Geolocation provider GeoComply this week announced that it is dissolving its responsible gaming unit, Conscious Gaming, and transferring its PlayPause technology to IXUP, a secure data company that was involved in the development of PlayPause.
In a press release, GeoComply said that all proceeds from the transfer will be donated to responsible gaming nonprofits and programs. The company’s IMPACT department, which oversees social responsibility programs, will manage GeoComply’s responsible gaming efforts going forward.
IXUP announced the news during its Sept. 30 investors presentation, stating the acquisition “is a key step in IXUP’s positioning in the rapidly growing and increasingly important global Responsible Gaming sector.” The transfer of assets includes the registered trademark and brand name, any unregisterable trademarks and goodwill, the PlayPause domain name, and a white paper exploring social responsibility and gaming.
“As a technology company that originated out of the gaming industry, advancing player protections is of central importance to us at GeoComply,” GeoComply founder Anna Sainsbury said via press release. “IXUP’s acquisition of PlayPause is an exciting step in the future of responsible gaming. We are proud to see PlayPause live on with a trusted partner, and GeoComply will continue to drive player well-being and sustainability across the industry through IMPACT.”
GeoComply in September 2020 rolled out the PlayPause technology, as a digital tool enabling consumers at risk of excessive gambling to voluntarily self-exclude themselves from online wagering in multiple states at the same time. BetMGM and Pennsylvania regulators became the first to sign on for the technology later that year.
GeoComply sued competitor earlier this year
GeoComply is the leading provider of geofencing services for operators, jurisdictions, and other stakeholders in North American iGaming and sports betting markets. The Canadian-based company, founded in 2012, has a near monopoly on geolocation services and in late September made a strong move to protect that business by suing XPoint. The latter provides geolocation services for the newly launched Sporttrade betting exchange and PlayStar iGaming, both of which are live in New Jersey.
GeoComply filed its lawsuit in federal court in Delaware. It claims that XPoint, founded in Miami in 2019, is infringing on its patent, which expires in 2033. In the lawsuit, GeoComply asked for access to XPoint’s source code, as well as a permanent injunction against the company.
XPoint called the charges “meritless,” according to SBC Americas, while GeoComply said in a statement that it is not discouraging competition but protecting its technology. XPoint has until Oct. 20 to file a reply.
