Compliance Updates
Ensuring Integrity: The Role of Assurance in the Gambling Industry
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.
The Swedish Gambling Authority has reviewed how licensees comply with the requirements for information that must be available in bingo halls.
In its review, the Swedish Gambling Authority has checked whether the licensee complies with the information responsibility in bingo halls. Among other things, the licensee’s contact details and gaming responsibility information must be easily accessible.
The Swedish regulator has found information deficiencies in two bingo halls: Idrottens Bingo in Linköping and Bingoringen in Karlskoga. The Spelinspektionen has also alerted the Swedish Bingo Association regarding the information deficiencies at these two bingo venues.
The post The Swedish Bingo Association Receives a Reprimand for Lack of Information in Bingo Halls appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has allocated funding to five new strategic projects dedicated to preventing and reducing gambling-related harm.
Gambling harm can have major consequences for the individuals themselves, their environment and society as a whole. Research shows that 20% of Dutch people who gamble are at moderate or high risk of gambling addiction. By focusing on prevention, early detection and support, problems can be prevented from developing into serious debt, addiction or mental health issues. The projects are being carried out by the Anonymous Gamblers Foundation and the Gamblers’ Environment Foundation, the Dutch Association for Psychiatry, the Trimbos Institute and the Naast Foundation.
With a grant from the Addiction Prevention Fund, the Anonymous Gamblers and Gamblers’ Environment (AGOG) foundation can train new group facilitators and invest in professional development. In addition, AGOG is exploring the possibilities for digital peer support meetings. This could offer a solution in regions where there are no physical AGOG groups yet, or for people who are unable to attend meetings on location.
The Dutch Association for Psychiatry (NVvP) is receiving funding from the Addiction Prevention Fund for the development of a guideline for the treatment of gambling and gaming addiction. NVvP guidelines contain recommendations for the medical practice of healthcare professionals. This new guideline follows up on one of the recommendations of the National Rapporteur on Addictions (NRV) from the report “Gambling with Health”.
The Trimbos Institute has launched two pilots exploring the theme of gambling, also funded by the Addiction Prevention Fund. The Growing Up in a Promising Environment (OKO) programme is exploring whether it can contribute to preventing gambling behavior among young people. To this end, a literature review is being conducted, monitoring data analysed, appropriate interventions sought and discussions held with municipalities and local partners. Additionally, within the alcohol, drug and medication policy, it is being explored how employers can prevent gambling behavior in the workplace and how they can better refer employees with emerging problems to help.
Stichting Naast receives a subsidy to provide webinars, individual counseling, and newsletters for loved ones of people with a gambling addiction. On helpmijndierbareisverslaafd.nl, they publish additional information about gambling-related harm. This aligns with the OpenOverGokken.nl platformme. The goal is to effectively connect the information and helplines of Stichting Naast and OpenOverGokken, ensuring clear referrals between them. This creates a recognisable pathway for loved ones seeking help, advice or a listening ear.
Through the funding of these projects, the KSA, together with partners, focuses on early detection, prevention, improved care and support for gamblers and their loved ones. In doing so, work is being done simultaneously on multiple fronts to prevent gambling harm and limit its consequences. The resources for the aforementioned projects come from the Addiction Prevention Fund (VPF). Managed by the KSA since 2021, this fund is financed via an additional gambling levy for providers of high-risk gambling.
The post KSA Funds Five New Gambling Harm Prevention Projects appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Arizona Department of Gaming
Arizona Department of Gaming Launches On-Demand Responsible Gaming Training
The Arizona Department of Gaming has announced the release of its Responsible Gaming Training initiative, consisting of free, self-paced training in responsible gaming foundations. Training participants will learn the fundamentals of risks associated with gambling, including problem gambling, how problem gambling differs from positive play, and how to connect with others in the context of addressing problem gambling.
“Offering this responsible gaming training is about increasing knowledge, confidence, and skills that make a tremendous difference in improving the conversations and interactions we may encounter day-to-day. I’m excited to share information and resources about responsible gaming that promote a safer, more sustainable gaming environment – and I look forward to briefing community members on how to make this training work for them,” said Jessica Roza, Assistant Director of Government and Community Affairs.
To provide members of the media, stakeholders, and Arizonans the opportunity to become familiar with the newly released training resource, the Department invites all interested individuals to a live, virtual webinar on April 28, 2026, at 10am Arizona Time, hosted by Jessica Roza.
Responsible gaming is about ensuring that individuals who choose to play have the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and enjoy gaming as a form of entertainment. It emphasizes safety and prevention by sharing the risks associated with gambling, encouraging healthy play behaviors, and raising awareness of the treatment resources and support available for gambling disorder, which impacts three to four percent of Arizonans 21 and older. Gambling can take many forms, such as lottery, casino gaming, sports betting, bingo, raffles, office pools, and poker.
The training is organized into three self-paced phases, with optional continued learning quizzes at the end of each phase and a total of about three hours of content (depending on the trainee). Students may pause the training at any point and resume it later.
“For many years, responsible gaming training has served as a cornerstone of education for gaming industry employees, strengthening safety and promoting responsible entertainment across the state. Today, we’re excited to expand that impact by offering an on-demand training designed for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of responsible gaming—including those who may not currently participate in gambling, or work in the industry. This broader approach reflects our commitment to the Arizonans we serve,” Jessica Roza added.
The April 28 virtual briefing will preview the training resource, allow for audience question-and-answer, and conclude with actionable next steps for individuals to further the health and safety of their community.
The post Arizona Department of Gaming Launches On-Demand Responsible Gaming Training appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
-
Brazil6 days agoFernando Carvalho outlines new era for prediction markets in Brazil with VoxFi white label technology
-
appointments5 days ago
Golden Whale names Jaime Ocampo Managing Director, Asia
-
Affiliate Industry4 days ago
Alberta’s Next Step into a Regulated Commercial Gambling Market: What it Means for Operators and Affiliates
-
Brasil6 days ago
Fernando Carvalho define una nueva era para los mercados de predicción en Brasil con VoxFi
-
Africa5 days ago
BC.GAME launches Nigeria site after securing Lagos betting and casino licence
-
game release5 days ago
Spinomenal launches 3 Fortune Mummies Hold & Hit slot
-
Africa4 days ago
Playson goes live with Betika in Kenya and Uganda
-
Central Europe4 days ago
ZEAL launches Dream Car Raffle charity lottery in Germany
