The Italian online gambling and betting market grows by 46.1% in 2021

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Coronavirus restrictions towards the end of last year were accompanied by a spike in online gambling, new statistics have revealed.

The gross gambling yield among the biggest operators increased by 30 per cent between November and December, according to data from the Gambling Commission.

Meanwhile, the total number of bets rose by 12 per cent and the number of active players rose by 6 per cent over the same period.

The Gambling Commission’s analysis also found the number of online slot bets rose to six billion and active accounts rose to three million in December - both records for online slots during the coronavirus pandemic period.

The commission said their data - which covers around 80 per cent of the online gambling market - shows the impact of the “continued tightening” of coronavirus restrictions on online gambling behaviour in Great Britain.

RESULTS

Device Insights

In terms of devices, the desktop segment generated a significant revenue of approximately USD 28 billion in 2021. The desktop offers a large screen size compared to mobile phones and other devices that allow the gamblers to enjoy the details and graphics of the game. Moreover, the performance features offered by desktops, such as sound volume, picture quality, and customizable storage capacity of desktops, provide an improved gaming experience. These aspects have resulted in the growth of the desktop segment.

Advanced technologies in mobile phones have resulted in extraordinary gaming visuals in smartphones that have resulted in increased access to online gambling through mobile phones. Additionally, gambling can be done through mobile phones, making it convenient for gamblers. The easy availability of mobile phones at affordable prices and advanced features such as improved graphics and extended storage capacity contribute to the segment growth. Mobile online gambling offers several advantages to gamers, such as loyalty points, additional deposit options, and multiplayer gaming options with the players located anywhere throughout the globe.

How can Slotegrator help?

With complex and conflicting regulations to navigate, choosing the right market and obtaining the necessary licenses for your iGaming business is easier said than done. Make sure you’re off to a good start by relying on our jurisdictional advisory services: thanks to over nine years of experience in the industry, we can safely guide you through the early stages of your project and take care of the legal aspects of getting it going.

For more information, get in touch with our sales team.

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Euro 2020 is one of the biggest events in football, a festival of goal scoring and glory seeking – and for many, yet another opportunity to gamble.

Anyone following the action – whether it’s at a stadium, on TV or online – will never be far away from an advert inviting them to place a bet on what may or may not happen next. How about a quick punt on the next player to score or which match will go to penalties?

Many of these suggestions come with the seemingly attractive offer of a free bet, just a click away on your nearest connected device. Sport is now inextricably linked to gambling, and the industry’s major operators have a multi-screen presence designed to make placing bets as easy and convenient as possible.

Our report, published in 2019, showed clear spikes in adverts around matches during the World Cup of 2018, as well as quick links to betting opportunities.

These trends are likely to have been repeated during Euro 2020 – but fuelled this time by new habits formed, as our latest research shows, during the pandemic.

The research, undertaken with participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, clearly shows how the first lockdown in England sparked a peak in online gambling among younger adults. And while the reduction in live sport and the closure of betting shops reduced overall gambling, online betting went up sixfold for regular gamblers. This included bingo, poker and casino games.

We found that younger men who gambled regularly were much more likely to go online to gamble during the lockdown than they had been in the past. Respondents who only gambled occasionally were still more than twice as likely than before to gamble online.

Our previous work from 2018 used language analysis computer programmes to estimate the age of Twitter users from publicly available data. We found that young people – including children, who are supposedly barred from gambling by law – avidly followed gambling accounts on Twitter.

They actively engaged with tweets from gambling operators by liking, replying and sharing. This kind of “snowball” advertising - where users (of any age) loop in their friends to gambling content – is almost impossible to control. Currently, there are no specific social media advertising regulations.

With international and domestic football matches – and other sports – in full swing again, we can only expect online gambling to soar. And predictably, it will be vulnerable people who suffer the most.

Our more recent study showed that those who struggled financially before the pandemic were more likely to gamble during lockdown. The research also indicated that drinking heavily (defined as more than six units in a session, roughly equivalent to three pints of beer) at least once a week, was strongly linked to regular gambling among both men and women.

The connection between binge drinking and regular gambling is of particular concern, as they are both addictive and can have serious health and social consequences. With the wider availability of gambling through different online channels, vulnerable groups can get caught in a destructive cycle.

The prevalence of home working is likely to exacerbate this, as the temptation to gamble online, amplified by clever advertising, is always there.

Link

https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/publication/taking-a-more-in-depth-look-at-online-gambling

Online Gambling Market Share Insights

The key service prodders are focusing on innovations to differentiate and personalize their services for potential customers. Companies are adopting strategies such as collaboration, mergers & acquisitions, and product launches. For example, in 2019, William Hill PLC has acquired a Sweden-based gambling company Mr. Green and Co AB. This acquisition aims to strengthen a footprint in the Scandinavian region. Some of the leading market players included in this industry are as follows:

  • Bet365 Group Ltd.    • Paddy Power Betfair PLC    • Sky Betting and Gaming    • Kindred Group PLC    • GVC Holdings PLC    • Betsson AB    • William Hill PLC    • Ladbrokes Coral Group PLC    • The Stars Group Inc.    • 888 Holdings PLC

Acknowledgements

MacRae Lynch helped edit the draft manuscript.

As of 2019…

• £14.3 billion: Total gross gambling yield of the gambling industry.
• 98,174: Total number of employees in the gambling industry.
• 7,315: Total number of betting shops.
• 1,633: Total number of arcades.
• 642: Total number of bingo premises.
• 155: Total number of casinos.

The number of premises to gamble on has steadily decreased over the past 8 years as online gambling has increased in popularity. The only exception is casinos, which had 149 premises in 2011, versus 155 in 2019 (+4%). The most closures were made by arcades; they have decreased by 32% (763 premises) from 2,396 to 1,633 during the past 8 years.

• Number of premises 2011 vs 2019
• Table

Section 6: Valid Stakes, Bets or Wagers

You may stake up to the amount of the balance available in your Account. We do not offer Accounts with a credit facility.

Winnings which are generated from promotional bonus will go into your Bonus Credit Account.

When a bet or stake is placed and confirmed, the corresponding amount is deducted from your Account balance.

Game specific rules will be made available to you when you start playing a game. These rules can be located on the Website and within each game. These are referred to as the Rules of the Games. It is your responsibility to read and understand these game specific rules before you start playing.

It is your responsibility to check that the bet instructions you have submitted are correct before committing to play.

Winnings from deposits will go into your Cashable Credit Account.

All bonuses will be credited to your Bonus Credit account and are subject to the Bonus Credit Wagering Requirement. Winnings from Bonus Credit will also be credited to your Bonus Credit account.

Once your Bonus Credit Wagering Requirement Balance is £0, any remaining Bonus Credit will automatically be transferred as winnings to your Cashable Credit account.

If your Bonus Credit Account Balance is £0, you should contact us to remove any remaining wagering requirements from your account. You can contact our Customer Support Team on 01384 885046.

In the event that you withdraw Cashable Credit before you have met your Bonus Credit Wagering Requirement (i.e. before your Bonus Credit Wagering Requirement Balance is £0) your Bonus Credit and Bonus Credit Wagering Requirement will be reduced by the same percentage that you have withdrawn from your Cashable Credit. By way of example only: you have made a first deposit of £10, credited to your Cashable Credit account, and received a first deposit match bonus of £10, credited to your Bonus Credit account; your Bonus Credit Wagering Requirement Balance is £400 (i.e. 40 x bonus of £10); you play through your £10 deposit once on a slots game and win £50. Your Bonus Credit Wagering Requirement Balance is unchanged (as you have not yet staked any Bonus Credit); you are free to withdraw the £50 winnings, stored in your Cashable Credit account, but you choose to only withdraw £25 (i.e. 50%); as your Bonus Credit Wagering Requirement Balance is not yet £0, you will forfeit 50% of your Bonus Credit (reducing it to £5) and your Bonus Credit Wagering Requirement Balance will be reduced by 50% (reducing it to £200).

If bonus abuse is discovered we may at our discretion remove rewards as outlined in section 7b.

In the event that you stake both Cashable Credit and Bonus Credit, any winnings will be applied proportionately to your Cashable Credit and Bonus Credit accounts and your Bonus Credit Wagering Requirement Balance will be reduced only by the amount of Bonus Credit used. By way of example only: you have deposited £5, credited to your Cashable Credit account, and have received a first deposit match bonus of £5, credited to your Bonus Credit Account; your Bonus Wagering Requirement is £200 (i.e. 40 x bonus of £5); you elect to stake £10 on a slots game; as you do not have enough Cashable Credit to cover your stake, the remaining £5 (50%) will be deducted from your Bonus Credit and your Bonus Credit Wagering Requirement Balance will be reduced by £5 to £195; you win £50; £25 of your winnings (i.e. 50%) will be credited to your Cashable Credit account; and £25 of your winnings (i.e. 50%) will be credited to your Bonus Credit account.

When betting on our betting and gaming products, the percentage of your stake that will contribute to the Bonus Credit Wagering Requirement is as follows:

When playing with Bonus Credit winnings from Casino games, the wagering contribution taken from the remaining bonus wagering will be the contribution % of the Casino game that the winnings came from, regardless of which game in being played. For example, if you win £10 on Roulette, then play with that £10 in a Slots game, the wagering contribution for the slots play will be 10% (the Casino game Wagering Contribution).

Stakes from your Account will be made in this order:

1. any amounts in your Cashable Credit Account which comprise of winnings from bonus credit;
2. any amounts in your Cashable Credit Account which comprise of winnings from deposits;
3. any deposited amounts in your Cashable Credit Account; and
4. any bonus amounts in your Bonus Credit Account.

By placing a real money bet, you warrant that you are legally able to do so within your jurisdiction and that you accept that we are unable to provide any warranties as to the legality or otherwise of your participation in real money play. It is your responsibility to determine if remote gambling is legal in your jurisdiction.

In the event of a disconnection from the service whilst you are using our betting and gaming products, you are advised to log back in as quickly as possible. If you experience disconnection difficulties on a regular basis, please consult your service provider as to what measures can be initiated to help reduce this risk. We shall not be responsible for any damages, liabilities or losses suffered as result of the disconnection of Players during play.

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By Devices Analysis

Rapid Adoption of Smartphones to Fuel Demand for Mobile Gambling

Based on devices, the market is categorized into desktop, mobile, and others (tablet, iPad, etc.).

Mobile gambling is expected to grow rapidly owing to the increasing adoption of smartphones. The youngsters are the driving force behind the surging demand for mobile-based sports betting. As per the Deloitte report on Betting and Gambling, one-third of betting and gaming users adopt smartphones for online gambling. Further, the growing cost-effectiveness of mobile applications is likely to expand mobile consumers in the market.

The desktop is likely to be the leading during the forecast period as it offers higher graphic design, clear image quality, and more storage space, among others, which offers a better customer experience. These are the major factors contributing to the growth, which in turn, will help the market grow.

• For instance, in April 2021, Kindred Group PLC launched Watch & Bet live streaming player that would enable Unibet mobile customers to watch & bet on live sports in real-time.

Tags

Online gambling is regulated and subject to local licensing. Since 2012, two types of licences have been available:

• Online casino licence, which combines table games, online bingo, slot machines 
• Online betting license which covers online and land based betting.

On the 1st Jan 2020, Denmark introduced new measures into legislation to increase the social responsibility controls of operators, making it the main responsibility of the operator to protect consumers from misleading/ non-compliant advertising of their brands.

These measures included:

• Mandatory monthly, weekly or daily player deposit limits 
• Restrictions on sales promotions, both offer and pay-out. Limits including not obligating players to deposit more than 1000 DKK, with promotional sums themselves not exceeding 1000 DKK.
• Betting promotions not to exceed 10x the player’s stake
• At least 100 players to be targeted with the same offer
• Players to be given at least 60 days to fulfil the terms of a promotion, and no offer can be tailored to a single player

Further to these changes, in April 2020, the regulator implemented new marketing rules making it mandatory for all gambling related marketing to clearly show the age limit for betting and information about the national self-exclusion register ROFUS. Operators must also direct customers towards the responsible gambling guide by regulator Spillemyndigheden.

Illegal Online gambling Websites

ISP-blocking measures are active and the Danish Gaming Authority (DGA) has the  power to block operators that have been targeting Danish customers without the requisite licence. In 2020, the Danish Gambling Authority had increased its focus on finding the websites that either offer or market gambling to Danes without a licence.

In recent months, Spillemyndigheden, the Danish Gambling Authority, blocked 55 illegal gambling websiteswhich were seen to be offering online gambling services without the required license. This result being the highest number of sites blocked at once since the Danish Gambling Authority (DGA) began blocking websites in 2012.

Taxes

Danish operators have been subject to a 20% tax rate since the online gambling market opened in 2012. In recent months a new rate has been implemented taking the tax from 20% to 28% of gross gaming revenue.

In Denmark, player's who have won while gambling online, must pay income tax on the prizes and winnings. This is due to the fact that most online casinos don’t deduct taxes before paying out the prize or cash winnings. Thus, as a player, you are required to declare all winnings and pay the associated tax on it.

The impact of the Covid – 19 Pandemic

Similar to most European markets, Denmark has experienced a fall in gaming revenue due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly on its land based venues. The most severe impact came from the cancelation of all live sporting events since March 2020, resulting in gross gaming revenue (GGR) falling by 11% year-on-year for Q3 2020. However, it was an increase of nearly 50% compared to Q2 in 2020, a step towards normality.

What’s next for 2021?

While 2020 was an interesting year for operators with the challenges posed by the Covid – 19 Pandemic and the introduction of new legal requirements, 2021 could be an even tougher year with further restrictions on operators, affiliates, advertising and marketing likely to come into play.

Rightlander constantly monitors affiliate websites that are targeting the Danish market, identifying illegal content, misleading advertising and compliance-related terms specifically identified as mandatory for promotional use as part of the Danish Gambling Authorities new rules.  If you want to find out more about Rightlander’s affiliate monitoring services, please get in touch: [email protected]

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Gambling is an area that always will be popular. And we look at how rapidly online gambling develops itself, it becomes clear that this area not only feels great but gains new positions. Just look at the revenues in gambling: according to published data from H2 Gambling Capital, the global gambling industry revenue amounted to 45 billion euros for 2018. For comparison, in 2009 this amount reached 17 billion euros.

This means that the gambling industry is improving, following new trends and introducing technology. And in 2020, new trends in the gaming industry, which will raise it to a level higher, are coming.

Mobile gambling: new horizons

To begin with, 2020 promises to be a year of improvements in mobile gambling. Improving communication standards and developing ever newer mobile devices has already done its job. Now about 60% of users of gaming platforms use mobile devices.

Just a couple of years ago, the percentage of visitors using the phone was only 10%. And the mentioned H2 Gambling Capital predicts that already in 2023, half of the gross income of the gambling sector will be provided just due to mobile gambling. Developers even came up with a “mobile-first” trend when the mobile casino platform is primarily created, and only then the desktop one.

But these are not all the expected trends of mobile gambling. The developers also want to introduce VR technology and artificial intelligence. Of course, it won’t be easy. But such a step will transform the world of gambling drastically, making it even more convenient and atmospheric.

The letter of the law: what about the legalization of the gambling business?

A positive trend is observed from the side of the legislation. More and more countries are concluding that gambling should not be fought, but regulated. Firstly, it will be beneficial for the state, as another revenue item. Secondly, people will still play, so why not provide a more secure environment for this? So, what does this year bring for the gambling industry:

• The legalization of the gambling business in Ukraine is coming.
• Belarus has already legalized online casinos.
• Bookmakers of Russia have simplified the rules for identifying visitors.

At the same time, other countries have somewhat tightened the rules for gambling. For example, Armenia has limited online casino advertising, and the UK has made the rules for identifying players stricter.

The trend of legalization of the gambling sector means opportunities for business. It will not only grow but also become more secure and transparent.

The best of the best: gambling industry leaders

Many provides have already adopted the latest trends. Someone began to actively use blockchain technology, someone is working on the playability and design of their products, and someone uses an integrated approach. This has turned the usual competition of gambling developers into a real technological race.

The tops of the best gambling providers are updated almost every month. But some companies continue to keep the brand and others change their status. Thus, to maintain leadership positions, the providers need to keep up with the trends. Well-known mastodons of the gaming industry successfully cope with this task:

• NetEnt
• Microgaming
• Play’n Go

The secret of success lies in the application of the latest digital technologies, orientation to cryptocurrencies and competent marketing.

What will change in payment systems?

The market for payment systems is constantly on the move. And to remain out of competition, the technologies and trends are in priority. As a result, those systems that keep pace with the development of technology and customer requirements are in the lead. In turn, online casinos like Betboys and Queenofluck try to cooperate only with advanced payment systems. What is expected in the market of financial transaction systems:

• Enhanced security thanks to artificial intelligence.
• Voice payment management.
• More new mobile wallets.
• The growing demand for mPOS or mobile access points.
• The transition from cards to digital codes.

That is, every year smart payments are becoming more popular. Users are trying to find the fastest and safest transaction method that can also provide maximum anonymity.

Blockchain and gambling

Everyone knows about Bitcoin. But do everyone understand the importance of cryptocurrencies and everything that is about them? Don’t forget about such a thing as blockchain, as this year it will play a key role in the development of gambling.

Simply put, blockchain is a technology that includes records with timestamps and non-editable blocks managed by a network of computers. This means that the blockchain doesn’t have any central location, and cryptography is used to protect data. The popularity of the blockchain has increased markedly in the gambling sector. More and more casinos began to use blockchain technologies and accept cryptocurrencies. The pros of this technology are more than obvious:

• Data is recorded and stored in the registry and is not amenable to change.
• Blockchain is practically unbreakable. And even hacking attempts are almost doomed to failure.
• Transparency in operations, game processes and transactions is guaranteed.

Let’s add to this also complete anonymity for the player, the ability to check the honesty of the game due to the provable fair technology, meager commissions or even their absence. It becomes clear why blockchain will play a main role in the development of the gaming industry for a long time.

Artificial intelligence: gambling getting smarter

The introduction of two trends awaits online casinos and bookmakers: artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Often these concepts are identified, although this is erroneous. AI involves performing tasks at the level of the human brain. And this happens due to the given algorithms. ML complements artificial intelligence, providing self-correction of the computer during the execution of tasks, as well as analysis and processing of the collected data.

What does this mean for online casinos and other gambling platforms:

• The introduction of chatbots can solve more complex problems with the player’s account.
• Improving and complicating the gameplay.
• Analysis of the activity of players on the sites and forecasts about their further actions.
• Enhanced control against scammers, bonus hunters and ludomania.
• Detailed analysis of the platform’s customer base.
• Adaptation to the individual characteristics of each client: a selection of offers, games and new products for a specific player.

So, the online casino will become smarter and will be able to reach a larger audience with an individual approach to each player. This will allow the income to increase and not to miss the slightest threat from fraudsters.

Final word

The gambling industry is associated with many with kinda a gold mine or an endless klondike. And this is not surprising: while economists are preparing for the global crisis, the projected income of the gaming industry by 2024 is 94 (!) billion US dollars. This means that despite crises and other world upheavals, people always crave impressions and excitement.

Therefore, the gambling industry is not even going to slow down. On the contrary, this sector expects the introduction of new technologies. Thanks to which gambling will become smarter, and online casinos more functional. The main development trends for 2020 are:

• The introduction of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• Application of blockchain technology.
• Focus on mobile gambling.
• Improving payment systems.
• Legalization and regulation of the gambling business.

The best online casinos will follow these trends and apply the latest technology. One thing is clear: 2020 promises amazing changes in the gaming sector. Players will have more opportunities, while the business will get guarantees and at the same time challenges. Gambling operators have to be on the alert and keep an eye on technology.

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A region in which land-based gambling hasn’t truly been challenged during the past decade, the Balkans are currently experiencing a boom in iGaming. Most countries in the region have adapted to this shift by creating or updating their regulatory frameworks, in some cases compounding the growth, in others stifling it. Keep reading to learn about the possibilities offered by this up-and-coming part of Europe.

The Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe is full of growing economies and gambling markets in which the online sector is only now reaching a critical market share. While regulations aren’t always operator-friendly, the Balkans are the exciting new frontier of iGaming in Europe.

Greece, Serbia, and Romania are sizable markets that operators interested in expanding their business footprint should pay close attention to. In contrast, smaller but vibrant ones like Bulgaria or Bosnia and Herzegovina can be an excellent springboard for newer businesses.

In this primer, we’ll cover all the key regulations of the region’s jurisdictions and the costs associated with obtaining a license and running an online casino or sportsbook in each of them.