Baltics
Casino-closing spree in Latvia leaves operators in trouble
Over 40 casinos in Riga are battling with the City council, as the council is planning to close all gambling facilities in the area. The move follows a Latvia Supreme Court order that curtailed the number of casino opening permits.
The casinos have opened legal action against the City Council, as they filed many lawsuits in courts. The courts are diplomatically accepting the actions while readying a big, red “Rejected” stamp.
According to Aira Smelde, a council representative, the courts have already heard six cases, all of which were rejected. Two of the cases were appealed to the Riga’s administrative regional court. One of those appeals was withdrawn by its plaintiff.
In September 2017, Riga City Council revoked the operating licenses of nine casinos and was in the process of considering additional closures. A month later, the council gave its nod to a measure that sought to close 33 gambling operations in the centre of the city.
The only exceptions would be given to those casinos operated out of four- and five-star hotels. Each closure has to be voted on by the city council and, once a casino is selected, it has five years to wind down operations before permanently shutting its doors.
Olympic Entertainment Group AS (OEG), a leading gaming services provider throughout the Baltic States, owns several of the casinos affected. OEG was notified of the cancellation of two of its permits in October and appealed to the administrative court. The case was heard last week but, like the rest, OEG failed to win a reversal. The casino has been ordered to cease operations by October 2022. Olympic has already announced that it will appeal the decision to a higher court.
Given the previous court’s rejection of the first appeal, optimism should not be high that another court will counter the decision.
OEG operates a total of seven casinos in Riga. Out of the remaining five, two more could receive the axe. The fifth, OEG’s flagship Olympic Voodoo, would not be banned due to its location at the Radisson Blu Hotel.
Source: calvinayre.com
Baltics
CT Interactive has concluded a key deal with Twinsbet.lt
CT Interactive has concluded a key deal with Twinsbet.lt, marking a significant milestone in its strategic expansion across the Baltic region. The deal, primarily focused on the Lithuanian market, signifies CT Interactive’s commitment to enhancing its footprint in Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.
Milena Tsankarska, CCO at CT Interactive, expressed her confidence about the collaboration, stating: “We are thrilled to partner with Twinsbet.lt, a reputable player in the market. This strategic alliance aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver cutting-edge gaming experiences to players across the Baltics.”
Antonio Donov, Business Development Manager EMEA at CT Interactive, said: “Twinsbet.lt’s dedication to providing top-quality gaming services resonates with our own values. This collaboration opens up new avenues for growth and innovation, allowing us to cater to the diverse preferences of players in the region”.
Through this deal, games like Chili Fruits, Coffee Magic, Pot-o-Luck, 40 Treasures, Lucky Clover and more will become available at Twinsbet.lt.
“This collaboration with CT Interactive underscores our commitment to delivering unique gaming experiences to our customers. By leveraging CT Interactive’s expertise and innovative solutions, we are confident in our ability to elevate the gaming landscape in Lithuania and beyond”, commented a Gunnar Vilk COO of Twinsbet.lt.
Baltics
MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit Announces Final Agenda for 2024 Event
HIPTHER, the premier event organizer in the iGaming and Technology sectors, is thrilled to unveil the final agenda of the highly anticipated MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit, packed with expert-led sessions and significant networking opportunities. Scheduled for June 4-5, 2024, at the Hilton Tallinn Park, this annual event serves as the leading platform for learning and networking in the Baltic and Nordic regions. Hosted yearly in a Baltic capital, it attracts top professionals from the iGaming, blockchain, fintech, and artificial intelligence communities.
This year’s event promises to foster groundbreaking discussions and provide actionable insights across several dynamic sectors. The summit will feature an impressive lineup of topics, including “Regulatory Evolution in iGaming: Adapting to the Baltic and Nordic Standards,” “Global Stakes: Navigating iGaming Regulation in Serbia, the USA, Spain, and Austria” and “Financial Evolution: Merging Traditions with Fintech and Blockchain Innovations.”
The MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit serves as the main hub for industry leaders to connect, share ideas, and explore new partnerships. The summit’s strategic location rotates among the capitals of the Baltic states, underscoring its importance and central role in shaping the tech and gaming landscapes in the region.
Zoltan Tuendik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER, stated, “We are proud to host another edition of the MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit. Each year, we strive to surpass the expectations of our attendees, providing them with invaluable insights and networking opportunities that are second to none. This year’s agenda is especially significant, tackling some of the most pressing issues facing the industries of our focus.”
Highlights of the summit include:
- Expert panels discussing the integration of new regulatory frameworks and technological innovations.
- Networking opportunities with industry leaders and policymakers.
- Interactive workshops designed to provide hands-on experience in dealing with current challenges and leveraging emerging opportunities.
In addition to the comprehensive conference sessions, the summit will host several networking events, including welcome drinks and exclusive evening parties, offering attendees the chance to form lasting connections with peers and industry leaders.
Professionals from across the globe are invited to join this landmark event to gain deeper insights into the future of these rapidly evolving industries and to network with fellow experts in a collaborative setting.
For more information and to register for the MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit, please visit https://hipther.com/events/tallinn/
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.
-
Asia7 days ago
Maharashtra Government rewards state’s Asian Games 2022 Esports athletes with INR 10 lakhs; marks historic moment for Indian Esports
-
Central Europe6 days ago
Wazdan amplifies Swiss presence with Swiss4Win launch
-
Asia7 days ago
PAGCor Welcomes Lawyer Wilma Eisma as New President and Chief Operating Officer
-
Latest News6 days ago
Evoplay strikes distribution agreement with Light & Wonder
-
Compliance Updates7 days ago
GoldenRace is now certified in the Netherlands
-
Latest News7 days ago
Altenar releases trio of betting widgets to enhance customer engagement
-
Australia7 days ago
SkyCity Appoints Jason Walbridge as Chief Executive Officer
-
Latest News7 days ago
Xtremepush Expands Reach in Brazil Through Senna Sport Deal