In a recent vote, Vancouver’s ABC party has decided to change the city’s strict moratorium on gambling expansions. The amendment was passed despite opposition from health officials and calls for more public consultation.

ABC Councilors Approve Increase in Casino Slot Machines

The recent ruling allows new applications from the B.C. Lottery Corporation (BCLC), which can increase the number of slot machines and gaming tables at existing venues such as the Parq Casino and Hastings Racecourseb, reported CTV News Vancouver. However, the amendment does not allow the construction of new casinos.

ABC councilors Mike Klassen, Lisa Dominato, Rebecca Bligh, Peter Meiszner, and Lenny Zhou voted in favor of the staff recommendation to relax the restrictions on gambling.

Peter Meiszner noted that the proposal is very modest. He underscored that it just allows the addition of machines within the currently operating casinos and not expanding or building new facilities.

Still, the decision was not passed with a unanimous vote. ABC councilor Sarah Kirby-Yung opposed the proposal citing significant reservations. She noted that according to the staff report, which was initiated by the BCLC, an increase of $5 million is expected in Vancouver’s annual gambling revenue. 

Kirby-Yung further argued that these financial projections unveil that the proposal has far more significance than it appears to, which in turn means that there will be a considerable increase in gambling activities in the city.

Health Officer Warns of Gambling Risks as Council Approves Expansion

Dr. Mark Lysyshyn, Vancouver’s medical health officer, was also among the people who strongly opposed the amendment due to concerns about increased harm.  He highlighted that gambling disorders can lead to severe problems such as stress, anxiety, depression, and financial difficulties. 

Dr. Lysyshyn also reminded lawmakers that gambling addiction is recognized as a mental illness. He emphasized that even a small percentage of gamblers developing addictions could have far-reaching negative effects on families and communities.

OneCity Coun. Christine Boyle and Green councilors Adriane Carr and Pete Fry also voted against the proposal. Fry expressed criticism as there was no comprehensive public consultation and questioned whether the amendment of the 2011 moratorium was legal. 

On the other hand, Adriane Carr called for more extensive public engagement, noting that the original moratorium followed eight days and nights of public hearings.

BCLC representative Lara Gerrits defended the proposal saying that expansion is necessary. She pointed out that the city’s population has grown by 20% since the moratorium was put in place. She noted that the current gambling facilities often reach capacity, especially after major events. Gerrits also mentioned that 67% of gambling spending by Vancouver residents currently goes to other Lower Mainland facilities.The amended moratorium allows the council to assess each application individually, with input from Vancouver Coastal Health and the Vancouver Police Department. The police reported no specific concerns about the amendment during the council meeting.

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Romania’s parliament has voted in favor of a series of strict gambling restrictions on the sector, marking an important shift in the regulatory landscape. 

The list of regulations includes a ban on slot machines as well as the shutdown of gambling halls in smaller settlements with a population under 15,000 people.

The new decisions that have already been enacted have sparked a lot of controversy while also attracting praise from anti-gambling supporters. 

Uncommon Display of Unity 

The enactment of the new measures follows months of dormancy for the country’s proposed gambling law, which all of a sudden found itself thrown into the spotlight, quickly passing through all parliamentary committees and receiving the unanimous seal of approval from all political parties. 

This was quite an uncommon display of unity shown by Romania’s political area. 

The measures received 243 votes in favor, two against, and four abstained. 

Despite the bill’s unanimous support, the opposition has already raised concerns over the possible collusion between representatives of the gambling sector and government officials. 

More accountability and transparency are required as a result of accusations regarding undue influence and backroom deals, which have cast a shadow over the entire legislative process. 

Commercial Premises Require Town Hall Certificates 

According to the fresh legislation, to be allowed to operate slot machine games, commercial venues need to be located in administrative-territorial units that count a population that does not go over 15,000 inhabitants, as per a certificate released by their town halls. 

The law also states that it is prohibited to provide, directly or indirectly, gambling-related services to unauthorized entities and specific technical measures to prevent illegal access to online gambling.

The same regulation requires the National Gaming Office (ONJN) to create and maintain an online public register containing a list of all licensed operators in the country. 

The register must receive updates daily. The new measures that require a technical implementation will be detailed in an order of the ONJN president, which will be issued within 90 days of the time the ordinance will come into effect. 

The same measure also forbids operators from providing direct and indirect associated gambling services to unauthorized entities as well as a series of technical measures that would prevent illegal access to online gambling. 

Last week, the country’s government sparked debate with the freshest appointment of celebrity hairdresser Cristian-Gabriel Pascu as the vice president of the National Gambling Office.

Last October, Romania announced its plans for higher fees and stricter demands for operators.

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Michigan is joining the growing list of states taking steps to restrict fantasy pick’em games, a form of daily fantasy sports (DFS) that has come under scrutiny for its resemblance to sports betting. Despite rising concerns, the sector enjoys unprecedented growth and should be flexible enough to accommodate changing regulations.

Pick’em Games Resemble Sports Wagering Prop Bets

Unlike traditional DFS offerings, pick’em-style games focus on predicting player statistics. The objective is to choose whether an individual’s performance will go over or under a specific stat line, similar to a prop bet in a traditional sportsbook. The nature of the contest structure and prize pool means such games fall within the legal definition of fantasy sports.

Pick’em-style games’ unclear legal status means many view them as a form of unregulated sports betting. Last month, the Florida Gaming Control Commission sent cease-and-desist letters to several fantasy operators offering such products, citing concerns that these games mimic mobile sports wagering. The New York State Gaming Commission similarly adopted rules banning pick’em-style games offered by companies like Underdog, PrizePicks, and Betr.

Michigan Joins Florida and New York with Proposed Restrictions

Michigan is the latest state to join the rising discontent against pick’em-style games. Michigan’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) accepted new rules proposed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board to prohibit such offerings within its jurisdiction. The JCAR approved the rules without holding a formal meeting, signaling the state’s intent to restrict these contests.

The new rules should soon be filed with the Secretary of State’s office, paving the way for future implementation. While fantasy stakeholders have expressed frustration over this development, arguing that these games are legal forms of fantasy sports, the regulatory debate continues. This decision will undoubtedly impact their regional operations, but companies should be able to adapt and adjust their offerings.

Stakeholders Banded Together to Oppose the Decision

The Coalition of Fantasy Sports, representing companies like PrizePicks, Sleeper, and Underdog, expressed disappointment at Michigan’s decision. It vowed to work with regulators and policymakers to offer innovative fantasy sports products that align with customer preferences. Operators have also secured the support of State Senator Jim Runestad, who vowed to advocate for Michiganders’ ability to play pick’em-style fantasy games.

I pledge to work with the gaming commission and other lawmakers to restore access to the legal fantasy sports games that have just been stripped away from Michiganders.

Jim Runestad, Michigan State Senator

Michigan’s move to restrict pick’em-style fantasy games adds to the ongoing debate about the classification of these contests and their compliance with existing gambling regulations. Despite more states taking a stance against these offerings, the industry retains impressive momentum, with high-profile sportsbooks launching new offerings. The outcome of this ongoing debate will likely have implications for the future of pick’em-style contests in the DFS landscape, forcing stakeholders to remain flexible.

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On Wednesday, Twitch confirmed that its ban on live streams featuring gambling content had been expanded. The company prohibited streams featuring online casinos Blaze and Gamdom, adding to the websites that were banned in October when the company’s new gambling policy was first introduced.

Twitch Toughens Gambling Policies

Twitch had to act when a scandal broke out last year that a streamer had allegedly scammed viewers out of thousands of dollars because of gambling addiction. This triggered a wave of discontent amongst viewers and the platform’s top streamers who decried the proliferation of gambling content that went unchecked.

Twitch responded by shutting down any streams that promoted websites that were not licensed in the United States, or other jurisdictions, and are therefore not fit to provide sufficient consumer protection. Both Blaze and Gamdom do not hold a license in the United States.

Twitch said that the company was looking to address what it described as “predatory behavior,” and added that it’s determined to continue working against websites that are not meeting its guidance and policies in full. At the same time, the company said that it has been able to reduce 75% of all gambling viewership since the implementation of the new policy.

However, the company noted that there have been some new trends emerging as streamers trying to stick around and still push gambling content have been coming up with new strategies. To respond to this, Twitch has introduced new rules to further protect consumers.

Twitch Adds to List of Prohibited Websites

Twitch presently prohibits links to websites that are considered “questionable” to be shared with others. Apart from Gamdom and Blaze, Twitch prohibits streaming and sharing links to Roobet, Duelbits, Rollbit, and Stake.com.

Twitch’s decision to turn its back on gambling streams has led to the creation of Kick, a platform that some streamers have described as “on-point.” Kick has been splitting up its revenue 95-5 with content creators, putting it well ahead of its Amazon-owned counterpart.

Kick recently became an official sponsor of Everton FC, establishing its brand awareness with millions of soccer fans. The platform has been able to secure partnerships with some of Twitch’s biggest stars, including xQc, who signed a $100 million deal in June.

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Deals between professional sports organizations and gambling companies help bring valuable proceeds for the clubs, allowing them to continue to grow. Yet amid concerns about an increase in sports betting activities and consequently risky or problem gambling behavior, many countries around Europe are strengthening their regulations. This applies not only to gambling sponsorships but external advertising and Belgium is one of the countries that is set to implement new strict rules.

Last year, Vincent Van Quickenborne, Belgium’s Minister of Justice, proposed changes related to the promotion of gambling activities. The proposed changes called for a strict ban on gambling advertising that seeks to curb problem gambling and at the same time reduce the exposure of such products. The proposed changes immediately captured the attention of the regulated gambling sector, as well as sports organizations that filed lawsuits with 11 courts, urging against the nationwide ban on gambling advertising and tough new restrictions.

Now, it seems that those efforts were in vain, at least for the moment, considering that the lawsuits were dismissed, clearing the path for the new regulations to come into effect starting from July 1, 2023, a report released by Het Nieuwsblad reveals. Van Quickenborne commented on the topic pointing out: “Hopefully this will put an end to all attempts at lobbying and legal sabotage from the gambling sector and sectors that are addicted to gambling money.”

Tough Restrictions Come Into Effect in July

The new restrictions would significantly limit the options for gambling advertising in Belgium. Starting from July 1, gambling ads will not be allowed to air on TV, at cinemas or via radio or social media.

The rules ban gambling advertisements from websites, as well as newspapers and magazines. Gambling ads will not be able to appear in public places in the form of banners, posters or stickers. Any printed gambling advertising will also be prohibited while customizable ads distributed via post, online messaging services, social media or emails will be prohibited.

Per the new regulations, owners of businesses such as casinos are allowed to place the name and logo at the front of the venue. Advertisements would be permitted to appear on the inside of betting venues and casinos.

The tough new restrictions echo the changes planned in Belgium’s neighbor, the Netherlands. Similar to Belgium, the company plans to introduce a ban on gambling advertising starting from July 1 but featuring even more restrictions.

It is clear that betting and gaming companies in Belgium are not happy with the upcoming changes to gambling advertising. Sports organizations are similarly concerned, especially football clubs that have established deals with gambling operators. While further appeals and court cases aren’t impossible, it is likely such legal actions to take place after the ban is already enforced.

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The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the single industry body of the gaming and betting industry in the UK, released data from a new study that probed what may be the possible outcome of tight restrictions for the gambling market in the country.

The study, organized by YouGov for the BGC, uncovered that 79% of the gamblers feared that enhanced restrictions may result in people switching to unregulated, black-market gambling operators. Some 70% of the participants in the new study admitted that if they encounter a request for sharing “private financial documents” as a requirement to place a wager, they are likely to select a different bookmaker.

The Council reiterated data from a previous survey from RacingTV which uncovered that 15% out of 3,500 gamblers admitted that they knew someone who uses an unregulated online gambling company. The same study found that some 80% of the respondents disputed mandatory spending limits imposed by bookmakers.

Non-intrusive Gambling Checks Are Needed

BGC’s CEO, Michael Dugher, explained that the recent research by YouGov once again raises the concern that the proposed changes to the regulated gambling sector are pushed forward by people who haven’t wagered. At the same time, he said that the BGC supports “genuinely non-intrusive checks, which use technology to carefully target and protect the tiny minority of vulnerable punters.”

“This research is the latest in a series outlining the genuine concerns of millions of ordinary punters who feel that the people making decisions about the future of betting are out of touch and have never had a bet in their lives.“

Michael Dugher, CEO of the BGC

Dugher also acknowledged that blanket affordability checks and intrusive restrictions for the sector are likely to face fierce rejection by gamblers. Moreover, he warned that such efforts may even push gamblers to the unregulated, black-market operators that do not offer any safe gambling tools and do not pay taxes or support the economy.

“Ministers should listen to the millions of punters enjoying Cheltenham rather than pander to a naive and snobbish minority of anti-gambling prohibitionists,“

added Dougher

Data from the latest study emerged ahead of the biggest horseracing week, the Cheltenham Festival. Starting next week, the Festival is expected to see 280,000 attendees and generate some £274 million ($329.4 million) for the local economy. Keeping in mind the popularity of the event, during the four days of racing, some £1 billion ($1.2 billion) is expected to be wagered.

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