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Regulators of Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal and Spain issued a joint institutional statement.

The fight against illegal online gambling is one of the paramount tasks facing regulated jurisdictions. Its borderless nature and the speed of technological innovation make it easier for illegal operators to evade regulatory oversight. This creates significant risks for consumer and public health protection, endanger public order and harms the activity of legitimate operators. In short, illegal online gambling undermines the entire regulatory framework designed to protect the public interest.

The statement reads: “We express our common concern regarding the increasing proliferation of advertising targeting our jurisdictions by unauthorised operators, particularly through digital channels such as social media, video platforms, and affiliate networks. These activities not only violate our national laws but also expose citizens — including minors and vulnerable individuals — to significant risks associated with illegal gambling.

“We wish to express our strong commitment to consumer protection, market integrity, and compliance with national and international regulations within the respective legal framework by:

• sharing information on illegal operators among us

• calling on digital platforms and social media networks to strengthen their control mechanisms to prevent the dissemination of advertising content from unauthorised operators

• reaffirming our commitment to share knowledge and better practices in identifying, investigating, and sanctioning operators acting outside the law.

This statement marks a renewed and united commitment by our jurisdictions to strengthen the integrity of the regulated gambling sector and to protect citizens from the risks posed by illegal gambling activities.”

The post Regulators Call for Stronger Measures Against Illegal Online Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Crown Melbourne has been fined $100,000 by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) for allowing an excluded individual to gamble for nearly 15 hours.

VGCCC CEO Suzy Neilan said the incident underscores the need for safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals.

“Exclusion is a critical harm minimisation tool. It enables a clear barrier between an individual and the gambling environment especially during moments of vulnerability,” Ms Neilan said.

The breach occurred on the evening of 31 October 2024, when the person (who for welfare concerns was excluded by Crown in August 2024) entered Crown Melbourne and gambled continuously for 14 hours and 40 minutes. The person was not approached by a Crown PlaySafe attendant or any other employee during this period.

“For nearly 15 hours, the person was able to gamble continuously without taking a break, interacting with staff, or being identified by Crown’s surveillance systems. Crown staff only became aware of the breach after being alerted by a VGCCC inspector,” Ms Neilan said.

Ms Neilan acknowledged the individual had made efforts to conceal their identity but said the incident indicates that the implemented measures have not sufficiently mitigated potential shortcomings in Crown’s systems and controls in policing the presence of an excluded person.

Crown assisted the VGCCC with this investigation and has implemented further controls in the last 12 months, including reconfiguring gaming floor entrances, reviewing the location of facial recognition cameras and continuous training for entry point officers.

“This incident highlights the challenges of enforcing exclusions, but also the importance of continuous improvement and vigilance. Crown Melbourne must ensure that its procedures are constantly assessed so that the likelihood of an excluded person entering the casino is minimal,” Ms Neilan said.

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The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) is pleased to announce that Stake has joined as an Official Tier 1 Anti-Corruption Partner.

As a global entertainment and technology brand, Stake’s collaboration with ESIC underscores a shared commitment to strengthening integrity frameworks and supporting fair competition across the esports ecosystem.

ESIC’s Anti-Corruption Supporter program brings together key industry stakeholders who contribute directly to the detection, analysis, and investigation of suspicious betting activity. Through data sharing, operational cooperation, and collaborative monitoring, the program enhances ESIC’s capacity to identify and address potential issues in real time.

As part of Stake’s Anti-Corruption Partner role, Stake will contribute to ESIC’s integrity monitoring network, helping advance the Commission’s efforts to ensure transparency, accountability, and sustainability within the global esports industry. This collaboration reinforces both organisations’ commitment to safeguarding the credibility and long-term development of competitive gaming worldwide.

Stephen Hanna, CEO of ESIC, commented: “The addition of Stake to ESIC’s Anti-Corruption Supporter network reinforces the sentiment that integrity is a shared responsibility. ESIC’s Anti-Corruption Supporter program relies on the active collaboration of partners like Stake, whose operational insights contribute directly to our ability to identify and mitigate integrity threats. Together, we are building a stronger foundation of trust and accountability that supports the sustainable growth of esports worldwide.”

Jarrod Febbraio, Director of Stake, commented: “This partnership formalizes Stake’s commitment to protecting integrity and transparency across the global esports ecosystem. As the world’s leading online-first betting operator, supporting the industry is central to our strategy and our scale makes this collaboration with ESIC essential to safeguarding its integrity. Together, we’re ensuring the ecosystem remains fair, transparent, and trusted by fans and participants worldwide.”

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