Compliance Updates
EGBA Proposes Changes for German iGaming Market
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has outlined several recommendations aimed at improving the proposals for a Third State Treaty on gambling.
EGBA welcomes the progress towards developing a new online gambling regulation but warns that the draft treaty proposals are inconsistent, overly restrictive in the context of current consumer demand and jeopardise the task of developing a fully functioning online gambling market in Germany.
“A new online gambling regulation is badly needed in Germany, but these new proposals could make the current regulatory dysfunction even worse. An attractive product offer is absolutely essential to achieving a safe and well-channelled gambling environment – but the proposed restrictions would prevent this,” Maarten Haijer, Secretary-General of EGBA, said.
Given the importance of channelling, consumer choice and the “shop-around” nature of online betting, EGBA is concerned that the restrictions proposed in the new state treaty will undermine the success of the future online gambling regulation. Specifically, the cumulative effect of the current product restrictions and the comprehensively restricted access to online casino games, which has been part of the European Commission’s repeated criticism of Germany’s gambling regulations.
To ensure this new regulation is a success, EGBA makes the following recommendations:
- Online casino: A full product range is essential to support effective channelling; there should be no opt-out for the Länder when it comes to the regulation of casino games.
- Bet types: Extensive restrictions should be avoided when defining permissible bet types. Any restrictions on live betting would undermine the objective of channelling consumers.
- Deposit limits: A mandatory cross-provider deposit limit of EUR 1000 will be difficult to implement on a technical level and raises concerns about data protection. A recent study found that the setting of voluntary deposit limits is effective and gamblers who set their own deposit limits would spend significantly less money, compared to players who had not.
- Player account activity: The proposed waiting times for switching between products and operators are not justified and will undermine channelling because they ignore the “shop-around” nature of online betting behaviour and the nature of price and odds comparisons.
- Regulatory authority: EGBA welcomes the proposal to set up a central competent regulatory authority but has concerns about how long it will take to set up and how this could affect licensing decisions.
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Digitain strengthens its regulated presence in Europe by obtaining Belgium’s E Category License.
Digitain, the leading iGaming solutions provider, has announced that it has been officially licensed to operate in Belgium, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing European expansion. This achievement highlights Digitain’s commitment to compliance, innovation, and delivering trusted solutions to its global partners.
Belgium is a highly regulated jurisdiction with strict standards to ensure fair play and responsible gaming. Securing this license further strengthens Digitain’s reputation as a reliable and compliant technology provider, enabling it to offer its award-winning solutions fully aligned with local regulations.
Digitain remains committed to expanding its regulated market presence, fostering partner success, and upholding the highest standards of compliance and data protection.
The post Digitain Expands into Belgium with Regulatory License Approval appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Spelinspektionen Develops New Risk Assessment for Money Laundering in the Swedish Gambling Market
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Spelinspektionen, the Swedish Gambling Authority, has developed a new risk assessment for money laundering in the Swedish gambling market.
In this risk assessment, which replaces previous assessments, the various approaches that enable licensees to be exploited for money laundering, referred to as threats, have been updated to better reflect the current situation. The vulnerabilities of the gaming forms, i.e. circumstances that are assessed to be able to affect the possibility of a threat occurring, have also been revised.
The method for assessing risk has also been revised to harmonise the Swedish Gambling Authority’s risk assessment with the national risk assessment produced by the Coordination Function for Measures Against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing and the supranational risk assessment published by the European Commission.
The Swedish Gambling Authority has previously assessed that there is a low risk of land-based commercial casino gaming being used for money laundering. The authority’s regulations have therefore exempted the gaming form from the application of the money laundering regulations and a number of provisions in the Gambling Act. In the Swedish Gambling Authority’s new revised risk assessment, the risk of the gaming form being used for money laundering is no longer assessed as low. As a result, the Swedish Gambling Authority has initiated regulatory work to review the exemptions from the requirement to apply the money laundering regulations and register players and agents. Interested parties will have the opportunity to submit comments on the regulatory changes in a forthcoming consultation.
The post Spelinspektionen Develops New Risk Assessment for Money Laundering in the Swedish Gambling Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The NSW Government has amended the Casino Control Regulation to extend the term of The Star’s manager Nick Weeks, who will continue to have oversight of casino operations until at least 31 March 2026.
The government extended Mr Weeks’ term at the request of the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) after the NICC declined to lift the suspension of The Star’s licence.
Mr Weeks will continue to hold the licence for The Star over the next six-month period, allowing the casino to operate gaming facilities while its licence remains suspended.
The NICC first appointed Mr Weeks to the role of manager in October 2022, when The Star’s casino licence was suspended following the first Bell Review.
NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford said there was still too much uncertainty surrounding The Star to consider reinstating its casino licence at this time.
“The NICC considers it appropriate to continue with the current arrangement so it can better assess the effectiveness of important remediation work and await the outcomes of other pressing financial matters concerning The Star,” Mr Crawford said.
“The NICC understands the many challenges The Star is facing and is closely monitoring The Star’s progress as it works to prove it is capable of regaining its casino licence.”
The post NICC extends The Star manager’s term for six months appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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