Month: January 2024

The fourth Slot Trumps focuses on Colombia which regulated igaming in 2016, making it the region’s longest-running online market. 

Slot Trumps Colombia: LatAm’s low stakes market

It’s also a market where slots perform strongly, making up around a fifth of online revenue. However Colombian players are not big spenders, as data from EveryMatrix’s SlotMatrix shows. 

Across the most top 20 games on SlotMatrix in the country, stakes average to €0.34, giving Colombia the smallest average bet size in the Slot Trumps series. In fact, just 20% of the top slots have an average bet size of €0.5 or higher. 

In terms of betting frequency, Colombian players are comparable to those in Brazil, averaging 254 bets per player. This falls far below the bet rates shown in the Romania dashboard, where betting volumes are 50% higher across a 90-day period.

Similar themes to Brazil

Colombia doesn’t diverge from its LatAm neighbour Brazil when it comes to game themes. Just like the continent’s biggest market, Colombian players prefer games with animals, fruits and fantasy themes. 

And just like Brazilian players, wilds are the most popular base game feature, with free spins topping the charts for bonusing. 

Unlike their neighbours to the south, however, EveryMatrix’s Slot Trumps shows Colombians aren’t thrillseekers, preferring a medium volatility game. 

This might make Tiki Time Exotic Wilds, a release from EveryMatrix’s Armadillo Studios in Q4 2023, a good fit for operators looking to ramp up their LatAm presence. A medium-volatility title with free spins, wilds and a fruit theme, it’s this month’s recommendation for the market. 

Click here to see the full breakdown of Colombian slot player habits in the Slot Trumps dashboard.  

Mitjana was ruled to have breached the ITIA Tennis Anti-Corruption Programme (TACP) 11 times. His ban from tennis runs until December 2033.

The Frenchman, who held a career-high world singles ranking of 458 in 2018, denied all the charges. All charges related to the fixing of matches and the offences took place in 2017 and 2018.

Mitjana was found in breach of sections D.1.b, D.1.d, D.1.e and D.2.a.i of the TACP. These include facilitating wagering, contriving the outcome of matches, influencing other players not to use their best efforts and failing to report corrupt approaches.

The ban is effective from the actual date of the decision (22 December 2023). This means Mitjana cannot play in, coach at or attend any professional tennis event until 21 December 2033.

This covers all events authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA or any national association.

Another case linked to Belgian tennis match-fixing syndicate

The case is the latest to be linked to a recently concluded criminal case involving a match-fixing syndicate in Belgium. 

Syndicate leader Grigor Sargsyan was recently convicted and handed a five-year custodial sentence. This followed a joint effort between the ITIA and Belgian authorities.

Sargsyan has reportedly traversed the globe since 2018 to build a network of over 180 tennis players across five continents. The Washington Post described him as “the man who built the biggest match-fixing ring in tennis”.

In total, the ITIA has now banned 21 players and officials in the last three months.

The crackdown began following Sargsyan’s conviction in November, which saw an initial 16 players banned in November 2023, as reported by iGaming Business, first on the on 13 November, then on 17 November and on 24 November.

Taxable adjusted gross revenue in December narrowly beat the existing record in Indiana of $50.5m, set in September 2022. 

The December amount was also 18.5% ahead of $42.7m in December of 2022. In addition, it surpassed the $30.7m posted in November 2023 by 64.8%.

Indiana narrowly misses out on handle record 

Turning to handle and Indiana came close to a month of two new state records. Consumers spent $503.1m during December, the second highest monthly amount since the state opened its legal market in September 2019.

The December total was 16.6% ahead of the $431.4m bet in Indiana in the same month in 2022. It was also just 2.1% behind November 2023’s all-time high of $513.7m.

Basketball remained the sport of choice among Indiana consumers, drawing $133.1m in bets. The state is home to the NBA’s Indiana Pacers and also the Indiana Pacers of the WNBA.

Elsewhere, $118.1m was wagered on American football in December and $133,791 baseball. A further $45.7m was bet on other sports, while parlay betting spend amounted to $205.7m.

Battle for Indiana top spot 

Ameristar Casino and partner DraftKings edged back into the lead in the Indiana market in December. The partnership generated $19.3m in revenue from $179.8m.

In second were Blue Chip Casino and FanDuel, which led in November ahead of Ameristar Casino and DraftKings. Blue Chip and FanDuel posted $18.1m in revenue off a handle of $171.8m.

Placing third, again, was Belterra Casino, another FanDuel partner, with revenue of $3.8m. This came from a total of $34.4m in wagers in December.

It was also confirmed that the state generated $4.8m in tax from legal sports betting during December.

From late January, approximately 70% of 1,800 Tabcorp EBTs in Victoria will change to only accept vouchers. The ruling applies to all EBTs, except those within five metres, and in the line of sight, of the counter. 

To access the cashless machines, players must purchase a voucher at the counter. Here, they will be subject to ID checks to ensure they are of legal age to gamble on EBTs.

The ruling also orders Tabcorp to roll out an independent “mystery shopper” programme to ensure venues are appropriately checking ID.

Should Tabcorp fail to comply with these requirements, it could face an escalating series of penalties. These could include having all EBTs in offending venues switched to vouchers for six months and terminating agreements with venues.

VGCCC blasts “inexcusable” breaches

“It is inexcusable to accept a bet from a minor and tougher actions are required to protect the community, especially children, from gambling harm,” says VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt.

“Venue staff are the first line of defence in protecting minors from gambling. We have taken decisive measures where they have failed to take their responsibilities seriously.

“These stronger identity checks not only represent an additional barrier to allowing children to gamble but will also help to prevent money laundering. The VGCCC will actively monitor these safeguards to reduce harm and venues should take note and act to uphold their duty of care for the community.”

Tabcorp facing 72 charges of underage gambling

The order comes after the VGCCC charged Tabcorp, along with nine venues, over underage gambling over the past eight months. These related to allowing a minor within a gaming machine area and gambling, as well as failing to reasonably supervise EBTs.

The first case was heard in court during December. A magistrate fined the Preston Hotel AU$25,300 (£13,240/€15,398/US$16,873) for allowing a then-16-year-old to gamble using EBTs in 2022.

Charges facing Tabcorp and the other eight venues relate to allegedly allowing a minor to gamble. The alleged breaches of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 took place between September 2022 and October 2023.

The remaining eight venues named in the case include the Olympic Hotel, Brunswick Club, Edwardes Lake Hotel, Parkview Hotel, Albion Charles Hotel, Doncaster Hotel, Rose Shamrock & Thistle Hotel and Northcote TAB Agency.

Tabcorp faces a total of 72 charges. If found guilty, the operators face a maximum collective fine of more than $1.0m, Tabcorp’s fine could amount to $969,236.

The next matter will appear before the Melbourne magistrates court on 24 January.

Victoria clamping down on rule-breakers 

The cashless EBT order is the latest step taken by the VGCCC to address rule breaches in the state.

Among others facing charges is Rumotel, operator of the Tower Hotel in Victoria. Rumotel could face an additional fine of up to AU$1.4m for allegedly breaching responsible gambling rules.

The VGCCC says Rumotel failed to ensure a responsible gambling officer was available at all times on the gaming floor. It is also alleged Rumotel did not properly maintain a responsible gambling register.

This resulted in the VGCCC issuing an additional three charges against the Tower Hotel operator. These followed 35 charges filed against the operator September for allegedly breaching gambling control rules.

Genesis Global had its Malta licence suspended in January last year. Full cancellation means it is no longer to offer gambling under the permit.

The operator had been running 23 websites using the licence. These include Vegasoo.com, Sloty.com, Casinojoy.com, Spinit.com and Genesiscasino.com.

As a result of the cancellation, the MGA had ordered Genesis to settle all outstanding fees due to the regulator. Genesis has seven days from the notice of cancellation (11 January) to comply.

Genesis must also file documentation with the MGA confirming funds have been returned to all players across its network of websites.  This must also be done within seven days of the cancellation notice.

In addition, Genesis must remove all reference to the Malta licence from its websites. 

One year on from Genesis Global collapse

The cancellation ties in with Genesis being wound up in December 2022. The MGA initially suspended its licence shortly after this and has now opted for full cancellation.

Genesis laid off all employees in December 2022, just two days before Christmas, and began insolvency proceedings. This came as it warned it may not be able to pay their wages for the month.

In a letter to staff, Genesis said “the company may not be able to pay all or any of the dues that are due to you in terms of law”. This, it said, included December salaries and notice pay.

The collapse came soon after CEO Ariel Reem departed as the business exited the UK gambling market. Reem did not disclose the reasons for his departure at the time.

Genesis also previously had its UK licence suspended in 2020 but this was later reinstated.

The MGA said it is collaborating with the appointed liquidator at Genesis in the wake of the licence cancellation. This, it said, will mainly focus on ensuring players recover any funds held by Genesis. 

The Malta regulator added that the cancellation could be subject to appeal.

Suspensions and cancellations mount up in Malta

Genesis is the third business this year to have its Malta licence cancelled or suspended.

Last week, news broke that online operator Rush Gaming’s licence is being suspended until further notice. 

The MGA did not go into full detail on the reasons behind the decision. However, it did state that licences can be suspended if operators breach gambling-specific regulations or laws in Malta.

Rush Gaming operates both the Fansbet.com and Onebet.com websites.

Meanwhile, Betago had its licence cancelled last week. The MGA ordered Betago to return all funds to players and remove any reference to the permit from its websites. 

The petition opposed the widespread introduction of financial checks outlined in the Gambling Act review white paper. Jockey Club chief executive Nevin Truesdale registered the petition in early November.

By the end of November, the petition had passed 100,000 signatures, the number required for parliament discussion. A debate has now been scheduled for 26 February after it was discussed in Westminster Hall last Tuesday.

Julie Harrington, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), responded: “The fact that our survey reached the required 100,000 signatures threshold in just 27 days is powerful testament to the strength of feeling shared by bettors over the proposed checks.

“While we support the need to protect individuals from the risk of gambling-related harm it remains the case that millions of people enjoy betting on horseracing without suffering any ill effects.

“The BHA will therefore continue to push for changes to the Gambling Commission’s proposals on affordability checks to protect the sport’s financial future and limit the impact on racing bettors.”

Impact of affordability checks

The much-maligned affordability checks mentioned in the white paper have led to strong industry criticism. Andrew Rhodes, chief executive of the Gambling Commission, stated financial checks were dominating responses to the white paper consultations.

A survey found almost half of respondents were prepared to switch to the black market should affordability checks be implemented. Rhodes claimed those arguments were overstated.

In its November announcement of the petition, the Jockey Club estimated affordability checks could cost the racing industry £250m (€291m/$318m) over the next five years. It also claims bettors may have to prove they can afford to gamble if they lose £1.37 a day.

In countering the horse racing industry’s opposition towards affordability checks, Rhodes highlighted the Patterns of Play research. The report states that the most profitable one per cent accounts for 70.4 per cent of gross gambling yield (GGY).

The issue, however, is what defines an “active” and “dormant” account. Many of the accounts opened in the UK are only used a few times a year for major betting events, rather than by regular customers.

Rhodes walking the tightrope

The white paper’s release in April 2023 committed to increase regulatory powers to combat illegal gambling in the UK.

However, David Brown, a UK industry veteran since 1976 and former executive trading director for William Hill, Coral and LadbrokesCoral, told iGB in a recent interview that affordability checks are indeed driving vulnerable players towards the black market.

“This present scenario of potentially highly intrusive affordability checks is likely to encourage illegal operators within Britain,” Brown said. “There is no room for complacency here.

“A wise position would be to be alive to the threat of illegal activity and work collaboratively as an industry to identify it and prosecute under the law.

“Stopping illegal traffic through geo-blocking and advertising into the country is a good place to start.

“However, that will not halt British bettors engaging with betting operators outside the GC’s jurisdiction. This also does nothing to identify any black market non-digital betting within Britain.”

Last week, incorrect reports surfaced which stated that the LOK – a bill that would overhaul how gambling is regulated in Curaçao – had been rejected by the region’s parliament. The LOK entered parliament last month.

For the time being, Curaçao operates under the current National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (NOOGH) legislation.

Subsequently, Javier Silvania, Curaçao’s minister of finance, released a statement condemning the rampant “misinformation” surrounding the LOK.

Silvania made two important clarifications on the process. The first warned against misinformation while the second confirmed that the Curaçao Gaming Control Board’s (GCB) licence issuing process is unchanged.

Now, iGB delves deeper into the process, explaining how legislation moves through the jurisdiction’s parliament.

Why was the LOK misreported as being rejected?

Before any law is submitted to Curaçao’s parliament, draft legislation is sent to the Council of Advice. This is a standard process for every law that is submitted to parliament.

The Council of Advice is a constitutional advisory body that issues advice to Curaçao’s government and parliament on draft laws and administrative measures.

On 12 June 2023, the ministry received a response from the Council regarding the LOK. The response had phrasing that suggested the law could not be presented to parliament. This response was published online on 3 January 2024.

It is possible that this phrasing could be a source of last week’s misreporting. Nevertheless, the demise of the LOK has been greatly amplified – as Mark Twain once famously said: “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”

As mentioned above, the minister confirmed that the LOK had been submitted to parliament in December, six months after the response from the Council of Advice. This was a revised draft that took the council’s suggestions into consideration.

As the response forms part of the legislative process, it’s fair to assume that the entire response was included in the draft that was submitted at this time.

iGB spoke to Aideen Shortt, advisor to the minister of finance, regarding her thoughts on the misreporting. Shortt reiterated the minister’s prior announcement, which stressed that only the ministry or the GCB can be trusted as sources for official information.

Shortt also slammed the spreading of misinformation.

“How is it even possible that something that hasn’t even gone for a vote has any outcome whatsoever?” she said. “Misinformation is very dangerous and in today’s world we should all know by now that everything published on the internet should be considered as to its source, its quality and its bias.”

What is the timeline and process?

There are multiple stages to legislation being submitted to parliament. Firstly, it is presented to a small group of MPs for assessment. This represents what the minister thought would be a time of “lively and in-depth” debate, as expressed in last week’s statement.

The most crucial aspects of the parliamentary process lie ahead. The draft law will go through a presentation, where MPs can ask questions and make requests. This is followed by a second presentation and debate, which will have taken the first round’s remarks into consideration.

It is only after the second round that the bill goes to a vote by MPs.

The December revenue haul beat the existing Kansas record of $14.4m in October by 39.6%. It was also 95.2% ahead of $10.3m in December 2022 and 125.8% higher than $8.9m in November of 2023.

Online betting generated $19.2m of all revenue in December, with retail wagering bringing in the other $808,961.

As for handle, players spent a total of $259.7m during the month. This was just short of the record $260.9m bet in November but 40.4% higher year on year.

Consumers bet $249.1m online in December and a further $10.6m at retail sportsbooks across Kansas. 

Boot Hill leads online in Kansas

Looking at individual operators, Boot Hill Casino and DraftKings remained out in front in the online market. Revenue from the partnership totalled $8.5m from a $103.8m handle.

Kansas Star and FanDuel placed second with $7.2m off $86.5m, then Kansas Crossing and BetMGM with $3.0m from $22.6m.

As for the retail segment, Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway was again the leader. The venue posted $545,035 in revenue and a $7.8m handle.

As was the case with the online market, Kansas Star and FanDuel also ranked second in retail terms. Retail revenue at Kansas Star hit $208,110 and handle $1.8m.

Boot Hill and DraftKings placed third with $42,507 off $417,104.

Kansas collected $2.0m in sports betting taxes during the month. Some $1.9m came from online betting and $80,895 retail.

Year-to-date handle surpasses $1.00bn

Looking at the fiscal year to date, total handle amounted to $1.16bn. This includes $1.11bn from online and $52.9m retail.

As for revenue, this amounted to $63.1m. Online betting contributed $59.3m to the total and retail wagering $3.8m.

Tax for the fiscal year to date reached $6.3m.

Gross handle in Tennessee in December was 12.0% higher than in the same month in 2023. However, it was 4.3% behind the record $515.5m wagered in November 2023.

Incidentally, November was the first month in which player spend on betting in Tennessee surpassed $500.0m. The state’s legal wagering market opened in November 2020.

The gross handle figure accounted for $1.7m in adjustments which, when included, meant $495.1m in gross wagers.

Gross handle for Tennessee in December was up by 12.4% year-on-year but 4.3% behind the $517.1m posted in November.

Leading operators active in Tennessee

Tennessee was able to generate $9.1m in privilege tax from sports wagering during the month. Figures were published by the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council but did not include data on revenue.

Several leading operators went live when the market launched just over three years ago. FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM have all been live since the opening day, taking bets across a wide range of sports.

The Tennessee market has expanded over the years, with several more operators joining in more recent times.

Among those to have gone live in the past two years is Fanatics Sportsbook, which went live in August of last year. This was accompanied by launches in Maryland, Massachusetts and Ohio as part of the brand’s wider growth plan.

Another recent addition is ESPN Bet, which rolled out in Tennessee in November 2023. Again, this was part of a multi-state launch, with the brand going live across 17 states in total.

Going back further and Hard Rock launched in Tennessee in September 2022. The operator was already running three Hard Rock Cafés across the state, while the Hard Rock Bristol Casino is located over the state line in Virginia.

In addition, Caesars Sportsbook runs sports betting in Tennessee. This is possible through a multi-year partnership with Tennessee-based NBA team Memphis Grizzlies agreed in August 2022.