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Spanish Online Gambling Market Sees Strong Growth in Q1 2024

The Spanish online gambling market has shown robust growth in the first quarter of 2024, as reported by the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ). The Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) for the quarter reached €350.69 million, marking an 11.23% increase quarter-over-quarter and a 15.14% increase year-over-year. This significant rise underscores the market’s resilience and recovery from previous fluctuations.

Growth Across Key Segments

spanish_online_gambling_report_q1_2024_ggr_up_15_1pctIn terms of player transactions, both deposits and withdrawals showed notable increases compared to the previous year, rising by 15.85% and 13.90%, respectively. Quarter-over-quarter, deposits grew by 5.61% while withdrawals saw a modest increase of 0.72%. Despite the overall growth, marketing expenditure saw a slight decrease of 1.0% quarter-over-quarter, while the number of new accounts surged by 15.21%.

The GGR is distributed across various gaming segments, with betting, casino, bingo, contests, and poker all contributing to the total. Betting accounted for €150.28 million (42.85% of the total GGR), followed by the casino segment with €167.76 million (47.84%). Bingo contributed €4.19 million (1.19%), contests €0.002 million (0.00%), and poker €28.45 million (8.11%).

Betting and Casino Drive Growth

The betting segment experienced a significant positive variation rate of 30.99% quarter-over-quarter and 15.37% year-over-year. This growth was largely driven by a remarkable 588.84% increase in pre-match betting, although in-play sports betting saw a decline of 31.69%. Other betting categories also grew by 1.57% this quarter, whereas horse betting decreased by 28.36%.

The casino segment, despite a slight quarter-over-quarter decline of 2.05%, showed a strong annual growth rate of 17.02%. Within the casino segment, slots increased by 14.98% year-over-year, and live roulette saw an impressive 22.19% growth. Quarter-over-quarter, Blackjack, conventional roulette, and live roulette grew by 7.32%, 9.69%, and 6.37%, respectively, while slots fell by 7.51%.

Other Segments Show Mixed Results

Bingo showed steady growth, with a 9.18% increase quarter-over-quarter and 24.93% year-over-year. Conversely, the contests segment continued its irregular performance, experiencing a dramatic fall of 96.79% quarter-over-quarter and 99.38% year-over-year.

Poker presented a positive outlook with an 11.98% quarter-over-quarter increase and a 3.99% year-over-year rise. Poker tournaments grew by 11.19% quarter-over-quarter and 2.04% year-over-year, while poker cash games increased by 13.91% compared to the previous quarter and 8.91% compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

Player Engagement and Market Dynamics

The average number of active game accounts per month reached 1,327,575, reflecting a 4.57% increase quarter-over-quarter and a 14.58% increase year-over-year. The average number of new game accounts per month stood at 148,862, with a growth of 15.21% quarter-over-quarter and 33.64% year-over-year.

For this quarter, there were 78 licensed operators in the market. The number of active operators by segment included 41 for betting, 4 for bingo, 50 for casino, 2 for contests, and 9 for poker.

Marketing Expenses

Marketing expenses for the last quarter totaled €112.79 million, broken down into €14.27 million for affiliation expenses, €1.07 million for sponsorship, €55.67 million for promotions, and €41.78 million for advertising. Compared to the previous quarter, marketing expenses declined by 1.00% but increased by 14.86% year-over-year. Specifically, sponsorship decreased by 12.55%, affiliates by 0.87%, advertising by 7.68%, while promotions increased by 4.93% quarter-over-quarter. Year-over-year, sponsorship fell by 27.23%, affiliates increased by 14.82%, advertising by 22.49%, and promotions by 10.92%.

Source: “1st Quarterly Report 2024”. Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling. June 4, 2024.

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KRAIL Blocks Illegal Gambling Websites Amid Uncertain Future

krail_blocks_illegal_gambling_websites_amid_uncertain_future The Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL), Ukraine’s gambling regulator, has taken decisive action against illegal gambling activities in the country. Recently, KRAIL blocked 371 websites offering illegal gambling services as part of a joint effort with the Security Service of Ukraine. This move was formalized through Order No. 451/2256, which targeted the domain names of these unauthorized gambling sites.

The order mandates electronic communication service providers to block the specified websites using their Domain Name System (DNS) servers. Between April and May, KRAIL and the Security Service issued over 1,000 orders to restrict access to various domain names and subdomains on DNS servers, further intensifying the crackdown on illegal gambling operations.

Uncertainty Over KRAIL’s Future

KRAIL’s recent actions come at a time when the future of the regulator is in question. In April, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, voted to dissolve KRAIL after more than a year of contention over its effectiveness in regulating the gambling industry. The opposition to KRAIL’s operation stemmed from dissatisfaction with its regulatory performance, particularly its delays in processing license applications.

KRAIL is currently composed of a collegial body with a chairman and six members. Meetings are only valid if at least five members are present. However, some commission members were mobilized for military service following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, causing significant delays in regulatory processes, including the issuance of licenses.

The legislative bill that includes KRAIL’s dissolution also proposes stricter measures on gambling advertising and other regulatory controls. This bill is set for a second reading, and if passed, it will become law upon the signature of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Future of Gambling Regulation in Ukraine

Should KRAIL be dissolved, the responsibility for regulating gambling will be transferred to the Ministry of Digital Transformation. Alina Plyushch, a partner at Kyiv-based law firm Sayenko Kharenko, highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the future structure of gambling regulation. “This is pending a further government decision on the creation of a new regulator under the digital transformation ministry’s umbrella,” Plyushch said.

She also noted the possibility that the Ministry of Digital Transformation might retain regulatory functions indefinitely. The exact duration and structure of this transitional regulatory framework remain unclear, leaving the future of Ukraine’s gambling industry in a state of flux.

As KRAIL continues its efforts to combat illegal gambling, the impending legislative changes pose significant questions about the long-term regulatory landscape for gambling in Ukraine. The outcome of the legislative process and subsequent government decisions will determine the next steps for ensuring a well-regulated and compliant gambling market in the country.

Source:

“????? ??? ????????? ??????? ?? 371 ????????, ????? ??? ????????? ?????? ?? ??????????? ???????? ????”. The Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL). June 5, 2024.

Ukraine regulator blocks 371 illegal gambling sites. iGaming Business. June 6, 2024.

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Luckia Gaming Group Partners with Playson for Enhanced Content Offering

Playson, a distinguished supplier in the iGaming industry, has strengthened its presence in Spain by partnering with one of the country’s premier betting and iGaming brands, Luckia Gaming Group. This collaboration marks another significant milestone in Playson’s expansion strategy, enhancing the gaming experience for Luckia’s diverse player base.

Expanding Content Through Strategic Integration

The partnership with Luckia Gaming Group was facilitated through Games Global’s aggregation platform, allowing seamless integration of Playson’s renowned Hold and Win portfolio into Luckia’s online casino. Players can now enjoy a variety of popular titles, including Royal Coins 2, Diamonds Power, and Fire Coins. This strategic addition enriches Luckia’s content library, offering players more variety and driving further growth for the operator’s online services.

About Luckia Gaming Group

LUCKIA_GAMING_GROUP_CHOOSES_PLAYSON_FOR_MORE_CONTENT_OPTIONSFounded in 1980, Luckia Gaming Group stands as one of Spain’s foremost entertainment companies, operating both land-based and online gaming services. Beyond Spain, Luckia extends its reach to Portugal, Colombia, Mexico, and Cameroon, solidifying its status as a global gaming operator.

Eloy Fernandez, Head of Product at Luckia, expressed enthusiasm about the new partnership: “We are so pleased to launch Playson’s award-winning titles and inject even more excitement into our offering. Our players come to us for an enjoyable, well-rounded experience and we know the studio’s omnichannel titles will be a huge hit. After analyzing player tastes and preferences in detail, we look forward to seeing how much they love these new additions.”

Playson’s Commitment to Growth and Innovation

This collaboration highlights Playson’s commitment to adapting and growing in response to evolving market trends. By developing games that resonate with a broad spectrum of player preferences, Playson continues to expand its footprint in regulated markets worldwide.

Paul McInnes, Sales Manager at Playson, commented on the partnership: “We are delighted to provide Luckia with Playson’s premium slot content in the Spanish market through Games Global and this significant milestone represents Playson’s expansion into other regulated markets such as Portugal and the UK, where our strategy is to increase our presence and for which our games portfolio is ideally suited.”

The agreement not only enhances Luckia’s gaming offerings but also underscores Playson’s ability to deliver high-quality content that appeals to diverse player demographics. By integrating with a reputable and established operator like Luckia, Playson continues to demonstrate its capability to meet and exceed the expectations of the global gaming community.

The partnership between Playson and Luckia Gaming Group is set to bring a new level of excitement and variety to players, reinforcing both companies’ positions in the competitive iGaming landscape. As Playson continues to innovate and expand its portfolio, players can look forward to more engaging and entertaining gaming experiences.

Source: LUCKIA GAMING GROUP CHOOSES PLAYSON FOR MORE CONTENT OPTIONS. Playson. June 4, 2024.

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Basketball takes over sports gambling on Bodog

Man holding white and blackspalding basketball near brown and white basketball hoop

As had been expected, the conclusion of the NFL season, which found the Tampa Bay Buccaneers handing the Kansas City Chiefs an embarrassing defeat, opened the doors for an increase in wagers in other sports. Football had dominated the charts since last September, but it’s now time for basketball to take the lead. On Bodog, NBA and NCAA Men’s Basketball are now the overwhelming go-to options for sports gamblers. 

This past weekend, college hoops wagers topped the charts on Bodog, garnering 36.88% of the action. That was about 2.5% better than what the NCAA received, and substantially more than that of the third-place NHL, which only picked up 10.17%. After that, the UFC/MMA made an appearance with 4.15% before different soccer leagues captured four of the remaining top-ten spots. The Premier League was the best, with 3.34%, but tennis and golf snuck in next. The Australian Open Men’s Singles picked up 3.21% and the Genesis Invitational grabbed 2.47%. Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A rounded out the top-ten list, with Germany and Spain sharing 2.02% each and Italy getting 1.44% of the wagers.

Despite taking the top spot on the charts on Bodog this past weekend, NCAA games didn’t prove overly enticing to gamblers. The NBA captured almost all of the top-ten most-wagered events, with only one NCAA game making it to the list. Sports gamblers liked betting on the LA Clippers a lot, as the team’s games against the Utah Jazz and the Brooklyn Nets picked up 13.85% and 11.51%, respectively. In a surprise victory, the Clippers beat the Jazz on Friday, but couldn’t keep the run going and lost to the Nets on Sunday.

The Genesis Invitational, which Max Homa took down after a shoot-off with Tony Finau, attracted 10.79% of the wagers on Bodog this past weekend. Homa is intimately familiar with the course where the tournament is played, the Riviera Country Club, and has been a regular on the greens since he was two years old. With his Genesis win, Homa joins Bubba Watson as the only two players to take a Riviera victory with a bogey-free final round since 1990.

The NBA action returned to Bodog’s list next, with three games getting more than 10% of the wagers. Next, the NCAA’s Michigan vs. Ohio State game was popular with gamblers, as 9.07% of the bets on Bodog were placed on this game. Third-place Michigan handed fourth-place Ohio State a loss, walking away with a 92-87 win to improve to 16-1. Novak Djokovic vs. Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open attracted 8.58% of the bets as Djokovic swept three sets. The last of the top-ten events on Bodog flipped back to the NBA, with the Sacramento Kings/Milwaukee Bucks and the Golden State Warriors/Charlotte Hornets games getting 7.63% and 7.5%, respectively.

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Spillemyndigheden Updates Anti-Money Laundering Guidelines

The Danish Gambling Authority, known as Spillemyndigheden, has released a refreshed version of its anti-money laundering (AML) guidance. This update, formulated after extensive consultations with external stakeholders, aims to support gambling operators, their employees, and other relevant parties. It complements the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority’s Guidance on Preventive Measures against Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism.

New Guidance Incorporates Extensive Revisions

spillemyndigheden_updates_anti_money_laundering_guidanceThe revised AML guidance includes several key changes, particularly in the areas of risk assessment, policies, procedures, controls, and customer due diligence. These changes reflect both linguistic refinements and substantive updates. To help users navigate the revisions, a version history is now part of the guidance document, detailing specific amendments made.

Additionally, Spillemyndigheden has introduced a new document specifically focused on AML inspections. This document consolidates information that was previously scattered within the AML guidance, offering a comprehensive overview of the inspection process, potential outcomes, and confidentiality issues.

Ongoing Updates and Reporting Requirements

Spillemyndigheden is committed to keeping its anti-money laundering guidance current, ensuring alignment with updates to the Anti-Money Laundering Act, national risk assessments, and best practices in the field.

In other related developments, the authority updated its reporting requirements at the end of last month. These new requirements are set to take effect in 2025, although an exact implementation date has yet to be finalized.

Earlier this year, Spillemyndigheden also issued several orders and reprimands to the gambling operator SkillOnNet for breaches of AML regulations. The company received three orders for AML violations and two additional reprimands related to whistleblowing and business procedures, following an inspection of its compliance materials.

Source: “Spillemyndigheden updates anti-money laundering guidance”. Gambling Insider. June 3, 2024.

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