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Compliance Updates

EGBA Urges France to Regulate Online Casino

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The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) expressed its concern about the findings of a new study into the size of France’s black market for online gambling. The study, commissioned by the national gambling authority l’Autorité Nationale des Jeux, estimates France’s black market for online gambling to be worth up to €1.5 billion annually in gross gaming revenue (GGR), equivalent to nearly half France’s regulated online gambling revenue. This suggests that France has one of the EU’s largest online gambling black markets and, to address the problem, EGBA calls on the French authorities to end the country’s ban on online casino games.

Although France is one of Europe’s significant gambling markets, it is one of just two EU countries which has a ban on online casino games, creating a black market with all its inherent risks. The new study, conducted by PwC, found that websites offering online casino games are major contributors to the country’s online black market and, along with slots, account for up to 50% of France’s black market website traffic. While there is clearly demand in France for these games, these websites operate outside of French laws and many of them threaten the safety of French players, who have no legal recourse or minimum protections, such as self-exclusion, when they use them.

The study found that around 3 million French players use black market websites at least once a month. Even more concerning, the study also established that high risk players account for 79% of the GGR generated by these players in the black market, meaning vulnerable players can be exposed to unsafe, unregulated websites which offer them no safer gambling protections.

To safeguard these players and foster a safe gambling environment for all, EGBA urged the French authorities to reassess the country’s existing ban on online casino games, and, consistent with the already established French regulation of online sports betting, take the necessary steps to ensure there is a safe and regulated environment also for the country’s online casino players. Such a regulatory framework should be based on a multi-licensing model, where several operators can obtain business-to-customer licenses, as this has long been proven to be the most effective method to reduce black markets in online gambling.

“The scale of France’s online black market is alarming, and we believe it is one of the EU’s largest online gambling black markets, alongside Germany and Italy. The country’s prohibition of online casino is clearly a big part of the problem. Given the popularity of online casino, and the need to protect consumers from the risks of the black market, it is imperative that the French authorities urgently reassess their current ban on online casino games. The ban is counterproductive and fails consumers. By regulating online casino games through a multi-licensing model, France would better protect its consumers, regain more control over its online gambling market, and secure vital tax revenues. The best way to tackle a black market is to establish a competitive regulated market alternative. The time to act is now,” Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, said.

Balkan's

CT Gaming Secures Certification for its Latest Multigame – Diamond King 5

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CT Gaming has announced that the newest addition to its multigame portfolio – Diamond King 5 – has now been officially certified for the Bulgarian market. This marks an important milestone for the company.

As part of the well-established Diamond King series, the new multigame brings even more excitement and opportunities for players. The package includes 40 games, of which 20 are linked to the progressive Diamond Tree Deluxe jackpot, adding extra layers of entertainment and winning potential. The remaining 20 titles are classic games, including two with a Buy Bonus feature, allowing players to dive directly into the bonus rounds.

Diamond King 5 combines well-known player favorites with the legendary Mega Jack trio – Aztec Gold, Slot-O-Pol Deluxe, and Champagne Party – along with a range of exciting new titles that are set to become audience hits. Just like with Diamond King 4, players can win bonuses and jackpots during the base game, promising an even more thrilling gaming experience. In addition to its exciting content, the multigame is compatible with two types of cabinets — the EZ Modulo Tower with a single vertical monitor, and the NEXT or EZ Modulo with three horizontally positioned monitors.

“The certification of Diamond King 5 is an important moment for us. This is a product in which we have invested the very best of everything we’ve created in the series so far. We are confident that it will build upon the success of the previous multigames and deliver outstanding results for both operators and players,” said Biser Bojanov, CEO of CT Gaming.

The certification of Diamond King 5 in Bulgaria is just the first step in its international rollout. In the coming months, the product is set to be introduced to other key markets, continuing CT Gaming’s mission to provide flexible solutions with excellent performance for operators and unforgettable experiences for players.

The post CT Gaming Secures Certification for its Latest Multigame – Diamond King 5 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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CT Interactive Expands its Certified Game Portfolio in Latvia

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CT Interactive has expanded its international footprint in Latvia with 60 newly certified games and a three-level jackpot tailored for the regulated iGaming market. This achievement underscores the company’s commitment to providing high-quality, engaging content.

“The certification in Latvia is an important step in our ongoing European expansion. We’re proud to introduce a diverse portfolio of games to this regulated market and to further strengthen our presence in the Baltic region,” said Martin Ivanov, COO at CT Interactive.

The newly certified portfolio includes 60 games, featuring top-performing titles that are part of CT Interactive’s three-level jackpot system — Hot Luck. Built on the principles of surprise and inclusivity, this jackpot system delivers a dynamic and rewarding experience for players of all types.

The Hot Luck Jackpot boosts player engagement with its three-level random rewards, making gameplay more exciting and unpredictable. Players can now enjoy popular titles like Win Storm, Wild Clover and Hot 7’s x2 with added thrill thanks to the Hot Luck Jackpot. These games have proven successful across multiple markets and maintain a loyal player base.

The portfolio also features new titles from CT Interactive’s Buy Bonus product line, based on popular games like Duck of Luck, Fruits & Sweets, Doctor Winstein and Nanook the White Ghost. These upgraded versions include one- or three-level Buy Bonus features for even more dynamic gameplay.

The post CT Interactive Expands its Certified Game Portfolio in Latvia appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Compliance Updates

New channelization assessment from the Gambling Authority confirms Sweden’s problem

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BOS – the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling – comments the assessment of the channelization rate for 2024 in Sweden that the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) presented today: https://www.spelinspektionen.se/nyhetsarkiv/kanaliseringsgrad-pa-den-svenska-spelmarknaden-2024/

The assessment in summary:

The Gambling Authority estimates that channelization in the Swedish competitive gambling market is 85%.

This is a decrease of 1 percentage point from last year’s estimate of 86%.

Fewer sources have been used for this year’s assessment. H2 Gambling Capital is now excluded and therefore does not contribute to the estimate of 85%. H2GC recently adjusted its estimate for Sweden down from 91% to 72%.

The estimate of 85% should be compared with the state’s channelization target for a long-term sustainable gambling market: at least 90%.

Gambling verticals such as betting and online casino have also been measured individually. They show large differences. Betting, including the popular betting on horse racing in Sweden, is estimated to have a channelization rate of between 92-96%. Online casino is estimated to have a channelization rate of between 72-82%.

Five main reasons are given as motivations for gambling unlicensed, including a better selection of games on the unlicensed gambling market and having disconnected oneself from licensed gambling on Spelpaus.se.

The SGA will present an estimate of the channelization rate on the Swedish gambling market once a year.

BOS Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt comments: “With this assessment, the SGA confirms that Sweden’s major problem in the gambling market is online casino. It is unacceptable that around a quarter of all online casino gambling is leaking out of the licensed market. It is equally unacceptable that this has been accepted by political decision-makers for half a decade, since the channelization has also been low in previous assessments, without effective regulatory measures being taken.

Later this month, gambling investigator Marcus Isgren’s proposal to change the scope of the Gambling Act will be presented. It is a welcome change in the law that will criminalise almost all unlicensed gambling in Sweden. But anyone who understands the gambling market knows that the elephant in the room is that the licensed market is so tightly regulated that it does not appear attractive enough in the eyes of the consumer. Without a review of, for example, the total ban on bonuses and other loyalty programs, next year’s channelization assessment from the SGA will also be a disappointment.”

The post New channelization assessment from the Gambling Authority confirms Sweden’s problem appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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