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Ensuring Integrity: The Role of Assurance in the Gambling Industry

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By Salvador Garcia-Noblejas, Senior Regulatory Assurance Services at ComplianceOne Group

The gambling industry has its origins in the ancient period, and different types of games are found in almost every culture and civilization.

Over the last few years, we have witnessed an immense transformation, clearly boosted by technological developments. Among these changes, online gambling has grown rapidly, and with this new non-face-to-face reality, regulation and regulators have also embraced new ways to protect players, businesses, and the overall economy. Regulators have the responsibility to set the framework of common rules that define what is right and wrong, the means to protect all parties, and the tools that must be used when anyone does not behave as expected.

Assurance in a world of global risks

It would be inaccurate to assume that regulatory assurance’s only goal is to ensure that operators operate in a fair and transparent manner and meet their legal obligations. On the contrary, assurance also includes helping businesses understand the risks involved in the industry where they operate, analysing their strengths and weaknesses, and setting measures to mitigate those risks.

Assurance’s starting point consists of an interview phase where tailor-made questionnaires serve better understanding the reality to each operator and its actual circumstances. Once the assurance assessment is complete, a detailed action plan assists the operator in fixing any identified gaps, improving policies and procedures, and obtaining the maximum financial gain from refining their processes, products, and operations.

As part of the fast transformation of the gambling industry, with competitive new products, platforms, advertisements, and market expansion, we must not forget that bad actors and illegal practices also develop. This is the moment to ask ourselves if we are ready to face whatever can harm our operations. The most efficient way to know is carrying out a thorough audit of policies, procedures, and processes. This approach will certainly save operators from potential harm to their clients, products, brands, and finances.

Audit readiness

Regulators focus on legislation, supervision, and enforcement. All stakeholders must comply with gambling regulations if they want to offer products and services or provide a safe environment to their clients. An important part of the gambling legal system is the fact that the industry is continuously overseen to ensure that all actors adhere to the established rules. At this point, operators need to ask themselves how ready they are to show sufficient evidence that their operations adhere to the law.

Smart operators will choose to comply with as many rules and regulations as their business is capable of, and they will ensure that records are properly kept. Company leadership is essential in ensuring compliance as it contributes to collaboration between departments and having policies and procedures that make the business run within the parameters of the legislation.

Lessons learned

In recent years, some highly publicized enforcement actions, including fines and penalties, license suspension, and revocation, have alerted the whole gambling industry. From such cases, there have been increasing efforts in reviewing processes, improving systems, and growing compliance departments.

Experience in the gambling industry has taught us that it is crucial to have a detailed understanding of the regulations that govern the relationship between operators and players. Where knowledge has been insufficient, inaccurate, or out of date, some business decisions have led to unwanted consequences, sometimes catastrophic ones.

Knowledge, a solid compliance culture, strong procedures, and willingness are the formula to be ready for a regulatory audit.

AGCO

ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch

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ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.

The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.

ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.

The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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AGCO

ThrillTech wins AGCO supplier licence to enter Ontario market

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ThrillTech said it has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to offer its side-bet jackpot technology to regulated online casino, sports betting, and lottery operators in Ontario.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its ThrillPots product lets operators add player-funded, opt-in side-bet jackpots on top of existing games, without changing gameplay or the underlying return-to-player (RTP) calculations. ThrillTech positions the mechanic as a way to drive incremental engagement and revenue.

ThrillTech said the Ontario licence enables existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to roll out ThrillTech-powered jackpots locally, and added it is in discussions with potential new operator partners. The company listed other regulated jurisdictions it serves as the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil, and Peru.

The post ThrillTech wins AGCO supplier licence to enter Ontario market appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Baltics

EGBA Files Complaint Against Fintech Walletto Over Illegal Gambling Payments

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The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has filed a formal complaint with the Bank of Lithuania against Walletto, a Lithuania-based payment service provider, over the alleged processing of payments linked to illegal online gambling operators. The complaint follows an EGBA investigation into illegal gambling websites and apps targeting European consumers. The complaint cites test transactions during the investigation that found evidence suggesting Walletto’s services were used in connection with deposits on a number of these platforms.

While the complaint concerns one provider, it points to a wider problem across the payments chain. Illegal gambling operators cannot operate at scale without access to payments – they depend on the same mainstream payment methods and card networks consumers use every day. As long as illegal operators can accept deposits and process transactions, they will continue to function outside legally compliant licensing regimes in the EU, evade regulatory controls, and expose consumers to harm.

Illegal platforms offer none of the safeguards required of regulated operators. Consumers using them do not benefit from basic protections – there is no robust identity verification, no safer gambling tools, no anti-money laundering controls and no guarantee their winnings will be paid. With no effective identity checks, minors and self-excluded players can access these sites unimpeded.

A problem across the payments chain

Illegal operators exploit weaknesses across the payments chain – among payment service providers, acquirers, and card networks – to keep reaching European consumers. Tackling this problem requires a more coordinated approach across policymakers, gambling and financial regulators, payment service providers, acquirers and card schemes. Card schemes in particular are uniquely placed to act: they are the rule-setters for the networks through which payments to illegal platforms flow and have access to transaction-level data that other stakeholders cannot see.

The principle is simple: payment providers should not process transactions for illegal gambling operators. EGBA is calling for stronger action to make that a reality. Financial regulators should fully and consistently enforce existing rules – such as the EU’s Payment Services Directive and anti-money laundering laws – against payment providers. Card schemes should also take the necessary steps to prevent payment providers from using their networks to process illegal gambling transactions.

Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, said: “Payment providers should not be allowed to process transactions for illegal gambling operators. Illegal operators flourish by exploiting legitimate financial channels and the mainstream payment networks that consumers rely on every day. Our aim is simple: to leave them no room to manoeuvre, and to cut off the payment channels they use to reach European consumers. Card schemes also have a crucial role to play in combatting illegal transactions: they are better placed than anyone, as they set the rules for these payment networks and see transaction flows no one else can.”

The post EGBA Files Complaint Against Fintech Walletto Over Illegal Gambling Payments appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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