Belgium Gambling Ban Rolls Out for Under 21s

A Belgium gambling ban for under 21s has rolled out, prohibiting everyone in the country under this age from participating in any form of gambling. This move is the latest in a string of decisions taken by Belgian authorities in an attempt to control the country’s gambling industry and limit the potential for gambling-related harm.

Let’s take a look at the ban in more detail, examine what led the government to this decision and discuss what the Belgium gambling ban might mean for operators. Read on to find out more.

Details of the Ban

Previously, Belgium’s gambling laws stipulated that only players over the age of 21 could visit casinos, while those over the age of 18 were permitted to participate in other forms of gambling, such as sports betting.

However, in a new move, the Belgian government has rolled out a blanket ban for all players under the age of 21. What this means is that all forms of gambling are prohibited for players under this age, including casino gambling, sports betting, bingo and arcades.

The new rules, sent out by the Belgium Gaming Commission, also forbid a single website from holding multiple gaming licenses.

What Led to the Decision?

The Belgium gambling ban appears to be a bold move, but an unsurprising one given the country’s previous track record of strict gambling regulations. Over the past four years, the country has rolled out bans to prohibit free bet offers and bonuses, while also establishing a €200 weekly deposit limit. In addition, legislation passed in 2023 sought to completely forbid gambling adverts.

Gambling laws are being relaxed across much of the world, which is why the Belgium gambling ban came as such a shock for many. Authorities in the country have outlined the reasons behind the ban; stating that it was designed to reduce rates of gambling addiction among young people in a cost-effective way.

However, critics of the ban have pushed back and said it could lead to a rise in the use of illegal, black-market sites. Given that these sites are by nature unregulated and essentially unmonitored, they do little to offer player protections. If the Belgium gambling ban does drive users to these sites, it could end up causing more harm than it prevents.

What Does This Mean for Operators?

Operators currently offering services in Belgium must take steps to meet these new regulatory standards. Failure to adhere to the new rules could see operators faced with serious financial and legal penalties.

What about iGaming and online sports betting operators with existing customers under the age of 21? According to the Belgium gambling ban legislation, all such customers must have any credit associated with their accounts refunded in full, along with any wagers made without adequate age verification procedures in place.

Conclusion

The Belgium gambling ban is an important development that all operators and providers must be aware of. These new rules mean that age verification processes must be overhauled, and operators need to enact these changes quickly to ensure they are compliant with the new laws.

Live Sic Bo: The Next Big Thing for Online Casinos?

The world of online gambling is one of constant evolution. Trends come and go, and player preferences can be difficult to predict for operators. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a surge in the popularity of one game in particular: live Sic Bo.

In this guide, we take a detailed look at live Sic Bo and discuss why it is proving to be such a popular game. We’ll also examine what Sic Bo can offer your online casino and why it’s quickly becoming a go-to choice for operators. Read on to learn more.

What is Live Sic Bo?

Sic Bo is a dice game that is thought to have originated in Ancient China. The rules of the game are incredibly simple; the dealer rolls three dice and players predict and place wagers on the outcome. Sic Bo shares some similarities with craps but simplifies the gameplay and removes some of the more confusing rules.

Players can place a range of different bets. They can predict the total value of the numbers on the dice, between 11 to 17 or 4 to 10. They can also bet on the number of doubles or triples that will appear. Additionally, players can wager on the appearance of specific numbers on one or more dice.

Live Sic Bo is the latest iteration of this long-standing dice game. While digital versions of Sic Bo have existed for some time, live Sic Bo retains key aspects of the original game that ensure nothing is lost during the digital translation. Rather than using purely artificial game systems, dealers and number generators, live Sic Bo games employ a real dealer who is live-streamed to the players at the virtual table.

Why is Live Sic Bo So Popular?

Players enjoy Sic Bo for, among other reasons, its simple and easy-to-understand rules. For new players in particular, casino games can appear intimidating, especially if a player is unfamiliar with the rules or the particular variation of a game being played. Sic Bo is about as simple as a casino game can get, making it the perfect choice for new players or those who just want a quick, easy game.

When talking about live Sic Bo specifically, there are a few factors to consider when discussing its popularity. The first of these is accessibility. While Sic Bo is an increasingly popular game, it’s still overshadowed by famous titles like blackjack and roulette. Many land-based casinos don’t offer Sic Bo as an option, which means that many looking to play the game must turn to online alternatives.

With live Sic Bo, players can enjoy the game from the comfort of their own homes, without sacrificing the atmosphere and opportunities for social interaction they might find in a land-based casino. The game allows players to interact with one another and the dealer, setting it apart from purely digital recreations of the game.

Stand Out from the Crowd

The online gambling market has grown considerably over recent years, and this trend is expected to continue in the future. There are more players than ever, and as player numbers increase so do the number of operators looking to service them.

As an operator, this market growth means the competition has intensified, and to succeed in such a saturated market you will need to think outside of the box. Offering a game like live Sic Bo will help your platform stand out from the crowd.

It’s important to offer games like blackjack and live roulette, as these are still extremely popular, but by diversifying your catalogue to include games like Sic Bo, you’ll attract a broader range of players, including experienced players looking for something new and different.

Target New Markets

As we touched on earlier, Sic Bo originates in Asia, and the game is still incredibly popular in the region. As the owner of an online casino platform, expanding into new markets and territories is no doubt a top priority. Offering live Sic Bo is the perfect way to do so; it can be used to target new markets and player demographics, particularly in Asian countries such as China.

In 2022, the online gambling market value was recorded at over £63 billion in China alone. This clearly demonstrates the potential that exists in Asian markets and live Sic Bo can serve as the perfect vehicle for effectively targeting players in these regions.

Conclusion

Live Sic Bo has enjoyed a boom in recent times, fuelled by improvements in technology and shifting player preferences. Operators should look to include the game as part of their offering. Doing so will help your platform stand out from the crowd and beat the competition, while it will also give you the opportunity to target new geographic locations and player demographics.

New Zealand Gambling Market Expected to Generate $500m in Revenue

Last month, we reported that the government of New Zealand had set out plans to establish a regulated online gambling market by the year 2026. Now, authorities have predicted that a New Zealand gambling market has the potential to generate NZ$500m (US$301.1m) in revenue for the country.

Revenue opportunities are a key factor in the government’s decision to regulate online gambling, while other benefits include increased protection for players. Let’s discuss how the New Zealand gambling market is progressing and what the future may hold for online gambling in the country.

Rollout in 2026

In July, New Zealand’s Minister of Internal Affairs made public plans to establish a regulated online gambling market in the country.

Online casino licences will be distributed to operators via an auction format, with stringent regulations in place that operators must meet before they can successfully bid for a licence.

Also included in plans for a New Zealand gambling market are rules surrounding player protection and the reduction of gambling-related harm.

New gambling regulations are expected to roll out in 2026, bringing gambling laws in New Zealand, which currently exist in something of a legal grey area, fully up to date.

Revenue Expectations

Of course, news of a New Zealand gambling market will be welcome for operators with an eye on global international expansion. Despite it being currently illegal for domestic operators to offer online gambling services in New Zealand, the sector is booming nonetheless, with a highly engaged player base that makes the country an attractive prospect for operators and online casino owners.

The New Zealand gambling market won’t just benefit operators, however. It will also create financial opportunities for the government and generate new and significant revenue streams.

According to reports, the government expects a New Zealand gambling market to generate $500m in revenue. However, some experts have claimed that is estimate falls short of the true value of the industry, countering that revenue could reach as high as $1bn.

Enhanced Player Protections

Generating revenue isn’t the only reason the government is looking to establish a regulated New Zealand gambling market. The move is also designed to offer better protection for players in the country and to minimise the risk of gambling-related harm.

Details as to how exactly the government will achieve this are relatively scarce, but they are believed to include strict limitations on advertising and marketing and a ban on gambling sponsorships.

By regulating the market, the New Zealand authorities will ensure all operators in the country adhere to the standards they set out. Doing so is impossible with the legislation as it currently exists, so establishing a regulated New Zealand gambling market will be critical to keeping players safe and promoting responsible gambling messaging.

Conclusion

If the financial forecasts are to be believed, implementing a regulated iGaming market will pay dividends for the government of New Zealand. Currently, the rollout is expected sometime in 2026, provided there are no unforeseen delays. The move will undoubtedly offer benefits to the government, operators and players in New Zealand, the latter of which will have the chance to enjoy games like live blackjack and live roulette.

Vivo Gaming at SiGMA Asia

Vivo Gaming joined operators and partners at SiGMA Asia, one of the region’s largest gaming gatherings, to showcase its Asian studios and native-language content.

With a floor in Sri Lanka and native Vietnamese and Thai tables, Asia is a core part of Vivo Gaming’s follow-the-sun network.

The team meets operators and partners at events across the calendar. Book a meeting with Vivo Gaming, or explore our live dealer solutions.

Regulated Online Gambling in Brazil Moves Closer

We’ve been covering Brazil’s journey towards a regulated gambling market for a number of months. The gambling industry has been watching the situation closely, and it appears as if online gambling in Brazil has moved one step closer to fruition.

Given the size of the country, it’s no surprise to learn that the process of establishing a regulated gambling sector has been lengthy and complex. Let’s explore the latest development and discuss what it means for online gambling in Brazil.

What Has Happened So Far?

In April, we reported that the Brazilian government had outlined a four-step roadmap to gambling regulation, through which frameworks for things like payments, security, advertising and anti-criminal activity would be established.

There was another development in June, with the country passing a passing to legalise online gambling in Brazil, including both online casinos and sports betting. The Brazilian Justice and Citizenship Commission passed the bill by 14 votes to 12, from where it will go on for further review in the Brazilian Senate.

As well as online gambling, the bill promises to legalise land-based casino resorts, bingo and horseracing. In addition, the bill introduced a number of new tax rules and player protection regulations designed to maximise revenue from operators in the country and mitigate any potential gambling-related harm.

What’s the Latest Development?

Towards the end of July and beginning of August, Brazil rolled out a series of ordinances to progress the launch of the country’s regulated gambling market.

The first of these green-lighted the rollout of online gambling in Brazil, permitting the operation of a number of online games in the country. The remaining ordinances covered a range of issues, including operator inspections, revenue and tax collection, player protection and social responsibility requirements.

A final ordinance gave details on sanctions operators can expect to face should they be found to be in breach of regulations. These breaches include things like operating without a licence and obstructing state inspections, with sanctions that range from warnings to licence suspensions.

Another element to this latest development concerned advertising. Specifically, authorities clarified advertising rules, particularly advertising for online gambling in Brazil. Adverts must be responsible and not portray gambling as a ‘socially attractive’ activity. Furthermore, the government outlined a ban on influencer advertising for gambling services in the country.

Potential for Delays

Brazilian authorities have worked hard throughout 2024 to launch the country’s regulated gambling market. However, some experts predict the rollout could face delays, with the final vote in the Senate a potential roadblock.

According to CNN, the Senate president is said to believe that other matters should take priority over gambling and that the gambling bill could be pushed back while the Senate focuses on different issues first.

However, the fact that the framework seems to be largely in place means that a potential delay in the Senate isn’t the end of the world. Once the bill is finally passed, that should open up a clear path to a regulated Brazilian gambling market.

Conclusion

The road to regulated online gambling in Brazil has been rumbling on for some time but, with these latest developments, it now looks to be closer than ever. There will no doubt be further news to come from Brazil as the rollout approaches, and it’s a situation all operators will be keeping a close eye on.

Vivo Gaming Partners with Portomaso Gaming

Vivo Gaming has partnered with Portomaso Gaming to bring Vivo Gaming’s live roulette, blackjack and game-show content to Portomaso’s operator network.

The agreement extends Vivo Gaming’s distribution further across European and emerging markets, pairing Portomaso’s reach with Vivo Gaming’s AI-native production.

Content goes live in stages across the network.

Interested in adding Vivo Gaming live content to your platform? Book a meeting with the commercial team.

How to Deliver the Perfect Online Casino Experience

The boom in online gaming over the past few years means players now have more choices than ever before. While this is certainly a plus point for players, it has made things more difficult for operators. To stand out from the crowd, operators must be able to deliver the perfect online casino experience.

This, however, is easier said than done. There is a lot to think about when it comes to operating an online casino, every aspect of your platform must be of an exceptionally high standard if you want to succeed. Let’s take a closer look at how operators can deliver the perfect online casino experience.

Games Offering

First and foremost, you’ve got to think about why players decide to visit an online casino. Thankfully, the answer is obvious. Players visit online casinos to play casino games. However, you can’t expect players to flock to your platform just because you have a few of the standard games available. These games can be played anywhere, so you’ll have to think carefully about the titles you offer if you want to beat the competition.

Players expect to see games like blackjack and roulette, but you’ll need to think outside of the box if you want to keep them engaged. Live dealer variations, such as live blackjack, can be a fantastic solution. These games offer the best of both worlds; the ease and convenience of online gambling with the thrill and interactive elements of land-based casino games.

Look into other options too. Games like Teen Patti and Sic Bo might not be as well known as blackjack or roulette, but they are increasingly popular and can give your casino a unique selling point to help attract players.

User Experience

The user experience is absolutely critical for the success of online casinos. If players find that the experience is slow or unreliable, they won’t hesitate to seek out an alternative platform. The tech framework behind your platform must be robust and versatile. It must be capable of running across multiple platforms, devices and operating systems, offering your players the same seamless experience regardless of the method they use to access your site.

The VIVO Gaming Game Lobby can offer operators a fully customizable solution. The framework is fully compatible with a range of major CMS systems to ensure a seamless user experience. What’s more, the lobby can be customized with branded skins to further enhance the experience and deliver your brand message.

Offers and Promotions

Players will visit your online casino platform to enjoy the games you have available, and they will be more likely to stick around if you can provide them with a seamless user experience. However, if you want to really stand out from the competition and ensure players pick your platform over another, running offers and promotions can be an effective way of doing so.

Offering something at a discounted value, or promising rewards and prizes, taps into the human psyche and can be extremely effective at drawing in new customers. Promotions can be designed to reflect special events and occasions, such as holidays or sporting events, to maximise engagement across your customer base and deliver an entertaining and memorable casino experience.

Safety and Security

The final point on our list is safety and security. While these concepts might not seem as exciting as games or special promos, they are absolutely critical to delivering an effective casino experience and can prove to be the key that determines whether or not players will return to your platform.

Conduct regular audits of your platform’s security system to ensure there are no vulnerabilities. It’s important to keep all software fully updated, as failure to do so can leave your platform at risk. You should always take steps to safeguard customer data, and only retain data if absolutely necessary.

Offering advanced payment methods such as e-wallets can help keep your platform and your customers more secure. In doing so, you’ll give your players more confidence and ensure they feel comfortable using your platform, elevating the casino experience.

Conclusion

In today’s saturated online gambling landscape, delivering the perfect online casino experience is critical if you want to succeed. Doing so involves careful planning and consideration, and operators must pay particular attention to the games they offer, the user experience, offers and promotions and the safety and security of their platforms.

Why Should Online Casinos Offer Live Bingo Games?

We often picture classic titles like blackjack and roulette when we think of casino games. While these are undoubtedly the most popular table games, both in land-based casinos and online, they are by no means the only options. Live bingo is having something of a resurgence and is quickly becoming the game of choice for many players.

As an online casino operator, it’s important that you pay attention to industry trends and changing customer preferences. Read on to find out why your platform should offer live bingo games.

What are Live Bingo Games?

Bingo is a game we’re almost all familiar with. Its simple rules are the driving force behind its success. Just about anyone can pick up the rules of bingo pretty quickly, and it requires no previous knowledge of other types of gambling games.

In a game of bingo, players are issued scorecards. Each scorecard has a grid of randomly generated numbers, from 1 to 75. The bingo caller will operate a machine that spits out numbered balls at random, he will then call out the number, and any player with that number on their scorecard can cross it out. The aim of the game is to check off a horizontal line of numbers, called a ‘Bingo’, and ultimately to check off all of the numbers on a scorecard, referred to as a ‘Full House’.

Traditionally, bingo is played in a live format, with players gathering in a dedicated bingo hall. The shift to the online world saw a number of digital bingo games come to the fore, but these never really took off in the way operators would have hoped. This is where live bingo games come in. By harnessing the power of streaming technology, operators can now offer digital bingo experiences that carry all the hallmarks of traditional live bingo games, featuring a real caller and real bingo balls.

Why should today’s online casinos offer live bingo games? Read on to find out.

Something a Little Different

Players today are spoiled for choice. There is a near-limitless number of online casinos out there, each of which offers variations of classic games like roulette and blackjack. While it’s important that your platform also offers these titles, standing out from the crowd means you’re going to have to give your players something a little bit different.

Bingo is perceived in a different way when compared to games like blackjack. It’s often seen as more fun, less serious and something that groups of friends can enjoy together. Crucially, while classic table games can be intimidating for new players, bingo is accessible and easy to understand, the perfect choice for new players.

Having live bingo games as part of your product offering can give your online casino a unique selling point. Whether it’s experienced players looking for something new, or new players looking for an easy, friendly game to enjoy, live bingo games are the perfect option.

Tap Into New Demographics

As we touched on earlier, bingo is often viewed as a game for older people. However, in recent years this stereotype has started to change. Live bingo games specifically designed to target young people have proved extremely successful, and this trend has certainly translated into the online world, with 25-34-year-olds the largest demographic of online bingo players.

Another key point to note is that live bingo games are played by more women than men, in contrast to other casino games. Operators have long struggled to effectively target young women, so live bingo games could be the perfect vehicle for doing so.

Customisation Options

One of the biggest selling points of bingo lies in its versatility. The interactive, gameshow-like quality of bingo makes it ideal for customisation. This means you can individualise your live bingo games to suit the aesthetics of your brand, or to market specific promotions or offers.

For example, if you’re launching a seasonal Christmas promotion, you can quite easily run a Christmas-themed bingo game to increase exposure and engage your customers. Furthermore, you have the option of running multiple live bingo games simultaneously. Each of these can have a different theme and different prizes. This will ensure you cover all possible bases and that you’ll have something to appeal to all players, no matter their personal tastes or preferences.

Conclusion

Live bingo games have exploded in popularity in recent years. They come with some unique benefits, and all casino operators should consider including them as part of their product line. They offer players something a little different, can be used to tap into new demographics and can be customised to suit brand identity and marketing strategies.

New Zealand Online Casinos to be Regulated by 2026

New Zealand online casinos are set to be regulated by the year 2026, according to plans laid out by the country’s government. Online gambling in New Zealand has existed in something of a grey area for some time, with vague laws in place and the only online casinos available to players based overseas. This all looks set to change.

Online gambling laws around the world are constantly being reviewed and updated, with this revelation about New Zealand online casinos coming as the latest development for the industry. Let’s take a closer look at how online casinos will be regulated in the country and what this means for the sector as we move forward.

Online Gambling in New Zealand

Gambling laws in New Zealand haven’t been updated since 2003, meaning they are considerably underequipped to deal with the changing face of gambling, namely the massive shift we’ve seen towards online platforms and services. While legislation exists to regulate land-based casinos and sports betting, no such laws are in place for online casinos and iGaming.

As we mentioned earlier, online gambling is in a state of limbo in New Zealand, with no real laws in place to regulate it one way or the other. What this means is that, while players in New Zealand can access online casinos, all platforms are owned by overseas operators.

This situation is far from ideal. It gives the authorities in New Zealand less control and means they don’t receive any financial benefits from operators targeting citizens in the country. It’s for these reasons that the government now plans to regulate New Zealand online casinos and establish a framework for online gambling in the country. Let’s find out more.

Planned Legislation

New Zealand Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden recently disclosed government plans to regulate online casinos.

According to van Velden, a limited number of licenses will be issued to operators in the country. These will be distributed through an auction-style format, with all bidders required to meet established regulatory standards before being eligible for a licence.

By establishing a framework for New Zealand online casinos, the government hopes to minimise the risk of gambling-related harm in the country and generate tax benefits through the licensing of online casinos and gambling platforms.

These plans are still in the early stages, with the new framework expected to roll out sometime in 2026.

A Shift in Attitude

In recent years, we’ve seen significant shifts in attitudes towards gambling across the world. From the US to Asia, more and more countries are regulating the industry to protect players, stamp out illegal activity and reap the financial rewards.

Plans to regulate New Zealand online casinos are a clear indication that the country’s attitude towards gambling is changing. The news comes shortly after New Zealand authorities overhauled the country’s horse racing industry, with these new plans promising to take the country one step further forward to a fully regulated gambling sector.

Conclusion

The online gambling industry is going through boom times, driven by the proliferation of digital platforms and continued regulation around the world. New Zealand online casinos will no doubt enjoy a similar boom with the introduction of a new legislative framework, a move that will benefit operators and players alike and make games like live blackjack available to players in New Zealand.

Delays Expected For German Gambling Regulation Review

A review of German gambling regulations, which is to include an assessment of the success of the country’s State Treaty on Gambling, is likely to face delays. According to the German Online Casino Association (DOCV), has stated that delays to the German gambling regulation review could have a range of negative outcomes, including a flourishing black market.

Let’s take a look at the German gambling regulation review in more detail and discuss what it means for the industry in Germany moving forward. Read on to find out more.

State Treaty on Gambling

The German State Treaty on Gambling was rolled out in 2020. The legislation launched a regulated market for online poker, slot games and sports betting in the country for the first time.

In June of this year, the German gambling regulator (GGL) published an initial update on the success of the Treaty, with news that a full review of the legislation was to come.

As part of the German gambling regulation review, the GGL is expected to overhaul the online slots application process for operators. The organisation will look to optimise this process and make it easier for operators to ensure they are working within the confines of existing regulations before making an application. This should speed up the process and prevent backlogs from occurring, while also ensuring all safety and compliance standards are being met.

According to the GGL, the full German gambling regulation review will be published sometime in 2026. However, the DOCV have pushed back on this claim, citing a number of concerns that could lead to delays.

What’s Behind the Delays?

The DOCV pushed back against the proposed publication timeline for the German gambling regulation review, with the body instead maintaining that they don’t expect to see the full report until 2027 at least.

The DOCV cited a previous six-month delay to the initial report as evidence that the full review would face the same difficulties. In addition, reported issues that the GGL is facing with staff and resources are also expected to delay the publication.

The DOCV has made it clear that delays to the German gambling regulation review could have serious implications, particularly in regard to the fight against black market operators.

The Black Market

The black market has become a topic of contention in Germany. In the GGL’s June update, the organisation claimed that illicit operators accounted for just 4% of the German gambling industry. However, the DOCV and other organisations have refuted this estimate, and research published by the University of Leipzig found that upwards of 49% of German players were using black market platforms and providers.

The DOCV has warned that delays to the German gambling regulation review will give the black market further space to flourish, making it more difficult to stamp out in the future, creating potential player risks and reducing the overall tax benefit of a regulated industry.

Conclusion

Given that the GGL is a relatively new organisation, teething problems in its operation are to be expected. However, it will need to act quickly to mitigate the negative impact of the German black market, so all involved parties will be hoping the regulation review comes sooner rather than later.