Euro 24: German gambling regulator warns against unlicensed gambling

Sir Philip Davies, considered to be a very prominent figure in the Conservative Party, has been reported to be involved in the controversy involving election betting. The allegations suggest that Davies placed a bet of £8,000 against his own victory in the forthcoming election, a move that has stirred up considerable debate.

Davies, who is vying for the Shipley seat in West Yorkshire, has been a significant player in the UK political scene. His candidature, however, has been overshadowed by the betting scandal. The controversy has raised questions about the ethics of a candidate betting against their own success, and whether such actions could potentially influence the outcome of the election.

When questioned about the alleged bet, Davies responded with a dismissive attitude, stating, “What’s it got to do with you whether I did or didn’t.” He further asserted that the bet was “nobody’s business,” a statement that has only fuelled the ongoing speculation.

Despite the controversy, Davies remains committed to his campaign, expressing his determination to win the election. He stated, “I hope to win. I’m busting a gut to win. I expect to lose.” This paradoxical stance, hoping for victory while expecting defeat, adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Davies has been associated with such a bet. He admitted to having placed a similar bet on himself during the 2005 election, which he ultimately won, causing his bet to “go down the pan.”

In the face of Davies maintains his innocence. He invites anyone who believes he has acted illegally to make their accusations, confident in his assertion that he has not broken any laws.

This incident has cast a spotlight on the issue of election betting, prompting a broader discussion about its implications on the democratic process. As the controversy continues to unfold, the focus remains on Davies and the outcome of his election campaign.

The nature of politics is indeed unpredictable, where even a seasoned politician like Sir Philip Davies has not ben immune to this controversy. As the date for the election approaches, this extraordinary

In Peru, almost five months after the regulation of the iGaming market, major gambling operators are obtaining licences to conduct business in the country.

In October 2023, the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism () endorsed for sports betting and iGaming. This legislation, which came into effect on February 9, 2024, made Peru the third country in South America to regulate this sector, following Colombia and specific provinces in Argentina (Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Mendoza). According to the new law, all operators must apply for a licence to legally offer their services within the country.

“It is the first time that this important economic activity has been regulated in the country”, said Juan Carlos Mathews, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism in Peru.

Operators active in Peru had a one-month window from February 10 to March 10, 2024, to submit their licence applications.

The response from the industry to Peru's new regulatory framework has been overwhelmingly positive. Many operators have expressed that they had long awaited this change in legislation, viewing it as an opportunity to engage more actively in the Peruvian economy.

Mincetur reported receiving 145 licence applications from both national and offshore operators, a clear sign of the potential growth within the market.

Leading operators are now starting to obtain their licenses.

On the 26^th of June 2024, Betsson was awarded its first Peruvian gaming licence, allowing it to offer both sports betting and online casino services under the new regulatory framework. Betsson, which has been active in Peru since 2008, has continually expanded its operations through the launch of new brands and the acquisition of existing iGaming and sports betting entities.

Other notable operators, such as Booming Games and 7777 gaming, have also recently been approved to operate in Peru.

The regulation of the online gaming and sports betting market in Peru is part of a broader trend in Latin America (LATAM). The region constitutes a major market for online gambling, with over 660 million people, representing 8.2% of the world's population, among whom 73% own a cell phone capable of online gaming.

As more South American countries move towards regulation, has very recently ratified a new regulatory framework for sports betting and iGaming.

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The DC Council has approved its fiscal year 2025, which includes provisions aimed at opening up the digital sports betting market to multiple operators, thereby breaking the monopoly currently held by FanDuel. The budget now awaits approval from Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Until now, FanDuel has been the sole operator of digital sports betting in the District, having taken over from GambetDC earlier this year.

Under the new framework, established operators like BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook, which already have physical sportsbooks in partnership with local venues such as Nationals Park and Capital One Arena, are expected to expand their digital offerings.

One of the architects behind these changes is Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, who championed the Sports Wagering Amendment Act of 2024. McDuffie’s initiative, included in the budget, mandates that sports betting operators must partner with one of the seven professional DC sports teams. This provision is partly aimed at supporting local sports organisations, including women’s sports teams, which could benefit significantly from increased investment. The other requirements include companies being licensed and operational in at least five US jurisdictions and paying a $2 million application fee for a five-year license.

The decision to open up the market was not without its challenges and discussions.

Concerns were raised regarding the potential impact on small businesses that currently host sports betting kiosks and depend on these revenues. In response, McDuffie successfully added an amendment to protect their interests in the soon evolving market landscape.

Supporters argued that by attracting multiple operators, the city stands to benefit from increased tax revenues and job creation, while consumers can expect better odds, promotions, and overall service quality.

FanDuel, which had been operating under a subcontract with Intralot, will face new competitive pressures under the revised framework. The company had previously expressed its intention to withdraw from its lottery deal should the market open up to other operators.

Industry reactions to the budget approval have been largely positive, with stakeholders applauding the Council’s decision to embrace competition and consumer choice. Representatives from major operators like DraftKings and Fanatics Sportsbook have expressed interest in entering the DC market.

DraftKings stated: “We want to thank Chairman Mendelson, Chairman McDuffie, and the rest of the DC Council for taking a major step towards expanding mobile sports betting options in the District by approving changes to the District’s sports wagering framework as part of the Budget Support Act. We look forward to the potential opportunity to introduce DC sports fans to our mobile sportsbook product.”

Looking ahead, the implementation of the new sports betting rules is contingent upon final approval from Mayor Muriel Bowser. If approved, the budget is scheduled to take effect on July 15, marking the beginning of a new era for sports betting in the nation’s capital.

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The expansion of the gambling industry in North Carolina has ignited a fierce debate, marked by intense lobbying, substantial political donations, and strategic manoeuvring. A new report, based on state and federal disclosures, alleges that the gambling industry has contributed approximately $3 million to influence legislative decisions.

In 2021, North Carolina introduced retail sports betting, followed by . Three years later, the debate focuses on the potential establishment of new casinos, which has intensified lobbying efforts and increased political donations.

A , a political analyst and former executive director of , a nonpartisan organisation that aims to strengthen democratic structures, reveals the extensive financial influence of gambling interests in the state. According to Hall, between January 2022 and March 2024, the gambling sector donated over $3 million to North Carolina candidates and allied committees supporting their re-election campaigns.

Key players in the gaming industry have allegedly made substantial contributions. For instance, The Cordish Companies, developers of a proposed casino in Rockingham County, North Carolina, donated $50,000, according to Bob Hall’s analysis of state and federal reports. Bob Hall also states that Grover Gaming, a major video poker machine vendor based in Greenville, NC, contributed $635,850.

The distribution of these funds heavily favours Republican candidates and affiliated committees who align with the industry's interests and policies. Hall's report states that $2.1 million was donated to two federal committees. These committees subsequently supplied 90% of the funding for "Citizens for a Better North Carolina", another committee overseen by Senator Phil Berger, whose primary activity is to fund political campaigns.

The expansion of gambling activities in North Carolina has sparked both support and opposition. Critics, such as anti-gambling organisations and concerned citizens, raise alarms about the potential social and criminal consequences. The North Carolina Sheriffs' Association has specifically warned about possible rises in crime associated with gambling.

They also argue that the tax revenue from the gambling industry, often highlighted by advocates for expansion, ultimately originates from economically disadvantaged individuals who finance these companies through their wagers.

However, supporters of the expansion argue that the revenue generated from gambling could be earmarked for law enforcement, potentially mitigating these concerns and providing additional resources for public safety initiatives.

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