Compliance Updates

Endorhina’s Head of Legal reports on the Netherlands’ new gambling law

Published

5 years ago

July 1, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Jakub, Endorphina’s Head of Legal, shares his thoughts in a detailed report on the Netherlands’ new gaming application process. We learned that starting October 1st, 2021, the Netherlands will finally release their new law regulation for online gambling!

Jakub explains that the market now becomes open for all types of licenses, like bets on events during a sports match, bets on horse races, and much more. We also hear that there are no limits to the number of accepted licenses, as long as you meet all the requirements.

Dive into Jakub’s full report below:

As of October 1st, 2021, the online gambling market in the Netherlands will finally open. The Dutch Senate approved of the Remote Gambling Act in February of 2019 after years of delays. Before this, the Netherlands tried to fight only the worst offenders in illegal gaming. Nearly two years later, the law is finally scheduled to enter in full force. The online gambling licensing application process began on April 1st, 2021, and now we can finally look forward to its official beginning on October 1st.

The market only opens for the following types of licenses:

Casino games in which the players play against the operator;
Casino games in which the players play against each other;
Bets on events during a sports match or on the outcome of sports matches; and
Bets on the results of horse races and harness racing organized by or under auspices of the Dutch Draf

Market surveillance is done by a regulator – the Netherlands Gambling Authority is responsible also for the licensing process. As mentioned above, the licensing process opened on April 1^st 2021, therefore from the date of drafting this article, the applications are just being accepted.

There is no limitation on the number of accepted licenses, therefore anyone who fulfills all requirements of the regulator is entitled to receive a license. The duration of the license is 5 (five) years, and the licensing fee is set at EUR 48,000.

Applicants should have their registered office in the EU or the European Economic Area, some exceptions are, however, admissible. Regarding server location requirements, the Control Database Specification document specifies that: “The legislation requires that the CDB final data repository must be located in the Netherlands physically separated from the operators gambling system. Both may be located in the same data centre if an operator chooses to do so, however, data stored in this main the CDB final data repository must be logistically and safely separated from any other data.”

In order to be entitled to receive the license, the decree states that the continuity of a license must be reasonably guaranteed. Therefore, the applicant for the license shall in any case provide among other assurance report confirming that the applicant is not in bankruptcy, under a moratorium of payments or where the applicant’s assets are not subject to an enforceable attachment.

All online gambling applications shall also be assessed against the criteria as per the policy rules which include operating without a permit. No applicants shall operate on the Dutch market in two years and nine months preceding the date on which the application was submitted and during the processing of the application.

Unauthorized operations are deemed when the following criteria are met:

The game offer took place on a website whose extension ended in .nl;
The game offer was wholly or partly in the Dutch language;
The relevant offer or its provider advertised on TV, radio or printed media aimed at the Dutch market;
For the games on offer, there was a use of domain name containing terms typical of the Netherlands in combination with the designation of games of chance;
The website(s) on which the games of chance were offered contained any features from which a focus on the Netherlands can be deduced; and
For the games of chance offered, it was possible to use means of payment that are exclusively or largely used by Dutch people;

Taxes are calculated from the gross gaming revenue of the operators currently the taxation is 30.1%. The taxation rate was increased from 29% to 30.1% from January 1, 2018, due to loss of income for the state caused by delays in the adoption of the Online Gambling Act. According to press release from the regulator, the gambling tax will be released back to 29% six months after the entry into force of the Online Gambling Act.

Expectations from this market are rather high. The Netherlands took its time – and at a cost of multiple delays, hopefully, they’ve prepared their regulation for the high demands of the gambling industry.

And that’s a wrap!

We hope you enjoyed reading Jakub’s official report on the Netherlands’ new gambling law. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us anytime. For now, stay tuned to more insights and new releases coming soon!

Compliance Updates

Licence to Operate: The New Regulatory Frontier in Ireland, Finland and New Zealand

Published

18 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

licence-to-operate:-the-new-regulatory-frontier-in-ireland,-finland-and-new-zealand

Overview

For years, many jurisdictions were content to sit back while offshore operators captured players and revenue. Ireland has created a dedicated, centralised regulator. Finland has dismantled its standing state monopoly. New Zealand is finally trying to pull a largely unregulated grey market into a controlled framework. Each of these markets is at a different stage, but the direction of travel is the same: licensing, enforcement, and a far tougher stance on consumer protection.

For operators, this is a mixed picture. Genuine commercial opportunities are opening, but the compliance bar is rising fast, and the days of entering a market through an offshore licence are numbered.

Ireland: The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI)

The main legislation dated back to 1931, enforcement was fragmented, and nobody could quite agree on who was responsible for what. The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 was the overhaul the industry had been waiting for, and it came with real teeth.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) was set up in March 2025 and became fully operational in February 2026, when it started accepting licence applications. It now acts as a single national regulator with the power to supervise and issue substantial penalties.

The new licensing fees are tiered rather than flat, which is a significant change. Previously, fees bore almost no relationship to an operator’s size or revenue. Now they scale with turnover and the type of operation. That’s fairer for smaller entrants and means larger operators are paying something closer to their actual market cost.

What the Rules Cover

The new framework touches most areas of the market. A few standout provisions:

Licences: The GRAI’s digital Operator Portal went live in early 2026. Both remote and land-based products are covered, and the documentation requirements are clearly set out.
Penalties: Serious breaches can result in fines of up to €20 million or 10% of annual turnover, whichever is higher.
Consumer protections: Credit card gambling is banned. Gambling advertising is subject to tighter restrictions.

How to Apply

The application process runs in stages:

Publish a notice of intention at least 28 days before submitting and send proof to the GRAI.
Pull together the required documentation, financial records, ownership details, and operational plans.
Submit the online application and pay the non-refundable tiered fee.
The GRAI reviews the application.
A written decision is issued. If the licence is granted, operators move into post-licence compliance obligations, including reporting any material changes to ownership, finances or senior personnel.

The GRAI was allocated €9.1 million for its first year to cover licensing, enforcement, recruitment and public awareness. Annual inspections are expected to begin shortly, with dedicated enforcement units in place by Q3 2026. There’s clearly an appetite from both domestic and overseas operators; the market is attracting serious interest.

Finland: After the Monopoly

Veikkaus has run Finland’s gambling market for a long time. Lotteries, sports betting, and online casinos all sat under one state-owned roof. That changed in December 2025, when the Finnish parliament passed landmark gambling legislation. Online casino and sports betting are now open to competition, though Veikkaus will keep its monopoly over lotteries, scratch cards and land-based slots and casinos.

It’s worth noting the transition timeline: Veikkaus retains its monopoly until 30 June 2027. Until that point, no other company may run or market gambling in Finland. The new competitive market, and with it the first licensed private operators, only goes live on 1 July 2027.

Applications opened on 1 March 2026. The regulator is targeting a three-to-six-month processing window, which means operators who move now have plenty of time to be ready for the July 2027 launch.

Structure and Costs

Operators need a Finnish licence to legally serve local players from July 2027. Applications must be submitted in Finnish or Swedish, and the authority reviews them in the language used.

Two licence types cover the market:

Gambling Licences: Covering betting, online casinos and money bingo. Applications are open now; operations can commence from 1 July 2027. Licences run for up to five years.
Gambling Software Licences: Required for developers and suppliers. Applications open from 1 July 2027. From 1 July 2028, only software from licensed providers may be used.

The application fee is €29,000, with €1,120 for licence amendments. Annual supervisory fees are linked to gross gaming revenue. Operators will also pay a 22% tax on gross gaming revenue.

For international brands, Finland is a highly attractive opportunity. It’s a high-income, digitally engaged market that has been effectively closed to competition for decades. The reform is also explicitly aimed at drawing players back from offshore platforms; estimates suggest that between €600 million and €900 million a year is currently flowing outside the regulated system. Operators who get licensed early stand to benefit from a genuine shift in where Finns choose to play.

New Zealand: Closing the Grey Market

New Zealand’s online casino market has been a grey market for many years. Offshore operators have been able to take bets from New Zealand players without holding a local licence. That’s about to change. Estimates vary, but local players are spending approximately NZ$700–750 million a year outside any domestic regulatory framework, and the Online Casino Gambling Bill is the government’s attempt to bring that spending onshore and under regulatory control.

How the Licences Will Work

New Zealand is deliberately limiting the number of licences to 15, each tied to a single brand. The allocation process runs in stages: expressions of interest, an auction, then detailed assessments covering financial strength, operational capability and consumer protection. Restrictions on how many licences a single group can hold (a maximum of three) are also built in, which should prevent a few large operators from dominating the market.

Licences run for three years with a right of renewal up to five. Application fees will cover regulatory assessment costs based on operator revenue.

Timeline

Legislation: The Bill passed its first reading in July 2025 and was at its third reading stage as of late March 2026. Royal Assent is anticipated around May 2026, though the exact timing depends on parliamentary scheduling.
Regulations: Detailed rules on harm prevention, advertising, consumer protection and compliance are expected to be finalised by mid-2026, ahead of the licensing process.
Licensing opens: The three-stage licensing process is expected to begin in July 2026. From 1 December 2026, any operator without a licence or a pending application must cease serving New Zealand players entirely.

Penalties and Player Protections

Operating without a licence after the deadline, or breaching key requirements like targeting minors, carries civil penalties of up to NZ$5 million for companies – a clear enforcement signal. All licensed operators will also need to implement age verification, spending controls and integration with national exclusion systems.

The Select Committee recommended increasing that duty from 12% to 16%, which, when combined with GST of approximately 13%, would push the total tax burden for licensed operators to around 29% of gross betting revenue. Note that the 16% duty rate was still subject to final parliamentary approval at the time of writing.

The upside for operators willing to commit is a market that’s been largely uncontested from a regulatory standpoint. The 15-licence cap means the field will be small, and early movers who make it through the process will be operating in a structurally limited competitive environment.

Where This Leaves Operators

Ireland, Finland and New Zealand don’t have a huge amount in common on the surface: different sizes, different regulatory histories and different market structures. But the logic driving each of these changes is the same: governments have decided that letting offshore operators capture their markets unchallenged is no longer an acceptable policy.

For operators, that means more paperwork, higher compliance costs, and in some cases entirely new licencing regimes in markets where none existed before. It also means real, regulated access to markets that have been effectively closed. Finland’s player base has never had a competitive licensed market to choose from. New Zealand’s offshore-dominated status quo is about to be dismantled.

The operators who will do well in these markets are the ones who take the licensing process seriously from the start and don’t assume that doing things right in one jurisdiction automatically translates across borders.

The post Licence to Operate: The New Regulatory Frontier in Ireland, Finland and New Zealand appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Compliance Updates

Flatdog Games Shortlisted for ICA Compliance Awards Europe 2026

Published

20 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

flatdog-games-shortlisted-for-ica-compliance-awards-europe-2026

Isle of Man-based casino games supplier Flatdog Games has been shortlisted for the Gambling & Gaming Compliance Programme of the Year at the International Compliance Association (ICA) Compliance Awards Europe 2026.

The ICA Compliance Awards recognise excellence, innovation, and collaboration across the compliance and financial crime prevention sector. Following a rigorous judging process led by senior industry figures, Flatdog Games earned a place among the finalists ahead of the awards ceremony on 25 June 2026 at Westminster Park Plaza, London.

The judging panel featured leading compliance professionals including Lisa Bennett, Legal Compliance Director at Mastercard; Jon Duffy, Senior VP of Corporate Assurance & Regulatory Affairs at Genting Casinos UK; and Caroline Braddock, Ethics and Compliance Officer at Rolls-Royce.

Lee Hills, Co-Founder of Flatdog Games, said:
“Being shortlisted for this award validates our commitment to raising compliance standards in the gambling industry. Our focus has been on designing proportionate, non-intrusive systems that safeguard businesses, enhance supply chain integrity, and minimise operational burden. Recognition from the ICA and such a distinguished judging panel shows that our approach is both effective and practical.”

Flatdog Games’ submission highlighted its robust compliance programme, showcasing excellence in regulatory adherence, governance, and data protection.

Pekka Dare, President of ICA, added:
“We congratulate Flatdog Games on being named a finalist. All entrants represent the best of the compliance industry, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements at the awards ceremony in June.”

The winners will be announced at the ceremony on Thursday, 25 June 2026 at Westminster Park Plaza, London.

The post Flatdog Games Shortlisted for ICA Compliance Awards Europe 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Compliance Updates

ELA Games scales up its presence in Europe by certifying a suite of 9 hit games in 5 key markets

Published

3 days ago

April 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

ela-games-scales-up-its-presence-in-europe-by-certifying-a-suite-of-9-hit-games-in-5-key-markets

ELA Games is accelerating its European expansion strategy after securing certifications for nine of its top-performing titles across five major regulated markets: Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Romania, and Malta.

This latest milestone enables operators in these regions to access a diverse portfolio of proven games, featuring award-nominated mechanics and modern takes on classic casino experiences.

A Balanced Portfolio for Local Markets

With a strong focus on localisation, ELA Games has curated a selection designed to resonate with varied player preferences across Europe. The newly certified lineup is built around three core pillars:

High-Performing Hits: Titles such as Buffalo Force, Piñatas Festival, and Riches Express have delivered strong GGR growth and demonstrated high player engagement in competitive markets.
Innovative Mechanics: The rollout introduces ELA Games’ Winpot feature to new jurisdictions. This mechanic, which allows players to control their cash-out strategy, is now available through titles like Zeus Winpot and Rabbit Winpot Deluxe.
Modernised Classics: Games such as Juicy Crystal and Noble Crown bring updated visuals and smooth gameplay to traditional slot formats, appealing to players who prefer familiar mechanics with a modern twist.

Market Availability

The certified titles are now live across multiple operator platforms, with game selections varying by jurisdiction:

Sweden: Betinia, Swiper, CampoBet, QuickCasino
Denmark: Betinia, CampoBet, Swiper, Betoro
Romania: Don.ro, TopBet, Swiper
Greece: ElaBet

Strengthening European Partnerships

These certifications build on ELA Games’ growing presence across Europe, supported by strategic partnerships with leading operators. The company has recently expanded in Denmark through a notable collaboration with Stake.dk, alongside integrations with Danske Licens Spil (Tivoli Casino), RoyalCasino, and Casino House.

Further expansion has been driven by partnerships with major industry players such as Betsson, as well as regulatory approval from the Hellenic Gaming Commission in Greece.

With a steadily growing footprint and a portfolio tailored for regulated markets, ELA Games is well positioned to capture additional market share and deliver strong returns for its partners across Europe.

The post ELA Games scales up its presence in Europe by certifying a suite of 9 hit games in 5 key markets appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.