Compliance Updates
Sweden’s Konsumentverket Publishes Report on Loot Boxes and Other Gambling-like Features in Games
The Swedish Consumer Agency Konsumentverket (KO) has published a report on loot boxes and other gambling-like features in games.
The report states that loot boxes or other gambling-like features in games could be regulated under the Swedish Gambling Act (2018) when prizes from in-game features constitute money or money’s worth.
If the in-game features have a monetary value from being able to be traded for money or money’s worth, then there is a real risk that loot boxes or other gambling-like features in games could constitute gambling and, therefore, would require a licence.
The Swedish courts have yet to decide whether loot boxes and other gambling-like features in games fall under the Swedish Gambling Act or not. If they would be considered to fall under the act the KO deems the act to provide wide protection for consumers.
The report shows that there is not, at this point in time, sufficient research to be able to establish a connection between loot boxes and gambling. The KO cannot motivate or recommend any further measures to be taken due to the lack of sufficient research. However, the KO still encourages the gaming industry to continue its self-regulation.
Despite the lack of sufficient research, the KO deems there to be grounds for further investigation with regard to children and adolescents, which is considered to be a particularly vulnerable group of consumers. For this reason, the KO believes that further regulation could be justified, if supported by research, in order to protect the wellbeing of children and adolescents.
The report is perhaps the first step in the process of adjusting Swedish consumer regulation to the risks posed by the blurring of lines between gaming and gambling.
The PGA of America is partnering with the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.
public service campaign to promote responsible sports wagering.
Announced ahead of the 2024 PGA Championship—May 16-19 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, KY—the partnership will feature co-branded responsible gaming content, educational materials and strategic activations across PGA of America’s digital and social platforms.
“As the PGA of America welcomes ESPN BET as the Official Sports Betting Sponsor of the 106th PGA Championship, it is core to our values to ensure golf fans have the right tools in their bag to bet responsibly,” said PGA of America Chief Commercial Officer Jeff Price. “Activating AGA’s Have A Game Plan campaign during this year’s PGA Championship and beyond will be an integral part of our strategy as interest in golf wagering grows.”
Launched in 2019, Have A Game Plan brings legal gaming operators, sports teams, leagues, media companies and other organizations together around a common consumer education message, focusing on the core principles of responsible wagering:
- Set a budget and stick to it.
- Keep it social—sports betting is a form of entertainment for adults.
- Know the odds.
- Play with legal, regulated operators.
“We look forward to our partnership with the PGA of America amplifying Have A Game Plan’s principles with golf enthusiasts and bettors across the country,” said AGA Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications Joe Maloney. “Together, we’re driving the message home: set a budget, stick to it, and wager responsibly.”
Other league Have A Game Plan partners include the MLB, NASCAR, NBA, PGA TOUR, NHL and WNBA. For more information about the Have A Game Plan initiative and resources on responsible gambling, visit HaveAGamePlan.org.
Compliance Updates
A New Analysis by EGBA Reveals Notable Shift Towards Multi-licensing for Online Gambling Across Europe
A new analysis by EGBA concludes that 27 out of 31 European countries employ some form of multi-licensing for online gambling, with an overwhelming majority implementing a full multi-licensing approach.
In recent years, Europe has experienced a remarkable transformation in online gambling regulation. Just fifteen years ago, the landscape was vastly different. Most European countries lacked dedicated regulations for online gambling or operated under exclusive rights models where only state-owned entities had a monopoly to offer online gambling services.
But fast forward to today and the situation has evolved significantly. A new analysis by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) concludes that the multi-licensing model has become the predominant regulatory approach in Europe. Under this model, multiple companies are permitted to offer online gambling services within a country, provided they comply with strict regulatory obligations.
Key findings of the analysis:
- 27 out of 31 European countries have adopted some form of multi-licensing, indicating a robust trend towards open, competitive markets.
- Four countries currently do not have any form of multi-licensing: Finland, Iceland, and Norway maintain exclusive rights models, granting state-owned entities a monopoly over all online gambling services, while Luxembourg lacks dedicated regulations for online gambling.
- Of the 27 countries with multi-licensing, 23 countries have a full multi-licensing model for all regulated online gambling products in those countries.
- Four countries have a mixed model with partial multi-licensing: Slovenia and Switzerland each have a monopoly for online sports betting, while Austria and Poland each have a monopoly for online casino gaming and poker, with multi-licensing for all other online gambling products.
- Cyprus (casino gaming and poker) and France (casino gaming) each impose product-specific prohibitions but both have multi-licensing for all other regulated online gambling products.
- Finland is currently undergoing legislative reforms, and is expected to establish a multi-licensing framework for online gambling in 2026.
Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, said: “The momentum towards full multi-licensing for online gambling in Europe is undeniable. While a few exceptions still exist, governments are concluding that public policy objectives, particularly related to consumer protection and tax generation, are more effectively met through well-regulated online competition. Finland’s current transition towards multi-licensing signals the impending end of the last online gambling monopoly in the EU, marking a significant regulatory milestone.
“Similar deliberations regarding the future of the online monopoly are inevitable in Norway and Iceland. Furthermore, the handful of countries with either partial monopolies or product prohibitions should strive for greater consistency and effectiveness in their policies by phasing these out. With over 15 years of regulatory experience in Europe, it’s clear that full multi-licensing offers the best pathway to enhance consumer protection, increase tax revenues, and ensure stronger regulatory control. The time has come for the last remaining European countries to embrace this optimal form of online regulation.”
The post A New Analysis by EGBA Reveals Notable Shift Towards Multi-licensing for Online Gambling Across Europe appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Spinomenal, the leading iGaming content provider, has expanded its Latin American presence by registering as a service provider in Peru. The approval from Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR) allows Spinomenal to provide its casino titles to the country’s locally licensed operators.
With Peru’s recent introduction of new gaming regulations, the iGaming environment is set for an exciting transformation. Spinomenal is thrilled to be part of this dynamic evolution, offering our state-of-the-art gaming solutions to energise and enhance the gaming experience within Peru’s thriving iGaming community.
Peruvian players will now be able to enjoy Spinomenal’s popular portfolio of games and some of the gems available are Majestic King and Demi Gods V.
Spinomenal CO-CEO, Lior Shvartz commented: “Latin America continues to be a key region for us and we’re proud to now be able to offer our titles within the regulated Peruvian market. Games have been hand-picked for Peruvians based on localised knowledge of player preferences gained by our experience in the market prior to the new regulation.”
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