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Goa set to restrict the right of locals to gamble at casinos next year
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There are set to be rather dramatic changes in the Indian state of Goa next year, following an announcement that only tourists are set to be able to gamble in the state’s casinos.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said over the weekend that government is aiming to restrict locals on account of gambling ruining the society.
Opposition parties and civil society organisations have long called for a ban on local gambling at Goa’s casinos, and the move doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Speaking on the ban, Parrikar stated: “as a policy, Goans will not be permitted to enter the casino’s playing areas and only visiting tourists shall be permitted”.
It is not yet clear just how the new policy will be implemented, but the ban looks set to get into full swing next year, with January being mooted as the starting point for the new laws to come into effect. The chief minister announced that many of Panaji’s offshore (floating) casino would be moved out of the region, and no new ones would be permitted to take their place.
The Government of Goa is likely to move the casinos on to new zones, with any further licenses for those casino owners being determined by whether or not they express a willingness to move on within a year’s time. Business is set to be reduced by as much as 50% following the change in the law, according to Kundan Shetye, one of the onshore casino owners.
The move to ban gambling for locals comes after many years of fighting the gambling industry in Goa. The ruling BJP party has had designs on ending the right of locals to gamble since they were in opposition back in 2007. After coming to power in 2012, they were even accused of working with the casino industry before the passing of the most recent bill.
As well as the shift to offshore areas, new licenses are set to cost more than ever before, with a massive hike in fees. Floating offshore casinos may be furious that they are being pushed on elsewhere, but the move is most likely to damage the land-based casinos which operate out of hotels and resorts the most. They are unable to be “moved on” and will be banned from offering their services to locals. As a result, only tourists will be permitted to play in such venues. With Goa’s tourist industry in decline, there is a genuine possibility that such casinos would be unable to survive.
Land-based casinos are trying to force the local government into organising a gaming commission, which would be able regulate the industry better and thus make it safer, avoiding the need for the ban. Thus far, they have not had much luck. Many of the land- based casino owners insist that they wouldn’t mind paying more substantial fees for licenses if the array of games they could offer (such as live table games) was increased told us Live Casino Reports India. All efforts to break the impasse and find another way around the ban have thus far either been rejected or fallen by the wayside due to other means.
At the time of writing, it certainly doesn’t seem as though the land-based and floating casinos in Goa are going to be able to overturn the government’s decision. Local players in Goa are going to have to get used to not being able to play casino games, and while many gamblers may follow the floating casinos elsewhere, those players who relied on land- based casinos to offer their services are well and truly stuck.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
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Flutter Entertainment named as headline sponsor of ICE Sustainable Gambling Zone
Clarion Gaming has announced that Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of the world’s leading online sports betting and iGaming operator, will be the headline sponsor of the Sustainable Gambling Zone (SGZ) at ICE Barcelona, the world’s biggest gambling technology exhibition which will be attended by 55,000 gambling industry professionals.
Flutter, which has been a long-term supporter of Clarion Gaming’s safer gambling undertakings, is also making a donation to ICE Barcelona’s safer gambling charity fund as well as having its own stand to showcase how Flutter is changing the game for good by providing education, tools and support to help everyone Play Well, on the SGZ.
In 2022 Flutter introduced its Play Well strategy to support its customers in making informed choices and managing their betting and play responsibly. Flutter set itself the target of having 75% of active online customers using a Play Well tool by 2030. By the end of Q2 this year (2024), 47.5% of customers were already engaged with these tools – double from FY 2022 – marking steady progress towards our goal. This effort has been supported by a significant investment – over $101m in 2023 – in research, product development and marketing.
Ewa Bakun, Clarion Gaming’s Director of Industry Insight and the person responsible for introducing the Consumer Protection Zone to the ICE show floor in 2018 said: “I am absolutely delighted to be able to confirm Flutter as our headline sponsor. I regard this as being a game-changer for SGZ which is being officially launched in Barcelona after undergoing a re-brand. The rebranding to the Sustainable Gambling Zone, which was a decision taken in partnership with our industry stakeholders reflects a deeper understanding of the importance of early interaction. By focusing on the identification of potential risks earlier in the player journey, it’s possible to prevent harm before it escalates.”
Jane Palles, Group Head of Safer Gambling, Flutter added: “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we want them to have an entertaining, positive experience with us. We start 2025 with a continued focus on player wellbeing. This sponsorship underscores our dedication to sustainability”.
“Play Well focuses on fostering a positive and responsible gaming environment, with initiatives like enhanced customer tools, personalized risk monitoring, and partnerships with expert organizations.
“We are delighted to be supporting the new Sustainable Gambling Zone at ICE Barcelona and will showcase our continued efforts, share insights, and collaborate with stakeholders to drive forward the shared mission of safer gambling for all.”
The 2025 ICE Sustainable Gambling Zone will occupy 490sqm of space and located in the Fast Forward area of the showfloor, underlining the importance the industry places on sustainability and player protection. As well as featuring a total of 26 safer gambling bodies including Spanish organisations ASENCAS and FEJAR the SGZ will host three days of educational content including two dedicated to consumer protection and one to ESG.
The post Flutter Entertainment named as headline sponsor of ICE Sustainable Gambling Zone appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The post Slots Capital Casino Unwraps 30 Free Spins on Souls of the Dead Slot for Players appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Massive Gaming, Neowiz, and Kangwon Land Launched ‘Shen Shou Wan fu’ Slot Machine Offline
- ‘Shen Shou Wan fu’ is an online slot game that features three powerful guardians, symbolizing immense wealt
- Now available as physical slot machines in offline casinos through a collaboration with Kangwon Land
- MVG plans to expand distribution with exclusive B2B rights to online channels for slot games
Massive Gaming(“MVG”) announced that it has launched the ‘Shen Shou Wan fu (神兽万福)’ slot game, co-developed with Neowiz, MVG’s parent company, and Kangwon Land, which hosts the only casino in South Korea open to locals. The game is now available in offline venues as slot machines.
‘Shen Shou Wan fu’ is an online slot game featuring motifs of the Golden Dragon (JIN LONG), Phoenix (FENGHUANG), and Haetae (XIEZHI), which symbolize luck and prosperity.
The slot machine debuted in offline casino venues. Key personnel from MVG and Neowiz worked closely on the art resources and software design of ‘Shen Shou Wan fu’, ensuring a seamless integration of creative and technical expertise. Kangwon Land managed the slot machine’s hardware design and manufacturing. This launch marks the first commercialization of software-based products through public-private collaboration in South Korea’s casino market.
After successfully establishing ‘Shen Shou Wan fu’ in the Korean market, MVG is ready to leverage this success for aggressive global sales. Holding exclusive rights to the slot game, MVG plans to expand its presence in the regulated gaming market by targeting key regions with strategic marketing and distribution.
A representative stated, “We are pleased to showcase our slot game in offline casinos with Kangwon Land,” adding plans to introduce diverse content for global markets.
The post Massive Gaming, Neowiz, and Kangwon Land Launched ‘Shen Shou Wan fu’ Slot Machine Offline appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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