Connect with us
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025

Compliance Updates

BGC CEO Warns of Growing Threat of Illegal Gambling Black Market

Published

on

bgc-ceo-warns-of-growing-threat-of-illegal-gambling-black-market
Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

Betting and Gaming Council CEO Grainne Hurst has spoken at the annual Gambling Anti-Money Laundering Group (GAMLG) training event, warning participants of the growing illegal gambling market and the dangers it poses to the regulated industry.

The annual event, first held in 2022, brings together the regulated betting and gaming sector, industry experts and leading figures from the Gambling Commission, Treasury, UK Financial Intelligence Unit and law enforcement, to understand better how the sector can meet the challenges of fraud, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Terrorist Financing (CTF).

Independent body GAMLG provides an important platform for the whole industry to share knowledge and raise standards in AML and CTF, and is Chaired by Keith Bristow, former Director General of the National Crime Agency.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Over 100 guests attended the event in central London to hear from a host of keynote speakers working in collaboration with industry to keep regulated betting and gaming crime-free.

The event also heard from John Pierce, Director of Enforcement and Intelligence at the Gambling Commission, Claire Wilson, Illicit Finance Technical Assistance Adviser, Supervision and Preventive Measures and Hala Najjar, Policy Advisor, Economic Crime Strategy Unit at HM Treasury, John Leigh, Detective Inspector from the Regional Economic Crime Unit at West Midlands Police, plus Beth Dale and Astrid Morrison, from the UK Financial Intelligence Unit.

At the event Grainne Hurst said: “This is a shared challenge, and it requires a shared response, and GAMLG is the independent body by which we can, together, raise standards across our sector, and ensure we are fulfilling our responsibilities to keep regulated betting and gaming crime free.

“As a sector, we should lead the way in making certain our products are not hijacked and misused by those engaged in illegal activity, activity that has no place in our sector, activity which undermines our laws and our society.

“While we work hard in this space, as you will hear today, we are also acutely aware how black market gambling is already being used by those criminal elements to raise funds that support their illegal business empires. A recent study by the BGC found 1.5 million adults in Britain spend up to £4.3bn on the illegal gambling black market.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

“Even now, we are working together, in this very space, on a new AML Code, which we hope will drive up standards, while not compromising player safety.”

GAMLG Chair Keith Bristow said: “GAMLG is a vital platform to share knowledge and raise standards so the sector can remain a leader in preventing money-laundering, fraud and terrorist financing.

“The incredible turn out at this year’s training event, and the stellar line up of speakers, shows how serious this sector is about keeping regulated betting and gaming crime free, and the level of constructive collaboration it has with the regulator, Government and law enforcement.

“The professionalism and commitment of our members makes all the difference. That commitment remains strong, which is good news for the industry, its members, the police and public. Unfortunately, it’s not such good news for organised crime and fraudsters.

“Working together, I’m proud to say we are at the forefront of this work and will remain there.”

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

As part of the BGC’s ongoing commitment to encourage knowledge sharing across the sector, for the first time, tickets for the training day were made available to non-BGC members.

Grainne, added: “Raising standards is part of the DNA of the BGC, and I think one of the surest demonstrations of that, is on display today. Because for the first time, we have opened up this event, now a regular annual fixture for the sector, to non-BGC members.

“This was a very deliberate decision for us, because we recognise knowledge sharing, and understanding best practice, is the key to the unified response, I am sure, we all seek when it comes to keeping regulated betting and gaming crime free.”

The post BGC CEO Warns of Growing Threat of Illegal Gambling Black Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Compliance Updates

Former Entain exec Jez White joins BetComply

Published

on

former-entain-exec-jez-white-joins-betcomply
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

BetComply, iGaming’s most trusted technical and regulatory compliance firm, has hired the former Entain executive Jez White in a new role overseeing safer gambling and sustainability.

White joins BetComply as the firm’s first Safer Gambling & Sustainability Specialist, following more than eight years at Entain, where he served as Director of Player Protection Systems and Analytics. His expertise across responsible gaming, risk management, and player protection technology has been instrumental in shaping industry standards.

In his new position, White will design and implement safer gambling strategies, audit existing safer gambling models and design CRM strategies for BetComply clients.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Daniel Brookes, CEO of BetComply said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Jez, who has been at the very cutting edge of regulated online gaming for many years now. Few, if any, can match his level of expertise, and this is a major coup for BetComply and our partners. His insights and experience will be invaluable as we continue to set new benchmarks in compliance and sustainability.”

Jez White, Safer Gambling & Sustainability Specialist at BetComply, added: “I’m incredibly proud of the advancements made in player protection during my eight years at Entain, and I’m now excited to join BetComply. They have very quickly emerged as the leading compliance firm in our industry, and I’ll be contributing to their vision of creating a safer and more sustainable gaming sector.”

While at Entain, White led the implementation of an industry-leading safe gambling strategy that incorporated pattern recognition models and real-time interaction technology.

BetComply has been expanding its senior team over recent weeks. In February, Paola Menchem was brought in to lead its legal and regulatory compliance services.

The post Former Entain exec Jez White joins BetComply appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
Continue Reading

Compliance Updates

Darts Player Prakash Jiwa Gets Eight-year Ban for Match Fixing

Published

on

darts-player-prakash-jiwa-gets-eight-year-ban-for-match-fixing
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

Darts player Prakash Jiwa has been banned from all Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) events for eight years after being found guilty of match-fixing and betting on darts.

The UK Gambling Commission’s Sports Betting Intelligence Unit (SBIU) supported the investigation by facilitating information gathered in the course of its enquiries.

Following a hearing before the DRA Disciplinary Committee on 21 January 2025, Jiwa was found guilty of fixing four matches and betting on darts. He was found not guilty of obstructing the enquiry.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The Committee has suspended him from playing in or being involved in any DRA-regulated events until 6 November 2031, provided he pays costs of £17,741.46 in full.

There is no suggestion that the other players in these matches were involved.

John Pierce, Commission Director of Enforcement, said: “All betting customers in Britain should have confidence that bets placed with licensed gambling businesses are on markets that are fair and free from betting-related corruption.

“Our Sports Betting Intelligence Unit works closely with partners such as the Darts Regulation Authority to support sporting integrity investigations and combat match-fixing. This decision sends a clear message that betting-related corruption in sport will not be tolerated.”

The post Darts Player Prakash Jiwa Gets Eight-year Ban for Match Fixing appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
Continue Reading

Compliance Updates

KSA Completes Investigation into Betting Tip Platform Analyse Master

Published

on

ksa-completes-investigation-into-betting-tip-platform-analyse-master
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

The Netherlands Gaming Authority (KSA) has completed the announced investigation into betting tip platform Analyse Master. No violations by licensees were found. However, the KSA is concerned about the nature and success of the platform, because many young adults use it and they are more susceptible to gambling addiction.

In the fall of 2024, journalistic platform Pointer published an investigation into the sports betting tip platform Analyse Master and its associated Telegram channel. The platform provides tips for sports betting and references to gambling providers. The platform is also promoted by various role models. Because the use of role models for the promotion of online gambling is prohibited, the KSA launched an investigation.

In the context of this investigation, the KSA spoke with the two license holders that were mentioned on the Telegram channel and the platform. The conversations revealed that one of the two companies had a collaboration with the platform, but terminated it of its own accord when it became apparent that advertising with role models was also being made. The other party advertised on Telegram via purchased advertising space, but without collaboration with Analyse Master. Due to the association with role models and the targeting of young adults by Analyse Master, this party has stopped advertising within this Telegram channel.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

With that, they have both acted correctly according to the KSA and there is no violation. The KSA emphasised again that providers are themselves responsible for their advertising expressions, even if these are purchased from or by an external partner. The KSA also expects gambling companies to be alert to the misuse of their name on such platforms.

Because Analyse Master itself is not a gambling provider, the KSA cannot take enforcement action against the platform.

Chairman of the Board, Michel Groothuizen, said: “The current advertising bans apply specifically to gambling providers, and not to third parties such as Analyse Master. The fact that there are channels on social media that promote sports betting among young adults is a very undesirable and worrying development, because young adults are vulnerable and susceptible to gambling addiction. I am pleased that State Secretary Struycken also announced in his recent vision on gambling that he wants to adjust the advertising rules, so that we as a supervisory authority can also take active action against these types of parties.”

The post KSA Completes Investigation into Betting Tip Platform Analyse Master appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania