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FA CHAI is the latest addition to SoftGamings’ long list of 300+ game providers powering the gaming catalogue, which already boasts over 10,000 games. Since stepping onto the scene in 2019, FA CHAI has already amassed over 500 partners worldwide, hosting over 1.5 million daily active users.

FA CHAI is renowned for its exceptional game design and technological prowess. Its portfolio includes different game mechanics and features, including Extra Bet and Buy features. All of its games have been GLI-certified, guaranteeing fairness and security.

Key titles from FA CHAI, such as Lucky Fortunes, Golden Genie and Merge Magic, along with engaging fishing games like Star Hunter and Monkey Key Fishing, are set to become staples within SoftGamings’ offerings. These games stand out for their compelling gameplay, superior graphics and the unique ability to engage players from all walks of life.

FA CHAI’s commitment to leveraging HTML5 technology ensures that its games are seamlessly accessible on mobile devices, regardless of their operating systems, which aligns with the demand of the modern casino player.

Anna Kiselova, head of partnerships at SoftGamings, said: “This partnership with FA CHAI not only expands our portfolio but also strengthens our commitment to bringing innovation, new gaming verticals, and diversity to our partners. FA CHAI’s exceptional game design and technology complement our platform perfectly, promising our operators and their players a more immersive gaming experience. At the same time, we are delighted to be in a position to offer FA CHAI access to new markets, improved visibility and reach, and plenty of opportunities to grow as a brand.”

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Bet365 is to pay £582,120 for anti-money laundering and social responsibility failures at its online business.

Hillside (UK Gaming) ENC, which holds a licence for Bet365’s bingo and casino products, will pay £343,035 and Hillside (UK Sports) ENC, which holds a licence to offer betting, will pay £239,085.

All £582,120 will be directed towards socially responsible causes as part of a regulatory settlement with the Commission.

The failings were discovered during a Commission compliance assessment in March 2022.

Social responsibility failures included:

• interactions with customers were frequently not tailored to the specific customer journey or spectrum of harm and therefore interactions were not meaningful
• an Early Risk Detection System was not demonstrably effective in understanding the impact of individual interactions on a customer’s behaviour and whether further action was required
• its approach to evaluation meant that it was unable to effectively ascertain whether a customer had read and understood the information or advice provided within its interactions.

Anti-money laundering failures included:

• having enhanced customer due diligence and know your customer triggers that were ineffective at managing money laundering risk
• failing to undertake financial sanctions checks on new customers prior to their first deposits
• failing to undertake independent verification checks and over relied on customers’ annual self-verification of know your customer information, such as identification documents
• its procedure document contained inadequate detail as to who would be deemed “at risk” and “not at risk” for customer risk profiling.

Kay Roberts, Executive Director of Operations at UKGC, said: “The policy and procedural failings may not have been as severe as those at other gambling businesses in recent years but they were failings nonetheless.

“We expect high standards from operators in terms of keeping gambling safe, fair and crime-free, and will always take action to correct any failings. This operator is very aware that a repeat of these failings will result is escalating regulatory action.”

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Brand new National Lottery permanent point of sale (PPOS) has started hitting the walls, floors and counter tops of a small number of National Lottery retailers over the last few weeks, as Allwyn begins testing the rollout of the specially designed kit at trial stores in preparation for wider distribution.

Designed in collaboration with accessibility and sustainability experts, the family of PPOS will help deliver more modern retail environments and capture the attention of customers with eye-catching branding and “call to action” messages, as well as giving National Lottery retailers for the first time the ability to display information about National Lottery-funded projects that are local to their store.

The suite of kit includes an attention-grabbing illuminated Scratchcard dispenser with integrated lighting and 15.6-inch HD screen, and a new Playstation with double-sided graphics and a wing to display key information – such as stories about local National Lottery-funded projects. Completing the collection are a new external wall sign and a double-sided pavement sign featuring a “call to action” to play in store, as well as a refreshed window poster frame. In most cases, these items will be swapped out on a like-for-like basis with a store’s existing kit – but larger or additional assets may be offered in certain circumstances.

Allwyn called on the expertise of its accessibility partner, Purple, and its sustainability partner, Planet Mark, in designing the new PPOS to help with its commitment to delivering a more sustainable and accessible National Lottery. For example, the height of the new Playstation tables has been standardised at a level recommended by Purple (750mm) which is considerate of wheelchair users – as has the Scratchcard dispenser media screen – while the playslips are set at a height within reach of wheelchair users. Graphics and signage, as well as the surfaces they sit behind, have also been designed to meet accessibility requirements.

In terms of sustainability, lightweight designs ensure that the kit and its transportation are carbon-efficient, while recycled and recyclable materials have been prioritised in the manufacture and deployment of the new PPOS – with some components made with 60-100% recycled materials.

The first independent retailer to have the kit installed as part of the “test and learn” trial, Raj Kularajah, owner of Twinsco store in St Albans, said: “I was delighted to be selected as the first independent store to have the new PPOS installed, and to be able to provide feedback on the equipment to help with the wider rollout. After it was first installed, two of my regular customers who had never played the lottery before saw the new kit and decided to play EuroMillions, which is absolutely excellent.

“I’m really impressed with the kit overall, particularly the new Playstation wing which can be fitted to either side of the stand depending on how the store is laid out and what space is available. But my favourite piece is the new Scratchcard dispenser which really brings to life and illuminates the individual games. Its bigger windows also make it easier to load with cards.”

Allwyn’s Director of Channel Operations Alex Green said: “We’re hugely excited that National Lottery retailers are starting to get their hands on this brilliant new kit as part of our ‘test and learn’ trial deployment. As well as looking fantastic, the new PPOS has been designed to high standards of accessibility and sustainability – demonstrating The National Lottery’s commitment to delivering wider societal benefits. We know retailers will be keen to get the kit as soon as possible, but it’s important we trial it first and use our findings to inform a more substantial phased rollout across our 40,000-strong estate. This will help us get the deployment absolutely right for our retail partners.

“The project to equip retailers with the very best National Lottery PPOS also represents the next stage of our investment in retail and signals our commitment to the channel as a whole, with retail being central to our vision to grow The National Lottery responsibly over the next 10 years. But equipping stores with the latest innovative kit is just one element of a much bigger overall project to build a more modern in-store environment. As part of this, we’ll also be delivering an enhanced Vodafone network solution for our retail partners from this spring, and installing new software from the summer onwards ahead of us starting to roll out new state-of-the-art terminals towards the end of the year.”

The next phase of the PPOS rollout will see the new kit deployed in around 40 stores by the end of May, with another 10,000 outlets scheduled to receive the new PPOS later in the year. The kit will then be rolled out to the remainder of the estate throughout the autumn and into 2025.