Europe NEWS

FDJ initiates buyout of Kindred Group through share purchase from Veralda

Groupe Française des Jeux SA (Groupe FDJ) has entered into a definitive agreement with Veralda, marking the commencement of its acquisition process of Kindred Group Plc. This agreement involves the purchase of 2.4 million shares at SEK 122.5 per share. This transaction signifies the official launch of FDJ’s acquisition strategy for Kindred, which was initially announced in January.

Danish Gambling Authority takes action against SkillOnNet

The Danish Gambling Authority, Spillemyndigheden, has recently taken action against the online casino operator, SkillOnNet, for multiple breaches of the nation’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Act. This incident underscores the importance of robust AML measures in the gambling industry and the consequences of non-compliance.

Analysis of Bulgaria’s Parliamentary battle against gambling

The Bulgarian Parliament has voted against proposed revisions to the Gambling Act, aimed at curbing the pervasive influence of gambling advertisements. The amendments, proposed by Kostadin Kostadinov of the Vazrazhdane party, were defeated with a vote of 67-29, despite support from BSP for Bulgaria and There Is Such a People. The proposed changes sought to address societal harms linked to gambling, including stricter advertising regulations and an empowered register for individuals experiencing gambling addiction. However, dissenting voices from GERB-UDF cautioned against the potentially adverse effects on municipal sporting institutions, arguing that such measures would merely scratch the surface of addiction’s root causes.

Dutch online sector surpasses million active accounts

The Dutch online gambling sector has surpassed one million active accounts for the first time, despite experiencing a slowdown in growth during 2023. The Kansspelautoriteit gaming authority (KSA) revealed in its sixth monitoring report that the Gross Gaming Revenue (

Entain announces Barry Gibson’s departure as Chair

Entain, owner of Ladbrokes and Coral betting brands, has today announced that its Chair, Barry Gibson, (in photo above), would step down by the end of September. Gibson’s departure marks the end of his more than four-year tenure, a period during which he played a pivotal role in the company’s transformation. A significant announcement is expected to follow soon as anticipation builds

Bet365 agrees to regulatory settlement with UK Gambling Commission

Bet365 has agreed to a regulatory settlement with the UK Gambling Commission, to pay just over half a million pounds in penalties for identified failings in social responsibility and anti-money laundering (AML) practices.

Danish Gambling Authority intensifies fight against illegal gambling

The Danish Gambling Authority has provided a comprehensive overview of its ongoing battle against illegal gambling. The report, released this week explores the specifics of what constitutes legal gambling in Denmark and sheds light on the various initiatives undertaken in 2023 to curb illegal gambling activities. A key highlight of the report is the strategic collaboration formed by the Danish Gambling Authority with tech giants Apple, Facebook, and Google. This partnership empowers the authority to directly report any illegal gambling content found in apps to these companies, who can then promptly remove such content. This proactive measure ensures that Danish citizens are not exposed to illegal gambling content in the future, thereby safeguarding their interests and upholding the integrity of the gambling industry in Denmark.

Belgium’s gambling reform, a model for the industry

Belgium is in the process of reshaping its gambling industry. The country is raising the legal age for all forms of gambling from 18 to 21, a significant step towards protecting younger demographics who might be more susceptible to the risks associated with gambling. This change is not merely in numbers, but a statement, a commitment to the promotion of responsible gambling.

Ahead of SiGMA East Europe, a look at online betting in Hungary

The first SiGMA event in Europe for 2024 will be happening in September in Hungary, following 2 upcoming events, SiGMA Americas in Brazil in April and SiGMA Asia in The Philippines in June. Ahead of SiGMA’s descent in Hungary, we take a closer look at the complex landscape of online betting in the country. Stricter…

Controversial stance of Mouvement Reformateur shakes up Belgium’s gaming sector

The rise of gambling in Belgium has brought to the front a growing social issue - gambling addiction. The problem has escalated since the legalization of gambling advertising in 2021.