Digitain Supplies Sportsbook to King.rs

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Bulgaria is proving to be one of the hottest markets worldwide for suppliers to move into. With a predicted growth pattern increasing on an exponential scale, we spoke with Altenar’s Senior Account Manager, Manos Mytilinaios, about how the region is proving to be an attractive proposition and what players are looking for.

The Bulgarian market is one of the most exciting worldwide. Dozens of providers have flocked to the Balkans region in the past 12 months, attracted by smoother regulatory processes. Bulgaria in particular promises an accessible and clear regulatory framework imposed by the State Commission on Gambling (SCG), along with a fair tax regime and growing market potential. While recent changes have been announced, notably increases to licence fees and tax requirements, Bulgaria remains an appealing market for operators.

Altenar is building an ever-increasing client base within Bulgaria, with many partnerships strengthening our reputation in the region. We have been live in Bulgaria for nine years now, consistently developing the quality of our products and ensuring we remain an attractive prospect for operators.

Within the Bulgarian market, we provide a fully managed sportsbook solution covering both software and services, to deliver a high-calibre sports betting experience. This goes hand-in-hand with 24/7 risk management, trading and business support services and a dedicated account manager.

Overall, the region itself has seen consistent growth in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue over the course of the next 12 months and beyond. The country is expected to be a true trendsetter for the Balkans up until 2028, based on key growth metrics such as overall turnover and GGR. The market is expanding exponentially, and there is no doubt that plenty more in the region, such as Romania, will look to replicate that success.

Projections of market value are north of €850m by 2026 and it is reasonable to conclude that the key to this success has been the extensive trust in the market between bettors and sportsbooks.

Assuming that Bulgaria’s neighbours can replicate the brand value, it is undoubtedly a territory to keep a close eye on and I don’t expect the predictions to show any signs of a decrease in the months ahead. From a sports betting perspective, more and more industry leaders are continuing to immerse themselves within the environment, with major investment in place to ensure that Bulgaria can secure a leading position alongside some of Europe’s biggest markets in the next few years.

As it stands, the region’s economic power is just beginning to grow. Given time, the increases in this area will see Bulgaria become a major hub for sportsbooks and iGaming, as players enter an environment that can now be regarded as one of the world’s most exciting.

To ensure that Altenar’s product stands out, we need to constantly monitor our offering and what players are enjoying. Sports such as e-football, tennis and table tennis are rapidly becoming more and more popular in the region within live betting, where interaction is fast for the users. The user base in Bulgaria is experienced and we offer diverse features such early payout, 0% margin/enhanced odds and bore draw. Research remains vital to ensure we remain a market leader, innovating our full end-to-end solution, establishing new partnerships and meeting the needs of current operators and clients.

The potential in Bulgaria has no ceiling – and we are looking forward to being part of that journey.

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Representatives from FIFPRO and the Association of Bulgarian Footballers (ABF) were present at the latest IntegriSport 3.0 workshop in Bulgaria, Sofia, where participants benefited from practical sessions on combatting match-fixing and safeguarding sporting integrity.

Co-hosted by CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bulgaria, the event on March 7-8 brought together Bulgarian government officials, law enforcement agencies, sport federations and player unions.

The message was clear: collaboration between stakeholders is vital in the fight against sport manipulation, and athletes require the unwavering support of law enforcement and judicial bodies to be protected in clean sports.

ABF’s Nikolay Hristozov and FIFPRO Senior Legal Counsel Loïc Alves, along with several domestic and European stakeholders, took part in the fruitful two-day seminar, which addressed education and prevention, technological challenges, and the need for support from national law authorities.

Alves was one of the event’s keynote speakers and his presentation highlighted how FIFPRO’s Red Button app is helping players report match-fixing approaches to national authorities securely and anonymously.

“Football is one of the most-targeted sports by international organised crime, who will often exploit footballers who are in financial difficulties, such as those not regularly receiving their salary from clubs,” said Alves.

“Ultimately, footballers want a clean sport and the right to a safe workplace. The Red Button app empowers players to safely report match-fixing approaches to competent authorities. That is why a unified approach amongst stakeholders and the support of law enforcement and judiciaries is crucial when it comes to tackling this international issue.”

The Red Button app is distributed by FIFPRO and member unions. It is recognised by FIFA’s dedicated integrity department and UEFA as a valid reporting tool.

IntegriSport 3.0 is a project established by the CSCF Foundation for Sports Integrity to provide theoretical and practical support for law enforcement and judiciaries in Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Romania and Spain, co-financed by the European Union, on fighting sport manipulation.

The event in Bulgaria marked the fifth under the present project, following on from the latest awareness raising practical sessions in Estonia, Austria, Spain and Greece.

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In a move to safeguard the integrity of Montenegro’s betting and gaming industry, the head of the Gaming Authority of Montenegro has announced earlier this week the adoption of a stringent new law in 2023.

The announcement of new legislation emerges in the wake of ongoing police investigations targeting illegal retail gambling locations, particularly those that have falsified the distance data from educational institutions to obtain operational licenses. The law signifies a crucial step towards rectifying these issues, aiming to restore fairness and legality within the sector.

Stricter Regulations on Retail Locations

The new Law, as announced, will introduce rigorous checks for retail facilities, with a special focus on their reported distance from schools and other educational facilities. This move is a response to the increasing instances of retail locations providing misleading information to navigate around legal requirements.

With police forces now actively involved, the government is cracking down on these deceptive practices, ensuring that all gambling operations comply with the highest standards of integrity and legality.

Ensuring Compliance and Integrity

As announced, the pending change in legislation will not merely be about enforcing rules, but also to restore trust in Montenegro’s gaming industry. By targeting illegal retail operations, the authority aims to create a level playing field for all participants, ensuring that competition is fair and based on adherence to regulations.

The rollout of this law is timely, considering the challenges and discrepancies previously plaguing the industry and very recent amendments that took place already in December 2023. It addresses critical concerns by ensuring that retail gambling establishments operate within legal boundaries of legality, particularly in relation to vulnerable populations. With these measures, Montenegro is taking significant strides towards establishing a gambling environment that is not only profitable but also principled and transparent.