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Labour MP says “nobody wants to see” gambling ads

iGamingExpertNovember 28, 20250129 views

A Labour MP has launched a tirade against gambling industry adverts, claiming that “nobody wants to see them”.

Alex Ballinger, MP for Halesowen and a consistent advocate for greater taxation and regulation of the gambling industry, implied the industry should reset its priorities as stakeholders continue to raise warnings over the potential implications of tax rises.

The accusations come after figures were published by The Guardian, which estimated gambling companies, including the lottery, spent £2bn on marketing in 2024.

“Perhaps gambling firms should think about cutting back on adverts that nobody wants to see before pushing back against paying fair taxes on their vast profits, particularly given the harms they cause,” Ballinger said, as he described the £2bn figure as an “astronomic sum”.

Ballinger was among the 101 Labour MPs who signed a letter in September urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to take a “polluter pays” approach to taxing online gaming, arguing that the sector faces a lighter financial burden compared to markets such as the Netherlands and Austria.

The group joined think tanks, opposition parties and the former MP Gordon Brown in piling pressure on Reeves to target gambling ahead of the UK budget.

In response, industry leaders have warned of significant consequences if the sector’s financial burden is increased as part of Wednesday’s (26 November) budget, including the prospect of job losses, venue closures and a reduction in investment within the UK sector.

BGC battles back

Chief among those battling on the gambling industry’s behalf has been the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).

The industry body has refuted The Guardian’s report, claiming that the true figure sits closer to £1bn and has declined in recent years, while also warning that “undermining” advertising spend by regulated operators plays directly into the hands of the UK’s black market.

“20% of all broadcast and digital advertising is dedicated entirely to safer gambling messaging, a voluntary commitment made by the UK industry,” a BGC spokesperson said.

“Further tax rises would simply drive more consumers towards the growing black market that offers no age checks, no safer gambling tools and no tax contribution, while undermining advertising spend that differentiates the regulated market.”

Fears over black market advertising are not unfounded. A Reuters report published last month raised major concerns over the extent of fraudulent ads across Meta’s platforms, including for online casinos.

According to the report, the tech giant projected that 10% of its overall annual revenue for 2024 – roughly $16bn – came from running ads for scams and banned goods.

These concerns were also echoed by Eilers & Krejcik’s industry analyst, Alun Bowden, who questioned how people will navigate the “almost invisible” barriers to the black market.

A recent study from the UKGC revealed that only a minority of players are aware that they have strayed into the illegal market.

“In a world where one site can look much like another on the surface, and the differences are in the nuances underneath, then how do you stand out?” said Bowden.

“If you reduce advertising spend significantly, then you give more parity to black market operators who are increasingly spending more on SEO, affiliates, streamers and social media.”

Pan-Nordic Gambling Study to examine habits across region

iGamingExpertNovember 28, 20250107 views

Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have aligned to launch the joint research project on gambling, gathering comparable knowledge about gambling habits and gambling problems in the region.

It marks a key move from the Nordic countries as they seek to learn lessons from each other in a bid to strengthen each market’s understanding of gambling habits and subsequently bolster player safeguards.

Approximately 30,000 randomly selected people, aged 18 to 80, from each country will participate in the study across the Nordic region, with invitations sent by post and reminders sent via Kivra.

The survey is being conducted in collaboration with the Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen), Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden), Aalborg University, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, University of Iceland, Norwegian Gambling and Foundation Authority (Lotteritilsynet) and the University of Bergen.

Maria Vinberg, Investigator at Spelinspektionen, commented: “The study will provide a basis for assessing gambling and gambling problems in the Nordic countries.

It will be exciting to compare the results with previous Swedish data and with the rest of the Nordic countries, especially since so few similar joint surveys have been conducted in Europe.”

To be answered digitally, the study questions will cover topics such as gambling, computer games and problems related to gambling.

The Pan-Nordic Gambling Study’s results will be published in the spring next year, with a selection of the results reported in the Swedish Public Health Agency’s statistical database, Folkhälsodata, and on the knowledge website spelprevention.

Ombudsman criticism

However, the study comes as Spelinspektionen receives criticism from the Swedish Ombudsman.

On its website, the Swedish authority stated that the Ombudsman criticised Spelinspektionen for not previously being able to exclude individuals from gambling without electronic identification.

In the summer of 2024, a person requested to be banned from gambling without electronic identification, but it took approximately a month for the person’s request to be processed by Spelinspektionen.

The Swedish authority said in a statement that Spelpaus, its self-exclusion service, was built “on the basic idea that the Swedish Gambling Authority would not handle any suspensions manually”, and so the person would go onto the website and confirm their exclusion with an electronic ID.

Spelinspektionen said: “Until the summer of 2024, it was not possible to exclude oneself from gambling without an e-ID. After the court found in the spring of 2024 that there were no formal requirements for reporting, the Swedish Gambling Authority began work on enabling manual handling of suspensions in the system.”

However, the Ombudsman responded that the Swedish authority “cannot escape criticism because there was no alternative to banning” when the request was made and that “the information about why the processing was delayed should have been better”.

UK Gov publishes voluntary code for £1bn prize draw industry

iGamingExpertNovember 28, 20250118 views

The UK Government has intervened in the surge of engagement within prize draws and published a voluntary code for the sector.

Those in the UK will be increasingly familiar with the increasing number of advertisements across television and social media offering the chance to enter draws to win prizes such as houses, cars, and other luxury items for as little as a few pence.

However, due to offering a free entry route, prize draw operators are not required to apply for a gambling licence.

In response to the growing popularity – 7.4 million adults take part in prize draws annually in the UK – the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published a new voluntary code of conduct for the sector. The government is making significant efforts to strengthen player protections and increase transparency and accountability around the vertical.

Gambling adjacent

Although not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, DCMS points to the significant similarities between the two sectors, noting that 88% of prize draw participants also participate in gambling or lottery activities.

For comparison, this figure is just 60% for the wider population.

Given the similarities, many of the proposed measures are akin to those found within the gambling industry.

The voluntary guidelines require operators to implement robust age verification checks, introduce spending limits and suspensions for players to reduce gambling risks and adhere to a £250 per month cap on credit card transactions.

There must also be greater transparency around the rules for entering and how prizes are won, as well as clear guidelines on how charity-supporting draws support their causes in line with fundraising regulations.

Pivotal moment

The new rules, due to come into effect from May 2026, represent a “pivotal moment” for the industry, according to Pinsent Masons’ prize competition expert, Scott Oxley.

“While not legally binding, it sets a clear benchmark for transparency, consumer protection, and accountability,” he said. “Operators who ignore it risk reputational harm and may accelerate the move towards statutory regulation.”

So far, the code has 46 signatories from operators, including the industry leader Omaze, as well as 11 from other relevant parties, such as web developers.

Although voluntary, it’s clear that the flourishing nature of prize draws means that the sector will continue to garner greater attention and scrutiny from lawmakers.

As a result, Oxley added, early adoption of the rules will gain a competitive advantage as standards such as clear disclosure of routes and responsible play messaging become the norm.

“Those who lead on these standards will build consumer trust and reduce regulatory risk,” he explained.

“The code is voluntary today, but its principles will shape tomorrow’s regulatory landscape. Proactive engagement positions operators ahead of the curve and demonstrates a commitment to integrity in a fast-growing market. Those who do not adopt it are likely to face greater scrutiny from the regulators.”

What we know about a new era for Sri Lanka gambling regulation

iGamingExpertNovember 25, 20250121 views

Sri Lanka sits on the cusp of a new regulatory framework that is likely to usher in widespread changes for the country’s gambling sector.

The country’s government confirmed that the Gambling Regulatory Authority remit to oversee all gaming operations will begin on 1 December.

The date will mark the culmination of an extensive process after Sri Lanka’s Cabinet approved a draft bill in February 2025 before it was officially presented to parliament in June – but how will it actually evolve the country’s gambling ecosystem – remains to be seen.

Time for change

The Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill moves to unify Sri Lanka’s currently fragmented gaming landscape and repeal the Gambling Ordinance, Casino Ordinance and Horse Racing Betting Ordinance.

Supporters of the change point to the outdated nature of the current legislation. The Gambling Ordinance was drafted in 1887 while the laws relating to casinos and horse racing betting were implemented in 1988.

By moving to close loopholes and clarify overlapping regulation, the Sri Lankan Government hopes to “promote tourism, employment and economic development through the regulated operation of gambling activities”, alongside improving tax collection and fighting against the undercurrent of Sri Lanka’s black market while encouraging iGaming expansion.

The new regulator will function “as the sole independent regulator with a broad and overarching scope on operations in the gambling industry”, including online gaming and offshore gambling activities on ships in the port city of Colombo.

This includes issuing and renewing gaming licences, enforcing the guidelines associated with the licence and collecting tax revene.

As of yet, no Director-General or Chairperson has been named for the regulator. The board will be made up of the Secreatry of the Ministry of Finance, Commissioner General of Indland Revenue, Head of the Financial Intelligence United and the Inspector General of the Police.

Three extra members of the board with knowledge of gambling regulation will be appointed by the Finance Minsiter, one of which will then be appointed as Chair. The board will also select the regulator’s Director-General.

Anyone found offering, promoting or taking part in unlicensed gambling may be fined, sentenced to up to two years in prison, or both.

A new Macau?

Sri Lanka is already home to seven casinos, and one of the country’s latest additions has high hopes to turn the nation into a destination for gaming for its neighbours.

Upon the opening of the $1.2bn City of Dreams Sri Lanka project, Melco Resorts & Entertainment’s Chair, Lawrence Ho, set out his aspiration that “Sri Lanka can be to India what Macau is to China”.

“Macau is by far the biggest gaming market in the world. Colombo is the closest destination to India, and an integrated resort like this gives the city a lot of potential,” he told local media.

Macau’s gross gaming revenue topped $28.35bn, so even emulating this on a much smaller scale would represent a sharp financial boost for a country that is still looking to bounce back from an economic crisis that triggered a bailout from the International Monetary Fund in 2023.

Although Ho cited neighbouring India as a key target market, Sri Lanka may also hope to garner visitors from Thailand, where efforts to implement casino regulation hit a legislative brick wall due to significant political turmoil.

Dutch consumer groups demand compensation over sites’ illegal practices

iGamingExpertNovember 25, 20250114 views

Consumer Rights groups in the Netherlands continue to press the government to take action on compensation of players prior for misleading and harmful practices.

The latest intervention comes from Consumentenbond (Consumers’ Association) and the Consumers’ Competition Claims Foundation, which have formally demanded that leading online casinos compensate players misled or encouraged into excessive gambling prior to market regulation.

Dutch online gambling licences named include: bet365, Betcity, Holland Casino, Jacks, Unibet and Toto, alleging that the operators violated their legal obligations by providing unclear information, unfair defaults, and deceptive bonus offers that encouraged players to spend irresponsibly.

Sandra Molenaar, Director of Consumentenbond, commented: “Online casinos are trying to rip off as much money as possible from consumers. This is not only irresponsible, but also completely illegal. Consumers are entitled to compensation for these illegal practices — and we will try to arrange that for them.”

Echoing her view, Bert Heikens, Chairman of the Consumers’ Competition Claims Foundation, added: “Consumers must be able to rely on a safe gaming environment. That was, simply put, the intention when online gambling was legalised in the Netherlands. That’s not the case now. Consumers are at the mercy of the wolves.”

Both organisations have called on the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) to investigate whether licensed operators breached their duty-of-care commitments, warning that collective legal action will follow if no remedial action is taken.

Unibet faces explosive €75m lawsuit

The mounting consumer backlash coincides with a separate €75 million collective compensation claim filed in September against Unibet Netherlands by consumer-claims organisation Dynamiet.

Representing 2,500 Dutch players, the case — now before the District Court of The Hague — alleges that Unibet and its parent company, Kindred Group, facilitated illegal online gambling and targeted Dutch consumers before the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) came into effect on 1 October 2021.

“For many of these people, it’s not primarily about money — it’s about recognition,” said Deepak Thakoerdien, co-founder of Dynamiet. “They were ignored for years while being drained by an illegal casino. Waiting is for spectators; we are here to act.”

Dynamiet argues that Unibet’s Dutch-language website, iDEAL payment system, and local customer support demonstrate a deliberate focus on the Dutch market before licensing. The organisation also referenced the 2019 KSA fine against Unibet for illegal activity, calling for past violations to be factored into current regulatory oversight.

Legal experts have described the case as a potential landmark in European gambling law, setting a precedent for retroactive liability and paving the way for broader restitution claims against other pre-KOA operators.

Response and assurance needed in 2026

As regulatory and legal scrutiny grows, stakeholders are watching closely to see how the Netherlands’ new liberal coalition government will approach KOA market reforms.

The administration faces a pivotal decision — whether to empower the KSA to enforce tougher compliance measures, or allow the judiciary to absorb a wave of collective lawsuits that could overwhelm the courts and ultimately demand full government intervention.

For Consumentenbond and its partners, the message remains clear: until accountability is enforced, the promise of a safe and transparent online gambling market will remain unfulfilled.

Youth gambling stable in latest UKGC report

iGamingExpertNovember 21, 20250142 views

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.

Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner issues formal caution to Unibet

iGamingExpertNovember 21, 20250124 views

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.”

GambleAware places spotlight on ADHD gambling support

iGamingExpertNovember 21, 20250132 views

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.”

UK operators hit GGY highs despite new online slots limits

iGamingExpertNovember 21, 20250115 views

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.

New minister addresses ADR shortcomings in Curaçao

iGamingExpertNovember 21, 20250133 views

With the Curacao gambling sector only just falling into his remit, the country’s Minister of Justice, Shalten Hato, is already making significant updates to the LoK regime in the country.

Hato has taken major steps to fix the Alternative Dispute Resolution process, which had been criticised as having potentially ‘industry-centric bias to the management of complaints, baked into the system’.

During a previous analysis, iGaming Expert had identified that there were potential shortcomings in the ADR resolution policy, however, Hato’s latest reforms have blocked the potential “territorial ringfencing of ADR approval”.

The latest changes from Hato all but eradicate these fears, and close potential loopholes in the ADR process. Hato has banned ADR providers from having any affiliate or B2B involvement with operators.

Additionally, ADR officials are also prohibited from offering any B2B services to Curacao operators, with independent lawyers being required for the process. In order to fully ensure the process is neutral and bias does not plague the system, conflicts of interests are banned, and the CGA has the ability to remove bodies at any time.

One of the key fears was the necessity for the ADR lawyer to have a background in Curacao, a territory that is so ingrained in the gambling sector, leading to trepidation that links to the industry would be unavoidable, whichever lawyer was selected.

Nonetheless, the updated text from Hato underlines that official ADR entities solely need to meet the CGA certification criteria, with nothing in the policy now leading to them having local incorporation or Curacao residence.

Furthermore, so long as they are willing to undergo CGA due diligence, the process is now seemingly expanded to international lawyers, in a significant shift for the framework’s ADR policy.

Also of importance is the 90-day window that has now been implemented to ensure ADR cases are dealt with in a timely manner. This marks a milestone in how Curacao deals with ADR cases, with a timeline not having previously been established.

Hato has clearly elevated the focus on consumer protection as Curacao enters a new era of gaming regulation with the implementation of the LoK.

Significant for both parties is the finality of ADR resolution: once an ADR process concludes, the dispute cannot be transferred to another ADR provider. This adds procedural certainty and prevents “ADR shopping”.

However, ADR rulings are only binding on operators, not on players. This may create a situation where operators must accept every ADR outcome, however, players remain free to reject an unfavourable ruling and pursue the matter through other legal or regulatory avenues.

As a result, operators may be cautious, recognising that a determined player can effectively “walk away” from an ADR outcome and escalate through courts or alternative frameworks, even though Curaçao prohibits re-opening ADR with a second provider.

The initial steps from Hato will only serve to increase his embracing by many in the industry, after the CGA’s supervision was switched from the Finance to the Justice department following controversy surrounding Curacao’s Finance Minister, Javier Silvania, who has since resigned.

One of the key allegations levelled against Silvania related to the process of the issuing of “provisional” online gambling licences, with allegations that several had been granted prior to the Lok being enacted, which led to questioning of their legitimacy.

Even amid the political tensions, the CGA issued assurances that the process to appoint new members of the board is underway, and the implementation of the Lok remains on course and uninterrupted.

The CGA’s Aideen Shortt stated: “Supervision and governance within the CGA continue uninterrupted. The Authority remains fully functional and independent, continuing to implement and enforce Curaçao’s new regulatory framework under the LOK.

“Despite sensationalist headlines and fake-news articles, there is no delay or deviation in the rollout of the LOK, and no disruption to the CGA’s licensing or compliance programmes.”

Hato is a much less polarising figure and has seemingly sought to take a tougher approach to money laundering in the country, publicly emphasising that there has been an increase in prosecutions for the crime.

During a recent Parliamentary meeting, he outlined statistics that revealed that 26 individuals had been prosecuted for money laundering. Furthermore, he also detailed that money laundering cases linked to drug trafficking had risen last year – as he sought to showcase a tougher stance against illicit money.