Jan Hagelberg, the Senior Vice President of International Business at Finland's Veikkaus, (photo above), has projected that the Finnish authorities will commence the issuance of gambling licenses by September 2026. Hagelberg expressed , “We understand the business, and there’s a lot happening: technological advancements, responsibilities, platforms, and new talent from companies like Kindred. We’ve even recruited individuals from PokerStars. We’re quite busy on all fronts.”

This prediction comes as Finland prepares to inaugurate its regulated market, with the government pledging to implement the new system no later than 2026. This represents a significant shift from the current monopoly model, where the state-owned Veikkaus holds exclusive rights to offer iGaming and sports betting. The existing system has largely been deemed unsuccessful in achieving its channelization objectives, with a substantial portion of revenue remaining in the unregulated segment.

Legal advisor Antti Koivula, a Finnish market expert at Legal Gaming Attorneys at Law, indicated that some form of Payment Service Provider (PSP) payments blocking would likely persist under the new regime. This system, introduced in 2023, has been criticized for its ineffectiveness.

Currently, no entities are listed on the Finnish National Police Board’s (NPB) BML Group, was the first to be blacklisted in February, following a decision by the Helsinki Administrative Court. However, the order was suspended by the Supreme Administrative Court pending the conclusion of the case.

Mansoori added, “Once the licence regime is implemented, the circumstances would be much more challenging for the operators – because then you cannot just change companies, you need to have a Finnish license at that time.”

Influencers and streamers may face stringent regulations however a balanced system would see the government concentrate on areas with a high prevalence of underage users, such as certain social media platforms. This approach would ensure the protection of vulnerable groups while allowing the industry to flourish in a regulated environment.

The Finnish gambling landscape is set for a significant transformation come 2026. As the country moves away from a state monopoly towards a regulated market, the industry is poised for exciting times ahead. The journey may be fraught with challenges and controversies, but the potential rewards promise a vibrant and thriving gaming sector.

The Philippines deported 165 Chinese nationals employed by a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Bamban, Tarlac. 

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) confirmed the deportation of 165 out of 167 Chinese workers to Pudong District, Shanghai. Meanwhile, two individuals face pending cases in the , involving trafficking in persons and serious illegal detention charges. 

Upon reaching China, the deported individuals will undergo a 45-day detention period while charges are prepared. Additionally, they will be blacklisted by the Philippines' immigration bureau. 

Following a directive from Malacañang Palace, the Anti-Money Laundering Council froze Zun Yuan's assets, including its compound. The raid on March 14 uncovered 408 workers from various nationalities involved in the POGO operation. 

Authorities revealed that the deported Chinese nationals engaged in scamming activities and lacked proper travel documents, categorizing them as "undesirable aliens". Many were reportedly coerced into the operation, with their passports confiscated to prevent their departure.  

The Chinese Embassy the deportation, emphasizing joint efforts to combat fraud, kidnapping, and other crimes related to offshore gambling. This collaboration underscores both countries' commitment to curbing illegal activities in the region. 

The had been vocal in its commitment to maintaining pressure on illegal activities and protecting the public from the dangers of cross-border gambling and telecom fraud.  

The crackdown reflects broader challenges across Southeast Asia, where crime syndicates exploit workers, often under false pretences, to engage in fraudulent online activities. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime highlights the scale of this issue, with victims coerced into participating in elaborate scams, exacerbating financial losses regionally. 

This comprehensive action not only addresses immediate concerns but also signals a concerted effort to combat transnational crime and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation in the region's burgeoning online gaming industry. 

Aristocrat Leisure Limited has reported a significant 16.8 percent increase in net profit after tax (NPAT), reaching AU$723.3 million (€444.8 million) during the first half of its fiscal year. This growth was driven by robust performance across its gaming, Pixel United, and interactive divisions. 

Aristocrat Gaming's North America operations achieved a profit of $22.3 million, despite a 9 percent decline in outright sales. The Rest of World segment saw a remarkable 29.1 percent increase in profit, totaling AU$179.3 million (€110.2 million), with Asia leading the growth due to strong game performance, particularly with recent releases like Dragon Link and Bao Zhu Zhao Fu. 

Overall, the Rest of World segment contributed AU$376.7 million (€231.7million) to the group's revenue, marking a 6.6 percent increase. 

In Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), retained its market-leading share, accounting for 38 percent of the market and selling 4,033 units. 

The group's overall revenue surged by 6.1 percent, reaching nearly AU$3.27 billion (€2 billion) for the six-month period. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) witnessed a remarkable increase of 17.6 percent, totaling AU$1.19 billion (€731 million).  

CEO Trevor Croker attributed the strong results to record performance in Aristocrat Gaming, solid growth in Aristocrat Interactive, and improved profitability in Pixel United despite mixed market conditions. 

Pixel United, the group's second-largest revenue contributor, saw a revenue drop of 1.8% to $875 million but achieved a 16.8 percent increase in segment profit, reaching $306.9 million. Aristocrat Interactive, the newly launched segment, experienced a substantial 48.6 percent revenue growth to $71.9 million, with profit surging by 207.7 percent to $20 million. 

The company said it expects continued profit growth for the full fiscal year, driven by strong market share, revenue, and profit growth in .  

Social media influencers have become a crucial part of advertising. This has however led to complex challenges, especially in sectors like iGaming, where strict regulations are in place. A recent incident involving social media influencer Astrid Wett and Festival Free Bets, a platform that compiles betting offers, highlights these complexities.

In March 2024, the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) criticized Festival Free Bets for a promotional advert featuring Wett, who was 23 at the time. The advert was for the Cheltenham Festival, a notable horseracing event, and was posted on X (formerly Twitter). The ASA stated that by featuring Wett, Festival Free Bets had violated the CAP Code rule, which states that no one under 25 should play a significant role in marketing communications for gambling services.

The ASA expressed concern over Festival Free Bets’ apparent disregard for the Code, as the company did not respond to the investigation. Wett apologized and admitted she was unaware of the age restrictions for gambling adverts. She had assumed that being over 18 was enough to promote such content.

The ASA concluded that the ad was irresponsible as it was intended to facilitate gambling and featured someone under 25 playing a significant role. The watchdog has since ordered Festival Free Bets not to run the ad in its original format again and ensure future compliance with age restrictions.

This incident reflects the critical need for influencers and companies in the It also raises questions about the future role of influencers in this industry.

promoting online betting, one might wonder about the future of this sector. With regulatory reforms being implemented, there’s a possibility that opportunities in this area could diminish. However, it’s also possible that these changes could lead to a more responsible and sustainable industry. The impact of these reforms remains to be seen, leaving us to speculate on the future of influencer marketing in online betting.

Influencer marketing in the iGaming industry is evolving towards a more comprehensive approach where content creators are deeply involved in promoting products. This shift goes beyond traditional CPA deals, where influencers are paid based on the results they deliver. Today, we see creators who use iGaming products they promote regularly and express genuine excitement towards them becoming brand ambassadors.

The iGaming industry, which includes online gambling, sports betting, and casino games, has experienced rapid expansion in recent years. In 2021, the industry was estimated to be worth $61 billion annually, with projections of an 86% growth rate by 2028. As the industry evolves, brands are building their communication and expanding their audience with content creators.

Influencer marketing is a powerful way to connect and engage with target audiences, providing a level of authenticity and trust that is difficult to achieve via traditional advertising channels. However, as the case of Astrid Wett and Festival Free Bets illustrates, it is crucial for both influencers and iGaming companies to navigate the regulatory landscape carefully to ensure responsible and compliant promotional activities. The future of influencer marketing in the iGaming sector will undoubtedly continue to evolve, shaped by regulatory developments, market trends, and the innovative strategies of influencers and companies alike.

This week a major milestone was achieved. The company completed its rebranding to Evoke Plc, marking the commencement of an exciting new chapter. This transformation was approved by an overwhelming majority of shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), with 99.79 percent voting in favour.

The rebranding initiative aims to unify all employees under a single identity, thereby adopting a sense of unity and shared purpose. This move is expected to work in tandem with the , which in turn will have a positive impact on business growth.

Evoke Plc joins the ranks of its UK high-street competitors, Flutter Entertainment and Entain, who underwent similar rebranding exercises in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Despite the corporate rebranding, all consumer-facing brands, including William Hill, 888casino, 888sport, 888poker, and Mr Green, will retain their original names.

CEO Per Widerström expressed his optimism about the future, stating that the rebranding reflects the company’s forward-thinking approach and commitment to delivering world-class betting and gaming experiences to customers globally. He expressed confidence in the company’s strategic framework and value creation plan, asserting that these would help solidify Evoke’s position in the global betting and gaming industry.

In March FY23, Evoke announced a strategic reset, termed the Value Creation Plan. This plan was necessitated by regulatory and compliance changes in key markets, which fundamentally altered the business mix. The company has faced several challenges in recent years, including the resignation of CEO Itai Pazner in January 2023 due to a compliance scandal in the Middle East. Additionally, the company’s license was placed under review by the UK Gambling Commission following a plot by investor FS Gaming to install former GVC chief executive Kenny Alexander as CEO.

At the recent AGM, two special resolutions recommended by the board of directors failed to secure the requisite 75 percent shareholder approval. These resolutions were aimed at renewing the directors’ authority to allot equity securities for cash without first offering them to existing shareholders, and to do so in relation to an acquisition or capital investment. The board has expressed its intention to engage with shareholders and advisory bodies to ensure their feedback continues to inform the company’s governance approach.

There have been no other newsworthy developments relating to 888 or Evoke this week. However, the company’s share price tumbled earlier this year following the resignation of Itai Pazner amid a money-laundering probe. The company also launched an equity raise to fund its takeover of William Hill’s non-US operations.

As Evoke Plc embarks on this new journey, it remains to be seen how these changes will shape the company’s future and its position in the global betting and gaming industry.

The Philippine gaming industry has experienced a surge in the first quarter of 2024, with Gross Gaming Revenues (GGR) reaching a staggering Php81.7 billion (€1.39 billion). This represents an 18.54 percent increase from the same period last year, according to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (). 

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO , expressed his satisfaction with the industry's performance, particularly highlighting the outstanding growth in the Electronic Games (E-Games) sector.  

“The E-Games revenue performance continues to exceed our projections, and this reflects how gaming technology and the proliferation of mobile devices is influencing not only our daily lives but our entertainment choices as well,” Tengco said. 

“With the way technology is constantly shaping our lives and the way we do business, and even the way we choose to be entertained, the future of gaming clearly lies in this sector,” Tengco added. 

The iGaming revenue soared to PHP 22.5 billion (€360.9 million), exceeding expectations and demonstrating the profound impact of gaming technology on entertainment choices. 

Tengco attributed the success of the iGaming sector to PAGCOR's improved regulatory policies and reduced fees, which have attracted both local and international gaming companies to invest in the Philippine gaming industry. 

“We are confident that with our new regulatory policies, more gaming companies both here and abroad will continue to look at business and investment opportunities in the Philippine gaming industry,” he said. 

While licensed casinos remain the biggest contributors to 1Q GGR, bringing in PHP 49.7 billion (€797.13 million), there has been a slight decrease compared to the previous year. PAGCOR-operated casinos and bingo operations also experienced dips in revenue, indicating the ongoing challenge posed by online platforms. 

Despite these minor setbacks, the industry's outlook remains positive, with first-quarter revenues surpassing 24 percent of the projected full-year GGR. Moreover, the 1Q 2024 revenues have surpassed previous records, setting a promising trajectory for continued growth in the Philippine gaming industry. 

The House of Representatives in the Netherlands plans to introduce a ban on all sorts of online advertising for local gambling operators as . A motion pushed by Michiel van Nispen, member of the House of Representatives for the Socialist Party (SP), has received enough support. A second motion for a total ban on online slot games at Dutch online casinos also passed with a tight majority of 77 votes.

The motions were part of a total of 114 motions out of which 14 were related to the field of online gambling. Since the legalisation of iGaming in the Netherlands in October 2021, gambling ads have faced ongoing pressure. A ban on gambling ads on TV, radio, and outdoor media was previously adopted in July 2023. This ban excluded online ads although strict rules have been put in place for affiliate companies and influencers imposing a minimum age of 24 years for their target audience.

The adopted motions from Van Nispen follow after comparable motions by in February. Boswijk called for a complete ban on gambling ads but did not receive enough support. With an additional ban on gambling related ads on the internet this would theoretically lead to the same outcome as Boswijk’s proposal as all other media channels have already been banned from gambling ads.

“Every day that gambling companies keep on offering their products in the Netherlands, mistakes will be made by consumers, with more and more people becoming addicted to gambling. I consider this new ban on online gambling ads as yet another step forward towards a country without online gambling companies.”
Michiel van Nispen, Socialist Party (SP) in the Netherlands.

Van Nispen also introduced a second motion calling for a ban of “very high risk casino games”, particularly referring to the risk of online slot games. Online slots are considered as very high risk casino games by the MP as they “don’t provide any control over the outcome of a round making players prone to continuous play and loss chasing behaviour”.

With 79 votes, the motion seeking to ban slots in the gambling lobbies of Dutch online casinos was also won by Van Nispen. Slot games represent the most sought after online gaming product among Dutch gamblers followed by sports betting.

Games Global, a leading developer, distributor, and marketer of innovative online, casino-style gaming content, recently announced the postponement of its (IPO) in the US. This decision, while surprising to some, was made in the best interest of stakeholders. The company’s Board of Directors attributed this decision to the company’s continued positive performance and expected trajectory following its recent US launch.

The journey of Games Global towards its IPO began in mid-April when the company applied for an IPO with shares to be sold under the ‘GGL’ ticker on the New York Stock Exchange. However, the filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has yet to go live.

Games Global CEO Walter Bugno expressed disappointment at not entering the public markets in the near term but emphasized that the IPO was an accelerator, not an absolute necessity, for their business strategy. He stated that the interactions with investors during the IPO process further cemented their confidence in their strategy and the uniqueness of what they are building at Games Global.

The decision to postpone the IPO is reflected in the range of partnerships undertaken by the business in the year so far. In January, Games Global partnered with online casino operator Rootz and VegasSlotsOnline, and later in the month expanded its partnership deal with bet365. In February, Games Global partnered withand Mr. Vegas to provide the platforms with live casino content from its OnAir Entertainment studio. Most recently in May, Games Global partnered with the UFC to produce a line of UFC-themed slot games.

Games Global has a rich history in the iGaming industry. The company has been at the forefront of providing exclusive games from talented studios and a record-breaking progressive jackpot network. This has helped operators level up and create their perfect lobby. The company’s operations are licensed and regulated in Great Britain by the Gambling Commission and in Malta by the Malta Gaming Authority.

The company’s decision to postpone its IPO is a strategic move that reflects its current business development and the health of its balance sheet. Despite the postponement, Games Global intends to continue monitoring the market for opportunities for a potential IPO launch and additional business development. This decision underscores the company’s commitment to its stakeholders and its confidence in its business strategy.

for the first quarter of 2024. The company reported a revenue of $3.4 billion, marking a 16 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This growth was largely driven by the and other international markets.

However, despite the impressive revenue growth and a 46 percent increase in adjusted EBITDA to $514 million, Flutter’s net loss widened. The company reported a net loss of $177 million, a significant 59 percent increase from the $111 million loss reported in Q1 2023. This increase was partly due to a non-cash charge of $184 million following the closure of the Fox Bet brand.

In the US, Flutter’s operations contributed significantly to the Q1 revenue, accounting for 41.5 percent of the group’s total revenue. This segment reported a revenue of $1.41 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 32 percent. FanDuel, Flutter’s US sportsbook, remained the market leader with a net gaming revenue market share of 52 percent and a gross gaming revenue market share of 46 percent.

In the UK and Ireland, revenue increased by 17 percent year-on-year to $861 million, with adjusted EBITDA up 30 percent to $268 million. The future performance of this segment remains uncertain following Flutter’s exit from the Irish stock market and its focus on the US market.

The international segment, which includes markets like Italy, Spain, Brazil, India, and others, reported a revenue of $797 million, up 5 percent year-on-year. The segment also saw a 20 percent growth in adjusted EBITDA. However, the sports betting revenue in this segment declined by 12 percent year-on-year, despite an 8 percent increase in iGaming revenue.

In Australia, sports betting stakes were down 19 percent, and sportsbook revenue decreased by 6 percent to $329 million. The adjusted EBITDA remained relatively stagnant at $83 million.

When excluding the US, the combined results from Australia, UK, Ireland, and the international segment amounted to a revenue of $1.99 billion, up 16 percent year-on-year, with adjusted EBITDA growth of 20 percent, totalling $488 million.

Flutter’s CEO, Peter Jackson, expressed satisfaction with the company’s performance, particularly in the US. He stated, “We have had an excellent start to the year. In the US, FanDuel’s top-line momentum is translating into strong growth in US adjusted EBITDA and market share gains.” He also highlighted the company’s focus on delivering the best products for its players, which is driving good momentum in key markets such as the UK and Italy.

The Alabama State Senate has been experiencing a demise of a significant push to legalize various forms of gambling, including a state lottery. Despite the House of Representatives passing House Bills 151 and 152 with a substantial majority, the Senate did not approve the amended versions before the legislative session’s conclusion.

The proposed legislation aimed to legalize an education state lottery, electronic games of chance, raffles, and paper bingo at seven dog racing or bingo locations statewide. It would have also allowed residents to participate in national lotteries such as Mega Million and Powerball. However, tables, cards, dice, and live dealers would have remained prohibited.

The bills’ authors, Rep. Russell Blackshear and Sen. Greg Albritton, who also sponsored them in the Senate, were unable to break Alabama’s 25-year deadlock on . The last time Alabama voted on gaming, albeit unsuccessfully, was in 1999.

During a Senate test session, the two amended measures fell just one vote short of the required 21 for approval. A significant point of contention was the Senate amendments introduced in March. These amendments scaled back the bill, removing sports betting language, reducing the number of gaming venues involved, and altering the casino proposal to focus solely on racing.

Sen. Albritton, disillusioned by the exclusion of sports betting, ended up voting against the package. He expressed frustration over the state’s refusal to regulate the expanding sports gaming industry, much of which operates illegally and undercover. Albritton was also disappointed that the amended bill prevented the Poarch Creek Indians from entering a compact with the state.

The proposed legislation would have established the Alabama Gaming Commission to regulate approved forms of gambling. It also projected that a state lottery could generate annual net revenue of $305 million to $379 million, which would have been directed towards educational initiatives.

Rep. Barbara Drummond, who supported the bill in the House, expressed disappointment over the missed opportunity, especially given the bill fell short by just one vote. She highlighted the potential benefits of the bill, including healthcare for

The stalemate also frustrated those who believe there is widespread support for an educational lottery. Sen. Arthur Orr committed to pushing for a lottery bill in the next session that would give citizens the right to vote on the lottery without being hijacked by gambling interests wanting to expand gaming in the state.

However, Gov. Kay Ivey has stated she does not plan on calling a special session for the bill this year, leaving it in limbo until 2025. Despite this setback, Sen. Albritton remains optimistic about the future of gambling legislation, assuring that “the problem’s not going away. We’re getting closer.”