Compliance Updates
GRAI Opens New Offices in Mount Street, Dublin
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has opened new offices in Mount Street, Dublin. Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan and Minister for State Niall Collins unveiled a dedicated plaque marking the opening.
Both Ministers were joined by Department of Justice officials and Minister O’Callaghan spoke of the importance of the mandate given to the GRAI and the role of the Authority is delivering an effective regulator for the gambling sector with an emphasise on education and awareness, protecting those from gambling harm and delivering certainty for the industry.
Chairperson Paul Quinn and CEO Anne Marie Caulfield also spoke and thanked the Minister and previous Ministers for their commitment in passing the Gambling Regulation Act and Establishing the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.
As part of the visit Minister O’Callaghan’s visit, he joined the Authority for a meeting and met with staff working across the various functions again offering his support.
Speaking at the event Chairperson, Mr Paul Quinn said:
“On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to acknowledge the excellent groundwork that has been already laid by Anne Marie and her colleagues in both the Authority and in the Department of Justice over the last couple of years. This hard work set us well on the road to success, albeit we know there will be the inevitable twists and turns in progressively introducing regulation.
“The Authority will bring robust and much-needed regulation to gambling in Ireland, giving certainty to Industry and building trust in the many consumers who enjoy sociable gambling, while also importantly protecting the most vulnerable in our society.
“It is essential that we build that public and industry trust by getting the three legs of the regulatory stool, licencing compliance and enforcement, to mutually reinforce each other in creating a robust framework
“The societal impacts of problem gambling are very much at the core of the legislation and establishing this Authority. I am hopeful that our work will reduce the stigma and secrecy associated with problem gambling by building greater awareness of its extent as a public health issue, by conducting research to inform decisions of the Authority and Government Policy, and in providing greater supports to the public using the planned Social Impact Fund.
“I am clear that in the coming years our work will make an enormous difference to the lives of so many people affected by gambling addiction, not only those addicted themselves but also their families, friends and colleagues, and but also those who may be on the path to addiction and who, though our work, may stop getting to that point”
CEO of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, Anne Marie Caulfield said:
“It is fair to say that the introduction of the Gambling Regulation Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation enacted in recent years. I want to thank you Minister and your officials in the Department of Justice for your support and we look forward to working alongside you and your officials into the future.
“It would be wrong of me not to also mention former Ministers James Browne and Helen McEntee, both of whom were incredibly supportive of the Authority and who championed the passage of the legislation.
“At every stage of the legislative process, the public health mandate was kept front and centre, and as an independent regulatory body, we will continue to keep public health at the centre of everything we do.
“This commitment is reflected in our mission to effectively regulate and educate in order to safeguard current and future generations from gambling harm.”
The post GRAI Opens New Offices in Mount Street, Dublin 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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