblers away from Macau, which is currently the only place in China where casinos are legal.
Wynn Macau (WYNMY), Sands China (SCHYY) and MGM China (MCHVY) shares fell sharply in Hong Kong before recovering most of their losses.
For further information: Here
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04.02 – Boxing faces being expelled from Olympic programme at Tokyo 2020 after Interim President with links to organised crime chosen to lead AIBA
Boxing faces expulsion from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games unless governance issues, including the choice of the world governing body’s Interim President, are addressed, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) warned. Among serious problems highlighted by IOC President Thomas Bach included the appointment of Gafur Rakhimov, an Uzbek allegedly linked to organised crime, as Interim President of the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
For further information: Here
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04.02 – Corrupt Cricket: Umpires dragged into match fixing storm in Dubai cricket match
Investigations are well underway after a game in the Ajman All-Stars T20 League was involved in a string of ridiculous, comical and suspicious run-outs. The ICC ACU (International Cricket Council Anti-Corruption Unit) has launched an investigation by interviewing several players and there are growing fears that corruption could spread to Tests and one-day internationals. ICC ACU are investigating match fixing claims following a video of the match went viral.
For further information: Here
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04.02 – PROtect Integrity Plus Kick-off Meeting
The first staff meeting of EU Athletes-coordinated Erasmus+ project PROtect Integrity Plus has taken place at Provale’s office in Toulouse, France on the 26th of January 2018. The project is a continuation of the successful PROtect Integrity campaign against match-fixing, started back in 2010 in partnership with ESSA, EGBA and RGA.
For further information: Here
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05.02 – The FIAU and the MGA publish a revised consultation document on the application of AML and CFT obligations to the remote gaming sector
The Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (“FIAU”) and the Malta Gaming Authority (“MGA”) have issued a second revised Consultation Document on the application of anti-money laundering and combatting the funding of terrorism (“AML/CFT”) requirements to anyone who is licensed to provide a service involving the wagering of a stake with monetary value in games of chance, including games of chance with an element of skill, via electronic means of distance communication upon request from the recipient of said services, with the opportunity to win prizes of money or money’s worth (“licensees”).
For further information: Here
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05.02 – Views on China – Macau’s no sucker in this chinese gambling experiment
Beijing has had enough of foreign governments eating its lunch. Authorities are drafting a proposal to allow gambling on Hainan Island, Bloomberg News reported Friday, citing people who asked not to be identified because the discussions aren’t public. Online gaming, a lottery or sports betting are being considered under the plan, which could open to the door to physical casinos in the province in the long term, they said. Macau is currently the only location under Beijing’s jurisdiction where such resorts are permitted.
For further information: Here
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06.02 – Malaysia cracks down on match-fixing with government promising court action
Police forces in Malaysia have been directed to flush out match-fixing among players, coaches and the management of league teams. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says rigging has to be stopped immediately with offenders brought to court. Meantime, the head of the Malaysian FA’s referees committee Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh stressed that he will not compromise with match officials who are involved in match-fixing.
For further information: Here
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07.02 – European Commission endorses achievements of project KCOOS
The Directorate General for Migration and Home Affairs officially approved the final report of the KCOOS (Keep Crime Out of Sport); the project was co-financed by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe from January 2016 to June 2017. Project KCOOS provided tailored technical assistance to 33 European countries for the effective implementation of the principles of the Macolin Convention, and was deemed successful. ESSA was a partner in this project.
For further information: Here
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07.02 – ‘China’s Hawaii’ has a gambling plan: These may be winner’s
Beijing’s ambitions to bring more tourists and gambling to an island billed as China’s Hawaii is sparking visions of a rapid transformation for an important provincial region.
The plan for Hainan includes relaxing visa rules and building a new airport to draw foreign cash to the southern Chinese province, Bloomberg reported Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. It also may allow for gambling, potentially paving the way for casinos on the island.
For further information: Here
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07.02 – Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera set to face match-fixing trial with 33 other players over 2011 game involving former club Real Zaragoza
Ander Herrera has denied any wrongdoing after it emerged that he may stand trial over an alleged match-fixing scandal. The 28-year-old Manchester United midfielder has been warned that he faces being ordered into the witness stand with 33 other footballers including Atletico Madrid midfielder Gabi over a ‘suspect’ May 2011 match between his former club Real Zaragoza and Levante. The trial, seen as a certainty in Spain, is expected to be at least six months away. Respected regional newspaper Las Provincias claimed the 42 people involved could face prison sentences ranging from six months to four years if convicted.
For further information: Here
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08.02 – Italy: Anti-mafia Committee approves final report
The Italian Lower Chamber Anti-mafia Committee approves the final report on the activity of the XVII legislature and asks for more attention on gambling services. The report states that it is necessary to raise the level of attention on gambling finances to prevent mafia infiltration. The Report will be presented by MP Rosy Bindi on 21 February.
For further information: Here
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08.02 – Maltese court overturns not-guilty verdict in U21 match-fixing case
Two former members of the Under-21 Maltese national team have been declared guilty of match-fixing after a Maltese court of appeal overturned the original judgment that had cleared them. The pair had been arraigned in Malta after a fellow footballer turned whistle-blower had alleged that they were involved in bribery surrounding the Malta-Montenegro European championship qualifier played in March 2016.
For further information: Here
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08.02 – ARJEL: 2017 Review of the Authorized Online Game Market
The ARJEL has just made public the figures of the regulated market of online gambling for the year 2017. For the first time since 2010, the three segments – sports betting, horse betting and poker – recorded a rise in activity with positive results on both the bets, the gross product of the games and the number of players accounts assets.
On the overall online market, there are 9.2 billion euros in bets and entry fees increased of 9%, there has been an increase of 18% of gross product of the games for a total of 962 million euros and a 13% increase in active player accounts per week.
For further information: Here
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08.02 – USA: PPA considers sports betting advocacy as new president takes charge
US iGaming advocacy group the Poker Players Alliance is considering expanding its focus to boost support for sports betting legislation as long-serving executive director John Pappas prepares to step down.
For further information: Here
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World Gambing News: Here
