Compliance Updates

UKGC publishes interim evaluation on the successful implementation of the ban on gambling with credit cards

Published

3 years ago

November 2, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

An interim evaluation of the Gambling Commission’s credit card ban indicates the action is popular among consumers and has not resulted in harmful unintended consequences.

The credit card ban was introduced in April 2020 to add another layer of protection for consumers and add friction to the process of gambling with borrowed money. Evidence revealed some gamblers with high levels of debt were using credit cards to gamble.

When monitoring gambling and financial behaviours, the report found:

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

support for the ban among consumers has been largely positive, qualitative data from consumers supports the conclusion that the ban helps people to gamble within their means and retain control
the proportion of consumers reporting gambling with other forms of borrowed money has remained stable
there has been no increase in reports of illegal money lending related to gambling
while consumers are aware of ways to legally bypass the ban, far more people who previously gambled with a credit card now gamble with available (not borrowed) funds than other types of borrowed money
bank data showed no observed spike for credit card gamblers in money transfers in the three months after the ban
there was no spike in ATM withdrawals from credit cards around the time of the ban.

The report shows a major high street bank has observed the volume and value of gambling transactions with credit cards to the gambling merchant code reduced to a very low level. Continually low-level expenditure to businesses with gambling merchant codes was expected and can be explained by activities outside the scope of the ban such as lotteries and competitions spending.

Additionally, major e-wallet and electronic money providers have blocked gambling transactions if funding originated from credit cards.

Key sources used to inform the report were the Commission’s Online Tracker survey, which collects data quarterly from a nationally representative sample of approximately 2,000 adults aged 18+ in Great Britain, and Consumer Voice research completed by 2CV, which involved an eight-day online programme with 30 respondents.

Next steps: future evaluation activity

Ongoing monitoring of behaviours is important to ensure there is not an increase in harmful forms of funding gambling activity.

NatCen Social Research have been commissioned to conduct a full evaluation of the ban on gambling with credit cards by Greo as part of their programme of work to strengthen evaluation of safer gambling initiatives. This is scheduled for completion in early 2023 and the Commission will use these findings, along with our continued monitoring, to inform future policy development.

Andrew Rhodes, Interim Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission said: “Protecting consumers is at the heart of everything we do, we introduced this policy as part of our multifaceted work to reduce gambling harm.

“The successful implementation of the ban across the industry and the impact on consumer behaviour and financial spend we have monitored so far is an encouraging sign that the ban has reduced consumer reliance on gambling with borrowed money. We look forward to NatCen’s report on the long-term impacts of the ban and how this can inform our future policies.”

Compliance Updates

Swintt secured ISO 27001: 2022 certification

Published

12 hours ago

February 3, 2025

George Miller

swintt-secured-iso-27001:-2022-certification

Reading Time: 2 minutes

In-demand software provider showcases its commitment to information security requirements by acquiring the industry’s gold standard for trust and compliance

Swintt, the innovative studio behind recent hits Wild Wild North and I Hate Fairytales, has announced it has obtained certification from the International Organization for Standardization confirming its information security meets international regulatory requirements.

Considered to be the gold standard for trust and compliance within the iGaming industry, being able to display ISO 27001: 2022 certification will come as a major milestone for Swintt and help the company further showcase its commitment to meeting the highest operational benchmarks.

With the ISO badge effectively providing a way for Swintt to prove that it adheres to globally accepted best practices when it comes to protecting both company and customer information, the provider is hopeful the new certification will open up doors and help it launch in new markets.

Essentially a must-have certification in a number of global jurisdictions, ISO 27001: 2022 outlines how businesses manage and secure sensitive information – including player details and financial transactions – to safeguard data protection and compliance with approved regulatory standards.

As such, the addition of ISO 27001: 2022 certification to Swintt’s already highly respected and award-winning product line-up should serve to further raise the brand’s credibility with new prospective partners, international regulators and the customers who ultimately enjoy its games.

David Mann, Chief Executive Officer at Swintt, said: “Acquiring ISO 27001: 2022 certification is definitely the gold standard for any operator or software provider looking to showcase its commitment to information security compliance and best practice, so I’m absolutely thrilled that Swintt will now be able to proudly display the organisation’s badge on our website and products.

“Given the importance that safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring your methods are up to recognised regulatory requirements has within the iGaming, I’m very optimistic that adding ISO certification to Swintt’s extensive list of accolades will open up many doors for us in the months to come, be it through creating new partnerships opportunities or helping us enter new markets.”

The post Swintt secured ISO 27001: 2022 certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Altenar

Altenar secures platform provider approval in Peru

Published

12 hours ago

February 3, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

altenar-secures-platform-provider-approval-in-peru

Leading sportsbook technology provider expands footprint in LatAm

Altenar, a leading sports betting and iGaming software provider, has been officially approved as a technological platform provider in Peru, following the country’s newly established online gambling.

A supreme decree published in October 2023 outlined the compliance requirements for iGaming operators, and Altenar acted swiftly to secure certification. As one of the first providers to submit its application, the company successfully met all regulatory standards, reinforcing its commitment to compliance and market expansion.

With Peru now added to Altenar’s growing list of regulated markets, the company continues to solidify its reputation as a trusted and adaptable sportsbook provider worldwide.

Marina Zacharopoulou, Compliance Manager at Altenar, said: “Achieving homologation in Peru is a testament to our team’s dedication and expertise in navigating regulatory landscapes.

“This milestone positions us for further growth across LatAm, ensuring operators in the region have access to a fully certified and high-performing sportsbook solution.”

Diego Salas, Sales Manager at Altenar, added: “Despite the recent challenges the regulation has brought for operators this approval allows us to support our partners in unlocking the full potential of this exciting market.

“We are excited to add Peru to the list of regulated countries we support, and we’re ready to keep empowering operators across LatAm”

The post Altenar secures platform provider approval in Peru appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

BetMGM LLC

PA Gaming Control Board Levies Fines Totaling $282,205

Published

12 hours ago

February 3, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

pa-gaming-control-board-levies-fines-totaling-$282,205

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (Board) approved three consent agreements presented by its Office of Enforcement Counsel (OEC) resulting in total fines of $282,205.

The largest of the fines is $260,905 and was assessed against Interactive Gaming Operator BetMGM LLC for 152 instances in which an individual on the Board’s Interactive Self-Exclusion List was permitted to gamble on their sites. Licensed operators of iGaming sites in Pennsylvania must deny individuals on the self-exclusion list from establishing or maintaining an interactive gaming site.

The Board additionally approved OEC recommendations resulting in fines to:

•Rush Street Gaming LLC, a $13,800 fine for failure to file a Principal License renewal application for its Chief Financial Officer; and,

•Stadium Casino Westmoreland RE LLC, operator of Live! Casino Pittsburgh, a $7500 fine for using revoked software within 11 of its slot machines.

Copies of any of the approved Consent Agreements containing additional details are available upon request through the Board’s Office of Communications.

The Board also took action to place, or deny removal, of four individuals from its casino Involuntary Exclusion list for leaving a minor or minors unattended while gambling in a Pennsylvania casino. Placed on the list were:

•A male patron who left a 12-year-old unattended in a vehicle in the parking lot at Live! Casino Philadelphia on two occasions the same day for a total of 20 minutes while he gambled at the sportsbook. The patron also was cited for cheating and trespass; and,

•A female patron who left a 12-year-old unattended in the bus lobby of Mount Airy Casino Resort for 26 minutes while she gambled on slot machines.

Denied their requested removal from earlier placement on the Involuntary Exclusion list were:

•A male who, in 2022, left five minors, ages 2,4, 5, 11, and 13 unattended in a vehicle in the parking lot of Presque Isle Downs & Casino for 35 minutes while he gambled at slot machines; and,

•A female who, in 2021, left her 14-month-old child unattended in a locked vehicle in the parking lot of Valley Forge Resort Casino on multiple occasions the same day for a total of 11 minutes with outside temperatures of 88 degrees while she gambled in the sportsbook.

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 compliment the efforts by casinos to mitigate this issue, the Board created an awareness campaign, “Don’t Gamble with Kids”.

In all, the Board placed 9 individuals onto its various Involuntary Exclusion Lists. These placements prohibit the 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. Since its inception, 1280 persons have been placed on the Casino Involuntary Exclusion List while 62 persons are on the iGaming Involuntary Exclusion List.

The Gaming Control Board is scheduled to meet next at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 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.

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