Europe NEWS

Greek regulator seizes operator’s bank account over tax dispute

The Gaming Supervision and Control Committee (EEEP), the Greek regulator, has decided to seize Betshop's bank account.

Report on the rise of cocaine and gambling addiction in Ireland

According to a report by the Rutland Centre in Dublin, Ireland, there has been a significant increase in the number of people presenting with addictions to cocaine and gambling. The report, which was covered by mainstream media outlet RTE, highlights an alarming trend in addiction cases.

Push Gaming expands into Spanish market with dual-exclusive deal

Push Gaming has entered the Spanish market through an exclusive partnership with two major operators, Pokerstars and Gran Madrid | Casino Online.

DGA revamps certification for betting and online casinos 

Danish Gambling Authority (DGA) has announced changes to its betting and online casino certification programme, set to take effect on 1 January 2025. The updated programme aims to provide clarity on certification requirements for both licence holders and game suppliers while introducing a new game register to manage certificates for Random Number Generators (RNGs) and the games.

Illegal gambling in France surpasses regulated market

Subtitle: AFJEL Raises Alarm as Euro 2024 Betting Falls Short of Expectations Earlier this week the French online gaming association, L’Association Française du Jeu En Ligne (AFJEL), issued a warning about the rise of illegal gambling in France. The association revealed that the betting handle for Euro 2024 from its members fell significantly below pre-tournament estimates, indicating a surge in illegal gambling activities. The issue of illegal gambling has reached a critical point, with the number of illegal players in 2023 surpassing the regulated sector’s 3.6 million, totalling four million. This development is alarming, especially considering that the French gambling regulator, L’Autorite Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), had predicted that €1 billion would be wagered on the tournament. However, AFJEL reported that only half of this figure was staked. The betting volumes remained stagnant compared to the last European Championship in 2021. After that tournament, where France was eliminated in the second round, online punters wagered €343 million. This figure would increase to around €500 million when La Francaise des Jeux’s retail network was included. The amounts staked were also down 25 percent from the 2022 World Cup, when €900 million was bet as France reached the final. Ineffectiveness of blocking illegal betting sites

Montenegro, a tug of war between modernisation and tradition

In January 2024, the small Balkan nation of Montenegro found itself at the centre of a global controversy. The government introduced amendments to its gambling laws, effectively banning the use of modern electronic payment methods such as Apple Pay, PayPal, mobile banking, IPS, and e-banking. This move was not just a shock to the citizens of Montenegro, but it also sent ripples of concern through the global financial community, particularly within the European betting and iGaming sectors.

National lottery operator’s ties with Russia deemed ‘irrelevant’ by the UKGC

Allwyn, the company that operates the UK national lottery, faced pressure to sever ties with Russia while UKGC deemed them “irrelevant”.

UKGC reports consistent gambling trends

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has recently released the second phase of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB), which has yielded consistent results with the initial findings made available to the public.

Sandro Tonali’s “hypocritical” ban comes to an end

Sandro Tonali is preparing his come back with Newcastle United after being banned from football for gambling.

Chinese companies lead advertising blitz in Euro 2024

Chinese companies have emerged as dominant players in the advertising landscape of the European football championships, leveraging stadium advertising and strategic marketing deals. This surge in presence underscores football's unparalleled ability to draw global audiences, positioning itself as a potent tool for companies seeking to enhance their sales and profits.