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Compliance Updates

Dutch Government Approves Online Gambling Ad Ban

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2 years ago

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The Dutch government has published the full draft of its ban on “untargeted” advertising and recruitment by licensed betting companies in the Netherlands, setting a start date of July 1.

From that date, operators in the Netherlands will have to adhere to a much stricter advertising policy. Measures include a ban on televised advertisements and marketing in public places, such as via billiards and on printed media.

Bookmakers will have a little more leeway with online and social media advertising. Companies can continue to do so, but must be able to prove that any material is targeted to audiences aged 24 and older.

The document was submitted to the Hague on April 5 by Franc Weerwind, Minister for Legal Protection at the Ministry of Justice and Security, the long-term architect of the legislation.

Following the regulation of the Dutch online market on 1 October 2021, political observers in the Netherlands have voiced concern about the increase in advertising after the first licences were issued.

Explaining the rationale behind the new restrictions on the Dutch online betting sector less than three years into maturity, Weerwind outlined that “the amount of advertising for remote games of chance has increased sharply”.

“Addiction care and people who have experience with addiction problems have indicated that they have difficulty with the large amount of untargeted advertising,” the Minister wrote.

“Research also shows that advertising for remote games of chance is often seen through channels with a very wide reach. As a result, people with addiction problems for games of chance can hardly escape a confrontation with games of chance advertising in their daily lives.”

Weerwind did acknowledge that advertising fulfils a core function of the KOA Act legislation which regulated the market back in 2021, that being promotion of the regulated offering.

“It should be noted that it is difficult to quantify the exact consequences of the large amount of untargeted advertising and its broad and untargeted reach,” Weerwind continued.

“This is primarily because it is not yet clear how large the number of players that play on the illegal market are and have played in the past.

“It is clear that many Dutch people already played with illegal providers before the market opened, but it is unclear how large this number is exactly, how many players have since switched from illegal to legal providers and what growth of new players there has been.”

Both the government and KSA have observed that marketing by licensed bookmakers directs punters to legal operators that adhere to the player protection standards enforced by the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) gambling authority.

However, legislators and addiction treatment specialists’ main concerns are that advertising may be too far-reaching, potentially exposing young people – meaning those aged 18-24 – and under-age consumers to age-restricted betting products.

By confirming the July 1 launch date for the advertising clampdown, Weerwind remains on track with his most recent legislative objectives, having said in March that the ban would come into force no later than this day.

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Blitzcrown

Blitzcrown Secures GLI Certification for Three Crash Games in Brazil

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11 hours ago

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April 3, 2025

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Breaking New Ground in Brazil: Blitzcrown’s Crash Games Now GLI Certified

Blitzcrown, MVG’s pioneering games studio, has secured Brazilian Certification as well as GLI-19 Certification from GLI(Gaming Laboratories International) for its industry-changing three Crash titles. This landmark achievement marks a significant milestone in the company’s expansion into Brazil’s thriving online gaming market, positioning Blitzcrown at the forefront of the region’s rapidly evolving iGaming landscape.

The license comes at an important time for Brazil’s gaming sector, following the launch of the new licensing regime that started on January 1, 2025. The regulatory framework, signed into law in December 2023, has transformed the industry’s prospects.

The certification encompasses 3 innovative crash games: Crash, Fast Crash, and Twin Crash. This strategic milestone establishes Blitzcrown as the premier provider of certified Crash games in the Brazilian market, demonstrating the company’s unwavering commitment to regulatory excellence and gaming integrity. With the GLI-19 and Brazil certification process successfully concluded in March, Blitzcrown has solidified its position as an industry pioneer in this dynamic and emerging market.

Crash games are a recent addition to the global iGaming market, featuring the dynamic evolution of real-time multipliers and immediate reward structures. Blitzcrown has stood out by establishing groundbreaking game mechanisms that offer different and exciting gameplay experiences. Standard Crash provides players with a standard multiplier-based gaming experience, and Fast Crash is optimized for users seeking quick, intense multiplier experiences. The Twin Crash is an original format allowing players to place simultaneous bets on two separate multipliers.

Building on this momentum, Blitzcrown has announced plans to expand its certified portfolio with two additional versions of its innovative Plinko games, demonstrating the company’s strategic commitment to market expansion. This forward-looking initiative underscores Blitzcrown’s dedication to continuous innovation and sustainable growth in the regulated gaming markets.

Blitzcrown is MVG’s edge-game studio focused on pushing game ideas beyond their norms through innovative and non-traditional gaming experiences. The studio has been particularly recognized for its groundbreaking approaches in various game categories, including its successful Crash and Plinko series.

George Cho from MVG said: “This GLI certification testifies to Blitzcrown’s unwavering commitment to offering top-quality, fair gaming systems. We are well placed to take advantage of Brazil’s exciting new regulatory environment and the vast growth potential of the online gaming industry.”

The post Blitzcrown Secures GLI Certification for Three Crash Games in Brazil appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Compliance Updates

EUROMAT Objects to Croatia’s Decision to Advance its Legislative Process Without Notifying the European Commission

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15 hours ago

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April 3, 2025

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The European Gambling and Amusement Federation (EUROMAT) has submitted to the European Commission its objection to Croatia’s failure to notify the Croatian Gambling Act (PZ_42) under the TRIS procedure.

Several proposed amendments qualify the Croatian Gambling Act (PZ_42) as a technical regulation under Directive (EU) 2015/1535 warranting formal notification. EUROMAT is concerned that the Croatian Government is proceeding with its legislative process without any notification.

The law includes mandatory player identification for venue entry, a self-exclusion register, advertising restrictions, strict rules on the location of gambling venues, restrictions on days of operation, increased licensing fees and taxation.

Member States must notify any national provisions that restrict market access or the provision of services. Failure to comply with the notification procedure constitutes a breach of EU law, potentially leading to the suspension of the law’s application and the initiation of infringement proceedings. Croatia’s decision not to notify comes despite the country notifying its gambling law in 2014 which resulted in the legislation being withdrawn following scrutiny from the European Commission. Croatia also notified a law in 2023 with substantive impacts for the amusement sector and there are more than 500 examples in the European Commission’s TRIS database of similar notifications from across Europe.

EUROMAT President Jason Frost said: ”If the Commission is serious about strengthening the Internal Market then it has to ensure that Member States respect the law.

“The Commission intervened in 2014 and as a result Croatia had to withdraw its gambling law which underlines how important the notification procedure is. The Commission needs to intervene again but this time to ensure that Croatia actually notifies. Companies need legal certainty to invest and operate in Europe and if the Commission allows Member States to disregard their responsibilities then it sets a very concerning precedent.”

Filip Jelavic, General Sectary of the Croatian Gaming Association, said: “It is inconceivable that any European Member State could be allowed to introduce such far reaching and disruptive legal changes without following the correct procedure. We are calling on the Croatian Government to act responsibly in this case and follow the law.”

The post EUROMAT Objects to Croatia’s Decision to Advance its Legislative Process Without Notifying the European Commission appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Bruce Cassidy

VIP Play Obtains Interim West Virginia iGaming and Sports Wagering Management Service Provider Licenses

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16 hours ago

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April 3, 2025

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VIP Play Inc. announced the approval of its interim License in West Virginia for both Sports Wagering and iGaming managed services. This follows the recently announced market access partnership between VIP Play and Delaware North’s Wheeling Island Casino.

This milestone marks the company’s initial expansion beyond Tennessee, where it currently operates as a mobile Sports Wagering Operator. The interim License in West Virginia also adds iGaming to the company’s book of business, and allows VIP Play to participate in the rapidly expanding i-Gaming industry. VIP Play expects to begin serving West Virginia customers in the coming months.

Bruce Cassidy, VIP Play CEO & Chairman of the Board, said: “The acquisition of our interim Sports Wagering and i-Gaming License in West Virginia marks a significant milestone in our journey to expand, underscoring our commitment to provide innovative experiences to a wider audience. As we grow our presence, our dedication to excellence stands firm, and we’re excited to play a role in enriching West Virginia’s dynamic gaming community.”

The post VIP Play Obtains Interim West Virginia iGaming and Sports Wagering Management Service Provider Licenses appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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