Philippines aims to boost tourism by 15% with focus on US visitors  

Jan Hagelberg, the Senior Vice President of International Business at Finland's Veikkaus, (photo above), has projected that the Finnish authorities will commence the issuance of gambling licenses by September 2026. Hagelberg expressed , “We understand the business, and there’s a lot happening: technological advancements, responsibilities, platforms, and new talent from companies like Kindred. We’ve even recruited individuals from PokerStars. We’re quite busy on all fronts.”

This prediction comes as Finland prepares to inaugurate its regulated market, with the government pledging to implement the new system no later than 2026. This represents a significant shift from the current monopoly model, where the state-owned Veikkaus holds exclusive rights to offer iGaming and sports betting. The existing system has largely been deemed unsuccessful in achieving its channelization objectives, with a substantial portion of revenue remaining in the unregulated segment.

Legal advisor Antti Koivula, a Finnish market expert at Legal Gaming Attorneys at Law, indicated that some form of Payment Service Provider (PSP) payments blocking would likely persist under the new regime. This system, introduced in 2023, has been criticized for its ineffectiveness.

Currently, no entities are listed on the Finnish National Police Board’s (NPB) BML Group, was the first to be blacklisted in February, following a decision by the Helsinki Administrative Court. However, the order was suspended by the Supreme Administrative Court pending the conclusion of the case.

Mansoori added, “Once the licence regime is implemented, the circumstances would be much more challenging for the operators – because then you cannot just change companies, you need to have a Finnish license at that time.”

Influencers and streamers may face stringent regulations however a balanced system would see the government concentrate on areas with a high prevalence of underage users, such as certain social media platforms. This approach would ensure the protection of vulnerable groups while allowing the industry to flourish in a regulated environment.

The Finnish gambling landscape is set for a significant transformation come 2026. As the country moves away from a state monopoly towards a regulated market, the industry is poised for exciting times ahead. The journey may be fraught with challenges and controversies, but the potential rewards promise a vibrant and thriving gaming sector.

Aristocrat Leisure Limited has reported a significant 16.8 percent increase in net profit after tax (NPAT), reaching AU$723.3 million (€444.8 million) during the first half of its fiscal year. This growth was driven by robust performance across its gaming, Pixel United, and interactive divisions. 

Aristocrat Gaming's North America operations achieved a profit of $22.3 million, despite a 9 percent decline in outright sales. The Rest of World segment saw a remarkable 29.1 percent increase in profit, totaling AU$179.3 million (€110.2 million), with Asia leading the growth due to strong game performance, particularly with recent releases like Dragon Link and Bao Zhu Zhao Fu. 

Overall, the Rest of World segment contributed AU$376.7 million (€231.7million) to the group's revenue, marking a 6.6 percent increase. 

In Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), retained its market-leading share, accounting for 38 percent of the market and selling 4,033 units. 

The group's overall revenue surged by 6.1 percent, reaching nearly AU$3.27 billion (€2 billion) for the six-month period. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) witnessed a remarkable increase of 17.6 percent, totaling AU$1.19 billion (€731 million).  

CEO Trevor Croker attributed the strong results to record performance in Aristocrat Gaming, solid growth in Aristocrat Interactive, and improved profitability in Pixel United despite mixed market conditions. 

Pixel United, the group's second-largest revenue contributor, saw a revenue drop of 1.8% to $875 million but achieved a 16.8 percent increase in segment profit, reaching $306.9 million. Aristocrat Interactive, the newly launched segment, experienced a substantial 48.6 percent revenue growth to $71.9 million, with profit surging by 207.7 percent to $20 million. 

The company said it expects continued profit growth for the full fiscal year, driven by strong market share, revenue, and profit growth in .  

Social media influencers have become a crucial part of advertising. This has however led to complex challenges, especially in sectors like iGaming, where strict regulations are in place. A recent incident involving social media influencer Astrid Wett and Festival Free Bets, a platform that compiles betting offers, highlights these complexities.

In March 2024, the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) criticized Festival Free Bets for a promotional advert featuring Wett, who was 23 at the time. The advert was for the Cheltenham Festival, a notable horseracing event, and was posted on X (formerly Twitter). The ASA stated that by featuring Wett, Festival Free Bets had violated the CAP Code rule, which states that no one under 25 should play a significant role in marketing communications for gambling services.

The ASA expressed concern over Festival Free Bets’ apparent disregard for the Code, as the company did not respond to the investigation. Wett apologized and admitted she was unaware of the age restrictions for gambling adverts. She had assumed that being over 18 was enough to promote such content.

The ASA concluded that the ad was irresponsible as it was intended to facilitate gambling and featured someone under 25 playing a significant role. The watchdog has since ordered Festival Free Bets not to run the ad in its original format again and ensure future compliance with age restrictions.

This incident reflects the critical need for influencers and companies in the It also raises questions about the future role of influencers in this industry.

promoting online betting, one might wonder about the future of this sector. With regulatory reforms being implemented, there’s a possibility that opportunities in this area could diminish. However, it’s also possible that these changes could lead to a more responsible and sustainable industry. The impact of these reforms remains to be seen, leaving us to speculate on the future of influencer marketing in online betting.

Influencer marketing in the iGaming industry is evolving towards a more comprehensive approach where content creators are deeply involved in promoting products. This shift goes beyond traditional CPA deals, where influencers are paid based on the results they deliver. Today, we see creators who use iGaming products they promote regularly and express genuine excitement towards them becoming brand ambassadors.

The iGaming industry, which includes online gambling, sports betting, and casino games, has experienced rapid expansion in recent years. In 2021, the industry was estimated to be worth $61 billion annually, with projections of an 86% growth rate by 2028. As the industry evolves, brands are building their communication and expanding their audience with content creators.

Influencer marketing is a powerful way to connect and engage with target audiences, providing a level of authenticity and trust that is difficult to achieve via traditional advertising channels. However, as the case of Astrid Wett and Festival Free Bets illustrates, it is crucial for both influencers and iGaming companies to navigate the regulatory landscape carefully to ensure responsible and compliant promotional activities. The future of influencer marketing in the iGaming sector will undoubtedly continue to evolve, shaped by regulatory developments, market trends, and the innovative strategies of influencers and companies alike.

Buzz Bingo, a leading name in the UK’s bingo industry, is set to acquire two oflocated in Cricklewood and Northampton. This move comes as part of Buzz Bingo’s strategic expansion following a year of impressive performance.

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Buzz Bingo reported a remarkable revenue growth of 47 percent in its first full trading period, with a gross profit of £137 million ($167 million) and revenue of £195 million. The year 2023 saw the brand increase its retail revenue by 5 percent and online revenue by 31 percent, with EBITDA up 14 percent.

Buzz Bingo’s success isn’t confined to the UK. The brand recently relocated its digital business to Gibraltar, indicating a global vision for its operations.

The two clubs in question have been operational for over 25 years, with the Cricklewood club hosting 410,000 players annually and boasting 3,500 winners monthly. It also holds a Guinness World Record for the highest single bingo house prize. This acquisition will make the Cricklewood club the largest in Buzz Bingo’s portfolio.

Bingo’s popularity has surged among the younger demographic in the UK, as evidenced by several initiatives by Mecca Bingo, including free line-dancing sessions and Loose Women-themed scratchcards, made in partnership with ITV. Buzz Bingo’s October report further substantiated this trend, revealing that half of its new retail customers were aged 35 and under.

“is having a renaissance,” said Dominic Mansour, Chief Executive of Buzz Bingo. He expressed his delight at the prospect of acquiring the two leading bingo clubs, attributing the decision to the business’s thriving state and the growing demand for Bingo. “Buzz Bingo is positioning the business for accelerated growth, which is the key rationale behind our decision to move our Digital business to Gibraltar,” Mansour added.

Despite the year’s successes, Buzz Bingo faced a few hiccups, notably when its Halloween ad was ruled as breaching the advertising code by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in January. However, the company quickly bounced back, partnering with Future Anthem later that month to introduce new personalisation features to its products. This resilience underscores Buzz Bingo’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, promising an exciting future for the brand and its patrons.

The UK bingo market has been undergoing a transformation in recent years, with a noticeable shift from traditional, land-based bingo halls to online platforms. This transition has been expedited by the COVID-19 pandemic and mirrors wider trends in the industry, such as the surge in online gaming and the allure of its convenience.

Despite the growth of online bingo, there was a significant decrease in revenue from bingo in Great Britain, from over 800 million British pounds to approximately 130 million British pounds between April 2020 and September 2020. This decline is likely a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and indicates a fiercely competitive market where constant innovation and adaptability are crucial for maintaining market share.

Moreover, the number of bingo establishments in Great Britain also experienced a decline in 2020, suggesting a market consolidation and potentially intensifying competition among the remaining players.

In this competitive environment, companies like Buzz Bingo are strategically expanding through acquisitions and digital growth to fortify their position and tap into the escalating demand for bingo, both online and offline.

However, it’s important to bear in mind that the reliability of available data can fluctuate due to factors such as scheduled maintenance or unforeseen technical issues on individual bingo sites. Therefore, for the most precise and current information, it’s advisable to consult dedicated market research reports or official statistics.