Compliance Updates
EGBA: Finland’s New Gambling Legislation: A Step Forward, With Room For Improvement
Finland’s proposed change to its online gambling legislation marks a significant milestone in European gambling regulation. Finland is the last EU country with a monopoly system for online gambling, and its shift towards a multi-licensing approach is a positive change. It finally brings it into line with the rest of the EU countries who all already have some form of licensing framework for online gambling.
Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of European Gaming and Betting Association, said: “At EGBA, we support the newly proposed legislation, which we’ve advocated for years. Experience shows that a monopoly doesn’t work in the online world, and consumers are best served and protected in a well-regulated but competitive environment, where safety tools such as deposit limits and self-exclusion are made available to players.”
While Finland’s proposal is heading in the right direction, some areas require some fine-tuning to ensure the new licensing framework achieves its goal of ensuring Finns play with locally licensed websites.
Maarten Haijer said: “For starters, the proposed marketing restrictions, especially the ban on affiliate marketing and social media advertising, might backfire. These channels play a key role in guiding consumers to licensed, regulated platforms. Without them, players will drift to black market websites that don’t follow Finnish regulations or prioritise consumer safety.
“Also, the proposed blanket ban on bonuses is concerning. While we support setting boundaries on bonusing, a complete prohibition will simply make any newly licensed operators less competitive against unlicensed ones. This risks pushing players towards unregulated sites, undermining the very consumer protections the legislation aims to establish and strengthen.”
He added: “In our response to the government’s recent consultation, EGBA suggests two key improvements: Bring affiliates into the regulatory framework and allow social media advertising under clear rules. Both are valuable tools for channelling players towards licensed operators. By implementing clear guidelines, such as mandatory safer gambling messages, Finland can harness the power of these marketing channels while maintaining high standards of consumer protection.
“Instead of banning bonuses outright, implement guidelines for their responsible use. For instance, a nuanced approach could involve prohibiting bonuses for players showing signs of problematic behaviour, or setting clear rules on when and how bonuses can be offered. This strategy would allow operators to compete more effectively with unlicensed sites who will undoubtedly use bonuses to try to entice Finnish players away from regulated websites.
“These changes would better align Finland’s approach with the successful models seen across the EU, striking a balance between market competitiveness and robust consumer protection.
“Transitioning to a licensed market is no small feat, but it’s one that ultimately benefits everyone involved. At EGBA we are ready to share our expertise and support Finland in creating a well-regulated, competitive, and safe online gambling market.
“Finland stands at a pivotal moment in the history of its gambling regulation. By crafting a successful online gambling framework, Finland, like its neighbours Denmark and Sweden, can successfully transition from its monopoly to a well-functioning licensing system. Denmark’s transition to multi−licensing in 2012 led to a significant improvement in online channelisation, reaching well over 90 per cent. Sweden has seen similar improvements.
“Addressing the concerns about marketing restrictions and bonus regulations is crucial to ensure the new legislation achieves its objectives, safeguarding Finnish consumers while fostering a healthy, well-regulated online gambling environment.”
The post EGBA: Finland’s New Gambling Legislation: A Step Forward, With Room For Improvement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
An investigation by the Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) into VGW Luckyland Inc. – a subsidiary of the Australian-based VGW Holdings Ltd. – revealed that VGW Luckyland Inc. was operating illegal online gaming. Delaware officials concluded that VGW misrepresented its services as a promotional sweepstakes while enabling players to purchase coins for casino-style games, leading to potential cash winnings. These types of real-money games offered to Delaware residents by an unlicensed entity violate the Delaware Constitution, the Delaware Penal Code and the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act of 2012.
With the support of the Delaware State Lottery, DGE issued a cease-and-desist order to VGW. Effective April 2, 2025, Delaware residents can no longer participate in VGW Luckyland’s unlicensed online gaming platforms.
The DGE and Delaware Lottery emphasize the importance of legal and responsible gaming practices to protect residents. Unregulated gaming poses significant risks, including limited withdrawal options and potential exposure to cybercrime, identity theft, and fraud. Officials caution that unauthorized online gaming has become a prime target for schemes where cybercriminals attempt to steal not only your money, but personal information, bank account details, and other personal information. Gaming on these unregulated sites can expose players to serious risks such as unauthorized transactions, identity theft, or other types of fraud. Unlike regulated Delaware Casinos, these illegal platforms don’t follow any oversight or consumer protection rules.
Some of these unregulated websites can give the false impression that they are legitimate by copying the branding of Delaware Casinos. They may employ tactics such as using similar-sounding names, matching logos, and lookalike URLs to appear legitimate. This can make it harder for consumers to tell a legal platform from a fake one.
The post Delaware Shuts Down Illegal Online Slots appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The GRAI would like to hear the views of stakeholders, including operators and the public on the proposed regulations concerning licensing which will be commenced on a phased basis.
Consultation Published: Monday 7th April 2025
Submission period closes: 5pm on 5th May 2025
About us
We are the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. We were established on 5 March 2025. Our role is to regulate gambling activities in Ireland.
The law that established us, and sets out what we do, is the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
Those who wish to provide gambling activities in Ireland will need a licence from us. We can issue different types of gambling licences for in person or remote gambling activities, including the following:
1. Business to consumer gambling licences
This type of licence applies to those providing betting, gaming or lottery activities to consumers.
2. Business to business gambling licences
This type of licence applies to those selling or supplying a gambling product or gambling related service.
3. Licences for a charitable and philanthropic purpose
This type of licence applies to those who wish to provide betting, gaming, or lottery activities for charitable and philanthropic purposes.
We intend to start our licensing function in a phased way, with different licence category types opening at different times.
Our current plan is to first open for Business to Consumer betting licence applications in December 2025 (both in person and remote). This will be followed by opening for gaming licence applications (remote only) towards the end of the first quarter of 2026. However, the order and timing of commencement maybe subject to change. The license application process will take a number of months. Once an application is submitted it will be reviewed to ensure all necessary information and documentation has been submitted. We will then undertake various checks on the applicant and on the Information and documentation submitted to verify the information and to ensure it is given due consideration when making the decision to grant or refuse the license application.
What is the purpose of this consultation?
We have the power to make regulations. Regulations are laws created by Ministers or public bodies under powers given to them by Acts of the Oireachtas.
The first set of regulations we plan to make will:
a. Set the application fee for applications for betting (in person and remote) and gaming (in person and remote) licences. This is provided for in section 38 of the 2024 Act.
The second set of regulations we plan to make will:
b. Set the duration for which a gambling licence remains in force. This is provided for under section 108 of the 2024 Act.
AND
c. Set out some additional conditions which will apply to gambling licences. This is provided for under section 129 of the 2024 Act.
We would like to hear the views of stakeholders, including operators and the public on the proposed regulations.
For more information including how to submit a response please visit: Live Consultation page.
The post GRAI: Join the Ongoing Public Consultation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has intensified its supervision of illegal gambling apps. Since the start of 2025, 20 apps have been removed from the app stores. The regulator calls on consumers to always report suspicious apps.
In the fight against illegal gambling, the KSA also focuses on tackling illegal gambling offers in app stores. This problem is becoming increasingly urgent, especially with the increasing number of apps that refer users to illegal websites. These websites are also often accessible to minors, which makes the situation even more worrying. Many of these apps are advertised via social media.
Illegal providers often use underhand techniques to convince consumers, for example by displaying logos of licensed providers. An app was recently reported in the App Store that misused the Holland Casino logo. Also, an “ordinary” game is often advertised (in many cases a variation on “plinko”), but after downloading it links to illegal gambling websites.
In the past three months, the KSA has had 20 of these apps removed, so that they are no longer available to users. It is of great importance to the KSA that consumers continue to report these apps, so that this process can continue throughout the year. When reporting gambling advertising, it is essential that the name of the app in question that is being advertised is mentioned in the report.
In addition to reports from consumers, the KSA is also increasingly receiving reports from industry associations and licensed casinos. For example, via Meld Vals Spel, a platform set up by the industry for reporting illegal gambling sites. Reports received via that platform are also investigated by the KSA. The KSA has working agreements with app stores to report illegal apps to them and then have them removed.
The post Dutch Gaming Authority Focuses on Tackling Illegal Gambling Apps appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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