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New Research Reveals Shocking Size of Black Market Gambling Across Europe

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Research for the Betting and Gaming Council has uncovered the shocking scale of black market gambling in European countries following the introduction of strict new measures on regulated operators.

The findings come from industry research and a PWC report for the BGC as the Government finalises its work on the upcoming Gambling Review and against a backdrop of increased use of black market sites in the UK.

British punters using unlicensed sites have more than doubled in just two years, from 220,000 users to 460,000 and the amount staked is now in the billions of pounds.

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The report by PWC said: “This analysis suggests that the UK has a more ‘open’ online gambling market and currently has a smaller unlicensed market share than our European benchmarks.

“Whilst it is not possible to isolate the impact of individual regulatory characteristics, the above assessment suggests that jurisdictions with a higher unlicensed market share tend to exhibit one or more restrictive regulatory or licensing characteristics.”

As the growth of these sites has rocketed, black market sites’ revenues in Norway have more than tripled since 2010 and French black market revenues have almost doubled since 2015.

BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher said: “We support the Gambling Review but there is a real danger that it leads to the regulated industry being smaller and the illegal black market growing substantially.

“This research is stark about the dangers of the black market, we have to learn lessons from abroad, and make the right choice at this dangerous crossroads.

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“BGC members alone employ nearly 120,000 people and pay £4.5 billion in tax in the UK. The black market, of course, pays no tax and employs no one in our country.

“Any shift to the unsafe black market would also jeopardise the £350m a year which our members currently give to horseracing in sponsorship, media rights and the betting levy – financial support which has proved crucial during the pandemic.”

Rhadamès Killy, Former General Counsel at the French gambling regulator, said: “When we introduced our regulations in France in 2010, we analysed that the black market was the most extensive in the European states where the statutory regime was the most restrictive.

“A balance is required to effectively regulate without promoting the black market – I believe that balance is best struck when targeted restrictions focus on support for those at risk, but not excessively hinder or punish the wider public.”

According to a recent report from the Gambling Commission, rates of problem gambling have dropped from 0.6% to 0.3% of the adult population suggesting that safer gambling measures introduced recently in the regulated sector have helped the decline in the rate of problem gambling.

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By comparison, Norway has a problem gambling rate of 1.4%, while a survey by Public Health France last year estimated that the rate in that country was 1.6% – up from 0.8% in 2014.

This latest research by the BGC backs similar studies across Europe that consistently show a link between stricter regulations – and a surge in black market activity.

The BGC is calling on Government to consider targeted measures which protect vulnerable gamblers – not a blanket approach which could force the vast majority who bet safely onto the black market.

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New iGaming consultancy launches to meet rising demand for ‘cost-effective’ licences

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A new iGaming consultancy has been launched to meet an increasing demand for ‘cost-effective’ gambling licences.

iGaming Licensing is a new venture from the team behind successful Isle of Man-based regulatory service provider Global Gaming Solutions, which supports clients in acquiring top-tier licences,  including in the UK, Isle of Man and Romania.

iGaming Licensing will focus on helping emerging operators and software providers which are looking to acquire more affordable licences in jurisdictions such as Anjouan, Nevis and Tobique. 

The new venture is being led by brothers Mark and Tom O’Neill, supported by partners James Lees and Rachel Booth, who between them boast several decades of experience in igaming regulation.

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Mark O’Neill, Managing Partner, said: “Not every operator and software provider needs a top-tier gambling licence, the cost of which is often prohibitive for smaller, emerging companies. However, it’s vital companies still ensure they are compliant and have a strong regulatory framework so they can protect their business and players and build a strong foundation for growth.

“We’re seeing a significant increase in this mindset and the inspiration for iGaming Licensing – to apply our tier-one experience to supporting emerging businesses in successful, more affordable licence applications.

“We are committed to offering only those licences we can confidently recommend. To support this, our website features a unique recommendations page. 

“Carefully curated by the licensing team, this resource outlines key benefits of specific licences, helping customers identify the option that best suits their business needs. While acknowledging that every operator has its own priorities, the page provides a clear, expert-led overview designed to simplify decision-making.

“With a compliance-first ethos, a carefully designed recommendations platform, and a reputation for excellence, the group is positioning itself as the go-to partner for businesses seeking trusted licensing solutions in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.”

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The post New iGaming consultancy launches to meet rising demand for ‘cost-effective’ licences appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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NetBet Denmark expands its casino library by adding SYNOT Games as a provider

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NetBet Denmark, a leading online gaming platform, has enhanced its casino library with the addition of SYNOT Games as a provider. NetBet users will have access to a wide variety of the games SYNOT has to offer.

SYNOT Games is a world-renowned provider of casino games, with a glowing reputation thanks to their ability to deliver high-quality products that contain a variety of themes and special features. NetBet users will be treated to some of the best titles in SYNOT’s extensive library, including 7even Max, 27 Spooky Pumpkins and Joker 5.

SYNOT has been a major player in the iGaming industry for over 30 years, with a home base in Malta and a licence to operate within the Danish market, as well as many other markets.

Claudia Georgevici, PR Manager at NetBet Denmark, said: “SYNOT is a provider we have had our eyes on for a long time. Establishing this new, exciting partnership is yet another positive step for our mission of offering the best casino games library to our customers.”

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Ivan Kodaj, Chief Executive Offer at SYNOT Games, added: “This is such an exciting time for SYNOT Games and this partnership with NetBet is all thanks to the hard work that goes on behind-the-scenes. NetBet users will enjoy all the magnificent slot machines we have to offer.”

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Duels for Friends in Trophy Hunter. Invite your friends and create a shared space for fun and competition.

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Starting September 5, Trophy Hunter players can invite friends to join the game and enjoy it together. But that’s not all – the new update introduces hot-seat duels, one-on-one asynchronous challenges that let players prove who is the best marksman and earn extra rewards. All this is made possible by the new Duels for Friends feature, which expands the social dimension of Trophy Hunter and gives players complete freedom to choose their opponents – both among existing fans of the game and those who haven’t yet tried it. This is another step in delivering the game’s dynamic, content-rich roadmap, with Trophy Hunter already recording very promising KPIs and steadily growing its player base since its July 3 global launch.

Duels for Friends – compete with your friends

– From the very beginning, the social aspect and players’ engagement in league competition have been extremely important for the development of Trophy Hunter. This clearly sets the game apart from the competition and strongly engages our users. Now we are taking the next step by giving players a tool that lets them create their own space in the game – inviting friends, competing, and simply having fun together. This is an important milestone in the game’s development and the foundation for the next features we are already working on.” – says Jakub Noganowicz, Product Owner of Trophy Hunter and Hunting Clash.

With the Duels for Friends feature, every Trophy Hunter player can invite anyone to join the game by sending them a special link via SMS or messenger. Members of the club can also be invited. In this way, players not only expand the Trophy Hunter community but also actively shape its composition. Invited friends can join the competition, become members of any club, or set up a new club together with the player who invited them and compete in the club league. It enhances the competitive spirit and motivates players to improve their skills.

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The update also adds a new form of competition alongside the league system – asynchronous one-on-one duels with friends (hot-seat duels). Each duel consists of three rounds and must be completed within a set time. The challenger selects an opponent from their friends list, chooses an arena unlocked by both players, and plays the first round. The match then continues step by step, with each participant taking their turn when convenient, but within the required time limit. In-game notifications remind players when it’s their turn, and before starting the next round they can watch a replay of their opponent’s shots. After three rounds, the duel is concluded, the winner receives a reward, and the loser can instantly challenge them to a rematch. An additional reward is granted only for the first duel of the day with a specific friend, but players can play as many duels as they like to prove who is the best marksman. To maximize rewards, players need to challenge as many friends as possible and win those encounters. All active duels are visible in the friends panel introduced with this update, while the notification system keeps players informed about ongoing challenges and results.

New arenas – dynamic game growth

At its global launch on July 3, 2025, Trophy Hunter offered players nine arenas where they could compete in their first duels. Just a month later, on August 13, the game was expanded with a tenth arena – Northern Lights. Set against the breathtaking spectacle of the aurora borealis, it challenges players to make precise long-range shots in low-visibility conditions. In the last week of August, the eleventh arena – Scottish Highlands – was introduced, bringing another unique environment and new challenges. The update also includes technical improvements that enhance the overall player experience. The fast pace of these additions is only the beginning of more exciting content that the Trophy Hunter team is actively working on to ensure the game continues to evolve dynamically.

The post Duels for Friends in Trophy Hunter. Invite your friends and create a shared space for fun and competition. appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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