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How Finland Became an Online Gambling Powerhouse
Finland is popular for many reasons. First, it is the happiest country in the world. It has the cleanest air and the best education system. Other attractions include its reindeers, thousands of lakes, and the Santa Claus Village.
On the surface, Finland doesn’t seem ideal for an online gambling revolution. However, the country has grown into a powerhouse over time. It is bustling with opportunities for both online casino fans and operators. Here are a few reasons why the region has been so competitive.
1. Variety of Options
The number of land-based casinos in Finland is limited. While this may seem like an issue, it actually fuels the online market. All of the country’s land-based casinos are managed under a state-owned monopoly. Therefore, the number of operators is limited. It is no surprise that betting fans are turning to online casinos.
Online casino operators don’t have to deal with any harsh restrictions. Therefore, there is a much wider variety of online casinos for Finnish players. International operators love the Finnish market and are happy to invest in it.
The economy is buoyant, and the government doesn’t impose many restrictions, even for casinos that are physically based elsewhere. Many Finnish-based operators have already set up business in the country, hence giving local players more options.
2. Change In Ethos
Finns have had a few concerns over the increased growth of online casinos in their country. While casino providers make profits, many were concerned about the issue of gambling addiction. There weren’t enough regulatory measures to protect such bettors.
However, regulations are now in place to promote responsible gambling. This was always an issue, but it became more obvious during COVID shutdowns. The industry continues to grow, and there are obvious efforts to improve the relationships between betting fans and online casino providers.
3. An Adaptable Market
As the online betting audience continues easing away from desktop to mobile devices, Finland moves with it. In fact, the country has always been ahead of the game in that regard. In the last year, mobile casino playing has increased by ten percent.
Finn bettors remain adaptable in both online and offline markets. Their government is pretty relaxed about online gambling, and the people are always excited to try out new things.
Finland is generally forward-thinking, and most people support the idea that individuals are at liberty to make independent choices. The freedom to adapt as you wish has helped expand the market.
4. Technological Advancement
Finland enjoys exceptional technological advancement. In fact, it is one of the leading European countries in regard to technology. Over 5.5 residents actively engage in some form of online gambling activities.
As a result,, the industry brings in two billion Euros every year. If things keep going as they are, the sum is likely to rise. All profits from state-owned facilities go to projects that profit the society including education and environmental research.
Since players know where profits from the online betting industry are going, they are excited to try out online casinos.
5. Diverse Market
Finnish online gambling sites appeal to diverse markets. Poker games and video slots haven’t been accessible to players for a long time. However, they are now available in almost all online casinos.
Liberal regulations, an open-minded population, and a tech-savvy market have made it possible for online casinos to target wider markets. Being such a progressive country, Finland is expected to continue enjoying growth over the years.
6. Active Encouragement
The Finnish government is actively encouraging its people to explore online casinos. It is known for its famous slang ‘A Finn always wins.’ This basically means that even if you lose, the money goes to projects that benefit the society.
This has helped Finns grow a betting culture that feels like a moral obligation. You will find slot machines everywhere you go; workplaces, cafes, shops, and gas stations. This is unique in European countries.
The government’s involvement in the industry may seem like a bad thing, but it is a double-edged sword that has helped the industry grow.
7. Moving Online
The country launched its first online casino in 1996. Play Among Friends joined the industry in 2007. After licensing, the operators started offering reliable gambling and live casino options.
Being such an affluent country, Finland’s mobile technology is spreading fast. Everything is happening online, and people have embraced online shopping, online learning, and consequently, online shopping. Ownership of modern mobile technologies is increasing, and people have now shifted to mobile gaming.
8. Outside Interest
Although the state prohibits foreign suppliers from marketing within its populace, it allows access to international networks and sites. Therefore, many outsiders are interested in the Finnish online casino market.
In addition, Finland doesn’t have any laws preventing its citizens from playing at foreign sites. The country has a deep culture of personal choice, and it has made things easy for outside investors.
9. The Country’s Love for Gaming
Finland has always loved gaming. It is one of the few countries in the world that have always had a natural love for online games, particularly slots and table games. In 2019, for example, the country’s biggest regulator recorded 13 million euros in revenue.
The gambling regulatory body reported that almost 50 percent of the adult population is actively involved in gambling. This doesn’t include those that subscribe to foreign casinos.
The Job Ahead
Even though Finland is already doing exceptionally well, it still has a challenge to overcome in the future. The biggest challenge is for the country to maintain its grip on the profits and progress. It must continue to support the gambling habits of the population to stay competitive.
Online casino providers have to stay ahead of the latest trends and promotions. They have to give players better bonuses and promotions. Since domestic providers are competing with big international companies, they have to step up. If they can no longer compete, revenue will decline.
Since the government mostly controls the industry, it requires extra effort to keep innovating. There are no indications that the government is going to change this system. However, it is probably going to affect neighboring countries.
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CIRSA Announces its Intention to Float on the Spanish Stock Exchanges

Cirsa Enterprises S.A.U., an international gaming platform with market leading positions in Spain, Latin America, Morocco and Italy has announced its intention to proceed with the initial public offering (IPO) of its ordinary shares to qualified investors.
The Company intends to apply for its Shares to be admitted to trading on the Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia Stock Exchanges through the Automated Quotation System (Mercado Continuo) of the Spanish Stock Exchanges. The decision to proceed and definitive timing for the Offering and Admission is subject to, among other factors, market conditions and the approval by the Spanish Securities Market Commission (Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores, the CNMV).
Highlights of the Offering
The Offering is expected to comprise a primary offering of €400 million newly issued Shares as well as a secondary sale of approximately €60 million.
The net proceeds from the primary offering by the Company in an amount of approximately €375 million will be used primarily to accelerate the Company’s proven growth strategy and to repay existing debt and reduce the Group’s net leverage ratio (net financial debt as of May 31, 2025 / EBITDA for the twelve months ended March 31, 2025) to approximately 2.7x as of May 31, 2025, after giving effect to the Offering.
The secondary sale will be conducted by LHMC Midco S.à r.l. solely for the indirect ultimate benefit of certain current and former employees and managers of CIRSA (together, “Management”). Management will not receive any cash proceeds (other than for the purposes of settling taxes and expenses) and on Admission, Management’s existing investment in CIRSA will be reorganised to be directly held in the Company.
In addition, the transaction will include a customary over-allotment option granted by LHMC Midco to the Joint Global Coordinators (on behalf of the Joint Bookrunners).
Joaquim Agut, Executive Chairman of CIRSA, said: “Today’s announcement is a significant milestone in the history of this Company, founded in Terrassa in 1978 and which has built an extraordinary performance track record with a presence in 11 countries, always operating exclusively in markets where gambling is regulated. Over the past 20 years, CIRSA has accelerated its international expansion by acquiring leading companies and consolidating a position of leadership in the markets in which it operates. Our growth was further accelerated by our transformative partnership with Blackstone in 2018, which has been instrumental to our success.”
Antonio Hostench, CEO of CIRSA, said: “We are an innovative company that seamlessly integrates both physical and online channels. Today, we are taking a defining step to continue writing another page in this extraordinary history of growth by announcing our intention to go public, which will provide us with the opportunity to undertake new projects and continue to consolidate our leadership in the sector.”
The post CIRSA Announces its Intention to Float on the Spanish Stock Exchanges appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Gen.G Opens “GGX”, the Next-Gen Cultural Gaming Space

Global esports organisation Gen.G Esports (Gen.G) announced the official grand opening of GGX (Gen.G Gaming Xperience), a multi-dimensional cultural gaming space that brings its brand philosophy to life to an offline space in the heart of Seoul. Launching on Saturday, June 21, GGX marks the first-ever flagship venue by an esports brand that redefines the traditional PC café, offering a high-performance gaming zone alongside curated lifestyle experiences across food, merchandise, community and coaching.
Located near DDP, a cultural and artistic landmark in Seoul at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, GGX spans 1570 square meters and includes 252 premium gaming stations equipped with top-tier specs. Each seat features NVIDIA RTX 5070 GPUs, LG UltraGear monitors, Logitech gaming peripherals, ultra-fast internet and Gen.G x SIDIZ custom-designed gaming chairs, with an estimated hardware value of KRW 4.5 million (USD 3300) per station, delivering a fully immersive play environment.
More than just a gaming space, GGX will act as Gen.G’s flagship space – an open, ever-expanding ecosystem where brands, fans and creators come together to create a unique experience. From concept to execution, GGX was co-developed with industry-leading partners such as Otoki, Monster Energy and SIDIZ, creating a space that blends gaming, content and community in new ways.
Inside GGX, visitors can enjoy a variety of immersive experiences, including:
“OTOKI G.ROUND”, a food & beverage lounge co-developed with Otoki, offering exclusive signature menu items
An iconic photo spot and photo booth featuring GenRang, Gen.G’s official mascot
A merchandise store, showcasing Gen.G uniforms, exclusive partner collaboration items and GGX-limited items
A community lounge with a capacity for over 100 people – designed as a space for fans to connect and share their passion for gaming, and engage in community-driven activities.
In collaboration with Gen.G Global Academy (GGA), GGX also offers coaching programmes and skill-up classes for gamers of all levels. Led by former pro players, these sessions include in-depth strategic game analysis, aim training and team-based gameplay. The venue will also host regular fan meetups, watch parties and branded community events, creating a dynamic environment for fans to connect and grow together.
Steve Lee, Head of Partnerships at Gen.G, said: “GGX goes beyond just gaming – it’s a cultural hub where fans, players, and brands come together to create meaningful experiences. Through spaces like this and continued innovation, Gen.G aims to lead the sustainable growth of the esports industry.”
GGX is operated by Superplay, a leading IP management company in the gaming and esports space, with proven experience designing fan-centric spaces such as T1 Basecamp Hongdae, KT Rolster R Café and Genshin PC Lounge. Superplay and Gen.G co-developed GGX over several months, from spatial design to branded content and programming.
Junghyun Kim, CEO of Superplay, said: “After months of development with the Gen.G team, we’re proud to finally unveil GGX. We hope it becomes a must-visit destination for gaming and esports fans from Korea and around the world.”
The post Gen.G Opens “GGX”, the Next-Gen Cultural Gaming Space appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Pay Changu Partners with 888Bets

Fintech company PayChangu has partnered with betting company 888Bets to provide efficient payment solutions for Malawian bettors.
The collaboration will enable instant deposits and withdrawals to all Malawian banks making 888bets the first betting company to archive this.
Joshua Mwendo, Chief Operation Officer at PayChangu, said: “Our collaboration with 888Bets marks a pivotal step in enhancing digital payment solutions within Malawi’s betting industry. We are committed to providing secure and efficient financial services that align with the country’s economic objectives.”
He further noted that the partnership is expected to significantly contribute to Malawi’s Vision 2063, particularly in promoting digital financial services and driving economic development.
Clement Kwesi Phiri, Country Manager for 888Bets Malawi, said: “Integrating PayChangu’s payment gateway allows us to offer our customers a seamless betting experience. This partnership underscores our dedication to investing in Malawi’s digital infrastructure and providing top-tier services to our users.”
The post Pay Changu Partners with 888Bets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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