As part of its long-standing partnership with the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF), Amusnet supported the 9th Annual Meeting between BBLF and the Diplomatic Corps, held on June 26 in Sofia. The high-profile event brought together ambassadors from over 30 countries, senior executives representing more than 45 companies, and key government officials under the theme “Bulgaria as an Investment Destination.”

The forum served as a strategic platform for dialogue between the business community, the diplomatic sector and government institutions, focusing on strategies to attract, retain and support investors in Bulgaria. Discussions emphasised the country’s significant potential for innovation, economic development and international cooperation – particularly in the context of the country’s progress towards Eurozone and OECD membership.

Distinguished guests included Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Pavlov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Doncho Barbalov and Mila Nenova, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Investment Agency. The UK served as this year’s diplomatic partner, represented by British Ambassador Nathaniel Copsey.

“Supporting the BBLF Annual Meeting with the diplomatic corps fully aligns with Amusnet’s strategic vision of fostering a transparent, stable, and forward-looking business environment in Bulgaria. Our long-term collaboration with the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum reflects a shared commitment to high standards of corporate governance, responsible business conduct, and sustainable growth,” said Ivo Georgiev, CEO of Amusnet.

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By sponsoring this key event, Amusnet reaffirms its commitment to advancing responsible business practices, fostering international collaboration and contributing to a stronger investment climate in Bulgaria. The company continues to stand behind initiatives that align with its corporate values of integrity, transparency and sustainable growth.

Following its recent rebrand from Betsafe to Betsson, Betsson Lithuania has announced the extension of two long-standing sports partnerships – with FK Žalgiris, one of the country’s most iconic football clubs, and the Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) – until the end of 2027.

These renewed agreements reinforce Betsson’s commitment to supporting sport in Lithuania and underline the Group’s continued focus on building strong local brands with international recognition.

Betsson Lithuania will remain the main sponsor of FK Žalgiris, a partnership that began in 2022 and coincided with the club’s historic qualification for the UEFA Conference League group stage – the first ever by a Lithuanian football team.

The renewed sponsorship sees the Betsson logo continue to feature prominently on the front of the club’s kit as the team enters a new era, having recently acquired its own home stadium in Vilnius.

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“With such loyal partners as Betsson, we can grow and reach our goals,” said Vilma Venslovaitienė, Chairwoman of FK Žalgiris.

The partnership aims to enhance brand exposure within football audiences, further strengthening Betsson’s presence in this passionate sporting market.

Betsson Lithuania has also extended its long-term cooperation with the Lithuanian Basketball Federation, with whom it has partnered since 2016. The sponsorship supports both the federation and the national basketball team – one of the most recognisable sports brands in the region.

Aurimas Šilys, Managing Director of Betsson Lithuania, said: “Since 2016, Betsafe has been part of the international Betsson Group. In order to achieve greater synergy and increase international brand value, we are now unifying under the Betsson name. Collaborations with high-visibility partners such as the Lithuanian Basketball Federation are key to strengthening our global presence.”

Mindaugas Balčiūnas, President of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation, added: “We are pleased with the continued cooperation with Betsson – a long-term and extremely important partner who helps us grow and improve across the board. We appreciate their trust and believe that together we can achieve more victories – both on and off the court.”

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The latest impact assessment by the Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) shows that players on the legal market are increasingly being protected. Since the introduction of new playing limits and duty of care rules on 1 October 2024, fewer players are setting high limits and losing smaller amounts.

The number of accounts losing €1000 or more has dropped by over 75% to 0.9%. At the same time, the number of accounts per player remains stable (an average of 2.4 accounts per player). The so-called “hopping” behaviour between legal providers is therefore absent.

There are, however, worrying signals about a further growing illegal market. The previous report of the KSA already showed that for every euro gambled online, Dutch people spend €0.50 on illegal gambling sites. Now it appears that since the introduction of the new rules, the average monthly search volumes for illegal gambling sites have increased by 23% to almost 1 million. VNLOK warns: the control and protection of vulnerable players will be lost in this way. While the legal market is strictly regulated, the illegal supply remains too easily accessible for vulnerable players.

Björn Fuchs, chairman of VNLOKs, said: “It is good that the new rules for players who gamble legally are effective. At the same time, we cannot close our eyes to the other half: the illegal market. It is precisely the players who wager the most money and vulnerable groups, such as minors and young adults, who seem to continue to find their way to the illegal supply. That is precisely the group that is most at risk.”

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VNLOK emphasized that an excess of new regulations will have undesirable effects. Fuchs added: “If well-intentioned regulation is piled on top of regulation, this will drive more players to the illegal supply. That is where – without any form of supervision or protection – major problems arise.”

VNLOK has called for strict action against illegal providers and for a balanced approach to regulation: effective where necessary, but without unnecessarily hindering the player and the legal supply. VNLOK urges that all findings from the latest impact assessment must be taken into account when creating new rules.