In the Netherlands, there is market freedom for online gambling, while land-based casinos are subject to a state monopoly. However, this could soon be over, as Teun Struycken, Minister for Legal Protection, recently stated that the government is working on updating the current regulations and plans to submit them to the House of Representatives in March 2025. Lifting the casino monopoly would be a big deal.
Gambling providers repeatedly come into conflict with regulations - usually not deliberately, but rather by mistake. This is probably also the case with the current case involving the bwin operator Entain. As announced by the Australian authority for combating serious abuse of the local financial system, legal proceedings have been initiated against the group. The accusation of "breaches of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act" sounds pretty awesome at first. Let's take a look at what's behind it.
In spring 2025, Vienna's Addiction and Drug Coordination will probably have a new "weapon" at its disposal to investigate violations of gambling regulations: A new law, should make it possible in future to smuggle young people into gambling halls as undercover test subjects, for example. Can it really be legal to use minors for such investigations? It is also interesting to note that the Vienna Youth Protection Act apparently only contains an inadequate ban on young people participating in games of chance.
Even the big players in the gambling industry are occasionally in need of an explanation due to unauthorized actions. This is currently the case in Sweden, where judges recently imposed fines of up to 30 million crowns on Mr Green, Spooniker and ComeOn! The sums were originally even higher. The proceedings lasted several years. Why is it taking so long?
Turnover in Liechtenstein casinos has plummeted since the start of the new year. According to industry information, revenue has fallen by up to 85% since January 7, 2025. But what is the reason for the sudden slump in revenue and what does this mean for the future of casinos in Liechtenstein?
The Antepay case describes far more than just a simple violation of Swiss gambling laws. Journalists and investigators have uncovered an impressive network centered around a prepaid payment service and various illegal (online) gambling venues. Four of those behind the operation were recently sentenced to several years in prison and an incredible fine of 171 million Swiss francs. They are said to have made no less than 324 million francs from their activities.
Organized crime and gambling - a never-ending story. In the case of the Austrian "Kajot" gang, which is said to have operated illegal slot machines on a grand scale over a long period of time, this saying takes on a whole new meaning: the authorities have been unable to arrest the masterminds for years. They defended themselves with tactical dodges and even tried to blame an investigator's mental illness on the courts.
The flames have been raging in Southern California since January 7. So far, at least 24 deaths have been officially confirmed. The large-scale forest fires are caused by a combination of extremely dry conditions and strong winds. Many gambling companies from nearby Las Vegas are now also supporting the victims of the catastrophic fire.
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.
Chris_W
Christian_1994