Casino & games Archives

April 12, 2024

Charting Nigeria’s online gambling growth amid regulatory battles

One of the most exciting emerging global online gambling markets is Nigeria, boasting a youthful population that H2 Gambling Capital forecasts to lead it to gross gaming revenue (GGR) of €675.1m (£576.8m/$717.2m) by 2025. With a legal battle over regulation ongoing, though, how exactly is it achieving its success?

Firstly, it’s imperative to note the demographics of Nigeria, which is the most populous country in Africa with well over 200 million inhabitants. According to a report from The Economist, that population is predicted to grow to 400 million by 2050, surpassing the US as the third most-populous country on the planet.

Looking closer at Nigeria’s data reveals a hugely youthful population, with figures from the World Factbook outlining that approximately 41% of people in the country are aged between 14 and under, with the average age of a person in Nigeria just 19 years old.

Taking those demographics aspects into account it’s clear to see why there is excitement over how Niger..

April 12, 2024

Denmark helpline StopSpillet receives nearly 3,000 calls in first five years

StopSpillet, the specialist gambling helpline run by Denmark regulator Spillemyndigheden, has received almost 3,000 calls since its inception in 2019.

StopSpillet was introduced on 1 January 2019, providing advice and guidance to those in Denmark who are concerned over their gambling habits.

A new report revealed that since its launch, StopSpillet has received 2,933 inquiries, with figures suggesting that a large percentage of those callers have a problematic relationship with gambling. Players calling for themselves were responsible for just over 1,650 inquiries, accounting for 56% of the total.

Additionally, 1,150 inquiries, or 40% of the total inquiries, came from relatives of players. In around half of those calls, it was a parent getting in contact with StopSpillet. Meanwhile, 4% of calls came from professionals.

On the ongoing development of StopSpillet, the report read: “The Gambling Authority works continuously to spread awareness of StopSpillet, for example through campaig..

April 10, 2024

France regulator ANJ notes “significant progress” in problem gambling prevention

L'Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), the gambling regulator in France, has noted “significant progress” in reducing problem gambling in its review of operators’ action plans.

Since a 2019 ordinance, all operators in France must submit an annual plan to prevent “excessive” and underage gambling. The ANJ then reviews those action plans. The aim is to increase dialogue between operators and the regulator on the issue.

The ANJ observed that the market has made palpable progress on preventing excessive gambling. Actions have been taken to raise awareness, such as messages to players and dashboards.

Protection standards for identification and support for problem gamblers has increased. The number of at-risk players identified and then supported has risen. The majority of operators implementing improved support measures and excluding players who have been identified as most vulnerable to commercial rewards has also gone up.

ANJ: Problem gambling still too high in France

fdj submitte..

April 10, 2024

Detroit casino revenue edges up to $123.9m in March

The three commercial casinos in Detroit reported $123.9m (£97.7m/€114.2m) in revenue during March, a 3.9% increase on the previous year.

Revenue in March was clear of the $119.2m posted in the same month last year. March’s total was also 18.5% ahead of the $104.6m recorded in Detroit in February this year.

Some $122.3m of this amount came from slots and table games, up 3.8% year-on-year and 16.7% higher than February.

In comparison, retail sports betting qualified adjusted gross receipts (QAGR) reached just $1.6m. However, this total was 13.2% ahead of last year and a stark improvement on the $120,142 loss reported in February.

MGM continues to lead the Detroit market

MGM Grand Detroit remains some way out in front in terms of market share in Detroit. The casino reported a 46.0% market share in March.

MGM posted $56.7m in table games and slots revenue, up 4.1%, while sports betting QAGR reached $327,857.

MotorCity Detroit placed second with a 31.0% share of the market. Revenue ..

April 8, 2024

Belgium report warns of impact of over-regulation on channelisation

A report from Belgium-based operator Gaming1 has highlighted concerns over the effect of over-regulation on channelisation.

On 1 July 2023, Belgium introduced a near total ban on gambling advertising. This was after a consortium of sports teams and gaming operators were defeated in a last-ditch legal bid challenging the royal decree.

The ban faced backlash, with Belgium gambling trade body Bago highlighting the government’s decision to act against the advice of the country’s Gambling Commission when imposing the ban.

Gaming1’s report has now outlined the impact of the royal decree on channelisation towards legal operators in Belgium.

Gaming1 pointed to surveys conducted by Nepa in 2023. The studies found a 6% rise in online players using an illegal website in the past three months following the royal decree, as well as a 4% increase on deposits made on illegal gaming websites.

In its report, Gaming1 highlighted the results of two major studies. The first from the Belgian Gaming Co..

April 5, 2024

PNR Tecnologia and Lema request Loterj accreditation amid IBJR criticism

PNR Tecnologia and Lema have become the latest gambling companies to seek accreditation from the Rio de Janeiro State Lottery (Loterj), which is coming under fire from the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR).

On Wednesday (3 April), PNR Tecnologia delivered documentation seeking to operate sports betting and online games with Loterj accreditation. On Friday (5 April), Lema visited the Loterj headquarters.

This was to carry out a proof of concept and evaluate its compliance with Loterj regulations. This was after Lema had previously presented its platform to operate sports betting and ilottery in March.

In March, Caesars Sportsbook-licensee BIG Brazil announced it was looking for Loterj accreditation to offer both sports betting and lottery. Loterj has since been criticised for its attempts to operate in Brazil outside its state of Rio de Janeiro.

PNR Tecnologia director Yuri William threw his support behind Loterj’s initative. He stated: “Loterj has a lot to add to t..

April 5, 2024

CNIGA’s Siva loves a good compromise; wants to expand role as tribal leader to IGA

James Siva just wants everyone to get along.

As the man who held together the disparate group of tribes that make up California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) when not one, but two commercial groups tried to take the lead on wagering in California, it seems he has a knack for negotiation.

“I think James has a unique ability for being in a leadership position and listening to the different sides of everything, giving tribal leadership a chance to hear both sides and come to a compromise,” Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians tribal council member Dennis Hendricks said.

Siva said Hendricks was a mentor when he first joined the CNIGA executive committee.

Siva, the current CNIGA chairman, is hoping that is the kind of leadership that the Indian Gaming Association (IGA), which meets beginning Monday (8 April) in Anaheim, is looking for. Siva announced his intent to run for vice-chairman at the Western Indian Gaming Conference in February. He’ll be running against incumbent Dav..

April 2, 2024

Ohio sports betting revenue down by 41.4% despite Super Bowl

Sports betting revenue in Ohio fell by over 40% in February, despite the Super Bowl early in the month.

Sports betting revenue dropped 41.4% to $66.3m (£52.8m/€61.5m) in February from January’s figure of $113.1m. February’s revenue was also 18.5% down year-on-year, with Ohio accumulating $81.3m in the same month last year, which was the second month of its sports betting market launching.

Ohio also saw a 17.2% decrease in handle, from $810.4m in January to $671.1m in February. However, February’s handle amount was 5% more than the $639m in bets received in the same month last year.

$599.7m was paid out in winnings during February, while $28.3m was written off as promotions. Taxable revenue amounted to $67.6m.

Ohio’s online sports betting sector continues to dominate the market. It was responsible for $66.4m in revenue and $657.7m in handle, the latter of which accounts for 98% of the monthly total. Retail actually finished in the red for the month, losing $122,288 during February.
..

April 2, 2024

Nevada gambling revenue climbs again to $1.34bn in February

Gambling revenue in Nevada increased 8.5% year-on-year to $1.34bn (£1.07bn/€1.25bn) in February, driven by growth within the baccarat segment.

Revenue was clear of $1.24bn in February last year. It was also 4.7% higher than $1.28bn in January this year – the strongest opening month to a calendar year in Nevada history.

Slots drew the most revenue at $827.6m for the month, an increase of 0.6% from 2023. Of this total, $536.6m came from multi-denomination slot games and $207.6m penny slot machines.

However, only multi-denomination slot games reported growth in February. Revenue was lower across all other game types within this segment.

Baccarat was the highest area of growth during February. Revenue here was 75.5% higher at $180.1m. Blackjack revenue was also up 15.6% to $132.5m with craps revenue rising 22.0% to $44.7m.

Other areas of growth include Ultimate Texas Hold’em, where revenue edged up 4.4% to $18.0m, and pai gow poker 4.7% to $10.4m.

Sportsbook revenue rises as Nevada ..

March 28, 2024

PGAM 2024: How is the industry raising RG standards?

This year’s US Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) comes amid the first concerted backlash against gaming expansion, so how has that changed the way operators are leveraging the initiative? iGB speaks to executives from DraftKings, Betr and OpenBet to find out what these companies are doing to raise standards.

Following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, gambling fever has swept large sections of the US, with 40 jurisdictions since taking up the option to offer legal wagering.

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) launched PGAM in 2003 with the aim of raising awareness on the issue. Since its inception, and particularly post-PASPA, the event has marked an important month in the calendar in the fight for responsible gambling (RG).

Chrissy Thurmond, head of RG relations at DraftKings, hails the influence of PGAM in helping the gambling industry to combat irresponsible play.

“One of the things that has been really benefic..

March 28, 2024

IGA executive director confident of California sports betting with tribal help

Jason Giles, executive director of the Indian Gaming Association (IGA), believes there could yet be online sports betting in California, although he also believes the help of tribes is vital to any legalisation.

Another attempt to legalise sports betting in California failed in January after two ballots aiming to grant tribes exclusive rights were scrapped following fierce tribal opposition in the state.

Eagle1 Acquisitions Corp, the group of backers for a proposition to legalise sports betting in California, had made several amendments to its ballot initiative in December in a bid to gain increased tribal support, however the efforts ultimately failed.

In response, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) stated the failure should serve as a warning against future attempts to legalise sports betting in the state without tribal involvement.

Jason Giles, Executive director of the indian gaming association, sees operator engagement with the tribes as a positive

Howev..

March 28, 2024

Slovaks place €21.4bn in bets over 2023 as online market surges

Slovaks placed €21.4bn (£18.3bn/$23.1bn) in bets during 2023, revealed during a press conference held at the office of the country’s Regulation of Gambling Games.

Martin Bohoš, director general of the regulator, stated players in Slovakia were paid €20.4bn in winnings. Contributions to the state rose by over €50m year-on-year to more than €301m.

In state contributions, the online levy accounted for €93m of the total, while fixed-odds bets were responsible for €80.48m. Land-based casinos, meanwhile, contributed €61.9m to the state.

The online market continues to dominate, with 90% of Slovaks preferring to bet online. For number lotteries, however, online betting accounts for just 14% of bets with Slovaks still preferring to play the lottery at land-based venues.

The tax rate for fixed-odds betting in Slovakia is 22% of gross gaming revenue (GGR) for online operators and 6% of turnover for land-based companies. For casino, meanwhile, the rate is again 22% for online operators. For la..

April 2024
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30

Tag: Casino & games