Compliance Updates
New Survey Shows Huge Public Support for Gambling Law Reforms in Northern Ireland
According to a new poll, the majority of people in Northern Ireland support reforming the country’s gambling laws. The research was carried out by the polling company LucidTalk on behalf of social policy charity CARE NI, which is campaigning for gambling law change.
Northern Ireland’s gambling legislation dates back to 1985 and critics argue it is not in line with the digital age.
According to the Department for Communities’ 2017 research, the north has a problem gambling prevalence rate of 2.3% – more than four times higher than England where it stands at 0.5%. In Scotland, the figure is 0.7% and in Wales 1.1%.
The department held a public consultation last year on the issue, but the final report has not yet been published.
When polling company LucidTalk asked what best described their position, 92% said maximum stakes and prizes online should be regulated by law, with only 8% saying there should be no limit.
Meanwhile, 90% either strongly support (68%) or support (22%) the idea of a mandatory levy for gambling firms, while just 5% were either strongly opposed or opposed to the idea of the levy. There were 1878 responses to the survey.
Public policy officer Mark Baillie described current laws as “hopelessly out of date and belong to a different era where online gambling didn’t exist.”
“Times have changed and the recent lockdown here in Northern Ireland has only increased the pressure on people with gambling addictions.
“The uncomfortable truth is that Northern Ireland has a real problem with gambling related harms and this means it’s all the more urgent to reform our current laws.
“This polling very clearly shows doing so would be hugely popular with the general population with the clear majority supportive on stake and prize limits on online games regulated by law and a mandatory levy on betting firms.
“CARE NI responded to the Department of Communities consultation on problem gambling and we look forward to the results being published soon.
“Our politicians must make this issue a priority and address the exploitation of vulnerable people thanks to a poorly regulated gambling industry.”
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Legendary studio’s games now live with Rush Street Interactive brand BetRivers in US state
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced the receipt of a sixth US state license, this time in the state of Delaware.
Having entered the US market in 2022, Play’n GO has gone live in West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Connecticut, and now Delaware, where some classic Play’n GO titles, such as Piggy Blitz will now be available to BetRivers players in the state affectionately known as the First State.
Play’n GO added Pennsylvania and Connecticut to its list of regulated markets in 2024, and have a publicly stated goal of being active in every regulated market in the world, a goal that has seen the Swedish gaming giant release a portfolio of over 350 premium games in over 35 regulated markets to date.
Anna Mackney, US Head of Region at Play’n GO added “It’s fantastic to begin the year by adding yet another new regulated market in the US, this time in the shape of Delaware. Our expansion into the state marks yet another significant step in our US growth strategy. Play’n GO continues to lead the charge in regulated markets, and we are committed to delivering our premium content to players across the country.
“We’ve already established an excellent relationship with BetRivers across the United States and we are confident that our partnership will continue to be mutually beneficial to both businesses as we enter yet another new market together. US players have clearly demonstrated their demand for our games, and we will continue to deliver.”
The post Play’n GO announces Delaware license award appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Gambling law and regulation conference Regulating the Game has announced Donata Szabo, Regional Head of Licensing, Government & Regulatory Affairs – EMEA/APAC at Sportradar, as the third conference chair for its 2025 edition.
Szabo oversees regulatory and licensing efforts across the diverse EMEA/APAC regions at Sportradar, leveraging her global experience to offer insights into regulatory systems worldwide. “With a background in international and human rights law from the University of Cambridge, Donata’s unique blend of expertise will bring exceptional value to the conference,” organisers commented.
Szabo said: “I am pleased to be a part of Regulating the Game and contribute towards meaningful discussions on effective and innovative regulation as well as fostering global collaboration on safer gambling and regulatory excellence.”
Szabo joins the following line-up of conference chairs:
Dr Marla Royne Stafford, Professor of Marketing at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and expert in responsible gambling was the first Conference Chair announced.
Andrew W Scott, Vice Chairman and CEO of Inside Asian Gaming, brings nearly four decades of expertise in the gaming industry and a wealth of knowledge about Asia-Pacific markets.
Donata will be providing insights into global regulatory challenges and how technological advancements can help regulators create sustainable gaming markets through a session titled Improving Regulatory Performance with Modern Technology.
Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, said: “The caliber of our Conference Chairs reflects the growing significance of Regulating the Game. Donata’s expertise, alongside Dr Stafford and Andrew W Scott, ensures the 2025 conference will be an extraordinary event, fostering critical conversations and driving innovation in gambling regulation.”
The post Regulating the Game Announces Sportradar’s Donata Szabo as Third Conference Chair appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Spelinspektionen: New Guidance for Working Against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
The Swedish gambling authority, Spelinspektionen, has published new guidance relating to money laundering and terrorist financing, aswell as a new risk assessment.
This updated guidance and risk assessment comes as reports from the gambling industry to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIPO) are said to be on the rise.
In May, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) showed support for the EU’s anti-money laundering (AML) package. The European Council approved the EU’s new AML package, finalising the union’s new framework for combatting financial crime.
Spelinspektionen during 2024 worked on money laundering issues in preparation for the FATF review, while it also participated in the EU’s preparatory work on the new EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) and for this upcoming regulation related to money laundering in the EU.
On top of this, the authority during the year gave talks to advise on the risks of money laundering being conducted within the gambling industry, with accounts and companies potentially being used to conduct the illegal action.
Its work against money laundering has been assisted by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, the Swedish Economic Crime Authority and the Swedish Financial police.
Spelinspektionen Director General Camilla Rosenberg said: “The gambling industry is a risk area for money laundering, and we have seen a need for further clarification and guidance in this area.
“We have therefore revised our guidance and are also conducting a new risk assessment.”
The post Spelinspektionen: New Guidance for Working Against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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