Europe’s United Front, Sweepstakes Bans and Italy’s Levy

Weekend conversation corner - 10 July

Welcome to the twenty-fifth episode of the second season of Weekend Conversation Corner, proudly brought to you by Focus Gaming News! Join your hosts, Oliver and Charlotte, as we cut through the noise to bring you a focused overview of the week's most important developments in global gaming and regulation.

 

This week, we dive into a bustling news cycle, starting with Italy’s proposed bill to introduce a 2 per cent levy on domestic football bets to fund youth development and grassroots sports. We also head over to the US to discuss Indiana’s newly enacted law banning dual-currency sweepstakes casinos. Back in Europe, we explore Scotland’s new £375,000 funding initiative for gambling research and harm prevention, and look at what the appointment of Christian Hochgrebe as the new chair of Germany's gambling regulator (GGL) means for upcoming legislative reviews. Plus, we unpack the latest "5 Leaders – 1 Question" segment, highlighting the delicate balance between tighter advertising restrictions and keeping players in the regulated market.

 

The Big Question of the Week: Seven European regulators have formed a united front to combat an illegal online gambling market that generated a staggering €80.6 billion in revenue. But as governments push for stricter advertising bans to protect vulnerable groups, are they accidentally fueling the grey market and making licensed operators less visible?

 

Tune in to find out! Stay informed, stay motivated, and keep gaming with us here at Focus Gaming News.