UKGC Data: Record Quarter for iGaming Activity in Britain
Online gamblers in Britain placed 24.5 billion bets and spins in Q2 (April to June), representing an increase of 11 percent on last year and a new quarterly record since the UKGC began publishing player data in 2019.
Great Britain’s online gross gambling yield (GGY) increased by 12 percent year-on-year to £1.46bn (€1.73bn/$1.87bn) in Q2, with the total number of bets and spins reaching a record high for the second consecutive quarter.
Germany’s Federal Court Submits Sports Betting Reimbursement Case to ECJ
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) will rule on whether sports betting operators should refund players for losses incurred before Germany’s State Treaty on Gambling came into effect.
Amid mounting cases of players seeking to recoup sports betting losses, the cases have progressed to Germany’s Federal Court of Justice (BGH). This follows a regional court ruling in May, which suspended all civil proceedings in Germany so the ECJ can take on the case.
The case, originally filed in Karlsruhe, covers a claim for €3,719.26 in losses between 2013 and October 2020 with German media reports naming Tipico as the operator in question.
ASA Raps William Hill Over Payment Restrictions in Advert
The U.K.’s Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) issued a warning to William Hill over an advert it said failed to prominently display payment restrictions for a promotion.
A single complainant raised an issue over a paid-for search advert for William Hill, detailing a welcome bonus. This offered new customers a £60 bonus when depositing and betting £10.
The complaint focused on payment restrictions for the promotion and the lack of clarity over this. Users that clicked the ad were directed to the William Hill website displaying further details. Small print on the website set out that some payment methods were exempt from the promo, including Apple Pay.
France Records Increase in H1 Bets Despite Ho-Hum Euros
France took €5.2bn in bets during H1, marking a 24 percent year-on-year increase, while gross gaming revenue (GGR) rose by 16 percent when compared to the same period of 2023, reaching €871m.
Despite growth across active players and the increased betting amount in the period, the amount bet on the Euros fell short of the ANJ’s €1bn expectations, coming in at €650m. In France, the 2022 tournament generated €900m in total stakes.
The drop was attributed to an underwhelming performance from the French national team, as well as the French general election which captured the country’s attention throughout the month of June.
Stake Enters Italy with Idealbet Acquisition
Stake has continued its global expansion with the acquisition of Italy-based Baldo Line and its Idealbet.it brand. Stake’s expansion into new regulated markets continues following its acquisition of Betfair Colombia in November which provided access into Latin America.
Idealbet will provide the firm with an established presence in Italy’s mature market, where it will continue to operate under its own brand with an additional portfolio of Stake’s games.
