Compliance Updates
UKGC Imposes £6M Penalty on Gamesys for Social Responsibility and AML Failures
A gambling business will pay a £6 million penalty after a Commission investigation revealed social responsibility and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) failings.
Gamesys Operations Limited – which operates 16 websites including ballycasino.co.uk, doublebubblebingo.com, jackpotjoy.com and megawayscasino.com – will also have to undergo a third-party audit to ensure it is effectively implementing its anti-money laundering and safer gambling policies, procedures and controls.
The failures were revealed during a Commission compliance assessment in May 2022.
Social responsibility failures included:
- not always identifying customers at risk of experiencing harms associated with gambling by:
- placing inappropriate reliance on checks which indicate whether a customer had a historical individual voluntary arrangement or been bankrupt or insolvent as a sign of gambling harm
- having a system of deposit limits which, for some customers, did not identify risks of harm quickly enough – no risks were identified when one customer deposited £8255 within three days of opening an account, another lost £5968 within five weeks of opening an account and another lost £17,482 within 34 days of opening an account
- not always interacting with customers who may be at risk of or experiencing harms associated with gambling. Examples include:
- only interacting with one customer once they had lost almost £10,000, and that “responsible gambling interaction” involved the recommendation of new games and promotions
- carrying out only one responsible gambling interaction with a consumer who lost £19,709 over five months
- records of interactions, considerations and rationale for decisions were not always recorded in sufficient detail, despite this being specified in the Licensee’s responsible gambling procedures.
Anti-money laundering failures included:
- in certain circumstances, some customers were able to evade some of the Licensee’s AML triggers/thresholds and go on to spend significant sums without AML checks being conducted – one customer deposited £14,585 in a 28 week period, another deposited £18,884 in just over six months and another deposited £34,280 in five and a half months
- conducting inadequate customer due diligence and being over-reliant on third party information (such as internet research) or the customer’s verbal assurances for a number of customers, including one who deposited over £25,000 in three months, another who deposited over £58,000 in six months, and another who deposited over £65,000 in six months
- having a “Reinvestment of winnings policy” which was insufficient to mitigate the risk that deposited funds could be from illegitimate sources and not just from previous winnings.
Kay Roberts, Executive Director of Operations at UKGC, said: “Our focus as a regulator is to ensure that operators are employing policies and procedures which make gambling fair, safe and crime-free. We take this responsibility extremely seriously and whenever we find failures in policies and procedures then the business can expect significant regulatory action.”
Peru and Brazil to provide launchpad for Latam expansion as ThrillTech strengthens presence in emerging regulated markets
ThrillTech, the B2B jackpot specialist, has taken a significant step forward in its international growth strategy after securing a B2B licence in Peru and regulatory certification in Brazil.
The approvals clear the path for ThrillTech to launch its proprietary player-funded jackpot solutions in Latin America for the first time, bringing its flagship ThrillPots product to one of the world’s most exciting and emerging regions for iGaming.
Latin America has become a focal point for operators in recent years, with Brazil’s market liberalisation and Peru’s structured regulatory framework, as set out by the country’s ministry of foreign trade and tourism (MINCETUR), providing fertile ground for innovative engagement tools.
By working tirelessly to secure entry into both countries, ThrillTech is positioning itself to support operators with compliant, performance-driven jackpot mechanics that can drive revenue and enhance retention.
Peter Mares, CTO and co-founder of ThrillTech, said: “Expanding into Latin America is a milestone moment for us. The region is bursting with opportunity, but it also demands solutions that are flexible, transparent, and built to scale. With a licence in Peru and certification in Brazil, we are ready to deliver the same measurable revenue impact to operators in Latam that we’ve already proven in Europe.
ThrillTech’s products are designed to provide operators with new revenue streams through side-bet jackpots, while also offering real-time engagement mechanics via cash-only rewards.
Already integrated with multiple tier-one operators in Europe, ThrillTech is now primed to replicate that success in Latam by delivering regulator-approved solutions to local operators.
The post ThrillTech secures regulatory approvals to launch jackpots in Latam appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Regulators from across the Asia-Pacific region underscored the need to adapt to digital disruption in the gaming industry during the first-ever Regulators’ Forum held in Manila on Thursday, September 11.
In her keynote address, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) President and COO Wilma Eisma said that while gaming jurisdictions across the region vary in size and maturity, they share common challenges such as cross-border transactions, rapid digitalization, and balancing economic benefits with social responsibility.
“In the Philippines, electronic gaming has become a significant growth driver and PAGCOR has responded with initiatives that ensure accountability, security, and consumer protection while allowing the industry to thrive responsibly,” Ms. Eisma said.
However, she said that digitalization, remote gaming, and emerging platforms are testing the limits of traditional oversight models.
“By exchanging best practices, aligning responsible standards, and keeping pace with innovation, we can ensure that the region’s gaming industry grows not just in size but in trust, resilience, and sustainability,” she said.
Ms. Eisma said PAGCOR has introduced reforms such as stricter advertising rules, stronger financial safeguards, and expanded responsible gaming programs but noted that the greater challenge lies in keeping pace with the rapid evolution of online and remote gaming.
The PAGCOR executive also expressed hope that the Regulators’ Forum will become an annual platform for dialogue, with an expanded edition already being planned for 2026.
“I am confident that this Regulators’ Forum will evolve into a hub for knowledge, collaboration and shared commitment,” she said. “Together, let us set the tone for gaming regulation in Asia: one that is innovative, collaborative and firmly anchored on integrity.”
The event was organized by PAGCOR and Inside Asian Gaming (IAG) and hosted by Newport World Resorts. It gathered regulators, operators, and stakeholders from across the region to tackle concerns on player protection and financial integrity, among others.
The post Digital gaming disruption tackled in 1st AsPac Regulators’ Forum appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
MGCB Renews Licenses for Detroit’s Three Commercial Casinos, Highlighting Continued Community and Economic Impact
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) unanimously approved license renewals for Detroit’s three commercial casinos—MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown—during its regularly scheduled public board meeting.
The annual approval follows a comprehensive review of each casino’s operations, regulatory compliance, and commitment to responsible gaming practices, as required under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act. The decision ensures that Detroit residents and visitors can continue to enjoy a safe, secure, and well-regulated gaming environment.
“Detroit’s commercial casinos are not only entertainment destinations but also major contributors to the city and state economies. By renewing these licenses, the Board reaffirms its commitment to a gaming industry that promotes integrity, accountability, and community benefit. Our oversight helps ensure that patrons have a fair and responsible experience, while Michigan residents continue to see the economic value generated by casino revenues,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams.
The Detroit casinos play a vital role in supporting public services through wagering and sports betting taxes. Licensees are taxed at a rate of 19% on adjusted gross receipts, with 8.1% going to the state and 10.9% to the City of Detroit, along with development agreement payments. Casinos also pay an 8.4% tax on retail sports betting qualified adjusted gross receipts and annual fees that support the state’s regulatory functions. These funds help sustain city services, economic development, and state initiatives.
The MGCB also emphasized the importance of small business participation in the casino supply chain, with measures in place to broaden opportunities for local vendors and suppliers.
Each of Detroit’s three casinos will be eligible for renewal again in September 2026.
The post MGCB Renews Licenses for Detroit’s Three Commercial Casinos, Highlighting Continued Community and Economic Impact appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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