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What Can European Markets Learn from the Online Casino Industry in New Zealand and Australia?

Published

3 years ago

June 17, 2021

Nuvei is Enriching its Global Instant Payment and Bank Transfer Offering with the Integration of Faster Payments and Instant and Regular SEPA

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It was recently revealed that we may be on the precipice of a crackdown on unlicensed Australian sites, after it was revealed that operators were targeting players without being accredited by The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

However, the really telling number here was the approximate size of the online GGY in the Asia-Pacific region as a whole, with estimates placing this between $65 billion and $90 billion per annum.

This augurs well for markets such as New Zealand and Australia, which are open to operators from across the globe despite prohibiting domestic operators from targeting players. But what lessons can European markets learn from the industry in the Asia-Pacific region?

The Importance of a Single Regulatory Framework

Of course, the European iGaming market features the 27 remaining members of the single bloc (amongst others), who despite cooperation on most matters of trade and commerce, operate completely different laws when it comes to online gambling.

In fact, the regulatory frameworks for online gambling are noticeably diverse across the continent, especially when you compare countries in the west with those in the east.

This represents something of a challenge for players and regulators alike, especially when you consider the impact of freedom of movement with the EU. More specifically, the availability of casino games and sports betting varies considerably from one country to another, so those who regularly cross these borders may find it hard to understand their rights and responsibilities as players in real-time.

Conversely, both Australia and New Zealand operate a clear and singular regulatory framework, which is easy to understand for both operators and players alike.

Similarly, these entities are accountable to identifiable and omnipotent regulatory bodies, namely the aforementioned ACMA and the New Zealand Gambling Commission.

At the same time, operators are beholden to clearly-defined and specific laws in the regions, with any licensed online casino in New Zealand subject to the Gambling Act of 2003.

Stakeholders in Australia are also subject to the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 (which was updated in 2017), and the markets in Europe would definitely benefit from this type of single-minded and concise legislative approach.

A Clear Approach to the Use of Credit Cards

There’s also no single approach to the use of credit cards by online gamblers, despite calls for all EU member states to follow the example of the UK by banning this practice.

Interestingly, this is also something that the Australian authorities have begun to pursue tenaciously, with the nation’s Parliament hoping to initiate a law that would completely prohibit the use of credit cards and digital wallets for iGaming transactions.

This would extend the provisions already in place in brick-and-mortar casinos throughout Australia, safeguarding vulnerable players and highlighting the adverse effects on consumers across the board.

A thorough investigation is well underway, with the enquiry committee responsible expected to submit its final report by July 30th.

From a European perspective, Germany has already announced a credit card gambling ban, which was approved in 2020 and will prohibit players from funnelling funds in and out of their accounts via this method.

Similarly, Spain appeared poised to amend its own gambling legislation and prohibit the use of credit cards at the beginning of 2020, but the law has yet to be formally enacted and remains at the centre of a debate about how best to protect potentially vulnerable players.

Ultimately, there’s a lack of a clear consensus amongst European markets when it comes to credit card usage, with this partially due to uncertainty and the various counter-arguments put forward by the European Betting and Gaming Association.

This may prove counterproductive over time, with studies highlighting the danger posed by credit cards and the potential for players to accumulate debt relatively quickly.

The Last Word

There are some clear takeaways here, with the most obvious being the relatively disorganised regulatory approach in Europe’s iGaming markets and the way in which this contrasts with the legislative measures in Australia and New Zealand.

The lack of a standardised framework in Europe is also at odds with the close and integrated nature of EU member states, which is why the Commission has pledged to help support single bloc countries in their attempts to create far greater cooperation amongst national regulators.

This is perhaps the best lesson that European and EU iGaming markets can learn from Australia and NZ, especially if they want to create a safer and more seamless experience for their players.

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Industry News

MiFinity to Showcase Innovative iFrame at SiGMA 2024

Published

3 hours ago

November 5, 2024

Peter Tolan

Reading Time: < 1 minute

MiFinity, a leading global payment services provider, is excited to announce its participation at SiGMA 2024, held in Malta from 12 to 14 November. Visitors can find MiFinity at Stand 2012, where the team will be showcasing its award winning PayAnyBank service, and the latest version of the MiFinity iFrame and demonstrating how it helps iGaming operators acquire and retain players with a seamless, flexible payment experience.

Paul Kavanagh, CEO of MiFinity, commented: “SiGMA is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our latest developments and engage directly with the iGaming community. The MiFinity iFrame is a game-changer for operators looking to streamline their payment processes and enhance the player experience. We look forward to demonstrating its capabilities and connecting with both existing and prospective partners.”

MiFinity’s Business Development and Account Management teams will be on-site to discuss the new iFrame features in-depth and highlight how MiFinity can optimise payments for iGaming operators. They will also be showcasing MiFinity’s innovative suite of payment solutions developed specifically for the iGaming sector, including MiFinity PayAnyBank — a powerful tool that enables operators to send payouts directly to players’ bank accounts in multiple countries and currencies, enhancing the user experience with faster, more localised transactions and reduced FX fees.

The MiFinity Affiliates team will also be available to explain the benefits of MiFinity’s affiliate program, which offers some of the highest commissions in the industry and unique promotional opportunities via the MiFinity Bonus website.

Meet the MiFinity team at Stand 2012 at SiGMA 2024 to learn more about the company’s solutions and how they are transforming the iGaming payment landscape. Pre-book a meeting with the MiFinity team or drop by the stand during the event to explore how MiFinity can support your business.

Book a meeting here > outlook.office365.com/book/[email protected]/

Latest News

ECA and AGEM applaud creation of Association Assembly at ICE Barcelona

Published

8 hours ago

November 5, 2024

George Miller

ECA and AGEM applaud creation of Association Assembly at ICE Barcelona

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The news that January’s ICE Barcelona will include a major new feature dedicated to global gaming’s most influential trade associations has been welcomed by organisations in Europe and abroad.

Making full use of the additional space at the Gran Via Fira de Barcelona, the first ICE Association Assembly has been created to enable trade bodies to promote their values and create new opportunities for the gaming community across every sector and geography, including both the Brussels-based European Casino Association (ECA) and the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), the global trade association for gaming equipment suppliers with its primary headquarters in Las Vegas.

Erwin Van Lambaart, Chair of the ECA confirmed: “Our members are already planning their week in Barcelona and they will be at this historic edition of ICE in great numbers. ICE is a pivotal event for the global gaming community and having a show floor feature which will enable us to engage directly with all sectors is a unique opportunity.

“Traditionally, our association’s involvement at ICE and its Conference program has primarily centred around networking and product development orientation—connecting with our members, regulators, suppliers, and fellow trade bodies. However, ICE 2025 marks a significant milestone. For the first time, the ECA will have the chance to fully interface with the global industry supply chain in its entirety. We are looking forward to this unique opportunity to articulate our vision for the future to a diverse and comprehensive audience, where innovation, responsibility and significant partnerships for guest and customer centricity will have centre stage.”

Daron Dorsey, CEO of AGEM added: “We represent the interests of our gaming suppliers whose well-known brands are global in reach, so to be given the opportunity to explain our agenda and engage with what is a truly international audience of association colleagues on the ICE show floor is invaluable.”

January’s editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate will occupy 120,000sqm of space compared to the 100,00sqm at ICE 2024. In a major endorsement of the opportunities offered by the relocation to Barcelona 72% of the 25 biggest exhibitors will have an increased stand presence at ICE 2025.

Industry Awards

Blask Wins Prestigious “Startup of the Year” at 2024 Starlet Awards

Published

10 hours ago

November 5, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Blask, the pioneering AI-powered analytics ecosystem for iGaming, has been named “Startup of the Year” at the prestigious 2024 Starlet Awards. The company earned this recognition for developing a groundbreaking market intelligence platform that has redefined how gaming operators leverage data and market insights.

Award Recognition

The award confirms Blask’s revolutionary approach to market analytics and its significant impact on how iGaming companies access and utilise market intelligence. Powered by AI models including Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing, Blask analyses billions of data points across 2000+ active brands to provide unprecedented market insights.

The Starlet Awards recognition follows Blask’s recent SiGMA Asia Startup Pitch 2024 Award victory. “Winning these awards affirms our belief that innovation and bold ideas can reshape the iGaming landscape. The recognition underscores the impact of our cutting-edge AI technology and our relentless pursuit to transform data into actionable insights”, reflects Max Tesla, CEO and Co-founder of Blask

Blask provides operators with a strategic edge across multiple critical areas. Its real-time market analysis capabilities deliver instant access to crucial market metrics, while the high-granularity data available at one-hour intervals enables swift, informed decision-making. The sophisticated AI modelling system estimates GGR and FTD by analysing a comprehensive range of inputs, including historical data, third-party OSINT data, market performance, competitor metrics, historical brand performance, market reports, and public company disclosures.

Beyond analytics, Blask offers robust brand monitoring and competitor analysis tools, alongside strategic and tactical planning capabilities particularly valuable for market entry decisions and maximising performance during major events. The recently introduced customer profile feature harnesses AI to generate detailed, country-specific user profiles, adding another layer of strategic insight for operators.