Colombia Archives - CasinoBeats https://casinobeats.com/tag/colombia/ The pulse of the global gaming industry Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:21:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://casinobeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Colombia Archives - CasinoBeats https://casinobeats.com/tag/colombia/ 32 32 Aaron Axisa: Booming Games is on an exciting journey of global expansion http://casinobeats.com/2023/09/14/aaron-axisa-booming-games/ Thu, 14 Sep 2023 08:30:00 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=87084 The first half of this year has been a “whirlwind” for Booming Games, with new licences, new products and new partnerships all keeping the team busy. But according to Head of Sales Aaron Axisa, the second half of the year is going to be even more jam-packed with big announcements. Chatting to CasinoBeats, Axisa walks […]

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The first half of this year has been a “whirlwind” for Booming Games, with new licences, new products and new partnerships all keeping the team busy. But according to Head of Sales Aaron Axisa, the second half of the year is going to be even more jam-packed with big announcements.

Chatting to CasinoBeats, Axisa walks us through the major milestones for the company in the last few months before outlining some of the key territories for expansion later in the year.

CasinoBeats: Firstly, can you begin by giving our readers an introduction to yourself – who you are and what your role at Booming Games entails?

AA: I started out as an account manager here, but back in 2021, I switched things up and moved into the sales department. 

Being the Head of Sales means I’m in charge of the sales crew, driving up the revenue, and playing a big role in the company’s overall achievements. It’s been an amazing ride so far, and I can’t wait to see where the future takes me in the always-exciting igaming world.

CasinoBeats: It’s been a busy first half of the year – what would you say have been some of the biggest milestones for Booming Games so far?

AA: It’s been very busy and very exciting indeed. First of all, we’ve unlocked new territories with licences for the UK and SGA, we`ve also managed to enter the Netherlands, Colombia and Spain. Those strategic moves enable for us many new possibilities to grow our European and LatAm presence. 

We also need to mention new partnerships with top tier operators, such as Kindred, Rivalo, TonyBet, Snai and Bingoal, which boosted our games performance. 

Our slots have been climbing the charts, with Leprechaun’s Lucky Barrel and BabyBloomers rocking AskGamblers as the best seasonal games to play. Hold onto your hats – PayDay Pig is making a name for itself as one of the top five new UK online slots for 2023. And the talk of the town? Dog Heist Shift ‘n’ Win, stealing hearts with its catchy theme, Cash Collect feature and mind-bending Shift ‘N’ Win mechanics.

But the adventure doesn’t stop there. We were shortlisted for big awards like EGR B2B Mobile Gaming Software Supplier and Slot Game Provider of the Year at the SiGMA Awards Americas 2023.

The first half of the year has been a whirlwind, and we’re gearing up for even more excitement ahead.

CasinoBeats: As we understand, you’ve made progress in entering three new markets this year – Netherlands, Colombia and Spain. Why did you choose to enter these markets in particular?  Have you found that players within these markets show a preference for particular Booming Games titles? 

AA: Absolutely, entering the Netherlands, Colombia and Spain has been a strategic move for us. These markets have shown immense potential and align perfectly with our growth vision.

In the Netherlands, the vibrant gaming culture and the recent regulatory changes presented an exciting opportunity. Players there have a knack for engaging gameplay, which resonates well with our titles. Colombia for instance, with its rapidly expanding igaming scene, provided us a chance to tap into a dynamic player base seeking innovative entertainment. 

Our games’ unique features have certainly caught their attention. Spain, a key hub for online gaming, felt like a natural fit. Players appreciate our diverse portfolio, and the market’s appetite for fresh, engaging content has allowed us to shine.

In all three markets, we’ve observed players showing a clear excitement for Booming Games titles. Our focus on immersive gameplay, captivating themes, and innovative mechanics has struck a chord with them. It’s an exciting journey, and we’re thrilled to be part of their gaming experiences.

CasinoBeats: You recently acquired both a UKGC and SGA licence. How will these two new licences enable Booming Games to expand its European footprint?

AA: Obtaining both the UKGC and SGA licences was a significant achievement for us and a meticulous process. These licences mark a pivotal moment for Booming Games. With the UKGC and SGA certifications in hand, we’re empowered to expand our European presence significantly. 

These licences act as stamps of approval, showcasing our commitment to responsible gaming and compliance. They open doors to new partnerships with reputable operators, allowing players across the UK and Sweden to experience our innovative titles.

These licences definitely strengthen our position in the European market and amplify our ability to deliver top-notch entertainment to a broader audience. We’re excited for the journey ahead.

CasinoBeats: Tell us about some of the exclusive releases that you’ve launched this year – how important are exclusive titles when it comes to building long-term engagement with players?

AA: Exclusive releases are very important for us, as they play a crucial role in fostering long-term player engagement. We’ve had the pleasure of introducing some exciting exclusive titles to the gaming world, such as BetFlag’s Gold Gold Gold, StarCasino’s King Cobra, and BetVictor’s Pinata Wildz and more.

Exclusive titles hold a special place in building lasting relations. They offer players a unique experience and tend to generate higher levels of engagement due to their novelty and the sense of being part of an exclusive club. 

Players are more likely to explore and immerse themselves in these games, fostering a stronger bond with the game and the brand. This translates to longer playtimes, increased interaction, and a more dedicated player base. So those releases definitely elevate the gaming experience to a whole new level and contribute significantly to our long-term success in the industry.

CasinoBeats: How do you ensure that Booming Games slots stand the test of time?

AA: It is, of course, an ongoing journey that involves rigorous testing, continuous learning, and constant refinement.

We follow a meticulous process of analysis, examining the performance of our games to pinpoint what resonates most effectively within specific markets. This involves understanding player preferences, trends, and evolving gaming dynamics. By delving into these insights, we uncover valuable lessons that guide us in crafting experiences that players truly love.

Our commitment to quality and longevity is evident in our portfolio. We have a few games that were introduced several years ago, yet they continue to reign as top performers. This speaks to our dedication to crafting games that stand the test of time, thanks to their engaging gameplay, innovative features, and timeless appeal.

So, the approach combines a blend of data-driven insights, player feedback and a dedication to innovation. By consistently fine-tuning our offerings, we ensure that Booming Games slots remain captivating and enjoyable for players, maintaining their popularity and relevance over the years.

CasinoBeats: What can we expect to see from Booming Games in 2023 and beyond?

AA: We’ve got cool stuff coming your way – new games with innovative features and mechanics. Stay tuned for more details coming real soon!

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Betano continues growth through Colombia expansion  https://casinobeats.com/2024/11/20/betano-continues-growth-through-colombia-expansion/ Wed, 20 Nov 2024 09:15:00 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=98712 Betano has landed expansion into Colombia, after securing authorisation from the Colombian gaming authority Coljuegos. As a result of the move, the operator becomes the 17th to have a presence in Colombia, as the region continues to strengthen its gambling footprint.  Coljuegos President, Marco Emilio Hincapié, commented: “We continue to strengthen the industry of games […]

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Betano has landed expansion into Colombia, after securing authorisation from the Colombian gaming authority Coljuegos.

As a result of the move, the operator becomes the 17th to have a presence in Colombia, as the region continues to strengthen its gambling footprint. 

Coljuegos President, Marco Emilio Hincapié, commented: “We continue to strengthen the industry of games operated by the internet. 

“We hope that, with the entry of this new operator, we can continue to increase transfers for the health of Colombians. At this time, the platform is already operating for the betting public. 

“We are seeing that online betting is a sector of the economy that has driven the growth of the country’s gross domestic product. For this reason, we are working to make the market even more attractive and to provide more options to bettors.” 

Furthermore, the President also detailed that the country’s government anticipates that the online gambling sector has paid approximately COP 419.5bn (£75.6m/€90.4m/$95.5m) in exploitation rights by the end of 2024.

This is an increase of 31% compared to 2023, with all of those contributions going to the health sector.

As well as this, Colombia’s National Council of Games of Luck and Chance (Coljuegos) and the country’s National Superintendence of Health previously entered into an agreement to further protect players from gambling harm. 

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government departments “strengthened the surveillance of the operation of the territorial games”. 

Betano has continued to grow its presence in  various markets through sports sponsorships, including a landmark deal to partner with the 2024 European Championships. 

The group also boosted its UK expansion by collaborating with Aston Villa, as the club’s front of shirt sponsor. 

Kaizen Gaming’s Co-Founder and CEO, George Daskalakis emphasised the pair’s vision and ambition for growth as they continue to look to excel into new markets and tap into wider audiences.

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Luckia debuts Thunderkick content in Colombia https://casinobeats.com/2024/08/29/luckia-thunderkick-content-colombia/ Thu, 29 Aug 2024 11:00:00 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=96473 Luckia has delivered a Latin America debut to Thunderkick after agreeing to take the developer’s slots live in Colombia for the first time.  Signalling Thunderkick’s second market entry in the region, the studio has bolstered its position in the Latin American market by leveraging Luckia’s wealth of experience in Colombia, where it launched in 2018.  […]

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Luckia has delivered a Latin America debut to Thunderkick after agreeing to take the developer’s slots live in Colombia for the first time. 

Signalling Thunderkick’s second market entry in the region, the studio has bolstered its position in the Latin American market by leveraging Luckia’s wealth of experience in Colombia, where it launched in 2018. 

Mariam Dadosh, Account Manager at Thunderkick, stated: “Expansion across regulated Latin American markets remains a focal point of Thunderkick’s commercial plans, and the arrival in Colombia is evidence of our drive to diversify into new jurisdictions.

“Luckia is a trusted operator there, and we are delighted to provide them access to a range of our most popular games, aiding them in their mission to provide the optimal customer experience.”

As a result of the collaboration, Luckia players based in Colombia will be able to spin the reels on Thunderkick slots such as Xterminate, Midas Golden Touch 2 and 12 Bolts of Thunder.

The deal may also include Thunderkick’s latest release Eager Beavers, which claimed our latest Slot of the Week selection. 

Eloy Fernandez, Head of Product at Luckia, added: “Thunderkick has been creating unique, immersive games for over a decade, and we can’t wait to offer this portfolio to our players.

“Luckia prides itself on prioritising the player, and as a result, consistently updates its offering with state-of-the-art games from the industry’s most acclaimed providers. We are sure players will enjoy the innovation that goes hand-in-hand with Thunderkick titles.”

Elsewhere in the Americas, Thunderkick recently announced its entry into North America by partnering with LeoVegas and PokerStars in Ontario. Following the deal, CCO Svante Sahlström expanded on the studio’s plans for success on the continent. 

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Colombia enhances safer gambling protections  https://casinobeats.com/2024/06/18/colombia-enhances-safer-gambling-protections/ Tue, 18 Jun 2024 13:02:44 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=94636 Colombia’s National Council of Games of Luck and Chance (Coljuegos) and the country’s National Superintendence of Health have announced a new agreement to strengthen protections from gambling harm.  Key to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is the “strengthening of surveillance of the operation of the territorial games”.  Furthermore, the link will also form an improved […]

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Colombia’s National Council of Games of Luck and Chance (Coljuegos) and the country’s National Superintendence of Health have announced a new agreement to strengthen protections from gambling harm. 

Key to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is the “strengthening of surveillance of the operation of the territorial games”. 

Furthermore, the link will also form an improved collaboration for the exchange of information and technical knowledge, tools for the surveillance and control of the lottery, as well as tighter control for providers of Raspa&Listo games.

As reported by SBC Noticias, Luis Carlos Leal, Superintendent of Health, commented: “After multiple days of work, today we signed an agreement to fight corruption and improve the collection to protect the fundamental resource to the health of Colombians. It is important to articulate efforts in the National Government to move towards health protection in the country.”

SBC Noticias further highlighted that Coljuegos has contributed a total of COP 147.04bn (£28mn) to the public health sector through the lottery and Raspa&Listo games in the first quarter of 2024 – amounting to a 8 per cent increase YoY compared to the previous corresponding period.Marco Emilio Hincapié, President of Coljuegos, added: “This significant increase in the resources transferred is due to the joint work carried out by both the operators and the National Council of Games of Luck and Chance. We are providing guarantees to strengthen the industry in the territories and increase money for health.”

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Internet Vikings expands into Latin America with Colombia data centre https://casinobeats.com/2024/03/27/internet-vikings-colombia-data-centre/ Wed, 27 Mar 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=92626 Internet Vikings has expanded its global presence with the establishment of a new data centre in Colombia, assisting operators in Latin America with igaming and online sports betting services. The hosting provider will support operators across licensed markets in the region through solutions that offer growth and ways to “improve user experiences to meet the […]

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Internet Vikings has expanded its global presence with the establishment of a new data centre in Colombia, assisting operators in Latin America with igaming and online sports betting services.

The hosting provider will support operators across licensed markets in the region through solutions that offer growth and ways to “improve user experiences to meet the specific needs of the market,” such as its tailored VMware cloud hosting services.

Rickard Vikström, Founder and CEO of Internet Vikings, commented: “Entering into Latin America was not only a strategic decision for growth but also a commitment to provide local regulated operators with access to VMware cloud hosting, compliant with instant scaling on-demand.” 

As more markets are preparing to go live with igaming in Latin America, Internet Vikings has stated that the new data centre will allow the provider to “leverage these opportunities by offering reliable and secure hosting services that enable operators to develop in this competitive environment”.

“Our launch into Latin America underscores our dedication to providing the industry with a heightened level of cybersecurity, and infrastructure to support our clients effectively,” added Kristoffer Ottosson, COO of Internet Vikings.

“We are confident that our partnership with local stakeholders, combined with our VMware cloud hosting services, will enable us to deliver value to current and potential operators in the area.”

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Codere Online achieves highest-ever quarterly revenue in Q4 2023 https://casinobeats.com/2024/02/29/codere-online-q4-2023-financial-results/ Thu, 29 Feb 2024 16:02:05 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=91991 Codere Online has declared its highest-ever quarterly revenue figure in the fourth quarter of 2023, with casino operations exceeding expectations. Reflecting on the results, CFO Oscar Iglesias stated that the operator expects to generate a positive adjusted EBITDA and cash flow in 2024. Codere Online’s casino operations exceed expectations Publishing its financials, Codere Online reported […]

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Codere Online has declared its highest-ever quarterly revenue figure in the fourth quarter of 2023, with casino operations exceeding expectations.

Reflecting on the results, CFO Oscar Iglesias stated that the operator expects to generate a positive adjusted EBITDA and cash flow in 2024.

Codere Online’s casino operations exceed expectations

Publishing its financials, Codere Online reported a total revenue for Q4 of €46.9m, a 32 per cent increase year-over-year (Q4 2022: €35.6m) with net gaming revenue of €50.1m, a 33 per cent uptick (Q4 2022: €37.7m). Casino operations exceeded expectations by contributing towards 58 per cent of the quarter’s total net gaming revenue.

For the full year, total revenue grew by 41 per cent YoY to €162.6m (2022: €115.7m) with a net gaming revenue of €171.9m, up 40 per cent (2022: €122.9m).

Although revenue grew, Codere Online declared a net loss of €1m in Q4, but this was an improvement in comparison to a net loss of €17.4m during the same period the previous year.

Net income also came in at a loss for the full year of €3.1m, but this was an improvement as well on the previous year’s loss of €45.9m.

Q4 adjusted EBITDA came in at a €4.1m loss, up 72.1 per cent YoY (Q4 2022: €14.7m loss). For the full year, adjusted EBITDA was a €11.7m loss, a 77.1 per cent increase (2022: €51.2m loss). As of December 31, 2023, cash and equivalents was €41.3m.

Iglesias stated: “Our fourth quarter results have allowed us to reach nearly €172m of net gaming revenue for the full year, 19 per cent above the midpoint of the initial €140m-€150m outlook we provided early last year.

“This outperformance, combined with the overall lower level of marketing investment, also allowed us to deliver a better than expected negative €12m in adjusted EBITDA versus the initial outlook of negative €20m-€30m.” 

Aviv Sher, CEO of Codere Online, added: “In Q4 2023 we delivered an impressive 33 per cent growth in net gaming revenue to €50 million, our highest ever quarterly figure, despite a tough comp with the World Cup in the prior year period.

“Our strategic focus on Mexico and Spain, where we are seeing a strong return on marketing investment, has proven successful, with significant increases in both our active customer base and spend per customer. Casino continued to exceed our expectations with a second consecutive quarter contributing 58 per cent of total net gaming revenue in the period.” 

Mexico in pole position

In comparison to the same period the previous year, Mexico overtook Spain as the largest revenue contributor during Q4, while Colombia’s operations remained consistent.

Mexico’s Q4 revenue was €22.6m, up 56 per cent YoY (Q4 2022: €14.5m) while net gaming revenue was €25.1m, a 54 per cent increase (Q4 2022: €16.3m). Average monthly active players during the period was 591,000, up 16 per cent (Q4 2022: 508,000). 

For 2023, Mexico’s revenue was €73.3m, a 61 per cent YoY improvement (2022: €45.5m) while bet gaming revenue was €81.7m, a 60 per cent uptick (2022: €51.1m). Average monthly active players was 525,000, up 37 per cent (2022: 385,000).

Spain’s Q4 revenue and net gaming revenue both rose by 17 per cent YoY to €20.8m (Q4 2022: €17.8m). Average monthly active players was 474,000, up 15 per cent (Q4 2022: 413,000).

For the full year, Spain’s revenue and net gaming revenue both grew by 26 per cent YoY to €75.7m (2022: €60m). Average monthly active players was 423,000, up 11 per cent (2022: 381,000).

Sher noted: “Our net gaming revenue in Mexico grew by 54 per cent in the fourth quarter, reaching more than €25m, whereas net gaming revenue in Spain, grew by 17 per cent, to nearly €21m.

“We were able to grow our active customer base by more than 15 per cent in both markets in the quarter which we believe is impressive considering the similar level of marketing investment in these countries in 2023 versus the prior year.”

Colombia remains consistent

Colombia’s Q4 revenue improved by 17 per cent YoY to €2.8m (Q4 2022: €2.4m) while net gaming revenue remained consistent with previous year comparatives at €2.3m. Average monthly active players was 230,000, down 40 per cent (Q4 2022: 385,000).

For 2023, Colombia’s revenue rose by 33 per cent YoY to €9.3m (2022: €7m) with net gaming revenue of €8.5m, up eight per cent (2022: €7.9m). Average monthly active players was 243,000, down 15 per cent (2022: 287,000).

Other operations revenue in Q4 declined by 22 per cent YoY to €700,000 (Q4 2022: €900,000), with a net gaming revenue of €1.8m, up 38 per cent (Q4 2022: €1.3m). Average monthly active players was 96,000, down 14 per cent (Q4 2022: 112,000).

For the full year, other revenue rose by 38 per cent YoY to €4.4m (2022: €3.2m), while net gaming revenue improved by 54 per cent to €6m (2022: €3.9m). The average monthly active players was 92,000, up 17 per cent (2022: 79,000).

2024 guidance

Looking ahead, Codere Online expects a 2024 net gaming revenue outlook of €185m to €200m, alongside a positive adjusted EBITDA and cash flow. 

Iglesias concluded: “We are very encouraged by our performance in 2023 which further supports our expectation that we will generate positive adjusted EBITDA and cash flow for the full year in 2024, a year in which we expect net gaming revenue of €185m-€200m.

“In short, we expect to deliver upon our original commitment to investors to be a profitable company in the third year after de-SPAC and are more committed than ever to creating meaningful value for our shareholders.”

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Colombia continues ‘critical’ spending reform with gambling tax review https://casinobeats.com/2024/02/12/colombia-gambling-tax-review/ Mon, 12 Feb 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=91513 Colombia’s online gambling tax measures are set to be reviewed as the Senate of Colombia continues to overhaul public welfare and healthcare systems in the nation.  Scheduled to begin on Friday, February 16, the debates will be led by Senator Antonio Correa of Partido de la Union. Colombia revamped its Gambling Act (2001) back in […]

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Colombia’s online gambling tax measures are set to be reviewed as the Senate of Colombia continues to overhaul public welfare and healthcare systems in the nation. 

Scheduled to begin on Friday, February 16, the debates will be led by Senator Antonio Correa of Partido de la Union.

Colombia revamped its Gambling Act (2001) back in 2016, approving new laws to govern online gambling products and services. This saw the country become the first in South America to launch a regulated and taxed online gambling regime in 2017, open to foreign and domestic businesses.

In the upcoming debates, senators in the upper house will review the current tax framework for online gambling, which currently charges a 15 per cent GGR rate on licenced operators that maintain an RTP of 83 per cent of total stakes. 

For those companies that register an RTP percentage above 83, a 17 per cent GGR rate is charged. 

The overhaul of Colombia’s public welfare and healthcare systems is recognised as the principal mandate of President Gustavo Petro. Taking office in 2023, Petro had several high-profile clashes with government departments and senior civil servants, including with the leadership of Coljuegos, Colombia’s federal gambling authority.

The President’s office was accused of bypassing congressional procedures to approve its sweeping reforms for welfare and healthcare, while allegedly neglecting the needs of other public services.

This led to the then-Coljuegos President Roger Carrillo Ocampo’s resignation, who was later replaced by Marco Emilio Hincapié Ramírez.

Coljuegos’s annual financial report up to October 2023 declared tax takings of COL $750bn (€166m), designated to public health projects as the regulator’s primary social directive.

With deliberations set to begin this week, the Senate revealed that no party has currently submitted a proposal suggesting new text percentages to be levied on online gambling operators.

Initiating the debate, Correa cited that online gambling was simply earmarked as a business sector whose taxes would be reviewed to reduce the deficit in public health.

Correa did, however, note the Senate’s understanding of issues raised when increasing the tax burden on online gambling, recognising leading operators’ financial impact on Colombian sports leagues and media. 

Nevertheless, the Senate described 2024 as a critical year in which the government is required to form a new strategy and settle its finances and funding to solve Colombia’s ongoing public health and welfare crisis.

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Brazil, XLMedia, GamCare: the week in numbers https://casinobeats.com/2023/12/18/brazil-xlmedia-gamcare-week-in-numbers/ Mon, 18 Dec 2023 09:30:00 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=90359 Every week, CasinoBeats breaks down the numbers behind some of the industry’s most fascinating stories. Our latest reflection features an update on Brazil’s gambling regulation, GamCare research and a pre-close trading update from XLMedia. 3626 Online gaming has been left in limbo as there was long-awaited progress with the Brazilian sports betting bill.  After a […]

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Every week, CasinoBeats breaks down the numbers behind some of the industry’s most fascinating stories. Our latest reflection features an update on Brazil’s gambling regulation, GamCare research and a pre-close trading update from XLMedia.

3626

Online gaming has been left in limbo as there was long-awaited progress with the Brazilian sports betting bill. 

After a myriad of delays, the Senate of Brazil did approve the ‘basic text’ of Bill 3626/2023, however, the bill will be subject to further analysis. 

Nonetheless, the Senate detailed it has upheld an appeal by Liberal Party Senator Carlos Portinho (RJ) to exclude online casino modalities from the legislation.

It continued a period of indecision when it came to online casinos, as the sector failed to enjoy the same progress as sports betting in the region. 

200

GamCare research has highlighted a connection between cryptocurrency investing and gambling, as people suffering from harm in either vertical experience similar difficulties.

The UK gambling charity noted that 200 calls were received by the National Gambling Helpline over the past two years from people who stated they were struggling with online financial markets, including cryptocurrencies.

Calls included “accounts of people losing over £50,000 through their trading, and young adults who spent mortgage deposits on cryptocurrency but ultimately lost large amounts of money to it”.

Raminta Diliso, Financial Harm Manager at GamCare, commented: “For many consumers, cryptocurrency purchases are a way to diversify their investment portfolio.

“However, what we have seen on the National Gambling Helpline over the past few years is that serious harm can occur if it goes too far and it’s not always the get-rich-quick opportunity some people may think it is.

“The volatility and unpredictability of these currencies can sometimes create a similar environment to gambling, where people are starting to chase the rush rather than feel they are engaging in a financial activity.”

52

XLMedia has published a pre-close trading update for 2023, noting that it has explored possibly selling the whole company but has been unable to find suitable value for its assets.

In addition, the company’s North American revenues for the year are expected to finish strong but below previous forecasts, group revenues to be between $50m and $52m, while adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $12m to $14m.

Regarding M&A activity, XLMedia noted that following the sale of three European casino assets in July, the company’s board is exploring further asset sales opportunities and has had early talks with potential purchasers.

However, the board stated that there is “no certainty that any sales will be completed”.

XLMedia has also explored the possibility of selling the entire company over the past couple of months. While there has been a “demand for the assets”, a sale of the whole company is “unlikely to create the most value for shareholders”.

The company added that no discussions are currently ongoing regarding a sale, so the board “does not plan to undertake the sale of the whole company at this time”.

2024

Colombia’s Federal Gambling Authority, Coljuegos, has revealed plans to overhaul the rules on owning and operating electronic slot machines in the nation. 

Via the ‘regulatory project’, Coljuegos plans to initiate the changes in 2024 in a move deemed critical as the regulator aims to reduce illicit activity in the form of unauthorised ESMs across the country’s 32 federal territories. 

Colombia’s regulatory overhaul for slot machines is accompanied by a ‘public comment period’, which will run until December 14 to allow industry stakeholders and interested parties to submit feedback on initial proposals.

According to the authority, the project will promote “territorial development with the replacement of illegal economies with legal ones, considering the productive capacities of intervened areas.”

35

Blackpool MP Scott Benton has been suspended from Parliament for 35 days following a standards committee report accusing the MP of corruption. 

Benton currently governs as an independent after having the Tory whip withdrawn over a lobbying scandal, which saw two journalists pose as gambling industry investors, where Benton agreed to table questions for the industry. 

The decision may well lead to a by-election in the region, which is home to a significant number of casinos and plays host to a large number of tourists each year. 

2.25

AGCOM, the Media and Communications Authority of Italy, has issued sanctions of €2.25m and €900,000 on Google and Twitch respectively for violations of the advertising laws of the Dignity Decree.

Issuing the fines, AGCOM stated that its attention had been drawn to Google’s YouTube platform and the Twitch streaming service “following numerous reports received by the Authority”.

The Authority’s investigations uncovered in excess of 80 YouTube and Twitch channels with more than 20,000 videos promoting slot machines, gambling, sports betting, and scratch cards.

The channels infringed on the laws of the Dignity Decree, imposed in July 2018. Passed into federal law in 2019 by the former Lega-5Star coalition government, the Dignity Decree imposed a blanket ban on all forms of gambling advertising (legacy and online) and across all Italian sports (professional and amateur).

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Coljuegos plans slot machine law changes to combat black market https://casinobeats.com/2023/12/12/colombia-coljuegos-slot-machine-laws/ Tue, 12 Dec 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=90232 Colombia’s Federal Gambling Authority, Coljuegos, has revealed plans to overhaul the rules on owning and operating electronic slot machines in the nation.  Via the ‘regulatory project’, Coljuegos plans to initiate the changes in 2024 in a move deemed critical as the regulator aims to reduce illicit activity in the form of unauthorised ESMs across the […]

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Colombia’s Federal Gambling Authority, Coljuegos, has revealed plans to overhaul the rules on owning and operating electronic slot machines in the nation. 

Via the ‘regulatory project’, Coljuegos plans to initiate the changes in 2024 in a move deemed critical as the regulator aims to reduce illicit activity in the form of unauthorised ESMs across the country’s 32 federal territories. 

Colombia’s regulatory overhaul for slot machines is accompanied by a ‘public comment period’, which will run until December 14 to allow industry stakeholders and interested parties to submit feedback on initial proposals.

According to the authority, the project will promote “territorial development with the replacement of illegal economies with legal ones, considering the productive capacities of intervened areas.”

Illegal ESMs are suggested to represent up to 34 per cent of the total ESM marketplace with 50,000 machines, and are estimated to be worth up to COP 945bn (€220m). 

Due to the sheer number of illegal machines active in the nation, the illicit activity will be causing a significant loss of income to the state. 

If permitted, the project will require all venues operating ESMs to certify their business status with Coljuegos. This requirement is essential as Coljuegos will implement new criteria for land-based venues to operate ESMs based on legality, the principle of opportunity, and the promotion of peace.

“It is imperative that companies wishing to collaborate with Coljuegos comply with this condition to guarantee equity and trust in the selection procedures,” the authority stated.

Coljuegos will publish the schedule, procedures, and other financial requirements for those businesses wishing to operate licensed ESMs once the project has advanced. 

The regulator has initially proposed to limit the number of machines to 80 per operator, with the exact number dependent on the size of the venue and the population of the local area. 

The project also outlines the tender’s duration, certification for gaming machines, prize limits, and the identification of technology suppliers.

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Bragg Gaming expands global presence with Sportium content deal https://casinobeats.com/2023/12/05/bragg-gaming-sportium-content-deal/ Tue, 05 Dec 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://casinobeats.com/?p=90067 Bragg Gaming Group has continued to strengthen its presence across several markets after securing a content partnership with Sportium. The partnership will commence with CIRSA-owned Sportium bringing Bragg content to its offering in Spain, before expanding to the markets in Mexico and Colombia. Titles from the supplier’s exclusive casino content portfolio, as well as aggregated […]

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Bragg Gaming Group has continued to strengthen its presence across several markets after securing a content partnership with Sportium.

The partnership will commence with CIRSA-owned Sportium bringing Bragg content to its offering in Spain, before expanding to the markets in Mexico and Colombia.

Titles from the supplier’s exclusive casino content portfolio, as well as aggregated games from third-party providers, have been introduced to Sportium’s platform and are now available to the leading operator’s customers. 

Sportium has been operating in Spain since 2007, expanding into Latin American markets over the past seven years with an offering of casino and sports betting products.

“The collaboration with Sportium is an important one for us as we continue our global expansion, with Spain a key market today, and LatAm a crucial part of our future growth trajectory,” commented Matej Nemec, Commercial Director at Bragg Gaming Group.

“Sportium is a trusted operator with decades of experience and a strong brand and we are thrilled to add our popular titles to its online casino in Spain and regulated markets in LatAm.”

Last month, Bragg published its financial results for the third quarter, where the company expressed confidence that the right strategies are in place for business momentum to be maintained.

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