SBC Eurasia Weekly Digest: December 9 — 16, 2024

SBC Eurasia Editorial Team is happy to present a quick recap of the gambling industry events, news, regulations and partnerships that happened last week.

Gambling organizers will now face a 5% increase in profit tax in Georgia. The government stated that the changes to the tax code aim to bolster budget revenues. While the Moldovan Parliament has approved the first reading of a draft law that will allow advertising for low-risk gambling activities.

World football legend, Argentina National team forward, and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi visited a charity event in Baku, Azerbaijan. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was accompanied by his teammates Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. While BetBoom has become the betting partner of the UFC in Latin America, excluding Brazil.

Google continues to fine-tune its stance and doubles penalties for site reputation abuse. 

DAZN has become the exclusive broadcaster of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after brokering a major deal with FIFA for the expansion of its OTT sports streaming platform. While Genius Sports will power the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Playoffs broadcast for TNT Sports with a unique graphics package.

The German Football League (DFB) has seen a big revenue increase after extending several media deals in the next rights cycle. Sky Deutschland, DAZN and RTL are the regular media partners of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, with Sky and DAZN holding the largest share of live matches.

Finnish state-owned operator Veikkaus has launched its live casino offering in partnership with Playtech. Additionally, Kindred has officially launched its Kindred Sportsbook platform (KSP) in the Estonian market.

Two of the largest bookmakers, Superbet and STS, are exploring the possibility of launching a tax-free game at the beginning of next year in response to Betclic’s initiative. While brokerage firm Robinhood plans to enter the sports betting sector. 

Betfair is the latest company to pay a BRL30m (£3.9m) licence fee to operate in the Brazilian market in 2025. While Sportradar has opened a new office in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, as part of its strategic expansion plans for the LatAm region.

Aristocrat Interactive has extended its collaboration with Big Bola, providing the Mexican casino operator with access to an expanded suite of online gaming systems. Moreover, Hector Fernandes has stepped down as CEO of Aristocrat Gaming, the land-based division of the Australian gaming giant.

Yolo Entertainment has upgraded its team with four senior roles as part of the company’s strategic growth plan. While Resorts World Las Vegas has overhauled its management and governance hierarchy ahead of an expected response to regulators over allegations of illegal gambling and money laundering failures.

Two US senators have called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate alleged anticompetitive behavior by FanDuel and DraftKings.

PSG FC has initiated a bankruptcy lawsuit against AK Global NV, the parent company of its former sponsor CBET. Moreover, the British company Medier, which promotes the online casino and betting platform Rabona, has filed a lawsuit against former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.

Super Group has announced a special cash dividend for shareholders after surpassing its 2024 financial targets. The NYSE-listed company raised its full-year revenue guidance to €1.6 billion ($1.696 billion) (from €1.55 billion/$1.643 billion) and increased its ex-US Adjusted EBITDA guidance to at least €360 million ($381.6 million), up from €345 million ($365.7 million).

The New Zealand government is considering a bill to expand TAB New Zealand’s monopoly on sports and racing betting to include online platforms. While the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has begun chasing illegal operators out of the market with a warning to local residents.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our Telegram channel!