Even in Germany, politics and gambling are often linked - especially in the context of the regulation of such services - which often causes discussion and excitement. However, a connection like that in Sweden, where the local Social Democratic Party actually runs its own lottery, is hardly conceivable in this country. In the Scandinavian kingdom, such businesses have also long been the subject of criticism. However, the debate is currently at an all-time high, with accusations of manipulation and even links to gang crime.
Basically, of course, you can place bets on just about anything. In addition to soccer, tennis, basketball etc., international bookmakers also like to include more unusual markets in their programs if they sense a certain level of public interest. A good example of this at the moment is the relationship status of US basketball player Angel Reese. The 22-year-old professional player is considered an up-and-coming star, has a lot of publicity and is currently single. This prompted US bookies to quickly provide odds for potential partners. A good reason for us to take another look at the craziest “sports bets”.
Thailand wants to massively increase its state revenue by legalising gambling. The state in Southeast Asia is planning additional tax revenue totalling several hundred million dollars. But how sensible are the plans in view of the high costs that can arise from problem gambling behaviour, for example?
There is currently boundless optimism in the gambling metropolis of Las Vegas. The gambling market is booming and casinos are enjoying record-breaking turnover. Gambling is also becoming increasingly accepted by the population. But could the booming gambling market also be a warning sign?
Anyone who gambles on slot machines or places sports bets in Germany will almost certainly be familiar with the OASIS player blocking system. GamStop can be seen as the British counterpart to this - and it was here that impressive figures were recently reported. Apparently, as the international trade press put it, a historic milestone has been reached: GamStop recorded half a million registrations in September 2024 since its launch and let other interesting facts be known to boot.
A recent study has come to the conclusion that around 1.5 million Britons play in illegal online casinos. The black market providers generate billions in revenue every year as a result. But what are the reasons why so many people in the UK are on the gambling black market, and what is the situation like in Germany?
In Australia, the population lost the equivalent of almost 20 billion euros on gambling last year. This means that each person in Australia lost an average of over 775 euros through gambling. But why is it that the population in Australia turns to gambling?
Löwen Entertainment remains a premium partner of second-division football club SV Elversberg. This was announced by the Bingen-based gaming group in a press release a few days ago. But how is the partnership between the traditional club and the gambling company being received by the fans?
Betano is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the gambling industry in German-speaking countries. This was underpinned by its sponsorship of the European Football Championship 2024, among other things. Many of us know the company as an Austrian sports betting provider. But not everyone knows that: The bookie, together with its Greek parent company Kaizen Gaming, is getting involved in more and more markets worldwide. Just recently, partnerships were announced for two more international UEFA tournaments.
The big dream of every lottery player is to hit the jackpot once and then be set for life. When the time really comes (or seems to come), the enormous joy and amazement of hitting the jackpot can cause even the most rational gambler to lose their mind. It is precisely this exceptional situation that fraudsters are currently increasingly exploiting. In a particularly serious case that recently occurred in Baden-Württemberg, criminals scammed a whopping 30,000 euros!
Gambling regulations in Germany are anything but easy to keep track of - and sometimes even legislators only seem to realise in retrospect that certain decisions are not entirely consistent. A case in point is the absolute smoking ban in gambling halls in Saarland. In contrast to these establishments, casinos here are allowed to have special smoking rooms, which prompted a casino operator to lodge a complaint. Following the legal ruling in favour of the plaintiff, a transitional solution has now actually been decided for all stationary slot machine providers in the state.
Scratch cards are also a perennial favorite among games of chance in Germany. Compared to the Czech Republic, however, the fan base in our latitudes is tiny. The small, colorful cards with the winning fields to scratch off are actually considered the most widespread game of chance among our neighbors. Scratch cards are practically ubiquitous - and this is precisely what has now brought gambling research onto the scene: It is suspected that there is an often overlooked potential for addiction here.
The lottery can be a life-changing game of chance: Of course, the stories of people who have not always had it easy in life and who can then turn things around thanks to a jackpot are particularly impressive and beautiful. The win of a craftsman from Lower Franconia certainly belongs in this category. The new multi-millionaire shares his joy and his very special strategy with the public.
Chinese football is currently being rocked by a genuine corruption scandal. Although football officials in the country are repeatedly targeted by the authorities, the scale of the current case is exceptional even in China. After a two-year investigation, 43 life bans and numerous other penalties were handed down for match-fixing and illegal gambling. Among the accused is a foreign player who has now also been dismissed in his home country.
The ‘king of vending machines’ goes into well-deserved retirement at the age of 90. After 67 years at the helm of his own company, Paul Gauselmann is bidding farewell to the Merkur Group's top management. But what prompted the successful entrepreneur to stay with the gaming group for so long?
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