The UK could be on the verge of banning all gambling advertising, and introducing strict new stake limits for online slots. 

The Gambling-Related Harm All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has called for a ban on all gambling advertisement, including online, and a £2 stake limit for online slots. It has also recommended a ban on all VIP schemes, along with a review of deposit and prize limits. 

Regarding live in-play sports betting, the APPG has recommended the UK should follow Australia’s lead, and restrict it to venues and telephone betting only. 

Since March 2019 the APPG, which is made up of over 50 cross-party MPs and peers, has been investigating online gambling, holding 10 public evidence sessions and meetings with the Gambling Commission – which the APPG has slammed as “not fit for purpose.”

In its report, the APPG said the government should consider implementing short-term changes to the 2005 Gambling Act to ensure it is fit for the digital age. 

Commenting on the report, APPG chair, Carolyn Harris MP, said:

“This multi-million pound industry has destroyed people’s lives. They resist change at every turn and claim to be reforming themselves but put forward limited changes. We cannot ignore this any longer. Urgent change is needed to stop this industry riding roughshod over people’s lives.”

AYO.NEWS says:

Just like Shekarabi and co. in Sweden, it is now clear that politicians like Carolyn Harris are hell bent on an ideologically-driven crusade against gambling. As we’ve seen time and again in the UK, the small minded Nanny State cheerleaders like Harris are determined to ruin it for the majority, to protect a minority.

On the economic side of things, with the UK facing its worst recession in three hundred years, the government would do well to recognise the contribution the industry makes to the economy, and the absolute dependence of many sports clubs on gambling sponsorships. 

We’d say change is needed to stop politicians riding roughshod over people’s lives. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Sports and esports betting operator Pinnacle has re-opened its Swedish site after a two-year absence from the market. 

Pinnacle’s Swedish license application was approved in December 2019, but the company refrained from immediately launching. However, with Swedish football restarting this weekend, the operator has decided the time is right to make its entry into the regulated market. 

In addition to a wide range of traditional sports betting options, Pinnacle will be offering an extensive range of esports betting – with Sweden representing one of the biggest esports betting markets in the world. Indeed, prior to leaving the market in 2018, the operator reported consistent double-digit growth in Swedish esports betting.

Discussing the re-launch CEO of Pinnacle, Paris Smith, said:

”This re-launch is a proud moment as Sweden is a key market for us, with many loyal customers having used Pinnacle over many years. The Swedish regulator is one of the most respected in the world and we are proud to meet the incredibly high standards they require to be recognised as a licensed operator. We believe that satisfying the requirements in Sweden means we can do it anywhere.

”We left the market on good terms and are returning as a fully licensed, regulated operator. We fully embrace the Swedish regulations and wanted to do things in the right way. Having done so, we now see this as an opportunity to contribute to a serious gaming environment in Sweden long-term and to be a key part in the development of the market.”

AYO.NEWS says:

Given the issues the re-regulated Swedish market has encountered over the past year-and-a-half, with many operators getting burnt by the regulator due to unclear requirements, and the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Pinnacle’s decision to hold off launching is looking like a pretty smart move! After watching and learning from the mistakes other operators made, the company should now be able to launch without any troubles. 

Don’t miss our exclusive chat about the COVID-19 crisis and esports betting with Paris Smith, CEO at Pinnacle.

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Czech Republic-based gambling operator Sazka Group took a significant hit from the COVID-19 crisis in Q1 2020, with gross gaming revenue (GGR) tumbling 11% year-on-year. 

Despite the COVID-19 lockdowns, and subsequent sporting cancellations, only just affecting the first quarter, Sazka Group saw GGR fall to €405M, while net gaming margin sunk 16% to €266.8M. Operating and adjusted EBITDA fell 23%, to €125.5M and €117M respectively. 

Unsurprisingly, profit also plunged, with before tax falling 46% to €61.5M, and from continuing operations crashing 51% to €42.6M. 

Though the group’s land-based retail operations were badly hit by the crisis, its online channels performed very well, as customers switched to online play, resulting in EBITDA for digital-only games surging 78% to €7M. 

Reflecting on the quarter Sazka Group CEO, Robert Chvatal, said:

“I am extremely proud of the resilience our businesses have shown and I would like to thank the entire SAZKA Group team for their hard work and perseverance, and for seizing opportunities to progress our strategic priorities; during a period which has on a personal level been very difficult for many of us.”

The group’s retail shops in the Czech Republic, Greece, Austria, and Italy reopened in May. 

Sazka’s retail  full-year GGR for 2019 grew 6% to €1.91BN. 

AYO.NEWS says:

The COVID-19 crisis has really highlighted just how exposed several operators still are to legacy land-based retail estates, and we’re sure it will persuade many companies to speedo their transition to an online business model. However, with a second wave of infections already being reported in Asia, and the very real prospect of a return to lockdowns over the coming months, some companies may find they have left things too late. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Spanish gambling operators can breathe a sigh of relief after the government lifted temporary advertising restrictions.

Article 37 of Decree Law 11/2020, which was introduced due to the COVID-19 induced state of emergency in the country, has been rescinded with the publication of Royal Decree Law (RDL) 21/2020 in the Official State Gazette. 

It means La Liga football clubs will no longer be forced to remove or cover their gambling sponsorships – something which had looked likely for the restart of the season, which kicked off yesterday when Sevilla hosted Real Betis behind closed doors. 

Spain is set to lift further COVID-19 restrictions on 21 June, when the country’s state of emergency is lifted. 

AYO.NEWS says:

This is fantastic news for sports clubs and betting operators alike, but everyone should remain cautious. There is increasing talk of a second wave of infections, and the need for further lockdowns.

Indeed, just yesterday it emerged that the US city of Houston, Texas, is close to reimposing a lockdown, with a top official warning “we may be approaching the precipice of a disaster.” In the UK too, advisors have been warning of the likely need to reintroduce lockdowns sometime during the next few months – going as far as saying it will likely lead to mass civil unrest, as growing inequality, frustration, and an emerging economic catastrophe pushes society to breaking point.

Overall, it’s pretty clear that both gambling operators and sports clubs should remain prepared for further lockdowns and restrictions. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Kindred Group has launched the “Fair Sports 4 All” project in partnership with the European Football for Development Network (EFDN). 

Fair Sports 4 All aims to increase awareness of match-fixing among players, managers, and other sports stakeholders. The online educational tool will also provide training on how to resist offers and temptations to engage in match-fixing, and information on how to report match-fixing to the appropriate authorities. 

Discussing the initiative CEO of Kindred Group, Henrik Tjärnström, said:

“Match-fixing is a threat to the fundamental idea of sports. Billions of people around the world enjoy participating in or consuming sport, and if the unpredictability of sport events is taken away, this fundamental idea is in severe jeopardy. 

“Match-fixing is also a threat to the gambling industry. If people lose faith in the honesty of sports event, they will lose faith in betting products as well. Therefore are we excited for the Fair Sport 4 All-project where we can, together with EFDN, truly make a difference and together fight this very important battle.”

While CEO of EFDN, Hubert Rovers, added:

“Sport can be such a powerful tool in teaching life skills, promoting social cohesion and fostering values of respect and inclusion. However, this positive power cannot be used if the principles of sports get undermined by match-fixing. 

“Therefore, we are joining forces to protect the integrity of our sport. We are proud to launch the programme together with Kindred, a competent partner with a sustainability-driven approach for sponsorships and community initiatives.”

In 2019 Kindred teamed up with EFDN as the first commercial Community Partner of the network – which is working to promote the power of football as a tool for social development.

AYO.NEWS says:

Hats off to Kindred for taking a leading role in combating the scourge of professional sports by supporting the EFDN and initiatives like this. After all, reporting, monitoring, and reacting to match-fixing is all well and good, but it’s far better to prevent the fixing in the first place. And, to do that, it all comes down to equipping stakeholders with the knowledge and confidence to stop it gaining a foothold. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

UPDATED: 11/06/2020 – Spanish government has lifted advertising restrictions. Read more.

Football teams in the Spanish La Liga Santander have been ordered to remove or hide all betting sponsorship from their shirts for the first three match days of the restarted season.

Under Article 37 of the Royal Decree of the State of Emergency which is currently in force in Spain, gambling advertising is banned. However, Leganes, Valencia, Sevilla, Osasuna, Levante, Alaves, Granada, and Real Mallorca all have betting operators as their main sponsors, and several other clubs have betting advertising featured somewhere on their shirts. 

The State of Emergency will remain in force in Spain until at least 21 June, but each LaLiga club is slated to play three games before then, and many of the clubs are heavily reliant on revenue from their betting sponsorship deals. 

LaLiga is said to be attempting to resolve the problem, but the ultimate decision will rest with the government. A source close to the Minister of Consumer Affairs is reported as saying:

“The government approved the banning of gambling advertising in March in order to protect the most vulnerable people during lockdown. The overexposure to this sort of advertisement threatened to generate a public health problem. As the risk decreases and always considering the maximum criteria of public health, the necessary measures to advance into the new normal will be taken.”

Unless the government agrees to change the law, no betting logos or branding will be allowed on shirts, in stadiums, or on TV broadcasts until 21 June. 

AYO.NEWS says:

With La Liga set to restart tomorrow, time is running out to find a resolution to what could be a major problem for clubs. With almost two weeks set to be subject to the sponsorship ban as things stand, will gambling sponsors demand compensation or be willing to take the hit?

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020