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Videoslots expresses concerns over proposed Government measures

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5 years ago

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 Videoslots.com, one of Sweden’s leading online casinos, has warned that a one-size-fits-all attempt to protect the country’s players during the Covid-19 pandemic could drive them into the arms of unscrupulous black-market operators.

Lawmakers will this week debate the introduction of forced limits on gambling deposits, as well as restricting bonus offers to SEK100 for customers who will also have to set mandatory time limits on the amount of time they play.

The new rules, which will be discussed on May 7th, would be in addition to Europe’s strictest gambling regulations. These include a limit on bonuses to first-time customers, interaction with players setting a deposit limit over 10,000 SEK, and ensuring they are not registered with the national Spelpaus self-exclusion program. 

According to Ewout Wierda, General Counsel at Videoslots and a former regulator in the Netherlands, the proposed changes would make licensed operators uncompetitive in comparison to illegal operators, who can offer tempting bonuses and limit-free play.

Contrary to the Government’s stated 90% aim, the changes will decrease rather than increase so-called channelization, or the total share of online gambling that takes place on sites regulated by the Swedish license system as opposed to those operated illegally in defiance of it.

A Copenhagen Economics report commissioned by the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling, which includes Videoslots and other tier one operators within Sweden, has found that the online casino industry is already ‘exposed to fierce competition from unlicensed providers.’

The report showed that 40% of players within the market have gambled on unlicensed casino sites (25%), or would consider doing so (15%), with 58% of those players admitting that forced restrictions on bonus schemes are a reason why they choose to avoid regulated online casinos.

Ewout Wierda said: “Videoslots agrees with the licensing objectives and has invested a significant amount of time and money in sophisticated systems to keep a risk-based focus on customers who need protection. Player protection is our number one priority.

“We are therefore increasingly worried about the continued decline in the number of Swedish players choosing to place bets with fully licensed operators. We fear that online casino channelization in the country will soon drop below 70%.

“The changes proposed by the Government will take even more players away from the protection of the licensing system. Our player protection can help society cope with the current virus-related risks, but not if those players who need protection most choose black-market operators.

“Enforcement against black-market operators is needed but is not an alternative for the attractiveness of licensed operators. If the Government really wants to increase protection in online casinos, it needs to act quickly and sensibly. We urge them not to hamper us further by introducing counter-productive laws which will have unintended consequences.”

Social Security Minister Ardalan Shekarabi however has said he is serious about these measures and determined to implement them. In Wierda’s view, this will be a violation of EU law.

He added: “Measures must be taken in a transparent way and must be shown to be a good and consistent solution for a real problem. A discussion about proposals that have already been decided upon is not transparent. The government has no evidence of the need for measures or their effect. Licensed operators on the other hand can show there is no new risk. Forced fixed limits have proven to be ineffective by academic experts, and they are inconsistent with systems focusing on customers who are most at risk.”

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Belatra ready to make waves at SBC Summit Lisbon with immersive Blast the Bass experience

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23 minutes ago

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August 6, 2025

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Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, is heading to SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 — and it’s bringing more than just its award-winning games.

Visitors to Stand B523 will be treated to an unforgettable experience inspired by Blast the Bass, Belatra’s smash-hit slot that exploded onto the market with massive success. Belatra’s expert team will be laying on a themed bar built around the game’s legendary energy, giving guests a taste of the excitement through a special menu, immersive design, and vibrant conversation.

This unique activation sets the tone for Belatra’s SBC presence, where the fusion of entertainment, innovation, and bold design is front and centre.

On top of that, Belatra will be dropping exclusive merch that is as bold and fun as its games. Guests to the stand will be able to get their hands on fantastic designs, top-tier quality, and 100% Belatra vibes.

The biggest catch of the day will be for the quickest winners during Lisbon’s show. Belatra is launching something totally new, breathtaking, and — most importantly — unforgettable, but only for the champions.

Kateryna Goi, Belatra Games’ CMO, said: “SBC Summit Lisbon is one of the standout events on the iGaming event tour. As ever, Belatra is not just rolling up, we’re showcasing what drives our success – creativity, energy, and unforgettable experiences.”

The post Belatra ready to make waves at SBC Summit Lisbon with immersive Blast the Bass experience appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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COUNTDOWN BEGINS FOR ACR POKER’S MASSIVE DUAL VENOM TOURNEYS WITH $10 MILLION GUARANTEED AND HUGE BOUNTIES

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10 hours ago

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August 5, 2025

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$8 Million NLH and $2 Million PLO events start this weekend, with top bounty prizes of $500,000 and $200,000 respectively

ACR Poker is turning up the heat this Sunday with the return of its flagship Dual Venom tournaments, featuring a combined $10 million guaranteed and massive mystery bounties.

The action kicks off with the first of five Day 1 flights for the $8 million NLH and $2 million PLO Mystery Bounty Venoms, starting this Sunday at 12:05pm ET. Players can build momentum by combining their stacks ahead of Day 2 on Monday, August 25th at 1:05pm ET, where all remaining players will already be in the money. Those who make it to the Final Table will battle for the Venom titles on Tuesday, August 26th at 4:05pm ET.

Alongside massive guarantees, both events boast huge bounties. In the Venom NLH, knocking out just one opponent could unlock a top bounty of $500,000, with the tourney winner projected to take home around $600,000. The Venom PLO, which ties ACR Poker’s biggest Omaha tourney ever, offers a $200,000 top bounty and an estimated $200,000 top prize for the champion. Every knockout in both tourneys earns players a minimum bounty of $5,000.

“Big bounties, massive guarantees – the Dual Mystery Bounty Venom tourneys are coming in hot,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “The action kicks off this Sunday, so don’t miss out. Satellites start at just $0, so players of all bankrolls can take a shot. Let’s make it a big one – see you at the tables.”

While the buy-in for both tournaments is $2,650, players can still qualify for much less. Hundreds of low-cost qualifiers are up for grabs starting from $0 via Venom Fever Satellites. Plus, the Venom Vault and the Poison Path offer players more chances to unlock $2,650 Venom tickets.

Fans can tune in to watch the Venom NLH Day 1A action on ACR Poker’s Twitch channel this Sunday, featuring ACR Pros Chris Moneymaker, Rob Kuhn and Jon Pardy. The Final Table live stream follows on Tuesday, August 26th.

For more Mystery Bounty action, players can join ACR Poker’s new Daily Mystery Bounty tournaments for a shot at Mystery Bounty Chests packed with surprise rewards, with top bounties worth up to 10% of the prize pool.

For further details on the Dual Venom tournaments and other promotions, visit ACRPoker.eu.

 

The post COUNTDOWN BEGINS FOR ACR POKER’S MASSIVE DUAL VENOM TOURNEYS WITH $10 MILLION GUARANTEED AND HUGE BOUNTIES appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Peter Schmeichel Returns as SBC Awards 2025 Host as Finalists Are Announced

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17 hours ago

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August 5, 2025

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SBC has officially announced the shortlisted nominees for the 12th edition of the SBC Awards, set to take place at Lisbon’s MEO Arena on Thursday, 18 September, the final day of SBC Summit 2025.

Celebrating excellence across the global betting and gaming industry, the ceremony will spotlight standout achievements from operators, industry leaders, and suppliers across a broad spectrum of sectors, including payments, marketing, and platform innovation.

This year’s edition has already broken records, with the highest number of nominations ever received across its 37 diverse categories, reflecting the industry’s growing commitment to delivering exceptional performance.

Leading the shortlist are Pragmatic Play and Sportradar, each earning seven nominations. Close contenders include BetConstruct and Betsson Group with six nominations apiece. Other standout nominees include Bragg Gaming, Campeon Gaming, Novibet, Playtech, and Top Bet, each securing five nominations.

Returning to co-host the ceremony is football legend Peter Schmeichel, former Manchester United goalkeeper and UEFA European Championship winner, who previously brought his trademark charisma to the stage in 2024.

The 2025 edition of the SBC Awards will also mark the first year without dedicated affiliate categories. Instead, SBC will host a dedicated and expanded Affiliate Leaders Awards on Wednesday, 17th September, at the same venue.

Commenting on the upcoming SBC Awards ceremony, Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “This industry never stands still. New talent, ideas, and technologies are constantly changing the game. The SBC Awards are our way of recognising those who are making a real impact and giving the community a moment to celebrate together.”

In the operator categories, alongside Betsson Group’s notable six nominations,  TotoGaming also stands out with four nominations, including Marketing Campaign of the Year and Innovation in Casino & Gaming Entertainment. Meanwhile, Kaizen Gaming and Campeón Gaming return to defend their titles in the Operator of the Year – Medium and Large categories, respectively.

The hotly contested Casino Operator of the Year category includes names such as  LeoVegas, Bally’s, Codere Online, and Winbet. 1xBet, EstrelaBet, and Sportsbet.io are among the frontrunners for Sportsbook Operator of the Year.

In the operator and supplier categories, competition for Employer of the Year includes Alea, Flutter Entertainment, Parimatch, and Play’n GO, all aiming to take the crown from reigning champions SOFTSWISS. The Socially Responsible Initiative of the Year category features nominees such as Associação de Mulheres da Indústria do Gaming (AMIG), BGaming, EveryMatrix, and Pay4Fun.

The highly anticipated Leader of the Year award will be kept under wraps until the night, with nominees and the winner to be revealed live during the ceremony.

In the payments and compliance categories, Noda and payabl. lead the way with nominations in all three awards: Payment Solution of the Year, Payment Innovation of the Year, and Fraud & Compliance Solution of the Year. MiFinity, Monnet Payments, OKTO, Pay4Fun, Paysecure, and Trustly have also earned multiple nods across the categories.

The supplier categories, which will span 22 awards, will include several new additions this year, such as Aggregator of the Year and Crash Game of the Year.

Fast Track and BETBY will look to retain their titles in Acquisition & Retention Partner and Esports Supplier of the Year, respectively. Meanwhile, Delasport, Evolution, Evoplay, iGP, Optimove, and Spotlight Sports Group are among the fifteen companies competing for the Industry Innovation of the Year award.

Soft2Bet will return in pursuit of back-to-back wins for Innovation in Casino Entertainment and Innovation in Mobile, while Digitain will aim to defend its title as Sportsbook Supplier of the Year.

The sought-after Platform Provider of the Year award features a strong field of contenders, including EGT Digital, GiG, GR8 Tech, Sportingtech, and White Hat Gaming.

Continuing SBC’s commitment to shining a light on the future stars of the industry, the evening will once again feature four ‘Rising Star‘ awards: Rising Star in Casino, Rising Star in Sports Betting, Rising Star in Sports Betting Innovation / Software, and Rising Star in Casino Innovation / Software.

The post Peter Schmeichel Returns as SBC Awards 2025 Host as Finalists Are Announced appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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