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Dutch Court Rules Loot Boxes are Not Gambling
A penalty issued by the Dutch gambling authority Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) to Electronic Arts (EA) has been revoked after a Dutch court ruled that loot boxes are not considered gambling products.
The judgement was handed down by the Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State, part of the District Court of the Hague.
The KSA first issued a penalty of €250,000 per week to EA on 15 October 2019, claiming that the publisher had violated article 1(a) of the Dutch Gaming Act by providing what it deemed to be gambling products in the video game FIFA.
According to the KSA, this applied to FIFA because the game contains loot boxes and “player packs”, the contents of which are not known until they are acquired. Player packs can also be traded and bartered for and have economic value in the game
EA launched appeals, which were subsequently dismissed the following year. However, EA appealed to the Administrative Jurisdiction Division on 29 November 2021, which led to the most recent court judgement.
During this appeal, EA argued that the loot boxes and player packs are not gambling products as stipulated in the Dutch Gaming Act, as they are part of a wider game and not available separately.
This was supported by the fact that the features can only be accessed through game play.
It added that the contents of the features cannot be used for economic value as they cannot be converted into cash, and argued that the KSA overstepped in issuing a penalty as there is no risk of gambling addiction.
The court sided with EA and revoked all previous decisions, concluding that loot boxes and player packs do not meet the requirements of gambling products in the Dutch Gaming Act. As a result, it also ruled that EA did not have to comply with the penalty.
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Bingo Paradise, a prominent UK iGaming affiliate, has announced its most successful quarter ever, achieving record growth during Q3 2024. The portal saw an unprecedented rise in first-time depositors (FTDs), a testament to its commitment to delivering value to players and operators in the highly competitive iGaming space.
“Q3 2024 has been a standout quarter for Bingo Paradise,” said Tom Waite, Manager of Bingo Paradise. “Our success is thanks to the hard work of our small team of talented writers and the oversight of our dedicated compliance manager. Together, they ensure that we provide honest, transparent reviews and operate within the highest industry standards. This, combined with our marketing efforts, including SEO and negotiating exciting player offers with operators, has been key to sending substantially more FTD’s to the operators.”
Bingo Paradise achieved a 65.24% year-over-year increase in FTDs compared to Q3 2023. This impressive growth underscores the affiliate’s focus on player-first strategies, such as creating honest, well-researched reviews that empower users to make informed decisions. The team’s compliance manager ensures every piece of content adheres to strict regulations, building trust with both players and operators.
A key factor in the platform’s success is its ability to negotiate exclusive offers with UKGC-licensed operators. These partnerships allow Bingo Paradise to provide unique deals that resonate strongly with players, enhancing its appeal as a go-to player resource. The focus on promoting only licensed operators also ensures fairness and security for users, which further solidifies the portals reputation.
The brands approach is a model of integrity and innovation. By prioritising compliance and transparency, Bingo Paradise, which itself is owned by Meteor Marketing Ltd has positioned itself as a trusted affiliate partner, both for operators seeking reliable collaborations and for players looking for guidance in the iGaming world. As the platform celebrates its Q3 2024 achievements, it remains committed to exploring new opportunities and maintaining its high standards.
Eagerly anticipated release now confirmed following a highly successful exclusivity period with Rush Street Interactive
Play’n GO has today announced the official US release of its hit title Colt Lightning Firestorm, following a three-week period of exclusivity with Rush Street Interactive brands BetRivers and SugarHouse.
Colt Lightning Firestorm was released in Europe and other jurisdictions in May 2024, and its release in the US comes with much fanfare following the game’s rave reviews in its short exclusivity period. The game is a sequel to the wildly popular Colt Lightning game which was released early last year, and indications at this stage suggest that this sequel may prove even more successful.
This announcement sees Colt Lightning Firestorm available to players in each state and operator with whom Play’n GO is licensed. Play’n GO first entered the online casino market in the US in 2022, and has reiterated its commitment to becoming active in every regulated market around the world.
Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer at Play’n GO said: “We’re excited to unveil Colt Lightning Firestorm to the wider online casino gaming community in the US, and have been very pleased to see its strong performance during its exclusivity period with Rush Street Interactive. We had high hopes for the game following the success of its predecessor, and we’re confident that these robust results will continue now that the game is available to an even bigger audience.”
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