Compliance Updates
The Finnish National Police Board issues prohibition orders and conditional fines of €25k to two Curaçao licenced gambling operators
Article written by Antti Koivula, consulting legal advisor at Legal Gaming
Two Curaçao based gambling operators, Nordic Tech Services N.V. and Viking Technology N.V. (“Companies”) had been aggressively marketing and selling their gambling products via phone for the Finnish customers, which attracted a lot of negative attention among the Finns. Multiple complaints were made for the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (“FCCA”) and for the National Police Board (“NPB”) starting from April 2020 and in September 2020 the NPB opened administrative proceedings against the Companies.
The NPB’s communication with the Companies was not fruitful with the Companies underlining the fact that none of their operations were performed from Finland and thus the NPB lacked authority. As the scope of the Finnish Lotteries Act covers foreign gambling operators to the extent their services are available in Finland, the NPB proceeded with the case. In the end of January 2022, the case had proceeded to the point in which the NPB issued prohibition orders and conditional fines for the Companies. There were slight delays with the delivery of the formal decisions and thus the prohibition orders entered into force only in May 2022.
The prohibition orders are in force for 12 months period renewable by a maximum 12 months per time. As the PSP-blocking system in Finland is starting in the beginning of 2023, this means that the Companies will be the first ones to be placed on the payment blocking list (“Blacklist”) if they remain uncompliant. As the NPB has currently several pending cases against MGA licenced operators, it remains to be seen who will be first ones to follow the Curaçao competitors to the Blacklist.
The NPB’s public statement is available in English at:
https://poliisi.fi/-/121lotto-ja-365lotto-lottoarvontojen-markkinointi-ja-myynti-kielletty-suomessa?languageId=en_US
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Compliance Updates
Vlad-Cristian Soare Appointed as the New President of Romania’s Gambling Authority (ONJN)
Mr. Vlad-Cristian Soare has been appointed as the new President of the National Office for Gambling (ONJN), replacing Mr. Gheorghe Gabriel Gheorghe, who stepped down from the position at his own request.
A lawyer by profession, Mr. Vlad-Cristian Soare has significant experience in the gambling sector, having served as the General Director of the Romanian National Lottery from 2021 to 2022. He has also held the position of President of FEDBET – the Federation of Gambling Organizers – since November 2022. In addition, Mr. Soare is a university lecturer at the University of Bucharest.
Given his extensive background in the gambling industry, it is expected that Mr. Soare will make impactful and beneficial decisions in his new role as President of ONJN.
The post Vlad-Cristian Soare Appointed as the New President of Romania’s Gambling Authority (ONJN) appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued cease-and-desist orders to 11 illegal online gambling operators found to be targeting Michigan residents without proper state authorization. These unlicensed casinos—some based offshore, others operating from undisclosed or domestic locations—pose serious risks to consumers by skirting Michigan’s regulated gaming laws.
The casinos named in the enforcement action include the following:
Club Player Casino
7 Bets Casino
NinBet Casino
Cherry Jackpot Casino
PitBet
SlotsNBets
Bookmaker.eu
Wild Vegas Casino
VIP Slots Casino
Prism Casino
ABC Islands Casino
“These sites are operating illegally and without proper oversight, putting Michigan players at risk. We’re committed to shutting down unlicensed gambling operations and protecting the public from deceptive practices, unfair play, and financial harm,” said Henry Williams, Executive Director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
The named operators have been found to accept wagers from Michigan residents via a range of payment methods—including credit cards, digital wallets, and cryptocurrencies. Players may be subjected to questionable practices, such as the withholding of winnings, unrealistic wagering requirements, and denial of withdrawals.
In addition to financial concerns, these illegal operators are not required to follow the same rigorous data protection standards that are mandated in Michigan’s regulated market. As a result, players’ personal and financial information may be highly vulnerable when shared with these unlicensed platforms, increasing the risk of data breaches, identity theft, and other cybercrimes.
The MGCB has formally notified all 11 operators to immediately stop offering gambling services to Michigan residents. They have been given 14 days to comply. Continued violations may result in further enforcement, including collaboration with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office to pursue legal action.
“This should serve as a strong warning to illegal operators: Michigan does not tolerate unauthorized gambling activity. We will continue our relentless pursuit of actively identifying and disrupting these operations,” Williams said.
“We want every patron in Michigan to have access to a fair and secure gambling experience. By eliminating illegal operators, we’re helping ensure the public can enjoy gaming without fear of fraud or abuse,” Williams added.
The post MGCB Targets 11 Illegal Online Casinos Operating Without Licenses appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The award-winning crash game Aviatrix has received certification for Brazil’s online gaming market, ensuring full compliance in the market.
Aviatrix has been granted full Federal Certification to offer its games via licensed operators in the country. Meanwhile, Aviatrix has also acquired a dedicated certification for the state of Paraná.
This means Brazilian players can now enjoy the most innovative crash game on the market – one that has already gained a loyal following across Latin America.
Anastasia Rimskaya, Chief Account Officer at Aviatrix, said: “This is a huge milestone for Aviatrix. Brazil is one of the most exciting, newly-regulated markets in the world. There is massive demand for high-quality content, and that’s why we know Aviatrix is going to thrive. We’re looking forward to bringing the game to the country via some world-class partners. Get ready for takeoff.”
Aviatrix has been rapidly expanding in Latin America over recent months, including in Peru and Colombia.
The company was also named ‘Rising Star in Casino’ at last year’s SBC Awards Latinoamérica.
The post Aviatrix receives certifications in Brazil appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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