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Gaming In Holland News-August 2017
The latest in Dutch and international gaming news.
Netherlands Gaming Authority Issues Cease and Desist Order to Catena Media
Yesterday, the Netherlands Gaming Authority announced that it has issued a cease and desist order to Malta-based iGaming lead generation company Catena Media.
The regulator found that Catena Media was actively promoting the services of online gaming operators, including ComeOn, to a Dutch audience through various websites, such as netentcasino.nl, gokoverzicht.com, and spellenoverzicht.com.
The Gaming Authority further decided to impose a daily penalty payment of €1500, up to a maximum of €21,000, if Catena Media would fail to comply with its cease and desist order.
As of now, the aforementioned websites appear to be no longer accessible from the Netherlands.
Europe Generates Almost 50% of All Online & Mobile Gambling Revenue
When it comes to online and mobile gambling, Europe is way ahead of other geographic regions, the Financial Times outlined on Saturday. UK operators have benefited most:
“Firms based in the UK have long benefited from not being as tightly regulated as elsewhere in the world. In some countries, such as China and India, bans on online gambling have pushed the practice underground, creating multibillion-dollar black markets for wagers. Other major markets, such as Germany, enforce strict restrictions.”
In the same FT article, Paddy Power Betfair’s outgoing CEO Breon Corcoran remarked that his company has no intention to re-enter grey markets (such as – currently – the Netherlands). “Ultimately, there is a question about sustainability in grey markets,” Corcoran said.
Updated Swedish Gaming Legislation Could Take Effect in 2019
“A new framework for the gaming industry in Sweden has been introduced and it could soon end the iGaming monopoly under the control of Svenska Spel. The updated legislation could take effect by 2019 modifying the current regime, although legislators are set to carry out further debates on the issue,” Focus Gaming News reports.
Former Swedish gambling regulator, Hakan Hallstedt, has recommended that online gambling operators pay an 18% tax on their gross gaming revenue. An estimated 90% percent of the Swedish online market would then be licensed and generating taxes from gambling.
Janshen-Hahnraths Group Posts 4.4% Increase in Revenues in 2016
The Janshen-Hahnraths Group, owner of 42 Fair Play arcade halls in the Netherlands, announced yesterday that its annual revenues increased 4.4% to €77m. Earnings before taxes amounted to €1.7m.
In order to safeguard its position in a Dutch market that is expected to go through some major changes, including the opening of the online market and the privatization of Holland Casino, the group made significant investments in the development of an online presence, as well as more frequent and generous jackpot payouts.
“We are happy with our financial results,” Janshen-Hahnraths’ CEO Jan Schiffelers said. “Last year’s lower profits are the result of a deliberate strategic choice to prioritize investments that are vital to the long-term viability of the Group. Moreover, we have opted to to draw the necessary funds from our cash flow, rather than external financing.”
Other News
Despite strict enforcement by the Netherlands Gaming Authority, online casino operators still find ways to advertise their services to a Dutch audience.
Holland Casino has released an official video to announce the World Series of Poker’s circuit stop in Rotterdam.
Holland Casino is looking to hire a financial accountant.
The Sportech Racing and Digital division of Sportech, holder of the single Dutch tote betting license, has agreed to provide pari-mutuel betting technologies and services to Dansk Hestevæddeløb ApS (DHV), the joint operating company for horseracing and operator of all racecourses in Denmark.
US casinos are warning that they are not sufficiently marijuana friendly.
The global lottery sector got off to a “modest start” in 2017, with reporting lotteries eking out a first-quarter on first-quarter aggregate increase in sales of 0.9%, new data from the World Lottery Association (WLA) indicates.
The Malta Gaming Authority is aiming to roll out a regulatory framework for blockchain technology by Q1 2018.
Portugal has announced the issuance of its eighth online gambling license to Estoril Sol to offer online sports betting services. The operator was already in possession of a Portuguese online casino license.
PokerStars parent company The Stars Group reported a 7.9% constant currency rise in Q2 revenues to $303.5m, with soaring casino revenues overcoming a significant decline in poker revenues. Revenue diversification reached a significant milestone last quarter, with non-poker revenue representing one-third of the company’s total revenue for the first time.
Shortly after Google opted to drop a long-standing ban on gambling and betting apps in its app store, Sporting Index has become the first company to launch a sports spread betting mobile application on Google Play.
Targeting hundreds of millions of Metal fans worldwide and having already partnered with some of the genre’s major stars, Metal Casino is to launch the world’s first gaming site for hard rock enthusiasts.
Paysafe, which owns Skrill, Neteller and Paysafecard, reported revenues of $538.7m (€458.5m) in the first half of this year, up 11% from $486.7m in the opening six months of last year.
Betsafe has signed UFC star Conor McGregor as an EU ambassador, ahead of the Irishman’s upcoming fight with Floyd Mayweather.
Slot machine maker Aristocrat Leisure has acquired Israeli social gaming company Plarium Global Ltd, reinforcing the Australian company’s status as a technology business.
Maine has become the 15th US state to legalize paid-for daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests.
A lucky punter in Las Vegas took home an $11.8m slot machine jackpot after wagering a mere $3.
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Clarion Gaming film Virtual Tour showing scale of opportunity for ICE and iGB Affiliate exhibitors in Barcelona
Ahead of January 2025’s relocation to Barcelona, ICE and iGB Affiliate exhibitors can share Clarion Gaming’s ‘Vision of the possible’ courtesy of a specially commissioned virtual tour and exhibitor orientation video which can be viewed at: youtube.com
The 10-minute exhibitor film which is narrated by Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter takes viewers on a tour of the venue beginning with an introduction to Fira Gran Via’s integrated metro station which is located between the El Prat international airport (12km) and the historic city centre (3km) and has the capacity to take huge volumes of attendees directly to the heart of the spacious dedicated registration area at the south entrance.
Viewers are then taken on a journey along the elevated arterial walkway which provides a unique bird’s eye view of the 120,000 sqm exhibition space before accessing the contemporary designed meeting areas and plentiful break-out spaces requested by exhibitors, on to the ultra-modern and scalable conference facilities and the venue’s three ‘Sky Gardens’ which facilitate the delivery of a memorable indoor/outdoor festival experience.
The video also explains the new visitor-friendly show floor which has been designed to easily identify the gaming verticals of interest and in the process ease navigation through the five halls that the 2025 editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate will occupy.
Introducing the video Stuart Hunter said: “This is the latest in a series of orientation initiatives which we started in October 2023. This video which is aimed at ICE and iGB Affiliate exhibitors, partners and sponsors will be followed by a dedicated visitor tour to help prepare for this exciting new chapter.
“As a team we could not be more excited about the opportunities offered by our new home at Gran Via and new host city of Barcelona: the film sets-out the size of the opportunity that we have as an industry and shares a compelling vision of what’s possible.”
ICE/iGBA 2025 will use circa 120,000 gross sqm of The Gran Via (ICE 2024 utilised 100,000 gross sqm in London) across Halls 1 (iGB Affiliate) and 2-5 (ICE). An additional 160,000 sqm has been reserved exclusively for ICE/iGBA across the five-year tenancy. The Convention Centre which is located in Hall 8 comprises a modular and versatile space with seating for between 3,000 and 12,000 people.
Latest News
José Garcia promoted to General Manager for Innovative Technology Spain
The Spanish branch of Innovative Technology (ITL) have announced that a long-standing member of the team has been promoted to General Manager. José (Pepe) García Escudero previously held the role of Business Development Manager for the region.
ITL Spain has had an office in Barcelona since 1996, headed up by Sales Director Mustapha Hadj-Ahmed. They provide both cash validation equipment and biometric technology to various market sectors including, gaming, amusement, kiosk and retail.
Commenting on José’s promotion Mustapha said, “I would like to congratulate José (known to most of his customers as Pepe!) on this well-deserved achievement. I have worked with him since he joined the company seven and half years ago and he is hard working, a real team player and has an excellent eye for spotting new opportunities. José will be responsible for overall operations as well as continuing his business development tasks. I am sure he will excel in his new role and I am confident he will lead our talented team to new heights! I look forward to exciting and prosperous times ahead.”
Pepe added, “I am so pleased to be given this fantastic opportunity and to play a more operational and managerial role in the business. Each member of the team here in Spain are a key part of our success, and the reason we are known for being a leading provider of cash handling equipment. I am excited to get started and see the business grow even further as we continue to serve our valued customers and develop our technology to response to the changing needs of the market.”
Concluding Mustapha said, “José will be heading up the team at the FIJMA show in Madrid on 7th – 9th May 2024 on stand A49, so if you are attending the show come and say hello!”
Asia
Team ATK Oshun excels at 2024 Online Championships held on 13 April 2024
Mind Sports South Africa’s (MSSA) 2024 Online Championships held on 13 April 2024 showed sterling results.
The championship was yet another chance for many esports athletes to qualify for MSSA’s National Team Trials to be held on 25 May 2024 at which the team will be selected to officially represent South Africa at the African Qualifiers which lead up to IESF’s 16th World Esports Championships to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in October and November 2024..
All Registered Players who have finished in the top three places, or the top 20% – whichever is greater, are entitled to enter trials.
However, it must be remembered that all players must have a valid passport to participate in the National Team Trials.
It was indeed exciting to watch just how much all the female teams have improved.
Team ATK Oshun (ATK Club Sport) being a female team astounded all with their skill and sportsmanship. The team demolished all ATK Club Sport opposition to ultimately won the premier event overall and qualify for the National Team trials to be held on 25 May 2025.
IESF’s 15th World Championships will be played to the following titles:
- Counter-Strike 2
- Counter-Strike 2 – Female division
- DotA 2
- eFootball
- Mobile Legends, Bang Bang
- Mobile Legends, Bang Bang – Female division
- PUBGM
The high standard of play saw 37 Registered Players from six provinces being awarded Provincial Colours. Only Limpopo, Free State, and Northern Cape did not have Registered Players who did not earn provincial colours.
Title | Name of player/team | Club | Provincial Colours awarded |
Clash Royale – Premier | Johan Coetzee | Middies | Mpumalanga |
Clash Royale – High School | Aryan Maharaj | PR0NHS | |
Counter Strike: 2 | ATK Oshun | ||
Kaylee Ludick | ATK Club Sport | Gauteng | |
Jessica Eleez Greeff | ATK Club Sport | Gauteng | |
Christin Brazier | ATK Club Sport | Gauteng | |
Megan van der Westhuizen | ATK Club Sport | Gauteng | |
Kayhla Rose Calder | ATK Club Sport | Gauteng | |
DotA – Premier | ZAG DOTA 1 | ||
Suhail Khan | ZAG Academy | Gauteng | |
Travis John Waters | ZAG Academy | Western Cape | |
Mark Kilian Lehle | ZAG Academy | Gauteng | |
Mohammad Dhooma | ZAG Academy | Eastern Cape | |
Nicholas Dammert | ZAG Academy | Gauteng | |
eFootball – Premier | Aslam Parker | PES Society | Gauteng |
FIFA 24 – High School | Daiyaan Hendricks | PES Society | Western Cape |
Mobile Legends – Premier
|
Mavericks | ||
Matthew Tatalias | Mavericks | Gauteng | |
Damian Bransby | Mavericks | Western Cape | |
Preshan Pillay | Mavericks | Gauteng | |
Mohammad Azhar Ansari | Mavericks | KwaZulu Natal | |
Taygan Gabriel | Mavericks | KwaZulu Natal | |
Luke Green | Mavericks | Western Cape | |
Mobile Legends – Premier – Female
|
AHG | ||
Je’nielle Cavanagh | PES Society | Western Cape | |
Inez Pringle | PES Society | Western Cape | |
Salma Parker | PES Society | Western Cape | |
Ra’isha Prout | PES Society | Western Cape | |
Fatimah Prout | PES Society | Western Cape | |
Mia Anthony | PES Society | Western Cape | |
PUBGM
|
Team uEnvy | ||
Richard Henry | ZAG Academy | Eastern Cape | |
La-eeq Arendse | ZAG Academy | Western Cape | |
Kyle Dudley | ZAG Academy | Western Cape | |
Clayton Leak | ZAG Academy | Western Cape | |
Rocket League – Premier – 1 v 1 – Premier | Nathan Strange | Hoërskool Klerksdorp | |
Rocket League – Premier – 1 v 1 – High School | Luther Peens | Hoërskool Klerksdorp | |
Street Fightter V – Premier | Marnus van der Merwe | Hoërskool Klerksdorp | North West |
Tekken 8 | Stasch Cloeta | Team PlayBell | Western Cape |
Valorant – Premier
|
TuksValorant | ||
Tapiwanashe Keith Matema | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Kyle Halvorsen | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Jaden Connor Swarts | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Ronald James Tyler Wheeldon | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Alejandro Luca Sartini-Kruger | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Armand Pierre van der Colf | TuksEsports | Gauteng | |
Sportsmanship Award | Je’nielle Cavanagh | PES Society |
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