Regulatory Newsletter (24 May-6 June)
Exclusive for Gambling.Re
ANJ's Assessment of French Operators' AML Action Plans for 2023: Expert Insights reveal significant progress in compliance efforts
Europe
A bill introduced in France's National Assembly seeks to legalize online casinos in the country, with a proposed five-year moratorium allowing national operators to offer online casino gambling
The Maltese parliament has presented legislation to safeguard licensed online gaming operators from liability in foreign jurisdictions
The MGA and the UK Gambling Commission have engaged in discussions concerning collaboration in responsible gambling, sports betting integrity, and anti-money laundering efforts
The Gaming in Spain conference witnessed a contentious debate over the effects of Spain's advertising ban, with conflicting perspectives voiced by industry experts
The Dutch regulator (KSA) has appointed Adriane Koppe and Monique van Oers as Chairs on the Advisory Committee on Appeals to handle the growing number of sanction appeals
The KSA presents recommendations to the government for changes to gambling laws
The KSA has provided details on the regulations for the upcoming untargeted advertising ban in the Netherlands, aiming to protect vulnerable groups and young people
Bingoal faces a €400,000 fine from the KSA for sending advertising messages aimed at young adults
The UK Gambling Commission has imposed a fine of £490,000 on Paddy Power and Betfair's parent company for sending push notifications with promotional offers to self-excluded customers
TopSport has been fined $26,710 in Lithuania for allowing an underage customer at its slot salon, in violation of regulations
Serviceplan Italy and Sisal team up to introduce A.D.A., an AI system designed to predict risky gambling behaviors and enhance responsible gaming practices
A new survey conducted by Spillforsk at the University of Bergen reveals that the number of Norwegians suffering from problem gambling has more than halved since 2019
Trannel International Limited, owned by Kindred Group, faces a setback as the Norwegian court rejects its appeal, affirming the suspension imposed by the country's Lottery Authority
Allwyn's Casinos Austria, the operator of Austrian Lotteries, has announced that the minimum age for buying lottery tickets and scratch cards will be raised from 16 to 18, effective July 10
The Gambling Regulation Office (ÚRHH) in Slovakia reported a significant increase in inspections during the first quarter of 2023, conducting 2,511 checks compared to the previous year
Entain cautions that it may receive a significant financial penalty following an HMRC investigation into its Turkish operations
North America
Tennessee paves the way to become the first US state to tax sports betting operators based on their betting handle, replacing the existing gross gaming revenue (GGR) tax model
The North Carolina Senate has passed a bill authorizing sports betting on professional and college sports, with plans to launch in 2024 and generate $100 million in tax revenue by the third year
The Illinois Legislature has voted to extend the ban on online betting for in-state college sports until July 1, 2024
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has vetoed SB23-259, a bill that sought to authorize casinos to offer lines of credit to customers
Kentucky regulators have taken significant steps towards the launch of sports betting, as Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 551 into law
South America
Chile moves forward with legislation to regulate online betting, bringing potential benefits to the industry and paving the way for increased gaming revenues
The State Lottery of Rio de Janeiro (LOTERJ) has made history by becoming the first company authorized to operate online sports betting in Brazil
Australia
The NSW government emphasizes the need for clear harm reduction messages in gambling advertisements
Australian casino operator Crown Resorts has reached an agreement with AUSTRAC to pay a AU$450 million civil penalty, pending approval by the Federal Court, to resolve legal issues
SkyCity Entertainment has been instructed to conduct an independent review of its AML/CTF practices at SkyCity Adelaide, following an investigation that highlighted the need for action
Other
Macau's Chief Executive, Ho Iat Seng, has given a preliminary approval to the rejuvenation plans proposed by casino operators for the city's older districts