In this episode of the iGaming Daily, supported by Optimove, James Ross, SBC’s Multimedia Editor, and Ted Menmuir, SBC’s Content Director, focus on the introduction of the Statutory Levy on research, education, and treatment for problem gambling and new online stake limits. They explore the implications of the changes for operators, the role of…
MGM Resorts International and BetMGM have expanded their responsible gambling initiatives with an emphasis on providing critical resources, advancing research efforts, and strengthening supports for problem gamblers. BetMGM is expanding its Kindbridge Behavioural Health referral program across the U.S. with the aim of ensuring players in all of the brand’s markets have direct access to mental health services. It already offered that resource…
Superbet Brazil CEO Alex Fonseca sat onstage at SBC Summit Rio this week and told us that the illegal sector is growing in Brazil – just two months into the newly-launched regulated market. Meanwhile in the Netherlands, Regulus Partners reports channelisation is down to just 50% after one of the most aggressive regulatory pushes the…
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) is the latest Canadian gaming stakeholder to warn the public about fraudulent advertising using the names and likenesses of licensed casinos.
In a statement to the public on Feb. 24, BCLC warned that “predatory” and “sophisticated” social media scams are imitating BCLC’s casinos in the province and tricking people into providing financial details on fake websites.
The lottery corporation said the “highly deceptive” schemes post on social media platforms using logos, names and photographs of B.C. casinos. In some cases, the ads purport to offer players exclusive bonuses and promotions when someone registers with their website or mobile app.
“BCLC warns that none of these sites are associated with casinos in B.C. or BCLC,” said the provincial operator’s notice.
BCLC’s PlayNow is the only recognized and regulated online gaming and betting platform in the province. BCLC has a range of official apps, including PlayNow Sportsbook BC, BCLC L..
The Curacao Gaming Association (CGA) is seeking to strengthen player protection, social responsibility measures and regulatory compliance as it moves forward with the implementation of a new framework.
The introduction of the new Landsverordening op de Kansspelen (LOK) law, is set to implement a myriad of minimum requirements for operators around player verification and safety.
Whilst the minimum requirements are essential for operators in the market, the CGA has also emphasised its desire to see operators exceeding these protocols.
These checks include age verification, player self-assessments, deposit limits and additional training for marketing partners and affiliates.
Whilst there is a lack of definition around the levels of training that is required for each member of staff, the framework details that staff should be able to handle player interactions professionally and effectively.
Furthermore, it also emphasises the importance of staff being able to recognise the signs..
Whilst there was encouragement at the steps being taken by the Curacao Gaming Authority, one area of concern remains around the Alternative Dispute Resolution practices currently being implemented as part of the framework.
Head of ADR Services at CasinoReviews.com, Duncan Garvie, warned that the current framework will “bake into the system an industry-centric bias to the management of complaints”.
He alerted that this was one of a number of technical issues within the ADR policy being proposed in the new framework, with it requiring a redrafting before implementation.
Garvie revealed that in terms of improvements, the most dramatic issue that he would highlight would be reporting requirements, which will see the regulator inundated with paperwork that it cannot reasonably expect to do anything with.
He added: “ADR accreditation standards effectively guarantee that every ADR will be overseen by a lawyer who has a background working for Curacao gambling operators. The latter of the..
Baroness Twycross confirmed that regulatory changes in the UK will be implemented in April, with the first RET levy payment from operators due on 1 October.
Baroness Twycross gave her speech at the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) 2025 AGM, as safer gambling in the UK prepares to enter a new era.
She said: “I am sure many of you will have followed the progress of the statutory gambling levy in Parliament over the last few weeks. The legislation has been affirmed by both Houses and became law on Tuesday this week. It will come into force on 6 April, and operators will be required to make their first levy payments by 1 October.
“We are working at pace with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, NHS England, UK Research and Innovation, and partners in Scotland and Wales, to build robust foundations for the future system. It is crucial we put the right commissioning, accountability, and governance arrangements in place.”
The new system has guaranteed £100m+ in funding for..
A new study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) concluded there has been a steady rise in people seeking help for sports betting and gambling addiction.
The study analyzed Google searches per 10 million queries that mentioned gambling and addiction and other related terms made from Jan. 1, 2016, through June 30, 2024.
The report, led by researchers from the University of California San Diego and published Feb. 17, found that since the repeal of PASPA in 2018 and the legal sports betting market growing from only Nevada to encompass 38 states by 2024, online searches for help with gambling addiction have increased 23% across the U.S.
The study found there were approximately 6.5 to 7.3 million such searches, with a peak of 180,000 monthly searches.
Online sportsbooks much greater concern than retail, say authors
Breaking it down state-by-state, the data showed that Ohio (67%), Pennsylvania (50%), Massachusetts (47%), Michigan (37%), New York (37%), Il..
Lawmakers in Iowa are introducing a measure aimed at cracking down on sportsbook account sharing and proxy wagering across the state.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety has proposed Senate Study Bill 1097 as a measure aimed at protecting the public from deceptive practices by considering account sharing and proxy betting as illegal gaming. SSB 1097 proposes an amendment to Iowa’s gambling games and sports wagering rules to include definitions of account sharing and proxy betting. Patrons who have violated state rules by meeting the standards of account sharing and proxy betting are in violation of Iowa law and are subject to criminal penalties.
SSB 1097 aims to provide law enforcement with the proper authority to penalize account sharing and proxy betting by providing a clear definition. Iowa’s current gaming rules do not include any mention of account sharing or proxy wagering providing no pathway for law enforcement to charge patrons who have violated the state’s existing rules o..
Another college basketball program is embroiled in controversy related to sports betting.
According to an ESPN report, the Fresno State men’s basketball program is under investigation by the NCAA and university over alleged illicit betting activity. The investigation has led to the indefinite suspension of two Fresno State players, Jalen Weaver and Zaon Collins. The two athletes are “being withheld from competition as the University reviews an eligibility matter,” according to a statement from Fresno State.
The school and NCAA are also investigating Mykell Robinson, who is no longer a member of the basketball program after transferring from North Texas and two junior colleges.
According to ABC30 Action News, Robinson and Weaver allegedly wagered against the performance of Fresno State’s men’s basketball program for points and rebounds.
As a result of Weaver’s alleged wagering on his own team, the senior from Colorado is expected to be dismissed from the team but remains on the team..