Weekend Conversation Corner – May, 23
Welcome to the newest instalment of our Focus Gaming News Weekend Conversation Corner, where we delve into the week’s top headlines that have captured global interest. As we break down the flurry of events into a concise summary, we will highlight the key stories that have impacted the conversation, influenced policies, and sparked debates. Join us as we navigate through the chaos and provide a condensed snapshot of the week’s significant advancements, keeping you informed on what truly counts in today’s fast-paced world.
Stay informed, stay motivated, and continue gaming. Have a fantastic weekend!
Fernando Saffores – Founder and CEO at Focus Gaming News
Ohio bill proposes to legalise online gambling and ban sweepstakes
House Bill 298, introduced by Representative Brian Stewart, aims to legalise and tax online gambling in the state while banning online sweepstakes games. The proposed law would only allow internet gambling through licensed operators, with casino operators and racing permit holders eligible for licenses. The Ohio Casino Control Commission would oversee activities, potentially launching by March 31, 2026. Licenses would cost $50m with a renewal fee of $10m, and operators would be taxed at 28 per cent. Users must be 21 and physically present in the state, with background checks required for operators. A voluntary exclusion program would be mandatory, and offering promotional gambling credits and accepting credit card payments would be illegal. The bill also addresses the definition of sweepstakes and similar bans in other states like New York and Florida.
Swedish gambling revenue dips slightly amid land-based casino closures
The closure of Casino Cosmopol venues in Sweden led to a 0.9 per cent year-on-year drop in gambling revenue, totalling SEK6.61bn in Q1. Online gambling remained stable, generating SEK4.28bn, while Svenska Spel’s land-based casino revenue plummeted by 60 per cent. Revenue from charity lotteries increased, but bingo hall revenue decreased. Registrations for the self-exclusion service Spelpaus.se rose by 3.5 per cent. A survey highlighted public confusion between licensed and unlicensed gambling products. State-linked operators Svenska Spel and ATG reported revenue declines, with ATG experiencing an 8 per cent drop in net gaming revenue. Svenska Spel saw a 4 per cent decrease in revenue due to Casino Cosmopol closures. Overall, Swedish gambling revenue for 2024 increased by 2.65 per cent, driven by online gambling and state lottery revenue. Land-based commercial gaming increased, but revenue from land-based casinos declined.
Northern Ireland politician calls for expedition of proposed gambling levy
Lawmakers in Northern Ireland are concerned about the low number of people seeking help for gambling harm, as revealed by the 2024 Gambling Prevalence Survey. Only 1 per cent of gamblers use support or information from services, while 3 per cent experience severe gambling-related harms. Sinn Féin member Philip McGuigan has called for urgent action, including a levy on land-based gambling operators to fund treatment. Northern Ireland lacks dedicated online gambling regulation and legislators feel they have fallen behind the UK and Republic of Ireland. McGuigan criticised the British government for not including Northern Ireland in the distribution of funds from the British gambling levy and called for tighter advertising restrictions. The survey also found support for a watershed for gambling ads on TV and radio. The need for dedicated gambling treatment services is evident, with families and communities suffering from gambling harm.
German gambling regulator dismisses impact of court decision on ability to block unlicensed sites
The Federal Administrative Court in Germany ruled that the 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling does not authorise ordering internet providers to block gambling sites. The decision upholds a previous ruling by the Higher Administrative Court of Koblenz. While the German gambling regulator, GGL, will now direct orders to hosting providers instead of IP services, it continues to block access to over 930 domains and adds around 60 new domains monthly. The GGL also seeks legislative amendments to block illegal gambling advertising. In response to concerns about the black market, Tipico, a major operator, launched a Trusted Partner Programme to ensure its game suppliers do not work with unlicensed operators. Game manufacturers like Play’n GO and Greentube are part of this initiative.
Major brands lose British gambling licences amid TGP Europe exit
The British Gambling Commission has confirmed that TGP Europe, a white-label gambling operator, has withdrawn from the UK market after being ordered to pay a £3.3m penalty for breaching anti-money laundering rules. The operator ran sites for 15 brands and surrendered its licenses due to inadequate checks on business partners. Several football clubs with sponsorship deals with these brands have been warned about promoting unlicensed gambling websites. The Gambling Commission is ensuring effective measures are in place to block access to these sites in Great Britain. The regulator emphasised the importance of licensed operators protecting consumers from harm and warned consumers about using unlicensed sites. Operators exiting the market must provide clear information to consumers on how to retrieve their funds.
