The UK iGaming market experienced a 5% rise in gross revenue, reaching £1.4 billion
Recent data released by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) indicates a rise in the demand for online entertainment. According to the report covering the last quarter of the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the gross revenue of the iGaming market has risen by 5% to £1.4 billion.
The most lucrative segments for licenced operators in the UK continue to be online slots and real-event betting. Online slots have demonstrated growth across all metrics, with gross income for the year surging by 11% from £552 million to £614 million. The volume of spins has increased by 12%, while the average monthly activity of accounts has seen a 7% rise.
The gross income in the sphere of real-event betting has seen a 2% increase from £554 million to £565 million. The number of active accounts has shown a 1% increase, with the number of bets rising by 6%.
Overall, the amount spent by users on online gambling has surged by 10%, reaching a record £24 billion. Conversely, the British land-based gambling market experienced a 3% decline in gross revenue, dropping to £568 million.
Uzbekistan is set to introduce regulated gambling by 2025
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree signalling a significant shift in Uzbekistan’s stance on gambling. This decision marks the end of a ban that was initially imposed by former President Islam Karimov back in 2007.
The decree outlines plans for the introduction of regulated gambling in the country from January 1, 2025. This initiative includes the establishment of a comprehensive regulatory framework covering online gambling, sports betting, and lotteries. Moreover, the market will be accessible to both residents and non-residents aged 18 and above.
The oversight of this development falls under the jurisdiction of the Prospective Projects National Agency (NAPP), tasked with issuing licences and monitoring market operations. Collaborating closely with the Department for Combating Economic Crimes, NAPP will also spearhead revisions to anti-money laundering measures to ensure the integrity of the system.
In terms of taxation, operators will be subject to a 4% levy on revenue, calculated after deducting winnings and refunded stakes. Notably, customer winnings will be exempt from income tax.
Kansspelautoriteit has finalised the dates for the enactment of revisions to its responsible gambling policy
The Dutch Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has finalised the dates for the rollout of a new responsible gambling policy. The majority of the program is slated for implementation on June 3, with the remaining components scheduled for October 2024.
Recently, KSA announced a slight delay in the policy’s launch, pushing it from May 2024 to June 3, 2024. This decision comes from an extension in the response period for feedback from representatives of the gaming industry and the substantial volume of responses received by the department.
In December of last year, KSA had already extended the deadline for comments to give interested parties more time to provide feedback. Industry representatives have been invited to share their perspectives on the proposed changes to the responsible gaming policy, particularly regarding the tightening of obligations for online providers to safeguard their customers.
The agency also noted that there may be minor adjustments to articles in response to feedback received, hence the additional time allotted for providers to make necessary amendments.
Pragmatic Play has officially launched its games on NetBet Denmark
NetBet Denmark continues to solidify its position in the market, this time by partnering with Pragmatic Play.
This month alone, NetBet Denmark has partnered with Stakelogic, Habanero, Wazdan, Play’n Go, and Nolimit City.
Claudia Georgevici, PR manager for NetBet Denmark, expressed confidence in Pragmatic Play’s prowess, stating, “Pragmatic Play’s numerous awards attest to their dedication to providing players with exceptional experiences. We anticipate a mutually rewarding partnership.”
Initially focusing on integrating several Pragmatic Play games into the NetBet Denmark platform, the latest update reveals an inclusion of Pragmatic Play’s live casino titles as well.
Europe is increasingly adopting multi-licensing approaches for online gambling, according to research by EGBA
A recent study conducted by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) highlights a significant trend towards multi-licensing in the online gambling sector across Europe.
Just a decade and a half ago, the European online gambling scene looked vastly different, with many nations lacking clear regulations or operating under exclusive rights models favouring state-owned entities.
However, today, the landscape has evolved considerably, with the majority of European countries shifting towards a multi-licensing approach. This model allows multiple companies to provide online gambling services within their respective jurisdictions, all subject to regulatory standards.
According to the study, 23 countries have fully embraced a multi-licensing model for all regulated online gambling products.
Furthermore, four countries have adopted a mixed model, incorporating partial multi-licensing for specific gambling sectors like sports betting or casino gaming.
Some countries, like France and Cyprus, have restrictions on certain products but maintain multi-licensing for other regulated online gambling offerings.
The analysis also points out ongoing legislative changes in Finland, where reforms are expected to establish a multi-licensing framework by 2026. This shift will mark the conclusion of the last remaining online gambling monopoly in the European Union.
