Compliance Updates
VI Casino Control Commission, Department of Health Announce Joint Initiative on Problem Gambling

In an initiative aimed at promoting responsible gaming in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands Casino Control Commission (VICCC) and the Virgin Islands Department of Health (VIDOH) announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been executed to train and certify counselors in the districts of St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix to treat problem gambling disorders and addiction.
Under the terms of the MOU fully executed on October 24, 2024, the VICCC has provided the funds for six counselors, three in each island district, employed at the VIDOH’s Division of Behavioral Health to receive training through The Center for Addiction Studies and Research.
This training will include vital knowledge on etiological predictors and risk factors, implementing suicide prevention strategies, and employing effective treatment approaches for individuals affected by gambling addiction. Additionally, the VICCC will also provide the funds to ensure that the counselors receive supervision by a board-approved clinical consultant, leading to an international certification recognized by the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board.
Marvin L. Pickering, VICCC Chairman and CEO, said: “While our residents will continue to have access to 1-800-GAMBLER and other national resources, it has always been the position of the VICCC that, in fulfilling our legal mandate to provide programs to treat and prevent gambling addiction, we needed to ensure the availability of assistance locally, assistance that is confidential and free or low-cost and that can be easily accessed, seen and understood.”
“In all aspects, VIDOH was an excellent choice for the VICCC,” Pickering added.
VIDOH Commissioner Justa Encarnacion said: “We want to ensure that we strengthen resources and services for those facing challenges with gambling and that we equip the community with information to make informed decisions about gaming, whether it is bingo, lottery, VLTs, or slot machines. Overall, our goal is to encourage a culture of responsibility within the Virgin Islands gaming community.”
Chairman Pickering and Commissioner Encarnacion expressed appreciation to the teams at VICCC and VIDOH who effectively collaborated in bringing the MOU to fruition.
Chairman Pickering particularly applauded the unwavering efforts of Commissioner Carolyn P. Hermon-Percell, the Vice-Chair of VICCC for her leadership in bringing this first major step to fruition. Both look forward to this important measure that is expected to improve health and wellness and reduce the personal, social, and economic costs of problem gambling in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Compliance Updates
Former Playtech Director of Internal Audit & Risk Joins eGaming Integrity

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eGaming Integrity is delighted to announce the appointment of Robert Penfold as Head of Internal Audit, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support Isle of Man licence holders in responding to increasing regulatory scrutiny and upholding the island’s reputation for integrity.
Robert brings with him more than two decades of high-level experience in governance, risk, audit, and compliance across global gaming and financial services organisations. Most notably, Robert spent over eight years as Director of Internal Audit & Risk at Playtech plc, the world’s largest online gaming software and services supplier listed on the London Stock Exchange. In this role, he was a member of Playtech’s Audit, Risk and Governance Committees, overseeing global audit programmes and supporting the business in meeting complex regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
Robert has also held senior positions at bwin.party digital entertainment plc, where he led global risk management across regulated markets including Spain, Denmark, Italy, Belgium, France, and Gibraltar. More recently, he was engaged as Governance, Risk & Compliance Manager at the Isle of Man Government’s Attorney General Chambers, where he implemented new risk frameworks and data governance processes across multiple divisions.
Emma Shilling, Director at eGaming Integrity, commented: “This is a landmark appointment for us. Robert’s depth of experience, particularly his years at the helm of audit and risk at Playtech, represents a real step change for eGaming Integrity and our clients. His appointment evidences our commitment to providing heavyweight, board-level expertise to Isle of Man licence holders at a time when regulatory scrutiny has never been higher.”
Robert Penfold added: “I’m thrilled to be joining eGaming Integrity at such a pivotal time for the sector. I’ve spent much of my career working to ensure organisations not only meet regulatory requirements but build strong, resilient frameworks that protect their businesses and customers. I look forward to working with Emma and the team to help our clients strengthen their compliance and governance cultures.”
Robert’s appointment adds further depth to eGaming Integrity’s team of industry experts and former regulators, reinforcing its position as the Isle of Man’s leading provider of mock audits, remediation, and internal audit services for the island’s eGaming licence holders.
The post Former Playtech Director of Internal Audit & Risk Joins eGaming Integrity appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Dutch Gambling Authority Imposes Penalty on Three Gambling Influencers

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The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has imposed a penalty on three gambling influencers. These influencers are Stiefunspeelt, Turcos and Buurtwachtt. The penalty is a follow-up to previously announced steps by the KSA to take stricter action against influencers. Because influencers often appeal to a young and therefore vulnerable target group, it is crucial to combat this content.
Influencers Stiefunspeelt, Turcos, and Buurtwachtt posted videos on their social media platforms featuring gambling with illegal providers. They also actively promoted gambling by encouraging their followers to also gamble with these illegal providers. The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KSA) has previously explicitly reminded all three influencers that creating videos promoting illegal gambling is prohibited. Therefore, the KSA imposed a penalty on all three influencers. This requires them to remove existing content within 48 hours and prohibits them from creating new advertisements for illegal providers. If they do so, the influencer who committed the violation will receive a penalty of €25,000 per violation, with a maximum of €75,000.
The KSA continues to closely monitor these types of violations and emphasizes that young people must be protected from this type of content about illegal gambling.
The post Dutch Gambling Authority Imposes Penalty on Three Gambling Influencers appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
DigiPlus Applies for South Africa License

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DigiPlus Interactive has filed its license applications with the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB) in South Africa. This move advances DigiPlus’ entry into one of the most promising regulated online gaming markets globally.
DigiPlus has applied for three operator licenses in South Africa: a National Manufacturer License, a Bookmaker License and a Bookmaker Premises License. The WCGRB is regarded as the preferred jurisdiction for international operators like DigiPlus due to its transparent regulatory processes and digital readiness.
“The filing of our online gaming license in South Africa marks another milestone in DigiPlus’ global growth journey, as we bring our proven track record of innovation, responsible gaming, and player protection, together with our strength in localizing games for diverse markets, to one of Africa’s most dynamic economies,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio Tanco.
This milestone shortly follows DigiPlus’ launch in Brazil on September 22 with its first international brand GamePlus.
The post DigiPlus Applies for South Africa License appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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