The Malta Gaming Authority has issued a notice to licensees, noting the need to maintain responsible commercial communications with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acknowledging “a very trying time for all,” the MGA asserts that it is “taking heed of all relevant developments and is constantly proposing adequate and proportionate measures”.
Furthermore, the regulator has reminded licensees that, in accordance with the commercial communications regulations to which they are subject, all commercial communications must be socially responsible, especially in light of the current situation.
Any direct or indirect reference to COVID-19, or any related circumstance, would be considered to amount to a breach of this regulation.
It was also noted that amongst other requirements, at no point must any commercial communications directly or indirectly:
- Encourage antisocial behaviour.
- Suggest that gaming can be a resolution to social, educational, personal or professional problems.
- Suggest that gaming can be an alternative to employment.
- A solution to financial concerns or a form of financial investment.
- Portray gaming as socially attractive.
- Suggest that solitary gaming is preferable to social gaming.
Caesars Entertainment, which announced the closure of all of its North American properties recently, has stressed commitment to helping nearby communities “in this time of need”.
The company is donating food, as well as essential personal protection equipment across the country to assist healthcare workers, law enforcement and more.
To date, the company has supplied more than 250,000 pounds of food, which is equivalent to approximately 208,000 meals to numerous food banks and charities. Additionally, Caesars has also provided thousands of items including gloves, masks and hand sanitiser to local hospitals, first responders and local charities.
“During these extraordinary circumstances, we are dedicated to assisting our local communities across the country that are heavily impacted by donating perishables to nearby food banks and charities, as well as necessary supplies to first responders,” commented Tony Rodio, CEO of Caesars Entertainment.
“We will continue to seek ways to give back to our neighbours who are in need as part of our commitment to help put this unprecedented situation we are all facing behind us.”
Staying in the US, in an effort to minimise the threat of a potential outbreak and spread of COVID-19 on the tribe’s reservation, the Jamul Indian Village has announced that they expect their tribal government offices and businesses to remain closed beyond the March 31, 2020 date announced last week.
Chairwoman Erica Pinto stated: “During this unprecedented time in our history, it is important for us to do everything we can to support one another as we collectively navigate these uncharted waters. We thank all of our team members for their resilience and positive attitudes, and we hope to be able to welcome our awesome guests back to Jamul Casino in the near future. We miss you all very much!”
Online affiliate and content marketing company Raketech has also provided on update on its situation, commenting that “strategies as how to handle the outbreak have been different from country to country which makes the situation somewhat hard to predict”.
The firm does not anticipate substantial negative effects on the igaming industry in the long term, even though sports betting revenues most likely will be affected negatively during 2020 due to the many cancelled sports events.
During the year’s first quarter revenue was largely in line with expectations, a situation which it anticipates to replicate in March. The company does comment that while access to most physical wagering opportunities is limited, digital gambling and casino could see a boost.
Raketech has approximately 70 per cent revenues from casino, 25 per cent from sports and 5 per cent from elsewhere, with it said that the effect that the combination of the reduced sports betting revenues for the industry and the increased interest for igaming will have “is at this stage too early to predict with certainty”.
Oskar Mühlbach, CEO of Raketech, explained: “Currently we work hard to help our customers, the operators to reallocate their marketing investments from sports to our main product vertical casino where we continue to see good demand.
“The situation furthermore confirms that our strategy to increase our global footprint, product offering and vertical spread is the way forward in terms of securing a healthy and balanced business risk set up.”
