Compliance Updates
Ireland’s New Gambling Regulator to Begin Work on Phased Basis Next Year
Ireland’s new gambling regulator is likely to begin overseeing betting businesses in the Republic midway through next year, industry figures predict.
President Micheal D Higgins recently signed the new Gambling Regulation Act, which overhauls licensing and creates a new authority to govern betting firms, into law. Industry figures forecast that the new regime should begin operating midway through next year, a key point for many businesses as they will have to renew online betting licences by that time.
Government also has to pass several milestones before the new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland can start functioning, including appointing the seven people the body requires.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee appointed senior civil servant Anne Marie Caulfield as chief executive designate of the authority in summer 2022. Her office has 11 staff. According to the Department of Justice, the State’s Public Appointments Service will shortly begin recruiting the authority’s seven members.
The Minister will appoint the candidates the service recommends.
The department could not say when the authority would start regulating but noted this would happen in a phased “timely manner” after its establishment.
Jack Chambers, Minister for Finance, earmarked €9.1 million for the authority next year in this month’s budget. That includes €4 million for technology.
Ms Caulfield wrote to industry organisations last week confirming that her organisation would begin its work on a “phased basis” but pointing out that it has already completed many preparations. In a statement she said that the authority was committed to keeping the industry fully informed so businesses can “plan for the new regulatory regime”.
Meanwhile, the Public Service Appointments Service last week advertised for someone to head the authority’s social fund. Under the new law’s provisions, betting businesses will contribute to this fund which the authority will use to tackle problem gambling.
Betting businesses regard the fund’s establishment as one of the key steps towards establishing the new regime.
Alongside that, they say that the authority will also have to set up its new licensing system. The law demands that all gambling businesses operating in the Republic be licensed and makes it a criminal offence to operate without a proper permit.
Lawyers at Arthur Cox recently noted that current permits are preserved until licensing sections of the act come into force. Existing high street and online bookies’ licences will have a run-off period, but lawyers said that how this would work in practice depended on how the regulator developed the new system.
Betting businesses are keen that the authority works on a national self-exclusion register for customers who voluntarily ask bookmakers not to take their bets. Currently, most individual bookies have systems where customers who fear they have a problem, or are at risk, can exclude themselves in this way.
The post Ireland’s New Gambling Regulator to Begin Work on Phased Basis Next Year appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Playtech has expanded into Connecticut, marking its entry into the sixth regulated iGaming state, continuing the company’s strong upward trajectory in the US.
Having been granted an Online Gaming Service Provider licence by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, expansion into the state further accelerates Playtech’s U.S. growth, strengthening multi‑state partnerships with licensed operators in the process.
After launching in Delaware late last year, this latest step reflects Playtech’s commitment to scaling in all regulated markets as demand continues to build across the US’ iGaming landscape.
With this launch, players in Connecticut will now have access to Playtech’s portfolio of high-quality award-winning iGaming content, including a combination of bespoke and exclusive titles that have deeply resonated with audiences in other regulated U.S. markets.
Jonathan Doubilet, General Manager, USA at Playtech, said: “We are thrilled to expand our presence into a sixth U.S. state. Connecticut is a well-established iGaming market with a vast player-base that we anticipate will engage strongly with our first-class offering. It’s a source of pride that our most valued partners continue to place trust in us to reach the high standards the U.S. iGaming market demands.”
The post Playtech Enters Connecticut iGaming Market appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Asia
GLI Becomes the First Company Accredited by PAGCOR to Test and Certify iGaming Platforms in the Philippines
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has been named an Independent Testing Laboratory (ITL) by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). GLI is the first gaming testing company to achieve the accreditation and is now authorised to test and certify iGaming platforms in the Philippines.
GLI will bring its global and unsurpassed expertise to the Philippines, helping to ensure PAGCOR meets its policy and regulatory objectives as set out in its rules. GLI’s presence and its GLI-19 Standard will also help suppliers who wish to successfully and compliantly enter the marketplace.
Submissions will be tested against “GLI Standard Series GLI-19: Standards for Interactive Gaming Systems,” which has been widely accepted and adopted by jurisdictions around the world.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said: “Regulated gaming markets ensure a safer and more sustainable gaming industry for all to participate in. A regulated market enables compliance to responsible gaming standards and the provision of tax revenue for reinvestment back into the community. PAGCOR now requires all iGaming B2B suppliers operating in the Philippines to be accredited to ensure they comply to the rigorous requirements needed to protect iGaming players. We are pleased to acknowledge GLI as the first testing and game certification provider to be accredited in the Philippines under this new framework. GLI is a global leader in regulatory advisory, iGaming and EGM testing / certification, and data security.”
GLI President and CEO James R. Maida said: “We are grateful to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco and to the entire PAGCOR team for the trust they continue to place in GLI. Under the Chairman’s skillful leadership, the market in the Philippines has improved steadily, and we are honored to be the first company to be accredited for iGaming testing and certification, and we look forward to working side- by-side with PAGCOR to meet their policy objectives.”
The post GLI Becomes the First Company Accredited by PAGCOR to Test and Certify iGaming Platforms in the Philippines appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Digitain has successfully obtained both Manufacturer and Importer Licences in Bulgaria, marking a significant milestone in its continued expansion across regulated markets.
This dual licensing strengthens Digitain’s position in the Bulgarian market, enabling the delivery of a broader, fully compliant product portfolio to its partners.
With the Manufacturer Licence, Digitain can provide its in-house developed solutions, fully certified and tailored to local market requirements. The Importer Licence further extends this capability, allowing the distribution of certified third-party products and enhancing the overall flexibility of the offering.
Arshak Muradyan, Group Chief Compliance Officer at Digitain, said: “Securing both licences in Bulgaria is an important step in strengthening our presence in regulated markets. It allows us to deliver both our in-house solutions and a wide range of certified third-party products in full compliance with local requirements. This dual capability ensures that our partners can confidently operate and scale in the Bulgarian market with a reliable and fully compliant product offering.”
By securing both licences, Digitain reinforces its commitment to regulatory excellence and partner-focused growth. Operators targeting Bulgaria can now access a comprehensive suite of compliant, high-quality solutions designed for long-term success.
This milestone reflects Digitain’s strategic focus on global expansion, combining local compliance with scalable, future-ready technology.
The post Digitain Secures Manufacturer and Importer Licences in Bulgaria appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Centurion Winner Grand Chance™6 days agoNew from Inspired: Luck It Up™ and Centurion Winner Grand Chance™ available online & on mobile
-
Blazin' Bonus6 days ago
Booming Games releases Blazin’ Bonus
-
Australasian Hospitality and Gaming Expo7 days ago
IGT Showcases Integrated Gaming, Systems, and FinTech Innovations Designed to Drive Growth at Australasian Hospitality and Gaming Expo 2026
-
Cristiano Blanco CEO of SpinCore Group6 days ago
SpinCore Group Enters Finnish Market via Finnplay Partnership
-
Conferences6 days ago
NOVOMATIC Gaming Colombia to Showcase its Latest Innovations at GAT Cartagena 2026
-
Aristocrat Gaming7 days ago
Aristocrat Gaming to Participate in Australian Hospitality & Gaming Expo
-
Alberta market7 days ago
Soft2Bet Evaluates Alberta Market Entry to Strengthen its Canadian Footprint
-
Enjoy7 days ago
ENJOY Unveils Hotfire Diamonds XXL to Elevate an Iconic Franchise
