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Compliance Updates

Finnish Committee Says Gaming Payment Blocks Could Violate Article 15 and 18 of Finland’s Constitution

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4 years ago

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Along with Norway, Finland is one of the few countries in Europe to retain a state-controlled monopoly system for gaming. However, a government committee has suggested it sees no justification for protecting that.

Analysing a proposed amendment to Finland’s Lotteries Act which would allow for payment blocking against non-licensed operators, the Constitutional Committee has concluded that there are no grounds to protect the monopoly of the state-controlled operator Veikkaus.

The bill filed in September would allow Finland to block payments to all gaming operators other than Veikkaus. Payment providers would have to implement the ban from January 1, 2023.

However, the Constitutional Committee argued that the payment block would be “a far-reaching restriction of fundamental rights” and could not be justified by the argument that it aimed to prevent gambling harm.

It said such a block could violate Article 15 of Finland’s constitution, which covers the protection of property, and Article 18, which guarantees the freedom to conduct business.

The Committee has asked the government to investigate whether “less intrusive methods” could be explored to achieve the desired goals.

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Arizona Department of Gaming

Arizona Department of Gaming Launches First-Ever Statewide Campaign to Empower and Protect Consumers

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2 hours ago

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August 13, 2025

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The Arizona Department of Gaming has launched its first-ever statewide Public Education Campaign focused on protecting consumers, promoting public awareness, and reducing the harms associated with unregulated gambling. This is a significant milestone in the Department’s ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure a safe and responsible gaming environment.

Arizona offers a variety of legal, regulated gaming options throughout the state, including tribal casinos, event wagering, fantasy sports, and parimutuel wagering. For 30 years, ADG has safeguarded the integrity of Arizona’s gaming industry through rigorous oversight, licensing, and enforcement in accordance with the Tribal-State Gaming Compacts. This new campaign expands on that mission by educating Arizonans on how to avoid illegal gambling and access support services when needed.

The campaign is designed to inform and empower the public by emphasizing the risks of engaging with unlicensed operators and providing them with tools to identify legal, regulated options. It aims to reduce consumer vulnerability, prevent exploitation, and help individuals make informed decisions if they choose to participate in gaming activities.

The campaign kicks off with a series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs), developed in collaboration with the Arizona Media Association, which will be aired across TV, radio, print, and digital platforms. Available in both English and Spanish, the PSAs will:

• Educate the public on how to identify legal, regulated gaming operators in Arizona

• Emphasize consumer protection and the safeguards provided by regulated gaming environments

• Highlight the role regulated gaming plays in supporting Arizona communities and essential services

• Promote the 1-800-NEXT STEP helpline, which connects individuals to confidential, 24/7 support for problem gambling.

To complement the PSAs, ADG has launched the Check Your Bet webpage, which serves as a centralized resource to verify regulated gaming and access consumer protection tools. The webpage includes:

• A searchable list and interactive map of authorized Tribal Casinos in Arizona

• A searchable list and interactive map of licensed Event Wagering and Fantasy Sports Operators and their retail locations

• Information on Advanced Deposit Wagering Providers (ADWPs), Off-Track Betting (OTB) locations, and permitted horse racing tracks in Arizona

• How to access the Division of Problem Gambling’s Helpline, a confidential Problem Gambling Self-Screening Quiz, and additional supportive resources

• How to request Self-Exclusion, a voluntary program to prohibit oneself from Tribal Casinos and Event Wagering and Fantasy Sports Contests

• Guidance on submitting tips about suspected illegal gambling to the Department and filing consumer complaints with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

“We are proud to celebrate 30 years of providing world-class gaming regulation and consumer protection. This campaign is about empowering Arizonans who choose to participate in gaming with the knowledge to make informed, responsible decisions. As illegal and unregulated options on the market increase, the Check Your Bet webpage serves as a key resource for the public to verify licensed operators and access support. By directing viewers from our PSAs to this tool, we’re helping ensure people not only play safely, but also know where to turn if they or a loved one are struggling with problem gambling,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the Arizona Department of Gaming.

Since its founding in 1995, the Department has worked tirelessly to ensure that Arizona’s gaming industry operates with transparency, integrity, and responsibility. The campaign will run through the end of March 2026 and reflects ADG’s commitment to a safe, transparent, and well-regulated gaming landscape in Arizona.

The post Arizona Department of Gaming Launches First-Ever Statewide Campaign to Empower and Protect Consumers appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Australia

VGCCC Imposes $80,000 Fine on Online Bookmaker QuestBet

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3 hours ago

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August 13, 2025

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The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has fined online bookmaker QuestBet $80,000 for continuing to accept bets from a customer displaying observable signs of gambling-related distress.

Announcing the fine, VGCCC CEO Suzy Neilan said QuestBet’s non-compliance with its gambling harm minimisation obligations was indicative of a concerning culture.

“Our investigation of QuestBet’s practices found the bookmaker failed to have in place adequate systems to protect individuals identifiably at risk of gambling harm,” Ms Neilan said.

“Minimising gambling harm is an obligation every operator holds – including bookmakers – who must monitor customer wellbeing and intervene if they observe signs of distress.

“This substantial penalty demonstrates the seriousness of the bookmaker’s failure to meet its legal and moral obligations.”

The VGCCC investigation was prompted by a complaint from a customer who claimed QuestBet had allowed them to continue betting – and losing – a significant sum of money in a matter of weeks, without intervention.

“We found that between April and June 2023, the customer contacted QuestBet more than 20 times to request additional credits and bonus bets. On 6 occasions, they mentioned having experienced several large losses.

“This was a clear sign that the customer was struggling. A sign that QuestBet chose to ignore, instead encouraging and enabling the customer to keep gambling with the aid of bonus bets in 5 of the 6 occasions.

“Consequently, the customer lost about $15,000 over two months,” Ms Neilan said.

Staff of gambling operators must provide assistance to customers facing negative consequences from their gambling. There is a range of tools and resources staff might suggest to customers in this situation to assist them to, for example, set and track time and money limits, take a break, self-exclude or access help services.

“QuestBet suggested none of these, thereby breaching the Victorian Bookmakers’ Association Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct and causing further distress to the customer.

“Nor did the bookmaker formally respond to our request for an explanation for its lack of care or a reason not to be sanctioned, despite requesting, and being granted, several extensions to do so,” Ms Neilan said.

The post VGCCC Imposes $80,000 Fine on Online Bookmaker QuestBet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Compliance Updates

BGaming Secures Swedish License

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1 day ago

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August 12, 2025

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Rapidly expanding content provider continues European expansion with landmark Swedish license

Popular iGaming content provider BGaming is proud to announce it has been granted a license by the Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen), marking a significant milestone in its ongoing European expansion.

The B2B license has been issued under the Decision of the Swedish Gambling Authority. It allows BGaming to provide its innovative portfolio of certified games to licensed operators in Sweden.

For the first time, players in Sweden will be able to enjoy BGaming’s exciting game catalogue. This includes popular titles like Merge Up and Aztec Clusters, as well as any new and exciting games that hit the market.

This entry into the Swedish market is a significant step forward in BGaming’s ongoing expansion. The Swedish market is renowned for its high standards of player protection and robust regulatory framework. It is also home to some of the most respected operators in the industry, creating a wealth of opportunities for BGaming.

BGaming’s Head of Legal & Compliance, Antanina Ivanova, said: “Securing approval to enter Sweden marks a significant milestone for us in one of Europe’s most competitive markets.

Our team is always working to ensure full compliance with the highest regulatory standards, and being granted entry into one of the industry’s toughest markets is a testament to this.

We look forward to partnering with leading operators in Sweden and introducing our distinctive gaming experiences to local players for the first time.”

The post BGaming Secures Swedish License appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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