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 

Borgata Casino fined for underpaying NJ taxes for second time in 18 months

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Borgata Casino has received a fine from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement for overstating its online casino promotional credits by over $4.5m.

The DGE explained that incorrect reporting between October 2023 and May 2024 overstated the operator’s igaming promo credits by $4,564,515, resulting in an underpayment of gross revenue taxes.

According to the Garden State regulator, Borgata underpaid its gross revenue taxes by $365,161 on its June 2024 tax filing. The BetMGM partner has agreed to pay a $75,000 fine.

Interim Director at the DGE, Mary Jo Flaherty, issued a letter to Borgata SVP and Legal Counsel Patrick Madamba, writing that the regulator had identified an error on the BetMGM igaming platform reports, which was submitted by Borgata between October 2023 and May 2024.

This is the second New Jersey tax underpayment from Bogata in 18 months, Flaherty pointed out. The casino operator was found in March 2023 to have overstated its igaming promo credits by nearly $10m..

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PlayUp Interactive receives record $586,000 fine from NSW regulator

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PlayUp Interactive has been sanctioned with a record $586,000 fine from the New South Wales gambling regulator for “offering free bets and inducing people to gamble”.

According to a statement on the Liquor & Gaming NSW website, the regulator investigated the operator, which trades as Draftstars, after discovering 33 illegal advertisements on its website.

In Downing Centre Local Court on 12 August, PlayUp was found guilty “on all 33 counts of publishing advertisements which included inducements to participate, or to participate frequently, in gambling activity – as well as an inducement to open a betting account”, an offence in the Australian state.

Liquor & Gaming NSW noted that in the state, it is “prohibited to offer any inducements to open betting accounts, refer friends to open betting accounts, keep a betting account open or consent to receive gambling advertising” and a “maximum penalty of $110,000 applies to any corporation and $11,000 for individuals who publish prohibited g..

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Czech Customs faces scrutiny on illegal gambling exposure

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The government of the Czech Republic has been urged to clarify its figures related to the exposure of national consumers to black market gambling activities.

This demand is led by the trade group and policy reformists, the Institute for the Regulation of Gambling (IPRH), who highlight glaring discrepancies in gambling-related data published by the Czech government.

The IPRH has questioned the latest figures provided by CELNI SPRAVA, the General Directorate of Customs responsible for monitoring Czech gambling activities.

The customs agency stands by its assessment that illegal gambling represents “5% of total wagering volume,” reported to be CZK 54bn (€2.1bn) in 2022.

However, the IPRH questions how Czech Customs could arrive at such a low figure, as the agency battles to shut down illegal gambling venues. Over the past six years, the Customs Administration has uncovered almost 1,300 illegal brick-and-mortar casinos.

Additionally, market data reveals that the number of legal Czech ..

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Public health concerns raised over Finland’s new gambling regime

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Fears have been raised by Finland’s Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) over the government’s plan for a new gambling regime.

The Ministry of the Interior previously pursued responses from various government agencies and departments on a proposal to Finland’s gambling system by 2027.

It comes as part of the 2026 roadmap to end the monopoly held on both land-based and online gaming in Finland by state-owned Veikkaus Oy company. The government aims to open up the online gambling market to competition in 2027, a process supported by Vekkaus.

It’s a modernisation that has been boosted by reformists, with the case being made that Finnish authorities can’t control how much consumers engage with unlicensed online gambling sites.

However, THL, the leading research agency on public health and welfare under the Ministry of Social Affairs, has doubts about the proposed policy.

The agency has urged the government to take note of the impact of the introduction of a competitive licensing fr..

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Finland warned against Veikkaus overhaul by Public Health advisor

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Finland’s Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) has expressed doubts about the government’s overriding ambitions to launch a new gambling regime.

In July, the Ministry of the Interior opened a consultation seeking feedback from government agencies and departments on Finland launching a modern gambling regime in 2027.

The timeframe of 2024-to-2026 will see state-owned gambling group Veikkaus Oy end its monopoly on Finnish gambling activities for land-based and online gambling.

In 2027, the government of Finland aims to relaunch its gambling regime, opening up the online gambling market to competition by ending monopoly arrangements of Veikkaus.

Reformists back plans for a regime change, as Finnish authorities state that they cannot control consumers’ engagement with unlicensed online gambling websites. Reports detail that Finnish adults are wagering more than €500 million each year on unlicensed websites.

THL, which serves as the principal research agency on Finland’s public health..

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Betway becomes official betting partner of Nottingham Forest

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Betway has expanded its partner portfolio with the addition of Nottingham Forest, signing a long-term deal with the Premier League club to become its official betting partner.

Through the agreement, Betway’s logo will be featured on LED advertising boards around the football club’s stadium, the City Ground, on all Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup matchdays.

Alongside branding rights, the deal also includes a range of benefits to engage new and existing customers, including tickets, merchandise and ‘play on the pitch’ opportunities.

Neal Menashe, CEO of Super Group, the parent company of Betway, commented: “We’re thrilled to embark on this partnership with Nottingham Forest, a club with a rich history and a passionate fanbase.

“Betway’s customers love football, especially the Premier League, and we leverage partnerships like this to reward them with exclusive opportunities and content.”

Betway will also work closely with Nottingham Forest to provide training and initiatives..

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KSA outlines technical criteria for new KOA deposit limits

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Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Netherlands Gambling Authority, has specified all technical requirements related to the new protective measures that will be adopted by the Remote Gambling Act (KOA Act) starting from October 1.

As sanctioned by the Kamer, from October 1, all KOA licensees must incorporate the measures of a ‘new protective scheme,’ with the primary aim of reducing compulsive gambling by Dutch consumers.

The headline measures will see Dutch online gambling operators impose mandatory checks on monthly deposit limits of €350 on player accounts for individuals over the age of 25. For player accounts under 25, operators must ensure customer checks on deposit limits of €150 per month.

The scheme will impose a maximum deposit threshold of €700 on player accounts for those over the age of 25, while a €300 deposit limit will be applied to player accounts under 25.

To ensure that licensees adopt the upcoming measures correctly, KSA has published a specific webpage answering, “Fr..

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Argentine Ombudsman pushes for Federal Ban on Gambling Advertising

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The National Congress of Argentina is set to review a federal project aimed at restricting gambling advertising across all 23 provinces.

Defensoria del Pueblo y la Nacion, Argentina’s independent ombudsman, has submitted this draft proposal. The project responds to growing concerns from provincial governments and authorities about the widespread exposure to gambling ads on national media and online platforms.

The Argentine government is particularly worried about the rise in under-age gambling since the COVID-19 pandemic and has called on local authorities to address the issue urgently.

In 2020, the government revised its statute, allowing provinces to establish their own gambling regulations. Since then, new gambling regimes have been launched in Buenos Aires, the City of Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Córdoba.

Defensoria’s federal project aims to enforce strict regulations on gambling advertisements nationwide. It includes a total ban on advertising across all media, including digita..

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SOFTSWISS ‘encouraged’ by Brazil’s gambling regulation direction

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SOFTSWISS is “encouraged” by Brazil’s gambling regulation direction as its casino platform and sportsbook undergo the certification process to enter the market, which is being conducted by an authorised testing laboratory.

Last year, the igaming technology provider obtained GLI-19 and GLI-33 certifications to give it a solid foundation to meet Brazil’s regulatory requirements.

However, since the Brazilian government has set out specific standards, SOFTSWISS consulted certified laboratories to identify key areas, including player registration, Know Your Customer protocols and responsible gambling practices.

“We view Brazil as a highly promising region and are encouraged by the progress in local regulation as well as by the proactive efforts of local authorities to refine and enhance the existing legal framework,” Andrey Starovoitov, Co-CEO at SOFTSWISS.

Regarding registration, players must provide a CPF number (Brazilian Individual Taxpayer Registry Number), which is verified by a ..

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