Compliance Updates
UKGC Director Says Global Collaboration Vital for Regulators to Combat Illegal Gambling
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.
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has filed a formal complaint with the Bank of Lithuania against Walletto, a Lithuania-based payment service provider, over the alleged processing of payments linked to illegal online gambling operators. The complaint follows an EGBA investigation into illegal gambling websites and apps targeting European consumers. The complaint cites test transactions during the investigation that found evidence suggesting Walletto’s services were used in connection with deposits on a number of these platforms.
While the complaint concerns one provider, it points to a wider problem across the payments chain. Illegal gambling operators cannot operate at scale without access to payments – they depend on the same mainstream payment methods and card networks consumers use every day. As long as illegal operators can accept deposits and process transactions, they will continue to function outside legally compliant licensing regimes in the EU, evade regulatory controls, and expose consumers to harm.
Illegal platforms offer none of the safeguards required of regulated operators. Consumers using them do not benefit from basic protections – there is no robust identity verification, no safer gambling tools, no anti-money laundering controls and no guarantee their winnings will be paid. With no effective identity checks, minors and self-excluded players can access these sites unimpeded.
A problem across the payments chain
Illegal operators exploit weaknesses across the payments chain – among payment service providers, acquirers, and card networks – to keep reaching European consumers. Tackling this problem requires a more coordinated approach across policymakers, gambling and financial regulators, payment service providers, acquirers and card schemes. Card schemes in particular are uniquely placed to act: they are the rule-setters for the networks through which payments to illegal platforms flow and have access to transaction-level data that other stakeholders cannot see.
The principle is simple: payment providers should not process transactions for illegal gambling operators. EGBA is calling for stronger action to make that a reality. Financial regulators should fully and consistently enforce existing rules – such as the EU’s Payment Services Directive and anti-money laundering laws – against payment providers. Card schemes should also take the necessary steps to prevent payment providers from using their networks to process illegal gambling transactions.
Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, said: “Payment providers should not be allowed to process transactions for illegal gambling operators. Illegal operators flourish by exploiting legitimate financial channels and the mainstream payment networks that consumers rely on every day. Our aim is simple: to leave them no room to manoeuvre, and to cut off the payment channels they use to reach European consumers. Card schemes also have a crucial role to play in combatting illegal transactions: they are better placed than anyone, as they set the rules for these payment networks and see transaction flows no one else can.”
The post EGBA Files Complaint Against Fintech Walletto Over Illegal Gambling Payments appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Casino games aggregator and full-service technology provider St8 has secured its registration to operate in Alberta as an iGaming Services Supplier, marking another significant milestone in the company’s strategy to expand across North America’s regulated iGaming markets.
St8 was among the first suppliers to secure a conditional approval granted by the AGLC, underlining the company’s readiness to support operators as the province prepares to open its regulated iGaming market.
Alberta represents a key market in St8’s North American growth strategy and follows the company’s expansion into Ontario earlier this year. With its latest approval, St8 is now regulated in some of the industry’s most sought-after jurisdictions, including Sweden, the UK, Romania, and Ontario, among others.
The Alberta approval enables St8 to provide its next-generation game aggregation services to licensed operators in Alberta, giving partners access to more than 200 premium game providers through a single API integration, alongside bonus and promotional tools, advanced reporting, compliance capabilities, and a suite of operational features designed to simplify casino management.
Purpose-built with modern infrastructure and regulatory flexibility at its core, the St8 software enables operators to launch premium casino content quickly, while also reducing the operational complexity typically associated with multi-provider integrations and expansion into new markets.
This registration builds on St8’s growing presence in regulated jurisdictions and reinforces the company’s commitment to supporting operators with scalable, compliant technology as new opportunities emerge across North America and beyond.
With compliance, speed and operational efficiency at the heart of its product, St8 remains focused on helping operators enter new markets with confidence while delivering seamless access to premium casino content through a single integration.
Eva Alšauskaite, Head of Legal at St8, said: “Securing our Alberta supplier registration represents another important step in St8’s international growth strategy and reflects our continued investment in regulated markets.
“As jurisdictions continue to evolve, operators need technology partners that combine innovation with a deep understanding of regulatory requirements. Obtaining this registration demonstrates our commitment to meeting those standards while providing operators with a solution that makes expansion into regulated markets as simple and efficient as possible.”
The post St8 Secures Alberta Licence, Strengthening North American Expansion appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has announced that DraftKings has launched multi-state internet poker between Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey on July 8, 2026. DraftKings’ poker platform is operating in Michigan through the Bay Mills Indian Community, which is serving as the Michigan operator partner for the poker product.
Following a thorough review, the MGCB determined that DraftKings meets all regulatory requirements to conduct multi-state internet poker.
“This approval reflects the strength of our partnership with Bay Mills Indian Community and the thoroughness of our regulatory process. As Michigan’s multistate poker network continues to grow, we remain focused on ensuring every operator meets the same high bar for fairness, security, and player protection,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said.
Michigan joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) in 2022. Currently, Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia are member states of that agreement. Prior to the state joining MSIGA, Michigan poker players could only play online against other players located within the state.
DraftKings’ approval reinforces the MGCB’s commitment to enabling legal, regulated gaming opportunities while upholding responsible gaming practices and ensuring the integrity of the industry.
The post MGCB Authorizes DraftKings to Launch Multi-state Poker in Michigan appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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