FRA reaction: Gambling Commission slammed by figures in and out of the industry

Safe Bet Show: Brandt Iden, VP of Government Affairs, Fanatics Betting & Gaming

In depth: Is it time for Canadian gaming to ban credit cards?

NCAA shimmies back and forth on betting proposal

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The NCAA’s approach to sports betting in 2025 was indicative of the dynamic nature of the gaming industry, with a proposed rule change to the organization’s gambling policy that would eventually dissolve.

Back in June, the NCAA’s Division I Council introduced a proposal to amend the organization’s bylaws to allow wagering on professional sports by student-athletes, coaches and staff. The NCAA’s previous stance toward gambling prohibited sports wagering by all players, coaches and team officials on events sponsored by the NCAA. The NCAA considered pro sports betting while maintaining its ban on college sports wagering.

The idea of the NCAA shifting gears regarding its stance toward pro sports wagering came as a surprise as a former student-athlete who has seen the NCAA move slowly on making major changes, which was evident in the organization’s reluctance to allow student-athletes to monetize their name, image and likeness. The DI Council’s proposal to allow pro sports wagering showca..

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Will sportsbooks limit their betting options in 2026?

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With scandals aplenty and a growing list of athletes proven to have manipulated athletic betting markets, the pressure on sportsbooks, regulators and lawmakers to rethink what kind of bets are on offer is at an all-time high. But this is far from the first incident of a post-PASPA betting scandal and, to date, not much has changed.

Is 2026 the year that sportsbooks stop bending and break when it comes to micromarkets in in-game betting or limits on collegiate athletic prop bets? The SBC Americas editorial team each weigh in with their predictions.

Tom Nightingale: At least one state bans props

I expect at least one state governor will find themselves looking at a bill to ban all prop betting in 2026. State regulators will certainly start 2026 thinking long and hard about what is the right thing to do. State legislatures repealing sports betting entirely is a remarkable thought and surely a measure too far, but even the fact we’re talking about states possibly talking about it is a ..

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New Jersey approves on-campus compulsive gambling education bill

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Both chambers of the New Jersey legislature unanimously approved a bill that would require higher education institutions to provide resources and education on preventing problem gambling on an ongoing basis.

Assembly Bill A1715 mandates that state universities, colleges and community colleges must host the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) on campus a minimum of once per semester. The CCGNJ, which is the non-profit organization that runs the national 1-800-GAMBLER hotline, would provide on-campus information and resources including information regarding the potential risks associated with gambling, compulsive gambling counseling services and options for gambling self-exclusion programs.

The bill, which is a carryover from 2023, was approved 77-0 in the Assembly in March and 38-0 in the Senate on Dec. 18. As no amendments were made in the Senate, it will be sent to Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk for signature. If that happens, it would become effective immediately.

A pivo..

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Report: NBA proposes policy changes amid latest gambling scandal

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The NBA is responding to recent allegations of current and former players tied to illegal gambling schemes by proposing and implementing policy changes for the entire league.

According to ESPN, the NBA reportedly sent a memo to all 30 NBA franchises, proposing and implementing changes to the league’s injury reporting process, player prop markets and “tanking” rules, which refers to teams deliberately losing games for a chance at higher draft picks. The NBA seeks changes to its gambling policy after the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones. The NBA personnel were arrested after investigations into alleged illegal sports betting and the operation of Mafia-backed, rigged poker games.

Billups, a five-time NBA All-Star, was arrested for his supposed involvement in the illegal poker operation allegedly backed by the Italian Mafia, while Rozier allegedly provided insider information to c..

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Senate confirms crypto expert Michael Selig as next CFTC chairman

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The selection process for a new chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has finally come to a close after nearly a year of hearings and nomination changes.

The Senate confirmed crypto expert Michael Selig as CFTC Chairman, ending an arduous selection process by a 53-43 vote. His confirmation was part of a batch vote that confirmed 97 nominations with a single action. Selig, who has served as chief counsel for the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, was nominated by Trump behind his experience in finance and crypto.

“I look forward to working with Chairman Selig to ensure the CFTC offers clear and pragmatic regulation of risk management markets, and particularly as Congress considers legislation to expand its authority related to digital commodities,” said Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman.

Selig joins the CFTC as chairman after previously working at the commission for the office of former commissioner J. Christopher Giancarlo. Selig..

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Massachusetts keeps moving towards rules on limiting bettors

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Massachusetts‘ gambling regulator has proposed a new regulation that would make the state the first in the U.S. to require sportsbooks to inform their users when and why their betting activity has been limited.

At a meeting on Thursday, Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) Deputy General Counsel Justin Stempeck presented commissioners with two options for the language of a new rule aimed at changing how sports betting operators approaching limiting players. Commissioners voted 5-0 in favor of putting forth a proposal that, if ultimately approved and enacted, would require legal sports betting operators to notify players that their activity has been limited, and explain why.

The proposed change will be opened up for public comment and hear from operators, other stakeholders and the public on the proposal. After feedback is reviewed and potentially incorporated, a formal commission vote would be required to officially adopt it.

“We are the first jurisdiction to take up this issue,” ..

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NCAA condemns Kalshi for readying transfer portal contracts

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NCAA President and CEO Charlie Baker said that Kalshi’s apparent intent to offer sports event contracts on which college athletes will enter or withdraw from the transfer portal is “absolutely unacceptable.”

Kalshi filed for self-certification of the transfer portal contracts, as well as markets on whether a player will transfer to a team within a certain time period, to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on Tuesday, as first reported by InGame.

The filings stated that the contracts, which would be settled based on “public announcements”, including players’ social media and other channels, would initially be listed on Dec. 17.

A surefire route to integrity issues

Baker responded to the news on Thursday with a strongly worded statement on social media site X.

“The NCAA vehemently opposes college sports prediction markets,” Baker wrote. “It is already bad enough that student-athletes face harassment and abuse for lost bets on game performance, and now Kalshi wants to of..

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Uruguay told to embrace $600m investment of new gambling regime  

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Uruguay could regulate a new gambling regime generating 20,000 new jobs and an estimated $600m in economic investments.

The figures are presented as the first estimates of the newly created Chamber for Casino Services Operators and Investors. Formed this December, the Chamber has been established as an “industry group” providing advice to the Frente Amplio (FA) government, in gambling policies that will generate job creation, economic investment and consumer safety.

The reorganisation of Uruguay’s gambling regime has been pledged by President Yamandú Orsi as a mandate of the FA party. President Oris seeks to create a “unified law” for all gambling activities that have been fractiously governed by the laws of the Casinos Act, Uruguay Tourism and the Digital Transformation Act of 2017.

As detailed by SBC Noticias The Chamber brings together Uruguay’s key concession-holders, including “Grupo Codere; Baluma S.A. (Enjoy Punta del Este); Compañía Rioplatense de Hoteles (Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza); Manteo S.A. (Hotel Casino Rivera); Naranpark S.A. (Salto Hotel Casino); and Mirador Campero S.A. (Hotel Santa Cristina).”

Speaking to local media, Luis Gama Hernández, former Director of the National Directorate of Lotteries and Quinielas (DNLQ) and now Executive Secretary of CUOASEC, said the Chamber’s creation reflected “the need for a collective and technically consistent dialogue with the State” as Uruguay prepares for a fundamental rewrite of its gambling laws.

“This is a chance for Uruguay to create a clear, balanced and sustainable model that reflects the market realities of today,” Gama said.

“Our industry generates thousands of formal jobs and remains one of the strongest drivers of regional tourism. What we need now is a regulatory framework that encourages investment and ensures regulation keeps pace with innovation.”

A chamber has been formed to examine all adult gambling disciplines including online gambling, casino operations, bingo, arcades, and slot machines (no lotteries of quinelas), but cannot submit any legislative policies.

The group’s first economic appraisal highlighted Uruguay (population of 3.4 million) and its appeal as a tourist destination for negibouring countries, especially in the Punta del Este province. Furthermore despite its fragmented laws Uruguay has built a well-established network of licensed casinos resorts offering safe and high-quality gaming environments.

While the working group opted not to address taxation policy, it did emphasise the need to urgently update criminal and enforcement laws, warning that outdated penalties were “favouring the expansion of illegal gambling and creating competitive imbalances that penalise compliant operators.”

The General Assembly has now begun reviewing the first round of reform proposals, though initial submissions have been described as vague and limited in scope.

One formal Bill has been submitted by Senator Felipe Carballo, proposing a state-run online gaming platform to be operated directly by the National Directorate of Lotteries and Quinielas (DNLQ), allowing only restricted private-sector involvement through mixed-licence arrangements.

President Orsi and FA officials told media that they were underwhelmed by the proposal, which does not fulfill the goals to maximise

Industry leaders, however, have called for a more transparent and investment-friendly model, arguing that Uruguay’s success will depend on clarity, modernisation, and a level playing field for regulated operators.

As Gama concluded:“Uruguay’s legal architecture belongs to another era. Reform cannot be partial — it must be comprehensive and future-ready if we are to protect players, grow responsibly, and compete on a global scale.”

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CasinoGuru – Šimon Vincze: reflecting on 2025’s player protection evolution 

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In his latest piece for iGaming Expert, Šimon Vincze, Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling at CasinoGuru, reflects on a significant year when it comes to changes in player protection strategies and frameworks.

December provides us with a time to review and reflect on the past year. Instead of the traditional storytelling at the start of my column, I have decided to get straight to the point and summarise the past year’s happenings, initiatives, and projects in the player protection sector through my lens.

Perhaps one thing to acknowledge is that I am undoubtedly biased, and the list below naturally includes projects I have worked on. Although I do my best to stay informed about what is happening around the world, I inevitably miss some excellent work that people are doing. Please don’t take offence; I am simply sharing what caught my attention and resonated with me.

First Quarter

The year has started on a high note for the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organisation (IPGGC), which has finalised its rebrand and become a full charity. It is a unique organisation that provides certifications to professionals involved in player protection. The initial focus on counsellors and treatment providers is now expanding to other roles and includes video gaming. Furthermore, IPGGC has begun its journey toward international expansion to raise standards and reduce harm from problem gambling and gaming globally.

Switching to a very different but important topic, the Netherlands set significant deposit limits that took effect by the end of 2024. Although the regulator reported in early 2025 that overall player spending had decreased, Casino Guru’s analysis of Google search data shows a sharp rise in searches for illegal brands. Later channelisation reports have demonstrated a substantial increase in offshore gambling, too. It serves as a vital reminder that well-intentioned regulation can produce unintended consequences.

Second Quarter

The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) has been frequently in the limelight this year. In late 2024, they submitted a proposal to establish an independent self-exclusion register to support a comprehensive system across its members. Just two months ago, Lexis Nexis was announced as the chosen company to develop a “multi-state self-exclusion list across all the Association’s members.”

Interestingly, an earlier initiative by IdPair created the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Programme, which unites self-exclusion registers and operators across US states. If both projects continue to expand, we will ultimately have at least two larger self-exclusion registers in the United States.

Remaining in the US, a notable project is the AI Research Hub at the UNLV International Gaming Institute. Established during the height of spring, the so-called AiR Hub is an interdisciplinary initiative exploring the impact, risks, and opportunities of AI in the gambling industry. Their focus on benchmarking AI-enabled player risk-detection models is particularly compelling, as it will enable objective measurement and evaluation.

Third Quarter

In July, GambleAware announced its planned shutdown. Although this is part of the lengthy transition to a Statutory Levy, it still unsettled me. Amid the uncertainty and heated debate over the new system, it felt like a symbol was collapsing. The new Levy will definitely be implemented in April 2026, but its impact on the UK support sector has already been looming throughout the year. The recent announcement of a surge in gambling tax threatens the future of one of the largest gambling markets.

This year was transformative for the free and anonymous gambling-blocking app, BetBlocker. Its growing presence in the US was evident in August, when it partnered with the ROGA. As a result, all association members will gradually refer their players to BetBlocker. Furthermore, the blocking app introduced several new languages over the past 12 months and expanded into new markets. Finally, its free service has supported an astonishing 300,000 people throughout the year.

Fourth Quarter

Harmonisation and standardisation efforts were significant over the past year, beginning with nothing else but the Self-exclusion Standards. In 2023, Casino Guru teamed up with City, St George’s University of London, to create a universal code for online self-exclusion. The Recommended Code of Practice was published in September and is accessible to regulators and operators to enhance their systems.

Similar efforts were undertaken by the organisers of the Better Gambling Forum, which focuses on addressing gambling-related harm by sharing best practices, advancing policy discussions, and developing solutions that work across jurisdictions. The event has been organised alongside the G7 and the United Nations assembly throughout the year. Interestingly, conclusions from each event contribute to the development of a global responsible gambling practice and policy framework.

The end of the year truly signifies the peak of harmonisation efforts, as the European Committee for Standardisation approved the proposal on markers of harm. An initiative driven by the European Gaming and Betting Association has taken several years. It represents the first agreed EU standard on identifying risky gambling behaviours to support effective prevention of gambling harm.

As a little extra and thanks to Dr Maris Catania, I am adding two research papers that resonated this year. The first paper examines the relationship between gaming microtransactions, such as in-game cosmetics and loot boxes, and problem gambling.

Findings indicate that microtransactions play a role in motivations to gaming, gambling and problematic behaviour. The second paper examines the extensive impact of gambling disorder on affected individuals, their coping strategies and found resilience during the challenging time of their life.

2025 was an exciting year for updates in player protection. In fact, I had to omit a few details because the article would be too long. I am sure the following will be no less productive, and we will move another step closer to a more sustainable gambling industry.

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DCMS updates governance remit of new UK gambling levy

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DCMS has updated the Terms of Reference for the Gambling Levy Programme Board, providing further detail on the governance framework overseeing the distribution of funding for gambling-related harm research, prevention and treatment (RPT) initiatives, projects and programmes under the UK’s new statutory levy.

The Board is structured to bring together relevant UK government departments alongside representative authorities from the Scottish and Welsh governments, reflecting both the cross-departmental scope of levy spending and the devolved nature of health and education policy.

DCMS states that the Board’s principal duty is to ensure that appointed commissioning bodies are delivering on the government’s objectives to improve and expand research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm.

The department notes that levy expenditure spans multiple departmental boundaries, making it necessary to establish a formal forum through which stakeholders can collectively monitor the levy’s progress and performance.

As such, the Board holds collective responsibility for overseeing the overall functioning and health of the levy system, including whether it is delivering against agreed objectives and commissioning priorities.

However, the department stresses that the Board does not hold responsibility for decisions on detailed expenditure programmes, which remain the responsibility of the individual commissioning bodies appointed by DCMS.

New leadership for new levy
Under the updated framework, the Gambling Levy is overseen by a role-based Levy Board, rather than by individually appointed public figures.

The Board is chaired by the Director for Sport and Gambling at DCMS, a position currently held by senior civil servant Ben Dean, and is supported by the Deputy Director for Gambling and Lotteries, currently Julie Carney.

DCMS has published an annex confirming that the Board comprises 10 members, all appointed due to their institutional role within the levy system rather than in a personal capacity.

DCMS retains overall responsibility for implementing the statutory levy. Under Section 123 of the Gambling Act 2005, the DCMS Secretary of State — currently Lisa Nandy — or the minister responsible for gambling policy, Baroness Twycross, holds final approval powers over levy funding allocations, alongside HM Treasury.

The Treasury is formally named in the legislation as a joint approver, providing fiscal oversight, though DCMS notes that its engagement is expected to be proportionate, particularly after the levy’s first year of operation.

Operational responsibility for commissioning is distributed across specialist departments. DHSC leads on treatment and public health, overseeing both NHS England as the treatment commissioning body and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) as the prevention lead.

DSIT acts as the sponsoring department for research through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Meanwhile, the Scottish and Welsh governments retain responsibility for prevention and treatment spending within their respective jurisdictions, reflecting the devolved status of health and education policy.

The implementation of the RPT levy – formerly the research, education and treatment (RET) levy – is one of the biggest ongoing adjustments for UK gambling, though next year’s tax raises will likely take this mantle from it.

Changes include the levy’s mandatory status, as well as the NHS taking over the lead from GambleAware as the main commissioner of treatment projects – a move that has led to the planned dissolution of GambleAware in March next year, wrapping up over 20 years of activity.

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