Latest News
Spain to reduce online gambling taxes
The Spanish authorities have proposed new tax cuts for a fast-growing online gambling industry. The Spanish online gambling market is projected to touch $1.22 billion by 2023.
Cristobal Montoro, the Minister of Finance and Public Function, revealed the idea to the lower house of the Spanish Parliament during the draft budget presentation.
The suggested tax cut, from the current 25–20% of gross gaming revenue, is intended draw more legal, licensed operators to Spain’s thriving online gambling market as the country continues to battle offshore operators to keep its slice of the tax revenue pie.
With the market set to grow exponentially, the government of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is looking to licensed online gambling as a way to further the slow but steady economic recovery his People’s Party has ushered in despite the recent turmoil of the 2017 Catalan independence referendum.
After nearly a decade of economic nightmare that saw Spain chalking up the second highest unemployment rates in the European Union behind Greece, peaking at 26% in 2017, combined with a stagnant economy, times are finally changing, albeit slowly, for the better, and the Spanish national government is looking for ways to keep fuelling the boom.
Consultancy Ficom Lesiure has said that Spain has finally started to gain international attention in the online gambling market, with operators eyeing the country as an expansion opportunity. Ficom Leisure told AFP that revenue from online gambling and betting activities should hit between $1.22 billion and $1.84 billion in the next few years.
With a population of 46.3 million, coming in fifth behind Germany, France, the UK and Italy among its European Union neighbours, Spain’s 2017 gross gambling revenues hit $687 million in 2017, and the market itself is seen as far from saturated.
The proposed tax cuts would add significant help in raising existing operator’s bottom lines and could fuel a certain degree of consolidation in the market as it ripens. Chairman of the Spanish gambling trade association Jdigital, Mikel Lopez de Torre, who represents online gaming interests in the country, has said it is difficult to see how the country could accommodate 12 additional brands on the market in the future without some degree of consolidation in the coming years.
Baltics
New Survey Reveals 80% of Lithuanians Would Welcome a Ban on Gambling Ads
Eight out of 10 Lithuanians would approve of a ban on gambling ads in the country, a new survey revealed.
The survey commissioned by public broadcaster LRT was carried out by the public opinion and market research company Baltijos tyrimai. It showed that 80% of respondents aged 18 years and over are in favour of a complete ban on gambling ads in Lithuania and just 15% would oppose the move.
It has transpired that approval of the gambling ad ban was greater among women than men – 86% against 72% respectively. The move has also wide support among residents aged over 50 (84%) and by people with greater than secondary education and with monthly household income of up to EUR 1100 (85%). Opponents of the ban often include men (21%), young people under 30 years of age (23%), rural residents (18%) and people with unfinished secondary education (30%). 1115 adult residents of Lithuania were polled on 15-25 March.
In mid-March, parliament began to consider amendments to the law on gambling, which, if adopted, would prohibit gambling advertisements as of 1 January 2025.
Australia
SkyCity Appoints Jason Walbridge as Chief Executive Officer
SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited has appointed Jason Walbridge as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Jason has more than two decades of senior executive public company experience in the global land-based and online gaming industries. He is currently a Strategic Advisor to global gaming and technology company Aristocrat Leisure Limited on its proposed acquisition of NeoGames S.A, and Executive Chairman of National Entertainment Network LLC, the largest amusement route operator in the US. He has been appointed to the role after an extensive international search.
SkyCity Board Chair Julian Cook said: “The Board is delighted to announce Jason’s appointment as CEO of SkyCity, and we are looking forward to the valuable contribution Jason will make to the business. Jason has extensive global experience in the land-based and online gaming industries, which will position him well to lead SkyCity through its next phases.”
Mr Walbridge said: “It will be a privilege to lead SkyCity, and I am excited to be joining the business at this time as SkyCity looks to pursue the many opportunities ahead of it.”
Mr Walbridge is expected to start in early July 2024, following his move back to New Zealand.
Prior to his current roles, Mr Walbridge held roles with the online gaming supplier NYX Gaming Group Limited and its acquirer Light & Wonder Inc, and before that he spent 18 years with Aristocrat Leisure Limited where he held executive leadership roles in New Zealand and the US. Previously, he held senior roles within consulting, including with Ernst & Young, and was an Officer in the New Zealand Defence Force. Mr Walbridge holds an MBA in International Management from the Auckland Institute of Studies.
Mr Cook confirmed that Callum Mallett will continue as Interim Chief Executive Officer until Mr Walbridge’s commencement date.
“I’d like to thank Callum for his continued leadership and his support during this period,” Mr Cook said.
Latest News
NetBet Casino Joins Forces with Play’n Go
NetBet Denmark has reached a deal with the leading online software provider Play’n Go. This agreement will see the quantity of games available to Danish players expanded as a result of the addition of several Play’n Go titles.
Play’n Go has become a pillar of the online gaming industry since its founding in 2005. Most recently, the company scored a hat-trick of award wins at the 5Star iGaming Media Starlet Awards, claiming the prestigious titles of Slots Provider of the Year, Mobile Supplier of the Year and Game of the Year.
NetBet Denmark’s customers can now experience the thrilling excitement of a wide variety of Play’n Go slot games, with the flagship titles including Book of Dead, Legacy of Dead and Reactoonz – each one crafted to provide plenty of entertainment.
NetBet Denmark’s PR manager, Claudia Georgevici, said: “At NetBet, we understand the widespread appeal of slots – they offer players a unique experience while being straightforward at the same time. Play’n Go has created a large variety of excellent slot games, and this makes them an ideal partner as we look to expand the range of entertainment we can offer on our website.”
Danish players who are looking to explore these games and more can now head straight over to the NetBet Denmark website and experience the new Play’n Go titles for themselves.
-
Asia7 days ago
Asia-Pacific Sports Betting Market Report 2024-2030, Featuring Dafabet, SBOBET, 1xBet, TAB, CrownBet, UBET, Sports Toto Malaysia, Mansion88, 12BET and W88
-
Conferences in Europe6 days ago
Spanish Advertising Restrictions Struck Down: Learn More at the 2024 Gaming in Spain Conference
-
Asia7 days ago
Profiles of Animesh Agarwal, Naman Mathur, Payal Dhare and Tirth Mehta
-
Latest News7 days ago
SOFTSWISS & BitStarz Celebrate Ten Years of Partnership
-
Balkans6 days ago
Making a Bang in Bulgaria! Hacksaw Gaming goes live with Alphawin
-
eSports6 days ago
Copenhagen Major 2024 – Betting Overview
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
IOC and UEFA host joint betting integrity workshop
-
Latest News6 days ago
Inspired steps into Spring with its latest line up of slots: Space Invaders Win And Spin, Big Big Fishing Fortune and Piggy Bandits