Category Archives: Online Gambling

Malta, a small yet captivating island nation in the Mediterranean, has become a significant player in the global online gambling industry. Its unique blend of robust regulation and enticing gaming opportunities makes it a prime destination for enthusiasts and operators alike. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the world of online gambling in Malta, providing you with expert insights on the best Maltese gambling sites, legal considerations, and strategies to enhance your gaming experience.

Malta's thriving online gambling scene can be attributed to several key factors:

Navigating the vast selection of Maltese online casinos can be quite the challenge, but fear not! We've done the heavy lifting for you and identified the key aspects to look for when choosing the best Maltese gambling sites on online-gambling.com/malta/.

These top-rated online casinos typically offer a unique combination of features, games, and bonuses to cater to a diverse range of preferences. Here's a more in-depth look at what sets these top-notch Maltese casinos apart:

Remember, always choose licensed and regulated online casinos to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience. By prioritizing these key aspects, you'll be well on your way to selecting the perfect Maltese online gambling site for your gaming needs.

Malta's legal framework for online gambling is both comprehensive and transparent. The MGA's regulatory oversight has created an environment where players can engage in online gambling with confidence. Here's what you need to know:

To make the most of your Maltese online gambling adventure, consider the following expert tips:

Malta's online gambling scene offers an enticing mix of world-class gaming options, robust regulation, and attractive opportunities for both players and operators. As you embark on your Maltese online gambling journey, remember to choose licensed casinos, adhere to responsible gaming practices, and make use of the expert tips provided in this guide. With the right approach, you'll be well on your way to an exhilarating and rewarding gaming experience in the heart of the Mediterranean. Happy gaming!

Disclaimer: Play responsibly. Players must be over 18. For help visit https://www.gamcare.org.uk/.

Independent journalism costs money. Support Times of Malta for the price of a coffee.

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Online gambling in Malta: An insider's guide - Times of Malta

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Its safe to say that Finland has a very unique legal landscape when it comes to gambling. While most European countries practice free markets that are open to fair competition and international operators, Finland writes its own story on the matter. Unfortunately for Finns, this regulatory gambling landscape is not very favorable and Finnish gamblers dislike it, to put it mildly.

As you may already know, Finland focuses on government-regulated operators, which creates a 3+1 environment where only a selected few operators are allowed to offer gambling services in Finland. That goes for both land-based and online gambling activities.

Furthermore, this creates a country-owned monopoly where gambling is heavily regulated. Finlands government has been defending this stance for a while now as they tax individual and operator gambling gains in order to secure those funds for a variety of social causes, including different charities.

However, the Finnish government hasnt been able to prevent Finnish citizens from gambling at off-shore online casinos, which is why Finns use reliable sources likekasinohai.com/uudet-kasinot, for example, to find online casinos that suit them the most. So with that in mind, lets have a more closer look at the legal landscape of online casinos in Finland.

As mentioned before, Finland has a 3+1 government-regulated monopoly over local gambling activities. According to theFinlands Lotteries Act(1047/2001) only state operator Veikkaus is allowed to provide gambling games in Finland. In other words, there is no licensing system that can be awarded to different operators, should they meet certain regulatory standards and other polices.

The goal of Finnish government is to use this monopoly to reduce, prevent and control negative effects of gambling, most importantly gambling addiction. However, back in 2021 the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) stated that the current gambling system has proven ineffective at minimizing the negative effects of gambling. The point in fact is that Finland is one of the leading countries in the world for gambling problems among its populace.

In order to strengthen the monopoly and get another shot at minimizing negative effects of gambling, amendments were introduced that include penalties and payment blocks for service providers. In other words, payment service providers are obligated to block payments and other transactions made by Finns towards online casinos not operating in Finland. All off the amendments are in effect as of 2023.

Although all the amendments to the Lotteries Act are in place, Finnish gamblers still find a way to play their favorite casino games at international or off-shore casinos. One might wonder why that is so when gambling is available in Finland, even though its regulated by the government. Well, thats exactly why Finns look for outside sources of gambling and entertainment.

Being limited by selected operators that provided limited number of games and bonuses, as well as having you winning and payments heavily taxed, isnt something Finnish gamblers are very fond off. In this particular case, grass is, in fact, greener on the other side of the fence. EU free market provides Finnish players with a myriad of options not only when it comes to operators but also for game variety, bonuses and tax-free transactions.

International casinos are happy to accept players from Finland so its only natural that Finns would choose off-shore operators over the local ones. An even if local operators would to provide better offers, the heavy tax implications would still drive most of the Finns away and towards off-shore operators.

Finns venturing outside their border to play casino games has finally made an impact on the local government. As a matter of fact, Finns are spending more money at international casinos than local ones. That said, back in September, 2022, Veikkaus has reported that their profits are decreasing and that they now only hold 70% of market share in Finland.

Even though political parties in Finland have protected the monopoly so far, most of them are beginning to reconsider their support. If youre wondering why, its because of monetary gains, of course. The way things are now, Finland would profit more from issuing licenses to foreign casino operators than they are from current taxation of local gambling. Therefore, a major potential change might happen in Finland after all. However, the licensing of commercial online gambling market cannot happen overnight.

Even Veikkaus agrees that its time for fast transition so that Finland can capitalize on the opportunity that has presented itself, but some of the political leader are more in favor of a slower and well-calculated approach. It seems that Finland will use the licensing model thats in place in Sweden and Denmark, provided they decide to make the necessary changes, in the first place. Well just have to wait and see what happens next.

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The Legal Landscape of Online Casinos in Finland - European Gaming Industry News

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has ramped up its efforts to combat illegal offshore gambling by urging Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block three additional websites found to be in violation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

The ACMA's investigations revealed that these services, namely Vave, Highway Casino, and Online Casinos Australia, were operating unlawfully.Website blocking stands as one of the various enforcement measures implemented to safeguard Australians against illegal online gambling activities, noted the Authority.

Presently, 747 illegal gambling and affiliate websites are already blocked in Australia. The ACMA issued its first request for website blocking in November 2019 and has since continued to expand its list of prohibited sites. And since the ACMA commenced enforcing stricter regulations against illegal offshore gambling in 2017, more than 200 illicit gambling services have voluntarily withdrawn from the Australian market.

This significant reduction in unregulated operators reflects the growing impact of the ACMA's stringent approach to ensuring compliance with gambling laws.In light of recent developments, the ACMA emphasizes the importance of consumer awareness regarding the risks associated with using illegal gambling services.

Despite some illegal operators attempting to appear legitimate, they often lack crucial customer protections, warns the Authority. Consequently, Australians who engage with such services face the possibility of financial loss and are advised to exercise caution.To assist individuals in identifying licensed wagering services operating in Australia, the ACMA encourages citizens to consult its register.

This resource provides a comprehensive list of authorized operators, ensuring customers can confidently engage with legitimate and regulated gambling platforms. By collaborating with ISPs and continually monitoring unlawful activities, the ACMA aims to create a safer online environment for Australians who wish to engage in lawful gambling practices.

Back in March, the Authority published a report called Snapshot of Social Casinos, which provides insights into consumer habits and industry trends for this growing market. The report shows Australia was in the top five markets by consumer spend as of the first half of 2022. You can read its main findings here.

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ACMA urges internet providers to block three additional illegal ... - Yogonet International

Some metrics might suggest that interest in horse racing is flagging. However, interest in betting on horse races appears to be holding steady, although more data is necessary to confirm with more certainty whether that is the case.

The 2023 Preakness Stakes brought in a little under $102 million in wagers. Thats steady from last years total. At the same time, context suggests that online racebooks could be responsible for keeping that number competitive.

According to a news release from 1/ST Racing, which operates Pimlico Race Course in Maryland among others, the amount of money wagered on Saturdays Preakness Stakes came to $101.7 million. Hayes Gardner of theBaltimore Sun says that total is similar to last years total of $104 million and more than the five-year average from 2015-2019 of $94 million.

National Treasure took the win as the betting second choice of 4-1. Kentucky Derby winner Mage had been the odds-on favorite at 8-5. They were two of just seven horses to compete in the 2023 Preakness after veterinarians advised the scratch of First Mission. First Mission had been the second choice.

For the horse racing industry, the amount of money bet on the race might be the highlight of the event. It followed a record sum wagered on the Kentucky Derby. That is great news for the racebooks considering betting activity on less notable races has actually seen a decline this year.

Other facets of the event did not go as the event organizers likely hoped. Of greatest importance, Saturday saw yet another horse fatality on a renowned day for the sport. A separate press release from 1/ST explains what happened.

During the Chick Lang Stakes at Pimlico, the number one horse, Havnameltdown, sustained an injury and immediately received on-track medical attention from an expert team of veterinarians, led by Dr. Dionne Benson. during the subsequent evaluation, she [the lead veterinarian] observed a non-operable left fore fetlock injury. Due to the severity and prognosis of the injury, Dr. Benson and her counterparts made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize Havnameltdown.

While the break down did not occur to one of the seven horses actually running in the Preakness, it nonetheless continues the conversation around equine safety. It could also have put a damper on the day for attendees. There werent as many of those this year, though.

Gardner also pointed out that the attendance figures from this years Preakness could be a matter of concern for event organizers. According to Gardner, 65,000 people paid for admission to the venue between Friday and Saturday.

That is slightly up from 2022 but about 1/3 of the figure from 2019, Hayes wrote. If this is the new expectation for the Preakness moving forward, then keeping betting activity over the $100 million mark will increasingly rely on people wagering on the race from outside Pimlico.

Fortunately for the industry, online betting on horse races has never been more accessible. Many of the most popular online gambling companies in the United States have introduced dedicated apps like BetMGM Horse Racing, Caesars Racebook, DK Horse and FanDuel Racing.

Additionally, endemic brands like Churchill Downs Twinspires and TVG have made investments in their online products to compete. Horse racing is evolving along with the rest of society. That evolution could mean that the sport is more dependent on Internet betting than ever before.

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2023 Preakness Betting Stays Flat In Annual Comparison - PlayUSA

Live dealer casinos offer a unique gaming experience that combines the convenience of online gambling with the excitement of a real-life casino. With live dealer casinos, real-time game play, and a wide variety of games to choose from, live dealer online casinos provide a level of immersion that simply can't be matched by traditional online casinos.

With the ever-increasing demand for best live dealer casinos, the industry has seen a surge in new and improved platforms that offer a variety of games and features, making it a thrilling time for online gaming enthusiasts.

This article brings you to the best live casinos that offer players regular online casino games with an immersive experience that rivals the excitement of a land-based casino.

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Baccarat is a simple but exciting game that has been enjoyed by casino enthusiasts for many years, and 7Bit Live Casino offers several variations of the game, including Live Baccarat and Speed Baccarat. The game is played with a live dealer and provides a fast-paced and engaging gaming experience.

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They are dedicated to providing an exceptional gaming experience that meets the highest standards of quality and professionalism.

Dream Catcher is a newer and more innovative game that has become increasingly popular in live casinos. The game is played with a live dealer and features a large spinning wheel with different numbers and multipliers. Players can place bets on where they think the wheel will stop, with the chance to win big payouts.

Game Selection: The casino boasts over 3,000 games from top software providers, including NetEnt, Microgaming, Evolution Gaming, and more. (4.6/5)

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10 Best Live Casinos 2023 - Top Online Casinos To Play Live ... - San Diego Magazine

Aristocrat Leisure Limited announced a deal to acquire 100% of NeoGames for a cash price of $29.50 per share. The transaction values NeoGames at approximately $1 billion.

According to CDC Gaming Reports, the Nevada Gaming Commission granted a license to the Israel-based NeoGames after the Gaming Control Board gave preliminary approval. Gambling regulators in Indiana reportedly will also look at the deal.

As a result of the merger, NeoGames will become part of the Aristocrat Group.

NeoGames provides content and technology solutions for the online real-money gambling industry, including online casinos, lottery, and sports betting. According to Nevada-based Aristocrat, NeoGames has around 1,100 staff and more than 200 customers across more than 50 regulated markets.

NeoGames has over 20 partners and 50 brands in Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

Aristocrat said it believes the acquisition will accelerate its growth strategy and deliver strategic benefits, positioning Aristocrat with global scale and capability immediately in the growing $81 billion online gambling market.

Bringing together NeoGames and our growing Anaxi business will position Aristocrat with global scale and capability in the growing online RMG industry, Aristocrat CEO and Managing Director, Trevor Croker, said.

We see great opportunities in the combination of our complementary businesses, with clear revenue and growth potential that comes with a complete and seamless online RMG solution. NeoGames also shares a strong commitment to sustainability, responsible gameplay, and people-first culture, which is central to everything we do.

NeoGames CEO and Managing Director, Moti Malul, said: We are excited to join one of the worlds most successful and respected gaming companies and be able to play a significant role in its future growth story.

Aristocrat will fund the acquisition with cash on hand, including transaction expenses. The company said that it continues to focus its capital allocation on driving organic growth and investing in M&A opportunities.

Link:

Aristocrat To Acquire NeoGames In $1 Billion Gambling Deal - CardPlayer.com

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is investigating 26 current student-athletes at the University of Iowa for sports betting, and released a report to Iowa on May 4 listing individuals associated with the Hawkeyes athletic department who, according to the school, "participated in sports wagering." The school says it has alerted the NCAA and "hired outside counsel to assist in the investigative process." Some of the active student-athletes appear to be members of the baseball team: Over the weekend, at least four Hawkeyes playerstwo catchers, a pitcher, and a designated hitter, per The Daily Iowanwere suspended from a series against Ohio State "due to a potential NCAA violation."

NCAA rules explicitly prohibit "participation in sports wagering activities," including giving information to sports bettors, on any sport played at any level, due mainly to concerns over "the integrity of sports contests." The head of gaming for the Iowa commission conducting the investigation, a man named Brian Ohorilko, told ESPN Monday that they aren't looking at any potential match-fixing or suspicious wagering activity, which raises the question of why this sports betting is being investigated by a state governmental body at all. But a timeline provided by the University of Iowa website says the school was notified on May 2 of "potential criminal conduct related to sports wagering that also suggested possible NCAA violations," and noted that the list of names came by way of law enforcement.

In possibly related news, another public Iowa university, Iowa State, released a statement Monday acknowledging "online sports wagering allegations involving 15 of our active student athletes." The state board of regents, which oversees Iowa's three public universities, said Monday that it is "aware of concerns related to online gambling" in the two athletic departments and is "closely monitoring the situation."

So the situation is awfully hazy. Iowa makes a point of highlighting that "the vast majority" of names on the list are not current student-athletes, and are mostly student-staff, or former student-athletes, or "those with no connection to UI Athletics." But you'd be right to wonder why law enforcement would provide UI the names of bettors "with no connection to UI Athletics," and in particular if, as Ohorilko says, the commission hasn't found "anything giving us pause or leading us to believe that any of these markets were compromised." The Daily Iowan also notes that, unlike in the case of the recent gambling scandal involving the Crimson Tide baseball team, no states have yet stopped bets on Iowa baseball games.

This might be a case of an excessively harsh crackdown on student-athletes engaged in the increasingly normal behavior of betting on sports, inspired by the somewhat dicier situation in Alabama, where there appear to be legitimate concerns over the integrity of at least one actual contest. In retrospect, it seems obvious that regulators were always going to run into these sorts of thorny enforcement issues as sports gambling is normalized and online betting rises to consume all of North American spectator sports. College kids like to gamble. A fact sheet from the National Council on Problem Gambling says that 75 percent of college students have placed some sort of wager in the past year, whether legally or illegally, and that at least 30 percent of male college athletes bet on sports. Compared to the general population, a much higher percentage of college students engage in online gambling, and studies show that online gambling is associated with "substantially higher rates of problem and pathological gambling." The explosion into the mainstream of online sports books and gambling apps has made the lure of compulsive wagering that much harder to resist.

And the messaging to students and student-athletes from the people in charge isn't quite as clear as the NCAA's whole wagering demeans competition and competitors alike thing. The New York Times reported in 2022 that at least eight college athletic departments have joined official partnerships with online sports-betting companies, and at least a dozen others have "signed agreements with brick-and-mortar casinos." The University of Colorado Boulder gets $30 from an online sports-betting company each time someone downloads the company's gambling app and uses the school's promo code to place a bet. LSU blasted out a promotion to its student population after entering into an agreement with Caesars Sportsbook, offering $300 in free bets to anyone who placed a $20 bet using the school's promo code. Michigan State has enormous banner ads inside Spartan Stadium, urging fans to download a gambling app, and, per the Times, Caesars and MSU discussed a deal where gamblers could get free merch from the team store for placing $50 wagers. For college kids at a growing number of NCAA member institutions, the sports-gambling marketing blitz isn't just on the television; it's on the very walls of their facilities and pushed in emails they're receiving from their own damn schools.

So, ah, there's a lot to be ironed out still where it comes to legalized sports-betting, college athletics, and college athletes. If the NCAA and state agencies are prepared to crack down on student-athletes who can't resist the constant blaring solicitations of gambling outfits, and the terrifying ease of use of sports gambling apps, they've got their greasy hands full.

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Two More College Athletic Departments Swept Into Online Gambling Troubles - Defector

It started last week with the Alabama baseball program, and now it has spread to two more schools in the state of Iowa. Gambling has been a topic of discussion for conferences around college athletics over the past year, but its now coming to a head.

Alabama fired baseball coach Brad Bohannon last week after he was alleged to have used a runner to place numerous bets at a sports book in Ohio. On Monday, news broke that Iowa and Iowa State both are dealing with problems stemming from student athletes and online gambling.

Iowa is dealing with an investigation into potential NCAA infractions regarding online wagering with 26 student athletes. Iowa State that it was investigating 15 athletes for gambling, adding to the problem. In total, that is 41 athletes in the state of Iowa currently under investigation for gambling.

The NCAA looks on as we sit at a crossroads between how schools are trying to prevent this type of situation and student athletes looking for ways around the system, which strictly prohibits gambling. Shouldnt we have seen this coming from a mile away when schools started partnering with gambling companies?

It wasnt long ago that schools were signing deals with online gambling companies, hoping to get a piece of the pie. Colorado signed an agreement with Pointsbet in 2020, with the school receiving kickbacks for new players using a referral code. LSU signed an agreement with Caesars sportsbook in 2021 to become the official gaming partner for LSU athletics.

LSU has always taken pride in providing fans with unique, innovative, and world-class experiences, and our new partnership with Caesars Entertainment will do just that, said LSU Athletics DirectorScott Woodward at the time. We share a clear vision of how athletics and entertainment can come together to enhance the fan experience and we are excited to join with Caesars to make that vision a reality.

These two schools joined others like Michigan State and Maryland to get into the sportsbook business. Though most of these deals did not get renewed, they set a precedent, with most of them advertising to students on campus. Did these schools not think about the ramifications of promoting online wagering to student athletes who know they cannot participate, but would certainly get the urge to find a friend who would?

Following the incident with Alabama baseball, I reached out to numerous student athletes about online gambling to ask if they participated. I wanted to know if they were taking a chance on their eligibility by placing a few bets, or using a friend to help them cash-in.

OutKick is not using any names, due to potential punishment from institutions.

In total, I spoke with eight different athletes from power-five schools, with three of them admitting that theyve had someone close to them place a bet for them. To some, it was real easy. But for others it wasnt a risk they were willing to take.

If I want to place a bet on an NBA game or a college football game, Ill just use a payment app to send over some money. Its not that difficult and I dont really think they could track it anyways,one student athlete told me. How are they going to know if I give a friend 40 bucks and let him use his account?

It could be as simple as that for some, or they could call a friend back home in a state where its legal and have them place a bet. Even though the NCAA has made it clear that gambling is not allowed, some just want to have a little fun on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

I know I shouldnt, but whats the harm? Look at all the money being made through these apps. Youre telling me I cant place a $10 parlay, just to add some action to the night? Our coaches discusses it with us maybe twice a year, another athlete mentioned to me. They arent out here preaching to us every week when weve got games to prepare for. Hell, I bet some of the coaches are putting a few bones on a game anyway.

The stigma around online gambling didnt stop schools from jumping in the boat when these companies were offering big contracts. Some schools invited it onto campus, but want to act surprised when an athlete partakes. You cant have it both ways.

We can only do so much to educate these athletes, a Big Ten official told OutKick. Were trying to get the message across, whether its meetings, email reminders or through their coaches. But there comes a point where its out of our hands. We just have to hope that they listen and know that the school, along with the NCAA will have to take action if they dont comply. If theyre old enough to gambleI just hope these folks take it seriously.

But there are still some who see this as too big of a risk. Knowing that college eligibility could be taken away by clicking place bet on their phone is such a gamble. If they were to get caught, it would be game over, so the risk is not worth the reward at the end.

I am old enough to go sit at a blackjack table, which Ive done when I go home. I can play slots all night long, but pulling out my phone or walking up to the counter is too much of a risk. Nowadays, nobody can keep their mouth shut anyways, so I risk somebody slipping up if I am around a group of guys. a power-five football player told me. I dont have the type of money needed to actually make any money to begin with, so theres no reason to risk it.

For others, if they really wanted to gamble on sports theyd find a way. But as we look around college athletics right now, its not hard to notice the influx of problems this is presenting. Just look at the past week, with three schools now dealing with their own gambling situations.

There is certainly a small crack in the dam right now, with what weve seen in the last nine days. Schools are doing everything in their power to prevent a bigger crack from opening, but they also know words only go so far.

Some colleges have been trying to backpedal their way out of what they once thought would be a profitable source of revenue. But in the end, inviting it onto campus in such a brash way probably wasnt the smartest move. I wouldnt call this a gambling problem right now; its more of a marketing strategy gone wrong. And the NCAA allowed it all to happen.

Its not that big of a deal to just wait until I am done playing, if I really want to waste my money gambling on games. But to act like its not going on is naive, and these coaches or administrators know it. I promise you its happening, a power-five basketball player noted. There arent players betting on their own games, at least I dont know anybody, but whether its online poker or a parlay involving the Lakers, some guys are taking the chance.

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The NCAA Might Have A Gambling Problem, The Stakes Getting Higher - OutKick

A close aide to Inspector Sua, a police officer accused of running a multi-billion baht online gambling network and money laundering scheme, died, apparently from suicide, in his detention cell at Khlong Luek police station in Sa Kaeo province yesterday (Monday).

Pongsathon Inamnuay, director of the Bureau of Narcotic Crimes at the Department of Special Investigations (DSI), told the media today that the suspect, identified only as Phakphum, was found dead in his detention cell yesterday morning, before he was due to be taken to the DSI for questioning.

Pongsathon said that the suspects death might be the result of stress, as the suspect had told his colleagues that he might commit suicide if he could not resolve his case this month.

The deceaseds remains will be sent to the Police General Hospital in Bangkok for an autopsy.

Phakphum was charged with money laundering and organising illegal online gambling, but Pongsathon said DSI officials suspect that Phakphum might also have been involved in illegal narcotics trafficking by selling Happy Water, a synthetic drug cocktail, to gamblers.

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Suspect in online gambling network investigation apparently kills self in police detention - Thai PBS World

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How blockchain is changing the online casino & betting industry - UKTN (UK Technology News