Central Europe
EGBA Urges Germany to Reconsider Online Casino Tax Proposal

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has warned that the proposal by the German Bundesrat to introduce a 5.3% tax on online poker and slots stakes would undermine the key aim of the country’s new online gambling regulations to direct online poker and slots customers into a regulated market.
EGBA suggests that the tax measure would impinge upon the competitiveness of the regulated market and would lead to 49% of German players switching to unregulated websites, based on a new player survey published by Goldmedia. EGBA, therefore, urged members of the German parliament to reconsider the proposal.
EGBA added that the proposal is punitive, and would result in online poker and slots being taxed at rates higher than their retail equivalent land-based casinos, which would constitute an illegal state aid under EU law. The Goldmedia survey suggests that the tax advantage for land-based operators would be as high as €290m (£250m) a year in the state of Bavaria alone.
EGBA Secretary-general Maarten Haijer said: “We welcome the regulation of the German online gambling market, and we fully appreciate that an online gambling tax will need to be paid.
“However, we urge the German parliament to reconsider the proposed punitive rate of the tax because it will push German players to use unprotected and unregulated black-market websites and give land-based operators a massive tax advantage.
“We stand ready to share our experiences in other jurisdictions of the EU, and firmly believe that a tax level can be established which strikes the right balance between meeting the needs of the German consumer while ensuring sufficient tax revenue for the state.”
Source: EGBA
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Central Europe
CT Interactive grows its certified game portfolio in the Slovak market

CT Interactive has further strengthened its presence in the regulated Slovak iGaming market with the successful certification of 10 additional games. This achievement brings the total number of certified titles in Slovakia to 30, underscoring the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality, engaging gaming content tailored to local market needs.
Among the newly certified titles, five are part of the popular Buy Bonus product line, specifically designed to enhance player engagement and elevate the overall gaming experience. Notable additions include 20 Mega Star, which extends the thrill, and the classic 50 Treasures, a game that consistently ranks among CT Interactive’s top 10 most popular titles globally.
“Certification in Slovakia is a key part of our European expansion strategy,” said Martin Ivanov, COO of CT Interactive. “With these 10 new games, our portfolio in the country now totals 30 titles, strengthening our market presence and offering diverse, premium content to the regulated Slovak market.”
As part of CT Interactive’s broader growth strategy, the company remains focused on adapting its portfolio to meet the specific requirements and preferences of each market. It continuously explores the latest technologies and game mechanics that resonate with a wide range of players, all while ensuring full compliance with local regulatory standards.
The post CT Interactive grows its certified game portfolio in the Slovak market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Central Europe
CT Interactive Announces Strategic Partnership with Ecasino

CT Interactive has announced a strategic partnership with Ecasino, a leading online casino platform provider in the Czech Republic. This exciting collaboration means that CT Interactive’s top-performing games are now available on the eCasino platform, further strengthening the company’s foothold in the regulated Czech iGaming market.
This integration delivers added value to eCasino’s diverse player base by bringing CT Interactive’s certified and player-favorite content to the platform. Ecasino is now well-positioned to enhance its portfolio with a wider range of high-quality and engaging games that meet the evolving demands of the local market. Among the best-performing titles now available on eCasino are Lucky Clover, Hot 7s x2, 40 Treasures, Pick the Pig and Big Joker.
“Partnering with eCasino is a crucial part of our European expansion strategy. The Czech Republic is one of our key markets in Europe, and Ecasino’s strong local presence makes them an ideal partner. This collaboration enables us to deliver our certified, high-quality content to a broader audience and further solidify our position in the region’s regulated iGaming sector,” said Martin Ivanov, COO of CT Interactive.
The post CT Interactive Announces Strategic Partnership with Ecasino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Central Europe
Brightstar Lottery Upgrades Retail Central System for Lotto Saxony in Germany via New Seven-Year Contract

Brightstar Lottery PLC announced that it will deploy its comprehensive retail central system technology, Aurora, along with advanced cloud-based software for Sächsische Lotto-GmbH (Lotto Saxony) in the State of Saxony, Germany via a seven-year contract. The contract was awarded to Brightstar following a competitive public procurement.
“The quality and reliability of Brightstar’s world-class lottery technology and operational support, along with its team’s knowledge of Lotto Saxony’s business needs are some of the reasons why we have partnered with the Company for 30 years. We look forward to upgrading our central system to Brightstar’s sophisticated platform and the many benefits its components will produce,” said Herr Frank Schwarz, Lotto Saxony Chief Executive Officer.
“This new seven-year contract marks an exciting chapter for Brightstar and Lotto Saxony as we work together to modernize lottery solutions throughout the state. Brightstar’s high-performing central system and peripherals will enable Lotto Saxony to manage its business more efficiently with the confidence in knowing the technology is secure, dependable, and responsible,” said Marco Tasso, Brightstar Chief Operating Officer International and Italy Operations.
An integral part of OMNIA, Brightstar’s player-centric, omnichannel solution for lotteries, Aurora helps drive lottery innovation and profitability. The platform will provide intuitive, user-friendly applications, tools and reporting capabilities to handle Lotto Saxony’s transaction processing, game management and back-office operations. Lotto Saxony will receive key cloud-based Aurora products including, Anywhere, to securely connect external applications to the retail system, and Performance Wizard, to deliver targeted insights and analytics.
The post Brightstar Lottery Upgrades Retail Central System for Lotto Saxony in Germany via New Seven-Year Contract appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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