Digest: Latest News From the Gambling Industry From Around the World

In Ukraine, operators received the first licenses for gambling tables and slot machines, and in Belgium, a player hit a multi-million dollar jackpot in an online casino that broke previous world records. In the Philippines, land-based casinos are getting permits to conduct online gambling activities, and the Barcelona authorities make it almost impossible to open new gambling establishments. Read about these and other news from the gambling market in the new digest!

First licenses for gambling tables and slot machines issued in Ukraine

On April 28, the first five licenses for gambling tables and slot machines were issued according to the decision of the Commission for Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries No. 181-185. Three companies that had previously received the right to open casinos and slot machine halls became the owners of the documents.

Thus, Billionaire Casino Company now has the possibility to place a card gaming table and a roulette table in the casino hall of InterContinental Kyiv hotel.

Nebula Games obtained two licenses: one for placing a slot machine, the other for installing a gaming table. The equipment will be located at Grand Hotel Lviv casino.

The operator Gamedev received a document providing it the right to install a slot machine in the Slots City venue in Tourist hotel in Kyiv.

New gambling decree to enter into force in Germany this summer

After the ratification of the new document on gambling by the Parliament of Saxony-Anhalt, it became known that this decree will come into force on July 1, 2021. This will open up the gambling market to all verticals, including the organization of casinos, poker and sports betting online.

However, operators will be subject to a number of restrictions, such as a maximum bet amount of €1 for one spin, a spin duration of at least 5 seconds and a ban on its autospin function.

Moreover, there will be a limit of €1000 monthly deposit and operators wouldn’t be able to offer any jackpots and gambling advertising on TV from 6:00 to 21:00.

Barcelona tightens requirements for opening new gambling establishments

On April 30, the Barcelona authorities approved a document that introduces new requirements for opening casinos, slots and bingo halls. The established norms make it almost impossible to launch new gambling venues.

The new rules include: a minimum distance between a gambling establishment and educational institutions of 800 m, as well as a distance of 450 m from libraries, public and medical centers, employment services of Catalonia.

Deputy Mayor of Barcelona Janet Sanz said that operators of existing gambling establishments will not be able to renew their licenses after their expiration due to non-compliance with the new requirements.

In the Philippines, two casinos have received permits to organize online gambling

The Philippines gambling regulator PAGCOR has granted permission to organize online gambling to two more casino hotel operators in Manila – Solaire Resort and Casino and Resorts World Manila.

Previously, PAGCOR Chair Andrea Domingo explained the regulator's policy as helping resort casino operators to reduce losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the moment, all land-based casinos in the Philippine city of Manila are closed due to preventive measures for combatting the spread of coronavirus.

Record-breking jackpot for online casinos hit in Belgium

While playing on the Mega Moolah slot at Napoleon Sports & Casino, the Belgian man hit a jackpot that broke all records – €19.4 million. For the organizers, this was the second big win in the last two weeks – previously, another player won €2 million.

Moreover, the previous largest jackpot ever received in an online casino and recorded in the Guinness Book of Records was €17.88 million. It was also hit in Mega Moolah game on Betway website.

John Coleman, CEO of Microgaming, the company that created the game, shared his impressions: “We’re absolootly delighted to see Mega Moolah make history once again with its latest record-breaking win, and what an incredible win it is – €19.4 million!”

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