Compliance Updates

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

Published

4 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.”

Africa

EveryMatrix gains South Africa licence with customer launch pipeline on the rise

Published

52 minutes ago

February 17, 2026

Wladimir P.

everymatrix-gains-south-africa-licence-with-customer-launch-pipeline-on-the-rise

EveryMatrix has obtained official licensing consent to provide its complete platform technology in South Africa, with its client pipeline quickly expanding throughout the continent and significant customer launches approaching.

EveryMatrix South Africa (EMSA) has obtained a manufacturer’s license from the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board and is now permitted to offer its modular and turnkey platform solutions in sports, casino, player account management (PAM), payments, and affiliate management to top local and international operators.

The tier-1 technology provider has achieved considerable progress throughout Africa recently, collaborating with numerous local brands and finalizing agreements with several others set to launch in the upcoming months.

The purchase of FSB Technology has also given it additional access to South Africa and various other developed and developing iGaming markets on the continent.

An increasing number of major local and global tier-1 operators, as well as World Lottery Association member organizations in essential regulated markets, are choosing EveryMatrix’s turnkey platform technology.

Mark Schmidt, Managing Director, Africa, EveryMatrix, said: “Bringing our full suite of turnkey platform products into South Africa under our new licence is enabling us to power some of the biggest brands here, giving them access to technology that will instantly unlock their potential and drive market growth. In the coming weeks and months, we’ll be announcing some major deals so watch this space.

“Our casino, sports, PAM, payments, games and content aggregation and affiliate management solutions, supported by our local experts who understand their needs and challenges are providing an offering no one else has been able to offer so far in South Africa and across the continent.”

The post EveryMatrix gains South Africa licence with customer launch pipeline on the rise appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

ANJ

ANJ Warns French Gambling Operators Over 2026 World Cup Ad Budgets

Published

2 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Wladimir P.

anj-warns-french-gambling-operators-over-2026-world-cup-ad-budgets

During its review of gambling operators’ 2026 promotional strategies, the French National Gaming Authority (ANJ) observed a significant increase in their promotional budgets (over 25%), which they attributed in particular to the FIFA World Cup calendar. In this context, to prevent any risk of advertising overexposure and the development of excessive gambling, the ANJ has asked all operators not to exceed their announced budgets.

FIFA’s recent announcement of the introduction of water breaks (or “hydration breaks”) during the Football World Cup, leading to the introduction of 2 minutes of additional advertising breaks during each match, has reinforced the concerns of the ANJ.

Given the prevalence of problem gambling in sports betting (15.3%), and the fact that 18% of 18-24 year olds were gambling in 2024, this announcement does indeed raise fears of an intensification of advertising pressure on the most vulnerable players.

During discussions with the ANJ (National Gaming Authority), ADMTV (which represents all the advertising sales houses of television broadcasters and streaming services) informed them that a major broadcaster had decided not to sell refreshment breaks to advertisers in the gambling sector. This broadcaster also committed to respecting the codes of conduct and recommendations established by ARCOM, ANJ and ARPP since 2022. The ANJ has taken note of this.

Following this announcement, it calls on all stakeholders, broadcasters as well as gambling operators, to exercise restraint in promoting these new spaces, including in activating their partnerships.

Furthermore, it reiterates its call for broadcasters to respect the rules prohibiting advertising for illegal gambling and games of chance, particularly online casinos.

Finally, she asks the legislator to take up in the future her proposal to establish a whistle-to-whistle ban and a strengthened framework for sponsorship of major sporting events.

The post ANJ Warns French Gambling Operators Over 2026 World Cup Ad Budgets appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Compliance Updates

REEVO Secures MGA B2B Licence

Published

2 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Wladimir P.

REEVO, the iGaming aggregation powerhouse, has announced that the company has been granted an official MGA B2B Licence by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), further reinforcing REEVO’s commitment to regulatory excellence and its continued expansion across regulated markets worldwide.

This major milestone reflects REEVO’s dedication to delivering compliant, secure and scalable aggregation solutions to operators globally, while strengthening trust and long-term partnerships across the iGaming ecosystem.

With the MGA B2B licence in place, REEVO continues to elevate its position as a trusted supplier in regulated jurisdictions, offering partners the stability, integrity and performance needed to thrive in today’s evolving market landscape.

“This achievement represents another key step in REEVO’s global growth strategy. Securing an MGA B2B licence strengthens our ability to support operators with confidence, while reinforcing REEVO’s long-term commitment to compliance, reliability, and innovation,” said Karl Grech, Head of Business Development at REEVO.

The post REEVO Secures MGA B2B Licence appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.