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Compliance Updates

MGA Marks Safer Gambling Week by Hosting Focus Group on Addressing Problem Gambling

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As part of Safer Gambling Week, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has launched the first in a series of focus groups aimed at addressing problem gambling and its effects on Maltese communities.

Bringing together key stakeholders such as Caritas Malta, Aġenzija Sedqa, the OASI Foundation and the Responsible Gaming Foundation, the session explored a self-assessment tool that the Authority is currently developing, grounded in recent research and industry trends.

The self-assessment tool, which will be available both in English and in Maltese, will guide individuals through a set of questions to help them identify whether gambling is causing harm in their lives. Based on the user’s responses, the tool will provide personalised recommendations and direct them to appropriate support services.

With invaluable input from organisations experienced in supporting individuals affected by problem gambling, the tool will undergo further refinement to maximise its effectiveness and relevance.

Clinical Chair at Aġenzija Sedqa, Anna Maria Vella, hailed the focus group as a “welcome initiative” which brought together a multidisciplinary team of experts.

“Working together and not in silos is always beneficial. We learn from each other to be more effective.”

Louis Bellizzi, Secretary of Caritas’ Foundation for Victims of Usury, said: “The MGA is in a unique position to coordinate the national effort to help alleviate the scourge of gambling addictions.”

In recent years, the Authority has taken significant steps to promote safer gambling practices, ranging from regular supervisory reviews on responsible gambling to enforcing stricter regulations.

The MGA closely monitors operators’ implementation of behavioural monitoring systems, self-exclusion systems and responsible marketing practices.

With a focus on high-risk areas, the Authority is refining its supervisory approach to be more dynamic and data-driven, ensuring responsible gambling practices are maintained and continuously improved to protect players effectively.

The MGA’s efforts align closely with the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA)’s initiative to establish a unified European standard for identifying markers of harm. The MGA is actively engaged in this initiative, working closely with fellow regulators and industry experts to create a comprehensive standard aimed at early identification of behaviours indicative of problem gambling.

The Authority’s proactive involvement in such initiatives underscores its dedication to fostering a responsible and transparent gaming sector, both locally and across Europe.

The post MGA Marks Safer Gambling Week by Hosting Focus Group on Addressing Problem Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Compliance Updates

NCPG Celebrates Senate Action on Military Gambling Addiction Research

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The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a key provision in the FY26 Senate Defense Appropriations Bill that would, for the first time, make gambling addiction an eligible research topic under the Department of Defense’s Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). The decision marks a historic step in addressing gambling disorder as a behavioral health condition impacting active duty servicemembers and Veterans.

The provision was championed by a broad group of lawmakers, led by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and supported by more than two dozen state affiliates of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), as well as leading operators from the gambling industry including FanDuel, BetMGM, and MGM Resorts International.

“The Committee’s action will finally give researchers, local VA clinicians, and military health officials the ability to better understand and address gambling addiction among those who serve. We’re grateful to our allies in Congress, industry partners, and the public health community for making this progress possible,” said Derek Longmeier, President of NCPG’s Board of Directors.

According to recent research from NCPG, nearly 20 million American adults report experiencing at least one problematic gambling behavior “many times” in the past year. Although this research suggests that the risk for gambling problems may be stabilizing, military communities remain disproportionately affected.

Gambling addiction is one of the most under-researched behavioral health conditions among military populations even though servicemembers are twice as likely as civilians to experience gambling problems. Nearly 40% of veterans who seek treatment for gambling addiction report having attempted suicide.

“Servicemembers and Veterans facing gambling addiction deserve the same level of support and understanding we’ve worked to build around PTSD, depression, and other behavioral health challenges. This provision is a critical step toward recognizing the realities our military community faces and ensuring the federal government invests in the basic, foundational research needed to support recovery,” said Sen. Ben Ray Luján.

Congress previously mandated annual screenings for gambling disorder in the FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act. However, without federal research funding, military and local VA clinicians lack the data and tools necessary to facilitate early intervention or provide evidence-based care.

If enacted into law, the FY26 Defense Appropriations bill would establish the first federally recognized pathway for research into gambling addiction in the military. The bill now proceeds to the full Senate for consideration.

The post NCPG Celebrates Senate Action on Military Gambling Addiction Research appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Compliance Updates

KSPO K-Cycle & K-Motorboat Racing Holds Betting Integrity Sharing Agreement MOU Signing Ceremony with IBIA

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Director Sung-chul Lee, the KSPO K-Cycle & K-Motorboat Racing Director, held a betting integrity monitoring agreement MOU signing ceremony with the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) at the seminar room of the Korean Cultural Centre UK on Tuesday, 5th August.

The MOU with IBIA represents a landmark moment for South Korean sports integrity, marking the first cooperation of its kind between IBIA and an Asian nation sports body, underscoring the significance of this new collaboration. The agreement demonstrates a commitment to aligning with global best practices in betting integrity and serves as a significant step in South Korea’s broader international engagement with the regulated sports betting sector.

In 2024, South Korea’s betting industry market recorded total sales of 25.3 trillion won (approx. €15.7 billion) and approximately 22.86 million users, establishing itself as a major foundation for public leisure and public fund creation. Among them, K-Cycle & K-Motorboat Racing recorded annual sales of 1.8859 trillion won (approx. €1.17 billion) and 12.5 million users (online/offline total), accounting for about 7.5% of the total betting industry sales in South Korea. Since the introduction of the system, K-Cycle & K-Motorboat Racing has contributed greatly to the promotion of national sports and the expansion of public finance by raising approximately 1.9464 trillion won (approx. €1.21 billion) for the National Sports Promotion Fund.

At the event, General Director Sung-chul Lee stated, “Through this agreement, KSPO K-Cycle & K-Motorboat Racing has elevated the status of K-Sports and has taken a leap forward to global standards.” He added, “I would like to express my deep gratitude to CEO Khalid Ali and the IBIA officials for their cooperation in making this agreement successful. Following this agreement, we intend to supply the KSPO K-Cycle & K-Motorboat Racing products to the international betting market, protected by this important integrity collaboration.”

IBIA is the leading global voice on integrity for the regulated betting industry, representing many of the world’s largest licensed operators. A not-for-profit organisation established in 2005, IBIA manages a global monitoring and alert network that tracks transactional activity to detect suspicious betting patterns across its members’ markets, which generate over $300bn in sports betting revenue per annum. The association works closely with major sports bodies like FIFA, UEFA, the ITIA and the IOC, as well as regulators worldwide, to support the fight against betting-related corruption. Committed to transparency, IBIA publishes regular integrity reports and requires all members to meet strict due diligence and betting integrity standards.

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, commented: “This agreement marks an important step forward, not only for KSPO and the integrity of K-Cycle and K-Motorboat Racing, but for the advancement of betting integrity standards across Asia. IBIA is delighted to support KSPO in setting a benchmark for clean, transparent and accountable sports betting operations in the region. We look forward to building on this partnership and helping to portect the integrity of K-Sports’ products.”

Professor Jae-kwang Shin of Seokyeong University commented, “The agreement with IBIA is an essential gateway for entering the global betting market, and the process of meeting its standards is quite challenging. The fact that this agreement with KSPO was one of the first in Asia is a remarkable achievement for South Korea’s sports and can be seen as a great accomplishment.” He also evaluated, “In the future, the KSPO will be able to play a significant role as a leader in the betting industry in Asian countries, and this also provides KSPO with a good opportunity to engage with IBIA’s vast global network.”

Through this agreement, KSPO K-Cycle & K-Motorboat Racing has committed to working in alignment with IBIA’s monitoring and reporting framework, strengthening its ability to identify and act on suspicious activity in the betting market. The partnership serves to reinforce South Korea’s sports integrity infrastructure and ensure compliance with internationally recognised standards. With the support of IBIA’s monitoring platform and global network, KSPO aims to build confidence among stakeholders and support the integrity of the betting environment both domestically and abroad.

The completion of this MOU also involved FnS Co. Ltd. (CEO Ho-young Choi), a sports consulting firm that has maintained a strong cooperative relationship with KSPO and has been actively pursuing international opportunities over the past three years. The firm’s extensive network across the UK and Europe played a particularly effective role in facilitating this agreement.

The signing ceremony was attended by Sung-chul Lee, General Director of the KSPO K-Cycle & K-Motorboat Racing Headquarters, Myung-ho Jeon, Senior Manager of the KSPO, Ho-young Choi, CEO of FnS Co., Ltd., and Professor Jae-kwang Shin of Seokyeong University. From IBIA, CEO Khalid Ali and Jason Foley-Train, Head of International Development, were present.

The post KSPO K-Cycle & K-Motorboat Racing Holds Betting Integrity Sharing Agreement MOU Signing Ceremony with IBIA appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Compliance Updates

Intralot informs the investment community about the withdrawal of the Maryland contract award Augu

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Intralot S.A. informs the investment community that the Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (USA), despite an initially favorable recommendation, has ultimately rejected the bid submitted by its subsidiary, Intralot, Inc., for the award of a contract for a new Central Lottery Monitoring and Control System in the State. The rejection was based on the alleged failure to meet the minimum required percentage of subcontracting to local subcontractors.

This decision comes as a great surprise, especially considering that Intralot, Inc. had allocated a significantly higher percentage of the project to local subcontractors than the minimum required.

Moreover, the company had provided the Commission with very detailed clarifications, and the Commission was fully aware of the identity and role of these subcontractors. In fact, the Commission innitially ruled that all participants in the bidding process complied with the requirements of the relevant RFP — something the Commission itself acknowledges.

The Company reserves all its legal rights and intends to pursue every legal remedy available to protect the interests of its shareholders. The bid submitted by Intralot, Inc. is technically sound and by far the most financially advantageous, significantly outperforming the second-best offer. Should it not be accepted, the State of Maryland stands to lose a substantial financial benefit.

The post Intralot informs the investment community about the withdrawal of the Maryland contract award Augu appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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