About Important during the Week: News of the Gambling Industry in Ukraine, Thailand, Italy, and Greece

When will Ukraine start issuing the first gambling licenses? How have revenues of Italian online casino owners grown? What are the proposals for gambling development in Thailand? And what gambling solution suppliers have entered the ranking of the biggest IT companies in Ukraine? You can read about these and other news of the gambling industry in the weekly digest.

Gambling solution developers entered the ranking of the biggest IT market players in Ukraine

DOU.UA published top 50 biggest IT companies in Ukraine as of July 1, 2020. The ranking involves market representatives that work in the field of gambling and betting, including EvoPlay, Sigma Software, Playtika, Playtech, Parimatch Tech, and Murka Games.

From all the mentioned companies, EvoPlay holds the highest position in the top 50. It occupies the seventh position. Murka Games has entered the ranking of the biggest Ukrainian IT companies for the first time and occupied the 45th position. Parimatch Tech has shown growth having risen from the 35th to the 26th position since January 2020.

In the first half of the year, among mentioned companies that supply solutions for gambling industry, the number of employees grew by more than 100 people in EvoPlay and Parimatch Tech only.

Preliminary issuance date of the first gambling licenses in Ukraine

The first licenses that allow conducting gambling business in the Ukrainian market can be issued as early as November 1. It was reported by the partner of Eterna Law Artem Kuzmenko, referring to the statement of the advisor to the deputy head of the President’s Office Boris Baum.

The specialist said that the relevant committee of the Verkhovna Rada had already approved the bill 2713-d on the taxation of gambling revenue. This document can also introduce changes to the law on gambling regulation in Ukraine.

The law that legalizes casinos, betting outlets, slot machine halls, and online poker in the country came into effect on August 13 this year. However, the fully-fledged launch of the updated gambling market requires adoption of additional laws, forming the Authorized body, developing licensing conditions.

Proposal to legalize casinos and online gambling in Thailand

The leader of Thai Civilized party Mongkolkit Suksintharanont put forward an initiative to legalize gambling activities. He presented a concept of the entertainment complex that includes casino, hotel, park, and other facilities. It was reported by the local media Pattaya News.

The initiative implies organizing casino resorts in Phuket, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Rayong, Ubonratchathan, and Nakhon Ratchasima. Besides, the politician spoke in favor of legalizing online gambling. By estimate, this business could annually refill the state budget with BHT 5-6 billion ($159-190 million).

According to the Thai politician, gambling legalization and introduction of gambling taxes will bring benefits to the country, which currently has insufficient revenue from tourism and export.

Italian online gambling operators recorded an increase in revenue

As Gioco News Casino reports, revenue of Italian licensed online gambling operators reached €94.8 million in August of 2020, which is 41.1% more than in the same period last year.

In the last summer month, customers of online casinos placed bets for the total amount of €2.6 billion. And players were paid €2.5 billion.

According to the latest data, such companies as Reel Italy Ltd, Sisal Entertainment, and Lottomatica are leading the pack in the Italian online casino market.

Greece will start issuing permanent licenses for online gambling

As Login Casino online portal reports, the parliament of Greece approved the procedure for obtaining a permanent license that allows organizing online gambling activity. Supposedly, the issuance of documents will start in September and will take place on competition basis.

Previously, Greek Gambling Commission published a document specifying that after the receipt of a license, the operator would have to provide a guarantee letter about €500,000 payment. This sum will be directed to the state budget if the gambling license is withdrawn due to violation of licensing conditions. The letter is valid for 8 years.

Issuance of permanent licenses for online gambling business is expected to bring €75 million to the state budget.

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