50 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 PULSE Svenska Spel revenue falls 9.2% as Swedish gambling tax hike bites Finland’s Ministry of the Interior confirms gambling licensing system no later than January 2026 The country’s Government created a legislative project in October last year to reform its current gambling market, moving away from the monopoly system with state-owned Veikkaus to a licensing system. In addition, the Government confirmed that Finland’s gambling system would begin its licensing system no later than 1 January 2026. The draft legislation has also been sent to the European Commission to be reviewed. The Ministry of the Interior added that while online casinos, online slots, online sports betting, online bingo and horse racing betting would fall under the upcoming licensing system, Veikkaus Oy would retain the exclusive right to lotteries, lottery games, physical slot machines and casino games. The Government’s proposal is expected to be presented to Parliament in the 2025 spring session. The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) has officially announced the addition of four new trustees to its Board, including the CEO of the UAE General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, Kevin Mullally. Flutter considers bid for Italian national lottery license Flutter Entertainment already owns Sisal, which runs the rival SuperEnalotto, after buying it in 2022. The main Italian lottery has been run by IGT, previously Lottomatica Holdings, for three decades via its Lotterie Nazionali and Lotto Italia subsidiaries. The current contract expires in 12 months’ time, and the Italian government is to launch a bidding process for a new nine-year licence. The minimum tender has been set at €1bn, payable in instalments. IGT has expressed confidence in maintaining the contract. Flutter this year moved its main listing from London to the US, where it operates FanDuel, cancelling its Dublin listing. CASINOS AND SPORT BETTING NEWS North Carolina State Lottery Commission sports betting revenue for September: Between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30, account holders in North Carolina bet $575,398,078 on sporting events, including paid and promotional bets. From those bets, account holders won $501,559,590. Gross wagering revenue was $70,062,945, and with the 18% tax rate applied, the estimated tax proceeds would be $12,611,330. Draft Kings to expand outside of sports as it becomes legal Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board took a key step toward multi-state online poker by approving a request to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement Missouri voters approve sports betting amendment. By the time the NFL playoffs begin in January, sports betting will be legal in Missouri. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Representative Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) introduce a bill, the SAFE Bet Act, which would ban online sports book advertising nation-wide in the U.S. during live sporting events and prohibit offers intended to induce gambling, including boosted odds and free “bonus” bets. It would also place limits on user deposits within a 24-hour period, ban the use of artificial intelligence to individualize promotions to consumers and require sports books to conduct “affordability checks” on their customers before accepting large wagers. Total revenue from casino games, sports betting and iGaming reached $66.52 billion, a 10% increase over the previous record set in 2022. The sports betting frenzy is fueled by partnering ventures, which include celebrity influencers, sponsorships in professional sports and sporting events, as well as television networks, radio and online media outlets. Marketing campaigns are ubiquitous. They blanket the airwaves and social media sites. Commercials often flaunt “risk-free” bets, with former and even present-day athletes promoting gambling companies. Gambling has been facilitated by online apps. Practically all betting nowadays can be done from a person’s smartphone. NY Sports Betting Monthly Handle Back Over $2 Billion (in Sept alone) As NFL Betting Returns New York, the U.S. most prominent sports betting market, is ramping up its efforts regarding responsible gambling. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law mandates that all gambling and NY sports betting advertisements include warnings about the potentially harmful and addictive effects of gambling. Macau legislative committee confirms there are no plans for online gambling Tribal governments venturing into commercial gaming continue its upswing and show no signs of slowing down. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians of California purchased the Palms and Seminole Tribe of Florida acquired the operations of the Mirage, both in in Las Vegas, while tribes have bought casinos off their reservations in other states as well. New Jersey iGaming Revenue Exceeds $200M for First Time even as Atlantic City Struggles North Carolina Lottery Commission seeks public input on sports betting rules Arkansas Casino Referendum Will Go Before Voters Following Supreme Court Ruling
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