Various changes in favour of player protection and government revenue have been underway in the Dutch gambling market for some time, hanging over the industry like swords of Damocles. New advertising guidelines and stricter deposit limits are on the horizon. Finally, the gambling tax is to be raised to more than 37 per cent. In view of the very good channelling rate in Holland, the industry is becoming increasingly concerned. The tax increase in particular is seen by many as a kind of nail in the coffin for the successes to date. Even the concession of a gradual adjustment is of little help.
In the gambling metropolis of Macau, there are obviously more and more high rollers in the land-based casinos. Such financially strong players are particularly popular both in the local gaming facilities and in the online casinos, as they generate high turnover for the operators. But how many high rollers are there currently in Macau and when do they count as such?
The Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of the Interior recently announced that four gambling companies have been granted a licence to provide classic casino games in the state. It was foreseeable that it would not take long for this issue to spark a debate. Now the SPD, which is in opposition in Schleswig-Holstein, has voiced criticism of the licensing. The plan being pursued by the state government is cynical, the danger of a further increase in gambling addiction is being underestimated and it is primarily about tax revenue. The proposal: providers should contribute to therapy costs.
In Brake, Lower Saxony, the so-called amusement tax was recently increased by a quarter. Specifically, the tax on gaming machines is to be increased from 20
% to 25 %. The local amusement arcades are fuming and complaining that it is not possible to operate economically with such a high tax burden. In the end, the black market could benefit once again.
In recent weeks, amateur football in Germany has increasingly become the focus of media attention. The attention was triggered by a documentary on public TV channels, which showed that sports betting on such games is widespread and that those responsible in Germany often have no idea about it. The judiciary has so far kept a low profile. In the latest case, however, the DFB called in the Federal Criminal Police Office: up to 17 matches are said to have been manipulated for betting purposes.
The online casino Wildz is the new sponsor of FC Schalke 04, as the traditional club from Gelsenkirchen announced in a press release a few days ago. But what is the gambling provider paying for the partnership and what do Schalke fans think of the new sponsor?
A few days ago, an interesting documentary entitled ‘Tatort Eckkneipe: Auf den Spuren der Glücksspiel-Mafia’ was shown on NDR. The documentary, which lasts around 40 minutes, is about the suspected fraud involving millions in manipulated slot machines. The research by NDR/WDR/SZ provides insights into a world of its own.
Because a gambling provider is alleged to have fuelled a player's addiction, the player is now demanding absurdly high damages of USD 250 million. Such high claims are not uncommon in the United States. But how good are the gambling addict's chances of success and what other curious claims for damages for pain and suffering have been made in the USA so far?
Every poker fan has thought about what it would be like to be a professional, turn their hobby into a career and have the chance to win huge jackpots in international tournaments time and time again. But what does the everyday life of such a top player actually look like? How do they prepare for their matches? And what attitude is important? Bild asked German WSOP player Quirin Heinz these and other questions, providing an interesting insight into his life.
A topsy-turvy world in Norway: Because an online casino paid out too high a prize to a player, the operator has now been sentenced to a hefty fine. So should the online casino have refused to pay out to the player and been in a better financial position as a result?
With around 6 million inhabitants, Singapore is the most populous dwarf state in the world. The country is considered the most important financial centre in Asia and has an ‘AAA’ credit rating. Singapore is now restricting the use of cryptocurrencies in casinos in order to promote responsible gambling practices. The city state in Southeast Asia is considered progressive and modern.
After a long back and forth, the bill to legalise casinos in Brazil was finally approved this summer. Now the plans of investors and other stakeholders are entering the hot phase. According to recent studies, the gambling industry in Brazil could create several hundred thousand jobs. But is this figure really realistic?
Even in Germany, politics and gambling are often linked - especially in the context of the regulation of such services - which often causes discussion and excitement. However, a connection like that in Sweden, where the local Social Democratic Party actually runs its own lottery, is hardly conceivable in this country. In the Scandinavian kingdom, such businesses have also long been the subject of criticism. However, the debate is currently at an all-time high, with accusations of manipulation and even links to gang crime.
Basically, of course, you can place bets on just about anything. In addition to soccer, tennis, basketball etc., international bookmakers also like to include more unusual markets in their programs if they sense a certain level of public interest. A good example of this at the moment is the relationship status of US basketball player Angel Reese. The 22-year-old professional player is considered an up-and-coming star, has a lot of publicity and is currently single. This prompted US bookies to quickly provide odds for potential partners. A good reason for us to take another look at the craziest “sports bets”.
Thailand wants to massively increase its state revenue by legalising gambling. The state in Southeast Asia is planning additional tax revenue totalling several hundred million dollars. But how sensible are the plans in view of the high costs that can arise from problem gambling behaviour, for example?
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