Compliance Updates
Dutch Gambling Regulator Shuts Down Illegal Bingo and Lottery Operations
The Netherlands Gaming Authority Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has issued cease and desist orders to two operators of online bingo and commercial online lottery services that were found to be running illegally on Facebook.
Luxury Bingo and BSB Shop were both operating on the social network – with the latter also active on the Discord group-chatting platform – but were ordered to halt operations.
In the case of Luxury Bingo, KSA said it warned the operator that it was in breach of national gambling laws, and while Luxury Bingo initially ceased online bingo activities, the KSA took action when it resumed operations.
As such, the page Luxury Bingo was using to offer online bingo was removed from Facebook, while the operator also faces a penalty of €3000 (£2576/$3563) each time it breaches regulations, up to a maximum of €30,000.
BSB Shop initially offered commercial online lottery via Facebook but switched to Discord after it was contacted by KSA over its activities.
The regulator said that BSB Shop would be issued a penalty of €7000 each time it breaches regulation, up to a maximum amount of €35,000.
“The KSA takes action against illegal games of chance; it is prohibited to offer a game of chance without a licence. Participants in illegal games of chance are not assured of a fair game, so the KSA therefore warns consumers against participating,” KSA said.
KSA in November last year announced that it was to begin reporting illegal dipping lotteries found on Facebook to the social media giant in an effort to clamp down on activities in the country. Dipping lotteries are games where players can pay to enter prize draws for cash and other prizes, for which entrance fees are paid via internet banking to operators based in the Netherlands and other countries.
Powered by WPeMatico
Baltics
Estonia to Reinstate 5.5% Online Gambling Tax From March 1
Lawmakers in Estonia are set to approve a technical fix restoring the gambling tax to online casinos, closing a legislative error that briefly left remote gambling exempt.
The Riigikogu will hold a final vote on an amendment to the Gambling Tax Act introduced by MP Tanel Tein (Eesti 200). The latest change corrects wording adopted late last year that inadvertently exempted online casinos from Estonia’s gambling tax.
The amendment clarifies that both games of chance and games of skill offered as remote gambling are taxed on the same basis. By deleting the term “game of skill” from one provision in the legislation, a uniform 5.5% gambling tax will apply to both categories.
The Riigikogu’s Finance Committee adjusted the timeline initially set out in the amendment, setting March 1, 2026, as the effective date.
Under current law, gambling taxes are assessed on a monthly basis, making the start of a new calendar month the standard point for changes to take effect.
This aligns with the current IT systems and operating practices of both market participants and the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (MTA).
The fix is linked to legislation passed in December and effective since January 1 that was intended to boost funding for sports and culture through gambling tax revenues. Restoring equal taxation is expected to reestablish legal clarity for both operators and the tax authority.
The post Estonia to Reinstate 5.5% Online Gambling Tax From March 1 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
NCPG Board of Directors Calls on Prediction Market Operators to Promote the National Problem Gambling Helpline
The Board of Directors of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has passed a resolution on February 9, calling on prediction markets to promote the National Problem Gambling Helpline, arguing that event contract trading is similar to other types of betting and poses the same risks for consumers.
In the resolution, the NCPG urged “all Prediction Market Operators serving U.S. consumers” to add “clear, prominent, and ongoing promotion” of the helpline number 1-800-MY-RESET across both “marketing and on-platform user experience.”
The organization said prediction market operators should display the messaging “in a manner that is comparable to practices in regulated mobile sports betting.”
The NCPG said the helpline offers “nationwide free, confidential, and 24/7 support and resources” for people experiencing gambling-related harm. The group also said it maintains a neutral stance on legalized gambling.
The post NCPG Board of Directors Calls on Prediction Market Operators to Promote the National Problem Gambling Helpline appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Andrew Rhodes
Andrew Rhodes to Step Down as CEO of UK Gambling Commission
The UK Gambling Commission has announced that Andrew Rhodes has decided to leave the Commission on 30 April 2026, to take up a new role, which will be announced in due course.
Andrew has provided outstanding leadership of the Commission for almost five years and has overseen a transformation of the Commission and how it regulates the gambling Industry.
Andrew has led the work required from the Commission to implement the Gambling Act Review, with a strong focus on consumer safeguards. This has included the introduction of financial vulnerability checks, reducing the intensity of online games, and banning potentially harmful marketing offers. He has also overseen the introduction of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, now one of the largest surveys of gambling behaviour in the world.
Amongst his other achievements, Andrew oversaw the successful implementation of the Fourth National Lottery licence and transformed the Commission’s approach to regulation through more robust and outcome-focused strategies.
He said: “It has been a privilege to lead the Gambling Commission through such an important period of change. I am proud of the progress we have made to strengthen regulation, improve consumer protections, and ensure gambling is safer and fairer. I leave with confidence in the organisation, its people, and the work still to come.”
Charles Counsell, Interim Chair of the Gambling Commission, said: “Andrew has provided outstanding leadership for nearly five years and leaves a strong legacy. He has led the Commission through major reform, strengthened our regulatory approach, and ensured consumer protection has remained at the heart of our work. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Andrew for his dedication and wish him every success in the future.”
The Commission will shortly begin the process of recruiting a Chief Executive for an interim period. Deputy Chief Executive Sarah Gardner will step up as Acting Chief Executive to cover the areas of work that Andrew will step back from during this transitional period.
The post Andrew Rhodes to Step Down as CEO of UK Gambling Commission appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Brasil on Track7 days agoODDSGATE LAUNCHES “BRASIL ON TRACK”, A STRATEGIC PLATFORM FOR NAVIGATING BRAZIL’S REGULATED IGAMING MARKET
-
Amusnet6 days agoWeek 6/2026 slot games releases
-
Arshak Muradyan6 days agoDigitain Secures UKGC Certification for Sportsbook and Platform
-
Latest News7 days agoLEON.BET RENEWS AS OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL PARTNER FOR 2026
-
Latest News6 days agoHyper Gems — A New Cosmic Adrenaline Release from Dream Play
-
Compliance Updates3 days agoIllinois Gaming Board and Attorney General’s Office Issue more than 60 Cease-and-Desist Letters to Illegal Online Casino and Sweepstakes Operators
-
Latest News3 days agoLaunch Of A Fresh Online Casino Guide 2026
-
Giusy Campo Business Development Director at Groove7 days agoInvisible Infrastructure: How Groove Built Integrity into a Rapid-Growth Machine



