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Compliance Updates

Secretary Haaland Announces Appointments to National Indian Gaming Commission

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Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today announced the proposed appointments of Sharon Avery (pictured, left) and Jeannie Hovland (pictured, right) as Associate Commissioners to the National Indian Gaming Commission.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act established the three-person National Indian Gaming Commission in 1988 to support and promote tribal economic development, self-sufficiency and strong tribal governments through the operation of gaming on Indian lands. The National Indian Gaming Commission’s Chair is appointed by the President and its two Associate Commissioners are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. All National Indian Gaming Commission members serve three-year terms.

“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to ensuring that tribes have the resources they need to exercise their tribal sovereignty and support their communities,” Haaland said. “Not only does gaming support tribal economies, but the funding it generates also helps to support the vital services that tribal nations provide to their citizens; from language preservation to healthcare. Today’s appointments to the National Indian Gaming Commission will help ensure we continue to provide resources and support for an industry that remains one of the most significant sources of economic development in Indian Country.”

Avery is an enrolled member of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan. She currently serves as an Associate General Counsel for the National Indian Gaming Commission’s Office of General Counsel. In this role she has gained familiarity with the agency’s structure and the important role the agency plays within the tribal gaming industry. Prior to joining the National Indian Gaming Commission, Avery worked in the legal department of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan for ten years. She graduated from Michigan State University College of Law with a Juris Doctor degree and a certificate from the Indigenous Law and Policy Center.

Hovland is an enrolled member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota and currently serves as Vice Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission. Since joining the National Indian Gaming Commission, she has worked collaboratively to consult with tribes for the promulgation of regulations and to coordinate the agency’s regulatory responsibilities with tribal regulatory authorities. Prior to joining the National Indian Gaming Commission, Hovland served as Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services and held roles at the Interior Department as well as in the office of South Dakota Senator John Thune.

Appointments to the National Indian Gaming Commission can be finalized following a required 30-day public comment period. Information on how to comment and full biographies of the appointees can be found in the accompanying Federal Register notice.

Compliance Updates

Romania Blocks 30 Unlicensed Gambling Websites

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Romania’s gambling authority, the ONJN, has blacklisted 30 gambling websites after finding they were offering online casino and sports betting without local licences. Internet service providers (ISPs) now have 15 days to cut access, redirecting users to an official ONJN page explaining the block.

The 30 blocked sites range from obscure names to platforms that had been attracting steady traffic. Domains include wazbee.casino, jacktop.com, roostake.com, a string of “nv” branded casinos (nv5.casino through nv93.casino), and several under the ybets label.

Some of these platforms appeared almost overnight and marketed heavily on social media. Others had been active for months, drawing Romanian players with offers that licensed brands simply cannot match under current advertising rules.

The ruling obliges Romanian ISPs to redirect any traffic from the blacklisted domains to a designated ONJN IP address. Players trying to access those sites will instead see a page confirming the operator is not authorised to operate in Romania.

The post Romania Blocks 30 Unlicensed Gambling Websites appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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New Indian Law Aims to Curb Online Money Gambling Sector, Prohibits Related Advertising

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Following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 on August 21, the government of India imposes a complete ban on online money games, alongside the advertisements related to the sector.

Passed by the parliament, any financial transactions related to these platforms would be considered unlawful as stated under the Information Technology Act of 2000. The legislation also aims to establish a national-level regulatory authority that will govern the categorising and registration of online games.

The said authority shall issue guidelines, codes of practice and directions for compliance, with strict punishments induced, leading to imprisonment for up to three years, and a fine to one crore rupees or 114,017 USD.

The advertisement of the said games is also punishable with similar penalties, with imprisonment up to two years and a fine of up to fifty lakh rupees 1140 USD.

While the law prohibited online money gaming such poker, rummy and fantasy sports that offer cash rewards, e-sports are considered and recognised as a legitimate competitive sport in India, and is not included in the total ban, as well as online social games or casual games that are recreational in nature.

This draws that the bill-turned-law, used a “balanced approach” since recognising that the online gaming sector is one of the most dynamic segments in the digital and creative economy, hence, still allowing esports and online social games.

This came after the report of over 45 crore or 45,000,000 people were reportedly affected by online money games and have lost more than Rs. 20,000 crores or 2,280.414 USD, according to Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology.

According to the same ministry, the total ban was driven by the following reasons:

• Addiction and Financial Ruin

• Mental Health and Suicide

• Fraud and Money Laundering

• Threat to National Security

• Closing Legal Loopholes

• Encouraging Healthy Alternatives

Meanwhile, the bill also stated that while the online gaming authority governs the registration of online games, the central government still has the authority to frame the rules for the promotion and advertisement of e-sports, online social games and other rules related under the law.

In total, the legislation aims to safeguard vulnerable populations, particularly the middle class and youth by introducing these strict regulations and a greater emphasis on brand responsibility and ethical advertising.

The post New Indian Law Aims to Curb Online Money Gambling Sector, Prohibits Related Advertising appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Compliance Updates

Bacta commissioned research shows huge support for seaside arcades led by Gen Z

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The findings of independent research conducted by Censuswide among a sample of 2,000 UK Nationally representative respondents aged 16+ shows that Generation Z has fallen in love with the seaside arcades so popular with their grandparents. 

The research reveals that 8 in 10 respondents (81 percent) view seaside arcades as being part of British culture and it is young Brits that are banging the drum for arcades, with 90 percent of 25–34-year-olds backing their importance.

Despite overwhelming public support from Britain’s younger generations, seaside arcades continue to face a perfect storm of challenges from rising energy and staffing costs, plus the threat of increased taxation as suggested by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

72 percent say Government should do more to protect them – with 86 percent of those aged 25-34-years calling for urgent action.

The research findings confirm the central role played by seaside arcades with 72 percent of adults saying they would visit an arcade on a trip to the seaside a figure that rises to 91 percent for 24-34-year-olds.

In terms of providing accessible entertainment 55 percent say that arcades offer great value for money, making them the UK’s most affordable family day out. As a result, 84 percent confirmed they have enjoyed arcades with multiple generations of their family.

The importance of contributions to local economies featured highly in the research paper with 7 in 10 stating that arcades play a key role in regenerating seaside towns, a figure that rises to 85 percent of 18-24-year-olds.

Reflecting on the research findings Joseph Cullis, President of UK trade association, Bacta said: “Britain’s seaside arcades are a vital element of our proud tourism industry, a modern cultural icon, and have been a fun family activity for more than a century.

“It’s brilliant but not surprising to see young people are embracing them with all the enthusiasm of their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents before them.

“At Bacta, we’re fighting to protect our seaside arcades from the threats of rising costs and from those who want to tax them out of existence. We hope that local councillors, MPs and the Treasury will heed the wants and needs of the British people and protect these vital institutions.”

Elliot Ball, who co-owns and runs Clacton Pier with his brother Billy, said other attractions would be at risk if arcades were taxed even more.

“I’m the fifth generation of my family – on both sides – involved in amusement arcades so this is a labour of love” he stated.

“But the threat from the government to raise gambling tax would put at risk a traditional family day out to the seaside. Trips here have been making memories for generations, and it’s great that younger people are finding the same safe, harmless fun on the pier that has been raising a smile and lighting up eyes for years and years.

“We’ve bounced back from the pandemic and the rise of staycations helps, but many of Britain’s most beloved seaside attractions will be put at high risk if gambling taxes rise.”

The post Bacta commissioned research shows huge support for seaside arcades led by Gen Z appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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