Gambling sector roundup covers cyberattack, casino sale and regulatory pressure
Regulation2 min read
A German-language gambling-sector roundup reported a cyberattack affecting Casinos Austria, a planned sale of Schleswig-Holstein’s state-owned casinos and continuing regulatory debate. About 150,000 Casinos Austria customers were reportedly affected, while bank details were not believed to have been taken and Casino Schleswig-Holstein plans about four million in modernisation investment.
Unknown attackers reportedly accessed Casinos Austria's web shop through an external service provider's system, in a cyberattack affecting about 150,000 customers. Bank details are not believed to have been stolen.
The planned sale of Spielbank SH GmbH appears to be entering its final phase, with Schleswig-Holstein aiming to sell its state-owned casinos this year. Separately, Casino Schleswig-Holstein is putting around four million euros into an upgrade of Casino Schenefeld. The work will add space and, among other things, 50 new slot machines.
WestLotto managing director Andreas Kötter will remain president of the World Lottery Association for a further two years. Kötter warned that Germany had underestimated illegal online gambling for years. He called for stronger action against unauthorised operators and clear rules for new offerings such as prediction markets.
A draft of the EU's Digital Fairness Act would prohibit loot boxes and certain pay-to-win mechanisms for minors. The games industry has criticised the plans and warned of far-reaching effects on existing business models.
Checks on players' financial capacity for higher deposit limits remain legally disputed, including questions about the reliability of SCHUFA-G and whether stricter checks could push players towards unregulated offerings.
Entrepreneur Hans-Ulrich Rihs is reorganising the ownership structure of Swiss Casinos Holding. In the canton of Lucerne, a cantonal councillor wants the requirement to use the Swisslos logo on funded projects reviewed and removed as soon as possible, particularly for activities involving children and young people.
A gambling ring in the US reportedly paid out winnings using Pokémon cards, among other means, in a case involving a large-scale raid.
MERKUR SPIELBANK Siegburg plans an opening celebration from 10 to 12 December, with three game shows and guaranteed prizes worth more than €100,000 in total.
Spielbank Berlin hosted 182 participants at the 12th German deaf poker championship. The winner won the tournament on his birthday.
A woman in the Rastatt district has won more than one million euros by matching six numbers in LOTTO 6aus49. The missing Superzahl kept her from the jackpot.