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 

Senior TV official arrested over illegal gambling in Japan 

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Tokyo’s Police Department has confirmed the arrest of a senior TV personality over allegations of illegal gambling.

In a move that underpins the country’s zero tolerance approach to the illegal gambling industry, Yoshitaka Suzuki, who is a senior planner at the Fuji TV Network, was arrested for consistently engaging with the Eldoah Casino on a mobile device. Under Japanese law, it is currently a criminal offence to use overseas sites to bet from within the country.

Fuji TV issued the following statement on the arrest: “We take the case seriously. We will fully cooperate with the investigation and work to prevent a recurrence of such cases.”

It continues elevated action against Japanese citizens engaging with offshore casinos in Japan, as the country’s Parliament introduced a a bill to eradicate advertising of the sector to its citizens.

Banner ads, affiliates and posts on social media will all be prohibited under the new legislation, which looks to provide a sweeping ban on advertisements or promotional content that directs Japanese users to overseas online casinos.

In addition, the establishment and operation of online casinos and related apps within Japan have also been outlawed.

Furthermore, revisions to the law are expected to enable internet service providers and social media platforms to more proactively target and remove promotional content.

The new rules form part of the Japanese Government’s renewed focus on tackling gambling addiction in the country.

In March, The Japan Times reported that the country was set to introduce a new framework for its gambling sector, with a central focus on taking action against affiliates that promote gambling.

In recent months, Japan has also asked a number of governments to block access to online casino websites for its citizens.

Authorities within Canada, Costa Rica, Georgia, Malta, Anjouan Island, Curacao, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar were all contacted by Japanese officials.

Most forms of online gambling are outlawed in Japan, and regulated activity is restricted to lotteries and betting on horse racing, motorcycle racing and power boat racing.

Despite this, it is estimated that 3.37 million people in Japan have engaged with illegal online casino gambling, with total wagers estimated to be ¥1.2 trillion (£6.2m) annually.

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UK sector lashes out at BBC over player safety failure reports

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John Bollom, President of UK industry trade body Bacta, has hit back at the recent BBC probe into land-based player safety standards.

Bollom called a recent BBC investigation “unrepresentative”, after an undercover reporter was allegedly allowed to play across a number of Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) in South England despite self-excluding themselves.

Player protection policies mandated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) state that those on the self-excluded registry must be revoked access to AGCs within a 1km radius, or more if they decide to expand it.

Bacta’s President did not outright deny the results however, instead focusing on the fact that the industry must collectively address such scenarios to ensure appropriate actions are taken in a timely manner.

“This week has shown the glee with which our critics seize upon any perceived lapse in this [player] protection. It means we all have to pull together to ensure all loopholes are tightened, that supervision is vigilant, and action is taken without hesitation.

“A multi-operator, self-exclusion system must be in place in every venue, offering customers the ability to self-exclude from facilities for the same type of gambling in the locality.

“Operators must ensure staff operate the system. Colleagues must be able to access a tablet or other device and be able to carry out self-exclusions in the venue on that device. Staff must look at the pictures of self-excluders every day, and react appropriately when one enters the venue.

“When we make mistakes we need to fix them.”

Bollom channels inner Myth Busters
Bacta’s President also took a defensive stance against recently raised concerns that land-based venues are strategically being opened across poverty-stricken areas – essentially calling them myths.

Addressing criticism that AGCs are becoming more prevalent within UK society, Bollom countered by quoting UKGC data that shows AGCs down by 35% since 2011.

Another widespread belief that can be often heard from industry opponents is that AGCs have extended operating hours to gain more financially. Bollom was again quick to slam this claim, arguing that much of the UK workforce are night shift workers, which requires AGCs to operate during early morning hours as well.

And lastly, he hit back at claims that problem gambling rates are quickly rising among consumers. Once again quoting UKGC data, Bollom referenced to the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI).

The PGSI is a tool used as part of the UKGC’s Gambling Survey of Great Britain (GSGB) to monitor gambling rates across the country. Recent estimates have shown that risk rates levitate between the 0.3 and the 0.7 percentage mark.

However, there have been previous calls for the UKGC to improve its data collection policies in order to build back confidence in the survey.

Local powers still on edge
The biggest pushback against AGCs in recent months was a joint letter by 39 local governments addressed to the DCMS calling for more powers within mayors’ hands when it comes to AGC planning applications. All of the points raised by Bollom were used as arguments by the councils, but they were arguing the other sides of the issues.

And while 39 councils collectively calling for action is certainly hard to ignore, it remains to be seen whether this will have any effects on UK gambling policy, as the country is already actively implementing recommendations from a now done-and-dusted Gambling Act Review White Paper.

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AGA deepens ‘seamless’ responsible play strategy with resource hub

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The American Gaming Association (AGA) is taking an enhanced approach to player safety through its latest launch.

With a focus on seamlessness, the AGA has launched its ‘Play Smart from the Start Consumer Hub’, an online resource that aims to help players in the US with responsible play.

The hub is part of the AGA’s Play Smart from the Start, which is a messaging platform that supports players in making informed choices and developing habits to gamble safely.

Practical tools that are part of in the Play Smart hub include a pre-play checklist to help players set limits and check in with themselves before play, a ‘know your game’ section to explain terminology and odds, a responsible gaming IQ quiz for players to assess their habits, as well as access to support resources such as the National Problem Gambling Helpline.

Bill Miller, President and CEO of the AGA, commented: “The AGA is committed to making responsible gaming a seamless part of the player experience. Part of the fun of gaming is that everyone plays differently, but no matter how or where you play, staying in control starts with habits that work for you.

“The Play Smart Consumer Hub provides players with straightforward, actionable tools to help them stay in control and keep gaming fun.”

The AGA’s Play Smart from the Start utilises player research and focuses on three key areas: gambling in the right mindset, understanding the game being played and acting intentionally with budgets, time limits and being aware.

Also included on the platform is an Industry Toolkit, assisting operators and other stakeholders with their responsible gaming programmes with resources such as messaging guidance, creative assets, customer communications and activation ideas.

The Play Smart from the Start Consumer Hub is described by the AGA as an operator’s perfect foundation for Responsible Gaming Education Month, which is scheduled to take place later this year in September.

Miller added: “Whether an operator or supplier is building a new responsible gaming program or looking to refresh existing efforts, this toolkit makes it easy to deliver consistent, player-first messaging across every customer touchpoint.”

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Waiting game continues in Thailand as public still not fully behind legislation 

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Despite the buoyant efforts of the Government, trepidation seemingly lingers in Thailand over the legislation of land-based gambling.

The latest data from the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) found that 57% of respondents they spoke to were against entertainment centres and casinos.

In spite of there still being tentative attitudes towards the legislation of gambling, opposition is falling, with it previously being recorded at 59%.

Resorts doubling as entertainment venues rather than just focusing on being gambling hubs is seemingly a major strategy when it comes to enabling them to integrate within Thai culture.

Recently, it was put forward by one of the major subcommittees examining the bill, pursuing the need for a referendum.

There is general public support for a referendum, with 61% of respondents backing the calls for a referendum.

Governmental fears

There has also been trepidation around turbulence within the Government impacting the bill’s progress.

Significantly, Thailand’s Bhumjaithai Party, the second biggest party in the country’s coalition Government, pulled back on its support for the progress of the bill.

This has come amidst controversy surrounding a phone leak between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia’s former Premier Hun Sen, involving Thailand’s escalating border dispute with Cambodia.

In the call, Shinawatra is said to have criticised the Thai army for its role in a clash with Cambodian troops that triggered the ongoing hostilities.

Although Shinawatra provided a defence for the conversation, claiming her comments were part of a strategy to ease border tensions, the Bhumjaithai Party say that her actions have “damaged the sovereignty and well-being of the country and the Thai Army”.So far, both sides have implemented trade barriers, and earlier this week, Thailand placed a ban on its citizens entering Cambodia to work in casinos across the city of Poipet.

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AU regulators threaten influencers who promote illegal betting with fine up to $2.5m

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has sent out a crucial warning to social media influencers as concerns over the promotion of illegal gambling companies intensify.

Content creators risk major fines if found to be encouraging any activity of this kind which, according to a recent study from the University of Sydney, is becoming increasingly popular throughout the influencer community with posts often including direct links to offshore gambling sites.

The latest enforcements are directed at content on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, amongst others, with penalties for individuals reaching up to AU$59,400 (£28,400). For those who ease accessibility to such illegal products, more severe fines up to AU$2.475m (£1.181m) may be handed out.

Formed in 2005, the ACMA continues to enforce the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, which governs online betting sector in Australia.

Given how much young people and children use social media and that the age group is generally considered more vulnerable, the ACMA is particularly concerned about messaging related to black-market gambling.

In recent months, Polymarket, a US-based cryptocurrency prediction company, ran an illegal promotion in Australia by paying local influencers to advertise betting on the federal election.

Since Polymarket is not licenced in Australia, the ACMA launched an investigation into the campaign.

The authority made it clear in its latest statement that “If you are an influencer and you profit from promoting illegal games and wagering services to Australians – you are breaking the law”.

A stricter sector
The move comes during a nation-wide crackdown on advertising amongst youth. In November last year, Australia became the first country in the world to pass a law banning children from using social media altogether.

New regulations are now set to come into force at the end of 2025 to ban anyone age 16 or under from TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and X. However, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant is now calling for YouTube to be included in the list.

She argued the government should not name specific platforms as exclusions: “Our recommendation was that no specific platform be exempted because the relative risks and harms can change at any given moment.”

YouTube owner Google, is now arguing that the regulations should allow for young Australians to continue to access the platform because it is not a social media platform, but a video streaming platform with a library of free, high-quality content.

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Curacao Gaming Authority issues limited extension for provisional LOK licenses 

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As Curaçao continues on its path of regulatory evolution, the country’s governance has revealed that several provisional licenses issued have been extended.

It’s a move that applies to both Green Seal B2C entities and also to B2B license holders, with relevant parties now being ordered to ensure they are compliant with LOK requirements on 24 December 2025, under the same conditions as previously put forward.

The new (LOK) law is seeking to modernise the Curaçao gaming framework and licensing procedure.

Nonetheless, the Curaçao Gaming Authority did lay out that not all operators will be granted the full six-month extension period, underpinning the importance of them showing progress when it comes to LOK standards.

There are a number of requirements that need to be implemented as a result of the policy, specifically around player verification and social responsibility.

These checks include age verification, player self-assessments, deposit limits and additional training for marketing partners and affiliates.

The new framework details that staff should be able to handle player interactions professionally and effectively, whilst also emphasising the importance of staff being able to recognise the signs of gambling distress and ensuring they can conduct sensitive and structured conversations with players.

The new framework also sees the enforcement of significant self-exclusion protocols, ordering operators to display clear self-exclusion guidance.

As well as this, central to the new framework is the advancement of efforts when it comes to AML protocols as the country looks to eradicate bad actors within the B2C and B2B space.

Further underpinning Curacao seeking to enter a new era for compliance, it also emphasised the need for operators to have a presence on the island and ensure they are in touch with developments there.

This took on heightened importance when the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, which is the highest court in all constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including Curaçao, ruled that Master licence holders in Curaçao can be held accountable for the shortcomings of their sublicensees at the end of last year.

The original revealing of the new framework came as Curaçao was removed from the EU tax grey list, a significant decision in boosting the country’s reputation.

Previously speaking to iGaming Daily, Aideen Shortt, advisor to the Curaçao Gaming Authority, emphasised if operators want “to leave Curacao now when the jurisdiction is tidying itself up, that speaks volumes.”

She added: “So our viewpoint is that a jurisdiction is about not just the law, the regulator, but also the operators, the suppliers, all the ancillary services. So our legislation has been drafted with that in mind that it has to work.”

There was previously some criticism over the process for licensing within Curaçao, with Luigi Faneyte, who is a member of the opposition Real Alternative Party.

He alleged money laundering and corruption claims towards the CGA, however, these were vehemently denied by the body as it continues in its efforts to grow its gaming sector.

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AGA debuts online consumer hub to promote responsbile gaming

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The American Gaming Association (AGA) is allocating resources to create a new online resource to promote responsible gaming.

The AGA launched its Play Smart Consumer Hub this week allowing the trade group to provide bettors nationwide with tools and resources to practice and promote RG.

The consumer hub bolsters the AGA’s RG messaging platform Play Smart from the Start. The platform provides bettors with messaging to develop responsible gaming habits.

“The AGA is committed to making responsible gaming a seamless part of the player experience,” said CEO Bill Miller. “Part of the fun of gaming is that everyone plays differently, but no matter how or where you play, staying in control starts with habits that work for you.”

The Play Smart Consumer Hub offers a pre-play checklist providing users with the opportunity to set spending limits and a betting education section that breaks down gaming terms and odds. The hub also provides direct access to problem gambling resources. The resourc..

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Hundreds of missing reports lead to black market fog in Norway

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Norway’s gambling regulator, Lottstift, has confirmed a serious error that could potentially mean a significant underestimation of the black market.

Exact scope of damage unclear
Atle Hamar, Director of Lottstift, revealed that the regulator’s anonymous tipping system that allows players to report illegal gambling has been out of commission for over a year.

“The error has been there since March 2024, and was discovered this June,” Hamar said.

This might eventually lead to serious challenges when evaluating the impact of the black market on Norwegian customers.

“We depend on tips from the public, and people should have confidence that the tips they send will reach us. This is a serious error, and it took far too long before we discovered it.”

Whilst the public has other options to communicate with Lottstift when it comes to submitting reports, such as landlines, emails, and contact forms, online tips remain the core instrument when it comes to regulator-player collaboration for taking down illegal websites.

Hamar estimated that hundreds of tips have been wasted within the one-year timeframe when the system remained inactive.

“During the period, the public has tipped us via other channels such as email, contact form and telephone. However, those who have used the tip form have not received a notification that their tip did not arrive.

“We have managed to retrieve 120 tips from the last two months. The rest have been automatically deleted for privacy reasons.

“This means that several hundred tips may be missing for us, but we do not have exact numbers. We will thoroughly review this and make the necessary changes to prevent something similar from happening again.”

While the error has been corrected, this blunder will certainly cast doubt on the accuracy of the regulator’s next black market report.

Norway’s black market
A number of gambling monitoring bodies have continuously warned that the black market in Norway is rapidly gaining leverage over regulated gambling.

In its 2022 European report, the UK’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) concluded that a mixture of hard-hitting regulations like in-depth affordability checks, stake limits and advertising bans have all led to the black market accounting for 66% of all money staked in that year alone.

This translates to black market revenues going up by more than three times since 2010, the BGC’s report further added.

A widely circulated argument within international gambling circles is that the monopoly state-owned Norsk Tipping has over gambling services is helping the black market thrive.

Given that Norway will soon become the last monopoly regime in the Nordics after Finland transitions to an open market in the next few years, Norsk Tipping’s future has become a main topic for discussion in everyday political talks.

All aside, over the last few years both the regulator and the government have made noteworthy efforts to push the black market away while curbing problem gambling rates.

In 2024, Lottstift was granted increased powers to issue DNS and IP blocking orders of illegal gambling websites so it can better protect the Norwegian gambling market.

However, the recently discovered error will have rendered these powers largely obsolete, forcing Lottstift to play catch-up with the black market until it breaks even from a year of missed regulatory enforcement.

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UKGC launches probe into land-based player safety standards

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The land-based sector has been put under a review by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) over reports of player protection failures.

A BBC reporter self-excluded themselves as part of an undercover investigation into gambling venues. They were then allegedly allowed to play the slots across four out of the five Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) they visited in Portsmouth, England.

If found to be true, this would constitute a significant breach of the UKGC’s player protection policies, where if a player self-excludes with an AGC, they would then have to have their rights revoked to enter other venues within a 1km radius, possibly even more if they choose to extend that distance.

As part of the UK’s licensing regime, AGCs can either join SmartExclusion or the self-exclusion scheme run by industry trade body Bacta. Licensing permits for brick-and-mortar casinos are handed out by local authorities, which then perform regular assessments of the venue’s responsible gambling compliance standards.

According to the reporter, two of the venues they visited were allegedly not signed to any of the self-exclusion schemes.

Tim Miller/UKGC
Responding to the BBC, Tim Miller, Director of the UKGC, said: “Most of all, we do need to see inspections of those properties. They’re not onerous, for just checking that [AGCs] are actually doing is what they’re meant to do, and they’re not doing stuff which is marginally illegal.”

An additional comment by a UKGC spokesperson for iGaming Expert read: “We take protecting consumers extremely seriously. The results of this BBC investigation are very concerning, and we will be taking urgent steps to investigate what has happened.”

Local authorities demand more powers
The land-based sector has found itself in the center of a heated debate over the last few months, as local council leaders voiced their concerns that casinos are predominantly present in low-income areas.

In April, a total of 38 councils wrote directly to Lisa Nandy, DCMS Secretary, calling for reforms in gambling regulations that would transfer more powers within the hands of local authorities – particularly when it comes to planning permits of land-based casinos.

Most recently, the London Borough of Brent partnered with think tank Social Market Foundation for an in-depth review of current regulations and a subsequent draft proposal that would highlight potential room for improvement when it comes to protecting vulnerable communities.

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Gambling Commission ‘concerned’ by BBC gambling centre probe

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has launched an investigation after a BBC report revealed stark compliance failures at gambling venues in the UK.

An undercover operation undertaken by File on 4 Investigates found that a BBC reporter who had placed himself on a self-exclusion register was able to play on slot machines at four out of five Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) he entered in Portsmouth, England.

Once signed up to a self-exclusion scheme at an AGC, a player’s image should be shared among similar venues within a 1km radius, and any players on the list should be prevented from playing. This distance can be extended further by calling a helpline.

“We take protecting consumers extremely seriously,” a Gambling Commission spokesperson told iGaming Expert. “The results of this BBC investigation are very concerning, and we will be taking urgent steps to investigate what has happened.”

According to the BBC, two of the venues the reporter entered were not signed up to a self-exclusion scheme, breaching one of the conditions of their gaming licence. They have since begun working with a self-exclusion scheme.

There are two self-exclusion schemes that AGCs can join. One called SmartExclusion and another run by Bacta, the trade body for AGC venues.

The UKGC notes that local authorities are responsible for licensing such premises, and part of the licensing fee they charge is used to inspect gambling businesses in regards to their compliance with responsible gambling measures.

Within the BBC report, Tim Miller, Executive Director of the UKGC, committed to “double down” on efforts to ensure that these checks are performed.

“Most of all, we do need to see inspections of those properties,” he told the BBC. “They’re not onerous, for just checking that what [AGCs are] actually doing is what they’re meant to do, and they’re not doing stuff which is marginally illegal.”

AGC scrutiny escalates

These damming findings come at a time when such gambling venues are facing increasing scrutiny from local authorities, who accuse AGCs of targeting the poorest areas of the UK.

In April, a letter addressed to DCMS Secretary Lisa Nandy expressed fear that local communities are being overwhelmed by “24-hour slot shops”.

36 councils and two mayors, including Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, signed the letter calling for “key reforms of the Gambling Act”, which they believe has overlooked community-level concerns about gambling harms.

In particular, leaders are demanding greater local authority control over granting gambling licences to venues.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council and author of the letter, commented: “Communities like Brent are experiencing a surge of land-based gambling operators spreading along our high streets, seemingly targeting areas of higher deprivation to maximise profits. The alarming concentration of these premises often faces strong community opposition, as well as concerns from public health and community safety officials.

“But despite this shared opposition among residents, police, and politicians, councils have found themselves effectively powerless to intervene. The current statutory ‘Aim to Permit’ duty severely restricts a council’s ability to block the opening of additional gambling venues, even when the community is unequivocally against it.”

Concerning compliance failures

Within the BBC report, gamblers shared their own experience of the failings of staff at AGCs.

One gambler spoken to as part of the investigation revealed that a member of staff at an AGC offered to show her how to remove a block on her bank account that she had put in place to prevent her from making transactions at gambling venues.

Meanwhile, the report also spoke to the family of a woman whose problem gambling activity sparked UKGC intervention against Merkur Slots UK Limited.

In February, the operator was handed a £95,450 fine for failing to interact with the customer, who lost £1,981 across two gaming sessions at its AGC in Stockport.

According to the UKGC’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), premises-based businesses such as Merkur are obligated to interact with customers to minimise the risk of customers experiencing gambling harm.

The UKGC noted at the time of announcing the penalty, Merkur had taken action to correct the compliance failure at the store in question.

“We urge anyone with concerns to report potential breaches of our rules through our confidential report line as soon as they can,” advised the UKGC spokesperson.

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