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China cracks down private gambling in WeChat groups during World Cup
Online gambling was banned by the Chinese government in 2015. But the FIFA World Cup in Russia triggered a sudden growth of online gambling activities, especially in WeChat groups.
The Chinese authorities are cracking down such illegal gambling operations. The government is concerned that online lotteries, driven by profit, may give access to underage teenagers or create other management loopholes, while others complain about the inconvenience of going into a lottery store and said the ban has prompted many to bet in WeChat groups or go to foreign websites.
“Always illegal”
During the World Cup this year, mobile apps and websites selling the lotteries have flourished, with some topping the app store list, including the Tiantianaicaipiao, Renrenzhongcaipiao and Caipiaocaipiao.
After the official clampdown, however, such platforms and those backed by Weibo and Tencent have suspended operations, CNR reported. Many such websites come up with this notice when one tries to log on: “System is under maintenance and upgrade.”
“Purchasing lotteries online has always been illegal. Relatively lax supervision by authorities led to a spike in recent years,” Adrian Geng, the CEO of Sina Caitong, told the Global Times.
Operators are willing to take risks because of the allure of huge profits, Geng added.
In 2015, eight central government agencies banned online lottery, citing risks to buyers’ interests.
Under lottery management rules, no entity shall carry out the business of sale of lottery via internet without the approval of the Ministry of Finance. All sports lottery tickets are sold offline through branches run by the General Administration of Sports.
If lotteries were sold widely online, underage teenagers who are not allowed to bet would get access. Income from online sales cannot be identified at a provincial level as Chinese lottery sales are province-based, Geng explained.
As of June 20, the National Sports Lottery Center suspended thousands of sales terminals involved in online ticket sales in many provinces, Xinhualuncai, a WeChat account specializing in lottery, reported. The number of suspended machines was expected to reach more than 6,000 on June 21, the report said.
Geng said that meeting social responsibility, rather than making money, is the ultimate goal of the National Sports Lottery Center. “That’s why the center wouldn’t use the FIFA World Cup to advertise itself for more revenue.”
Total sales of China’s sports lotteries in the week from June 18 to 24 stood at 11.83 billion yuan ($1.7 billion), while it was only 1.6 billion yuan a week before the World Cup, data released on sporttery.cn, official website of lottery SMG, shows.
Not market-driven
Even though online lottery is banned, Chinese gamblers still have many options to taste the thrill of betting.
Xue, a PhD student based in Shanghai, said that many of his friends use private gambling in WeChat groups, in which one person is the “banker” and provides winning and losing rates.
“Mobile payment on Alipay and WeChat allows us to gamble in private with small amounts of money more conveniently. We don’t have to choose online lottery,” Xue told the Global Times.
“I feel everyone is betting this year during the World Cup. Even many people who don’t watch soccer matches are into it,” he said.
Foreign gambling websites also illegally sneak into the Chinese market in an effort to take a share of the spoils, which results in huge outflow of capital of Chinese citizens, Chen Haiping, a researcher at the Gaming Research Center of China with Beijing Normal University, told the Global Times.
Some stores or groups on platforms such as Taobao, WeChat and QQ have also been found claiming that they are commissioned to sell lottery, according to Nandu Daily.
Lottery is seen as a welfare project in China. Its issuers are not motivated by the market, only routinely raising funds to meet the financing gap of the government for good causes, Chen noted.
But the trend of internet, said Chen, is irresistible and the lottery has already developed into an industry involving tourism, amusement and culture. There has been talk of opening online lottery services inside Chinese government circles in recent years, but since different interest groups are involved, the progress has been slow.
Source: globaltimes.cn
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Kambi Group plc signs Turnkey Sportsbook partnership with multi-brand operator Glitnor Group
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Kambi Group plc (“Kambi”), the home of premium sports betting solutions, has agreed a long-term partnership with Glitnor Group (“Glitnor”), a multi-brand online gaming group, to provide its premium Turnkey Sportsbook to Glitnor’s growing portfolio of brands in multiple markets.
Under the terms of the agreement, Glitnor will replace its current B2B sportsbook provider with Kambi’s premium, end-to-end sportsbook technology and services, including its robust betting engine, AI-powered trading capabilities, award-winning Bet Builder product and regulatory compliance expertise.
Kambi’s Turnkey Sportsbook will power the operator’s full portfolio of online brands — which currently includes Lucky Casino, Happy Casino, Flax Casino and One Casino — in several markets such as Sweden and the Netherlands in Europe and Ontario in the Americas. Founded in 2018, Glitnor is led by an experienced management team comprised of industry leaders and entrepreneurs which founded some of the industry’s most renowned gaming brands.
Werner Becher, CEO of Kambi, said: “We are incredibly pleased to welcome Glitnor Group to the Kambi network following their decision to switch to our award-winning sportsbook. This multi-jurisdictional agreement is a testament to the strength of our premium Turnkey Sportsbook, proven to deliver cutting-edge technology that drives growth, ensures regulatory peace of mind and creates a world-class betting experience for players.”
Richard Brown, CEO of Glitnor Group, added: “Partnering with Kambi was a clear choice for us as we looked to elevate our sportsbook offering. Kambi’s market-leading technology, proven track record and unrivalled expertise give us the foundation to deliver a premium, seamless sports betting experience to our players. We’re confident this partnership will enable us to achieve long-term success in our core markets.”
The post Kambi Group plc signs Turnkey Sportsbook partnership with multi-brand operator Glitnor Group appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Ganadu Gaming launches new brand Flamez, featuring top Pragmatic Play titles.
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 A successful online casino is only as good as its partnerships – and Ganadu Gaming is turning up the heat with the launch of Flamez, a bold new brand that brings together a premium gaming experience and top-tier content from leading providers including Pragmatic Play.
Flamez has been designed as a player-first platform, offering cutting-edge technology, a seamless user experience and over 4,000 of the world’s best slots, table games, and live casino content, including titles from Pragmatic Play’s diverse and innovative collection of online slots.
Flamez players will now be able to enjoy Pragmatic Play’s most iconic games, including Sweet Rush Bonanza, Big Bass Bonanza, Wolf Gold, The Dog House, Gates of Olympus and 5 Lions Megaways, among others. With new titles being released at a consistent rate, the award-winning Pragmatic Play portfolio adds proven player favourites and fresh content to the Flamez game lobby.
Sven de Waard, Head of Casino at Ganadu Gaming, said: “We’re proud to offer our Flamez players access to a top-tier games catalogue, which includes outstanding titles from Pragmatic Play. Their games are a must-have for any serious online casino, offering strong performance, engaging mechanics, and wide player appeal. We look forward to a successful partnership that brings more entertainment and choice to our users.”
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MGA Introduces Self-Assessment Tool to Help Individuals Assess Gambling Habits
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As part of its ongoing commitment to player protection, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has announced the launch of an online Self-Assessment Tool, available in both English and Maltese, designed to help individuals reflect on their gambling habits and behaviour.
Developed in close collaboration with several key local organisations – namely Sedqa, Caritas Malta, the OASI Foundation and the Responsible Gaming Foundation – the tool is completely anonymous, free to use and accessible to all.
Rooted in the Problem Gambling Severity Index – a widely recognised, evidence-based screening tool – the questionnaire comprises nine straightforward questions. These aim to assess the extent of an individual’s gambling behaviour while also considering broader social and environmental influences.
The tool encourages self-reflection in an accessible way, helping players consider whether they may benefit from reaching out for professional guidance. Should a user’s results indicate the need for further support, they will be directed to one of the participating organisations, each of which serves as a trusted point of contact for advice and care. Information is also available on safer gambling tools, such as setting limits or using global bet-blocking tools.
This initiative represents a collaborative, people-first approach to player protection, working alongside local entities in Malta and Gozo to ensure that anyone experiencing gambling-related harm is not only informed but also supported.
The MGA encourages players to use the tool regularly as a way to monitor changes in their gambling behaviour over time and stay mindful of any change that may occur.
The post MGA Introduces Self-Assessment Tool to Help Individuals Assess Gambling Habits appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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