Latest News
Sweden’s State-Run Gambling Operator Demands Fair Competition Rules upon Market’s Regulation
The results from a year-and-a-half-long review of Sweden’s gambling industry were published this spring, recommending the replacement of Svenska Spel’s monopoly over the provision of licensed iGaming services with a more liberal licensing system that would admit international operators to the local market.
It is now up to Sweden’s Riksdag (the country’s legislature) to craft a new legislative framework and to introduce it as a law. It was originally announced that the new regulatory regime would take effect in early 2019. Although it is yet to be seen how exactly the country’s gambling market will be regulated, discussions on the matter and even exchange of criticism have already emerged between involved parties.
Earlier this month, Svenska Spel CEO Lennart Käll and Chairman Erik Strand wrote an opinion piece for Swedish news outlet Dagens Samhälle, dwelling in greater detail in what Sweden’s future gambling laws should include. According to the two gambling officials, there are two main points lawmakers need to keep in mind when crafting the new regulations – minimization of problem gambling risks and the introduction of effective mechanisms against illegal gambling.
The Svenska Spel’s top executives pointed out that when the market is opened for international operators, these need to be scrutinized carefully before being granted licenses from local regulators. The state-run operator itself will be watching the industry’s development once the new regulations are in place and will engage itself in ensuring that services are provided in a proper manner.
The two officials recommended that the government pay special attention to the different types of gambling services and to the fact that different games pose different level of risk to customers. Thus, the regulatory framework should be developed in a manner that encompasses effective mechanisms for all levels of risk.
Despite being the only authorized operator of iGaming services in the country, Svenska Spel currently holds only a fifth of the local online gambling market. In comparison, gray market operators have been taking a larger and larger portions of revenue from local customers for the past several years. Svenska Spel called for the creation of regulations that would secure fair competition for all participating parties. According to gaming operator, the criminalization of licensed activities would be a good measure to be implemented.
The publication of Mr. Käll and Mr. Strand’s piece was followed by an article produced by Fredrik Schulte, known to be a Member of Sweden’s Parliament. Mr. Schulte was critical of the two gambling executive’s piece, arguing that it is now up to the legislature to determine how the industry will be regulated and that Svenska Spel should not try to influence the course of events. Mr. Schulte further noted that the state-run operator may be trying to direct the industry’s regulation in a manner that would benefit Svenska Spel itself once the new rules are implemented and will give it advantage over its international competitors.
eSports
BETBY AGREES LONGTERM MULTI-MARKET CSGO EMPIRE PARTNERSHIP
BETBY, a top-tier sports betting provider, has announced a long-term partnership with Moonrail Limited B.V., a prominent online sports betting company, to support their flagship CSGOEmpire brand.
As part of this collaboration, Moonrail Limited will leverage BETBY’s award-winning sportsbook platform, along with Betby Games’ esports feed, and comprehensive trading and risk management services.
Under the terms of the agreement, BETBY’s technology and services will drive CSGOEmpire’s global multi-channel sportsbook operations.
Stefanos Karakidis, Head of Business Development at BETBY, stated: “We are thrilled to partner with Moonrail, a company recognized as a leading operator in both the sportsbook and esports sectors. We are eager to work closely with Moonrail to continue providing exceptional sports betting experiences to their players.”
Luke M., Head of Sportsbook at CSGOEmpire, commented: “At CSGOEmpire, our primary focus has always been to deliver the fairest experience possible for our users, coupled with the best odds in the market. We are excited about our partnership with BETBY, which will enhance the quality of our offerings and significantly improve the user experience. This collaboration will provide our community with an expanded selection of betting options and a seamless interface, further solidifying CSGOEmpire as a leader in the online betting space. We remain committed to prioritizing our users’ needs and look forward to the innovations this partnership will bring.
Latest News
SOFTSWISS Joins Pink October Movement
SOFTSWISS, a global tech company with over 15 years of expertise in iGaming, supports the global Pink October initiative to attract attention to preventing breast cancer.
This year’s Pink October campaign at SOFTSWISS is themed “A Minute Today, a Future Ahead” and emphasises the importance of early detection and preventative care. Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women, and early diagnosis is key in the fight against the disease. When it is noticed early, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%.
Early detection involves doing monthly breast self-exams and planning regular clinical breast exams and mammograms. Half of the 2,000 SOFTSWISS employees are women, and the company will refund each of them for ultrasounds and mammograms in October and November.
Pink October at SOFTSWISS offers a wide range of activities throughout the month. In addition to reimbursing for medical examinations, an online webinar on mental health will provide valuable insights for those who face the disease. To support the international charity movement “Butterfly Support Mission”, women from SOFTSWISS will take part in a themed race.
The company’s employees also personally support the initiative. To further raise awareness, prominent female influencers from the SOFTSWISS community share information about the campaign across social media, amplifying the message of self-care and vigilance.
“Health is a crucial value beyond everything. Here, at SOFTSWISS, we aim to help and support our employees’ well-being and health every day. By promoting the Pink October initiative, we want to stress the importance of well-timed self-care and make this issue visible both within the iGaming industry and beyond,” shares Chief Marketing Officer at SOFTSWISS, Valentina Bagniya.
Notably, the iGaming industry recognised SOFTSWISS’ strong dedication to ensuring the best working conditions for its employees. A few weeks ago, SOFTSWISS received the esteemed accolade “Employer of the Year” at the SBC Awards.
Supporting the Pink October initiative for the second year in a row, SOFTSWISS continues to lead by example, emphasising the importance of preventive health measures and community support. Through this initiative, the company hopes to inspire its employees and society to take action today for a healthier tomorrow.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
Industry News
Amusnet Wins Best Game Studio at the SiGMA East Europe Awards 2024
Amusnet has won the prestigious Best Game Studio title at the SiGMA East Europe Awards 2024, held in Budapest. The event set the stage for a night of celebration, aligning with SiGMA’s highly anticipated conference and expo, which welcomed over 9000 attendees from the iGaming and emerging tech sectors.
Securing the Best Game Studio marks another significant milestone for Amusnet, demonstrating its robust portfolio of over 300 casino games. This honour underscores the company’s steadfast dedication to high quality within the iGaming sector, further solidifying its position as a trusted partner for industry partners in East Europe and beyond.
Amusnet’s products are centered around its diverse online slots, including classic and contemporary fruit themes, innovative dice slots and progressive jackpots. These games are distinguished by their exceptional graphics, user-friendly interfaces and engaging features designed to enhance player experience.
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