ONLINE NEWS
Poland restricts online gaming T
he Polish Council of Ministers has rejected amendments to liberalise its online gaming framework, instead adding
further restrictions. Rather than opening a dynamic competitive online gaming environment, the government has decided to restrict the market to a single operator. Poland recently revamped its national gaming regulation that includes blocking gambling websites and payments made to entities illegally offering internet gaming. As part of this it looked to open a newly regulated sector and permit online slots with the intention to allow grant Polish licenses to operators, however, the latest decision will suppress the market. International operators had previously expressed interest in entering the market with a host of online slots and poker options, in addition to online sports betting, which was already permitted. Companies were gearing up to enter the country and there were suggestions the framework would have been based on the Danish model and include a tax between 10% and 20% of GGR. But lawmakers have decided to create a monopoly and as part of the latest amendments to the country’s Gambling Act,
have appointed state-owned Totalizator Sportowy as the sole license owner with full control over online slot games.
The rationale was that slot games consisted the “most addictive” form of gambling and should, therefore, be tightly controlled by a single entity. This decision only affects online slots and international operators will be able to apply for licenses to operate online poker and sports betting. However, commentators have suggested that with the limited opportunity and no change to its unfavourable 12pc tax on sports betting turnover, that Poland will be an unattractive market proposition for international operators.
The amended Gaming Act will now be sent to the European Commission for review. If approved, it will return to Polish lawmakers for final approval before being actioned.
IBID Group acquires Pragmatic Play
I
BID Group has announced the completion of its acquisition of the entire issued share capital Pragmatic Play Ltd., a B2B provider of digital casino games. Pragmatic Play is one of the fastest growing
providers of mobile and desktop digital casino games for the online gaming industry. It develops unique in-house content of over 150 proven slot and casino games for mobile and desktop. The Company is based in Malta and in the Isle of Man and employs 70 people. Pragmatic Play was acquired for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is in line with IBID’s strategy of making additional acquisitions in the online gaming industry, specifically in B2C operations, in which IBID can integrate Pragmatic Play’s product and offering into the wider Group and portfolio of B2C operations. IBID intends to develop the award- winning Pragmatic Play into one of the leading B2B digital gaming providers
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through strategic partnerships with first class licensed-content providers, and through bolstering the senior management team with additional senior level hires from the leading land based gaming product providers. IBID intends to increase its investment in business development and marketing activities, particularly in new geographies and to leverage its network in order to expedite the growth of the Company. David Barzilay, CEO of the IBID Group said: “The acquisition of Pragmatic Play is in line with IBID’s strategy of acquiring companies that enable us to control the whole gaming supply chain from payments and content providers to operations and B2C marketing. This acquisition will further advance and strengthen our growing position in the online gaming sector.”
Pokerdom
Connective Games R
launches mobile poker with
ussian online poker site Pokerdom has linked up with Connective Games to roll out a new mobile poker application for Pineapple OFC. The app will offer players a variant to traditional poker, in that no bets will be placed during the round of play, with those taking part instead playing per point and the game scored on these points. Players are also able to collect ‘royalties’ on premium hands and win bonuses for special hand combinations. The game has already proved so successful that Connective Games has launched OFC free roll tournaments for Pokerdom’s on all the applications, which are now available to play. “Our Pineapple OCF games have received a great response from players; it’s a variant that has been only been in existence for a couple of years, but it’s gaining a lot of recognition and becoming increasingly popular,” Pokerdom managing director Nazim Izmaylov said. “With the launch of the mobile app, we’re looking at dramatically expanding player liquidity for Pineapple OFC.”
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