Compliance Updates
UK Gambling Commission Considers Banning VIP Schemes
The UK Gambling Commission is considering whether to ban VIP schemes after collecting data from betting firms, including one that took 83% of all deposits from 2% of its customers.
The much-criticised membership programmes reward gamblers who habitually lose large sums of money with perks such as free bets, cashback on losing wagers or football tickets. The award of VIP status has been cited as a factor in seven out of 10 regulatory penalties issued to companies by the commission for failures to prevent problem gambling.
A Gambling Commission spokesman said it was already taking action to address poor practice linked to VIP programmes but was prepared to go further.
The regulator said: “Operators must improve their interaction with VIPs and we have challenged the industry to make faster progress to improve how they manage their customers. We have also taken robust action against operators who fail to protect consumers and we will be even tougher if behaviour does not change.”
The commission collected data on VIP schemes from nine companies that have been granted anonymity but are understood to be among the UK’s largest and best known. In one case, an operator told the commission that while only 2% of its customers are VIPs, they account for 83% of deposits made on the site.
“This report shows how completely reliant the industry is on people with gambling problems and that they are profiteering from them. As the Gambling Commission has itself suggested these practices should be banned to protect problem gamblers and stop the transfer of money from vulnerable addicted gamblers directly into the pockets of the online gambling industry,” Labour MP Carolyn Harris, who chairs a cross-party parliamentary group on gambling, said.
Compliance Updates
Playnetic strengthens European presence with licence to operate in Sweden
Playnetic, the new immersive B2B iGaming provider has announced that it has been granted a Swedish licence, following regulatory approval from the Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen.
The licence allows Playnetic to launch its catalogue of innovative iGaming titles in Sweden, enabling the company to finalise partnerships with prominent operators across the country.
This significant milestone marks a major step forward in supporting Playnetic’s ambitious growth plans, which include increasing its foothold in other European markets, as well as continued expansion in regulated markets across the globe.
Dan Phillips, Playnetic CEO said: “Since launching in early 2023, Playnetic has been exploring expansion opportunities in Europe to penetrate new markets and we are thrilled with achieving this milestone.
“Thanks to our experienced compliance team, we were able to obtain this licence promptly, which is a huge positive as the market entry lines up perfectly with our regulatory roadmap for 2024. We are looking forward to launching our innovative suite of games which feature captivating themes and mechanics to players and operators in Sweden.”
The post Playnetic strengthens European presence with licence to operate in Sweden appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Balkans
Bulgarian President Approves Gambling Law Amendments
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has decided not to veto the proposed amendments to the Gambling Law, which include a prohibition on gambling advertisements in the media.
Previously, President Radev had indicated that he was deliberating on the changes to the Gambling Law and was awaiting input from his advisors before making a final decision.
The prohibition on gambling advertisements in the media was approved by a significant majority of deputies during the final session of the 49th National Assembly. Despite objections raised by various media outlets, gambling operators, sports clubs, and other businesses between the readings, the amendments were endorsed. Some stakeholders argued against the ban, suggesting that public discussion should precede its adoption.
The initiative for the amendments originated from GERB and DPS, and it was introduced unexpectedly during the last days of the 49th National Assembly by Yordan Tsonev (DPS) and Temenuzka Petkova (GERB). The bill swiftly progressed through the legislative process, passing its first reading in the budget committee and subsequently receiving approval in the plenary session. An extraordinary meeting of the Committee on Budget and Finance was convened to facilitate the voting on the amendments before the deputies commenced their pre-election recess.
The post Bulgarian President Approves Gambling Law Amendments appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Thailand Considers Limiting Gambling Areas to 5% of Total Project Space
The Thai government is exploring the possibility of restricting gambling areas within entertainment complexes to no more than 5% of the total project space. This proposal was revealed by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, who also chairs the House committee responsible for evaluating the potential establishment of casino resorts in the country.
Amornvivat noted that the allocation of space for gaming activities within these entertainment complexes would be determined based on input from various governmental entities involved in a project.
Last month, Thailand’s cabinet approved a report from the National Assembly committee that examined the feasibility of introducing casino resorts in the country. The Ministry of Finance was tasked with conducting a 30-day study to assess the viability of implementing such a policy.
Each proposed venue would require a minimum investment of THB100 billion ($2.75 billion), according to the committee report. Amornvivat recently requested a two-week extension for the study period to further evaluate the matter in collaboration with 16 other government agencies.
The special House committee’s study focused on three main areas. First, it examined the potential impacts of introducing entertainment complexes with casinos on various aspects of Thai society, including economics, politics, social dynamics and the environment.
Second, the committee analysed the business framework of integrated entertainment venues, exploring revenue generation mechanisms such as taxes, fees and licensing structures. It recommended the implementation of specific casino taxes and the establishment of a fund aimed at addressing the negative effects of gambling activities.
Last, the report highlighted the importance of conducting a comprehensive review of the legal framework governing entertainment venues and gambling laws in Thailand. This effort aims to update existing legislation or develop new laws that align with the evolving societal landscape.
The post Thailand Considers Limiting Gambling Areas to 5% of Total Project Space appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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