Compliance Updates
German sports-betting licences for GVC Holdings
GVC Holdings PLC, the global sports-betting and gaming Group, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded four sports-betting licences in Germany.
On 9 October the German regulator issued licences for the bwin, SportingBet, Ladbrokes and Gamebookers brands to enable each of them to offer sports-betting products to customers across Germany. This is a significant milestone for GVC coming swiftly after the Tolerance Policy for gaming that was announced on 1 October 2020 and brings further clarity and certainty in Germany.
An outline of the licence terms are:
- Wagering limit of €1,000 euros per month that can be increased to €10,000 subject to certain criteria being met as well as certain loss limits
- The ability to increase this further to €30,000 for 1 per cent of customers subject to enhanced due diligence and certain loss limits
- Deposit limits until customer verification processes are complete
- Maximum annual bonus per customer of €100
- The inclusion of certain responsibility requirements by the licence holder
The licences have been issued with immediate effect. However, the timing for implementation of the terms attached to the licences are yet to be formally agreed and GVC is working with the regulator on an implementation plan with terms expected to be in place in the early part of 2021. The granting of the licences to GVC’s four sports brands in Germany is in-line with GVC’s strategic ambition of operating in regulated markets and will enable it to build on its leading position in the German market. Following implementation, GVC estimates that Group EBITDA will be reduced by up to £40m1 on an annualised basis.
Shay Segev, CEO of GVC commented: “The award of these licences is great news for GVC, bringing the clarity and certainty that we have long sought for sports-betting in Germany. Combined with the recent Tolerance Policy we can now look confidently to the future, building on our position as a market leader by delivering an unparalleled, innovative experience for our German customers. The much-anticipated regulation of online gaming in Germany re-enforces GVC’s position as the most globally regulated and responsible operator in our industry.”
Powered by WPeMatico
Baltics
Estonia to Reinstate 5.5% Online Gambling Tax From March 1
Lawmakers in Estonia are set to approve a technical fix restoring the gambling tax to online casinos, closing a legislative error that briefly left remote gambling exempt.
The Riigikogu will hold a final vote on an amendment to the Gambling Tax Act introduced by MP Tanel Tein (Eesti 200). The latest change corrects wording adopted late last year that inadvertently exempted online casinos from Estonia’s gambling tax.
The amendment clarifies that both games of chance and games of skill offered as remote gambling are taxed on the same basis. By deleting the term “game of skill” from one provision in the legislation, a uniform 5.5% gambling tax will apply to both categories.
The Riigikogu’s Finance Committee adjusted the timeline initially set out in the amendment, setting March 1, 2026, as the effective date.
Under current law, gambling taxes are assessed on a monthly basis, making the start of a new calendar month the standard point for changes to take effect.
This aligns with the current IT systems and operating practices of both market participants and the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (MTA).
The fix is linked to legislation passed in December and effective since January 1 that was intended to boost funding for sports and culture through gambling tax revenues. Restoring equal taxation is expected to reestablish legal clarity for both operators and the tax authority.
The post Estonia to Reinstate 5.5% Online Gambling Tax From March 1 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
NCPG Board of Directors Calls on Prediction Market Operators to Promote the National Problem Gambling Helpline
The Board of Directors of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has passed a resolution on February 9, calling on prediction markets to promote the National Problem Gambling Helpline, arguing that event contract trading is similar to other types of betting and poses the same risks for consumers.
In the resolution, the NCPG urged “all Prediction Market Operators serving U.S. consumers” to add “clear, prominent, and ongoing promotion” of the helpline number 1-800-MY-RESET across both “marketing and on-platform user experience.”
The organization said prediction market operators should display the messaging “in a manner that is comparable to practices in regulated mobile sports betting.”
The NCPG said the helpline offers “nationwide free, confidential, and 24/7 support and resources” for people experiencing gambling-related harm. The group also said it maintains a neutral stance on legalized gambling.
The post NCPG Board of Directors Calls on Prediction Market Operators to Promote the National Problem Gambling Helpline appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Andrew Rhodes
Andrew Rhodes to Step Down as CEO of UK Gambling Commission
The UK Gambling Commission has announced that Andrew Rhodes has decided to leave the Commission on 30 April 2026, to take up a new role, which will be announced in due course.
Andrew has provided outstanding leadership of the Commission for almost five years and has overseen a transformation of the Commission and how it regulates the gambling Industry.
Andrew has led the work required from the Commission to implement the Gambling Act Review, with a strong focus on consumer safeguards. This has included the introduction of financial vulnerability checks, reducing the intensity of online games, and banning potentially harmful marketing offers. He has also overseen the introduction of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, now one of the largest surveys of gambling behaviour in the world.
Amongst his other achievements, Andrew oversaw the successful implementation of the Fourth National Lottery licence and transformed the Commission’s approach to regulation through more robust and outcome-focused strategies.
He said: “It has been a privilege to lead the Gambling Commission through such an important period of change. I am proud of the progress we have made to strengthen regulation, improve consumer protections, and ensure gambling is safer and fairer. I leave with confidence in the organisation, its people, and the work still to come.”
Charles Counsell, Interim Chair of the Gambling Commission, said: “Andrew has provided outstanding leadership for nearly five years and leaves a strong legacy. He has led the Commission through major reform, strengthened our regulatory approach, and ensured consumer protection has remained at the heart of our work. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Andrew for his dedication and wish him every success in the future.”
The Commission will shortly begin the process of recruiting a Chief Executive for an interim period. Deputy Chief Executive Sarah Gardner will step up as Acting Chief Executive to cover the areas of work that Andrew will step back from during this transitional period.
The post Andrew Rhodes to Step Down as CEO of UK Gambling Commission appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Amusnet6 days agoWeek 6/2026 slot games releases
-
Arshak Muradyan6 days agoDigitain Secures UKGC Certification for Sportsbook and Platform
-
Latest News6 days agoHyper Gems — A New Cosmic Adrenaline Release from Dream Play
-
Compliance Updates3 days agoIllinois Gaming Board and Attorney General’s Office Issue more than 60 Cease-and-Desist Letters to Illegal Online Casino and Sweepstakes Operators
-
Latest News3 days agoLaunch Of A Fresh Online Casino Guide 2026
-
Compliance Updates6 days agoDutch Regulator Urges Online Gambling Providers to Stop Using “Share Your Bet” Feature
-
Always Up! x100003 days agoRing in the Chinese New Year with BGaming’s Seasonal Promotion
-
Dream Play6 days agoHyper Gems — A New Cosmic Adrenaline Release from Dream Play



