Latest News
ANJ: Summary of the Online gambling market for the first quarter of 2021: business continues to grow in all gambling segments
After a singular year in 2020, which ended with a 22% increase in the sector’s turnover, the first quarter of 2021 confirms the very dynamic growth of the online gambling market, with a 35% increase in turnover compared to the same period in 2020. Sports and horse racing betting once again recorded record stakes, while poker, still on the rise, began to return to normal.
In the first quarter of 2021, the turnover of the online gambling sector is up 35% and amounts to 587 million euros. The business was driven by 3.1 million players on accounts, a player base that is up 19% compared to 2020. Each segment of online gambling opened to competition have seen further strong growth in activity this quarter. These performances illustrate the acceleration of the digitalisation of gambling practices, which is a consequence of the health crisis and whose structuring character will have to be confirmed over the long term. As such, the levels of growth recorded in the first quarter of 2021, which are measured in relation to the first quarter of 2020, should be viewed with a certain amount of caution since, on the one hand, they are influenced upwards, for the two online betting segments, by the loss of business linked to the suspension of French sports betting and horse racing betting and, on the other hand, they are oriented downwards for the online poker market, due to the peak of business recorded at the same period last year.
Online sports betting: record stakes and new players
The online sports betting segment, which was the most affected by the first period of lockdown, is the one that has seen the most spectacular growth in stakes this quarter. 2.2 billion euros (+79%[1] compared to Q1 2020) were approximatively bet by the players on the competitions of the quarter, which corresponds to the highest amount of stakes recorded in a quarter. The number of sports bettors in the quarter increased by 29% to almost 2.5 million active player accounts (APA). It is very likely that the growth in activity will continue at a high rate this year due to the two major competitions, the European football championship and the Summer Olympic Games.
The FDJ reports a volume of sports betting stakes recorded on the two distribution channels equal to 1.1 billion euros in the first quarter of 2021, which corresponds to an increase of 46% compared to its results for the first quarter of 2020.
Online horse racing betting: growth continues and expands
The growth dynamic of the online horse racing betting market observed in 2020 is also continuing at a very steady pace. The horse racing stakes, which amount to 481 million euros, increased by 60% compared to the first quarter of 2020, again the highest volume of stakes recorded in a quarter. At the same time, the turnover of the six licensed horse racing betting operators reached 110 million euros, an increase of 48% compared to the first quarter of 2020. Online horse racing betting also recorded a 13% increase in players, with a total of 402,000 active player accounts (APA) over the quarter.
The horse racing betting offer at points of sale remains affected by the health restrictions which, as revealed by PMU, led to the closure of almost 40% of the points of sale for several consecutive months. As a result, the operator posted a 23% drop in stakes placed in its network of sales outlets for a total of 1.3 billion euros.
Online poker: lower growth marks the beginning of a return to normality
Online poker, which recorded the highest turnover increase in 2020, continues to grow at a sustained rate but at a lower rate than in previous quarters. Thus, the sector’s turnover grew by 23% to 120 million euros. The number of online poker players grew by 9% (991,000 active player accounts, (APA)). The results of online poker for the next quarter should however interrupt this dynamic, since they will be calculated with regard to the 2nd quarter of 2020, which had shown an exceptional level of activity due to the first lockdown.
|
Q1 2020
|
Q1 2021
|
Variation
|
TOTAL
|
|
|
|
Actives player accounts
|
2 598 000
|
3 078 000
|
+ 19%
|
Gross Gambling Revenue
|
435 m€
|
587 m€
|
+ 35%
|
Sports betting
|
|||
Actives player accounts
|
1 915 000
|
2 466 000
|
+ 29%
|
stakes
|
1 220 m€
|
2 181 m€
|
+ 79%
|
Gross Gambling Revenue
|
263 m€
|
357 m€
|
+ 36%
|
Horse racing betting
|
|
|
|
Actives player accounts
|
357 000
|
402 000
|
+ 13%
|
stakes
|
300 m€
|
481 m€
|
+ 60%
|
Gross Gambling Revenue
|
74 m€
|
110 m€
|
+ 48%
|
Poker
|
|
|
|
Actives player accounts
|
906 000
|
991 000
|
+ 9%
|
Gross Gambling Revenue
|
98 m€
|
120 m€
|
+ 23%
|
For Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, ANJ’s Chairwoman: “The online gambling dynamics goes on and is accelerating this quarter. It calls for a certain vigilance and must be accompanied in order to guarantee the protection of players, especially in the run-up to major sport events such as the EURO football tournament or the Tokyo Olympic Games. As such, the ANJ reminded operators of the need for their commercial communications to emphasise the importance of maintaining a moderate and controlled gambling practice and for bonuses or welcome offers to be sufficiently clear, enabling players to understand the commitments they underlie. Additionally, the ANJ will pay particular attention to tipsters’ Websites which have recently strongly developed. Some of these Websites are in fact involved in misleading practices and present a real danger for players.”
Latest News
SIS and Premier Greyhound Racing reveal improved greyhound race time schedule
Sports Information Services (SIS), the leading multi-content supplier of 24/7 live betting services, and Premier Greyhound Racing (PGR), the media rights company supplier of greyhound racing to the betting industry and direct to viewers, have collaborated to offer a revised race time schedule starting from 20 May.
Designed to protect the long-term future of UK greyhound racing, the new schedule will see morning fixtures start slightly later – moving from 10.47 to 11.01 and 10.54 to 11.09. Additionally, there will also be a slightly later start time for some evening fixtures aimed at a retail audience, with the first evening fixture now starting at 18.08.
Commenting on the improved schedule, Terry Mahoney, Head of Business Development at ARC, said: “The new race times will help make it easier for customers to navigate busy racing schedules as well as improving operations trackside. We will continue to listen, monitor, and adapt schedules where and when needed as we move forward to deliver the best service possible for betting operators as well as punters.”
Paul Witten, Managing Director at SIS, added: “We are passionate about delivering a greyhound racing service that benefits all of the sport’s stakeholders. Together with Premier Greyhound Raxing, we have introduced a revised racing schedule that benefits operators and their customers.
“Our approach to greyhound racing is grounded in sustainability and flexibility. This collaboration with fellow service providers allows everyone to enjoy all the high-quality action produced on a daily basis from tracks across the UK and Ireland.”
SIS has long-term agreements in place with bet365, William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfred to deliver its greyhound content across UK and Irish retail and digital channels. SIS also promotes this content across dozens of leading international operators, as well as through SISRacing.tv.
PGR offers greyhound action, cards, video replays, results, news and info on greyhounds.attheraces.com, and regular live broadcasts on Sky Sports Racing. Premier Greyhound Racing is a joint venture between Arena Racing (ARC) and Entain, the global sports betting, gaming and interactive entertainment group. Between them, the two companies own nine of the 20 licensed British greyhound tracks and ARC manage the media rights for five independent tracks.
The post SIS and Premier Greyhound Racing reveal improved greyhound race time schedule appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
The Importance of Data Quality Review Checks in the Gaming Industry
By Lorenzo Nardini, Head of Technical Compliance and Maths Services
In the dynamic world of online gaming, data plays a pivotal role. Databases containing personal and financial information, often referred to as “Safe” databases, serve as the backbone of any gaming platform.
In this short article, I focus on control databases (CDBs) – that is how Safe databases are referred to in the Dutch landscape – and why it is important to ensure their completeness, accuracy, and consistency through continuous data quality review. In any case, the topics here covered apply to most regulated markets.
Control databases contain critical information related to player accounts, financial transactions, game rules, and security protocols. Essentially, they ensure the smooth functioning of the entire gaming ecosystem. It is no wonder that the Dutch regulator (KSA) enforces specific technical regulations on them and often perform audits on these systems that can result also in fines in cases errors are detected.
Data quality review checks
Data quality review checks play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of control databases, ensuring continuous compliance. Here are some key reasons why they are essential:
- Accuracy and Consistency: Control databases handle vast amounts of data, including player profiles, game logs, and financial records. Ensuring accurate and consistent data is crucial for fair gameplay, financial transparency, and regulatory compliance.
- Player Experience: Imagine a player losing progress due to a database glitch or loss of connectivity. Such incidents can lead to frustration and loss of trust. Data quality checks ensure that the control database is correctly functional, and the information therein contained can be used to handle such incomplete games, enhancing the overall player experience.
- Regulatory Compliance: Gaming companies must adhere to strict regulations regarding data privacy, security, and fairness. Regular reviews ensure compliance with industry standards and legal requirements.
Most importantly, regular reviews can help gaming companies reducing the risk of an unsuccessful audit that could typically lead to a fine and negative PR.
Ideally, data quality reviews should be ongoing. Real-time monitoring is crucial for identifying issues promptly. Additionally, scheduled audits—monthly or quarterly—help catch any long-term discrepancies or trends.
Key areas of data quality reviews
When performing checks on the quality of CDBs, the following are the main areas to consider:
- Data Completeness: Ensure that all necessary fields are populated correctly. Missing or incomplete data can lead to errors downstream.
- Data Accuracy: Cross-check data against reliable sources. For example, player balances should match financial records.
- Data Consistency: Verify consistency across different databases and systems. Inconsistencies can cause confusion and operational inefficiencies.
Starting from the specific Dutch case and then expanding to other markets, here at ComplianceOne Group we have developed a data quality review service using our experience in dealing with this form of analysis. Leveraging feedback obtained directly from regulators, we created a testing procedure that performs the following:
- Tests on triggering reports from staging environment. We access the client’s staging environment with test accounts and perform actions that are aimed at triggering specific reports in the control database. We then check that these have been correctly generated and that they contain all necessary information, checking their accuracy against the back-office.
- Data quality tests on production environment. We download a large number of reports directly from production and run a battery of tests that we have designed and that is tailored specifically at checking completeness and consistency of the information contained in the control database.
All findings are promptly reported to the client and, if needed, we can assist with solving any issues found.
Conclusion
When I started being exposed to control databases, I understood that for many this is a very technical area and that maintaining this environment functioning correctly can be quite cumbersome. Nevertheless, a commitment to data quality is a necessary for ensuring continuous compliance of gaming platforms. If you are interested in running regular data quality reviews, or even just a one-time overall check, contact me and I will be happy to assist!
The post The Importance of Data Quality Review Checks in the Gaming Industry appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
7777 gaming signs a strategic iLottery content deal with Scientific Games
7777 gaming, a leading provider of digital gaming solutions, has announced a significant strategic partnership with Scientific Games a global leader in retail and digital lottery games, technology, analytics and services, to deliver digital lottery games through the SG Content Hub Partner Program.
The SG Content Hub Partner Program is a unique platform and game content partnership program featuring an expanding, highly curated selection of iLottery games from best-in-class, game studios worldwide in a variety of play styles appealing to all player types in multiple languages, as well as access to select licensed properties from the largest licensed brands portfolio in the lottery industry. Scientific Games currently serves 150 lotteries in 50 countries.
Elena Shaterova, Chief Commercial Officer at 7777 gaming, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “Partnering with Scientific Games represents a significant milestone for 7777 gaming, solidifying our position as a global leader in digital lottery solutions. Through this collaboration, we are poised to deliver unparalleled gaming experiences to players worldwide, driving innovation and growth in the lottery industry.”
Steve Hickson, VP of Digital Games at Scientific Games commented: “We are delighted to welcome yet another top-class lottery game studio to the SG Content Hub Partner Program. The addition of 7777 gaming and their fantastic games aligns perfectly with our goal to make a variety of digital lottery content available to existing and new Scientific Games customers. Our SG Content Hub Partner Program is developing at pace as we continue to provide our customers with frictionless access to the very best content in the industry.”
The SG Content Hub Partner Program offers a one-stop solution for accessing multiple iLottery game studios, seamlessly integrating with a lottery’s existing gaming systems and iLottery technology. It streamlines operations, simplifies tech integrations, and enhances data analytics to drive game development and iLottery portfolio management.
7777 gaming is renowned for its ability to deliver high-quality iLottery games tailored to the unique requirements of different lotteries. The company ensures that its game content meets stringent government regulations and operators’ expectations for customization. With custom-made lottery concepts, 7777 gaming guarantees enhanced player satisfaction and fosters a deeper sense of connection and loyalty to the brand.
The post 7777 gaming signs a strategic iLottery content deal with Scientific Games appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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