Compliance Updates
Advertising Standards Authority Partners with Grambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has partnered with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), the new statutory body that, once established, will be responsible for the licensing and regulation of gambling services in Ireland, to streamline the process for complaints around advertising for gambling.
GRAI will now advise consumers they can direct complaints around gambling advertising to the Advertising Standards Authority.
Under the new partnership, ASA and GRAI will work collaboratively on triaging complaints around marketing communications for gambling in Ireland. In this regard, the GRAI will in future deal with complaints regarding entities who hold a licence with the organisation, whilst the Advertising Standards Authority will handle other complaints.
This strategic partnership follows the recent collaboration between ASA and the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) to streamline the complaints process for advertising in cinemas and cinema-related promotions across other media outlets.
Additionally, ASA has signed a Cooperation Agreement with Coimisiún na Meán, the statutory body responsible for online safety and media regulation, to establish a cooperative framework on shared interests in advertising and commercial marketing communications. These initiatives further solidify the organisation’s leadership in the Irish advertising sector, fostering confidence and trust in advertising standards.
The partnership between ASA and the GRAI reinforces the commitment of both organisations to ensuring that gambling advertising content adheres to the high standards of the Advertising Standards Authority Code.
“We are delighted to partner with GRAI, a new organisation that will help to safeguard the public from problem gambling, particularly protecting children from accessing places or services where gambling activities are offered. The aim of the Advertising Standards Authority is to ensure that advertisements are legal, decent, honest and truthful for consumers. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to protecting consumers, and, by joining forces, we will remain dedicated to ensuring that the public can easily access information on responsible gambling advertising,” said Orla Twomey, Chief Executive of Advertising Standards Authority.
“The GRAI, once established, will protect the public by promoting a gambling sector that operates transparently and in accordance with the laws of Ireland, particularly the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. This Act contains a number of restrictions on licences in relation to advertising, social media and more. It will also create awareness of problem gambling and establish safeguards to address it. By working with the Advertising Standards Authority, as the GRAI’s powers are commenced, we will aim to address any concerns raised by the public about advertising in and surrounding gambling promptly and effectively, in line with the Advertising Standard Authority’s code. Our partnership reiterates our commitment to safeguard the public, and to ensure they are informed and protected by upholding the highest standards of marketing communications,” said Anne-Marie Caulfield, CEO Designate, GRAI.
The post Advertising Standards Authority Partners with Grambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey
Florida: Attorney General James Uthmeier Announces Seizure of Over 500 Gambling Machines in Large-Scale, Multi-County Illegal Gaming Crackdown
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the results of a two-day sting operation targeting illegal gaming operations. The operation spanned Volusia, Brevard, Duval, and Flagler counties, resulting in the seizure of 525 illegal machines and $190,000 in illicit proceeds across 39 locations, according to preliminary operation results.
“Unlawful gambling operations often play a role as the financial backing behind criminal networks. These illegal casinos fuel organized crime, prostitution, and other illicit activities. Florida will see a major statewide crackdown on illegal gaming in 2026. If you’re running an illegal operation, don’t roll the dice; shut it down now,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier.
“The partnerships we have with the Attorney General, Florida Gaming Control Commission and surrounding law enforcement agencies are what give us great results. They help us keep our crime down in our communities and keep our citizens safe, because we don’t turn a blind eye to any crime,” said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
“These unregulated machines rarely pay out because they are set for the house to win. Illegal gambling is not a victimless crime. Often, it fuels other crime and preys on residents who are often elderly and on a limited income in the hopes of a big win,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly.
“This successful operation sends a clear message that organized criminal activity has no place in Florida. I’m grateful for the strong partnership between our agency, the Attorney General’s Office, and our regional law enforcement partners because by working together, we’ve made Duval County and the State of Florida a safer place,” said Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters.
“The operators and slumlord property owners who prop up these unregulated, illegal casinos are ripping off our residents and costing them their savings. These casinos are connected to money laundering, drug smuggling and human trafficking. We will keep taking them down with our partners like the Attorney General and the Gaming Control Commission, but we really need further action from the Legislature to address this problem statewide,” said Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood.
“The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) is thankful to Governor Ron DeSantis, Attorney General James Uthmeier, the Florida Legislature, and our law enforcement partners for these outstanding results. Thank you for this wonderful teamwork. These actions are protecting Floridians from predators who mislead unsuspecting citizens. True collaboration is key to a significant outcome such as today,” said Florida Gaming Control Commission Chair Julie Brown.
This was a joint operation by the Gaming Control Commission, the Office of Statewide Prosecution, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Machines were seized from restaurants, bars, gas stations, sham arcades, and standalone illegal casinos—some unmarked and some masquerading as other businesses such as nail salons and beauty supply stores. Law enforcement seizures included stand-up slot machines, PC slot machines, tabletop machines, coin-push machines, and fish table machines.
This operation advances Attorney General Uthmeier’s 2026 priority of executing a statewide crackdown on illegal gaming operations. The Attorney General has urged the Florida Legislature to enact reforms to increase the penalty for keeping a gambling house to a felony.
The post Florida: Attorney General James Uthmeier Announces Seizure of Over 500 Gambling Machines in Large-Scale, Multi-County Illegal Gaming Crackdown appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
A wave of Romanian mayors has followed the example set by Slatina’s mayor, who recently announced plans to eliminate gambling halls from his city under newly amended legislation. While the political signal is growing louder, the decisive vote belongs to local councils – and gambling operators are unlikely to retreat without resistance.
On February 26, the mayor of Vaslui, Lucian Braniște (PSD), said he would submit a draft decision to the Local Council seeking a ban on gambling halls within the city. He argued that gambling has become a serious social issue across many Romanian communities.
“In recent years, gambling has become a real problem in many communities in Romania. Beyond advertisements and colorful lights, behind these halls, there are too often stories of affected families, debts, addiction, and suffering,” the mayor said.
In Ploiești, mayor Mihai Polițeanu also voiced support for eliminating gambling venues and announced that he would table a similar proposal before the City Council, Economedia.ro reported. He described parts of the city centre as having turned into a “strange, underworld-like” area, suggesting that the proliferation of betting shops has contributed to urban degradation.
The mayors of Brăila and Rădăuți have likewise declared their intention to pursue restrictions on gambling activities.
The initiatives follow a recent amendment to gambling legislation adopted by the government, which now requires operators to obtain not only a national licence but also a local authorisation from the mayor’s office in the municipality, town, or commune where they operate. The new provision also empowers local councils to decide whether such activities may take place within their administrative boundaries.
While the political momentum appears to be building, the outcome will ultimately depend on council votes in each locality. Given the economic stakes and the industry’s established presence, legal and political battles are expected before any city can formally declare itself gambling-free.
The post Romanian Mayors Push to Ban Gambling Halls appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Crypto.com has announced another regulatory milestone: its EU MiCA regulated entity has received a Limited Financial Institutions licence from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). The approval allows the company to continue delivering its full suite of stablecoin services – qualifying as payment services – across the European Union, without disruption.
This additional licence is for the provision of services exclusively in relation to electronic money tokens (EMTs). The licence was acquired to navigate a complex regulatory landscape resulting in overlapping crypto asset services (MiCA) and payment services (PSD2). By securing the Limited Financial Institution Licence, Crypto.com has addressed both regulatory regimes ensuring full compliance across every aspect of its stablecoin operations.
Crypto.com’s Malta entity received MiCA approval in January 2025, allowing the company to passport services across the European Economic Area (EEA). Notably, Crypto.com already holds a full Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence in Europe, making it one of the most comprehensively authorised platforms operating in the region.
“We are one of the most regulated crypto platforms in the world and receiving this licence proves, yet again, that we are committed to working with authorities to ensure the strongest compliance standards. Our stablecoin business and services remain a pivotal part of our European product offering so it was vital we secured this limited licence to continue providing seamless access to our institutional and retail customers,” said Eric Anziani, President and Chief Operating Officer at Crypto.com.
The limited Financial Institutions licence adds to Crypto.com’s expanding list of licences and registrations globally including, but not limited to, a UK Electronic Money Institution licence (FCA), a Major Payment Institution licence in Singapore (MAS), a Virtual Assets Service Provider licence in Dubai (VARA), U.S. Money Transmitter Licences, U.S. Designated Contracts Market (DCM) & Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO) licences and recently conditional approval from the U.S. OCC for a National Trust Bank Charter.
The post Crypto.com Receives Limited Financial Institutions Licence in Europe appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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