Compliance Updates
London Urged to Restrict Gambling Advertising in Northern Ireland
The UK Government has been urged to restrict gambling advertising in Northern Ireland.
Members of the Stormont Assembly’s All Party Group on Reducing Harm Relating to Gambling have written to Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, asking her to act to protect the public in the region.
In a letter sent at the end of Safer Gambling Week, the MLAs, including the group’s chairman Philip McGuigan (Sinn Fein) and Robbie Butler (UUP), have asked Ms Nandy to bridge a gap around gambling advertising online.
They said Northern Ireland is an outlier in the UK in not having updated gambling legislation since the advent of the internet.
While gambling policy is devolved, MLAs are concerned there is not enough time remaining in the current Assembly mandate to be able to pass a new Bill.
The Irish Parliament recently passed legislation introducing tight restrictions on gambling marketing.
It includes a new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland which has the power to set the times, places and events where gambling advertising can be broadcast, displayed or published.
In their letter to Ms Nandy, the MLAs write: “We urge you to use your existing powers under the Gambling Act 2005 to take immediate action on gambling advertising and promotion and protect people across these islands from further gambling-related harm.”
They pointed to a recent cross-border report by Maynooth University and Ulster University showing that young people across the island of Ireland are exposed to “extremely high levels of gambling marketing” through televised sports programmes and social media content.
“Northern Ireland now stands alone as the only jurisdiction on these islands without updated gambling legislation since the advent of the internet,” they wrote.
“Unfortunately, our Executive does not have sufficient legislative time in the current Assembly mandate to take forward a Gambling Bill.
“This leaves our population here (who already experience the highest levels of gambling-related harm across these islands) highly vulnerable.”
“While remote gambling operators licensed by the Gambling Commission can freely advertise in Northern Ireland, as online and broadcast advertising is a reserved matter, our population is afforded no protection by the regulator.
“However, you have the power under existing laws to prevent our children from being bombarded with gambling related marketing during major sports broadcasts, such as Premier League matches, and prevent those already experiencing gambling harms from being targeted by gambling companies on social media.
“Introducing restrictions similar to those in Ireland would have a profound benefit for Northern Ireland, Britain and Ireland, where British TV is widely watched.”
“We urge you to use your existing powers to take immediate action to restrict the promotion of gambling in the UK and reduce the harm caused by gambling across these islands.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport indicated they would respond to the letter from the MLAs in due course.
The post London Urged to Restrict Gambling Advertising in Northern Ireland appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Legendary studio’s games now live with Rush Street Interactive brand BetRivers in US state
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced the receipt of a sixth US state license, this time in the state of Delaware.
Having entered the US market in 2022, Play’n GO has gone live in West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Connecticut, and now Delaware, where some classic Play’n GO titles, such as Piggy Blitz will now be available to BetRivers players in the state affectionately known as the First State.
Play’n GO added Pennsylvania and Connecticut to its list of regulated markets in 2024, and have a publicly stated goal of being active in every regulated market in the world, a goal that has seen the Swedish gaming giant release a portfolio of over 350 premium games in over 35 regulated markets to date.
Anna Mackney, US Head of Region at Play’n GO added “It’s fantastic to begin the year by adding yet another new regulated market in the US, this time in the shape of Delaware. Our expansion into the state marks yet another significant step in our US growth strategy. Play’n GO continues to lead the charge in regulated markets, and we are committed to delivering our premium content to players across the country.
“We’ve already established an excellent relationship with BetRivers across the United States and we are confident that our partnership will continue to be mutually beneficial to both businesses as we enter yet another new market together. US players have clearly demonstrated their demand for our games, and we will continue to deliver.”
The post Play’n GO announces Delaware license award appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Gambling law and regulation conference Regulating the Game has announced Donata Szabo, Regional Head of Licensing, Government & Regulatory Affairs – EMEA/APAC at Sportradar, as the third conference chair for its 2025 edition.
Szabo oversees regulatory and licensing efforts across the diverse EMEA/APAC regions at Sportradar, leveraging her global experience to offer insights into regulatory systems worldwide. “With a background in international and human rights law from the University of Cambridge, Donata’s unique blend of expertise will bring exceptional value to the conference,” organisers commented.
Szabo said: “I am pleased to be a part of Regulating the Game and contribute towards meaningful discussions on effective and innovative regulation as well as fostering global collaboration on safer gambling and regulatory excellence.”
Szabo joins the following line-up of conference chairs:
Dr Marla Royne Stafford, Professor of Marketing at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and expert in responsible gambling was the first Conference Chair announced.
Andrew W Scott, Vice Chairman and CEO of Inside Asian Gaming, brings nearly four decades of expertise in the gaming industry and a wealth of knowledge about Asia-Pacific markets.
Donata will be providing insights into global regulatory challenges and how technological advancements can help regulators create sustainable gaming markets through a session titled Improving Regulatory Performance with Modern Technology.
Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, said: “The caliber of our Conference Chairs reflects the growing significance of Regulating the Game. Donata’s expertise, alongside Dr Stafford and Andrew W Scott, ensures the 2025 conference will be an extraordinary event, fostering critical conversations and driving innovation in gambling regulation.”
The post Regulating the Game Announces Sportradar’s Donata Szabo as Third Conference Chair appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Spelinspektionen: New Guidance for Working Against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
The Swedish gambling authority, Spelinspektionen, has published new guidance relating to money laundering and terrorist financing, aswell as a new risk assessment.
This updated guidance and risk assessment comes as reports from the gambling industry to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIPO) are said to be on the rise.
In May, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) showed support for the EU’s anti-money laundering (AML) package. The European Council approved the EU’s new AML package, finalising the union’s new framework for combatting financial crime.
Spelinspektionen during 2024 worked on money laundering issues in preparation for the FATF review, while it also participated in the EU’s preparatory work on the new EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) and for this upcoming regulation related to money laundering in the EU.
On top of this, the authority during the year gave talks to advise on the risks of money laundering being conducted within the gambling industry, with accounts and companies potentially being used to conduct the illegal action.
Its work against money laundering has been assisted by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, the Swedish Economic Crime Authority and the Swedish Financial police.
Spelinspektionen Director General Camilla Rosenberg said: “The gambling industry is a risk area for money laundering, and we have seen a need for further clarification and guidance in this area.
“We have therefore revised our guidance and are also conducting a new risk assessment.”
The post Spelinspektionen: New Guidance for Working Against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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