Compliance Updates
Our UKGC consultation response: Failing to protect the vulnerable should not be the White Paper’s legacy
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.
Asia
KONAMI GROUP’s Konami Gaming Inc. First to Submit Manufacturer License Application in Japan’s Emerging IR Market
KONAMI GROUP CORPORATION’s long-established gaming & systems group company Konami Gaming Inc. announced it has become the first manufacturer to submit license applications with the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission (JCRC), government regulatory agency set forth by The Cabinet of Japan. Additionally, Konami is the first manufacturer to file across all applicable license categories. These filings represent milestone events for the nation’s regulatory framework, as Japan’s emerging integrated resort (IR) market progresses in responsible development. As a leading manufacturer of casino games and technology in 400+ regulated markets worldwide, Konami is taking proactive measures in support of the Japan IR market, highly relevant to the organisation’s rich heritage as a Japanese company.
“Konami’s early filing demonstrates our commitment and readiness to engage constructively with Japan’s regulatory framework from the outset. We have approached this process with a focus on transparency, preparation, and alignment with the stringent standards established by the JCRC,” said Lori Olk, senior vice president & chief compliance officer at Konami Gaming Inc.
Construction is currently underway for the first integrated resort in Japan—an expansive development planned for 2030 opening by one of the world’s largest casino and entertainment operators. Against this backdrop, Konami’s early submission positions the company to participate during the formative stages of this emerging regulated market. Committed to the long-term health of Japan’s IR market, Konami has invested significant resources in localisation, documentation and operational planning to ensure alignment with the nation’s legal, regulatory and cultural expectations. The supplier has leveraged its longstanding compliance infrastructure, governance processes and global licensing experience to fulfill detailed requirements of the Japanese regulatory framework.
“This milestone in Konami’s application process with the JCRC represents a significant, coordinated effort across multiple business units and jurisdictions, supported by decades of experience operating in highly regulated gaming markets worldwide. As Japan continues to expand its IR framework, Konami remains focused on supporting regulatory objectives and partnering with stakeholders to deliver compliant, high-quality gaming solutions tailored to the needs of the Japanese market,” said Tom Jingoli, president & chief operating officer at Konami Gaming.
The post KONAMI GROUP’s Konami Gaming Inc. First to Submit Manufacturer License Application in Japan’s Emerging IR Market appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
The Danish Gambling Authority has published its annual report describing the authority’s work on illegal gambling. In the 2025 report, you can among other things read more about the Authority’s partnerships, website blocking efforts and visits to upper‑secondary education institutions.
Each year, the Danish Gambling Authority publishes a report explaining the rules that determine when gambling is legal in Denmark, and reviewing the initiatives carried out in the past year to combat illegal gambling.
One of the initiatives conducted annually as part of the fight against illegal gambling is the blocking of illegal gambling websites. In 2025, the DGA obtained district court orders to block 334 websites offering illegal gambling. The Authority has entered into a new cooperation agreement with the Danish Telecommunications Industry (Teleindustrien), which provides the basis for blocking mirror sites without a prior court order when the court has already ruled that the content of the original site is illegal.
The DGA also participates in several national and international partnerships focused on combating illegal gambling. For example, through a collaboration with Google, the DGA can report illegal gambling apps in Google Play, after which Google may remove the illegal content. Anders Dorph, Director of the Danish Gambling Authority, also serves as Chair of GREF (Gaming Regulators European Forum), where the focus is on supporting each other in combating illegal gambling and keeping one another updated on trends observed across the illegal gambling market in Europe.
2025 was also the year in which the DGA was once again invited to visit upper‑secondary education institutions across the country. There was an increasing number of inquiries from sports clubs in 2025 requesting gambling‑related presentations for both amateur and elite clubs, and the DGA’s team of presenters delivered 100 classroom presentations last year.
The post Spillemyndigheden Publishes Report on Illegal Gambling appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
TaDa Gaming has officially secured an online gaming licence from Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR),
This marks another milestone in the company’s strategic expansion across Latin America’s regulated iGaming markets and reinforces its reputation as a trusted and responsible global content provider.
Peru has rapidly emerged as one of Latin America’s fastest growing and regulated online gaming markets following the implementation of its licencing framework. With regulatory certainty creating new opportunities for operators and suppliers alike, TaDa has focused on Peru as a key destination within its long-term Latin American growth strategy.
MINCETUR approval was received prior to TaDa’s successful debut at the Peru Gaming Show (PGS) 2026 in Lima, where the company announced its launch with Peru’s leading operator, Apuesta Total, through long-standing distribution partner Bragg Gaming.
15 certified TaDa titles are currently available in Peru, with additional games scheduled for release as the company continues to expand its local offering.
TaDa’s proven success in regulated jurisdictions across Africa, Europe, North America and the UK, as well as Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico, has been built on its highly effective glocalisation strategy.
This combines internationally successful core game mechanics with expertly localised content designed to meet the cultural preferences and playing habits of individual markets.
Alongside its award-winning slot portfolio, TaDa’s distinctive fishing-shooting games continue to attract new audiences through their social, skill-based gameplay and broad demographic appeal, especially to younger and new to iGaming audiences.
Its growing gamification ecosystem is designed to enhance player engagement while supporting responsible gaming. GiftCode, WIN CARD, Hot Hand, Highlights, Daily Rewards and Missions provide operators with powerful retention mechanics that deliver measurable value throughout the player lifecycle.
TaDa’s continued investment in regulated markets reflects the company’s broader strategy of sustainable growth. By working closely with regulators, operators and aggregation partners, the supplier continues to deliver compliant entertainment expertly tailored to local player demands.
Ray Lee, Director of Business Development at TaDa Gaming, said: “Securing the MINCETUR licence was another major achievement in our global strategy to be present in all regulated markets.
“There is strong demand for differentiated and expertly localised content in Peru. We are confident that our brand for safe and trustworthy gaming experiences alongside our reputation for working as growth partners with our clients will enable us to succeed.”
The post TaDa Gaming Accelerates LatAm Growth with Peru Licence Approval appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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