Baltics
Latvian regulator, Mrs. Signe Birne, to join the speaker lineup at MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit 2019 in Vilnius
It has been reported by industry media that Latvia’s parliament has decided to ban gambling halls throughout the country. The representatives of the political parties have stated that amendments are needed and that casinos can only be located in luxury hotels.
The representative of the Ministry of Finance, Yana Salminia, stated that the streamlining of the gambling business is already underway. Politicians and other interested parties can submit their proposals, the draft consideration was already completed.
Meanwhile, the country’s gambling revenue increased by 11.7 per cent compared with 2017 and amounted to 277.701 million euros, according to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection of the Republic of Latvia.
The total turnover of gambling operators in 2018 grew by 10.5 per cent to 293.467 million euros and the total estimated profit of these active 16 companies, amounts to 80.998 million euros in 2018, which is 18.5 per cent more than in 2017.
During the second edition of MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit – The Baltic and Scandinavian Gaming Summit and Awards, which will take place in Vilnius on the 9th of May, Mrs. Signe Birne, Director of Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection of the Republic of Latvia, will join the “Focus on the Latvian and Estonian gambling industry” compliance panel discussion.
You can find more details about the Agenda here or you can register here!
About Signe Birne
Since 1993, Mrs.Birne has worked as Director of Securities department and Financial Market Policy department of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Latvia.
With the establishing of Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection in 1998, Mrs.Birne starts her career as Director of Inspection.
Mrs.Birne has been graduated from the University of Latvia, Finance and trade faculty – Master’s Degree in Economics and in 2001 she earned the Master’s degree in Social science.
Signe Birne has an in-depth understanding of organizational practice and theory as well as experience within the regulation of the Latvian gaming market – land-based and online, illegal online gambling and payment blocking.
Signe Birne is very active with her country point of view on developments of gaming business all around Europe since 2001 till 2009 she held a position as a member of the Executive Board of GREF, Gaming Regulators European Forum, and 2009 – 2012 she was a Chairman of the Executive Board of GREF.
Since 2012 Mrs.Birne participated as the Latvian representative in the European Commission’s Expert Group on Gambling Services, which provides the Commission with advice and expertise in relation to the preparation of policy initiatives and facilitates the exchange of regulatory experience and good practices between EU and the EEA Member States.
Make sure you take advantage of this unique opportunity of learning and networking with the gambling industry in the Baltic and Scandinavian region via the MARE BALTICUM Gaming platform which has been launched in 2018 and is committed to bringing together industry shareholders and government officials from the Baltic and Scandinavian region on a yearly base.
Browse the official event website here: www.marebalticumgaming.com
Baltics
Thunderkick bolsters presence in Lithuania with 7bet deal
Independent slots studio Thunderkick has strengthened its position in Lithuania after partnering with 7bet, an established operator in the Baltic region.
As part of the agreement, Thunderkick’s collection of popular games, such as the Beat the Beast series, Esqueleto Explosivo 2 and Pink Elephants 2, will now be available to more players in the country.
7bet, established in 2020, offers a wide variety of slots to its player base from internationally acclaimed game providers. It is also the only Lithuanian operator to boast tote betting on horseracing.
The new deal follows several high-profile signings for Thunderkick, including Alea and Skywind Group. The provider has seen significant growth in recent months with more to follow in the coming year.
Fredrik Ekholm, Head of Sales at Thunderkick, said: “We’re proud to be expanding our reach in Lithuania as it is an important market for us. 7bet is a well-established and quickly growing operator with a broad player network, and fits the profile of an operator with whom we want to partner.”
Gintare Karvelyte, Casino Product Manager at 7bet, added: “We’ve been thoroughly impressed with Thunderkick’s output over the years, so we’re thrilled to be introducing their dynamic games to our players.
“Titles such as Bones & Bounty, alongside classic player favourites including Pink Elephants 2 and Esqueleto Explosivo 2, are going to provide immersive, forward-thinking gameplay experiences, and we’re excited to be able to offer these releases and more.”
Baltics
Lithuania Mulls Cracking Down on Gambling Ads
Lithuanian MPs have registered amendments to the Gambling Law proposing to further tighten gambling advertising in the country as of 2025.
Around 50 MPs, mostly from the ruling majority, have signed the amendments proposing to prohibit the dissemination of information of the gambling companies sponsoring any public events, activities, natural or legal persons.
If adopted, the amendments would eliminate the advertising of betting, wagers, and casinos on television, in newspapers, magazines, or news websites and on street billboards. Neither the names nor the logos of gambling operators could appear on the jerseys of athletes and in arenas during the sporting events.
Companies would only be able to publish information on the types of gambling at the gambling venue or on the company’s website, the address of which is specified in the Gambling Regulation.
It is proposed to allow gambling companies to publish information on gambling only in publications aimed at professionals in the business. They could advertise their name and brand on their head office building or gambling venue.
Lithuanian MPs have started considering tightening the requirements for gambling advertising amid allegations that Šarūnas Stepukonis, a former BaltCap Infrastructure Fund partner, has embezzled and gambled away millions of euros of the fund’s money.
The initiator of the amendments, Mindaugas Lingė of the ruling conservative Homeland Union, has previously said that last year the total revenue of gambling operators amounted to 222 million euros, up from 103 million euros in 2020.
The amount spent on advertising in the gambling business doubled from 6.36 million euros in 2020 to 12.73 million euros in 2023. Gambling operators’ profits increased from 20 million euros in 2020 to more than 53 million euros in 2022.
Baltics
IGT Signs 12-Year Contract Extension with UAB Perlas Network in Lithuania to Deploy Upgraded Central System Software
International Game Technology PLC announced that its subsidiary, IGT Global Solutions Corporation, has extended its contract with UAB Perlas Network (“Perlas”) for an additional 12 years until 2035. As part of the agreement, IGT will provide upgrades to the Lottery’s central retail system including advanced software and user interfaces.
“Upgrading Perlas’ central system with IGT technology will help us optimize and elevate the country’s most popular and exciting lottery games,” said Mindaugas Marcinkevičius, UAB Perlas Network CEO. “We look forward to implementing IGT’s upgrades and are pleased to continue this successful relationship for another 12 years.”
“The technology enhancements being provided to Perlas are backed by IGT’s decades of lottery industry leadership and experience,” said Jay Gendron, IGT Chief Operating Officer Global Lottery. “This upgraded technology will introduce an administration portal that will enable the Lottery to view and manage all applications and back-office functions, helping to improve efficiencies and maximize profitability.”
The Lottery has been a customer of IGT’s since 1994. In 2023, IGT announced that it signed a contract with Euloto UAB (Perlas’ dependent company) to deploy its advanced cloud-based remote game server and at least 12 eInstant games per year.
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