Regulatory Shift Curbs High-Risk Behavior
New rules rolled out by the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) in October 2024 appear to be having a real impact. A recent report from the regulator shows a sharp drop in high-loss gambling accounts following the introduction of mandatory deposit limits and tighter oversight. Before the changes, 4% of users lost over €1,000 per month—now just 1.2% fall into that category.
That shift has also upended revenue models. In early 2024, three-quarters of operator income came from big spenders. By year’s end, that figure dropped to just 23%, a move the KSA sees as progress toward safer gambling practices.
Overall, the Dutch online gambling market generated €1.47 billion in gross gaming result (GSR) in 2024—a 6% increase year-over-year. But the second half of the year saw a 10% decline compared to the first, hinting that new restrictions may be reining in excessive play.
Young Adults in Focus Amid Ongoing Concerns
The KSA continues to flag young adults as a vulnerable group. Those aged 18 to 23 made up only 9% of the adult population but accounted for 11% of total gambling losses in the latter half of 2024. Although they spend less than older players on average (€48 vs. €148 per month), they’re more inclined to bet on sports, allocating nearly a third of their budget to it.
Meanwhile, the national self-exclusion registry, Cruks, saw registrations climb to 87,345 by January 2025. Half of these users are under 32, with young adults making up 16%—further underlining the need for targeted intervention.
Illegal Market Persists Despite Strong Channeling
The KSA estimates that 91% of players use licensed platforms, but only 50% of all gambling spend stays within the regulated market. That leaves a sizable chunk flowing to illegal operators—an area that continues to pose serious risks for player protection.
Roughly 1.19 million gambling accounts were active per month in late 2024, up slightly from earlier in the year. But with the number of unique players holding steady at around 788,000, it’s clear that many users maintain multiple accounts across platforms.
Techno Offshore Fined €1.2M for Unlicensed Operations
In a high-profile enforcement move, the KSA slapped Techno Offshore Limited with a €1.2 million fine for targeting Dutch players through illegal sites like Nolimitbet.com and Simplecasino.com. The company, based in the British Virgin Islands and licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Canada, was found to be openly accepting Dutch players—offering autoplay features, accepting crypto payments, and skipping age checks.
KSA Chairman Michel Groothuizen didn’t mince words: “Illegal providers fail to protect consumers. We will take stern action because they steer players toward unsafe environments.”
Despite previous warnings, Techno Offshore’s platforms remained accessible from Dutch IPs, and registration forms even auto-filled the Netherlands’ country code when users selected it as their residence.
Curaçao Pushes Forward with Gambling Reform
While the Netherlands tackles domestic enforcement, efforts to clean up offshore regulation are also advancing. Curaçao has begun overhauling its gambling laws, ending its outdated master license model in favor of a stricter licensing system under the newly formed Curaçao Gaming Authority.
With support from the Dutch-led Temporary Work Organization (TWO), reforms aim to introduce anti-money laundering checks and build a more transparent, internationally credible gambling framework across Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten.
Dutch advisors say deeper collaboration with Caribbean regulators will be key to strengthening cross-border enforcement and protecting players from harmful operators operating beyond EU reach.
Conclusion
The Netherlands is tightening its grip on the online gambling market, and the early results are promising. While new rules are reshaping player behavior and pushing operators toward safer practices, the fight against illegal gambling—both at home and offshore—is far from over.
Swedish slots developer Thunderkick brings its portfolio to Finnish players for the first time through a new partnership with Veikkaus, as the country’s gambling laws brace for a major overhaul.
Thunderkick Launches with Veikkaus Through EveryMatrix
Thunderkick has made its first move into Finland, teaming up with state-owned operator Veikkaus to roll out its popular slot titles via aggregator EveryMatrix. Finnish players can now access hits like Esqueleto Explosivo 2, Hot Potato, and Midas Golden Touch.
The deal adds to Thunderkick’s growing European footprint, hot on the heels of new partnerships in Italy and the Netherlands, plus a Danish B2B licence secured in late 2024. It’s a calculated push into regulated markets at a time when regional demand for fresh, high-quality content is rising.
“Finland has been on our radar for a while,” said Thunderkick CCO Svante Sahlström. “Veikkaus gives us a direct line to a fresh audience, and we’re confident our games will hit the mark.”
Finnish Market Braces for Major Overhaul
This launch lands just as Finland’s gambling industry heads into a critical transition. A new bill passed by Parliament last month aims to break Veikkaus’ monopoly in key online verticals like digital slots and sports betting by 2027. A licensing system is on the way, opening the door for international operators to enter legally under tighter regulatory controls.
The shift targets a fractured gambling market, with offshore sites drawing significant traffic. Under the new rules, mandatory ID checks will apply across all channels, and only verified players 18 or older will be allowed to gamble.
While Veikkaus will retain its grip on lotteries, land-based casinos, and physical slots, the broader goal is to rein in unlicensed play and raise the bar for consumer protection. Lawmakers are betting on a hybrid model — keeping state control where it matters most, while letting licensed competition thrive in the digital arena.
Charles Cohen Joins Veikkaus Board Amid Reform Push
Veikkaus has added gaming tech heavyweight Charles Cohen to its board as part of its preparations for the new landscape. Cohen, the founder of Department of Trust and a former IGT executive, brings a sharp focus on identity tech, compliance, and regulated market dynamics — all critical as the company gears up for reform.
His appointment, confirmed at Veikkaus’ recent AGM, comes alongside that of Digia vice chair Martti Ala-Härkönen. Both join a reshaped seven-member board that’s now loaded with international and financial expertise.
“Cohen and Ala-Härkönen bring the kind of experience we need right now,” said board chair Kaisa Olkkonen. “They’ll play a key role in guiding Veikkaus through this period of transformation.”
Cohen’s track record in building compliance tools and driving mobile betting adoption in the U.S. positions him as a strategic asset. He’s expected to help steer Veikkaus as it adapts to a more open market — whether by competing under new rules or shoring up its core monopoly business.
Veikkaus has already started to pivot, rolling out stricter responsible gambling tools like loss limits and self-exclusion, many of which could soon be mandated across the board.
What’s Next?
Thunderkick’s Finnish debut is more than just a content drop — it’s a sign of what’s coming. With the country on the brink of reshaping its iGaming landscape, studios and operators alike are lining up to stake their claim. And with a more competitive, tightly regulated market on the horizon, the real game is only just getting started.
Established Suppliers Make Strategic Moves in Competitive UK iGaming Space
The UK online slots market is seeing significant expansion as major gaming suppliers secure new partnerships with established operators. These strategic alliances are reshaping the competitive landscape and bringing fresh gaming experiences to UK players.
Yggdrasil Strengthens UK Presence with 32Red Deal
Yggdrasil continues its growth trajectory in the UK by partnering with prominent operator 32Red. This deal brings Yggdrasil’s popular titles including Trickstar Spins and Golden Fish Tank Party to 32Red’s player base.
The partnership also includes content from Yggdrasil’s YGG Masters studio partners, with titles like Max Elements, Thor 7×7, and Burning Riot now available on the FDJ United Group brand’s platform. Many games feature Yggdrasil’s innovative engagement mechanics such as GigaBlox and MultiMax.
Allana Hart at 32Red commented on the partnership: “At 32Red, we have a mission to thrill our players with the most exciting gaming experiences the industry has to offer, so having Yggdrasil’s substantial portfolio of slots at our disposal matches that goal.”
This latest deal follows Yggdrasil’s recent partnerships with Bally’s and Rank Group, highlighting the supplier’s ambitious UK market strategy. As Jose Simon, Chief Commercial Officer at Yggdrasil, noted: “2025 is set to be a notable year for Yggdrasil as we continue to drive our growth on several fronts, and partnering with established brands in key markets will be a core component of that.”
3 Oaks Gaming Makes UK Debut via BetVictor Partnership
In another significant market development, 3 Oaks Gaming has made its UK slots debut through a content agreement with BVGroup and its flagship brand, BetVictor. The integration, facilitated via Casimba Gaming’s aggregation platform, brings 3 Oaks Gaming’s diverse slot portfolio to UK players.
Popular titles now available include Coin Volcano, 3 Hot Chillies, Coin UP: Hot Fire, Sun of Egypt 3, and Lucky Penny. This move follows 3 Oaks Gaming receiving certification from the UK Gambling Commission earlier this year, with over 50 of the studio’s titles now certified for the UK market.
Sebastian Damian, Managing Director of 3 Oaks Gaming, described the expansion as “a defining achievement” while BVGroup Representative Eoin Ryan emphasized their commitment “to continuously enhancing our casino offering with innovative and immersive content.”
Market Implications and Future Outlook
These partnerships highlight the increasingly competitive nature of the UK slots market, with suppliers focusing on innovation and exclusive content to differentiate themselves. For players, this means a wider variety of gaming experiences with unique mechanics and themes.
Industry analysts expect this trend of strategic partnerships to continue throughout 2025, as operators seek to expand their gaming libraries and suppliers look to secure their positions in one of Europe’s most lucrative regulated markets.
Industry Veteran to Drive Growth for CasinoEngine and Player Engagement Tools
EveryMatrix has brought in experienced iGaming executive Marc Burroughes as Chief Commercial Officer for its Casino division—a move that signals the company’s intent to sharpen its focus on global growth.
Burroughes will lead the commercial direction of CasinoEngine, EveryMatrix’s flagship casino platform, reporting directly to Casino CEO Stian Enger. His priorities include expanding platform adoption, boosting client engagement, and rolling out new tools to increase retention.
From OpenBet to EveryMatrix
Burroughes steps into the role with nearly 20 years in gaming, having held senior commercial positions at some of the industry’s biggest names. His journey started in the late 2000s with OpenBet, where he worked his way up to Client Director. From there, he held key roles at Light & Wonder, Genesis, and GameScorekeeper, eventually joining IGT PlayDigital as Senior Commercial Director for Aggregation.
His resume reflects a deep understanding of both the content supply chain and platform integration—two critical areas for CasinoEngine’s continued expansion.
A Strategic Role in a High-Performing Division
CasinoEngine processed over 73 billion game rounds last year and generated €2.8 billion in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) for its partners. Burroughes will now be tasked with strengthening its commercial roadmap while launching EngageSuite, a new personalization and campaign automation tool designed to boost player engagement.
Working alongside other EveryMatrix units—including SlotMatrix and the in-house game studio—Burroughes will help unify the company’s casino offerings under a single commercial vision.
Leadership Signals Aggressive Growth
Group CEO and Co-Founder Ebbe Groes welcomed the appointment, pointing to Burroughes’ background as a key asset:
“Marc has a strong track record working in senior positions for some of the industry’s major providers and delivering premium casino solutions for tier-1 brands,” Groes said. “As our casino unit gains momentum, we’re aiming to scale even faster under his leadership.”
Burroughes echoed the ambition:
“When the opportunity came to join EveryMatrix on their journey to rapid growth, there was only one answer I could give. The casino division is one of the best I’ve seen in my 17 years in this industry—and I’m confident we can hit some major targets.”
Expanding the Casino Footprint
With Burroughes now steering commercial efforts, EveryMatrix’s casino arm is poised to strengthen its position in key global markets. The company’s focus remains on delivering scalable solutions across Europe, Asia, and North America—offering operators everything from content aggregation to real-time engagement tools in one streamlined package.
Updated Complaint Targets Multiple Games, Adds Trade Secret Claims
Light & Wonder (L&W) is once again under legal fire from Aristocrat, with new claims of trade secret misappropriation tied to its Dragon Train game series. The update came during a recent webcast led by L&W President and CEO Matt Wilson, who confirmed the company will formally respond to the latest complaint by April 11.
The dispute originally began in March 2024, when Aristocrat accused L&W of copying its popular Dragon Link slot title. On March 14, 2025, Aristocrat expanded its complaint in the District Court of Nevada, now including Jewel of the Dragon and citing internal emails and design links involving former L&W employee Emma Charles.
Voluntary Game Pull and Internal Audit
In response, L&W has removed Jewel of the Dragon slot machines from casinos, with around 150 units pulled nationwide. According to Wilson, the game represented less than 1% of the company’s deployed slots, calling it “a small game in relation to the universe of games we’ve created.”
Meanwhile, L&W has ramped up its internal review, extending a third-party audit led by Mark Nicely to cover all hold-and-spin titles released since mid-2021. So far, the company says the audit has not flagged any similar issues beyond Dragon Train and Jewel of the Dragon.
L&W previously removed Dragon Train from both U.S. and Australian markets and cut ties with the designer involved in the original dispute. Now, Aristocrat claims the alleged misuse of proprietary information could extend to Double Dragon and an unnamed unreleased title.
Market Impact and Financial Outlook
The legal tension appears to be weighing on investor confidence. L&W’s share price has slid between 17% and 20% in recent days — its sharpest drop this year.
Despite the challenges, L&W reaffirmed its 2025 financial targets, including a projected $1.4 billion in adjusted consolidated EBITDA and an adjusted NPATA range of $565 million to $635 million. The company also recently posted record revenue of $3.2 billion for FY2024.
CEO Reaffirms Strategy
Wilson addressed the situation directly during the company webcast, emphasizing L&W’s focus on original game development.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to R&D and expanding our portfolio of proven franchises,” he said. “Our share gains in game performance are a testament to the talent and culture within our organization.”
