Tag: Sports betting regulation

Envisioning a world beyond bonuses

With the industry’s most tried-and-tested incentives being curtailed by regulators across Europe, many operators are looking at new ways to attract and retain players. Among the alternative options being considered is free fantasy football, writes Jacob Kalms, CEO and co-founder of 20Shots.

Bonuses have long been one of the most relied-upon tools in online gambling operators’ armoury, and with good reason.

There’s no denying that bonuses are a proven way to both attract and retain players. But across Europe, rightly or wrongly, there seems to be a growing view among regulators that they might be working a bit too well for gambling companies and that this is to the detriment of players.

We’ve already seen countries such as Spain, Sweden and Denmark bring in restrictions on what bonuses operators can offer. France indicated last year that it intends to follow suit. The publication of the UK government’s Gambling Act review white paper, and now the Gambling Commission’s ongoing consult..

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Waterhouse VC: Ordem e progresso

In his latest column, Tom Waterhouse of Waterhouse VC analyses the burgeoning sports betting market in Brazil after the country's recent regulation.

“Order and Progress”– The national motto of Brazil, inscribed on the Brazilian flag.

The motto is an allegory for Brazil’s new reforms to regulate the country’s US$1.5bn (£1.23bn/€1.41bn) wagering industry.

With 214 million people and 217 indigenous languages in addition to Portuguese, Brazil is a large and complex market. It is also one of the largest online sports betting markets in the world, with 42.5 million unique users. Wagering operators are generating significant revenues in Brazil by leveraging influencer marketing and numerous sports sponsorship deals.

Brazil’s historic and forecasted wagering revenue across online casino, online lottery and online sports betting. Source: Statista

Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies recently passed a gambling regulation act. This act allows online gaming and omnichannel wagering, with operato..

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Sweden gambling regulator nets funding boost

Sweden’s gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, is set for a funding boost to ensure it meets Europe-wide commitments to counter match-fixing.

The government plans to increase Spelinspektionen’s (SGA) budget over the next three years. It is to receive SEK10.8m ($970K/€900K/£780K) in increased funding in 2024. It will then receive SEK15.6m in 2025 and SEK18.6m in 2026.

The grant will ensure Sweden meets the requirements of the Macolin Convention of the Council of Europe regarding the manipulation of results in sports, the government said.

The increased budget will also assist the body in restricting illegal gambling, with plans unveiled to work more closely with the Finansinspektionen financial supervisory authority.

The government intends to propose an increase in Finansinspektionen’s allocation by SEK4.5m starting in 2024. This cash will strengthen the authority’s cooperation with SGA in order to block payments to illegal gambling operations.

The proposals are based on an agreeme..

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Iowa athletes plead guilty to reduced charges

Five current or former Iowa State athletes have submitted guilty pleas to underage gambling as part of a state investigation into sports betting.

The pleas by quarterback Hunter Dekkers and offensive lineman Jake Remsburg, plus former players Dodge Sauser and Aaron Blom and ex-ISU baseball player Gehrig Christensen, were to reduced charges of underage gambling.

The original charge collectively dropped for the quintet – tampering with records – would have carried a maximum penalty of two years in prison. However, each athlete will now pay a $645 fine. None will face further criminal action.

Reduced charges

“The original records tampering charge against these young men never fit this case, either legally or factually,” attorney Mark Weinhardt, who represents Dekkers, Remsburg and Sauser, said in a statement.

“Hunter, Jake and Dodge are not and never were guilty of that charge. The charge has nothing to do with gambling. Other than the fact that Hunter, Jake and Dodge placed some bet..

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Episode 21: The next step for Brazil

On the 21st episode of the World Series of Politics, hosts Brandt Iden and Brendan Bussmann are joined by Neil Montgomery, founding and managing partner at Montgomery & Associados and Hugo Baungartner, VP for global markets at Aposta Ganha to take an intercontinental deep dive into Brazil.

But before heading over to LatAm, our hosts discuss the progress made in Florida since episode 20 was released.

In the weeks since, West Flagler filed an en banc rehearing. Instead of dismissing this petition, the court has asked the Seminoles for a response – which is due on 31 August.

With so much red tape, it’s assumed that sports betting in Florida will not come any time soon. However, the idea that it could launch during the upcoming NFL season is not out of the realms of possibility.

What’s on the cards for Brazil?

Meanwhile, in Brazil, Neil Montgomery says “anything’s possible”.

The country regulated sports betting in July, after president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the Provisional..

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Kentucky approves online and retail sports betting licences

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) has voted to approve sports betting licences for a number of online and retail operators, ahead of the state opening its legal market next month.

Temporary licences cover up to one year of operation in Kentucky, with holders to be continuously reviewed during the period. Licences were approved for sports wagering operators and service providers at a meeting yesterday (22 August).

Kentucky is due to launch regulated retail sports wagering on 7 September, with online to follow on 28 September. Pre-registration for online accounts will open next week.

The initial seven online operators that applied earlier this month all secured a service provider licence. Bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, Circa, DraftKings, FanDuel and Penn Sports Interactive all picked up licences.

Fanatics, which did not appear on the original list, was also approved to launch online sports betting in Kentucky. In addition, the KHRC issued a service provider licence to Kambi, alt..

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World Series of Politics takes on Florida sports betting in bumper 20th episode

It’s the 20th episode of the World Series of Politics: Brandt Iden, Brendan Bussmann and Robin Harrison are joined by two legal experts to pick through the Florida sports betting case in this special episode.

Florida’s sports betting market came to an abrupt halt just weeks after launch when a legal challenge blocked the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s updated compact with the state.

After two years of legal action the DC Circuit Court reversed the decision, paving the way for the Seminoles and Hard Rock Digital to relaunch. That may come as soon as this month.

Does Florida sports betting face further challenges?

But how deep does the ruling go? The case clears the way for a relaunch, but steers clear of ruling on whether the compact should have been permitted without a constitutional amendment. That issue goes back to the Florida courts to decide.

does the seminoles’ sports betting agreement need to be ratified by a state referendum?

What this ultimately means, and whether it gr..

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Illinois approves Hard Rock Casino sportsbook

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has approved the launch of a new sportsbook at the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford.

The authority granted 815 Entertainment – doing business as Hard Rock Casino Rockford – a sports wagering operator licence. Seminole Hard Rock Digital was also approved as a sports wagering management service provider.

The casino “must comply with IGB rules before offering in-person and online wagering”, the regulator said. It is understood that the casino is hoping to begin offering sports betting within the next two months.

Read the full story on iGB North America

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Philippoussis sanctioned for breaching tennis betting rules

Australian tennis coach Mark Philippoussis is being sanctioned after breaching the sport’s betting sponsorship rules.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) is fining Philippoussis $10,000 and handing him a suspended ban of four months.

He broke the rules by receiving payment for providing a voiceover to promotional content for a gaming operator.

Suspended ban

The ITIA said that the suspension will not come into force unless there is a further breach of the rules. The regulations are set out in the ITIA’s Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme.

The ITIA is an independent body established by the sport’s international governing bodies. The body focuses on safeguarding the integrity of professional tennis worldwide.

The former top-10 player on the men’s ATP tour did not contest the charge and cooperated fully.

“Covered person”

As an accredited coach, Philippoussis is considered a “covered person” under the rules. This means they are subject to the sport’s regulations around re..

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NFL suspends Broncos’ Eyioma Uwazurike for betting violations

The National Football League (NFL) has indefinitely suspended Denver Broncos player Eyioma Uwazurike for betting violations.

The NFL confirmed the move in a statement, outlining that Uwazurike had been betting on NFL games during the 2022 season.

However, it was not confirmed which games he was betting on. It was also not confirmed whether his own team took part in these games.

Read the full story on iGB North America

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Episode 19: Looking at Ontario’s legal gaming market with Paul Burns

Brendan Bussmann and Brandt Iden dive headfirst into Canada’s only open betting and gaming market with Paul Burns of the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) in episode 19 of the World Series of Politics.

Paul shares his thoughts on the early stages of Ontario’s regulated market, pointing out that a strong channelisation rate suggests the Canadian province is making a successful leap from a grey to white market.

This, he explains, has levelled the field when it comes to advertising. That hasn’t prevented the naysayers from massing, however.

One of the opposition parties in the Ontario parliament has put forward a bill to ban gambling advertising – even though gaming only accounts for 3% of total ads shown in the country.

Listen to the World Series of Politics on Apple Podcasts

Looking forward, Burns assesses the future of Canadian gaming, examining the potential of sports betting and igaming in Ontario and beyond. With a foundation of responsible gaming standards and a commitment ..

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Ohio’s sports betting tax rate doubles to 20%

Ohio governor, Mike DeWine, has raised the state’s sports betting tax rate to 20% in his 2024-25 executive budget.

This means that all licensed sports betting operators in the state will have to pay double the initial agreed tax of 10% on sports betting revenue from 2024 onward.

DeWine is set to sign the raise into the budget this week.

Read the full story on iGB North America

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