Compliance Updates
Gaming Americas Q1 2024 Meetup: Balancing Slot Mechanics and the US Legislation Roundup
HIPTHER’s Virtual Quarterly Meetups for the Gaming industry have officially returned for 2024! The Gaming Americas Q1 Virtual Meetup took place on February 28, featuring an informative panel on Innovating Slot Mechanics, and our staple US Legislation Round-up.
HIPTHER’s Co-Founder, Zoltan Tuendik, hosted the first session about Slot Mechanics, featuring Connor Blinman, Head of Games at Gaming Corps, and Raph Di Guisto, Founder at Silverback Gaming. For the Q1 US Legislation Roundup, the “usual suspects” Martin Lycka, SVP for American Regulatory Affairs & Responsible Gambling at Entain, Bill J. Pascrell III, Esq, Partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group Inc, and Jeremy Kleiman, Gaming Attorney and Member at Saiber LLC, reunited for a session that offered ample insight into the latest regulatory updates in the United States.
The first part of the Meetup primarily focused on the future direction of the gaming industry, including emerging trends in slots and game mechanics, the potential of virtual reality and multiplayer technology in the casino industry, and the game development process. The US Legislation Roundup walked us through the challenges faced by the online gambling industry due to the popularity of unregulated offshore sites, the sports betting industry, the legalization of iGaming in various states, the regulation of online gambling and sports betting, and the future of online sports betting and iGaming services.
Innovating Slot Mechanics: Balancing Novelty with User Experience
Connor and Raph discussed the game development process, highlighting the importance of understanding the target audience, conducting market research, and introducing innovative mechanics. They anticipate a trend towards medium volatility games with increased player engagement. They also discussed the potential of skill-based and personalized gaming experiences, as well as integrating multiplayer technology. The conversation underscored the complexities of the market and the need for continuous innovation. They discussed the challenges of introducing a new feature in the competitive slots game market and the importance of adapting and innovating. They also focused on reducing player fatigue and burnout and adapting to evolving market needs. The discussion ended with a focus on measuring the success of new game mechanics after their release using player feedback and data analysis.
Q1 US Legislation Roundup: Online Gambling Challenges, New Markets,Taxation, and Sports Betting Industry
Jeremy discussed the difficulties faced by the online gambling industry due to the popularity of unregulated offshore sites among players in regulated markets. He questioned the incentives for players to switch to regulated sites and acknowledged this as a challenge for both the industry and regulators.The conversation between Jeremy, Bill, and Martin revolved around sports betting, particularly in New York and North Carolina, with a focus on tax rates and policy. The need for investing in consumer protection, innovation, and improved customer experience was emphasized.
Bill Pascrell discussed the challenges and progress of online gaming in various states, including the potential tax increase proposed in New Jersey and the readiness of other states to legalize iGaming. The conversation primarily focused on the introduction of sports betting legislation in various states and its potential impact. The panelists also briefly touched on the possibility of regulating online casino and poker games in Maryland. The conversation emphasized the importance of bringing in interested operators, incentivizing them with bonuses, deductions, and reasonable tax rates.
Bill, Martin and Jeremy had a wide-ranging discussion about the sports betting industry. They highlighted the role of Senator Hoskins and his support for the industry. They also touched upon the public perception of the industry and the need for responsible gambling. The conversation explored the challenges of regulating the Black Market and the potential for increased tax revenue. The group also acknowledged the need for the industry to proactively educate the public about its benefits. Towards the end, they discussed the difficulty of creating a positive narrative around the industry.
Bill, Jeremy, and Martin discussed the regulation of online gambling and sports betting, emphasizing the need for a balance between industry growth and job creation, and addressing concerns about dysfunction and stakeholder engagement. They also touched on the potential of technological innovation and the risk of entrenched market shares. The conversation concluded with a reminder about the importance of integrity, compliance, legality, and responsible gaming in the industry. The trio discussed the need to respect tribes and engage with them in negotiations. The issue of betting on college sports was raised, highlighting potential risks for players and the need for regulation. The discussion ended with a brief mention of the NCAA tournament and the importance of commercial operators’ support for legislation.
The panel concluded with thoughts on the future of online sports betting and iGaming services. The speakers emphasized the importance of agreements with individual states and the federal government to offer these services. The role of human interaction in understanding stakeholders’ interests and pain points was highlighted, and the potential for legalizing sports betting in California and other states was discussed, while acknowledging the problems with the black market. The need for a more efficient way to engage with tribes and the necessity of regulation were stressed as next steps to drive out the black market.
Coming up Next:
Watch the recording of the Gaming Americas Q1 Meetup on HIPTHER TV, and keep an eye out for our next Gaming Americas Quarterly Meetups for 2024!
Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) reported that, a little more than a year after having implemented the law that regulates the online sector, it has been able to reduce by 40% the offer of illegal games in digital platforms and applications.
In a public statement, the Executive portfolio in charge of regulating gambling also highlighted that, thanks to the inspection work, 15% of the illegal websites “have left the Peruvian market” and that “payment methods providers and financial entities have been contacted to block services to unauthorized operators”.
Based on this, Mincetur highlighted that “Peru has managed to position itself as a regional referent in the integral regulation of gambling” and that, through the normative framework, it was possible to “protect the consumer, guarantee transparency in the operations and promote the formal and sustainable economic development”.
The Ministry highlighted that with the implementation of Law No 31557, which regulates sports betting and online games, “the country became the third country in Latin America to establish clear regulations for this activity”.
“Since its entry into force in February 2024, 60 technological platforms have been authorized and 280 linked service providers have been registered, as well as the accreditation of nine international certification laboratories,” Mincetur said.
In this regard, the Ministry stated that “this regulation has made it possible to formalize the digital sector, promoting an environment of trust for both operators and users.” At the same time, it has allowed “new investment opportunities, boosting the digitalization of entertainment and strengthening the country’s tax collection”.
The post Peru Reports 40% Drop in Illegal Online Gambling appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
France’s gambling market reached a gross gaming revenue (GGR) of €14 billion in 2024, a 4.7% increase from 2023.
This growth applies to most segments of the market, particularly lotteries and online sports betting, where sales have risen by 19%, driven by the exceptional sporting calendar with the Euro football championships and the Paris Olympics.
The online market enjoyed a record year, with GGR of €2.6 billion, up 12% from 2023. Spearheading this growth, online sports betting recorded a GGR of almost €1.8 billion, up 19% grom 2023. With a market share of over 12% of the total gambling market, online sports betting is the second-largest contributor to market growth, accounting for 43%. Online horse betting is up slightly by almost 1%, while poker has seen its GGR fall by 2%, after growing continuously between 2021 and 2023.
As a sign of its vitality, after two years of decline, the online gaming market has seen significant growth in the number of Active Player Accounts (APAs), with 5.7M APAs (+11% compared with 2023). This trend can be seen across all market segments (13% growth for sports betting, 11% for poker and 4% for horse betting). Similarly, the number of unique players now stands at 3.9 million (up 8% from 2023, with an average player owning 1.5 accounts). The population of sports bettors is getting younger (30% of sports bettors are between 18 and 24 years old) and is also becoming more feminised.
Of the forty or so sports open to betting in France, four in particular stand out in terms of the amounts staked: football (€5,630m stakes), tennis (€2,273m), basketball (€914m) and rugby (€186m). In 2024, these 4 sports alone account for 87.5% of online sports betting stakes. Sports such as volleyball, ice hockey, badminton, handball and cycling have also seen a significant increase in their stakes (+31% between 2023 and 2024).
With a market share of almost 50%, FDJ United is the leading contributor to market growth and is consolidating its position as leader in the French gambling market, with a gross gaming revenue exceeding €7 billion for the first time (+6% compared to 2023). This growth is being driven mainly by lotteries (€5.8bn, +5% in GGR).
GIE PMU’s business, which record €6.6bn in bets and €1.7bn in GGR in 2024, is down 2%. However, PMU’s net profit remain stable at €837m (compared with €835m in 2023), enabling it to maintain its funding for the horseracing industry. Despite a slight drop in the PMU’s market share (12% of the market’s PBJ, supplanted for the first time by online sports betting), the PMU’s pool of players is up 6% in 2024 (3.5M players), returning to the 2019 level before the health crisis.
The year 2024 mark a consolidation for casinos, with GGR up slightly by 1.2% to €2.7 billion and the number of admissions stable at 31 million. Gaming club GGR slowed to €123m.
The post French GGR Reaches €14 Billion in 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Dutch Gaming Authority Once Again Supports Information Projects on Gambling Risks
The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) is once again financing four information projects on the risks of gambling, from the Addiction Prevention Fund (VPF). This involves a continuation of the e-learning gambling problem, the development of additional materials on gambling within the Helder op School programme, information for football players via the VVCS and explanations about gambling on Steffie.nl.
The money for these projects comes from the VPF, which was established in 2021 and is financed by an additional gambling levy on providers of risky games of chance. The Gaming Authority manages this fund and works with various partners in the field of gambling addiction prevention on the spending of the resources. The VPF has multiple spending objectives, including information about the risks of gambling.
E-learning early detection of gambling problems
Jellinek has developed a digital training offer for professionals together with GGZ Ecademy to inform them about addiction problems in online gambling. This includes first-line professionals such as doctors, POH GGZ, psychologists and debt counselors. This way they can better and earlier identify a gambling addiction. This e-learning module was launched during a well-attended webinar. The newly provided funding will further increase the name recognition of the module.
Clear at school: gambling
Helder op school is a prevention programme of the Trimbos Institute that supports schools in promoting a healthy lifestyle and preventing risky behaviour among pupils and students on themes such as alcohol, tobacco and drugs. Previously, the Trimbos Institute developed materials to improve the signaling of and guidance for risky or problematic gambling behaviour among MBO students. This project is now being extended and expanded with, among other things, scripts for parent evenings on this theme and teaching materials to discourage gambling.
Prevention and information for football players via VVCS
The Association of Contract Players (VVCS) visits the player groups of all Ere- and Eerste Divisie clubs, including the U-21 and U-19 selections, to provide information about problematic gambling behaviour. A flyer with information about the Gambling Stop is now being added to the existing information offer of VVCS and Gamban software, which can block gambling sites. VVCS also starts training ex-players with addiction problems to become experts by experience. They will then be deployed to provide information during selection visits.
Explanation about gambling on Steffie.nl (delivery: autumn 2025)
Steffie.nl explains all kinds of subjects in understandable language. This makes it an important platform for people with low literacy and people with a mild intellectual disability. Commissioned by the Ksa, the Stichting Leer Zelf Online is working on four modules on the subject of gambling, namely “What is gambling?”, “Addicted to gambling”, “Self-test gambling” and “Recognizing gambling games”. These modules can then be found on Steffie.nl.
KSA underlines the importance of targeted information about the risks of gambling for different target groups through these four projects. On the one hand, the KSA wants to make young people and young adults aware of these risks and on the other hand, enable healthcare professionals, but also footballers, to do more with this subject because of the exemplary role they fulfill for many people.
The post Dutch Gaming Authority Once Again Supports Information Projects on Gambling Risks appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Nasdaq:LTRY6 days agoFrom Wall Street to the Pit Lane: Lottery.com and Sports.com Sponsor Rising INDY NXT Driver Sebastian Murray, Competing with Andretti Cape
-
Canada7 days agoBest Online Casinos Canada 2025: Experts Declare RoboCat Casino Best in Canada
-
Latest News7 days ago
Take on the Stock Market with BGaming’s Retro Trader
-
Latest News7 days ago
WinSpirit Casino Earns AskGamblers Certificate of Trust
-
Latest News7 days ago
Adventure Awaits in Boat Bonanza CrocoNile!
-
Brazil4 days ago
LuckBet Launches New TV Commercial Starring Caio Castro on Sportv and Globoplay
-
Online7 days ago
Best Online Casino In Netherlands Real Money 2025 – Noma Spin
-
eSports7 days ago
DaNiAL, Tejas to Represent India at Prestigious WAVES Esports Championship Starting May 1
