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Stanleybet Pays Taxes in Bid to End Block on Entering Italian Betting Tenders

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Stanleybet Malta Ltd., the Maltese subsidiary of the Liverpool based Stanleybet Group, has announced its decision to pay Italian retail betting tax to the Italian regulator, Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), for the first time ever in Italy. The first payment, made on 2nd January 2023, with the “F24” form under the same rules that apply to Italian licensed operators, refers to the revenue made by Stanleybet in its Italian retail shops for the period 1st to 31st December 2022, which by law is due for payment by 31st January 2023. ADM was informed of this decision on the same day of the payment, via letter sent to its General Manager and to the 2 top officials responsible for gaming and betting at ADM.

Four sentences of the European Court of Justice, later confirmed by the Italian Court of Cassation and, recently, by the Italian Council of State, ruled that Stanleybet had been discriminated against with respect to free access to the Italian retail licensing system: both in the initial experimental phase (1998), and with regards to subsequent public tenders: in 2000, 2006 – with the “Bersani” tender – and, lastly, in 2012, with the “Monti” tender.

In addition, ADM prevented Stanleybet from entering the 2015 and 2016 “amnesty” proceedings. In fact, with multiple trials initiated by the Italian Regulator between 2014 and 2017 against senior Stanleybet executives and against Stanleybet shop owners (CTDs), ADM effectively made Stanleybet’s participation in those proceedings impossible, due to a lack of fair and objective entry conditions. Those proceedings ended in December 2017, when the deadline for seeking participation in the “amnesty” expired.

It should be noted that Stanleybet has never actually filed a complaint against ADM – despite all the crime reports that have been filed against its business in Italy and yet were ultimately concluded in Stanleybet’s favour.

The company has always favoured the path of dialogue. In fact, around the time of the expiry of the Italian retail betting licensing system, on 30th June 2016, Stanleybet, which by then was officially recognised as a lawful operator by the Italian courts, formally asked ADM to allow it to start paying the Italian retail betting tax in the same way as the Italian licensed operators do, by being linked to the “national totaliser” (the centralised data control system for licensed operators). ADM ignored the letter for 3 long years, and then only responded when forced to do so by the Italian Ministry of the Economy, whom Stanleybet urged to intervene as a last resort.

ADM’s historical aversion to Stanleybet should come as no surprise. After all, how could ADM, the organisation which itself was responsible for the discrimination suffered by Stanleybet, then turn around and admit that Stanleybet’s activity was always lawful? In addition, as ADM is a government body should the Italian Government not share some of the responsibility?

With the 2011 Stability Law and subsequent amendments, the Italian legislator provided for payment of the retail betting tax, not only by operators licensed in Italy but also by operators that were not licensed by the Italian authorities. However, in the latter case the betting tax payable could instead be calculated by reference to shop revenue based on tripling the average betting shop revenue for the relevant province. ADM then chose to apply these “tripling” provisions to Stanleybet, thereby effectively admitting that it still considered Stanleybet to be an illegal operator. The result of ADM’s actions was a large and unnecessary tax dispute, which remains ongoing.

During 2022, Stanleybet proposed to ADM that it was prepared to immediately start paying the retail betting tax as a licensed operator, subject to a formal settlement agreement to deal with alleged historic liabilities, with the intention of drawing a line under the issue, once and for all. Although various meetings were held in “Piazza Mastai”, ADM’s headquarters, even with the initial participation of the ADM Director himself, ADM’s position remained totally against this proposal. Even numerous settlement proposals put forward to ADM in individual tax proceedings, often with the support of the relevant Judge, were met with an absolute refusal by ADM to reconsider the calculations and Stanleybet’s position as an Italian licensed operator.

Given that any attempt to get ADM to accept a reasonable solution to the dispute seemed futile, Stanleybet proposed during a Group Board Meeting of its Executive Directors in Liverpool, held on 15th December 2022, to start paying the Italian retail betting tax, exercising the right to pay taxes in Italy like any other licensed operator. The decision was formally approved, after further deliberation and planning, at a further extraordinary Group Board Meeting of its Executive Directors held on 28th December 2022. Stanleybet hopes that ADM will consider this proactive decision not as a challenge, but as an act of common sense made in good faith and in the best interests of the Italian State. The Maltese gambling regulator (MGA), which is well aware of Stanleybet’s history in Italy, fully understands Stanleybet’s decision and the reasons behind it, and was officially informed at the same time as ADM. Whilst Stanleybet Malta Ltd.’s aim is for full participation in the Italian regulated system, it remains and wishes to remain, a licensee of the MGA – which it thanks officially, and with deep gratitude, for its continued support.

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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NetBet Partners with Fight Disciples

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NetBet, a leading online gaming platform, has announced an exciting new partnership with world-renowned boxing & MMA podcast the Fight Disciples, co-hosted by award-winning broadcasters Adam Catterall and Nick Peet.

The partnership will span some of the UFC’s biggest events, including Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier at UFC 318, as well as major upcoming boxing bouts.

This partnership builds on NetBet’s recent announcement as the official betting partner of the UFC in the UK and other parts of Europe. It will play a key role in boosting visibility for NetBet’s popular UFC Predictor Game. As part of the collaboration, NetBet branding will feature across all Fight Disciples UFC content, including behind-the-scenes access and exclusive fighter interviews.

Part of this deal will also see the Fight Disciples and NetBet team up to provide all-encompassing coverage for three huge upcoming boxing fights; Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois, Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs Terrance Crawford.

Adam Catterall, co-host of the Fight Disciples Podcast, said: “We’ve always prided ourselves on being the voice of the fight fan, so teaming up with NetBet – the official sportsbook and betting partner of the UFC – is a massive moment for us. This partnership gives us the opportunity to get even closer to the action and, more importantly, bring our audience along with us. Whether it’s behind-the-scenes insight, exclusive content, or on-the-ground access at the biggest events, it’s all about delivering that front-row feeling to our listeners.”

Tristan Wootton, Head of UK at NetBet added: “With NetBet making huge waves in the world of fight sports, this partnership with the Fight Disciples represents another exciting opportunity with regard to brand development. We feel confident that our players will enjoy the engaging content produced from this partnership, with so many brilliant UFC and boxing shows just on the horizon!”

The post NetBet Partners with Fight Disciples appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Soft2Bet’s brand Don.ro Becomes Main Sponsor of CFR Cluj in Multi-Year Agreement

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Soft2Bet continues its strategic expansion in Romania through its rapidly growing online entertainment brand, Don.ro, which has entered a multi-year agreement as the main sponsor of CFR 1907 Cluj, one of Romania’s leading football clubs.

Beginning with the 2025-26 Liga 1 season, leading Romanian brand Don.ro’s logo will feature prominently on CFR Cluj’s home and away kits, training gear, and throughout the “Dr. Constantin Rădulescu” stadium. The partnership with CFR Cluj also includes a slate of live and digital activations powered by Soft2Bet’s innovative platform, designed to deepen fan engagement.

“We are excited to announce our partnership with Don.ro, a Romanian brand that shares our values of performance, professionalism, and the desire to build something lasting. The fact that Don.ro is becoming the main partner of our club is both a validation of the work we do every day and an important step in strengthening CFR Cluj’s image both nationally and internationally.

We are pleased to have a dynamic partner by our side, one with a modern vision who believes in the power of sport to inspire and bring people together. Moreover, Don.ro has chosen to offer each season ticket holder this season an official jersey — a gesture of appreciation for the passion and loyalty with which they support us.” — Cristian Balaj, CFR Cluj President.

The partnership between Soft2Bet and CFR Cluj brings together Don.ro’s award-winning online gaming brand and a club with a rich history of success, including eight league titles, four Romanian Cups, and four Super Cups. Both sides are driven by a commitment to high performance, bold ambition, and fresh ideas, which makes this collaboration especially well-aligned.

“We are honored to join the CFR Cluj family, a symbol of excellence in Romanian football. This partnership reflects the shared values that bring us together — performance, responsibility, and respect for the community.

At Don.ro, we are committed to promoting a safe and balanced entertainment environment, and through our collaboration with CFR Cluj, we aim to deliver a strong message about the importance of responsible play, both on and off the field.”  — Marius Mirasovici, Official representative of Don.ro brand

The partnership is designed to deliver real value to Don.ro’s players and the wider local community. With Soft2Bet’s backing, Don.ro will launch a range of activations tailored to Romanian audiences, such as exclusive match-day experiences, localised campaigns, community events, and responsible gaming initiatives, bringing fans closer to the action and rewarding their loyalty in meaningful ways.

Oksana Tsyhankova, Chief Marketing Officer at Soft2Bet, highlighted: “At Soft2Bet, we excel in building powerful and award-winning brands that forge deep connections with players through localised experiences. Don.ro’s partnership with CFR Cluj embodies this vision,combining a top-performing club with our drive for tailored gamified experiences, product excellence, and a passion for performance.”

Launched in 2024 and recognised as “Best Launch of the Year” at the 12th Meeting of Gambling Professionals, Don.ro delivers over 3,484 casino games, a full live-dealer lineup, and a complete sportsbook. The platform runs on Soft2Bet’s proprietary MEGA (Motivational Engineering Gaming Application) technology, which enhances player engagement through mission-based features and in-game challenges.

The post Soft2Bet’s brand Don.ro Becomes Main Sponsor of CFR Cluj in Multi-Year Agreement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Week 27/2025 slot games releases

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Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming

PG Soft has served up a classic slot with its Diner Frenzy Spins. This is a 5-reel, 4-rows video slot featuring connecting ways and sticky symbol respins. Diner Frenzy Spins is set within a vibrant, retro-futuristic diner with a buzzy atmosphere thanks to a playful soundtrack. During any spin, the Mystery Respin may be randomly triggered while the reels are spinning.

ELA Games calls back to a classic yet luxurious gaming experience with its new title, Juicy Crystal. The game offers a unique and modern twist on the beloved and familiar fruit machine format, featuring timeless symbols and rich visuals. The studio’s trademark attention to detail and quality delivers a game that’s exciting, memorable and elegant.

Amusnet presents its newest Online Casino portfolio expansion – a royal-themed slot filled with exciting bonus features. The release adds to the fun of the player-favourite Extra Crown game series, this time with six reels and 100 paylines, top-notch graphics and a vibrant soundtrack. A total of 11 symbols are scattered across the now six reels and 40 fixed paylines, along with some special features that make the gameplay more engaging and fun.

Play’n GO illuminate their classic Moon Princess universe once more with Moon Princess Stargazing, a grid slot set among icy stars and rising multipliers. Set beyond Neptune in the icy reaches of the Kuiper Belt, Moon Princess Stargazing marks a radiant new chapter in one of Play’n GO’s most celebrated series. Players reunite with Star, Nova and Astra – the celestial trio whose powers help forge constellation connections and unlock sky-high wins.

 

Step into the golden sands of Ancient Egypt with Ra’s Relics Bonanza, a thrilling 6×5 cascading slot adventure from Booming Games! Land 8 or more matching symbols anywhere on the reels to secure a win, as winning symbols vanish and new ones tumble down, unlocking endless chances for treasure. Keep an eye on the Divine Scarab, collecting scatter symbols throughout the base game and triggering Free Spins at any moment.

 

The post Week 27/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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