Compliance Updates
The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission Appoints Mark Rutherford as its New Chief Executive Officer
The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission has confirmed the appointment of Mark Rutherford as its new Chief Executive Officer.
His role is to oversee and maintain the Isle of Man’s regulatory standards for Gambling and Medicinal Cannabis and ensure the integrity, transparency and effectiveness of the Island’s regulatory framework, safeguarding both the reputation of the sector and the protection of consumers.
Having worked within the Isle of Man GSC for 15 years, Mr Rutherford’s experience spans multiple roles within the Island’s public service, including having served in the Income Tax Division before joining the GSC as the Director of Policy and Legislation.
Acting chair of the GSC, David Butterworth, said: “I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mark as Chief Executive of the GSC. His transition into this role comes at a crucial time, ensuring we uphold the highest standards of transparency and protection while adapting to the sector’s evolving challenges.
“With his extensive experience and clear vision for improvement, Mark is a valuable asset who is committed to strengthening our regulatory approach to meet the Island’s needs and those of the sectors it represents well into the future.”
Mr Rutherford said: “I am grateful to the GSC Board for their confidence in me as CEO. I have lived and worked in the Isle of Man in both private and public sectors and my role as a public servant has been dedicated to serving the Isle of Man. I am committed to ensuring the effective, transparent and secure regulation of gambling and the production of medicinal cannabis here in the Island.
“There is an important opportunity to strengthen the Isle of Man’s defences against financial crime and I am embarking on an ambitious programme of reform to reinforce the powers we have to supervise and regulate the gambling sector. I am also working closely with partner agencies to understand the emerging threat that faces the Island’s gambling sector.
“It is imperative that we continue to review and adapt our approach to stay aligned with evolving challenges, including the emerging risks and typologies arising from particular markets. I shall be examining those threats closely to ensure that we are alert to them and manage the risk.
“I will also be further expanding our international cooperation and domestic inter-agency working and the GSC will continue to play its part in the network of authorities that detect and disrupt criminal activity in the Island. It is vital that we maintain alignment with the international standards’ requirements for combatting financial crime as they continue to be evolve.
“Over the last 25 years the Island has built a global reputation as a high-quality regulatory regime for eGaming and we have seen the sector grow and diversify. I am keen that we support responsible growth in this important sector by licensing quality operators who share our values of safety and fairness.”
The post The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission Appoints Mark Rutherford as its New Chief Executive Officer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
American online gambling
New Analysis Shows Majority of Online Gambling Operators Targeting U.S. Players are Unlicensed
According to Blask’s latest analysis of the U.S. iGaming landscape, 290 out of 362 operators active in the American online gambling ecosystem (approximately 80%) are offshore platforms operating outside domestic regulatory frameworks. The data highlights a structural reality of the U.S. market: while regulation has expanded significantly over the past decade, offshore operators still dominate the competitive landscape in terms of brand presence.
This dominance is not limited to the number of operators. It also translates into a substantial share of total market value. Blask estimates that the total U.S. online gambling market reached approximately $79.8B in Competitive Earning Baseline (CEB) in 2025. Of that total, only around $25.2B was captured by licensed domestic operators, while the majority flowed to offshore platforms.
In other words, roughly three quarters of the U.S. market value remains outside the regulated ecosystem, despite more than a decade of state-by-state legalization.
The persistence of offshore dominance is closely tied to the fragmented structure of U.S. gambling regulation. Several of the country’s largest markets still operate without any online gambling legalization, while many regulated states allow sports betting but not online casinos — creating structural gaps that offshore platforms continue to fill.
States that offer full online gambling regulation, including both sports betting and casino, show significantly lower offshore penetration. Markets such as New Jersey and Michigan capture roughly three quarters of their online gambling value domestically, demonstrating that comprehensive regulation can meaningfully increase channelization. However, no U.S. jurisdiction has fully eliminated offshore activity.
The post New Analysis Shows Majority of Online Gambling Operators Targeting U.S. Players are Unlicensed appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Baltics
Expanse Studios Secures Certification for Estonia and Latvia Markets
Expanse Studios, a subsidiary of Meridian Holdings, announced that it has received certification enabling the commercial deployment of its content across Estonia and Latvia.
Gaming Associates, a UKAS-accredited testing laboratory (accreditation number 9263), certified Candy’s Bonanza and Leprechaun’s Wish as compliant with the technical standards established by Baltic regulatory authorities. This certification allows the games to be deployed on licensed gaming platforms operating within these jurisdictions.
The Baltic certifications advance Expanse Studios’ systematic expansion across regulated European markets where formal certification processes create entry barriers for B2B content providers. Estonia and Latvia operate structured regulatory frameworks requiring independent technical verification before content deployment on licensed platforms.
Regulatory certification processes in European markets typically require 8-12 months and substantial compliance investment, creating competitive advantages for studios maintaining multi-jurisdictional certification capabilities.
“This certification gives us a solid foundation for further growth in this part of Europe. The approvals in the Baltics allow operators to go live more quickly, and they reflect the way we approach regulated markets. We focus on building compliant, reliable distribution capabilities that create real long-term value,” said Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios.
The post Expanse Studios Secures Certification for Estonia and Latvia Markets appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
NCPG Strongly Endorses Introduction of Bipartisan POINTS Act
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) endorsed the introduction of the bipartisan Providing Opportunities for Individuals In Need of Treatment & Support (POINTS) Act, led by Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN), Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA), and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA). The POINTS Act is the first bipartisan legislation introduced in Congress in 15 years to address problem gambling among the general population.
The legislation would create the first dedicated federal funding stream to support prevention, screening, intervention, and treatment services for individuals at risk of or experiencing gambling addiction. If passed, the POINTS Act would reallocate one-third of the existing federal excise tax on sports wagers (0.25% of handle), generating an estimated $100 million annually without raising or creating new taxes. Federal excise tax revenue from sports wagering exceeded $150 million in FY2024 and reached an estimated $300 million in FY 2025.
“Gambling addiction can quietly devastate families. The financial damage and emotional strain often build over time and affect far more than the person placing the bet. I’ve seen how those consequences can impact loved ones and communities. As access to sports betting and online gambling grows, we have a responsibility to confront the addiction that can follow. The POINTS Act directs existing federal gaming revenue toward prevention, treatment, and recovery programs to help people get back on their feet,” said Rep. Erin Houchin.
“As sports betting and online gambling continue to expand across the country, we have a responsibility to ensure people struggling with addiction are not left behind. Gambling addiction can devastate individuals and families, yet too many communities still lack the resources needed to provide prevention, treatment, and recovery support. The POINTS Act helps close that gap by investing existing gambling excise tax revenue into programs that expand care, raise awareness, and connect people to the help they need,” said Rep. Andrea Salinas.
“The POINTS Act recognizes that gambling addiction is a public health issue requiring a coordinated national response. States and tribes need stable federal support to expand access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services. This legislation provides a responsible and sustainable funding mechanism to meet that need,” said Heather L. Maurer, Executive Director of NCPG.
The post NCPG Strongly Endorses Introduction of Bipartisan POINTS Act appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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