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.
Christine A. Dorchak
Greyhound Advocates Applaud Gov. Ned Lamont for Signing Bill to Outlaw Dog Racing
The largest greyhound protection group in the world thanked Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont for signing a bill to outlaw greyhound racing, calling the new law a victory for everyone who cares about dogs.
“The end of dog racing in Connecticut has finally come because of the hard work of dedicated lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Greyhound advocates everywhere applaud Governor Lamont’s enthusiastic stand against this cruel industry. Connecticut now joins 42 other states that have already rejected this outdated and inhumane form of gambling,” said GREY2K USA President and General Counsel Christine A. Dorchak.
Greyhound racing is now illegal in 43 states, and only continues to exist at two tracks in West Virginia. After dog racing gradually declined for decades, Florida voters outlawed the activity in 2018 by a vote of 69% to 31%, closing twelve operational racetracks. A bill to prohibit gambling on greyhound racing nationwide was introduced in the 117th Congress and earned the support of 105 cosponsors and more than 250 humane groups, anti-gambling organizations, and local animal shelters.
All mainstream animal protection groups oppose greyhound racing due to animal welfare concerns. At the last two remaining dog tracks in West Virginia, state records indicate that 666 greyhounds were injured in 2022 including 218 dogs that suffered broken bones and five greyhounds that died. Thousands of dogs also endure lives of confinement at West Virginia tracks, kept in cages barely large enough for them to stand up or turn around for long hours each day.
Leading sportsbook goes live with full multi-product offering across key market
Altenar, a leading sportsbook and iGaming software provider, has obtained a B2B licence in Greece, expanding its outreach across another established European territory.
The company, which already has an office in Athens, has secured a licence from the Hellenic Gaming Commission, boosting Altenar’s presence in the country and adding a Greek licence to its already comprehensive portfolio.
Altenar’s expertise reaches more than 50 countries where gambling is legalised and the Greek licence, which is valid for seven years, paves the way for the company to offer its services in a new jurisdiction.
Since the introduction of the new regulatory framework, online betting in Greece has emerged as a success story, with the country undergoing robust growth, as market data shows tax revenues expected to reach €540,000,000 this year and the creation of numerous job opportunities.
Marina Zacharopoulou, Compliance Manager at Altenar, said: “The process of obtaining a licence for Altenar was rigorous, albeit familiar due to our experience with similar procedures in other jurisdictions. While we encountered typical challenges along the way, we navigated them smoothly.
“Achieving a Greek licence holds special significance for Altenar, as a considerable portion of our team is Greek, making it feel like a homecoming. Personally, I believe that Greece’s historical connection to games of chance, evident in the popularity of gambling in ancient times and the presence of deities like Tyche, adds cultural resonance to our licensure.
“Securing our presence in Greece through licensure not only demonstrates our commitment to regulatory compliance but also positions us to capitalise on the country’s expanding market.”
The post Altenar celebrates Greek licence in landmark moment for business appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Novibet, a global leader in online betting, has announced that it has selected FullCircl’s identity solutions platform, W2, as its new digital compliance partner. The partnership will help Novibet meet regulatory compliance requirements and ensure its customers gamble in a safe and secure environment.
The solution W2 has designed for Novibet strikes the perfect balance between compliance and customer engagement. A suite of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) solutions provides the bookmaker with access to global sanctions, Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), and watchlist data from key jurisdictions across South America, North America, and the EU, through a single API access point. Screening millions of records per month for Novibet prevents money laundering at initial onboarding stage, through ongoing monitoring, and at point of transaction. This ensures a swift journey for Novibet’s ever-growing customer base, whilst protecting its reputation.
Giannis Papastamou, Head of Customer Compliance & Group MLRO at Novibet, said: “W2 came highly recommended by DTI Solutions, a leading cyber security integrator to the gambling industry. This collaboration underscores our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance and ongoing player protection while delivering a seamless and secure gaming experience for our customers. Based on what we’ve seen so far, we’re already keen to explore ways to integrate more of the W2 product suite into our platform.”
Jess Whitehouse, Head of Customer Success, Identity Solutions at FullCircl commented: “We are delighted that Novibet has selected W2 by FullCircl. We’re providing them with a best practice approach to gambling compliance, including non-intrusive identity verification checks that balance the need for customer due diligence (CDD) with frictionless onboarding and superior player experience. I would also like to thank our trusted partner DTI for their role in bringing this partnership to fruition.”
The post Novibet Announces Digital Compliance Partnership with W2 by FullCircl appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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