Each week, CasinoBeats breaks down the numbers behind some of the industry’s most interesting stories. Financial updates from Caesars and MGM Resorts, fines for LeoVegas and Google, potential A$100m fines in New South Wales and Flutter Entertainment’s latest purchase all feature in our latest recap.

1.32

LeoVegas was ordered to pay a £1.32m UK Gambling Commission penalty, as well as having to undergo an audit and receiving an official warning, for social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures.

The audit issued to the operator, which runs a site of the same name as well as Slot Boss, Pink Casino, 21.co.uk and Bet UK, was undertaken in a bid to ensure it is effectively implementing its anti-money laundering and social responsibility policies, procedures and controls.

Social responsibility failures identified include setting spend triggers significantly higher than an average customer’s spend and implementing six hours as a point at a white a 45-minute cool off must be taken, without explaining how each was appropriate or concluded.

Financial triggers were also deemed to be too high and unrealistic to effectively manage associated risks, with inappropriate controls said to have permitted “significant levels of gambling spend to take place within a short space of time”.

1.62

Flutter Entertainment dipped its toes into the M&A well once again after gaining all necessary regulatory confirmations and closing the £1.62bn acquisition of Italian online gaming operator Sisal from CVC Capital Partners.

Peter Jackson, Flutter Chief Executive, had previously suggested that the purchase was identified due to the company looking to “attain a gold medal position in the Italian market”.

The deal, which was first detailed in December 2021, is said to align with the group’s strategy of investing to build leadership positions in regulated markets.

Sisal was praised as having “performed strongly since the transaction was announced,” with year-on-year growth of 58 per cent in revenue to £402m and 51 per cent in EBITDA to £120m during the first half of 2022. The prior year was  impacted by COVID-related retail restrictions.

15

Jeff Ifrah, Founder & General Counsel of iDEA Growth, hailed a “huge win” for Massachusetts consumers after state lawmakers reached an eleventh hour compromise regarding the legalisation of sports betting.

Bill H5164 will permit up to 15 online licences, in addition to five retail sportsbooks at the three state casinos and two racetracks of Encore Boston Harbor and MGM Springfield, which already have on-property space created for such an offering, as well as Plainridge Park, Raynham Park and Suffolk Downs.

Ron Mariano, Speaker of the House of Representatives, praised the “incredible opportunity that legalised sports betting presents” upon disclosing the news on social media.

The Senate voted 36-4 in issuing its approval, with it hoped that Governor Charlie Baker would issue a timely approval.

100

Casinos in New South Wales could face fines of up to A$100m and see individual board members and executives held liable for serious wrongdoing under legislation to be introduced to Parliament next week. 

These powers will be made available to the new regulator NSW Independent Casino Commission, which will see regulatory responsibilities and operational functions be expanded in replacing the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority.

A slate of key reforms, identified as part of the Bergin Inquiry, will enable the NICC to investigate misconduct and enforce compliance with tough new controls targeting money laundering and other criminal activity. 

21

The Kansspelautoriteit issued an update on the Dutch Cruks self exclusion register, as the regulator urges online games providers to note the results of a recent study regarding the protection of customers.

This research, said the Ksa, demonstrated that the Netherlands “is not out of step with its laws and regulations when it comes to protecting players against the unwanted effects of gambling”.

The study, conducted by the Dutch Gambling Authority, looked at the implementation of the duty of care to prevent gambling addiction in 21 European countries.

The aim was to gain more insight into how this is fulfilled and implemented across other regions, as the Ksa looks to learn lessons from those jurisdictions that possess a more established online gambling ecosystem. 

53

Caesars Entertainment reiterated its first quarter digital stance through the group’s Q2 earnings call, with the business said to have “improved significantly” during the second three month period of the year.

Following losses of $53m, $576m, and $554m across revenue, net loss, and adjusted EBITDA through Q1 which was aligned to new market launches, the segment tracked $152m, -$116m, and -$69m, respectively, in the group’s latest report.

“I expect we will not have a quarter of $100m quarterly EBITDA loss in digital again,” noted Thomas Reeg, CEO & Director, as Eric Hession, EVP, delved into more detail.

12

Victoria Premier Dan Andrews is introducing a further slate of “major reforms” to combat gambling related harm and address money laundering at Crown Melbourne.

The government has forwarded legislation to implement a further twelve recommendations from the royal commission to parliament.

These are intended to build on those measures that have already been implemented since the aforementioned investigation, including establishing the office of the Special Manager to oversee Crown’s operations.

Crown Resorts was able retain its Melbourne casino licence despite an investigation deeming the group to be “unsuitable” on the basis that it engaged in “illegal, dishonest, unethical and exploitative” conduct.

The package of harm minimisation and crime prevention reforms aim to be a “world first” as well as “the strongest measures in any casino in Australia” in a bid to ensure that behaviour previously uncovered “can never happen again”.

1.45

Italy’s communications and media agency Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni (AGCOM) targeted slots streamers after issuing a pair of financial sanctions totalling €1.45m.

This has seen Google, via its YouTube subsidiary, penalised a total of €750,000, with Top Ads, the creator of videos through its Spike website and channel on the online video sharing platform, hit with a €700,000 punishment.

Although the penalties relate to the aforementioned YouTube channel, which has more than 86,000 subscribers and has been deemed to violate a gambling advertising ban contained within the country’s Dignity Decree, it was not disclosed what specific products or services were displayed.

3

A continued Las Vegas bounce back led MGM Resorts to an “outstanding” second quarter performance, following which the casino operator reaffirmed its commitment to New York and Osaka, Japan.

Regarding the group’s brick-and-mortar pipeline, MGM is “eager” to expand its Empire City property, a frontrunner to secure one of three addition licences, after reiterating a desire to pursue a full casino gaming permit in New York.

The company is “hopeful that New York will solicit applications by the end of the year,” and looks forward to “drive jobs and economic growth to that region”.

Elsewhere, an area development plan has been submitted to the Japanese government, with MGM “optimistic that we receive an approval decision in the fall of this year”.Progress on taking the brand to the UAE via a non-gaming integrated resort, in partnership with asset management group Wasl, is also continuing apace.