Suspect behind €65 million illegal gambling operations arrested in Thailand

Yesterday's Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, passed the first reading of a bill aimed at strengthening the state’s oversight over the gambling business. The bill, backed by 272 lawmakers, was introduced in May 2023 and is now one step closer to becoming law, pending a second reading and the president’s signature.

The proposed legislation comes at a time. A petition demanding restrictions on online gambling reached the president’s table in March, reflecting growing societal concern.

The bill proposes significant changes to the current regulatory framework. It suggests abolishing the Commission for Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries and transferring its responsibilities to the Digital Transformation Ministry. This move is expected to streamline the regulatory process and enhance oversight.

The legislation also includes measures to further restrict online gambling games and impose a ban on advertising. It outlines tools to safeguard particularly vulnerable categories of the population and proposes tightening business control measures. These steps are seen as crucial in mitigating the potential harm caused by gambling.

Moreover, the bill provides guidelines and conditions for cancelling licenses and proposes other measures to raise the standards of gambling enterprises. These provisions aim to ensure that businesses operate responsibly and adhere to the highest ethical standards.

The gambling landscape in Ukraine has seen significant changes over the years. Gambling was officially banned in 2009, but it was legalized again in 2020. Despite the controversy surrounding the industry, it has made substantial contributions to the state’s revenue. In the first two months of 2024 alone, the gambling business in Ukraine paid Hr 2.2 billion ($56 million) in taxes, and Hr 10.4 billion ($267 million) in 2023, according to Danylo Hetmantsev, the chairman of the parliamentary Finance Committee.

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on April 20 aimed at counteracting the negative effects of online gambling. The decree bans online gambling for the military until the end of martial law. This move underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the potential harms of gambling and protecting its citizens.

The passage of this bill in the first reading marks a significant step towards a more regulated and responsible gambling environment in Ukraine. As it moves towards the second reading, it will be interesting to see how the proposed changes are received and what impact they will have on the future of gambling in the country.

Gambling regulations differ across countries, with varying degrees of restriction or regulation.

Italy implemented the Decreto Dignità (Dignity Decree) in early 2019, imposing a comprehensive ban on gambling marketing. This action followed a study revealing that 3% of Italians were experiencing gambling-related harm.

In contrast, Germany introduced the State Treaty on Gambling in June 2021, regarded as one of thecountries that recently revised their gambling laws.

Many European countries generally have more lenient casino and gambling laws. However, these laws can also apply to offshore gambling companies that enable customers to interact with overseas gaming firms.

Gambling regulations usually encompass all forms of gambling within a country, such as lotteries, bingo, sports betting, and casino games. They establish taxation rules and consider market development and preferences. As societal needs, community progress, and technological advancements evolve, so do active gambling legislations.

It’s crucial to distinguish between gambling regulations and gambling jurisdictions. Regulations refer to the laws governing gambling within a sovereign state. In contrast, jurisdictions oversee the business operations of the operators within the country issuing licences for global iGaming operations.

's state-owned horse race betting operator, Norsk Rikstoto, reported a 4 percent decrease in gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the year 2023. Despite this decline, the operator managed to contribute NOK516 million (€44.0 million) to Norwegian equestrian sport.  

Turnover from racing products experienced a similar 4 percent decrease, amounting to NOK3.14 billion (€268.8 million). Notably, NOK1.75 billion (€149.8 million) was generated from betting on foreign horse races, highlighting the diverse nature of Norsk Rikstoto's offerings.  

After paying out NOK2.19 billion (187.5 million) in winnings to players, Norsk Rikstoto's GGR stood at NOK952.2 million (€81.5 million), reflecting the overall decline compared to the previous year. Despite this, the operator's net operating income surpassed NOK1.0 billion (€85.6 million), albeit still down by 4 percent year-on-year.  

Norsk Rikstoto emphasized its commitment to responsible gambling and operational efficiency under 's new gambling law. The operator reduced total operating expenses by 6 percent, focusing on cost optimization while maintaining a solid foundation for its operations.  

Despite the revenue decline, Norsk Rikstoto continued its significant contributions to equestrian sport in Norway. The operator paid NOK515.8 million (€44.1 million) to good causes in the sector, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the community and creating positive societal impact.  

In a Gaming Intelligence report, Norsk Rikstoto's managing director, Camilla Garmann, was quoted highlighting the importance of equestrian sport in Norwegian society, emphasizing its role in inclusion, health, and job creation. The operator remains dedicated to supporting equestrian activities and distributing profits to various stakeholders within the industry.  

While facing a revenue decline in 2023, Norsk Rikstoto maintains its focus on responsible gambling, operational efficiency, and supporting Norwegian equestrian sport. Despite challenges, the operator continues to play a vital role in contributing to the welfare of the community and promoting the sport of horse racing in the country.  

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The National Football League (NFL) has reinstated Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr., following a suspension for violating the league’s gambling policy. Rodgers, who missed the entire 2023 season due to the suspension, is now expected to compete for significant playing time in the upcoming 2024 season.

Rodgers was suspended in June 2023 for placing bets on NFL games through an online sportsbook. The 26-year-old player, who joined the Eagles two months after his suspension, claimed that the bets made from the sportsbook account registered in his name were on behalf of friends and family in Florida. At that time, online betting was not authorized in Florida until December 2023.

The NFL’s gambling policy strictly prohibits all forms of wagering on league games and within team facilities. Despite this, Rodgers placed over 100 bets for others, with the average bet amount ranging between $25 and $50. Notably, Rodgers, a sixth-round pick from UMass, also placed a $1,000 bet on the over/under rushing yards for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.

Rodgers’ career stats include 90 combined tackles and three interceptions in 45 games. His reinstatement comes as part of a larger wave of reinstatements by the NFL, which also lifted the suspensions of five other players earlier this week. These players, all free agents entering the upcoming season, include defensive end Shaka Toney, wide receiver Quintez Cephus, defensive end Rashod Berry, safety C.J. Moore, and defensive end Demetrius Taylor.

Both Berry and Rodgers were members of the Colts when they were suspended in 2023. Another player, Denver Broncos defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike, who was suspended for allegedly wagering on league games in 2022, can petition for reinstatement in July.

The of the sport. However, the recent wave of suspensions and reinstatements highlights the challenges the league faces in navigating the complex landscape of sports betting.

There have been several notable cases of NFL player suspensions in recent years. Here are a few:

• Jameson Williams: A wide receiver for the Lions, Williams was suspended for six games for betting on college football games while at the Lions’ practice facility.
• Stanley Berryhill: Also a wide receiver for the Lions, Berryhill was suspended for six games for betting on college games inside Detroit’s practice facility.
• Derrius Guice: In 2021, this running back was suspended for six games due to domestic violence.
• Antonio Brown: In 2020, this wide receiver was suspended for eight games due to multiple violations of the personal conduct policy.
• Kareem Hunt: In 2019, this Cleveland running back was suspended for eight games following an assault that was caught on video.

These cases highlight the NFL’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport and enforcing its policies on personal conduct and gambling.

Svenska Spel, a major player in the gaming industry, recently disclosed its Q1 2024 financial results, which painted a picture of mixed fortunes. The company’s net revenue for the quarter was SEK1.96 billion ($0.18 billion), marking a marginal 1 percent decrease compared to the same period last year. This dip in revenue has been attributed to the restructuring efforts within the Casino Cosmopol and Vegas business area.

A detailed examination of the revenue reveals that the net gaming revenue for the Casino Cosmopol and Vegas business area plummeted by 32 percent to SEK 169 million. This downturn was primarily due to the extensive restructuring of Casino Cosmopol, the closure of Casino Cosmopol branches in Malmo and Gothenburg, and reduced operating hours at the remaining Stockholm casino.

The sports and casino business area also experienced a revenue decline of 3 percent to SEK 549 million. This decrease is linked to less favourable outcomes for the pool games.

Despite these challenges, , registering a 6 percent growth compared to the same period last year. The online segment generated a total of SEK 1.09bn, accounting for 56 percent of the group’s total revenue for the quarter.

The Lottery division, also known as Tur, had a successful quarter with net gaming revenue rising by 6 percent to SEK1.24 billion. This growth was fuelled by the Eurojackpot and the sustained sales growth of the game Triss.

However, the operating profit for the first quarter took a significant hit, plunging by 49 percent to SEK 310 million. Svenska Spel attributed this decline to several costs incurred during the quarter, including the liquidation of the casinos in Malmo and Gothenburg, restructuring costs associated with the group’s review, and a penalty fee.

In a noteworthy development, Svenska Spel announced the appointment of Gustav Georgson as its new Head of Community Relations and Public Affairs at the beginning of the month. This move is expected to bolster the company’s community engagement and public relations efforts moving forward.

This analysis provides a comprehensive overview of Svenska Spel’s Q1 2024 performance, highlighting the challenges and successes encountered by the company during this period. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, Svenska Spel’s ability to adapt and innovate will be crucial in maintaining its competitive edge.

Svenska Spel stands among several key players, each with their unique offerings and strategies. Let’s delve into a brief comparison. Firstly, we have Goals, a company that has carved out a niche for itself in the domain of football games. Their focus on this specific area sets them apart in the gaming industry. The company offers a variety of gaming solutions, including casino and live casino games, as well as sports gaming solutions. Then there’s Flax Innovations, a B2B Sports Tech company that has chosen to specialize in interactive betting solutions. Its focus on this particular aspect of the industry differentiates them from their competitors.

The gaming industry is a dynamic and competitive field, with each of these competitors bringing unique strategies to the table. When comparing them, it’s important to consider factors such as market share, revenue growth, product offerings, customer base, and technological advancements.

It’s also worth noting that the performance of Svenska Spel and its competitors have been influenced by regulatory changes, technological innovations, market trends, and consumer preferences.