Compliance Updates
UKGC confirms gambling on credit cards to be banned from April 2020
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.
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.”
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.
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.
“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.
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.”
BETER has secured a license in Kentucky, expanding the availability of its Setka Cup table tennis and ESportsBattle betting content to a ninth US state. The approval was granted by the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming (KHRG), the state regulator.
The Kentucky approval adds to BETER’s existing US footprint in Florida, New Jersey, Colorado, Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, and Illinois. The license allows BETER to supply operators in Kentucky with live data and live streams from Setka Cup and ESportsBattle tournaments.
BETER said the content is already live for Kentucky bettors through bet365, which it described as a long-standing operator partner.
Chuck Robinson, CRO at BETER, said: “Kentucky is a state with a deep sporting heritage, and we’re excited to bring our exclusive Setka Cup and ESportsBattle content to operators and bettors there. Reaching nine US states is an important milestone that reflects the growing appetite for fast-betting content across the country.
“The US market is evolving rapidly, and players are increasingly seeking round-the-clock, high-quality betting experiences. BETER is built to meet that demand, and each new state we enter strengthens our position as the go-to provider of fast-betting content worldwide.”
Valeriia Tarchynska, Chief Legal Officer at BETER, added: “Receiving both approval and license is the result of sustained and meticulous regulatory and compliance work by our team. The US licensing landscape is uniquely complex, with each state operating under its own distinct framework, and we take great pride in meeting those requirements wherever we operate.
“With nine states now approved, the US continues to be a cornerstone of BETER’s global strategy. We are actively pursuing approvals in additional key states and remain fully committed to expanding our footprint across the country and beyond.”
The post BETER secures Kentucky license, bringing Setka Cup and ESportsBattle to ninth US state appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BETER, the award-winning provider of live streams, live data, and odds for esports and sports, has further strengthened its US presence after its exclusive Setka Cup table tennis and ESportsBattle content was added to the Sports Wagering catalog and licensed in the State of Kentucky.
The approval and license were granted by the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming (KHRG), the independent municipal corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth responsible for regulating horse racing, pari-mutuel wagering, sports wagering, breed integrity and development, and charitable gaming in the state.
Kentucky is the ninth US state where BETER’s exclusive content is now available, joining Florida, New Jersey, Colorado, Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, and Illinois.
The approval allows BETER to supply operators in Kentucky with live data and live streams from both its Setka Cup table tennis and ESportsBattle tournaments for the first time.
All content is already live for local bettors via bet365, BETER’s long-standing operator partner, reinforcing the demand for fast-paced betting content from operators in the space.
BETER exclusively delivers 24/7 live streaming, real-time data, and hyper-accurate odds for more than 700,000 fast-paced esports and sports events annually to operators worldwide. The company offers up to 50 markets per event and helps operators achieve an average margin of 7.5%+. Its esports portfolio includes ESportsBattle, featuring eFootball, eBasketball, eHockey, and eTennis, while its sports portfolio includes Setka Cup table tennis and the BSKT Cup basketball league.
All of BETER’s exclusive content is underpinned by its Integrity team, ensuring strict adherence to fair play standards through 24/7 monitoring and close collaboration with key sports integrity bodies, including IBIA and ESIC, as well as sports federations.
Chuck Robinson, CRO at BETER, said: “Kentucky is a state with a deep sporting heritage, and we’re excited to bring our exclusive Setka Cup and ESportsBattle content to operators and bettors there. Reaching nine US states is an important milestone that reflects the growing appetite for fast-betting content across the country.
“The US market is evolving rapidly, and players are increasingly seeking round-the-clock, high-quality betting experiences. BETER is built to meet that demand, and each new state we enter strengthens our position as the go-to provider of fast-betting content worldwide.”
Valeriia Tarchynska, Chief Legal Officer at BETER, added: “Receiving both approval and license is the result of sustained and meticulous regulatory and compliance work by our team. The US licensing landscape is uniquely complex, with each state operating under its own distinct framework, and we take great pride in meeting those requirements wherever we operate.
“With nine states now approved, the US continues to be a cornerstone of BETER’s global strategy. We are actively pursuing approvals in additional key states and remain fully committed to expanding our footprint across the country and beyond.”
The post BETER reaches ninth US state with the acquisition of a Kentucky license appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
KingMidas Games, a leading iGaming provider, announced that 24 of its game titles have successfully obtained certification for Peru, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s global expansion strategy and its ongoing commitment to technical excellence.
The certification, formally titled “Certificate of Compliance for gaming programs, game modalities and/or components related to remote gaming and/or sports betting”, has been issued following systematic testing conducted by Global Lab. As part of this process, KingMidas Games has also secured Random Number Generator (RNG) and security certifications, ensuring that its games comply with regulatory technical standards.
Further reinforcing the credibility of this achievement, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru (MINCETUR) has officially registered and approved the certified games for operation in the country, solidifying Peru as a key market in KingMidas Games’ Latin American growth strategy.
As part of its broader compliance roadmap, KingMidas Games is actively working with multiple accredited testing laboratories to secure additional certifications across key jurisdictions. This multi-lab approach enables the brand to accelerate speed to market while maintaining the highest standards of quality, performance, and regulatory compliance across its portfolio.
This milestone represents a pivotal step in KingMidas Games’ mission to expand its global footprint and deliver premium, localised gaming experiences to players worldwide. With Peru emerging as one of the fastest-growing iGaming markets in Latin America, KingMidas Games is well-positioned to support operators seeking differentiated and high-performance content tailored to local audiences.
Sean Auret, Global Head at KingMidas Games, said: “Achieving certification in Peru is a significant milestone for KingMidas Games and a testament to the high standards we uphold across our portfolio. We have undergone extensive testing and compliance processes to ensure our games meet the regulatory benchmarks, and we are proud to bring our next-generation experiences to Peru. Our ambition is to continue expanding across key global markets such as Latin America, delivering innovative and high-quality content that empowers operators and supercharges the player experience across the region.”
With a growing portfolio of cutting-edge titles and a strong focus on compliance, KingMidas Games continues to position itself as a trusted partner for operators looking to unlock new opportunities in Peru.
The post KingMidas Games Secures Peru Certification appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
-
Asia4 days agoEGT Brings High-Impact Asian-Themed Portfolio to SiGMA Asia 2026
-
Africa4 days ago
Greentube partners with World Sports Betting to expand in South Africa
-
Africa4 days ago
Gaming Realms expands into three African markets via SportyBet partnership
-
Conference4 days ago
Danish regulator to speak at Gaming in the Nordics launch event
-
Argentina4 days ago
Stake continues Latin American expansion with Argentina launch
-
affiliate marketing4 days ago
CasinoCanada partners with LolaJack Casino to expand Canadian visibility
-
BETER4 days ago
BETER expands US footprint with Illinois approval
-
Ben Wood CCO at Playson4 days ago
Playson strengthens North American footprint with Caesars Entertainment partnership
