Last checked at 18 Dec 2009 07:00
| Embargoed until 7.00 a.m. | 18 December 2009 |
GB Group
Sky Betting and Gaming and GB Group extend winning partnership
~ number one online gaming company invests in identity management solution to prepare itself for rapid growth ~
Sky Betting and Gaming (SB&G) has renewed its exclusive agreement with leading identity management specialist GB Group for a further three years. The online gaming company, which is part of the Sky family, has signed a six figure deal to utilise GB Group's URU and ID3 technology.
The online gaming sector is currently experiencing exponential growth due to the mass adoption of the internet as a tool for communicating, playing and paying. SB&G wanted to be in a good position to capitalise on this growth so needed an identity management solution which was robust and flexible, but ultimately scalable. Being part of the Sky brand means social responsibility is paramount to SB&G and ensuring a responsible approach to all aspects of its operations is taken very seriously, not just from a compliance standpoint but to ensure that protection of their customers and customer experience reflects the best of industry standards.
"Our decision to extend our partnership with GB Group was taken after an exhaustive review of the market, said Andrew Poole, head of social responsibility and compliance at SB&G. "We have been impressed with URU over the last three years, but we needed to ensure it was still the best in the market. After some research we found that GB still offers the most comprehensive ID and age verification solution available today. Not only does it help us ensure compliance with regulation, but it has streamlined our registration process, which ultimately improves the experience for our customers."
"Identity management isn't just about compliance, it's about knowing your customer, said Richard Law, CEO at GB Group. "With GB Group, Sky Betting and Gaming can be confident they have a complete picture of all their customers, helping them to understand the wants and needs of each individual and interact accordingly. Online betting is set to sky rocket over the next few years, particularly in Europe where governments are seeking to capture tax revenues by regulating online gaming. Sky Betting and Gaming is well positioned to capitalise on this while also maintaining the highest levels of social responsibility."
About Sky Betting and Gaming
Sky Betting and Gaming, part of BSkyB, has been a leading operator of remote betting and gaming services since 2002. Through the Sky Bet, Sky Vegas, Sky Poker and Sky Bingo brands Sky Betting and Gaming delivers gambling entertainment to its customers through online, phone, interactive TV and mobile channels.
Sky Betting and Gaming prides itself in maintaining the very highest standards of social responsibility and player protection as part of the wider BSkyB programme of corporate social responsibility.
About GB Group plc
GB Group is the UK's leading identity management business. It helps organisations recognise and verify all elements of an individual's identity at every interaction. Through the application of our proprietary technology, we enable organisations to connect, communicate and transact with people safely, responsibly and profitably. In doing so, we help businesses like O2, Laura Ashley, HBoS, LloydsTSB, ASOS.com, Virgin Games, PartyGaming, Betfair and Ladbrokes understand their customers better to create more meaningful customer interactions - and reduce costs across the business.
About ID3 Check & URU
ID3 Check offers consumer identity verification for over 800 million citizens in Europe and world-wide. Powered by GB's innovative ID3 technology, ID3 Check and its sister application for the UK market URU have been developed to help companies protect themselves from the growing problems of ID fraud, money laundering and financial crime. URU and ID3 enable client organisations to make an instant decision on the authenticity of a consumer's personal details.
GB Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange (GBG). For more information, please visit GB Group's website: www.gb.co.uk.
GB Group - because identity matters™
For further information about GB's global identity management applications, please contact:
Maxine Morgan, GB Group
Email: Maxine.morgan@gb.co.uk
Number: 01244 657 333
Sarah Douglas, Bite Communications
Email: sarah.douglas@bitecommunications.com
Number: 07887 852674 / 020 8834 3429