Compliance Updates
Germany: First esports tournaments and leagues qualify for simplified visa application process
The German Esports Federation (eSport-Bund Deutschland, ESBD) and game – the German Games Industry Association have jointly announced the first esports tournaments and leagues for which professional esports players from third countries will be able to take advantage of a new, simplified visa application process. Competitions that have qualified under the German Ordinance on the Employment of Foreigners (Beschäftigungsverordnung) include international leagues such as the League of Legends European Championship organised by Riot Games and 99Damage Liga from Freaks 4U Gaming as well as tournaments like the Intel Extreme Masters Cologne from ESL Gaming. Esports titles such as ‘Clash of Clans’, ‘Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’, ‘Dota 2’, ‘League of Legends’ and ‘Warcraft III: Reforged’ fall under the umbrella of these qualifications. In practice, the new process enables professional esports players from third countries to obtain a visa for these competitions under facilitated conditions, thereby placing them on equal footing with other occupational groups.
To take advantage of the simplified visa application process, esports players must meet certain requirements as defined by the federal government in the Ordinance on the Employment of Foreigners: they must be at least 16 years old, demonstrate a minimum salary level and present confirmation of their professional activity. game and the ESBD have agreed on a procedure to define the ‘substantial national and international significance’ of competitions and to verify applicants’ ‘professional practice’. The ESBD has made available an application portal and, for individual cases, an email address to all interested organisers and players.
‘Today Germany is already a location for many high-level esports competitions,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘The newly facilitated visa issuing procedures for professional esports players will benefit the country’s long-term development in this arena. game and the ESBD have campaigned collaboratively for this political success. Now it’s important that promoters and esports players take advantage of the new opportunity.’
‘The esports visa represents an important easing of restrictions for professional esports in Germany,’ emphasises ESBD president Daniel Luther. ‘The burdensome previous process will now be a thing of the past. We’re thrilled that organised esports is advocating jointly for an improved policy framework.’
The second round of the process for inclusion in the list of qualified gaming operations will begin in October. Organisers seeking to register leagues and tournaments are encouraged to submit the necessary documents for verification. Leagues and tournaments which have already qualified must obtain renewed confirmation of their substantial national and international significance. The process takes place semi-annually.
The complete list of qualified tournaments and leagues:
• 99Damage Liga, Freaks 4U Gaming
• ESL One Germany, ESL Gaming
• ESL Meisterschaft, ESL Gaming
• Intel Extreme Master Cologne, ESL Gaming
• League of Legends European Championship, Riot Games
• League of Legends Prime League Pro Division, Riot Games
An extensive FAQ on the awarding of visas for esports players and organisers of esports competitions can be found at www.game.de/esport/esport-visum or at https://esportbund.de/esport/visa/
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Brais Pena Chief Strategy Officer at Easygo
Stake Goes Live in Denmark Following Five-Year Licence Approval
Stake, the largest online casino and sportsbook globally, today proclaims its official entry into Denmark after obtaining a five-year online casino and sports betting license. The shift reinforces Stake’s enduring dedication to enhancing its global growth strategy.
Denmark is often seen as a regulatory success within the European online gambling scene, and Stake has now introduced its flagship, internationally recognized product to the Danish market. Players will unlock access to Stake’s top-tier casino and sportsbook, showcasing exceptional games, cutting-edge technology, and an exceptional user experience, all provided with a strong local emphasis.
Starting 1 March 2026, Stake Denmark will set up its new headquarters at Parken Stadium, the national football stadium of Denmark and the home ground for FC Copenhagen.
Peter Eugen Clausen, Managing Director at Stake Denmark, said: “Denmark has one of the most well-regulated and competitive gaming markets in Europe, and that’s exactly what makes it so exciting. With Stake’s arrival, Danish players can expect a fresh, world-class experience backed by global scale and strong local focus. We’re raising the bar in terms of product, transparency, and entertainment, and I believe increased competition from brands like Stake will only drive the market forward in a positive way.”
Brais Pena, Chief Strategy Officer at Easygo, the technology company behind Stake, said: “Denmark marks our entry into the Nordics and represents a clear win in one of Europe’s most mature and high-value markets. With each new market, our momentum continues to build as we deliver on our global expansion strategy.”
Since its inception in 2017, Stake has positioned itself as the top betting and gaming brand globally by continually presenting advanced technology and novel gaming experiences for players around the globe. Upon entering Denmark, Stake maintains its dedication to player safety and responsible gaming, guaranteeing that gambling stays enjoyable, secure, and entertaining by providing extensive tools and resources that assist customers in comprehending and monitoring their gambling behavior.
The post Stake Goes Live in Denmark Following Five-Year Licence Approval appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Big Daddy Gaming
Big Daddy Gaming® Expands European Footprint After MGA Licence Approval
New achievement bolsters regulatory framework as studio speeds up European expansion.
Innovative slots studio Big Daddy Gaming® has obtained a B2B supplier license from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), representing a significant advancement in the studio’s plan to establish a solid, regulation-focused presence in Europe’s leading markets.
This accreditation allows Big Daddy Gaming to provide its expanding range of slot titles to MGA-licensed operators, greatly increasing the studio’s potential market and aiding its continuous commercial rollout in regulated territories.
The endorsement comes after Big Daddy Gaming’s recent attainment of regulatory approval from the Swedish Gambling Authority. This occurs during a time of significant early progress for the newly established studio, with multiple partnerships already in place with well-known operators and aggregators, highlighting the provider’s dedication to fostering long-lasting relationships with top-tier brands.
As a vital element of Big Daddy Gaming’s strategy for market entry, the studio has made certain that its technology, games, and operational procedures comply with one of Europe’s most stringent regulators.
The license further aids the ongoing launch of Big Daddy Gaming’s initial games, which are centered on the studio’s fundamental creative principle of Reel Fun. Real Value., merging recognizable, player-friendly features with a comedic angle, aimed at achieving high engagement and evident commercial success for operators.
The MGA approval signifies a crucial point in Big Daddy Gaming’s early business path, solidifying its role as a new studio dedicated to regulation, dependability, and sustainable growth while it broadens its presence in Europe’s regulated markets.
Erland Hellström, CEO at Big Daddy Gaming®, said: “Securing our MGA licence is an important step for us as we continue to build Big Daddy Gaming® with regulation at the forefront. From day one, our focus has been on creating a studio that operators can trust, both creatively and operationally.
“Malta is one of the most respected regulatory environments in the industry, and achieving this approval reflects the work our team has put into building compliant, market-ready slots. Combined with our recent progress in Sweden, it gives us a strong platform to continue scaling our content with confidence.”
The post Big Daddy Gaming® Expands European Footprint After MGA Licence Approval appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Australia
NSW: Hospitality and Racing Strategy 2026-28 and Regulatory Priorities 2026
Liquor & Gaming NSW has published the Hospitality and Racing Strategy 2026-28, setting a clear path for reducing harm, supporting responsible industry growth and meeting evolving community expectations. The Strategy outlines Hospitality and Racing’s vision, regulatory posture and strategic objectives.
It outlines three strategic objectives which will guide the work to support communities, individuals and the industry. The first is targeted harm reduction, using better data, education and engagement to focus on the areas where we can make the biggest difference.
The second is outcome‑focused, responsive regulation, by making use of streamlined, place‑based and community‑informed approaches that deliver meaningful, real-world outcomes.
Third is promoting modern tools, skilled teams and smart decisions, investing in its capability, improving how it uses data and supporting consistent decision making across hospitality and racing.
Regulatory Priorities 2026
Alongside the new strategy, Liquor & Gaming NSW has also issued its Regulatory Priorities 2026. This sets out where the department will be focusing its regulatory attention over course of the year. It provides transparency on Liquor & Gaming’s forward regulatory agenda and gives the industry the opportunity to proactively engage about the issues they are concerned about.
The post NSW: Hospitality and Racing Strategy 2026-28 and Regulatory Priorities 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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