The iGaming industry in the UK has seen a surge in activity, with online gamblers placing a record number of bets and spins in the second quarter of the year. According to data from the UK Gambling Commission, players in Britain placed 24.5 billion bets and spins from April to June, marking an 11 percent increase from the previous year. This also resulted in a new quarterly record for the country, with the online gross gambling yield reaching £1.46 billion.
In Germany, a sports betting reimbursement case has been submitted to the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The case questions whether sports betting operators should refund players for losses incurred before the State Treaty on Gambling in Germany came into effect. This follows a regional court ruling that suspended all civil proceedings in Germany to allow the ECJ to review the case. The claim, initially filed in Karlsruhe, involves a player seeking reimbursement for losses totaling €3,719.26 between 2013 and October 2020, with Tipico being named as the operator in question.
On the other hand, the UK’s Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) issued a warning to William Hill over an advert that failed to clearly display payment restrictions for a promotion. The ASA received a complaint regarding a paid-for search advert offering new customers a £60 bonus when depositing and betting £10. The issue raised was the lack of transparency regarding payment restrictions, particularly for methods such as Apple Pay. This warning serves as a reminder for operators to ensure promotions are clearly communicated to consumers.
Meanwhile, France has seen an increase in betting activity despite a lackluster performance in the Euro tournament. The country recorded €5.2 billion in bets during the first half of the year, marking a 24 percent increase from the previous year. However, the amount bet on the Euros fell short of expectations, coming in at €650 million instead of the anticipated €1 billion. This was attributed to the underwhelming performance of the French national team and distractions caused by the general election in June.
Lastly, Stake has expanded its presence in the global market with the acquisition of Italy-based Baldo Line and its Idealbet.it brand. This move follows Stake’s acquisition of Betfair Colombia in November, allowing the company to enter new regulated markets. Idealbet will provide Stake with a foothold in Italy’s mature market, allowing them to offer a portfolio of games under their own brand. This expansion signifies Stake’s commitment to growing its presence in various regions around the world.
