Compliance Updates

GambleAware’s Response to Govt Announcement of New Prevention Commissioner

Published

1 year ago

February 14, 2025

gambleaware’s-response-to-govt-announcement-of-new-prevention-commissioner

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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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French National Gaming Authority Issues Strict Warning Against Prediction Markets

Published

6 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

french-national-gaming-authority-issues-strict-warning-against-prediction-markets

The French National Gaming Authority (ANJ) has issued a strict warning against prediction markets. Regulators firmly classify these digital platforms as illegal gambling operations.

The success of prediction market platforms is growing, particularly since the 2024 US presidential election. By offering users the opportunity to bet on predictions of political, sporting or geopolitical events, these sites handle billions of dollars. In France, these sites are not authorized and are considered illegal gambling sites.

This is why the main operators, at the request of the French National Gaming Authority (ANJ), have implemented geoblocking, thus preventing any gambling from France (except via VPN).

Because these prediction sites exhibit several addictive characteristics similar to those observed in online gambling, but amplified by the absence of the protection mechanisms that exist in the legal gambling market, the ANJ urges users to exercise caution.

Prediction markets exhibit several addictive characteristics, amplified by the fact that no protection is offered, unlike legal gambling sites: platforms are open 24/7, there are no built-in betting limits beyond the amounts wagered, no time limits, no identity checks to verify age, etc. The combination of visibility, accessibility and virality inherent to this type of platform generates a significant addictive loop.

Beyond the risks of addiction, other risks related to market or public opinion manipulation can incite harmful acts. Indeed, as soon as an actor can bet on an event and influence its probability, the market creates a financial incentive to provoke or accelerate negative outcomes such as performance sabotage in sports or violent actions in geopolitics.

In France , the ANJ (National Gaming Authority) determined as early as November 2024 that the services offered by Polymarket were likely to be considered unauthorised gambling. It therefore contacted the Panamanian-based operator, which implemented a geoblocking system preventing any gambling from taking place in France. Kalshi has also implemented a similar system.

Germany, Belgium, Romania, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Poland, Greece, Cyprus, Ukraine and Portugal have blocked access to Polymarket, believing that the platform offers gambling services without having the required license.

In the US, Polymarket was authorised by the CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) to offer betting to US residents in November 2025. The offering had been limited previously since 2022. The Nevada Gaming Control Board has just sued Polymarket, arguing that its prediction markets constitute illegal gambling and should be subject to blocking measures.

In Australia, the local regulator blacklisted Polymarket on August 14, 2025.

In Colombia, in September 2025, the regulator asked internet service providers to block Polymarket.

The post French National Gaming Authority Issues Strict Warning Against Prediction Markets appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Bagley-Keene Act

California Gambling Control Commission Issues Critical Guidance on Stakeholder Communications and Ex Parte Rules

Published

1 day ago

February 25, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

california-gambling-control-commission-issues-critical-guidance-on-stakeholder-communications-and-ex-parte-rules

The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) has released a comprehensive new guide for stakeholders, outlining essential best practices for contacting the Commission and strictly warning against the legal pitfalls of “ex parte” communications.

As part of its ongoing commitment to transparency and its 2026 Strategic Plan, the Commission aims to streamline interactions while ensuring that all regulatory decisions are made on a complete, fair, and public record.

Navigating the Commission: Who to Contact

To ensure inquiries are handled efficiently, the Commission has identified key points of contact for various industry matters:

Licensing & Approvals: For general licensing matters, stakeholders should contact Brian Gilleland, Deputy Director of the Licensing Division, at [email protected].
Regulations & Legislation: Inquiries regarding laws or pending regulations should be directed to Nicole Learned, Deputy Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, at [email protected].
Evidentiary Hearings: For GCA hearing matters, contact the Presiding Officer noted in your hearing notice, or Administrative Hearings Coordinator Pam Mathauser at [email protected].
Executive Leadership: All other high-level matters should be sent to Executive Director Lisa Wardall at [email protected].

The Danger of “Ex Parte” Communications

A central focus of the new guidance is the strict prohibition of ex parte communications—any communication regarding the merits of a pending application or request made without proper notice to all involved parties.

To comply with state rules, stakeholders must include Commission staff, Bureau staff, and the Applicant (or their designated agent) on all correspondence.

Crucial Warning: Stakeholders are strictly forbidden from sending communications of any kind directly to Commissioners regarding applications or pending decisions.

Why Compliance is Mandatory

The Commission warns that ex parte violations are not merely procedural errors; they pose a direct threat to the integrity of the gambling industry’s governance. Decisions made on incomplete or “private” information can lead to:

Application Denial: The Commissioners have the authority to deny an application or approval solely based on a prohibited communication.
Legal Reversals: Violations may breach the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, potentially allowing opposing parties to overturn a decision that was previously taken in your favor.
Governance Risk: Transparency ensures that all parties—including the Bureau of Gambling Control—have access to the same record of information before a vote is cast.

“Transparency is a core tenet of good governance,” the Commission stated in the guidance. “Ex parte rules guarantee that all matters taken up by the Commission are conducted in a fair and transparent manner.”

The post California Gambling Control Commission Issues Critical Guidance on Stakeholder Communications and Ex Parte Rules appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Compliance Updates

BGC Response to Government Plans to Stop Premier League Clubs Accepting Sponsorship from Gambling Operators Not Holding a UK Licence

Published

1 day ago

February 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

bgc-response-to-government-plans-to-stop-premier-league-clubs-accepting-sponsorship-from-gambling-operators-not-holding-a-uk-licence

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) strongly supports government plans to ban Premier League clubs from accepting sponsorships from gambling operators lacking a UK licence.

A Betting and Gaming Council Spokesperson said: “The Betting and Gaming Council welcomes the Government’s plan to act to stop Premier League clubs accepting sponsorship from gambling operators that do not hold a UK licence.

“Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is right that gambling companies without a UK licence should be banned from sponsoring Premier League clubs and should go further to prevent these harmful illegal companies from sponsoring any sport in the UK.

“At a time when the regulated sector is facing significantly higher taxation and ever tighter regulation while reducing advertising spend, it is more important than ever that firm action is taken against the growing harmful black market.

“Licensed members of the Betting and Gaming Council are regulated in Britain and follow strict rules on consumer protection, safer gambling and robust financial safeguards. Whereas, the illegal, harmful black market operators do not. They undermine player protections, avoid taxes, ignore safer gambling standards and put consumers at serious risk.

“We support action that protects fans, upholds standards and keeps customers safe within the regulated market.”

The post BGC Response to Government Plans to Stop Premier League Clubs Accepting Sponsorship from Gambling Operators Not Holding a UK Licence appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.