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Compliance Updates

EGBA Demonstrates Commitment To GDPR With Sectoral Code Of Conduct For Data Protection

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New Code establishes rules and best practices to strengthen data protection in the online gambling sector and is one of Europe’s first sector-specific initiatives to support compliance with the GDPR.

BRUSSELS, 10 June 2020 – The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has published a Code of Conduct on data protection which establishes dedicated sector-specific rules and best practices to ensure compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 and promotes the highest standards of data protection in the online gambling sector.

The Code of Conduct on Data Protection in Online Gambling sets long-term data protection standards for Europe’s online gambling sector and is intended to complement and reinforce the sector’s compliance with the GDPR. The Code is one of Europe’s first ever sector-specific self-regulatory initiatives to support compliance with the GDPR. The Code is part of EGBA’s wider efforts to drive standards in the online gambling sector and is in accordance with the GDPR, which encourages the use of sector-specific codes to support the proper application of its provisions[1].

The Code introduces specific measures and best practices on:

  • Enhancing portability rights – including rules to enable customers to transfer their personal data from company to company in an easier and secure way (including rules for player account registration, transactions history, marketing preferences, etc).
  • Supporting transparency – specifying what needs to be contained in a company’s privacy policy and which are the possible exceptions to the transparency principle, in view of the specificities of the sector.
  • Protecting against breaches of personal data – online gambling companies are required to introduce a plan to prevent and/or mitigate against breaches of personal data.
  • Establishing VIP accounts – how companies should establish player accounts for “VIP” customers in a way which respects privacy and the use of personal data.
  • Safer gambling – how companies should balance a customer’s privacy rights against the need to protect them from problem gambling.
  • Direct marketing – guidance on how to protect customer data during direct marketing and to prevent self-excluded customers from receiving direct marketing.
  • Detecting fraud – measures to prevent fraud and ensure data is used to comply with applicable laws.

All EGBA members will adhere to the Code and it is also open for signature to other online gambling companies licensed in the EU/EEA. Compliance with the Code will be monitored by an independent third-party monitoring body.

In line with the requirements of the GDPR, the Code has now been submitted to the Maltese Data Protection Authority for formal approval of the Code’s compliance with GDPR. This is a process which involves data protection authorities in other EU countries, and the European Data Protection Board, and can last between 18-24 months.

“On the 2-year anniversary of the GDPR, issues around data protection, privacy and the use of personal data are still a concern for many European citizens. That’s why we’re pleased to introduce this new code which demonstrates the online gambling sector’s commitment to protecting the personal data of our 16.5 million customers and supporting the success of the GDPR. We’re pleased to be one of Europe’s first industry sectors to introduce a self-regulatory code which supports compliance with GDPR. Data, and how it is used, is playing an increasing important role in how citizens and business interact online – and the online gambling sector is no different. This code outlines how online gambling companies should ensure their customers understand how their personal data is being used and provides important guidance on how companies should use personal data in their interactions with customers, including how they identify and address problem gambling behavior in their customers.” – Maarten Haijer, Secretary General, EGBA.

[1] Article 40, General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679.

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Australia

VGCCC Fines Werribee RSL for Self-exclusion Failures

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The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has fined the Werribee RSL $30,000 for failing to prevent 2 self-excluded customers from gambling.

VGCCC CEO Suzy Neilan said: “This is the first time the VGCCC has taken disciplinary action against a club or hotel for self-exclusion breaches.

“Self-exclusion programs empower people to manage their gambling by registering to be temporarily or permanently blocked from entering gambling areas of clubs, pubs and casinos.

“By failing to respect a person’s decision to self-exclude, a venue may put customers who have decided to take a break from gambling, or quit altogether, at risk of experiencing gambling harm.”

In January 2024, the VGCCC received an anonymous tip-off that a self-excluded person entered the Werribee RSL gaming room and used the poker machines. The venue self-reported a second breach in May 2024, after realising a different customer had gambled at the venue on at least 4 occasions between February and May 2024.

Ms Neilan said: “Taking disciplinary action is the last resort. We would prefer venues take their harm minimisation responsibilities seriously by complying with their legal obligations, including through the effective implementation of tools like self-exclusion.

“Venues and their staff are the last line of defence for self-excluded customers, who should be able to trust that their decision to self-exclude will be respected. They must have the appropriate controls in place to prevent self-excluded people from entering gaming rooms.”

The VGCCC acknowledged that Werribee RSL cooperated with the investigations and has since taken steps to strengthen its procedures. These include improved and regular staff training, daily audits of the self-exclusion register and greater use of technology to identify self-excluded customers who attempt to enter the gaming room.

This remedial action was taken into consideration in determining the amount of the fine.

The post VGCCC Fines Werribee RSL for Self-exclusion Failures appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Compliance Updates

Konami Gaming Awarded Gaming-related Vendor License in the UAE

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Konami Gaming Inc. announced successful completion of Gaming-related Vendor Licensing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a key emerging market for commercial gaming. Konami Gaming is among the first in the industry to be awarded a Gaming-Related Vendor License by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), an independent entity of the UAE Federal Government with exclusive jurisdiction to regulate, license, and supervise all UAE commercial gaming activities. A leading global provider of casino games and casino management systems, Konami has been awarded official license to serve the UAE’s developing gaming market with its award-winning products and services.

“Since Konami Gaming’s inception, our global growth has been achieved with an unwavering commitment to compliance. As the United Arab Emirates expands its economy to the regulated commercial gaming space, Konami is dedicated to supporting this market with the same integrity, innovation, and excellence we bring to all 431 gaming jurisdictions we serve worldwide,” said Tom Jingoli, president & chief operating officer at Konami Gaming.

For a quarter century, casino players have enjoyed Konami Gaming’s slot machines for the Class III gaming space, in which game outcomes are determined by random number generators (RNG). The company has since expanded its world-famous casino entertainment to online gaming and a variety of central determination market sectors. Additionally, Konami Gaming has spent over 20 years delivering its industry-leading SYNKROS casino management system to some of the largest and most diverse gaming destinations on earth, with ultra-reliable 99.99% uptime.

The post Konami Gaming Awarded Gaming-related Vendor License in the UAE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Australia

ACMA: ReadyBet Breaches Gambling Self-exclusion Rules

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued ReadyBet with a remedial direction after the company marketed to customers who had registered with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register (NSER).

An ACMA investigation found ReadyBet sent 273 texts and push notifications from its mobile app to self-excluded individuals.

Separately, the company also failed to promote the NSER in 2342 push notifications despite it being mandatory to promote BetStop in any marketing electronic messages.

The ACMA issued the remedial direction so that ReadyBet takes action to prevent it breaching the rules in the future.

Under the remedial direction, ReadyBet must commission an independent review of its marketing systems, including its use of third-party suppliers.

ReadyBet must also engage a provider to deliver training to its staff to avoid messages being sent to self-excluded individuals.

The ACMA may seek civil penalties if ReadyBet does not comply with the remedial direction.

The post ACMA: ReadyBet Breaches Gambling Self-exclusion Rules appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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