Industry News
Third of Swedish players search for ‘unlicensed casinos’, research finds
Bonusfinder.com data finds ‘channelisation’ strategy failing and growing numbers of players looking for black market sites
– Warning to German regulators to reconsider recent restrictive proposals
Almost a third of Swedish players are searching online for ‘unlicensed casinos’, with growing numbers turning to black-market brands due to the market’s restrictive gaming regulations, according to data produced by customer-first affiliate brand Bonusfinder.com.
Research carried out by BonusFinder.com monitoring the Swedish market since it regulated in January 2019 has uncovered a spike in Swedish players searching for a basket of black-market keywords.
Up to 30% of players have searched for terms such as ‘unlicensed casino’ (casino utan licens). This reinforces the theory that aggressive restrictions on licensed operators drives players to search for, and convert to, unlicensed black-market brands.
According to recent official data from the Swedish regulator (SGA), 91% of gambling is carried out by licensed operators in a market worth more than €1.2 billion.
Data from H2 Gambling Capital estimates Sweden’s ‘channelisation’ strategy towards licensed sites to be 85%, however Bonusfinder.com research shows the proportion of Swedish players using legal casinos to be closer to 70% with almost a third being diverted to unlicensed brands.
The findings are a stark warning to other newly regulating markets including Germany that is considering even tougher regulations on online casino products.
German lawmakers recently approved regulations to legalise online poker and casino from 1 July 2021 with punitive measures including slots subject to a €1 per spin stake limit, no auto play and no jackpots, while casino games must be offered separately to table games.
One large operator in Germany, on condition of anonymity said that future licensed brands there could see casino revenues fall by up to 70% with many players flocking to black market sites if regulators passed restrictive proposals.
“With the 16 Federal States in Germany approving the new gambling regulation everyone was anticipating a regulated and safe gambling environment for online and land-based players in Germany.
“The strict policies in the new Interstate Treaty on Gambling, however, will force players and operators into illegal channels and, if this goes ahead, the market with the biggest potential in Europe will have lost its opportunity. For many operators, revenues will drop by 60 to 70%, and on top of that, taxes and fees will make this licence unattractive.”
Fintan Costello, Managing Director, Bonusfinder.com, said: “Instead of misguidedly declaring phase one of Swedish legislation a “success”, regulators should be focusing on the rising proportion of players searching for ‘unlicensed’ brands.
“Equally concerning is that newly regulating markets such as Germany appear to be ignoring their mistakes. There is no regulated market on earth that is proposing such damaging rules, and we would urge them to take heed of Sweden’s rapid plunge toward encouraging unlicensed activity.
“This should serve as a real warning for German lawmakers who have plenty of time to alter their proposals to benefit and protect players and to ensure their newly regulated framework is commercially successful.
“At Bonusfinder.com we aim to give players more choice, presenting them with all the options before they commit to gambling on specific sites. Our aim is to help people “play with more” in a safe environment. Our core principles are built on a common sense approach to regulation that involve honest and open conversations between regulators, operators, affiliates and players. This is exactly the approach German regulators should be taking.”
Quantum Gaming, a leading provider of innovative technology solutions for the iGaming industry, has announced the appointment of Phillip Pistauer as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Phillip joins the executive board, which includes CEO Oliver De Bono, and Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) Soteris Varnava. Together, this dynamic leadership team is poised to drive Quantum Gaming’s vision of redefining the iGaming landscape.
Phillip Pistauer’s journey in the iGaming industry began in 2013, with a trial-by-fire experience launching a brand on the EveryMatrix platform. This early challenge required him to learn the intricacies of the industry quickly and sparked his passion for the field. Recognising the immense opportunities in iGaming, Phillip strategically relocated to Malta where he joined NetEnt during its commercial expansion.
In 2020, Phillip joined Singular, a Georgia-based company renowned for its advanced platform technology. Initially appointed as Head of Account Management, he later transitioned to Head of Platform following Singular’s acquisition by Flutter International.
As part of Singular’s growth strategy, Phillip assumed the role of Head of Product in March 2024, further solidifying his reputation as a forward-thinking leader in iGaming.
Oliver De Bono, CEO of Quantum Gaming, said: “Phillip has a rare mix of operational expertise and vision for innovation. He’s been through every level of this industry, and it shows in the way he approaches challenges. We’re thrilled to have him on board as we gear up for some big moves this year.”
Among several exciting initiatives within the company, Quantum Gaming is also working on integrating AI-driven solutions to further enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. This AI project, along with others, reflects the company’s commitment to staying ahead of industry trends.
In addition to Phillip’s appointment, Quantum Gaming is expanding its leadership team further with the upcoming addition of a Head of Affiliation, Head of QA, Head of Finance and Head of Sales. These new roles reflect the company’s commitment to strengthening its operations and building a robust foundation for future growth.
Soteris Varnava, CRO of Quantum Gaming, said: “Having Phillip on the team gives us an incredible advantage. He brings a fresh perspective and a proven ability to get things done. With the new leadership hires we’re making, 2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year for Quantum Gaming.”
The post Quantum Gaming Announces Phillip Pistauer as its New COO appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
SUZOHAPP has announced the appointment of Geoff McDowell as its new President, effective October 1, 2024.
McDowell previously worked at SUZOHAPP from 2010 to 2017, successfully leading the gaming business in Australia and Asia. He rejoins the company from Coinflip, a global digital currency platform, where he was SVP/GM of US Kiosks. Prior to that, he held the position of CEO of Atlas Gaming Pty Ltd, an Australian developer of proprietary gaming content and products.
“We are thrilled to welcome Geoff back to our global leadership team to lead one of our core divisions. His proven track record in growth and strategy execution will be invaluable as we continue to serve our customers and achieve strong results. We also extend our gratitude to Sim Bielak for his years of dedicated service and leadership at SUZOHAPP,” said Drew Scielzo, ACON Partner.
Geoff McDowell is excited about his return and the opportunity to drive SUZOHAPP’s success. “SUZOHAPP is an exciting company with tremendous growth potential and a strong team. I look forward to embracing this new challenge in an industry I am passionate about,” he said.
The post SUZOHAPP Appoints Geoff McDowell as New President appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The post Amusnet Releases Showtime Roulette 500x appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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