Italy's updated regulatory framework for online gambling and licensing is approaching its final legislative stage, now under review by the European Commission (EC). If the reforms are approved, the price for securing a gambling license will escalate from €200,000 to €7 million.

The new licensing system is currently in a mandatory three-month review period, which allows EU member states and other stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposed regulations. This review, which began with an open consultation, is set to conclude on 18 October. It focuses on technical specifications and requirements for licensed operators, including compliance with EU data protection laws.

Under the proposed reforms, the cost of obtaining a gambling licence is set to rise from €200,000 to €7 million. This increase will ensure that only financially robust operators can enter the market, potentially favouring larger, established companies and impacting smaller players.

Critics argue that these high fees could drive smaller operators out of the market, diminishing diversity and competition. Conversely, proponents believe that a more consolidated market could strengthen the industry.
Licences will be valid for nine years.

The new framework also introduces rigorous measures to address gambling addiction. These include mandatory self-exclusion tools and options for players to limit their gambling activities. Operators will face restrictions on offering services through affiliate websites and will be required to submit separate applications for different types of games, such as poker, betting, bingo, and casino games.

If the consultation period ends without significant objections, the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) plans to implement the new licensing regime. The licensing process for online gaming is expected to begin in early January 2025, setting the stage for a more regulated and secure gambling environment in Italy.
This reform represents the first stage of Italy's Gambling Reorganisation Decree and is the most important update since online gambling was legalised in 2011.

Online poker player and circuit ring winner Dan Sewnig passed away earlier this week at the age of 33. Known in the poker community by his handles “mj23style" and “RedsoxNets5”, Sewnig amassed over a million dollars in online earnings and was recognized as one of the best online poker players in New Jersey.

Reports of Sewnig’s death surfaced on social media with an obituary confirming he passed on 13 August. The obituary highlighted his success as a self-employed professional in the poker world, his athletic prowess, and his love for various games, running, hiking, nature walks, and basketball.

Sewnig learned poker from his cousin at the age of 11. By the time Chris Moneymaker won the 2003 Main Event, Sewnig was already playing $5 sit and gos with his seventh-grade friends. He recalled a memorable moment when he predicted Moneymaker’s victory, despite not knowing the shows were prerecorded.

Sewnig graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey with a degree in math and a concentration in education. He initially aimed to become a teacher but decided to explore the newly regulated online poker market in New Jersey. This decision proved fruitful as he quickly built a reputation as one of the best online players in the region.

In December 2020, Sewnig shared with PokerNews how he dedicated 18 months to improving his game. “I’ve put more work into studying and improving over that timespan than I have in the rest of my career combined. I’ve also done a much better job of dealing with adversity. Downswings are inevitable in poker and people react to them in all different types of ways.”

Sewnig’s poker accomplishments included a World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOP) ring victory in 2022, earning him $12,107, and back-to-back deep runs in the WSOP Main Event in 2021 (79th - $81,000) and 2022 (112th - $62,500).

When news of Sewnig’s death reached the poker community, several players remembered him for his positivity and kindness. Asher Conniff described Sewnig as “one of the nicest guys you could ever meet,” while Matt Paoletti noted that he “brought a lot of positivity to many people.”

Condolences poured in on social media from notable figures in the poker world, including Christian Harder, Daniel Strelitz, Jeff Stellwagon, Mike Holtz, Ryan Feldman, and Chris Hunichen. Sewnig’s legacy as a talented poker player and a beloved friend will be remembered by many.

AGTech Holdings Limited, a lottery and integrated technology company, has received the green light from Macau regulators to attain a controlling stake in Ant Bank (Macao) Limited. In a press release, AGTech confirmed the regulatory approval for its acquisition through a share transfer and capital injection, positioning the company as the majority shareholder of Ant Bank.  

AGTech emphasised that the transaction will be completed once all closing conditions in the share transfer agreement have been fulfilled or waived. “The said completion will take place after all the closing conditions have been fulfilled, after which Ant Bank will become an indirect non-wholly owned subsidiary of AGTech,” the company stated.  

The deal, valued at MOP243 million (€27.5 million), was first disclosed in February 2024. AGTech announced that it would acquire existing shares and subscribe to new shares, raising its stake in Ant Bank to 51.5 percent. This marks a strategic alignment with AGTech’s vision to bolster digital financial services in Macau and the Greater Bay Area. Once completed, Ant Bank will be integrated into AGTech’s financial statements as a non-wholly owned subsidiary.  

“The Transaction aligns with AGTech’s strategy to support the digital transformation of financial services in Macau and the Greater Bay Area,” the company added.    

AGTech plans to leverage synergies between its electronic payment services and Ant Bank’s digital banking solutions. This collaboration will connect digital banking with AGTech’s ecosystem, integrating services like payments and inclusive finance to cater to Macau’s residents and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The move also aims to attract cross-border tourists to Macau, aligning with the city’s tourism-driven economy.  

“With synergies from Alibaba Group, Ant Group’s resources, and AGTech’s business units in life services and e-commerce, we aim to create unique cross-border financial services,” AGTech commented. These efforts are designed to diversify the company’s revenue streams and promote economic growth in Macau.  

Ant Bank, a key player in Macau’s digital banking and payment sector, provides services such as deposits, loans, and cross-border remittances. Through this acquisition, AGTech will expand its business scope, moving beyond digital payment services into digital financial services.?

Andrew MacDonald, the Chief Casino Officer of Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), has been banned from entering Marina Bay Sands (MBS), his former employer. In a post on his social media account, MacDonald shared the Persona Non-Grata (PNG) notice issued on July 31, 2024.   

According to the notice, MacDonald is “prohibited from entering or remaining on any part of Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort premises, including but not limited to the Hotel, Mall, Convention Center and Casino.” The notice also said that the ban will stay in effect until further notice, with potential legal consequences if MacDonald attempts to access the property.??

In a message to SiGMA News, MacDonald said he will no longer do interviews on this topic. Earlier media reports quoted MacDonald denying any wrongdoing, stating that his visits to MBS were purely social. He revealed that he had been in the company of a close friend, former Crown Melbourne executive Mike Sugrue, and claimed that all interactions with MBS staff and players were coincidental. MacDonald acknowledged speaking with two "high-value" players but insisted that these encounters were not premeditated.  

Reports also suggest that MBS issued the PNG notice due to concerns that MacDonald was attempting to poach MBS customers and staff during a series of visits to the property in July. Having worked at MBS for nearly 12 years as Corporate Senior Vice President and Chief Casino Officer before leaving in 2021, MacDonald took on the role of Chief Casino Officer at Resorts World Sentosa around a year later.   

While MBS has refrained from publicly discussing the specific reasons for the notice, a spokesperson was quoted saying that the decision was not made lightly and followed thorough internal protocols. ??