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Disruption reigns in Thailand over casino bill progress 

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The scheduled debate in Parliament over the land-based casino bill in Thailand has suffered a delay.

First reported by Bloomberg, the bill has been placed on the back burner but not shelved, in spite of some key opposition from the public.

This was somewhat embodied by the gathering of protestors that took place outside parliament, with groups demanding the government U-turns on the bill and the legalisation of casinos in Thailand.

Nonetheless, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has assured stakeholders and media that there are currently no plans to withdraw the bill, however, the government is instead focusing on more critical issues including the recovery from the recent earthquake in the country.

The impact of Trump’s tariffs has also taken centre stage when it comes to the focus of the government as they continue to wreak turmoil on global markets.

Shinawatra reportedly emphasised that communications will be strengthened and consistent in a bid to ensure that citizens i..

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AGA launches new messaging programme around positive play

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The American Gaming Association (AGA) has introduced a new responsible gambling campaign, Play Smart from the Start, which it describes as a “research-backed messaging platform” designed to bolster the industry’s approach to responsible gaming and foster stronger connections between players and responsible play. Play Smart from the Start is shaped by in-depth research over the…

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iGaming Daily: Councils demand a local fix of the Gambling Review

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In the latest episode of iGaming Daily, brought to you by Optimove, the two Ted’s return return as Ted Menmuir and Ted Orme-Claye, explore the evolving landscape of the UK’s gambling review, focusing on the growing push from local councils for greater authority over gambling venues and advertising. The duo unpack the rising involvement of…

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iGaming Daily: Baltimore takes on DraftKings and FanDuel

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In this episode of iGaming Daily, Jessica Welman and Charlie Horner unpack the recent lawsuit filed by Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott against DraftKings and FanDuel. The duo dives into the heart of the allegations—claims that the operators are targeting vulnerable individuals with gambling problems—and explores the broader implications for the industry. From media scrutiny to…

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Stake set for another legal battle over sweepstake operations 

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Stake’s US operation has become the target of legal action over allegations that the operator is mirroring its real-money platform with a sweepstake site.

The case has come from a law firm with a strong track record when it comes to gambling operators, having previously had success in suing High 5’s social casino.

It centres around Brayden Urdan, from Illinois, who is alleging that the company is in breach of state laws with its workaround of gaming laws in the state.

One of the key elements of the case is the claim that both the sweepstake operation and the real-money operation of Stake both utilise the same promotional channels including the ambassadors they utilise, such as music legend Drake.

It forms a key part of Stake’s aggressive marketing campaign that it has undertaken on social media in the past year.

“The point of Stake’s aggressive sponsorship strategy is clear: by linking itself with globally admired celebrities and teams, Stake aims to normalise online gambling..

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Finnish debt survey should food for thought to gambling reform debate

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A Finnish law firm has informed the Helsinki Times that betting and gambling are the third biggest growth drivers of over-indebtedness among Finns.

Takaisinperintä, a law firm which specialises in serving financially vulnerable clients, told the outlet that it had conducted a survey of 765 heavily indebted people, asking them what they had taken out payday loans for.

A total of 28% of respondents said that they had taken out loans for betting and gaming, coming behind payments for clothing, accessories or electronics, with urgent household maintenance the most widely stated reason for taking out a short-term loan.

The findings come at a critical juncture for Finland’s gambling sector, which is in the process of being reformed from a monopoly system to a multi-licence mass market model. The government launched legislation to parliament earlier this year with the goal of creating a multi-licence market in 2026.

Food for Finnish thought
The recent findings may lead to further debate a..

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Ukraine elects top prosecutor Novikov to lead PlayCity agency

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The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has appointed Gennadiy Novikov as the Head of PlayCity, the newly established gambling authority of Ukraine.

Novikov’s appointment was confirmed to Ukrainian citizens via the government’s Telegram channel on 8 April.

The PlayCity agency was launched on 1 April with the mandate to “implement a new state policy in the field of organising and conducting gambling and lotteries.”

PlayCity will work under Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov to ensure that new laws protect Ukrainian gambling licences, consumers, and the regulatory regime from corruption.

In January, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued an executive order to liquidate KRAIL, Ukraine’s former state agency for gambling. KRAIL had come under scrutiny due to ongoing corruption cases, including allegations of money laundering and providing intelligence to associates of Russia.

Taking charge of PlayCity, Gennadiy Novikov previously served as Head Prosecutor at the National Agency for the P..

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How does Ontario tackle match-fixing and betting integrity?

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In an online betting market like Ontario’s, with billions of dollars wagered across more than 30 licensed sports betting platforms, how does the gaming regulator work to prevent match-fixing and protect sporting integrity?

Amid a backdrop of high-profile match-fixing cases in Canada and the U.S., not least then-Toronto Raptor Jontay Porter’s NBA ban for affecting his own performances to ensure bets cashed, the topic was discussed at the annual Council of Europe Macolin Community Conference last week.

Held in Gatineau, Queb., this year’s event had a distinctly Canadian flavour, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) was front and centre.

Several mechanics work on one engine
The AGCO spent great time consulting with various stakeholders before establishing its Registrar Standards for Internet Gaming, which came into effect when Ontario’s commercial online gaming market opened on April 4, 2022.

Doug Hood, the agency’s director of operational planning, priorities and p..

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Brazil fears Bets fallout with no specialised treatment of gambling disorders 

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Brazil’s ministers and senators have been warned of a ‘clear gap’ in dedicated facilities needed to treat gambling addiction and the mental health disorders associated with gambling.

The warning came from Dr Antônio Geraldo da Silva, the leading psychiatrist of the Brazilian Association of Psychiatry (ABP), in his testimony to the Commission of Inquiry on Online Gambling (CPI of Bets).

Led by Senator Soraya Thronicke (Podemos-MS), the inquiry continues its evaluation of the economic threats and financial liabilities of Brazil’s nascent online gambling market – launched on 1 January under the framework of the Bets Regime.

Beginning his testimony, Dr Silva stated that he would provide his evidence as a “medical doctor specialising in psychiatry for 38 years,” in which he believes that there are 20 factors that “must be recognised in the treatment of gambling disorders”.

In the context of Brazil, socio complexities of treating gambling addiction and mental health disorders arise from..

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Entain taking Austrac drug money allegations “extremely seriously” 

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Entain Plc’s Australian subsidiaries have been accused of significant compliance liabilities which have been abused to facilitate criminal activities and money laundering.

An Austrac report seen by the Australian Financial Review detailed failures which occurred at its Neds and Ladbrokes AUS brands, and the group’s subsequent exposure to money laundering liabilities and fraud by criminal accounts.

According to the report, Austrac alleged that the company fell way short in its AML procedures specifically around betting activity of players that had significant links to drug trafficking.

The Austrac allegations assert that Entain failed to take action in spite of knowing that the player in question was a wanted suspect when it came to the global drugs trade.

It’s alleged the company failed with its intervention process, even when the player had wagered in excess of $1 million over a year-long period.

Incidents between 2015 and 2022 saw Entain accused of elevating the risk and vuln..

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