EMEA
Svenska Spel Calls to Ban Lottery Betting
SWITZERLAND – The Swiss Federal Council has extended the Berne and Interlaken casino concessions allowing them to operate online casino games. The casinos will be able to launch their activities online as soon as the Federal Commission of Gaming (CFMJ) has granted them the necessary authorisation.
Coming into effect on January 1, 2019, the Federal Gambling Act gave all 21 Swiss gaming houses the opportunity to operate online casino games. To do this, however, the Federal Council must grant them an extension of their concession.
On the recommendation of the CFMJ, "the Federal Council has approved the license extension applications for the Bern (Grand Casino Kursaal Bern AG) and Interlaken (Casino Interlaken AG) casinos. Before they can put their games online, the CFMJ must however have examined and authorised. "
At its meeting on June 7, the Federal Council extended the casino concession in Baden, Davos, Lucerne and Pfäffikon. After reviewing the games on offer and obtaining the necessary permits, these gambling houses began their online activities between July 5 and September 9.
SPAIN – Grup Binelde has installed Zitro’s Link King at the new Bingo Badalona in the Badalona district of Barcelona where Zitro´s Video Slots machines have performed really well since it’s opening.
"Since we displayed Link King in our Bingo Halls we have noticed that the customer likes it not only for its innovative system of winnings, but also for its spectacular aesthetics," said Xavier González Deltell, CEO of Grup Binelde.
Vicente Fernández, Commercial Director of Zitro, added: “Once again Grup Binelde has bet on our flagship product. It is undoubtedly a great bet for the future that will be reinforced with the new products that are coming soon."
UK – The Betting and Gaming Council has announced that Michael Dugher has been appointed as its new chief executive. Michael will be joining the BGC in spring 2020 from his current role as chief executive of UK Music, the leading body for the British music industry.
Michael Dugher said: “The betting and gaming industry is a hugely significant contributor to the leisure industry, to sport and to the UK economy as a whole. I look forward to working with Brigid and the members of the BGC as we tackle the critical issues facing the sector. Like many millions of people, I enjoy having a bet. Creating a safe gambling environment will be my top priority.
P22 NEWSWIRE / INTERACTIVE / MARKET DATA
Describing it as 'shadow gaming,' Svenska Spel claims that customers do not realise that they are not actually playing the lottery itself
Patrik Hofbauer, the President and CEO of Svenska Spel, wants a ban on the lottery betting industry in Sweden, claiming that lottery betting operators’ business models would not be permitted in other industries.
Describing it as 'shadow gaming,' Mr. Hofbauer slammed lottery betting as confusing for the customers, who may not realise that they are not actually playing the lottery itself.
“It is incomprehensible that it can continue. I can’t think of any other industry where it’s okay to use competing companies’ products as their own business. Te shadow gaming companies cannibalise on well-known lotteries without owning the brands themselves that they market and sell,” Mr. Hofbauer said. “‘Deposit 25 SEK and get 100 SEK to bet on Lotto’ advertises, for example, one of the shadow gaming companies.
Malta
Te Malta Gaming Authority has granted its approval for Soft Construct (Malta) Limited, trading as BetConstruct, to supply its live casino games to MGA licensed operators and B2C customers. BetConstruct views Malta as one of its key jurisdictions. Receiving a certification from the MGA will enable to company to extend its scope of operation by offering a unique live casino to both local operators and those who also work under the approval from the MGA.
“Te long-awaited accreditation granted by the Authority widens the path of our operation and the outcomes are yet to be enjoyed,” commented Karine Kocharyan, Head of Licensing and Certification at BetConstruct. “Still, this milestone is another firm step made to strengthen our Live Casino and its game development that sees no limits in inspiration and creativity.”
Only further into the site does it become – hopefully – clear to the player that it is not Svenska Spel’s Lotto or another lotto draw but you are betting on the outcome of the lottery. Te shadow game companies simply go low on incorporated brands. At the same time, it is very doubtful if customers understand what kind of game they are participating in. You should almost be a game technology expert to understand what betting on the outcome of lotteries means."
“When the new Gaming Act was announced in Parliament in 2018, an investigation was also set up to monitor the effects. It was a wise decision. As the conditions for a market are fundamentally changed, it is necessary, after a while, to verify that the reforms have really provided the positive effects that the Riksdag and the government wanted to achieve.”
Gaming industry in Georgia increases 200-fold in a decade
Georgia
According to Georgia’s National Statistics Office, gross revenues generated by Georgia’s gambling industry hit rose to €5bn in 2018, equivalent to one third of the country’s GDP, more than double the sum recorded the year before. However, independent estimates put the turnover closer to €7.5bn.
Te gambling industry’s turnover in Georgia has increased almost 200-fold in
the past 10 years. Most generated profits are sent to offshore companies that operate casinos and other betting and gaming enterprises in Georgia.
Most brick and mortar casinos are located in Batumi, known as “Te Las Vegas of the Black Sea,” half an hour from the border with populous Turkey. A large part of Georgia’s gambling industry is accounted for by online operations. Te country’s most visited websites are Adjara (a portal for gambling sites and sports news),
adjarabet.com and
crystalbet.com. Te trio are among the 10 global websites most visited by Georgians.
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