Batumi increases casino fees to maximum level, angering operators

The BIS SiGMA Americas kicked off yesterday with a panel discussion led by several prominent women in the gaming sector. Held at the Hilton Morumbi, and hosted by Lilly Douse, the panel discussion delved into several crucial aspects of gender diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry. Panellists included Heloisa Passos, Founder and CEO at Trexx, Fabiola Jaeger, CEO at Caleta Gaming, Liudmila Schirmer, Affiliate Manager at Booming Games, Jennifer Innes, CEO at BettingJobs, Antonella Lorenzetti, Head of Marketing at Nonocosmos GmbH, Luciana Hendrich, Partner and Lawyer at Hendrich Advocates, Barbara Teles, Lawyer at Rei do Pitaco, Olivia Panhoca, Head of Operations and Affiliation for Latam at Novibet, Helen Walton, CCO at G Games, Frances Kintana, HR Director at Blaze, and Carla Souter, Senior Consultant at BettingJobs.

Firstly, there was a focus on the strategies to attract and retain female talent in technology-related roles, especially in regions like the UK, Spain, and India. Flexible working hours, unlimited holidays, and creating a supportive company culture were highlighted as effective retention measures.

The BIS SiGMA Americas conference takes place at the Transamerica expo centre between 24th and 25th.

Initiatives to support women in gaming, such as graduate programs, mentorship schemes, and training initiatives, were discussed. These programs aim to introduce more women to the gaming industry and provide them with the necessary support for career advancement.

The importance of creating inclusive gaming content without resorting to gender stereotypes was emphasized. Understanding the preferences and behavior of female gamers through data analysis is crucial for designing games and platforms that cater to their needs.

Additionally, there was a discussion on inclusion policies and best practices, with an emphasis on the importance of awareness and understanding of cultural differences within organisations. The need for safe spaces where diverse perspectives are valued, and employees feel empowered to speak up was highlighted as a key aspect of fostering inclusion.

Overall, the panelists shared valuable insights and experiences aimed at promoting gender diversity and inclusivity in the gaming industry, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.

Here were some of the main points that emerged:

Bringing Value to the Table 

Emphasize the importance of learning from every outcome, whether positive or negative. Acknowledge that growth can result from both personal improvement and recognizing when an environment may not be suitable.

Staying True to Yourself

Highlight the significance of embracing one's unique qualities and not trying to conform to stereotypes or mimic others, especially in leadership roles.

Developing Skills

Encourage women to invest in developing soft skills, such as communication, leadership, and networking, which are invaluable in any industry.

Seeking Mentorship

Stress the value of seeking mentorship and building alliances, as exemplified by personal experiences of mentorship leading to successful partnerships and career advancements.

Overcoming Challenges 

Discuss various challenges faced by women in the industry, including fundraising, biases in hiring and salary, and balancing work with family responsibilities. Share strategies for overcoming these obstacles, such as believing in oneself, embracing change, and seeking support networks.

Fostering Inclusivity 

Advocate for creating inclusive environments where diverse voices are welcomed, ideas are encouraged, and opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of gender or nationality. Highlight the importance of organisations promoting inclusivity through hiring practices, benefits packages, and supportive networks.

Supportive Networks and Associations

Highlight the role of associations and networks, such as the Associação de Mulheres da Indústria do Gaming, in providing mentorship, support, and opportunities for women in the gaming industry. Encourage active participation and engagement within these communities.

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.  

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 3 – 5 June. Find all the details .

Macau's international visitor arrivals have shown a remarkable recovery, reaching 68.2 percent of 2019 levels in the first quarter of 2024. 584,026 foreign tourists visited during this period, signifying a robust resurgence in tourism activity. 

Data from Macau’s shows that the Philippines emerged as the leading source market for the Special Administrative Region’s (SAR) international visitors, with over 114,000 tourists arriving in the first quarter. This represents a substantial 23.7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019. The proximity of Macau to Hong Kong may have contributed to this surge, given the significant number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong. 

Visitor numbers from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand have also rebounded significantly, reaching 70.8 percent, 89.2 percent, and 89.2 percent of their respective 2019 levels. This resurgence underscores the gradual recovery of tourism from Southeast Asian countries to Macau. 

However, visitor numbers from Northeast Asian markets, particularly South Korea and Japan, have lagged. Macau received only around half of its pre-COVID levels of Korean visitors and around 40 percent of Japanese visitors in the first quarter of 2024. 

In long-haul markets, visitors from the U.S. have shown a moderate rebound, reaching 66.5 percent of the 2019 first-quarter level. While not as robust as some regional markets, this recovery indicates a gradual resurgence in long-haul tourism to Macau. 

Overall, 's visitor arrivals surged by an impressive 79.4 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2024, totalling 8,875,757. This recovery represents 85.7 percent of the figure recorded in the same quarter of 2019, highlighting a significant step towards pre-pandemic tourism levels. 

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 3 – 5 June. Find all the details .