Romania’s USR has proposed gambling spend limits
Romania’s Save Romania Union (USR) has proposed strict new limits on gambling spend. The measure would cap player spending at 10% of their monthly income. It applies to both online and retail gambling.
For enforcement, gambling operators must report customer spending in real time. Retail gambling data will go to tax agency ANAF, while online gambling transactions will be sent to the National Bank.
The proposal follows a damning audit of the Romanian gambling regulator, ONJN. The Court of Accounts (CCR) uncovered major failings, leading to calls for a criminal investigation.
Key issues include:
- Failure to verify financial reports from gambling operators.
- Lack of oversight on gambling licence fees.
- No penalties issued for non-compliance.
- Discrepancies in return-to-player (RTP) levels, causing tax losses of €630m–€900m.
USR deputy Diana Stoica has summoned ONJN’s leadership to parliament for answers. The party believes urgent reform is needed. It wants the National Bank and ANAF to oversee gambling instead of ONJN.
Beyond regulatory issues, USR warns of severe financial risks. They claim one million gamblers in Romania exceed their income.
To address this, they propose:
- A simplified self-exclusion scheme requiring player registration.
- Real-time processing of self-exclusion requests.
- A review of past self-exclusion failures.
- Refunds for players who gambled despite being excluded.
USR deputy Adrian Giurgiu stated: “ONJN is either incapable or complicit in gambling harm. The solution is to limit how much addicts can gamble.”
Dutch gamblers flock to unlicensed casinos after deposit limits introduced
A sharp rise in Dutch gamblers using unlicensed casinos has been reported since the Netherlands introduced new deposit limits in October. Research by Quality Mark Responsible Affiliates (KVA) shows a surge in searches for “casino without limits” and “casino without Cruks” (the national self-exclusion system).
Traffic to these sites skyrocketed from 172,576 in October to over a million in March, according to SEO tool Semrush. The number of unlicensed domains appearing at the top of search results also increased, rising from 19 to 72 in the same period.
KVA warns that further restrictions on legal gambling ads could push even more players towards illegal platforms.
The Dutch gambling regulator, KSA, has also raised concerns. The government is considering increasing the minimum online gambling age to 21. However, KSA fears this could drive younger players to unlicensed sites with no consumer protections.
The Netherlands’ gambling limits currently stand at €700 per month for most players and €300 for those aged 18 to 25. Players can request higher limits but must provide proof of income. KSA reports a drop in players losing over €1,000 per month (from 4% to 1%). However, the percentage of bets placed on unlicensed sites has surged to 50%.
Playson has expanded in Brazil with KTO partnership via Bragg Hub
Playson has partnered with KTO to deliver several games through the Bragg Hub delivery solution.
By adding Playson’s popular titles, KTO aims to provide a diverse gaming experience. The partnership enhances player engagement and expands Playson’s presence in Brazil.
Cristhian Zito, Sales Manager at Playson, said: “We are delighted to bring our industry-leading games to Brazilian players via KTO. This partnership helps us reach a growing market and connect with new audiences.”
Bart Lodder, a consultant for KTO, highlighted the benefits: “Playson’s portfolio is a fantastic addition for our customers. Their games offer stunning graphics, exciting features, and strong player engagement. This integration allows us to enhance the gaming experience in a highly competitive market.”
ATG has warned of rising unlicensed gambling in Sweden
Swedish betting operator ATG has raised fresh concerns about unlicensed gambling. Its investigation found that 17 out of 20 of the most popular unlicensed sites use the same platforms as licensed operators. This contradicts Sweden’s 2023 gaming supplier licence rules.
ATG estimates Sweden’s channelisation rate at 69-82% in late 2024, far below the government’s 90% target.
Online casino channelisation is particularly low, at 59-74%, compared to 79-88% for sports betting. Some unlicensed sites even offer BankID transactions, with two blacklisted sites still accessible.
The most visited unlicensed platform, Luckyjungle.com, saw 147,284 visits in Q4 2024. Other high-traffic sites include Unlimitcasino.com (113,002 visits) and Refuelcasino.com (94,456 visits). While some declined, Ibet.com and GG.bet gained traffic.
ATG CEO Hasse Lord Skarplöth criticised the situation, stating: “It is unreasonable that so much gambling happens outside the licence system. Unlicensed gambling fosters money laundering and leaves Swedish players unprotected.”
Despite concerns, Swedish gambling revenue grew 2.65% YoY in 2024 to SEK27.85bn (€2.49bn). Online gambling revenue increased 5% YoY to SEK17.84bn.
Slotegrator has partnered with SimplePlay to expand in the Asian market
Slotegrator has teamed up with game provider SimplePlay to bring its gaming portfolio to Asia.
Founded in 2019, SimplePlay offers a diverse selection of gaming content. Its library includes video slots, fishing games, and table games. All titles are built with HTML5 technology, ensuring seamless access on most devices without extra installations.
Osman Walker, CSO at SimplePlay, said: “Partnering with Slotegrator allows us to reach new markets and enhance the gaming experience for players and operators alike.”
Slotegrator’s spokesman added: “We’re thrilled to collaborate with SimplePlay. This partnership will drive innovation and elevate gaming in the Asian market.”
