The gambling market in the Netherlands is strictly regulated, but also very successful. The channeling rate appears to be excellent - and the authorities regularly make headlines for their strict approach to illegal activities in the country. The latter was recently the case again when the local gambling supervisory authority threatened two offshore operators with fines of 280,000 euros per week.
Gambling is fun and can be very lucrative. On the other hand, it harbors considerable dangers, at the top of which is gambling addiction. Such a disorder is accompanied by various, often serious social conflicts. Treatment is complex and expensive. This is why the British government recently decided on a social tax for all gambling, which is intended to generate 100 million pounds annually. Would this also be an option for Germany?
Of course, violations of gambling laws are not only a problem in Germany. Various offenses are also committed in other European countries. The penalties can be enormous, depending on the offense, but usually no amounts are disclosed. In Spain, however, the responsible ministry regularly publishes specific figures. The report for the first half of 2024 is truly impressive: unlicensed providers in particular had to pay several million euros in compensation.
Now the time has come: after a long back and forth, the first official licenses for sports betting were activated in Brazil on 1 January 2025. A whopping 71 licenses were issued. The big players in the industry are positioning themselves for one of the strongest markets in South America and worldwide. International experts and the trade press are expecting an exciting battle for the top spots. Who will get the biggest slice of the cake?
Gambling is one of the most popular leisure activities in the Southeast Asian country of Singapore. Last year alone, people in Singapore spent the equivalent of over 12 billion euros on casino visits, sports betting, horse racing and lotteries. And this despite the fact that Singapore only has around 5.5 million inhabitants. So does the population of Singapore have a gambling problem?
Recently, the multi-state EuroMillions lottery recorded a fabulous win of 177 million British pounds - the equivalent of around 212 million euros - for a ticket from England. This is the third largest jackpot ever to go to Great Britain. However, the allocation proved difficult due to a particular error. It took several days to find the lucky winner.
The Philippines are known for their beautiful beaches, fascinating underwater worlds, warm hospitality and rich culture. However, it also has a reputation for being a veritable Mecca for offshore gambling providers. Countless companies that market online casinos and digital sports betting internationally - with or without a licence - are based there. The government now wants to put a stop to this by banning Philippine offshore gaming operators. This is a blatant break with previous policy, but there is a catch.
Turkish police have launched an investigation into at least 20 suspects for promoting illegal gambling by publicly advertising sports betting and casino websites. But what punishment can the influencers in Turkey expect if they are convicted of illegal gambling advertising?
Bulgaria has had a strict ban on gambling advertising for some time now. Since then, the operators of online casinos have been complaining about a significant drop in revenue. But can a strict ban on gambling advertising alone be responsible for the fact that the revenue of an entire industry is significantly lower?
Gambling often involves extremely tempting sums of money. Crooks are always thinking of ways to trick the system in order to boost the luck factor. In one particularly brazen case that just happened in Italy, fraudsters tried to collect a whopping 10 million euros with a fake scratch card. However, their attempt was so clumsy that it didn't take long for them to be exposed.
Gambling sponsorship is a perennial topic of controversy across Europe. Nevertheless, comparatively little happens - and the relevant regulations often appear to be inadequate or have loopholes. In the Netherlands, where strict advertising guidelines apply anyway, a meticulous approach by the local gambling authority now stands out. Several providers were warned for violating the applicable sponsorship regulations.
Around half of Belgian males up to the age of 21 have already played in an illegal online casino. This is the result of a recent study by the Belgian gambling association BAGO. But why is it that so many young Belgians resort to illegal gambling and what consequences are now planned based on the new findings?
In China, members of the military were recently officially warned against participating in online gambling. Online gambling is strictly prohibited in the People's Republic, which has a population of around 1.4 billion. Nevertheless, illegal gambling providers are constantly vying for the favour of Chinese players. But why does the military now have to warn its own soldiers about online casinos?
In France, there have recently been clear signals pointing towards the legalisation of online casinos in the near future. However, the responsible budget minister announced a few weeks ago that the amendment to the 2025 draft budget has been withdrawn. This included the legalisation of online casinos. But what are the reasons why France is now distancing itself from liberalisation again?
Gambling has traditionally not been easy in the Arab world. Although they are popular in society, they are considered taboo under Islamic law. The United Arab Emirates has been positioning itself as a pioneer with a new, more pragmatic and business-orientated approach to this sensitive issue for several years now. In the summer of this year, the local regulatory authority finally granted a lottery licence to a local company. Another milestone followed at the end of October: Aristocrat Gaming became the first legal slot and gaming technology provider in the country to be granted a licence.
Chris_W
Christian_1994