Bulgarian lawmakers introduce a new bill targeting the prohibition of gambling advertisements
A new bill has been introduced in Bulgaria. Created by Temenuzka Petkova (GERB) and Yordan Tsonev (DPS), it seeks to amend Bulgaria’s gambling law by prohibiting gambling advertisements across television, radio, print media, and online platforms. Additionally, it targets the ban of slots in small towns.
Moreover, the proposed legislation aims to clamp down on access to websites hosting illegal gambling activities. Sites found guilty of facilitating illegal gambling or transactions with unlicensed operators could face fines ranging from BGN50,000 to BGN200,000. Individuals engaging in gambling on illicit sites may also be subject to penalties ranging from BGN500 to BGN2,000.
This legislative initiative mirrors the recent actions taken by neighbouring Romania, where a ban on rural gambling was enacted by parliament. In Romania’s case, the legislation prohibits the operation of slots in towns with populations fewer than 15,000 inhabitants.
PopOK Gaming and Cactus Gaming have unveiled a new partnership
PopOK Gaming and Cactus Gaming have revealed a new collaboration set to elevate the gaming experience.
Alessandra Abreu, an executive at Cactus Gaming, remarked: “Teaming up with PopOK Gaming fills us with excitement. Together, we’re set to redefine gaming and deliver unmatched entertainment to gamers globally.”
Marina Mirzoyan, leading business development at PopOK Gaming, added: “This partnership signifies a major stride for us. Leveraging Cactus Gaming’s expertise alongside our innovative gaming solutions, we’re poised to craft pioneering experiences that will enthral audiences worldwide.”
GambleAware cautions that attention-grabbing gambling advertisements may attract children
A recent report from GambleAware has underscored the concerning impact of gambling advertisements on children. The study highlighted that children, particularly those who are more vulnerable because of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), are drawn to flashy, attention-grabbing ads.
Conducted through interviews with three specific groups — children under 11, children affected by someone’s gambling habits, and those deemed vulnerable — the research revealed a widespread exposure to gambling ads, especially online. Vulnerable children, in particular, could recall encountering more instances of such ads. Moreover, some young participants struggled to distinguish between gambling and gaming activities with similar features, indicating a troubling ambiguity that advertisers may exploit through vivid ads resembling content tailored for children.
In light of these findings, the report recommends a more comprehensive approach to educating children about the harms associated with gambling, extending beyond mere financial risks. It emphasises the need to address the evolving nature of gambling, which now includes various forms beyond traditional outlets like lotteries and sports betting.
Wazdan makes its debut in the Croatian market through a partnership with PSK
Wazdan has inked a partnership with PSK, granting the developer access to the Croatian market for the first time.
Since 1998, PSK has been a prominent operator in Croatia.
Radka Bacheva, Sales and Business Development representative at Wazdan, highlighted the considerable potential of the Croatian market. Bacheva stated their delight in partnering with PSK, and emphasised the introduction of their top-performing titles to the platform.
Martina Pehar, PSK Group Product Specialist, noted that it was an honour to introduce Wazdan to the Croatian market for the first time. Pehar highlighted the global popularity of Wazdan’s slots and expressed excitement about offering them to their players.
Earlier, Wazdan extended its reach in Lithuania through a partnership with Twinsbet.
Gambling revenue in France experienced a 3.5% increase in 2023
L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), the French gambling regulator, has released its official revenue report for the entirety of 2023. Gross gaming revenue experienced a noticeable increase, rising by 3.5 per cent to reach €13.4 billion.
The former monopoly operators, Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) and PMU, collectively contributed 62.7 per cent of the total gross gambling revenue, with €6.6 billion and €1.7 billion respectively.
FDJ saw a significant surge in both land-based and online sports betting revenue, marking a 10.4 per cent increase to €1 billion. Casino operators also witnessed growth, with a combined gross gaming revenue of €2.7 billion, reflecting an 8 per cent rise. Remarkably, most land-based casino operators surpassed their revenue figures from 2019, pre-dating the Covid-19 pandemic. Notably, over 80 per cent of the revenue generated from casinos originated from slot machines.
Online gambling gross gaming revenue displayed a notable surge, rising by 7.2 per cent to €2.3 billion. Sports betting took the lion’s share, accounting for 63.3 per cent, followed by online poker at 21.6 per cent, and online horse racing tote betting at 15 per cent.
Sports betting revenue experienced a 6.4 per cent increase, amounting to €1.5 billion, while stakes rose by 2.2 per cent, reaching €8.5 billion. Despite this positive growth, there was a slight setback with a 3.9 per cent decline in the number of active accounts.
