2024 Gambling Industry Highlights: Key Developments from October to December

As we continue recapping the major events in the gambling industry for 2024, let’s shift focus to the headlines that dominated the final quarter of the year, from October to December.

The industry’s leading players took full advantage of the year’s closing months to articulate their future commercial strategies, leaving no room for ambiguity.

In October, Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) debuted on Stockholm’s Nasdaq exchange as an independent iGaming technology group under the name ‘GiG Software Plc.’ This marked the culmination of a two-year separation from its media division. Now solely a B2B technology provider, the company manages its CoreX iGaming platform, SportX sportsbook, and its newly launched North America-oriented casino sweepstakes platform, SweepX.

Another pivotal event was the shareholder approval for Everi Holdings’ acquisition by Apollo Global Management for a staggering $6.3 billion. Apollo stepped in at the eleventh hour, disrupting a planned merger between Everi and a significant segment of International Game Technology PLC (IGT), which sought to spin off a standalone lottery business under the IGT brand.

In October, Entain Plc welcomed Stella David as its new Board Chair, succeeding Barry Gibson, who chose to step away from all corporate responsibilities with the company. David is no stranger to stepping up in times of need; she previously served as Entain’s Interim CEO following the resignation of Jette Nygaard-Andersen late last year.

Entain made headlines again in November with the appointment of Dafne Guisard as its new Chief Operations Officer. Joining under CEO Gavin Isaacs, Guisard’s expertise in corporate finance and strategic planning will be instrumental in steering the company’s digital transformation, customer-centric initiatives, and mergers and acquisitions strategy.

Turning to new frontiers, the United Arab Emirates made waves by granting Wynn Resorts the country’s first-ever commercial gaming operator license. This milestone came a year after the establishment of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The license aligns with Wynn’s plans for an integrated resort in Ras Al-Khaimah, which were already underway well before the GCGRA was formed.

While the UAE moved swiftly, Brazil opted for more deliberation, postponing a vote on its land-based gambling decree until next year to ensure its quality matches that of its online gambling framework. Similarly, Paraguay delayed amendments to its gambling legislation.

In Scandinavia, Finland made significant changes by ending the national operator Veikkaus’s monopoly over horseracing betting. This move allows commercial operators to enter the market as part of a broader strategy to liberalize Finland’s online gambling sector by 2026. Meanwhile, Sweden celebrated joining the Council of Europe’s Macolin Convention, the only international legal framework addressing match-fixing in sports.

Across Europe, responsible gambling initiatives gained momentum. The 2024 Safer Gambling Week saw record-breaking participation, with a 20% year-on-year increase, underscoring the industry’s growing commitment to safer gambling and responsible play, as highlighted by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA).

France, as ever, provided its share of political drama. In October, reports surfaced that Prime Minister Michel Barnier intended to reduce national debt by raising an additional €500 million through higher gambling taxes—already among the highest in Europe. The news sparked panic among stakeholders, especially online operators, who feared the hardest hit.

Simultaneously, debates around regulating online casinos in France created further discord within the sector. However, a resolution was reached in November, with policymakers and industry leaders agreeing to a six-month consultation period. This dialogue aims to explore whether regulation is necessary and, if so, how it could be implemented by 2026.