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Compliance Updates

UKGC confirms gambling on credit cards to be banned from April 2020

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The Gambling Commission has announced a ban on gambling businesses allowing consumers in Great Britain to use credit cards to gamble.

The ban, which comes into effect on 14 April, follows the Commission’s review of online gambling and the Government’s Review of Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures. A public consultation was carried out between August and November 2019.

24 million adults in Great Britain gamble, with 10.5 million of those gambling online. UK Finance estimate that 800,000* consumers use credit cards to gamble.

Separate research undertaken by the Commission shows that 22%** of online gamblers using credit cards to gamble are classed as problem gamblers – with even more at some risk of harm.

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The ban, which will apply to all online and offline gambling products with the exception of non-remote lotteries, will provide a significant layer of additional protection to vulnerable people.

Neil McArthur, Gambling Commission chief executive, said: 

“Credit card gambling can lead to significant financial harm. The ban that we have announced today should minimise the risks of harm to consumers from gambling with money they do not have.

“Research shows that 22% of online gamblers using credit cards are problem gamblers, with even more suffering some form of gambling harm.

‘“We also know that there are examples of consumers who have accumulated tens of thousands of pounds of debt through gambling because of credit card availability. There is also evidence that the fees charged by credit cards can exacerbate the situation because the consumer can try to chase losses to a greater extent.”

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Mr McArthur said although he understood that some consumers used credit cards because they were convenient, the risk of harm to others was too high to allow the use of credit cards to continue.

“We realise that this change will inconvenience those consumers who use credit cards responsibly but we are satisfied that reducing the risk of harm to other consumers means that action must be taken.” he said. “But we will evaluate the ban and watch closely for any unintended circumstances for consumers.”

Mr McArthur warned that although likely to reduce gambling harm, the banning of credit cards needed to be accompanied by other efforts.

“The ban is part of our ongoing work to reduce gambling harm. We also need to continue the work we have been doing with gambling operators and the finance industry to ensure consumers only gamble with money they can afford to spend.”

Last year Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) ministers also met with banks and gambling operators to discuss their growing concerns, and how companies could use technology and customer data to help those at risk of developing gambling problems, including those using credit cards.

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Culture Minister Helen Whately said: 

“Whilst millions gamble responsibly, I have also met people whose lives have been turned upside down by gambling addiction.

“There is clear evidence of harm from consumers betting with money they do not have, so it is absolutely right that we act decisively to protect them.

“In the past year we have introduced a wave of tougher measures, including cutting the maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals, bringing in tighter age and identity checks for online gambling and expanding national specialist support through the NHS Long Term Plan. We have also secured a series of commitments from five leading gambling operators that will include £100 million funding towards treatment for problem gamblers.

“But there is more to do. We will be carrying out a review of the Gambling Act to ensure it is fit for the digital age and we will be launching a new nationwide addiction strategy in 2020.

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“We will not hesitate to take any further action necessary to protect people from gambling harm.”

Today has also seen the Commission announce changes to licence conditions which will require all online gambling operators to participate in the GAMSTOP scheme and offer their customers the service from 31 March.

Neil McArthur said:

“We welcome the fact that GAMSTOP have got to this stage in their development and encourage them to continue to improve their offer, particularly in relation to preventing those who have self-excluded being targeted by direct marketing.

“It is important that self-exclusion schemes are as effective as possible and they will be most effective when used in combination with other blocking tools such as gambling blocking software and payment card blocking.

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Helen Whately added: 

“We have been clear to all businesses that have connections to gambling, such as operators, social media platforms and banks, that they must be socially responsible and use the power of technology and data to help consumers manage their spending and protect them from harm.

“I have been encouraged by the majority of major high street banks introducing measures to allow customers to switch off spending on gambling through mobile apps.

“By making it a regulatory requirement for all online gambling websites licensed in Great Britain to sign up to Gamstop. I am confident that people who have taken the significant step to opt out of gambling will be well supported, alongside a wide range of other tools.”

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Compliance Updates

EUROMAT Re-elects Jason Frost as President

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On May 22, 2025, the European Gaming and Amusement Federation (EUROMAT) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Brussels, Belgium, where members unanimously re-elected Jason Frost as President and Uwe Christiansen as First Vice-President. Karoly Buzás from the Romanian Slot Operators’ Association (ROMSLOT) has been elected as Treasurer of the association.

“I am very proud that our members have once again placed their trust in me, our Vice-President, and our new Treasurer for another term. EUROMAT is thriving with an expanding membership and a clear sense of mission: to make the business environment better for our industry” Jason Frost said.

“One important issue that we need to tackle is the rapid growth of the illegal market. There is not enough focus from regulators on this problem. Illegal gambling channels are proliferating at an alarming rate which makes a mockery of licensing regimes and puts players at risk. We will be pressing the case for tangible initiatives from authorities to get on top of this problem,” Jason Frost added.

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The AGM also ratified Damien McCoy of the Irish Amusement Trades Association (IATA) and Bernhard Teuchman of the Spanish association Club de Convergentes as Executive Board Members. In addition, it welcomed the Association of Organizers of Gambling Games and Activities in Bulgaria (AOGGAB) as a new Association Member, along with Aristocrat and Sigma as new Corporate Members.

The post EUROMAT Re-elects Jason Frost as President appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Compliance Updates

PA Gaming Control Board Removes Gambling Privileges for 14 Individuals

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The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (Board) has taken actions to place 14 individuals on its various Involuntary Exclusion Lists. Placement on an Involuntary Exclusion List prohibits individuals from either gaming in a casino in Pennsylvania, via an online betting site regulated by the Board, or a Video Gaming Terminal (VGT) location.

These matters, presented by the Board’s Office of Chief Counsel and Office of Enforcement Counsel, raise the number of individuals now on the Board’s various Involuntary Exclusion Lists to 1391.

The actions by the Board include placement of five individuals on the Involuntary Casino Exclusion List including one who left minors unattended while gambling in a Pennsylvania casino:

A female patron who left her 7-month-old twins in a vehicle in the valet area of Valley Forge Casino Resort for 5 minutes in order to obtain a cash out at the sportsbook.

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Actions such as these to deny statewide gambling privileges serve as a reminder that adults are prohibited from leaving minors unattended in the parking lot or garage, a hotel, or other venues at a casino since it creates a potentially unsafe and dangerous environment for the children. To complement the efforts by casinos to mitigate this issue, the Board created an awareness campaign, “Don’t Gamble with Kids”.

Additionally, nine others were placed on the Board’s Involuntary Interactive Gaming Exclusion list for fraudulent actions involving online gambling.

The Gaming Control Board is scheduled to meet next at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 in the Board’s Public Hearing Room located on the second floor of the Strawberry Square Complex in Harrisburg. More information, including the agenda, will be posted on the Board’s website prior to the meeting.

The post PA Gaming Control Board Removes Gambling Privileges for 14 Individuals appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Compliance Updates

ZITRO OBTAINS ISO 14064-1 CERTIFICATION

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Zitro has achieved a new certification in its commitment to sustainability: the ISO 14064-1 standard, which manages the improvement of its corporate carbon footprint. After successfully completing the certification process, the company now holds this accreditation that supports the management of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across all its global locations.

This certification strengthens the corporate system with which Zitro manages its ESG objectives, aimed at the progressive reduction of CO₂ emissions. The scope of this standard covers three key emission areas:

  • Scope 1:Direct emissions generated by owned and rented vehicles used at all locations.
  • Scope 2:Indirect emissions associated with electricity consumption in offices, laboratories, and warehouses.
  • Scope 3:Direct and indirect emissions from the value chain, including suppliers, customers, business travel, product distribution, and waste management.

The ISO 14064-1 certification represents an essential milestone for Zitro in consolidating a more sustainable business model aligned with the highest international standards in corporate responsibility.

The post ZITRO OBTAINS ISO 14064-1 CERTIFICATION appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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