Baltics
Court Declares Rīga’s Ban on Gambling Unconstitutional
The Constitutional Court of Latvia said on April 4 that it had deemed the restriction on the organisation of gambling throughout Rīga unconstitutional, as the municipality has not justified why gambling is prohibited in the specific areas.
The case was brought before the Constitutional Court following applications by the gambling companies Olympic Casino Latvia Ltd, Alfor Ltd and Joker Ltd. They requested an assessment of the compliance of the Rīga spatial plan with Article 105 of the Constitution, which provides for the right to property that may be restricted only following the law. Compulsory expropriation of property for public needs is only allowed in exceptional cases on the basis of a separate law against fair compensation.
The contested norm provides, however, that the organisation of gambling and the provision of gambling services are prohibited in the entire administrative territory of Rīga, except where such gambling venues are located in four- or five-star hotels.
Six years ago, the Riga City Council decided to close down 42 gambling venues in the city centre, and last September it decided to cancel 139 permits for gambling venues outside the city centre. They must close within five years.
The Constitutional Court found that the organisation of gambling is a legal commercial activity existing in conditions of free competition.
The legislator has given the municipality the competence to assess independently which areas or territories of the municipality should be subject to restrictions on the organisation of gambling. The municipality is also entitled to designate an unlimited number of areas in the spatial plan where gambling is not allowed. However, the municipality must comply with the principle of territorial assessment laid down in the authorisation granted by the legislator.
The Constitutional Court found that the municipality had failed to state reasons why the organisation of gambling was prohibited in the functional zones of the spatial plan, where commercial activities were envisaged as one of the permitted uses of the territory.
In accordance with the principle of assessment of territories laid down in the Law on Gambling, the municipality must assess, for example, in the spatial planning process, the built-up area and the location of infrastructure facilities, the population density, the interests of residents and traders and other relevant aspects which may be the basis for imposing restrictions on the organisation of gambling.
No such assessment has been carried out by the municipality prior to the establishment of restrictions on gambling throughout the territory of Riga.
The Constitutional Court held that the restriction on fundamental rights contained in the contested norm was incompatible with Article 1 and the first, second and third sentences of Article 105 of the Constitution.
The post Court Declares Rīga’s Ban on Gambling Unconstitutional appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, is expanding in the Baltics thanks to its latest tie-up with Betsafe in Lithuania.
The deal sees over 90 of the supplier’s leading titles live on the Betsson Group’s Lithuanian brand Betsafe, a leading operator in the market.
Included in the agreement are Evoplay’s top-performing titles such as Elven Princesses, Hot Triple Sevens and The Greatest Catch Bonus Buy which are now available for Betsafe players.
The latest integration follows a string of similar deals for Evoplay who has continued its expansion across regulated markets in Europe and beyond.
Ihor Zarechnyi, CBDO at Evoplay, said: “Integrating our products to Betsafe, a leading brand in Lithuania, is another important step in our commercial trajectory as our titles continue to grow in popularity and develop a stellar reputation among gaming enthusiasts worldwide.
“Lithuania is a vibrant and dynamic market, and we are thrilled to bring our award-winning content to even more players in the region.”
Aurimas Šilys, Head of Lithuania at Betsson Group, said: “Boosting our offering with a diverse array of titles is of utmost importance for Betsafe as we strive to deliver an unmatched gaming experience to players in Lithuania.
“We are delighted to integrate Evoplay’s dynamic portfolio into our offerings, and we anticipate it will resonate exceptionally well with our audience.”
The post Evoplay bolsters presence in Lithuania with Betsafe deal appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
CT Interactive has concluded a key deal with Twinsbet.lt, marking a significant milestone in its strategic expansion across the Baltic region. The deal, primarily focused on the Lithuanian market, signifies CT Interactive’s commitment to enhancing its footprint in Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.
Milena Tsankarska, CCO at CT Interactive, expressed her confidence about the collaboration, stating: “We are thrilled to partner with Twinsbet.lt, a reputable player in the market. This strategic alliance aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver cutting-edge gaming experiences to players across the Baltics.”
Antonio Donov, Business Development Manager EMEA at CT Interactive, said: “Twinsbet.lt’s dedication to providing top-quality gaming services resonates with our own values. This collaboration opens up new avenues for growth and innovation, allowing us to cater to the diverse preferences of players in the region”.
Through this deal, games like Chili Fruits, Coffee Magic, Pot-o-Luck, 40 Treasures, Lucky Clover and more will become available at Twinsbet.lt.
“This collaboration with CT Interactive underscores our commitment to delivering unique gaming experiences to our customers. By leveraging CT Interactive’s expertise and innovative solutions, we are confident in our ability to elevate the gaming landscape in Lithuania and beyond”, commented a Gunnar Vilk COO of Twinsbet.lt.
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HIPTHER, the premier event organizer in the iGaming and Technology sectors, is thrilled to unveil the final agenda of the highly anticipated MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit, packed with expert-led sessions and significant networking opportunities. Scheduled for June 4-5, 2024, at the Hilton Tallinn Park, this annual event serves as the leading platform for learning and networking in the Baltic and Nordic regions. Hosted yearly in a Baltic capital, it attracts top professionals from the iGaming, blockchain, fintech, and artificial intelligence communities.
This year’s event promises to foster groundbreaking discussions and provide actionable insights across several dynamic sectors. The summit will feature an impressive lineup of topics, including “Regulatory Evolution in iGaming: Adapting to the Baltic and Nordic Standards,” “Global Stakes: Navigating iGaming Regulation in Serbia, the USA, Spain, and Austria” and “Financial Evolution: Merging Traditions with Fintech and Blockchain Innovations.”
The MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit serves as the main hub for industry leaders to connect, share ideas, and explore new partnerships. The summit’s strategic location rotates among the capitals of the Baltic states, underscoring its importance and central role in shaping the tech and gaming landscapes in the region.
Zoltan Tuendik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER, stated, “We are proud to host another edition of the MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit. Each year, we strive to surpass the expectations of our attendees, providing them with invaluable insights and networking opportunities that are second to none. This year’s agenda is especially significant, tackling some of the most pressing issues facing the industries of our focus.”
Highlights of the summit include:
- Expert panels discussing the integration of new regulatory frameworks and technological innovations.
- Networking opportunities with industry leaders and policymakers.
- Interactive workshops designed to provide hands-on experience in dealing with current challenges and leveraging emerging opportunities.
In addition to the comprehensive conference sessions, the summit will host several networking events, including welcome drinks and exclusive evening parties, offering attendees the chance to form lasting connections with peers and industry leaders.
Professionals from across the globe are invited to join this landmark event to gain deeper insights into the future of these rapidly evolving industries and to network with fellow experts in a collaborative setting.
For more information and to register for the MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit, please visit https://hipther.com/events/tallinn/
The post MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit Announces Final Agenda for 2024 Event appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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