Sweden’s online gambling association, Branschföreningen för Onlinespel (BOS) is not happy with the government’s plan to increase the gambling tax. According to its general secretary, Gustaf Hoffstedt, this move would be a huge Christmas present to the black market.

For reference, Sweden just proposed to raise its gambling tax from 18% to 22%. The new tax rate would be applied from July 1, 2024, but is already attracting the industry’s hostility. BOS, which has previously critiqued the government of not understanding the market and its vulnerabilities, expressed its disagreement with the measure.

According to BOS, the new measure will undermine the legal market at a very bad time as more and more players are now playing with black market companies.

Spelinspektionen, Sweden’s gambling regulator, previously said that it doesn’t have firm objections to the measure but highlighted possible repercussions. BOS, on the other hand, scrutinized the Ministry of Finance’s decision, saying that it was counterproductive.

The Ministry of Finance Is Giving a “Christmas Gift” to the Black Market

In an official press release, Hoffstedt said that his team rejected the proposal and slammed the Ministry’s decision.

The government can hardly time its proposal to raise the gambling tax to a worse time. We are in a situation where fewer and fewer players choose to play on the safe licensed market, and more and more on the unregulated, unlicensed gambling market.

Gustaf Hoffstedt, general secretary, BOS

Hoffstedt added that the industry would only benefit the unlicensed market and further undermine the legal operators. He concluded that the proposal was “the best Christmas present” the Ministry of Finance could have given to the black market.

That the government proposes to raise the tax for licensed gambling is the best Christmas present you can think of – to the unregulated and unlicensed gambling market.

Gustaf Hoffstedt, general secretary, BOS

Consumers Misunderstand the Market Too

In other news, BOS recently released a new study, highlighting the public’s misconceptions about the industry. Its findings showed that many players believe problem gambling to be a much more prevalent issue than it actually is. In addition, consumers across the country believe that operators keep most of the players’ money, which is also incorrect.

Hoffstedt highlighted the importance of correcting these misconceptions since they are the reason the public has been okay with tougher gambling regulations. This, he says, is hurting the industry and threatening its health.

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The provider of The Open Gaming Architecture backend gaming platform, Black Cow Technology, announced a new senior-level appointment. The company revealed Thursday it strengthened its C-suite with the appointment of Sarah Agostini to the role of head of business development. The recent hire comes amid a busy period for the company as it sees significant growth and strong demand for its suite of solutions.

In her new role, Agostini will oversee important processes and help build a structured sales pipeline that will include new and existing opportunities. This pipeline would feature game developers, aggregators, as well as operators, among other companies that can benefit from Black Cow’s innovative technology.

Additionally, as head of business development, she will help businesses better understand how The Open Gaming Architecture can bring benefits. Ultimately, Agostini will play a key role in the expansion of Black Cow’s portfolio of business clients and help the company expand its technology among suppliers and operators alike.

The recent senior-level appointment isn’t a surprise, considering Agostini’s extensive experience and knowledge. Throughout her professional career, she was able to accumulate significant experience in investments and advertising, as well as precision analytical equipment. As a part of the C-suite at Black Cow, she will also engage with the company’s PR team and assist with product education.

Agostini Is Thrilled to Join Black Cow Technology

Sharing her excitement, Agostini said that she will be excited to help develop the company’s structured sales pipeline. At the same time, she acknowledged she will provide valuable feedback to Black Cow’s teams and help more suppliers and operators benefit from the company’s leading solutions.

“It’s an honor to join Black Cow and to be responsible for structuring its sales pipeline, deliver valuable feedback to the wider team and connect with more operators and suppliers that could benefit from our incredible suite of solutions.“

Sarah Agostini, head of business development at Black Cow Technology

Additionally, Agostini pointed out that she finds the challenge exciting and looks forward to helping Black Cow exceed its targets. In conclusion, the company’s new head of business development pointed out: “Black Cow’s solutions really do sit at the cutting edge and I can ensure more businesses than ever before understand how Black Cow can help them to succeed.”

“I am thrilled to welcome Sarah to the team as our Head of Business Development.“

Max Francis, CEO at Black Cow Technology

Max Francis, Black Cow’s CEO, welcomed Agostini to the senior-level team of the company. He spoke about her exceptional track record in business development and sales while highlighting her talent.

Francis said that Agostini makes the perfect fit for the role at Black Cow and predicted that the company will exceed its targets with her invaluable guidance. Finally, he said that Black Cow is looking forward to the success the new collaboration will bring.

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A recent Men’s Health survey on sports betting habits among US male residents has unveiled a significant trend – millennial black men are outpacing their white counterparts in the frequency of sports betting. 

Survey Unveils Complex Dynamics of Ethnicity, Age, and Technology in Sports Gambling

Among the 3,800 American men surveyed, the findings challenge conventional assumptions, shedding light on a complex relationship between ethnicity, age, and technology in the realm of sports gambling.

Of those surveyed, 1,500 admitted to placing at least one sports bet in the past year, a figure that provides a unique perspective on the landscape of sports gambling.

Millennials, known for their comfort with technology, have emerged as the most active participants in sports betting. The convenience of mobile applications and online platforms has driven their engagement, resulting in an increased frequency of betting. Strikingly, millennial Black men have emerged as the frontrunners in this trend, betting more frequently compared to their white counterparts.

It is interesting to note that the LGBTQ+ community is not represented in this survey, however, another recent study showed that such communities are at higher risk of problem gambling.

Technology has undoubtedly played a role in shaping the habits of the modern bettor. A majority of those surveyed, a striking 76%, revealed that they place their bets through mobile applications or computers, and the evolution of app-based wagering has led to an increase in betting frequency for two-thirds of the respondents.

Favored Sports and Sportsbook Operators Unveiled in Survey Results

The survey also sheds light on the favored sports among bettors, with football, basketball, and baseball taking the top spots. An interesting trend emerged in the preference for sportsbook operators, with 61% of respondents favoring DraftKings and 56% choosing FanDuel. Another noteworthy finding is the preference for professional sports over college athletics, with 56% of respondents indicating a preference for the former.

While the sports betting landscape has experienced considerable growth since the overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, the survey has highlighted that concerns remain. A notable portion of 34% of respondents expressed annoyance at commercials run by sportsbook companies during games, and 38% felt that broadcasters should abstain from making betting references while on air.

The survey reveals a concerning aspect, as 44% struggle to enjoy sports without feeling compelled to bet, while 58% report detrimental effects on their mental health, including stress, anxiety, and depression. Nearly 4 out of 5 individuals admit to experiencing anxiety while betting, reflecting the emotional intensity tied to such activities. Additionally, 43% indicate that sports betting has taken a toll on their physical well-being, contributing to issues like headaches, high blood pressure, and weight gain.

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The person in question, Juan Gutierrez-Zambrano, 31, was already charged on May 2 with theft of $100,000 to $1 million and his bail has been set at $525,000, according to court documents.

The Man Who Took the Money in the Parking Lot in March

The theft at Monarch Casino, Black Hawk happened on March 12 and was an interesting one as it was bizarre. On the day of the heist – but do not think of it as guns blazing – a cashier, Sabrina Eddy, removed ten bricks of $50,000 each from the casino’s vault and drove away in her minivan.

She was going to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood where she met with a second suspect. Eddy was quickly apprehended over the theft and questioned over her involvement but she said that a person, introducing themselves as a “casino boss,” had called and requested the speedy delivery of the money lest the casino ends up in a “breach of contract.”

Following her arrest and questioning, Eddy was finally released, but she too faces the same charge of theft of $100,000 to $1 million. Now, the documents indicate that Gutierrez-Zambrano is the second suspect in the case, and he is indeed the person to have received the money at the parking lot in the hospital.

There have been some inconsistencies in the versions Eddy offered as well, and this is precisely why she remains a suspect as well. For one, she insisted that the person was driving a silver Chevrolet Avalanche when she met him in the parking lot.

Evidence and Eddy’s Account Do Not Match

Security footage shows a black Trailblazer instead. Eddy was also subject to a polygraph and the police records show that she finally broke down and offered another account of the story. She was approached by former “associates” of her late husband, who threatened her and her family and said that they would hurt her family if she failed to comply.

Police tried to retrieve the money by searching Eddy’s home but no money was found there. This is the largest casino heist in the history of the state with a second suspect now facing justice and no clarity as to what happened at least not publicly available.

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Germany’s new gambling regulator, the Gemeinsamen Glücksspielbehörde der Länder or GGL, issued a new report Thursday, explaining that licensed sports betting operators had a market share of more than 95% in 2022. This left a niche for black market operators of less than 5%, judging by analysis based on tax data released by the GGL.

Besides the overwhelming share of the licensed market, the watchdog reaffirmed its commitment to continue the fight against illegal gambling. According to Benjamin Schwanke, a Board member of the GGL, a primary focus for the regulator is the protection of customers and continuing the fight against illegal operators. Additionally, he said that the regulator could not “find any crowding out of legal offers by illegal offers.”

“According to our market analysis, the channeling rate is well over 95 percent, which means that apart from less than five percent, the betting stakes are placed with the permitted sports betting providers according to the tax data of the Federal Ministry of Finance.“

Ronald Benter, CEO of the GGL

The announcement by the gambling watchdog comes after a report released recently by the DSWV, a German sports betting association, claimed that the strict regulations have resulted in a decrease in the legal sports betting market in the country last year. The GGL explained that the DSWV backed its statement by claiming that there was “an increase in the illegal sports betting market.” However, the regulator said that its data disagrees with the claims made by the sports betting association.

“Analysis of the tax data for 2022 shows that well over 95% of sports betting sales come from permitted providers,“

reads a statement released by the GGL

The Watchdog Remains Vigilant

The regulator acknowledged that a 5% dip in the sports betting market was observed in 2022 when compared to 2021. This was, according to the Authority, an impact of the pandemic and the postponement of the European championship from 2020 to 2021. Still, the GGL said that the market position of 2022 matched the levels recorded pre-pandemic in 2019.

Details regarding the analysis of the legal sports betting market in 2022 come after the GGL issued its first fine for a gambling ad regulations breach. Earlier this week, the regulator confirmed it has implemented a five-figure fine against one operator who wasn’t named.

At the time of the announcement, the GGL said that it uncovered a licensed operator that advertised its services via a website offering illegal gambling services. As a result, the GGL issued a fine but did not confirm what was the exact amount and rather said only that it was a five-digit penalty.

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Tommy Wilson is the name of the 74-year-old player from Las Cruces who claims he won a jackpot of $542,000 on a slot machine at the casino owned by Pueblo of San Felipe on February 25. 

However, what should have been one of the happiest days of his life for the unemployed veteran turned into a stressful event, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The newspaper revealed that the Black Mesa Casino invoked a system glitch in the slot machine that apparently rendered the player’s win illegitimate.  

The Player Spent $100 on the Buffalo-Themed Slot

On the controversial day, the player placed bets that totaled around $100 on the buffalo-themed slot game that brought him the big win in five or six minutes’ time. Or so he thought. Shortly after the slot machine announced the big jackpot, it shut down out of the blue. 

The players who witnessed what had happened started congratulating the player on his win, but this did not convince casino management that there was an actual win to begin with. After they completed the necessary diagnostics on the slot machine, they explained to Wilson that his win was not a legitimate one. The casino argued they came across a “digital or electronic glitch” and, accordingly, decided not to pay him. 

Wilson was informed by a casino employee of the possibility of filing a complaint with the Black Mesa Casino gaming commission. The latter is an independent body that is not related to the state regulator, which is the Gaming Control Board. The board is responsible for monitoring compliance of the gaming tribes in the state under the approval of tribal or state gaming compacts.

Too “Perturbed” to File the Complaint

Wilson claimed he was too perturbed to file a complaint on the spot. He also failed to take any photos of the winning slot screen or write down the names of the other players who had witnessed what had happened. 

Instead of following the complaint filing procedure, he went to Denver where he was scheduled for a job interview. Later that week, he returned to the Black Mesa Casino, determined this time to file the complaint and ask for his jackpot.

After the casino asked for his phone number and email address, he decided to try his luck on the slots once more. He won twice within 30 minutes on the same machine that had originally brought him the huge jackpot the previous week.

Wilson recalled the game had a lion/African theme in place and that it was most likely called Kings of Africa. He scored a win of $1,226 and another one of $1,446. In spite of his good fortune, the player who is still jobless and who recently underwent a triple bypass surgery is still looking for justice, stating “justice will come in the form of karma.” 

Wilson added he would be even willing to accept a $50,000 payment as an apology from the casino. However, the player who actively served in the US Air Force was offered “nothing” by the casino that runs a promotion that gives away a $10 free play bonus on Wednesdays to army veterans and active-duty service people. 

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Details of the new collaboration emerged Monday and see the duo celebrate the rich history, contributions and culture of Black Americans. With this effort, Jamul Casino highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion. Thanks to the new collaboration, the organizations have set different events throughout February.

Earlier this month, Jamul Casino organized a luncheon that commemorated two local heroic women of color, Wendy Shurelds, the founder and CEO of Many Shades of Pink, an organization that helps with treatment and support to African American breast cancer patients, as well as Dr Suzanne Afflalo.

“With a number of events and initiatives scheduled throughout February, the JIV and Jamul Casino are joining the celebration by amplifying Black voices and highlighting the significance of the historical contributions of Black Americans as well as the ongoing struggles,“

reads a statement released by Jamul Casino and the Jamul Indian Village

What’s more, throughout February, Jamul Casino is featuring 31 important African American leaders and figures via its digital screens on site. Additionally, the casino will recognize those important figures via its digital media channels. Jamul Casino confirmed its commitment to support Many Shades of Pink with $10,000. Both the Tribe and Jamul Casino have also confirmed they will continue to provide donations and support the County of San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce.

The Duo Is Excited to Collaborate for the Black History Month

Mary Cheeks, Jamul Casino’s president and general manager, explained that the different initiatives during Black History Month deliver a unique possibility for the communities to honor the struggles and sacrifices of Black people. “We’re excited to recognize the African American community’s contributions to our culture, and be part of creating a brighter, richer, more inclusive future for the next generation,” she pointed out.

“This month, we acknowledge and appreciate the historical contributions of the Black community while also recognizing the role and impact of the systemic barriers to racial equality that still exist today.“

Erica M. Pinto, chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village and chairwoman of the JIVDC Board

Erica M. Pinto, JIV and JIVDC’s Board chairwoman, outlined that during Black History Month, the Tribe acknowledges the historical accomplishments of the Black community. At the same time, she said that the initiatives identify the impact of the barriers to racial equality that currently exist. Finally, Pinto said that the Tribe and its Board of Directors commemorate the achievements and legacy of Black Americans.

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