Compliance Updates

Euroconsumers calls Nintendo to solve its “Joy-Con Drift” probl

Published

5 years ago

October 7, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The new version of the Nintendo “Switch” console, the Switch OLED, expected on October 8th 2021, shows an unsolved technical problem with its controllers – an issue commonly called “Joy-Con Drift” – that prevents players from playing the game properly. Nintendo is quite aware of this flaw. Yet it still plans to roll out the new Switch with the old problem. Euroconsumers calls Nintendo to account.

“Joy-Con Drift”

The flaw in the controllers manifests itself after a couple of months, falsely reading input from the controller stick, as if the user has their thumb pressed down on the controller, causing the game character to move without the player even touching the device. This prevents the player from playing the game as intended. This issue is not new: it was already denounced extensively by users of the current Nintendo Switch, IFixit and multiple consumer organisations.

Nintendo’s inaction

This flaw has previously been raised with Nintendo. Firstly in January 2020, Test Achats/Test Aankoop, Euroconsumers’ Belgian national organization, sent a letter of formal notice to Nintendo Europe GmbH calling on the company to repair all the defective products free of charge and to publicly communicate about the defect.

In January 2021, BEUC, the European umbrella group for 46 independent consumer organisations, launched an external alert to the CPC network about a widespread infringement with Union dimension of EU consumer law, related to the premature obsolescence of the Nintendo Switch.

On top of this EU action, two class actions have been launched in the US, and a Canadian firm has filed an application to begin a class action.

Nevertheless, Nintendo has taken no actions to remedy the flaw or alert consumers. It even issues a new Switch OLED with the exact same Joy-Con design, with the exact same inescapable defect. Meanwhile Nintendo keeps on putting a great deal of emphasis on the quality and versatility of the Joy-Con in its advertisements t.

This early obsolescence is not only unfair and harmful to consumers, but also affects the environment, creating a pile of unnecessary and extremely polluting electronic waste.

Euroconsumers’ call on Nintendo

In a letter Euroconsumers has confronted Nintendo with the above, asking them to:

Adequately inform consumers of the existence of the “Joy-Con Drift” and its impact on the expected lifespan of the Nintendo controllers on the packaging of the product.
Fully respect provisions on the legal product guarantee, without imposing any burden of proof on consumers or charging them with any costs to repair or replace their Switch controllers.
Provide clear contact details at Nintendo for consumers to report and resolve Joy-Con problems, and for Euroconsumers and its national organisations to address problems to that regard.
Resolve the technical “Joy-Con Drift” flaw and ensure a more sustainable version of the controllers. Euroconsumers, and its national organizations stand ready to deploy decades of technical and testing experience to support finding solutions.

Euroconsumers is available and willing to launch a dialogue with Nintendo in order to establish the best way to satisfy the above requests.

“Nintendo has a duty to its customers to provide functioning devices,” said Marco Scialdone, Head of Litigation and Academic Outreach at Euroconsumers. “To knowingly continue selling these game consoles when they are defective is a breach of EU consumer law. We expect Nintendo to do the right thing and work with us to find a solution for consumers.”

“While on one hand Nintendo pretends to commit to the green transition and serve consumers, its continued distribution of faulty electronic devices shows it’s true lack of genuine commitment,” said Els Bruggeman, Head of Policy and Enforcement at Euroconsumers. “Early obsolescence results in more electronic waste, which is particularly difficult to dispose of. This shows a regrettable lack of respect for both the environment and consumers.”

Compliance Updates

PA Gaming Control Board Levies Fines Totaling $180,000

Published

22 hours ago

May 25, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

pa-gaming-control-board-levies-fines-totaling-$180,000

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (Board) at its public monthly meeting approved four consent agreements presented by the Board’s Office of Enforcement Counsel (OEC) resulting in fines totaling $180,000 against:

Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment, two separate fines totaling $80,000:

A $40,000 fine for three instances of permitting underage individuals to access the gaming floor and play slot machines or table games;

A $40,000 fine for permitting the employment of five unlicensed individuals who had access to iGaming account holders’ personal identifying information through its betParx platform.

Additional fines were levied against:

Wind Creek Bethlehem LLC received a $50,000 fine for failure to follow Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines that resulted in fraudulent withdrawals from iGaming accounts of more than over $92,000; and,

Fantasy Contest Operator YFS Sub LLC, a subsidiary of Yahoo Fantasy Sports, a $50,000 fine for failure to notify and gain proper approval of the Board for a change of control of its license.

The Board also took actions to place 8 individuals on its various Involuntary Exclusion Lists. Placement on an Involuntary Exclusion List prohibits individuals from either gaming in a casino in Pennsylvania, via an online betting site regulated by the Board, or at a Video Gaming Terminal (VGT) location. These matters, presented by the Board’s Office of Chief Counsel and the OEC, set the number of individuals now on the Board’s various Involuntary Exclusion Lists to 1463.

The Gaming Control Board is scheduled to meet next at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 in the Board’s Public Hearing Room located on the second floor of the Strawberry Square Complex in Harrisburg.

The post PA Gaming Control Board Levies Fines Totaling $180,000 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Alberta

Play’n GO granted Alberta iGaming licence, expanding Canadian market footprint

Published

4 days ago

May 22, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

play’n-go-granted-alberta-igaming-licence,-expanding-canadian-market-footprint

The Swedish gaming giant confirms its entry into another regulated market, with its industry-leading portfolio of games set to launch in Alberta.

Play’n GO, one of the world’s leading casino entertainment providers, has been granted a licence to supply online gaming content in the Canadian province of Alberta, marking another milestone in the company’s expansion across regulated North American markets.

The licence, awarded by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission (AGLC), allows the company to offer its portfolio of premium online casino titles to licensed operators in the province ahead of Alberta’s planned market launch later this year.

Alberta represents an important new regulated opportunity within Canada, complementing Play’n GO’s established presence in Ontario and Quebec, while reinforcing the company’s commitment to operating exclusively in regulated jurisdictions.

Magnus Olsson said: “Being granted a licence in Alberta is another important step in our North American growth journey and further strengthens our presence in Canada.

“Regulated markets are the foundation of our business, and Alberta represents an exciting opportunity to expand our footprint in a jurisdiction that shares our commitment to high standards, player protection and long-term sustainability.”

The Alberta licence forms part of Play’n GO’s broader strategy of expanding through regulated markets, working closely with licensed operators to deliver compliant, high-quality gaming content focused on innovation, responsibility, and long-term commercial value.

As part of its market entry preparations, the company has aligned its technology and game portfolio with Alberta’s regulatory standards and requirements, with an initial batch of titles already undergoing certification to ensure launch readiness.

About Play’n GO

With more than 20 years of experience in mobile-first gaming, Play’n GO is a global leader in casino entertainment and the creator of some of the industry’s most iconic online titles, including Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead, Reactoonz, and Moon Princess.

A pioneer in the sector, Play’n GO was among the first to recognize the potential of mobile gaming, developing casino content for mobile devices as early as 2005, before the smartphone era.

Today, the company offers a portfolio of more than 450 premium titles, available to regulated operators across over 35 jurisdictions.

Play’n GO is strongly committed to a fully regulated, sustainable gaming industry built around entertainment, safety, and long-term collaboration.

The company works closely with operators, regulators, and research institutions to promote responsible gaming standards across all markets in which it operates.

With a deep understanding of both operators’ and players’ needs, Play’n GO focuses on creating high-quality, enduring content designed for long-term engagement.

In addition to game development, the company also provides backend services and solutions that support operators in delivering a seamless gaming experience.

Beyond gaming, Play’n GO has expanded into complementary entertainment verticals with Play’n GO Music and Play’n GO Shop, and is also a proud partner of the TGR Haas F1 Team.

For more information, please visit www.playngo.com

The post Play’n GO granted Alberta iGaming licence, expanding Canadian market footprint appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Alberta

Play’n GO secures Alberta iGaming supplier licence from AGLC

Published

4 days ago

May 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

play’n-go-secures-alberta-igaming-supplier-licence-from-aglc

Play’n GO has been granted a licence to supply online gaming content in Alberta, as the province prepares to launch its regulated online market later this year.

The licence was awarded by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission (AGLC). Play’n GO said the approval allows it to provide its online casino games to licensed operators in the province.

Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer at Play’n GO, said:

“Being granted a licence in Alberta is another important step in our North American growth journey and further strengthens our presence in Canada.

Play’n GO said it has aligned its technology and game portfolio with Alberta’s regulatory requirements, with an initial batch of titles undergoing certification ahead of launch. The supplier is already active in Canada, with an established presence in Ontario and Quebec, according to the company.

The post Play’n GO secures Alberta iGaming supplier licence from AGLC appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.