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No more advertising free spins and bonuses – Belgium amends gambling laws
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On 4 April 2019, the Belgian Parliament approved a whole series of amendments to the current Gambling Act of 7 May 1999. In this article, you will read everything that will change with this new law and how it will affect the online gambling industry.
New playing limits
Players can now only deposit a maximum of € 500 per week on any gambling site, or a total of € 2000 per month. Gamblers, have the option to increase this limit. However, this is only possible after verification with the National Bank. If a player are not registered as a defaulter, the casino can then increase the deposit limit. It is difficult to predict whether this will really have an effect on the gambling behaviour of Belgians. It could lead to players diversifying where they play, since there is nothing to prevent a player from opening an account at multiple online casinos. The limit is set per gambling site and not for all gambling sites at the same time.
Casino bonuses are limited
Casinos can still offer bonuses, but the bonuses are limited in size. Since 1 June 2019, casinos are allowed to offer a maximum of € 275 in their welcome bonus. This would make problem gamblers less inclined to make huge deposits.
No more gambling with credit cards
A wise gambler knows that he should not play with borrowed money. Now, the Belgian government is taking that possibility away. Since June 1 2019, players can no longer gamble with a credit card. This was already the case, but the government has tightened the restrictions. You could simply charge your PayPal, Neteller or Skrill account with a credit card to make a deposit. That possibility now seems to have disappeared. The Belgian Gaming Commission states:
“The holders of a class A +, B + or F1 + license are obliged to refuse any intervention of electronic payment systems when charging game accounts if these electronic payment systems allow the player to use his credit card as a deposit method”
Going by this information, it seems that e-wallets such as Neteller and Skrill will be a thing of the past. On the other hand, we see that large gambling sites such as Unibet.be still have Skrill, PayPal and Neteller on their list of accepted payment methods. How this part should be interpreted is therefore not 100% clear.
Virtual Sports disappear
Since June 1 2019, you can no longer bet on virtual sports in Belgium. These are fictional sports competitions that you could find on different sites in different forms. These were, for example, virtual horse races, or fictional football games. Although these types of games are staged, they are fair, since they are programmed with RNGs.
Possible to prohibit certain bets
With the new law, the Belgian Gambling Commission has the ability to prohibit certain fraud-sensitive bets.
Youth games or games with minors are seen as particularly sensitive to fraud. Soon it will also no longer be possible to bet on games with a high percentage of underage players.
Other types of bets are also being targeted, such a bets on certain types of match statistics and events. The reasoning is that it is too easy for players on the field to manipulate these statistics, without purposely losing a game.
Restriction on online gambling advertising
Advertising for cashback bonuses, and cashbacks themselves must disappear completely. Casinos can still offer welcome bonuses and free spins, but are limited to advertising them on their own website only. This means no more TV commercials with about free spins or bonuses, and greatly affects the affiliate market, with most Belgian affiliate site removing all mention of bonuses and free spins. Players can only find them on the casino sites themselves.
“Gamble in moderation” and advertising limits
The text “Gamble in moderation” (“Gok met mate”) will also have to be mentioned on every advertisement for online gaming. There can only be one gambling advertisement per advertising block, while gambling advertisements must disappear before 8 pm and during major sporting events. This probably means that advertising slots for gambling will go up in price, which will probably benefit the larger players on the Belgian market.
Find more gambling news at FreeSpinsNoDepositNoWager.com.
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: No more advertising free spins and bonuses – Belgium amends gambling laws
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BLAST expands into Dota 2 with five events set to be rolled out in 2024/25
BLAST expands into Dota 2 with five events set to be rolled out in 2024/25
- BLAST to start hosting regular Dota 2 tournaments in 2024/25
- First studio event to take place in November 2024
- BLAST.tv will become new home of Dota 2 esports, platform will allow fans to tailor their viewing experience, get closer to the action and impact the entertainment unfolding before their eyes
Esports entertainment company BLAST has revealed plans to enter Dota 2 with a full schedule of events to be rolled out in 2024/25. BLAST will become the new home of Dota 2 esports through arranging a tournament series focused on unparalleled production quality and game changing fan-first moments.
The tournament organiser will host a first Dota 2 studio event in November, ahead of four events taking place in 2025. The full extent of the new Dota 2 tournament series will be revealed in the summer, where further information on format, prize pool and locations will be shared.
Andrew Haworth, VP of Ecosystems, Valve & Riot Games, said: “We are delighted to be entering Dota 2 and have plans for BLAST to bring a new level of production and excitement that Dota fans haven’t seen before. It’s a game we love as fans and players, we’ve been following closely as an interested tournament organiser for the last few years. As we’ve grown as a business and expand into further titles, Dota has always been on our wish list.
With the recent changes to the Dota ecosystem we feel it’s the perfect opportunity for BLAST to come in, provide the community with the next level of tournaments and become the new home of Dota 2.
“BLAST prides itself on unparalleled production quality and game changing fan-first moments while bringing together the very best teams and biggest superstars to fight it out for glory on the server. We look forward to bringing this approach to the world of Dota 2 and providing fans with the best esports entertainment on offer.”
This strategic move marks a significant expansion of BLAST’s tournament portfolio, further diversifying its offerings beyond its successful ventures in Fortnite (FNCS), Rocket League (RLCS), Counter-Strike, and Rainbow Six Siege.
BLAST.tv, a custom made esports live viewing platform, will add Dota 2 to its offering meaning fans will be able to enjoy a tailor made competitive esports viewing experience and platform. Fans will never miss a key moment of the action with the BLAST.tv interactive timeline feature, which catalogues standout highlights to be replayed instantly on the playback timeline.
The platform has a custom built video player with 4K capabilities and a moderated live chat feature that will enable fans to connect with a like-minded community, where fans will be able to impact the events unfolding before their eyes through interactive polls.
Outside of the live experience, BLAST.tv will be a one-stop-shop for Dota 2 esports fans. Providing them with the latest player stats, team standings, mini-games, news and exclusive content and experiences.
Sign up to BLAST.tv for all the latest news, updates and BLAST’s future plans for Dota 2.
The post BLAST expands into Dota 2 with five events set to be rolled out in 2024/25 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Emma Shilling Receives Visionary Compliance Leader Award in the 2024 Women in Leadership Awards
SolutionsHub’s Head of Compliance, Emma Shilling, has been recognised at the 2024 Women in Leadership Awards, winning the prestigious Visionary Compliance Leader Award. This recognition celebrates her outstanding contributions, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence within the compliance landscape.
The 2024 Women in Leadership Awards celebrate excellence in leadership by meticulously evaluating outstanding individuals and organisations. Through a rigorous selection process based on comprehensive standards, these awards recognise impactful contributions.
This award is a testament to Emma’s remarkable achievements and her leadership excellence, specifically in eGaming compliance. As a compliance leader, she has consistently demonstrated visionary thinking, dedication to sustainability, and a passion for responsible gambling practices within the online gambling industry.
SolutionsHub Director Nick Wright, said “We are very proud of Emma. Her strategic vision, dedication to pragmatic and ethical compliance, and pursuit of excellence underscores our commitment to fostering a culture of compliance and innovation.
“This award reinforces Emma’s reputation as a compliance leader and enhances her credibility within our industry and beyond.”
In response to receiving this award Emma said “I would like to thank those that nominated me and the judges for this honor. To be recognised with this award is immensely satisfying for me personally and a testiment to our teams collective commitment to innovation while furthering responsible gambling practices and maintaining the highest standards of compliance.”
SolutionsHub, a leading compliance consultancy, specialises in tailoring comprehensive solutions for Isle of Man-licensed eGaming businesses. With a seasoned team of industry veterans and former regulators at the helm, SolutionsHub ensures that businesses maintain the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and regulatory compliance in the often challenging online gambling sector.
Emma Shilling is Head of Compliance at SolutionsHub, where she leads the compliance team in delivering bespoke compliance solutions for Isle of Man licensed eGaming businesses.
Note: The Women in Leadership Awards are organized by EMG Publishing Group and recognise exceptional female leaders across various sectors.
The post Emma Shilling Receives Visionary Compliance Leader Award in the 2024 Women in Leadership Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ESL FACEIT Group Partners with s1mple for Launch of Play Like s1mple Project
The Legendary Counter-Strike Star’s Educational Program Will Offer 60+ Tutorials and Exclusive FACEIT Features To Help Players Up Their Game.
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and video game entertainment company, and renowned Counter-Strike player Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev today announced a partnership with Play Like s1mple Project – an educational video series designed to change how players approach mastering Counter-Strike 2.
The program will include more than 60 interactive sessions, with a focus on in-game skill development and strategy as well as out-of-game topics such as career advancement. The program aims to empower gamers of all levels to unlock their full potential in Counter-Strike 2.
“We’re thrilled to launch the Play Like s1mple Project and provide gamers with a unique opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business,” said s1mple. “Whether you’re a casual player looking to improve your skills, better understand the game, and achieve a champion mindset or a great pro aiming to take your game to the next level, this program has something for everyone. I wish someone could have shared these skills with me when I just started my journey in CS.”
Play Like s1mple Project will bring the comprehensive educational program to the global gaming audience in partnership with FACEIT, the leading community platform for online PvP play. FACEIT has been the home of competitive Counter-Strike for more than a decade and will now offer a suite of educational programming that supports the in-game learning experience it offers for casual players and aspiring pros alike. Through this collaboration, Play Like s1mple Project participants will gain exclusive access to FACEIT’s premium features and exclusive on-platform content.
“s1mple’s success, longevity in Counter-Strike and legacy with FACEIT, makes him uniquely qualified to help our global community learn and master their game at the highest level of competition. ” said Fabio Floris, President, Digital Platforms, ESL FACEIT Group. “Viewers will not only pick up the intricacies of top-tier CS, but also insights on what it takes to break into the industry in other ways, including as caster, talent manager, and more.”
Key features of the Play Like s1mple Project include:
- Unmatched Talent: s1mple, possibly the greatest player in Counter-Strike history, will share his expertise and practical knowledge.
- Legendary Experience: Comparable to legends like Jordan or Messi, s1mple will share secrets and best practices developed over more than a decade of play.
- Career Development Resources: Gain insights into the esports industry and learn how to turn your passion for gaming into a successful career with guidance from industry experts.
FACEIT Community Support:
- Join a community of gamers and CS enthusiasts.
- Get tips and strategies directly from s1mple
- Connect with like-minded individuals worldwide.
Exclusive Content and Competitions:
- Access premium content.
- Participate in tournaments for the community.
- Have personal communication with s1mple and other top players, providing unparalleled insights into the world of professional gaming.
Registration for the Play Like s1mple Project will open May13 with limited spots available. Visit playlikes1mple.com for more information, and follow All Stars Promo on Twitter or Instagram. For more information on the FACEIT platform, check out eslfaceitgroup.com and follow EFG on LinkedIn.
The post ESL FACEIT Group Partners with s1mple for Launch of Play Like s1mple Project appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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