The UK Government is consulting on a proposed ban that would prevent unlicensed gambling companies from sponsoring UK sports teams, a move designed to protect consumers from unregulated operators.

The ministers are deeply concerned about the dangers posed by the unlicensed gambling market, which has been linked to organised crime. Unlicensed operators do not adhere to laws and guidelines designed to protect customers, including mandatory financial vulnerability checks, responsible advertising and fair terms. They often lack data protections, leaving customers vulnerable to fraud and identity theft.

The government’s new consultation on sports sponsorship, to be launched this Spring, will mitigate the risks associated with the illegal market, and help eliminate unfair competition for properly regulated firms.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “When placing a bet on the big match, fans deserve to know the sites they’re using are properly regulated, with the right protections in place.

“It’s not right that unlicensed gambling operators can sponsor some of our biggest football clubs, raising their profile and potentially drawing fans towards sites that don’t meet our regulatory standards.”

The new measures would mean gambling companies without a UK licence would be restricted from entering into any sponsorship arrangements with sports clubs, including in the Premier League, where a number of clubs currently carry sponsorship from operators not licensed in Great Britain.

Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross said: “We know the real harm that unregulated gambling can cause, exploiting vulnerable people and leaving consumers without the protections they deserve.

“This consultation, alongside the work of our Illegal Gambling Taskforce, shows how seriously this government is taking the issue. We will not hesitate to act where we see people being put at risk.”

This consultation forms part of the government’s separate, wider work to address concerns around gambling. Last month, the government launched an Illegal Gambling Taskforce, bringing together major companies including Google, Mastercard, TikTok and Visa alongside law enforcement and gambling bodies to tackle illegal gambling.

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Mindway AI, a leader in player protection solutions, has announced the attainment of SOC 2 Type 2 certification, further bolstering its commitment to data security and privacy. Combined with its existing ISO 27001 certification, Mindway AI now offers an exceptional security framework, committed to safeguarding client information.

ISO 27001 certification has previously ensured that Mindway AI maintains a robust, continuously improving framework for managing information security risks. Now, with the addition of the SOC 2 certification, Mindway AI not only meets but exceeds industry standards for security, availability and confidentiality. Developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), SOC 2 is an esteemed standard, particularly valued by U.S. and enterprise clients, making it a critical component in procurement processes.

“Achieving SOC 2 Type 2 certification alongside ISO 27001 significantly strengthens our security posture. SOC 2 Type 2 provides independent and ongoing verification of our operations, particularly in North America, assuring clients that their data is managed with the highest care and security standards globally. This new certification is another step forward of many that our business will take to continuously improve standards in player protection solutions,” said Rasmus Kjaergaard, CEO at Mindway AI.

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Expanse Studios, the gaming content subsidiary of Golden Matrix Group Inc., announced the official launch of its proprietary game portfolio in the Belgian regulated market. The Studios’ premium slot and table game titles are now live on the Meridianbet.be platform, marking a strategic milestone in the Studios’ international distribution roadmap.

The launch follows the recent granting of the B+ online gaming license (License B+ 4016) to the Company’s Belgian subsidiary, providing Expanse Studios with immediate access to one of Europe’s most mature and strictly regulated gambling environments.

By deploying its portfolio on an established platform with a seven-year operational history in Belgium, Expanse Studios seeks to leverage the country’s established online casino segment. According to the Belgian Gaming Commission, this segment generated €455 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in 2023, representing a 20.2% year-over-year increase.

“Belgium is a cornerstone of our European expansion strategy due to its strict regulatory framework and high digital adoption. Launching our full portfolio here demonstrates the scalability of our content. We are moving beyond the licensing phase and into a high-growth revenue phase, utilizing our Group’s existing infrastructure to deliver Expanse games directly to a sophisticated player base,” said Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios.

Key Strategic Drivers:

• High-Margin Distribution: By leveraging the Group’s internal B+ license, Expanse Studios achieves 100% vertical integration in Belgium. This eliminates third-party aggregator fees and maximizes the revenue-per-spin for the Group.

• Proven Content Portfolio: The Belgian launch includes 60+ certified titles, including top-performing slots and automated table games, tailored to the high compliance standards of the Belgian Gaming Commission.

• Data-Driven Engagement: The integration utilizes proprietary AI Casino Recommender technology. This AI-driven layer analyzes Belgian player behavior in real-time to deliver personalized game suggestions, aimed at increasing player retention and lifetime value (LTV).

• Market Concentration Advantage: In a market where 10 operators control 94% of wagers, Expanse Studios benefits from its direct placement on a Tier-1 licensed platform (Meridianbet.be), bypassing the saturation issues faced by smaller independent studios.

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