Compliance Updates
The Slovak Gambling Authority’s systematic check activities help reduce the number of illegal gaming devices
In Q1 2023, the Slovak Gambling Authority conducted 2511 compliance checks, which is 201 more compared to last year.
The significant year-on-year increase in the number of checks is due to the restructuring of surveillance and the strategic set-up of the supervision by the Authority's top management.
"I am very pleased that the goals set up by the current management are also successfully fulfilled in the gambling supervision area. Of course, a big thank you to our local supervisors, who actively investigate illegal devices and supervise the fulfilment of all legal requirements by legal operators.
Having gambling under systematic supervision is one of the main missions of the Authority as a gambling regulator," said the Director General at the Office for the Regulation of Gambling (URHH), Dávid Lenčéš.
More than a 45 % increase against the same period last year was recorded in checks focused on the search of illegal gambling establishments. In the first quarter of 2023, supervisors conducted 437 compliance checks focusing on unlawful gambling as mining and quiz machines, intending to prevent further operation. As Director General said, “Increased systematic check activities of illegal establishments has its justification and brings results as, compared to 2022, the number of detected illegal gaming machines on the market is significantly reduced. Searching for illegal establishments and seizing illegal devices has a preventive nature and ultimately protects society, especially at-risk groups and the youth.”
According to the Gambling Act, small operators, such as pubs, can't operate gaming machines. The URHH must license each gaming machine since it is the only official body authorised to issue a license. Operating gambling without a given license is prohibited in Slovakia.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority also carries out surveillance remotely. In the Q1 of this year, we are talking about an almost 90 % increase in on-site checks compared with last year. Thanks to online access to the servers of gambling operators, this form of supervision allows more effective control of many establishments without physically leaving the workplace.
Establishing a specialised online gaming department in 2022 also contributed to the overall increase of supervision effectiveness over 2022-2023. The mission of the specialised department is to supervise licensed online gambling or searching for and restrict access to illegal websites operating or promoting gambling without valid licenses.
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An investigation by the Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) into VGW Luckyland Inc. – a subsidiary of the Australian-based VGW Holdings Ltd. – revealed that VGW Luckyland Inc. was operating illegal online gaming. Delaware officials concluded that VGW misrepresented its services as a promotional sweepstakes while enabling players to purchase coins for casino-style games, leading to potential cash winnings. These types of real-money games offered to Delaware residents by an unlicensed entity violate the Delaware Constitution, the Delaware Penal Code and the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act of 2012.
With the support of the Delaware State Lottery, DGE issued a cease-and-desist order to VGW. Effective April 2, 2025, Delaware residents can no longer participate in VGW Luckyland’s unlicensed online gaming platforms.
The DGE and Delaware Lottery emphasize the importance of legal and responsible gaming practices to protect residents. Unregulated gaming poses significant risks, including limited withdrawal options and potential exposure to cybercrime, identity theft, and fraud. Officials caution that unauthorized online gaming has become a prime target for schemes where cybercriminals attempt to steal not only your money, but personal information, bank account details, and other personal information. Gaming on these unregulated sites can expose players to serious risks such as unauthorized transactions, identity theft, or other types of fraud. Unlike regulated Delaware Casinos, these illegal platforms don’t follow any oversight or consumer protection rules.
Some of these unregulated websites can give the false impression that they are legitimate by copying the branding of Delaware Casinos. They may employ tactics such as using similar-sounding names, matching logos, and lookalike URLs to appear legitimate. This can make it harder for consumers to tell a legal platform from a fake one.
The post Delaware Shuts Down Illegal Online Slots appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The GRAI would like to hear the views of stakeholders, including operators and the public on the proposed regulations concerning licensing which will be commenced on a phased basis.
Consultation Published: Monday 7th April 2025
Submission period closes: 5pm on 5th May 2025
About us
We are the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. We were established on 5 March 2025. Our role is to regulate gambling activities in Ireland.
The law that established us, and sets out what we do, is the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
Those who wish to provide gambling activities in Ireland will need a licence from us. We can issue different types of gambling licences for in person or remote gambling activities, including the following:
1. Business to consumer gambling licences
This type of licence applies to those providing betting, gaming or lottery activities to consumers.
2. Business to business gambling licences
This type of licence applies to those selling or supplying a gambling product or gambling related service.
3. Licences for a charitable and philanthropic purpose
This type of licence applies to those who wish to provide betting, gaming, or lottery activities for charitable and philanthropic purposes.
We intend to start our licensing function in a phased way, with different licence category types opening at different times.
Our current plan is to first open for Business to Consumer betting licence applications in December 2025 (both in person and remote). This will be followed by opening for gaming licence applications (remote only) towards the end of the first quarter of 2026. However, the order and timing of commencement maybe subject to change. The license application process will take a number of months. Once an application is submitted it will be reviewed to ensure all necessary information and documentation has been submitted. We will then undertake various checks on the applicant and on the Information and documentation submitted to verify the information and to ensure it is given due consideration when making the decision to grant or refuse the license application.
What is the purpose of this consultation?
We have the power to make regulations. Regulations are laws created by Ministers or public bodies under powers given to them by Acts of the Oireachtas.
The first set of regulations we plan to make will:
a. Set the application fee for applications for betting (in person and remote) and gaming (in person and remote) licences. This is provided for in section 38 of the 2024 Act.
The second set of regulations we plan to make will:
b. Set the duration for which a gambling licence remains in force. This is provided for under section 108 of the 2024 Act.
AND
c. Set out some additional conditions which will apply to gambling licences. This is provided for under section 129 of the 2024 Act.
We would like to hear the views of stakeholders, including operators and the public on the proposed regulations.
For more information including how to submit a response please visit: Live Consultation page.
The post GRAI: Join the Ongoing Public Consultation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has intensified its supervision of illegal gambling apps. Since the start of 2025, 20 apps have been removed from the app stores. The regulator calls on consumers to always report suspicious apps.
In the fight against illegal gambling, the KSA also focuses on tackling illegal gambling offers in app stores. This problem is becoming increasingly urgent, especially with the increasing number of apps that refer users to illegal websites. These websites are also often accessible to minors, which makes the situation even more worrying. Many of these apps are advertised via social media.
Illegal providers often use underhand techniques to convince consumers, for example by displaying logos of licensed providers. An app was recently reported in the App Store that misused the Holland Casino logo. Also, an “ordinary” game is often advertised (in many cases a variation on “plinko”), but after downloading it links to illegal gambling websites.
In the past three months, the KSA has had 20 of these apps removed, so that they are no longer available to users. It is of great importance to the KSA that consumers continue to report these apps, so that this process can continue throughout the year. When reporting gambling advertising, it is essential that the name of the app in question that is being advertised is mentioned in the report.
In addition to reports from consumers, the KSA is also increasingly receiving reports from industry associations and licensed casinos. For example, via Meld Vals Spel, a platform set up by the industry for reporting illegal gambling sites. Reports received via that platform are also investigated by the KSA. The KSA has working agreements with app stores to report illegal apps to them and then have them removed.
The post Dutch Gaming Authority Focuses on Tackling Illegal Gambling Apps appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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