Weekend gaming updates: Fresh insights from the gaming world
Let's dive into the latest happenings from the gaming sphere that piques our audience's interest. Here, we cover significant strides, feedback, and events that steer the gambling industry's primary focus.
Key evaluations, player testimonials, and events shaping the industry's direction
Insights into key individuals instrumental in the growth and fulfillment of the gaming community's desires.
Matviyenko orders evaluations of services in the gambling sector
Russian senators have been instructed by the Speaker of the Federation Council, Valentina Matviyenko, to assess the performance of the online gambling market:
She emphasizes the need for regulation to ensure operations based on rules rather than chaos.
Banks in Hungary join the battle against illegal online casinos
A tough battle against illegal gambling operators has been declared in Hungary due to the serious threat they pose to the country by depriving it of the necessary tax revenues for societal progress.
From this month onward, bank accounts associated with such organizations will be blocked, including all deposits and payments related to unlicensed gambling sites. In the future, illegal websites will face blocking and penalties, aiming to protect the interests of online players by eliminating the possibility of playing or betting since there will be no way to open a deposit or receive winnings.
Ban on bookmakers using "fast games" technology
The tightening of requirements for gambling equipment used by bookmakers leads to the ban on using "fast games" technology, including slot machines and gaming tables, both online and offline.
The document explains the new demands:
The explanatory note to the bill explains the details of the new requirements:
From September 1 next year, betting on events where the result depends on the organizer of the gambling games and their employees will also be prohibited.
Additionally, taxes, registration fees for imported mobile devices, and other areas have been increased. The government claims that this step is necessary to balance the budget and fund core services. Time will tell if this step is justified.
Revenue from licenses in the gambling industry will support education
The payment of licenses in the sphere of organizing and conducting gambling games, as well as licenses for lottery operations, bring substantial revenue to the budget. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine reports that these funds will be directed towards educational events, allowing higher and professional education institutions to receive financial support. Over 76 million UAH has already been allocated to higher education institutions for urgent repair work on facilities.
Development of a special subdomain is proposed
State Duma deputy Ivan Suhaрев has proposed the development of a special subdomain for the placement of gambling organization websites. The parliamentarian believes that recently, unlicensed individuals have been creating illegal online resources in the internet, operating like bookmaker offices and casinos, but without legal regulation or guarantee of refund for players. Deputy Suhaрев also proposes:
This subdomain will be a secure space for online resources of legal gambling organizers in Russia. Access may be limited, including for fraudsters.
Cancellation of Joker online casino's license overturned by court
Last year, KRAIL revoked the license of the Joker online casino. This decision was appealed in court. LLC "DZOKER.YUA" requested that the court recognize the KRAIL decision as unlawful and cancel the decision to revoke Joker's license, under which gambling business was conducted in Ukraine. The court granted the claim, recognizing the KRAIL decision as unlawful. KRAIL will have to pay a court fee to the state in the amount of 2684 UAH.
Three-year isolation of famous forward linked to gambling addiction
In one of the broadcasts, former Rubin, Zenit, and Rostov forward Alexander Buharov admitted his dependence on gambling, which began when he moved to St. Petersburg.
In 2010, he won $20,000 by participating in the Pokerstars Sunday Million online tournament and spending over 11 hours playing.
Scammers and fraudsters haunt the gambling world
The gambling industry attracts both ambitious winners and deceivers seeking quick money through illegal activities.
Store money spent on casino games
A saleswoman from one of the stores in Mogilev became a suspect in a criminal case because she stole money from the store and gambled it away in a casino.
The motivation for the crime was the need for money for online casino gambling. She had been gambling in gambling establishments before, but had used money from the family budget for it.
The criminal case is ongoing. The suspect may face imprisonment of 2 to 5 years.
Gambling in prison and extorting money from inmates
In the capital region, Ukrainian law enforcement shut down a criminal group that organized gambling right in places of detention, extorting money from inmates for their own enrichment.
Law enforcement reports that the offenders could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison, and explains the situation as follows:
During searches at the offenders' locations, the following were seized:
- Draft records with bank card numbers to which funds were transferred.
- Mobile phones.
- Bank cards.
The offenders were notified of suspicion of criminal offenses involving establishing, spreading criminal influence, and extortion.
All-in from the organizers of the illegal casino
People always seek quick money. Even the state's fight against the underground gambling business cannot reduce the number of ambitious money seekers.
In November 2022 - May 2023, organizers held gambling events in uninhabited apartments in Norilsk. Gamblers were invited to participate. During the next gaming session, the underground casino was raided by law enforcement.
The search uncovered and seized:
- 32 gaming computers.
- 2 administrator computers.
- Recorders.
- Video cameras.
- Over 300,000 rubles.
A criminal case has been opened for the illegal organization and conduct of gambling.
Passwords obtained, credit taken
In the Sumy region, a gambling addict managed to trick his girlfriends into giving him the passwords to their Privat24 and Monobank accounts, then took out loans and spent them on bets at Parimatch. He also tried to pay off his old debts, but the case went to court, which sentenced him to six years in prison.
The behavior of the victims is also surprising. They provided the acquaintance with:
- Passport photos.
- Registration numbers of taxpayer identification cards.
- Bank account numbers.
- Logins and passwords to mobile apps.
During the court hearing, all materials of the criminal case were examined. The addict was sentenced to a real prison term. He will have to pay two victims 36,932.77 UAH and 15,600 UAH respectively.
Resort in Karaganda - not a place for gambling
The suburban recreation zone "Baiterek Resort" near Karaganda has become a place for illegal poker games for money. Gambling is prohibited here, but it is allowed in Kapshagai and at the Borovoe resort base (Akmola region).
The organizer of the poker games:
- Handled card distribution to players.
- Exchanged gaming chips for money.
- Received a 3% commission from each game conducted.
The organizer's guilt was proven by the materials of the criminal case and physical evidence seized during a search. The court found him guilty and fined him 500 monthly calculation indicators, which is equivalent to 1,725,000 tenge in real terms.
Illegal gambling business disrupted in Maykop district
The criminal activity of a criminal quartet of local residents aged 27-64 was detected by officers of the MVD of Russia for the Maykop district. They are suspected of organizing and conducting illegal gambling.
The organizer of the illegal business is considered to be a resident of Maykop born in 1964, who rented two non-residential premises in the village of Tul'skoye in September last year. They were equipped with computer equipment with appropriate software for conducting gambling through the Internet. Three people were involved in the illegal activity as operators.
Raids on the underground club and the places of residence of the members of the organized group resulted in the seizure of:
Various electronic devices.Tablets.Phones.Bank cards.Documents.Draft notes.Cash funds.
- What was the focus of Valentina Matviyenko's evaluation request regarding the gambling sector in Russia? She wanted to ensure the operations were regulated and based on rules, not chaos.
- What action has the Hungarian government taken against illegal online casinos? Starting from this month, bank accounts associated with such organizations will be blocked, and illegal websites will be blocked and penalized to protect players' interests.
- What technology is banned for use by bookmakers in Russia? The ban includes "fast games" technology, such as slot machines and gaming tables, both online and offline.
- What proposal did State Duma deputy Ivan Suhaрев suggest for legal gambling organizers in Russia? He proposed the development of a special subdomain for the placement of their websites to ensure a secure space for legal gambling resources and eliminate the possibility of illegal, unregulated sites.
