The SiGMA Virtual Expo Awards: who stood out from the crowd?

Flutter Entertainment, a global leader in online sports betting and iGaming, has inaugurated its cutting-edge Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Hyderabad, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy. With an investment of $3.5 million, this 80,000 sq ft hub, (approximately 7500 sq metres), located at RMZ Spire in Knowledge City, is set to become a beacon of innovation and excellence.

The Hyderabad GCC is already bustling with over 700 employees specialising in data engineering, game integrity services, HR operations, procurement, safety and security, and customer operations. By the end of 2024, Flutter aims to increase its headcount to 900, focusing on roles in data analytics and engineering. This expansion is part of Flutter’s commitment to attract top talent in order to drive global business growth.

Phil Bishop, COO of Flutter Entertainment, drew attention to the strategic importance of this expansion, stating, “Our Hyderabad GCC is designed to foster creativity and growth, strengthening our presence in the Indian employment and skills market.” Ashish Sinha, Managing Director of Flutter Entertainment India, (photo above on the left) completely agreed, and remarked that India’ has significant potential for the company’s growth and innovation.

The Hyderabad hub will play a pivotal role in supporting Flutter’s global brands, including Paddy Power, Sisal, Sky Betting & Gaming, PokerStars, Sportsbet, and Betfair. This move aligns with Flutter’s global vision of continuous improvement in product and technology across its diverse portfolio.

Flutter Entertainment’s new GCC project in Hyderabad is not just an expansion but a strategic investment in the future of iGaming and sports betting, leveraging India’s rich talent pool to drive global innovation and growth.

The countdown has ended, and the deadline for gaming licence applications in Brazil officially closed as of midnight on 20 August with 114 applications meeting the deadline.

SiGMA News presents the final list of companies that have submitted applications through Sistema de Gest?o de Apostas (SiGAP) until midnight on 20 August. The most popular day for submissions was 20 August. with applications still pouring in until the very last moment. The final list below, with the most recent applications at the top, includes Kaizen, the first submission on 26 May. Initially, 134 companies expressed interest, with 114 companies successfully submitting applications marking a significant milestone in the regulated gaming market.

The final list, featuring the latest applications at the top, includes Kaizen, the first applicant, dated 26 May. Initially, 134 companies expressed their interest, marking a significant milestone in the regulated gaming market. Applications submitted will receive a response by year-end to legally operate from 1 January 2025.When a company submits more than one application, it indicates a need for multiple licences to operate various brands.

The highest number of applications was recorded on the final day, 20 August. As midnight approached, there was a surge in new applications. SiGMA News noted that BBET Solucoes was the 101st company to apply for a licence at 11pm. In the last hour, from 11 PM to midnight Brazil time, four more applications were submitted by G2 Negocios Digitais Ltda, Puskas Bet, Zetbet Ltda, Cash for Pay Ltda and AF Technologia e Solucoes Financeiras Ltda, was the final applicant before the midnight deadline.

Registration in SIGAP is mandatory for companies aiming to operate in the regulated market. The Treasury guarantees that applications submitted before 20 August will receive a response by the end of the year. Approved companies will be able to operate legally from 1 January, 2025, when all regulatory rules come into effect.

Companies applying after 20 August may begin trading in January 2025 without a federal licence in January 2025 but will face penalties, as the approval process can take several months.

According to Estad?o, around 60 companies were expected to apply prior to the process commencing. This estimate increased to 134 earlier this month. The decline from 134 to 114 is attributed to the stringent legal requirements, including a BRL 30 million ($5.5 million) subsidy, which many platforms may not be able to meet, preventing them from operating in Brazil's regulated market.

In a new collaboration, Gala Bingo and Moonpig have partnered to launch a collection of greeting cards that promises to surprise and entertain.

Proving to be a very creative proposal, the collection features eight themed cards that celebrate special moments in a unique way, using classic bingo calls as inspiration. This partnership will offer customers something beyond the conventional, transforming simple messages into memorable occasions. Each card in the collection is designed to fit into different types of celebrations, with a touch of humour.

To purchase the new cards, one must be in a country where Moonpig delivers: New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and Ireland.

Sara Jolly, responsible for the Gala Bingo brand, spoke about the partnership with great enthusiasm, highlighting that the initiative aligned with Moonpig’s commitment to celebrating the moments that really matter. “We want our customers to be able to send joy and affection on every occasion, and this collection is a creative way to do that,” said Jolly.

For birthdays, for example, the cards come with humorous references, such as "Baker's Buns," which play on the idea of baking a cake to mark the special date.

For a "get well" greeting, the “Doctor’s Orders” card features a message that mixes care and fun, reminding the receiver of the greeting card that laughter is the best medicine. When it comes to congratulating someone for getting a new home, the “Knock at the Door” card offers a light-hearted and relaxed way to share the joy of this new phase. Other cards are available for various commemorative dates, such as a 40th birthday, and some are simply funny cards to surprise the receiver with a bingo joke.

Available exclusively on the Moonpig website until the end of the year, these cards can be purchased in a range of sizes, with prices starting at ￡3.99. However, the sale is restricted to customers aged 18 and above, ensuring a safe and appropriate shopping experience for the target audience.

In Indonesia, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) is gearing up to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to win the war on illegal online gambling.

Teguh Arifiyadi, Director of Application Control at the Directorate General of Informatics Applications, is a strong advocate for using AI to eliminate illegal gambling websites and apps. He explained how AI enables the rapid detection and blocking of online gambling sites at a rate that would be impossible otherwise.

"We are harnessing the latest technology to detect and block online gambling sites. With machine learning, our systems can learn from existing patterns and continuously update blocking methods in line with the technological advancements used by perpetrators," he stated.

The AI-driven system not only prevents access to these sites but also helps to suppress the emergence of new sites, which often appear within hours of older ones being blocked.

Arifiyadi acknowledges, however, that while advanced technology is crucial, it is not sufficient on its own due to the enormous financial turnover involved in online gambling activities.

Kominfo has recently strengthened its partnership with several key agencies, including the Indonesian National Police, the Financial Services Authority (OJK), and the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK).

Kominfo’s partnership with OJK focuses on blocking bank accounts used for online gambling transactions, while the Indonesian National Police ensures that those involved in illegal gambling are prosecuted. As part of these efforts, PPATK has already blocked 4,548 accounts suspected of being used for gambling deposits in 2024.

The turnover of online gambling in Indonesia is expected to exceed $20 billion by the end of the year. The government, led by Kominfo, has vowed to eradicate illegal gambling, which is viewed by authorities as a threat to the population, particularly to lower-income groups, who make up the majority of the estimated three million participants.

In recent years, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) has revealed an exponential increase in the flow of money within the illegal online gambling sector. From $129 million in 2017 to $323 million in 2020, the turnover surged to $21 billion by 2023, according to official figures.