Compliance Updates
Our UKGC consultation response: Failing to protect the vulnerable should not be the White Paper’s legacy
The dust has settled and the process is complete. The consultation on the proposed changes outlined in the UK Gambling White Paper is closed so now we just have to wait and see. Whilst we do so, we thought that in the spirit of transparency, we would share our own thoughts, more or less as they were communicated in our consultation response to the UK Gambling Commision.
Offering a real-time customer risk profiling tool, ClearStake’s focus was obviously on affordability checks. But then, much of the industry’s attention has been on this topic over the last few months. This is, to our mind, the single most important challenge facing the sector. Addressing it in the right way, a way that protects both punters and operators, will be the key to a sustainable, profitable future.
And with that goal uppermost in our mind, here is what we said:
1. Affordability checks must use real financial data
Certainly at the levels of spend proposed as meriting more thorough checks (£1,000 in a day or £2,000 over the space of three months), we don’t believe there is any real substitute for real financial data, by which we mean bank data. There is simply no other way of establishing whether a player can afford to lose this amount of money or not. Everything else – including data from credit reference agencies – is guesswork. We believe that the single greatest mistake that could be made during this process is not solving the problem of financial harm caused by gambling. That won’t be an issue if the government requires decisions to be made by operators in possession of a proper financial picture of their customers.
2. We can solve two problems at once
The consultation focused on affordability checks, but it would be almost perverse to ignore the wider reality at play here. Operators also have to perform anti money-laundering and source-of-funds (SOF) checks on their customers, and they do so by looking at bank statements. Given this is the case, it makes a lot of sense to us to effectively combine both these requirements within a single check.
3. At higher spend levels, it makes sense to keep customers connected
There has been a lot of talk about how frequently checks should take place, or to put that another way, whether it should be necessary to go back to a customer within six months or a year if they have already passed a check. To us, this rather misses the opportunity presented by Open Banking in particular. After the first check, assuming the player allows it, any checks in future can be entirely frictionless. The connection can remain in place and used when necessary (and only when necessary!) in order to make the ongoing compliance relationship as smooth as possible. We don’t expect ongoing connection to be mandated, but it should certainly be held up as best practice for all concerned.
4. Some of the proposed data points make little sense
When a solution that takes guesswork out of the equation is available, does it really make sense to suggest that postcodes and job titles are meaningful ways to determine an individual’s financial situation? We don’t think so. We believe that continuing to ‘lean in’ to data like this gives a misleading impression that it is good enough. It isn’t. Even as part of a broader decision-making process, it is very difficult to see where some of these data points fit in. You could say the same, of course, about missed loan repayments from three years ago.
5. The solution exists – why cobble together a new one?
Hovering behind the entire consultation process appears to be a not-quite-defined ‘solution’ to the affordability challenge. This is apparent in the various hints towards the use of CATO data (let’s just say it, even if the Commission aren’t willing to) and a hodge-podge of random data points in order to make affordability decisions, as part of a system that would have to be piloted in order to ensure a) it works and b) it doesn’t create data security issues.
Leaving aside the absurdity of asking us to judge the merits of an approach that hasn’t actually been defined, we would simply point out that in Open Banking, a solution to this challenge already exists. One that is already used by over 7 million people in the UK, by most UK operators to handle payments, and already used to handle affordability and SOF checks by forward-thinking operators. Why on earth are we re-inventing the wheel?
So there you have it. That’s what we told the consultation, albeit in language a little less colourful. I hope they listen.
Legendary studio’s games now live with Rush Street Interactive brand BetRivers in US state
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced the receipt of a sixth US state license, this time in the state of Delaware.
Having entered the US market in 2022, Play’n GO has gone live in West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Connecticut, and now Delaware, where some classic Play’n GO titles, such as Piggy Blitz will now be available to BetRivers players in the state affectionately known as the First State.
Play’n GO added Pennsylvania and Connecticut to its list of regulated markets in 2024, and have a publicly stated goal of being active in every regulated market in the world, a goal that has seen the Swedish gaming giant release a portfolio of over 350 premium games in over 35 regulated markets to date.
Anna Mackney, US Head of Region at Play’n GO added “It’s fantastic to begin the year by adding yet another new regulated market in the US, this time in the shape of Delaware. Our expansion into the state marks yet another significant step in our US growth strategy. Play’n GO continues to lead the charge in regulated markets, and we are committed to delivering our premium content to players across the country.
“We’ve already established an excellent relationship with BetRivers across the United States and we are confident that our partnership will continue to be mutually beneficial to both businesses as we enter yet another new market together. US players have clearly demonstrated their demand for our games, and we will continue to deliver.”
The post Play’n GO announces Delaware license award appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Compliance Updates
Florida Gaming Control Commission Demands Overseas Bookmakers and Casinos Cease Their Illegal Online Gambling Operations in Florida
The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) demanded that three overseas bookmakers and casinos halt their illegal online gambling operations in Florida. These overseas bookmakers and casinos host online gambling websites accessible to Florida residents and visitors. FGCC sent cease-and-desist letters to Milvus Ltc, d/b/a BetUS.com.pa, Harp Media B.V. d/b/a Bovada.lv, and Gaming Services Provider, N.V. d/b/a MyBookie.ag.
The websites operated by these overseas bookmakers and casinos only offer illegal wagers. As FGCC explained in its cease-and-desist letter:
[The gambling websites offered by your overseas bookmaking and casino operation] offers or accepts wagering on sports and horse races, including betting on point spreads, moneylines, and totals, as well as proposition bets and futures in the sportsbook and adding money to bet slips in the racebook. Under Florida law, this conduct is a felony offense. See § 849.14, Fla. Stat. Further, it is a felony offense to receive illegal wagers on the result of any trial or contest of skill, speed or power or endurance of human or beast, or to aid, assist, or abet such illegal wagering. Id.
“Gaming, both land-based and online, is strictly regulated in Florida. For example, when it comes to slot machine gaming, counting the eight legal, state-licensed slot machine businesses, and the six tribal gaming locations currently operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, there are only fourteen legal slot machine businesses in Florida. The only online sportsbook operating lawfully in Florida is the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Hard Rock Bet. Anyone in Florida betting on the Big Game needs to know this. Bettor beware,” explained Florida Gaming Control Commission Executive Director Ross Marshman.
These overseas bookmakers and casinos’ illegal conduct is not limited to sports betting and horse racing. As explained in the FGCC cease-and-desist letter:
[The gambling website offered by the overseas bookmaking and casino operation] offers or accepts wagers on casino-style games, including slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat. It is a criminal offense to conduct unauthorized games of chance. §§ 849.08, .15, Fla. Stat. [Additionally,] you allow Florida residents to participate in illegal lotteries, such as deposit-matching promotions, giveaways of cash or prizes, and sign-up bonuses. The conduct, promotion, or advertisement of such an illegal lottery is strictly prohibited under Florida law and is a felony offense. See Art. X, § 7, Fla. Const; § 849.09, Fla. Stat.
Illegal gambling operations offer no benefits to Floridians. On the other hand, tax revenue from state-licensed slot machine businesses and revenue-sharing payments from the Seminole Tribe of Florida are used to fund valuable state programs. For example, in 2024, the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund of Florida received over $240 million in tax revenue from the eight state-licensed slot machine businesses. Florida will receive no less than $2.5 billion from the Seminole Tribe of Florida during the next five years, which is earmarked for water quality improvement, infrastructure, and management of Florida’s conservation lands.
The mission of the Florida Gaming Control Commission is to preserve and protect the integrity of gaming activities in Florida through fair regulation, licensing, effective criminal investigation, and enforcement.
The post Florida Gaming Control Commission Demands Overseas Bookmakers and Casinos Cease Their Illegal Online Gambling Operations in Florida appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Gambling law and regulation conference Regulating the Game has announced Donata Szabo, Regional Head of Licensing, Government & Regulatory Affairs – EMEA/APAC at Sportradar, as the third conference chair for its 2025 edition.
Szabo oversees regulatory and licensing efforts across the diverse EMEA/APAC regions at Sportradar, leveraging her global experience to offer insights into regulatory systems worldwide. “With a background in international and human rights law from the University of Cambridge, Donata’s unique blend of expertise will bring exceptional value to the conference,” organisers commented.
Szabo said: “I am pleased to be a part of Regulating the Game and contribute towards meaningful discussions on effective and innovative regulation as well as fostering global collaboration on safer gambling and regulatory excellence.”
Szabo joins the following line-up of conference chairs:
Dr Marla Royne Stafford, Professor of Marketing at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and expert in responsible gambling was the first Conference Chair announced.
Andrew W Scott, Vice Chairman and CEO of Inside Asian Gaming, brings nearly four decades of expertise in the gaming industry and a wealth of knowledge about Asia-Pacific markets.
Donata will be providing insights into global regulatory challenges and how technological advancements can help regulators create sustainable gaming markets through a session titled Improving Regulatory Performance with Modern Technology.
Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, said: “The caliber of our Conference Chairs reflects the growing significance of Regulating the Game. Donata’s expertise, alongside Dr Stafford and Andrew W Scott, ensures the 2025 conference will be an extraordinary event, fostering critical conversations and driving innovation in gambling regulation.”
The post Regulating the Game Announces Sportradar’s Donata Szabo as Third Conference Chair appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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