Compliance Updates
PHAI Files Class Action Against DraftKings in Massachusetts
The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) and its Center for Public Health Litigation filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of Massachusetts citizens who opened DraftKings Sportsbook accounts in response to a $1000 bonus sign-up promotion that the gambling company widely advertised. The Institute is based at Northeastern University School of Law in Boston.
The lawsuit alleges that members of the class were not aware that, in order to qualify for the sign-up bonus of $1000, new customers were required to make an initial deposit of $5000. After that, they had to gamble $25,000 on certain qualifying bets over a finite time period. If they did all of that, they would qualify to receive non-withdrawable credits to use on the platform.
Plaintiffs Shane Harris and Melissa Scanlon responded to the offer and were confused as to why they never received the $1000 sign-up bonus. The Institute’s executive director, Mark Gottlieb, said “Shane and Melissa are typical of many thousands of people in Massachusetts who were misled by the bonus offer and would not have signed up had they understood DraftKings’ unfair and deceptive requirements.”
Massachusetts is one of 38 states that has approved sports betting in the past five years since the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way in the Murphy v. NCAA decision.
PHAI’s gambling policy advisor, Harry Levant, a therapist who treats patients with Gambling disorder, noted that “Gambling is a known addictive product similar to heroin, opioids, tobacco, alcohol, and cocaine.” Levant is also a doctoral student in Law and Public Policy at Northeastern who studies the public health impact of online gambling. “The time has come to bring public health reform and regulation to the gambling industry because lives are in the balance” Levant concluded.
Northeastern University Distinguished Professor of Law, Richard Daynard, who is also president of the Institute, is well-known for his pioneering work to hold tobacco companies liable for their products’ harms in court. “Online gambling is creating a public health disaster with increasingly addictive products right before our eyes,” said Daynard. “In fact,” he continued, “massive advertising using unfair and deceptive promotions to hook customers on an addictive product bears an uncanny similarity to what the cigarette companies used to get away with.”
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued cease-and-desist orders to five illegal online gambling operators—BoVegas Casino, BUSR, Cherry Gold Casino, Lucky Legends, and Wager Attack Casino—after discovering they were targeting Michigan residents without proper licenses. These operators are violating Michigan’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and the Michigan Penal Code.
“These illegal sites undermine the integrity of Michigan’s regulated gaming industry and put players at serious risk. We will not tolerate unlicensed gambling operations that exploit Michigan residents. Our top priority is to protect the public by enforcing the law and shutting down these illegal platforms,” said Henry Williams, Executive Director of the MGCB.
Details of the Crackdown
BoVegas Casino: Offers slots and table games while ignoring Michigan’s strict licensing requirements, leaving players vulnerable to fraud and unfair gaming.
BUSR: Markets itself as a sportsbook and casino but operates without the consumer protections required by Michigan law.
Cherry Gold Casino: Promotes a wide range of slots and table games but lacks Michigan licensure, putting players at risk.
Lucky Legends: Claims to offer a “VIP experience” with bonuses but bypasses state regulations designed to ensure fairness.
Wager Attack Casino: Combines sports betting and casino gaming without a Michigan license, exposing consumers to unregulated practices.
The MGCB’s investigations found that these sites have been accepting wagers and deposits from Michigan residents on sports events, slots, blackjack, and other casino games—all without the oversight and safeguards required by law. Players using these platforms face unreliable payouts, unfair gaming practices, and have no legal recourse in case of disputes.
“These illegal operations, whether offshore or operating without a Michigan license, exploit players and put them at risk. We will continue to take strong action to protect the integrity of Michigan’s gaming industry and to ensure that residents have access to safe, legal, and regulated gambling options,” Williams said.
The cease-and-desist orders demand that each operator immediately halt all gaming activities in Michigan. They have 14 days to comply or face further legal action from the MGCB in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
The post MGCB Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Five Illegal Online Gambling Operators appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The Swedish government has proposed a new expanded ban on gambling on credit.
By preventing gambling from being financed with credit, the government wants to reduce the risk of over-indebtedness and protect consumers from ending up in financial difficulties.
The government’s proposal means that licensees and gaming agents will not be allowed to allow or participate in the financing of gambling with credit. This means that the current credit ban will be expanded to include, among other things, that licensees and gaming agents will not be allowed to:
• Enable players to enter into credit agreements with other parties when purchasing games, for example by linking to credit providers in connection with online gaming.
• Accept gambling bets if they know that the player is financing the bet, or their gambling in general, with a credit.
• Accept credit card payments if it is immediately apparent at the time of purchase that the payment is a credit card payment. This should apply both online and in-store.
The new rules are proposed to come into force on April 1, 2026.
The post Swedish Government Proposes a New Ban on Gambling on Credit appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
EGT Digital is proud to announce that it is licensed to operate in Gibraltar. The company has obtained authorization from the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, allowing it to provide all its core products – the X-Nave platform, the Gaming Aggregator, and the casino games, within the British Overseas Territory.
Securing the Gibraltar license marks a significant strategic milestone for EGT Digital, granting access to one of the most respected and tightly regulated jurisdictions in the global iGaming industry. This achievement reinforces the company’s commitment to compliance and operational excellence, while also enhancing its credibility and competitiveness in key regulated markets.
X-Nave, EGT Digital’s modular iGaming platform, includes four core components – Sportsbook, CRM Engine, Gaming Aggregator, and Payment Gateway – available as part of the turnkey solution or as standalone services.
The Gaming Aggregator offers access to over 24,000 titles from 300+ providers, while the company’s own portfolio features more than 140 in-house developed casino games, including the popular Bell Link, High Cash, Clover Chance, and the newest jackpot solution Gods & Kings Link.
EGT Digital’s slots currently have a presence in more than 70 markets globally and are recognized across the industry for their high quality and outstanding performance.
Tsvetomira Drumeva, Head of Sales at EGT Digital, commented: “Receiving the Gibraltar license is a key milestone for us. It strengthens our position as a trusted provider in regulated markets and opens new opportunities to collaborate with leading partners across the iGaming ecosystem.”
The post EGT Digital is a licensed iGaming provider for Gibraltar appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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