iGaming Daily

On Monday, Française des Jeux (FDJ) awakened the gambling sector to its €2.6bn acquisition, tabled to investors of Kindred Group Plc.

As proclaimed to the Paris Euronext, FDJ makes a bold and daring move to become “Europe’s second biggest gambling operator” – as it continues its M&A appetite beyond French shores.

What is the ripple-effect of FDJ’s transformative bid to acquire Kindred Group, on European markets and its competitive make-up  – as a hungry and deep-pocketed French giant awakens.

Has the gambling M&A cycle returned to Europe following its focus on the US?

This will be the topic of today's iGaming Daily, as host Martyn Elliot, Media Project Director at SBC, is joined by Edward Menmuir, Content Director at SBC, and Ted Orme-Claye, Editor at Payment Expert and Insider Sport.

Host: Martyn Elliot
Guests: Ted Orme-Claye & Edward Menmuir
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

Remember, if you are attending the ICE London on 6-8 February 2024 at ExCeL London, make sure you head over to Optimove's stand and mention that you listened to the iGaming Daily podcast to receive an Amazon gift voucher.

Check out our partners at Optimove: https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0

A flurry of regulatory updates saw separate reports warn the gambling sector of its continued exposure to the threats of money laundering and terrorist financing (TF).

Publishing its Independent National Risk Assessment, NRA Report, the government of Malta states that it has addressed all AML concerns of 2019, which saw the key online gambling hub placed on the Enhanced Monitoring Grey-list of MONEYVAL, and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Gambling exposures were further highlighted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report on money laundering activity in East and South-East Asia.

The United Nations agency warned Asian regulators that criminal networks had embraced digital innovations to launder their illicit proceeds through gaming websites and crypto assets.

In today's episode of iGaming Daily, host Edward Menmuir, Content Director at SBC, is joined by Viktor Kayed, Business Journalist at Payment Expert, and Ted Orme-Claye, Editor at Payment Expert. Together, they discuss the persistent concerns surrounding international money-laundering threats and their implications for how the global gambling sector is perceived by pan-regulatory stakeholders, as well as the potential impact on political affairs.

Host: Edward Menmuir
Guests: Ted Orme-Claye & Viktor Kayed
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

Remember, if you are attending the ICE London on 6-8 February 2024 at ExCeL London, make sure you head over to Optimove's stand and mention that you listened to the iGaming Daily podcast to receive an Amazon gift voucher.

Check out our partners at Optimove: https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0

The US federal excise tax has existed long before the repeal of PASPA, but it is a subject that is rarely discussed—until now.

Last week, federal lawmakers introduced the Gambling Addiction Recovery, Investment, and Treatment Act, or GRIT Act, which proposes using the money collected through the federal excise tax to support Responsible Gaming (RG) causes. However, the measure was not well-received by operators, as the American Gaming Association has come out against it.

Why would the industry oppose such a measure?

In the first half of today's episode of iGaming Daily, sponsored by Optimove, Jessica Welman, Editor at SBC Americas, is joined by SBC's Media Manager, Charlie Horner, to delve into the GRIT Act and what this means for operators.

In the second half of today's podcast, Jessica Welman is joined by Alex Kane, CEO and Founder of Sporttrade, to discuss the impact of the federal excise tax on operators.

To read more on the topics discussed on Friday's episode of iGaming Daily, click on the following links:

https://sbcamericas.com/2024/01/11/lawmakers-introduce-problem-gambling/
https://sbcamericas.com/2024/01/12/aga-opposes-grits-act-gambling-bill/
https://sbcamericas.com/2023/03/19/2023-federal-sports-betting-excise-bill/
https://youtu.be/bKDTigl_sgM

Follow Alex on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/a_kane47

Host: Jessica Welman
Guests: Charlie Horner, Alex Kane
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

Remember, if you are attending the ICE London on 6-8 February 2024 at ExCeL London, make sure you head over to Optimove's stand and mention that you listened to the iGaming Daily podcast to receive an Amazon gift voucher.

Check out our partners at Optimove: https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0

A busy morning saw Flutter publish its full-year 2023 pre-close trading update, as industry and city eyes closely monitor the giant’s developments ahead of its New York listing on Monday 29th January.

Dissecting results, analysts picked up on the continued growth of FanDuel in the US, despite its revenue targets being impacted by costly, customer-friendly results.

Meanwhile, in the UK, Flutter remains ahead of the pack, as its legacy brands deliver double-digit growth, withstanding a year of tough compliance demands.  

Flutter CEO, Peter Jackson, cites that Flutter’s New York Stock Exchange listing will be “a pivotal moment for the Group as we make Flutter more accessible to US-based investors and gain access to deeper capital markets.”

Today, iGaming Daily, sponsored by Optimove, reviews what will be the repercussions of Flutter’s transformative NYSEe listing on all industry affairs and proceedings.

Joining James Ross on today’s episode is Ted Menmuir, Content Director at SBC, as well as Conor Porter, Senior Journalist at CasinoBeats.

To read more on Flutter's latest financial update, click on the following links:

- https://sbcnews.co.uk/sportsbook/2024/01/18/flutter-nsye-uk-us/
- https://casinobeats.com/2024/01/18/flutter-entertainment-q4-trading-update/

Host: James Ross
Guests: Edward Menmuir & Conor Porter
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

Remember, if you are attending the ICE London on 6-8 February 2024 at ExCeL London, make sure you head over to Optimove's stand and mention that you listened to the iGaming Daily podcast to receive an Amazon gift voucher.

Check out our partners at Optimove: https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0

In todays episode of iGaming Daily, sponsored by Optimove, we're going to be tackling very different, but very multi-dynamic developments taking place on the opposite sides of the Atlantic. 

In the first half of the show we’ll be in the UK where BetMGM has put its sports marketing into overdrive as the new-ish market entrant seeks to build up visibility, most recently in horse racing. 

In the second half of the podcast we’ll head over to the US where a significant story has emerged regarding Bitcoin investments.

Joining James Ross to discuss these developments is Ted Orme-Claye, Editor at Insider Sport & Payment Expert alongside his team members, Callum Williams, and Kieran O'Connor.

To read more on the topics discussed on Wednesday's episode of iGaming Daily, click on the following links:

BetMGM

Asvot

https://insidersport.com/2024/01/11/betmgm-as-new-title-sponsor-for-ascot/

Newcastle

https://insidersport.com/2023/09/26/newcastle-united-betmgm-partnership/ 

Premier League Darts https://insidersport.com/2024/01/04/betmgm-new-premierleague-darts-sponsor/

Bitcoin 

ETF announcement https://paymentexpert.com/2024/01/11/us-sec-approves-bitcoin-etf-regula/ 

Reactions to ETF https://paymentexpert.com/2024/01/12/bitcoin-etc-crossing-chasm-mainstream/ 

Host: James Ross
Guests Callum Williams,Ted Orme-Claye & Kieran O'Connor
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

Remember, if you are attending the ICE London on 6-8 February 2024 at ExCeL London, make sure you head over to Optimove's stand and mention that you listened to the iGaming Daily podcast to receive an Amazon gift voucher. 

We’re in a New York state of mind in the first half of today’s episode of iGaming Daily, sponsored by Optimove as late last week, the concrete jungle once again introduced legislation with a hope to legalise online casinos in the Empire State. 

Put forward by Senator Joseph Addabbo, the 2024 bill is said to be similar to the one submitted last year, with a slight few changes. 

Joining James Ross to talk through this bill and what it might mean for online casino in New York is CasinoBeats Editor, Joe Streeter and Jessica Welman, Editor of SBC Americas.

Then in the second half of the podcast, we’re flying over to Africa with the African Cup of Nations football tournament underway as Kieran O’Connor will join us to discuss an article he produced for Insider Sport on how brands will use the potential of the tournament to their advantage this year.

To read more on the topics discussed on Tuesday's episode of iGaming Daily, click on the following links:

- https://casinobeats.com/2024/01/12/new-york-online-casino-bill-2024/
- https://insidersport.com/2024/01/16/afcon-continues-to-present-opportunities-for-brands/

Host: James Ross
Guests Joe Streeter, Jessica Welman & Kieran O'Connor
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

Remember, if you are attending the ICE London on 6-8 February 2024 at ExCeL London, make sure you head over to Optimove's stand and mention that you listened to the iGaming Daily podcast to receive an Amazon gift voucher. 

The second business week of 2024 rang in the sounds of change as Flutter Entertainment announced that its long-term stalwart, Richard Flint, will leave the company's boardroom ahead of the firm's NYSE dual-listing at the end of the month.

Coincidentally, 24 hours following Flint’s resignation, industry trade body the Betting and Gaming Council declared changes to its leadership and boardroom, announcing that Brigid Simmonds had stepped down from her duties as Chair.

Today IGaming Daily reviews two high profile executives ending their affairs with gambling, and what 2024 will have install for industry leadership, navigating a fraught and ever political industry backdrop.

On today’s episode of iGaming Daily, brought to you by Optimove, James Ross is joined by Edward Menmuir and Martyn Elliott to kickstart the week.

To read more on the topics discussed on today's podcast, click on the following links:

- https://sbcnews.co.uk/featurednews/2024/01/11/bgc-changes-chair-as-simmonds-steps-away-from-uk-gambling/
- https://sbcnews.co.uk/featurednews/2024/01/11/richard-flint-ends-boardroom-affairs-with-flutter-entertainment/
- https://sbcnews.co.uk/retail/2024/01/15/bha-parliament-debate-check/
- https://sbcnews.co.uk/technology/2024/01/15/google-to-expands-play-rmg-framework-for-india-mexico-and-brazil/

Host: James Ross
Guests: Edward Menmuir & Martyn Elliott
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

Remember, if you are attending the ICE London on 6-8 February 2024 at ExCeL London, make sure you head over to Optimove's stand and mention that you listened to the iGaming Daily podcast to recieve an Amazon gift voucher. 

As a bonus episode of the iGaming Daily podcast, sponsored by Optimove, listeners are treated to a reflection of the most recent Behind the Badge podcast.

Joining Ted Orme-Claye, Editor of Insider Sport, was Behind the Badge Co-Hosts, George Harborne and Joe Streeter, to reflect on their recent discussion with David Adams, Head of Partnerships at Kansas City Royals, which looked into the state of play for the MLB side as we take a look at the commercial landscape for sports betting in the US.

To listen to the first four episodes of the Behind the Badge podcast, click on the following links:

- https://open.spotify.com/show/1uyeMrWhm19QjviH9zyVdY
- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-badge-a-sports-sponsorship-podcast/id1715521484?uo=4
- https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2JlaGluZC10aGUtYmFkZ2U=
- https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/699c0727-ad74-4b7a-b2e3-07c5f4dcba00

Remember, if you are attending the ICE London on 6-8 February 2024 at ExCeL London, make sure you head over to Optimove's stand and mention that you listened to the iGaming Daily podcast to recieve an Amazon gift voucher. 

On the 21st December, the Chamber of Deputies provided the gambling sector an early Christmas present, approving regulation, which witnessed the reintegration of online games, which the Senate wanted to exclude as part of over 100 amendments. 

Then to round off the New Year in style, President Lula sanctioned the Bill that will now see regulation of sports betting and iGaming in Latin America’s biggest country. 

And this will be the topic on today’s episode of iGaming Daily, appropriately sponsored by SBC Summit Rio, where James Ross is joined once again to talk Brazil by Isadora Marcante, Business Journalist at SBC Noticias Brazil and the return of Lucía Mouriño, SBC’s VP of Relationships LatAm.

Also, towards the end of the show, the trio will try and replicate the UK-based quiz show Tenable around the Brazil updates.

To read more on the topic's discussed on today's podcast, click on the following links:

- https://sbcnoticias.com/brasil-lula-firma-regulacion-promulga-ley/
- https://sbcnoticias.com/br/apostas-regulamentacao-manssur-lista-empresas/
- https://sbcnews.co.uk/featurednews/2024/01/02/lula-signs-br-betting-bill/

Host: James Ross
Guests: Lucía Mouriño & Isadora Marcante
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

The launch of North Carolina sports betting has been a waiting game as the state lottery is working to approve and license interested operators with the hopes of launching in time for March Madness. While launch is still a couple of months away, there have been some interesting developments out of the Tar Heel State including some new partnerships and the first foray of Underdog into the sports betting space.

On today’s episode of iGaming Daily, SBC Americas Editor, Jessica Welman, is joined once again by Charlie Horner, the now Media Manager at SBC, talk about the latest happenings in North Carolina and then look to see if there are any contenders for new markets in the US now that various legislative sessions are underway.

To read more on the topics discussed in today's podcast, click on the following links:

- https://sbcamericas.com/2023/12/29/north-carolina-sportsbook-applicants/
- https://sbcamericas.com/2023/12/14/north-carolina-sports-betting-regs-2/

Host: Jessica Welman
Guest: Charlie Horner
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross