Belgium set to increase minimum gambling age next month
Changes to Belgium’s 1999 Gambling Act have been officially announced in the state gazette, with the majority set to take effect in June. One notable alteration is the raise in the minimum gambling age from 18 to 21 across all sectors.
Additionally, operators of class one, two, and four gambling establishments will be mandated to keep a professional register containing the names of people with access to gaming areas for professional purposes. Liaison officers from the Police and Gambling Commission will have the authority to request access to this registry, as well as surveillance footage from the venues. Moreover, the amendments introduce annual meetings between the Gaming Commission and licence holders’ representatives.
Further provisions, such as the obligation for newsagents to verify the exclusion register and the implementation of penalties for those using someone else’s ID for gambling as well as for the individual lending the ID and any operators accepting it, will be enforced at a later date yet to be determined.
iGP’s iGaming Deck incorporates content from Peter & Sons
iGP and Peter & Sons have officially signed a distribution deal, marking a collaboration set to enrich the gaming landscape for operators and players alike.
Under this agreement, Peter & Sons will use iGP’s iGaming Deck API to deliver their portfolio to iGP’s global network of operator partners.
Yann Bautista, Commercial Director and Founder of Peter & Sons, highlighted the significance of aligning with industry frontrunners like iGP. He emphasised iGP’s track record of innovation, making them an ideal partner for Peter & Sons’ forward-looking approach.
Inesa Glazaitė, Chief Commercial Officer at iGP, praised Peter & Sons’ approach for crafting captivating gaming experiences that push boundaries and captivate players. She underscored iGP’s commitment to offering top-tier content, noting the studio’s unique ability to reimagine gaming entertainment.
The Swedish regulatory body backs the prohibition of gambling with credit but seeks further elucidation on the matter
The Swedish gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, has expressed its support for the proposed ban on gambling with credit, while highlighting the need for clearer rules and regulations. The draft legislation, put forth by the Ministry of Finance, aims to prohibit all gambling operators from accepting bets financed through credit, including the use of credit cards. This builds upon existing regulations that bar operators from extending credit directly.
In addition to the credit ban, the proposed legislation includes requirements for operators to develop action plans to mitigate excessive gambling, with Spelinspektionen tasked with establishing the specifics of these requirements.
While backing the overall initiative, Spelinspektionen has raised some concerns regarding certain aspects of the proposed regulations. One issue is the potential impact on public benefit lotteries, as the wording of the legislation may exclude them due to their non-use of card payments. However, the regulator points out that public lotteries do sell tickets through digital channels, necessitating measures to prevent credit-based transactions in these instances.
Another area of concern is the ambiguity surrounding the definition of “credit,” particularly regarding whether it includes current accounts and debit cards with credit limits. Spelinspektionen has also noted the absence of investigative duties for licensees or agents, which it believes could lead to a lack of oversight in determining whether a debit card has a credit limit. As such, the regulator calls for clearer specifications regarding the scope of the proposed ban concerning debit cards.
Earlier, polling results from Sweden revealed widespread support for prohibiting the controversial “Bonus Buy” slot mechanic.
BGaming and Skywind have joined forces to enhance their presence in the Romanian market
BGaming has announced a new collaboration with Skywind, aimed at strengthening its presence in the Romanian market.
Bringing to the table a rich list of over 300 games and a footprint spanning more than 19 regulated markets, Skywind is renowned for integrating its content with a vast network of over 1,000 operators worldwide. Through this partnership, Romanian players can now enjoy an assortment of BGaming’s titles.
Olga Levshina, Chief Commercial Officer at BGaming, expressed anticipation for the growth potential in tandem with Skywind, hinting at future expansion into Colombia. Levshina emphasised the current focus on ensuring Romanian players relish in the enjoyment of their dynamic and captivating game offerings.
Alina Popa, Business Development Manager at Skywind, highlighted BGaming’s player-centric approach and its keen responsiveness to player feedback in crafting their content.
Bulgaria’s prohibition on gambling advertisements has officially taken effect
Bulgaria has implemented a ban on gambling advertisements across various platforms, including television, radio, print, and online channels. This ban, which has been officially ratified by President Rumen Radev after its publication in the State Gazette, was passed by legislators despite resistance from gambling operators and media outlets.
Under the new regulations, only certain forms of gambling advertisements are permitted. These include billboards situated at least 100 metres away from schools, as well as advertisements displayed on the buildings of gaming halls and casinos themselves. However, these permitted ads must allocate a minimum of 10% of their space for responsible gambling messaging.
Breaches of the ban carry significant penalties, with fines of up to BGN 50,000 and the possibility of licence revocation for repeat offenders. Notably, televised broadcasts of national sports tote draws are exempt from these restrictions.
Additionally, a new provision has been enacted concerning the national gambling self-exclusion register. Individuals receiving social assistance will no longer have the option to remove themselves from this register.
