Online Casino Regulation in Sweden Changing

Officials are working towards tighter online casino regulation in Sweden. The Scandinavian country’s lawmakers have already proposed new legislation for 2019. Potential measures are said to include a new licensing system to establish prohibition against illegal online casino operators. The legislation could further see stronger measures for players implemented.
A press release from the government declared that the procedures are expected to come into effect as soon as 2019.

A Bumpy Road Ahead for Online Casino Regulation in Sweden

The country’s officials have previously requested help and in a recent interview, the country’s Public Administration Minister stated that unregulated casino gaming has taken over and is being used for unsavoury activities. The minister was adamant that it is now time to sit up and take action so as to regain control of the country’s online casino market.
The government has further declared that the potential new laws will serve as a deterrent for any future casino operators wanting to open business and hope that it will halt current online operations without a license from offering services to Swedish players.
In essence, all unlicensed operators will have to close their doors. The mandate could likely create more thorough consumer protections, too, especially when it comes to new player accounts and bonuses. Customers will further have the right to exclude themselves from bonuses. An option they don’t have right now.
At the moment, Stockholm seems to be at the core of these discussions. What’s more, the top gaming regulator in the nation may force internet service providers to display prominent and clear warning messages for sites that are unlicensed, prohibiting banking transactions.

Where to Now?

Before talks of new gaming regulation began, Swedish operators could operate pretty much unregulated and charge whatever rates on player’s deposits they wanted to. Further, many current online casinos do not place emphasis on problem gamers, squeezing money out of players who may not otherwise participate if there were tighter restrictions in place.
Recently, the country’s Public Administration Minister stated that they are reinforcing the Swedish Gambling Authority. Now, unlicensed operators are set to be shut out and license holders expected to conduct activities in accordance with the new laws and regulations.
Further, experts agree that the new measures will ensure the fraud is reduced, restricting suspected criminal organisations from participating in activities such as money laundering and match fixing through unregulated casino operator sites.

What Impact Will All This Have on Online Casino Gaming?

The Swedish Agency for Public Management has recently been introduced to follow up the reforms and ensure any amendments are made to the act should the reform goals not be met.
Only time will tell how soon the new measures will be enforced and the effect they’ll have on legitimate operators looking to expand into what is now a flourishing online casino industry in Sweden. According to experts, world-wide online casino revenues are expected to soar to an all-time high this year with players continuing to enjoy their favourite slots, dice and table games. The new online casino regulation in Sweden can only do the market good.

No Deposit Free Spins and New Laws in the UK

Today, more players than ever before are logging into online casinos to play everything from blackjack and poker to the most exciting online progressive slots. But, all that could change as new UK regulations could potentially stifle millions of players from a much-loved past time. The convenience of online casino games from home or via a mobile device might also not be so convenient as the government makes moves to clamp down. And now, regulations are being put in place with regards to no deposit free spins.

No Deposit Free Spins – Regulation Far-Fetched or Necessary?

New regulations on advertising for casino operators now has UK players up in arms. Once, no deposit online casino offers where the hottest thing. But, the new regulations stipulate that online casinos are no longer permitted to promote any slot machines as offering free spins.
It used to be that no deposit free spins allowed players the chance to try out a casino before depositing real money. The latest advertising crackdown has gotten many players riled up with the decision, especially as the feel they can’t try a casino before signing up.
The new regulations have been imposed in an attempt to stop online casino operators targeting vulnerable players. The law to protect such players has seen many crying foul over the impact of the regulations. In fact, the new rules are affecting UK player’s opportunity to enjoy free spins and try out slot games without spending their own Sterling. Now, casinos are using different terms in the advertising and marketing efforts, such as “bonus spins.”

Are We Headed the Same Way as Australia?

Recently, the country down under was hit with a curveball. Australia’s bustling online casino and poker community no longer exists since the government imposed laws forbidding Aussies to enjoy online casino gaming. And Australia isn’t the only country affected by such bans. German and French citizens are also prohibited from online casino gaming.

Bye-Bye to Freedom?

So, where will it all end? As the noose continues to tight on the UK’s casino industry, players and operators alike are fighting for the right to host and play casinos. The bigger operators have already been hit the hardest with the threat of hefty fines for advertising no deposit free spins.
Many players prefer to test a casino operator first with free spins so that they don’t have to put down their own money on a slot. Some even win on the free spins. But, all that is no more.
Most people who play online casino games do it for fun, with many citing that problem gamblers will still find a way to play and it shouldn’t affect other’s ability to enjoy their favourite casino games.
The future of online casinos remains unpredictable, with what seems like more regulations being imposed on players and operators. Watch this space to see what comes next.

The Start of Gambling in the World

Gambling had its small beginnings as part of pagan religious rituals, but very soon it expanded to everyday life, with people making important decisions based on the outcome of a game, much like tossing a coin today. Back then, people cast lots using sticks, pebbles or nuts.

The Roman Empire

In ancient Rome, public gambling for women was not completely legal. Women were allowed to watch the gladiatorial games, but not to bet on them. They were given their own festival, Bona Dea, where they played a game called Tabula, much like Backgammon. During the years 37AD to 68 AD, Emperor Nero softened the law allowing women more freedom to attend public games and sports.

The Notorious Faro Ladies

In 18th Century England, gaming in public was not acceptable for aristocratic women, as it was for aristocratic men. These ladies from wealthy homes gathered secretly in private houses or at social gatherings where they would play “faro” a once popular card game. They loved gambling and defied the anti-gambling edict of the time. These adventurous ladies became famous for the faro tables they hosted late into the night. Lady Buckinghamshire and Lady Sarah Archer were common figures in the popular press throughout the 1790s. They were dubbed “Faro’s Daughters” or “Faro Ladies”.
In 1792, King George III passed a “Proclamation against Vice” which prohibited anyone from playing faro. The Faro Ladies were the primary target of this edict. Very quickly they were described as wanton and greedy women and were often depicted in satirical caricatures, serving as a symbol to warn others that those who engaged in illegal gambling would not escape punishment. They were eventually found guilty and although they didn’t suffer the pillory, each had to pay a £50 fine.

Gambling in the Wild West

It was in America in the saloons of the Wild West that the concept of a “house” or “casino” became popular. It was also here that one of the most legendary women in the history of poker began her career. Alice Huckert had been taught how to play poker by her late husband, Frank Duffield, but when he died, she began dealing at the poker tables as a way of making ends meet. It didn’t take long for her to develop the skill of counting cards and figuring the odds and she was quickly given the name “Poker Alice”. Luckily for Alice, gambling was socially acceptable, but still, a “lady” did not enter the gambling halls which were mostly frequented by prostitutes. Alice caused quite a stir as she was an attractive, well-dressed individual with a quick wit and a penchant for cigar-smoking. Considered a force to be reckoned with, Alice soon developed a name for herself at the poker tables and would win up to $6,000 on a good night.

20th Century Las Vegas

At the start of the 20th century, gambling was still very much a male dominated area. However, during World War II, when most male workers were shipped off overseas, it was women who filled the spaces at the tables. First in Reno, then Las Vegas, and female dealers were no longer a curiosity!

The gambling regulator in the UK wants to ban the use of credit cards for online gambling

A brand new 63-page report from the UK gambling regulator suggests that gambling online with credit cards increases the risk of players spending more than they can afford. The report is considering banning the use of credit cards for UK players who want to play casino games or place sports bets online.

The report dealt with the ways in which online gaming can be made safer in Britain for consumers. This is in light of the fact that online casino industry profits have grown 10% to £4.7bn ($6.6bn) in the past year and this growth is expected to continue. There is also increased public participation. It’s estimated that 9 million Britons play casino online, participation has risen from 15.5% in 2014 to 18.3% in 2017.

Credit Cards Can Be Risky

Credit cards are part of most people’s everyday lives to purchase all sorts of goods. They’re easy to use and secure but it can also be taken for granted that you’re making purchases on credit. This can be a slippery slope, especially for vulnerable individuals. Some lobbyists believe that limiting the use of credit cards in the UK online casino industry will make conditions safer for problem gamblers.

Labour MP, Carolyn Harris who is an advocate for safer online gaming, said: “The idea of gambling on credit cards terrifies me. Debts for gamblers can be a major concern not just for individuals and their families who often pay the price for a family member’s problem.”

The idea is that banning gambling with credit cards will protect players who pose a risk of gambling beyond their means.

Other safety measures discussed in the report also want to address dishonest marketing tactics, improving age verification, unfair terms and conditions and implementing measures to identify customers who are at risk of problem gambling.

Britain is the biggest regulated online casino industry in the world. Gambling Commission Chief Executive, Neil McArthur said: “With the proposals we’ve announced—we want to protect children, reduce risks to vulnerable customers and generally help partners identify ways to intervene in situations before they become harmful.”

$1 million fine for Sky Bet

The failure to protect vulnerable customers cost the sports betting company Sky Bet a £1m fine from the Gambling Commission last month.

The BBC reported that a Gambling Commission investigation uncovered the fact that 736 players who self-excluded from Sky Bet, were able to still use copied accounts. Additionally, 50,000 self-excluded customers still received marketing emails, marketing text messages, and push notifications. Also, nearly 36,500 self-excluded customers did not have their account balances returned to them.

The UKGC programme director called this a “serious failure” and that the “£1m penalty package should serve as a warning to all gambling businesses.”

888 Holdings also landed a £7.8m fine in 2017 for permitting around 7,000 self-excluded customers to continue making deposits that came to over £3.5m ($5m) over a period of 13 months.

New April Microgaming Games to Look Forward To

New April Microgaming games look set to be their most stylish releases to date. Both Dream date and Diamond Empire are stepping it up a notch in both user experience and aesthetic value.

Dream Date- Hello Boys

This exciting online slot is one for the ladies who like to spin. Their Dream Date slot game was released Wednesday, April 4 and it’s got an exciting new personalisation feature which lets players choose their own theme. You can pick either a historic or a more modern theme to choose between eight handsome suitors as the highest-paying symbols. This five-reel 243-way slot game hots up when your chosen man appears in combination with the attractive leading lady symbol to trigger the Hot Zone, which lands you an instant cash prize.

The wild symbol is, of course, the heart, which replaces every symbol except the scatter – This is your most lucrative play, earning you up to 50 times your stake for 5 on a payline.

Microgaming fans will also be wooed by the 8 or 16 free spins. Landing the Dream Date Wild symbol during those spins will trigger an expanding wild with a multiplier of 2. During this feature your Dream Date wild could expand on reel 3 to double your wins to up to 1,800 times your stake on each free spin.

Microgaming is sure to set your heart racing with this wonderful slot, get playing now.

New April Microgaming Games x 2—Enter Diamond Empire

The second release from Microgaming in April looks set to dazzle players with its Art Nouveau theme, ambient audio and thrilling bonus wheel.

This slot game has a classy feel and can offer you double diamond multipliers which can multiply your stake up to 650 times. The Wheel Bonus feature really shines bright, you could win up to 888 times your stake on one of these spins.

Diamond Empire is the second collaboration between Microgaming and Triple Edge Studios who just recently brought us the popular Playboy™ Gold slot game.

This three-reel, 15-payline slot also features player achievements which is a nice touch, but players might be disappointed by the lack of a free spins feature.

Diamond Empire will dazzle players on Wednesday 18 April 2018.

Microgaming’s New Collaborations

Microgaming’s partnership with Triple Edge Studios is the first time the gaming giant has sourced content from other providers. Triple Edge Studios, an independent international game studio will be supplying exclusive content to Microgaming.

These are the first of a new generation of independent game builders which Microgaming hope to collaborate within a bid to offer the iGaming market even more choice and innovation and to deliver the best gaming experience to both operators and players alike.

The Playboy™ Gold slot released in March was highly reviewed and praised for its non-stop action. The six-reel online slot was loaded with special features and it had the added attraction of two sexy playmates, Audrey and Rachel, to guide you through all the action.

Mobile Casino 2018 – Then and Now

Mobile Casino 2018 is a different proposition to what it was when smartphones first arrived on the scene. While the beginning of everywhere internet was heralded by 3G technology, the real mobile revolution began with Android and iPhones smartphones around 2007. Since then, the mobile software scene has continued to advance and in 2018 we’ve got captivating online slots that run as smoothly as possible on our smartphones and tablets.

Mobile iGaming Today

Today, players can choose between downloading online casino apps or playing casino games through the browser on their device and simply signing up. The selection of online slot games available on mobile is incredible; all your favourite providers like NetEnt, Play’n GO, NextGen Gaming, iSoftBet have a huge selection of everybody’s favourite casino game—In all variations too; classic slots, progressive slots, multi-payline slots—the list is endless and ever-growing. That’s not to say that other popular casino games like roulette, blackjack and live dealer games aren’t becoming more widely available as well. We’ll explore further the strides mobile casino is making in 2018 and what you can expect to see in the coming years.

Of Course, not all online casino brands will have a mobile counterpart. Also, bear in mind that even in this day and age, sometimes they’re still not as functional as their desktop counterparts. However, we feel 2018 is the year when mobile casino might begin to surpass desktop casino gameplay. So, get ready to play your favourite casino games wherever and whenever you like, this growing trend will see people playing on the beach, waiting for the kids to come out of school and even while you’re waiting takeout.

Meet the Mobile Gaming Pioneers; NetEnt and Play’n GO

Swedish casino software brands NetEnt and Play’n GO were the first game developers to lead with a mobile first approach. NetEnt’s first mobile slot was released in 2011, Gonzo’s Quest Touch and Jack Hammer Touch soon followed. And every year the design quality and gameplay experience of these products is built upon and upgraded. These touch slots possess a simplified keyboard, fully optimised screen play and a hard-to-miss spin button. And they don’t skimp on any of the Expanding Wilds or bonus games of course.

Play’n GO’s approach enabled players to transfer game progress across both land-based and digital devices via a standard user profile. This meant that your desktop experience and record was fully integrated with your mobile gameplay.
The games released by Play’n GO are just as mobile-friendly with basic keyboards and user-friendly interfaces. Cloud Quest slot, Tower Quest slot and Spin Party slot are some of their
best products on mobile.

Resolved Issues

A common problem, not too long ago with mobile slots, was the lack of bonus features. A couple of years ago, Free Spins on mobile were unheard of, but now they’re the norm. Similarly, some of players’ favourite features like bonus wheels and expanding wilds were pretty limited until quite recently. It’s a testament to our changing times that casino game developers have focused on resolving these issues and putting mobile gaming at the forefront of their development strategies.

Winning on Mobile

Figures show that there is still a large cohort of casino gamers who prefer to play on a desktop platform, but we can see this percentage steadily declining. This means, there’s less available information about big jackpot winners on mobile and maybe a mistaken idea that mobile games aren’t as lucrative. NetEnt’s Mega Fortune Touch broke records in 2015 when a lucky Swedish player landed a life-changing jackpot of £4.4 million on this popular progressive slot game at LeoVegas Mobile Casino.

Mobile Casino in 2018 – What’s in Store

One of the driving forces in NetEnt’s 2018 strategy is improving Live Dealer games for mobile. They’ve improved their already stellar mobile live dealer games portfolio by offering a fully customized multi-table live casino concept on mobile. VR was also at the core of NetEnt’s ICE presentation, where they revealed the first fully playable, operator-ready version of Gonzo’s Quest VR.

History Has Been Made Thanks to NetEnt!

The NetEnt Double Jackpot win in March, will go down in history as one of the luckiest months on record for NetEnt online slot fans.

The innovative Swedish casino game developers are celebrating yet another victory that’s keeping them firmly on top in player’s minds. In one day, NetEnt progressive jackpots paid out two life-changing, multi-million jackpot wins to two different players.

NetEnt Double Jackpot Win Breaks Records

NetEnt’s Progressive Jackpot slots regularly make Top 10 lists as some of the most lucrative and enjoyable progressive slot games. They’ve produced some amazing wins in their time which could be one of the reasons they remain as popular as they do with online slot players.

This is the first time that any casino game developer has offered players two life-changing wins within a 24-hour period, raising the stakes for all other game producers in the world. And it’s no surprise which NetEnt games changed the lives of two lucky players forever.

Mega Fortune Offers First Major Jackpot Win at PokerStarz

A lucky UK player was the first to scoop a massive €2,667,743.19 prize on just a £1 spin. The player known only as “Brit” said she almost passed out when the wheel spun to a jackpot on March 7th. In fact, it took her two hours and a couple of phone calls to actually believe what she was seeing was real.

Mega Fortune Dreams Produces Second Win

Fittingly enough, it was the sequel to Mega Fortune, Mega Fortune Dreams which paid out the second amazing win to another lucky player on March 7th. This time the lucky player who prefers to remain anonymous, picked up an even more impressive €4,084,430. The player decided to remain anonymous. This means we’re unable to say where the player was from or what online casino they scooped their prize at, but we can say that it was only ten hours after the first jackpot win that this second player’s life changed forever.

NetEnt Team

A total of €6m in just 24 hours is a major coup for the impressive casino gaming giant. Apparently, every time a player scoops a win, the NetEnt team pop a bottle of champagne. We’re guessing there was a serious party at NetEnt Headquarters March 7th.

Chief Product Officer at NetEnt, Henrik Fagerlund, was thrilled with the jackpots, he said “The mega jackpots just keep dropping at the moment. Two in one day is record-breaking. These big wins are of course why players love NetEnt jackpot games so much. I want to congratulate The Stars Group, and PokerStars Casino for their biggest ever online-win payout!”

NetEnt 2018

2018 looks set to be a big year for the online gaming giant. They’ve just issued a press release inviting everyone to tune into their 2018 report for the first quarter. We’re guessing this presentation will list their myriad achievements as well as outline some exciting new plans in 2018 for the Swedish superstars.

Insight into UK Online Casino Gaming 2017

The latest UK Gambling Commission report has revealed some rather interesting insight into the world of UK online casino gaming. In fact, a list of fascinating insights has emerged in the wake of the publication of the 2017 report. The annual report is by far one of the most anticipated on the UKGC calendar each year, with online casino operators and industry personnel alike just waiting to interpret the latest statistics.

What Can We Learn About the UK Online Casino Gaming Industry from the Report?

We’d say the most predominant finding was the overall casino gaming participation seems to have declined from 45% in 2016 to just 42% one year later. That’s a 3% decrease. Yet, for online casino operators, there’s reason to be somewhat philosophical since the report does show promising results in the field of mobile casino gaming.

The Rise of Mobile Casino Platforms

During 2016, there was a reported 43% engagement rate among players who used either their tablets or smartphones to play games like online slots, video poker and even blackjack. But, just one year later that rate spiked eight points to an impressive 51%. To put that into perspective, the overall participation rate for online casino gaming remained static at just 14%, whereas mobile gaming exhibited exceptional growth potential.

There has also been the suggestion that mobile devices are rapidly gaining preference and popularity over desktop devices. In fact, 50% of players surveyed said they use their laptop to play at online casinos in 2017, which represented a 10% drop from two years prior. On desktops, however, there was a far lower response rate of just 33%.

Meanwhile, between 2016 and 2017, playing online casino games on tablets and smartphones increased from 43% to 51%. Overall, gamers in the UK seem to be more willing to use their mobile devices, favouring the idea of not just playing fun games on the go, but the chance to win some mega jackpots whenever they want to play and wherever they may be.

What About Social Results?

This year’s report also touched on social elements. It was reported that 0.8% of those surveyed identified as being problem casino players in 2017. Another 3.9% of respondents identified themselves as at-risk gamers and 6% had chosen self-exclusion during the year, which means they decided to stay away from online casinos

When we take a look at the demographics, there was significant growth amongst older players turning to online casinos. For people between the ages of 55 and 64, there is an increase of 14 points up to 46%. A strong rise for gamers aged 65 or older was also noted, with that demographic soaring 11 points to 28%.

As a nation, it seems we do enjoy online gaming, and with so many online casinos available with a range of great bonuses and promotions, we’re pretty confident that the next year’s report will show an even greater rise in gaming popularity.

NetEnt Gaming Developer Brings Vikings to Online Casinos

We think it’s safe to say that if Ragnar Lothbrok had any inkling that he’d be more famous in today’s times than the entire reign of the dark ages, he might have made is quests to England and his raids against Francia a great deal more severe. Well, thanks to a deal between the NetEnt gaming developer and A+E Networks (the exclusive licensing company of the drama series), Vikings is set to launch as an online slot in NetEnt-powered casinos towards the end of 2018.

Another Big Hit from the NetEnt Gaming Developer This Year

In true iGaming style, the latest online video slot instalment is based on the hit TV series that is shown on the popular History Channel in the United States. The game is reportedly going to feature a saga of barbaric Norse invaders right out of the ninth century. The TV show-themed slot is earmarked for release towards the end of this year, just when the sixth season of the TV show is scheduled to premiere to fans.

What Players Can Expect from This Online Pokie

The branded slot game certainly has close ties with Norwegians. The HBO series, Vikings, is based on Norwegian history, taking viewers right back to the beginning of the Viking era towards the end of the 700s, when France and England were invaded. The series is a huge hit, especially with NetEnt.

During ICE, held earlier this month in London, the developer commented that Vikings has quickly become a series favourite, right from the first season airing in 2013. Today, the show appeals to a wide audience around the globe. It is a historical and classical theme packed action adventure, and the developers have no doubt that online casino gamers will be on the edge of their seats waiting for the launch.

To date, NetEnt has not yet released details about the game, but we have no doubt that Vikings will become a huge hit at NetEnt-powered casinos, complete with action-packed features, impressive sounds and exceptional gameplay.

According to CPO, Henrik Fagerlund, players can look forward to fresh genres along with high-quality gaming content this year. And, people behind the TV show have already won both Golden Globes and Academy Awards. So, we’re looking at major talent putting together what is sure to be a sensational online slot game.

Can’t Wait for Vikings to Be Released? Play Other Themed-Slots Until Then

So, with Vikings only being released later this year, what are you supposed to do in the meantime? Easy, keep playing! There are plenty of other branded slot machines available, like Guns n Roses, Planet of the Apes and Phantoms Curse, with new titles added almost monthly.

Our New Zealand players can look forward to some great Welcome Bonuses and free spins at casinos that cater for your New Zealand dollars. Just pick your deposit method, deposit some cash, and start playing your favourite themed-pokies today.

New Online Casino Advertising Rules in the UK

The Committees of Advertising Practice in the United Kingdom is soon to introduce new online casino advertising regulations, set to change the way that online casino operators are allowed to promote special offers on their websites.
According to reports earlier this month from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the advertising watchdog, responsible for putting together all of the advertising rules in the UK, revealed its updated regulations that are earmarked to come into force as early as April 2. The new regulations aim to protect online casino players that might be vulnerable.

What’s Brought on the New Online Casino Advertising Regulations?

The BBC reports state that the announcement of the online casino advertising rules come in the wake of the Gambling Commission regulator’s recent decision to levy a fine of $488,600 against a company called ElectraWorks Limited after the seven major online casino operator’s sites were discovered to have breached existing rules in terms of promoting free bonuses.
The broadcaster further reported that the new regulations will include a complete ban on the popular phrase “bet now.” They are also set to institute stricter restrictions on advertising special offers. This will apply to all UK-licensed online casinos and even sports betting sites during live matches. What’s more, the Committees of Advertising Practice explained that it plans to limit ads that promote recklessly suggest “risk-free” deposits or promote repetitive play. That’s not to say you won’t still enjoy free spins and great offers, it’s a matter of changing the way these will be advertised.
The BBC also reported that the new regulations will be used by the Advertising Standards Authority when it comes to considering complaints and levying fines. The new rules will further place greater restrictions on ads that prey on a player’s financial concerns and self-esteem.

How Promotions Must Be Worded

The Daily Telegraph reports that the new rules are to make clear that any “money-back” promotions are to be for cash and not a bonus whilst risk-free offers have to involve the consumer not incurring any financial loss.
What’s more, the newspaper reported that the rules will stipulate that “matched bets” offers are to treat stake limitations as a significant condition that’s advertised from the get-go.
The biggest change, though, will involve the advertising of “free bets.” The Committees of Advertising Practice will enforce a provision that requires all licensed online casino operators to prominently list their free offers’ terms and conditions.
According to Director of the Committees of Advertising, Shahriar Coupal, the committee will not tolerate online casino ads that in any way exploit people’s vulnerabilities or those that are deemed to play fast and loose with enticing bonus and free bet offers. The new casino ad regulations take account of the best available evidence to strengthen those protections that are already in place and to ensure that gaming is presented in a responsible manner, minimising the potential for any harm.