Compliance Updates

GambleAware’s Response to Govt Announcement of New Prevention Commissioner

Published

11 months ago

February 14, 2025

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Following the Government’s announcement of the new Prevention Commissioner to be introduced alongside the already announced Research and Treatment Commissioners to tackle gambling harm, GambleAware CEO Zoë Osmond OBE and Chair of Trustees Prof. Siân Griffiths CBE released the following joint statement.

“We welcome the Government announcement that the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) will be the Prevention Commissioner within the new statutory system for addressing gambling harms. It is entirely appropriate that a statutory organisation takes on this responsibility, working alongside NHS England, relevant bodies in Scotland and Wales, and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in their roles as treatment and research commissioners.

“At GambleAware we have long advocated for a statutory, Government-led approach to addressing gambling harm, recognising it is a serious public health issue which can affect millions of people each year. We are immensely proud of the solid foundations, our flagship campaigns and critical digital interventions that we have developed over the years, which have had input from a breadth of lived experience expertise, and support millions of people each year. We remain committed to ensuring all groups in the population are aware of the risks of gambling and can continue to access free help and support.

“We look forward to working with the Government and three new commissioners to build on the existing expertise and strong capabilities within the current gambling harms system. The breadth of the lived experience community’s expertise is fundamental to the life-saving work of the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) and is central to GambleAware’s work. We look forward to seeing how the variety and depth of these experiences continue to be recognised and sustained within the future system.

“Alongside this, it is essential that key research, education and training programmes are recognised and maintained. This must include the evidence-based vital prevention programmes we deliver, such as our national public health behaviour change campaign to reduce stigma and the GambleAware website which is accessed by over 5 million people each year and provides access to free self-help tools, advice and other support services. In addition, the hugely impactful work of the wider third sector, including the treatment and prevention activity delivered by the NGSN, which supports thousands of people each year, needs to be fully recognised within the future system.

“To truly address gambling harms, a prevention led population-based public health approach is needed. This must involve engagement with the public health community to ensure an integrated approach at both a national and local level across prevention and treatment, with a focus on achieving an agreed set of public health outcomes. To inform this, we now hope to see details of the new Levy Board and Advisory Panel published soon, to ensure no further delays to the full implementation of the future system.

“As we move forward, we will work with OHID to ensure a smooth and safe transition to the future system. We believe the new system needs effective population-based prevention activity to raise awareness of the risks of gambling and ensure an integrated approach to supporting those at risk of harm. We will strive to play our full part in the future system in whichever way best ensures a collaborative and effective system is created to move us towards our vision of a society free from gambling harm.”

The post GambleAware’s Response to Govt Announcement of New Prevention Commissioner appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Compliance Updates

Dutch Regulator Outlines 5 Key Supervisory Priorities for 2026 Agenda

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

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The Dutch Gambling Regulator (KSA) has announced that it will place a greater focus on combating illegality and player protection in its oversight in 2026. The regulator outlined its priorities for 2026 in five key themes.

In 2026, the KSA will pay extra attention to the following topics:

• Combating illegal gambling offers

• Protection of vulnerable groups: minors and young adults

• Supervision of the duty of care

• Supervision of advertising

• Supervision of compliance with the Wwft

Additional capacity is being freed up to combat illegal gambling, primarily to frustrate and disable the infrastructure of illegal parties. This could include closer collaboration with payment service providers, hosting providers and social media companies.

The increased priority on protecting vulnerable groups and enhanced oversight of advertising and duty of care aligns with the Ministry’s renewed vision, which places a greater emphasis on player protection. A separate player protection department has been established for this purpose within the KSA’s new organisational structure, effective from January 2026.

The post Dutch Regulator Outlines 5 Key Supervisory Priorities for 2026 Agenda appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Arizona Department of Gaming Names Juan Carlos Estrada as Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Executive Director

Published

22 hours ago

January 22, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

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Two decades of agency experience inform Executive Director’s new post

The Arizona Department of Gaming (Department) announced that it has appointed Juan Carlos Estrada as Executive Director, Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (BMMA). A long time employee of the Department with roles spanning regulation and operations, including for high-profile boxing and mixed martial arts events and activities, Estrada will now serve as Executive Director of BMMA and will also continue to hold the position of Assistant Director of BMMA and Racing.

The Department’s Division of Boxing and MMA supports the Arizona State Boxing and MMA Commission in its regulation of unarmed combat sporting events taking place in Arizona, including licensing fighters, referees, judges, inspectors, and physicians. The Commission licensed over 1,027 fighters, promoters, and event officials in Fiscal Year 2025, while overseeing 28 events, including nine events that were also televised worldwide.

“Over the past decade, Juan Carlos Estrada has served in various capacities regulating the unarmed combat sports industry in Arizona supervising hundreds of boxing, mixed martial arts and muay thai events,” said Jackie Johnson, Director, Arizona Department of Gaming. “He has earned a reputation for a balanced and transparent approach as a state regulator, and I’m thrilled to congratulate him on this milestone.”

With past roles since 2004 including Investigator, Racing Steward, and Employee Certification Unit Supervisor, Estrada has continued to work collaboratively and across divisions to promote fair and effective regulation. In the Executive Director position, he will serve as the direct liaison between the Arizona Boxing and MMA Commission and the Department, and will lead all responsibilities and initiatives with respect to unarmed combat sports – ensuring the health and safety of participants and enforcing applicable laws and rules.

“I’m humbled to accept my appointment as the Executive Director of Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts,” said Estrada. “I want to sincerely thank the promoters, athletes, officials, and my colleagues for the trust and confidence they have given me over the years. I’m looking forward to continuing to serve the public while ensuring that contests are safe, fair, and regulated.”

A Native Arizonan, Estrada has given back to his community by volunteering for the City of Phoenix Police and Fire departments while continuing his leadership at the Department and attaining professional development in the industry. His experience includes working with organizations like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), King of the Cage, Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), and numerous regional and local promotions.

The post Arizona Department of Gaming Names Juan Carlos Estrada as Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Executive Director appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Compliance Updates

Cyprus Betting Authority Deploys 150 Secret Agents to Conduct Raids on Betting Agencies

Published

1 day ago

January 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

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The Cyprus NBA is significantly ramping up its regulatory oversight for 2026. Raids on betting agencies are being carried out by “undercover” agents as part of stepped-up checks by the NBA to ensure compliance with the law.

The NBA has procured inspection services from the private sector, deploying 150 undercover agents who pose as customers and enter betting premises unannounced.

While on site, the agents monitor staff conduct, check whether illegal bets are being placed and verify that minors are not present.

Alongside these surprise visits, NBA officers also carry out on-site inspections and monitor betting websites used by hundreds of players, while inspections are also conducted to identify potential money-laundering activity.

The issues related to the violations of rules were raised during a meeting of the House Finance Committee, where an NBA representative said the Authority imposed fines totalling €46,000 last year.

Of that amount, €26,000 related to breaches linked to the lack of required licences, with the remainder stemming from the presence of minors on premises and other violations of the legislation.

At the same time, data submitted to parliament showed that bets worth €1.3 billion were placed last year, with players receiving €1.17bn in winnings.

Against that backdrop, and following an increase in the betting tax, state revenue from betting rose to €6 million, up from €3.2m a year earlier.

During the discussion, it was also noted that a draft bill has been pending at the Ministry of Finance for around a year.

The bill provides for new products and services, as well as enhanced safeguards for responsible gaming and the protection of minors.

A representative of the ministry clarified that there are no plans to introduce online casino games.

Expected revenue from betting activity is projected at €71.85m this year, an increase of 28.03 per cent, or €15.73m, compared with 2025.

Revenue is forecast to rise further to €75.27m in 2027 and €78.59m in 2028.

Breaking down the figures, betting tax is expected to generate €53m, licence fees €8.2m and betting activity contributions €10m.

Class A and Class B licence holders pay tax at a rate of 10 per cent on net betting earnings, with Class A covering land-based betting and Class B online betting.

In addition, €32m relates to betting tax on Opap’s Cyprus’ gross profits under the new contract, while licences for Class A and B operators, authorised representatives and premises are expected to bring in €2.8m.

A further €5m concerns Opap’s Cyprus’ licence fee and €0.4m its supervision contribution, also under the revised agreement.

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