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Compliance Updates

KSA Conducts Impact Assessment of the Increase in Gambling Tax

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The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has conducted an impact assessment of the increase in gambling tax. Effective January 1, 2025, the gambling tax was increased from 30.5% to 34.2%. This increase was intended to increase government revenue. The KSA’s impact assessment shows that this objective has not been achieved. Due to various developments, the gross gaming result (GSR) has declined in both the online and land-based markets. Consequently, despite the increase in gambling tax, tax revenues have decreased.

The increase in gambling tax means that gambling providers must take measures to maintain their profitability. This can be done in various ways, for example, by reducing costs or increasing revenue. In the land-based segment of the market, these options are limited. Therefore, the tax increase is further hampering this segment of the market in particular. The KSA currently sees a faster decline in the number of gaming locations. For example, the number of gaming locations decreased by 9% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the last quarter of 2024. By comparison, between 2020 and 2025, the number of gaming locations decreased by an average of 6% per year.

The online market’s BSR has also decreased, partly due to the implementation of various measures, such as the Responsible Gaming Policy 2024 and the Regulation on Gaming Limits and More Conscious Gaming Behaviour. However, the online market appears to have slightly more room to absorb the decline in the BSR than land-based providers. This is because they have more options to adjust payout percentages and reduce other costs.

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Michel Groothuizen, chairman of the Royal Netherlands Gambling Authority, said: “The measures we have taken to offer players more protection have made it financially more difficult for providers. This has led to a decrease in the BSR (Belgian Gambling Tax) for the entire market. Consequently, gambling tax revenues have also decreased. The Ksa had already indicated this would be the effect before the increase in gambling tax was implemented. A financially driven measure like gambling tax is at odds with the policy objective of offering players more protection. If we want to offer players a protected gaming environment in the future, this requires serious, responsible providers. A financially sound, legal market is essential for this.”

The post KSA Conducts Impact Assessment of the Increase in Gambling Tax appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Compliance Updates

GeoLocs and Shufti Join Forces to Streamline Player Onboarding and Compliance

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GeoLocs, the specialist geolocation platform for the iGaming, Sports Betting and iLottery industries, has partnered with identity verification provider Shufti to deliver a seamless and secure user experience for both operators and players in regulated markets worldwide.

The integration of GeoLocs’ precise geolocation technology with Shufti’s robust identity verification solutions allows operators to onboard players faster while maintaining full compliance with local regulations. The partnership reduces friction in the registration and verification process, enabling a smoother journey from sign-up to gameplay.

Will Whitehead, Commercial Director at GeoLocs, commented: “We’re excited to be working with Shufti to bring a more seamless, secure experience to clients and players alike. Both of our technologies have been built with compliance and UX at their core, and this partnership allows us to combine strengths—making onboarding and verification faster, smoother, and more robust for operators in regulated markets.”

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With regulatory frameworks tightening in both emerging and established jurisdictions, the collaboration ensures that operators have access to integrated tools that deliver high standards of security, compliance, and user experience.

Roger Redfearn-Tyrzyk, SVP of Sales at Shufti, added: “We’re proud to be teaming up with GeoLocs to support operators in delivering frictionless onboarding and a high level of regulatory compliance. Our joint capabilities mean operators can verify users quickly and accurately while GeoLocs ensures they are playing from permitted locations—creating an end-to-end experience that puts both security and user satisfaction first.”

This partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to innovation and player-centric technology in the fast-evolving iGaming space.

The post GeoLocs and Shufti Join Forces to Streamline Player Onboarding and Compliance appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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AGCO Removes Cap on Seller Commission for Charitable Lottery Products

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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has updated several lottery policies to remove the cap on seller commission for Paper Raffles and Media Bingo, along with removing the prohibition on Catch the Ace paper lotteries, to align with other charitable lottery products.

Licensed charities may now negotiate commissions directly with sellers and determine commissions, provided they are reasonable and tied to the cost of service provided by the seller.

These updates further the AGCO’s commitment to adopt an outcomes-based regulatory approach and reduce burden for the charitable gaming sector. Local charitable organizations will have greater flexibility to make decisions that best serve their fundraising objectives.

Important Reminders

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• Charities must still receive approval for other expenses incurred under their licence and retain receipts for seller commission paid.

• Licensing authorities will not require documentation to be submitted as part of the application process, however, charities are still subject to audit to determine compliance.

• Charities are reminded of their legal requirement to meet their obligations under the Criminal Code and with respect to conducting and managing a charitable gaming scheme.

• As with all licensed charitable lottery events, charities must take the necessary steps to ensure that they are conducting and managing the lottery event within Ontario.

For charitable gaming-related inquiries, email an AGCO Eligibility Officer at [email protected] or call AGCO Customer Service at 1-800-522-2876, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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The post AGCO Removes Cap on Seller Commission for Charitable Lottery Products appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Compliance Updates

Brown Urges Reeves to Increase Gambling Taxes at Budget

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Gordon Brown has called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to increase the gambling taxes so she can lift benefit restrictions at her autumn Budget.

The former Labour prime minister and chancellor says Britain is facing a “social crisis” with a growing need to take children out of poverty.

Hiking taxes on the “undertaxed” gambling industry was “by far the most cost-effective way” for the chancellor to do this, he argued.

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The Betting and Gaming Council, which represents gambling companies, warned the “economically reckless” plan would push gamblers into the black market.

Reeves is widely expected to raise taxes at this autumn’s Budget, after poor economic figures and a series of U-turns on welfare cuts made it harder to meet the government’s self-imposed spending rules.

It has prompted speculation about which areas the chancellor, who reportedly kept a framed photo of predecessor Brown in her room as a student, could look to when putting together her Budget this autumn.

The post Brown Urges Reeves to Increase Gambling Taxes at Budget appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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