Novibet leaves the UK market

[thr0b]

Novibet has exited the UK market. Quite suddenly, it seems. This banner wasn’t there yesterday.

A shame.

 

[goatwack]

What may have started as a good, solid outfit need not be lamented once they sliced RTPs and began haranguing normal players over nonsensical gambling cut-offs, under some delirious UKGC take.

There'll always be another to take their place, that can offer the same range of games at the same RTP. they were nothing unique

 

[The Dude]

Renamed the thread so we know what this is all about

 

[bamberfishcake]

Sad to see them go, but agree, someone will always fill demanding market gaps.

Goodbye Novibet and thanks for the memories.

 

[thr0b]

They still had games mostly at full RTPs, and a huge selection of providers. I’ll miss them.

 

[bamberfishcake]

They still had games mostly at full RTPs, and a huge selection of providers. I’ll miss them.

Yes, will miss their developer selection. One of the few who have PopRocks from AvatarUX and Peter & Sons games.

 

[Downsman]

Shame, they were my go to casino for a long time..on to pastures new.

 

[megadam]

The shenanigans for UK players at the start of the year now make sense. Will be missed as they had highest RTPs for a lot of providers, not many places left that offer that

Wonder if this is more UKGC pressure or Novibet falling foul of the rules and wanting to jump ship.

 

[dunover]

Yes, affiliates were informed of this about 3-4 weeks ago, to stop offering the site to UK players. Shame, good lot IMO.

 

[Lincolnuk]

Oh well. There goes 1 more. This all started back when the online casino's was made to pay the UK tax rate instead of there business address Location. I'm all for it to be honest and if they don't like it then so be it

 

[TimArmstrong]

Why did they start with their vague rules then a few weeks ago? Asking for people's documents etc etc while they were already planning on leaving? Something doesn't feel right.

 

[satchnz]

Yep, the smells of the UKGC having had them up for one of their ridiculous restrictions. Novibet tried to over compensate with their new very limiting requirements around loss and time limits. This would have increased Novibet’s costs and reduced their revenue. Not sustainable, especially if they were still at risk of a fine, so they decided to quit and leave.

UKGC scores another…

 

[thr0b]

Why did they start with their vague rules then a few weeks ago? Asking for people's documents etc etc while they were already planning on leaving? Something doesn't feel right.

Standard arse-covering; they might have been planning on leaving, but just in case, they worked out what their position would be should they have stayed.

 

[TimArmstrong]

Just wondering, the less there are in the UK the more profitable (less competitition) ? Is the UKGC really making it that difficult to operate?

 

[bamberfishcake]

Why did they start with their vague rules then a few weeks ago? Asking for people's documents etc etc while they were already planning on leaving? Something doesn't feel right.

Just a guess, but if the response from players had been favourable, they probably wouldn't have left.

Weighing up the potential loss and potential fines probably resulted in a quick exit to avoid the latter.

 

[Jono777]

Just wondering, the less there are in the UK the more profitable (less competitition) ? Is the UKGC really making it that difficult to operate?

Yes! - Borderline impossible.

 

[dunover]

Novibet announces the reassessment of its growth targets, placing greater focus οn the brand’s expansion into the North and Central American regulated markets, in the upcoming period. As a result, Novibet has decided to surrender its Gambling Commission of Great Britain licence with immediate effect, on February 21st, marking the conclusion of eight years proudly serving more than 368,000 GB customers.

Novibet is solvent, customer funds are safe, and the cessation of GB business will be undertaken in an orderly fashion. All departments at Novibet are prepared for the smooth withdrawal from the GB market, and Novibet invites its members to withdraw any funds in their customer accounts. Novibet has long focused on developing its own proprietary tech assets, in its two tech hubs in Europe and will continue to do so, with dedication in offering innovative products.

Holding licenses in four regulated markets – Greece, Malta, Italy, and Ireland - Novibet remains committed to delivering the best sports betting and gaming experience to its growing customer base. The brand is reallocating both new and existing resources to strengthening its presence in existing active markets, while at the same time pursuing growth opportunities in new ones.

 

[09237653]

So zero places left to play maximum RTPs?

 

[johnnymcc1966]

So zero places left to play maximum RTPs?

Gamesys,Bet365.

 

[Mr_Slot5]

What is the UKGC's game here? It's almost as if they've been tasked with destroying the online gambling scene in the UK.

Surely something has to give soon.

 

[dave1888]

So zero places left to play maximum RTPs?

Paddy,Betfair, Party and Sporting Bet too.

 

[gonzo fonso]

i knew something was wrong,had no emails from them in weeks,one less place to play at

 

[gonzo fonso]

and my prediction is UNIBET will be next

 

[News Hound]

Covered this here: Novibet exits the UK

Honourable mentions to @danofthewibble and @dunover

 

[maxd]

What is the UKGC's game here? It's almost as if they've been tasked with destroying the online gambling scene in the UK.

Their "game"? Votes. More votes = re-election = job done. They couldn't give a tinker's damn whether the industry thrives, barely survives or is strangled to death on all the red tape and restrictions. If they cared about the industry they'd consult with the industry but they don't, they dictate and the consequences to the industry are not their problem.

 

[satchnz]

I’m not really active in any other arms of the industry besides online slots and the National Lottery, but is the UKGC imposing similar misguided restrictions on sports betting and horse racing?

 

[Flyingslotsman]

Just read the email about this there the now, that's a massive kick in the clems from a singular point of view. It was my go to and literally only place I slotted at, geez...

Think it may be time to move on from the slots, UKGC single handedly destroying the UK market. No autoplay is garbage, but no novibet with higher RTP's suck!

 

[ergosum]

Gamesys,Bet365.

This surprises me, the RTP for me at least from Megaways and Virgin games is horrendously bad.

 

[dunover]

What is the UKGC's game here? It's almost as if they've been tasked with destroying the online gambling scene in the UK.

Surely something has to give soon.

Vladimir Putin is reported to be in the running for next chairman.

 

[paul7388]

Paddy,Betfair, Party and Sporting Bet too.

Don't know why you keep saying Paddy Power a lot of their slots are at a lower RTP as well.

 

[pinnit2014]

And Party run theirs at 94% etc as well for a lot.

Mr Q are limited but still at the top ones - though I imagine it won't be for long.

 

[jasonuk]

Don't know why you keep saying Paddy Power a lot of their slots are at a lower RTP as well.

Agreed - their older stuff generally runs at the default RTPs (the big anomaly being the Red Tiger Daily Jackpots at 90+3%), but they've been testing out lower RTPs for a while now - including A/B testing different RTPs on Paddy v Betfair, and even on different tabs on the same site.

As for Party, Entain were one of the earliest to start culling RTPs, including the rather serious incident a couple of years back where both Coral and Gala were potentially breaching their license for advertising the wrong RTP for months (they migrated games to the GVC platform, removed the in-game help files and lopped 2% off at the same time, "forgetting" to update the external help until highlighted here on CM).

The list of UK-facing casinos offering full-fat RTP on historical slots is getting ever shorter, the list offering full-fat on new releases is approaching extinction.

 

[slot_zombie]

I've noticed a pernicious trend of lowering Pragmatic RTPs in various places, the last couple of months. Had to happen, I suppose. Are some of those volatile games even playable with 2% lopped off...?

Just waiting for Mr Q and the couple of other holdouts to exit stage right, then it will be Game Over as far as playing many of the main providers on a UKGC licenced site is concerned. 94% or less all round, and the champagne's on ice, boys.

Never played a sub-par RTP game, and never will. If only the general public were more savvy...

 

[justdoit]

good bye Novibet

 

[brianmon]

I'm still getting emails from them, telling me that they're going to be leaving the UK market last month.

 

[JohnSnow]

No offense but if I had a casino i would avoid the UKGC too. Seems like they don't really care for the players opinion. And other regulators are taking over their tactics like no auto spin. Way to rekt yourself from the market.