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Compliance Updates

MGCB Continues Crackdown on Unlicensed Online Casinos

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The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has taken decisive action against five offshore online casinos, sending cease-and-desist letters for violating state gaming laws. These websites offer a variety of casino games, such as slots, poker, blackjack, Keno, bingo, and game show games, in addition to sports betting.

The following unlicensed operators are now under scrutiny following the MGCB’s action:

BetWhale Casino, Curaçao

Black Lotus Casino, owned by TD Investments Ltd., Belize

Coins Game Casino, Curaçao

Love2play Casino, Curaçao and Costa Rica

Orion Stars 777 Players, Sichuan Province, China

“These illegal platforms not only violate Michigan’s gaming regulations but also put consumers at risk by offering unreliable withdrawal options and lacking essential consumer protections. Our top priority is safeguarding Michigan residents by ensuring that all online gaming activities are conducted legally and safely. These operators must stop their activities or face additional legal consequences,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said.

Investigations into these illegal activities have revealed that the operators are in violation of multiple Michigan state laws.

Despite offering various payment options like Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies (e.g., Bitcoin and Ethereum), these illegal operators impose strict withdrawal conditions, often requiring players to wager their initial deposits multiple times before they can access their winnings.

The MGCB has given these operators 14 days from the date of receipt of the cease-and-desist letters to halt their illegal activities.

The post MGCB Continues Crackdown on Unlicensed Online Casinos appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Compliance Updates

GeoLocs and Shufti Join Forces to Streamline Player Onboarding and Compliance

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GeoLocs, the specialist geolocation platform for the iGaming, Sports Betting and iLottery industries, has partnered with identity verification provider Shufti to deliver a seamless and secure user experience for both operators and players in regulated markets worldwide.

The integration of GeoLocs’ precise geolocation technology with Shufti’s robust identity verification solutions allows operators to onboard players faster while maintaining full compliance with local regulations. The partnership reduces friction in the registration and verification process, enabling a smoother journey from sign-up to gameplay.

Will Whitehead, Commercial Director at GeoLocs, commented: “We’re excited to be working with Shufti to bring a more seamless, secure experience to clients and players alike. Both of our technologies have been built with compliance and UX at their core, and this partnership allows us to combine strengths—making onboarding and verification faster, smoother, and more robust for operators in regulated markets.”

With regulatory frameworks tightening in both emerging and established jurisdictions, the collaboration ensures that operators have access to integrated tools that deliver high standards of security, compliance, and user experience.

Roger Redfearn-Tyrzyk, SVP of Sales at Shufti, added: “We’re proud to be teaming up with GeoLocs to support operators in delivering frictionless onboarding and a high level of regulatory compliance. Our joint capabilities mean operators can verify users quickly and accurately while GeoLocs ensures they are playing from permitted locations—creating an end-to-end experience that puts both security and user satisfaction first.”

This partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to innovation and player-centric technology in the fast-evolving iGaming space.

The post GeoLocs and Shufti Join Forces to Streamline Player Onboarding and Compliance appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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AGCO

AGCO Removes Cap on Seller Commission for Charitable Lottery Products

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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has updated several lottery policies to remove the cap on seller commission for Paper Raffles and Media Bingo, along with removing the prohibition on Catch the Ace paper lotteries, to align with other charitable lottery products.

Licensed charities may now negotiate commissions directly with sellers and determine commissions, provided they are reasonable and tied to the cost of service provided by the seller.

These updates further the AGCO’s commitment to adopt an outcomes-based regulatory approach and reduce burden for the charitable gaming sector. Local charitable organizations will have greater flexibility to make decisions that best serve their fundraising objectives.

Important Reminders

• Charities must still receive approval for other expenses incurred under their licence and retain receipts for seller commission paid.

• Licensing authorities will not require documentation to be submitted as part of the application process, however, charities are still subject to audit to determine compliance.

• Charities are reminded of their legal requirement to meet their obligations under the Criminal Code and with respect to conducting and managing a charitable gaming scheme.

• As with all licensed charitable lottery events, charities must take the necessary steps to ensure that they are conducting and managing the lottery event within Ontario.

For charitable gaming-related inquiries, email an AGCO Eligibility Officer at [email protected] or call AGCO Customer Service at 1-800-522-2876, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The post AGCO Removes Cap on Seller Commission for Charitable Lottery Products appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Compliance Updates

Brown Urges Reeves to Increase Gambling Taxes at Budget

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Gordon Brown has called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to increase the gambling taxes so she can lift benefit restrictions at her autumn Budget.

The former Labour prime minister and chancellor says Britain is facing a “social crisis” with a growing need to take children out of poverty.

Hiking taxes on the “undertaxed” gambling industry was “by far the most cost-effective way” for the chancellor to do this, he argued.

The Betting and Gaming Council, which represents gambling companies, warned the “economically reckless” plan would push gamblers into the black market.

Reeves is widely expected to raise taxes at this autumn’s Budget, after poor economic figures and a series of U-turns on welfare cuts made it harder to meet the government’s self-imposed spending rules.

It has prompted speculation about which areas the chancellor, who reportedly kept a framed photo of predecessor Brown in her room as a student, could look to when putting together her Budget this autumn.

The post Brown Urges Reeves to Increase Gambling Taxes at Budget appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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