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Casino Guru’s complaint data reveals scope of UK players gambling at unlicensed websites
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The Gambling Commission’s recent calls for evidence and views from the industry and the public regarding upcoming changes to Great Britain’s gambling regulation has seen a number of professionals emphasize the potential rise of black-market gambling as a consequence of tightening regulations.
These claims have been largely backed up by a PwC report, which estimates the number of UK online gamblers using unlicensed operators to have more than doubled from 2018 to 2020, from c.210,000 to c.460,000 gamblers.
Later on, UK gambling firms have been accused of exaggerating the scale of black-market gambling in an attempt to influence the GC’s decision to introduce tougher regulations. The GC’s chief executive Neil McArthur commented that the report delivered by PwC is not consistent with their intelligence picture and lacked any evidence to show an increase in illicit betting. He added that GC’s own evidence suggests that the impact may be being exaggerated.
Simon Vincze, Casino Guru’s Responsible Gambling Projects Manager, has been keeping up with the heated discussion taking place in British media and looked into their data on player complaints to get an idea about the scope of the issue: “I understand the need for regulation in the gambling market and its usefulness in keeping children and vulnerable players safe. It’s something I deeply believe in and work towards in my position as well. However, it didn’t seem right to me to just disregard the negative effects of tightening regulations altogether.”
Casino Guru operates a casino dispute mediation service, in which players can complain about any online casino if they feel to have been mistreated, regardless of its license, and get assisted for free. After looking into their data, Simon discovered 666 complaints submitted by players from the UK, of which 145 is about casinos with a license from GC and 521 is about casinos without it. This means that 78% of all complaints submitted by UK players have been about operators without a GC license.
“Of course, this doesn’t mean that 78% of UK players gamble at foreign websites. Because of the generally lower quality of service and reputation of these operators, it can be expected that these players will run into issues more often, resulting in a higher proportion of players submitting public complaints. However, it is also a clear sign that there are UK players gambling at casinos without a GC license, and that there is quite a lot of them,” Simon commented on this data.
He also compared the British situation to what has happened in Sweden: “When gambling regulations get more restrictive, an increased proportion of players usually start looking for unlicensed operators to avoid those regulations. Sweden is a great example of this, where 40% of casino players and 34% of sports betters gamble on unlicensed websites or would consider doing so in future, according to a study published back in April 2020. Taking a look at Google search data, there has been a major increase in Swedish players actively looking for unlicensed casinos since introducing the country’s gambling regulations with a strong focus on player safety.”
“With tighter regulations being introduced in Great Britain, the GC should be aware of the possibility of an increasing number of British punters actively looking for unlicensed sites in attempts to avoid the strict regulations. These players then gamble on foreign websites without the strict limits present at UK-licensed ones, ending up more susceptible to problematic gambling habits as a result of lower responsible gambling standards of some foreign operators, on top of other negative qualities that can be present at these websites.”
Data from the PwC report suggests that 4,5% of UK players gamble at foreign websites, while 78% of all complaints submitted to Casino Guru by UK players are related to these foreign websites.
Simon commented: “Combining this data would suggest that 4,5% of players are responsible for 78% of all casino complaints, which would signify a huge imbalance. Of course, the numbers are based on different data and there may be other factors in play, but I think that the imbalance is there, and has to do with the fact that players gambling on foreign websites simply run into issues more often. These can range from unclear bonus terms and bad implementation of responsible gambling features all the way to unscrupulous casinos outright scamming players.”
“If an increasing number of players leave the regulated market and go for foreign alternatives, they may be subject to a higher risk of developing problem gambling and losing money to foreign websites, some of which can have unscrupulous tendencies. This seems like a good enough reason to seriously consider the risk of rising use of black-market gambling websites by UK players,” he added.
While the GC is examining evidence presented by stakeholders and working towards updated gambling regulation, it remains to be seen how the situation ends up being handled and what new rules get implemented. Only time will tell whether tighter regulation really does increase the use of black-market sites or not, and whether the benefits will outweigh possible drawbacks.
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Europe Sports Betting Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report 2024-2030 Featuring Bet365, William Hill, Betfair, Paddy Power, 888sport, Bwin, Unibet, Ladbrokes, MGM, and Betsson
The “Europe Sports Betting Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Type, Platform, Sports Type (Football, Basketball, Baseball, Horse Racing, Cricket, Hockey, Others), Country, and Segment Forecasts, 2024-2030” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.
The Europe sports betting market size is anticipated to reach USD 65.54 billion by 2030 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 9.9% from 2024 to 2030
The globalization of sports and the integration of international leagues and tournaments into European betting markets have fueled the growth of sports betting. Major sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship, Wimbledon, and the Olympics attract widespread attention and betting interest from European consumers, driving significant betting volumes and revenues for sports betting operators, thus driving the growth of the sports betting market in Europe.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the European sports betting market. The cancellation or postponement of sports events during the pandemic restrained the market growth. With major tournaments, leagues, and competitions either suspended or canceled outright, the absence of live sports events severely diminished consumer betting opportunities. It led to a significant decline in betting volumes and revenues for sports betting operators.
The presence of favorable betting policies in the region is driving the growth of the sports betting market in the region. Many European countries, such as the UK, Ireland, Denmark, and France, have progressive policies promoting a competitive and well-regulated betting market. It facilitates the entry of new operators into the market and encourages competition, leading to innovation, improved services, and better value for consumers.
Moreover, established responsible gambling initiatives and regulatory bodies in Europe, such as the European Gaming & Betting Association, help build trust and confidence among consumers by promoting responsible gambling practices, ensuring fairness and transparency in betting operations, and providing avenues for dispute resolution, to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of the betting market, thus driving the growth of sports betting market in the region.
Europe Sports Betting Market Report Highlights
- Based on the type of betting, the fixed odd wagering segment accounted for the highest revenue share of 27.7% in 2023 due to the stability and predictability of the payouts
- Based on platform, the online segment dominated the market in 2023 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR from 2024 to 2030. It can be attributed to the collaborations between sports teams, leagues, and betting companies, thus increasing the visibility of sports betting and attracting a larger customer base.
- In terms of sports type, the football segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2023. It can be attributed to the popularity of football in Europe due to popular football clubs like Real Madrid, Liverpool FC, FC Barcelona, and Manchester United.
- The UK held a significant share of 34.6% in 2023 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Favorable gambling policies in the country drive the market’s growth.
Company Profiles
- Bet365
- Ali William Hill
- Betfair
- Paddy Power
- 888sport
- Bwin
- Unibet
- Ladbrokes
- MGM Resorts International
- Betsson
Key Attributes:
| Report Attribute | Details |
| No. of Pages | 80 |
| Forecast Period | 2023 – 2030 |
| Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 | $33.75 Billion |
| Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 | $65.54 Billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 9.9% |
| Regions Covered | Europe |
Key Topics Covered:
Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope
Chapter 2. Executive Summary
2.1. Market Outlook
2.2. Segment Outlook
2.3. Competitive Insights
Chapter 3. Europe Sports Betting Market Variables, Trends & Scope
3.1. Market Lineage Outlook
3.1.1. Parent market outlook
3.1.2. Related/ancillary market outlook
3.2. Market Dynamics
3.2.1. Market driver analysis
3.2.1.1. Increasing number of sport events
3.2.1.2. Growing number of sporting events and leagues in Europe
3.2.2. Market restraint analysis
3.2.2.1. Lack of unified regulations
3.2.3. Market opportunity analysis
3.2.3.1. Growth in E-sports audience
3.3. Europe Sports Betting Market Analysis Tools
3.3.1. Industry Analysis – Porter’s
3.3.2. PESTEL Analysis
Chapter 4. Europe Sports Betting Market: Platform Estimates & Trend Analysis
4.1. Platform Market Share, 2023 & 2030
4.2. Segment Dashboard
4.3. Europe Sports Betting Market by Platform Outlook
4.4. Market Size & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2018 to 2030
4.4.1. Offline
4.4.2. Online
Chapter 5. Europe Sports Betting Market: Type Estimates & Trend Analysis
5.1. Type Market Share, 2023 & 2030
5.2. Segment Dashboard
5.3. Europe Sports Betting Market by Type Outlook
5.4. Market Size & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2018 to 2030
5.4.1. Fixed odds wagering
5.4.2. Exchange Betting
5.4.3. Live/In Play Betting
5.4.4. eSports Betting
5.4.5. Others
Chapter 6. Europe Sports Betting Market: Sports Type Estimates & Trend Analysis
6.1. Sports Type Market Share, 2023 & 2030
6.2. Segment Dashboard
6.3. Europe Sports Betting Market by Sports Type Outlook
6.4. Market Size & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2018 to 2030
6.4.1. Football
6.4.2. Basketball
6.4.3. Baseball
6.4.4. Horse Racing
6.4.5. Cricket
6.4.6. Hockey
6.4.7. Others
Chapter 7. Europe Sports Betting Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis
7.1. Regional Market Share Analysis, 2023 & 2030
7.2. Regional Market Dashboard
7.3. Regional Market Snapshot
7.4. Market Size, & Forecasts Trend Analysis, 2018 to 2030
7.4.1. UK
7.4.2. Germany
7.4.3. France
7.4.4. Italy
Chapter 8. Competitive Landscape
8.1. Recent Developments & Impact Analysis, By Key Market Participants
8.2. Company/Competition Categorization
8.3. Vendor Landscape
8.3.1. List of key distributors and channel partners
8.3.2. Key customers
8.4. Company Profiles
For more information about this report visit researchandmarkets.com
The post Europe Sports Betting Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report 2024-2030 Featuring Bet365, William Hill, Betfair, Paddy Power, 888sport, Bwin, Unibet, Ladbrokes, MGM, and Betsson appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Leading online slot developer announces launch of Snoop’s High Rollers which will go live exclusively with popular crypto sportsbook and casino
Gaming Corps, a publicly listed game development company based in Sweden, has signed a major deal that will see it launch an exclusive slot game in collaboration with rap legend, Snoop Dogg. The game will drop exclusively on Roobet, the online casino where Snoop Dogg is a brand ambassador.
Snoop Dogg needs no introduction. He made his music industry debut when he appeared on Dr Dre’s 1992 album, The Chronic, and has since sold more than 50 million albums worldwide. He’s also made several movie and TV show appearances, making him one of the most iconic artists of all time.
The game is “Snoop’s High Rollers” and allows players to experience what it’s like to live life as a music legend. The soundtrack is inspired by Snoop’s early and later works and the main man has also narrated parts of the game to really bring it to life.
Snoop has also played a part in creating the gameplay, hand-picking mechanics and bonus features to really put his stamp on the game. Roobet has also got in on the action, leading to a unique online slot that will soar to the top of the charts among its players.
Snoop’s High Rollers will make its debut exclusively on Roobet, the crypto casino and sportsbook that has taken the market by storm since its launch in 2019. The casino’s team has put a comprehensive marketing strategy behind the game with plans to use it to drive new customer acquisition at scale.
“It is with much pride that we at Gaming Corps have had the chance to develop a game in close collaboration with Snoop Dogg and Roobet, where we have combined our unique gaming perspective with Snoop Dogg’s unparalleled style and charisma,” Juha Kauppinen, Gaming Corps CEO, said:-
“Our vision is to offer players an experience where music, culture and gaming merge into something extraordinary. Our close collaboration with Roobet has enabled us to do the impossible, namely world-class marketing, game release is planned for 20 of April. We’re thrilled, and discussions are already underway about several game concepts!”
Anthony Brennan, Head of Partnerships at Roobet, added: “Roobet loves pushing the envelope and never flinches at an opportunity to bring iGaming and pop culture together. Snoop loves his game, we love the game, and we’ve been delighted at the experience of building something that feels fresh in an industry full of remixes.
“We can’t say enough nice things about the Gaming Corps team, and we’re excited to hear what the gaming community has to say!”
The post Leading online slot developer announces launch of Snoop’s High Rollers which will go live exclusively with popular crypto sportsbook and casino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
NeoGames S.A, a technology-driven provider of end-to-end iGaming and iLottery solutions, has made a key appointment to the leadership team of its iLottery business unit with Christopher Shaban becoming Managing Director, iLottery.
This is the latest phase of NeoGames’ organizational restructure to support its upcoming plans as the company progresses towards the closing of its acquisition by Aristocrat, expected in the second quarter of fiscal year 2024.
With his appointment effective immediately, Shaban will oversee all iLottery activity for the NeoGames Group globally, including new business, customer growth, the continued global expansion of NeoGames’ iLottery solution, and lastly, NeoGames Studio, the Company’s in-house game studio.
Shaban brings a wealth of knowledge to the position with over 27 years of experience in the global lottery industry. He joined NeoGames in 2021 in the role of EVP Global Business and Customer Development for the Company’s iLottery business.
Moti Malul, Chief Executive Officer at NeoGames, said: “Chris is hugely respected within the lottery industry and his track record speaks for itself. I am thrilled about his appointment and look forward to seeing him drive us forward in our iLottery business.”
The post NeoGames’ Christopher Shaban appointed Managing Director iLottery appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Europe Sports Betting Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report 2024-2030 Featuring Bet365, William Hill, Betfair, Paddy Power, 888sport, Bwin, Unibet, Ladbrokes, MGM, and Betsson
Leading online slot developer announces launch of Snoop’s High Rollers which will go live exclusively with popular crypto sportsbook and casino
NeoGames’ Christopher Shaban appointed Managing Director iLottery
BETCORE Expands Reach with Launch of iGaming Products at BOOMPARI Bookmaker
Games Global Announces Filing of Registration Statement for Proposed Initial Public Offering
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Midjiwan opens Stockholm’s first co-working space for game developers
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