Latest News
A new report from the casino guide Casino.se: How the new gaming law has affected the Swedish gaming industry
A new report from the casino guide Casino.se highlights how the Swedish gaming industry has been affected since January 2019, when the government introduced a licensing market for gambling. The report reveals, among other things, that about 50,000 Swedes have used the self-shutdown service spelpaus.se, as well as a dramatic reduction in visitor traffic to the Swedish licensed companies. In addition, criticism is directed at the government’s recent legislative proposals with additional gaming regulations, which, according to the report, risk driving players to unregulated international gambling sites.
Casino.se, Sweden’s leading casino guide, today presents a new report on how the new gambling law from January 2019 has affected the Swedish gaming market and its players. The report, prepared by Casino.se together with the owner company XLMedia, highlights, among other things, changes in consumers’ gaming patterns, government revenues and expenses, as well as the growth of the private industry players, which are today part of Sweden’s regulated gaming market. The report also analyzes the future of the industry, as well as the risks associated with the government’s recent legislative proposals on lower maximum limits for deposits and bonuses, with the primary aim of countering gambling abuse during the corona crisis.
The new gambling law
The new Gaming Act from January 1, 2019, meant that Sweden was granted a licensing market for gambling, with the aim of excluding all the actors that are non-licensed and don’t pay tax in Sweden. According to Spelinspektionen, 98 companies today have active gaming licenses, where of as many as 71 are online. Among other things, the law requires that the companies on their site, clearly offer players three main opportunities to limit their gambling, in the form of the measures spelpaus.se, game limits and self-testing. The companies that do not comply with the rules risk, among other things, having their license revoked for up to two years.
Of the three measures mentioned above, spelpaus.se, which enables self-suspension from virtually all gambling in Sweden, has meant the most important change. In March 2020, according to the Gaming Inspection, nearly 50,000 Swedes had registered on spelpaus.se, of which 76 percent were men and 24 percent were women.
The economic development of the gaming industry
During the third quarter of 2019, the new gaming law had a noticeably negative effect on the Swedish gaming market as a whole. The total return for online gaming operators with Swedish licenses was SEK 3.35 billion, according to statistics from the Gaming Inspectorate, which was a decrease of SEK 120 million compared to the second quarter and SEK 70 million compared to the first quarter of the same year. 2019 was a relatively weak year for the gaming industry, with a total turnover of SEK 24.79 billion, which was only a modest increase from the previous year.
Reduced visitor traffic
New statistics from Casino.se and Google Trends reveal that several of the Swedish licensed gaming companies had significantly less visitor traffic to their sites in 2019 than in previous years. All in all, however, the Swedish licensed companies have so far been mostly satisfied with the development since the new law came into force.
“By having a regulated market, long-term sustainability and industry profits are secured. It benefits both consumers and operators,” says Stuart Simms, CEO of XLMedia, which runs Casino.se.
New bill risks driving players towards the unregulated gaming market
However, a cloud of concern has flared up now in May. It concerns the government’s new bill to introduce a maximum deposit limit of SEK 5,000 a week and a bonus ceiling of SEK 100 to limit gambling, especially during the corona crisis when many are sitting at home. The proposal has generated a massive protest storm from leading industry players, which has been noted in both international and Swedish press. One of the detractors is Gustaf Hoffstedt, Secretary General of the Industry Association for Online Games (BOS), who believes that these new regulations would counteract its purpose and harm the Swedish gaming industry.
“I react with surprise and consternation. All of these regulations, which may have honest ambitions to strengthen consumer protection, drive players away from the licensed market, ”Hoffstedt said in the report.
To read the full report, please click here.
Powered by WPeMatico
Latest News
GGPoker to Broadcast WSOP Online 2025 Final Tables Live, Featuring GGPoker.tv Broadcast Debut of Poker Legend Phil Hellmuth
Â
Join Jeff Gross and his legendary co-hosts on September 23 and September 30
GGPoker, the World’s Biggest Poker Room, today announced it will live stream the final table action of two of the most prestigious events from the ongoing WSOP Online 2025 tournament series. The broadcasts will be available on GGPoker.tv, the brand’s official YouTube channel, and will feature the debut of poker legend Phil Hellmuth as a live GGPoker.tv broadcast host.
The first broadcast, on September 23, will showcase the high-stakes drama from the final table of the $5,000 WSOP Online Main Event, arguably online poker’s most important annual tournament. This landmark event will be co-hosted by frequent GGPoker anchor Jeff Gross and the 17-time WSOP bracelet winner, Phil Hellmuth. Known for his “poker brat” persona and unparalleled tournament record, Hellmuth’s inclusion will provide viewers with an unprecedented look into the mind of one of poker’s greatest champions.
The action continues on September 30, with the final table of the $10,300 GGMillion$ High Rollers event. Joining Jeff Gross for this broadcast will be GGPoker Global Ambassador and fellow poker icon, Daniel Negreanu. Negreanu, with his engaging style and deep understanding of the game, will provide expert commentary and analysis, making this broadcast another must-watch for poker fans everywhere.
“We are incredibly excited to bring the WSOP Online 2025 action directly to our fans with these two live broadcasts,” said Paul Burke, Head of Public Relations at GGPoker. “Having Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Negreanu on air alongside Jeff Gross to break down the action will be a true treat. This will be more than just watching a final table; it’ll be a masterclass in poker strategy from two of the best to ever play the game.”
The post GGPoker to Broadcast WSOP Online 2025 Final Tables Live, Featuring GGPoker.tv Broadcast Debut of Poker Legend Phil Hellmuth appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
LiveScore Group announces transformational partnership with X and xAI to drive the future of integrated sports media and betting
Â
- Landmark partnership will leverage X’s real-time content and xAI’s technology to advance LiveScore Group’s mission to converge sports media and betting.
- Collaboration will introduce richer media, new fan engagement features and AI-driven personalisation, setting a new benchmark for digital sports content experiences.
- With over 100 million annual users, LiveScore Group continues to lead in global sports media innovation, while driving betting growth across the UK and international markets.
LiveScore Group, a global leader in sports media and betting, has announced a pioneering partnership with X and xAI that promises to transform both the sports media and betting industries. By leveraging the vast real-time content of X and the advanced AI capabilities of xAI, LiveScore Group will accelerate its strategy of converging sports media and betting into a single, seamless experience for millions of fans worldwide.
This collaboration will allow LiveScore Group to tap into the unique scale, speed and interactivity of X to deliver richer, more engaging content experiences across its Livescore and Livescore Bet products. The integration will redefine how fans follow live sport, interact with breaking news and participate in betting, creating a new standard for fan engagement in the digital era.
The collaboration will leverage unprecedented access to X’s various data and content APIs, giving LiveScore Group the ability to capture real-time sports conversations, sentiment and breaking news at scale.
This integration will fuel innovation across LiveScore Group’s media and betting platforms, enabling:
- Richer sports media experiences with instant delivery of news, fan sentiment, and influencer commentary.
- New engagement features such as bet-slip and prediction sharing directly into X, connecting communities of fans and bettors.
- Smarter trading models that react to real-time sports developments and fan conversations, enhancing bettor value and retention.
- Faster, scalable customer support, including automated responses to fan inquiries via X.
The partnership will also leverage the power of xAI’s cutting-edge technology to develop personalised fan experiences, predictive insights and new AI-driven engagement tools across LiveScore and LiveScore Bet. From smarter trading models that adapt to real-time sentiment, to tailored content delivery that anticipates fan preferences, xAI will play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of products within LiveScore Group’s integrated ecosystem.
Sam Sadi, CEO of LiveScore Group, said: “This is a game-changing moment for LiveScore Group and for the industries we operate in. By partnering with X and xAI, we are unlocking the ability to combine the world’s most dynamic real-time content platform with our mission to converge sports media and betting. This will redefine how fans experience live sport, empower new forms of interaction, and set a bold new direction for the future of our industry”.
Christopher Park, Director & Global Lead of Developer Platform at X Corp, commented: “We are delighted to partner with LiveScore Group as they push the boundaries of sports engagement and innovation. This partnership highlights how X and xAI can empower forward-thinking companies to harness real-time data and AI to disrupt industries and deliver transformative experiences to users around the world.”
With more than 100 million annual users, LiveScore Group has established itself as a leading force in converging sports media and betting. This new partnership with X and xAI cements its position at the forefront of industry innovation and marks a bold step in shaping the next era of fan engagement.
The post LiveScore Group announces transformational partnership with X and xAI to drive the future of integrated sports media and betting appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Â
Distribution deal sees leading racing provider for the Americas extend its scope into Italy’s local pool betting via governing body for horse racing
1/ST CONTENT, the pre-eminent provider of premium North and South American horse racing content and a key division of 1/ST, has continued to grow its international footprint in a new partnership with the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (MASAF) in the run-up to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, one of the true highlights on the global racing calendar.
The deal now opens a breakthrough gateway for local pool betting on North American, South American and Turkish racing in Italy – and was soft-launched over last month’s 100th edition of the Hambletonian at The Meadowlands, NJ. This milestone renewal, the pinnacle of harness racing and a format of the sport which is particularly popular with Italian racing fans, fostered immediate fan engagement, as reported by MASAF this month via https://www.grandeippicaitaliana.it/.
The agreement kicks off with the 2025 flagship finale at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in Del Mar (31 October – 1 November) and brings many of the premier stateside races to Italy, including the Pegasus World Cup (24 January) and the Triple Crown contests of Preakness 151 (16 May) and the Belmont Stakes (6 June). In the aggregate, 1/ST CONTENT’s extensive content portfolio maps approximately 90% of all North American racetracks, alongside South American and Turkish venues, neatly complementing Italy’s domestic sporting action with a reliable source of fast-settling betting content between 18:00 and 05:00 CET.
Italian and North American horse racing currently enjoy a strong reciprocal bond, thanks to three of Italy’s leading jockeys in Frankie Dettori, Umberto Rispoli and Antonio Fresu plying their trade in North America. These three Italian ambassadors were recently introduced to a mainstream global audience via Netflix’s acclaimed Race For The Crown.
1/ST CONTENT’s worldwide experience and customer base for pools betting features the Americas, Morocco, Italy, Singapore, Australia, Turkey, Sweden, France, New Zealand and Hong Kong. As a result, by leveraging 1/ST CONTENT’s unparalleled expertise in capturing and streaming elite live-racing events, bettors across Italy can now enjoy a best-in-breed international racing experience.
Key features of the deal include but are not limited to:
- Comprehensive Coverage:Â exclusive signals of all racetracks in the United States, Canada, South America and Turkey, ensuring an extensive and diverse range of racing content for Italian audiences.
- Cutting-Edge Technology:Â high-quality, immersive broadcasts, providing viewers with an unparalleled access to live racing and informative content that both engages the seasoned viewer and educates those unfamiliar with the sport.
- Enhanced Viewer Engagement:Â accompanying innovative marketing strategies, promotions, and engagement initiatives, enhancing the overall viewer experience and speaking to a dedicated racing community in Italy
Simon Fraser, Senior Vice President International at 1/ST CONTENT, said: “We’re thrilled to be working as a partner with MASAF on a program to rejuvenate their horse racing audience and breathe new life into the Italian industry. Our collaboration marks a cornerstone from which we can build together to ensure that racing is competitive with other betting options and further expands 1/ST’s global reach.”
Remo Chiodi, Director General for Horse Racing at MASAF, added: “This partnership is part of a broader framework aimed at strengthening relations between Italy and the United States in the horseracing sector: it is a path that consolidates ties between the two countries, enhances both our national excellence and international achievements, and opens up new opportunities for growth and exchange. It is a step that also involves breeding and training, while highlighting the image of Italian racing excellence in the United States, represented by our most renowned jockeys competing overseas.
“Thanks to this agreement, major American racing events will be broadcast free-to-air on EQU TV, expanding the television offering and allowing betting on the races within a fully integrated system. After years of challenges, Italian racing is redefining the entire sector to restore our sport to a position of strength, both at home and abroad.”
The post 1/ST CONTENT and Italy’s MASAF form new partnership ahead of the Breeders’ Cup appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
-
eSports5 days agoEsports Charts to deliver comprehensive viewership data to GeoGuessr
-
Balkans6 days ago
BEGE Awards Nominations Now Open – Celebrating 16 Years of Industry Excellence!
-
Brazil6 days agoThrillTech secures regulatory approvals to launch jackpots in Latam
-
Africa6 days ago
BetKing Renews Ikorodu City FC Partnership for 2025/26 NPFL Season
-
Asia6 days ago
Digital gaming disruption tackled in 1st AsPac Regulators’ Forum
-
Colombia6 days ago
NOVOMATIC sets high expectations at GAT Bogotá with launches that redefine multi-games
-
Latest News5 days ago
Åland-Based Gaming Company Paf Becomes Main Partner of the Finnish Ski Association – One of the Most Significant Sponsorship Agreements in the Association’s History
-
Africa5 days ago
Racing1 is exhibiting for the first time at the Grand Prix D’Afrique
