Compliance Updates
EA Appealing Potential €5 Million Fine in the Netherlands for Selling FIFA Loot Boxes
Electronic Arts (EA) is appealing a potential €5 million fine in the Netherlands for its sale of FIFA Ultimate Team packs.
The Dutch government announced last month that it would be enforcing a fine against EA for its implementation of paid-for loot boxes in its most recent FIFA games.
EA will have to change the way its loot box-like items work in FIFA 19, 20, and 21, or every week the company will be fined €250,000, up to a maximum of €5 million.
EA Benelux issued a statement, noting its intent to appeal the fine. “We’re disappointed by today’s decision, and the possible impact of it on Dutch players. We do not agree that our products and services are in conflict with the local gambling laws. We do appeal against this decision and try to prevent a situation that impacts the full possibilities of Dutch players in FIFA Ultimate Team.”
“Electronic Arts attaches great importance to a positive playing experience: we strive to give all players choice, honesty, value, and pleasure in our games. We’re still open to take part in talks with the Netherlands Gambling Authority and other stakeholders to solve and understand their concerns.”
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Compliance Updates
Czech Financial Administration Prevent Tax Evasion in Gambling Sector Amounting to CZK 540M
The Czech Financial Administration has successfully prevented tax evasion in the gambling sector amounting to CZK 540m.
Through a specialized financial department, authorities identified discrepancies in financial flows within casinos and gambling operators for the years 2021 and 2022. The findings were made public in a press release.
The tax evasion was uncovered through a detailed analysis of gaming data, which revealed unusual player behaviour and suspicious financial transactions. During an inspection of a gambling operator, the authorities detected irregularities that led to an additional tax assessment of CZK 340m. The audit further uncovered errors in the reporting of fees and commissions, resulting in an extra tax obligation of CZK 200m.
“Gambling is a highly regulated sector with significant tax revenues, which is why it is crucial for us to systematically minimize opportunities for illegal practices. This achievement demonstrates that our efforts have a tangible impact on market fairness and tax collection,” Otakar Sladkovský, Director of the Specialized Tax Office, said.
Although gambling tax is a relatively smaller contributor to the state’s overall tax revenues, it remains an important source of income. Last year, gambling taxes generated CZK 20.6 billion, reflecting a 12.5% increase compared to the previous year. Of this amount, CZK 14.2 billion was allocated to the state budget, while the remaining funds were distributed among municipal budgets. In total, tax revenues for the previous year, excluding compulsory insurance premiums, amounted to CZK 1.42 trillion.
The post Czech Financial Administration Prevent Tax Evasion in Gambling Sector Amounting to CZK 540M appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued a cease-and-desist order to BetNow.eu Sportsbook, Casino, and Racebook (BetNow), an offshore online casino operating illegally within the state. The site offers a range of casino games, including slots, poker, and live dealer options such as blackjack, roulette, and craps, as well as betting services for sports events and horse races.
“This unlicensed operator not only violates Michigan law, but also exposes consumers to significant risks. Our job is to protect Michigan residents by ensuring that all online gambling is conducted legally and responsibly,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said.
BetNow offers numerous payment options for player deposits, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Zelle, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, Bitcoin Cash, CashMG, and bank transfers. However, players must wager their entire initial deposit before becoming eligible to withdraw any winnings.
The MGCB’s investigation found that BetNow is in violation of several key state laws, including:
• Lawful Internet Gaming Act: Only licensed operators are permitted to offer internet gaming. Only Michigan-licensed casinos and federally authorized tribal casinos can apply for a gaming license under state law.
• Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act: Operating an unlicensed gambling business is a felony in Michigan, carrying penalties of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, or both.
• Michigan Penal Code: Gambling, which involves payment based on the outcome of an uncertain event, is prohibited under state law. Accepting money with the understanding it will be paid based on a game of chance is illegal.
The post MGCB Issues Cease-and-Desist Order to BetNow appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The National Council of Games of Chance and Luck in Colombia has issued Agreement 802 of 2025, through which operators are authorized to use random number generators complementary to the use of raffles and to broadcast the draws over the internet.
“We are working to modernize the entire industry, and that means implementing new technologies. With this Agreement, our goal is that, based on number generators, lottery operators can carry out more draws per year. This means not only an increase in sales, but also in transfers for health,” Marco Emilio Hincapié, president of Coljuegos, said.
Random number generators are systems that allow numbers to be chosen at random. These programs work through computer algorithms that create statistically independent results without following specific patterns that lead to them being predictable.
“From now on, lottery operators will have the possibility of continuing to use the ballot boxes and, at the same time, create more draws in which random number generators are used,” said the president.
“In addition, they will be able to broadcast the draws through their websites, social media and traditional media such as television. This will provide greater transparency in the draws and more guarantees for bettors,” he added.
This new regulation is part of the strategy to transform and optimize the operation of games of chance and luck with computer security and transparency standards.
The post Colombian Lottery Operators Get Permission to Use Random Number Generators appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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