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Game creators ‘likely to be considering seeking gambling licences’
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Creators of games such as FIFA and Overwatch are more likely to seek gambling licenses and implement age restrictions than ditch controversial “loot boxes”, according to a gambling regulatory expert.
FIFA and Overwatch are among the high-profile games criticized for exposing children to gambling.
Anne Longfield, the Children’s Commissioner for England, has called for tighter legislation to protect online gamers as it is noted that some children are spending significant sums of money, sometimes without a parent’s or carer’s consent.
Loot boxes allow players to spend real money to unlock additional characters, equipment skins and/or in game gear. On some occasions, the “loot” may assist the player in advancing further into the game and at a faster rate.
One of the most famous examples is FIFA’s Ultimate Team, where users can pay for packs of players to improve their team. The packs are random and, therefore, akin to gambling.
Nick Wright, a gambling regulatory specialist with SolutionsHub, says game developers such as Electronic Arts, which makes FIFA, Star Wars Battlefront II, and Apex Legends, are likely to be considering obtaining gambling licenses.
He said: “The loot box system is incredibly valuable for these companies. FIFA Ultimate Team made up 16% of the EA’s business in the fiscal year 2017, 21% in 2018, and now 28% in 2019.
“Tighter regulation would slash revenue streams and cut profits and require developers to think of new ways to engage with and monetize, their players.
“Would they remove loot boxes? Probably not but they may need to think of ways to age verify games where loot boxes are involved.
“I would be stunned if some of these companies aren’t already considering obtaining gambling licenses and consolidation and partnerships with existing holders would likely allow them quicker access into regulated markets.”
Statistics state that nine out of 10 children play video games in the UK alone with some children already displaying concerns that the purchasing of loot boxes may be considered a form of gambling.
Mr. Wright said: “Many people may think that loot boxes are only a recent phenomenon. However, their history and roots can be traced all the way back to the early 1900s where decorative cards were placed in cigarette packs.
“More recently the silver collectible cards placed in packs of US Baseball cards saw sales top $1 Billion USD in the early 1990s before reducing to its current level of $200 Million USD today.”
“Fast forward to 2012 and loot boxes were more commonly found in video games such as FIFA and CS:GO before being more widely adopted in games such as Battlefront and Call of Duty. Income from the sale of Loot Boxes is a valuable product vertical for game studios with Blizzard alone reporting income of $1 Billion USD from Overwatch in 2017.”
So, when will developers need to get a gambling license? Not any time soon.
Mr Wright said: “In November 2018, UK Gambling Commission chief executive Neil McArthur, reporting to a Department for Culture, Media and Sport select committee, said that while there are ‘significant concerns’ about children playing games which offer loot boxes then loot boxes themselves do not qualify as a form of gambling under current laws.
“It seems that Mrs. Longfield will need to make a case for the law to be changed before the current status quo can be changed. In the meantime, the UKGC, as well as other top-tier regulators, will no doubt be keeping a close eye on sector developments.”
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Game creators ‘likely to be considering seeking gambling licences’
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13 gambling company executives in appeal against ATG’s proposal to raise gambling tax in Sweden
BOS – The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling – is today submitting a letter to the government. The letter is signed by 13 gambling company executives and BOS’s secretary general. In the letter, the signatories urge the government not to support the gambling company ATG in their proposal to raise the general gambling tax in favour of a reduction in the tax on horse racing.
As a main argument, the signatories highlight the fact that the level of the gambling tax affects the proportion of consumers who choose to gamble on the legal licensed gambling market, and that too many consumers are already opting out of the safety of the licensed market with its extensive consumer protection.
“Horse betting has a channelisation rate of between 98-99 percent. Online casino, according to the most optimistic estimates, has a channelisation rate of between 72-82 percent. The higher the tax, the greater the risk that the consumer will choose unlicensed gambling, where neither gambling tax nor consumer protection exists. To then lower the gambling tax for horse betting, which already has a very strong channelisation, and raise it for online casino, which has a very weak channelisation, would be completely incomprehensible. At least for those who prioritize consumer protection,” says BOS Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt.
You can read the full letter here: Letter to Government on ATG gambling duty
The post 13 gambling company executives in appeal against ATG’s proposal to raise gambling tax in Sweden appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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Momentum Series: A Crash Gaming collection crafted for emotions in your online casino
FBMDS proudly unveils the Momentum Series, a crash gaming collection built to deliver fast-paced thrills, immersive visuals, and strong retention for online casino operators worldwide with the Piñata Rush, Magical Garden and Arctic Jumper titles.
Designed “for emotions” and “born to captivate”, the Momentum Series includes three high-performing titles — Piñata Rush, Magical Garden, and Arctic Jumper — that redefine the crash genre with dynamic gameplay, deep personalization, and stunning 3D environments.
The Momentum Series was created to give players more control, excitement, and emotional connection while providing operators with games designed for longer sessions and better retention metrics. Each title combines intuitive gameplay with high volatility, 97%+ RTP, and a responsive, mobile-first design, ensuring performance across devices and browsers. Players can personalize their experience with auto bets, double bets, and auto cashouts, adapting each round to their individual risk strategy.
Piñata Rush offers a colorful, multiplayer crash gaming experience set in lively Mexican-inspired streets. Players can track others’ progress in real time and enjoy a community-driven atmosphere that keeps engagement levels high. With 97.06% RTP and features such as Multiplayer, Auto Play, Auto Cash-Out, and a configurable Max Bet from 100x to 1000x, this crash game provides vibrant entertainment across Android, iOS, Mac OS, and Windows.
Magical Garden immerses players in a lush 3D fantasy world where serenity meets suspense. This single-player experience blends calm and thrill through Auto Play and Auto Cash-Out functions, allowing personalized strategies and a Max Bet configurable from 100x to 1000x. With 97% RTP, it offers operators a high-performing product with wide cross-platform compatibility.
Arctic Jumper brings adrenaline to the frozen north with a fully 3D single-player experience. Its immersive visuals and smooth performance are enhanced by Auto Play, Auto Cash-Out, and customizable betting options that match each player’s risk profile. Operating at 97% RTP, this title delivers consistent engagement and retention potential for competitive markets.
“The Momentum Series represents FBMDS’ evolution into crash gaming — a genre built on emotion, timing, and control,” said Renato Almeida, Director at FBMDS. “With Piñata Rush, Magical Garden, and Arctic Jumper, we’re delivering fast, flexible, and emotionally charged experiences that empower both players and operators.”
FBMDS brings a winning portfolio of innovative iGaming solutions, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology to deliver engaging, reliable, and profitable gaming experiences for operators worldwide. With a focus on slots, table games, video bingo, and now crash games, FBMDS empowers partners to scale and succeed in competitive markets.
The post Momentum Series: A Crash Gaming collection crafted for emotions in your online casino appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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Cozy Coast Launches Worldwide: Beach Adventure from InnoGames Now Available
- Sunny feel-good vibes for everyone: Cozy Coast now available for iOS and Android
- New trailer highlights entertaining storytelling, merge-2 puzzles, and diverse gameplay elements
- Upcoming updates with new events and challenges for long-lasting fun
A beach adventure with heart: InnoGames, one of Germany’s leading developers and publishers of mobile and browser games, today launches Cozy Coast worldwide, bringing sunny feel-good moments to smartphones and tablets. The game is now available for free on the App Store and Google Play Store. Players in selected regions have already explored the Mediterranean island of Calista and experienced the captivating story of the two protagonists Mia and Elara. The unique mix of merge-2 puzzles, exploration, and heartfelt moments is clearly resonating with players, earning 4.8 on the App Store and 4.6 on Google Play out of 5 stars.
With today’s launch, InnoGames expands the game’s language support. Alongside the existing languages German, English, and French, Cozy Coast is now also available in Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish.
New Features, More Events: Regular Updates for Lasting Fun
In Cozy Coast, players accompany best friends Mia and Elara on a journey across the picturesque Mediterranean island of Calista. For Mia, the island is filled with childhood memories, but its former charm has faded. Together, they set out to restore the island. The gameplay centers on merge-2 mechanics: By skillfully combining items, players fulfill the wishes of island residents, collect resources, and restore buildings to unlock new areas of Calista. Along their journey, Mia and Elara encounter interesting characters, discover secrets, and explore the environment.
Check out the trailer on youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=hpacBlPfio4
Since the initial launch of Cozy Coast in selected regions, the development team has steadily expanded the merge-2 adventure. Customizable portraits, 3D decoration events, special quests with unique rewards, and advanced challenges for experienced players ensure there’s always something new to discover. The holiday season has also arrived: players can earn daily rewards, including the festive avatar “Winter Elara”.
Key Features of Cozy Coast
- Merge items: Strategically combine items to create new and higher-value objects
- Restore the seaside promenade: Renovate abandoned buildings to unlock new areas
- Adventure in paradise: Follow best friends Mia and Elara as they discover hidden places and uncover the secrets of a corporation with questionable intentions
- Characters with personality: Meet fascinating characters. Every encounter comes with a story – sometimes touching, sometimes mysterious, but always full of emotion
- Fresh challenges every day: Participate in competitive, daily, weekly, and seasonal events like exploration quests, puzzle collections, decoration and special story-driven missions to receive exciting rewards and enjoy lasting gameplay
- A personal touch: Use portrait customization to bring individuality and personality to every adventure.
- Unwind in a Mediterranean setting: Experience stress-free gameplay paired with a captivating story of friendship, courage, and hope
- Free to play without restrictions: Available worldwide on iOS and Android (except in Russia and China)
Cozy Coast is available on the App Store for iOS and on Google Play for Android.
For the latest news about the game, visit the official website or follow Cozy Coast on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
The post Cozy Coast Launches Worldwide: Beach Adventure from InnoGames Now Available appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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