Compliance Updates

UK’S BGC WELCOME PAUL SCULLY MP AS NEW GAMBLING MINISTER

Published

4 years ago

October 31, 2022

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Standards body the Betting and Gaming Council has congratulated Paul Scully MP on his appointment as Minister responsible for the betting and gaming industry.

BGC chief executive Michael Dugher also congratulated Michelle Donelan MP on her re-appointment to the Cabinet and encouraged both to continue engagement with the industry to find the right balance in the upcoming Gambling Review.

Mr Dugher also paid tribute to outgoing Gambling Minister, Damian Collins MP, who had been leading the Gambling Review and who has now returned to the backbenches.

Paul Scully was previously a Minister of State at the Department for Levelling Up and will also continue in his role as Minister for London.

The Betting and Gaming Council was established in 2019 and represents over 90 per cent of retail betting shops, online betting and gaming operators, casinos and bingo operators. As the single industry body, we work with our members, large and small, to raise standards, create a culture of safer gambling and build public and institutional trust in our world class industry.

Every month some 22.5 million adults have a wager, whether that’s on horse racing, playing the lottery, bingo or casino games, or having a bet on the football and other sports.

We are encouraged by the latest figures from the Gambling Commission which shows the rate of problem gambling among adults in the UK remains low by international standards at 0.3 per cent, down from 0.4 the year previous.

Michael Dugher said: “On behalf of the 119,000 people whose jobs are supported by our members – from the high street to hospitality, from tourism to world-leading British tech – I’d like to congratulate both Paul Scully MP on his new role and Michelle Donelan MP on her re-appointment as Secretary of State for DCMS. Our industry generates £4.5bn in taxes for the Treasury and contributes £7.7bn for the economy in gross value added.

“We are ready to work with DCMS to help find carefully targeted, proportionate measures which achieve the right balance. We want to continue to drive big changes and drive higher standards on safer gambling to better protect the most vulnerable, whilst at the same time ensuring that the 22.5 million punters who enjoy a flutter each month, perfectly safely and responsibly, have the freedom to do so.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to Damian Collins MP, the widely respected outgoing minister who was leading on the Review, for his willingness to engage with the industry and understand the contribution we make to the economy.”

Compliance Updates

KSA Files Over 4600 Reports Targeting Illegal Gambling Ads on Meta Platforms

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

ksa-files-over-4600-reports-targeting-illegal-gambling-ads-on-meta-platforms

In April, the Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has filed over 4600 reports with Meta regarding illegal advertisements. Combating illegal gambling offerings is one of the KSA’s priorities. Special attention is paid by the KSA to the marketing practices of the gambling companies, which frequently advertise on social media such as Facebook and Instagram. Therefore, the KSA monitors the volume of illegal advertisements.

Illegal practices

Illegal gambling providers place many advertisements on social media. In doing so, they use names and logos of well-known Dutch athletes and major brands to enhance their credibility. It is often difficult for consumers to determine whether a gambling provider holds a license. To protect consumers, the KSA therefore makes a strong effort to combat online advertising by illegal providers. The KSA does this, among other measures, by filing reports with major media companies more frequently.

Cooperation in alliance

To tackle illegal providers on social media, the KSA works closely with various companies and organisations. During a recent meeting of the alliance, current knowledge, trends and insights were shared. Advertising on social media was a key topic, as these platforms reach a large number of people.

The working group also discussed how companies can protect their trademarks and held a brainstorming session on what else is needed to tackle illegal providers on social media. The KSA will use the outcomes of the meeting in the coming period to take even better action.

Frustrating infrastructure

In the Netherlands, online gambling is only permitted with licensed providers. The KSA’s approach to illegal offerings ranges from imposing fines to disrupting the infrastructure used by illegal providers. The online world, and social media in particular, plays a major role within this infrastructure.

The post KSA Files Over 4600 Reports Targeting Illegal Gambling Ads on Meta Platforms appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Alberta

Gaming Corps wins conditional Alberta iGaming supplier licence

Published

3 days ago

May 13, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-corps-wins-conditional-alberta-igaming-supplier-licence

Gaming Corps has secured a conditional iGaming supplier licence from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC), clearing the company to manufacture and supply gaming software in the province ahead of Alberta’s regulated market launch on 13 July 2026.

The licence was granted through Gaming Corps’ subsidiary, Gaming Corps Malta Ltd. The company said the approval positions it to enter Alberta’s regulated iGaming market from day one.

Alex Lorimer, COO at Gaming Corps said: “Securing our Alberta licence marks another important step in Gaming Corps’ regulated market expansion strategy. Canada continues to represent a key growth region for us, and we’re excited to bring our expanding portfolio of games and unique mechanics to operators and players in Alberta.”

Alberta is set to become Canada’s second regulated open iGaming market after Ontario, with the AGLC overseeing licensing and compliance requirements for operators and suppliers.

The post Gaming Corps wins conditional Alberta iGaming supplier licence appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brazil

IBJR: Crackdown on Illegal Betting Critical to Success of Desenrola 2.0

Published

3 days ago

May 13, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

ibjr:-crackdown-on-illegal-betting-critical-to-success-of-desenrola-2.0

The Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR) has warned that the effectiveness of the financial protection measures included in Desenrola 2.0 fundamentally depends on a strict crackdown on the illegal betting market.

In 2025, bets placed on licensed platforms accounted for only 0.46% of household consumption in the country — an extremely small share of the average Brazilian family budget — according to data from a study conducted by LCA Consultoria. This reinforces that the main driver of household indebtedness in Brazil continues to be the high cost of credit.

The IBJR emphasized that restricting access to the regulated sector may encourage users to migrate to illegal platforms, which already handle around R$40 billion per year and operate without any oversight or consumer protection mechanisms.

Combating the illegal market is the most urgent step to prevent unlicensed operators — often linked to organized crime — from taking advantage of restriction windows to attract vulnerable consumers. This concern is heightened by the proximity of the FIFA World Cup, a period that naturally increases the volume of sports betting activity, as well as by the potential loss of R$10.8 billion in tax revenue if consumption shifts to the underground market.

IBJR reiterates that real consumer protection and the integrity of Desenrola 2.0 depend on coordinated action between the government and the private sector. The organization advocates for public policies that combine financial education, the strengthening of responsible gaming practices, and a strategic offensive against illegal websites, ensuring that entertainment takes place exclusively within a safe, transparent, and properly regulated ecosystem.

The post IBJR: Crackdown on Illegal Betting Critical to Success of Desenrola 2.0 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.