René Jansen, the outgoing chairman of the Dutch Gaming Authority, raised concerns about the ban on advertising for online gambling during his keynote speech at the annual Gaming in Holland Conference last week. 

Jansen said the agency is finding it increasingly difficult to manage the rising tide of illegal online casinos that exploit the advertising bans imposed on legal operators. These illicit entities, often using affiliate links to lure Dutch players, are thriving under the current restrictive advertising regime. 

“I have already expressed my doubts as to whether the current policy is appropriate,” Jansen said.  

In an article by the Online Casino Amsterdam, Jansen criticised the regulatory approach from The Hague, particularly the stringent rules on gambling advertisements, including the total prohibition of untargeted ads. He emphasised the necessity for legal gaming providers to advertise effectively to attract players away from illegal options.  

“We must enable gaming providers to offer a suitable and attractive gaming environment so that Dutch players can avoid illegal providers. However, this is only feasible if players can clearly distinguish between legal and illegal games, which certainly requires some form of advertising,” he stated. 

Jansen argued that the current policies do not sufficiently prioritise the interests of Dutch players. He warned of a potential decline in channelisation—the percentage of players gambling solely with legal providers—if legal options become harder to find. While the channelisation rate in the Netherlands is currently high at 90 percent, it shows signs of decreasing, indicating a shift towards the illegal market. 

“Policies and legislation must focus on the players, and political decisions must prioritize their interests. Legal gambling options must be easy to find,” Jansen asserted. 

Earlier this month, the Dutch regulator updates to its gaming legislation with the publication of the document concerning the country’s responsible gaming policy.   

Conference attendees also expressed concern over a proposed increase in gambling taxes. If enacted, the tax rate would rise from 30.5 percent to 37.8 percent in 2025, making the Netherlands the most expensive EU country for gambling. This proposed hike has drawn strong reactions from trade associations, which fear it could destabilise the sector. 

A survey conducted during the conference revealed that about a third of participants view the tax increase as the biggest threat to the industry, while a quarter are most worried about the expanding illegal market. Jansen highlighted the need for collaboration between the industry and policymakers to avoid exacerbating the problem. 

In a recent SiGMA News article, The Dutch Online Gambling Association (NOGA) earlier serious concerns over the proposed increase in gambling tax in the Netherlands. This coalition comprises the Party for Freedom (PVV), the Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the New Social Contract Party (NSC), and the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB). 

“With a viable sector, a high channelisation rate, and focused attention on illegal supply, we can ensure that legal online gambling remains a source of entertainment for most players in the Netherlands,” Jansen concluded. 

The gaming world will be turning its focus on East Europe this September when  2024 lands in Budapest. 

In a recent SiGMA Podcast episode, host Trevor De Giorgio explored Malta’s gaming sector with economist and partner at Seed, JP Fabri. The discussion leaped back into Malta’s gaming investment history and its evolution, a sector driven by its innovative regulatory frameworks and strategic positioning in the global market.

The conversation began with a look back at Malta’s early investment in the gaming sector. As JP Fabri noted, Malta’s approach to economic development has consistently leveraged its ability to innovate within its regulatory frameworks. “As a small open island state with very limited resources, we only have one key advantage: the ability to be innovative when it comes to jurisdiction, the law, the regulation,” Fabri explained. This strategic positioning has enabled Malta to carve out niches in various sectors, including maritime, aviation, financial services, and eventually gaming.

In the early 2000s, Malta identified an opportunity within the gaming industry, which was largely unregulated in Europe at the time. The country’s decision to embrace online gaming and lotteries was part of a broader economic diversification strategy, capitalising on its already strong IT sector. “Back then, the decision was taken to start embracing the online world related to gaming, lotteries and all of that, and then the sector continued to evolve,” Fabri recounted.

The gaming industry in Malta has not remained static; it has undergone transformations driven by technological advancements and regulatory needs. Fabri highlighted the importance of regulation as a trust stamp, a factor that has been pivotal in maintaining Malta’s competitive edge. “Regulation ultimately is a stamp of trust,” he emphasised, underlining the country’s foresight in establishing a regulatory framework that could keep pace with technological trends and consumer demands.

One of the key areas discussed was the integration of new technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) into gaming. Fabri noted, “How do we integrate a better customer experience, interface, technology, VR, AR? How do these come into the picture?” The discussion also touched on responsible gaming and the role of compliance within the industry. The development of digital identities and open banking were highlighted as future trends that could further enhance the gaming experience and operational efficiency.

Looking ahead, Fabri drew a vision for Malta’s gaming sector that includes embracing new markets and technologies. He pointed out the dynamic growth potential in regions such as South America, Latin America, and Africa. “We have very dynamic markets of growth beyond the European markets,” Fabri stated, indicating that Malta could serve as a base for companies looking to penetrate these markets.

The evolution of financial technologies, particularly in payments and digital identity, is another area where Malta could lead. Fabri discussed the concept of open banking and its potential to revolutionise the gaming industry by improving transaction monitoring and customer verification processes. He said, “It would be interesting to see how the gaming sector can leverage open banking to improve compliance and customer journeys.”

In concluding the podcast, Fabri stressed the importance of continuing to evolve Malta’s regulatory frameworks and maintaining its attractiveness as a jurisdiction. “How do we continue to ensure that these companies have access to banking payment solutions within the country?” he posed, emphasising the need for ongoing innovation and adaptation.

Looking ahead, the gaming industry will shift its focus to Eastern Europe this September with the in Budapest. This event is expected to attract industry professionals from across the region, providing a platform for networking, business development, and exploring the latest trends in the gaming sector.

The online gambling industry can be quite lucrative for new players. Without leaving their houses, they can play thousands of popular game titles online for free and real money rewards. The convenience of these online applications has attracted millions of new players from different regions.  

Over the past years, the industry has seen many dedicated platforms assisting players with expert insights and recommendations. One of them is Slotozilla, a renowned gambling platform that offers reviews and detailed guides about legal casinos, top bonuses and promotions, and all other informative tools that can help players make the right decision.  

The online gambling industry is rapidly growing in different regions and countries. Last year, the global online gambling industry had a market cap of $61.55 billion, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.5 in the next ten years. In the European region, many markets are ready to welcome the positive financial benefits of responsible gambling. Almost every indicator suggests that more countries are willing to modify their laws and regulations regarding the online gambling industry. 

According to Slotozilla, the company keeps a close eye on market trends and insights. With more games available by the top software developers, the growth of the online gambling industry is supported by many factors, including: 

• New laws and regulations legalizing online gambling 

• Use of better technologies and development tools for games 

• Popular game developers entering the online gambling niche 

• Bonuses and promotions favoring players for risk-free gameplay 

• Strict monitoring from licencing authorities 

• Consumer protection laws offer a secure environment 

Every application or site reviewed by the team is licensed and regulated by the relevant authorities.  

For a new player and a seasoned gambler, the safety of personal data and the fairness of the games remain important deciding factors. Slotozilla said that their reviews are based on statistics and facts as experts analyse these games, study the reputation of the software providers, and go through the reviews shared by old players on different platforms. The team at Slotozilla also ensures that all casinos reviewed by the experts have responsible gambling measures in place. 

Not only authorities but also encourage online casino operators to promote safe and responsible gaming measures. With the right tools in place, the risks of gambling addiction can be eliminated. Here are some important factors that the firm considers while reviewing and rating online casinos: 

• Availability of bonuses and promotions 

• The reputation of the software developers and the quality of games 

• Security and licensing details by reputable authorities 

• Compatibility with smartphones and other devices 

• Efficiency of customer support 

• Design of the website/app and usability of different options 

• Payment options and deposit/withdrawal limits 

• Popularity and feedback 

In reviewing online casinos, Slotozilla said its editorial teams regularly analyse the promotions section of the casinos. If any casino offers limited-time bonuses, the company mentions these limitations in the review. There are also dedicated teams that ensure that all data and bonuses on the Slotozilla site are regularly updated as per the official websites. 

With a wide range of bonuses and promotions available, choosing the right type of bonus is also an important task. Many players find it difficult to choose the best bonus. While reviewing and rating casinos based on the bonuses and promotions, Slotozilla said it analyses the value and reward offered by that specific bonus. 

Apart from the value of the bonus, terms and conditions are also analysed. An ideal bonus will have the highest reward or cash funds with flexible terms and conditions. If there are promo codes available, players need to use these codes smartly. Some bonuses are for one-time use only, and missing the chance might waste the perks of that bonus. 

Slotozilla said its goal is to educate players as it doesn’t provide any type of gambling services. It said that it hopes to be an authority figure in the online gambling industry. It added that its audience is not limited to the European region, but players from other countries as well. Content creation with a focus on quality and authentic work has been the basic strategy, and the company aims to pursue the same goal in the upcoming times, too. 

The company said that collaborations with other trusted sources from different niches of entertainment have also supported its mission. Guides and casino bonus reviews are now available in different languages and plans to target audiences in other countries are underway. Anyone looking for authentic, reliable, and quality information regarding online casino bonuses and promotions can visit Slotozilla.  

Looking ahead, the gaming industry will shift its focus to Eastern Europe this September with the in Budapest. This event is expected to attract industry professionals from across the region, providing a platform for networking, business development, and exploring the latest trends in the gaming sector.

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has secured a landmark title sponsorship deal with William Hill, one of the UK’s leading betting companies. This record-breaking five-year partnership, set to commence at the start of the 2024/25 season, marks a new era for the SPFL and its 42 clubs.

Under the terms of the agreement, William Hill will become the title sponsor of all four SPFL divisions, rebranding them as the William Hill Premiership, William Hill Championship, William Hill League 1, and William Hill League 2. Additionally, William Hill will serve as the Official Betting Partner of the SPFL, further solidifying its presence within Scottish football.

The partnership extends beyond traditional sponsorship, with William Hill and the SPFL collaborating with EPIC Global Solutions to introduce a groundbreaking gambling harm awareness program. This initiative aims to educate players, staff, and supporters on the risks associated with gambling and to provide guidance on where to seek help.

EPIC Global Solutions, a consultancy specialising in gambling harm prevention, will conduct interactive workshops across all SPFL clubs. These sessions will focus on the dangers of gambling harm in the elite sports environment and will also include community groups and supporters. The program has shown impressive results in other sports, with over 90% of professional athletes gaining confidence in seeking support for gambling-related concerns.

group chief executive Neil Doncaster commented, “William Hill is a name long associated with Scottish football, and we are enormously excited to have reached a long-term, record-breaking agreement with our new title sponsors. This is tremendous news for our clubs and their fans, for the profile of the league, and for Scottish football in general.”

William Hill’s Marketing Director, Michael Sheehan, echoed these sentiments, saying, “We’re delighted to become title sponsor and Official Betting Partner of the SPFL, as well as launching a pioneering Gambling Harm Awareness programme, delivered by EPIC. For decades, we at William Hill have loved Scottish football and its fiercely loyal and passionate fans. Now, building on our long-standing association with Scottish football, we are delighted to be playing our part in five exciting seasons of the SPFL.”

The search for a new SPFL title sponsor was led by Brendan Napier of Scottish Football Marketing, a joint venture aimed at centralising marketing efforts for Scottish football. Napier described the deal as “a tremendous coup for Scottish football” and emphasised the attractiveness of the sport to forward-thinking sponsors.

The partnership with William Hill comes after the previous sponsor, Cinch, opted to end its five-year deal after only three years. The new sponsorship is seen as a positive step forward for the SPFL, with the league also addressing past issues with governance and committing to a review process.

Looking ahead, the gaming industry will shift its focus to Eastern Europe this September with the in Budapest. This event is expected to attract industry professionals from across the region, providing a platform for networking, business development, and exploring the latest trends in the gaming sector.