Europe's gambling revenues surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2022
Europe’s gambling market revenue grew 23% year-on-year, driven by the post-pandemic reopening of casinos and betting shops, with total revenue stabilizing 8% above pre-pandemic levels, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) reports.
According to the ”European Online Gambling – Key Figures 2022” report – published in cooperation with H2 Gambling Capital – total GGR increased by 23% to €108.5bn in 2022, driven by a significant rebound in land-based gambling revenue following the reopening of casinos and betting shops. Land-based GGR remained down 6%, however, compared to 2019 revenues.
Online GGR reached €38.2bn in 2022, up 8% compared to 2021.
NOGA board reappoints De Goeij as Managing Director
The board of the Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA) has reappointed Peter-Paul de Goeij as the organization's managing director for another two-year term. Eric Konings will also remain associated with NOGA.
Remko de Boer, chairman of NOGA's board of directors said: "It is with great joy that, on behalf of the entire board and all NOGA members, I can confirm the reappointment of these two officers of our association. In the past two years, NOGA has transformed and grown, and I am pleased to say that NOGA has managed to build excellent relationships with all its stakeholders and industry peers. The commitment of both Eric and Peter-Paul has been crucial to our success.”
Upcoming events
ICE London 2023 will take place February 7-9, 2023. Meet us there on February 8 for the Gaming in Germany Breakfast and Gaming in Holland Lunch. Save the date!
The European Casino Awards, timed to coincide with ICE 2023, will be awarded on February 7, 2023, at The Grand Connaught Rooms, Covent Garden, London.
Don't miss the 2023 Gaming in Spain Conference on March 28, 2023, in Madrid. Confirmed speakers include both the current and former leadership of Spain's national regulator DGOJ. Save the date!
Dutch Council of State criticizes proposed untargeted gambling advertising ban
The Council of State, which advises the Dutch government on new legislation, has published its official advice on the proposed ban on all untargeted advertising for online gambling services.
Although the Council of State does not directly question the legal tenability of such a ban, it is severely critical of the specific proposals introduced by the government, which were hastily drawn up in response to political pressure from the Lower House.
“The criticism is not really directed at the restriction itself, but towards the underlying reasoning and explanations given,” says Dr. Alan Littler, gaming lawyer at Kalff Katz & Franssen. “In many instances the Council’s critique is that the explanatory memorandum is potentially confusing and will give rise to a lack of legal certainty. Thus, a first reading would suggest that the Council is telling the Ministry to ‘explain itself better’ rather than calling for a wholesale re-think of the ban.”
Some of the Council of State's criticisms, however, also touch upon the proportionality of the proposed ban. Bert Bakker, Managing Partner at consultancy firm Meines Holla & Partners: “The Council notes with a certain degree of astonishment that there is no clear and unequivocal quantitative evidence that substantiates the need for such far-reaching restrictions and the resulting curbs on the freedom of expression. Thus, the Minister is asked to do more in order to justify these restrictions.”
But even if the proportionality of the ban is further substantiated, the current proposal remains unsatisfactory. Bakker: “According to the Council of State, too much remains unclear. The Minister's texts do not provide sufficient clarity to operators and other market parties, and the Council believes that this must change. Not in a subsequent Ministerial Decree, but immediately, in the General Administrative Order and its accompanying explanatory memorandum.”
“It would be a miracle if the current proposals could enter into force before April 1,” Bakker concludes.
Other news
One Casino has signed a sponsorship agreement with Dutch football club MVV, which currently competes at the second professional level.
Maris Catania has stepped down from her position as Head of Responsible Gaming (RG) and Research at Kindred Group. Catania will be replaced in her former role by Esther Scheepers.
The Finnish government announced the launch of an investigation into ending its Veikkaus gambling monopoly.
The Swedish government has introduced a new law that requires payment providers to provide information in order to help facilitate payment blocking for unlicensed operators.
Continuing its acquisition spree, Allwyn has agreed to acquire Camelot's US-facing businesses.