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Heading to the races? You might need your payslips

Published

3 years ago

March 13, 2023

Reading Time: 2 minutes

With the biggest week of UK racing taking place at Cheltenham this week, many occasional bettors are likely to be preparing to have one of their first flutters of the year.

Event organiser The Jockey Club reported a whopping 280,000 racegoers over the four-day event last year and OpenBet, the platform that took bets for leading bookies such as William Hill, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, SkyBet and Betfair, processed bets worth more than half a billion pounds.

But leading gambling licensing law firm Poppleston Allen has warned that punters might be asked for more than just money when they go to place their bets this year, thanks to the increasing trend among bookmakers to carry out affordability checks on their customers.

“Since last year’s major racing events took place, we’ve seen a rise in bookmakers undertaking affordability checks and asking players to provide documentation such as payslips and bank statements to prove they can afford to gamble,” said Felix Faulkner, solicitor at Poppleston Allen.

“A recent study of more than 1,000 bettors carried out by YouGov for sports betting community OLBG found that 22% had been asked for payslips, bank statements or similar documents by at least one bookmaker[i].

“If a betting establishment asks a customer for financial information and they are unable or unwilling to provide it, the company is well within its rights to refuse to take their bet. Bookmakers have a legal responsibility under their operating licence conditions to minimise the risk of customers experiencing gambling harm. If they have concerns a customer might be trying to bet more than they can afford, it is advisable they refuse the bet.”

Gambling companies are regulated by the Gambling Commission, which provides guidance that suggests that they should consider customers’ affordability when interacting with customers. However, the guidance does not set limits or thresholds at which gambling companies need to ask for proof customers can afford their gambling.

There have been credible rumours that the forthcoming government White Paper on gambling reform will propose mandatory limits, but the publication of this has been repeatedly delayed due to changes in government departments.

Faulkner said: “There is an element of uncertainty in the market at present. The current Gambling Commission guidance[ii] for premises-based operators, which applies to on-course bookmakers, states that Commission research found some operators had set ‘inappropriately high’ thresholds in the past.

“However, at present there are no hard and fast rules on what is an appropriate level that should prompt bookmakers to ask customers for proof their gambling is affordable to them. This has resulted in gambling companies setting their own rules on when it is appropriate to carry out financial checks on customers and this has led to some differences between bookmakers.

“It remains to be seen how the various on-course bookmakers will interpret the guidance this year. In practice it can be difficult for them to work out who can afford what if there is a race starting in one minute and there are 20 people waving money at them to put a bet on, however compliance with licence conditions is mandatory and operators should always act responsibly.”

Alea

Alea Leads Brazil iGaming Talks in São Paulo

Published

5 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Wladimir P.

alea-leads-brazil-igaming-talks-in-sao-paulo

Alea is set to take a leading role in São Paulo as the Headline Partner for NEXT.io Focus Brazil, returning for a second straight year to one of the most important gatherings in the country’s regulated iGaming calendar.

The invite-only event takes place on Monday, 6 April at Palacio Tangará and brings together around 100 senior industry decision-makers to examine how Brazil’s market is evolving beyond its launch phase.

The agenda will center on the market’s new reality, including changing player behavior, regulatory maturity, and the long-term sustainability of Brazil’s iGaming sector. Alea CEO Jordi Sendra will open the afternoon by joining the panel “Brazil 2026: The New Reality of Regulated Gambling,” where leaders from TQJ Bet, Esportes, and Stake Brazil will discuss how operators can stay competitive in a more structured environment.

Alea says its renewed partnership reflects the company’s growing commitment to Brazil and its deeper local presence. Over the past year, the company has invested in building a stronger on-the-ground structure to support partners across the market, with Sendra describing Brazil as a fast-changing but increasingly organized industry where open dialogue remains valuable.

The São Paulo appearance also connects directly to Alea’s wider South American push. After NEXT.io Focus Brazil, the team is shortlisted for Best Aggregator at the SiGMA South America Awards, before continuing discussions at SiGMA South America from 7–10 April at Booth N145, where the company will showcase its localized portfolio and technical support for operators navigating Brazil’s evolving market.

The post Alea Leads Brazil iGaming Talks in São Paulo appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BIG Cyber

BMM Showcases Gaming Tech at BiS SiGMA

Published

5 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Wladimir P.

BMM Innovation Group is set to reinforce its leadership in compliance testing, cybersecurity, and professional training at the BiS SiGMA Americas, taking place from April 6–9 in São Paulo. Exhibiting at Stand F147, the company is doubling down on its long-term commitment to Brazil’s rapidly evolving regulated gaming ecosystem.

As one of the most dynamic gaming markets globally, Brazil presents both opportunity and complexity. BMM Innovation Group, through its specialized brands, is positioning itself as a critical enabler for operators, suppliers, and regulators navigating this fast-changing environment.

A Three-Pillar Approach to Gaming Compliance

Operating through its globally recognized divisions—BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training—the group delivers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to regulated gaming markets.

Testing & Certification: BMM Testlabs ensures that gaming products meet stringent regulatory standards, enabling smoother market entry.
Cybersecurity Solutions: BIG Cyber strengthens digital resilience, a growing necessity as gaming platforms become increasingly interconnected.
Compliance Training: RG24seven Virtual Training provides certification programs designed to equip employees with the knowledge required to meet regulatory obligations.

Strategic Focus on Brazil’s Gaming Boom

With more than 40 years of industry experience, BMM Testlabs continues to play a pivotal role in supporting Brazil’s regulatory framework. Its investment in local infrastructure, including a dedicated test lab in São Paulo, signals a strong, long-term commitment to the region.

According to Marzia Turrini, Global President of iGaming & Cybersecurity, Brazil stands out as one of the most promising regulated markets worldwide. She emphasized that ensuring integrity, compliance, and cybersecurity readiness is essential for sustainable growth in the sector.

This localized approach allows BMM to help stakeholders confidently launch products while adhering to evolving regulatory requirements—an increasingly important factor as Brazil formalizes its gaming laws.

Driving the Future of Regulated Gaming in Latin America

Attendees at BiS SiGMA Americas will have the opportunity to engage directly with BMM’s experts and explore how the company’s integrated solutions support the future of regulated gaming not only in Brazil but across Latin America.

From certification to cybersecurity and workforce training, BMM Innovation Group is positioning itself at the intersection of trust, technology, and regulation—three pillars that will define the next phase of growth in the global gaming industry.

Industry professionals interested in learning more or scheduling meetings with BMM representatives are encouraged to connect during the event to explore tailored solutions for their operational and compliance needs.

The post BMM Showcases Gaming Tech at BiS SiGMA appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Compliance Updates

CATALIST SPORTS SECURES NEW SUPPLIER LICENSES IN ARKANSAS AND NEBRASKA

Published

5 hours ago

April 1, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

catalist-sports-secures-new-supplier-licenses-in-arkansas-and-nebraska

New approvals in U.S. states and applications in Canadian provinces drive Catalist Sports’ latest expansion across regulated North American markets

Catalist Sports, a leading licensed supplier of sports betting content to the regulated U.S. marketplace, has continued to expand its regulated market footprint with new supplier licenses secured in Arkansas and Nebraska, alongside recently submitted Canadian applications in Ontario and Alberta.

Arkansas’ regulated sports betting market is set for significant growth, with major operators including DraftKings and FanDuel entering the state in March 2026. In addition to Arkansas, Catalist Sports has successfully obtained a supplier license in Nebraska.

Following the approval of its supplier license in Missouri, the latest state to regulate online gambling, in December, Catalist Sports is now licensed in 30 U.S. jurisdictions, with two Canadian provinces expected to follow.

These license updates reinforce Catalist Sports’ commitment to serving both U.S. and Canadian regulated betting markets with compliant, high-quality content and services.

“Securing licenses in new jurisdictions and strengthening our regulatory standing is fundamental to serving as a trusted, key supplier to our operator partners,” said James Monk, Vice President & General Manager of Catalist Sports.

“Arkansas represents an exciting next step for us, particularly as major brands prepare to enter the market. At the same time, our licenses in Nebraska, along with applications in Ontario and Alberta, and ongoing license upgrades, position Catalist to continue delivering scalable, compliant, and differentiated services to our partners.”

Catalist Sports’ expanding North American footprint supports the company’s broader strategy to provide licensed operators with premium data, live streaming, and advanced trading capabilities, helping partners maximize in-play engagement, product innovation, and long-term growth in regulated markets.

Catalist Sports distributes official data and live streaming rights from a vast portfolio of events to licensed U.S. sportsbooks. This includes top-tier tennis properties such as the Australian Open, ITF World Tour, Davis Cup, and Billie Jean King Cup, as well as events across soccer, basketball, and ice hockey, which power year-round engagement for sportsbooks seeking continuous, high-frequency, high-quality live betting content.

The post CATALIST SPORTS SECURES NEW SUPPLIER LICENSES IN ARKANSAS AND NEBRASKA appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.