UKGC to Review Online Stakes EMEA
Neil McArthur, CEO of the UK Gambling Commission has confirmed the Commission will be reviewing online stakes within six months
Te Gambling Commission also said that if action wasn’t taken by companies to reduce the harm caused by VIP accounts then they would need to ban them.
UK REGULATIONS
SPAIN – Aristocrat Technologies Europe has signed a distribution agreement with Grupo VID that will see all of Aristocrat’s Helix+ housed games for the Spanish salon segment exclusively distributed by VID Comercial, the commercial arm of the Malaga- based company.
Under the deal, Aristocrat will supply all hardware and software, which currently includes Mighty Cash Link and Lightning Cash games. VID will take responsibility for all sales, installation, service and supply of spare parts.
James Boje, Aristocrat Managing Director – EMEA, said: “Aristocrat and VID have been working in close partnership since 2009, covering distribution of all Aristocrat salon products in the southern region of Spain. This new deal strengthens the relationship, extending the reach to all parts of mainland Spain, together with the Balearics, Canaries, Ceuta and Melilla, as well as incorporating local expertise in logistics and ongoing customer support.”
Isabel Rodríguez, President of Grupo VID, said: “Aristocrat has a history of innovation in Spanish
salons and has a well established reputation as a market leader in trend-setting new concepts. The new line-up of Helix+ games has resonated very well with players throughout the first wave of Andalusian sites and we now look forward to bringing this new and exciting brand of entertainment to all regions.”
UK – Evolution Gaming has secured its National Manufacturer licence from the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB). This means that Evolution now has approval to deliver its products and that of its recently acquired subsidiary, Ezugi, to all licensed gaming operators in South Africa.
Martin Carlesund, Group CEO at Evolution, said: “We are delighted to have received this licence and look forward to opening up our world-leading live dealer games portfolio to operators and players in South Africa. Thanks in large part to the great experience already gained in this market by our Ezugi subsidiary, we are entering a really exciting new vertical in this region. Our world-leading live dealer solutions, and new live event betting solutions too, will be available not only on desktop, tablet and smartphone but also in retail betting shops.”
Kfir Kugler, CEO and founder of Ezugi, commented: “There is long-term potential in the regulated South African market to deliver Evolution-powered live dealer games and fixed odds solutions to operators and to bring players the most entertaining live games and live Game Show games available in the world, alongside exciting new betting products.”
P20 NEWSWIRE / INTERACTIVE / MARKET DATA
Neil McArthur, CEO of the UK Gambling Commission has confirmed the Gambling Commission will be reviewing online stakes within six months.
Te news follows the Gambling Related Harm All Party Parliamentary Group questioning of Mr. McArthur on the commission's role as a regulator and its duty in protecting the most vulnerable from gambling related harm.
Chair of the APPG, Carolyn Harris, along with Vice Chairs Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Ronnie Cowan and Lord Don Foster pressed the Gambling Commission’s Chief Executive on a range of issues including asking if the Gambling Commission was fit for purpose and about the ineffectiveness of fines on the behaviour of online gambling companies.
After pressing Mr McArthur on a review of online stakes, he confirmed for the first time that the Gambling Commission would be reviewing online stakes within six months. Te APPG has previously called for stake limits for online gambling including a £2 stake limit for slot content, which has been shown to be highly
SRIJ announces revenue growth in online gaming
Portugal
According to statistics released by Portuguese regulator Serviço Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos do Turismo de Portugal (SRIJ), revenue for the final quarter of 2019 saw a rise of 52 per cent year-on-year to €65.4m, the eighth consecutive quarter in which the market has posted record revenue.
Te number of approved operators in the Portuguese market rose from nine to 12 compared to the corresponding period the previous year, with 20 licences split between sports wagering and games of chance.
Sports betting for the quarter came to €33.4m, up 55 per cent on 2018, with football accounting for 74.6 per cent of all bets, followed by basketball (13.3 per cent) and tennis (6.3
per cent). Online casino revenue increased year-on-year by 49 per cent to €32m, with slots making up for 69 per cent of online casino wagering, ahead of French Roulette (13.6 per cent) and poker (9.4 per cent). Online gambling tax amounted €35.8m, a rise of 67.8 per cent on the fourth quarter of 2018. A total of 390,400 people placed online bets and 163,900 new accounts were registered, up more than 60,000 on 2018's figures. In the land-based sector, SRIJ's figures show an overall revenue decline of 0.8 per cent year-on-year to €80.6m. Gaming machines accounted for €66.1m, down by 3.5 per cent in 2018, whilst revenue from tables games rose 15.5 per cent to €13.6m. Bingo and poker revenue declined by 10.1 per cent to €991,190.
addictive. Te APPG recommended in its November report a ban on the use of credit cards in gambling. Te APPG is pleased that this has now been taken forward, and is hopeful the Group’s further recommendations are now adopted as policy without further delay.
Te Gambling Commission also said that if action wasn’t taken by companies to reduce the harm caused by lucrative VIP accounts then the Commission would need to ban them. Te Commission agreed also that something needed to be done about the volume of gambling advertising.
Carolyn Harris MP, Chair of the All Party Gambling Related Harm APPG said: “A review of stake limits online has been clearly recommended by the All Party Parliamentary Group and is long overdue. I am very pleased that the Gambling Commission has finally seen sense on this. Online slot content games should be reduced to £2 a spin in line with the rules in betting shops. Te Gambling Commission must stop being reactive and take action to protect the vulnerable from harm in line with their licensing objectives.”
Greece
Te Greek casino market generated GGR of €54.5m in the final three months of 2019, marking a fall of 17.2 per cent from the same period in 2018, according to official figures from Greece’s Hellenic Gaming Commission. A ban on smoking in public indoor areas as introduced in mid-October with an alarming, immediate impact with October’s revenues down 2.6 per cent, November’s falling by 19.3 per cent and December’s plunging by 27.7 per cent. Greece has the highest smoking rate in the European Union. Revenues going into 2020 will also be impacted by the temporary suspension of two casinos for not paying tax. Te Hellenic Gaming Commission announced the decision to shut down the Rio and Casino Traki in Alexandroupoli, both owned by Greek businessman Konstantinos Piladakis, at the start of February due to unpaid debts to the Single Social Security Entity (EFKA).
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