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BGC Urges UK Chancellor to Drop the Proposed New Gambling Tax Simplification Measure

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The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has urged the UK Chancellor against using a proposed new gambling tax simplification measure to further raise taxes which will threaten sports including horse racing.

In the Autumn Statement, the Government confirmed it will consult on new proposals to bring remote betting into a single tax, replacing the current three-tax structure.

General betting duty and pool betting duty are set at 15% of operator profits, but remote gaming duty, levied on games of chance such as online casino, is set at 21%.

Any hike in betting duty would likely lead to lower margins on racing, fewer offers for punters and less funding to sponsor and promote the sport.

The tax threat comes as revenues are already being stretched by so-called affordability checks on customers, plans to replace the current voluntary levy with a new statutory levy to fund Research, Education and Treatment to tackle gambling related harm and spiraling costs for betting operators to support horse racing.

Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “Any further new tax rises could be a hammer blow for horse racing’s finances, which are already threatened thanks to measures proposed by the Government in the recent white paper.

“This is a sport which relies heavily on betting operators for its success and yet the Government appears determined to draft in measures which shrink the industry with huge ramifications for other sectors, like horse racing.

“What’s worse, the Treasury didn’t bother to consult or even inform DCMS, which is the department responsible for betting and racing. It seems they are high on tax but low on joined up government.

“There are genuine fears that any so-called simplification of the current tax structure will be nothing more than a Trojan Horse to further raise taxes on businesses.

“This has the potential to risk jobs and investment, and undermine the competitiveness of British horse racing on the global stage, placing its rich history and heritage in peril.

“We were promised an Autumn Statement that would deliver growth – the only thing growing is the list of worries for the betting and horse racing industries”.

The proposed new tax simplification plan comes soon after the Government’s White Paper, published in April, which included measures that will cost online operators in excess of £895m in Gross Gambling Yield.

And comes as bookmakers are preparing to make a record contribution to horse racing next year – with the bill for media rights forecast to increase by nearly £30m.

The Betting and Gaming Council’s five biggest members for horse race betting, Entain, Flutter, bet365, 888/William Hill and Betfred, expect to see a record cost increase to broadcast races.

In 2022, BGC members paid £270.1m for the rights to live stream races for customers and show them in bookmakers.

But that cost is forecast to rise to £285.3m this year, an increase of 5.6%, with members estimating a further increase to £315.2m in 2024, a further bump of 10.5%.

The forecast costs come after the BGC announced their members directly contributed £384m to British horse racing last year in levy, media rights and sponsorship deals.

In addition, bookmakers spent £125m on marketing to promote racing and betting through advertisements and partnerships.

Horse racing is the second biggest sport in the UK, second only to football, with more than five million people attending around 1400 fixtures annually across 59 racecourses.

However, its popularity is in decline. In 2007, 17% of the population participated in horse race betting in the previous year, but that fell to 10% in 2018.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has committed to reviewing the Horseracing Levy by next year.

The Horseracing Levy, which is administered by the Horserace Betting Levy Board, goes towards improving the sport, breeding and boosting veterinary care.

Betting operators are working closely with the British Horseracing Authority and racing stakeholders on much needed reforms to the fixture list and race programme which should increase commercial returns from the levy and media rights.

Betting shops support 42,000 jobs on the UK’s hard-pressed high streets, generating £800 million a year in tax to the Treasury and another £60m in business rates to local councils.

But this contribution is under threat, the combined impacts of recent regulatory reforms and Covid lockdowns have forced the closure of over 2000 shops with the loss of 10,000 jobs since 2019.

The wider regulated betting and gaming industry contributes £7.1bn to the economy, generates £4.2bn in tax and supports 110,000 jobs.

The BGC has repeatedly warned changes to the regulated betting and gaming sector by the Government must not risk forcing customer to the unsafe gambling black market online.

A study by PWC showed the number of customers using an unlicensed betting website has grown from 210,000 to 460,000 and billions is being staked.

Each month in Great Britain around 22.5m adults have a bet and the most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that 0.4% of the adult population are problem gamblers.

Expanse Studios

Expanse Studios Launches Super Heli Premium Across Core Markets

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Expanse Studios, a subsidiary of Golden Matrix Group Inc., has launched Super Heli Premium, an expanded version of its flagship crash game now live across core markets.

Super Heli Premium introduces four new gameplay mechanics designed to broaden player appeal and increase session engagement. The additions address operator demand for content that retains players without requiring promotional spend.

New Game Modes

Over/Under allows players to predict whether the crash multiplier will land above or below a set threshold, with maximum bet multipliers up to 24x. The mode rewards pattern recognition and adds a prediction layer to the base crash mechanic.

Range betting requires players to predict the multiplier range where the helicopter’s flight will end. Wider ranges offer lower payouts with reduced risk. Narrower ranges increase volatility and potential returns. The mechanic gives conservative and aggressive players different optimal strategies within the same game.

50% Cash-Out enables partial exits during active rounds. Players can secure half their stake at any multiplier while keeping the remaining half in play. The feature reduces all-or-nothing pressure and extends average session length.

Auto Play and Auto Cash-Out provide preset betting parameters for players who prefer hands-off gameplay across multiple rounds.

Regional Customisation

Operators can deploy market-specific visual themes (US, Greece, Egypt, Brazil, Japan) without changing core mechanics or RTP. The customisation supports localised marketing campaigns and cultural preferences across different jurisdictions.

The game maintains a 97% RTP across all modes and themes, matching the original Super Heli’s player return rate while adding strategic depth through the new mechanics.

Market Context

The original Super Heli became one of the most requested titles in European iGaming within months of launch, with operators reporting session lengths above industry averages and retention metrics “materially better than category norms”.

Super Heli Premium positions the title as a platform rather than a single game variant. Operators can configure volatility, bet limits and visual themes to match specific player demographics without requiring separate game integrations.

Expanse Studios currently operates across 1300+ B2B partnerships globally, with over 300 new operators added in Q3 2025 alone. Super Heli Premium expands the studio’s portfolio to 66 proprietary titles, all 100% owned IP with no licensing dependencies.

The game is now live across Expanse’s operator network in core markets globally.

The post Expanse Studios Launches Super Heli Premium Across Core Markets appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Compliance Updates

Digitain Secures Isle of Man iGaming Software Supplier Licence

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Digitain has successfully secured an Isle of Man software supplier license.

This reflects the value Digitain has placed on stable institutions, credible oversight and long-term regulatory certainty — evidencing a clear signal that the Island remains a tier-one jurisdiction for serious, long-term gaming technology businesses.

Granted by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC), with Cavendish Trust and Digital Isle of Man supporting Digitain throughout the process, the licence further deepens the Island’s regulated supplier base and reinforces the Isle of Man’s proposition: a mature, well-regulated jurisdiction with a collaborative, high-standards approach to doing business.

Digitain is a leading global supplier of sportsbook and gaming technology to operators across multiple regulated markets, supporting both online and retail betting. With more than two decades of industry experience, the company is recognised for its scale, technical capability and enterprise-grade approach — making its decision to secure an Isle of Man licence a strong endorsement of the Island’s regulatory credibility and long-term stability.

Tim Johnston MHK, Minister for Enterprise, said: “Digitain is a significant player in the global iGaming industry, and its decision to secure an Isle of Man licence is a strong vote of confidence in the Island’s regulatory credibility and long-term stability. It demonstrates that the Isle of Man continues to attract serious, enterprise-scale technology providers who value high standards and regulatory certainty. We remain committed to supporting a future-focused iGaming sector that delivers sustainable, long-term economic value for the Isle of Man.”

With more than 20 years as a leading iGaming jurisdiction, the Isle of Man is recognised for proportionate, risk-based regulation, political and economic stability, and strong cooperation between Government, the GSC and industry — a combination that continues to attract high-quality businesses seeking a trusted base for regulated growth.

Shaun Corris, Director at Cavendish Trust, said: “We would like to congratulate Digitain on securing its Isle of Man licence. Supporting Digitain through the licensing process highlighted both the strength of the business and the calibre of the jurisdiction. Digitain’s decision to secure an Isle of Man licence reflects the Island’s continued appeal to established, international iGaming technology providers seeking long-term credibility and stability.”

Aida Vardanyan, Director within the Digitain group said: “The Isle of Man represents one of the most credible and mature iGaming jurisdictions globally and working under the oversight of the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission has reinforced our confidence in the Island as a long-term base for our regulated operations.”

“The licensing process of Digitain’s Isle of Man entity, Blue Whale Limited, was rigorous, transparent, and constructive, reflecting the depth of regulatory expertise and institutional stability that the Isle of Man is known for. Cavendish Trust played a central role in this journey, providing exceptional guidance, regulatory insight, and operational support throughout the process. Their experience, professionalism, and deep understanding of both the jurisdiction and the global iGaming landscape were instrumental in achieving this milestone, and we look forward to continuing our partnership as we grow our regulated business from the Isle of Man.”

The post Digitain Secures Isle of Man iGaming Software Supplier Licence appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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FDJ UNITED

FDJ UNITED Aims to be Among the Top Three Licensed Gambling Operators in Finland

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As Finland prepares to transition to a licensed gambling market in July 2027, FDJ UNITED has set out its ambition to become a leading, long-term participant in the market – combining scale, responsibility and meaningful local engagement.

In a recent interview, Joel Häkämies, Head of FDJ UNITED’s operations in Finland and Estonia, outlined how the Group is preparing for the opening of the Finnish market and the principles that will guide its approach.

Building a top-three position – responsibly

FDJ UNITED’s ambition is clear: to be among the top three licensed gambling operators in Finland over time.

With more than €1 billion currently spent annually on online gambling in Finland, the move to a licensing system is expected to significantly reshape the market. Häkämies is clear that this is a long-term objective, given the importance of the new regulatory system being closely linked to strong regulatory oversight.

“The most important factor for how the market develops will be the actions of the authorities,” Häkämies notes, highlighting the role of regulation in ensuring a sustainable and well-controlled market.

A licensing system that strengthens player protection

While increased competition will inevitably bring greater visibility and marketing, FDJ UNITED believes that a licensed framework creates the right conditions to address gambling-related harm more effectively than the current system.

The Finnish licensing model will bring gambling activity into a more controlled environment, with clearer responsibility requirements and enforceable standards. FDJ UNITED has committed to reducing the share of revenue generated by high-risk players and to embedding player protection at the heart of its operations from day one.

This approach reflects the Group’s wider strategy across regulated markets, where growth and responsibility are treated as inseparable.

One of the most significant changes expected from market liberalisation is increased investment in sponsorship, particularly in sport.

According to Häkämies, FDJ UNITED expects a meaningful rise in annual sponsorship funding once the market opens, with sponsorship viewed as one of the most permissible and socially constructive forms of marketing under the Finnish Gambling Act.

Rather than short-term visibility, the focus is on long-term partnerships that support clubs, athletes and communities.

“A sponsor becomes part of a wider story. In many cases, fans and supporters are more closely connected to clubs and athletes than to leagues themselves,” Häkämies explains.

FDJ UNITED’s experience across multiple European markets has shown that well-structured, professional sponsorship can deliver sustainable benefits well beyond sport alone, extending into culture, events and wider community initiatives.

A local presence, backed by international scale

While FDJ UNITED operates globally with approximately 5000 employees across 10 countries, the Group is committed to establishing a local presence in Finland, including an office in Helsinki.

The Finnish operation will be supported by FDJ UNITED’s broader multi-market expertise, enabling efficient operations while ensuring decisions remain rooted in local knowledge and context

Unibet will be among the brands entering Finland, with further brand decisions to be confirmed closer to launch.

The post FDJ UNITED Aims to be Among the Top Three Licensed Gambling Operators in Finland appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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