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Compliance Updates

KSA: Spring 2025 Monitoring Report Shows Positive Effect of Responsible Gaming Policy

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The measures introduced in October to protect players have had a positive effect: players are losing fewer large amounts and the percentage of extreme losses has fallen sharply. This is evident from the latest monitoring report from the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA). The figures also show that the majority of Dutch players still play with legal providers. However, the amount of money circulating in the illegal market has increased.

The gross gaming result (GSR, stakes minus prizes paid out) for the whole of 2024 is 1.47 billion euros. This is a growth of 6% compared to 2023, when the GSR amounted to 1.39 billion. In the second half of 2024, the GSR was 10% lower than in the first half of the year. This could be due on the one hand to a peak during the European Football Championship in June, but also to the introduction of new rules to better protect players, which also include a deposit limit.

Young adults

Young adults (18 to 23 years old) receive extra attention in the monitoring report, because they are a vulnerable target group. Together, they lost 11% of the BSR in the second half of 2024, while they make up 9% of the adult population. They do spend less money on average; they lose an average of €48 per month, compared to €148 for 24+ players. It is striking that young adults gamble relatively more on sports events than older age groups; of the money they spend, 29% goes to sports betting, while for other players this is 22%.

Number of players and accounts

In the last six months, an average of 1.19 million accounts were played per month. This is a slight increase compared to half a year earlier, when there were 1.1 million. In the last quarter, the number of new accounts increased; this could be due to the new measures for safe gaming. A player can have multiple accounts, so the number of accounts is not equal to the number of people gambling. An estimated 788 thousand players were active with legal providers in the last six months, 5.4% of the adult population. Six months earlier, this was 5.5%, so the number of players is stable.

Loss

The average player aged 24 and over lost €148 per month on gambling in the second half of 2024. That is lower than the first six months, when it was €160. Although players have been playing with more accounts since the introduction of the responsible gaming policy, the average loss is lower than before the introduction. The number of accounts with extreme losses has also fallen sharply. Before October 2024, 4% of accounts lost more than €1000 per month, after October that is only 1.2%. Before October 1, 2024, 73% of the BSR came from players with losses of more than 1000 euros. After the introduction of the rules, this percentage has dropped to 23%. This means that providers generate less income from player accounts with large losses.

Canalization

The monitoring report shows that the channelling in terms of players and the channelling in terms of money differ greatly. Of all people who gamble online, the vast majority (91%) do so with legal providers. On the illegal market, significantly more money is spent: of the total amount that Dutch people spend on gambling, 50% is spent with illegal parties.

Problem gamblers

There are no hard figures on the total number of people with a gambling addiction in the Netherlands. There are figures on the number of people who are being treated for a gambling addiction. In 2023, 2456 people were treated. At the time of publication of this report, there was no update of that figure. The total number of players who have excluded themselves from risky gambling with a Gokstop with a registration in the Cruks register was 87,345 people in January 2025. Half of them are under 32 years of age. Of the total number of Cruks registrations, 16% are young adults.

 

Source: kansspelautoriteit.nl

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Compliance Updates

MGCB Opens Investigations into Unlicensed Sports Prediction Markets

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The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has initiated investigations into unlicensed sports prediction markets operating within the state. These platforms, which bypass Michigan’s regulatory framework, have raised significant concerns about consumer protections.

Michigan’s investigations align with similar actions already taken by other state regulatory bodies and focus on how this form of unlicensed sports betting may jeopardize the integrity of Michigan’s legal sports betting system.

“We take consumer protection very seriously and are committed to ensuring that Michigan residents are engaging with safe and legal sports betting options. Unlicensed entities not only pose a risk to consumers but also undercut the integrity and revenue-generating potential of the state’s regulated sports betting industry. We are actively investigating these practices and will pursue appropriate measures to protect Michigan bettors,” said Henry Williams, Executive Director of the MGCB.

The unlicensed platforms offer what they describe as innovative financial products that allow users to trade their predictions on the outcomes of sports events. By sidestepping the regulatory protections of Michigan’s legal sports betting market, these platforms pose a serious risk to consumers. They create potential confusion among bettors and blur the line between sports betting as entertainment and sports betting as a financial trading vehicle.

Beyond concerns over lost tax revenue, these unregulated platforms may expose Michigan residents to various risks, including fraud, identity theft, and inadequate data security. Unlike licensed sportsbooks, which are required to adhere to strict regulations including age verification, Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, anti-money laundering (AML) measures, self-exclusion policies, and integrity monitoring, unlicensed entities may operate without these safeguards. As a result, consumers can be left vulnerable to financial harm.

The MGCB is also concerned that promoting sports betting as an investment opportunity directly contradicts Michigan’s established responsible gaming principles.

“Sports betting is meant to be a form of entertainment, not a financial investment. By framing sports contracts as investment vehicles, these platforms risk confusing consumers and undermining the state’s commitment to responsible gaming. Moreover, many of these unlicensed platforms are often accessible to individuals as young as 18, in stark contrast to Michigan’s 21+ age requirement for legal sports betting,” Williams added.

The post MGCB Opens Investigations into Unlicensed Sports Prediction Markets appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Compliance Updates

EQL Games Secures Gaming-related Vendor License from UAE’s GCGRA

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EQL Games has officially secured a GCGRA Gaming-Related Vendor license in the UAE. The license will allow EQL Games to offer a suite of high-end gaming products in the UAE on any regulated gaming platform with a focus on lottery.

The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) is an independent executive entity within the UAE Federal Government, established by Federal Law by Decree. The Authority holds exclusive jurisdiction to regulate, license and supervise all commercial gaming activities and facilities in the UAE.

“Securing this license marks a significant step for EQL Games as we continue our mission to bring innovative, secure, and responsible lottery solutions to markets worldwide. We are honored to be recognized by the UAE’s regulatory authorities and look forward to supporting their vision for a well-regulated digital lottery experience,” said Brad Cummings, CEO and Founder of EQL Games.

This achievement aligns with EQL Games’ broader strategy of expanding its footprint in worldwide markets while maintaining a strong focus on responsible gaming and compliance. EQL’s licensing in the UAE is a testament to its ability to meet the highest industry standards and operate within the most rigorous regulatory frameworks.

The post EQL Games Secures Gaming-related Vendor License from UAE’s GCGRA appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Compliance Updates

EPIC Global Solutions Boosts Regulatory Efficiency by nearly 90% with Vixio

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With Vixio, EPIC can move faster, with regulatory research reduced to “an hour rather than a day”. 

Vixio, an award-winning provider of regulatory intelligence solutions, is proud to announce a partnership with EPIC Global Solutions, a leading gambling harm-prevention consultancy, to enhance its regulatory efficiency and insight. By leveraging Vixio’s innovative suite of compliance tools, EPIC has streamlined its ability to navigate complex gambling regulations across multiple jurisdictions.

EPIC advises clients on how to intervene and interact with gamblers who may be suffering harm, including associations and operators who are serious about gambling social responsibility, such as the EFL, SPFL, NCAA and MLSPA.

Operating in a fast-paced, ever-changing regulatory landscape, EPIC faced the challenge of maintaining up-to-date, accurate compliance knowledge for its global clients.

“As a global consultancy, it’s crucial for us to stay informed on the latest regulatory developments. With Vixio, what would take a day now takes just an hour,” said Daniel Spencer, Principal Consultant at EPIC Global Solutions. “Trying to keep up with the changes in regulation, new stories as they break, and emerging markets in this space is a very difficult process, and Vixio makes that a lot easier.”

Mike Woolfrey, CEO of Vixio, added: “We are proud to support EPIC Global Solutions in their mission to reduce gambling harm. Our platform is designed to simplify regulatory complexities, helping organisations like EPIC make informed decisions faster and more confidently.”

A Comprehensive Compliance Solution

Vixio’s intelligence centralises global gambling compliance updates from 1,300 regulatory authorities in 180+ different jurisdictions, covering 4m+ data points. This centralised, easily searchable respiratory, combined with Vixio’s interactive tools, have provided EPIC with real-time access to critical regulatory information.

Vixio’s regulatory intelligence has empowered EPIC to support clients effectively across multiple jurisdictions in maintaining compliance and reducing gambling-related harm worldwide.

“Certainly, for anybody advising in this space from a consultancy point of view, Vixio is a valuable tool to ensure that your knowledge is kept up to date and the best it can be,” said Spencer.

The partnership between Vixio and EPIC ensures that EPIC has all the support it needs so it can focus on delivering proactive, effective solutions to mitigate gambling-related harm and ensure compliance across global markets.

“The support from Vixio’s team has been exceptional,” said Spencer. “Their proactive approach ensures we maximise the platform’s value, and they’re always available when we need assistance.”

The post EPIC Global Solutions Boosts Regulatory Efficiency by nearly 90% with Vixio appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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