Stakelogic handed six-figure GC settlement for slot speed violation

New Spanish betting deposit limits approved as gov’t keeps up pace of changes

Predictions, finance and a brewing storm of problem gambling

Maryland lawmaker reportedly wants to consider a ban on micro bets

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A lawmaker in Maryland wants the state to consider prohibiting micro betting as a professional sports league deals with allegations of game manipulation by athletes.

According to a report from The Baltimore Sun, House of Delegates member Jason Buckel wants the state to consider banning or changing rules related to micro bets as MLB deals with a gambling scandal tied to the alleged manipulation of pitch-level markets.

“We definitely should take a strong look at it [micro betting],” Buckel told The Baltimore Sun. “I believe the best course of action would be to either outright ban those types of individual-play prop bets or to very significantly limit the amount that could be wagered on those types of sporting activities.”

Buckel wants Maryland to consider a ban on micro bets after MLB warned state gaming regulators in 2021 about the risks associated with offering the betting markets. MLB pointed directly to the risk of offering pitch-level markets and called for discussions on the ma..

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NCAA to maintain restriction on professional sports gambling

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The NCAA is no longer considering a rule change that would have allowed its student-athletes to wager on professional sports.

The governing body of college sports announced that its Division I member schools voted to rescind an approved rule change that would have lifted a ban on pro sports betting.

DI institutions had the opportunity to rescind the rule change as part of the NCAA’s protocols, which allow DI schools to vote whether to rescind an approved rule change within 30 days if a proposal doesn’t receive at least 75% of votes from the DI Board.

Last month, the board voted to adopt the proposal, but with fewer than 75% of the votes.

The lack of votes allowed DI member institutions to vote on the issue, with two-thirds of the schools voting against lifting the NCAA’s ban on pro sports betting.

The NCAA considered a change of stance regarding pro sports betting as its bylaws “were written and adopted at a time when sports gambling was largely illegal nationwide,” said Universit..

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Three takeaways from SBC Player Protection Digital Day

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Operators, suppliers, regulators and consultants gathered online ahead of Safer Gambling Week to discuss some of the most pressing issues in the realm of player protection. Here are three takeaways. Danish Gambling Authority Director Anders Dorph highlighted new laws in Denmark that made it a crime to target under-18s with gambling advertising and gave the…

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Youth gambling stable in latest UKGC report

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Gambling exposure among young people in the UK is increasing, but the percentage of those experiencing problem gambling is “statistically stable” in comparison to the previous year.

This is the opinion of the UK Gambling Commission’s (UKGC) Director of Research and Policy, Tim Miller, in response to the Young People and Gambling Report 2025, the annual study that examines the full scope of young people’s gambling exposure, including games that aren’t restricted to over-18s.

He added that the data supports the UKGC’s efforts to continue strengthening protections for young people against gambling harm, as operators in the UK market must have robust protections in place to prevent children from accessing age-restricted products.

The vast majority of gambling activities that young people spend money on are legal or not age-restricted, such as arcade gaming machines, as well as bets and games with friends and family.

Strengthening understanding

“Each year this report further strengthens understanding of the relationship between young people and gambling,” stated Miller.

“We have seen an increase in participation in gambling – 27% in 2024 compared to 30% in 2025. The research shows that it is not children being encouraged or allowed to gamble underage driving this increase – it is the increased participation in gambling that is either legal or does not require regulation, such as private betting between friends.

“Even with that increased participation, the percentage of those scoring four or more on the youth-adapted problem gambling screen has not increased but has moved from 1.5% last year to 1.2% this year, which is classed as statistically stable.

“Where it relates to regulated forms of gambling, we use the data to continuously keep under review and, where needed, strengthen the suite of protections for young people that we require gambling companies to have in place.”

Produced by Ipsos, the research was conducted in schools with pupils completing an online self-completion survey. In total, 3,666 11 to 17-year-olds attending academies, maintained and independent schools in England, Scotland and Wales took part in this year’s survey.

Increased participation

The UKGC said that the key findings from the survey showed that over the last 12 months, 49% of 11 to 17-year-olds have experienced gambling, while 30% of 11 to 17-year-olds are spending their own money on gambling.

In addition, 1.2% of those surveyed are scoring four or more on the youth-adapted problem gambling screen (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition – Multiple Response Juvenile), down slightly from 1.5% in 2024.

Of those surveyed, the percentage of young people scoring a two or three on the screening and therefore experiencing ‘at-risk’ gambling was 2.2%, up slightly from 1.9% the previous year. 27% scored zero or one and therefore weren’t experiencing ‘problems’ with their gambling.

The survey also stated that:

Arcade gaming machines, such as penny pusher or claw grab machines, were played by 21%, 14% placed a bet for money between friends or family, while 5% played cards with friends or family for money.

23% spent their own money on regulated forms of gambling in the past 12 months, including playing arcade gaming machines. With arcade machines removed, this figure drops to 6%, which the UKGC says is stable compared to 2024.

78% who gambled with their own money in the last year did so because they find it ‘fun’.

Young people are more likely to see gambling-related advertisements weekly online, rather than offline, with 49% responding that they saw adverts through social media and 47% saying via apps. Of the people who saw content on social media, 31% said influencers had advertised gambling-related content.

Boys were more likely to see gambling-related advertisements than girls across platforms, including YouTube (53% boys, 31% girls) and at sports events (57% boys, 37% girls).

29% had seen family members they live with gamble. Of which, 7% said it caused arguments or tension at home, while 9% said it helped to pay for things at home.

The UKGC is also broadening its research into early gambling experiences and gateway products, exploring the gambling-like activities – such as loot boxes, social gaming, prize draws – that children, young people and young adults may first encounter and how these experiences could shape their future engagement with gambling.

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Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner issues formal caution to Unibet

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The Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner has issued a formal caution to Unibet in response to a £10m fine issued by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) for anti-money laundering and social responsibility failings.

Platinum Gaming Limited, which holds a dual licence for the UK and Gibraltar, received the original penalty from the UKGC in October, as well as a warning and it will be subject to a third-party audit to ensure that AML and safer gambling policies, procedures and controls are being implemented effectively.

Gibraltar’s regulator is issuing a formal caution to Unibet as the case highlights “fitness and propriety” concerns for the operator, in addition to impacting the “reputation of Gibraltar”.

However, the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner will not be imposing a financial penalty on the operator for the following reasons:

Historical nature of the failings in 2023 – case completed by UKGC in October 2025, after 21 months from the date of the relevant site visit.

A significant financial penalty has already been imposed.

Systems and controls related to the Gibraltar regulatory regime have been improved and are now considered satisfactory, pending a third-party review.

The regulator said: “Licence holders which are dual licensed are reminded that they are expected to comply with the AML/CFT/CFP regime not only in Gibraltar but also in other relevant jurisdictions in which they operate.

“Any Gibraltar licence holder which is subject to a regulatory sanction in another jurisdiction for AML/CFT/CPF breaches can expect the circumstances of that case to be reviewed by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner and the possibility of a public statement being made as to findings.

“Further enforcement action on the part of the Gambling Commissioner cannot be ruled out where it is justified by the circumstances. The fact that a formal caution has been issued will be taken into consideration if other matters come to light in the future.”

iGaming Expert has reached out to FDJ United for comment on the formal caution issued to Unibet by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner.

UKGC penalty

In its report, the UKGC illustrated major faults in Unibet’s customer interaction systems, including failing to spot and act on clear harm markers.

Customers lost thousands of pounds in a few hours or days of registration, players breached loss limits repeatedly and consumers showed binge gambling patterns without appropriate intervention.

One customer exceeded their loss limit of £2,500 within 16 minutes of registering and another lost £5,000 within 24 hours.

AML failures were also highlighted, including gaps in risk assessment, which resulted in customers who previously had their accounts closed by the licensee before 2023 being able to open new accounts and gamble.

It was also deemed that there was a lack of clarity in the company’s AML policy around due diligence thresholds and customer reviews failing to include potential high-risk factors.

This is the second time Platinum Gaming has been subject to a fine by the UKGC for AML and social responsibility failures, as the operator received a £2.9m penalty by the commission in 2023.

AML and safer gambling ‘a top priority’

In response to the UKGC penalty, an FDJ United spokesperson told iGaming Expert last month that AML and safer gambling are “a top priority” to its senior leadership and that the independent review will show that necessary steps are being taken.

“Platinum Gaming Ltd, the operator of Unibet in the UK and an entity of FDJ UNITED (at the time under the management of Kindred Group), acknowledges the UKGC’s finding that legacy monitoring technology was not sufficiently effective at the time of the review (i.e. from January 2023 to May 2024),” said the spokesperson.

“As a result of the findings by the UKGC, Platinum Gaming has implemented new software solutions and risk management frameworks across anti-money laundering and safer gambling, providing a detailed knowledge of customer risk, allowing for near real-time automated alerts and customer interventions.”

The spokesperson added: “FDJ UNITED remains committed to the highest compliance standards and player protection policies. As part of this, the Group will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of and improve its processes and tools to meet these standards.

“Senior leadership have safer gambling and anti-money laundering as a top priority in operational discussions, as well as a priority in the Group’s strategic agenda. FDJ UNITED will continue to work closely with the UKGC on this matter and remain confident that the external review will show necessary steps have been taken.”

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GambleAware places spotlight on ADHD gambling support

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New research from GambleAware has shown that neurodivergent people may be more at risk of experiencing gambling harms as they use gambling as a coping mechanism.

As such, new resources are now available to improve gambling harm support for neurodivergent people, which utilises research, lived experience insights and expert guidance.

Six key principles have also been identified that gambling support and treatment for neurodivergent people should be based on.

Complex link between neurodivergence and gambling

Neurodivergence describes how people experience and process the world and is commonly associated with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia. It affects communication, learning, sensory experiences and problem-solving. Around 15% of the UK population is estimated to be neurodivergent.

GambleAware noted that new research has shown neurodivergent people may gamble “to manage social isolation, as a coping mechanism, or because of increased impulsivity, hyperfocus, and a preference for rules, order and routine”.

The charity also said that neurodivergent people frequently come across obstacles when trying to access gambling support, such as being unaware that support is available, as well as stigma and fear of judgement when looking for help.

With that, six key principles have been outlined that gambling support and treatment for neurodivergent people should be based upon to provide the best possible service:

Understanding and adapting to the diversity of communication needs that neurodivergent people have.

Ensuring clarity and simplicity in communications with neurodivergent people.

Providing support in ways that promote the autonomy and independence of clients with neurodivergence.

Providing support in an environment that considers the sensory needs of people with neurodivergence, such as reducing the risks of overstimulation.

Promoting the use of self-directed approaches, such as self-help tools and informal support, such as peer networks.

Making sure staff are trained in neurodiversity awareness and different communication methods.

“The new report highlights the complex link between neurodivergence and gambling,” commented Anna Hargrave, CEO of GambleAware.

“Characteristics of neurodivergence like impulsivity, hyperfocus, social difficulties, and a need for stimulation drive gambling behaviour and increase harms, while stigma, shame, and lack of tailored support further isolate neurodivergent people and make it harder for them to seek help.”

Tailored neurodivergent support

In response, new resources have been developed by IFF Research and Ara Recovery for All, based on GambleAware-funded research that was produced in partnership with University of Bristol academics.

The research aimed to see if neurodivergent people face an increased risk of experiencing gambling harms, identify the key drivers for gambling harms among neurodivergent people, analyse formal and informal gambling support barriers, as well as establish support, treatment, communication and engagement best practices and principles.

Commissioned by the charity, the new resources aim to help therapists and practitioners with tailored gambling harm support for neurodivergent people, including training materials, toolkits, and case studies, each designed to build confidence, reduce barriers and promote inclusive, effective support.

Hargrave added: “The resources we have produced are designed to support therapists and practitioners working with clients who experience both gambling harms and neurodivergence.

“They address a critical evidence gap in understanding how gambling harms affect neurodivergent people and how treatment can be tailored most effectively to ensure it is as effective as possible.”

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UK operators hit GGY highs despite new online slots limits

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Online slots limits implemented in the UK iGaming market earlier this year are having minimal impact on underlying financial figures and engagement for the vertical.

Data released by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has shown online slots gross gambling yield for the market’s second quarter of 2025 (July to September) to be £746.5m, up 9% year-over-year (Q2 2024: £686.1m).

The number of spins also rose by 4% YoY to 24.4 billion (Q2 2024: 23.5 billion), while the average monthly active accounts fell by 0.4% to 4.4 million per month (Q2 2024: 4.4 million).

Despite it being the second quarter in which the maximum stake limit for online slots had been implemented – £5 limit for adults from 9 April, £2 limit for 18 to 24 year olds from 21 May – GGY and the number of spins figures continued on an upward trajectory, recording new highs.

The number of spins per session has fallen to 130 (Q2 2024: 141), while GGY per session has declined to £3.96 (Q2 2024: £4.11), but the total number of sessions has increased by 13% to 188 million (166 million).

Online slots sessions lasting over an hour have dropped by 15% YoY as well to 8.6 million (Q2 2024: 10.1 million), with the average session lasting 16 minutes (Q2 2024: 17 minutes) and approximately 5% of all sessions exceeding one hour (Q2 2024: 6%).

Overall, this data could be interpreted to say that online slots limits have little to no impact on GGY and the number of spins for operators as more people are playing, but ultimately, players are spending less time and money playing online slots.

However, the UKGC did note that several operators “refined their session length methodology during the previous year, which will impact year-on-year comparisons on the number of sessions, sessions over one hour and average session length metrics”.

Across other verticals in Q2, the commission stated that:

Online total GGY was £1.42bn, up 8% YoY. The overall number of total bets and spins increased 3% YoY, to 26.1 billion. The average monthly active accounts decreased 7% to 12 million.

Real event betting GGY increased by 12% YoY to £508m. The number of bets decreased 3%. The average monthly active accounts decreased by 14%.

Betting premises GGY decreased by 5% to £508m. The number of total bets and spins decreased by 2% to 3.1 billion.

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President Sheinbaum hand forced on Mexican gambling deficiencies 

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Damián Martínez: SBC Noticias
President Claudia Sheinbaum has finally confronted the glaring liabilities of Mexico’s gambling laws. Yet her actions appear driven more by growing scandals than by a genuine effort to replace an 80-year-old legal charter, reports Damian Martinez of SBC Noticias.

Confronted by national media in the glare of a widening scandal, Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that Mexico’s gambling laws must be modernised to combat criminal activities that have exposed and benefitted from current liabilities.

On Wednesday, the President of Mexico held a press conference in which she acknowledged the flaws of a gambling regime governed by the Federal Law of Games and Lotteries of 1947.

“The regulations for online casinos must be updated, because when the law was created, this way of betting didn’t exist,” Sheinbaum said. “As a result, it must now be regulated, because otherwise it opens the door to money laundering.”

Her remarks followed revelations that 13 casinos are under federal investigation for allegedly facilitating multimillion-peso cash movements and international currency transfers aligned with recognised money-laundering typologies.

At a subsequent briefing, Omar García Harfuch, Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, revealed that both physical and virtual casinos had, exposed “patterns of risk, fiscal irregularities, unusual operations and transnational financial connections that compromise the integrity of the financial system.”

The joint investigation carried out by the Financial Intelligence Unit, Federal Fiscal Prosecutor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office has led to the temporary suspension of multiple venues, the blocking of online gambling sites, and the freezing of accounts linked to suspect operations.

Federal police described intricate schemes in which online casinos used identity theft and prepaid cards to move money abroad before returning it to Mexico as “legitimate” business income.

A relic of prohibition
The scandal draws renewed attention on the structural weaknesses of the 1947 law, a relic that views that gambling should be tolerated by Mexican authorities rather than legitimately governed.

More than a decade in power, the MORENA government continues its transition from the administration of Manuel López Obrador to Claudia Sheinbaum’s presidency.

Yet a sidelined gambling sector and police authorities are mounting pressure to repeal and replace the legislation, a reform long stalled in committee amid concerns over corruption, tax evasion and moral opposition from religious and conservative groups.

Last month, Congress approved Sheinbaum’s 2026 national budget, which introduces sweeping increases in IEPS (Special Tax on Production and Services)—the so-called sin taxes. The measure doubles levies on gambling, sugary drinks, violent video games and tobacco, with the government arguing it will strengthen public finances and discourage harmful consumption.

Industry demands 2026 guarantees
Mexico’s regulated gambling industry is worth an estimated $10 billion, modest beside the more liberal markets of Brazil, Colombia and Argentina. Yet the sector remains fragmented, divided between state-level permits and administrative licences issued by the Interior Ministry (SEGOB) and lacking a coherent national framework for online play.

Industry groups and trade associations have urged the government to begin legislative modernisation in 2026, insisting that the sector underpins tens of thousands of jobs and contributes significantly to hospitality, tourism and entertainment—pillars of the economy that Mexico hopes to showcase as it co-hosts the FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada.

The Mexican Association of Gaming Suppliers (AIEJA) has long urged the government to modernise the country’s gambling laws. In previous campaigns, the trade body presented detailed proposals to transform gambling into an economically positive sector that could stimulate hospitality, leisure and tourism.

AIEJA argued that properly regulated gaming could enhance the appeal of Mexico’s resort destinations and generate substantial tax revenue. The vision was not to rival Las Vegas, but to harness the industry’s potential as part of a broader economic ecosystem. Successive administrations, however, rejected these proposals, with MORENA maintaining that the risks of liberalisation outweighed the fiscal rewards.

Failure will cost MORENA
The political question now is whether MORENA can deliver. Sheinbaum’s government must strike a delicate balance: tightening controls against illicit finance while legitimising an industry long treated as marginal. Success will require more than legislative tinkering; it demands institutional rebuilding—aligning fiscal, security and tourism policies around a sector newly recognised as economically vital.

If the administration succeeds, Mexico could emerge from 2026 with a modern, transparent gambling framework fit for the digital age. If it fails, it will greet the World Cup as a co-host still struggling to keep the game fair—off the pitch as much as on it.

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Dutch regulator homes in on young bettor behaviours

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Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Netherlands Gambling Authority, has initiated an investigation into young adult’s attitudes towards sports betting.

The project will focus on people within the Parkstad region, and will be conducted in collaboration with local football club Roda JC Kerkrade of the Eerste Divisie (Dutch 2nd division).

Results will help the regulator devise a stronger strategy around raising the awareness of sports betting risks among people aged 18-24.

According to the KSA, Roda JC was picked as a strategic partner for the initiative thanks to being “the only club in the Netherlands that has deliberately turned down a sports betting sponsorship” – making it a “logical” choice for the regulator in its venture to tackle betting-related harm head-on.

Jordens Peters, Roda JC Managing Director, said: “With this awareness campaign, we want to contribute to the de-normalization of sports betting. There seems to be almost social pressure to participate, because the subject is discussed everywhere. That is what we want to draw attention to.

“Cooperation with the Gaming Authority is a logical step in this regard. The research offers valuable insights to open the conversation and to develop activities that really make a difference, in line with our role as a socially engaged club.”

The research itself will focus on three key areas – investigate what percentage of young adults in Parkstad engage with sports betting, the frequency of betting and amount of money spent, as well as their own views on the sports betting sector.

Surveys will run in November and December, with the final results expected to be delivered in early 2026 and serve as a basis for follow-up collaborations between the KSA and Roda JC.

Last year, the Kamer received a set of recommendations on gambling policy aimed at safeguarding public health. The advice urged lawmakers to increase funding for research into the psychology of gamblers under 24, particularly among young men.This age group is considered the most vulnerable to gambling-related harm, and its needs must be factored into the forthcoming overhaul of the KOA market.

As previously noted, the report will help the regulator develop educational programmes aimed at raising awareness of young adults about the risks of sports betting.

Michel Groothuizen, Board of Directors Chairman at the KSA, added: “With this research, we get a clear picture of how young adults experience sports betting – not only what they think, but also what they do.

“This knowledge is crucial for effective measures. Roda JC is a strong and credible partner in Parkstad, with a prospect of national upscaling.”

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