ACMA blocks illegal sites, SkyCity new CFO

Welcome to the Weekend Report, where iGB looks at the news you may have missed across the last few days. This week, Australia’s ACMA blocks more illegal websites, SkyCity brings in new CFO and Yggdrasil makes Croatian debut.

ACMA issues blocking orders to eight illegal websites  

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has requested internet service providers to block access to eight websites it said were operating in the country illegally.

ACMA highlighted Lucky Mate, Vegastars, Wombet, Cosmobet, Fortune Play, Fortunica, Rolletto and Velobet as having breached regulations.

Website blocking is one of several enforcement options to protect Australians against illegal online gambling. Some 1,518 gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked since ACMA made its first request in November 2019.

In addition, over 220 illegal services have exited Australia since ACMA began enforcing new illegal online gambling rules in 2017.

SkyCity reveals new CFO

Elsewhere in the Australia and New Zealand region, SkyCity Entertainment Group appointed Blair Woodbury as its new chief financial officer.

Woodbury will take on his new role from 9 March. He will join from Devoli, where he has served as CFO since 2021.

Earlier in his career, Woodbury worked in CFO roles at Sky Network Television and the New Zealand Post. In addition, he worked within senior finance and transformation positions at McKinsey & Company and PwC.

“Blair brings deep experience as a custodian of shareholder capital in complex operating environments,” SkyCity CEO Jason Walbridge said.

Kambi to support SuomiVeto with Finland launch

Kambi Group has entered a sportsbook technology partnership with Finland-facing SuomiVeto.

Under the deal, Kambi will provide its turnkey sportsbook to SuomiVeto ahead of the launch of Finland’s expanded legal gambling market. Licensed operators will be able to offer online gambling in the country from July 2027.

SuomiVeto is operated by the experienced team behind BetCity in the Netherlands. Kambi partnered with BetCity ahead of the launch of Netherlands’ regulated market in 2021.

“We’re delighted to partner with SuomiVeto ahead of the launch of the regulated market,” Kambi CEO Werner Becher said. “Their team has already demonstrated their ability to build a market-leading brand with BetCity, and we look forward to helping them replicate – and exceed – that success in Finland.”

Yggdrasil makes Croatian market debut with Admiral

Yggdrasil has entered the Croatian regulated market for the first time through a link-up with Admiral.

Admiral players in Croatia will have access to Yggdrasil’s core games. These include the Vikings series, as well as MexoMax, Raptor, Golden Fishtank 2 and Elysian Jackpots.

The market entry was facilitated via Yggdrasil’s partnership with Bragg Gaming Group. This enables it to partner with a range of operators in regulated markets worldwide.

“Going live with AdmiralBet is a major milestone for us as it marks Yggdrasil’s first operator launch in Croatia,” Yggdrasil Client Success Manager Paulina Ostrzycka said. “The Croatian market is a great fit for our portfolio.”