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.