iGamingExpert

Illegal casino bust underpins need for modernisation in Bolivia 

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A significant bust of an illegal casino operation in Bolivia has been confirmed by the Bolivia Gaming Control Authority (AJ).

The operation was disguised as a food venue, and players were recruited to play through WhatsApp engagement. In a market where inspections are frequent, the illicit actors also utilised an expansive camera network to avoid detection.

As a result of information provided to the authorities, two slot machine gaming devices were seized, and the operation was halted.

It continues action by Bolivian authorities to tackle the illicit market – so far this year, 61 illegal gambling sites have been raided, and 85 gambling facilities have been seized.

The Santa Cruz department currently holds the highest number of illegal gambling sites reported.

There is also a strengthened effort and strategy to ensure that none of the machines re-enter the illicit market, with 2024 seeing the destruction of 639 illegally confiscated gaming machines.

Whilst online gaming is prohibited in Bolivia, there are limited land-based gaming licenses, however, they operate under strict frameworks.

This has led to only one legal license being issued in Santa Cruz and has potentially enabled the grey and black market to thrive and tap into gaps in the market.

There is currently a proposal to evolve the framework for Bolivia’s gaming landscape, however, having first been put forward in 2020, it remains in prolonged deliberation.

At the heart of the potential change in legislation is the inclusion of online gambling within the country’s legal framework.

Central to this is the ability to attract new investors to the sector and boost jobs and wealth across the country.

Furthermore, the changes to the legislation have also been cited as potentially being significant when it comes to tackling the rise of illegal operations that are being engaged with across Bolivia.

An election looms in Bolivia, and the regulated industry will be hoping that whoever comes in will place something of a priority on ensuring gambling regulation is strengthened.

There is currently a two-horse race in the country between Rodrigo Paz Pereira of the Christian Democratic Party and former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga. Neither candidate has outlined a specific stance for the gambling industry.

iGaming Expert Analysis: The modernisation of the Bolivian gambling sector is desperately needed and that is underpinned by the latest significant haul of unlicensed operators across the country.

As of right now, the lack of a clear path to regulatory compliance and licensing presents a real challenge for operators that are looking to expand in the country.

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Unibet faces €75m Dutch consumer claim on pre-licence activities 

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Unibet Netherlands faces a collective compensation claim of €75m led by Dutch consumer-claims organisation Dynamiet.

A lawsuit has been filed representing 2,500 Dutch customers of Unibet NL who seek lost money from the operator,for facilitating illegal online gambling prior to the launch of the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) on 1 October 2021.

Dynamiet, which recently won a multi-million payout against the credit agency of Bureau Krediet Registratie (BKR), has now turned its focus to the online gambling sector.

The organisation stated that it is pursuing a “first-of-its-kind legal challenge” against a gambling firm seeking a Dutch licence, arguing that operators who profited from illegal activity before regulation should face restitution claims.

At that time, Unibet and other offshore casinos were operating without a Dutch licence — a status that claimants argue rendered their gambling losses unlawful.

Leading the claim, Deepak Thakoerdien, Dynamiet’s cofounder, said the move reflects the organisation’s broader mission to secure justice for those who were financially and emotionally harmed by unregulated online gambling.

“For many of these people, it’s not just about money — it’s about recognition,” he explained. “They were ignored for years while being drained by an illegal casino. Waiting is for spectators; we are here to act.”

Dynamiet has confirmed that it will initially file claims for 1,000 players, with the remaining 1,500 to be added in stages, bringing the total claim value to approximately €75 million. The action targets Kindred Group, Unibet’s parent company, and its subsidiary Risepoint.

According to Dutch iGaming news outlet CasinoNieuws.nl, the summons has already been formally served by a court bailiff. -“The case is being heard by the District Court of The Hague and concerns two entities: Kindred Group Limited (formerly Kindred Group Plc) and Risepoint Limited (formerly Trannel International Limited). Risepoint is no longer part of the group following Kindred’s recent acquisition by FDJ (now FDJ United).”

CasinoNieuws.nl further reports that Dynamiet accuses Unibet of admitting Dutch players for years without holding a valid licence, while failing to meet mandatory player-safety checks such as Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures.

The legal services provider claims that Dutch consumers could deposit via iDEAL, use Dutch-language customer service, and play on a Dutch-language website, all of which suggest that the operator specifically targeted the Dutch market in violation of gambling law.

The combined losses of the players involved have amounted to approximately €75 million, money Dynamiet argues was “unlawfully obtained”, since agreements between Unibet and Dutch players should be considered as “null and void.”

The organisation also points to a 2019 fine imposed by Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Netherlands Gambling Authority against Unibet for operating illegally, arguing that the company “deliberately acted in violation of the Gambling Act.”

“You can’t avoid responsibility,” Dynamiet stated in its press release.

In 2019, during the final phase of the KOA’s passage, the Dutch House of Representatives (Kamer) chose not to impose retroactive tax liabilities on operators for their pre-market activities — a decision that drew criticism from several ministers.

However, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) implemented a cooling-off period for operators such as Unibet, which already held a significant Dutch customer database, a judgement the regulator deemed to be in the market’s interest.

As a result, Unibet’s market launch was delayed until 4 July 2022, one year after the KOA regime came into effect.

The claim against Unibet forms part of a wider campaign by Dynamiet, which in early 2025 announced its intention to take legal action against six other foreign gambling brands including PokerStars, Betsson, N1 Casino, Bwin, LeoVegas, and 888 Casino. Collectively, these cases represent around 5,000 players and €100 million in alleged losses.

Unlike typical litigation funds, Dynamiet operates independently and self-finances its actions on a no-cure-no-fee basis, charging a 33% commission only upon success.

Legal experts see the Unibet case as a potential landmark for retroactive liability in Dutch gambling law. If successful, it could open the door for further mass claims against operators that accepted Dutch players before the KOA regime, setting a precedent for historic accountability in Europe’s regulated gambling markets.

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UK Gambling Commission set to redefine deposit limits for customer clarity

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The UK Gambling Commission will implement a new meaning to deposit limits in 2026 to provide clarity and consistency for customers.

Online operators will be required to provide customers with the opportunity to set a deposit limit based solely on their deposit amount paid into their account over a set period of time.

The changes will be integrated in stages, coming into effect from 30 June 2026.

To avoid any sort of misunderstanding, only this form of limit may be called a “deposit limit”, meaning the current gambling support tool of the same name will have to be redefined.

Operators will also be able to offer different limits, such as loss limits or limits where withdrawals are accounted for.

The changes are being made in line with the 2023 Gambling White Paper and are a result of a consultation between March and April 2025, which examined the definition of deposit limits in the Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards.

“Our work will help empower consumers to have greater awareness and control over their gambling,” commented Helen Rhodes, Commission Director of Major Policy Projects.

“These further changes will also bring consistency and clarity for those consumers choosing to set deposit limits, while still supporting gambling businesses to offer customer choice for different forms of limits.”

Currently, operators must offer tools to help customers set personal budgets with ease at registration or when they make their first deposit. The rules are being amended to provide customers with clarity and consistency.

With the changes being implemented in stages, operators will be required to do the following from 31 October 2025:

Prompt customers before their first deposit to set a financial limit, as well as make it easy to review and alter their limit.

Issue reminders every six months for customers to review account and transaction information, helping them maintain control of their gambling spend.

Offer financial limits using free text at an account level to help customers set meaningful limits.

Provide financial limit setting facilities via clear and accessible links on their home and deposit pages, with the number of clicks to reach these facilities minimised.

Take immediate action on all customer requests to decrease their financial limit.

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Sweden’s BOS slams Svenska Spel’s proposals as self-interested fuel for black market

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Branschföreningen för Onlinespel (BOS), the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling, has called out Svenska Spel for its recent proposals for the country’s gambling industry, suggesting that they would “harm consumer protection”.

The Government-owned gambling operator published an op-ed in Dagens Industri, Sweden’s largest business newspaper, at the beginning of the month, with a report on the country’s market being published at the same time.

Svenska Spel laid out 18 proposals to solve problems within the Swedish gambling industry, including stronger protections for young people, stopping unlicensed operators and classifying forms of gambling with different levels of risk, including stricter requirements, such as tighter marketing restrictions, for high-risk verticals, with online casinos mentioned.

Even greater illegal market shares

It is the latter point which BOS has argued against, publishing its own op-ed in Dagens Industri and a post on its website. The trade association stated that the restrictions would mainly affect online casinos, which already face tough competition from unlicensed and illegal operators.

As such, BOS believes the proposal would damage protections to guard customers and award “even greater market shares” to unlicensed and illegal online casinos.

“It is a natural consequence if the legally licensed gambling companies are prevented or prohibited from marketing themselves and their products,” commented BOS Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt.

“The proposal that Svenska Spel dresses up in the name of consumer protection would therefore, on the contrary, harm consumer protection, as we know that a transition from licensed to unlicensed gambling entails an increased risk of problem gambling.”

BOS added that marketing restrictions, or even an advertising ban, on online casinos would benefit Svenska Spel commercially because of its monopoly on the lottery.

Hoffstedt said: “A ban on advertising for online casino would mean an enormous advantage for the monopolist Svenska Spel, which then, as the only operator on the Swedish gambling market, can indirectly continue to advertise online casino via its lottery products.”

Regulatory review

The arguments made by BOS compound on its calls in September for Swedish decision makers to undertake more effective regulatory action and to review the current legislative structure for the country’s licensed gambling market.

This request followed a report by Spelinspektionen, the Swedish gambling authority, which estimated that the country’s market channelisation rate in 2024 was 85%, down 1% when compared to the previous year’s 86%.

Hoffstedt commented: “With this assessment, the SGA confirms that Sweden’s major problem in the gambling market is online casino. It is unacceptable that around a quarter of all online casino gambling is leaking out of the licensed market.

“It is equally unacceptable that this has been accepted by political decision-makers for half a decade, since the channelisation has also been low in previous assessments, without effective regulatory measures being taken.

“Later this month, gambling investigator Marcus Isgren’s proposal to change the scope of the Gambling Act will be presented. It is a welcome change in the law that will criminalise almost all unlicensed gambling in Sweden.

“But anyone who understands the gambling market knows that the elephant in the room is that the licensed market is so tightly regulated that it does not appear attractive enough in the eyes of the consumer. Without a review of, for example, the total ban on bonuses and other loyalty programs, next year’s channelisation assessment from the SGA will also be a disappointment.”

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Spain demands tobacco-style harm labels on gambling products

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The Ministry of Consumer Affairs of Spain demands that all online gambling licensees must now display public warning messages about gambling harms across products and platforms.

Announced by Pablo Bustinduy, Minister of Social Rights, Consumption, and the 2030 Agenda (MAS), the warnings will be mandated through Royal Decree 958/2020. Applied since 2020, the Decree enacts the federal mandate of Spain’s blanket ban on gambling advertising and sports sponsorships.

Similar to messages carried on tobacco products, online gaming operators will be required to include three slogans on their websites, apps and digital advertising.

These are: “Gambling addiction is a risk of gambling”, “the probability of being a losing gambler is 75%” and “losses for all gamblers are four times greater than their winnings”.

According to Bustinduy, the objective of the change is to replace generic messages, such as “play responsibly”, with direct warnings based on “real data” about risk.

“The responsibility should not fall on the users but on the authorities, who have the democratic duty to ensure that the environments they access are safe,” Bustinduy stated during a Safe Gaming event, organised by the Ministry.

The implementation is being facilitated through a new resolution and two annexes that the DGOJ, Spain’s gaming regulator, is scheduled to release for public information in the coming days.

The messages must be displayed clearly by operators on banners, advertising videos and login screens for gaming platforms.

Spain widens gambling controls

The warning messages sit alongside wider gaming reform in Spain, designed to boost player protection measures.

At the MAS-led event, Bustinduy referred to the Customer Service Law, which is currently being processed in Congress and would reinstate the regulation of gambling advertising and prevent the use of celebrities in advertising campaigns or welcome bonuses aimed specifically at young audiences.

Prior to April 2024, welcome bonuses were completely banned by Royal Decree 9587/2000. However, after being reinstated, they have been linked to a significant surge in iGaming activity.

Data published by the MAS revealed that the number of online players increased by 21.36% last year and the number of accounts by 23.48%.

This led to Bustinduy leading calls for an amendment to ban promotional incentives once more.

In addition, the DGOJ confirmed its intentions to move forward with plans to establish a centralised deposit limit system for players, set at €600 per day, €1,500 per week and €3,000 per month.

Currently, operators are required to manage limits independently.

The regulator is also working on the development of a mandatory AI-led responsible gambling algorithm that aims to trace live variable indicators of problem gambling risks.

EGBA hails approval of standards of harm policy

While Spain forges ahead with significant changes, the European Gaming & Betting Association has welcomed the approval of a draft European standard on markets of harm in the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN).

According to the trade body, an “overwhelming majority” of national standardisation bodies voted in favour of the policy.

“The positive outcome of this vote is a real testament to the power of collaboration across our sector,” commented Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the EGBA.

“When EGBA first proposed this initiative to CEN, we envisioned creating a commonly agreed standard that would benefit players across Europe. We’re delighted with the support the standard has received, and I want to personally thank all the stakeholders who participated in this process. The result shows what happens when we work together to strengthen player protection.”

The EGBA has worked with experts across Europe, including academics, gambling regulators, operators and harm prevention professionals, to develop the policy which seeks to set out a widely-recognised standard for markers of gambling harm.

These include behavioural indicators such as shifts in speed and the time and duration of play, which can signal risky or problematic activity.

Though an important milestone, the standard must now go through the formal CEN finalisation process before it will be published.

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UKGC fines Betfred operator £240,000 for inappropriate slot features

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has issued a £240,000 penalty to the operator of Betfred.com for having online slot features which breached its Remote Technical Standards (RTS).

The Commission found that Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited, which runs betfred.com and oddsking.com (no longer operational), operated a selection of slot titles that failed to meet RTS requirements, including “hosting games which failed to display the consumer’s net position and games which celebrated losses as wins”.

RTS requires all gaming sessions to clearly show a customer’s net position, and a gambling system must not celebrate returns that are less than or equal to the total stake gambled.

Concerns about the celebratory effects’ fairness when a customer was in an overall losing position were raised by the UKGC, which stated that it may “negatively impact a player’s ability to interpret their gameplay accurately and make informed choices”.

Action was immediately taken by Petfre (Gibraltar), according to the report, which decommissioned the affected titles.

“Features that impair a consumer’s ability to make informed decisions are not appropriate and pose a clear risk,” commented John Pierce, Commission Director of Enforcement.

“While we acknowledge the operator acted swiftly to remove the affected games, this enforcement action should serve as a clear signal to the wider industry to review and strengthen their compliance practices — and to ensure that gameplay is fair and consumers are not exposed to unnecessary risk.”

Petfre (Gibraltar) has previously faced regulatory action from the UKGC, as the operator was fined £2.87m for social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures in 2022.

iGaming Expert has reached out to Betfred for comment on the UKGC fine.

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Is Vietnam edging closer to a new era of regulation? 

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Vietnam could be shifting towards a new approach to gambling regulation as local media reports suggest two land based casinos could be set to open to local players.

Frameworks are strict when it comes to limitations on local residents gambling. Currently, casinos, online betting and sports betting remain illegal for Vietnamese citizens.

However, there have been pilot programs launched that are enabling locals to gamble in these venues, with these pilot programs being expanded for a further five years.

The Grand Ho Tram and Van Don Integrated Resort are the two resorts at the centre of the pilot program’s expansion.

In order to ensure the financial viability of each entrant, the Ministry of Finance has put forward entry fees of VND 2.5 million (approximately $100 USD) for each 24-hour period of casino access, as well as VND 50 million (approximately $2,000 USD) for a monthly pass.

The pilot expansion will require final sign off from Vietnam’s Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chính and the country’s Minister of Finance.

This is a similar approach taken to that of Singapore, a framework that by many is considered the gold standard in Asia.

It marks the continued evolution of the country’s decree on gambling, with it also ensuring that, in order to strengthen the links of firms in the country, with local laws and market development, foreign online game suppliers must have a presence in the region.

There are also stringent age verification and surveillance frameworks placed upon casinos at the centre of the pilot program expansion.

Vietnam’s Corona Resort & Casino in Phu Quoc was previously utilised as part of the trial for enabling local residents to gamble. Whilst results for this trial were significantly limited by COVID, it is reported that the resort could be enabled to take on the permanent inclusion of local players.

This is a move that further underpins that evolution of the gambling framework and the country’s shifting stance when it comes to casinos.

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VNLOK: False reviews leading Dutch players to illegal offerings

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Vergunde Nederlandse Online Kansspelaanbieders (VNLOK) has issued a stark warning to Dutch gambling stakeholders concerning the activity of the illegal market.

VNLOK, a trade body for licensed Dutch operators, said that reviews on Google and Trustpilot are being manipulated, resulting in illegal websites being made to look trustworthy by false reviews and fake profiles, in addition to illegal websites being promoted through websites that have been acquired or hacked, including former Government websites.

These revelations came from Meld Vals Spel, an initiative launched in November 2024 that covers illegal gambling reporting. VNLOK stated it has received a total of 238 reports about practices used by illegal gambling providers.

“We see how sophisticated illegal gambling sites masquerade as trustworthy entities,” noted Björn Fuchs, Chair of VNLOK.

“This makes it nearly impossible for consumers to tell the difference. That’s why it’s crucial that reports are followed up quickly and that illegal providers are dealt with more rigorously.”

VNLOK has called on Dutch politicians to trust legal gambling and note the damage illegal practices can do to players who are at risk, stating that high taxes and additional restrictions on legal providers push players to illegal operators.

These comments are in response to significant changes to the country’s tax on gambling, which increased from 30.5% to 34.2% in 2025, and it will rise again to 37.8% in 2026.

The trade association said: “Give the Netherlands gambling authority the power to take decisive action and immediately block illegal gambling sites and their affiliates. And ensure that the legal market remains attractive and visible, so players can more easily find a safe provider.”

Of note, Meld Vals Spel said that most reports (30%) highlighted misleading advertisements from illegal online casinos, while other areas included misuse of logos and names of legitimate providers (20%), making illegal sites accessible to minors (10%), and problems with payments and withdrawals.

According to VNLOK, €1.2bn is estimated to be spent by Dutch players with illegal providers in 2025, while around 200,000 gamble illegally online, “36% of whom are at-risk gamblers – four times as many as with legal providers”.

Supported by Frank Kruit in processing the reports, the trade association added that a quarter of players don’t know if they are gambling legally or illegally.

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Illegal international gambling network taken down in Kuwait 

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Kuwait officials have reportedly eradicated a network that allegedly facilitated online gambling and enabled the illicit transfer of profits abroad.

According to investigations, the network was at the heart of significant money laundering operations, which utilised a myriad of avenues to transfer funds.

First reported by the Kuwait Times, trading outlets, delivery services, health salons and perfume shops were all avenues tapped into by the network to siphon money out of the network.

The site also reported that the busting of the lucrative network led to the seizure of funds totalling around KD 153,837 (£373,805), whilst funds transferred from abroad via unofficial channels totalled KD 25,000 (£60,750)

The Ministry of Interior has underpinned that the arrests and referrals to public prosecution are part of its much wider strategy to tackle illicit gambling.

Key figures from the network were reportedly based in Turkey, with a statement from officials emphasising that there is nobody above the law in terms of tackling gambling.

Laws are incredibly strict in Kuwait when it comes to gambling, with the activity being prohibited and any engagement resulting in fines and imprisonment. Furthermore, money laundering any profits from the business can also result in significant sanctions from the Government.

The only previous efforts for the legalisation of the gambling industry in Kuwait dwindled before they gained real momentum in 2014.

Politician Waleed Al-Nasser proposed the plans to boost the economy and diversify the tourism sector in Kuwait, but they were met with vehement opposition.

Since then, the Middle East has transformed in many ways, as a cultural shift has been undertaken in the United Arab Emirates.

This has included the gradual expansion of its gambling regulation, which included the formation of the GCGRA, the federal body responsible for regulating all commercial gaming activities in the region.

Nonetheless, even with this expansion, operators and suppliers looking to move into the UAE have been warned that they should anticipate tough conditions.

In a recent interview with iGaming Expert, Lau Kok Keng, who was at the heart of shaping Singapore regulations, underlined that even at the early stages, there are key lessons for operators.

He stated: “The UAE is in the early stages of regulated gaming, and the legal and regulatory framework is still very much evolving. Operators looking to enter the UAE market should stay abreast of all legislative and policy updates, build relationships with government agencies, local partners, and community leaders to understand cultural sensitivities and regulatory expectations.

“The UAE is likely to adopt a highly regulated and tightly controlled model, with a strong emphasis on anti-money laundering, responsible gambling, and social safeguards. Operators must be prepared to meet stringent compliance standards.

“The UAE is also a conservative society with unique cultural and religious considerations. Marketing, product offerings, and customer engagement must be tailored accordingly. Any investment in the UAE market needs to be a long-term one, with investment in local talent, training and infrastructure necessary.”

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EGBA seeks support for European standardisation of markers of harm

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The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has called on delegates to approve a continent-wide standard on markets of gambling harm.

Members of national standardised bodies have until 25 September to vote on a proposal submitted by the EGBA to the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), which seeks to establish a list of behavioural indicators that can signal problematic gambling behaviour.

According to the trade body, the framework, in development since 2022, will address a “critical gap” in the use of markers of harm in responsible gambling, as there is currently no agreed framework defining what constitutes risky behaviours.

“We call on national delegates to approve the important standard, which will contribute to a better understanding of problem gambling behaviour and support more effective harm prevention across Europe,” urged Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the EGBA.

During the development, experts across Europe, including academics, gambling regulators, operators and harm prevention professionals, have come together to develop the proposed policy.

If approved, the finalised standard is expected to be published by CEN by the beginning of 2026. It will be voluntary in nature, meaning online gambling regulators will decide whether they wish to incorporate it as part of their national safer gambling frameworks.

The EGBA represents licensed operators regulated across 21 countries across the European Union.

Spain leads the way

Already in the EU, national regulators are working on their own systems to counter problematic behaviour.

In June, Spain’s regulator, the Directorate General of the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), laid out plans for a responsible gambling algorithm that will step in to lead Spain’s player protection evolution

The DGOJ’s Director General, Mikeal Arana, also revealed that it has been forced to overhaul the detection systems in the country due to the failures of operators.

At the Gaming in Spain conference, he told attendees that very few of the country’s operators are implementing the detection systems mandated under the Royal Decree that governs gambling in Spain.

“We have seen that from 50 operators, around 38 have [no] risky players, which is hard to believe,” explained Arana.

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