A well-known German rapper recently reported that he had turned down a lucrative casino deal. According to the report, the artist was offered almost 60,000 euros per month by an online casino for a bit of live streaming. But which rapper is it and what are the reasons for the deal being turned down?
Gambling is an interesting and important field of research. Its prevalence and (potential) problems are regularly the subject of specific surveys. This is also the case in Switzerland, where a study was recently published according to which an impressive 67 per cent of citizens have already used such services in their lives. In terms of the exact year of the study, the figure is slightly lower, but still considerably higher than the comparable figure in Germany. The trends for dangerous gambling behaviour are similar in both countries - despite different approaches to player protection.
The digital world is having an increasing impact on all of our lives. The fact that smartphones have become an indispensable everyday tool for most people is an impressive illustration of this development. Offline and online are becoming increasingly intertwined. This multidimensionality is also reflected in the OKTO.CASH payment method, which enables cash transactions for online gambling. The idea is not new, but has not been widespread in Germany to date. Interwetten recently introduced corresponding cash-to-digital payments.
Over the past few weeks, the headlines surrounding the famous singer Pietro Lombardi have been piling up. After an argument with his girlfriend Laura Maria Rypa, the police even had to be called and there were accusations of domestic violence. Now Lombardi spoke to “bild.de” about his passion for casino visits.
The social casino business seems crazy to many die-hard slot fans: you gamble, you can't win anything and yet it must be worthwhile for the operators somehow. It does indeed - and to a considerable extent, as insiders recently revealed to the international trade press. As part of a comprehensive report by a major industry portal, several people involved provided astonishing insights into turnover, values and player motivations.
In the past, we at GambleJoe have often reported critically on licensed online casinos in Germany. To put it mildly, our community also often sees some potential for optimisation in the gaming conditions of legal online providers. Today, however, we have specifically set out to look for arguments in favour of German online casinos.
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.
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?
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”.
With the State Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV) of 2021, a lot has changed in the gambling market in Germany: Although online casinos have finally become truly legal throughout Germany, players have to put up with a lot in return. One thing that upsets many: No classic casino games such as roulette or blackjack are available online from private developers, although the GlüStV allows them in principle. This has now come to an end, at least in Schleswig-Holstein. After an approval phase lasting several years, the relevant games were approved for four providers in mid-September 2024.
A few weeks ago, the two online casinos BingBong and JackpotPiraten announced the introduction of a premium membership. With both providers, gamblers will be able to choose from three different membership options. Players will have to take out a subscription and pay money each month. But what are the practical benefits of premium membership and how much will it cost?
The end of the European Football Championship was barely more than a month ago. The tournament and its aftermath seem to have flown by in a frenzy. Football fans and players have long since immersed their minds in the new seasons at club level. Despite Germany's elimination in the quarter-finals against Spain, the European Championship is generally regarded as a success - both for the national team and the country. In addition to the Spaniards, who ultimately won the title, the companies involved in the event also benefited: Above all, it was extremely lucrative for the sports betting providers of this world. As a study reveals, they realised over 30 billion euros!
Casinos are considered real classics and offer upscale casino entertainment, gaming arcades can be found in almost every major city or even in the countryside in a wide network - and online gambling has virtually no limits. In addition, another apparently lucrative market has been emerging for some time now: music festivals.
The state gambling monopoly is now set to disappear from the next EU member state. Just a fortnight ago, the Finnish government announced that the gambling monopoly is to expire at the end of 2026. But what goals are politicians in Finland pursuing with this and are they perhaps even taking Germany as a role model?
The Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV) is the central legal instrument for regulating gambling in Germany. However, the legislation is regularly criticised by players, authorities, politicians, lawyers and industry associations. The Greens also recently addressed the issue at their annual conference at the end of June 2024. In a position paper, the party calls for some significant changes to advertising, limits, OASIS, a designated blacklist and more.