Compliance Updates
Norwegian Govt to Block Foreign Gambling Sites in the Country
Norway’s government is planning to block the foreign websites that offer gambling products targeting the Norwegian market.
The call to block such sites is being led by Minister of Culture Abid Raja, who is using his last days in government to announce the proposal. Companies such as Betsson, Unibet and ComeOn would all be impacted by the potential block.
Worryingly for these companies, and indeed many others, the proposal looks likely to have parliamentary support, having been expected for several years now. A majority in Storting (the Norwegian parliament) supported the proposal in 2018.
Raja’s recent calls for a block on gambling sites come in a bid to strengthen the Norwegian gambling monopoly, as well as push more players to Norsk Tipping, the national lottery in Norway. However, the Minister of Culture also believes the websites are circumventing the laws within the country, and are doing very little to protect problem gamblers.
“These companies do what they can to circumvent Norwegian law. With blocking, we will be able to stop them. We will go as far as possible to get rid of these companies,” Raja said.
Rolf Sims, Kindred Group (Unibet) PR Manager in Norway, said the company would like to read the proposal in its entirety before commenting on the situation.
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Compliance Updates
Isle of Man Government reaffirms commitment to iGaming sector
With more than 20 years’ experience as a leading iGaming jurisdiction, the Isle of Man has built a strong international reputation based on robust regulation, political and economic stability, and a partnership-led approach between Government, regulators and industry.
That reputation continues to underpin confidence in the Island as a premier jurisdiction for high-quality iGaming businesses.
The Chief Minister has reaffirmed Government’s continued commitment to the iGaming sector ahead of attendance at ICE 2026, commenting:
‘For more than two decades, iGaming has been an important and successful sector for the Isle of Man’s economy and community, offering a robust, transparent and responsive regulatory environment. iGaming remains just as important today as it will be in the future.
‘In the face of a more complex and challenging global environment in recent years, Government has invested significantly in strengthening our understanding of risk and ensuring we have the right resources and frameworks in place to recognise and respond effectively to emerging threats.
‘As we look ahead to ICE 2026 and other major industry events over the next 12 months, we will continue to work across industry and all agencies to ensure the Isle of Man remains a secure, stable and trusted jurisdiction for high quality and well-regulated iGaming businesses.’
Attendance at ICE 2026 will mark the start of a coordinated programme of engagement, with Digital Isle of Man due to attend a number of key events alongside industry over the coming year to continue to promote the Island as an internationally respected jurisdiction for iGaming.
The Isle of Man Government remains committed to working in partnership with industry to support sustainable growth, meet international standards, and ensure the long-term success of the iGaming sector.
The post Isle of Man Government reaffirms commitment to iGaming sector appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
California
CGCC Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) Meeting: Jan 20, 2026
The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) has scheduled a meeting of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) for 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The committee is established under Business and Professions Code Section 19817 to provide advisory recommendations to the Commission on regulatory policy, with a specific focus on integrity and problem gambling.
Meeting Attendance Information
The meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and remote participation.
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In-Person Location: 2399 Gateway Oaks Drive, Hearing Room 100, Sacramento, CA 95833.
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Virtual Access: Zoom Meeting Link
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Phone Access: 1-888-475-4499 (Toll-free) | Meeting ID: 285 757 8614
Key Agenda Items
The agenda focuses on internal governance, regulatory controls for third-party providers, and administrative updates:
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GPAC Roles and Responsibilities: A review of the mission statement, adherence to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, and expectations for member conduct and responsiveness.
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Current Projects: Update and discussion on Third-Party Providers of Proposition Player Services (TPPPS) – Internal Controls, led by subcommittee members Kirill Yermanov and Michael Hill.
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New Discussion Items:
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Third-Party Provider Employee Table Coverage.
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Procedures for Lost or Damaged Employee Badges.
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Administrative Updates: An update on the Category G vacancy (Public Member with accounting/business background).
2026 Committee Composition
The committee consists of 10 members (expanding to 12 if pending legislation like AB 77 is finalized), split equally between the cardroom industry and the public.
| Member Name | Category / Role | Term Expiry |
| Trevor Dewar | Category A (Bureau of Gambling Control) | 12/31/2026 |
| Sosha Marasigan-Quintero | Category B (Problem Gambling/Addiction) | 12/31/2026 |
| Michael Hill | Category C (TPPPS Representative) | 12/31/2027 |
| David Fried | Category D (Cardroom with 25+ Tables) | 12/31/2026 |
| Michael Koniski | Industry Representative | — |
| Emmanuel Macalino | Industry Representative | — |
| Linda Ng | Public Representative | — |
| John Stacy | Industry Representative | — |
| Kirill Yermanov | Public Representative | — |
Advisors: Lisa Wardall (Executive Director) and Jason Pope (Chief Counsel).
The post CGCC Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) Meeting: Jan 20, 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Compliance Updates
Finland’s Gambling Reform Is Official – What Happens Next?
The wait is over: The Finnish Parliament has officially approved the new gambling legislation. In a decisive plenary session, MPs voted 158 in favor to 9 opposed, with 32 abstaining. The text remained unchanged from the version presented in previous weeks, solidifying the framework for Finland’s transition from a monopoly to a licensed market.
With the political uncertainty resolved, the focus now shifts to implementation. For operators, this means the race to compliance—and market entry—has effectively begun.
The Confirmed Timeline

With the legislation passed, the roadmap to the market opening is now set. Operators must use the coming months to prepare for a rigorous licensing process.
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Early 2026: The application window is expected to open. The regulator will begin accepting and reviewing license applications.
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2026 (Throughout): The “preparatory year.” This period is dedicated to vetting applicants, ensuring technical compliance, and establishing the new supervisory authority.
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January 1, 2027: The regulated Finnish market officially opens. Licensed operators can go live with betting and online casino services.
Entering the Finnish Market with Nordic Legal
Navigating a new jurisdiction is complex, but it doesn’t have to be inefficient. With extensive experience advising on gaming licences across the Nordic markets, Nordic Legal brings a proven, practical approach to the Finnish process.
Efficiency Through Synergy If you already work with us in Denmark or Sweden, we ensure your Finnish licence application isn’t a “start from scratch” project. We build directly on our existing knowledge of your organisation and systems.
Your usual Nordic Legal contact will coordinate directly with our Helsinki team at no extra cost. This integrated approach saves you time and avoids the frustration of duplicating work you’ve already done for other Nordic licenses.
Our Approach We focus on smart compliance:
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Reusing documentation where regulations overlap.
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Anticipating regulatory questions before they are asked.
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Aligning requirements for technical standards and responsible gambling.
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Engaging constructively with the Finnish authority to ensure a smooth process.
The Finnish Licence Application Package
To support your entry, we offer a comprehensive package designed to handle the heavy lifting:
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Translation of all required documents.
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Guidance and completion of complex application forms.
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Full project management from start to submission.
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Direct communication with the Finnish regulator on your behalf.
Next Steps
The window for preparation is narrowing. Contact your usual Nordic Legal advisor today to discuss the new legislation or our Licence Application Package. Alternatively, reach out to us directly to secure your place in Finland’s upcoming regulated market.
The post Finland’s Gambling Reform Is Official – What Happens Next? appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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