Online Bingo's Roundup of Online Gambling News: 17 May 2024
Online Bingo's Roundup of Online Gambling News: 17 May 2024. We curate the best content for you, from industry trends to exciting announcements.
We curate the best content for you, from industry trends to exciting announcements.
Join us to discover what's new, exciting and noteworthy!
Giant 888 changes its name
Online gambling great 888 has changed its name to Evoke. Per Widerström, Evoke's CEO said the name change was an opportunity for the organisation to reset and reflect the overall business mission.
The company added to its LinkedIn page: 'Today, we officially start our next chapter as Evoke plc. Evoke is a symbol of our new direction. A direction that builds on our strengths and allows us to move forward as one multi-brand group with a united strategy, vision, and identity.'
Buzz Bingo to acquire two new sites?
Buzz Bingo has its sights set on two UK venues to add to its repertoire. These are Merkur's Northampton venue and the Cricklewood venue. And why the expansion? The current popularity and increase of bingo.
In 2023, Buzz Bingo reported a 31% increase in online revenue and a 5% increase in retail revenue. The sites are hugely popular, having existed for a combined total of 25 years and welcoming 410,000 visitors in 2023.
UKGC white paper proposals
It's no surprise that the gambling industry has ongoing challenges to balance public protection and individual safety. Yet there's pressure to maintain a safe and accessible market.
Although the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has made significant strides in fighting illegal online gambling operations, it's an ongoing job. UKGC CEO Andrew Rhodes said that the UKGC oversees the gambling industry, which employs over 22 million people and has a gross value of over £15 billion. It's no small feat.
The upcoming UKGC white paper will seek to modernise regulations and include new rules for online slot game design, making them safer and allowing customers to control the gambling marketing they receive.
Fancy some more reading? In our news and guides this week, we discuss: