Romania is preparing to implement one of Europe’s most ambitious gambling reforms, with a draft bill that would prevent citizens from wagering more than 10% of their previous month’s income on gambling activities. This pioneering approach targets gambling addiction through direct financial restrictions rather than traditional methods focused solely on accessibility.
Comprehensive Oversight System
The proposed legislation creates a sophisticated monitoring framework involving multiple stakeholders:
Financial Institution Responsibility
Banks and payment processors will bear significant responsibility for implementing and enforcing spending caps for gamblers. These institutions must verify that gambling transactions do not exceed the 10% threshold of the customer’s documented monthly income from the previous month. Financial entities that fail to enforce these regulations face severe penalties—up to 1% of their annual turnover—creating strong incentives for compliance.
Real-Time Verification Platform
Romania’s National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) will develop a centralized verification platform connecting all gambling operators.
The system will allow operators to check a player’s remaining available gambling balance before accepting bets. It will track real-time spending across all gambling venues and platforms, preventing players from circumventing limits by spreading activities across multiple operators. This comprehensive approach ensures consistent enforcement across both digital and physical gambling environments.
The infrastructure represents a significant technical undertaking, requiring seamless integration between tax authorities, financial institutions, and both online and land-based gambling operators.
Dual Enforcement Approach
The legislation implements a two-pronged enforcement strategy:
For Online Gambling
Digital platforms must verify a player’s spending allowance through the ANAF system before processing transactions. Banks serve as a secondary checkpoint, monitoring electronic payments to gambling operators and blocking transactions that would exceed the 10% threshold.
For Land-Based Operations
Physical establishments—including casinos, betting shops, and venues with slot machines—must check patrons’ spending limits through the same verification system. This presents unique implementation challenges for cash-based transactions that traditionally offer greater anonymity.
Escalating Penalties for Non-Compliance
The draft bill establishes a strict progressive penalty system:
- For a first violation, operators will face fines ranging from 200,000 RON ($43,416) to 500,000 RON ($108,540).
- A second violation results in immediate revocation of the gambling license, effectively terminating the operator’s ability to conduct business in Romania.
These severe consequences reflect the government’s determination to ensure universal compliance with the new standards.
Part of a Broader Regulatory Strategy
This income-based spending limit is the latest development in Romania’s comprehensive gambling reform agenda. Previous measures include:
The government implemented a 40% tax on casino withdrawals in 2022, followed by legislation passed in October prohibiting gambling venues in communities with fewer than 15,000 residents. These measures were accompanied by enhanced advertising restrictions for gambling products.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has framed these efforts as a direct challenge to the gambling industry’s influence, stating: “Right now we are fighting an industry that has a total turnover of €10-12 billion. It is the first law adopted in Parliament in 30 years against this mafia that has controlled the political world until now.”
Setting a European Precedent
If successfully implemented, Romania’s approach could establish a new regulatory paradigm for addressing problem gambling through direct financial controls. Other European nations struggling with gambling-related harm may closely observe Romania’s experience to evaluate the effectiveness of income-based spending limits as a harm reduction strategy.
The draft bill represents a significant shift from traditional gambling regulations focused on venue restrictions and advertising limitations toward a model that directly addresses the financial impact of excessive gambling on individual players.
French Regulator Penalizes Unibet France for System Malfunction
Unibet France has been fined €800,000 by France’s National Gaming Authority (ANJ) after a serious malfunction in its self-exclusion system allowed previously banned players to continue gambling. The penalty, the largest ever imposed by the regulator, underscores the importance of responsible gambling measures.
Thousands Potentially Affected by System Error
The issue, which impacted iOS users, first surfaced between March 2021 and December 2022. Despite being fixed, the error reappeared from December 2022 to February 2023, before finally being resolved. Unibet admitted it could not determine the exact number of affected players, but estimates varied widely. While the operator claimed no more than 100 users were impacted, ANJ reported that over 4,500 players may have been affected.
The malfunction stemmed from a coding error that misinterpreted exclusion periods. Players who opted for a 12-month self-exclusion were only restricted for 12 days, significantly undermining responsible gambling protections.
Regulator Slams Unibet’s Response
ANJ criticized Unibet France, operated by SPS Betting, for failing to implement effective corrective measures in a timely manner. “The ability for players to self-exclude is a crucial safeguard in online gambling,” the regulator stated, highlighting the importance of compliance.
This latest sanction follows previous fines against Unibet France, including penalties for exceeding the country’s 85% return-to-player limit.
Unibet Ordered to Display Public Notice
As part of the penalty, Unibet France must display a public notice on its homepage from 17 March for two weeks, informing customers of the sanction. The fine will also be published in France’s Official Journal and on the ANJ website until March 2026, at which point references to the operator will be anonymized.
SPS Betting has two months to appeal the decision before the Council of State.
FDJ Prepares for First Full-Year Report Since Unibet Takeover
The timing of this fine coincides with the upcoming release of the 2024 full-year financial results for La Française des Jeux (FDJ), which acquired Unibet’s parent company, Kindred Group, in October 2024 for €2.45 billion. The report is expected to provide insights into Unibet’s performance under its new ownership.
Innovative Gameplay and Mechanics
Push Gaming proudly announces the launch of “Mad Blast”, a groundbreaking addition to its gaming portfolio. This new slot game boasts a high-volatility, scatter-pay format, enabling players to experience a thrilling cascade of wins complemented by a progressive multiplier system. Set against the backdrop of a quirky workshop owned by the Mad Tinkerer, a whimsical inventor, the game unfolds on a 5×6 grid adorned with vibrant, robotic bomb symbols.
Dynamic Win Mechanisms
“Mad Blast” introduces a unique gaming mechanic where players win by landing eight or more matching symbols anywhere on the reels. Successful combinations trigger cascades, removing winning symbols and allowing new ones to drop into place. The excitement intensifies with the Total Multiplier feature, which doubles after each cascade, potentially soaring up to a 2,048x multiplier.
However, it’s crucial to note that this multiplier resets after a non-winning cascade in the base game. Additional gameplay features include the Multiplier Boost symbol, which increases the Total Multiplier by 1 to 5 steps, and the Extra Life symbol, offering a second chance by clearing the grid except for scatters and the most common symbols.
Exciting Bonus Features
The free spins round in “Mad Blast” adds an extra layer of engagement, triggered by landing three or more Mad Head scatter symbols. The round’s dynamics vary with the number of scatters, enhancing both the number of free spins and the starting multiplier. Here’s a quick overview of the free spins allocation based on scatters:
| Scatter Symbols | Free Spins | Starting Multiplier |
| 3 | 8 | 2x |
| 4 | 10 | 4x |
| 5 | 12 | 8x |
During free spins, the Multiplier Strike Out feature ensures progressively larger wins by eliminating the lowest active multiplier after every three winning cascades. Bonus Buy options are also available, allowing players to dive straight into the action of the free spins round.
Visual and Audio Experience
“Mad Blast” immerses players in a tech-driven, sci-fi aesthetic with robotic designs set against a futuristic backdrop of dark purples and blacks. A mechanical robot looms ominously in the background, enhancing the game’s high-energy feel. The accompanying soundtrack features electronic beats that match the game’s pace, with options to mute for player convenience.
Comparisons and Market Impact
The game’s design and mechanics draw comparisons to popular scatter-pay slots like “Sweet Bonanza” and “Gates of Olympus“, but it stands out with unique elements reminiscent of Yggdrasil’s DoubleMax series. With an RTP ranging from 96.34% to 94.30% and high volatility, “Mad Blast” is designed to cater to a broad audience, from casual players to high rollers, with stakes ranging from €0.10 to €100.
Ihor Lozinskiy, Head of Studio at Push Gaming, commented on the launch, “Mad Blast introduces a dynamic that increases win potential with every spin. We believe this exciting new addition will captivate and thrill players.”
“Mad Blast” promises not just to be a game but an exhilarating adventure in every spin, merging inventive gameplay with visually striking elements to provide a top-tier gaming experience.
Swintt, a rising star in the online casino market, has solidified its presence in the UK through a strategic partnership with MrQ. After breaking into the UK market earlier this year, Swintt has been on a mission to expand its influence and game offerings. By teaming up with MrQ, Swintt aims to enhance the online gaming experience with a unique array of in-house slot games, featuring titles developed by its subsidiary, Elysium Studios.
Game-Changing Collaboration
The collaboration is set to revolutionize MrQ’s current game library, which already boasts over 900 titles. Swintt’s certified slots will join this extensive collection, offering MrQ’s UK players fresh and engaging gaming options. “Our partnership with MrQ marks a significant step in our expansion strategy,” said Lars Kollind, Swintt’s Head of Business Development. “MrQ’s strong market presence and commitment to wager-free promotions make it the perfect platform to introduce our innovative games to a broader audience.”
Exciting New Titles on the Horizon
Among the new games making their way to MrQ’s platform are Elysium Studios’ ‘I Hate Fairytales’ and ‘Wild Wild North,’ a Viking-themed adventure. Additionally, players can look forward to ‘Pirate Pledge Hold & Win,’ promising a thrilling slot experience. “We’re dedicated to bringing the best and most enjoyable games to our players,” commented Daniel Pascoe, Senior Casino Manager at MrQ. “With Swintt’s new releases already gaining traction, we’re excited about the potential these games have to captivate our players.”
Strategic European Growth
Swintt CEO David Mann shared insights into the company’s broader strategy, highlighting a strong focus on European markets while keeping an eye on the evolving regulatory landscape. “Our experience in regulated markets across Europe positions us well to leverage new opportunities as they arise,” Mann stated. He emphasized the company’s strategic acquisitions, like Elysium Studios, which enhance their offerings in mature markets such as Scandinavia and the Nordics.
Future Prospects and Industry Impact
Swintt remains committed to its core offering—slots. The roadmap for the upcoming year includes rolling out more high-quality content from both Elysium and the Swintt premium range. “We are gearing up for some significant releases that will not only meet but exceed player expectations,” Mann concluded.
Through this partnership and its strategic initiatives, Swintt is poised to continue its growth and redefine the online slot gaming landscape in the UK and beyond, ensuring its players have access to some of the most innovative and exciting content in the industry.
In a significant move that reshapes India’s online gaming landscape, Head Digital Works (HDW) has announced its acquisition of Deltatech Gaming Ltd (DGL), the operator of popular poker platform Adda52, in a deal valued at ₹491 crore. The strategic acquisition combines two of India’s leading skill-gaming platforms, marking a major consolidation in the country’s rapidly evolving digital gaming sector.
Strategic Acquisition Structure
The acquisition will proceed in two phases, with HDW initially acquiring a 51% stake in Deltatech Gaming. Following this, Deltatech Gaming will be fully merged into HDW’s operations. As part of the agreement, Delta Corp, Deltatech’s parent company, will secure a 2.8% equity stake in HDW by April 6, 2025, eventually expanding to a 5.7% stake upon completion of the merger.
Creating a Gaming Powerhouse
The merger brings together HDW’s established presence in online rummy through A23 Rummy, which boasts over 75 million users, with Adda52’s strong position in the online poker market. “This acquisition combines two of India’s biggest skill-gaming platforms, aiming to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience and foster innovation in the online poker space,” HDW announced.
Deepak Gullapalli, founder and CEO of Head Digital Works, emphasized the strategic importance of the merger: “By combining our strengths, we aim to expand our poker business, accelerate growth through new avenues, and create India’s most comprehensive and diversified skill-gaming platform for our customers.”
Industry Impact and Growth Potential
The deal represents the second-largest merger in India’s online poker and rummy gaming segment, following Nazara Technologies’ ₹982 crore acquisition of a stake in PokerBaazi’s parent company in September 2024. HDW’s acquisition of Deltatech Gaming significantly strengthens its market position, combining its expertise in rummy with Adda52’s established poker operations.
For perspective, HDW reported revenue of ₹8.41 billion in the 2023-24 fiscal year, while Adda52 generated ₹899 million during the same period. The merger is expected to create substantial synergies and accelerate growth in India’s expanding skill-gaming market.
Regulatory Landscape and Future Outlook
The merger comes at a time of increased regulatory attention on India’s online gambling sector. As the government evaluates potential reforms to oversight of real-money gaming, HDW’s enhanced scale and compliance infrastructure position it well to navigate future regulatory changes.
The transaction, which remains subject to various approvals including a Delta Corp shareholder vote scheduled for March 21, 2025, represents a significant milestone in the consolidation of India’s online gaming industry. Industry experts anticipate that the integration will drive innovation and create a more comprehensive gaming experience for Indian players.
Ashish Kapadia, Delta Corp’s managing director, expressed optimism about the merger’s potential: “We’re excited for this journey with Deepak and team, whose leadership has been instrumental in shaping the online rummy market in India. We believe that this transaction will help strengthen Adda52’s leading position in the online poker market.”
