Compliance Updates
KSA: Normalising Gambling Behaviour Leads to More Gamblers
Gambling seems to be becoming increasingly accepted in the society. A quarter of Dutch people (24%) indicate that people in their social circle consider gambling normal behaviour. Strikingly, men consider gambling normal more often than women: 32% (men) versus 16% (women). This normalisation leads to more people gambling, and it makes it more difficult for people who may not have their gambling behaviour under control to discuss it. This is evident from research conducted by the Netherlands Gambling Authority for the new OpenOverGokken platform among 1000 Dutch people.
Gambling as a social norm
Social environment plays a clear role in how the Dutch view gambling. For example, 43% say they would gamble less if no one around them did. However, 22% of respondents have people in their social circle who gamble.
When people talk about gambling, they primarily talk about success and winning. For example, one in five Dutch people (18%) say they regularly hear that gambling is a convenient way to make money quickly. This romanticisation of gambling is problematic because, on the other hand, there’s a belief that those who have gambling problems are to blame. For example, three-quarters of Dutch people (75%) see gambling problems as the result of making bad decisions.
Problems often remain invisible
For some Dutch people, gambling is not without consequences: 11% indicate that gambling has had a direct impact on work, studies, relationships or sleep. At the same time, gambling problems are not always recognised. For example, 76% of Dutch people estimate that you can’t see a gambling addiction in someone. This can contribute to problems going unnoticed for longer and piling up. Moreover, talking about gambling problems is taboo: almost three in ten respondents (29%) indicate that they wouldn’t dare ask for help if they themselves were addicted to gambling. Over a third of Dutch people (34%) find it difficult to confront someone about their gambling behaviour.
Michel Groothuizen, chairman of the Netherlands Gambling Authority, said: “Gambling problems rarely develop overnight and often remain under the radar for a long time. This is partly because gambling is often seen as normal behavior in the community. This can make it difficult to recognize when gambling becomes problematic, let alone to discuss it. As our previous research also showed, there is still a persistent taboo surrounding talking about gambling and gambling problems. As a result, people who experience gambling problems themselves often hesitate to ask for help. A first step can be to talk about it with someone you trust, such as a partner, family member, or friend. For those who feel that step is too daunting, it’s also possible to first seek information online in a relaxed atmosphere. The OpenOverGokken.nl platform offers independent information and helps people find appropriate support. As a regulator, we believe it’s our social responsibility to ensure that reliable information and support are accessible to everyone, and that no one has to face this alone.”
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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.
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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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