Compliance Updates

UKGC Issues Stricter Consumer Protection Rules for Lockdown

Published

6 years ago

May 13, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published more stringent rules for online operators for protecting customers during lock down. The new set of rules come after new evidence has surfaced that show some gamblers maybe at greater risk of harm during lockdown. The new guidelines deal with the need for affordability checks, prevention of reverse withdrawals and restrictions on bonus offers.

The Commission had collected data through the gambling industry and also through YouGov surveys. The data show that during lockdown gambling participation is down overall. This reflects the closure of land based venues and the cancellation of sporting events, with only a small number of people starting to gamble for the first time.

Gambling Commission chief executive Neil McArthur said: “Operators must use the data they hold to protect their customers and now, more than ever, it’s vital that online operators really know their customers by monitoring how long they are playing for and understanding how financial uncertainty is impacting them and what they can afford to gamble with.  To ensure operators do that, we are strengthening our guidance and expect operators to take account of that to prevent bonus offers or inducements being offered to customers who are showing any sign of harm‘’

Work was already underway to address many of these issues but this means we will now accelerate this work due to the unique situation that many consumers will find themselves in during lockdown.

‘’We will continue to monitor and publish the data that we are collecting and we will take further measures if required. We are monitoring online operators closely and if we see irresponsible behaviour we will step in immediately, suspending licences if we need to.”

Minister for Sports, Tourism and Heritage Nigel Huddleston said:”It is vital that people are protected from the threat of gambling related harm and I welcome these latest steps from the Gambling Commission.We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will not hesitate to take further action if required.”

The data also shows that in terms of time spent gambling, while overall session length has decreased, there has been an increase in the number of sessions that are played for over an hour.

The Commission has reviewed its current guidance in light of the risks that some players may be experiencing harm while in lockdown, and online operators must now take account of the Commission’s additional guidance, which makes clear they should:

Prevent reverse withdrawal options for customers until further notice
Cease to offer bonuses or promotions to all customers who are displaying indicators of harm
Interact with customers who have been playing for an hour in a single session of play
Review thresholds and triggers for new customers to reflect the operator’s lack of knowledge of that individual’s play and spend patterns
Conduct affordability assessments for individuals picked up by existing or new thresholds and triggers which indicate consumers experiencing harm – limiting or blocking further play until those checks have been concluded and supporting evidence obtained, and;
Implement processes that ensure the continual monitoring of their customer base – identifying patterns of play, spend or behaviours have changed in recent weeks.
Online operators will be expected to make changes to act on this guidance as soon as possible. The Commission will bring forward plans to consult on whether further targeted player protection measures are required on a permanent basis.

AleRT Bettor Protection System

Regulating the Game Names “Prevent” Risk Identification System by Focal as Latest Innovation Selected for 2026 Pitch! Event

Published

6 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Niji Narayan

regulating-the-game-names-“prevent”-risk-identification-system-by-focal-as-latest-innovation-selected-for-2026-pitch!-event

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Leading gambling law and regulation conference Regulating the Game (RTG) has announced “Prevent” – a real-time gambling risk identification and safer gambling messaging system developed by Focal – as the latest innovation selected to feature at next year’s Pitch! event.

Part of RTG’s networking schedule taking place alongside the summit itself in Sydney in March, Pitch! – to be held on the evening of 9 March at the Sydney Opera House – is designed to surface solutions that confront real regulatory challenges by strengthening consumer protection, enhancing governance and offering operators practical capability uplift.

Organisers said “Prevent” exemplifies this mission by reframing player protection as a core operational system rather than an ancillary responsibility. Specifically, it advances the identification of risk across the millions of interactions land-based venues experience by using live behavioural data to detect risk early, generate real-time alerts and deliver safer gambling messaging directly to customers.

It is the next evolution of Focal’s award-winning ALeRT Bettor Protection System, bringing faster insights, automated outreach and a more complete picture of customer behaviour.

According to RTG, “Prevent” expands the reach of player protection by identifying emerging risk in real time, monitoring both carded and uncarded play, delivering instant and automated safer gambling messages, supporting venue teams with accurate, consolidated risk information and streamlining compliance reporting and documentation.

“‘Prevent’ is exactly the sort of innovation Pitch! is built to spotlight. We’re looking for solutions that lift capability, that translate research into operational practice and that show what is possible when technology meets real-world regulatory challenges. ‘Prevent’ is pushing safer gambling further upstream – and making it part of mainstream operations,” said Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of RTG.

RTG also revealed its first batch of sponsors for the 2026 event, namely GLI as Gala Dinner Partner and Amazon Web Services as a Silver Sponsor, with support from ebet, CherryHub, Intralot Australia, IGT, Everi, Vanguard Overwatch, Leagues Clubs Australia and Thomson Geer.

The post Regulating the Game Names “Prevent” Risk Identification System by Focal as Latest Innovation Selected for 2026 Pitch! Event appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Compliance Updates

GAMOMAT Achieves ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification

Published

6 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Niji Narayan

gamomat-achieves-iso/iec-27001:2022-certification

Reading Time: < 1 minute

GAMOMAT, one of the leading independent German software developers for slot games, has achieved its ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification. This marks a major milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to information security management.

The ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification was awarded by Proks Certification GmbH, an independent certification body accredited by the German Accreditation Body (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle DAkkS). The certification, valid until August 2028, also covers GAMOMAT Distribution GmbH and GAMOMAT RGS Ltd.

This important certification ensures that GAMOMAT has the right framework to process, manage and protect both its own sensitive information and that of its clients and employees. GAMOMAT completed a full audit by ISO consultants as part of the assessment, confirming its procedures meet the required benchmarks.

“Securing our ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification is a testament to our unwavering understanding that data and information security are crucial. This certification demonstrates that our technology is managed responsibly and securely, in line with internationally recognised best practices,” said Paul Schulleri, CTO of GAMOMAT Development GmbH.

The post GAMOMAT Achieves ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Compliance Updates

Expanse Studios Secures Swedish B2B Gaming License

Published

1 day ago

December 3, 2025

George Miller

expanse-studios-secures-swedish-b2b-gaming-license

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Expanse Studios, a B2B iGaming content provider and subsidiary of Golden Matrix Group Inc., has been granted a software provider license by Spelinspektionen, Sweden’s national gambling authority, authorizing the company to distribute gaming software to licensed operators in one of Europe’s most mature and regulated iGaming markets.

The license, valid until December 1, 2030, enables Expanse Studios to supply its portfolio of proprietary slot games, crash games, and casino content to Sweden’s licensed B2C operators. This approval positions the company to serve a market that generated approximately €2.4 billion in total gambling revenue in 2024, with online gaming accounting for 64% of total market activity.

Entry into Europe’s Most Regulated Market

Sweden represents one of Europe’s most sophisticated iGaming jurisdictions, with approximately 100 licensed operators serving a population of 10.5 million where internet penetration exceeds 95%. In 2024, the online gambling revenue reached $1.9 billion, reflecting a 5% increase from the previous year.

The Swedish market maintains one of Europe’s highest channelization rates at 85-90%, indicating strong player preference for licensed platforms. Sweden’s regulatory framework, established through the 2019 Gambling Act and overseen by Spelinspektionen, emphasizes technical compliance, responsible gaming, and transparent operations—standards that align with Expanse Studios’ existing operations across 1,300+ casino brands in regulated markets.

“Sweden’s licensing framework sets the gold standard for regulated iGaming markets in Europe,” said Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios. “Securing the license approval from the Swedish Authority once again validated our technical capabilities and commitment to responsible gaming in one of the world’s most demanding regulatory environments. This license opens substantial distribution opportunities with established operators serving a highly engaged, tech-savvy player base.”

The Swedish license complements Expanse Studios’ recent European regulatory approvals in Romania and commercial partnerships with operators including AdmiralBet (Novomatic Group) and MerkurXtip (Merkur Group), demonstrating accelerating demand for certified, compliant content across regulated jurisdictions in Europe.

Sweden’s market characteristics—including strong preference for mobile platforms, high consumer spending on digital entertainment, and established payment infrastructure—align well with Expanse Studios’ content portfolio. With 56 proprietary titles including Super Heli, Titan Roulette, and Wild Icy Fruits, the company continues scaling its high-margin B2B operations across Europe, Latin America, and North America.

This license approval reinforces Golden Matrix Group’s strategic focus on expanding regulated B2B operations in jurisdictions with transparent licensing frameworks and very robust player protection standards.

The post Expanse Studios Secures Swedish B2B Gaming License appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.