Connect with us
WINNING COMBINATION

Press Releases

Dutch gambling authority acts tough on lootboxes on games

Published

on

Photo credits: https://fee.org
Reading Time: 2 minutes

In an unprecedented move, the Dutch Gambling Authority has assumed a tough stance on lootboxes on games. The organisation conducted a research on the activities of 10 popular games with lootboxes containing digital items. The research found that, among these 10 games, four games had lootboxes that could be bought with real-world currency and their contents could be sold on digitally.

Since these items have a genuine value and the players can make money from the rarer items, the authority deemed that lootboxes must be classified as gambling under the Dutch law.

Marja Appelman, the director of the Dutch Gambling Authority, said:  “They’re designed to be gambling games and give the player the feeling that they almost won. There are all kinds of audio- and visual effects when you open a lootbox. This gives a player the urge to keep going.”

The lootboxes of remaining six games contain items that cannot be traded and hence there is breaking of the Dutch gambling laws. Still, the gambling authority takes a critical view of these lootboxes, particularly in games marketed for all ages.

Consequently, the Dutch gambling authority has given the game publishers and developers eight weeks to change their games. If they fail to carry out the required changes, it will result in a fine or the ban of the offending games.

While lootboxes aren’t yet classed as gambling across the majority of the world, I do think publishers need to take a long hard look at themselves and think about what they’re doing. At the very least there are discussions to be had about whether they are classified as gambling, and that’s a very different beast to the entertainment gaming products these publishers all originally set out to make. If they’d had the decency to respect their audience and not solely attempt to extract every penny, this wouldn’t have had to reach this legislative level, but a few choice offenders didn’t know where to draw the line.

It’s predatory, it can be dangerous, and in some cases, it’s instilling the risk/reward feeling of genuine gambling, oftentimes in games that are marketed as child-friendly. Any other form of gambling is heavily regulated, and yet you’ve got games like Rocket League which are rated ‘E’ for Everyone, offering up crates, keys and randomised drops that can then be sold through marketplaces. “I call on all game companies not to make loot boxes accessible to children anymore and to remove addictive elements,” said Appelman.

Source: game-debate.com

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Latest News

Vibra Gaming to celebrate Betsul success at SBC Lisbon 2024

Published

on

Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Go-to LatAm provider will showcase how its technology and content is powering one of Brazil’s fastest growing betting and gaming brand

Vibra Gaming and its Vibra Solutions platform division will celebrate its success in Brazil at SBC Lisbon on 24th to 26th September by showcasing its partnership with Betsul, one of the country’s fastest-growing brands.

The LatAm region’s ‘go-to’ content and platform developer has partnered with the operator since 2022, just two years after it was founded, including developing a bespoke platform, powering its entire offering, and providing it with localized game-changing content.

The long-standing Vibra-Betsul partnership began when Betsul chose Vibra to develop an advanced platform technology to power its brand. The Vibra Solutions team worked in close partnership with Betsul to assess its needs and began work on a dedicated, flexible and customisable platform that continues to deliver outstanding results today, much of which will be on show at SBC Lisbon.

This was followed by Vibra’s design of a pioneering product for the Brazilian brand entitled ‘Scratch-a-Lot’, a unique instant-win game that was adapted to Federal Government lottery regulations where only certain game types could be offered to players.

Vibra Gaming will also celebrate its recent licensing success at the show following the news that it is set to become one of the first providers to gain certification for its casino platform and sportsbook technology in Brazil.

Vibra has already secured GLI certification needed to meet Brazil’s regulatory standards and is currently working with certifying laboratories to complete additional requirements.

Fernando Garita, CEO, Betsul, said: “Working with Vibra has been a success and we’re delighted with the progress we’ve made since we started. The team is always responsive, speaks our language in more ways than one, is highly experienced, and knows precisely what our players want. All of this combined means we have a technology partner who we can trust and we know will continue to deliver great results.”

Ramiro Atucha, CEO, Vibra Gaming, said: “Betsul has been a great to work with ever since we began two years ago and it’s a real pleasure to be able to shine a light on some of our joint efforts, particularly on the platform side where we’re proud of what we’ve achieved.

“Betsul was one of the first brands to believe in us and what we’re trying to do in designing and delivering a highly flexible and customizable platform for forward-thinking operators, and we’re very grateful for the faith they’ve shown in Vibra.”

Vibra Gaming will exhibit at SBC Lisbon 2024 at stand no. B550. Book a meeting with the team today! Contact: [email protected]

 

Continue Reading

Latest News

ZITROS’ MEGA LOUNGE IS NOW FEATURED AT TRILENIUM CASINO IN ARGENTINA

Published

on

Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

Zitro, a leading global gaming provider, in partnership with the prestigious Boldt Group, announces the launch of Mega Lounge at the Trilenium Casino, located in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. This innovative concept, which has generated great anticipation in the market, offers players a unique communal experience.

In a dedicated area of the casino, Mega Lounge features a variety of Zitro games and cabinets, all interconnected to the MEGA jackpot, which is celebrated by all players participating in the Lounge’s Zitro machines.

Thanks to the number of machines contributing to the jackpot, Mega Lounge ensures a high frequency of jackpot hits, while providing a highly rewarding communal gaming experience for players. Additionally, the diversity of available games, which includes classics like Link King, Link Me, 88 Link, Mighty Hammer, and Energy Link among others, allows the Trilenium Casino to offer its customers—through Zitro’s 30 GLARE cabinets—a wide range of options to suit each player’s preferences.

Jose Pallota, General Manager of Trilenium Casino, Boldt Group, commented: “We are more than satisfied with the excellent performance that Mega Lounge has had at the Trilenium Casino and with the great reception from our customers. We are confident in continuing to work with Zitro to make Trilenium a reference casino for players in Buenos Aires.”

For her part, Alejandra Burato, Regional Director for Latin America at Zitro, commented: “We are very grateful for the trust that the Boldt Group has placed in Zitro once again. From now on, their customers will be able to enjoy the unique experience of the Mega Lounge and our proven performance games. We are confident that this new addition will contribute to the success of the casino, as it has in other markets.”

 

Continue Reading

Asia

Nazara Technologies raises INR 900 Crores and increases stake in Absolute Sports (Sportskeeda) to 91%

Published

on

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Nazara Technologies Limited (BSE: 543280 NSE: NAZARA), India’s leading diversified gaming and sports media company, today announced its largest fund raise to boost its growth trajectory. The company’s board has approved a preferential equity issue to raise INR 900 crores, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. This capital infusion will fuel strategic acquisitions, fund business expansion, and enhance the company’s ability to seize new growth opportunities.

The preferential equity issue amounting to INR 900 crores will be placed with marquee investors such as SBI Mutual Fund, Junomoneta Finsol (an associate of Plutus Wealth), Think Investments, Discovery Investments, Mithun and Siddharth Sacheti, Cohesion Investments, Chartered Finance and Leasing, Ratnabali Investments and Aamara Capital, further strengthening Nazara’s financial foundation for long-term expansion. These shares will be subject to SEBI regulations and lock-in requirements as per Chapter V of the SEBI (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations 2018.

In a parallel development, Nazara also acquired an additional 19.35% stake in Absolute Sports Pvt. Ltd., the parent company of Sportskeeda, for INR 145.5 crores, with 50% of the consideration paid in cash and the remaining amount in stock. With this, Nazara now holds a 91% ownership stake in Absolute Sports, solidifying its leadership position in the sports media domain.

Sportskeeda, Absolute Sports’ flagship brand, reaches millions of sports fans globally each month, with significant traction in India and the U.S., where it ranks among the top sports platforms. In addition, Absolute Sports has recently expanded by acquiring  Pro Football Network (PFN), SoapCentral, and Deltia’s Gaming, further diversifying its sports and entertainment portfolio.

Nitish Mittersain, CEO & Jt MD of Nazara Technologies Limited remarked “Nazara has demonstrated its ability to attract top-tier investors who believe in our long-term vision of establishing India’s first globally respected gaming powerhouse. This INR 900 crores fundraise will be instrumental in accelerating our growth across key segments. Additionally, increasing our stake to 91% in Absolute Sports (Sportskeeda) reinforces our leadership in the sports media landscape. The growth of Absolute Sports, from its early days as a startup to becoming a global media player, underscores our commitment to supporting innovative teams that consistently deliver transformational growth.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Alpha Affiliates
Advertisement

EveryMatrix

Advertisement

Launch your iGaming business swiftly and effortlessly with our comprehensive turnkey solutions

Trending (Top 7)

Get it on Google Play

EuropeanGaming.eu is a premier online platform that serves as a leading information hub for the gaming and gambling industry. This industry-centric media outlet reaches over 200,000 readers monthly, providing them with compelling content, the latest news, and deep-dive insights.

Offering comprehensive coverage on all aspects of the gaming sector, EuropeanGaming.eu includes online and land-based gaming, betting, esports, regulatory and compliance updates, and technological advancements. Regular features encompass daily news articles, press releases, exclusive interviews, and insightful event reports.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant virtual meetups and conferences, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - European Gaming is part of HIPTHER. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania

We are constantly showing banners about important news regarding events and product launches. Please turn AdBlock off in order to see these areas.