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.
Media Troopers is positioning itself for entry into Alberta’s soon-to-launch regulated online gambling market through a strategic partnership with Canadian law firm Segev LLP.
The collaboration will see the affiliate marketing and customer acquisition specialist work closely with legal experts Ron Segev and Alon Segev to navigate the province’s evolving regulatory framework. The firm will advise on compliance, licensing readiness, and market entry strategy as Alberta finalises its iGaming model.
Alberta is set to become only the second Canadian province to regulate commercial online gambling, following the launch of Ontario’s market in 2022. The province took a major step forward with the passage of the iGaming Alberta Bill, which establishes a legal framework for private operators and introduces the Alberta iGaming Corporation to oversee the sector.
This regulatory shift is expected to open significant opportunities for operators and service providers alike, particularly as Canada’s iGaming landscape continues to expand. Industry observers often point to Ontario’s rollout as a benchmark, with oversight from bodies such as the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, which has helped shape standards around licensing, compliance, and player protection.
As part of its expansion strategy, Media Troopers aims to support licensed operators entering Alberta with localized marketing solutions, including affiliate partnerships and compliance-led acquisition strategies tailored to the province’s regulatory requirements.
Commenting on the development, Shmulik Segal, CEO of Media Troopers, said:
“Alberta represents one of the most exciting emerging regulated markets in North America.
“Working with Ron Segev and the team at Segev LLP ensures that our expansion into the province will be aligned with the evolving regulatory framework and positioned for long-term success.”
Segal added:
“Canada’s iGaming market continues to evolve rapidly. Our goal is to be fully prepared to support operators entering Alberta from day one.”
The move highlights a broader trend in North America, where affiliate and marketing firms are increasingly aligning with legal and regulatory specialists ahead of market openings. This approach not only reduces compliance risk but also allows companies to establish early positioning in newly regulated jurisdictions.
For more on Canada’s evolving iGaming landscape, see Europa Gaming’s coverage of Ontario iGaming Market Launch and North America Gambling Regulation.
With Alberta’s framework nearing completion, early movers like Media Troopers are aiming to replicate the success seen in Ontario—where strong compliance foundations and localised strategies have proven critical to long-term growth.
The post Media Troopers Prepares for Alberta iGaming Launch with Canadian Gaming Law Firm appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
The leading digital marketing and customer acquisition group Media Troopers has announced it’s gearing up to join Alberta’s upcoming iGaming-regulated market by partnering with Alon Segev, Managing Partner and Ron Segev, founder of Canadian gaming and betting law firm Segev LLP.
Alberta will become Canada’s second province to regulate commercial online gambling, following Ontario in 2022. The province passed the iGaming Alberta Bill last May, which brought with it a framework to allow operators to enter the province and the creation of a new iGaming regulator, the Alberta iGaming Corporation.
As part of Media Troopers’ strategic entry into the new sector, it has partnered with Segev, who will advise the company on regulatory strategy, compliance requirements, and market readiness as Alberta finalizes its operational and licensing framework.
“Alberta represents one of the most exciting emerging regulated markets in North America,” said Shmulik Segal, CEO of Media Troopers.
“Working with Ron Segev and the team at Segev LLP ensures that our expansion into the province will be aligned with the evolving regulatory framework and positioned for long-term success.”
As with Ontario’s competitive market, Media Troopers is dedicated to supporting licensed operators in Alberta with localized marketing channels, affiliate partnerships, and compliance-structured acquisition strategies.
“Canada’s iGaming market continues to evolve rapidly,” Segal added. “Our goal is to be fully prepared to support operators entering Alberta from day one.”
The post Media Troopers Prepares for Alberta iGaming Launch with Canadian Gaming Law Firm appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Approval clears the path for future operator collaborations in one of Europe’s fiercest markets.
ENJOY, the vibrant iGaming content creator, has received official certification to provide its content in the Italian market, signaling an important achievement in the company’s European growth strategy.
After receiving approval from Italy’s regulatory body, Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), ENJOY is now permitted to provide its range of slot games, live casino, and hybrid live experiences to licensed operators in one of Europe’s most prominent and competitive iGaming markets.
The certification marks an important milestone in ENJOY’s long-term expansion strategy, allowing the company to penetrate the Italian market via several forthcoming collaborations with prominent local operators. These collaborations will present Italian gamers to ENJOY’s unique combination of captivating game mechanics and superior production quality.
The provider’s catalog features an array of successful slot games centered on established mechanics like Bison Strike and newer entries such as Hotfire Diamonds XXL. It also features an expanding range of live game show experiences like Enchanted Forest and the soon-to-debut Energy Roulette Hold & Win, created at its cutting-edge studio.
Italy’s well-established regulatory system and competitive environment position it as a crucial market for suppliers aiming to secure a solid foothold in Europe, closely aligning with ENJOY’s emphasis on regulated expansion and sustainable market entry.
Christos Zoulianitis, Chief Commercial Officer at ENJOY, said: “Securing certification for the Italian market represents a key milestone in ENJOY’s European expansion. Italy is one of the most established and competitive regulated markets, and gaining approval to supply our content here reflects both the quality of our portfolio and our commitment to meeting the highest regulatory standards.
“This certification allows us to move forward with a number of exciting operator partnerships, ensuring our games are introduced to Italian players in a way that supports long-term growth and strong engagement.”
The post ENJOY gains Italian approval amid advancing regulated expansion strategy appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Africa6 days agoBetConstruct AI to Drive Global Innovation and Strategic Growth AcrossKey Markets in LatAm, Asia, and Africa
-
Centurion Winner Grand Chance™5 days ago
New from Inspired: Luck It Up™ and Centurion Winner Grand Chance™ available online & on mobile
-
Blazin' Bonus5 days ago
Booming Games releases Blazin’ Bonus
-
Asia6 days ago
Mumbai to Host the Prestigious Global Esports Games (GEG) World Finals from March 19–22
-
Cristiano Blanco CEO of SpinCore Group5 days ago
SpinCore Group Enters Finnish Market via Finnplay Partnership
-
Australasian Hospitality and Gaming Expo5 days ago
IGT Showcases Integrated Gaming, Systems, and FinTech Innovations Designed to Drive Growth at Australasian Hospitality and Gaming Expo 2026
-
Africa6 days ago
BetConstruct AI Fuels Global Innovation Strategy Across Latin America, Asia and Africa
-
Conferences4 days ago
NOVOMATIC Gaming Colombia to Showcase its Latest Innovations at GAT Cartagena 2026
