EveryMatrix CEO: Popularity has shown operators that “esports can stand alone as an offering” Iqbal Johal, Gambling Insider · June 30, 2020 at 7:02 am Esports is able to stand alone as an offering for operators as new players will stay with the vertical, according to the CEO of EveryMatrix. The vertical has gained an accelerated popularity during the coronavirus pandemic, with statistics from OddsMatrix showing a x40 growth in the esports betting market in the two months when live sport was suspended in mid-March. The rise in esports … [Read more...]
UKGC reaffirms commitment to making progress on tackling problem gambling Erin-Marie Gallagher, SBC News · June 30, 2020 at 6:58 am The UK Gambling Commission is considering ‘additional steps’ in protecting vulnerable gamblers, after the regulator was branded ‘toothless’ and in need of a ‘radical overhaul’. Issuing its response to a report published by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, the UKGC has reiterated its commitment to making ‘further and faster progress’ in tackling problem gambling. A spokesperson … [Read more...]
Dutch regulator to clamp down on online bingo from 1 July iGaming Business · June 29, 2020 at 7:06 pm Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has announced that its temporary leniency towards online bingo will come to an end this week, on 1 July. From 1 May, the regulator has taken a relaxed view to online bingo games organised without a licence. During the lockdown imposed as a result of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the KSA has been more tolerant of these games, … [Read more...]
Traditional table games now allowed again in France Phil, G3 Newswire · June 29, 2020 at 6:48 pm Parisian casinos and gaming clubs can once again offer traditional table games. A new decree removes ambiguity regarding physical distance and the use of Plexiglas panels where the gap of one meter between two players was not possible, especially in table games. Casinos must give a minimum distance of one seat or one meter guaranteed between each person or group of people coming together or … [Read more...]
Scottish bookies urge rethink on ‘crazy’ reopening plans Erin-Marie Gallagher, SBC News · June 29, 2020 at 6:54 am Scottish bookmakers have slammed Holyrood’s decision to reopen betting shops without chairs or live racing, stating that the ruling is ‘crazy’ and a ‘slap in the face’ for bookies which have most likely been struggling during the lockdown period. Scotland’s 900 betting shops – employing around 4,500 people – have been closed since March as part of the national effort to combat the spread of … [Read more...]
UK: Government and watchdog ‘are totally failing problem gamblers’ Jamie Doward, The Guardian · June 29, 2020 at 6:36 am The government and the gambling watchdog have an “unacceptably weak understanding” about the harmful effects of gambling and how to tackle them, a parliamentary committee has warned. A report from the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee offers a critique of the failures by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Gambling Commission to help an estimated 395,000 … [Read more...]
2020 forecast higher than expected for 888, as revenue rises 34% Iqbal Johal, Gambling Insider · June 28, 2020 at 7:47 pm 888 Holdings anticipates its 2020 financial forecasts to be significantly higher than expected, after year-to-date revenue increased 34% year-on-year. The operator announced the average daily revenue rise for the period 1 January to 23 June in its trading update, and now expects to achieve a significantly higher adjusted EBITDA for 2020 than previously thought. The group attributed the … [Read more...]
KSA warns of lack of age controls for minors iGaming Business · June 28, 2020 at 7:37 pm Dutch gambling regulator the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has warned that age verification controls are not being properly enforced, with a new survey claiming that more than 10% of those aged 16 to 17 have gambled in the past year. The survey saw the KSA poll three distinct age groups on their gambling behaviour: 16-17 year-olds; 18-23 year-olds and 24-30 year-olds. Of the 16-17 age group, the KSA … [Read more...]
UK betting firms’ move to redirect problem gambling funds raises concerns Rob Davies, The Guardian · June 26, 2020 at 7:28 am Betting firms’ surprise decision to redirect £100m of funds for tackling problem gambling proves the industry has too much influence on how the money is spent, politicians and leading addiction experts have warned. Bet365, the Ladbrokes owner GVC, William Hill, Flutter and SkyBet pledged the cash in July last year, a move widely seen as a response to calls for a mandatory 1% levy on their … [Read more...]
Chile’s casino sector up in arms over details in ‘postponed’ operating permits Phil, G3 Newswire · June 26, 2020 at 6:40 am The sweetener of the chance to operate online casinos has not been enough to placate casino operators in Chile, who are up in arms about new proposals from the Chilean Undersecretary of Finance was expressed, who wants to extend the current licenses of 14 casinos for another year with a raft of new operating instructions, including a five per cent tax increase. The Undersecretary of Finance, … [Read more...]
