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Albania to Re-legalise Sports Betting from January 1

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Albania is going to reintroduce legal sports betting as of 1 January 2023, four years after it, along with casinos and online gambling, was made illegal.

The decision, which has been on the cards since the summer, will bring much-needed revenue to the government, which faces a debt of over 90%, increasing pressure to subsidise rising energy costs, and calls to support the vulnerable amid the global crisis.

Effective as of the start of next year, sports betting games will now be legal, and it is estimated that some €17 million will be collected in tax each year.

All gambling, except a handful of licensed casinos, was prohibited as of 31 December 2018. Hundreds of betting shops and gambling sites were shut down, and efforts were made to block online sites.

However, gambling continued throughout the country in illegal betting and gambling shops, with arrests occurring almost weekly.

Momentum to legalise sports betting has been growing since August when a coalition of sporting stakeholders petitioned the government to ask for the reinstitution of regulated and supervised sports betting, arguing it can bring much-needed revenue to one of Europe’s poorest countries.

“We are not proposing to open the entire range of gambling, including electronic casinos or bingo halls. Our proposal includes total fiscal transparency, league-regulated online sports betting,” the petition states.

Stakeholders suggest that revenue generated from sports betting be used to support the country’s athletes. The petition specifies that betting should be allowed via certified operators, including local and international brands. In addition, they suggest an age limit and a maximum bet limit.

“The regulation of sports betting by law is a practice followed by many Western countries. In these countries, the income from sports betting is used to develop sports and sports infrastructure and to support the youth,” they argued.

Prime Minister Edi Rama commented on the push stating that if the decision goes ahead, extreme conditions will be imposed, and all revenue will go to sports, culture and youth.

“We will look at this very positively; we will set extreme conditions…these are guaranteed by large international companies, which operate worldwide and operate in the European Union area.”

He added: “I have been obvious that these revenues, which we calculate to be many times more than what we contribute every year, go to sports, culture and youth, but very clearly and dedicatedly, the lion’s share, the sport will take it.”

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BFU and Elitbet Extend Their Partnership Until 2028

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The Bulgarian Football Union and the company ELITBET, which has been the official sponsor of the Third League since last summer, have reached an agreement to extend their partnership. The new contract is until 2028, the official website of the BFU announced. Thus, the third echelon will continue to bear the name ELITBET Third League, and both parties expressed their satisfaction with the continued cooperation between them.

“We are happy to support amateur football in Bulgaria and will continue to do so in the future. In this one year since the beginning of our partnership with the Bulgarian Football Union, we have managed to promote the league by creating quality digital content. We have plans to make this product even more attractive,” said Dani Nikolova, Marketing Director of ELITBET.

“The Third League is one of the main elements of the football ecosystem in our country and is of key importance for the development of the game in the different regions of the country. We are glad that in the person of ELITBET we have a solid partner who invests in amateur football,” said the president of the Amateur Football League and member of the Executive Committee of the Bulgarian Football Union Rumyan Valkov.

The post BFU and Elitbet Extend Their Partnership Until 2028 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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SYNOT Partners with Efbet in Bulgaria

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SYNOT Group has announced that it has installed its gaming equipment into the premium locations of Efbet in Bulgaria. The popular Firebird RED and BLUE compendiums in Eclipse FL-32 cabinet are now shining bright in 7 locations in 5 different cities across Efbet network in the country.

“I am proud and very thankful to Efbet that after the successful launch of SYNOT online games in April, now they are providing a stage for the top of the notch land-based products of SYNOT Group. We at SYNOT Group are looking forward to a strong and successful partnership with Efbet,” said Stanislav Stanev, International Business Development Director of SYNOT Group.

The Firebird RED and BLUE gaming systems are already proven concepts, operating across a wide range of markets in which the SYNOT Group is present. These systems are highly popular among players, which is a testament to their quality and appeal. Each set offers dozens of sophisticated and original titles with eye-catching graphics and engaging bonus features, all of which are developed by SYNOT Games. The sets include both fruit and themed titles; in addition to classic games, they also feature standout Hold and Respin titles, which are favourite among players. Among the most popular Hold and Respin games are Aztec Jaguar, Tiki Princess, Legend of Medusa and others. Thanks to their outstanding technical features, Firebird systems are flexible and easily adaptable to meet the specific requirements of various markets, making them successful across several continents.

The Eclipse FL-32 cabinet is one of SYNOT’s most popular new generation cabinets. This sleek and elegant model is equipped with 32″ Full HD monitors, delivering an excellent visual experience that enhances the attractiveness of the games. With its modern design and high-quality components, the Eclipse FL-32 is the ideal choice for any casino aiming offer players the highest standards of comfort and gaming experience.

“We are very happy to cooperate with SYNOT Group in both verticals. Like this we believe that the synergy between the online and land-based casino games will bring more fun and entertainment for our players. With the newly installed SYNOT slot machines in some of our prime locations we can offer more to our customers,” said Marina Zaharieva, manager Efbet casino & sports.

The post SYNOT Partners with Efbet in Bulgaria appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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BEGE Expo Announces “Gaming Start-UP Challenge 7.0” — A Premier Opportunity for Gaming Innovators

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For the 16th edition of BEGE, one of the most important events in the gaming industry in the Balkans, the expo proudly brings back the “Gaming Start-UP Challenge 7.0” as a highlight of this year’s event. This exciting entrepreneurial competition returns to the BEGE and EEGS stage, offering start-ups a unique platform to showcase their innovations to industry leaders and investors.

The challenge is open to start-ups developing groundbreaking solutions relevant to the gaming industry. Whether your focus is on advanced payment methods, online gaming platforms, cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies, security solutions, or cutting-edge game development tools, your innovation has a place here. The competition also welcomes pioneering work in augmented and virtual reality, esports and live streaming, and responsible gaming technologies. In essence, any technology that enhances or revolutionizes the gaming or gambling experience fits the spirit of this challenge.

Participants will have the exclusive chance to pitch their start-up live on the EEGS stage, gaining invaluable exposure during the two-day BEGE exhibition. Beyond the stage, this event provides a vibrant networking environment to connect with potential partners, investors, and key stakeholders across the gaming ecosystem.

To apply, startups are required to pay a nominal participation fee of 100 euros to secure their spot. Selected applicants will receive a short questionnaire and be invited to prepare a concise presentation for the competition.

Don’t miss this opportunity to propel your gaming start-up into the spotlight and join the forefront of gaming innovation.

Apply now and take your place in shaping the future of the industry!

The post BEGE Expo Announces “Gaming Start-UP Challenge 7.0” — A Premier Opportunity for Gaming Innovators appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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