SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Having secured its betting operations licence for the newly regulated Irish market, Nick Hill Sales Director of sports betting technology and platform provider EveryMatrix discusses the potential of the market, its intricacies and future challenges.
Leading EveryMatrix’s commercial capacity for the past 6 years, Nick Hill has gained extensive knowledge of operating betting technologies and launching new product services in multiple international markets.
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SBC: The Irish betting market has always been a vibrant one – how does it compare to other jurisdictions from your perspective?
Nick Hill: Comparing Ireland to some of the largest regulated markets in Europe is not an easy task. Ireland, for example, has not passed any laws on casino games and this sort of gaming activity still takes place in an unregulated out of control fashion. At the same time, we find the betting sector in Ireland – mainly betting on horses and greyhounds races – has become an established tradition and is integrated in the collective mentality.
Though not all gaming activities are regulated in Ireland, the present legislation clearly defines the boundaries of sports betting activities and it was adopted to protect the Irish customers.
If I have to compare Ireland to the larger markets over the Channel, like France and Italy, I can’t avoid mentioning the high taxes and excessive regulation that make life difficult for gaming operators and stakeholders in the industry.
Frequent changes, confusing legislation and restrictive laws are not best friends for a young productive industry that needs to grow.
SBC: What made EveryMatrix pursue one of the new Irish licenses?
NH: I don’t think pursuing an Irish sport betting license has come as a surprise for our clients and for the iGaming industry. As you know, EveryMatrix started in London, so establishing a strong base in the British Isles is part of our long term strategy and Ireland couldn’t have been left aside.
At the same time, EveryMatrix is looking to move into regulated territories and emerging markets to establish a trust relationship with clients who want to do business in a legal manner.
We always try to determine the steps that need to be taken by our clients to benefit from legal assistance and providing clients with gaming licenses – especially in the developed markets – is a strategic objective for EveryMatrix.
SBC: How did you find the process? Are the Irish authorities approachable?
NH: Let me remind you first that up to August 1st 2015, bookmakers were requested to keep a physical presence in Ireland in order to run a gaming business. From that moment on, all bookmakers that run online gaming businesses in Ireland need to obtain a remote bookmaker’s license issued by the Revenue Irish Tax and Custom authority.
EveryMatrix was among the first to secure a license for Remote Bookmaking Betting Operations in Ireland. And this is something we are quite proud of.
To obtain the remote bookmaker’s license in Ireland, EveryMatrix met the rigorous regulatory standards imposed by the license office. Adding this new license to our company’s portfolio gives us confidence in dealing with local authorities and EveryMatrix is prepared to comply with legal requirements.
We continue to focus our efforts on securing additional licenses for the European market and our strategic interests merge on delivering attractive gambling frameworks for our clients.
SBC: You now have four licenses with a fifth potentially in the pipeline. Any more on the cards?
NH: EveryMatrix has been bestowed licenses in four jurisdictions: Ireland, the United Kingdom, Malta and Curacao, which provide clients with the prospect of operating in more than 30 different countries.
As a software provider for the gaming industry, EveryMatrix is constantly assessing to add additional gaming licenses to our portfolio to aid our clients enter new territories and markets.
Right now, EveryMatrix is close to securing a Danish gaming license, which will position our company as an important player on the Scandinavian market.
SBC: How difficult is it to adapt to the constantly changing gambling jurisdictions around the world?
NH: Last years displayed an impressive market development, especially in the Asian countries, but shifting from a global approach to a local focus forced both suppliers and operators cooperate and adapt to the new legal requirements from every particular jurisdiction.
As new territories come into play and every jurisdiction imposes its own set of rules and regulations for the iGaming industry, EveryMatrix – as software and gaming licence provider – aims to be known as a flexible partner in supporting the clients’ needs and responding to the market changes.
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Nick Hill – EveryMatrix – Sales Director
