Weekend Conversation Corner – May, 30
Welcome to the most recent instalment of our Focus Gaming News Weekend Conversation Corner, where we will provide a brief overview of the week’s top headlines that have captured global interest.
As we analyse the week’s events and distil them into a clear and concise summary, we will highlight the key stories that have shaped the narrative, influenced policies, and sparked discussions.
Join us as we cut through the clutter and offer a condensed recap of the week’s significant developments, keeping you informed on what truly matters in today’s rapidly changing world.
Stay informed, stay inspired, and keep gaming. Have a fantastic weekend ahead!
Brazilian Senate Sports Committee passes bill that would limit gambling ads
In Brazil, operators and football clubs are against Bill 2,985/2023, which aims to restrict online betting advertising. The bill would prohibit athletes, artists and influencers from promoting betting, and would limit the amount of time that ads could be shown. A supplementary vote is still required before it can move forward. The proposal includes restrictions on advertising on various platforms and bans on certain types of promotions. Brazilian football clubs and the IBJR oppose the bill, citing financial impacts and concerns about the illegal market. However, Senator Portinho defends the bill, stating that current legislation is insufficient in addressing responsible gambling. The bill would require advertisements to carry more explicit warnings about the risks of gambling.
UK body suggests Gambling Commission should improve use of data
The Institute of Licensing has urged the British Gambling Commission to improve the methodology and stakeholder engagement of the Gambling Survey of Great Britain. They recommend combining gambling statistics with other datasets, such as the Health Survey for England, in order to frame gambling as a public health issue. The report also suggests expanding the stakeholder network and collaborating with official statistics producers for future development. The survey has revealed trends in digital gambling and found that players are sceptical about responsible gambling measures. A review by the Office for Statistics Regulation made nine recommendations for improvements, including providing more detailed information on quality assurance and validation processes. The Gambling Commission has welcomed the conclusions and has already taken action on some of the proposals.
New York State Senate approves land redesignation for Queens casino project
The New York Senate approved Bill S7121A by 54 votes to 5. The bill proposes the redesignation of 50 acres of parking space around the Queens baseball stadium for a $8 billion casino resort to be developed by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock. The State Assembly has also approved the bill, which now awaits Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision. While Senator Jessica Ramos opposed the bill, citing concerns about community desires, Senator John Liu sees it as a way to create jobs and boost the economy. Cohen’s proposal includes the Flushing Skypark and a pedestrian bridge, but he must first secure one of the three expected casino licences for downtown New York.
Montana becomes first US state to ban sweepstakes gambling
Governor Greg Gianforte has signed Senate Bill 555 into law, making Montana the first US state to explicitly ban online sweepstakes casinos. The law, which will take effect on 1 October, targets websites and apps that allow consumers to place bets using any form of currency. Several other states, including Ohio and Connecticut, are also considering similar legislation to ban sweepstakes and online gambling. In Florida, however, bills to amend gambling laws and make sweepstakes gaming a felony failed to pass. The legislation defines sweepstakes as games or contests based on chance where no consideration is required to enter or win prizes.
New Irish gambling licensing regime to launch in mid-2026
The new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland intends to open a licensing application window this year, with the licensing regime due to begin in 2026. The social impact fund, which is intended to support education, awareness, research and treatment for gambling-related harm, will also be delayed until next year. Licence holders will contribute a percentage of their annual turnover to the fund, which will benefit both public and private organisations. The GRAI is expected to employ 35 people by the end of this year, with this figure set to increase as new regulations come into force in subsequent years, including bans on free bets, credit card payments and certain advertising practices. Gaming operators will also be required to verify players’ identities using photo ID. By contrast, the UK has introduced a new gambling levy system this month, with rates varying according to licence type.
Gambling in Italy: regulator reports strong growth in 2024
Roberto Alesse, director of the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) in Italy, provided an update on the performance of the gambling sector in 2024. Gross gaming revenue reached €21.6 billion, with online gaming revenue increasing by 17% to €5 billion. Over 19,000 inspections were conducted by the ADM, resulting in 3,319 sanctions and the closure of 721 unlicensed gambling websites. The agency also announced that Lottoitalia had won the main Italian lottery licence for the next nine years. There are also ongoing discussions about land-based gambling reforms to harmonise regulations across the country. Deputy Economy Minister Maurizio Leo has proposed extending the deadline to 31 December to address issues such as minimum distance regulations and responsible gambling measures. The article also mentions the upcoming deadline for new Italian online gambling licences.
