Australians banned from using crypto and credit cards for online gambling

By Shadrack Kairu

Starting June 11, 2024, Australians will no longer be able to use cryptocurrency or credit cards for online betting. This new rule from the Australian government has significantly impacted the online gambling industry nationwide. This means bettors will need to find alternative methods to fund their accounts. 

The government says it’s protecting people and wants to stop easy-access betting. But it’s not just regular credit cards that are banned. The new rules cover a lot. Credit cards linked to digital wallets are out. Popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are banned too. 

This decision has, as expected, caused a huge stir. The gambling industry is in shock. People are arguing about freedom and control. Some think it’s needed to stop gambling problems. Others say the government is going too far. Whatever you think, online betting in Australia is changing forever.  

Reasons for the payment ban

Why did the government do this? Their main point is clear. By implementing this ban, authorities hope to curb gambling with borrowed funds. The primary objective is to shield citizens from the potential financial problems that can arise from such practices. 

On June 11, 2024, news spread fast. Every TV channel and newspaper talked about the new rules. The ban is wide-reaching. Standard credit cards are banned. So are credit cards linked to digital wallets. Even Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are off-limits for betting now.  

The government hopes this will slow down problem gambling. They think it’ll be harder for people to bet with borrowed money or digital cash, and hopefully stop people from falling into debt. 

Kai Cantwell who runs Responsible Wagering Australia – a group that speaks for licensed gambling companies says, “This is an important measure to protect customers, making it easier for people to stay in control of their own gambling behaviour.” 

But Cantwell is worried too. He thinks the rules need to cover all types of gambling. If not, it could backfire. He warns, “If consumer protection measures aren’t consistent across all forms of gambling, it will incentivize vulnerable Australians to move to less-regulated types of gambling, where they are more at risk of harm.” 

This ban didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s part of a bigger plan to tackle gambling problems. The government has done other things too. For example, they’ve made betting sites check who their customers are. Besides, they’ve set up BetStop, a system where people can block themselves from betting. Since last August, over 22,000 Aussies have used BetStop. 

They’ve changed gambling ads too. You won’t see “Gamble Responsibly” anymore. Now, there are clearer warnings about gambling risks. 

All these changes show the government is serious and not just looking at one area. They’re trying to fix the problem from many angles.  

The government is taking a multi-faceted approach to address gambling issues. However, this creates an interesting situation. While banning cryptocurrency for betting, Australia is embracing it in other areas. For example, the country recently launched its first Bitcoin ETF, just a week before announcing the gambling restrictions. 

This mix of strict rules and new opportunities is confusing to some. It shows Australia is still figuring out how to handle digital money. Sure, they want to protect people from risks, but they also don’t want to miss out on new financial tech.  

For gambling companies, these new rules mean big changes. Online casinos and betting sites need to change how they take payments. They might need new ways to keep customers now that credit cards and crypto are banned.  

For gamblers, it’s a whole new game. They need to find different ways to put money in their betting accounts. Some might need to think hard about their gambling habits. They might even cut back. 

But there’s a worry too. Some people might try to get around the ban. They could use offshore betting sites that don’t follow Australian laws. Or they might look for loopholes. This could actually be more dangerous. Those sites might not have the same safety measures as Australian ones.  

That’s why people like Kai Cantwell want the government to be thorough. They think all types of gambling should be covered by the new rules. This would stop people from finding weak spots to exploit.  

Penalties for non-compliance with the ban

The Australian government isn’t just asking nicely. They’ve set tough punishments for betting companies that break the rules.  

Any betting company that keeps taking credit cards or crypto could be fined. And the fine is big – up to 234,750 Australian dollars or about US$155,000. Even for big gambling companies, that’s a lot of cash.  

This big fine sends a clear message. The government is serious and wants betting companies to follow the new rules carefully.  

But it’s not just about fines. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is in charge of enforcing the rules. They can watch online betting sites closely and also look into complaints about companies breaking the ban. 

Worth noting is that the government didn’t spring this on the industry suddenly. They gave top online casinos and betting sites six months to get ready. This was the time for companies to change their payment systems. They needed to be ready to follow the new rules. 

Now that the ban is in full force, the ACMA will be watching closely. They might do regular checks on gambling sites and could look into tips from the public. They might even run secret operations to catch companies trying to cheat.  

It’s not just betting companies that need to be careful. Payment providers, including crypto exchanges, could get in trouble too. If they knowingly help process banned gambling payments, they could face penalties. This shows the government is casting a wide net to make the ban work.  

The new policy doesn’t include personal fines for gamblers who break the rules. However, betting websites may suspend accounts that don’t comply with the regulations. This means users could lose access to these platforms if they attempt to use banned payment methods. 

This tough approach is new to Australia’s online gambling industry. In the past, the industry mostly policed itself. They had voluntary codes of conduct. With hefty penalties possible, gambling businesses have a strong reason to obey the new rules.  

This trend of tightening online betting laws is happening worldwide. It’s especially hard with new tech like cryptocurrencies making it harder to keep track of everything.  

People will be watching closely to see how well these penalties work. This is true in Australia and around the world. If they succeed in keeping credit cards and crypto out of online gambling, other countries might do the same thing.  

But enforcing these rules might not be easy. It’s especially hard with offshore betting sites that don’t care about Australian laws. The global nature of the internet and the way cryptocurrencies work could make it tough to completely stop banned payment methods.  

As this new era of online gambling rules starts in Australia, everyone will be watching. They’ll see how the industry changes and if these new rules actually reduce gambling harm. It’s a bold experiment in controlling digital betting. What happens here could shape gambling policies in many other countries.  

10Bet and Playtech launch sportsbook in Sweden

By Ramona Despares

Playtech has launched its sportsbook in Sweden, announcing the news in partnership with 10Bet on its official website. The software provider, which is one of the leaders in Europe and beyond, celebrated the Swedish partnership with a press statement which confirmed that the sportsbook was now live across 10Bet minimum bet sportsbook platforms within the country.

Playtech, which is known to service the top online casinos, had initially announced the 10Bet partnership on its official website as early as June 2023, with the betting platform allowing Playtech to offer its sports betting products both in the UK and Sweden. However, the Swedish launch had to be delayed as legislators dragged their feet to implement the gambling licensing law that would allow Playtech sports products to go live in the region.

In Sweden, all gambling-related activity is regulated by the Swedish Gambling Authority – aka the Spelinspektionen. ICLG.com, a firm that specializes in Nordic gambling, explains how casinos and sports betting platforms are regulated under the Swedish Gambling Act of 2018. Up till July 2023, this didn’t apply to software providers, which required no license to operate commercially within the country.

This all changed when the regulator announced that it was updating the Gambling Act to include a gambling software permit. Suddenly, any company manufacturing or supplying gambling software for commercial online gambling or betting to Swedish consumers was required to hold this permit. The change in law meant that 10Bet’s and Playtech’s partnership needed to be put on hold until the new system was implemented and the license was granted to Playtech.

Now that the law has been implemented and the license released, the top-rated online casinos in Sweden are free to offer Playtech products legally. 10Bet is the first one to kick things off with the Playtech sportsbook, with both parties expecting to replicate in Sweden the success that this partnership is already enjoying in the UK, where it’s the exclusive sportsbook provider for 10Bet.

Now that the Swedish partnership has finally gone live, Playtech’s VP of Sales and Customer Development, Sergey Harutyunyan, went on record on the software developer’s official website, speaking about how fantastic it is to see the impact Playtech’s Sportsbook is having for both 10bet and its players.

“10bet has established itself as a reliable and trustworthy online platform, dedicated to delivering a fun and secure environment for its players. With a strong focus on user satisfaction, they are committed to continuous innovation and responsible gambling practices, whilst providing an unparalleled gaming experience for their players. This has been an exciting development for our Sportsbook offer, and we can’t wait to see what our partnership will bring next,” he said.

Unique features of the new sportsbook

In the meantime, Swedish players can expect the Playtech sportsbook to deliver the same level of stellar experience that has made the provider so popular at the best online casinos. Sports betting has become a very high priority in Playtech’s portfolio, supporting its strategy for global expansion with a suite of full Player Management System/IMS and the Playtech Open Platform.

All the sports product verticals will be available in Sweden through 10Bet as the Spellispektionen license covers all products. This new partnership puts the spotlight on the strong demand the country is experiencing in terms of sports betting, with 10Bet spokesperson Yuval Klein commenting in the same press statement:

“We are truly amazed by the results we’re getting so far with the Playtech Sportsbook. It was one of the most successful bets we’ve made in recent years. From developing a smooth player experience to increasing bonus capability, incorporating Playtech’s Sportsbook has been a great move for 10bet players. We look forward to our continued collaboration and shared success with Playtech over the coming months and years”.

10Bet’s new Playtech sportsbook will offer players a comprehensive experience that doesn’t only incorporate betting on several popular sports and markets but also delivers real-time statistics, analytics and news alongside the betting market options.

Players will find it to be one of the best minimum bet sportsbook sites available in Sweden, with more than 30 sports available, including the most popular like Rugby League, Hockey, Golf and Football and more obscure markets like Gaelic Games and Futsal. The site also offers virtual sports and live casinos besides slots and table games, confirming itself as an all-rounder and earning a high ranking on our best online casino reviews.

10Bet is also known for an array of bonuses and promotions, both with respect to sportsbooks and casinos. Whether you’re into sports or slots, take a look at our 10Bet casino review to find out more and to claim your bonus via our link.

Background of 10Bet

10Bet comes with a sterling history and consistently performs as one of the top-rated online casinos globally. It was founded in 2003 and offers a 360-degree full suite of gambling products, with more than 1 million registered customers enjoying the experience offered by the platform.

It is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission and the Swedish Gambling Authority, besides holding a Remote Bookmaker’s Licence in Ireland. These four licenses make it one of the most trustworthy online casinos globally, known for high standards of player protection and responsible gambling measures.

The casino is operated by Ocean Star Limited and has enjoyed several high-profile partnerships, with a presence that extends beyond Europe to Africa via Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya and South Africa, as well as Latin America via Mexico. It is known for taking a strong interest in community matters in the country in which it operates, with a number of local sponsorships such as the Women’s Diski Tournament in Johannesburg. In 2022 it was shortlisted for two industry leader awards – SBC Sportsbook of the Year and Rising Star with 10Bet in Africa.

Background of Playtech

Playtech is one of the industry veterans, having been founded in 1999 by Teddy Sagi in Estonia. Today it’s considered as one of the global leaders in the online casino landscape, establishing itself as a heavyweight in the online gaming and sports betting industry. This company rapidly evolved from its modest beginnings in Europe to a powerhouse that offers software solutions for slots, online poker rooms, bingo games, remote sports betting, scratch games, live dealer studios and more.

One element that has contributed strongly to its success is Playtech’s commitment to legality and regulation. The company prides itself on holding licenses in major jurisdictions, and its operations comply with the strictest regulatory frameworks, granting it a presence in most jurisdictions that range from the UK to Malta, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Italy, Spain, Philippines, Denmark, Sweden and many others. This dedication to legal compliance has enabled it to thrive in various markets around the globe, further solidifying its status as a trusted name at the top online casinos.

Throughout its history, Playtech has been the recipient of several industry awards, among the latest being Live Casino Supplier and Poker Supplier at the EGR B2B Awards in 2023. Its most popular slot titles include the Age of the Gods series, Beach Life, Gladiator and Frankie Dettori’s Magic Seven.

A Shining Future In Sweden

Given 10Bet’s and Playtech’s pedigree, Swedish players are expecting great things from the newly launched sportsbook. As the 10Bet site gets ready with a full suite of promotions to celebrate the launch, all attention is on it to see what fruits the partnership will yield.

 Gamlinked June  2024

By Thadeus Goedfrey

Welcome back to Gamlinked, your go-to source for global gambling news. We cover everything from new online casinos and games to legislative updates and industry developments across the Atlantic, the Pacific, and beyond.

This June, the gambling world has been buzzing with major developments. We’re tracking Canada’s Senate regulatory battles, the recent illegal gambling bust in New York, and controversies over US military gambling regulations. We’re also following developments in Indonesia, South Africa’s bookie-turned-ISP, and charity funding probes in the UK. Stay tuned as we bring you the latest headlines reshaping the gambling landscape.

NZ influencer bets 10 cents per follower and wins $ 1 million

A former farrier from Taranaki, Tim Myers, known as Tim Naki on social media, turned $1,500 into $1 million through a bold online blackjack challenge.

Myers neither played at an NZ online casino nor a land based casino. Interesting, uh? So, before you ask how he did it, you must have heard you can monetise your social media following. Yes, we know you can generate income from your audience on your social channels. But we didn’t imagine it meant literally turning your followers into money.

He began by betting 10 cents for each of his Instagram followers daily. As his followers increased, so did his bet sizes, leading to a streak of seven wins out of his first ten hands. By day 50, with 320,000 followers, he was betting over $32,000 per hand. His aggressive strategy and some good luck allowed him to reach his $1 million goal on May 4 with a $115,000 gamble. That’s incredible, an unimaginable feat, not even at the best online casino.

His victory was short-lived, though. Myers experienced a series of significant losses, including consecutive $100,000+ bets, culminating in a final $195,000 loss that left him with $500,000.

In online blackjack, the house edge of each bet the house expects to win from players ranges from 0.5% to 1% even against skilled players using basic strategy. The card game is among the most popular games at top online casinos. It pits players against the dealer, and the main objective is to have a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand without exceeding it.

So, in essence, Myers was playing each of his followers, but each follower was just playing him, putting him at a considerable disadvantage. But his first winning streak helped him cushion against the later losses.

He didn’t lose, though. For starters, he had grown his account following past the one million mark. By day 91, the time he announced he was quitting, he had 1.3 million followers. He had paid off his upcoming wedding and part of the mortgage of his New Zealand farm property. On top of that, he intends to reinvest part of the profit on his content. Also, he is now a social media sensation, with people who adore and loathe him. But fame is fame, isn’t it?

Did we leave out that his $500,000 net profit run has earned him a brand partnership, merchandising, and career opportunity? He featured as an international form analyst on social media feeds for Racing South Australia.

Of course, his success wasn’t a walk in the park. He had to deal with trolls from his negative followers. Some focused more on the negative aspects of his run, while others supported him. He also had to put everything aside and the playing had also mental strain on him.

Myers emphasised the inherent risks of gambling and warned his followers not to replicate his actions. He noted the “gut-wrenching” nature of his losses, which is why it is important to promote responsible gambling. 

Myers plans a new blackjack series featuring lower stakes and audience engagement. He will be sharing with his followers the proceeds, but if he loses, he will take a punishment from his audience.

“ I’ll bet Monday to Friday, and if I finish net positive, I’ll share some of the profits with the followers. And if I finish negative, they all come up with a punishment,” he told news.com.au.

Could you turn your audience into a $1 million fortune? Try your luck!

Brazil to host 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup

Brazil will be the first-ever South American nation to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup™. The nation was selected to host the 2027 edition, the tenth in the history of the tournament, at a FIFA congress in Bangkok.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup, like the men’s edition, is held every four years. Its first edition, won by the USA against Norway in the final, was held in China in 1991. Since then, the USA has gone on to add three more titles, with Germany winning two, while Norway, Japan, and Spain winning one each.

Brazil beat the joint bid from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, after garnering 119 votes against 78. Some of its strengths came from its ten stadiums that hosted the 2014 men’s World Cup. The collection includes its iconic Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. However, the Amazonia stadium in Manaus requires renovation as it is rarely used.

In Brazil women’s football is well-developed with currently, 14 of the 16 championship sides under the sponsorship of sports betting platforms. Grêmio and Real Brasília, are the only exceptions. But that shows how much sports betting could also benefit from the country hosting the World Cup.

South American women’s football will significantly benefit from this win. It could be the first time Brazil’s women’s team wins this title, something their men’s team has done five times. The women’s team has struggled, even the 2023 expansion from 24 to 32 teams in Australia and New Zealand didn’t help. They were eliminated in the group stage.

The FIFA Congress, held for the first time in Thailand, discussed other matters beyond the tournament. Palestinian FA head Jibril Rajoub called for the suspension of Israel citing violations and ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Israeli FA head Shino Moshe Zuares contested this move. On the matter, FIFA President Gianni Infantino ruled that independent legal advice would be sought before a decision is made by July 20.

Additionally, the congress approved changes to FIFA statutes, allowing for a potential relocation of its headquarters from Zurich. It also allowed expanding the number of committees from seven to 35, which critics argue could undermine previous anti-corruption reforms.

According to Front Office Sports, FIFA seeks to build on the 2023 success of the tournament, generating $570 million in revenue, to further push women’s football.

If you had to place a bet using an online sportsbook, which team would you bet on to win the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup?

Centralised data registry of betting games on the cards for Spain

The Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) is developing a centralised data registry for betting games. GamblingNews.com reports.

This central data registry, according to Spain’s gambling regulatory body, will improve data management policies and practices. It will compile customer data from all licensed online gambling operators in Spain. It will sum up gambling activity and enhance transparency and accountability among all online casinos, including low-deposit casinos and casinos with a minimum deposit.

The initiative is part of a raft of changes mandated by the General Assembly over a year ago. The changes are meant to encourage a Responsible Gaming Environment.

DGOJ’s General Director, Mikel Arana, emphasised the benefits of the registry.

“The data registry will increase transparency and accountability of gambling activities,” he said. “It will provide a framework to monitor and ensure compliance with the highest standards of responsible gambling.”

The registry will help DGOJ monitor gambling activities and customer engagement more effectively.

Because it’s no longer a secret, online gambling is here with us to stay. But if left unchecked, online casinos can be addictive, often harming users’ mental health. Monitoring these activities will help mitigate these negative effects and protect vulnerable individuals. As always, there must be a balance between the thrill of online casinos and the well-being of their users.

Consultations with stakeholders, including operators, are the next step in the process. DGOJ aims to finalise the implementation plan by the end of the year. The registry is expected to be operational at the beginning of 2025.

There’s a discussion on data integration between public administrations and reporting on gaming activity. Operators will have to establish risk profiles for customers under 25 years old.

What do you think about the DGOJ’s new registry initiative? Will it effectively promote responsible gambling and enhance transparency?

Hollywood Bets makes headlines in South Africa after announcing new internet service

Hollywoodbets South Africa, has ventured into South Africa’s telecommunications sector. It has launched an Internet service provider (ISP) named Hollywood Connect. It is asking the country’s telecom regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), for two network licences.

The ICASA says the firm has asked for two highly sought-after and notoriously difficult to secure service licences. The first one is the Individual Electronic Communications Service (I-ECS). The second one is Individual Electronic Communications Network Service (I-ECNS) licences.

Currently, Hollywood Connect’s services are available only in Durban. But the acquisition of these licences indicates plans for nationwide expansion.

An I-ECS licence permits Hollywoodbets to provide Internet services. But the other one, the I-ECNS licence, allows it to build and run its own physical network. The bookie will build networks and offer Internet services across the entire country. Otherwise, it would have gone for a class licence, which only allows services within a local area or district. So, this is a significant strategic move to diversify its investment.

As the law dictates, ICASA has published this application notice in the Government Gazette. The Border Gateway Protocol query reveals the advertisement of 2,042 IP addresses assigned to Hollywoodbets. So, Hollywoodbets has already started to build its network.

What do you think about betting companies like Hollywoodbets going into the internet service provider market – hit or miss?

Senators in Canada consider new Bill for sports betting advertising

The Canadian Senate is living up to the house’s name, a beacon of wisdom and oversight. It’s emerging that the house is rethinking the sports betting advertising law, thanks to Bill S-269, by Senator Marty Deacon.

A ban on athletes and celebrities in online gambling ads in Ontario is now in effect as announced by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) last summer. The ban aims to protect children and youth from such advertising. As of February 28, no active or retired athletes, celebrities, role models, social media influencers, or entertainers were allowed to feature in such commercials. Ontario argued that these figures appealed to minors. However, these figures could still appear on responsible gambling ads.

On June 3rd, the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications held the first of its two scheduled hearings of the bill. The bill discusses the National Framework on Advertising for Sports Betting Act.

Senator Deacon highlighted the need for this framework to regulate sports betting advertising. This framework would limit the number and timing of ads. It would also restrict the use of athletes and celebrities to promote betting. That would address concerns about exposing minors and individuals prone to addiction.

Deacon argued against Ontario’s online casino regulations that still allow athletes to promote responsible gambling. She says by associating these figures with betting brands, the law encourages gambling. That reminds us about the involvement of Hockey star Connor McDavid in promoting responsible gaming for BetMGM.

On his part, Quebec Senator Leo Housakos, says he had mixed feelings about supporting the sports betting bill. He noted concerns among lawmakers on the social implications of widespread gambling advertising. He currently chairs the committee.

Saskatchewan Senator Brent Cotter added to his sentiments. He says he’s worried betting could sweep away the intrinsic value of sports. According to him, many now view sports as only an avenue for betting. He is the chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs and his inputs are equally helpful.

In Canada, regulating commercial gambling typically falls under provincial jurisdiction. But Deacon’s bill seeks to create a unified standard among provincial governments. His guiding principles for advertising and addiction prevention could be helpful. But his bill is far away from becoming law. It has to go through various legislative stages and gain broader political support if it’s to become law.

The debate continues as the Senate’s transport and communications committee plans further discussions. It expects input from Canadian lottery corporations and mental health organisations. Members will also reflect on the complex nature of regulating sports betting advertisements.

Isn’t that what the upper house is supposed to do? Be the sieve to review laws passed by the lower house for a balanced and thorough approach to lawmaking.

Illicit gambling bust: Mob family linked to illegal operation

New York authorities have indicted 17 people allegedly linked to the infamous Gambino crime family. Thao Nguyen of USA TODAY reports the state accused them of running illegal gambling and loan sharking rings on Staten Island. The swoop recovered over $22.7 million in illicit bets and approximately $500,000 in high-interest loans.

The indictment includes many charges such as enterprise corruption, first and second-degree criminal usury, and first-degree promoting illegal gambling.

“Illegal gambling and loansharking schemes are some of the oldest rackets in the mob’s playbook,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “While organised crime may still be active in New York, today we are putting several Gambino family members out of business.”

She emphasised the significant financial impact these operations had on New Yorkers. Many of whom she says were trapped in dangerous amounts of debt due to these activities.

Key figures in the indictment include John Laforte, 56, and Edward LaForte, 58, who allegedly oversaw the gambling website operations. He managed bets and collections through several “sheetholders.” Together with Frederick Falcone Sr., 66, LaForte also led the loan sharking operations. Interestingly, Falcone is a former member of NYPD. They maintained detailed ledgers of victims’ names and their respective usurious amounts.

There’s also Amy McLaughlin, who organised the gambling ring. keeping detailed records of figures and distributing proceeds. Others include Anthony Cinque Jr., 39, John Matera, 53, Giulio Pomponio, 61, and Daniel Bogan, 41.

The operation, headed by the NYPD, brought together the New York Waterfront Commission and the US Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. They used wiretaps, bugs, and covert video cameras. They also employed warrants to search an offshore illegal gambling website and defendants’ homes.

The traditional casinos let criminals convert physical “dirty” cash into chips and later into cash as legit wins. Today, they use online gambling. The new approach poses different money laundering risks due to increased anonymity. But the authorities had it all figured out.

New York Waterfront commissioner, Paul Weinstein, said the burst is a stark reminder that organised crime continues to thrive in the New York metropolitan area.

“Disruption of profits from illegal gambling and loansharking weakens that family’s grip,” he remarked.

Let’s face it, as long as New York clings to a hardline stance against US Real Money online casinos, illegal gambling will flourish. Online casinos, when regulated properly, can effectively combat criminal networks like the Gambino family. There are casinos with a minimum deposit that offer top-rated services and abide by responsible gambling principles. Unfortunately, currently, only online sports betting is legal in the state.

Indonesian govt meets with Google to find ways of removing internet gambling

Indonesia is determined to weed out internet gambling. In a new onslaught in its fight against the vice, Communication and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi met with Google representatives.

A news report by ANTARA indicates the meeting happened on June 4. The focus was on how AI can accelerate the identification and handling of online gambling content.

Indonesia has intensified its efforts against online gambling, with President Joko Widodo committing to eradicating the practice and forming a special task force.

The government is looking for ways to quickly and accurately identify online gambling activities. The human efforts alone, apparently, have not yielded much.

Minister Setiadi was quick to defend the decision to implement AI.

“Processing online gambling content reports can be faster with help from AI,” he said.

He emphasised the implementation is still in the testing phase. However, when it eventually rolls out, it will be within the good governance framework. Despite potential privacy concerns regarding Google’s involvement, he expressed confidence in its benefits.

The minister sees Google’s participation in this initiative as a huge step in supporting the government.

The whole script is in line with the broader government effort to curb gambling in the digital space. President Widodo recently reassigned a task force to dismantle the online gambling ecosystem. The team is led by the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law, and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto.

So far, the country has shut down over 2.1 million online casino sites. Still, online gambling persists, affecting over 3 million Indonesians. It’s causing significant social and economic harm. The president highlighted some of these problems. They included bankruptcy, divorce, and violence. He urged citizens to use their assets for legal purposes, emphasising that gambling risks the future of families.

Well, we never imagined how far Joko Widodo’s government was willing to go in its fight against online gambling. The collaboration with Google marks a proactive approach to the fight.

But maybe Indonesia should learn a thing or two from US states that have refused to legalise online gambling. This fight, while it aims to protect the public, might only result in a pyrrhic victory. You kill online gambling, you create another monster, illicit gambling dens. These are even more dangerous than online casinos. My thinking, though. What’s your take?

US lawmakers consider banning slot machines on military bases

Slot machines in bases could lead to gambling addiction. That’s the position taken by Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y. He has, therefore, filed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This proposal would prohibit the military from operating slot machines on bases. But before you take a position on this, what are slots doing in bases?

Let’s first understand the story. In 1952, the US banned slot machines on military bases. They removed them from the bases, including their overseas bases. But soldiers would go out of the camp and indulge, sometimes causing trouble. So, they brought them back after 1970. The intention was to keep service members away from trouble off base.

Statistics from the National Council on Problem Gambling show that more than 3,000 slot machines are in military bases overseas. Most of them are in more remote military installations where entertainment is otherwise to come by. So, servicemen can have a place to enjoy some downtime. They are actually operated by the U.S. DoD through specific military MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) groups.

But with easy access to gaming, gaming addiction is a serious problem in the American Armed Forces. So the prospect of such game rooms has raised serious questions on the morality of it all.

On this new law, the Pentagon has said while slots help fund other recreational activities, they contribute to gambling among service members.

Currently, slot machines are present on overseas military bases and bring in over $100 million annually. DoD channels this revenue to various recreational programs, like golf courses and youth centres.

A 2017 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlighted the widespread presence of these machines in 12 countries. They are predominantly common in Japan, South Korea, and German US bases.

Tonko’s amendment is among over 1,300 proposed for the NDAA, with only a few hundred typically making it to a vote.

“We must do all we can to support them by confronting the problem of gambling head-on, “said Tonko.

Active-duty service members and veterans are more than twice as likely to suffer problem gambling compared to civilians. That’s according to the 2021 study by Rutgers University. The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that about 56,000 service members are affected.

The Pentagon has often asserted that slot machines do not significantly affect troops. It doesn’t affect their morale or finances, save for only a few isolated incidents. But Congress took no chances. It mandated the inclusion of gambling disorder questions in annual health screenings for service members since the 2018 NDAA.

Tonko has previously introduced legislation to ban online sports gambling advertisements. He argues that gambling disorder should be treated as seriously as other addictions like heroin, tobacco, and alcohol.

“Worryingly, studies show that military members are more likely to develop gambling disorder,” he argued.

But can removing slot machines from bases reduce gambling addiction among military personnel?

GambleAware in hot water after complaints relate to funding from the gambling industry

The Charity Commission has launched a regulatory compliance case into GambleAware. This follows the complaints about its funding practices.

Campaigners, led by the Good Law Project (GLP), have raised concerns that GambleAware receives donations from the gambling industry. They argued that this action compromised its impartiality in serving its purpose.

The Charity Commission says they are in discussions with GambleAware’s trustees. GLP had threatened legal action if the Commission did not investigate GambleAware’s violation of charity law.

GambleAware’s CEO, Zoë Osmond has vehemently denied the allegations. She described them as “baseless and highly damaging.”

Zoë Osmond maintained that GambleAware is independent from the gambling industry. She called for stricter gambling regulations and a statutory funding system for accountability.

GambleAware did not directly address the Charity Commission in this regulatory compliance case. However, earlier statements from the charity criticised GLP’s complaint, terming it as misleading and based on outdated information.

According to GambleAware’s website, the organisation requests that all players who profit from gambling, regardless of whether they hold a Gambling Commission licence, contribute at least 0.1% of their annual Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) directly to GambleAware. But this is in line with the law that requires licensees to provide an annual financial contribution to one or more organisations that research preventing and treating gambling-related harms as approved by the Gambling Commission.

This ongoing scrutiny and debate surrounding the funding of independence of organisations is an eye-opener. While the concern could be potentially damaging, the organisation must be clear on its funding sources. GambleAware plays a crucial role in addressing gambling-related harm within the UK. It would be disheartening if those activities are nothing but a charade.

As these developments continue to unfold, there’s no doubt that the gambling landscape, particularly regulation, remains fragile. We keep our heads abreast and stay tuned for further updates on how these stories evolve and their broader implications in the future. It’s a wrap-up for this edition. Until next time, may your bets be wise and your luck be favourable.

GiG’s X-Suite Expansion in Argentina and Spain

By Ramona Depares

A new era is on the cards for the top online casinos in Spain and Argentina, as Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has just signed an expansion agreement with two new partners in these jurisdictions. The gaming giant made the official statement on its website, detailing that both the GiG iGaming platform CoreX and its sportsbook SportX will be available via the brand’s revolutionary new X-Suite solutions to operators in regulated markets in Europe and Latin America.

GiG’s first partnership has been revealed to be with Juegging, a highly-respected, Spanish, land-based online casino and sports betting operator that will now be migrating to GiG’s comprehensive turnkey solution, the X-Suite. This marks a significant announcement for the Spanish gambling market, which is expected to yield around €2 Billion in gross gaming revenue year on year within the next three years. The figures were released by the Spanish gambling regulator, the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ).

Meanwhile, Argentina’s online casinos will also be able to benefit from GiG’s revolutionary turnkey solutions, with the first partnership announced within the country’s regulated market. This agreement was signed with a land-based casino and slot hall operator, SIGAR S.A., which is planning to join the realms of best online casino sites by leveraging GiG’s experience to take its land-based product online.

The LatAm area is one of the fastest-growing markets for online gambling, with Statista reporting that it offers strong opportunities for operator expansion within regulated markets like Argentina. iGaming revenues are expected to exceed $3.7 billion by 2025, according to the data released by Statista.

Partnerships like the one announced between GiG and SIGAR S.A. help accelerate the growth rate of the market, paving the way for other, similar agreements with other Argentinian gambling operators.

GiG has already carried out this migration from land-based to online casinos successfully with a number of new online casinos across Europe and Latin America, and SIGAR S.A. is expected to benefit from this expertise to hit the ground running with Argentinian players.

Andrew Cochrane, Chief Business Officer at GiG said; “These signings underscore the demand for our CoreX platform and SportX sportsbook, to drive innovation and expansion for our partners in regulated markets. The full X-Suite solutions, we believe, sit at the apex of technological advancement within our industry, empowering operators like Juegging and SIGAR to thrive in competitive landscapes across Europe and Latin America.”

What does GiG’s X-Suite bring?

GiG’s X-Suite is a powerful turnkey solution that has helped cement the brand’s position as a pioneer in cutting-edge iGaming platform and sportsbook solutions. It was released earlier in 2024 in time for launch at the coveted ICE gaming convention, where it was hailed as representing a milestone moment for the award-winning company.

X-Suite combines two powerful solutions for online casino games and sports betting, CoreX and SportX respectively. As regulated markets increase their demands for high-tech solutions, X-Suite is expected to create more opportunities for GiG to continue building on its market expansion strategy, reconfirming it as a leading solutions-provider for top online casinos globally.

SportX offers operators an A to Z integrated sports betting experience, packed full of flexible, customizable features that can be localized for any market. It’s a complete and integrated solution that requires minimal maintenance by operators as it’s been built using a revolutionary back-end. Moreover, the solution comes with the 24/7 support of a trading team and the capacity to tailor margins in real time, making it one of the most advanced and feature-rich offerings currently available on the market.

What makes it especially attractive is the fact that it’s been designed specifically to cope with complex regulatory environments, removing much of the admin and resources typically needed when launching a sportsbook platform from scratch.

CoreX is its counterpart for online casinos and it has already made a global impact, its launch in Latin America, Europe and North America being received enthusiastically by players and operators alike. CoreX is described by GiG as a “powerful, secure, and agile iGaming platform designed to adapt to ever-changing legislative and user demands, across the world”, all elements that render it highly competitive and likely to be preferred by the best online casinos.

GiG’s partnerships with Juegging and SIGAR S.A

GiG’s partnerships with Juegging and SIGAR S.A. are likely to herald a new era of smooth online gaming for the two operators thanks to the rapid integration properties of X-Suite. The platform is highly scalable and offers the potential for an unlimited inventory of preferred third parties, together with powerful localization options.

These features can potentially revolutionize Juegging’s and SIGAR S.A.’s sports and casino offerings. Juegging will be undergoing a full migration to X-Suite, with the integration of sports and casino leading to an increase in the number of software providers and payment options offered to players, thus enabling more online banking options, fast withdrawals and a better equipped content lobby.

The new partnership with SIGAR S.A. represents a milestone moment for GiG, as it’s the first time that the CoreX platform is going live in Argentina. However, the brand already has a strong presence in the country, powering brands in seven regulated provinces.

Background of GiG

GiG is certainly no new name on the online casinos landscape. It was founded in 2012 by Robin Reed and Frode Fagerli, although today ownership is divided among a number of shareholders that include SkyCity Entertainment Group and Betplay Capital.

The brand was launched with the specific aim of targeting the top-rated online casinos with a full portfolio of technological solutions. Upon launch, the founders went on record stating that they intended for GiG to become “the industry-leading platform and media provider delivering world-class solutions to iGaming partners and their customers”.

If the plethora of awards and the continuous market expansion the company has seen in the past 12 years is anything to go by, GiG has undoubtedly succeeded in this mission. In 2022 the company won Best Casino Affiliate at the IGB Awards; in 2020 it scooped up Multi-Channel Supplier of the Year at the SBC Awards; in 2021 it bagged the title of Full Service Platform Of The Year at the annual EGR Global B2B Awards.

The list goes on, not to mention all the nominations and shortlisting it has also achieved. Its platforms are also ISO 20000 certified, meaning that operators are guaranteed optimal service and support.

The company prides itself on focusing on the global regulated market and “soon to be regulated” markets, only taking up partnerships with top-rated online casinos that operate up to the brand’s standards. As part of its brand ethos, GiG ensures “that our operators and their players are treated fairly and stay protected by our responsible gaming features, which for example reduce self-exclusion rates by up to 17%”.

The company is licensed to operate in Malta, Romania, the UK and New Jersey. It is also certified and compliant in Latvia, Sweden, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Croatia and the state of Iowa.

In 2018 GiG opened its flagship headquarters on the island of Malta, a six-floor building that places the brand at the heart of the Mediterranean capital of iGaming and houses more than 600 employees. The company is dual-listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and On Nasdaq Stockholm.

New Stats Reveal the Biggest Gambling Nations of the World

Approximately 4.2 billion people gamble every year. A recent study conducted in 44 countries found that 56% of those polled had gambled at least once in the previous 12 months.

The most recent gambling data has emerged in the ever-changing scene of global entertainment and risk, shining light on the nations that have emerged as powerhouses of chance and fortune. The numbers obtained from various sources including the extensive research accessible at Gambling Industry News, provide an intriguing peek into the gambling habits of nations worldwide.

Notable Gambling Regions in 2023

Each year, the worldwide gambling industry serves billions of gamblers, both online and in land-based gambling institutions such as casinos, bingo halls, and poker rooms, as well as odd locations such as cruise ships and Las Vegas airports.

Sports betting, lotteries, scratch cards, casino games (such as blackjack, roulette, and keno), bingo, and card games like poker are all examples of common types of gambling around the world included in the statistics.

Key aspects include the presence of nearly 9,000 casinos worldwide, with Europe having the most (3,785). According to the latest recent statistics, North America, which includes Canada, the United States, and Mexico, contains approximately 3,451 casinos.

Oceania has 753, Central and South America has 568, Asia has 328, and Africa has 253. The Caribbean ranks last in the rankings, with 192 casinos spread across the region.

Despite these regional highlights, the gambling industry remains fluid, influenced by emerging markets and evolving regulations.

Key Online Gambling Statistics and Trends

A further comprehensive study of the trend of online gambling including Online Casinos finds that roughly 26% of the world’s population participates in this activity. This number translates to approximately 1.6 billion people across the globe. This exhaustive study analyzes the amount of money spent on online gambling, the number of people actively engaged in online gambling, the amount of revenue generated by gambling across countries, and the frequency with which people play.

Australia

Australians have a propensity for taking chances, and their passion for gambling is no different, with 6.8 million active gamblers. Australia has the highest rate of gambling among its adult population, with up to 73% of adults betting in the previous year.

In 2022, the average monthly wage in Australia was $/€3700. Citizens spend an average of $/€1000 per year on gambling and between $/€54 and $/€71 on an average day of gambling. In fact, gambling is regarded as a national issue in Australia. This island is home to 20% of the world’s slot machines, and many residents are in debt. The government has not prohibited gambling, but the country’s central bank has boosted casino gambling fees.

Singapore

Singapore, a tiny island nation, has quickly risen through the rankings to become a gaming hub. Singapore provides a lavish and appealing gambling experience thanks to world-class integrated resorts such as Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.

According to the National Council on Problem Gaming statistics, Singaporeans lose an average of $/€725 per person yearly due to gaming activities. This figure is based on a National Council survey performed in 2017. According to the poll, approximately 0.9% of the population suffers from gambling addiction, with about 28,000 people suffering from addiction to gambling.

Ireland

Ireland, a surprising competitor, is among the top gambling nations in 2023. With a rich cultural heritage entwined with luck and chance, the Irish have embraced numerous types of gambling, from traditional horse racing to cutting-edge online platforms.

Ireland ranks seventh in the world regarding average monthly salaries, with a monthly pay of $/€3,000. Every month, the Irish spend approximately $/€560 on gambling. As a result, the gambling entertainment sector in Ireland generates $/€3 billion in revenue each year.

United Kingdom

According to a UK study on online gambling and demographic statistics, 17% of the population plays online, leading to $/€5.3 billion in income for the iGaming industry alone. Online gambling is totally permitted in this GEO. The United Kingdom is an excellent example of a safe gaming environment, with the UKGC carefully monitoring the sector.

In the United Kingdom, 26.9% of people bet weekly. The average gambler in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland spends $/€179 yearly on betting and gaming. With well-regulated platforms that include everything from classic betting shops to cutting-edge top online casinos, the British will continue to gamble enthusiastically in 2023.

United States

On the other hand, only 3% of the 4.2 billion people in the United States who confirmed regular gambling in 2016 stated they did so online. However, this figure must have increased in subsequent years, given the revenue for the US online gambling business in 2018 was $/€306.5 billion.

Gambling laws in the United States are divided into two categories: federal and regional. Online casinos and bookmakers are currently permitted in Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, New Jersey, Nevada, and other states. Online poker is even allowed in New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

The gaming market in the United States has enormous potential; it is estimated to be worth more than $/€50 billion. The average monthly wage in the United States is $/€4,700 USD. Lotteries and casino gaming cost the average American adult $/€261 per year.

Macau

Macau, nicknamed the “Monte Carlo of the East,” is famous for luxurious casinos and high-stakes gambling. As a Chinese Special Administrative Region, Macau’s attractiveness stems from its unique blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures, resulting in an unrivaled gambling destination. Macau has the most gambling revenue per visitor, at $/€1,354.

While gambling is outlawed in China, the country nonetheless accounts for a sizable number of active global gamblers, owing to the casino sector in Macau as well as revenue from Chinese gamblers traveling to other Southeast Asian countries to bet at casinos.

Macau’s ongoing success is based on its capacity to attract locals as well as players from all over the world looking for a pleasant vacation pastime. This is the only place in China where gambling is legal. The primary focus here is on sports betting. China accounts for 35% of the global gambling market.

Statistics Speak Volumes

The Gambling Industry News study presents a vivid picture of the worldwide gambling environment. The statistics show the prevalence of gambling in different countries and its economic impact. Whether it’s per capita expenditure or the sheer volume of bets placed, the figures highlight the importance of gambling in molding these countries’ economies.

• There are already over 176 million active online gamblers, with this figure expected to rise to 210 million by 2025.
• New online casinos have the second-highest number of users, with 94.1 million, a 62% rise since 2019. By 2025, this amount is predicted to rise to 112 million.
• There are 127.8 million users of online sports betting apps and websites. This represents an increase from 60.3 million in 2019 and is predicted to reach 156.9 million by 2025
• In 2022, Europe had the most prominent online gambling market share, accounting for 41% of worldwide revenue.
• Online casinos held a 52% global market share in 2022, while desktop devices had a 45% market share.

Conclusion

The number of gambling establishments in 2023 is at an all-time high for the global sector. Whether a poker player is calculating their pot equity, a roulette player is calculating their odds of winning, or an operator is presenting their latest revenue report, numerical data permeates every aspect of gambling.

The global gambling industry peaked with 4,792 registered casinos and online gaming companies in 2023. This represents a 4.3% increase over the previous year, indicating a thriving sector. The international casino and online gambling industry is expected to rise from $/€249 billion in 2022 to $/€263.3 billion in 2023. These figures, while significant, fall short of the industry’s high in 2019 and the $/€334 billion generated in 2013.

As the dice roll and the cards are dealt, the six nations listed – Australia, Singapore, Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Macau – are the gambling world’s towering titans in 2023. Their popularity on the global scene demonstrates that they are more than just participants in an industry that thrives on risk and profit. The allure of chance, mixed with the game’s adrenaline, cements their positions in the complex tapestry of the worldwide gambling environment.

Norway and Finland Are Working to Institute Gambling License System

By Daniela Rose

Scandinavia has one of the world’s biggest online gambling markets. It draws players from countries like Sweden, Norway, and Finland, who regularly deposit money to play their favourite games. However, local regulations in Scandinavia impose strict limitations on domestic operators, prohibiting them from offering services to regional players. As a result, many international, top online casinos have adapted by providing their websites in Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish languages and facilitating local currency deposits and withdrawals for Scandinavian players.

However, through the establishment of proper licensing systems, Norway and Finland are both adopting measures to promote gambling legislation that is both safer and more effective. When it comes to gambling activities, Norway is now operating under a monopoly system. Still, Finland is currently in the process of deconstructing its own monopoly system in favour of issuing licenses.

This development reflects a rising understanding within the gambling sector across Scandinavia and wider Europe of the need for increased control, player protection, and integrity of the best online casinos.

Finnish Authorities Want Greater Control of the Gambling Market

The government of Finland has taken a decision to open up the gambling industry to licensing after years of maintaining a rigid monopoly. It is anticipated that by the year 2026, it will have a fully operational licensing system that will encourage sizeable international online casino sites to operate in Finland. This will, in turn, contribute a significant amount of tax money to the budget, and it will also provide consumers with the luxury of choosing from a variety of operators.

Veikkaus, Finland’s Slot Machine Association, and Fintoto, three state-owned companies, were forced to merge in 2017, which resulted in establishing a strict monopoly on gambling in Finland. Users were left with no options to pick from, and there was no healthy competition that could have fostered the growth of the market because no other brands were permitted to operate in the country.

The government of Finland believed that by establishing a monopoly on gambling, it would be able to keep the money consumers spend on wagers within the country while offering easy access to gambling institutions, allowing for easier oversight.

Finland’s choice to transition away from its long-standing gaming monopoly system and towards a licensing model highlights the need for increased management and control. Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), emphasized the significance of this move by saying, “This is a welcome step towards meaningful and overdue gambling reform in Finland.”

Haijer noted the possible benefits, including giving consumers a wider variety of options and safeguards, promoting equal competition among operators, and allowing Finnish authorities to exercise more comprehensive regulatory capabilities.

Implementing a licensing system that permits firms to buy their way into a particular market has proven to be a successful model in a number of different countries. When there are standards that official companies are required to follow to remain in the market, the regulation process becomes more manageable. This contrasts the situation in which authorities chase online casinos and bookmakers and attempt to limit access to pages that keep appearing.

Norway Signs Agreement to Promote Safer Gambling

The Norwegian Industry Association for Online Gaming (NBO) and the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) have formed a strategic partnership with the primary goal of developing safer gambling practices in Norway. This partnership was formed in response to Finland’s progressive mindset on the issue.

Both organizations have reached an agreement to lobby for the implementation of a licensing system in order to enhance the protection of consumers and the integrity of the industry. This agreement was reached through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

As reported by the Gambling Insider, the General Secretary of the Norwegian Gaming Organisation, Carl Frederik Stenstrom, emphasized the significance of this collaboration by noting, “Increasingly strong signals indicate that the Norwegian monopoly is not the most effective solution for consumer protection or industry integrity.” Stenstrom emphasized the importance of taking a holistic approach to the gambling product and regulating it according to that perspective to develop the most effective framework possible.

IBIA CEO Khalid Ali recently issued a statement in which he restated the organization’s position and expressed satisfaction with the Memorandum of Understanding that was recently created with the NBO. Ali emphasized the significance of obtaining licenses for responsible and regulated betting operators in Norway. He pointed out that the absence of such permits makes it more challenging to monitor the market, safeguard consumers, and implement stringent integrity measures for online casinos and sports betting.

From Monopoly to Licensing

Several criticisms and challenges have been levelled against Finland’s monopoly on gambling in recent years. Switching from Veikkaus Oy’s monopoly structure to a licensing system is one of the potential solutions presented. Among the countries known globally as standard role models in the gambling industry, Norway has not adopted a licensing model. Yet, it has been able to build its own monopolistic system successfully.

Since 2019, the number of gambling problems in Norway has decreased by 50%, and the number of people in Norway who indulge in gambling games that are not part of the monopoly system has been reduced. A decrease has also been seen in high-risk gambling. This information is uncovered by a recent study of the Norwegian population that the University of Bergen carried out.

Norway has, among other things, implemented additional mechanisms to prevent financial transactions to prohibit gambling outside of the monopoly system. The country has outlawed the marketing of gambling games by both the monopoly operator Norsk Tipping and unlawful operators. As a consequence of these restrictions, there is a visible reduction in the amount of advertising for gambling across all channels.

The partnership between the National Board of Gambling and the International Business Institute (IBIA) represents a concentrated effort to address responsible behaviours and promote plans that attempt to minimize the impact of the harm caused by gambling.

Norway and Finland are making progress toward establishing gaming licensing systems; nonetheless, promoting safer gambling practices and the integrity of the sector continues to be of the utmost importance in these countries.

Joint Efforts Towards Responsible Gambling

Online casinos and sportsbooks that have been granted licenses are based on a foundation of safer gambling. Organizations that are concerned with the protection of customers and the implementation of responsible gambling practices are included in this foundation.

Gambling responsibly is essential in order to have a secure and fun experience when playing at an online casino. Players can explore the top-rated online casinos in a responsible manner if they establish limits for themselves, identify warning signs, and seek support when they feel they need it.

Being licensed by regulatory bodies that place a priority on responsible gambling practices is essential to ensuring that the excitement of gaming continues to be a positive and controlled pursuit. This is especially important in Norway and Finland, where the online casino industry continues to expand internationally.

Spelinspektionen taking aim at Twitch for illicit online casino advertising

By Shadrack Kairu

There is a new trend in Sweden where top social media influencers have been leveraging their huge followings on the streaming platform Twitch to promote unlicensed online casinos. 

During a six-week investigation, undertaken by Sveriges Television AB (SVT), known as Kulturnyheterna, the unit analyzed the broadcasts of the most prominent Swedish streamers on Twitch. 

According to their report, 8 out of 10 Swedish influencers on Twitch were actively endorsing and advertising these unlicensed online casino platforms. This discovery is especially concerning, considering that these influencers collectively reach an audience of approximately half a million subscribers, predominantly comprised of young males born in the 1990s and 2000s.  

During their live streams, the researchers observed that 60% of these influencers employed direct marketing tactics to lure viewers to these allegedly unlicensed gambling sites. These tactics included prominently displaying links to the casinos in their profiles and broadcasts, as well as dangling lucrative bonus offers to entice viewers to register accounts. 

But wait, there’s more. The investigators also uncovered something truly disturbing – these influential streamers weren’t just passively promoting these illegal gambling sites, they were actually getting in on the action themselves.  

The report states that the influencers were “seen making direct calls to gamble, playing along with their audience, and involving viewers in decisions on stakes, deepening the engagement in gambling activities.” They were actively encouraging their followers to place bets and even collaborating with them on how much to wager. This brazenly unethical behaviour has caught the attention of Sweden’s gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen. And let me tell you, this agency has been beefed up in recent years with some serious enforcement muscle to crack down on the scourge of unlawful online gambling. 

Now, they’ve got their sights firmly set on platforms like Twitch and the key role they’re playing in enabling these shady, illegal activities. 

Swedish Gambling regulator Spelinspektionen targets Twitch

Kulturnyheterna has submitted its findings directly to Spelinspektionen, bringing to the forefront Twitch’s status as a primary nexus for the promotion of allegedly unlicensed online casinos.  

While Spelinspektionen has not yet issued any direct commentary on the specifics of the Kulturnyheterna investigation, the regulator has been unequivocal in its stance that advertising unlicensed gambling is strictly forbidden under Swedish law. Moreover, confirmed violators allegedly risk facing severe repercussions, including prohibitive business bans and potential police intervention. 

Updates to Sweden’s Gambling Act in 2018 conferred upon the agency enhanced enforcement powers, empowering it to directly mandate the blocking of financial transactions and internet access associated with suspected illegal gambling operations. 

Equipped with these robust measures, Spelinspektionen is poised to exercise its authority and crack down on individuals or entities defying the law. 

Similar action was taken in neighbouring countries

The issue of social media platforms allegedly being exploited to promote illegal online gambling transcends the borders of Sweden. Neighbouring countries have also taken decisive actions to address this concerning trend. 

In Norway, for instance, the country’s Gambling Authority has implemented a strict zero-tolerance policy towards social media platforms facilitating the promotion of online gambling content. Over the past few years, the authority has enforced a rigorous blackout on gambling advertising, with exceptions only for state-owned monopolies. 

As part of its robust crackdown, the Norwegian Gambling Authority has issued stern warnings to entities like Schpell.com, sending a clear message that the promotion of unlicensed gambling activities will not be tolerated. 

This resolute stance mirrors the determined actions taken by Spelinspektionen in Sweden. Both regulatory bodies are unwavering in their commitment to preventing the exploitation of vulnerable consumers through alleged illicit online gambling promotions. 

The gambling regulators in Europe, like the ones in Sweden, are really bringing the heat when it comes to illegal online gambling. They’re not playing around, and you can see it in the actions they’re taking.  

Just last year, the EU passed new rules to give national regulators more power to crack down on gambling ads. They can now slap some massive fines on platforms that don’t play by the rules. So, these guys are making it clear they mean business.  

Across Europe, these regulators have their sights set on stamping out illegal online gambling, especially when it’s happening on social media and streaming sites. They know that’s become a big way for this shady stuff to spread, so they’re using their new enforcement muscles to try and shut it all down. These authorities aren’t messing around – they’re bringing the hammer down to protect people from getting exploited. 

Twitch’s checkered history with gambling content

Twitch’s gambling drama isn’t just a Sweden thing – it’s a global mess they’re dealing with. The platform has been getting hammered worldwide for how they’ve handled all this gambling content. Last year, Twitch supposedly updated its rules to try and curb the explosion of gambling streams. They banned streaming of gambling sites with slots, roulette, or dice games unless those sites were legit and regulated in the US or other places with solid consumer protections.  

They singled out sketchy sites like Stake.com, Rollbit.com, Duelbits.com, and Roobet.com as off-limits. Twitch also said they’d keep an eye on things and might add more banned gambling sites later. But the Sweden investigation showed that even with these new rules, big-name streamers have still found ways to skirt around them and keep shoving unlicensed online casinos in front of their audiences.  

This really makes you wonder if Twitch can actually enforce its own guidelines. Some people think their whole self-policing approach just isn’t enough to deal with this massive problem. 

Conclusion: The fight against illegal online gambling continues

The revelations unearthed by the Kulturnyheterna investigation in Sweden have unearthed a deeply alarming trend unfolding across social media platforms worldwide. Prominent influencers, wielding the considerable influence of their extensive followings, are actively promoting unlicensed online casinos, effectively normalizing and glamorizing alleged illegal gambling activities to impressionable young audiences. 

This is a problem that transcends Sweden’s borders. Neighbouring countries such as Norway have reportedly taken resolute action, with the country’s Gambling Authority issuing warnings and implementing a zero-tolerance policy towards the promotion of allegedly illegal online gambling content on social media. 

Nevertheless, the struggle is far from over. As the Kulturnyheterna investigation was able to find, even when platforms like Twitch implement policies to curtail gambling-related content, clever influencers continue to find loopholes to exploit their audiences. 

Addressing this grave issue will most definitely necessitate a multi-pronged approach, with regulators, platforms, and influencers each required to play a pivotal role. Regulators, for example, must continue to wield their enforcement powers and make examples of those who flout the rules. 

Simultaneously, social platforms must bolster their content moderation activities and close any remaining gaps that permit illegal gambling promotion to evade detection. Influencers themselves must be held accountable for the consequences of their actions. 

Ultimately, the battle against illegal online gambling concerns us all. The proliferation of these unregulated activities not only imperils players with potential financial and emotional harm but also carries broader societal implications, distorting markets and depriving governments of crucial tax revenue.

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At Bing Bong Casino, payment methods encompass eWallets like Neteller, Trustly, Skrill, and PayPal. Credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, facilitate both deposits and withdrawals. Klarna, GiroPay, and bank transfers are popular, while newer methods like Google and Apple Pay are available.

While deposits are swiftly credited, withdrawal timelines may vary. eWallets offer immediate withdrawals, while other methods typically take 1-3 working days. Keep in mind that limits might be imposed, even in casinos accepting low deposits like $/€1. These limits, including a daily maximum of $/€1,000, are legally regulated.

Always look into details since some payment service providers can impose additional costs. Choosing the right method assures that financial transactions will be uncomplicated and risk-free.

Games You Can Play at Bing Bong

While the factors mentioned earlier certainly play a significant role, the heart of the online gaming experience lies in the game selection. At Bing Bong Casino, it’s not just about winning; it’s about deriving genuine enjoyment from the world of online gambling.

Given its German license, Bing Bong Casino focuses predominantly on slot machines, excluding table games and a live casino due to legal constraints. However, this limitation doesn’t imply a lackluster selection. On the contrary, the array of themes and game types on offer ensures that monotony is out of the question.

This $/€1 deposit casino proudly features an extensive range from reputable developers, including Merkur and Novoline, stalwarts in the industry. Play ‘N’ Go also contributes to the diverse offering.

The quality of slots hinges on the expertise of game developers who tirelessly craft new games and enhance existing ones. Crucial elements like effects, sound, image quality, and software contribute to the gaming experience.

This means you’ll find classics like Book of Ra alongside new, action-packed slots like Blazing Star. Moreover, slot enthusiasts can also capitalize on enticing bonus offers, providing a wide selection that promises both enjoyment and the potential for substantial wins. Keep an eye out for the continual addition of new games at Bing Bong, ensuring a dynamic and ever-refreshing gaming landscape.

The Games and Percentages that Contribute to Online Casino Wagering Requirements

Online casinos are known for offering an assortment of regular promotions and bonuses to attract new players and retain existing ones. However, the bonuses you will find at online sites come with terms and conditions and wagering requirements are the most common one. Also known as playthrough requirement or rollover requirements, wagering requirement refers to the number of times you must wager the bonus before making any withdrawals. When you read the bonus wagering terms at most online casinos, you will realize that different games feed into wagering requirements by contributing different percentages toward it.

Slot machines, for instance, contribute a bigger percentage than other games such as blackjack, video poker, and roulette. So, if you want to convert your casino bonus into cash quickly, you need to wager your bonus on those games that contribute a bigger percentage. Keep reading this article and discover the percentage each casino game contributes and why it differs from one game to another.

A List of Games and its Contribution to Wagering Requirements

Top-rated online casinos have a vast range of games that you can play using bonus offers to fulfill wagering requirements. The most popular ones include slot machines, scratch cards, blackjack, roulette, video poker, and live dealer casino games. Online slots are the most common ones and contribute 100% towards wagering requirements. This means that all the money you wager on slots counts towards wagering requirements. However, there are some selected slots that contribute 50% towards fulfilling wagering requirements.

Most scratch cards also contribute 100% toward fulfilling wagering requirements. If you want to withdraw your bonus as soon as possible, the best games to play are slots and scratch cards. There are reasons why slots and scratch cards contribute such a big percentage. One of them is that the games have a high house edge, meaning that the casino will have an advantage over the player. In other words, the chances of players losing to the casino are always higher. The other reason is that slots and scratch cards are games of chance. What this means is that there is no skill or strategy you can apply as a player to influence the results.

On the other hand, most roulette games contribute around 50% towards wagering requirements. As you probably know, roulette is a game of chance, just like slots and scratch cards. However, the house edge of most roulette games is smaller than that of slots and scratch cards. To this end, online casinos want you to use more of your bonus money on slots instead of roulette. This explains why roulette contributes around 50% and not 100%.

Blackjack, some table games and video poker contribute around 10% towards wagering requirements. These table games, especially blackjack, have a low house edge, meaning that players have chances of winning more. As a result, online casinos don’t want you to spend your bonus money on these games. And to achieve that, they only allow 10% of your wager to count towards fulfilling wagering requirements. Blackjack and video poker are also games of skill. This means you can apply skills and strategies and increase your chances of winning. At some online casinos, you will find that some games of skill don’t contribute anything towards fulfilling wagering requirements.

Here is a table showing the contribution of each of the casino games:

How to Choose the Right Online Casino with Low Wagering

The online casino industry is enormous with many gaming sites that promise you generous bonuses and promotions. However, some of the sites will promise you low wagering casino bonuses but will not hold the end of their deal. In fact, some casinos will wait for you to complete wagering requirements and then introduce unfair terms that were not there initially. To make sure you choose the best online casino with low rollover requirements, you should consider the following factors:

• Licensing information – The first thing you need to check when choosing the best low wagering casino site is the legal background. You need to check whether the casino is licensed and regulated by respected licensing bodies like the Malta Gaming Authority and Curacao eGaming Authority. A casino with a clean legal background means that you can wager your bonus and withdraw winnings without issues.

• Game variety – Another important aspect you need to check is the game variety. Specifically, you need to check if you can wager your casino bonus on a wide variety of casino games. You can, for instance, check if you can use low wagering casino bonuses on slot machines, table games, video poker, jackpots, and live games. You should also check the wagering contribution of each of the games to make sure it is reasonable.

• Bonus offerings – An online casino with plenty of low wagering casino bonuses is a big plus. The best low wagering casino to join should have bonuses such as free spins, match bonuses, reload bonuses, cashback bonuses, and no deposit bonuses. The terms and conditions for these bonus offers should also be fair.

• Payment methods – Most low wagering casino bonuses require a minimum qualifying deposit. As a result, you need to check if there are safe, secure, and reliable payment methods for making deposits. You can check if the casino offers payment methods such as e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, bank transfers, and credit/debit cards.

• Customer service – As a player, you will always encounter some issues that need to be solved by the customer support team. It is, therefore, important you check if the low wagering casino offers 24/7 customer support via multiple support channels.

Here at minimumdepositcasinos.org, we have found the top online casinos that offer bonuses and promotions with low wagering requirements. And when we say low wagering requirements, we mean a turnover requirement of 40X and below. GG.Bet is one of the best casinos you can sign up with and convert your welcome bonus to cash within no time. In particular, the 500 free spins on the first four deposits have wagering requirements of 30X. On the other hand, the match welcome bonus of up to $1500 comes with wagering requirements of 40X.

Beside offering you low wagering casino bonuses, GG.Bet also has a simple registration process. To sign up for an account, you only need to head to the casino’s homepage and click on the “SIGN-UP button. Thereafter, you will enter personal details like your email address, phone number, password, and currency in the registration form.

7Bit is another low wagering casino that we highly recommend. When you sign up with the casino, you will get 5BTC+100 free spins on the first 4 deposits. The second, third, and fourth deposit bonuses have wagering requirements of 40X. 7Bit also has cashback bonuses that come with wagering requirements varying from 1X-35X, depending on your VIP level.

When it comes to the 7Bit registration process, it is the simplest you will ever come across. To register an account, you only need to click on the “SIGN-UP” button at the top of the homepage and complete the sign-up form. Some of the details you will fill in include your full name, username, email, password, country, and currency.

Katsubet Casino has also not been left behind when it comes to offering low wagering casino bonuses. The casino’s VIP program, which has 8 VIP levels, offers you birthday bonuses with varying wagering requirements. For example, the lowest VIP level (VIP1) has a birthday bonus with wagering requirements of 30X. On the other hand, VIP level 7 has a 10X wagering requirement, while the birthday bonus at VIP level 8 is wager-free.

Regarding the registration process, you can sign up with Katsubet in less than 2 minutes. All you need to do is head to the top-right corner of the homepage and click on the “SIGN-UP” button. After that, you will complete the form by filling in details such as email address, password, country, and currency.

Conclusion

Online casino bonuses are a great way to explore online casino games without having to spend more of your money. However, you need to bear in mind that bonus offers have wagering requirements. You also need to note that different casino games contribute differently towards fulfilling wagering requirements. Games such as slots and scratch cards usually contribute a large percentage. Therefore, it is important you use your bonus on slots and scratch cards if you want to cashout your bonus as soon as possible. The only problem with slots and scratch cards is that they have a high house edge compared to other games.

It is also important you select online casino bonuses with the lowest wagering requirements. For instance, you can claim casino bonuses with wagering requirements ranging from 10X-40X. A low wagering requirement is important because it means that you can claim the bonus and wager it before it expires. Moreover, you don’t need to spend more of your money trying to fulfill high turnover requirements.

Celebrity Gambler – Martin Moshal: The Microgaming Man backing South African politics

By Ramona Depares

He may not love the limelight, but the limelight certainly loves him! Meet Martin Moshal, one of the men who’s had the strongest influence on the best online casinos. Born in Durban, Martin is reputed to be behind the lion’s share of political funding ahead of South Africa’s 2024 general election, helping the Democratic Alliance, Action SA and Build One South Africa achieve their aims. Just to put things in perspective, these are three of the most important players on the SA political landscape.

But this is not the main reason we’re interested in Martin. We’ve already mentioned that he’s one of the biggest names in the gambling world. This is because Martin is reputed to have made all the money that allows him to contribute to political and philanthropic causes in the online casino industry.

Although he’s not fond of giving interviews, leading journalists like The Guardian’s Rob Davies have credited him with changing the face of online casino real money gambling in his book Jackpot: How Gambling Conquered Britain. In fact, he is widely believed to have created the world’s first online casino software through Microgaming, which he also founded. Hence, he enjoys the nickname ‘The Microgaming Man’ to this very day.

This first breakthrough took place way back in 1994, when online casinos looked nothing like they do today and Martin was a fresh-faced graduate from the University of Cape Town, where he had specialized in information technology, accounts, business administration and economics. It was just the perfect mix of subjects to springboard his idea for a casino software company.

Back then, Martin didn’t have access to the fortune he enjoys now, and it took a bank loan from SA bank Discover Bank Ltd to make this dream a reality. Given his age and lack of experience, to secure the loan he had to offer a 50% ownership in what was to become Microgaming to the bank. The ploy worked, and the rest is online casino history.

Today, Martin is based in Australia, and he’s faced his fair share of challenges. The biggest spot of trouble he encountered was undoubtedly in 2020, when he was revealed to be the secret owner of Betway, which at the time was facing allegations of failing to meet responsible gambling requirements by offering cash bonuses to those suffering from gambling problems.

Martin had to admit to the ownership after the British media broke the news that he was the owner of an Isle of Man trust that was the main shareholder of Betway at the time.

Martin Moshal Statistics

Martin Moshal: The Microgaming Man

When Martin Moshal graduated, the world was a very different place to what it is now. The online space was still full of undiscovered potential, and nowhere was this more evident than in the sphere of online casinos.

Martin’s interest had always veered heavily towards online gambling, a topic he was very passionate about – and not just as a player. He was always described by friends and acquaintances as having one big dream, that of creating the first online gaming software that would popularize top online casinos and make them accessible to the vast public.

Martin’s academic background in finances and tech made him ideally-placed to be able to pursue this dream, as did his passion for political sciences.

It was 1994 when he got his proposal together and approached a South African bank, Discover Bank Ltd, for a loan. Although he met with a few challenges, the loan was eventually granted and Microgaming was born. Within four years, the company released its first game – Cash Splash, which was also the world’s first progressive online slot. Cash Splash was an immediate hit, popularizing online casino games and spawning multiple sequels and variations. To date, more than 27 years after its release, it remains a fan favorite.

Throughout the company’s early years, Martin was responsible for the vast majority of its successes, getting in a number of patents for game mechanics and jackpot wagering. By the time the company moved to Isle of Man in 2021, it was estimated that more than one-third of the world’s online casinos were serviced by Microgaming. Martin’s dream had officially become reality.

Today, Microgaming is synonymous with high-quality gaming software, and it has produced a stable of titles are considered the cream of the crop of games, present at all the best online casinos. Thanks to games like Thunderstruck, to Big Bad Wolf and Breaking Da Bank, the popularity of online gambling was secured.

Partnerships with Martin Moshal

If you’re wondering how Martin went from being a broke graduate to one of the richest people in the world – although he refuses to disclose his actual net worth – the answer to that is his natural ingeniousness. Remember how Microgaming wouldn’t have been possible without a bank loan? Well, the bank loan wouldn’t have been possible without Martin’s ability to think outside the box – and a good dose of luck too, of course.

When Martin first approached the bank, he had zero credit or business experience and the request was initially declined. However, it did lead to a meeting of minds with one of the loans and business advisors employed at the bank. That man was Roger Raatgever, and he immediately fell in love with Martin’s idea to create the first online casino gaming platform. So Martin went back to him with a counter-proposal – approve the loan and he’d sign off 50% share of his new business.

The deal was sealed and Microgaming was born. This innovative approach followed Martin in everything he did, leading to further successes along the way. It’s not exaggeration to say that everything he touched turned to gold, even going as far as to earn the nickname CyberSol, a reference to the achievement of entertainment and hospitality magnate Sol Kerzner, incidentally a fellow South African.

Today, Martin has fingers in a number of pies in the tech industries and is involved in various investment and entrepreneurial activities, including venture capital firm Entree Capital, which brings together a team of investors to identify winning entrepreneurial ideas and has invested into more than 130 start-ups worldwide. Although Martin always manages to keep details under wraps, his interests remain very focused on software development and other tech-driven industries.

Martin Moshal and Philanthropy

Martin’s legendary status is not simply because he is rich and successful. It has a lot to do with his strong reputation as a philanthropist. He is the founder of The Moshal Scholarship Program, which was inspired by Martin’s own journey and the challenges he encountered within the education landscape. The aim behind the program is to provide promising students from underprivileged backgrounds with the financial support needed to pursue higher education in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths).

The program has been active since 2009 and offers young people a full package of financial aid, mentoring, internships and even employment opportunities, going way beyond a regular scholarship. This has enabled students to equip themselves not only with education, but also with soft skills and the networking opportunities needed to foster successful careers.

Martin also is also reputed to be involved in other philanthropic efforts that are related to education, technology, and community development.

Closing Thoughts: Beyond the Billionaire

Martin Moshal is undoubtedly one of the most iconic figures in the online casino landscape worldwide, offering the perfect example of how business and philanthropy can work together to tremendous success. Although he continues to shy away from the limelight, plenty of those who have benefitted from his generosity regularly sing his praises online.

And, of course, casino players owe Martin an especially huge vote of confidence, as he was the main driver behind several gambling innovations that we take for granted nowadays. Clearly, crediting the man with the creation of the best online casino platforms is no exaggeration.