Compliance Updates
UK Gambling Operators Face £100M Tax in Harm Reduction Push
Gambling operators in the UK face a tax of as much as 1.1% of profits on some types of games as the government seeks £100 million ($126 million) a year to invest in harm reduction and research.
The planned statutory levy on all licensed operators will range from 0.1% to 1.1% of the gross gambling yield, depending on the sector and nature of the gambling, according to a statement Wednesday from the UK’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
The UK has over the last few years introduced stricter regulation of gambling, including requiring operators to reduce the intensity of online games, carry out financial vulnerability checks of players and provide customers with better control over the types of marketing they receive. Many of the measures were announced under a Conservative government, which lost to the Labour Party in July’s General Election.
The government will review the charge within five years of its introduction, with the first formal review expected by 2030, according to the statement.
UK gambling stocks soared last month after UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ budget did not include much-speculated tax hikes on the sector.
The statutory levy is a separate initiative, proposed under the Conservative government in a 2023 white paper on gambling reform.
The announcement was welcomed by anti-gambling campaigner Matt Zarb-Cousin, who said that he was “really pleased” that it is being introduced. “It will totally transform the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harm,” Zarb-Cousin said.
The four biggest gambling operators – Entain Plc, Flutter Entertainment Plc, William Hill-owner Evoke Plc and Bet365 – previously pledged to pay 1% of their gross gambling yield to an industry-funded charity GambleAware in anticipation of the levy.
In the year ending in March, the charity said it received donations of £49.5 million, £46.6 million of which came from the top four operators.
“This represents a significant step towards protecting people from gambling harm. The levy is also a crucial step towards ensuring continued support through a statutory system and is something we have been calling for since 2017,” GambleAware CEO Zoë Osmond said of the plans in a statement.
The Betting and Gaming Council, which lobbies for the industry, said that it supports plans for the levy outlined in last year’s proposal.
“Ministers must not lose sight of the fact the vast majority of the 22.5 million people who enjoy a bet each month, on the lottery, in bookmakers, casinos, bingo halls and online do so safely,” Betting and Gaming Council Chief Executive Officer Grainne Hurst said in a statement.
The post UK Gambling Operators Face £100M Tax in Harm Reduction Push appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Flatdog Games Shortlisted for ICA Compliance Awards Europe 2026
Isle of Man-based casino games supplier Flatdog Games has been shortlisted for the Gambling & Gaming Compliance Programme of the Year at the International Compliance Association (ICA) Compliance Awards Europe 2026.
The ICA Compliance Awards recognise excellence, innovation, and collaboration across the compliance and financial crime prevention sector. Following a rigorous judging process led by senior industry figures, Flatdog Games earned a place among the finalists ahead of the awards ceremony on 25 June 2026 at Westminster Park Plaza, London.
The judging panel featured leading compliance professionals including Lisa Bennett, Legal Compliance Director at Mastercard; Jon Duffy, Senior VP of Corporate Assurance & Regulatory Affairs at Genting Casinos UK; and Caroline Braddock, Ethics and Compliance Officer at Rolls-Royce.
Lee Hills, Co-Founder of Flatdog Games, said:
“Being shortlisted for this award validates our commitment to raising compliance standards in the gambling industry. Our focus has been on designing proportionate, non-intrusive systems that safeguard businesses, enhance supply chain integrity, and minimise operational burden. Recognition from the ICA and such a distinguished judging panel shows that our approach is both effective and practical.”
Flatdog Games’ submission highlighted its robust compliance programme, showcasing excellence in regulatory adherence, governance, and data protection.
Pekka Dare, President of ICA, added:
“We congratulate Flatdog Games on being named a finalist. All entrants represent the best of the compliance industry, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements at the awards ceremony in June.”
The winners will be announced at the ceremony on Thursday, 25 June 2026 at Westminster Park Plaza, London.
The post Flatdog Games Shortlisted for ICA Compliance Awards Europe 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
ELA Games scales up its presence in Europe by certifying a suite of 9 hit games in 5 key markets
ELA Games is accelerating its European expansion strategy after securing certifications for nine of its top-performing titles across five major regulated markets: Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Romania, and Malta.
This latest milestone enables operators in these regions to access a diverse portfolio of proven games, featuring award-nominated mechanics and modern takes on classic casino experiences.
A Balanced Portfolio for Local Markets
With a strong focus on localisation, ELA Games has curated a selection designed to resonate with varied player preferences across Europe. The newly certified lineup is built around three core pillars:
- High-Performing Hits: Titles such as Buffalo Force, Piñatas Festival, and Riches Express have delivered strong GGR growth and demonstrated high player engagement in competitive markets.
- Innovative Mechanics: The rollout introduces ELA Games’ Winpot feature to new jurisdictions. This mechanic, which allows players to control their cash-out strategy, is now available through titles like Zeus Winpot and Rabbit Winpot Deluxe.
- Modernised Classics: Games such as Juicy Crystal and Noble Crown bring updated visuals and smooth gameplay to traditional slot formats, appealing to players who prefer familiar mechanics with a modern twist.
Market Availability
The certified titles are now live across multiple operator platforms, with game selections varying by jurisdiction:
- Sweden: Betinia, Swiper, CampoBet, QuickCasino
- Denmark: Betinia, CampoBet, Swiper, Betoro
- Romania: Don.ro, TopBet, Swiper
- Greece: ElaBet
Strengthening European Partnerships
These certifications build on ELA Games’ growing presence across Europe, supported by strategic partnerships with leading operators. The company has recently expanded in Denmark through a notable collaboration with Stake.dk, alongside integrations with Danske Licens Spil (Tivoli Casino), RoyalCasino, and Casino House.
Further expansion has been driven by partnerships with major industry players such as Betsson, as well as regulatory approval from the Hellenic Gaming Commission in Greece.
With a steadily growing footprint and a portfolio tailored for regulated markets, ELA Games is well positioned to capture additional market share and deliver strong returns for its partners across Europe.
The post ELA Games scales up its presence in Europe by certifying a suite of 9 hit games in 5 key markets appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Anjouan B2B licence
VeliGames secures Anjouan B2B licence to expand operator reach
VeliGames, the game aggregation platform by VeliTech, has secured an Anjouan B2B licence, marking a major step in its international expansion. The new licence allows VeliGames to provide its portfolio of in-house and third-party content to Anjouan-licensed iGaming operators, opening doors to a wider network of partners.
For operators, the licence provides confidence and regulatory assurance when selecting a content provider, while simplifying the onboarding process and accelerating access to VeliGames’ extensive catalogue.
Irakli Kakhidze, CEO of VeliGames, said: “Securing the Anjouan B2B licence is a key milestone in our global growth strategy. It strengthens our position as a trusted aggregation partner and enables us to collaborate with more licensed operators, supporting faster content delivery and smoother integration.”
Recently recognized as an Industry Rising Star at SiGMA Africa 2026, VeliGames continues to expand its reach across emerging markets including Africa, Asia, and LATAM. The company combines exclusive in-house titles with a growing library of third-party games, providing operators with a diverse and scalable content offering.
The Anjouan licence is part of VeliGames’ broader strategy to grow its international footprint while maintaining a strong focus on regulatory compliance, technology reliability, and long-term industry partnerships.
The post VeliGames secures Anjouan B2B licence to expand operator reach appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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