Dutch trade associations back new responsible gaming slogan
Dutch gambling industry associations VAN Kansspelen, NOGA, and VNLOK are jointly backing the new responsible gaming slogan “Voorkom spijt, stop op tijd, 18+” (“Avoid Regrets, stop in Time, 18+”).
In recent months, the Ministry of Justice and Security has directed industry stakeholders to rephrase the current slogan “Speel bewust, 18+” (“Play consciously, 18+"). Mental health organization Trimbos Institute has developed five alternatives, of which “Voorkom spijt, stop op tijd, 18+,” has now been picked by the Netherlands’ three gambling industry representatives as the most relevant and fitting.
VAN Kansspelen, NOGA, and VNLOK jointly call on the Minister for Legal Protection to make a quick decision on the new slogan and to pick “Voorkom spijt, stop op tijd, 18+” as the catchphrase that is to accompany all gambling advertisements in the future.
Playtech receives competing takeover bid
Gambling software supplier Playtech has received a competing takeover bid from minority shareholder Gopher Investments after reaching a preliminary agreement on a £2.70bn (€3.15bn) takeover deal with Australian slot machine manufacturer Aristocrat.
Gopher has reportedly made a preliminary offer worth £3bn (€3.50bn).
Playtech said Gopher sought access to certain due diligence information in order to explore terms on which a possible offer for all of the issued and to be issued share capital of Playtech might be made.
While Gopher was provided access to due diligence information for this purpose, discussions are at an early stage and ongoing, the supplier noted. It added that there is no certainty the approach will result in a firm offer.
Playtech also acknowledged its ongoing discussions with Aristocrat, saying that a further announcement on the timing of this offer would be made in due course.
Upcoming events
The following events may be of interest to the GiH community.
SiGMA Europe has been rescheduled to 16 – 18 November, 2021.
The Betting on Sports America conference and expo has been scheduled for 30 November – 2 December, 2021 and will bring together all the major players in the fast-growing North American sports betting industry.
The World Gaming Executive Summit is returning live on 6 – 8 December, 2021 at the W Hotel, Barcelona.
ICE London and iGB Affiliate London have been scheduled to take place 1 – 3 February, 2022.
Ex-Netherlands footballers questioned as witnesses in illegal gambling and money laundering investigation
Ex-Netherlands footballers Dirk Kuyt and Wesley Sneijder have been questioned as witnesses in a criminal investigation into illegal gambling and money laundering, according to Dutch media reports.
Dutch authorities believe that both footballers gambled on the now defunct, formerly Curaçao-licensed betting website Edobet. Edobet is alleged to have been used as a money laundering instrument by a criminal organization led by The Hague “godfather” Piet S.
While Kuyt admitted that he gambled with Edobet, Sneijder claimed that his involvement was based on a misunderstanding.
According to VVCS, the Dutch association for professional football players, gambling and problematic gambling behavior is a growing problem among its membership. Problematic gambling behavior also increases players’ vulnerability to match-fixing propositions. To help remedy this particular problem, the association has launched an app which allows players to report such approaches.
Other news
Due to the current Covid situation, Holland Casino has decided to postpone the official opening of its new Venlo venue until spring 2022.
The Dutch supreme court has issued a ruling finding that the introduction of gambling tax in lieu of VAT in 2008 has had a disproportionate effect on at least one land-based slot machine operator, who should therefore be compensated for the resulting losses.
Flutter-owned online casino Sky Vegas offered free spins to recovering addicts during the UK industry’s annual Safer Gambling Week.
Italy’s Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) has announced the launch of a new app that allows Italian consumers to check the compliance status of land-based and online gambling operators. The app is intended to protect Italian gamblers from mafia-run gambling network threats.