Compliance Updates
How Curacao new AML requirements differ from other flexible license jurisdictions
By: Dmitry Hotsyn, Senior Consultant and Head of CIS Desk at 4H Agency
Discussing Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules in a way that keeps everyone awake is a real challenge. The iGaming industry often overlooks anything filled with jargon like KYC, AML, CDD, and SoWs—terms that just breed myths and misconceptions about jurisdictions supposedly having lax AML standards and low compliance burdens. For a while, Curacao was viewed as one of these almost mythical places.
Not anymore.
A significant shake-up has occurred with Curacao’s latest overhaul of its AML regulations, set to take effect on September 1, 2024. This update has triggered quite a bit of debate among gambling operators who view these new rules as unwelcoming, especially since Curacao is known for its sluggish pace in updating its gambling regulations.
But may it really be as bad as Curaçao’s deadline management?
Curacao’s AML Regulatory Changes: An Overview
Curacao is continuously revamping its regulatory frameworks, taking a page from Malta’s book — Maltifying the industry may work best to describe this process. The new AML rules, while perceived as burdensome, are in fact a balanced update alligning the Curacao practices with generally acceptable standards. Key aspects of the new regulations include:
- Clear Customer Due Diligence (CDD) thresholds: Operators must conduct CDD at the earliest practical time, but no later than when a player engages in a transaction amounting to approximately EUR 2200;
- Sanction and Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) Screening: Mandatory for at least EU, US and UN sanctions lists;
- High-Risk Indicators: A detailed list of indicators for high-risk cases has been provided, noting that the use of cryptocurrencies increases risk, though it is not outright prohibited;
- AML Officer Role: Each operator shall have a dedicated AML officer, equipped with sufficient resources and headcount to manage risks effectively;
- Policies and Guides: Ah year, more internal docs, rules and practice guides are expected from the operators holding licences in Curacao.
Despite the extensive nature of Curacao’s new rules, in essence, they closely resemble those enforced in Malta and other EU countries, as well as competing jurisdictions offering flexible licenses. The upcoming webinar hosted by 4H Agency and Hipther Agency will delve into these comparisons, focusing on jurisdictions like Anjouan, Kanawake, and Tobique, alongside Curacao.
Key Insights on AML Across Jurisdictions
- Detailed AML Frameworks: Curacao and Tobique lead with the most comprehensive AML regulations. Kanawake’s requirements are also robust albeit not as detailes as Curacao rules;
- CDD Thresholds: Similar financial thresholds exist across these jurisdictions (approximately EUR 2000), with varied stipulations on the timing of CDD post-player registration (again, Curacao is not the leader here);
- Outsourcing AML Functions: All jurisdictions permit outsourcing some AML activities to third-party providers, providing flexibility in compliance strategies;
- Stringency of Regulations: Tobique’s regulations are notably stringent, casually requiring additional checks like adverse media searches to identify higher risk profiles;
- Anjouan the Outlier: Anjouan stands out for its outdated AML framework, lacking specific provisions for the gambling sector. For now, this could attract operators seeking more AML-friendly environments. However, Anjouan will inevitably follow the Curacao’s reformatory steps if the country intends to make iGaming an important factor of the now-struggling economy.
The evolution of AML regulations in Curacao represents a predictable shift towards more robust regulatory environment, aligning more closely with global standards. While initially perceived as onerous, these changes are in line not only with international practices, but with the rules already in force in a competing jurisdaction.
Our upcoming webinar will further explore these developments, providing attendees with comprehensive insights into flexible licensing options in 2024.
The post How Curacao new AML requirements differ from other flexible license jurisdictions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
New Report Details Current Situation of Online Gambling Outside the Licensed Market in Sweden
The Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, has released a new report detailing the current situation of online gambling that takes place outside the licensed market in Sweden. It contains a survey of the key players who engage in illegal gambling and their methods of reaching Swedish players.
The assessment is that the supply of unlicensed online gambling is large and relatively easily accessible. The Swedish Gambling Authority has developed methods to identify unlicensed gambling sites where Swedes play. It is a relatively small group of players, probably fewer than 5% of the total number of players, who demand games that do not have a Swedish gaming license.
Under current legislation, the Swedish Gambling Authority cannot intervene against all gambling sites that do not have a Swedish gambling license. According to the so-called targeting criterion, the authority can currently only intervene against gambling sites that target gambling customers in Sweden through, for example, marketing or that have gambling sites that are designed for the Swedish market.
“We welcome the ongoing investigation into the expanded scope of application, which is to be reported no later than 17 September this year. Despite the problems with the current scope of application, we believe that our interventions, where possible, are important and have an effect. It is therefore important that we continue our work to combat illegal gambling even during the ongoing investigation of the regulations,” said Spelinspektionen’s Director General Camilla Rosenberg.
The post New Report Details Current Situation of Online Gambling Outside the Licensed Market in Sweden appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Karnataka government has announced that it will introduce a new law to regulate online betting and gaming.
Home Minister G Parameshwara said a committee of senior officials and industry representatives has been constituted and it has been given a month’s time to submit a draft of the proposed bill.
“I chaired a meeting regarding online betting and gambling yesterday along with the IT Minister. Representatives from the industry were called. There is nothing to regulate them so far. They have agreed to the introduction of a licence system and a regulation as per law,” he said.
The state government held a high-level meeting to discuss a legal framework for regulating online gaming.
IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge said that the intent of the legislation is to curb online gambling, betting and games of chance, and protect consumers from fraud while supporting innovation and the sustainable growth of the skill-based gaming industry.
Karnataka is set to introduce a legal framework to ban gambling while permitting skill-based games following a model similar to that of Chhattisgarh.
Kharge said he held a detailed meeting with the state home minister, senior government officials, members of online gaming federations, and industry experts to discuss the proposed framework.
“The legitimate online skill-based gaming industry in India is a sunrise sector worth USD 4 billion, contributing Rs 12,000 crore in taxes and creating over 1.5 lakh jobs. Karnataka alone accounts for 25 percent of the market and contributes Rs 1350 crore annually in taxes, making it a key hub,” he said.
The minister also raised concerns over the growing underground market of offshore gambling and illegal betting.
“Alongside the legitimate sector, there is a parallel underground market that is expanding rapidly, posing risks such as predatory money collection practices, dubious shell companies, financial fraud, data breaches, and cybercrimes,” he said.
Kharge also held discussions with representatives of the E-Gaming Federation (EGF), the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) and the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) regarding their collaborative “Code of Ethics” for the industry.
The post Karnataka Govt to Introduce New Law to Regulate Online Betting and Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
BC.GAME Upgrades to @bcgame Telegram Link for Unified Access and Increased Security
BC.GAME, a prominent cryptocurrency entertainment platform, announced the official upgrade of its Telegram group with a new link: https://t.me/bcgame. This shift represents an important step forward for the platform in terms of brand unification, community operations and user identification paths.
BC.GAME, one of the most active platforms in the crypto entertainment market, has a sizable user base spread across channels such as Telegram, Discord and Twitter. The Telegram community alone has millions of members from many critical areas. Behind each time zone, a committed group of gamers and community administrators keeps the community alive by sharing gaming experiences, uploading the most recent event announcements and assisting new users in swiftly integrating into the distinctive “BC community culture”.
Unifying the group link is both a way to make the platform’s design more consistent and a way to improve the user experience. It’s easier and faster for new players to remember t.me/bcgame than any of the other subdomain names. For current players, it means a clearer official entry point, which makes it less likely that they will run into fake groups.
The post BC.GAME Upgrades to @bcgame Telegram Link for Unified Access and Increased Security appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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