Latest News
Sweden has failed to protect the vulnerable players
The Ministry of Finance has proposed that the temporary restrictions on the online gambling market, that were introduced on July 2 this year, should be extended to June 30, 2021. The proposed restrictions are a weekly deposit limit of a maximum of SEK 5,000 and that bonus offers are limited to a maximum of 100 SEK.
The Ministry of Finance claimed during the spring that the gaming on online casino was strongly increasing during the pandemic and that the government needed to protect the Swedish consumers.
The minister stated that there where an increase in problem gaming during the spring, but that statement was not based on facts. Neither The Swedish Gambling Authority nor other authorities did see that as a fact.
Scientific studies
This is also something that later on was proofed by scientific studies conducted. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2020.554542/full
“Results: Total gambling activity decreased by 13.29% during the first phase of the outbreak compared to forecast. Analyses of online gambling data revealed that although betting decreased substantially in synchrony with a slight increase in online casino gambling, there was no increase in likely problematic, high-intensity gambling and neither did total online gambling increase.
Conclusions: This first, preliminary study revealed no increase in Swedish gambling activity, total or specifically online, in the first phase of the covid-19 outbreak. Future research should examine whether pandemic-induced transitioning between gambling modalities and/or increased participation in gambling, leads to long-term effects on prevalence of problem gambling.”
Moving to the unlicensed market
Setting a deposit limit of 5,000 SEK per week does not solve the need to help people who have a gambling problem as it is always possible to gamble at different companies. Alternatively, you can play at the unlicensed companies. The effects will instead be that the individual gaming companies cannot follow the individual players’ behaviour and, if necessary, support it.
7 out of 10
It is an extremely worrying development in Sweden that 7 out of 10 of those who seek help for gambling problems have banned themselves from playing breaks and still continue to play. The idea of a game break is good, but there is a lack of power against the unlicensed gaming companies that target Swedish players and then the problems remain. A first step in resolving this is to prevent the possibility of paying with a number of well-known Swedish payment services at the unlicensed gaming companies. We have to close the holes! (https://www.spelfriheten.se/ Pelretin, organization for gambling addiction.)
This means that the blocking service Spelpaus (Spelpaus enables Swedish gamblers to paus them from all gambling on licensed operators https://www.spelpaus.se/ ) does not fulfil any major function as long as a number of different gaming companies without a Swedish gaming license are allowed to flourish freely. Several help seekers have also told us that these gaming companies provide the opportunity to pay with a number of well-known Swedish payment services
Lack of tax revenue
In 2019, the licensed companies in Sweden paid SEK 3.6 billion to the Treasury. An amount that is now steadily declining in step with the shift to the unlicensed companies.
Focusing on those who try to behave
No unlicensed company or person linked to unlicensed gaming activities has been fined or prosecuted since 1 January 2019, at the same time 26 fines have been issued for a total of 236.4 MSEK against the licensed gaming market.
The government’s mission should be to protect consumers and that should be their priority. On the contrary, the effects have been that they have shifted vulnerable players to the unlicensed companies. Sweden has failed to protect the vulnerable players and the extended regulations will not protect them.
Powered by WPeMatico
Following the successful prosecution of the Peninsula Club in Dromana, Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) CEO Annette Kimmitt AM reiterated the regulator would continue to crack down on venues that allow children to enter poker machine areas.
The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria fined Victorian Amateur Turf Club, the venue owner, $7000 for 2 breaches of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (Vic) and ordered it to pay VGCCC costs of $3500. No conviction was recorded.
Ms Kimmitt said: “This is a warning to every venue. The onus is on you to ensure that children cannot and do not enter the gambling area or participate in any gambling activity, even if they’re with an adult.
“Equally, staff must be adequately trained and present in the gambling area to supervise while machines are in use.
“Research tells us that people who begin gambling at a young age are at greater risk of developing gambling problems as an adult.
“The rules exist to protect children from exposure to, and harm from, gambling.”
On 10 June 2023, a child entered the gambling area of the Peninsula Club twice and was able to use the poker machines on both occasions. During the second visit to the area, while with adults, the child used a poker machine for about 5 minutes, until staff intervened.
Magistrate Ayres considered the venue’s self-reporting, its lack of prior convictions, early plea and remediations implemented to reduce the chance of future offending.
The post VGCCC Continues Crackdown on Underage Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
AskGamblers hits a new milestone by surpassing 700,000 registered members on the website. Since 2006, AskGamblers provides accurate and reliable information on online casinos, sportsbooks, bonuses and more, with the motto Get the Truth. Then Play.
The website has grown, but not only in numbers. In 2024, AskGamblers introduced a comprehensive sports betting section where users can access sportsbook reviews, live scores, odds calculators and find exclusive deals.
Additionally, AskGamblers hosts the annual AskGamblers Awards, a prestigious event where players can nominate and vote for their favourites in four categories: Best Casino, Best New Casino, Best New Slot and Best Sportsbook, but six additional industry awards are handed out during the gala ceremony.
Dijana Radunović, General Manager at AskGamblers, said: “Reaching the milestone of 700,000 registered players is remarkable. It’s great to see new players coming in daily, but the fact that they remain active is what’s truly special!”
The post AskGamblers Surpasses 700,000 Registered Members appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Formula 1 have announced that ALT Sports Data has joined the sport as Official Betting Data Supplier to drive engagement and growth in the Formula 1 betting ecosystem.
The partnership will see the San Diego-based company – a leader in trading and consumer data for action and emerging sports – drive responsible and regulated sports betting on F1.
ALT Sports Data will develop betting-focused real-time predictive analytics for Formula 1, as well as proprietary data and priced odds solutions for the wagering industry, enabling fans to bet on new and exciting markets knowing that the data that sits behind the betting system is accurate, consistent and ratified.
This marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Formula 1 betting, expanding market opportunities and offering fans new ways to interact with the sport’s high-speed action.
Emily Prazer, Chief Commercial Officer at Formula 1, said: “Sports betting is an increasingly important part of the global fan experience, and Formula 1 is committed to delivering new and entertaining ways for our audiences to engage with the sport.
“We are delighted to partner with ALT Sports Data, whose expertise in bespoke sports betting markets and analytics makes them the perfect partner to help us drive forward in this exciting new chapter.”
Todd Ballard, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of ALT Sports Data, added: “Formula 1 is one of the biggest and most prestigious global sports brands, captivating a large and passionate fanbase of 750 million people worldwide.
“It has an unmatched combination of speed, strategy, and innovation, so we are thrilled to reimagine the sports betting experience for both Formula 1 fans and sports bettors alike by leveraging our industry-leading capabilities in pricing, live markets, and micro-market solutions. Our goal is to create deeper engagement, enhance the live race experience, and drive meaningful connections between Formula 1 and its dedicated global audience.”
The post Formula 1 Appoints ALT Sports Data as Official Betting Data Supplier appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Betty6 days agoWyzia Renews Canadian Partnership With Betty
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
Texas Lottery Moves to Ban Lottery Courier Services
-
BCLC5 days agoBCLC Reminds Public to be Cautious of Illegal Online Casino Scams
-
BETBY7 days ago
BETBY EXPANDS LATAM PRESENCE WITH APPOINTMENT OF JUAN PABLO BARAHONA AS REGIONAL DIRECTOR
-
Betsson5 days ago
Betsson Obtains Local Gaming Licence in Brazil
-
André Baldavira6 days ago
GingaBet Becomes New Master Sponsor of Ponte Preta
-
Aposta 15 days ago
scoreconnect boosts Brazilian presence with Aposta 1 deal
-
Compliance Updates5 days ago
Colombian Lottery Operators Get Permission to Use Random Number Generators
