Chinese gov’t reviews new multi-entry visa proposal for Macau-Hengqin

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.

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.