Compliance Updates
WTA and ITF Publish Season-wide Online Abuse and Threat Report
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and International Tennis Federation (ITF) published the first-ever season-wide report outlining the scale of abuse directed at players on social media — and are calling on the gambling industry to more effectively tackle those responsible.
The report findings are taken from Signify Group’s Threat Matrix service, which went live in January 2024, protecting players and tennis family members from targeted online hate, as well as threatening and violent direct communication. Utilising AI and human analysts — including risk and fixated threat assessment experts — the service operates across all the major social media platforms in over 40 languages. All players competing in WTA Tour and ITF World Tennis Tour events (and WTA and ITF players competing in the four Grand Slams) — c8300 players — are automatically covered by the service.
Between January to December 2024,1.6 million posts and comments were analysed by Threat Matrix AI. Analysts then verified c8000 posts/comments sent from 4200 accounts as abusive, violent or threatening. Action has been taken against the most serious and prolific of these, including 15 accounts escalated to law enforcement. During the year, 458 players were targeted with direct abuse or threat, five players received 26% of the total abuse identified, while 97 prolific accounts were responsible for 23% of all detected abuse.
Given the evidence highlighted by Threat Matrix, the tennis bodies now call for a constructive dialogue with the gambling industry to tackle the individuals that engage in prolific or highly threatening online abuse connected to sports betting.
Prolific Abuse and Angry Gamblers
• Angry gamblers sent 40% of all detected abuse across the year
• 10 prolific accounts [majority being angry gambler related] were responsible for 12% of all abuse — of these, nine have either been suspended, posts permanently deleted by the platform or the user has removed their post(s)
• Details of 39 account holders (majority angry gambler related) who sent prolific abuse have been shared with the tennis authorities and betting industry for further action
• The most prolific abusive account sent 263 abusive messages.
Action
• 15 cases of egregious and highly threatening abuse have been investigated and evidence provided to law enforcement for assessment and action — four related to Grand Slams, one from the Paris Olympic Games and 10 were from across the tours
• Of the 15 cases, three have been submitted to the FBI and 12 to other national law enforcement bodies
• Relevant account details have been shared with event security teams (both Tours and Grand Slams) to ban these individuals from access to venues and rescind tickets. This has also included threats to men’s and women’s players detected by Threat Matrix during Grand Slam events.
Direct Abuse Communication Support
The Threat Matrix service also includes support for players who receive direct abuse, threat and inappropriate communication via DMs, email and letter. Players use a designated email address to share relevant content, enabling Threat Matrix to conduct threat assessment, provide direct player advice and liaise with security bodies to manage risk.
During 2024, 56 reports of concerning communication were received from 28 players, the vast majority coming in the final quarter of the year due to heightened awareness of the service. Angry gamblers made up the vast majority of direct abuse (77%) — at a higher level compared to open-source social media (40%) — as abusers seek to cause direct emotional distress to players following lost bets. Player reported direct abuse has continued to rise in 2025 as players and agents become more aware of the support service.
Social Media Moderation
To further reduce hateful and abusive content targeting players, the WTA and ITF are also enhancing the existing Threat Matrix service to include social media moderation. Moderation allows online toxicity to be hidden or removed in real time across the majority of Social Media platforms. The service will automatically deploy across WTA and ITF official social media channels and be available to all tour players on request. The service will go live in the coming weeks.
A spokesperson for the WTA and ITF said: “Protecting players and the wider tennis family from vile online threat and abuse is a key priority for us. Today’s report covering the first year of the Threat Matrix service shows the scale of the problem and, crucially, the actions being taken to protect our athletes. From law enforcement escalation and platform intervention to banning abusers from our events, perpetrators must understand that they will face consequences for their actions.
“Given the clear evidence highlighted by Threat Matrix on the link between angry gamblers and prolific online abuse and threat, we are calling for a constructive dialogue with the gambling industry to help tackle this issue. Everyone — betting operators, social media platforms, governing bodies, players and law enforcers — has a responsibility to make the online space a safer and more positive one. We hope the gambling industry responds constructively to our call for more action on their part.”
Jessica Pegula, Member of the WTA Players’ Council, said: “Online abuse is unacceptable, and something that no player should have to endure. I welcome the work that the WTA and ITF are doing with Threat Matrix to identify and take action against the abusers, whose behavior is so often linked to gambling. But it’s not enough on its own. It’s time for the gambling industry and social media companies to tackle the problem at its source and act to protect everyone facing these threats.”
Jonathan Hirshler, CEO of Signify Group, said: “This unique dataset, covering all players across international tennis tours and Grand Slams, illustrates that a relatively small number of accounts are responsible for a significant proportion of prolific abuse and trolling. While this is deeply distressing for the athletes targeted, it means that we are able to be even more focused working with the platforms to ensure successful take down, support the tennis bodies to drive law enforcement intervention for the most egregious accounts and work with event security teams to ensure prolific abusers are unable to attend tournaments. This action-orientated approach underpins the Threat Matrix service.”
The post WTA and ITF Publish Season-wide Online Abuse and Threat Report appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Finland’s Interior Ministry is examining whether scratchcards might once again be allowed as gifts.
The investigation will consider whether winnings from a scratchcard could be claimed by someone other than the person who purchased the card.
At the start of 2024, scratchcards were brought under mandatory identification rules. Since then, recipients of gifted cards have been unable to redeem any prizes they potentially offer.
Parliament approved a new Lotteries Act in December. At the same time, legislators included a statement urging the government to explore ways to permit scratchcards to be given as gifts.
Christmastime is traditionally the biggest season for lottery scratch card sales in Finland.
The post Finland Govt Looks at Whether Scratchcards can be Gifted Again appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
VNLOK Report: Over 95% of Gambling Ads on Meta Platforms are from Illegal Providers
Illegal gambling providers continue to reach Dutch consumers on a large scale via Meta platforms. An analysis by VNLOK’s Ads Library for October, November and December 2025 shows that in each month, more than 95% of the gambling promotions found—both Facebook pages and advertisements—come from illegal providers. At the same time, only a small portion is removed by Meta, which calls for faster and more robust measures.
Illegal gambling advertisements are widely visible
Recent analyses show that illegal gambling advertising via meta-platforms remains widely visible to Dutch consumers. Of the Facebook pages and gambling ads promoting gambling, over 95% originated from illegal gambling providers in all three months.
Fast rotation with a wide reach
It’s striking that ads from illegal providers are rolled out and replaced at breakneck speed: on average, they were visible for one and a half days in October (79% for less than a day), two days in November (69% for less than a day), and two days in December, with 87% of illegal ads being visible for less than a day. Illegal gambling ads also have a wide reach, peaking at 50 million impressions in November.
Enforcement is lagging behind
The regulated Dutch gambling market is designed to protect consumers through strict duty of care, affordability guarantees and advertising regulations. Illegal providers fall outside this system, yet still manage to reach Dutch target groups on a large scale through social advertising. The share of illegal ads removed by Meta remains limited: 3% in October, 5.2% in November and 4.7% in December.
“These figures are alarming. The enormous flood of illegal gambling advertisements on Meta platforms undermines player protection and also erodes trust in the legal market. This problem is unfortunately growing. The promotion of illegal gambling websites on social media is expanding from social advertising to social content. Meta and other platforms are being flooded with viral videos featuring the brands of illegal gambling websites. This content is attracting targeted minors and young adults to illegal gambling offerings, where the risk of gambling harm is very high,” Björn Fuchs, Chairman of VNLOK.
Call from VNLOK
The findings show that the current approach by platforms and regulators is insufficiently aligned with the scale and speed of illegal gambling advertising on social media. To better protect consumers and safeguard the regulated system, additional and targeted actions are necessary:
Meta must strengthen proactive detection, advertiser verification, and rapid takedown processes for illegal gambling promotions targeting the Netherlands.
The Netherlands Gambling Authority must take even more enforcement action, within existing legal frameworks, against marketing companies and platforms that facilitate advertisements and/or content that direct Dutch consumers to illegal gambling websites.
The visibility and attractiveness of legal online gambling are crucial to prevent even more Dutch players from turning to illegal providers. Policymakers and regulators must ensure that additional rules and restrictions for legal providers do not compromise the visibility and attractiveness of legal online gambling. This will lead to a decrease in the net protection of Dutch consumers. A sufficiently visible and attractive legal offering is crucial to prevent even more Dutch players from turning to illegal providers.
The post VNLOK Report: Over 95% of Gambling Ads on Meta Platforms are from Illegal Providers appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
eGaming Integrity launches Voluntary Code Advisory Service for prize draw operators
eGaming Integrity – a leading compliance and internal audit advisory firm – has launched a Voluntary Code Advisory Service to support online prize draw and competition operators as regulatory scrutiny of the sector increases and a new compliance deadline approaches.
The service was launched following the introduction of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Voluntary Code of Good Practice for online prize draws and competitions in November 2025. The Code sets a deadline of 20 May 2026. By that point, operators are expected to be more transparent, strengthen consumer protections and show active oversight of their operations. Failure to demonstrate effective voluntary compliance may increase the likelihood of statutory licensing and subsequent tighter regulation.
Prize draws are not regulated as gambling under the Gambling Act 2005. Despite this, the sector has grown rapidly and attracted attention in Westminster. The UK online prize draw market is now estimated to be worth around £1.3bn, with more than 7 million players. That scale has brought closer attention from policymakers.
The Voluntary Code shifts the focus from policy language to demonstrable practice. Operators now have to show what they actually do, and prove it.
eGaming Integrity’s new service is designed to help operators understand the requirements of the Code, assess current practices and prepare clear, practical evidence of compliance. Support covers areas including free entry routes, transparency of terms and odds, responsible marketing practices, internal monitoring processes and public disclosure of consumer protection measures.
Emma Shilling, Director at eGaming Integrity, said: “The Voluntary Code changes the conversation for prize draw operators. It is no longer enough to point to a policy and say the right words are there. Operators are being asked to show what happens in practice. Our job is to help businesses work that through properly, spot issues early and evidence what they are doing.”
eGaming Integrity’s audit and risk specialists lead the work. The focus is on practical rather than theoretical matters. Findings are clearly set out, with recommendations that operators can act on as regulatory expectations tighten.
Robert Penfold, Head of Internal Audit at eGaming Integrity, said:
“The writing is on the wall. This is voluntary for now, but that could change quickly. Operators who build real oversight systems today won’t be scrambling if this becomes statutory tomorrow.”
The Voluntary Code Advisory Service is available immediately to UK prize draw and competition operators.
The post eGaming Integrity launches Voluntary Code Advisory Service for prize draw operators appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Games Global6 days agoGames Global and Stormcraft Studios extend the supernatural franchise with Immortal Romance: Sarah’s Secret Power Combo
-
Latest News6 days ago
N1 Partners Hosts the N1 Puzzle Promo Grand Final and Reveals the Helicopter Winner at iGB Affiliate 2026 in Barcelona
-
Amusnet6 days ago
Week 4/2026 slot games releases
-
Anthony Dalla-Giacoma Chief Commercial Officer at Swintt7 days ago
Swintt Cruises the River of Fortune in Sun Wind Cash Boat
-
ADG7 days ago
Arizona Department of Gaming Names Juan Carlos Estrada as Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Executive Director
-
Anton Ivannikov CPO at Playson7 days ago
Playson’s Vegas Glitz Shines with Dual Bonus Features
-
Battle Royale7 days ago
Prime Rush Goes Live in Early Access, Bringing a Brazil-First Mobile Battle Royale to Players
-
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell7 days ago
AG Campbell Secures Court Order That Will Block Kalshi from Offering Unlawful Sports Wagers in Massachusetts
