CasinoBeats breaks down some of the biggest industry stories. The latest headlines reflect on potential financial actions in Sweden, Danish revenue reports and tribal gaming as well as penalties increases in the Netherlands.
$41.9bn
The National Indian Gaming Commission announced record gross gaming revenues for tribal gaming in fiscal 2023, with $41.9bn.
The figure for FY2023 is $41.9bn. This represents a 2.4% increase over the $40.9bn of the prior year, which at that time was a record high. The figures are based on the financial statements audited by 527 gaming operators from 245 tribal groups in 29 US states.
At the Wisconsin Gaming Regulators Association’s Summer Conference, the NIGC Vice Chair Jeannie HOVLAND and Acting Chair Sharon M Avery announced the financial details.
According to the commission, the numbers show the “viability” of tribal gaming and the ability of the industry “to adapt technological advancements and consumer preferences”. The eight NIGC areas also showed growth year-over-year.
Avery commented, “This year’s GGR Results demonstrate how a robust regulatory framework and diversity in tribal gaming enterprises create growth in the gambling industry.”
The tribal gaming industry and its regulators proved once again this year that ingenuity, tenacity and perseverance are the catalysts of growth in a gaming environment constantly changing.
This steadfastness ensures that tribal gaming will remain a valuable source for the continued economic sustainability of tribal communities.
PS530
Spelinspektionen has launched an investigation against online casino Kanon Gaming Limited which could result in a fine up to SEK 7m.
This investigation will determine if the disclosure of losses by the company is in compliance with Sweden’s Gambling Act. Kanon operates the following licensed websites: Casinoepic.se Casinogami.se Frejacasino.se and Lokecasino.se.
The Swedish regulator will examine the player protection policies of Kanon, who allegedly has failed to act when it comes to players showing signs of gambling addiction.
Kanon could face up to SEK 7m in fines if found guilty of violating Sweden’s Gambling Act.
Spelinspektionen found that the operator made no difference between age groups, treating those older than 24 the same as those aged 18-24, with the former being considered to be more susceptible to harm from gambling.
EUR20,000
The Dutch Gaming Authority Kansspelautoriteit increased the fines for illegal gambling kiosks. Now, penalties can reach up to EUR20,000.
The gaming authority has raised the basic fines from EUR7.500 per device to EUR20,000, and EUR25,000 per device to EUR100,000.
KSA defines a gambling booth as “a device that allows gaming on-location”; they are sometimes called an “internet or football kiosk”, and the games that appear therein “almost all illegal”.
Slot machines do not fall under gambling kiosks, according to the gaming authority. They require an operating permit or presence license. They did note that gambling kiosks are increasing in number and mobile devices like laptops and phones have a growing share of the total devices.
KSA said that the administrative fines are a “fixed fine per device used for gambling”, and it does not matter if “the device was used completely or partially” to operate a gaming kiosk.
The fines may also be adapted based on the conditions of the kiosks. For example, if a warning was issued or an existing fine was imposed, or underage gambling occurs, then the amount could be raised.
3.4%
Spillemyndighedenreports a 3.4% decrease year over year in Denmark’s gross monthly gaming revenues across gambling machines, land-based casino and betting.
Online and land-based casino figures improved despite the overall decline in GGR, while betting and gaming machines fell compared to the same period last year.
The Danish Gambling Authority published figures for the month of May 2024. It reported that GGR was DKK571m (approximately EUR76.6m), a decrease of 3.4% compared with May 2023, when it had been DKK591m.
The DKK 595m figure reported in May was a decrease from the DKK 605m the month before.
Spillemyndigheden reported that, by game, online casinos generated 48.69 percent of total GGR for the month. This was followed closely by gambling with 28.82 percent, gaming machines at 16.85 cents, and land-based casino with 5.64 cents.
The GGR of online casinos increased by 10.35 percent YoY, to DKK278m (DKK252m in 2023). Gaming machines accounted for 76.76% of total GGR during the month.
The authority also stated that, in other verticals, blackjack was responsible for 6.88 percent of total gross gaming revenue (GGR), followed by roulette with 6.19 percent, commissions at 3.87 cents, and bingo 2.86 cents.
