Month: April 2025

Offshore Gambling Market Shrinks Further in Norway as Local Activity Rises

A new report from Norway’s Lotteritilsynet shows continued decline in the offshore gambling market, with more players opting for domestic licensed operators. However, rising gambling activity among young adults has raised new concerns.

Key Data for 2024:

  • Around 2 million players engaged with Norsk Tipping, up from 1.8 million in 2023
  • Norsk Rikstoto also reported an increase in its player base
  • Turnover from games competing with offshore operators rose from NOK 2.6 billion in 2023 to NOK 3.1 billion in 2024
  • Instaspill showed the most significant growth among domestic offerings

Offshore Market Trends:

  • Offshore operators’ net turnover dropped from NOK 1.6 billion in 2023 to NOK 1.3 billion in 2024
  • Market share for offshore operators in high-risk games declined from 29–35% to 22–28%

Lotteritilsynet notes that channelization efforts—the movement of players from illegal to legal operators—are reaching a limit, suggesting more specialized interventions may be necessary.

Concerns About Young Adults:

  • Increasing numbers of 18–25-year-olds are engaging in high-risk gambling behaviors
  • Authorities recommend Norsk Tipping adjust its casino and online gaming offerings to reduce risk exposure for younger players

The full findings have been submitted to Norway’s Ministry of Culture, with recommendations directed at Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto for further action.

FDJ United Reports €925M in Q1 2025 Revenue, Up 30%

FDJ United has announced strong financial results for Q1 2025, reporting revenue of €925 million—a 30% year-on-year increase. The growth was primarily driven by solid performance in France’s lottery and retail sports betting segments, despite regulatory headwinds in the Netherlands and the UK.

Lottery Revenue Breakdown:

  • Total lottery revenue: €528 million (+5%)
  • Online lottery revenue: €79 million (+14%)
  • Euromillions jackpot reached €250 million after launching at €130 million on March 7 and being won on March 28
  • Online lottery now represents 15% of total lottery revenue
  • Active lottery players reached 5.8 million by end of March 2025

Retail Sports Betting:

  • Revenue: €561 million (+2%)
  • Growth driven by a 5% rise in stakes, especially in football betting supported by new European formats and strong French club performance
  • Despite this, overall sports betting revenue declined 1% to €112 million, due to unfavorable outcomes for the operator

Online Segment Challenges:

  • Revenue: €231 million, down 10% at constant scope and exchange rates
  • Active players grew over 5% vs Q4 2024 and nearly 10% vs Q1 2024

Country-Level Impact:

  • Netherlands: Revenue dropped 41% due to monthly deposit caps (from October 2024) and a tax hike from 30.5% to 34.2% starting January 2025
  • Channeling rate fell below 50%, indicating a growing black market
  • UK: Revenue fell 27%, mainly due to tough 2024 regulations and a high comparison base, even as player activity increased
  • Excluding NL & UK: Revenue grew nearly 8%, driven by strong performance in France and favorable football betting dynamics

Three Tennis Officials Sanctioned for Falsifying Match Data to Support Betting

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has imposed strict penalties on three officials found guilty of entering false match data to support betting activities. The offenses occurred between 2018 and 2021 and resulted in one lifetime ban and two multi-year suspensions.

Luis Rodriguez, Antonio Sosa, and Wellingthon Lopez manipulated scoring data during matches played in the Dominican Republic. Despite denying the allegations, all were found guilty through independent hearings.

Key Figures and Sanctions:

  • Luis Rodriguez: Falsified data in 6 matches between 2018 and 2020. Received a lifetime ban and a $15,000 fine. Ban effective from 21 January 2025.
  • Antonio Sosa: Found guilty of data manipulation in 2 matches in 2021. Handed a 5-year suspension and a $3,000 fine. Ban retroactive to October 2022, ending October 2027.
  • Wellingthon Lopez: Involved in 2 matches during 2019 and 2020. Received a 4.5-year suspension and a $1,000 fine. Ban applied from October 2021, ending April 2026.

The case follows a broader crackdown by the ITIA on corruption in tennis. Earlier this month, five players received sanctions for involvement in a Belgium-based betting syndicate linked to convicted match-fixer Grigor Sargsyan.

These developments underscore ITIA’s continued focus on maintaining data integrity and upholding trust in professional tennis.

One in Four Over-Indebted Finns Use Payday Loans for Gambling

A recent survey by Takaisinperintä has highlighted a concerning link between payday loans and gambling in Finland. Among heavily indebted individuals, 28% reported taking out payday loans specifically to fund gambling or betting.

The survey included 765 respondents who had sought help from Takaisinperintä, a service assisting those overwhelmed by payday loan debt. In Finland, approximately 300,000 people are classified as over-indebted due to such loans, and nearly one in ten citizens face enforcement actions each year.

While some use payday loans to deal with everyday financial emergencies, gambling often worsens the situation. Around 32% of respondents identified gambling addiction as a significant factor in their financial distress. For many, the debt spiral is triggered by life events like health issues, divorce, unemployment, or addiction.

In Finland, the smallest available payday loan is €2,000. One-third of those surveyed had taken loans between €2,000 and €3,000. A troubling trend is the practice of taking out new loans to repay old ones. About 65% of participants admitted to borrowing again to pay off previous loans, deepening the debt cycle.

Moreover, 25% reported turning to friends or family to help cover payday loan obligations. Despite existing regulations, the findings suggest that high interest rates, vague terms, and poor credit assessments continue to leave vulnerable individuals exposed.

Global Market Turmoil Hits Gambling Stocks Amid New Tariffs

Global stock markets have entered a period of intense volatility, with gambling companies among the hardest hit. The turbulence began after President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs, sparking fears of a global trade war, inflation, and a potential economic slowdown.

Major indices suffered heavy losses: the S&P 500 dropped over 8%, Nasdaq nearly 9%, and the FTSE 100 fell more than 10%. European and Asian markets fared even worse, with the DAX and STOXX Europe 600 down nearly 13%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng plunging by 14.5%.

Gambling stocks took a sharp blow. UK-listed evoke plc lost over 20% in just five days, while Entain fell by 16%. Better Collective in the affiliate sector saw a 15% drop. In the US, Wynn Resorts and PENN Entertainment both lost over 13%, while Las Vegas Sands and MGM Resorts declined by 11% and 9.5%, respectively. DraftKings and Caesars Entertainment also saw notable losses.

Asian gaming firms didn’t escape the downturn either. Sands China dropped more than 17%, and Galaxy Entertainment fell by 16%.

With recession fears rising—JP Morgan puts the odds at 60%—the focus turns to what comes next. Analysts at Regulus Partners suggest that tariffs could significantly impact consumer spending, reducing visits to land-based casinos but possibly boosting demand for online gambling as a lower-cost alternative.

They also point out that state-by-state online gambling regulation in the US might accelerate as governments search for new tax revenues. However, the economic disruption from tariffs could hit emerging markets hard, particularly those in Asia and South America reliant on exports to the US.

While online gambling may benefit in some regions, Regulus warns that in countries with economic instability, like Argentina or Venezuela, the risks may outweigh the benefits. The full impact of these tariffs on the global gambling sector could be deeper and more complex than a standard economic slowdown.

Over 40,000 Australians Register with BetStop to Limit Gambling

More than 40,000 Australians have signed up for BetStop, the national self-exclusion register, to take control of their gambling habits. The program blocks users from accessing licensed online and phone betting services across the country.

As of the end of March 2025, BetStop had recorded 40,121 total registrations. Of those, 27,763 are currently active, meaning many individuals have either completed their exclusion period or decided to end it early.

New registrations have been gradually decreasing. In Q1 of the 2024–2025 fiscal year, only 4,521 new users joined, a drop from previous quarters and a nearly 40% decline compared to the same period last year.

State-level data shows that New South Wales has the most registrants, followed by Victoria and Queensland. On the other hand, the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory have reported the lowest numbers.

In terms of age, nearly half of the people who signed up are 30 years old or younger, and a third are aged 31–40. When it comes to exclusion periods, about 39% chose a lifetime ban, while another 39% picked a timeframe between three months and two years.

Sportradar Sets Ambitious Growth Targets Through 2027

Sportradar Group AG, a major force in global sports technology, has revealed its financial growth strategy for the next few years, with bold projections extending to 2027. The Switzerland-based company, listed on NASDAQ, expects to reach at least €1.7 billion in annual revenue, alongside notable improvements in profitability and cash generation.

The company forecasts its revenue to grow at an average annual rate of 15%, fueled by its strong position in the sports betting sector. Serving more than 2,100 clients globally, Sportradar plans to capitalize on the broader expansion of the sports betting market, which is also projected to grow at a steady double-digit pace.

Profitability is a key part of the strategy. Sportradar is targeting Adjusted EBITDA of at least €455 million by 2027, marking a 27% annual growth rate. This suggests a focus not just on growing top-line revenue, but also on improving efficiency and profit margins.

One of the most significant goals is expanding the company’s EBITDA margin by 700 basis points. This indicates a strategic push to streamline operations and better leverage its broad portfolio of sports data and technology solutions.

Additionally, the company aims to increase free cash flow to €275 million by 2027, with a conversion rate of 60% or higher. This would provide greater flexibility for reinvestment and potential expansion into related markets, solidifying Sportradar’s position as a long-term industry leader.