Compliance Updates

UKGC Director Says Global Collaboration Vital for Regulators to Combat Illegal Gambling

Published

2 years ago

October 16, 2023

ukgc-director-says-global-collaboration-vital-for-regulators-to-combat-illegal-gambling

Reading Time: 2 minutes

In a speech delivered at the Global Gaming Expo on October 10, Tim Miller, the executive director of the UK Gambling Commission, highlighted the crucial need for international cooperation among gambling regulators and said the UKGC is finalising several Memoranda of Understanding with US regulators to advance these efforts.

Miller emphasised that such collaboration on a global scale would bolster their collective impact and create a safer environment for customers by eliminating illegal gambling. The focus on customer protection was a significant driving force behind the UK’s Gambling Act review white paper, which was released in April this year.

Miller stated: “The collective voice of gambling regulators across the globe pressuring big tech companies, banks, and even some other jurisdictions to address the role they play in facilitating illegal gambling will be much harder to ignore.”

He emphasised that working together to make gambling safer, fairer and free from criminal involvement was a central objective of the UK government’s Gambling Act Review white paper. Following the release of the white paper, Miller noted that the Gambling Commission would have limited scope to consider policies not included in the white paper in the coming years.

The white paper presented over 60 recommendations for the industry, and the first round of consultations, which began in July, is set to close on October 18. These consultations revolve around topics such as financial risk and vulnerability, online game design, consumer choice in direct marketing and enhancing age verification in land-based premises.

Miller stressed that regulations significantly vary by jurisdiction, making it possible for an operator to be legal in one market while being illegal in another. The more gambling regulators understand each other’s rules, standards and markets, the more they can share information and best practices to increase their effectiveness.

This collaboration, Miller noted, would make it harder for uncooperative operators to circumvent regulations and would make it more likely they face difficult questions in their home jurisdiction if they act poorly elsewhere.

Miller also remarked on the success the Gambling Commission has had in the last year through collaborations with industry tools and services to combat illegal gambling. This cooperation resulted in a substantial reduction in traffic to the largest illegal sites targeting the British market. Miller emphasised the importance of such joint efforts with payment providers, internet search providers and product and games developers.

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Baltics

Estonia to Reinstate 5.5% Online Gambling Tax From March 1

Published

21 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

estonia-to-reinstate-5.5%-online-gambling-tax-from-march-1

Lawmakers in Estonia are set to approve a technical fix restoring the gambling tax to online casinos, closing a legislative error that briefly left remote gambling exempt.

The Riigikogu will hold a final vote on an amendment to the Gambling Tax Act introduced by MP Tanel Tein (Eesti 200). The latest change corrects wording adopted late last year that inadvertently exempted online casinos from Estonia’s gambling tax.

The amendment clarifies that both games of chance and games of skill offered as remote gambling are taxed on the same basis. By deleting the term “game of skill” from one provision in the legislation, a uniform 5.5% gambling tax will apply to both categories.

The Riigikogu’s Finance Committee adjusted the timeline initially set out in the amendment, setting March 1, 2026, as the effective date.

Under current law, gambling taxes are assessed on a monthly basis, making the start of a new calendar month the standard point for changes to take effect.

This aligns with the current IT systems and operating practices of both market participants and the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (MTA).

The fix is linked to legislation passed in December and effective since January 1 that was intended to boost funding for sports and culture through gambling tax revenues. Restoring equal taxation is expected to reestablish legal clarity for both operators and the tax authority.

The post Estonia to Reinstate 5.5% Online Gambling Tax From March 1 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Compliance Updates

NCPG Board of Directors Calls on Prediction Market Operators to Promote the National Problem Gambling Helpline

Published

21 hours ago

February 12, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

ncpg-board-of-directors-calls-on-prediction-market-operators-to-promote-the-national-problem-gambling-helpline

The Board of Directors of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has passed a resolution on February 9, calling on prediction markets to promote the National Problem Gambling Helpline, arguing that event contract trading is similar to other types of betting and poses the same risks for consumers.

In the resolution, the NCPG urged “all Prediction Market Operators serving U.S. consumers” to add “clear, prominent, and ongoing promotion” of the helpline number 1-800-MY-RESET across both “marketing and on-platform user experience.”

The organization said prediction market operators should display the messaging “in a manner that is comparable to practices in regulated mobile sports betting.”

The NCPG said the helpline offers “nationwide free, confidential, and 24/7 support and resources” for people experiencing gambling-related harm. The group also said it maintains a neutral stance on legalized gambling.

The post NCPG Board of Directors Calls on Prediction Market Operators to Promote the National Problem Gambling Helpline appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Andrew Rhodes

Andrew Rhodes to Step Down as CEO of UK Gambling Commission

Published

2 days ago

February 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

andrew-rhodes-to-step-down-as-ceo-of-uk-gambling-commission

The UK Gambling Commission has announced that Andrew Rhodes has decided to leave the Commission on 30 April 2026, to take up a new role, which will be announced in due course.

Andrew has provided outstanding leadership of the Commission for almost five years and has overseen a transformation of the Commission and how it regulates the gambling Industry.

Andrew has led the work required from the Commission to implement the Gambling Act Review, with a strong focus on consumer safeguards. This has included the introduction of financial vulnerability checks, reducing the intensity of online games, and banning potentially harmful marketing offers. He has also overseen the introduction of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, now one of the largest surveys of gambling behaviour in the world.

Amongst his other achievements, Andrew oversaw the successful implementation of the Fourth National Lottery licence and transformed the Commission’s approach to regulation through more robust and outcome-focused strategies.

He said: “It has been a privilege to lead the Gambling Commission through such an important period of change. I am proud of the progress we have made to strengthen regulation, improve consumer protections, and ensure gambling is safer and fairer. I leave with confidence in the organisation, its people, and the work still to come.”

Charles Counsell, Interim Chair of the Gambling Commission, said: “Andrew has provided outstanding leadership for nearly five years and leaves a strong legacy. He has led the Commission through major reform, strengthened our regulatory approach, and ensured consumer protection has remained at the heart of our work. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Andrew for his dedication and wish him every success in the future.”

The Commission will shortly begin the process of recruiting a Chief Executive for an interim period. Deputy Chief Executive Sarah Gardner will step up as Acting Chief Executive to cover the areas of work that Andrew will step back from during this transitional period.

The post Andrew Rhodes to Step Down as CEO of UK Gambling Commission appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.