The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has warned 711 BV, a provider of online games of chance, for showing gambling ads on a website aimed at minors. The warning followed a report from a parent who saw an advertising banner from 711 on a website linked to homework assignments from primary schools.

By law, gambling providers are not allowed to advertise to vulnerable groups, including minors. This form of advertising is considered by the KSA to be very harmful and therefore a serious violation. Taking action against such advertising and taking extra care to protect minors and young adults will be a priority for the KSA in 2025.

The 711 advertising campaign was carried out by an external partner. This party placed banners on various websites, including sites that are (partly) aimed at minors. In a conversation with the KSA, 711 indicated that it had already discovered this itself after an internal investigation and had taken measures to prevent recurrence. The provider did not report this, but should have done so: licensees are obliged to inform the KSA of errors on their part that could pose a danger to consumers.

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The KSA dealt with the violation with a warning, because 711 itself had discovered and ended the violation and taken measures to prevent recurrence.

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has issued a warning to operators, reminding them that failure to submit regulatory returns on time may lead to penalties and further enforcement actions.

The warning follows a spate of fines against operators who have failed to submit a regulatory return in the required timeframes for each type of activity for which they hold a licence.

Since October more than ten businesses have been fined up to £750 for not correctly completing and submitting regulatory returns within the required timeframe.

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John Pierce, Commission Director of Enforcement, said: “Despite early engagement and the issuing of advice notices, further failures to comply with the regulatory returns process were identified in these cases. Operators are expected to understand their reporting obligations and must ensure returns are submitted on time via our online portal.”

“Repeated breaches and persistent non-compliance is likely to result in escalating enforcement action.”

On 1 July 2024, Licence Condition 15.3.1 – General and regulatory returns of the Licence Conditions Codes of Practice was updated to require all licensees to submit regulatory returns on a quarterly basis replacing the previous annual basis.

The next quarterly returns are due by 28 April 2025 and can be submitted via the eServices digital service on the UKGC’s website.

World Lottery Association approves innovative software provider with certification to Security Control Standard Level 2 

Online gaming and lottery software provider Bede Gaming has taken another important step on its mission to provide market-leading and secure platform software to its customers, with the announcement that it has acquired World Lottery Association (WLA) Security Control Standard (WLA-SCS) Level 2.

The WLA is a highly respected organisation within the global lottery and sports betting industry, and its Security Control Standard is the only internationally recognised standard for lottery and sports betting operators, and their suppliers. The standard aims to assist WLA members to achieve a level of security control that is aligned with generally accepted best practices.  Though Bede has long adhered to this wide range of criteria, receiving official confirmation of WLA-SCS Level 2 marks formal recognition.

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As an associate member of the WLA and an active iGaming platform provider in the North American market, Bede successfully completed the certification process in the previous quarter and is thrilled to have achieved the highest level of certification – WLA-SCS Level 2. Successfully gaining this certification demonstrates the high quality of product and service provided to its partners. It also confirms the strong security controls and protocols Bede has in place, all of which are approved by accredited industry standards.

As such, Bede is incredibly proud of the outcome of the recent audit, with Head of Risk & Compliance Gerrard Thompson being quick to acknowledge the effort and commitment of the team in achieving the new certification.

Thompson said: “Although Bede Gaming has long upheld the strict industry standards outlined by the WLA, gaining the organisation’s highest available certification is great validation of our high standards of operation and robust security measures.

“With WLA-SCS Level 2 now in place, I’d like to extend my sincere thanks for the hard work and effort of everyone in the Bede team for helping us achieve this important industry milestone.”