SSTrader launches AI betting super sports predictor

In Ireland, amendments to the Gambling Regulation Bill have been under debate, following months of intense lobbying.

The Government of Ireland, facing what they called a "tsunami of social problems" related to gambling, decided to legislate. In 2022, Ireland's Gambling Regulation Bill started its journey through the legislative process. The reform should be enacted into law in 2024. Measures include a ban on daytime gambling advertising, the establishment of a fund aimed at combating gambling-related problems, and the creation of Ireland’s first gambling regulator.

Justice Minister, Helen McEntee, has proposed amendments to the current legislation, which have recently received government approval. Among those, one in particular has sparked controversy.

According to the amended legislation, children under 18 would now be allowed to enter premises such as racetracks where gambling takes place, provided these venues offer more than just gambling. However, minors will not be permitted to place bets. The rationale behind this amendment is to encourage venues to diversify their offerings beyond gambling revenue.

This amendment has faced criticism over concerns that it may expose minors to gambling and normalise the activity, as underage gambling is already an issue in Ireland. According to a , nearly one in four 16-year-olds gambled for money in the past 12 months, with over 15% experiencing excessive or problem gambling behaviours.

The development of the gambling law and its amendments has been eagerly anticipated by industry operators, who have engaged in extensive lobbying efforts to influence the bill's contents, and to water down some of the expected regulations.

Bookmakers,, and even charities feared potential financial losses from the new legislation. Charities like Arthritis Ireland have requested exemptions from the advertising watershed, arguing that lottery and raffle revenues are vital for their operations.

The proposed amendments aim to provide flexibility to these charities, NGOs, and sports organisations like the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Ireland’s largest sporting body.

In Germany, the iGaming and gambling regulator, GGL, has recently published its 2023, marking the authority's third anniversary.

Regulation of the German gambling market dates back to 2012 with the introduction of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling. In 2021, the treaty was amended to include more regulations concerning the iGaming industry. German regulations are now a complex framework of state laws and federal laws. Online gambling is regulated at the federal level, at the exception of online casino games that are regulated at the state level. Land-based gambling (casinos, gaming halls, betting shops and lottery agents) is regulated both at the state and municipal level.

One of the regulator's main missions is to fight illegal gambling by shutting down and prosecuting unlicensed operators, and by increasing efforts towards channelisation. The GGL states that in2023 only, 1,864 websites were checked, and 438 cases of suspected unauthorised gambling or advertising for unauthorised gambling were investigated. This intense monitoring eventually allowed the GGL to close down 63 illegal operators.

GGL’s primary tool for enforcing its decisions is payment blocking, ensuring that illegal operators cannot perform payment transactions via the main payment service providers. The GGL declares that this tool has been very effective. Nevertheless, it also hopes to soon implement IP blocking, although the legal framework for this measure is still not fully established.

In preparation for Euro 2024, the regulator declares that it began preparations in 2023 and intensified the monitoring of sport-related activity and advertising.

The GGL proudly announced the issuance of 39 new licenses in 2023, acknowledging that the application process is lengthy and challenging. Each licensed operator will continue to be closely monitored even after receiving their licenses, along with the 142 operators already registered and listed on the GGL .

In the future, as a way to optimise administrative processes, the GGL could be involved in the creation process of games. "One way to speed up the application process could be to directly involve the manufacturers of the games, the development studios, in the application process for the approval of the individual games," says Ronald Benter, GGL board member. "That would speed up the process considerably."

The German gambling market has increased by 2%, according to the GGL reports. It represents 13.7 billion euros, with 22% attributed to online gambling only. Conversely, the report estimates the gross gaming revenue of the black market to range between 400 and 600 million euros.

has once again seen a lucky winner in its Top Secret Cashword instant game, with an 80-year-old man having taken home the impressive $300,000 (€279,150) prize.

According to reports, the elderly winner has recently switched from playing drawing games to instant games, and it has been just a week after this change that he has struck gold. Purchasing the winning ticket at Wolf Lake Store in Baldwin, the man has described the moment he discovered his win as “the best feeling in the world.” After scratching the ticket at home, he is initially left in disbelief until he shows it to his daughter, who immediately cheers upon realising the huge prize they have won.

The lucky winner has officially collected the grand prize of $300,000 (€279,150) from the lottery headquarters. He has also shared his heartwarming plans to use the money he got to fully pay off his mortgage, highlighting the life-changing event of such a significant victory. This remarkable story serves as a powerful reminder that fortune can smile upon anyone, regardless of age.

The joyous story of this lucky individual has captured the attention of news outlets such as The State and Gambling News.

, with a remarkable 10,500 retailers across the state providing access to these thrilling gaming experiences. In 2023, players across the state of Michigan experienced a massive success with instant games, leading to a collective prize payout of $1.8 billion (€1.6 billion). This significant amount emphasises the widespread popularity and excitement surrounding these games in Michigan.

Stay in the loop with the latest updates and news for the upcoming powered by Soft2Bet. The summit is scheduled to take place in Budapest from 2-4 September.

, the parent company of the world’s largest and most well-known and iGaming brands, has strengthened its position in the industry by adding two seasoned personalities from the entertainment industry: Christine M. McCarthy and Robert R. Bennett.

Flutter has announced that Christine M. McCarthy will join the Audit Committee, while Robert (Dob) Bennett will be a Risk and Sustainability Committee member, effective 30 July 2024.

“Christine and Dob’s extensive experience in the entertainment industry will be an invaluable asset to Flutter as we continue to extend our leading position as a global online sports betting and iGaming provider.” - John Bryant, Chair of the Flutter Board.

McCarthy has had a wealth of experience as an entertainment executive and has held several significant leadership positions. Since joining Disney in 2000, she has consistently excelled in the entertainment sector. Currently, she holds the director position at The Procter & Gamble Company and serves as the Chair of the Audit Committee and Finance Committee at FM Global.

Bennett presently holds the position of managing director at Hilltop Investments, LLC. He has also previously served as the president of Discovery Holding Company and as the CEO and principal financial officer of Liberty Media Corporation. Additionally, he has assumed directorial roles at several prominent entertainment and media entities, including Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc., Sprint Corporation, and Demand Media, Inc.

Flutter Entertainment is having an outstanding year and was included in TIME magazine’s list of the 100 most influential companies of 2024 in the “pioneers” section. This recognition highlights Flutter’s continued leadership in the industry, with 12.32 million active monthly players and £2.67 billion (€3.15 billion) in revenue recorded at the end of 2023.

WHAT’S NEXT:  powered by Soft2Bet, happening in Budapest from 2 – 4 September.