Compliance Updates
Regulated Dutch market wide open following high-profile departures
The exit of major operator brands in the newly regulated Dutch market has left it without an obvious leader, Casino Reviews, the leading iGaming reviews portal has found.
Just six weeks into the opening of one of Europe’s last remaining new jurisdictions, Casino Reviews research using Google Trends discovered that previously dominant operators in the Netherlands each saw a significant drop in search volume following the legal market opening on 1st October.
Unibet and Bwin, the two largest casinos, saw their combined search volume drop by approximately 450,000 monthly queries, with a similar trend experienced by PokerStars, LeoVegas and Casumo.
Casino Reviews’ data shows that search volume for new, regulated casinos is more evenly distributed. Unibet’s previously leading market share has not led to a direct successor, with BetCity, bet365, GGPoker, Holland Casino and state-owned TOTO gaining search traction within a similar range.
Search volume for illegal casinos stalling appears to be good news for regulated casinos and the Dutch gambling authority Kansspelautoriteit’s (KSA) projected goal of an 80% channelisation rate by 2024.
The study also shows how six stakeholders – game and payment providers, affiliates, operators, the KSA and players – can assist in the channelisation drive. The licensing of content from leading developers is highlighted as an important issue, as is the role played by payment providers still offering their services to Dutch players at illegal online casinos.
Affiliates can also help the channelisation process, the report argues, by pointing out the risks posed by playing at illegal casinos, while operators are encouraged to put in place more streamlined affiliate programmes.
The research also points out that smaller, unregulated casinos could potentially opt not to pay what the KSA estimates is a cost of between €1 million and €1.6 million for a Dutch licence, a higher figure than most comparable jurisdictions.
Casino Reviews’ research goes on to detail a potential sweet spot for small-scale illegal casinos who can go under the KSA’s radar while making enough money to cover a fine if and when it should occur. That could leave players using these unregulated casinos open to uncertified games and an unsafe, non-secure playing environment.
David Overmars, Traffic and Conversion Lead at Casino Reviews, said: “Our extensive research into this newly regulated market has provided us with some fascinating insights. The loss of the ‘Big Five’ from the legal market has left a gaping hole that newly licensed operators are battling to fill, with no clear winner emerging.
“Those big operators will certainly come back and pick up licences at some stage and, by then, it is possible we will see the sort of channelisation of players the KSA originally envisaged.
“It is important the six stakeholders listed in our report do all they can to encourage players to play through legal channels, and this means offering them an experience that is safer and more enjoyable than that provided by unregulated offshore operators.”
Click here to view the full analysis.
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Registered online bookmaker VicBet has been fined $130,000 for 2 breaches of its customer care obligations.
Announcing the fine, Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) CEO Annette Kimmitt AM reminded the gambling industry of the potential for people to experience severe harm when rules are not followed.
“Breaches can have serious consequences, not only in terms of punitive actions against the companies we catch out, but for people whose lives are affected by this behaviour,” Ms Kimmitt said.
“It is an egregious betrayal of trust, for example, to continue to send marketing materials to a person who has self-excluded from a gambling venue or closed a betting account.”
The VGCCC’s investigations into complaints about VicBet found the bookmaker had:
• offered and provided a $1,800 bonus bet to a customer after they asked for their betting account to be closed in September 2022. VicBet was fined $50,000.
• repeatedly sent gambling promotional material to a customer after they permanently self-excluded from VicBet in March 2020. The penalty was an $80,000 fine.
It is an offence for a bookmaker to encourage or offer any credit, voucher or reward, or other benefit to induce an account holder to keep an account open after they have requested its closure.
Similarly, sending correspondence or promotional material to customers who have self-excluded contravenes the Victorian Bookmakers’ Association Code of Conduct.
“On these occasions, VicBet failed to live up to both its legal and social licences to operate, which include minimising the risk of harm to customers,” Ms Kimmitt said.
“Industry must respect the wishes of people who decide to have a break from, or quit, gambling. This means taking all reasonable steps to enforce harm prevention initiatives that customers commit themselves to, such as self-exclusion programs.”
VicBet was given the opportunity to “show cause” as to why disciplinary action should not be taken. Submissions from its legal representative were considered prior to a determination being made.
The post VGCCC: Bookmaker Fined for Customer Safety Breaches appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Incentive Games, a leading B2B games provider specialising in player acquisition and retention, today announced it has received full certification from Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) to offer its Pay-to-Play games in the Brazilian market.
This certification encompasses Incentive Games’ entire suite of games, random number generator (RNG), and remote gaming service (RGS), paving the way for the company to expand its reach into the thriving Brazilian gaming market.
Stewart Gove, COO of Incentive Games, commented, “This GLI certification is a huge milestone for us, and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Incentive Games team. It demonstrates our commitment to delivering the highest quality and most secure gaming experiences to players worldwide. We are delighted to now offer our P2P games to licensed operators in the dynamic Brazilian market.”
The post INCENTIVE GAMES RECEIVES FULL PAY-TO-PLAY GAMING CERTIFICATION IN BRAZIL appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
FBMDS proudly announces its certification to operate in the Brazilian iGaming market, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy. This achievement reinforces FBMDS’s leadership in the video bingo category and its commitment to deliver spotless quality, innovation and compliance to Brazilian operators and players.
With this certification, FBMDS becomes one of the few iGaming providers authorized to deliver certified, high-quality games tailored to the Brazilian market in which the brand is deeply enrooted because of its cultural background. This development not only strengthens the brand’s position in a rapidly growing sector but also offers Brazilian players and operators access to a portfolio of games that combine cutting-edge technology, cultural match, and world-class security standards.
“This certification represents a pivotal moment in our journey,” said Renato Almeida, Director at FBMDS. “It demonstrates our commitment to the Brazilian market, ensuring a safe, exciting, and fully compliant gaming experience for players, while empowering operators with premium certified content that drives engagement and growth.”
For FBMDS, this milestone aligns with its 2025 narrative: a roadmap focused on market expansion, innovation, and leadership in key iGaming segments. Brazil’s rapidly expanding market provides a prime opportunity to bring FBMDS’s renowned expertise in video bingo to a whole different level.
For operators, FBMDS’ certified games provide assurance of compliance with Brazilian regulations, while its innovative products and collections are designed to captivate players and drive business growth.
On what Brazilian players is concerned, online casino gaming enthusiasts can look forward to a personalized gaming experience that reflects their culture, preferences, and expectations, underpinned by the highest standards of excellence and safety.
Following this certification, FBMDS will launch a series of targeted marketing campaigns, event participations such as the SBC Summit Rio, in Rio de Janeiro, this February, and direct engagements with new clients. In the first quarter, FBMDS plans to strengthen its partnerships with operators and expand its footprint in Brazil through strategic initiatives and localized offerings.
FBMDS has long been a pioneer in the video bingo category, delivering innovative, culturally relevant titles that resonate with global audiences. Certification in Brazil is simply the recognition of its expertise and dedication to raising the bar in iGaming. By aligning its operations with local regulatory requirements, FBMDS ensures that its games offer a seamless, enjoyable experience while meeting the market’s unique demands.
The post FBMDS obtains certification to operate in Brazil appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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