What are the new changes in the regulations? What will happen to the non-licensed operators, what will be the future of PIX usage in iGaming, and many other key questions will get their answers in the paragraphs to follow.

Table of Contents:

• Changes to the Regulatory Framework and Key Approaches
• Regulation Status
• Approved Operators and the Transition Period
• Judicial Rulings on Loterj Licensing
• Market Reactions and Future Challenges
• The SIGAP
• Certifications
• In Conclusion

Changes to the Regulatory Framework and Key Approaches 

Brazil’s iGaming industry has seen several critical updates in terms of both advancements and complications in the market’s regulation since our last Market Report in May 2024. The country is currently in a transition period and moving closer to formalizing the regulatory framework for its gambling sector. When the full regulation comes into force by January 2025, there will be significant changes affecting both online and land-based operators.  

• Localization 

To effectively capture the Brazilian market, operators must tailor their offerings to suit local player preferences. This includes providing customer support in Portuguese, integrating local payment systems like Boleto Bancário, and featuring sports that resonate with Brazilians, such as football, MMA, and basketball. Crafting promotions and content that align with Brazilian cultural values is critical for fostering player loyalty. 

• Mobile Optimization 

With over 78% of Brazilians using smartphones to access the internet, ensuring that platforms are optimized for mobile use is essential. A seamless mobile experience is crucial for attracting the country's young, tech-savvy audience. 

• Marketing and Sponsorships 

Partnering with well-known sports teams and public figures has proven to be an effective strategy in Brazil. For example, major football teams like Corinthians and Palmeiras have inked deals with sportsbooks, enhancing brand visibility. Additionally, operators should leverage social media to engage the audience and promote their offerings effectively. 

• Offering a Variety of Betting Options 

Football remains the top sport for betting in Brazil, followed by basketball and esports. To attract a wider audience, operators should offer a diverse range of betting options, including international sports leagues and esports, to cater to various interests among Brazilian bettors. 

• Responsible Gaming 

Adopting strong responsible gaming practices is vital for maintaining compliance and gaining player trust. Operators should provide tools such as self-exclusion features and betting limits, while also ensuring proper identity verification and age restriction protocols are in place. 

By concentrating on these areas—localization, mobile optimization, marketing, diverse betting options, and responsible gaming—operators will be well-positioned to gain substantial market share in Brazil's burgeoning iGaming industry. 

Regulation Status 

From June to October 2024, Brazil has continued refining the licensing rules for operators. Following the establishment of the regulatory body earlier this year – the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) – the government enforced a deadline in September 2024 for operators to apply for federal betting licenses. The goal was to ensure that all operators wishing to operate during the transition period (October – December 2024) would be in compliance with the legal framework before the market fully opens in January 2025. 

In September, the Brazilian government published a Normative Ordinance No 1,475, prohibiting operators already active in the market that had not applied for a betting license from operating. This will be enforced between October 1st and December 31st. 

One of the more controversial issues surrounding Brazil’s iGaming regulatory framework has been taxation. Initially, Brazil proposed an 18% tax on GGR for operators, which, after negotiations, was reduced to 12%. However total taxation can increase to over 30% when additional taxes get applied (such as PIS, Gaming Monitoring Fee, COFINS and ISS).  

Approved Operators and the Transition Period in Brazil

By October 1st, the SPA issued a list of 89 approved operators, which it later updated, allowing 93 companies and 205 brands to continue functioning legally in the country. This approval process is considered critical for maintaining order in the market and ensuring that only authorized operators engage with the public. [source]

Some companies, however, remain excluded from the list, which has sparked a controversy in the iGaming business.
Players who are using non-approved platforms are given a grace period to withdraw all their funds before those platforms’ potential suspension. [source]

Judicial Rulings on Loterj Licensing in Brazil

In a pivotal ruling, Brazil’s Federal Regional Court decided that brands licensed by the Rio De Janeiro State Lottery (Loterj) would not be allowed to operate outside of Rio De Janeiro.
The ruling aligns with Brazil’s federal push to strengthen its control over the iGaming business in the country. However, Loterj maintains its position that its licensees should be allowed to operate outside the state’s borders, citing their belief in broader operational rights.
This legal debate adds a spark of complexity to the overall regulatory landscape, as it positions state autonomy against federal oversight. [source] 

Market Reactions and Future Challenges 

Looking back at the past years of uncertainty surrounding the legal framework, Brazil’s iGaming industry has been eager for progress. While the new regulations bring optimism for the market’s future, there are also concerns about certain provisions. The industry is closely monitoring developments related to taxation. As mentioned, initially the taxes were proposed at 18% but later lowered to 12%, and still, this is aside from all other additional taxes that compile to a significant amount. [source] 

The regulatory challenges that remain to be tackled include the exclusion of key operators and debates over state versus federal licensing.
With the full legal market set to launch in January 2025, the next few months will be critical as operators finalize their applications and Brazil’s government continues to address gaps in the regulatory process. [source]

The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gambling (IBJR) has called on the government to reconsider its proposed ban on the use of the Pix payment system for betting transactions, citing the need for better regulatory clarity. [source] 

The SIGAP

Also known as the “Betting Management System”, a technological solution linked to the Ministry of Finance, developed with the objective of enabling the regulation, monitoring and inspection of the betting market in Brazil, based on the provisions of Law No. 13,756/2018 and Law No. 14,790/2023. Sigap works by receiving information about bets made on sporting events and bets made on online games. 

Through API, companies must transmit files containing information on bets, operators and bettors on a daily basis, including financial transactions linked to sporting events and information on bets and bettors of online betting games. Each file will be detailed and sent according to the frequency determined in the data model defined by the Ministry of Finance. 

Delasport has already developed and is currently testing its connection to the SIGAP, allowing it to be among the first ones to operate in Brazil. 

Certifications

Delasport has a long-standing testing partnership with GLI – Gaming Laboratories International, the leading certification laboratory of the gambling industry. On top of being GLI-19 and GLI-33 certified, Delasport’s entire turnkey platform solution (player account management system + sportsbook + casino aggregator + payment providers) is currently undergoing testing against Brazilian-specific technical requirements, with the aim of being the first platforms to be fully certified for Brazil before the opening of the market. 

In conclusion 

Amidst all the regulatory changes and implementation, Brazil is currently one of the most complex, but also prominent iGaming markets. This is why an experienced and knowledgeable partner like Delasport is essential when looking to expand to such key jurisdictions. 

At Delasport we’re not only ready with the required certifications but are keeping a close eye on every regulatory development in the country.  

As the government works through the remaining hurdles – particularly in resolving disputes over licensing and taxation – the market will continue to evolve, attracting both domestic and international attention. If you’re serious about your iGaming business, you should reach out to Delasport right away, so that you face Jan 1, 2025, fully prepared.  

The post Brazil: What Does It Take for Operators to Gain a Significant Market Share in the Land of Great Potential? first appeared on Delasport.

 Currently, online betting licenses are available and are issued by the PLAs (Provincial Licensing Authorities).

Continue reading to explore the deep dive we’ve prepared in order to save you a lot of time and effort when assessing if this exciting market is a good fit for your expansion plans. 

Contents

Current Gambling Market in South Africa
Key iGaming Trends in South Africa
The Legislative Timeline in South Africa
Advertising Rules for Gambling in South Africa
Looking Ahead

Current Gambling Market in South Africa

The current state of iGaming verticals in the South African market is as follows: Sports Betting is regulated; Live dealer games are permitted as “contingent events” within the Western Cape and Mpumalanga. Industry suppliers have creatively adapted traditional casino games to comply with existing legal frameworks. This means that, where permitted, they may structure games in a way that aligns more closely with the permitted online sports betting activities. 

This, along with the fact sports betting is legal and regulated, makes South Africa a prominent iGaming market. 

According to Statista, the GGR for 2024 is expected to reach $828.50m and this trend will continue, reaching over $1b in 2028. 

Sports betting constitutes 24% of the industry's earnings and is anticipated to undergo a twofold expansion over the next five years. Roughly half of South Africa's adult population is estimated to engage in sports betting on a recurring basis.

As previously mentioned, South Africa is divided into several regulatory levels and sections. Aside from the National Gambling Board, the country has 9 provinces and each of them is a separate legislative body. The three largest ones in terms of GGR are Gauteng Gambling Board, Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, and Mpumalanga Economic Regulator (MER). Operators licensed by the PLAs are allowed to attract players from the entire country.

Key iGaming Trends in South Africa

As high-quality mobile devices and fast mobile internet connections (4G/5G) are becoming more and more accessible, it is perfectly understandable that the younger generation is entering the online gambling field as one of the main demographics. 

The segment marking an incredible surge is sports betting in general, followed by instant gratification games like Crash games (Aviator, JetX, Skyward, etc.). 

In terms of sports, the top ones on the SA market are soccer and rugby, strengthened by the availability of online platforms that offer a wide range of sports betting options. In terms of online casino, South African players enjoy a wide variety of games, including slots, blackjack, and roulette. And again – a key factor is the fact they can indulge in their hobby from the comfort of their homes. 

The national lottery stands out as the most favored game, with roughly 80% of the populace purchasing at least one ticket per week. Sports betting enjoys considerable popularity as well, especially in horse racing, rugby, and football, which attract the highest number of bets with local athletes such as Benni McCarthy, Aaron Mokoena, Steven Pienaar, Siya Kolisi, Bryan Habana, and Cameron Norrie. 

A Look at Online Casino

Provincial-licensed online sportsbooks can provide betting on live-dealer casino games, alongside traditional sports events. This is facilitated by certain provincial authorities' understanding of the definition of bookmaking outlined in the National Gambling Act. Bookmaking, as defined, encompasses the acceptance of fixed odds or open bets on various outcomes: “an event or occurrence of which the outcome is uncertain or unknown to any person until it happens” (Section 1(1), National Gambling Act).

The Legislative Timeline in South Africa

Gambling regulation has a long history in South Africa, beginning in 1996. While it has undergone a lot of discussions and amendments, many of the normative acts are to this day ambiguous and up for interpretation.

The National Gambling Act (1996)

This act paved the way for gambling in SA, way before iGaming enters the picture. It is the act that appoints the National Gambling Board and a licensing framework specifically for land-based betting, including casinos and sports wagering.

The National Gambling Act – Revised (2004)

The reworked version of the National Gambling Act repeals the initial edition and outlines some new definitions. This Act is way more complex and comprehensive than its predecessor and is the source of ambiguity for online gambling in the South African market ever since.

National Gambling Amendment Act (2008)

The National Gambling Amendment Act from July 2008 was meant to legalize the so-called “interactive gambling” in the country which would include online gambling as well, and to make provisions for the regulation of this market. The Amendment Act was actively confronted by the interested parties. This is why the Act hasn't come into power yet.

The National Gambling Amendment Bill (2018)

A controversial document has been entered into discussions in 2018 and is still up for debate to this day. This is The National Gambling Amendment Bill which aimed to legalize and put a clear frame regarding online gambling, responsible gaming, and many other important topics. It was met with serious opposition from members of the parliament who believed online gambling would do more harm than good in South Africa, which is why it is still tabled after numerous goings back and forth.

Remote Gambling Bill (2022)

After two years of drafting and consultations, the Remote Gambling Bill (B11-2024) was finally introduced to South Africa’s parliament by the main opposition party in April 2024.

While the Bill mandates the application, licensing, and administrative fees, along with possible fines for non-compliance or breaches of the Act, the exact financial amounts, including any potential revenue share models between operators and the government or specific fees for licenses and fines, are not defined within the provided text. Such details are likely to be determined and prescribed through subsequent regulations by the responsible Member of the Executive Council or the Minister after the Bill is enacted and comes into operation.

Licensed casinos and casino operators must adhere to strict regulations regarding responsible gambling, including age verification and self-exclusion measures. Once licensed, operators are subject to ongoing monitoring and audits to ensure they continue to meet these and the many other requirements listed in the Bill.

Advertising Rules for Gambling in South Africa

One of the factors making South Africa so attractive as an iGaming market is the fact that currently there are no explicit regulations outlined regarding the advertisement of gambling or gaming. In South Africa, gambling falls under both national and provincial jurisdiction as per the National Gambling Act 2004 (NGA) and various provincial statutes. Of course, general instructions apply, such as the ones listed in section 15 of the NGA. It prohibits the promotion or advertisement of any gambling activity that: 

• Contains false or misleading information 
• Violates the NGA or provincial laws 
• Targets minors 

Additionally, the NGA mandates that gambling-related advertisements include a warning about the risks of addictive behavior and prohibits any promotion encouraging excluded individuals from gambling. According to National Gambling Regulations, advertisements for gambling must: 

• Include a warning about the risks of addiction 
• Display the name, toll-free number, and slogan of the National Responsible Gambling Programme 
• State that only individuals aged 18 or older can participate in gambling 

Furthermore, gambling advertisements must not: 

• Contain lewd or indecent content 
• Encourage excessive gambling 
• Suggest illegal activities 
• Portray gambling as a solution to financial or personal issues 
• Encourage gambling to recoup previous losses 
• Promise guaranteed success from gambling 
• Imply that gambling is a substitute for employment or a source of financial stability 
• Be placed in venues primarily frequented by minors or near educational institutions 

Looking Ahead 

As we already outlined, the South African market is an intricate, complex, and exciting one. Without the right assistance and a partner, navigating its regulatory maze may be more than challenging. But it’s very much worth it, as evident from all the marked continuous growth of the market. 

This is why getting in touch with an expert team like Delasport’s when planning to expand to South Africa as an operator is your best bet. We are familiar with all requirements and limitations, as well as the endless possibilities sports betting in this jurisdiction provides. Dealasport’s sportsbetting platform is fully certified by Gaming Laboratories International (GLI). 

Make sure you learn more about our services and get in touch right away.

The post The South African iGaming Report: Navigating a Fast-Growing Market first appeared on Delasport.

In the past, we’ve outlined Brazil as a sleeping giant and the big news this year is that the giant has awakened. The country's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, made regulation in Brazil official, ratifying a new regulatory framework for sports betting and iGaming in general.

The very end of 2023 – December 30th – marked a new era in Brazil’s gambling history. Bill 3,626/2023 was signed after Brazil’s chamber of deputies voted on 21 December to endorse it. 

The bill presented a rollercoaster for everyone in the iGaming industry, eagerly waiting to see how the chain of events in the sector will unfold. One of the major suspense sources was the fact that iGaming was added back into the bill after previously being removed by the senate.

The New Market Situation in Brazil

The market has already started seeing a surge, which is understandable bearing in mind that up until now the legal activities were made up primarily of lotteries and horse racing. The increase in revenue projected for this year is a whopping 24,1% (Source). It is estimated to reach US$1.97bn by the end of 2024 and US$3.63bn by 2028. This means the Brazilian iGaming market will keep a steady growth rate of 16.51% per year.

As can be expected, Online Casinos will experience the most substantial growth as they are just now becoming legalized: the projected market volume for this segment is US$1.11bn this year. By 2028, however, experts foresee sports betting taking over the leading spot with US$1.71bn, followed by Online Casinos with US$1.61bn. and lotteries with US$0.31bn.

The New Framework in Brazil

The ratified regulations bring along a section regarding taxes on iGaming. According to those, operators will be taxed at 12% of the GGR. Recommendations regarding taxes were submitted by the Economic Affairs Commission in November 2023.

Operators will also have to apply for five-year licenses with up to three brands. They will have to pay around US$6m per such license.

Something else operators will have to do according to the new legal framework is comply with a number of Responsible Gambling guidelines. They should offer customers self-exclusion windows that range from 24 hours to six weeks and verify the identities of players. They should make sure through facial recognition that the bettors are at least 18 years of age. Another key requirement – this time outside of the RG scope – is for the company to have a Brazilian board member who will hold at least 20% of the shares.

Players, on the other hand, will have to pay 15% of their winnings in tax.

Opportunities And Hurdles in Brazil's Sports Betting Landscape

The sports betting sector in Brazil presents numerous prospects for operators, consumers, and stakeholders alike. These encompass:

- A varied and fiercely competitive sports landscape, offering a plethora of local and international events and leagues for betting.

- Abundant room for innovation and distinction, with avenues to introduce fresh products, services, features, and promotional strategies to allure and retain clientele.

- A conducive legal framework, supported by governmental backing and a clear roadmap for regulation and taxation.

- A sizable and expanding demographic of sports enthusiasts and punters, boasting substantial disposable income and widespread internet access.

Nonetheless, there exist several challenges and risks necessitating attention. Among these are:

- Intense competition, marked by both established entities and emerging players striving for market dominance and customer allegiance.

- Heightened social responsibility demands, involving the promotion of responsible gambling, safeguarding vulnerable demographics, and mitigating gambling addiction risks.

- Elevated instances of fraud and malpractice, encompassing risks associated with money laundering, match-fixing, illicit gambling, and cyber breaches

- A convoluted and unpredictable regulatory process, characterized by delays and alterations that could impact the profitability and longevity of operators.

What’s to Come for Brazil’s iGaming Market

While the exciting news is a fact, there are still a few steps left before they come into effect. For example, some of the topics in the Bill will be put to public consultation before they are implemented, so the truly regulated market is expected to be here in the second half of this year.

Aside from the expected revenue growth, for a giant as Brazil the regulations mean numerous other consequences. Some of them are due to the expected surge of foreign operators applying and functioning in this hot jurisdiction.

This, in turn, means more work for the Brazilian courts as it is inevitable for bettors to fight for their rights domestically when they encounter an unethical iGaming business. As the anticipation for these regulations has been rising since 2018, a lot of operators’ business plans include Brazil, and this has already started translating in heightened requests for partnerships and mergers.

Fortunately, this process can be sped up with the help of strong partners like Delasport. As a supplier with GLI 19 and 33 certifications, Delasport is ready to enter Brazil with serious operators who know the importance of having the right certified technology partner.

To learn more and expedite your go-to-market for Brazil, get in touch right away.

The post Brazil’s iGaming Market: The Giant is Awake first appeared on Delasport.

Sweden has one of the most comprehensive regulatory systems when it comes to iGaming, but if an operator selects the right supplier partner that utilizes technology to enrich the player betting experiences even with the regulatory limitations, it is absolutely worth it.

As a large and dynamic market with high-valued players, it is attractive in the region, but not everyone can succeed there. Why they should try, however, is evident from the paragraphs below, where we have an in-depth look at the current situation, the regulatory framework, advertising rules, and more about the Swedish iGaming Market.

Contents

Current iGaming Market in Sweden
Online Gambling Legislation in Sweden
Advertising Rules for Gambling in Sweden
Preferences of Swedish Online Gamblers
Popular Games and Sports to Bet on in Sweden
Ways To Operate Successfully in Sweden Even with the Regulatory Limitations
The Future of Gambling in Sweden
In Conclusion

Current iGaming Market in Sweden

The Swedish iGaming market is growing fast: In 2017 it had €0.52 billion in GGR while the projections for 2024 are for it to reach €1.69 billion (Source). By the end of 2028 forecasts predict a peak of €2.15 billion.

Same goes for the number of players – it has been on the rise for as long as tracking has been conducted. In 2022, for example, the number of gamblers in Sweden saw a significant increase, rising to 72%, compared to the 58% recorded in 2018 (Source).

In terms of taxation, an 18% tax rate applies to gross gaming revenues across all forms of gambling. As a result, the State's gambling revenue reached €720 million in 2021, encompassing contributions from gambling tax, corporation tax, and dividends from Svenska Spel AB - the state-owned company in Sweden that operates in the market. It is responsible for offering various forms of gambling services, including lotteries, sports betting, and casino games.

Online Gambling Legislation in Sweden

Sweden is among the more strictly regulated iGaming markets. The Spelinspektionen, also known as the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA), has been overseeing the regulation of all gambling activities in the Nordic country since January 2019. The authority is committed to implementing robust measures aimed at sustaining a balanced, fair and transparent gaming market. It places special emphasis on mitigating potential adverse social effects of gambling, such as underaged players and problem gambling.

The Spelinspektionen monitors three distinct categories: online gaming and betting, the state monopoly encompassing live casinos and cash machines, and lottery and bingo. In terms of market share, online casinos held the largest portion, followed by sports betting (including horse betting) and lotteries.

Gambling laws and regulations:

• Swedish Gambling Act (2018:1138);
• Swedish Gambling Tax Act (2018:1139);
• Gambling Ordinance (2018:1467)
• Regulations and general advice issued by the Swedish Gambling Authority
• Recently some key changes to the Swedish Gambling Act were proposed and scheduled to take effect from April 1, 2024. They aim to strengthen consumer protections further. Operators would be required to obtain advance written approval for telephone-based gaming, and access to customer data related to finance and health would be granted to counteract excessive gambling. The amendments also address violations of the Money Laundering Act, harmonizing penalty fees for operators.

These legislative changes follow the introduction of supplier licenses on July 1 and new enforcement powers for Spelinspektionen. The government has also proposed increasing the gambling tax rate from 18% to 22% of gross gaming revenue in July 2024. Proponents of this proposal argue that the gambling market has been stabilized since the regulation initiative started in 2019. Thus, even with the increased GGR tax, a 90% channelization can be maintained.

To the contrary, the Online Gaming Industry Association (BOS) argues that in line with the results of a specialized survey carried out in Q1 2023 the actual levels of channelization amount to 77% (Swedish gambling industry as a whole), 72% (Swedish iGaming sector), and 84% for betting on sports in particular. An increased GGR tax in combination with stringent legal obligations, which lead to an unwelcoming customer experience, grants the unlicensed operators a competitive edge.

In line with the tax increase proposal and the 90% channelization goal, the Swedish Gambling Authority will deploy a new strategy for tackling illegal gambling operations. It consists of investigating whether online games are targeting Swedish customers, by taking into account among others:

• Use of PSPs registered in Sweden or PSPs largely used by Swedish customers;
• Accepting Swedish e-Identification for ID verification purposes;
• The iGaming operator or its affiliates conducting marketing in Swedish.

Advertising Rules for Gambling in Sweden

In Sweden, all forms of gambling and betting are permitted, along with their advertising, but as everything else - there are strict regulations in place outlined in the Swedish Gambling Act. According to marketing regulations, only games and lotteries licensed in Sweden can be advertised. Betting promotions are supervised by Hallå konsumer, a nationwide information service coordinated by the Swedish Consumer Agency. The primary guideline for gambling advertising is "moderation." Notably, promotions cannot target individuals under 18 or those who have voluntarily excluded themselves from gambling activities or have been identified as problem gamblers.

Prior to advertising a gambling site in Sweden, adherence to government requirements is essential. For sports betting or casino sites with a Swedish license, specific criteria must be met, including:

• the use of a .se top-level domain
• transactions in Swedish currency
• presentation of all information in Swedish
• the inclusion of Swedish customer service

When bonus advertising is concerned, a license holder may only offer or provide bonus offers the first time a player participates (welcome bonus) in one of the license holder’s games.  Given that a bonus is defined as “a discount or similar financial incentive that is directly linked to the gambling”, the possibilities of promotional activities or rebates are very limited.  The Swedish Gambling Authority has issued large fines against operators who have violated the bonus provision. (most notably against LeoVegas and ATG in 2021).

Compliance with self-exclusion services, such as Spelpaus.se, and displaying the regulator Spelinspektionen's logo is mandatory.

As of 2022, there has been a 15% decrease in gambling advertising expenditure in traditional media compared to 2021. Notably, €3.4 billion was allocated in 2022, down from €4 billion.

Online casino advertising (30%) and sports betting (28%) remain prominent. In September 2022, a notable change occurred as the Swedish gambling regulator prohibited the autoplay mode in online slots, aligning with practices in the UK and the Canadian province of Ontario.

Recently, The Culture Committee of Sweden’s Riksdag has rejected a proposal to enforce stricter advertising regulation for higher risk gambling products, arguing that it was an attempt to bring in a tiered system “by the back door” (Source).

The committee's stance was presented in its report on a gambling reform bill designed to minimize harm and enhance channelization.

Originally, the government had contemplated prohibiting "high-risk" gambling advertisements from 6 am to 9 pm.

Yet, in the official version of the law released by the government, it decided against enforcing a ban. Instead, it specified that gambling advertisements should be subject to "modified moderation."

Preferences of Swedish Online Gamblers

The habits of Swedish online bettors were summarized by a report last year (July 2023), based on a survey by Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen). The results are rather intriguing:

• 14% engage in online gambling at least once a week.
• 31% participate in online gambling at least once a quarter.
• 50% of players stick to only one type of online game.
• Men are almost twice as likely (42%) to gamble online compared to women.

The robust economy and elevated disposable income levels in Sweden have also contributed significantly to the expansion of the online gambling market. Increased disposable income prompts individuals to participate in leisure activities, including iGaming. Furthermore, the cultural acceptance of gambling in Sweden as a form of entertainment further propels market growth.

Take a look at our other iGaming market reports

Popular Games and Sports to Bet on in Sweden

The same survey, but in 2018, revealed more relevant information regarding the preferences of Swedish bettors. Their favorites among casino games and sports are rather clear:

• Lotteries and number games are the most prevalent forms of online gambling: 60% have participated in lotteries or number games.
• Horse racing and other sports betting share second place at 36% each. Taking Casino and Sports iGaming revenues, betting on Sports accounted for 49% of the total GGY.
• 20% have played casino games such as slot machines.
• 11% participate in bingo, while 7% prefer poker.

In recent years, eSports are also on the rise in Sweden. According to the Computer Sports Federation, the Swedes lead the industry on a par with China, the USA, Germany, and the UK. These indicators make this niche a must-have for a sportsbook In the Nordic country.

Ways To Operate Successfully in Sweden Even with the Regulatory Limitations

With the harsh regulatory requirements that allow only a Welcome bonus and the fact that mostly all licensed operators in the market have the same content or access to the same content, to succeed in Sweden an operator must have a strong platform, casino, and sportsbook supplier. Such a supplier should offer unique features that elevate the betting experience and help acquire and retain players. At Delasport we are focusing on harnessing the insights gained from betting activities to produces dozens of features:

• My Sportsbook tailors the home screen for sports bettors after they go through a wizard-like menu, giving them the power to see only what they want to see, right from the get-go.
• My Event Builder takes personalization even further by giving players the ability to create their own custom events – for instance, a major global team vs a local one, and how they fare in their respective matches.
• Meta Jackpot allows a cross-provider accumulation of big and small winnings with all the settings available for the Operator to control. It can be applied to ANY casino game and is displayed even during play through the proprietary Booster panel.
• If Bet is a novel and creative feature that allows bettors to link several selections with a single wager, essentially automating up to 7 consecutive bets.
• Toto-Pot (Coming soon) - An innovative sports betting feature that spices up the player experience by allowing the option to win a healthy jackpot. It is fully localized, customized according to the operator’s branding, has a network and local mode, and applies to all sports.

These are just a few examples of the variety of functionalities Delasport keeps developing and introducing to help operators stand out in their markets.

The Future of Gambling in Sweden

Licensed Operators will be able to take a bigger market share if they present the right products and services to players. The bonusing limitation presents a real challenge that all licensed operators are facing. However, the greater the challenge, the larger the potential for the operator to stand out.  If the operator makes it a point to differentiate through a higher overall betting experience, success is guaranteed. It is not clear what the iGaming future holds as changes keep coming, e.g. the recent license regime of last July (2023). What is known is that the Swedish market is still growing GGY-wise as more players are joining, so it should be a target market for any serious operator.

In Conclusion

As Sweden navigates the intricate landscape of its gambling industry, regulatory decisions play a pivotal role in shaping its future. The rejection of stricter advertising rules, proposed amendments to the Gambling Act, and ongoing discussions about tax increases underscore the delicate balance between fostering a competitive market and ensuring consumer protection.

In case you’re looking for a trusted and experienced partner to enter this exciting market with, definitely reach out to us at Delasport. We offer a modern Sportsbook solution in Sweden and as an operator there, you will have access to a Sportsbook that maintains two two-digit margins through the best traders and risk managers in the industry, player Personalization, unique ways to bet, real-time player engagement tools, and more.

If this sounds thrilling, book a meeting right away: https://calendly.com/rosaire-cavallaro/delasport-sportsbook

The post The Swedish iGaming Market: How to Run a Successful Operation While Complying with Regulatory Limitations first appeared on Delasport.

2023 was yet another year marked by a growth of the iGaming sector and a time of huge acceleration for Delasport. Our industry is fast-paced and exciting, which is why there is a lot to look at while reviewing the last 12 months. Join us as we wrap them up in the paragraphs to follow.

Contents

Industry Highlights

Overall Performance of the Sector

Markets and Legislation

Trends and Innovations

Delasport Highlights

Product Development

Business Growth

Events and Awards

New Markets

Conclusion

INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS

Overall Performance of the Sector

The iGaming industry continues its upward trajectory hitting a staggering revenue of US$95.05 billion in 2023. Looking ahead, the market volume is forecasted to reach US$138.10 billion by 2028, reflecting an impressive annual growth rate (CAGR 2023-2028) of 7.76%. The user base is set to expand to 243.2 million users by 2028 (source).

Some of the reasons behind the continuous surge include the further adoption of mobile gambling, the rapid development of markets like Brazil, UAE, Africa, and Ontario, as well as the rise of female gamers worldwide.

Markets and Legislation

This year we started observing a shift from international to national regulations worldwide, shaking the ground beneath Malta and Curaçao’s prevalence in iGaming. The two countries were leaders in issuing licenses valid throughout multiple jurisdictions. Now countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden have introduced their own regulations, forcing Malta and Curaçao to come up with innovative solutions in order to keep their strong positions.

Case in point: Curaçao is introducing serious changes with a gambling regulation bill that is now officially in the parliament (source). As part of their regulatory transformation, Curaçao’s legislators also launched the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA).

Another breakthrough in 2023 comes from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE introduced a new regulatory body to oversee commercial gaming: the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) (source). As a market, the UAE is projected to reach US$1.6 billion by 2026, making it one of the territories with the highest growth potential.

In the meantime, another rapidly emerging market – Brazil - is making a serious leap both in terms of iGaming market development and iGaming regulation. Forecasts place the annual growth rate of Brazil at a whopping 18.10% from 2023 to 2028. By 2028, the projected market volume is expected to reach US$3.63bn (source). A milestone was reached in July this year related to sports betting too: the Brazilian Senate approved a fixed-odds sports betting bill (source). It focuses on some of the most important points: taxation, local ownership, improper advertising, bettor identification, fees, and more.

Another jurisdiction that has kept an eye on itself throughout 2023 is the UK. In April, the British Government released the Gambling White Paper, presenting a fresh strategy for overseeing online gambling regulation in the UK. This document aims to assess and update the 2005 Gambling Act, putting forth various measures that empower operators to utilize technology responsibly. The goal is to allow the majority of individuals who engage in betting without problems to continue doing so, while also ensuring that those with gambling-related issues receive the necessary support (source).

A brave approach to advancing safer gambling has been taken by several countries, including Australia, where credit cards have been banned as a payment instrument leaving players with debit cards as the only digital payment option (source). We’ve been seeing more and more innovative and much-needed ways to increase player safety worldwide.

Trends and Innovations

Personalization as a trend has skyrocketed in iGaming this year, with Delasport being among the leaders in this innovative field (more details – below). Amidst the massive industry growth, players still need to feel seen and appreciated and personalization has been THE way to do it in 2023. Aside from letting players choose their own settings, layout, and favorites across sports betting and casino solutions, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have also played a key role (read more about it). They have been instrumental in user profiling in terms of behavior analysis, RG screening, and segmentation for tailored suggestions and targeted promotions.

Fraud prevention, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and Compliance Management have also seen significant benefits from the advancement of AI. Companies on the rise like Sift and Sedric are proof that there is a serious need for such innovative and even creative solutions in otherwise strict fields.

While looking at the trends in 2023, we can’t miss the opportunity to mention that the shift towards mobile betting and gambling has continued this year. According to internal Delasport data, mobile devices now take up about 75% of all iGaming usage. This is why we’ve always made it a point to keep our mobile–friendly solutions up to date (more on this – in the next section).

Lastly, we can’t miss the opportunity to mention one more intriguing (yet logical) trend we’re seeing in the past months: sportsbooks are now including more and more niche or less popular sports. The sports betting sector has been oversaturated with the big sports and events and it is now essential for every serious iGaming supplier, provider, and operator, to provide access to as many smaller disciplines as possible.

DELASPORT HIGHLIGHTS

Product Development and Growth

As mentioned above, Delasport has been among the champions of personalization in 2023. Our proprietary suite ‘My Era’ got well-established and proved profitable in the past 12 months.
‘My Sportsbook’, ‘My Event Builder’, ‘Live Personal Trader’, and ‘If Bet’ are the flagship features that showed everyone how essential personalization really is in times of content inflation. And while we can’t reveal much at this point, we can hint that something big is coming for our Casino solution regarding personalization that you can read about here.

Speaking of Casino, we can’t miss mentioning our latest exciting additions there: a Cross-Providers Jackpot and a Booster Panel for mobile devices. Both of them significantly improve player retention and satisfaction, but the Booster panel is a true innovation allowing players to deposit funds, view the Cross-Providers Jackpot, and notifications without leaving their favorite game for even a minute. The Booster panel assists maintaining the immersion and makes everything accessible – it’s all a single tap away.

Turning our attention to sports again, we should definitely mention the impressive enhancement of our Live Center feature and the new sports we have developed it for. American football and handball are just a part of the new disciplines covered by our proprietary 3D live viewer.

In terms of overall sportsbook enrichment, as mentioned in the previous section, we have also introduced a significant number of new sports:

- Beach Volleyball​

- Netball​

- Lacrosse​

- Floorball

- Australian Rules​

- Futsal​

- Water Polo​

Additionally, we also expanded our outright portfolio with the introduction of:

- Gaelic Sports

- Bandy

- Pool

- Rowing

- Moto GP

- Sumo​

- Wrestling​

- Surfing

- Softball

- Sailing

- Curling

- Swimming

- Chess

Overall, 2023 has been a cornerstone year for Delasport’s sportsbook solution and we can’t wait to share what we have planned for 2024. But more on that – in early January.

Business Growth

Understandably, with the technological advancement of our product, we’ve been seeing a great surge in our business performance as well in 2023. Some of the key deals and partnerships we’ve signed include EEG, Videoslots, BeyondPlay, Bejoynd, Campeon Gaming, and FansBet. Some of them come as a package deal with more than one brand, so our reach is now extending across several jurisdictions and even continents.

Events and Awards

2023 has been more than dynamic for us at Delasport. We’ve attended most of the largest iGaming events globally: ICE London, iGB Live - Amsterdam, SBC Summit - Barcelona, and SiGMA – Malta, while at the same time successfully organizing our own dedicated event in Malta. We got to meet new partners and friends as well as deepen some already existing ones. And best of all, we got to also have fun while doing it!

This year has been generous towards Delasport in terms of recognition too. We were awarded in the ‘In-Play Betting Software’ category by EGR B2B Awards, followed by ‘Live Betting Product of the Year’ by SiGMA Europe Awards. Furthermore, Delasport was named ‘Rising Star in Sports Betting Technology’ by GamingTech CEE Awards and ‘Platform Supplier of the Year’ by iGaming Sword Awards.

New Markets

Our expansion is multi-layered and in the past 12 months we grew not only product-wise, but also in terms of market availability. We’re now present in dozens of jurisdictions worldwide with the latest ones being Isle of Man, Estonia, and Romania.

In most of the jurisdictions we’re compliant with, we’re present with our full product portfolio. New regions of interest for us are the Nordics and Africa and we’re about to share more details about each of them in the near future.

CONCLUSION

2023 has been so exciting that we’re almost sad to see it go. Thankfully, we’re sure 2024 will be just as full of innovations, recognition, surprises, and positive results, as the current year (if not more). That being said, we’re hoping to see as many of you as possible at the upcoming industry events – the closest one being ICE London 2024. Make sure to book a meeting and come talk to us about your achievements across 2023 and your aspirations for 2024. You’d be surprised how fruitful our conversation can be!

From all of us at Delasport: May you have amazing holidays, dear colleagues and friends!

The post 2023 Recap: Industry Overview and Delasport Achievements first appeared on Delasport.

In our Estonia iGaming market report, we look at the setting in Estonia, what the rules are, who is playing, and what tomorrow may bring to one of the EU’s most promising betting landscapes.

Contents:

Current gambling market in Estonia
Online gambling legislation in Estonia
Advertising rules for gambling in Estonia
Preferences of Estonian gamblers
Popular sports to bet on in Estonia
The future of gambling in Estonia

Current gambling market in Estonia

Estonia has long been known to be a preferred location for iGaming operators because of strong infrastructure elements, including a progressive legal framework, political stability, top-notch telecommunications, and a firmly developed financial services sector. As a result, many gambling websites operate out of Estonia, spanning across Sports, Casino, bingo, and more.

Recent studies estimate that 70% of Estonians have participated in betting for real money in their lives, with nearly half of the population of gambling age having paid for gambling in one way or another over the past two years. About 40% of adults have gambled offline, compared to about 30% of adults who have gambled online. Although as more operators enter the country and technology continues to evolve, the dominant and preferred way to go is on an online betting platform.

Online gambling legislation in Estonia

Estonia is a former Soviet Union republic and therefore has a brief gaming history as the USSR outlawed all forms of gambling. However, today paints a completely different picture.

There are two pieces of legislation that regulate all gambling in Estonia, making up the regulatory, taxation, and legal framework for all types of online betting.

The Lottery Act of 1994 and Gaming Act of 1995

After Estonia gained independence and made gambling legal, these two laws were the first gambling regulations to be enacted in the nation. A state lottery, which was a monopoly, was established under the Lottery Act, and the Gaming Act of 1995 was passed to make all offline gambling in Estonia legal, including betting shops.

The Gambling Act

This law, which was passed in 2009 and went into force in 2010, dealt with online gambling in Estonia. The Gambling Act of 2009 was the first law in Estonia to address internet gambling, whereas earlier legislation (The Gambling Act of 1995 and the Lottery Act of 1994) concentrated on offline gambling. The requirement for a gaming license was established by this Act and is still in effect today. The law also specifies which types of online gaming are permitted.

The Gaming Act formerly mandated that all servers be situated in Estonia, but that provision was removed in 2012 after the Act underwent modification. Operators are permitted to conduct business in Estonia under this amendment, provided that their servers are situated in a country or territory with a valid license. Additionally, the nation where the server is located must liaise with the Estonian Tax and Customs Board.

Don’t miss the opportunity to read our market report about Online Gambling in California!

Advertising rules for gambling in Estonia

The 2008 Advertising Act, which put a complete ban on advertisements for casinos and sports betting, governs the promotion of gambling services and goods in Estonia. The only area of gambling that is exempt from the ban is the lottery.

The document only permits the promotion of gambling games in the following circumstances:

• On the premises of the gambling venues (such as hotels)
• Messaging over email, phone, or the post if the individual is subscribed and can cancel that subscription at any time of their choosing
• Sponsorship announcements in form of outdoor advertising
• On board international ships/planes and in airports
• On official operator websites

Preferences of Estonian gamblers

As touched on earlier, a study of the Estonian gambling market was undertaken by statistics firm, Kantar Emor in 2019, showing that 70% of the population had gambled at some point in their lives.

According to the data, men between the ages of 30 and 39 make up most gamblers in Estonia. The offline gambling market is dominated by men from rural areas, especially those aged 40 to 49.

Back in 2019, there was a more pronounced preference for land-based gambling over online games, but following the pandemic, the difference has been narrowing rapidly. The study also showed that people living in rural areas are more likely to participate in lottery drawings and other offline games of chance, while urban residents choose poker and casinos.

In Estonia, both online and off, the lottery is the most popular game of chance. Over the last few years, 36% of Estonians participated offline and 25% online in lottery raffles. In terms of other games, the study highlights that 7% of the population plays slot machines, 6% bet on sports, 5% play casino games, and 11% play other general games.

Popular sports to bet on in Estonia

As Estonia is a European country, it stands to reason that football tops the list of sports bettors’ preferences. As well as international competitions, the English Premier League is highly popular.

Other top football tournaments and leagues that Estonians bet on include La Liga, Major League Soccer, Bundesliga, Serie A, French League One, etc. Then there are the domestic competitions including Meistriliiga, II liiga, III liiga, IV liiga; Naiste Meistriliiga, Naiste Esiliiga, Naiste II liiga, the Estonian Cup, Estonian SuperCup, and the Estonian Small Cup.

Basketball is a popular sport in Estonia, where the Korvpalli Meistriliiga is the national championship. However, Estonians also wager on basketball events held in other nations, such as the NBA. Other popular sports include horse racing, ice hockey, Volleyball, tennis, rugby, and Esports.

The future of gambling in Estonia

The current system looks to be beneficial to operators, regulators, and gamblers alike, and there doesn't seem to be much appetite for a significant change in Estonia's betting laws. Additionally, to attract more foreign operators to apply for licenses, the Estonian government may decide to reduce licensing prices in the future.

As the general legislation seems to be in a stable place, responsible gaming is coming into focus. There have been suggested changes with a player protection and safety focus, such as a nationwide self-exclusion list. To position themselves as proponents of responsible gambling, many operators will think about incorporating them.

With such a stable industry landscape, Estonia remains as one of Europe’s safest bets for suppliers and operators, and when it comes to online betting, the sky is the limit.

The post Estonia iGaming market report: A safe bet first appeared on Delasport.

The state’s lawmakers, poker room operators, and Tribal casinos are locked in an ongoing dispute, all with their own agendas and priorities, making a resolution difficult.

In our latest iGaming market report, we look at the current status of online and sports gambling in California, what the disputes are, and what the future may hold for the Golden State.

Table of contents:

Online gambling in California
The major players in California’s gambling complexity
The Tribal factor
Card rooms
The current campaign for sports betting
Conclusion

Online gambling in California

Currently, most online gambling activities in California are prohibited, including poker, sports betting, and casino games. However, there are a few exceptions, including horse betting sites, daily fantasy sports, sweepstakes, and social casinos. There are currently several ongoing legal discussions happening (more on these later), which focus only on sports. There will be a vote in November of this year, but even if online sports gambling in California is approved, online casinos will have to go through their own journey. The good news is that however long it takes, it will happen sooner or later – there’s too much potential to be wasted.

All gaming in the State of California is governed by the California Gambling Control Commission, including some Tribal organizations as well. If or when online gambling was to be legalized in California, the CGCC would oversee its regulation.

The major players in California’s gambling complexity

There are four separate parties involved in the issue of online gambling in California, which is one of the major barriers to any substantial online casino growth in California. When it comes to the legalization of online gambling and similar activities in California, each of these groups has distinct goals, aspirations, and requirements. The four parties in concern are the state lottery, the racetracks, the Tribal interests, and the card rooms.

For the Tribes, anyone who wants to open their operation for online gambling should not be permitted – including the card rooms, who they do not perceive as legitimate. If statewide gambling expansions were to pass, they don’t want card rooms becoming further legitimized.

Then we have the card rooms, which are already well-established in the state. They argue that the Tribes are trying to monopolize the industry in California and have spent a lot of money and time in court to argue the point.

Another party is made up of the California racetracks, who are keen to be included in any new online gambling agreements. And finally, we have the California Lottery, which can potentially bring in a lot more tax revenue for the state if certain barriers are lifted or altered in their favor.

Take a look at our Brazil iGaming Market Report and find out more about the business in this country!

The Tribal factor

While California laws prohibit all land-based casinos, this does not extend to the sovereign territories of Native Indian reservations. This means that anyone visiting a full, traditional casino in California will be on those lands, with the operation owned/operated by a native Tribe. California has over 100 federally recognized Tribes, 73 of which own 76 Tribal casinos.

Annual gross gambling revenue from casinos run by Californian Tribes is estimated to be over $8.5 billion, amounting to more than 25% of all Tribal casinos' annual income in the United States. The state government also receives around $3.5 billion a year in taxes and revenue share payments from Tribal casinos, giving them a large amount of influence and voice amongst regional authorities.

Card rooms

Despite the ban on land-based casinos for anyone not on Tribal land, the California gambling market has nearly 100 licensed and legal card rooms, which sometimes refer to themselves as casinos. Technically speaking, these are not like normal casinos as they do not offer slots, roulette, or any other traditional casino games and mainly focus on player-vs-player poker.

Some also provide variations of other card games including baccarat and blackjack, albeit these games differ slightly from those found in casinos so that California law is not violated.

The card rooms were an established form of legal gambling by the time the first Tribal casinos began to spring up in the early 2000s. Disputes between the Tribes and the owners of card rooms have persisted for more than 20 years as each party contests the other's legal standing.

The current campaign for sports betting

As of right now, there’s an ongoing campaign to bring betting on sports betting within Californian law, which is the most expensive ballot-led legal fight in US history. On one side are the indigenous Tribes, and on the other are online gambling companies. For the victors, a potentially multi-billion-dollar marketplace.

Gambling on horse races is currently legal in California through the state lottery, in card rooms, and the casinos managed by Natives. But this is where the line is drawn, and legislation is yet to be defined. However, there are two proposals in play right now that would make that possible, each of which has a unique approach:

• The two proposals would open the way for sports betting but in strikingly different ways.
• Proposition 26 - would permit sports bets to be placed in person at retail establishments, including the four licensed horse racing facilities in the state, and casinos run by Native American Tribes.
• Proposition 27 - is supported by national companies like DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, and others. The plan would alter state law to permit adult users of phones and other mobile devices to wager on sports online.
• California voters will decide the fate of these propositions on Nov. 8.

Conclusion

With both sides putting a lot of money into their respective preferences, it’s anyone’s race to see how things turn out in regard to online gambling in California. There is one certain outcome – that sports betting will become legal in some way. There’s simply too much money to be made for all stakeholders – it just depends on who’s terms it happens. And when that moment comes to pass, we expect to see a huge amount of revenue as hungry bettors are given their new freedoms.

As for online Casinos in California iGaming market, this will likely become another huge debate once the dust settles from the current events. But, we are confident that this too will come to pass.

The post Online Gambling in California: a game of many players first appeared on Delasport.

In our Brazil iGaming market report, we examine the country in greater detail to show why it represents one of the most exciting futures for the sector.

Contents:

Brazil's current iGaming market
Brazilian sports betting regulations
Legislation for online and land-based casinos in Brazil
Brazilian gambling taxes
Brazilian casinos' most-played games
Brazil's most popular sports events
Conclusion

Brazil's current iGaming market

The current gambling business market is made up of lotteries and horse racing, as these are the only ones permitted – but even these are limited because of an imbalance between the population and the number of betting shops.

With new online betting rules on the horizon, the estimated Brazil iGaming market size is 2.1b USD and is expected to grow to 2.6 billion by 2026. This is due to the ongoing digitalization of the country which has an internet penetration rate of 75%, an increase of 10% since 2018. Also, there are 96 cellular subs per 100 people, thanks to a large section of the Brazilian population (more than 87%) living in metropolitan areas.

Brazilian sports betting regulations

A federal law passed in 2018 recognized fixed-odds betting as a legal lottery activity. And Brazil's Ministry of Economy was given a four-year window to develop a competitive market for both offline and online sports betting, using a licencing or concession system.

The FIFA World Cup begins just a few weeks before the 2022 deadline, so officials will want to take all possible measures to put some sort of licencing structure in place so they can profit from the new industry. However, time is running out as the deadline expires at the end of 2022.

Legislation for online and land-based casinos in Brazil

Despite having already approved a law allowing betting on sports, Brazil's Congress is currently debating legislation that would legalise most other forms of gambling across the country.

In a landmark decision on February 23, the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies authorised up to 31 land-based casino resorts spread across the nation's 27 states. Additional casino licences were also made available for riverboats and oceangoing cruise ships, as well as gaming resorts in some tourist areas.

Brazil's iGaming market will likely become an extremely attractive location for operators looking to enter the next big market. Reasons include the abundance of space for large integrated resorts like those in Las Vegas, for cities like So Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Other parts of the country will also present opportunities for mid-sized and boutique casinos.

Brazilian gambling taxes

Despite the fact that sports betting was made legal in 2018, no licencing system has yet been established. A few details still need to be worked out before the first wager is allowed to be placed. The existing fixed-odds betting legislation is only a portion of the overall legal system.

Although the new regulations have not yet taken effect, the legal framework is currently being altered. The wager tax rates for retail services decreased from 6% to 0.1% on July 15, 2021, and for internet services, they decreased from 3% to 0.05%. The 30% tax on winnings over $500 still applies.

Don’t miss the chance to read our Spanish iGaming Market Report!

Brazilian casinos' most-played games

Casinos are not allowed in Brazil, but the largest media company in Brazil, Grupo Globo, recently published a study in which 78% of the respondents claimed to play roulette in online casinos. 66% of respondents said they play blackjack, and 64% said they play table games. Participants opted for video poker (61%), and 63% for slots. Additionally, 50% of participants said they engage in live dealer gaming.

Brazil's most popular sports events

It should come as no surprise that football is the most popular sport in Brazil, with almost everyone in the nation having some sort of affiliation with a national team. The two biggest football teams in Brazil are Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro and Corinthians from So Paulo – each of which has more than 30 million supporters.

Every day, hundreds of different markets are available for football that cover competitions from all over the world. The Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, the Primera División in Argentina, the Copa Libertadores, and all of the major European competitions, including the Premier League and Champions League.

Mixed martial arts have been extremely popular in Brazil for more than a century, and because of this, MMA betting is hugely popular across the country. After association football, it is the second most popular sport in Brazil for online betting.

Brazil has produced many well-known NBA players over the years, including Leandro Barbosa, Nene, and Tiago Splitter, to name a few. Brazilians are therefore likely to wager on basketball matches quite frequently for both domestic and international competitions. Given that Brazil has so many beaches, Brazilians are also avid volleyball players, with the national volleyball teams among the best in the world.

Conclusion

It is undeniable that Brazilian players desire an iGaming industry similar to what the US market did in 2018. Gambling is a significant source of income, but the government is yet to understand how to regulate it properly.

Brazil iGaming market has tremendous potential for the industry thanks to a sports-loving population that is ready to engage with gambling operators. Once the sports betting industry is up and running and new legislation is passed, we’re sure that the sleeping giant of iGaming will wake up with a boom.

The post Brazil iGaming market report: A sleeping giant about to wake first appeared on Delasport.

Contents:

Current gambling market in Spain
Gambling Legislation in Spain
Gambling advertising in Spain
Taxes on gambling in Spain
Popular sports in Spain
Popular casino games in Spain
Conclusion

Current gambling market in Spain

Spain has a population of 46.75 million people with 54.34 million mobile subscriptions in 2021 - a mobile penetration rate of 116.2%, which is comparable to most Western European countries. Internet penetration is also high, at 91%. As would be expected, smartphones are the most popular device for accessing the internet, with 93.6% of all internet users choosing them as a preferred device.

In Q2 of 2022, the total revenue from online gambling in Spain (net of bonus deductions) dropped by 5.5% when compared to the same period last year. This was due to a margin-led fall of 38.7% (or €58.3m) in fixed-odds sports betting NGR. During the same period, online casino revenue increased by 17.3% YoY, and 5.6% sequentially to €117.2m.

The first quarter of the year saw a large increase in the amounts staked – to the tune of 10.1%, or €2.72bn – but conversely saw a drop of 38.7% in online sports betting NGR, year on year.

In online casinos for Q2, slots proved to be the big winners, heavily contributing to an overall revenue increase of 23% when compared to the same period last year. Live dealer roulette NGR also increased by 15.4% YoY (€34.1m), whereas RNG table games fell by a further 5% (€11.6m).

Gambling Legislation in Spain

While online gambling in Spain became legalized in 2011, the first license wasn’t issued until 2012 – and since then many online casinos and betting sites have been granted permission to operate, regulated nationwide by the Directorate-General for Gambling Regulation. Despite the legalization of e-gambling in Spain, exchange betting and online slots remained prohibited until the end of July 2014.

Depending on the scope of the activity offered, iGaming market in Spain is regulated on a sub-national and national level. As a country divided into 17 autonomous regions, each region is entitled to regulate any gambling activities that occur within the territory.  This means that land-based gambling operations are subject to both local and regional regulations (which may vary between regions), while online gambling is regulated at a national level as it transcends borders.

Lottery games in Spain are considered to be an oligopoly as there are currently only two operators who have a license – one of which is a state company. Fantasy games and Esports are currently not regulated in Spain.

Gambling advertising in Spain

• In November 2020 Spain's Royal Decree on the Commercial Communications of Gambling Activities went into effect, forbidding any sponsorship agreements with operators to reduce the exposure of minors to gambling advertisements.
• In addition to YouTube, advertising on TV and radio is now limited between 1 am to 5 am. On other social media platforms, operators are only allowed to share advertisements with those following their channel.
• Even though age gating is necessary to help limit minors' exposure to gambling, operators are still permitted to target registered and verified customers with special offers – but promotional bonuses remain forbidden.

These strict rules of advertising have not been met with open arms by everyone. Jdigital, Spain’s Digital Gaming Association, and media association la Asociación de Medios e Información (AMI), have both submitted appeals to the Supreme Court to challenge the restrictions, stating that the gambling market is being negatively affected by overbearing policies.

Taxes on gambling in Spain

A 20% gaming tax from GGR is collected from Sports Betting and online casino

For operators who become tax residents in the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, the tax rates for online gambling will be 10 percent GGR

Taxation of Players’ Winnings- Gambling winnings are treated as taxable income.

Read our article about the Romanian iGaming Market Report and learn more about the industry!

Popular sports in Spain

While Spanish bettors wager on a range of sports, it comes as no surprise that soccer is the most popular – after all, Spain has some of the best national teams in the world, including Real Madrid and Barcelona. As such, operators offer coverage across all major soccer leagues including the Primera Division (also known as La Liga), which is the highest-level league in the country. Foreign leagues such as the Premier League, Champions League, Serie A, and the German Bundesliga are also well-covered.

Basketball also has high coverage in Spain, both in terms of viewership and wagers. The ACB is the domestic national basket league of the country and has a significant following, and the Spanish national basketball team has also seen success in international competitions. And then there’s handball, which is another major sport in Spain, with the national team winning two world championships and being the reigning champions of Europe.

Other popular sports include horse racing, baseball, golf, boxing, and motorsports, in both domestic and international contexts.

Popular casino games in Spain

According to the DGOJ, more than €1,300 million was spent on slots alone across Spain in the third quarter of 2020, making it by far the most popular casino game in the country – an increase of nearly 8% when compared to the previous quarter. This may also be due to the increased sophistication of video slot machines which can be branded and themed according to popular television series, stories, and folklore.

The traditional casino games such as roulette and Punto Banco do see a reasonable number of wagers, but blackjack takes the winning spot after slots, with €267 million being wagered in Q3. Live casino is also steadily increasing in profile, and we expect to see increased numbers with the vertical in the coming year.

The Spanish Christmas Lottery, also known as the Sorteo Extraordinario de Navidad, is by far the most widely used form of gambling in Spain. The largest lottery draw in the world known as the "Fat One" or "El Gordo" is held, with tickets costing €200 each, with an incredible jackpot of more than €2.4 billion.

Conclusion

It’s clear to see that the Spanish iGaming market is amongst the leaders in the continent. With clear legislation already in place and ongoing interest and investment from global operators, the industry will continue going from strength to strength. With a strong technological infrastructure and a population that loves sport, gaming, and gambling, it’s all for the taking.

However, as legislation around advertising and promotion continues to have an impact, operators will have to find a way to navigate these restrictions or convince authorities to relax them. Despite this, the Spanish iGaming market is ready to play, and operators not part of the game are missing out.

The post Spanish iGaming market report: A European Powerhouse first appeared on Delasport.

Here is Delasport's most recent market analysis report, which examines the Romanian iGaming Market’s current state and how it has grown to be a desirable possibility for the biggest operators and their partners around the globe.

Contents:

Romanian iGaming market statistics
Romanian iGaming market legislation
Romanian gambling taxes
Romanian gambling consumer protection
Preferred casino games in Romania
Preferred sports games in Romania
Final thoughts

Romanian iGaming market statistics

The Romanian iGaming market size is estimated to be 900 million euros GGY, having almost doubled over the last three years. There were 16.79 million internet users in Romania in January 2022 – a penetration rate of 88% of the entire population. Data from GSMA Intelligence shows that there were 27.41 million cellular mobile connections in Romania at the start of 2022, equivalent to 143.7% of the total population. Romania’s number of mobile connections increased by 1m (3.9%) between 2021 and 2022.

Romanian iGaming market legislation

On March 27, 2013, the National Gambling Office (ONJN) was established, and the state promptly authorized it to provide licenses to internet service providers. However, to receive an online license, an operator had to have a physical presence in the country under its initial licensing requirements. Emergency Ordinance No. 92, which was adopted on December 29, 2014, modified the licensing rules such that foreign online gaming enterprises no longer need an offline gambling license to apply for a local license.

Online betting operators were entitled to apply for a license in one of three classes under the current regulatory framework, which went into effect in February 2016. Each class has its own requirements:

Class 1– The Romanian law authorizes the sale of any permitted products on the domestic market, whether it be in physical or digital/online form, so long as the operator wishing to sell it has the required licenses and authorizations. The holders of this license must be B2C businesses.

Class 2– Included in gaming law that is required for all legal organizations working in the traditional and online betting industries, as well as for conformity assessment organizations.

• Companies that must have a class 2 license include:
• Vendors who provide hosting and administration services for the gaming platform;
• Economic operators that handle production, repairs, maintenance and distribution, import, export, intra-community acquisition, intra-community delivery, or other activities with betting, for the purpose of marketing or use, in any form in Romania;
• Conformity assessment bodies.
• Organizations producing and/or distributing software specialized in the field of gambling;
• Marketing affiliates;
• Payment processors;
• Certifiers;
• Auditors;

Class 3 – Only given to the National Romanian Lottery, which has a legal monopoly on all types of lotteries.

Romanian gambling taxes

Tax on GGR is 16% but no less than €100,000 per year. Beginning on January 1, 2019, a monthly tax of 2% of the total monthly participation costs was implemented. The bettor’s deposit is used to pay this tax. More than 15,000 euros in winnings are subject to a 1% tax.

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Romanian gambling consumer protection

In addition to raising taxes, the new legislative amendments to the Romanian iGaming market seek to enact stricter regulations to guard against gambling addiction and minors engaging in gaming activities.

• Every player has the option to set daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits, as well as whether wins over a particular amount can be reimbursed in the same way that they were initially deposited.
• Every website must show a clock for players to keep track of how long they've been gambling, as well as a balance statement.
• Players can delete their account for at least 24 hours, either on a temporary or permanent basis. If the player wishes to permanently cancel their account, they will be unable to re-register for six months.
• Each player who engages in gambling activities more than once per 12 hours should get an email warning about the potential risks they face. All information should be supplied in Romanian.

Preferred casino games in Romania

The propensity in Romania is based on familiarity because it has a long history of land-based gaming and a strong betting culture. The Romanian iGaming market's most popular online video slots are those that have their origins in retail-based casino halls and casino sections in sports betting stores. With a market share of approximately 70%, EGT video slots are a global leader. Shining Crown, 100/40 Super Hot, and more well-liked games are available. The fruit theme is popular among Romanian casino patrons, and players are becoming increasingly interested in network-level progressive jackpots to win the largest of the four tiers of Jackpots.

In Live Casino, Romanian players prefer to play Roulette, Blackjack, and gameshows with wheel mechanics.

In Romania, where some of the biggest poker tournaments are held, poker is one of the most played card games. Romanian betting laws also allow players to access a global player pool, in contrast to many other countries where players may only face off against residents of their own nation.

Preferred sports games in Romania

Sports betting has a long history in Romania and has become a major part of the Romanian iGaming market. Football is by far the most popular sport, with Romanian gamblers wagering on leagues including Liga I, Cupa Ligii, and the Romanian Women's Cup. Romania also has many racing leagues, including Alex Cascatău Motorsport, the Romanian Endurance Series, and others.

Cycling is also popular with Ciclism Romania, Tour of Romania, and many more. Similar to other European nations, handball is a common sport with significant competitions like Liga Nationala. Then there is tennis, which offers a variety of men's and women's Grand Slam competitions in addition to ATP 500 series and ATP 250 series competitions.

The 15th World Esports Championship Finals will take place in Iași, Romania in 2023, and the WE Championships will return after last being held in Bucharest 2013.

Final thoughts

Romania's decision to legalize gambling has been welcomed as a major step forward for a nation that was formerly under communist control. It has made it possible for society to become much more open and free, as well as for there to be a culture that is forward-looking toward new technology and the wealth that online betting can offer to all parties.

Increased job prospects brought about by the expansion of the Romanian iGaming market have attracted young, talented individuals to the iGaming business in a nation that is already seeing tremendous growth in its technological sector. Romania will continue to draw the finest operators to the market and position itself as a significant participant on the global stage because of its rapid expansion and increasing legislative clarity.

The post Romanian iGaming market report – from strength to strength first appeared on Delasport.