Compliance Updates
EGBA Urges Finland to Fix its Gambling Policy
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has urged the Finnish government to “fix” its gambling policy by bringing an end to Veikkaus’ monopoly in the country. EGBA pointed out Finland is the only European Union member state that still maintains a gambling monopoly.
“Yet these days you are more likely to hear criticisms of Veikkaus and its prevalence across Finnish society,” Maarten Haijer, secretary-general of EGBA, said.
Haijer said its slot network was so large that for every one ATM in the country, there were ten slot machines, something Veikkaus is looking to address by taking 8000 machines out of service by the end of the year.
However, this is accompanied by public opinion shifting in favour of an end to the monopoly, as evidenced by a widely circulated 2019 survey from affiliate Kasino Curt.
This growing demand for alternative forms of gambling, Haijer explained, was largely down to the fact it is simply impossible to enforce a monopoly system online.
“This means that more choice or alternatives to Veikkaus can easily found on the internet with international betting websites. A recent survey showed that last year 16.4% of Finland’s online gambling revenue, equivalent to €105m in taxable revenue, was spent by Finns on international betting websites which pay their taxes elsewhere,” he said.
These sites, he said, offer better returns, higher winnings and a wider selection of products.
“Replacing the monopoly with an open-licensing system is not about getting more people in Finland to gamble, nor is it about killing off Veikkaus,” he said. “Rather, it is the sensible way to meet the demands of those Finnish gamblers who seek an alternative to the monopoly and currently gamble on international gambling websites – and to regulate and tax this activity.
“Introducing open-licensing for online gambling is not revolutionary, it is evolutionary, and will ensure that most Finns gamble in a regulated and protected environment. But adapted to the realities of our times.
“All other EU countries have already done this, it makes sense, and it’s time for Finland to do the same.”
Powered by WPeMatico
AGLC
High 5 Games wins AGLC supplier approval ahead of Alberta iGaming launch
The supplier can now distribute its online casino titles beyond Play Alberta to all licensed operators in the province.
High 5 Games has secured supplier approval from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), allowing the studio to supply its online casino content to all licensed operators in Alberta’s newly opened commercial iGaming market.
The company has been live in the province since 2024 via Play Alberta, the government-operated platform, where it said titles including DaVinci DeluxeWays, Billionaire’s Bank and Green Machine have become player favourites. With the commercial market now open, High 5 Games said the same portfolio can be offered across operators entering Alberta.
Alberta’s commercial iGaming market is set to open on July 13, 2026, becoming Canada’s second province after Ontario to allow private-sector operators. The market is overseen by AGLC and the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) and launched with nearly 50 registered operator brands, according to the company.
“Alberta players already know and love our games through Play Alberta, that is a head start no newcomer to this market can claim. With the open market live, every operator in the province can now offer their players the award winning High 5 titles they have been playing for years, from day one.” says Tony Singer, CEO at High 5 Games.
High 5 Games said the AGLC approval expands its regulated North American footprint, which it listed as including New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, West Virginia, Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. The company said it has developed more than 300 games over three decades.
The post High 5 Games wins AGLC supplier approval ahead of Alberta iGaming launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Betting and Gaming Council
BGC Responds to Gambling Commission’s Announcement on FRAs
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has responded to the UK Gambling Commission’s decision to introduce Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) in stages.
Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said:
“We are deeply disappointed and frustrated that the Gambling Commission has decided to press ahead with Financial Risk Assessments despite the significant concerns raised over the last 18 months by the BGC, operators, racing, parliamentarians and customers.
“The fact that the Gambling Commission has delayed implementation, raised thresholds and abandoned its original timetable is a clear recognition that the concerns raised by the BGC and others were well founded. Unfortunately, the central issues around reliability, consumer impact and the practical operation of these checks remain unresolved.
“The Commission has failed to address the fundamental issues identified during its own pilot. It has not demonstrated that the data underpinning these checks is accurate, reliable or consistent enough to support regulatory decisions affecting customers.
“The pilot exposed inconsistencies in the information returned by credit reference agencies, with the same customer potentially receiving different outcomes depending on the provider. Customers risk being wrongly identified as financially vulnerable based on a system that remains unproven. That is not a sound basis for regulatory intervention.
“The Commission has yet to publish a full evaluation of the pilot, so neither the industry nor the public has seen the evidence needed to justify introducing these checks.
“These checks cannot be described as genuinely frictionless if they produce unreliable outcomes, lead to unnecessary account restrictions or ultimately result in customers being asked to provide documents or open banking information.
“While the Commission has announced implementation groups, it has given no indication that they will resolve the outstanding questions around reliability, consumer impact and how the system will operate in practice.
“We support evidence-led, proportionate regulation that protects vulnerable people while allowing the 22.5 million adults in Britain who bet each month to do so safely. But until the Commission can demonstrate these checks are accurate, consistent and genuinely frictionless, our fundamental concerns remain, including the risk of driving customers towards the growing illegal gambling market.”
The post BGC Responds to Gambling Commission’s Announcement on FRAs appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
GRAI Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Danish Gambling Authority
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Danish Gambling Authority, further strengthening collaboration between European gambling regulators.
The MOU reflects a continued commitment to closer cooperation on compliance, monitoring, and enforcement. It is designed to support more effective information sharing and coordination between jurisdictions that oversee many of the same operators and market practices.
A recent meeting between CEO of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, Anne Marie Caulfield, and Director General of the Danish Gambling Authority, Anders Dorph, provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on key regulatory challenges and to align approaches where possible, especially in a digital-first age where gambling regulation increasingly requires coordinated European responses to address cross-border risks.
Welcoming the agreement, CEO of the GRAI, Anne Marie Caulfield, said: “This Memorandum of Understanding with the Danish Gambling Authority is another vital milestone in strengthening cooperation between regulators operating in closely connected markets.
“Continued dialogue and collaboration between Ireland and Denmark will support more effective oversight and regulation, and we see this agreement as part of our continued efforts to deepen cooperation with regulatory partners across Europe.”
The post GRAI Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Danish Gambling Authority appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Austria7 days agoAustrian Brand Value Study: NOVOMATIC Defends Top Ranking
-
Affiliate Industry7 days agoHub Affiliations Triumphs at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2026: Winner of Programme/Network Campaign of the Year
-
Latest News7 days agoN1 Partners at iGB L!VE 2026: Bringing Together Affiliates, Art and Innovation
-
Africa7 days agoPopOK Gaming sponsors Botswana’s TT Cup Challenge horse racing event
-
Betsson CEO Pontus Lindwall7 days agoGaming in the Nordics launch event sets annual Copenhagen conference from 2027
-
Amusnet7 days agoAmusnet Releases its Latest Video Slot “Golden Snake”
-
Azerbaijani Parliament7 days agoAzerbaijan to Impose Tougher Penalties for Illegal Online Gambling
-
Amusnet7 days agoWeekend Reels | Week 27: Slot Drops & Trends



