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Gambling History In Romania
Romania has one of Europe’s most developed gambling sectors, with casinos, card rooms, wagering shops, and slot machine parlors strewn about the country. Furthermore, because of the high percentage of internet access and the lack of online gambling regulation, the typical Romanian is likely to place bets online. Gambling and betting are deeply ingrained in Romanian culture, especially when it comes to football games. However, many gambling establishments are primarily due to a shortage of industry control during and after transforming communism to capitalism.
Romania’s gambling experience has been a rollercoaster in the last century or so, mirroring the country’s general history. Despite the event’s widespread popularity in the early twentieth century, the country’s participation in the Soviet Union from 1945 to 1989 resulted in a strict communist government outlawing all forms of gambling. Since then, both traditional and virtual gambling establishments have been welcomed by the democratic government.
How did Gambling Start in Romania?
Romania has a long history of legalising gambling and wagering practices dating back to Roman times. In Rome, dice games were popular, particularly among soldiers. Roman soldiers introduced dice games to the city, which served as the Empire’s eastern frontier. Gambling has a long history on the Balkan Peninsula, dating back to both European and Ottoman traditions.
When Romania obtained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1859, it had no formal gambling rules. During this period, card games and sports betting were legal in the country, but there was no mechanism to ban or regulate them. The national lottery, which was founded in 1906, was Romania’s first authorized form of gambling. The lottery was used to finance social services such as schooling, healthcare, and sports, which became increasingly necessary as the country moved from a rural to an urban setting.
Romanian Online Casinos
The National Office for Gambling Games was founded in 2013 to issue permits and regulate online casinos. The office had submitted applications at the time of publishing, but no licenses had been given yet. Romanians, like people of most other nations, enjoy online gambling. Since the iGaming industry first emerged in the 1990s, citizens of the country were free to play at foreign-licensed online casinos. The majority of foreign casino sites cater to Romanians, with many offering Romanian-language assistance.
The Legal Environment
Romania’s gambling history dates back to 1906, when the national lottery, Loteria Romana, was founded. Following the establishment of a democratic government in the 1990s, all forms of physical gambling were once again made legal. The first new casino opened in 1991, but Romania, like many other countries worldwide, was slow to recognize the popularity of online gaming after the internet’s widespread acceptance. Foreign investment in the Romanian gambling industry, especially sports betting, was initiated by the government as early as 2003, likely to sign that the country was ready to enter the EU.
Since its entry five years ago, Romania has been required to obey ambiguous European Court decisions relating to online gambling, which was legally neither legal nor illegal because no laws existed. This was partially remedied in 2010, when the Romanian government passed legislation making online gambling legal, but only for companies with a government license. While playing on these international platforms was still technically illegal, it was unlikely that anyone would be prosecuted without a governing body to regulate and enforce the new legislation.
Markets in High Demand
Football is the most famous sport in the country in terms of spectatorship and sports betting, following the general European trend. Other sports, such as tennis, rugby, and, much more surprisingly, gymnastics, are common among Romanians. In this discipline, Romania has won 24 Olympic gold medals, including three in London 2012.
Final Thoughts
Romania has undoubtedly made significant strides in both the physical and online gambling markets, even though the NGO is still finding its feet. On the other hand, Romania and its legal bodies have been publicly chastised by the EU government and other members of the organization for the high levels of corruption in the gambling industry. While the country will have to work harder to improve its reputation to make its gambling industry a more legitimate and profitable business, its citizens are still free to play online as they please for the time being.
CEO of Expanse Studios
Expanse Studios (GMGI) Enters the U.S. Sweepstakes Market
North American Expansion Kicks Off Through Strategic Partnership with Moozi
Golden Matrix Group’s game development division, Expanse Studios, has officially entered the U.S. sweepstakes market, marking a significant milestone in its North American growth strategy. This move is powered by a strategic content partnership with Moozi, one of the most dynamic sweepstakes social casino platforms in the region.
With Moozi now featuring over 50 of Expanse Studios’ top-performing games—including immersive slots, crash games, and table games—this partnership positions GMGI to capture a share of the $5.6 billion U.S. sweepstakes market, projected to more than double to $11 billion by 2025 (Eilers).
Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios, commented:
“This partnership signifies our formal entry into the U.S. market, showcasing the innovation and player-first experiences that define Expanse Studios. Collaborating with Moozi enables us to deliver advanced gaming content to a growing audience in North America, a key region for our global growth.”
James Anderson, Moozi’s CCO, added:
“Expanse Studios has set a high bar for engaging and innovative gaming experiences. Their addition to our platform elevates Moozi’s offerings and strengthens our mission to lead the U.S. sweepstakes social casino space.”
This launch underscores Expanse Studios’ commitment to innovation and its long-term growth trajectory in regulated markets. By entering the North American sweepstakes market, Expanse Studios takes a bold step in expanding its footprint while delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences.
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GamCare releases Annual Report following record breaking year of support on the National Gambling Helpline
GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline received a record 55,228 calls and online chats from people experiencing gambling harm in 2023-24 – a 25% increase from the previous year – according to the charity’s Annual Report.
In a year marked by uncertainty over the future shape and structure of the gambling harms treatment sector following the previous government’s white paper on gambling reform, the charity continued to prioritise those at-risk of, or currently experiencing, gambling harm.
Of all calls and online chats that were responded to on GamCare’s Helpline in 2023/24, 41,070 (74%) were classed as supportive interventions. This includes supporting people with initial guidance and advice as well as delivering a seamless entry point into structured treatment services, with individuals completing treatment reporting a significant reduction in gambling-related distress and financial harm.
In March 2024, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities published an assessment of the gambling treatment system, highlighting that 57% of individuals engaging in treatment were referred by the National Gambling Helpline. This underscores the Helpline’s critical role in connecting people to the support they need. Over 9,100 free treatment sessions were delivered in the year to April 2024, with an average of just 2.1 days’ wait from point of referral.
GamCare’s targeted programmes aimed at young people, women, and the criminal justice system provided training on how to spot the signs of harms and where to signpost into support for 10,344 professionals, and education for 53,324 young people, children and parents. The Women’s Programme, in partnership with organisations such as Refuge, trained 3,813 professionals to recognise and address gambling-related harm among women.
Margot Daly, Executive Chair of GamCare’s Board, says: “Throughout a challenging year and with heightened demand for our services, GamCare’s staff have got on with the job of preventing harm where possible and treating harm where necessary. While we expect important changes in the gambling harms landscape, we have been determined not to let this uncertainty affect our relentless focus on the people who really matter – those at-risk of or currently experiencing gambling harms.
“I would like to thank and pay tribute to our frontline staff who provide 24/7 support for all those at risk or in distress. I also want to thank GamCare’s senior executive team who have steered GamCare through a period of sustained change, and to my fellow trustees for their guidance, unwavering support and the time each has dedicated to ensuring that the charity stays on course and on mission.
“As we look ahead to how the future of the gambling harms sector is shaped, we are committed to working proactively with the NHS and other partners and commissioners to ensure that people are continually able to receive the right support at the right time.”
The post GamCare releases Annual Report following record breaking year of support on the National Gambling Helpline appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Kambi Group plc repurchase of shares during 18 December – 23 December 2024
Kambi Group plc (“Kambi”) has during the period 18 December to 23 December 2024 (the “Buyback Period”) repurchased a total of 40,000 ordinary B shares (ISIN: MT0000780107) as part of the share buyback programme, within the mandate approved at the Extraordinary General Meeting on 20 June 2024 (the “Programme”).
The objective of the Programme is to achieve added value for Kambi´s shareholders and to give the Board increased flexibility with Kambi´s capital structure by reducing the capital. The Programme is being carried out in accordance with the Maltese Companies Act, EU Market Abuse Regulation No 596/2014 (“MAR”) and other applicable rules.
During the Buyback Period, Kambi repurchased a total of 40,000 ordinary B shares at a volume-weighted average price of 99.13 SEK. From the beginning of the Programme, which started on 6 November, until and including 23 December 2024, Kambi has repurchased a total of 344,000 ordinary B shares at a volume-weighted average price of 104.94 SEK per share.
During the Buyback Period, Kambi has repurchased shares as follows:
Date | Aggregated daily volume (number of ordinary B shares) |
Weighted average share price per day (SEK) |
Total daily transaction value (SEK) |
18 December 2024 | 10,000 | 100.00 | 999,967 |
19 December 2024 | 10,000 | 99.39 | 993,929 |
20 December 2024 | 10,000 | 98.86 | 988,588 |
23 December 2024 | 10,000 | 98.26 | 982,562 |
All acquisitions have been carried out on Nasdaq First North Growth Market in Stockholm by Carnegie Investment Bank AB on behalf of Kambi. Following the acquisitions and as of 23 December 2024, Kambi’s holding of its own shares amounted to 344,000 and the total number of issued shares in Kambi is 29,903,619 ordinary B shares. Under the Programme Kambi is authorised to repurchase a maximum of 3,127,830 ordinary B shares, up to a maximum amount of €12.0 million.
A full breakdown of all transactions carried out during the Buyback Period is attached to this announcement.
Information on the Programme is available on Kambi’s website, https://www.kambi.com/investors/share-information/
The post Kambi Group plc repurchase of shares during 18 December – 23 December 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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