SBC Eurasia Weekly Digest: October 21 — 28, 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.

In just a few short years, Softconstruct has emerged as a dominant force in the media landscape through its dynamic and fast-evolving subsidiary, Fast Media. We dive into the journey of Fast Media with Arsen Haytyan, Head of Marketing and Operations, and explore how the company is shaping the future of media in Armenia and beyond.

The SBC Summit Latinoamérica is gearing up for a major event featuring a presentation by legendary footballer René Higuita, known for his “Scorpion” kick, as well as a networking evening at Chase Stadium, the home of Inter Miami. The final session of the summit will take place from October 29 to 31 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Highlight Games has launched its first instant win game, Golden Goals, in collaboration with Azerlotereya OJSC, the Azerbaijan National Lottery Company. While Digitain continues to strengthen its presence in the European market by securing a new partnership with LeBull.pl, a leading Polish sports betting and casino operator.

Roumen Spetsov, Director General of Bulgaria’s National Revenue Agency (NRA), has expanded the country’s online gambling blacklist with 52 more operators. While KELA, the Social Insurance Institute of Finland has revised its policy on gambling and social benefits effective from October 2024. The Institute serves as the general provider of economic assistance and securities for Finnish communities and citizens.

The Republic of Ireland will overhaul its near-century-old gambling laws, as the Oireachtas has approved the Gambling Regulation Bill (GRB) to be signed into law by President Michael D. Higgins. While the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has significantly strengthened its strategy when it comes to tackling the unlicensed market and ensuring the most vulnerable are protected in the regulated sector.

The French government introduced an amendment over the weekend to regulate online casinos and has set in motion the process that could see France become a regulated iCasino market. Additionally, Daniel Noboa, President of Ecuador, has re-authorized the advertising of sports betting and gambling on media networks across the Andean nation.

BetConstruct has secured a B2C remote gambling licence from ONJN, Romania’s National Gambling Office. While LeoVegas Group has launched BetMGM in its home market of Sweden, as MGM Resorts continues its digital expansion across Western European markets.

After selling off its European assets earlier this year, XLMedia is fully getting out of the affiliate business, selling its remaining North American domains to Sportradar in a deal that could be worth up to $30 million. Moreover, Sportradar is aiming to enhance the engagement experience for NBA fans with the launch of a new set of innovative solutions.

UEFA has partnered with bet365, which becomes the competition’s first official sports betting partnership. While Kindred Group’s Unibet sportsbook brand has renewed its position as an official partner of the National Hockey League (NHL) in Sweden. 

DraftKings has drafted NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal as its latest high-profile brand ambassador.

Stake has announced a new deal with the Champion of Champions Tour (CCT). Additionally, esports data and odds provider Abios has entered a partnership with Svenska Spel to supply its full esoccer offering.

Evoke revenue for the third quarter of 2024 was fuelled by a positive trajectory of gaming for the firm, which grew by 10%. Overall, revenue for evoke reached £417m, a 3% increase on the same period from the previous year. While Catena Media Plc has booked a non-cash impairment charge of €40m ($43.1m) ahead of publishing its Q3 trading results on 7 November 2024.

Push Gaming has announced a reorganization of its executive team, appointing Andy Bentley as Chief Operating Officer (COO).

The NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) has imposed a A$15m (€9.24m) fine on Star Entertainment Group for the shortcomings identified in the second Bell Report. While Australia’s Minister of Communications, Michelle Rowland, has appointed Richard Eccles to conduct the first statutory review of the country’s national self-exclusion register – BetStop.

Stay tuned for more news this week and subscribe to our Telegram channel!