Compliance Updates
NCPG Applauds Blumenthal and Salinas for Introducing Groundbreaking GRIT Act to Address Gambling Addiction
A significant milestone in the fight against gambling addiction, as U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas of Oregon introduced the Gambling addiction Recovery, Investment, and Treatment (GRIT) Act. This groundbreaking legislation addresses a critical gap in our nation’s approach to addiction by establishing the first-ever federal funding stream dedicated to preventing, treating, and researching gambling addiction in the US.
Gambling addiction is a significant public health concern, affecting approximately 7 million American adults, and resulting in severe social and economic consequences. The annual social cost of problem gambling is estimated at $7 billion, reflecting gambling-related criminal justice and healthcare spending as well as job loss and bankruptcy. NCPG research indicates that the risk for gambling addiction rose by 30 percent between 2018 and 2021 alone, yet there are currently no federal funds dedicated to gambling addiction treatment or research. This gap underscores the pressing need for comprehensive measures to address and mitigate the impact of gambling addiction.
Susan Sheridan Tucker, President of the NCPG Board of Directors, said: “The GRIT Act reflects a pivotal step towards long-overdue support for those grappling with gambling addiction. We commend Senator Blumenthal and Representative Salinas for their dedication to addressing the burgeoning public health crisis of gambling addiction. The National Council on Problem Gambling stands in full support of this legislation, recognizing its potential to make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and families across the nation.”
Key provisions of the GRIT Act include:
• Allocating 50% of the current federal sports excise tax revenue for gambling addiction treatment and research administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Health and Human Services distribution of 75% to states for prevention and treatment through the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant program and direct the remaining 25% to the National Institute of Drug Abuse for research grants into gambling addiction.
• Authorizing spending for 10 years and mandating a report to Congress on the program’s effectiveness within three years of passage.
The impact of the GRIT Act provides direct and vital support to state health agencies and nonprofits addressing gambling problems. It also creates investment in best practices and comprehensive research at the national level.
Importantly, the GRIT Act does not raise taxes or create additional bureaucracy. It leverages existing federal excise tax revenue and operates within the existing Health and Human Services framework.
Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the NCPG, said: “The introduction of the GRIT Act is a testament to our shared commitment to mitigating gambling-related harm and addressing the challenges of gambling addiction. This landmark legislation sets the stage to significantly bolster gambling addiction prevention, research, and treatment resources and make a positive lasting impact on individuals and communities nationwide.”
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Digitain strengthens its regulated presence in Europe by obtaining Belgium’s E Category License.
Digitain, the leading iGaming solutions provider, has announced that it has been officially licensed to operate in Belgium, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing European expansion. This achievement highlights Digitain’s commitment to compliance, innovation, and delivering trusted solutions to its global partners.
Belgium is a highly regulated jurisdiction with strict standards to ensure fair play and responsible gaming. Securing this license further strengthens Digitain’s reputation as a reliable and compliant technology provider, enabling it to offer its award-winning solutions fully aligned with local regulations.
Digitain remains committed to expanding its regulated market presence, fostering partner success, and upholding the highest standards of compliance and data protection.
The post Digitain Expands into Belgium with Regulatory License Approval appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Spelinspektionen Develops New Risk Assessment for Money Laundering in the Swedish Gambling Market
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Spelinspektionen, the Swedish Gambling Authority, has developed a new risk assessment for money laundering in the Swedish gambling market.
In this risk assessment, which replaces previous assessments, the various approaches that enable licensees to be exploited for money laundering, referred to as threats, have been updated to better reflect the current situation. The vulnerabilities of the gaming forms, i.e. circumstances that are assessed to be able to affect the possibility of a threat occurring, have also been revised.
The method for assessing risk has also been revised to harmonise the Swedish Gambling Authority’s risk assessment with the national risk assessment produced by the Coordination Function for Measures Against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing and the supranational risk assessment published by the European Commission.
The Swedish Gambling Authority has previously assessed that there is a low risk of land-based commercial casino gaming being used for money laundering. The authority’s regulations have therefore exempted the gaming form from the application of the money laundering regulations and a number of provisions in the Gambling Act. In the Swedish Gambling Authority’s new revised risk assessment, the risk of the gaming form being used for money laundering is no longer assessed as low. As a result, the Swedish Gambling Authority has initiated regulatory work to review the exemptions from the requirement to apply the money laundering regulations and register players and agents. Interested parties will have the opportunity to submit comments on the regulatory changes in a forthcoming consultation.
The post Spelinspektionen Develops New Risk Assessment for Money Laundering in the Swedish Gambling Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The NSW Government has amended the Casino Control Regulation to extend the term of The Star’s manager Nick Weeks, who will continue to have oversight of casino operations until at least 31 March 2026.
The government extended Mr Weeks’ term at the request of the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) after the NICC declined to lift the suspension of The Star’s licence.
Mr Weeks will continue to hold the licence for The Star over the next six-month period, allowing the casino to operate gaming facilities while its licence remains suspended.
The NICC first appointed Mr Weeks to the role of manager in October 2022, when The Star’s casino licence was suspended following the first Bell Review.
NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford said there was still too much uncertainty surrounding The Star to consider reinstating its casino licence at this time.
“The NICC considers it appropriate to continue with the current arrangement so it can better assess the effectiveness of important remediation work and await the outcomes of other pressing financial matters concerning The Star,” Mr Crawford said.
“The NICC understands the many challenges The Star is facing and is closely monitoring The Star’s progress as it works to prove it is capable of regaining its casino licence.”
The post NICC extends The Star manager’s term for six months appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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