Compliance Updates

Lifetime Ban And $200,000 Fine For Joao Olavo Soares De Souza After Conviction On Match-fixing Charges

Published

5 years ago

January 28, 2020

31-year old Brazilian currently ranked 742 in ATP singles has been Provisionally Suspended from professional tennis since March 2019

Brazilian tennis player Joao Olavo Soares de Souza has received a lifetime ban together with a fine of $200,000 after being convicted of multiple match-fixing and associated corruption offences.

A Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) investigation established that between 2015 and 2019 the player committed numerous breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP). These included repeated incidents of match-fixing at ATP Challenger and ITF Futures tournaments held in Brazil, Mexico, the United States and Czech Republic.

In addition to match-fixing offences, the player was also found to have:

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

failed to report corrupt approaches
failed to fully co-operate with the TIU, including destroying evidence
solicited other players to not use best efforts

The case against Mr Souza was considered by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer Prof Richard H. McLaren at a disciplinary Hearing held in London on 14 January 2020.

Prof McLaren’s decision to impose a lifetime ban means that with effect from 24 January 2020 the player is permanently ineligible to compete in or attend any sanctioned event organised or recognised by the governing bodies of the sport.

In March 2019, and prior to being charged with corruption offences, Mr Souza had been Provisionally Suspended from professional tennis, pending completion of the TIU investigation and case against him.

The 31-year old is currently ranked 742 in ATP singles, with a career-high of 69 reached in April 2015. As a doubles player his highest ranking was 70, achieved in January 2013.

The breaches of the TACP he has been found guilty of are as follows:

Section D.1.d. No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, contrive or attempt to contrive the outcome or any other aspect of any Event.

Section D.1.e. No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, solicit or facilitate any Player to not use his or her best efforts in any Event.

Section D.1.f. No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, solicit or accept any money, benefit or Consideration with the intention of negatively influencing a Player’s best efforts in any Event.

Section D.2.a.i. In the event any Player is approached by any person who offers or provides any type of money, benefit or Consideration to a Player to (i) influence the outcome or any other aspect of any Event, or (ii) provide Inside Information, it shall be the Player’s obligation to report such incident to the TIU as soon as possible.

Section F.2.b. All Covered Persons must co-operate fully with investigations conducted by the TIU including giving evidence at hearings, if requested. No Covered Person shall (i)tamper with, damage, disable, destroy or otherwise alter any evidence or other information related to any Corruption Offense or (ii) solicit or facilitate any other person to tamper with, damage, disable, destroy or otherwise alter any evidence or other information related to any Corruption Offense.

The Tennis Integrity Unit is an initiative of the ATP, WTA, ITF and Grand Slam Board, who are jointly committed to a zero tolerance approach to betting-related corruption in professional tennis.

Source: tennisintegrityunit.com

Africa

Uganda: National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board and Uganda Police- Rwizi Region Deepen Ties in Enforcing the Gaming Law

Published

18 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Niji Narayan

uganda:-national-lotteries-and-gaming-regulatory-board-and-uganda-police-rwizi-region-deepen-ties-in-enforcing-the-gaming-law

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) recently held a high-level stakeholder engagement with the Uganda Police Force Officials in Rwizi Region. The engagement, hosted at Lake View Hotel in Mbarara on May 27, 2025, brought together District Police Commanders (DPCs), Officers in Charge of Criminal Investigations (OCIDs), local leaders, the media and other technical stakeholders from across the region.

The engagement focused on aligning enforcement strategies, enhancing compliance and deepening the understanding of Uganda’s gaming laws under the Lotteries and Gaming Act, Cap 334. In his opening remarks, NLGRB CEO Mr. Denis Mudene emphasized the strategic collaboration between the Board and the Uganda Police Force in enforcing gaming law to protect citizens, end underage gaming and maintain public order.

“Gaming is not a money-making venture. It is a leisure activity or entertainment, and we encourage only those of legal age to participate responsibly,” Mr. Mudene said.

Mr. Mudene raised concerns over the growing trend of children using parents’ phones to gamble online. He warned parents against registering SIM cards under their names and passing them on to minors, as this facilitates undetected underage gambling.

“93% of gambling happens online, mostly by corporates. However, when a phone registered in a parent’s name is used by a 15-year-old, they pass all verification checks,” he explained, urging responsible digital parenting.

In response, the Mbarara City Mayor, Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, commended the Board’s efforts in bringing regulatory oversight closer to communities. He raised alarm over the prevalence of unlicensed betting operations and children misusing school fees or resorting to theft to fund gambling.

“As you enforce the law against illegal operators as well as those with minors in their betting shops, remind them of what the law says and apprehend them. This sets an example to those who think they can break the law and get away with it.”

The Deputy Regional Police Commander Rwizi Region, Senior Superintendent of Police Bosco Bakashaba, reaffirmed the Uganda Police Force’s commitment to upholding the law in partnership with the NLGRB.

“We shall offer total support to reduce offenses and illegal operations. Gaming houses that admit underage individuals or operate without licenses, especially in villages, will face legal consequences,” SSP Bakashaba asserted.

He pointed out that crime intelligence and informants are key tools in detecting and shutting down illegal slot machines and unauthorised betting centres.

“Gaming is like a razorblade, used correctly, it’s useful. Used wrongly, it causes harm,” he concluded.

The post Uganda: National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board and Uganda Police- Rwizi Region Deepen Ties in Enforcing the Gaming Law appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Australia

IBIA Joins the Judging Panel for Inaugural RTG Global Awards

Published

18 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Niji Narayan

ibia-joins-the-judging-panel-for-inaugural-rtg-global-awards

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The organisers of Regulating the Game have announced the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) as a confirmed judge for the inaugural RTG Global Awards, to be presented at the Regulating the Game 2026 Gala Dinner on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Sydney.

The RTG Global Awards celebrate excellence in leadership, innovation and impact across community impact, compliance, safer gambling, industry integrity and financial crime risk management. The Awards form part of the sixth edition of Regulating the Game, an international conference committed to enhancing sector integrity, regulatory capability and ethical leadership.

Founded in 2005, IBIA is the leading global voice on integrity for the licensed betting industry. It is a not-for-profit association whose members include many of the world’s largest regulated betting operators, active across six continents. IBIA plays a crucial role in safeguarding sport and the betting industry from corruption, operating a world-leading monitoring and alert platform and collaborating with regulators and sports governing bodies around the world.

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, joins the RTG Global Awards judging panel, bringing deep sector expertise and a steadfast commitment to integrity and responsible betting practices.

He said: “I am honoured to join the judging panel for the RTG Global Awards. At IBIA, we are dedicated to upholding integrity and transparency across the global betting landscape. These Awards spotlight the organisations and individuals working to advance ethical conduct and effective regulation, and we are proud to support that mission.”

Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game, welcomed the announcement: “Khalid’s appointment and IBIA’s involvement reflect the global calibre and integrity-centred mission of the Awards. Their leadership in monitoring and protecting sport from betting-related corruption aligns perfectly with our vision to champion excellence and elevate standards across the sector.”

• The RTG Global Awards will feature six categories:

• Leadership Voice – for principled, reform-focused leadership contributing to sector uplift

• Safer Gambling Champion – for operators or organisations demonstrating tangible harm minimisation outcomes

• Compliance Excellence – recognising uplift in AML, risk culture, or regulatory compliance

• RegTech Solution of the Year – celebrating innovative technologies improving sector integrity and compliance

• Community Impact Initiative – for initiatives delivering measurable community benefit

• Emerging Leader – Safer Gambling or Compliance – spotlighting rising talent (under 40) making meaningful contributions.

Key Dates:

• Nominations Open: Tuesday, July 1, 2025

• Nominations Close: Friday, December 12, 2025

• Finalists Announced: Monday, February, 2 2026

• Awards Presented: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at the Regulating the Game Gala Dinner.

Nominations will open on July 1, 2025, with further details and submission guidelines available at: www.regulatingthegame.com/global-awards-2026.

The post IBIA Joins the Judging Panel for Inaugural RTG Global Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

betting transaction fee

Flutter Response to Illinois Transaction Fee

Published

2 days ago

June 11, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

flutter-response-to-illinois-transaction-fee

Flutter Entertainment notes the recent decision by the Illinois State legislature to introduce a betting transaction fee for licensed operators on all sports wagers placed within the state from July 1, 2025 (Illinois Transaction Fee).

In response, from September 1, 2025, FanDuel, Flutter’s US market-leading brand, announces that it will introduce a new $0.50 transaction fee on each bet placed on its platform in Illinois. This decision reflects the significant increase in the cost of operating in Illinois driven by the new Illinois Transaction Fee. The introduction of this fee by the state follows a substantial increase in the betting tax rate in Illinois in 2024. Following the 2024 increase, extensive efforts were made by FanDuel to absorb the cost fully without impacting customers.

Should the state reverse its decision at any point in the future, FanDuel will immediately remove the $0.50 transaction fee.

Peter Jackson, Flutter CEO, commented: “It is important to recognize that there is an optimal level for gaming tax rates that enables operators to provide the best experience for customers, maximize market growth and maximize revenue for states over time. We are disappointed that the Illinois Transaction Fee will disproportionately impact lower wagering recreational customers while also punishing those operators who have invested the most to grow the online regulated market in the state. We also believe the introduction of the Illinois Transaction Fee will likely motivate some Illinois-based customers to bet with unregulated operators. These operators do not contribute tax revenue to the state, will not collect the newly announced transaction fee and do not offer the same levels of customer protection that regulated operators provide.”

The post Flutter Response to Illinois Transaction Fee appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.