A pivotal lawsuit in Germany aimed at reimbursing gambling losses has been referred to the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The Federal Court of Justice of Germany (BGH) was initially scheduled to decide on whether unregulated operators should refund player losses earlier this month. However, this hearing was canceled after the defendant, an Austria-based sports betting operator, withdrew its appeal.

Last week, a regional court decision on player reimbursement lawsuits mandated that all German civil courts, including the BGH, must either suspend proceedings or submit them for review. This action, spearheaded by the German law firm Hambach & Hambach, ensures that online sports betting and casino issues related to EU law will now be heard by the ECJ. The European court will ultimately make the final ruling on these cases.

The BGH has faced criticism for its perceived reluctance to refer cases to the ECJ. During a March ruling on a sports betting case, the BGH neither suspended nor submitted a referral, which some saw as a hesitation to seek an overarching EU law decision. This could have led to ongoing legal confusion without a decisive EU court ruling until regional courts intervened.

Potential Precedent of Reimbursement Rulings

Claus Hambach, partner at Hambach & Hambach, along with senior associate Phillip Beumer, cautioned that a decision to reimburse players could establish a problematic precedent in Germany.

“Mass media reports have already picked up on the above note by the Federal Court of Justice,” stated Hambach & Hambach. “According to representatives of the ‘player claim industry’, this might now result in a deluge of complaints and court cases.”

They warned that such an outcome could be driven by significant advertising and media coverage, indicating that financiers appear ready to continue backing these claims, potentially extending to sports betting losses, not just casino losses.

Hambach & Hambach expressed concern that reimbursing players might inadvertently bolster the black market. “Germany’s massive black market will even grow further. If players are reimbursed for losses with unlicensed operators, this will only incentivise them to bet with unlicensed operators as the case law basically established betting without a risk of loss.”

Challenges with the Black Market in Germany

A 2023 study by the University of Leipzig highlighted the prevalence of offshore operators in Germany’s online gambling market, revealing that nearly half of all online gambling occurs with these unlicensed entities. The channelisation rate in Germany’s online gambling space stands at just 50.7%, with the study estimating that the black market accounts for three-quarters of online revenue. This situation results in the state missing out on hundreds of millions in tax revenue.

In response, both the German Online Casino Association (DOCV) and the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) have urged the German gambling regulator (GGL) to make onshore operators more attractive to bettors. By improving the appeal of regulated platforms, these associations hope to draw players away from the black market and ensure that gambling activities contribute to the national economy.

As this lawsuit progresses to the European Court of Justice, its outcome could significantly impact the regulatory landscape for online gambling in Germany and potentially across the European Union. The final decision by the ECJ will be crucial in shaping the future of player reimbursements and the fight against the black market in the gambling industry.

Source: “Germany loss reimbursements lawsuit to be sent to European court”. iGamingBusiness. May 20, 2024.

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The European Union works on preventing money laundering, and the most recent step was changing the laws related to the anonymity of crypto and cash transactions in order to avoid the grey zones that used to lead to suspicious transactions.

New regulations

Thanks to the new Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, the limit on cash payments will be set at €10,000, and if the transactions are anonymous, the limit will be €3,000.

On top of that, the legislation will affect the growing cryptocurrency market. Unidentified crypto wallets won’t be allowed, including all wallets operated by providers that aren’t authorized, including mobile, desktop, or browser-based wallets.

The laws will be implemented three years after the official introductions. However, according to Dillon, a law company from Dublin, they will be implemented before the deadline.

However, not everybody agrees with these laws. One of the members of the European Parliament, Patrick Breyer, a member of the German Pirate Party, is worried about financial freedom. In order to establish total financial independence, people have to be able to make anonymous transactions, according to him. He stated that the new laws could have economic and social consequences for EU citizens.

It’s unknown if new laws will be helpful when it comes to preventing money laundering. While some people believe that it might be a great help in preventing the issue, others are concerned about losing financial freedom and privacy.

On top of that, the concern about unbanked individuals who use cash and other companies that generate a lot of money is present. Also, self-custody wallets are a matter of concern, since there might be an opportunity to use various technological bypasses, including decentralized exchanges and privacy-centric blockchains.

The new regulations might mean a lot of changes to the crypto market in Europe. It might prevent financial innovation and inclusion, and decrease the use of cryptocurrencies in the region.

The exceptions

However, there are a few exceptions when it comes to the new regulations. Among them are private transactions, which don’t have any limits, so the flow of small transactions and personal ones will remain unchanged.

Also, the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Authority (AMLA) will be in charge of overseeing the whole process and its duty will be to coordinate national bodies and communicate with the authorities from EU countries.

The EU agreed on these exceptions in order to ensure fair and considerate laws and regulations, while at the same time preventing the major issue.

Source: Hogg, Lea: “New EU legislation prohibits unidentified cryptocurrency transactions”. March 27, 2024.

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BGaming keeps expanding across the European continent and conquering key markets in the region. The company joined forces with the industry giant Betsson to expand across several new European markets.

Fantastic offering for Betsson’s customers

One of the biggest operators in the industry, Bettson, will now be able to offer a range of BGaming unique slots to its customers.

The games included in the offering have certifications of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and Hellenic Gaming Commission, and under these certifications, they will be provided to Betsson. Among the titles included in the offering will be casual games such as Minesweeper XY and Rocket Dice XY as well.

BGaming’s releases became popular among players for its advanced features, as well as for innovative graphics generated through AI, which took its games to the next level.

On top of that, the two companies decided to take their relationship to the next level by creating a new branded game, Betsson Plinko. The game was created by BGaming and represents a symbol of this aspiring collaboration.

Industry giants to strengthen their positions in the global market

Betsson is one of the biggest operators in the European market, but the company’s games are extremely popular in Latin America as well.

On the other hand, BGaming saw rapid growth across key markets all over the globe in the last 18 months. This partnership is the most recent among a series of successful integrations that helped the slot developer expand across the world.

Olga Levshina, a CCO at BGaming, commented on the recently established deal: “We are delighted to launch with Betsson, a market-leading tier 1 brand in Europe. Our dynamic growth and support from world-leader businesses, such as Betsson, confirm we are regarded as a trustworthy provider of high-quality content.”

BGaming was founded in 2018, and since then the supplier has been dedicated to creating unique games that keep the players on the edge of their seats during the whole gameplay. Its portfolio currently consists of more than 150 thrilling releases, including popular video slots, video poker (https://www.casinonewsdaily.com/games/video-poker/), and lottery games. There is also a range of card, scratch, crash, and casual games, which makes BGaming’s content stand out in the market. Its vast network of partners includes big industry names such as BetFury, RollBit, Stake.com (https://www.casinonewsdaily.com/blog/2021/06/14/aspire-global-to-help-stake-com-launch-new-uk-site/), Pin-Up, and many more.

On the other hand, Betsson AB has been present in the global iGaming market since 1963, which makes it one of the companies with the longest presence in the industry. Currently, the company features more than 20 brands, including Betsson, Betsafe (https://www.casinonewsdaily.com/mobile-casino-apps/betsafe-casino-app/), and NordicBet, and it is present in Europe, North America, South America, and Central Asia.

Source: “Bgaming Goes Live With Betsson As Part Of Sustained European Expansion”. bgaming.com. March 13. 2024.

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It seems that SOFTSWISS, a widely-acclaimed iGaming expert and pioneering gambling software operator, will have to expand its cupboard of trophies after the recent 2023 European iGaming Excellence Awards, one of the most prestigious events in the European online gambling industry. The latest iGaming event has awarded the company for outstanding achievements in the categories of Best Marketing Campaign and Best Customer Service.

Best Marketing Campaign Award

The company’s winning Maltese 360 Campaign was launched with the goal of making the brand more recognizable. The wide range of marketing activities, together with captivating artwork and striking visuals associated with the campaign to present the subtle essence of the brand against the daydreaming images of the vibrant island of Malta have proven to be extensively appealing to customers. According to the company, the campaign reached an estimated total audience of more than 50 percent of Malta’s population, as well as around 25,000 guests of the reputable SiGMA Europe annual show to testify about the customers’ interest but also the company’s commitment.

Delighted about the triumph, Valentina Bagniya, Chief Marketing Officer at SOFTSWISS reportedly said: “Enhancing the efficiency of our marketing communications is pivotal in achieving tangible commercial outcomes. Receiving fair recognition for the impressive display of extraordinary creativity, innovation, and marketing prowess is a great honour and source of inspiration for our talented Marketing Team. Rest assured, we are committed to constantly captivating our audience with even more groundbreaking creations in the future.”

Best Customer Service Award

But that’s not all; the company boasts of another well-deserved award that went to SOFTSWISS Managed Services which array of comprehensive solutions represent an integral part of the brand success. The sector offering services such as First Line Support, Anti-Fraud Support, VIP Player Support, Player Retention and Reactivation, and Content Management has been designed to promote the brand through a direct contact with customers. The customers’ satisfaction with SOFTSWISS Managed Services has shown that communication is the key to successful operations. The sector acts as a bridge between operators and players to facilitate a seamless gaming experience and the quality of its service has been duly recognized at 2023 European iGaming Excellence Awards to make the brand stand out.

Artyom Rudakov, Head of SOFTSWISS Managed Services, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this award, which symbolises more than just recognition of our innovative, flexible, and highly customised approach in the industry. It’s a resounding acknowledgement of the remarkable efforts of our team members who contributed to this achievement.”

Source:

‘’Big Win At 2023 European iGaming Excellence Awards’’, softswiss.com, November 3, 2023.

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Polish sports data company STATSCORE announced that it is now offering in-depth player analytics for many of Europe’s top-flight soccer leagues, including LaLiga, Bundesliga and Serie A, among others.

The launch of these new analytics aligns with STATSCORE’s commitment to providing a 360-degree view of soccer games and constantly enhancing the data delivered to its partners.

According to STATSCORE’s announcement, in-depth player live data and statistics will be available in the company’s ScoutsFeed and SportsAPI products. The data company listed the full number of soccer leagues it will be offering in-depth player analytics for, which include the following:

• UEFA Champions League
• Europe League
• LaLiga
• Bundesliga
• Serie A
• French Ligue 1
• Süper Lig
• Super League 1

Thanks to the new launch, STATSCORE will now offer coverage of key player incidents, such as goals, penalties and shots. This will provide fans with a unique perspective on the sports action, bolstering their engagement.

The New Data Will Benefit Sportsbooks

Player information will include real-time data on aspects like the ways in which a goal is scored. This, for example, will include left foot/right foot, header, scored within the penalty area or outside and specific part of the net in which the ball was hit.

STATSCORE announced that it has applied the same approach to incidents. As a result, STATSCORE clients will be able to provide their players with information on when and how a penalty was scored, saved or missed.

STATSCORE added that the in-depth player data will help betting operators and other sports-oriented businesses engage their players and provide them with detailed information they care about.

According to the Polish data specialist, the new datasets will allow sports and sports betting aficionados to “delve deeper into the statistics that define the game.”

This type of data provides an opportunity to craft brand-new betting options that would appeal to a diverse range of betting enthusiasts. It’s no longer just about predicting the outcome of a match – it’s about predicting specific aspects of player performance!

STATSCORE statement

The company concluded that the new data is a great way to make match coverage, analysis, and commentary more engaging and informative.

Exactly a month ago, STATSCORE extended its data partnership with the Slovenian PrvaLiga.

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The European Gaming Congress, an eagerly anticipated event in the iGaming industry, is set to make a big comeback after a three-year hiatus. This year’s edition will take place in Warsaw, the Polish capital, on October 30-31, 2023.

The organizers say that they anticipate the event “to be the industry’s most significant gathering”. The congress will bring together regulators, compliance experts, and top professionals from the gaming industry. The participants will be mainly from Europe but not only, professionals from other continents will also take part.

The European Gaming Congress has a solid history after having taken place for eight years. This time the panel discussions will be led by top players from the gaming industry, or, as the organizers put it, “some of the most influential figures.”

Compliance updates will be a big topic of discussion at the European Gaming Congress. Compliance experts and industry leaders will debate the latest changes in regulations that have taken place in Poland, Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands, Greece, and the Scandinavian countries.

The event will also present a great networking opportunity for industry professionals, there should be quite a few new partnerships emerging following the meetings that will take place at the Warsaw congress. Moreover, with participants from various sectors, the event will be able to put together the gaming industry with blockchain, fintech and artificial intelligence experts.

The panel discussions will be a good chance for participants to find out the latest regulations and market trends. Moreover, the event will also benefit from the participation of C-level executives and government officials, people that have the latest information regarding the industry’s future.

Securing the Future

One of the most important panel discussions at the European Gaming Congress will be the one dedicated to cybersecurity, responsible gaming, artificial intelligence, and anti-money laundering in the gaming industry.

This panel discussion is expected to be “a comprehensive guide to a sustainable future of the iGaming industry.” The panel discussion will be moderated by Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder at HIPTHER, and it underlines the importance of a unified approach to creating a secure and ethical gaming world in a sustainable way.

Cybersecurity, one of the key aspects in this panel discussion, is regarded as “the backbone of the industry, while responsible gaming practices are very important to fostering a culture of healthy gaming.

Artificial Intelligence is becoming more and more important in the industry, while AML (Anti-Money Laundering) is also a key component of the online gambling world as it ensures the legitimacy of financial transactions.

Source: “A Unified Approach to the Future: European Gaming Congress Panel Explores Cybersecurity, Responsible Gaming, AI, and AML in the Gaming Industry“. European Gaming. October 17, 2023.

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The leading iGaming operator, originating from Finland, Winlandia, continues to expand its European presence. After debuting in Sweden recently, the brand confirmed its entry into the regulated gambling market in the United Kingdom. Announced Tuesday, the launch sees Winlandia deliver its thrilling games and outstanding customer support to clients in the country.

Powered by SkillOnNet, the online casino brand stands out from the competition by offering an extensive range of online games. Currently, Winlandia’s portfolio surpasses 5,700 casino titles. Such games include fan-favorite and popular live dealer and table games, along with video slots, classic slots, jackpot slots, scratch cards and other engaging titles.

Celebrating its UK entry, Winlandia introduced two thrilling welcome promotions. Customers in the UK can benefit from 21 no wager free spins or 100% up to £100 + 66 free spins. Similar to other iGaming operators, the platform supports a variety of payment methods, including Mastercard, Visa, as well as PayPal and ApplePay.

Moreover, clients of the operator will be able to benefit from additional bonuses, including free spins and cash, along with daily promotions and tournaments, elevating the excitement and thrill even further. The brand also offers a VIP club that awards players with different perks depending on their level.

An Important Step in the Brand’s Expansion

Christoffer Grönlund, Winlandia’s head of acquisitions and public relations, was delighted to see the brand expand into the gambling market in the UK. He praised the supreme experiences the brand brings and highlighted its distinctly Nordic feel. According to Grönlund, Winlandia will be able to leverage its status as the latest UK casino, predicting that this temporary status would positively impact customer acquisition.

“It is not every day a new casino launches in the UK so for a period of time we will of course have a strong USP as the newest casino in the UK. That is a huge magnet for customer acquisition.“

Christoffer Grönlund, head of acquisitions and public relations at Winlandia

He spoke about the thrilling welcome offers players in the UK can access and confirmed that Winlandia is renowned for its supreme customer support and a wide range of games. Finally, Grönlund said that the brand is looking forward to engaging with customers in the UK and delivering exceptional experiences.

The expansion of Winlandia to the UK comes after back in August, the operator has gone through a rebranding. Formerly known as Finlandia Casino, Winlandia confirmed the rebranding in an effort to grow beyond the market in Finland and expand its presence across the globe. Upon confirming the rebranding, the company said that it plans to launch its services in Sweden, the UK, Norway and Denmark. Given the recent launches in the UK and Sweden, the brand continues to follow this ambitious growth plan.

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The global sports betting and gaming operator, Betsson Group, announced Tuesday that it successfully acquired a license for the regulated gambling market in Serbia. The latest announcement marks a milestone moment for the company as it enables it to grow further on the Old Continent and expand its reach to new audiences. Thanks to the Serbian license, Betsson can now officially launch its online casino games with Rizk, a popular brand for the market in the country. Rizk is a part of Zecure Gaming, a company that Betsson acquired a few years ago, in 2020.

The expansion to Serbia further complements Betsson’s global growth. In fact, it helps expand the company’s presence in the Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (CEECA) region. CEECA has been identified for its potential, considering that it contributed 43% of Betsson’s revenue for the second quarter of this year.

Recently, the company strengthened its esports offering via a deal with BETER, the leading content and data provider, powering iGaming, betting and esports operators. The deal, announced late last month, was facilitated via BETBAZAR and saw Betsson improve its esports capabilities.

An Exciting Moment for Rizk

Ronni Hartvig, Betsson’s chief commercial officer, acknowledged that he was delighted to see the performance of Zecure Gaming in the last few years. Finally, he said: “They have revitalized the essence of the Rizk brand, rekindling its inherent fun and excitement, and expertly applied their knowledge to multiple markets. I look forward to seeing what they will manage to achieve in this new market.”

“Serbia is an exciting new market for our brand, Rizk. We’re eager to replicate our successes in other markets as we see tremendous potential and opportunities awaiting us there.“

Andrew Valenzia, commercial director of Zecure Gaming

Andrew Valenzia, the commercial director of Betsson’s subsidiary, Zecure Gaming, shared the excitement of Hartvig. He spoke about the potential of the market in Serbia for the Rizk brand. Moreover, Valenzia said that the company will leverage its extensive experience to help the brand seize new market opportunities and expand. “Our team’s dedication and hard work have been key drivers of our achievements, and we’re prepared to bring the same level of energy to Serbia,” he explained in conclusion.

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Finlandia Casino, the online casino brand that has become very popular on the Finnish market for the past ten years, has announced its rebranding to “Winlandia” as the company seeks to expand on multiple European markets.

Taking Europe by Storm

Finlandia Casino is regarded as one of the most respected brands on the Finnish online gaming market thanks to its impressive portfolio of slot games, table games and live casino titles, along with numerous payment options and enticing promotions and bonuses.

These strengths eventually attracted even players from other markets and that is why the company decided to change its brand to a more internationally-appealing one as it looks to expand into Europe.

Following the rebrand to “Winlandia”, the online casino has entered the Swedish market while three other major markets are lined up: Denmark, Norway and the United Kingdom. The online casino states that it wants to stand out from other brands by offering a tailored player experience, delivered with a Nordic twist.

Winlandia has a wide range of games in its offering, with its portfolio surpassing 5,500 titles from all the big developers in the world. However, the online casino also includes games from smaller providers which offer fresh and innovative titles.

The operator also announced that it intends to be among the first to apply for a license once Finland finally decides to dissolve the gambling monopoly and allow private operators to compete on the market in the coming years. Moreover, Winlandia announced that it intends to reach other continents as it will attempt to expand into Canada and New Zealand as well.

Hugely Passionate About Online Casino

Christoffer Grönlund, Head of Acquisitions & PR at Winlandia, was the one that announced the expansion plans, confirming that the online casino brand is looking to expand further into Europe and beyond.

“The team behind Winlandia is hugely passionate about online casino and delivering the absolute best experience to our players,” Christoffer Grönlund added, underlining that the company has a “very experienced” team with over 15 years of work in the iGaming industry.

“We have some incredibly exciting plans in the works and look forward to more players than ever before being able to enjoy what Winlandia has to offer,” the Winlandia executive concluded.

Source: “Finlandia Casino Rebrands to Winlandia and Goes Global“, BusinessWire. August 31, 2023.

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The leading online casino solutions and content provider, 7777 gaming, continues to expand its global footprint after going live with another operator. The company confirmed it has gone live with the leading betting and gaming operator in Montenegro, SBbet. Currently, SBbet is among the top 3 gaming operators in the country and has been operating for nearly three decades since its initial launch dating back to 1997.

The company has a strong presence within the land-based gambling vertical, with betting shops all around Montenegro. Additionally, SBbet has a strong online gambling presence, delivering thrilling virtual sports, live casino, casino and sports games.

7777 gaming had previously secured certification from the Bulgarian Institute of Metrology (BIM) for more than 100 of its thrilling games. This means that those games are now ready to be deployed for the regulated online gambling market in Montenegro. Going live with SBbet enables the leading provider of games to reach new players, delivering its engaging and unique portfolio of games.

Earlier this year, at ICE London, one of the most important events for the gambling sector, SBbet won promotion from 7777 gaming’s HIT THE DEAL Bonus Wheel. That incentive ultimately helped ignite the collaboration between the duo.

7777 gaming’s titles going live with SBbet will bring unique games to the operator’s growing customer base. As a result, players will be able to enjoy popular hit titles such as Cash 100, Fortunes of Rome, Jinn, Greenhat’s Jackpot, as well as Sea of Treasures. What’s more, SBbet’s customers will be able to access the iGaming developer’s innovative releases, Zeus Quest and Club Mr Luck, among other thrilling games.

Recently, 7777 gaming teamed up with Kaizen Gaming, introducing games for its Betano Bulgaria brand.

The Collaboration Brings Excitement to SBbet, 7777 gaming

Marko Boskovic, SBbet’s head of online gaming, explained that as one of the leading operators within the regulated gambling market in Montenegro, the company focuses on delivering unique experiences for its growing customer base. He added: “We found in 7777 gaming a trusted partner with a bright vision for what the new generation of casino players needs and requires – a fun, entertaining, and unique experience.” Finally, Boskovic predicted that the collaboration will bring success for the two companies.

“We’re looking forward to working together, and with the support of their community, we believe this partnership will be very successful.“

Asya Raykova, account manager at 7777 gaming

Asya Raykova, 7777 gaming’s account manager, shared the excitement of SBbet’s head of online gaming. She recognized the leadership position the betting and gaming company holds in the country. Moreover, Raykova explained that 7777 gaming sees the potential and the importance of the market in Montenegro. Last but not least, she said that the company is looking forward to the success the new agreement will bring.

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