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.
One of the declared main objectives of any gambling licence system is to encourage as many users as possible to use precisely those casinos, betting providers, lotteries, etc. that are licensed in the respective country. The so-called channelling rate, which shows how high this proportion is, is therefore one of the most important indicators of the success or failure of a regulatory project. This is also the case in the Netherlands, where new figures have recently been published showing that more than a respectable 87 per cent of players gamble legally.
US gambling companies are known for making a grand entrance - especially when they come from Las Vegas. BetMGM, a digital bookmaker and online casino whose platform belongs to the legendary MGM Resorts International with dozens of entertainment hotels in the USA and worldwide, is undoubtedly a prime example of this genre. For some time now, the company has also been focussing on European markets. The brand recently went live in Sweden with a wide range of innovative offers. But that is not the end of the story. In fact, the company is also active in Germany in a slightly different form.
Whether online or offline - the Irish like to gamble a lot. This makes it all the more astonishing that the island's gambling laws are inadequate and outdated in many respects. The last comprehensive revision actually took place in 1956, and a new direction has been debated for years, which should then also include digital offerings. Now it seems that the time has finally come: In mid-October, the Gambling Regulation Bill was passed by the lower house of the Irish parliament Dáil Éireann and is set to come into force in 2024. The regulations are among the strictest in Europe.
In hardly any other country are so many people affected by gambling addiction as in Australia. The aim now is to fight the new ‘widespread disease’ and work on the gambling behaviour of Australians. But how precarious is the situation with problem gambling behaviour in the faraway Down Under?
The English Premier League is undoubtedly one of the best and most economically attractive soccer leagues in the world: the clubs and their stars are known around the globe and offer huge advertising potential for companies. Sponsorships are correspondingly lucrative. Gambling companies in particular have often benefited from the huge reach and positive appeal. However, as such companies will no longer be allowed to act as main sponsors in the Premier League from the start of the 2026/27 season, many clubs have had to look for alternatives, which they have obviously found in the crypto industry.
Norway is one of the few countries in Europe that still has a state monopoly on gambling. Regulation is enforced very restrictively and with all possible force. This includes network blocks, payment blocking, strict control of possible winnings and other measures. The Norwegian supervisory authority Lotteritilsynet and the governing party still consider the system to be the best and safest solution. However, industry representatives, players, experts and politicians in the country are increasingly calling for the market to be opened up.
In Switzerland, it is possible to do what we have been talking about for some time but have not yet practised: The responsible gambling authority there keeps illegal online casinos off the market with the help of network blocking or IP blocking technologies. However, as Thomas Fritschi, Head of the Secretariat of the Federal Gaming Board, recently told Swiss Radio and Television (SRF), the process is quite complex. Nevertheless, the blocking list now has almost 2,000 entries - and it continues to grow.
The gaming industry is fundamentally innovation-orientated and does try things out. However, it is still relatively rare for something completely new to be launched specifically for the gaming community. The platform called ‘YesOrNo’, which went live in France at the end of September, is once again a real novelty after a long time: it combines simple and user-generated bets that can be placed quickly by saying yes or no, with social media and community elements. ‘A mixture of TikTok and Tinder,’ says the provider itself in a promotional video.
In Germany, the deposit limit for online casinos and digital sports betting providers of 1,000 euros per month is a constant source of debate and a great deal of resentment: too low, too inflexible, too strict and ultimately a good reason to prefer illegal providers - according to critics. In contrast to our neighbors in Holland, however, we have comparatively much freedom for our gambling spending. Even stricter restrictions have been in place there since October 1.
Thailand is slowly but surely opening up to gambling, but there are still severe legal restrictions in place, which are among the strictest in East Asia. Thai boxer Sutthiwat, who is a real force to be reckoned with in the country, recently felt the full force of this fact. He was arrested for apparently wilfully promoting illegal gambling offers via his social media accounts. Following a large-scale investigation, he is now facing a hefty fine. He could face large fines or even a prison sentence.
Gambling is regulated and access is restricted in all countries around the world. Specific age limits are enforced in particular to protect young people from the psychological and financial risks of such offers. The minimum age of 18 is standard in Europe. However, Belgium has raised the age to 21 - despite the fact that fewer and fewer young people seem to be gambling there. At the same time, many Belgians are not even aware of the age restriction. And what about the access age in other countries?
The Swedish state gambling organisation Svenska Spel is considered one of the most progressive institutions in the industry in the whole of Europe. Founded in 1997, it is also one of the oldest organisations that has been dealing with modern (online) forms of gambling and new sources of danger since the late 1990s. Over the years, it has made a name for itself with a very liberal stance and innovative prevention measures, among other things. In 2024, a special campaign is once again attracting a lot of attention: the latest campaign against match-fixing aims to educate very young people about the importance of fairness and honest competition in sport.
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?
Chris_W
Christian_1994