UK Operator Exits Esports Betting Market
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Key Takeaways:
- GG.BET closes UK platform following license expiration, signaling intensified regulatory scrutiny.
- SIS partners with Midnite to expand 24/7 esports betting content availability.
- France and Turkey advance player protection and anti-illegal gambling measures.
GG.BET Shuts Down UK Operations
GG.BET has initiated the planned closure of its UK-facing platform, GG.BET.co.uk, following the expiration of its gambling license. The operator notified users of the shutdown, directing them to alternative platforms while processing final withdrawals. This move comes amid the UK Gambling Commission's ongoing enforcement of stricter licensing standards, including enhanced financial resilience and consumer protection requirements.
The exit reduces options for UK esports bettors, particularly in high-volume titles like Counter-Strike 2 and League of Legends, where GG.BET offered competitive odds and promotions. It underscores challenges for operators in one of Europe's most regulated markets, potentially consolidating market share among compliant incumbents like Bet365 and Entain.
Source: Esports Insider
SIS and Midnite Launch 24/7 Esports Betting Content
Sports Information Services (SIS) has partnered with esports betting platform Midnite to deliver round-the-clock racing and esports betting content. Midnite users gain access to SIS's live streams and data feeds, enhancing in-play wagering on esports events alongside virtual sports.
SIS's Competitive Gaming product, certified to the ESIC Gold Standard for integrity, supports over 225,000 annual events. This collaboration bolsters Midnite's offerings in the UK and expanding European markets, where demand for seamless live esports betting continues to rise. It highlights technology-driven expansions amid growing mobile and 24/7 engagement.
Source: Esports Insider
France Promotes Self-Exclusion for Gamblers
France's gambling regulator, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), launched a digital campaign on January 9 to raise awareness of its self-exclusion tool. The initiative targets online gamblers via social media and search engines, emphasizing voluntary bans from betting sites for periods up to three years.
With esports betting gaining traction in the EU's second-largest economy, the campaign addresses rising participation among younger demographics. ANJ data shows self-exclusion registrations up 15% year-over-year, reflecting proactive regulatory efforts to mitigate addiction risks in dynamic markets like CS2 and VALORANT.
Source: Esports Insider
Turkey Escalates Crackdown on Illegal Gambling
Turkey implemented new banking regulations on January 9 to curb illegal gambling by more rigorously monitoring high-value transfers. The measures aim to dismantle underground networks that facilitate offshore betting, including esports wagers, in order to evade local bans.
This builds on prior enforcement, with authorities blocking thousands of sites annually. For esports betting operators eyeing expansion in APAC and MENA, Turkey's actions signal heightened compliance demands, potentially redirecting activity to licensed Asian hubs while protecting market integrity.
Source: Esports Insider
