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Dutch-language online casinos topping the agenda as key regulatory date arrives

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Dutch-language online casinos topping the agenda as key regulatory date arrives
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The Netherlands has always been one of gambling’s European heartlands, but it has been pushed right to the top of the iGaming agenda in recent weeks. The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Netherlands regulatory body, officially started processing applications for online gambling licenses 01 April, as the six-month countdown began to the online casino market officially opening on 01 October for operators granted a license. René Jansen is the KSA Chairman, and he anticipates that the body will issue approximately 35 licenses in readiness for the official opening.  

 

A blossoming market 

Of course, this is welcome news for would-be operators in the Netherlands. But it also has broader implications for the European casino industry. Research by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) shows that online gambling activity in the Netherlands has escalated dramatically, increasing by 150 percent from less than 500,000 people in 2015 to around 1.2 million in 2019. Revenue has increased even more dramatically, showing more than a tenfold rise, from less than €300 million to more than €3 billion over the same timeframe. 

 

Bringing order out of chaos 

The new licensing regulations will seek to bring order to what is currently a chaotic online gambling market. Until now, Holland Casino has held a monopoly on gambling within The Netherlands – at least in theory. The problem has always been that overseas operators have welcomed Dutch players to their online platforms with open arms, and attempting to prevent them has been as fruitful as nailing jelly to a wall – and also as messy.  

Since 2019, however, with the new roadmap agreed, the KSA has stepped up compliance monitoring and has not been shy about fining big-name operators. In fact, in 2019 alone, it issued 10 such fines for a total amount of €3.5 million. The message could not be clearer – get in line and apply for a license or stay away from the Netherlands! The KSA has even gone so far as to say that operators who have tried to circumvent the rules in the past, for example by offering Dutch language versions of their platforms, will be pushed to the back of the queue. 

 

Broader market opportunities  

Yet therein lies an important distinction. Dutch gamblers and gamblers in the Netherlands are not necessarily the same thing. In fact, of the 23 million Dutch-speakers in the world, approximately one in four live outside the Netherlands. Even the most conservative estimates would place that at more than a million Dutch-speaking casino players living outside the Netherlands, and possibly as many as two million. 

The implications are clear – with the average player spending €190 per year, there’s a market worth something in the order of a quarter of a billion Euros per year in revenue just ready and waiting for quick-thinking affiliates. Already, we are seeing early movers like Casino Senpai aiming to fill this gap with content and casino listings aimed specifically at this market.  

 

Opportunities for all 

Unlike the situation in some emerging markets, gamblers in the Netherlands are not heavily biased towards any one type of gambling. Sports betting is expected to be the larger part of the market, but not by a significant margin. Casino games are also popular, with roulette attracting the most players, and blackjack close behind it.  

These are exciting times for the gambling market in the Netherlands, and the new regulations bring a world of opportunity to operators in all niches. The newly licensed operators will also bring a world of choice to Dutch speaking gamblers, so when 01 October comes around, it should be a day of celebration for all. 

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Casino Guru and Mindway AI advance RG self-test game in time for SGW24

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Casino Guru and Mindway AI advance RG self-test game in time for SGW24
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Casino Guru, the leading online casino database and a champion of informed play in the gambling industry, continues to build upon its responsible gambling partnership with Mindway AI, a prominent RG tech and solutions provider focusing on offering actionable real-time insight into consumer gambling behavior, by launching the revised campaign focused on the Gamalyze self-assessment game, in time for Safer Gambling Week 2024 (SGW24).
The game, a reinvention of the self-test, is a card game that allows players to analyze their own gambling habits through engaging and anonymous play. Thanks to a dedicated widget that welcomes players on the home page, the game is available directly on Casino Guru’s website and is also featured as “Game of the Week.”
To help further improve this year’s reach, Casino Guru has teamed up with several casino partners, including CasinoFriday, Shotz, Roman Casino, giving players the opportunity to explore the game while gaining deeper insights into their own gambling habits.
Casino Guru has reached out to subscribers with additional details about the campaign, aiming to significantly expand its impact and raise awareness among a larger audience.
Previous campaign iterations received 1,800 gameplays each, and Casino Guru is now determined to improve on this milestone.
Šimon Vincze, Casino Guru’s Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling, shared the following: “I am excited about this year’s upgrade to the campaign and can’t wait to see the results. Together with Niamh from Mindway AI, we were looking for ways to attract more people to play the game and learn more about the risks involved as a natural part of their gambling experience. The upgrades we introduced are promising, and we are confident we can increase the numbers significantly.”
Once the self-test game is completed, Mindway AI provides players with detailed feedback on their gameplay, and analyze certain behavioral markers, such as how players respond to rewards and losses, the frequency of their wins and how risky their gambling behavior is.
Ultimately, the assessment seeks to improve people’s understanding of their own risk-taking behavior, and what they can learn from it. Both companies are dedicated to bringing the concept of safer gambling to the forefront of players’ awareness, and this innovative collaboration allows them to achieve this goal in a creative and enjoyable manner.
To access the widget and test your gambling style, head over to Casino Guru’s home page and click on the widget in the upper right corner of the screen, or check the “Game of the Week,” which will feature Gamalyze throughout SGW24.
Casino Guru and Mindway AI first introduced the campaign several years ago, boosting its reach in a player-centric way in time for SGW24.
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Gamzix Brings Africa to Life with Book of Zulu – A Game-Changer for Casino Portfolios

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On December 3, 2024, Gamzix, a leading full-cycle slot provider known for its high-quality game design, is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated launch of its newest slot, Book of Zulu. Crafted with unparalleled attention to detail, Book of Zulu combines the mystery of classic “Book” slots with a fresh African twist. This exciting release adds unique gameplay elements, rich African-themed visuals, and innovative features designed to enhance player engagement.

 

An Unforgettable African Adventure

Book of Zulu transports players deep into the heart of Africa, blending immersive visuals with a thrilling storyline. To capture the essence of the wild, and give players a sense of Indiana Jones adventure, we recorded the sounds of elephants directly at the zoo, bringing an added layer of authenticity to the experience. At our company, we approach each slot with special care and attention, treating every detail with the same dedication and reverence that we bring to all of our work. Players embark on a journey with an intrepid explorer as they delve into the mysteries of the Zulu people and their sacred book. The African aesthetic runs deep in every aspect of the game, with striking distinctive symbols and authentic cultural references, creating a refreshing alternative to traditional “Book” slots set in ancient tombs.

 

Unique Game Features and Winning Mechanics

Unlike typical “Book” slots, Book of Zulu introduces dual-expanding symbols within the same free spins round. This feature ensures that players experience a layered winning structure: a lower-value symbol expands first, creating smaller wins, followed by the expansion of a higher-value symbol, delivering larger payouts and building excitement with each win.

In Book of Zulu, players can enjoy Gamzix’s innovative twist on expanding symbols and free spins. At the start of each free spin round, a special symbol with a distinctive golden frame is randomly selected to become an “expander.” When three or more of these symbols land, they expand to cover their reels, maximizing winning potential and creating suspense as each symbol’s expansion leads to escalating rewards.

 

Free Spins with Rewarding Wild-Scatter Symbols

Gamzix has reimagined the mechanics of both scatter and wild symbols in Book of Zulu. When three or more scatter symbols appear, players are awarded 10 free spins—regardless of the exact number of scatters, keeping the focus on gameplay consistency. Additionally, wild symbols are not just substitutes but powerful multipliers, making every spin a potential game-changer for players.

“Gamzix has designed Book of Zulu to keep players engaged with top-tier animation, intuitive gameplay, and a detailed paytable that rewards from as few as two symbols. Each game element has been tailored to enhance player retention and extend playtime, making Book of Zulu a must-have addition for operators seeking to boost GGR”, says Gamzix’s CCO Lidiia Kosohova.

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Expert comment: Safer Gambling Week 2024

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Safer Gambling Week commentary

As a company focused on generating high-quality, responsible gambling traffic to our operator partner sites, safer gambling is a daily consideration for QiH Group. We recognise Safer Gambling Week as a valuable opportunity to stay engaged with the broader industry conversations and to hear from the community on responsible gambling.

As affiliates are often an initial touchpoint for customers, our priority is maintaining a safe, compliant environment that benefits our partners and, ultimately, their customers.

We believe in supporting a balanced approach where gambling remains what it should be: safe, enjoyable entertainment.

– Andrew Lee, COO, QiH Group

Being a firm of licensing solicitors, one of our principal roles is helping our clients stay compliant with the Licensing Conditions and Codes of Practice, and the licensing objectives, so responsible gambling is something we focus on every day for clients.

It is important that we raise awareness of safer gambling and signpost the professional help and support services that are available to those who need it – ensuring the millions of people who enjoy gambling responsibly continue to do so in a safe environment.

– Nick Arron, Lead Solicitor, Poppleston Allen

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