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Why the Swiss voted to ban offshore gambling websites
The Swiss people have voted in favour of banning foreign-based gambling sites, which could prompt other countries follow suit As well.
For starters, Switzerland had proposed to ban foreign-based gambling sites with a new Gambling Act. In line with the countries law, a citizens’ referendum was held on June 10, 2018, for its approval or rejection. In the referendum, 72.9 per cent of Swiss voters supported the new gambling law – in other words, an overwhelming majority of the people were with banning offshore gambling websites. As a result, from next year onwards, only Swiss-certified casinos and gambling companies will be able to operate in the country – both offline and online.
Passed on September 29, 2017, the Swiss Money Gaming Act substitutes the existing gambling law which deals with casino games and betting lotteries. Under the new Act, the overall ban on online gambling is abolished. However, the only licensed land-based casinos in Switzerland can run gambling websites for the people in the country. Essentially, the Act bans foreign-based gambling sites.
The government maintains that the Act will help deal with gambling addiction as well as allow taxation on gambling revenues. The taxes collected from gambling revenues will be used for anti-gambling purposes, the government insists. On the other hand, not everyone supports the Act. According to Mobile Casino Hub, the changes introduced by the Act will “censor the internet”.
The Opposition Opines
The Young Liberals, the Green Party, the Pirate Party and the Digitale Gesellschaft all backed a petition for changes in the June referendum. Organisations had 100 days from October 2017 to gather 50,000 signatures, which would allow changing the referendum. Despite that opponents managed to gather all necessary signatures, however, they did not do so in schedule, and so the referendum remained unchanged.
According to the Young Liberals, the Swiss economy will be affected by these changes. In a statement posted on the party’s website, representatives said that the block of foreign sites in favour of domestic companies is not reasonable. Additionally, the freedom of business and information will also be affected after the law is enforced.
Young Liberals criticised the government’s decision, saying they set a “dangerous precedent” which allows for a further limitation of the Internet. All the act does, opposing organisations say, is removing unwanted competition.
In the end, Young Liberals proposed an alternative, which they dubbed a “sensible solution” – foreign-based betting sites should be regulated and subject to taxation.
Enforcement of the Swiss Money Gaming Act
Enforced next year, the law will be one of the most severe laws in Europe. While it will enable online betting, the law will ban all foreign-based gambling sites. The Act introduces other changes in gambling – it changes the legislation of poker tournaments outside casinos and even tackles non-taxable wins from games outside casinos.
Under the Act, small-scale poker tournaments outside of casinos are no longer illegal. However, they will be limited in terms of buyin and amount of participants. Additionally, small-scale poker tournaments are subject to a license.
The most controversial element of the Act—the ban of foreign-based sites—was heavily disputed over the past several months, with opposing organisations saying it puts a limit on the freedom of the Internet and interferes with personal rights. Despite severe criticism, the government maintains that such measures are necessary to protect Swiss players from unregulated gambling on foreign sites.
Help Fight Gambling Addition
Swiss players spend nearly 250 million Swiss francs on unregulated betting sites abroad, paying nothing to the Swiss government. With the enforcement of the Act in 2019, this “hemorrhaging” will be stopped. The government has said that not only will taxes from gambling revenues be used for anti-gambling purposes, but they also will be used to fund anti-addiction programmes.
Will Other Countries Follow Suit?
An important question emerges after the Swiss decision to ban foreign-based gambling sites – will other countries follow suit?
Currently, the UK government is trying to deal with problem gambling. Despite that UK has a self-exclusion scheme; it has been failing for years due to the liberal gambling market, which allows all sorts of gambling operators to offer services on UK ground.
Nevertheless, Norway is currently pushing for a ban on all foreign-based gaming companies. Several Norway organisations pushed for legislation that will block foreign betting operators, grant extended authority to the Lottery Authority, etc.
Essentially, these measures will block all sites belonging to foreign-based operators, creating a poker ban (Norsk Tipping—Norway’s national lottery and future gambling monopoly—does not offer poker). The proposed measures were accepted on May 7, 2018, and are likely to be adopted soon.
Source: techfinancials.co.za
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
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TCSJOHNHUXLEY Captivates at ICE Barcelona 2025 with a Showcase of Innovative Solutions
TCSJOHNHUXLEY, a global leader in live gaming products and solutions, was delighted with the successful outcome of its participation at the recent ICE Gaming Expo, held from January 20-22 at the Fira Gran Via in Barcelona. The company showcased a range of innovative products and technologies, captivating the attention of industry professionals and reaffirming its position as a leading force in the live gaming sector.
A key highlight of the event was the launch of the Supernova Progressive Jackpot System on the new Qorex 2 Electronic Gaming Terminals. This groundbreaking feature marks a significant advancement in the gaming industry, offering players the chance to win life-changing jackpots across both live and electronic tables. Qorex 2 itself, featuring enhanced multi-game functionality, customisable side bets, and a strong focus on player experience, proved a major draw, showcasing TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge electronic gaming solutions.
Further enhancing the digital gaming experience, Roulette Xtra was introduced to the Qorex 2 platform, bringing the thrill of this popular live table game to the digital realm for the first time.
Demonstrating its commitment to innovation across its entire product portfolio, TCSJOHNHUXLEY unveiled Velocity, its latest automated Roulette wheel. Inspired by the success of its predecessor, Velocity sets a new industry standard for speed, enabling casinos to offer more games per hour, maximising table turnover and revenue. Powered by powerful brushless motors, it ensures continuous, reliable operation without the need for noisy air compressors. First showcased at G2E Las Vegas 2024, the Velocity Auto Wheel incorporates the user-friendly Wheelmate console, empowering casinos with effortless maintenance and peak performance.
TCSJOHNHUXLEY also showcased the next generation in chip handling technology with the introduction of Chipper Champ 3. Featuring an updated aesthetic and a space-saving design, the Chipper Champ 3 boasts a groundbreaking innovation with the ability to sort clay chips, a feature unmatched by any other chipper on the market. This revolutionary capability will significantly enhance efficiency and streamline casino operations. Intelligent chip recognition, intuitive software, and real-time performance data translate to faster processing, reduced errors, and enhanced productivity. The Chipper Champ 3 generated significant interest from attendees, demonstrating the strong demand for innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and player experience.
The new Blackjack Display captivated players with its real-time data and insights. Seamlessly integrated with TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s acclaimed Ora Luxe Winning Number Display, this innovative solution utilises advanced camera technology for automatic card recognition, eliminating the need for manual entry. By showcasing key game information, including dealer hand history, live dealer odds, and historical stats, this new dynamic Blackjack Display empowers both novice and experienced players to make more informed decisions and enhance their gameplay.
Furthermore, TCSJOHNHUXLEY showcased its unparalleled craftsmanship with a stunning display of custom Roulette Wheel Turrets, demonstrating the company’s ability to create truly unique and captivating gaming experiences.
“We are incredibly pleased with the response we received at ICE Barcelona,” says Tristan Sjöberg, TCSJOHNHUXLEY Executive Chairman. “The show provided a valuable platform to showcase our latest innovations and engage with industry leaders and the feedback we received on our new innovations was particularly encouraging. TCSJOHNHUXLEY looks forward to continuing to push the boundaries of gaming technology and delivering innovative solutions that enhance the player experience and drive success for our valued partners.”
The post TCSJOHNHUXLEY Captivates at ICE Barcelona 2025 with a Showcase of Innovative Solutions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ONE MONTH LEFT TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS FOR SELECT CATEGORIES AT THE CASINO GURU AWARDS 2025
Time is running out! Casino Guru is reminding industry professionals and stakeholders that there is just one month left to submit nominations for select categories in the prestigious 3rd annual Casino Guru Awards 2025. As the deadline of February 28, 2025, approaches, we encourage all eligible participants to seize this final opportunity to be recognized for their contributions to the iGaming industry.
This year’s awards bring added prestige with the introduction of an exclusive live ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in St. Julian’s, Malta. As always, Casino Guru remains committed to honoring transparency, social responsibility, inovation and ethical leadership within the industry.
Categories with open nomination
Nominations remain open for a range of categories, including our two newest additions that emphasize public engagement and individual industry impact:
- Players’ Choice – This category gives players the power to vote for their favorite game provider from a handpicked shortlist, ensuring a winner truly selected by the public.
- iGaming Changemaker of the Year – Recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional influence and leadership, driving positive change through innovative projects and initiatives.
The complete list of award categories includes:
- The Fairest Bonus Policy
- The Fairest General Terms & Conditions
- The Most Impactful Social Responsibility Initiative
- The Best Implementation of Responsible Gambling Tools
- The Most Transparent Casino
- The Most Effective Handling of Complaints
- The Most Ethical Approach to Marketing
- Players’ Choice
- iGaming Changemaker of the Year
- Voice of the People
A night of celebration in Malta
Following the nomination period, voting for the “Players’ Choice” and “Voice of the People” categories will open as shortlisted nominees move forward. The final awards ceremony on June 6, 2025, will be a night to remember, bringing together top industry professionals, esteemed judges, and media representatives at an invite-only gala at the Hilton Hotel, St. Julian’s, Malta. The evening will feature a three-course dinner, complimentary drinks, and a grand celebration at Level 22, a stylish wine lounge and club with stunning city views.
Submit your nomination today
With the deadline fast approaching, Casino Guru encourages all industry players to put forward their nominations before February 28, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to be recognized among the best in iGaming!
The post ONE MONTH LEFT TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS FOR SELECT CATEGORIES AT THE CASINO GURU AWARDS 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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At Least $5M To Be Won In GGMasters 5th Anniversary Edition
GGPoker, the World’s Biggest Poker Room, today announces details of its upcoming GGMasters 5th Anniversary Edition, a $150 buy-in tournament running February 23 and boasting a guaranteed prize pool of $5M. The 5th Anniversary Edition is the highlight of an entire series celebrating the success of GGPoker’s signature freezeout events, with the festival running from February 9 through February 24.
In the five years since their introduction in 2020, the GGMasters freezeouts have become firm favorites of the GGPoker community; daily and weekly events with buy-ins starting from $25 and each featuring a juicy prize guarantee. Headlined by the weekly $150 GGMasters tournament, players appreciate the simplicity involved – each participant has one shot at winning the event and knows that once all their chips are gone, there are no rebuys available.
Players can satellite into GGMasters 5th Anniversary Series events or snag tickets via the $200K GGMasters Ticket Drop, which takes place throughout the series. Tickets will be randomly awarded to players participating in GGMasters 5th Anniversary Series events, with a total of $200K in tickets valued at $15, $25 and $150 awarded.
“The GGMasters 5th Anniversary Edition is all about taking that one shot at a mouth-watering prize pool,” said Sarne Lightman, Managing Director of GGPoker. “This unique single entry-only event is one of the highlights of our annual tournament schedule – buy in directly or win your way in and play for a share of at least $5M!”
Players can join the action by downloading the GGPoker app, creating their account and registering for their favorite tournaments or playing their favorite cash games. New players can also claim GGPoker’s Welcome Bonus and join the rewards-rich Fish Buffet loyalty program.
The post At Least $5M To Be Won In GGMasters 5th Anniversary Edition appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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