Express Weekly Wrap-Up #8: Sevilla’s Kike Salas Under Investigation for Betting-Related Yellow Cards

Kike Salas, a defender for Sevilla, faces allegations of intentionally receiving yellow cards for financial gain through betting. Meanwhile, Lithuania plans to tighten its gambling regulations, raising the legal gambling age to 21 and involving banks in blocking illegal transactions. In the Netherlands, Kansspelautoriteit has fined Winning Poker Network €1.3 million for illegal operations targeting Dutch players. Here’s the next edition of Express Weekly!

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Norwegian gambling operator Norsk Tipping is introducing stricter loss limits for young adults aged 20-24 starting February 1, 2025, to reduce the risk of gambling-related problems. These limits are lower than those for older individuals, reflecting concerns about young people's greater vulnerability to financial issues. The decision is based on research showing an increase in the number of young people engaging in online casino games and slot machines. The aim is to protect players from excessive losses, although they can still set their own spending limits.

Sevilla defender Kike Salas is under suspicion of deliberately receiving yellow cards to gain financial benefits from sports betting. The investigation focuses on the unusual number of cards Salas received towards the end of the 2023/2024 La Liga season. Prosecutors are examining allegations of fraud involving two associates of the player, who allegedly placed bets based on insider information. Salas faces the potential risk of imprisonment, although for now, he has returned to training with Sevilla.

Mandeep Singh Maan, the winner of a lottery prize worth 2 million CAD, successfully defended himself against claims from four coworkers in a legal dispute. The coworkers argued that they were entitled to a share of the winnings, alleging that the winning ticket was purchased as part of a pool formed by their informal group. However, the court dismissed the claims, citing a lack of evidence to support their case. It emphasized the sporadic nature of the group’s ticket purchases and clear proof that Maan regularly played the lottery independently. As a result, Maan retained the entire prize.

The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has imposed a €1.3 million fine on Winning Poker Network (WPN) for operating illegal gambling activities in the Netherlands. WPN provided gambling services to Dutch players without the required license, despite a formal cease-and-desist order issued by KSA. The fine was increased due to aggravating factors, including charging inactivity fees and misleading consumers about the legality of its operations. The KSA chairman emphasized the importance of financial sanctions in combating illegal gambling, stating that the goal is to hit the wallets of companies operating unlawfully.

Gambling regulations in Lithuania are set to become stricter. A key measure involves engaging banks in combating illegal gambling by monitoring transactions and blocking payments to unauthorized operators. Additionally, the legal gambling age will be raised from 18 to 21, and tax increases for operators are under consideration. These changes aim to curb the illegal gambling market, which accounted for a important portion of the overall market in 2021, causing losses to the state budget. The reforms are part of a broader Lithuanian government strategy to enhance the regulation of the gambling industry.