A recent analysis of the financial data of Svenska Spel, the state-owned company operating in the regulated gambling market in Sweden, reveals a notable progress in its commitment to responsible gambling.

During the second quarter of 2024, 93.2% of the company's total revenues originated from players who exhibited healthy gambling patterns, representing an increase of 1% compared to the previous quarter. This increase is the result of a comprehensive strategy that combines the reinforcement of consumer protection measures, the implementation of advanced technology and collaboration with responsible gambling experts.

Svenska Spel has implemented a series of measures designed to identify and mitigate the risks associated with problematic gambling, such as automatic deposit limits, self-exclusion tools and awareness campaigns.

In parallel, the company has invested in data analysis tools such as Playscan, which allow monitoring of users' gambling patterns in real time and detecting early warning signs. In addition, Svenska Spel has established partnerships with responsible gaming experts and mental health organizations to develop prevention and treatment programmes.

Commenting on these results, Anna Johnson, President and CEO of Svenska Spel, said: "This achievement demonstrates our continued commitment to creating a safe and responsible gaming environment. By prioritising the wellbeing of our players, we are contributing to building a more sustainable and ethical gaming industry."

Two influencers have been forced to remove a YouTube video advert promoting an illegal gambling operator following pressure from the Netherlands’ Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA).

The unnamed Dutch pair produced the video ad marketing the illegal website themselves. According to the gambling regulator, the influencers told their audience they sometimes played games on the illegal site. Under Dutch regulations, it is unlawful to promote participation in illegal gambling.

The KSA has now selected 25 gambling sites to monitor

In a news release, the KSA said the pair initially blurred out the gambling operator’s logo in their ad after receiving a first warning but failed to cut the audio endorsing the gambling brand.

After the KSA’s second and final warning, however, the influencers deleted the video from YouTube. The Dutch regulator warned that if it finds another violation in the future, it can “still impose a penalty or fine.”

The KSA’s latest show of power came after it recently ordered the Sauber Formula 1 team to lose all material branding unlicensed betting platform Stake ahead of the Dutch F1 Grand Prix.

London is determined to strengthen its position as the epicentre of the gaming industry in Europe and is demonstrating this with the launch of the new London Casino & Gaming Expo (LCG), which will be held in January 2025, just before ICE Barcelona.

This strategic move seeks to attract the main players in the sector to the British capital, consolidating its relevance in the international exhibition calendar.

The event's ambassador, Nick Harding, pointed out that, in addition to the major gaming machine brands, the show will also focus on including suppliers of essential products and services for casinos, such as payment systems, security, signage and other ancillary services.

The show has received the support of Bacta, the organising association, and its European counterpart, Euromat, which brings together 18 gaming and entertainment trade associations from 12 European countries. Discussions are ongoing with other organisations in the sector to add their support to the LCG.

The London Casino & Gaming Show will take place at London’s ExCeL from 14-16 January 2025, and more companies are already expected to join this new event that seeks to consolidate London as the European capital of gaming before the big event in Barcelona.

In the second quarter of 2024, the online gaming and betting sector in Portugal saw a notable increase, with gross revenue reaching €261.8 million, representing an increase of 27.1% compared to the previous year. This growth is underlined by a notable increase in the number of Brazilian players, who now make up more than half of the foreign player base. The Special Tax on Online Gaming also showed a significant increase, reflecting an expanding and booming market.

The Special Tax on Online Gambling (IEJO) raised 76.7 million euros, an increase of 29.5% compared to the same period in 2023.

Bets volume growth between 2022-2023

Total graphic from 2020-2024

1. Gross Collection and Betting Volume The betting volume in sports betting at odds was 462.3 million euros, which represented an increase of 29.3% compared to the second quarter of 2023, although there was a decrease of 19.5% compared to the previous quarter.

On the other hand, the betting volume in games of chance reached 4,366.8 million euros, showing an increase of 34.7% compared to the period of the previous year.

2. Revenue by Game Category Sports Betting at Odds: Gross revenue was 103.3 million euros, representing an increase of 23.1% compared to the second quarter of 2023 and an increase of 2.8% compared to the previous quarter. Games of Chance: Gross revenue reached 158.5 million euros, with a growth of 29.9% compared to the same period of the previous year, although it experienced a slight decrease of 1.1% compared to the previous quarter.

3. Activity by Betting Type As for sports betting at odds, football was the type with the highest volume of bets, representing almost 70% of the total. Tennis bets accounted for 20% of the total, while basketball represented approximately 7%. In games of chance, slot machine bets represented 82.3% of the total, followed by French roulette with 6.5%.

4. Player Registration The total number of player registrations reached 4.4 million, representing an increase of 16.2% compared to the previous year. During the quarter, 287.6 thousand new players were registered and 256.9 thousand players excluded themselves from online gaming.

5. Nationality and Area of Residence 95.2% of registered players are Portuguese. Among foreign players, Brazilians account for 51.6%. The districts of Porto and Lisbon have the highest number of registered players, with 21.2% and 21.1% respectively.

6. Combating Illegal Gambling In the second quarter of 2024, 38 notifications were made for the closure of illegal operators and 93 websites were notified for blocking. In addition, 3 reports were made to the Public Prosecutor's Office for the opening of legal proceedings related to illegal gambling.

The Republic of Uzbekistan has issued a decree to launch a new gambling regime in 2025, ending the 17-year prohibition of all forms of gambling in the Central Asian nation.

Signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the government of Uzbekistan will adopt new measures to improve the “regulation of the organization and conduct of lotteries and risk-based games.”

From 1 January 2025, Uzbekistan aims to launch its new gambling regime, providing a framework to regulate “internet risk games” and sports betting.

President Mirziyoyev has designated the Prospective Projects National Agency (NAPP) as the department that will oversee the launch of the regime, tasked with monitoring all related market activities and license authorizations.

The regime will allow residents and non-residents over 18 to participate in licensed lotteries, internet games, and sports betting. In 2007, former President Islam Karimov signed an executive order banning all forms of gambling, including lotteries and totalizers.

However, as noted by CIS gambling consultancy 4H Agency, since 2019, the office of President Mirziyoyev has been developing plans to launch a gambling regime, ending Uzbekistan’s prohibition. A standalone sports betting regime was due to launch in 2021, which was authorized by a decree “to redevelop Uzbek football and sports.”

The plans were shelved when the government failed to determine which department would oversee the responsibilities to modernize Uzbekistan sports and athlete development programs. Following consecutive failures to launch a standalone sports betting regime, in 2021, Mirziyoyev ordered the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) to draft a comprehensive decree governing all forms of gambling.

During the ‘interim period,’ the government allowed Uzbek football and sports clubs to secure sponsorships with foreign betting companies, fulfilling a pledge of the 2021 Decree on modernizing sports. On tax, the decree details that from 2025 onwards, entities organizing gambling activities will be taxed at 4% of their revenue “after deducting paid winnings and refunded stakes.”

Meanwhile, for consumers, individual winnings from these activities will be exempt from income tax.