Netherlands Gambling Authority rolls out market vision for future Dutch gaming market
The Netherlands Gambling Authority has published its view on the future structure of the regulated Dutch gambling market.
In its vision document, the Dutch regulator argues for the gradual abolishment of all current monopolies and state participations. This includes the (partial) lottery, land-based casino, and land-based betting monopolies.
Current regulatory exceptions for gaming machines located in catering facilities and on fairgrounds should be rescinded.
The current document is currently being publicly consulted. Stakeholders may react until August 20.
Spanish government proposes near blanket ban on gambling advertising
The Spanish government is set to ban welcome bonuses and gambling sponsorships as part of a revised draft Royal Decree on Gambling Advertising proposed by the country’s Minister of Consumer Affairs Alberto Garzón.
The new draft Royal Decree (full text available here) is an expanded version of the original February proposals. The main changes compared to the previous version are as follows.
Welcome bonuses are no longer permitted. Bonus offers may only be made to customers who have had an account for over one month and made a minimum of three deposits.
In addition to the previously proposed ban on stadium and league naming rights, shirt sponsorships by gambling operators will also no longer be permitted.
The previous exception for betting advertising around live broadcasts of sports events after 8pm has been eliminated. All broadcasted advertising by private gambling operators (on television, radio, and online) will now be limited to the 1am to 5am window.
However, the unequal treatment of the private industry compared to the (semi-)public operators Selea and ONCE could offer grounds for submitting a complaint to the European competition authorities, Spanish trade associations Jdigital and Cejuego both noted.
ICE 2021 postponed to April 20-22
Due to concerns over the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic ICE London’s traditional February dates have been pushed back to April 20-22, 2021.
“While the world is likely to be in a much better place in April 2021, I’m certain that we will experience more bumps in the road. However, I’m confident that with the on-going support of the ICE London and iGB Affiliate communities as well as the dedication of the Clarion Gaming team, we can navigate those challenges and deliver events that all sectors of the international industry want and need,” Kate Chambers, Managing Director of Clarion Gaming, wrote in an statement emailed to the wider gaming community.
Other events
The following events may be of interest to members of the GiH community:
Registration for the 2020 Gaming in Holland Conference, which will take place September 22 in Amsterdam, is now open.Netherlands Gambling Authority chairman René Jansen has agreed to be the conference’s keynote speaker. Learn of the latest developments before the Dutch regulated online market opens in 2021.While you are staying in Amsterdam, don’t miss iGB Live, September 22-25. One city, one trip, two events!
The 2020 Gaming in Germany Conference will take place on October 19, 2020 in Berlin – one day prior to iGB Berlin 2020. More details to follow soon. Save the date!
Don’t miss the 2020 Gaming in Spain Conference “Navigating new opportunities and restrictions in a mature market” on November 12 at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid. More details to follow soon!
Betting on Sports America, the largest dedicated sports betting trade show in the world, returns to Meadowlands, New Jersey from 1 – 3 December.
The World Gaming Executive Summit will return to Barcelona from 7 – 9 December. Key themes on the agenda include AI, the future of land-based gaming, CSR, sustainable marketing, regulation updates, fantasy sports, and emerging marketing opportunities.
Dutch sports betting monopolist TOTO agrees betting partnerships with 5 domestic premier league clubs
In anticipation of the future regulation of the Dutch online betting market, current Dutch sports betting monopolist TOTO has concluded betting partnership agreements with five clubs competing in the country’s “Eredivisie” premier league.
The deal will run for five years and will reportedly net the participating clubs – Willem II, FC Twente, FC Utrecht, Sparta, and ADO Den Haag – between €200,000 and €300,000 annually.
Additional details of the deal are expected to be published shortly.
Other news
The Ukrainian parliament has approved the legalization of online and land-based gambling in the country.
Swedish trade association BOS has demanded the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) clarifies its stance on “puzzling” deposit limit standards.
The spectacular rise in esports betting shows no signs of abating, even after the Covid-19 lockdown, according to the latest data published by the UK Gambling Commission.
Embattled Spanish operator Codere has shored up its financial position through the announcement of a financing agreement for €250m with existing bondholders.
The Athens-headquartered group behind the operators Stoiximan and Betano has rebranded as Kaizen Gaming.
Tipico has signed an agreement with omnichannel digital advertising services company Digilant for its launch in the US market.