UK Gambling Harms Research Centre to assess efficacy of regulations 

Gambling Commission admits faults but backs credibility of Young People and Gambling Survey

France adds new obligations to sign off gambling ad campaigns 

German regulator calls for more black market scrutiny

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More protections are needed against the online black market, according to Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), Germany‘s gambling authority.

Together with representatives from the political, scientific and commercial fields, the authority participated in a series of discussions regarding online regulations during the Berlin Congress organised by the German gambling trade body DAW.

Ronald Benter
Ronald Benter, Chairman of the GGL, noted that the fight against the black market requires a wide range of instruments if effectiveness is to be achieved.

A particular development that Benter wants to see implemented as soon as possible is a new framework around the blocking of illegal gambling advertisements based on IP addresses.

Benter has sought developments on this particular front for a number of years now. Towards the end of 2023, it was announced that the government is intending to modify Germany’s Criminal Code by deleting Section 284 – previously allowing the GGL to fil..

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Connecticut government agency reminds public to use RG resources

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The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is reminding bettors ahead of March Madness of responsible gaming resources available across the state.

The DCP has teamed up with the state’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling to remind residents and visitors to only wager on licensed platforms and to review available RG resources.

“We know that March Madness can be an exciting time for those who participate in sports betting, but we want to encourage you to do so responsibly,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli. “Before you play, create a game plan. Set time and money limits, know your odds, use the necessary resources, and only engage with legal online platforms.”

The DCP takes steps to curb problem gambling by offering a public statewide portal.

The portal allows bettors to voluntarily exclude themselves from receiving direct marketing from licensed operators. The portal also aids in the exclusion from..

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Croatia readies new gambling regime to eradicate addiction

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The Republic of Croatia is set for a new era in terms of gambling framework as new measures are set to be implemented by the early stages of 2026.

Central to the new framework is strengthening the ability to eradicate addiction and socially irresponsible behaviours.

Parliament in Croatia has outlined new player protections, tightening rules on gambling venues and eliminating aggressive advertising as key measures to improve the country’s ecosystem.

Furthermore, in what would likely be an avenue to fuel the growth of the country’s economy, it has also been proposed that the country would increase gambling taxes.

It comes amidst promises from the government and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković to clean up the country’s gambling ecosystem and tighten the framework of the country’s gambling sector.

He is currently working in collaboration with the Croatian Institute of Public Health and professors from the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation, as he continues his third term as l..

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Germany to re-evaluate Google link as black market outsmarts enforcement efforts

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Germany’s Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) has called for more impactful measures to combat the black market following a review of its Google partnership.

Despite noting early success, including the removal of sponsored ads for unlicensed sites from Google’s search results, GGL CEO Ronald Benter acknowledged that more needs to be done as the black market implements increasingly sophisticated measures to bypass restrictions.

Following a ruling in 2024, the GGL legally requires Google to only show German consumers advertisements from licensed gambling providers.

Speaking at a recent industry conference hosted by Die Deutsche Automatenwirtschaft eV (DAW), Benter called for the introduction of advanced IP-blocking techniques to prevent access to unregulated sites.

Cloak and dagger

As with any new measure, the black market has sought out new ways to avoid detection and a growing threat to regulators in Germany is the use of a technique called cloaking.

The metho..

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Lucrative digital currency betting ring busted in Vietnam 

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A lucrative gambling ring in Vietnam, which enabled players to bet in digital currencies and stablecoins, has been unearthed by police.

Reported by VN Express, it was revealed that as a result of the $3.8bn gambling ring being uncovered, four siblings have been placed under arrest in the region – pending further investigations into the alleged crimes.

The ring allowed bettors to engage with the illegal market through ETH and Naga tokens, as well as the most popular global stablecoin by market cap, USDT.

Variety utilised within the currencies being offered underlines how widespread the operation is and the full spectrum of demographics that it caters to.

The usage of USDT also emphasises a desire to engage players that aren’t versed with the crypto space or shy away from the volatility, given USDT pegged against the US Dollar to provide stability associated with fiat currencies. Furthermore, it also raises questions being asked by leaders in global markets that have touted the po..

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VGW sweeps brands ordered out of Maryland by regulator

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Maryland’s gaming regulator has ordered sweepstakes operator Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) to exit the state as lawmakers consider the future of the vertical.

First reported by Forbes, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) told the Australian-based firm on March 12 that its sweepstakes casinos Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots are operating online gaming activities in the state “without the legal authority to do so”.

“The commission has no record of VGW being issued a sports wagering license, a casino gaming license, or registration as a fantasy competition operator,” said the regulator, which also stressed that only sports wagering and fantasy competition are permitted in Maryland.

VGW has been given until 27 March to leave the state. If the VGW believes it is operating the two brands lawfully, the MLGCA has stated it must provide “any legal analysis or opinion interpreting Maryland law that concludes, advises, or suggests that VGW may legally offer sports wagering,..

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Malawi regulators confirm punishments for enabling underage gambling

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Malawi’s gaming regulators have confirmed that operators facilitating underage gambling will be sanctioned with fines.

During a regulations sensitisation workshop in Mangochi, the Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA) announced that operators in the country will have to pay a $11,500 fine if a minor under the age of 18 is found to have used their platform.

Speaking on the new regulation, MAGLA Director General, Rachel Mijiga, emphasised the importance of protecting minors from the effects of gambling.

She said: “We must protect our youth from the serious social and psychological risks that gambling poses. That is why the new regulations are clear, anyone found entertaining children under the age of 18 to participate in gambling activities will face a fine of [$11,500].”

The tightening of restrictions in Malawi follows an increased focus on the country, and the wider African region, in recent times by global operators.

Earlier this year, 888Bets confirmed its expansion i..

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Rising illegal casino raids heighten Australia’s black market concerns

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Illegal casino raids are on the rise in Australia as the debate surrounding industry regulation rages on.

As reported by the Australian media group News Ltd, authorities raided five illegal casinos in Sydney last year, indicating the increasing threat of the black market. There has also been a stark increase in private poker games taking place across Sydney.

In one incident, police raided an unlicensed casino after a player contacted the police claiming he was being held hostage for outstanding debts. Upon arriving at the venue, the police discovered the casino was operating numerous gaming tables and had hostesses serving food to customers.

Tobacco wars

According to the reports, players are flocking to unlicensed venues in light of the increasing restrictions placed on the regulated market in Australia.

The news comes as one of Australia’s largest casino operators, The Star Entertainment Group, faces significant financial difficulty and talks of an international buyout.

The gr..

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European Court rules Lithuania’s new gambling policy is unenforceable 

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The European Court has stated that the widespread rule changes around gambling promotions looking to be implemented in Lithuania are unenforceable.

In what could prove to be a landmark ruling that sets a precedent across Europe, the courts sided with operator Unigames, which took issue with the notification that the government provided to the European Commission.

Unigames had previously been sanctioned over several breaches, which included a breach of Article 10(19), the encouragement of players to gamble on their site or at a remote location.

This sanction came in 2021 off the back of a rule amendment in Lithuania, which prohibited any encouragement for gambling within marketing content.

However, it was claimed that on the date of the order the breaches were still in place on the operator’s website, which caused the operator to be sanctioned with a €12,662 ($13,795) fine and removal of the infringement by no later than 20 June 2022.

However, the European Court ruled that the ..

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NCAA debuts Don’t Be a Loser video to hinder online abuse

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The NCAA is bolstering its sports betting education campaign ahead of March Madness.

The governing body of college sports has launched a new anti-harassment video before the start of the largest single-elimination amateur sports tournament in America. The NCAA has debuted its Don’t Be a Loser spot, which is aimed at preventing gambling-related abuse and harassment towards student-athletes. The TV spot is a part of the NCAA’s Draw the Line Campaign. The campaign debuted in 2024 and draws awareness of problem gambling while educating student-athletes and staff on the effects of sports betting.

“The horrific messages we are seeing across online platforms are absolutely unacceptable,” said NCAA President Charlie Baker. “Angry fans are sending numerous abusive messages and threats to student-athletes, publicly and privately, because of lost bets placed on the athlete’s performance in a game. These actions severely threaten student-athlete mental health and well-being, while harming the c..

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