Latest News
EGBA Requests that the Expert Group on Gambling is Re-established
The European Gaming and Betting Association has backed gaming authorities from EU member states in appealing for the EU Expert Group on Gambling to be re-established.
Online Gambling in the EU
There is no sector-specific EU regulation in the area of gaming services. The European Court of Justice has declared that the way EU countries manage their gambling services is within their own remit as long as they adhere to the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the (TFEU)’Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union’. In this instance, the freedom to provide services or start a business in another EU country is critical to make gambling safer.
Most EU nations permit the usage of at least some games of chance via the internet. Some governments permit all games, while others allow only particular types, such as betting, poker, and casino games. The formation of Monopolistic regimes offering internet gambling is now in various European nations. These are either run by a government-controlled public operator or by a commercial operator with an exclusive right. However, an increasing number of EU countries have implemented licensing arrangements that allow many operators to compete for market share. Under EU law, no one system has an advantage over the others.
About the European Gaming and Betting Association
The European Gaming and Betting Group (EGBA) is a Brussels-based trade association representing bet365, Betsson Group, Entain, Kindred Group, and William Hill, among other significant online gaming and betting providers licensed and regulated within the EU.
Affiliate members include the likes of the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS). EGBA collaborates with national and EU regulatory agencies and other stakeholders to create a well-regulated and well-channeled online gambling industry that offers high levels of consumer protection while also considering the reality of the internet and online consumer demand.
EGBA member firms adhere to the strictest regulatory guidelines and hold 145 online gaming licenses, allowing them to serve 16 million customers throughout 17 European countries.
Call For Re-establishment of EU Expert Group
Members of the European Gambling Association (EGBA) from 14 EU countries have written to European Commissioner Thierry Breton about the matter to build a more coordinated strategy to regulate a âŹ100 billion per year European gambling market. Even though the initial Expert Group, which included members from many European gaming agencies, was disbanded in 2018, according to the EGBA, it was seen as a success by most regulators. The EGBA further stated that there was no longer a basis for collaboration throughout the âŹ100 million European gambling market by disbanding the association. The EGBA also mentioned concerns over the issue of money laundering and unlawful gambling within the industry. The group served as a venue for exchanging market regulation knowledge and best practice policies.
“There is currently no EU structure in place for gambling regulators to interact, much less collaborate on major issues affecting Europe’s online gambling industry. The majority of these concerns are international in scope and necessitate collective solutions. The message to the European Commission is clear: both gaming regulators and the industry are united in their support for the Expert Group, and the Commission should reestablish it.” Paraphrased from a quote by the EGBA secretary general Maarten Haijer.
What are the Rules for Legal Online Gambling?
The European Gambling Commission is constantly modifying existing laws and establishing new ones for authorized online gaming enterprises to make online gambling more fair and safe. Online gambling sites must adhere to various limits and regulations, such as utilizing a system like UK GamStop.co.uk, limiting the number of funds, and many others, which we have listed below.
- Identification: A gambler or player must adequately prove his identification to the operator, according to one of the European Gambling Commissions’ primary stages and standards. In addition, the operator must have a thorough understanding of their customer before allowing them to gamble.
- Anti-money laundering: To avoid money laundering and other criminal hazards, the operators must conduct a risk-based assessment of the players, according to the law.
- Consumer Protection: The first and most important goal of online gaming companies is to keep their consumers safe. That is why they have enacted so many laws and regulations to regulate and govern internet gaming.
- Age limit: There is an age restriction, and those under that age are not permitted to participate in online gambling sites.
- Money limit: Some countries have regulations prohibiting gamblers from depositing excessive amounts of money or playing excessively.
The European Gaming Commissions (EGC) have imposed numerous laws and regulations on online gambling to avoid fraud and addiction. Because gambling entails numerous risks, like the chance of losing money, the risk of becoming addicted, and so on, The EGC enacted these regulations to protect authorized gambling sites.
With all these steps in the right direction, the EGBA is well on the way to further standardizing the industry.
Industry News
MiFinity to Showcase Innovative iFrame at SiGMA 2024
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: âSiGMA 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.â
MiFinityâs 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 MiFinityâs innovative suite of payment solutions developed specifically for the iGaming sector, including MiFinity PayAnyBank â a powerful tool that enables operators to send payouts directly to playersâ 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 MiFinityâs 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 companyâs 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
The news that Januaryâs ICE Barcelona will include a major new feature dedicated to global gamingâs 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: âOur 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 orientationâconnecting 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: âWe 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.â
Januaryâs 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
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.
-
Asia6 days ago
NODWIN Gaming partners with Japanese gaming company KONAMI for âeFootball Diwali Showdownâ
-
Australia7 days ago
Australiaâs BetStop Receives International Regulatory Award
-
Latest News7 days ago
BETBY WELCOMES MAGNUS CARLSEN AS GLOBAL BRAND AMBASSADOR
-
Compliance Updates7 days ago
KSA Imposes a Fine of âŹ675,000 on NetX Betting Limited
-
Asia5 days ago
Revenant Esports and Team XSpark Join Forces to Form Revenant XSpark, ScoutOP Revealed as Brand Ambassador
-
Central Europe6 days ago
NOVOMATIC builds the Groupâs largest photovoltaic system in Lower Austria
-
Latest News6 days ago
Videoslots Launches DBET in Sweden with International Tipset Pools
-
Gaming7 days ago
The mobile gaming market is growing and attracting new companies. GAMIVO is the latest example