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.
Africa
Uganda: National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board and Uganda Police- Rwizi Region Deepen Ties in Enforcing the Gaming Law
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) recently held a high-level stakeholder engagement with the Uganda Police Force Officials in Rwizi Region. The engagement, hosted at Lake View Hotel in Mbarara on May 27, 2025, brought together District Police Commanders (DPCs), Officers in Charge of Criminal Investigations (OCIDs), local leaders, the media and other technical stakeholders from across the region.
The engagement focused on aligning enforcement strategies, enhancing compliance and deepening the understanding of Uganda’s gaming laws under the Lotteries and Gaming Act, Cap 334. In his opening remarks, NLGRB CEO Mr. Denis Mudene emphasized the strategic collaboration between the Board and the Uganda Police Force in enforcing gaming law to protect citizens, end underage gaming and maintain public order.
“Gaming is not a money-making venture. It is a leisure activity or entertainment, and we encourage only those of legal age to participate responsibly,” Mr. Mudene said.
Mr. Mudene raised concerns over the growing trend of children using parents’ phones to gamble online. He warned parents against registering SIM cards under their names and passing them on to minors, as this facilitates undetected underage gambling.
“93% of gambling happens online, mostly by corporates. However, when a phone registered in a parent’s name is used by a 15-year-old, they pass all verification checks,” he explained, urging responsible digital parenting.
In response, the Mbarara City Mayor, Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, commended the Board’s efforts in bringing regulatory oversight closer to communities. He raised alarm over the prevalence of unlicensed betting operations and children misusing school fees or resorting to theft to fund gambling.
“As you enforce the law against illegal operators as well as those with minors in their betting shops, remind them of what the law says and apprehend them. This sets an example to those who think they can break the law and get away with it.”
The Deputy Regional Police Commander Rwizi Region, Senior Superintendent of Police Bosco Bakashaba, reaffirmed the Uganda Police Force’s commitment to upholding the law in partnership with the NLGRB.
“We shall offer total support to reduce offenses and illegal operations. Gaming houses that admit underage individuals or operate without licenses, especially in villages, will face legal consequences,” SSP Bakashaba asserted.
He pointed out that crime intelligence and informants are key tools in detecting and shutting down illegal slot machines and unauthorised betting centres.
“Gaming is like a razorblade, used correctly, it’s useful. Used wrongly, it causes harm,” he concluded.
The post Uganda: National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board and Uganda Police- Rwizi Region Deepen Ties in Enforcing the Gaming Law appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The organisers of Regulating the Game have announced the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) as a confirmed judge for the inaugural RTG Global Awards, to be presented at the Regulating the Game 2026 Gala Dinner on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Sydney.
The RTG Global Awards celebrate excellence in leadership, innovation and impact across community impact, compliance, safer gambling, industry integrity and financial crime risk management. The Awards form part of the sixth edition of Regulating the Game, an international conference committed to enhancing sector integrity, regulatory capability and ethical leadership.
Founded in 2005, IBIA is the leading global voice on integrity for the licensed betting industry. It is a not-for-profit association whose members include many of the world’s largest regulated betting operators, active across six continents. IBIA plays a crucial role in safeguarding sport and the betting industry from corruption, operating a world-leading monitoring and alert platform and collaborating with regulators and sports governing bodies around the world.
Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, joins the RTG Global Awards judging panel, bringing deep sector expertise and a steadfast commitment to integrity and responsible betting practices.
He said: “I am honoured to join the judging panel for the RTG Global Awards. At IBIA, we are dedicated to upholding integrity and transparency across the global betting landscape. These Awards spotlight the organisations and individuals working to advance ethical conduct and effective regulation, and we are proud to support that mission.”
Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game, welcomed the announcement: “Khalid’s appointment and IBIA’s involvement reflect the global calibre and integrity-centred mission of the Awards. Their leadership in monitoring and protecting sport from betting-related corruption aligns perfectly with our vision to champion excellence and elevate standards across the sector.”
• The RTG Global Awards will feature six categories:
• Leadership Voice – for principled, reform-focused leadership contributing to sector uplift
• Safer Gambling Champion – for operators or organisations demonstrating tangible harm minimisation outcomes
• Compliance Excellence – recognising uplift in AML, risk culture, or regulatory compliance
• RegTech Solution of the Year – celebrating innovative technologies improving sector integrity and compliance
• Community Impact Initiative – for initiatives delivering measurable community benefit
• Emerging Leader – Safer Gambling or Compliance – spotlighting rising talent (under 40) making meaningful contributions.
Key Dates:
• Nominations Open: Tuesday, July 1, 2025
• Nominations Close: Friday, December 12, 2025
• Finalists Announced: Monday, February, 2 2026
• Awards Presented: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at the Regulating the Game Gala Dinner.
Nominations will open on July 1, 2025, with further details and submission guidelines available at: www.regulatingthegame.com/global-awards-2026.
The post IBIA Joins the Judging Panel for Inaugural RTG Global Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Flutter Entertainment notes the recent decision by the Illinois State legislature to introduce a betting transaction fee for licensed operators on all sports wagers placed within the state from July 1, 2025 (Illinois Transaction Fee).
In response, from September 1, 2025, FanDuel, Flutter’s US market-leading brand, announces that it will introduce a new $0.50 transaction fee on each bet placed on its platform in Illinois. This decision reflects the significant increase in the cost of operating in Illinois driven by the new Illinois Transaction Fee. The introduction of this fee by the state follows a substantial increase in the betting tax rate in Illinois in 2024. Following the 2024 increase, extensive efforts were made by FanDuel to absorb the cost fully without impacting customers.
Should the state reverse its decision at any point in the future, FanDuel will immediately remove the $0.50 transaction fee.
Peter Jackson, Flutter CEO, commented: “It is important to recognize that there is an optimal level for gaming tax rates that enables operators to provide the best experience for customers, maximize market growth and maximize revenue for states over time. We are disappointed that the Illinois Transaction Fee will disproportionately impact lower wagering recreational customers while also punishing those operators who have invested the most to grow the online regulated market in the state. We also believe the introduction of the Illinois Transaction Fee will likely motivate some Illinois-based customers to bet with unregulated operators. These operators do not contribute tax revenue to the state, will not collect the newly announced transaction fee and do not offer the same levels of customer protection that regulated operators provide.”
The post Flutter Response to Illinois Transaction Fee appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
-
Balkans3 days agoMerkur Showcased its Latest Product Portfolio at Belgrade Future Gaming
-
Latest News3 days ago
That was unforgettable! – The Boomerang Bet “AC Milan vs. Bologna Trip” Instagram Giveaway winner shared his emotions
-
Australia3 days ago
ACMA: Four Betting Services Breach Gambling Self-Exclusion Rules
-
Australia3 days ago
Regulating the Game 2026 Announces CherryHub and Ebet as RegTech Sponsors
-
Canada2 days ago
Tsleil-Waututh Nation Signs MoU to Acquire Casino Business at Hastings Racecourse & Casino
-
Africa2 days ago
Accelerating Ambitions in Africa: SYNOT Games Teams Up with Codium
-
Andreas Rentner3 days ago
Zimpler Becomes Certified Payment Institution in Brazil, Strengthens Local Open Finance Ecosystem
-
Conferences3 days ago
GoldenRace by Softquo heads to Peru Gaming Show 2025
