A New Chapter Begins
As of November 21st, 2024, Denmark has taken a significant step forward in its gaming sector by initiating the application process for land-based bingo licenses, scheduled to be effective from January 1st, 2025. This move by the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) opens up a new regulated environment for bingo operators across the nation.
Licensing Process Demystified
Prospective bingo operators are now invited to submit their applications in anticipation of the new licensing regime beginning next year. Applications are to be completed and submitted by December 10th, 2024, to ensure they are processed in time for the January launch. The authority has made extensive resources available on its dedicated “Land-Based Bingo” webpage, which houses all relevant materials and instructions to aid applicants in submitting accurate and complete applications.
Informed Compliance: An Interactive Approach
In a move to clarify the new regulations, the Danish Gambling Authority has also scheduled an informational meeting on December 5th, 2024. The meeting, to be held at Englandsgade 25, Odense, is designed to engage with operators and stakeholders, providing them with detailed insights into what the new regulations entail for their operations. Registration for this event is required by November 29th, 2024.
The Impact on Gambling Dynamics
This regulatory shift is seen in the context of broader market dynamics, where Denmark has experienced a slight decrease in average gambling expenditure by nearly 3%. The introduction of regulated land-based bingo is expected to invigorate the sector, potentially reversing recent downturns in gambling activities.
License Duration and Compliance Requirements
Operators interested in securing a land-based bingo license must meet stringent requirements, including the submission of criminal records and debt declarations to ensure compliance and integrity within the gambling industry. Licenses will be valid for up to five years, with the possibility of renewal. Companies must also appoint a local representative if they are not domiciled within the EU or EEA.
Financial Considerations
The cost of applying for a bingo license is set at DKK 20,000, with renewals costing DKK 10,000. Furthermore, licensed operators will be subject to an annual fee based on their gross gambling income, ensuring a proportional contribution to the regulatory framework.
Gambling Revenue Insights
Recent data released by Spillemyndigheden indicates a decline in overall gambling revenue, despite a surge in online casino gaming. This nuanced landscape underscores the challenges and opportunities within Denmark’s gambling sector as it adapts to new regulatory environments and market conditions.
As Denmark advances towards a more regulated and responsible gambling environment, these developments are poised to reshape the country’s gaming landscape, fostering a sustainable and compliant bingo sector. Operators are encouraged to engage with the resources provided and participate in upcoming informational sessions to fully prepare for the new licensing framework’s opportunities.
Anticipated Legislative Progress
As Thailand ventures into the arena of legal gambling, its government is proactively working to enact a bill that would establish integrated entertainment complexes by mid-2025. Prommin Lertsuridej, Secretary-General and a key government figure, expressed confidence in an interview with Inside Asian Gaming about the bill’s swift passage through Thailand’s legislative bodies within the coming year. “The earliest we could see this law passed is within the next six months, setting the stage for a vibrant start next year,” he explained.
Strategic Development of Integrated Resorts
This pivotal bill aims to catapult Thailand into the global gaming spotlight by sanctioning integrated resorts that amalgamate casino gaming with diverse entertainment, retail, and hospitality offerings. The draft, now awaiting Cabinet endorsement, will soon progress through the legislative process in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, necessitating multiple readings over several months before it gains full approval.
Public-Private Partnerships and Economic Projections
The draft legislation proposes a public-private partnership model for the development of these entertainment complexes. Prospective operators, required to be Thai-registered with a substantial minimum capital, would be integral to this development phase. The initial license fee is set high to ensure serious commitment, with a substantial renewal fee to maintain operational rights.
Citigroup analysts predict a potential gross gaming revenue from these ventures could position Thailand as the world’s third-largest gaming market. This bold move could transform the country’s tourism and economic landscape, drawing interest from global gaming giants like Las Vegas Sands and MGM Resorts.
Location and Licensing Dynamics
Preliminary plans suggest that up to five licenses could be granted, with major tourist cities like Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Phuket being prime candidates for these complexes. Each venue would need to offer more than just gaming; they are expected to house a variety of other tourist and entertainment facilities, limiting the gaming area to a small fraction of the total project space to ensure a balanced appeal.
Global Impact and Strategic Positioning
The passage of this legislation would not only enhance Thailand’s appeal as a tourist destination but also position it as a formidable contender in the regional gaming market, potentially rivaling established hubs like Singapore. It represents a strategic pivot for international operators seeking diversification, especially in light of the regulatory uncertainties in markets like Macau.
As Thailand prepares to open this new chapter, the global gaming community watches keenly, recognizing the significant economic and cultural shifts that could accompany the legalization of casinos in one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic nations.
With Donald Trump decisively winning the U.S. presidential election, the early hours brought a burst of excitement to many. Yet, his victory wasn’t the only major decision American voters made. Across the nation, citizens faced numerous high-stakes issues—from Senate and House races to pivotal questions about reproductive rights and, in several key states, decisions about gambling expansion.
The gambling industry, naturally, had its eye on several ballots where voters were set to decide on sports betting and online gaming reforms.
Missouri’s Major Move
One of the biggest pieces of gambling news this election came from Missouri. Voters in the “Show-Me” state narrowly passed Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2, paving the way for both retail and online sports betting. By a slim margin of around 13,000 votes, citizens approved a system allowing 20 retail betting sites and 22 sports betting platforms, with licenses split between local casinos, professional sports teams, and standalone online operators.
Missouri’s favorable 10 percent tax rate on sports betting revenue is expected to generate substantial funds for education and responsible gambling programs. With new laws set to take effect 30 days post-election, legal sports betting could be live in Missouri by early December.
Not all measures passed, however. Voters rejected Amendment 5, which would have authorized a new riverboat casino on the Osage River, with 52 percent voting against it.
Virginia’s New Casino Approval
Virginia also saw significant movement. Voters in Petersburg overwhelmingly approved the construction of a new casino, making it the fifth land-based casino in the state. The new project, led by Cordish Group, is anticipated to be a $1.4 billion investment, a testament to Petersburg’s enthusiasm, with 81 percent of voters backing the plan.
The state originally approved five casinos in 2020, but Richmond’s repeated rejections shifted the opportunity to Petersburg. Cordish Group, known for its Live! Casinos in several states, has historically opposed online gaming, so their presence in Virginia could influence the state’s iGaming landscape.
Arkansas’ Paradox
Arkansas presented a unique case with Issue 2, which initially seemed like a win for gambling enthusiasts. However, instead of expanding gaming, Issue 2 actually revoked prior approval for a new casino in Pope County. Going forward, any new casinos in Arkansas will require direct approval from local voters.
Colorado’s Proposition JJ
Colorado voters weighed in on Proposition JJ, a measure that would redirect gambling tax revenue. Since legalizing sports betting in 2019, Colorado has used a portion of its tax revenue for water conservation efforts. Proposition JJ asked voters to allow the state to keep and use all gambling taxes for environmental projects, instead of issuing refunds to casinos.
With over 75 percent of voters in favor, the initiative passed, giving a boost to Colorado’s conservation programs without raising new taxes.
Looking Ahead
As final counts wrap up, the gambling industry awaits results from Virginia, Arkansas, and Colorado to understand the full impact of this election on state-level gambling reforms. For now, Trump’s win may have dominated headlines, but the shifts in gambling laws across the nation are setting up an equally transformative future in the industry.
Finland is making major strides towards opening its gambling market to private operators, a move expected to reshape the gaming landscape while preserving its protective frameworks. This updated legislation, recently submitted to the European Commission (EC) for approval, marks a significant step towards modernizing Finland’s gambling industry.
Key Details of Finland’s Re-Regulation Plan
On 1 November, the Finnish government officially notified the EC of its reformed gambling law, a move that precedes the anticipated 1 January 2026 opening of the re-regulated market. For the first time, private operators will be permitted to enter Finland’s gambling scene, provided they secure the appropriate licenses.
Here are the main points:
- Veikkaus Retains Monopoly in Some Areas: The state-owned Veikkaus will retain exclusive control over lottery games, retail betting, and traditional casino gaming.
- Licensing for Other Gambling Forms: Private operators can apply for licenses to offer sports betting, horse race betting, online casino games, and bingo.
- License Terms: Veikkaus’ monopoly license will last for ten years, while licenses for other operators are set at five-year terms.
- Tax Rate and Additional Reforms: Finland plans a uniform tax rate of 22% on gross gaming revenue (GGR), along with amendments to the Lottery Act, Lottery Tax Act, and Income Tax Act to support this transition.
The EC and EU member states will review the legislation over the next three months, while Finland aims to bring the law to the Riksdag (Parliament) in early 2025.
A Business-Friendly Approach
Experts have praised the new draft legislation for its balance between business incentives and regulatory protections. Unlike previous proposals, it includes several business-oriented adjustments:
- Marketing Flexibility: Restrictions on offline marketing have been eased, and operators may now offer bonuses to existing customers under controlled conditions.
- Horse Race Betting Licensing: Previously an exclusive model, horse race betting is now open to competition.
- Accelerated Timeline: The timeline for licensed operations has been advanced, with the market potentially opening as early as 1 July 2026.
“The updated draft law is significantly more business-friendly compared to the initial draft,” remarked Finnish gaming law expert Antti Koivula. While recognizing some drawbacks, Koivula emphasized that the new law’s marketing flexibility and accelerated timeline will benefit the industry.
Nordic Inspiration and Tax Implications
Drawing on frameworks used in Denmark and Sweden, Finland’s law appears to adopt a familiar Nordic approach. As legal expert Morten Ronde noted, the proposed model reflects “significant improvements” over previous drafts, with a moderate bonus policy and a reasonable tax rate. However, the increased GGR-based supervision fee could create an additional tax burden of over 2% at certain revenue levels.
A Careful Stance on Influencer and Affiliate Marketing
Finland’s draft also brings stringent restrictions on affiliate and influencer marketing. The proposal bans Veikkaus from using influencer promotions on personal platforms and prohibits affiliate marketing aimed at driving traffic to gambling sites. Finnish iGaming consultant Pasi Koskela raised concerns about these restrictions, questioning whether they might push traffic toward unregulated casinos.
“People won’t stop searching for ‘online casinos,’ which means traffic directed by affiliates to reputable sites may now shift to unregulated options,” Koskela warned.
Welcome Bonus and Free Chip available at Vegas Casino Online
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) recently announced that gaming revenue for September 2024 reached an impressive $505.9 million, marking a year-over-year growth of 6.17%. This increase was largely driven by significant gains in online gaming and sports betting. Let’s delve into the key details, highlighting which sectors performed the best and how brick-and-mortar casinos compared to online platforms.
Steady Growth in Online Gaming and Sports Betting
One of the biggest contributors to Pennsylvania’s gaming revenue growth came from the internet casino sector, with iGaming revenue reaching $176.7 million in September—a notable 10.79% increase compared to the same month in 2023. Despite this, there was a slight dip from the $183.7 million seen in August 2024, representing a 3.8% decrease.
Sports betting also saw significant growth, with revenue climbing by 46.13% to $53.5 million. This rise is attributed to the beginning of the football season, which always boosts betting activity. The total betting handle for sports wagering reached $811.3 million, an 11.71% increase over the previous year.
Record-Breaking Bonuses and Credits
The gaming sector also saw record-setting bonuses and credits, totaling $43 million. This contributed to adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of $53.5 million from a gross revenue of $95.8 million—a 46.1% increase year-over-year, making it the fifth-highest total on record.
The Impact of iGaming and Sportsbooks
Online casinos, led by Hollywood Casino, Valley Forge, and BetRivers, contributed significantly to the state’s revenue. Hollywood Casino, which operates DraftKings, BetMGM, and its internal app, reported $66.9 million in iGaming revenue, up 3.2% year-over-year. Meanwhile, Valley Forge Casino Resort, with its FanDuel sportsbook, saw a 33.03% year-over-year revenue increase, bringing in $47.1 million. BetRivers came in third, surpassing $30 million for the sixth time in seven months with $31.5 million in revenue.
Betting Handle and Sportsbook Performance
Valley Forge also led in sports betting revenue, generating $27.4 million from a betting handle of $320.4 million. Hollywood Casino at the Meadows followed with $13.1 million from $237.2 million in wagers. The Hollywood Casino Morgantown and Hollywood Casino at Penn National also posted solid sports betting numbers, with revenue of $2.5 million and $2.46 million, respectively.
Brick-and-Mortar Casinos: Mixed Results
While online gaming and sports betting saw impressive growth, Pennsylvania’s brick-and-mortar casinos had a more mixed performance. Parx Casino remained the top performer with $30.2 million in slot machine revenue, despite a 4.25% decrease year-over-year. Wind Creek Bethlehem, in contrast, posted a 2.1% increase, generating $24.2 million in slot revenue. Rivers Casino Pittsburgh saw a slight decline in slot revenue, down 2.36% to $20.7 million.
Table Games Dip Slightly
Table games across the state brought in $73.4 million in revenue, a 2.33% drop from the previous year. Despite this, the overall impact on the state’s total revenue was minor, thanks to the growth in iGaming and sports betting.
Pennsylvania’s Total Tax Revenue
In total, the state collected $211.2 million in taxes from its various gaming platforms in September 2024. Of this, $51.1 million came directly from internet casino gaming. Pennsylvania’s $6.21 billion wagered through iGaming casinos was the second-highest in the state’s history.
Top-Performing Casinos
- Valley Forge Casino Resort: Valley Forge led the pack in overall revenue, with a massive 29.5% year-over-year increase, bringing in $85.6 million.
- Hollywood Casino at Penn National: This casino saw a 7.10% rise in revenue, generating $82.5 million.
- Parx Casino: Despite leading in slot revenue, Parx experienced a 6.52% decrease in total revenue, reporting $52.2 million.
- Rivers Casino Philadelphia: The casino recorded a 7.84% increase in revenue, reaching $51.1 million.
