Compliance Updates
France’s ANJ Flags Concerns Over Licensees’ Player Protection Strategies

L’Autorité nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has approved or suggested improvements to player protection plans licensees were ordered to submit as part of the French gambling regulator’s increased focus on social responsibility.
The regulator examined action plans from all operators active in the country, including the two former monopolies, La Française des Jeux (FDJ) and Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU).
As well as approving 96 plans, the ANJ said it may make decisions later on some land-based casinos which may only open at a later date because of restrictions related to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
There was no indication that any plan was rejected outright.
The ANJ said it prioritised four main issues: prohibiting minors from gambling, allowing for self-exclusion and other checks, identifying and supporting potential problem gamblers and having a general policy that focused on protecting these groups.
Examining the plan of FDJ, the regulator approved the plan with no further conditions. It said the lottery operator “reflects the operator’s desire to meet” the French government’s objectives regarding protecting minors and problem players.
“It is distinguished in particular by the setting up of an ambitious program aimed at guaranteeing the ban on gambling by minors on all game types, innovative prevention initiatives, diversified and adapted to the profiles of players, and the existence of an advanced player identification and support system for pathological gamblers,” the regulator said.
For PMU, however, it raised some concerns and thus added further conditions.
“Further progress is expected from the operator to fully achieve the objective of preventing excessive or pathological gambling,” ANJ said.
In particular, it said tools and resources for problem gamblers were not easily available, while identification of problem gamblers and training of employees were also not up to standard.
While the ANJ approved this plan, it told the operator it must improve these areas. This included providing technical specifications of its system to recognise problem gamblers, taking the effort to strengthen its training system and ensuring the accessibility of RG tools.
Powered by WPeMatico
Compliance Updates
Expanse Studios (GMGI) Obtains Croatian iGaming Certification

Expanse Studios, the B2B game development division of Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has received official certification from Croatia’s Ministry of Finance for its flagship game Super Heli, with additional titles in the company’s 56-game portfolio expected to receive approval in the coming weeks for the EU member state.
The certification marks a strategic entry into a market that generated US$484.70m in 2024, with projected growth at a CAGR of 8.4% during 2024-2030. Super Heli, Expanse’s most popular crash-style game, becomes the first of the studio’s titles approved for the Croatian market, paving the way for broader portfolio distribution.
Tapping Into High-Growth European Market
Croatia represents a compelling opportunity for B2B gaming suppliers, with the Online Casinos segment alone projected at US$218.10m in 2024. According to iGamingToday’s latest market research, Croatia’s gambling market will reach €720.42 million by 2025, making it one of Europe’s fastest-growing regulated markets.
Among the key market benefits are:
- Accelerating digital adoption – Internet penetration jumped from 76% in 2020 to 83% in 2023
- Over 20.6 million tourist arrivals in 2023 following Schengen Zone entry
- Over 500,000 Croatians expected to engage in regular online gambling by 2027
Strategic Value for the Company
The certification strengthens Expanse Studios’ European footprint at a critical juncture. With 56 proprietary titles and 500+ B2B partners globally, Expanse is expected to capture a meaningful share in the growing EU market.
“Croatia certification is more than market access—it’s validation of our content quality and compliance capabilities in demanding EU jurisdictions,” said Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios. “With our flagship title Super Heli already approved and more games in the pipeline, we’re very excited for the opportunities this markets brings us”
Competitive Advantage in Regulated Markets
Croatia’s regulatory framework favors established, compliant B2B providers. Operators must obtain licenses requiring significant capital investment, and only licensed casino games operators who have at least one brick-and-mortar casino can offer online gambling. This creates high barriers to entry and positions certified B2B suppliers like Expanse as essential partners for operators.
The post Expanse Studios (GMGI) Obtains Croatian iGaming Certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Starcasino bolsters its commitment to Sports Betting Integrity with International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) membership

Partnership underscores Starcasino’s pledge to protect sports and customers from betting-related corruption
Starcasino has joined the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) as part of the operator’s recent launch of its sportsbook in the Netherlands via the Altenar sportsbook, which is also a member of IBIA. The operator is also established in Belgium and Spain and joins over 80 companies and 140 sports betting brands that feed into IBIA’s world leading betting integrity network, which monitors over $300bn in sports bets each year. Starcasino’s membership maintains IBIA’s position as the foremost sports betting integrity monitor in the Netherlands, with the association representing around 90% of the licensed sportsbooks currently in operation in the country.
Kylian Olierook, Director of Starcasino Netherlands, said: “Starcasino.nl has joined the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) as part of our ongoing effort to support fair and honest sports betting. Together with our sportsbook partner Altenar, we want to help protect sports from manipulation and ensure a safe experience for our players. By working with IBIA, we take an active role in monitoring and reporting suspicious betting activity.”
Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, said: “We are delighted to welcome Starcasino to our association. Their addition strengthens our global monitoring network and reinforces our shared commitment to safeguarding the integrity of sports and regulated betting markets. Membership of IBIA highlights Starcasino’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency in the regulated sports betting industry. We look forward to working closely with Starcasino to protect the integrity of its products and markets.”
IBIA is a not-for-profit body that has no competing conflicts with the delivery of commercial services to other sectors and was established by operators, for operators, to protect regulated sports betting markets from match-fixing. IBIA’s global monitoring network is a highly effective anti-corruption tool, detecting and reporting suspicious activity in regulated betting markets. Through the IBIA global monitoring network it is possible to track transactional activities linked to individual customer accounts; this data is only available to IBIA and its members.
The post Starcasino bolsters its commitment to Sports Betting Integrity with International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) membership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
New Zealand Introduces Online Casino Gambling Bill

New Zealand Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has introduced the Online Casino Gambling Bill to the House of Representatives.
“The Online Casino Gambling Bill will introduce a regulatory system for online gambling in New Zealand, which will prioritise harm minimisation, consumer protection, and tax collection,” said Ms van Velden.
Cabinet has previously agreed to introduce new legislation to regulate the online casino gambling market, which is currently unregulated in New Zealand. Key features of the Bill include:
• Up to 15 licences for online casino gambling operators will be auctioned.
• Companies applying for a licence will need to provide detailed information to the regulator, including on their business plans for New Zealand.
• Licensed operators will be allowed to advertise, with restrictions.
• Unlicensed operators will be prohibited and fines up to $5 million may be applicable for breaking the law.
“The Bill will proceed to select committee later this year and New Zealanders will have the ability to have their say through the select committee process.”
The introduction of the Bill meets action 21 on the Coalition Government’s Quarter Two Action Plan.
The post New Zealand Introduces Online Casino Gambling Bill appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Australia7 days ago
VGCCC: Minors Exposed to Gambling at ALH Venues
-
Central Europe5 days ago
German Federal Government Significantly Increases the Budget for Games Funding
-
Croc’s Lock7 days ago
FBM® unveils golden treasures in Mexico with Croc’s Lock™ bites
-
Africa7 days ago
SA Rugby Renews its Partnership with Betway
-
Eastern Europe6 days ago
Thunderkick enhances presence in Romania through MaxBet partnership
-
BETBY6 days ago
BETBY EXPANDS LATAM FOOTPRINT WITH MOBADOO ESPORTS PARTNERSHIP
-
Compliance Updates7 days ago
Honolulu Mayor Signs New Laws Targeting Illegal Game Rooms
-
California State Assemblymember Avelino Valencia5 days ago
New Bill in California Could End Online Sweepstakes Gaming