Compliance Updates

Our UKGC consultation response: Failing to protect the vulnerable should not be the White Paper’s legacy

Published

3 years ago

October 26, 2023

our-ukgc-consultation-response:-failing-to-protect-the-vulnerable-should-not-be-the-white-paper’s-legacy

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The dust has settled and the process is complete. The consultation on the proposed changes outlined in the UK Gambling White Paper is closed so now we just have to wait and see. Whilst we do so, we thought that in the spirit of transparency, we would share our own thoughts, more or less as they were communicated in our consultation response to the UK Gambling Commision.

Offering a real-time customer risk profiling tool, ClearStake’s focus was obviously on affordability checks. But then, much of the industry’s attention has been on this topic over the last few months. This is, to our mind, the single most important challenge facing the sector. Addressing it in the right way, a way that protects both punters and operators, will be the key to a sustainable, profitable future.

And with that goal uppermost in our mind, here is what we said:

1. Affordability checks must use real financial data

Certainly at the levels of spend proposed as meriting more thorough checks (£1,000 in a day or £2,000 over the space of three months), we don’t believe there is any real substitute for real financial data, by which we mean bank data. There is simply no other way of establishing whether a player can afford to lose this amount of money or not. Everything else – including data from credit reference agencies – is guesswork. We believe that the single greatest mistake that could be made during this process is not solving the problem of financial harm caused by gambling. That won’t be an issue if the government requires decisions to be made by operators in possession of a proper financial picture of their customers.

2. We can solve two problems at once

The consultation focused on affordability checks, but it would be almost perverse to ignore the wider reality at play here. Operators also have to perform anti money-laundering and source-of-funds (SOF) checks on their customers, and they do so by looking at bank statements. Given this is the case, it makes a lot of sense to us to effectively combine both these requirements within a single check.

3. At higher spend levels, it makes sense to keep customers connected

There has been a lot of talk about how frequently checks should take place, or to put that another way, whether it should be necessary to go back to a customer within six months or a year if they have already passed a check. To us, this rather misses the opportunity presented by Open Banking in particular. After the first check, assuming the player allows it, any checks in future can be entirely frictionless. The connection can remain in place and used when necessary (and only when necessary!) in order to make the ongoing compliance relationship as smooth as possible. We don’t expect ongoing connection to be mandated, but it should certainly be held up as best practice for all concerned.

4. Some of the proposed data points make little sense

When a solution that takes guesswork out of the equation is available, does it really make sense to suggest that postcodes and job titles are meaningful ways to determine an individual’s financial situation? We don’t think so. We believe that continuing to ‘lean in’ to data like this gives a misleading impression that it is good enough. It isn’t. Even as part of a broader decision-making process, it is very difficult to see where some of these data points fit in. You could say the same, of course, about missed loan repayments from three years ago.

5. The solution exists – why cobble together a new one?

Hovering behind the entire consultation process appears to be a not-quite-defined ‘solution’ to the affordability challenge. This is apparent in the various hints towards the use of CATO data (let’s just say it, even if the Commission aren’t willing to) and a hodge-podge of random data points in order to make affordability decisions, as part of a system that would have to be piloted in order to ensure a) it works and b) it doesn’t create data security issues.

Leaving aside the absurdity of asking us to judge the merits of an approach that hasn’t actually been defined, we would simply point out that in Open Banking, a solution to this challenge already exists. One that is already used by over 7 million people in the UK, by most UK operators to handle payments, and already used to handle affordability and SOF checks by forward-thinking operators. Why on earth are we re-inventing the wheel?

So there you have it. That’s what we told the consultation, albeit in language a little less colourful. I hope they listen.

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ThrillTech lands Gibraltar B2B supplier licence

Published

4 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Wladimir P.

thrilltech-lands-gibraltar-b2b-supplier-licence

Approval from HM Government of Gibraltar’s Gambling Division lets the supplier serve Gibraltar-licensed iGaming operators.

ThrillTech has been granted a Gambling Services (B2B) Licence by the Gambling Division of HM Government of Gibraltar, allowing the supplier to provide its opt-in jackpot and mystery reward products to regulated iGaming operators licensed in Gibraltar.

The company said the licence supports its international expansion plans and will enable it to deploy its ThrillPots product with additional operators in the jurisdiction, which hosts a number of tier-one betting and gaming brands.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing a B2B licence in Gibraltar is an important step for ThrillTech and a testament to our market-leading jackpots technology. Gibraltar is home to some of the industry’s most prestigious operators. This approval not only accelerates our global expansion strategy but now allows us to provide these major operators with new layers of player engagement which generate incremental revenue.”

ThrillTech said it seeks market-specific licences and certifications because its side-bet jackpots operate independently of operators’ core casino games and betting products. The company added that its jackpots are powered by a proprietary, certified RNG and do not alter core game RTP, with funding coming from opt-in player contributions.

According to ThrillTech, its regulated market licences and certifications also include the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Peru, and Brazil.

The post ThrillTech lands Gibraltar B2B supplier licence appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Betting and Gaming Council

BGC Calls on Tech Giants to Protect Consumers from Illegal Gambling Sites

Published

7 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Wladimir P.

bgc-calls-on-tech-giants-to-protect-consumers-from-illegal-gambling-sites

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has issued an open letter to Britain’s leading technology platforms calling for urgent action to tackle the growing threat posed by illegal gambling operators online.

The letter, signed by BGC Chief Executive Grainne Hurst, warns that black market gambling websites are increasingly using social media platforms, search engines, messaging services and digital advertising networks to reach consumers in Britain, including people who have self-excluded from gambling and those seeking support.

The intervention follows warnings from Gambling Commission Executive Director Tim Miller, who earlier this year highlighted the continued presence of illegal gambling advertising online, including promotions for so-called “not on GamStop” operators.

The BGC argues that illegal operators are exploiting digital platforms to access UK consumers while operating entirely outside the regulatory framework designed to protect them.

Unlike regulated operators, black market gambling websites are not licensed by the Gambling Commission, do not carry out customer protection measures, do not contribute to research, prevention and treatment services through the statutory levy, and do not pay UK tax.

Analysis by WARC suggests illegal operators now account for almost half of all gambling advertising spend in Britain and could overtake the regulated sector entirely by 2028. Separate analysis by H2 Gambling Capital forecasts that stakes with black market operators could grow from £17bn today to £33bn by 2028.

Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said:

“The harmful black market is growing at an alarming rate, and illegal operators are exploiting online platforms to target British consumers.

“Technology companies have some of the most advanced tools, data and expertise in the world. The question is no longer whether this problem can be addressed, but whether enough is being done.

“Every consumer drawn towards an illegal operator is being pulled away from the protections of the regulated market.

“We are calling on technology platforms to match the scale of the threat with the scale of their response.”

In the open letter, the BGC calls on technology companies to proactively identify and remove illegal gambling advertising, invest more resources in disrupting black market operators, strengthen cooperation with regulators and law enforcement, increase transparency around enforcement activity and work collectively to prevent vulnerable consumers being targeted by unlicensed operators.

The post BGC Calls on Tech Giants to Protect Consumers from Illegal Gambling Sites appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Blazing Flower

CT Interactive Strengthens its Presence in Romania with Newly Certified Games

Published

8 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Wladimir P.

ct-interactive-strengthens-its-presence-in-romania-with-newly-certified-games

CT Interactive continues to strengthen its position in Romania’s regulated iGaming market with the certification of 25 additional game titles. Following this expansion, the company’s certified portfolio in the country now comprises 126 games, reinforcing its commitment to growth across regulated European markets.

Among the newly certified titles is Diamond Tree, CT Interactive’s latest progressive jackpot, featuring some of the company’s best-performing games. The progressive jackpot includes popular titles such as 20 Mega Slot, 20 Star Party, 40 Mega Slot, 40 Treasures, Chilli Fruits, HOT 7’s x 2, King of Clovers, Lord of Luck, Lucky Clover, Lucky Clover 20, Moon Lord, Mystic Moon, The Big Chilli, Wild Clover and Win Storm.

In addition, several standout games have also received certification for the Romanian market, including Hell’s Cherries, Happy Miner, Blazing Flower, Win Storm Deluxe and other player-favourite titles.

“Certification in Romania is an important part of our European growth strategy. This expansion not only strengthens our presence in the market but also enables us to deliver a broader and more diverse range of premium gaming content to licensed operators and their players,” said Martin Ivanov, Chief Operating Officer of CT Interactive.

Bogdan Smeu, Regional Manager Romania, added: “Romania continues to be one of the most dynamic regulated markets in the region, with increasing demand for high-quality gaming content. Expanding our certified portfolio allows us to better support our operator partners while providing players with access to proven, high-performing titles.”

With these new certifications, CT Interactive further strengthens its position in Romania, offering operators a diverse portfolio of engaging and fully compliant gaming content.

The post CT Interactive Strengthens its Presence in Romania with Newly Certified Games appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.