Compliance Updates
Is Norway Breaking The EEA Agreement With Their Ban Of Online Casinos?
Norway’s gambling law is far-reaching and very strict on advertising and providing online gambling. But how legal is it when applied to the rest of Europe? With casinos able to operate on a regional basis, offering services to players in each legal jurisdiction, it’s possible Norway’s law may not be legally applied when in other jurisdictions – if the EEA decides similarly to the NAV case.
Within Norway itself, Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto are the only two companies licensed to offer gambling services to Norwegian citizens. Any casinos listed on Casinotopplisten are operating in other jurisdictions outside of Norway that can freely offer gambling to any residents of a particular jurisdiction – for instance residents in Sweden can gamble at a casino licenced in Sweden for that purpose.
Legislation is ordering banks to block payments
The story in Norway is different, however – legislation goes so far as to order banks to block access to card payments for casinos and gambling establishments, even when located in another country. Given the huge scandal in court regarding social security payments to citizens visiting other countries in the EEA, could it be that the gambling law restrictions are also illegal, just like this revocation of payments was?
Complaints have been made to EEA court in the past regarding Norway’s gambling laws, but so far the country hasn’t budged. With growing pressure within the country aiming to push through changes in the law, arguing that revenue is being taken out of the country and that players will be pushed to black market casinos without proper legislation, it remains to be seen whether the government’s plans to strengthen their current model will run foul of EEA law again – as it fundamentally disagrees with it.
Further scrutiny of these laws, or any legal challenges that might succeed, stand to have a huge knock-on effect in future when it comes to Norwegian gambling legislation. There are two possible outcomes should further tightening of restrictions come in force: either the discrepancy in law and ability to apply it across non-Norwegian jurisdiction will remain in force, or the country’s laws on this issue will be declared illegal. In the NAV case, this resulted in overturning of prison sentences and refunds of incorrectly-seized funds. With estimated numbers on foreign websites offering gambling to the Norwegian market standing at between 1.7 – 2 billion NOK in 2019, the financial implications could be immense.
SOURCE Casinotopplisten.com
CT Interactive has strengthened its presence in the Bulgarian market by expanding its portfolio with a new selection of certified games. The latest certification reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering engaging and high-quality gaming content, providing operators with a diverse selection of fresh and innovative titles.
“Bulgaria remains a key market for CT Interactive, and this certification is another step in our strategy to continuously provide top-tier, regulation-compliant games to our partners. We are dedicated to expanding our portfolio with exciting content that enhances player engagement while meeting the highest industry standards,” Martin Ivanov, Chief Operating Officer at CT Interactive, said.
Some of the newly certified games include: The New Queen of Fruits, Book of Power, Guardians of Asgard, Clover Queen, Piggy Crash, Fruits & Sweets Buy Bonus, Hyper Cuber Buy Bonus, Duck of Luck Buy Bonus and others. These titles showcase a mix of dynamic themes and innovative mechanics, designed to appeal to a wide range of player preferences.
The post CT Interactive Strengthens its Presence in Bulgaria appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Malta Gaming Authority Enhances Regulatory Oversight and Outlines 2025 Supervisory Priorities
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is enhancing its regulatory oversight approach and is outlining its supervisory focus areas for 2025. These enhancements are aimed at strengthening its supervision of the online gaming sector while promoting transparency with stakeholders.
Building on its existing risk-based framework, the MGA is enhancing such framework to a more evidence-driven and outcomes-focused model. This strategic approach will enable the Authority to better assess and address industry risks, allocate resources more effectively, and foster a more proactive and responsive regulatory environment.
Central to this enhanced oversight strategy are the compliance, player protection and sports betting integrity regulatory themes. By prioritising these key areas, the MGA aims to uphold the highest industry standards and reinforce its role as a trusted regulator.
Key outcomes of this refined regulatory approach include:
• Risk-Based Resource Allocation: Directing resources to high-risk areas to ensure more effective regulatory interventions;
• Enhanced Collaboration: Strengthening collaboration with operators to promote compliance and best practices;
• Proactive Risk Management: Anticipating and addressing emerging challenges in a dynamic gaming landscape.
This approach aligns with the MGA’s broader strategy to bolster the resilience of the online gaming sector, safeguard player interests and foster greater stakeholder confidence in a sustainable and well-regulated industry.
The post Malta Gaming Authority Enhances Regulatory Oversight and Outlines 2025 Supervisory Priorities appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Washington’s Lottery Achieves Nation’s Highest Level of Responsible Gambling Certification
Washington’s Lottery announced that it has achieved the highest level of responsible gambling certification in the country. As acknowledged by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL), Washington’s Lottery officially was certified for “Responsible Gambling Verification Best Practices at the Sustaining Level” in December 2024, the culmination of a process that began with certification at the Planning Level in 2019 and Implementation Level in 2021.
Washington’s Lottery is only the third state lottery in addition to Virginia and Ohio to achieve this milestone. NCPG and NASPL also recognize nine other state lotteries that have achieved a similar certification through the World Lottery Association.
“I can’t begin to express how proud I am of the work our team has done to achieve this important standard. We have a unique obligation as a state agency that sells a gambling product and need to balance the goal of raising money for important state initiatives like education with the need to acknowledge and assist the small percentage of players who may experience gambling-related distress. We take that work very seriously and weave it into all aspects of our jobs,” Kristi Weeks, Director of Legal Services for Washington’s Lottery, said.
To receive the Sustaining Level certification, Washington’s Lottery was evaluated by a team of four independent experts, who reviewed the lottery’s efforts in eight key categories related to responsible gambling: planning, employee training, retailer training, public education and awareness, product oversight, research, advertising, and resources.
“The key to our success has been the integration of responsible gambling initiatives into each and every employee’s position rather than centralizing it into only one or a few positions,” Weeks added.
The post Washington’s Lottery Achieves Nation’s Highest Level of Responsible Gambling Certification appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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