Dutch administrative appeals court upholds Staatsloterij-De Lotto merger
The Netherlands’ highest court for business and competition-related matters (College van beroep voor het bedrijfsleven) has rejected the appeal against the Dutch competition authority’s approval of the 2016 merger of the Dutch State Lottery and sports betting monopolist De Lotto.
The court found that the merger would be unlikely to lead to an unacceptable market concentration in the future regulated Dutch online gambling market, as alleged by online trade association Speel Verantwoord (currently: Nederlandse Online Gambling Associatie).
Nederlandse Online Gambling Associatie (NOGA) director Peter-Paul de Goeij expressed disappointment with the ruling and once again stressed the importance of a level playing field in a market that is currently still dominated by monopolies.
“NOGA calls on all stakeholders to jointly ensure a healthy, safe, and attractive gaming climate in the Netherlands; a market in which consumers have options that are truly safe and reliable,” De Goeij added.
Gaming in Germany webinar @ SiGMA | Sports betting chaos in Germany?
A growing number of reports out of Germany indicates that fresh sports betting licensees are confronted with impossible regulatory deadlines and other obstacles that may prevent them from complying with the new rules.
At present, it is not clear how this situation will play out, but we will be able to offer more information on the current situation and potential remedies during a Gaming in Germany webinar that will be broadcast on November 24 at 11:00 CET as part of the SiGMA Europe Virtual Expo.
Webinar panelists include Germany’s leading gaming lawyer Jörg Hofmann of Melchers Law Firm and Martin Lycka, Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling at GVC Group.
Register for the SiGMA Europe Virtual Expo here: https://bit.ly/329BZO4
Upcoming events
Events
Betting on Sports America, the largest dedicated sports betting trade show in the world, returns as a virtual event from 1 – 3 December.
The World Gaming Executive Summit will return as a virtual event 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.
SiGMA Europe has moved its November event to 16 – 18 February, 2021.
ICE London 2021 will now take place 29 June – July 1, 2021, with the co-located iGB Affiliate London taking place 1 – 2 July.
iGB Live 2021 has also been moved to 28 September – 1 October, 2021, but will still take place in Amsterdam!
Webinars
Join the iGaming Next Power Hour every Friday @3pm CET for a short, compact, educational and social weekly digital gathering with some of the brightest and most connected minds of the industry.
Netherlands Gambling Authority publishes draft framework for remote gaming system inspection
The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has published its draft framework for the inspection and certification of the gaming systems of future-licensed online operators.
Under the country’s Remote Gaming Act, all prospective licensees must undergo an inspection of their gaming systems, with the report submitted to the KSA, prior to receiving a license, as well as following each change to the gaming software.
Inspections will focus on three main areas: design, implementation, and operation.
Permitted inspection bodies must have been formally accredited to inspect online games of chance for at least two EU member states. They must also carry membership of the International Laboratory Accreditation Forum (ILAC) or the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).
Formal inspections will be able to begin when the Remote Gaming Act enters into force on March 1, 2021.
KSA to participate in GiH Webinar “Creating a compliant tech infrastructure”
More information on the Netherlands Gambling Authority’s new inspection regime will be available at the upcoming Gaming in Holland webinar “Creating a compliant infrastructure: Tech requirements for remote gaming in the Netherlands” on Wednesday, December 2, 14:00 CET.
Confirmed speakers include:
Geraldine Huijssoon, Head of Licensing, Netherlands Gambling Authority
Pieter de Boer, Advisor Inspections, Netherlands Gambling Authority
Frank Tolboom, partner at Kalff Katz & Franssen
Martin Prantner, CEO of Finnplay
Don’t miss it! Click here to register for free: https://bit.ly/3e2EE0B
Other news
The Netherlands Gambling Authority has extended its public consultation on the country’s responsible gaming rules that are to accompany the Remote Gaming Act until November 13.
After stepping down as chairman in March, Novamedia founder Boudewijn Poelmann will also depart from the board of the social enterprise from December 31, 2020.
Former problem gambler Feite Hofman discusses addiction, online gambling, and the corollary benefits of corona-related casino closings.
Malta-headquartered iGaming affiliate Acroud, formerly Net Gaming Europe, is progressing plans for growth in the US and Dutch markets in 2021 after posting “disappointing” double-digit drops in revenue and profit for the third quarter.
Pan-European lottery operator Sazka Group has secured an investment of €500m from investment managers Apollo Global.
Former Sky Betting & Gaming owner CVC Capital Partners and private equity firm Apax Partners have reportedly emerged as potential buyers of William Hill’s non-US assets.
The UK Gambling Commission is considering monthly loss limits of £100 as it grapples with the issue of affordability before the government’s review of the 2005 Gambling Act.
Flutter Entertainment has reported £1.33bn in total revenue for Q3 2020 on a pro forma basis, a 27% increase year-on-year.
Kindred Group has reported a revenue rise of 24% year-on-year for Q3 2020.
Sweden has launched a consultation into extending emergency Covid-19 gambling industry restrictions until the end of June 2021 in a major blow for operators.
Australian gambling giant Tabcorp has rejected reports that it could be subject to a private equity takeover bid.