These days, many casino games look the same. Developers talk about numbers, features and RTP percentages. But they rarely tell you what it really feels like to be a player.
Jeroen Hairwassers works as a lecturer-researcher at Fontys and is currently conducting research into how gambling addiction can be prevented among young adults. He has received a PhD grant for his research and will collaborate with the Amsterdam UMC hospital.
In the constantly evolving world of online gambling, a new star is shining: crash games. These games, combining simplicity and adrenaline, are captivating a growing audience. But what makes these games so attractive? Let’s delve into this fascinating world to find out.
State Secretary Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen has stated that privatising the Dutch Lottery is impossible. The planned reforms in the gambling policy would make this plan unfeasible. The government should not sell the Dutch Lottery and then adjust the legislation in a way that undermines the value of the company.
The European Union (EU) is redefining the rules of the game for online gambling operators. Between digital accessibility, algorithmic responsibility and transparency of digital services, the new European directives impose an in-depth overhaul of the industry’s digital practices.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is at the centre of a controversy after revelations of an opaque system allowing gambling operators to avoid public sanctions in exchange for donations to charity.
On Thursday 22 May 2025, the programme ‘On n’est pas des pigeons!’ broadcast on RTBF showed the disconcerting ease with which Belgians can access illegal gambling sites. Operating without a licence or regulation, these platforms expose players to major risks: no age verification, no deposit limits, and no measures to protect against addiction.
Finland wants to lift the state monopoly on online gambling. From 2027, commercial operators will be allowed to participate under a licence. The law is not yet through, but the plans are ready.
On 19 March 2025, the Bundesverwaltungsgericht (BVerwG), Germany’s highest administrative court, handed down a ruling that redefined the limits of the regulatory authorities’ action against unauthorised online gambling sites.
Wat Rai Khing, one of Thailand’s most respected temples, is at the heart of a resounding scandal. Its abbot, Phra Dhammavajiranuvatara, is accused of embezzling more than 300 million baht (around €8 million) from the temple’s funds to feed an addiction to online gambling, particularly baccarat.
Golden Palace has its own fan community: the Golden Palace Club. This club gives players access to extra benefits. The more you play, the more points you get.
A case of fraud has rocked the SNCB-NMBS and the Train World museum in Schaerbeek. An employee suffering from a gambling addiction embezzled more than €1 million over several years. The situation highlights the flaws in the museum’s internal controls, as well as the dangers of addiction.
Xuan Liu made poker history by becoming the first woman to win a tournament in the prestigious Triton Poker Series. In her first appearance, she triumphed in the $25,000 WPT Global Slam, outlasting 155 entrants to win $860,000.
In April, Arturo Vidal, former player of top clubs such as Juventus and Bayern Munich, launched his own gambling platform: Juega con el King. With a flashy announcement on Instagram, he called on fans to ‘bet like a king’.
The Gaming Commission (GC) updated its blacklist on 22 May 2025, adding nine new illegal online gambling sites.
You’re sitting at home in your sofa. No heavy traffic. No waiting at the cash register. Yet you play live roulette with a real dealer.
Starting on 1 July 2025, gambling sponsorship in Dutch football will be over. Large banners, logos on shirts and stadium names will disappear. With this, the Netherlands is taking a step that Belgium already took in 2023.
