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Cross Party Members of Sejm Urge for Tax Reform for Online Gambling

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In Poland, members of a cross-party group of politicians from the lower house, the Sejm, are calling for reforms to how gambling is taxed. A cross-party committee has joined in calls to change the current legislation in an attempt to rekindle the licensed bookmaker sector of the economy. The MPs believe that more income could be generated for both the industry and the Treasury by changing the current taxation system.

The cross-party committee represents Polish consumers and entrepreneurship. It is officially calling on the Ministry of Finance to abandon the 12% turnover tax that is applied to sports betting. Instead, it wants the country to fall into line with the system that is favoured by most EU Member States. That system sees tax levied on GGR (Gross Gambling Revenue) as opposed to Poland’s current system of total turnover.

The European Betting and Gambling Association are in favour of the change in regulation. In a statement on their website, Martin Haijer, Secretary-General, said,

“EGBA welcomes the ongoing discussions on the future of Poland’s online gambling regulation and supports changes to the tax base for online sports betting. The current turnover tax is punitively high and not conducive to a viable online gambling market that meets the needs and expectations of Polish players. Poland is a large gambling market and has a great love for sports, and a sensible GGR-based tax would be an incentive for virtually all Polish players to play with regulated websites and for more of Europe’s betting companies, including EGBA members, to consider applying for an online sports betting license. These companies would not only support Polish sports through sponsorships and other revenues but also pay gaming taxes and contribute to a more viable market which is attractive to Polish bettors and offers them a safe and regulated environment to play in.” 

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The election of Andrzej Duda’s PiS (Law and Justice Party) to Government meant that the online gambling sector was radically overhauled. Until then, between 2011 and 2016, Polish online casinos and betting operated in a liberalised market. In 2017 Poland’s gambling codes were reformed, and the market was remodelled. The Treasury imposed the 12% of turnover tax across all the gambling verticals in the sports betting sector. In addition, the activities of the state-owned monopoly Totalizator Sportowy were restricted.

These changes to the legislation meant that all licensed operators had to have a physical presence in the country to continue to operate. They also had to provide the Ministry of Finance with a database containing all the details of their registered players. As a result, many international operators, including bet365, Bwin, Olympic Entertainment Group and William Hill, withdrew from the territory.

The cross-party committee is asking the Ministry to reconsider its tax policies. They believe the changes implemented post-2107 are regressive compared to other EU countries. The PIGBRiB (The Polish sportsbook trade association) has previously called on the government to introduce a flat rate of taxation on sportsbook GGR. This flat rate should be around 20% of GGR.

Professor Konrad Rackowski, a former Polish Finance Minister, published a paper in which he said these changes would create an online sports betting market that was more viable and attractive.

The current taxation at 12% of total turnover equates to between 55 and 65% as a GGR tax. This means Poland is levying one of the highest taxation rates on online sports betting in the EU. Professor Rackowski adds that only two out of twenty of the country’s licensed sports betting companies were returning a profit.  In addition, a fifth of Polish bettors frequent websites that are not licensed or regulated in Poland, resulting in the Treasury missing out on significant tax revenues.

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The Sejm committee also questioned whether the size of the online betting market in Poland could be accurately calculated, given that the current data is based on taxed income and not gross proceeds.

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ELA Games Welcomes Ewa Kaźmierska As MD

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ELA Games, a pioneering game supplier studio, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ewa Kaźmierska as Managing Director. This strategic leadership hire marks a pivotal moment in the studio’s journey, positioning ELA Games for accelerated growth and increased market penetration within the competitive iGaming sector.

Ewa brings over 15 years of senior leadership expertise, having successfully steered a game studio through periods of sustained growth and innovation. Her proven track record as a former Chief Executive Officer at multiple iGaming brands will be instrumental in driving ELA Games’ ambitious roadmap. Ewa’s appointment aligns with the studio’s commitment to excellence and reinforces its mission to deliver an exceptional portfolio that resonates across global markets.

ELA Games is gearing up for an impactful 2025, with Ewa at the helm to guide the studio’s expansion strategy. Her leadership will support the studio’s initiatives in establishing a strong market presence and enhancing product development to meet evolving industry demands.

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Ewa commented on her new role, stating, “Joining ELA Games presents an incredible opportunity to lead a talented team with a clear vision for growth and innovation. ELA Games has the potential to become a leading force in the industry, and I am excited to contribute to its journey toward building a unique and influential gaming portfolio.”

The addition of Ewa Kaźmierska to ELA Games’ executive team underscores the studio’s dedication to robust growth and strategic excellence. With this leadership move, ELA Games is poised to strengthen its position as a premier game supplier in the iGaming landscape.

The post ELA Games Welcomes Ewa Kaźmierska As MD appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Week 45/2024 slot games releases

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Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming

Tom Horn Gaming invites bold adventurers to join Max Gold, the fearless explorer, as he delves deep into faraway lands, seeking hidden treasures, legendary jackpots, and mysteries waiting to be uncovered. With an array of exciting features, including the Hold & Win bonus game with jackpots and respins, shatter mode with increasing multipliers, stake booster, and bonus buy, Max Gold.

 

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PopOK Gaming is thrilled to announce the release of its newest slot game, Spinosaurus – a captivating 3×5 slot that transports players back to the thrilling age of dinosaurs! With vibrant, colorful visuals and dynamic gameplay, Spinosaurus features the iconic, mighty dinosaur as your guide on an adventurous quest for massive wins. Players can immerse themselves in prehistoric excitement while aiming for incredible rewards.

Spinosaurus – The Thrilling New Slot Game from PopOK Gaming

 

 

Belatra Games has launched its pirate-themed title, Tortuga Codex. This 5×4 slot casts players on a journey on the hunt for untold riches buried on a mysterious island. A Skull symbol acts as the Wild and will substitute for any other symbol to increase the chances of a win. An intriguing element to the game lies in the Additional Reel feature which sits above the main frame. It’s in sync with the main reels, displaying Wild symbols, special pirate icons, and numbers from one to nine.

Set sail on a pirate quest with Belatra’s Tortuga Codex

Vibra Gaming has unwrapped its latest release, Candy Loop, where if players trigger the Candy Round bonus they can max their win by up to 5000x in a game for all sweet-toothed slot fans. Set within a backdrop of clouds and sugar players will lap up this delicious classic three-stepper slot mechanic packed with sweet bonuses, free spins and wilds.

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Zillion Games is thrilled to announce the release of Egypt’s Moon, a high-volatility slot that invites players to journey through the mysteries of ancient Egypt under a mesmerizing nighttime sky. Featuring Cleopatra, hidden treasures, and the essence of Egypt’s rich mythology, Egypt’s Moon promises an enthralling experience set against a captivating backdrop. This slot game offers players 25 paylines and an RTP of 96.75%, delivering both excitement and reward.

 

Having made a big splash with its popular Aqua Lord slot back in 2022, innovative software developer, Swintt, is preparing to dive beneath the waves once more in an action-packed sequel that now features new and improved Pearl Respins and even bigger prizes. Played out across five reels and ten fixed paylines, Aqua Lord 2 picks up where its predecessor left off by once again plunging players into a world of sunken treasures where sticky pearl symbols hold the key to unlocking huge wins of up to 6,000x the bet and two incredibly rewarding features.

Swintt plunges into action once more in Aqua Lord 2

 

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Amusnet has released Extra Crown Dice. This latest addition to Amusnet’s online casino portfolio is a majestic dice slot filled with thrilling features. This 5-reel, 10 fixed lines dice game is based on one of the video slots, with redesigned symbols to look like dice. The kingdom of Extra Crown Dice is full of excitement with dice, sevens and eights, where fortunes await those bold enough to seize them. The Star and the Fleur-de-lis symbols are the Scatter symbols boosting the player’s winnings.

 

The dazzling dancefloor of Piggy Blitz returns with Piggy Blitz Disco Gold, the latest 6×4 online slot sensation from Play’n GO, boasting immersive features and endearing characters. The dancefloor is calling, and it’s shining brighter than ever! Piggy Blitz Disco Gold takes players back to the groovy days of the 1970s – where neon lights and disco beats set the stage for high-energy spins and big-time wins. Our favourite pigs are back, bringing glittering Cash Coins and the exclusive Gold Piggy Feature to this glitzy slot adventure.

Play'n GO hits the dancefloor of this iconic piggy pen

 

Booming Games is going for goal with its first-ever instant win title, Ronaldinho Scores Shoot & Win, as it continues to leverage its partnership with the international footballing icon. Players step into the football boots of Ronaldinho and experience the thrills and excitement of trying to beat the keeper. Each shot the player takes could mean a big prize – there are 16 prizes in total with each kick potentially delivering at least 3 instant rewards.

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The post Week 45/2024 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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ComeOn Group adds sportsbook to its offering in Ontario

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ComeOn Group announced a significant milestone in its sportsbook expansion journey with the addition of sportsbook to their offering in Ontario following the successful acquisition of the required permits. This addition represents a strategic advancement in the Groups sportsbook growth trajectory where they are set to double its sportsbook business in the coming years.

ComeOn Group is one of 51 active operators in Ontario. The Ontario market has experienced robust growth since its launch, reaching C$6.7 billion in revenue in 2023.* By 2029, the market is forecasted to grow by a total of 29%, with 2024 expected to close with a 20% increase.

ComeOn keeps investing in its sportsbook business acceleration that is powered by its proprietary sportsbook platform and in-house risk management and trading team. As a multi product vertical operator, ComeOn is striving to give its customer base a safe and exciting entertainment destination and this approach is now expanded to their Ontario audience.

Juergen Reutter, Chief Executive Officer at ComeOn Group, said: “We are very excited about the opportunities this new milestone opens up for us. As a casino-led operator it represents a key part of our sportsbook strategy to double our business in the coming years. Like in any of our other markets, we are striving for a differentiated sportsbook entertainment experience that is powered by our in-house technology. Our goal is to deliver top-tier entertainment to our players while fostering safe and innovative gaming experiences.”

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*Source – H2GC H2 Ontario Data 25.10.2024 (excl. Lottery)

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