Many more countries recognise that regulating iGaming is more sensible than banning it entirely. Realising that gambling prohibition is detrimental to the economy and players worldwide, a movement has started to take shape. The increasing liberalisation of online gaming legislation is rolling out en masse. It's a wake-up call for government officials across the board.
Slotegrator, a top-tier software developer and aggregator, has reviewed the top markets that have regulated iGaming in recent years to help potential and established online casinos and sportsbook operators find new markets. With so many new markets online, the global landscape is rife with partnership opportunities and tremendous growth potential.
As an all-encompassing entity, Slotegrator provides legal support and innovative business solutions for the broader iGaming industry. In addition, it assists operators in choosing a jurisdiction to open and manage legal gambling projects. Slotegrator allows market participants to operate under Curacao's sublicense via its white-label solution. This includes developing and managing a gambling platform under the company's legal entity.
Various markets have legalised online gaming recently, notably Ontario, Germany, the Netherlands, and Ukraine.
Ontario Legalised iGaming in April 2022
Canada is a massive market for iGaming. Leading the way in Maple country is the biggest province, Ontario. Operators are optimistic about Canada's prospects, notably in Ontario. It was the first province to allow online gambling in April 2022. Legal-age players in Ontario can now access fully licensed sites and play casino games or bet on sports via these sites.
Before the legalisation of online gaming in Ontario, the province was known for being a grey market. Players used offshore casinos and betting platforms in addition to the Ontario provincial monopoly. When betting on specific sports events became legalised, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) introduced its Proline+ product.
According to provincial authorities, a regulated iGaming marketplace can help protect users at online casinos and give them more choices. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulates this industry and highlights potential growth prospects in various emerging markets. However, the province has not yet released financial data about projected revenue streams.
Thirty-one operators have registered with iGaming Ontario as of July 2022. According to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGC), not all iGaming websites will be launched immediately. However, it is expected that there will be a moderate increase in operators over time. Many operators are working on marketing campaigns to reach potential customers before they are ready for their big launch.
An array of operators already has iGaming sites in many states across the US that allow online gambling. So, the launch of Ontario's site is an important milestone for them. The operators predict that Ontario will be the Mecca for Canadian sports betting. However, it is not classified as an emerging market.
Because of widespread acceptance of gambling in Ontario and across Canada and the fact authorities hadn't ever tried to prosecute players who visited sites offshore before the regulation was implemented, players are using conditions that resemble a mature market in this brand-new, North American iGaming enclave.
Germany Legalised iGaming in July 2021
Germany's federal countries signed the State Treaty on Gambling on April 30, 2021. On July 1, the rules for online casinos and sportsbooks were introduced. The federal agreement regarding iGaming regulation will protect online casino users. It provides that the state of Saxony-Anhalt will establish an iGaming supervision and control organisation to oversee the operation of rules and regulate online casinos throughout the country.
Germany requires that players have a personal account. Gambling sites require that players have ID verification to prevent fraud and underage gaming. Some of the new regulations are stricter than those in other jurisdictions. German players must comply with a maximum deposit of EUR1,000 per month and play slots games only
Online poker and virtual slot machines created by private developers have been only partially legalised. Both were initially not considered, but after lengthy negotiations, both were accepted to combat efforts at attracting German-based players to black market iGaming sites.
The Netherlands Legalised iGaming in April 2021
The Netherlands could be considered a 'Record Holder' for the longest online casino legalisation process. Officially, discussions began on the revision to gambling legislation in 2012. However, the rules needed modifications from as far back as 1964.
The long-awaited regulation in the Netherlands was finally passed in October 2021. Although initially planned to take effect on July 1, 2020, by the KOA (Remote Gaming Act), it was delayed several times due to COVID-19 and other reasons. The law was finally passed, and the market opened to rapturous applause in October 2021.
The Kansspelautoriteit (Netherlands Gambling Authority) set the regulations. The KSA has granted gambling licenses to ten operators, including Bet365, NSUS Malta which runs GGPoker.eu, and Bingoal.
Online casinos are now legal for local players. Rene Jansen is the chairman of the KSA and sees the legalisation of iGaming as beneficial as it protects online casino players from abuse by unlicensed offshore operators.
Ukraine Legalised iGaming in July 2020
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, introduced an initiative to legalise the gambling industry in 2019. In response, work began in earnest to regulate Ukraine's gambling sector. On July 14, 2020, the Verkhovna Rada approved the bill for state regulation of online gambling activity. It was then signed into law on August 11, 2020.
The law was effective immediately. It allowed land-based and internet casinos, slot machine halls, betting shops and online poker rooms. In early 2021, the first license was issued. For more than ten years, local operators have waited for the legalisation of the market. However, they agree with government officials who believe that illegal online casinos and underground land-based gambling establishments are hindering the development of the online gaming market in Ukraine.
Authorities in countries where gambling is legalised or planned to legalise have high hopes for the iGaming sector and see long-term economic growth through its legalisation. This is because adopting a law on gambling reduces corruption, promotes the development of related industries and social programs, creates jobs and directs much-needed financial resources toward the state's treasury.
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