Isle of Man increases the number of jobs and iGaming licences
The conference held in the capital of the Isle of Man, Douglas, revealed a positive trend in the island’s iGaming industry. The government agency, Digital Isle of Man, responsible for attracting foreign businesses in the online gambling sector, announced significant progress. Their goals of creating 200 new jobs and increasing the number of iGaming licences to 90 by 2023 have been partially realised.
Following the conference, it was evident that the Isle of Man continues to draw new foreign brands to its jurisdiction. Notably, operators from Asia have become a substantial part of the influx, not only registering their businesses on the island but also establishing a physical presence by placing employees there.
Colombia is set to implement changes to the regulations governing slot machines
Colombia is set to undergo legal reforms targeting unauthorised slot machines, as proposed by Coljuegos, the country’s gambling regulator. The primary objective of the reform is to combat the proliferation of illegal slot machines, estimated to be around 50,000 in the country. The illegal market is estimated at 945 billion Colombian pesos ($240 million). This constitutes roughly one-third of the entire electronic slot machine market in Colombia.
The proposed law imposes mandatory certification for all establishments hosting slot machines. Additionally, a cap of 80 slot machines per gaming room will be implemented. The overall number of permissible slot machines will depend on the size of the gaming venue and the local population.
Switzerland has recently granted new licences for casinos
On November 29, the Swiss Federal Council issued new licences for casinos. There are currently 21 casinos operating in the country. According to the decision of the Federal Council adopted in April 2022, from 2025 the territory of Switzerland will be divided into 23 gambling zones.
A total of 29 applications for concessions in these 23 zones were under consideration. Applications could be submitted until October 31st.
The new licences of casino operators will become effective on January 1, 2025. Their validity period will be 20 years.
UK Gambling Revenue increased by 7% in the fiscal year of 2023
In the fiscal year of 2023, the United Kingdom witnessed a gross gambling yield (GGY) of £15.1 billion, as outlined in the report by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This reflects a notable growth of 6.8% compared to the preceding fiscal year.
Of this total, online casino games brought in £4 billion, with £3.32 billion specifically attributed to slot machines. Online sports betting contributed £2.3 billion to the overall revenue, and within this category, football bets accounted for £1.1 billion.
The aggregate revenue from online gambling experienced an increase of 2.8% throughout the year, reaching a sum of £6.5 billion.
Spillemyndigheden introduces an educational program targeting children below 18 years old
Spillemyndigheden, the Danish gambling authority, has launched a new campaign named “The One-Armed Bandit” with the objective of addressing the issue of underage gambling. This initiative is specifically targeted at children under the age of 18, aiming to tackle the point of problem gambling among minors.
The campaign will use short videos that will be shared on various social media platforms, including YouTube and Instagram. The Danish Gambling Authority intends to use these platforms to reach a younger audience and raise awareness about the risks associated with underage gambling.
As part of the broader campaign strategy, the Danish Gambling Authority plans to extend its collaboration with well-known personalities to amplify the message.
Anders Dorph, Danish Gambling Authority Director, emphasised the need for such measures, stating, “Young people under the age of 18 in Denmark are discovering ways to engage in gambling, whether through peers, family members, or online gambling platforms without a Danish licence.” The campaign seeks to discourage underage gambling by fostering awareness and responsible behaviour.
Earlier, the Danish Gambling Authority developed a website dedicated to gambling.
