Regulation round-up 23 May 2017
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (17 May to 23 May 2017)
Senet Group hails success of responsible gambling campaign
New study finds ‘When the Fun Stops Stop’ creative prevented 18% of regular punters from gambling more than they should
Public awareness of the Senet Group’s ‘When the Fun Stops Stop’ campaign is at a record high and has prevented 18% of regular punters from gambling more than they should, according to new research.
An independent study commissioned by the Senet Group found that 75% of regular gamblers were aware of its responsible gambling campaign, compared to 59% last year, while awareness among the general public was more than half (53%).
Window posters were the most recognised creative among frequent bettors at 59%, with ‘Only bet what you can afford’ (90%) and ‘Set your limits at the start’ (83%) the best-known responsible gambling tips.
Meanwhile, nearly a quarter (24%) of regular gamblers, who were surveyed by independent research firm Bilendi, said the campaign encouraged them to approach gambling more responsibly and 18% said they stopped gambling more than they should as a result.
Jackpotjoy CEO: Bonus tax could help us attract stickier customers
The forthcoming UK tax on bonusing could help Jackpotjoy attract stickier customers and grow its market share, according to group CEO Andy McIver.
The company has been experimenting with ways to mitigate the bonus tax – which could yet be implemented in August – by tweaking its promotions on its Mandalay brand throughout Q1.
McIver said the bonus level on Mandalay had been cut from 75% to 50% over the last quarter, meaning for every pound received from players, only 50% was being handed back as bonuses.
Seven days in regulation:
Unregulated Swedish market climbs 13% in Q1
Sweden’s unregulated online gambling market recorded a 13% year-on-year increase in revenues last quarter, according to the country’s gambling regulator.
Figures released last week by Lotteriinspektionen revealed unregulated revenues accounted for 53% of the total online market of SEK 2.3bn (£205m).
State-owned operators reported a slight boost of 8%, with lottery brand Svenska Postkodföreningen reporting the strongest growth at 22% year-on-year to SEK 11m (£966,530).
UK General Election 2017: What the gambling industry needs to know
By Steve Donoughue
Fortunately, space does not permit me to vent my spleen over just how appalling this election is. The UK General Election 2017, to be held on 8 June, will be to my mind the worst collection of party leaders, representing the worst policies this country has ever suffered – at least since the last election two years ago, and if not, the one before. British politics is at its lowest point in my lifetime and I blame the electorate who just encourages them.
So it was with a meagre modicum of interest that I analyse the main party manifestos (Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats) to see if anything gambling related is mentioned. However, it is probably a pointless exercise as this election will be a coronation for Theresa May and if you think any differently, you are obviously President Putin ready to get your hackers to work.
Legal blow for DFS as judge rules horseracing contests to be pari-mutuel wagering
A US District Court has ruled that entry fees for the horseracing DFS site Derby Wars should be defined as wagers, placing the wider DFS industry at significant legal risk, according to sports law attorney Daniel Wallach.
California judge Daniel Otero ruled last week that Derby Wars DFS contests were most similar to exchange wagering, a subsection of pari-mutuel wagering, given that contestants pay entry fees into a pool, and play against each other for the right to claim a cash prize.
Otero went on to liken the Derby Wars entry fees to “the wagers which form the ‘pot’ in poker.”