iGamingExpert

Ukrainian Gambling Council: comprehensive approach needed to tackle illegal gambling  

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The battle against illegal gambling is becoming a global challenge as digital tech creates an environment for iGaming to prosper, according to Viktoriya Zakrevskaya, Founding Member and Deputy Chair of the Ukrainian Gambling Council (UGC).

Writing for SBCEurasia, she underpinned the importance of a comprehensive approach and flexibility in adapting to technological changes in the modern environment.

There are prevalent obstacles when it comes to detecting and subsequently tackling illegal sites, challenges only elevated by the prevalence of digital currencies in the offshore environment. As well as this, social media is tapped into to generate traffic.

She emphasised: “To counter these challenges, countries around the world are implementing innovative approaches that combine technological, regulatory, and social measures. In particular, Argentina is restricting access to gambling websites via public Wi-Fi networks.

“For this purpose, enhanced authorisation, identification, and verification [KYC – Know Your Customer] procedures are used, which require confirmation of age and identity before accessing platforms.

“Public Wi-Fi providers are required to block illegal websites using filters based on blacklists provided by the regulator. This approach reduces the accessibility of illegal platforms in public places, such as cafes or libraries, where minors are often present. The Argentine experience demonstrates the importance of cooperation between regulators and ISPs to limit access to illegal content.”

She pinpointed the efforts being made in Indonesia, where the government has undergone major efforts to strangle gambling market engagement.

At the heart of these efforts have been tapping into financial supervision tools, which blocked banking tools linked with the gambling market, which is illegal in Indonesia.

She continued: “In the United States, where gambling regulation is decentralised and depends on the laws of individual states, illegal websites are multiplying twice as fast as licensed ones [+64% vs. +36% as of 2024]. More than 80% of users see ads for illegal platforms, which often operate through offshore companies and use cryptocurrencies for transactions.

“To combat these challenges, the United States is working to regulate cryptocurrencies, impose restrictions on the use of offshore companies for the registration of gambling business organisers, and require IT giants to strengthen advertising moderation to limit the promotion of illegal sites in search engines and social networks. The US experience shows that the decentralised model of countering illegal gambling requires coordination at different levels: between the federal centre and the states; directly between the states; and between the federal centre, states, and IT companies.”

The regulator in Ukraine collaborates with Meta tackling Instagram accounts of bloggers who promote illegal online casinos through stories, showing fake “winnings” and leaving active links to banned sites.

September 15 will see SBC organise a ground breaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

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ProgressPlay handed £1m UKGC fine for ‘unacceptable’ AML failures

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has issued a £1m fine to ProgressPlay Limited for compliance failures related to anti-money laundering and social responsibility.

Following a UKGC compliance assessment, the operator has also been handed a warning and is expected to undergo a third-party audit within six months of a licence review being concluded to ensure AML and social responsibility policies, procedures, and controls are being effectively implemented.

The Commission noted that the breaches took place over various dates between August 2021 and August 2024.

ProgressPlay, which operates 134 websites, has now faced enforcement action from the UKGC for the second time in three years, as the operator paid a £175,718 fine for social responsibility and AML failures in 2022.

John Pierce, Director of Enforcement and Intelligence at the UKGC, commented: “Gambling businesses must have robust policies and procedures in place to protect consumers and ensure appropriate anti-money laundering controls are maintained. These measures must be actively implemented and regularly tested to confirm their effectiveness.

“This case marks the second time ProgressPlay Limited has been subject to enforcement action by the Gambling Commission. Its failure to meet AML obligations, along with the gaps identified in its social responsibility processes, are unacceptable.”

According to the UKGC, AML failures by ProgressPlay included:

An appropriate Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (MLTF) risk assessment was not conducted and appropriate controls to minimise MLTF risk were not implemented.

Not considering all business-associated risks, failing to take a sufficient risk-based AML approach.

Transactions carried out during customer relationships, such as verifying source of funds, were not sufficiently scrutinised to ensure transactions were consistent with the casino’s understanding of the customer, their business activities, and their risk profile.

The Commission also stated that the operator’s social responsibility failures included:

Not having adequate systems and processes in place to monitor customer activity at the point of account opening effectively, early identification of potential gambling-related harm or the implementation of appropriate interventions was at risk.

Employing a customer interactions policy which didn’t adequately address the elements of identify, act and evaluate set out in the Remote Customer Interaction section of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice.

Not implementing adequate processes to understand the impact of individual interactions and actions on a customer’s behaviour, the continued risk of potential harm, and whether further action is needed.

The UKGC noted that ProgressPlay cooperated with the investigation and took corrective steps to address the failings identified.

“As part of the regulatory outcome, ProgressPlay is now required to undergo an independent third-party audit to assess the adequacy of its compliance arrangements across these areas,” Pierce added.

“Operators should be in no doubt: repeated regulatory breaches will result in increasingly severe enforcement action. We urge all operators to examine the failings identified in this case and take proactive steps to strengthen their own systems and controls.”

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

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GambleAware calls for safer gambling video guidelines after industry advert study

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GambleAware is calling on the UK Government to produce safer gambling video guidelines after new research brings into question the impact of operator’s safer gambling adverts.

In addition, the charity is also calling for more effective monitoring and accountability for industry-led campaigns, as well as a consistent framework to ensure adverts are protective.

Conducted by Thinks Insight & Strategy with academic expert Professor Elliot Ludvig, the research examined the effectiveness of safer gambling video campaigns currently being used by major operators.

Videos used include a control video, ‘Magnets’ stigma campaign by GambleAware, Play at your best by Betfair, Top tips for positive play by William Hill, Take time to think by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), as well as Made to play safely by 888.

Participants were randomly exposed to the different safer gambling video adverts, followed by a simulated online environment in which the video’s effect on their subsequent inclination to gamble was captured. This was done to see what safer gambling message types affect gambling behaviours and attitudes, as well as how effective operator methods were in reducing harmful gambling.

‘Backfire effects’

The study noted that Top tips for positive play by William Hill and Made to play safely by 888 adverts had “backfire effects” and led to a significant increase in click-through rates compared to the control.

According to the study, these videos “may encourage gambling engagement, potentially due to their framing or the promotional nature of their messaging. Attitudinal survey results suggest the videos may reinforce the idea that gambling is safe, create a false sense of security, increase gambling intent, and, despite being perceived as trustworthy, subtly downplay gambling risks”.

The study noted that 45% of participants that were shown the Made to play safely by 888 felt as though it suggested gambling was harmless fun, while this figure was 38% for the Top tips for positive play by William Hill.

Ludvig stated: “The study suggests that some safer gambling videos from gambling operators have a backfire effect, encouraging gambling and having the opposite effect to their intended purpose of helping people control how much they gamble.

“The findings from this experiment should be used to help to guide the design of effective safer gambling advertising videos and establish standards for measuring their impact.”

Other results

The ‘Magnets’ stigma campaign video was shown to have ‘protective effects’, resulting in a significant decrease in click-through rates, as their personal narrative and serious tone may have helped to foster “greater awareness of gambling harms”.

In addition, the attitudinal survey results suggest that the video “effectively normalises gambling problems as widespread, encourages self-reflection, counters the idea of gambling as harmless fun, and is perceived as trustworthy, potentially enhancing its protective impact on behaviour”.

Of the participants, 15% thought the advert suggested that gambling was harmless fun.

Play at your best by Betfair and Take Time To Think by the BGC were said to not produce significant behaviour changes, as the study stated that the Take Time To Think messaging “had no effect” while the Play at your best “had a straightforward, clear communication style and did not backfire”.

The videos were also said to be able to provide “useful strategies for managing gambling but do not strongly encourage self-regulation or behaviour change, slightly increase gambling intent, and foster a sense of control without clearly influencing gambling decisions”.

Of the participants, 39% thought Play at your best by Betfair suggested that gambling was harmless fun, while this figure was 32% for Take Time To Think by the BGC.

Industry can’t ‘mark its own homework’

GambleAware also noted that the study found that the industry-produced adverts increase gambling intentions among communities most at risk, including younger people and those experiencing gambling problems, as on average, 14% of those aged 18-34 clicked on the “pop up” advert to place a free bet, compared to vs 4% of those aged 55+.

In addition, the charity mentioned that gambling operators are supposed to allocate 20% of their digital and broadcast advertising budgets to safer gambling messaging on digital channels, but prior to this study, there was a lack of monitoring this and a lack of published evidence showing the potential impact.

Alexia Clifford, GambleAware Chief Communications Officer, said: “This new research shows that so-called ‘safer gambling’ videos produced by gambling operators could be doing more harm than good. It’s unacceptable that adverts claiming to help people reduce their risk of harm are encouraging people to gamble more instead.

“The gambling industry cannot be left to ‘mark its own homework’ on such an important issue. We need stronger legislation on gambling marketing and advertising, including more effective monitoring of gambling industry-led advertising campaigns, health warnings on all gambling advertising, and for all adverts to signpost to where people can get help for gambling harms.”

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

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India on the cusp of online gaming overhaul

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Breaking headlines in India report that the government has been presented with a Bill to overhaul the rules and definitions of Real Money Games (RMG) and Games of Skill.

Branded as the “Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill (2025)” the full text of the Bill is yet to be published, but has been referenced by local media quoting ‘close sources’.

The Union Cabinet approved the draft on Tuesday afternoon, with sources expecting the legislation to be formally tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

International vs Local Coverage

Coverage has been split sharply between international and domestic media reporting on the Bill’s articles.

International wires, led by Reuters, frame the Bill as a blunt instrument that enforces a “hard prohibition”. The Reuters headlines emphasise India’s intention to “ban online games played with money”, presenting the measure as a direct assault on an industry that has attracted billions in foreign capital.

By contrast, local media outlets lean towards describing the move as a distinct regulatory overhaul. Reports in the Economic Times and Times of India suggest the government’s objective is not simply to outlaw gaming but to redefine what qualifies as Real Money Games. That means banning formats where money is staked, while expressly encouraging esports and non-monetary social gaming.

Commentary in The Hindu and Business Standard adds further nuance, stressing the government’s ambition to formalise a national framework. They note the Bill could eliminate today’s patchwork of state-level laws and conflicting bans, replacing them with a single, uniform code that would bring consistency across India’s fragmented online gaming sector.

What is reported?

Common themes reported in detail that the Bill will recommend a ban on advertising and endorsements of real-money game platforms and further prohibit banks and bar banks and non-banking financial services from processing financial transactions for games and platforms classified as RMG.

A much tougher enforcement is expected, with prescribed penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment and fines of up to ₹1 crore (€110,000) for operators, and up to two years or ₹50 lakh (€55,000) for advertisers.

The Bill is expected to grant centralised powers to federal authorities to restrict and prohibit consumer access to RMG platforms, including the use of direct IP blocking and the authority to terminate internet connections.

The draft is understood to have been prepared by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), with Cabinet ministers signalling strong support. The text reflects the recommendations of India’s Tech Council, which has pressed for the Union Cabinet to endorse the Finance Ministry’s move to apply a 40% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on gaming revenues.

Industry Fallout

The Economic Times warns that a sweeping ban on money games could hollow out India’s RMG sector, driving users offshore and costing the exchequer as much as ₹20,000 crore (€2.2 billion) in annual tax revenues. Industry leaders fear that the measure risks jobs, investment, and innovation, while leaving users vulnerable on unregulated platforms.

News of the federal government’s approach to regulating Real Money and Skill Games has dominated this summer. Amid a series of legal challenges, the Supreme Court announced it would review the legal boundaries of RMG and other formats in consultation with tech giants Google and Apple.

The consultation was prompted by high-profile cases before the Supreme Court concerning the involvement of celebrities, athletes, and Bollywood stars in promoting Real Money and Skill Games – an area where India lacks uniform legislation to define regulatory remits.

All eyes on the Lok

For now, the exact text remains unpublished. Observers expect the Lok Sabha to release the Bill upon its introduction on Wednesday. Only then will the contours of India’s gaming regulation prohibition, overhaul, or a mixture of both be fully understood.

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Greece forms Task Force to strangle illegal gambling networks 

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The Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) will establish a task force “to combat the scourge” of illegal gambling networks.

The task force will be composed of EEEP units working in coordination with Greece’s national police, judiciary, and financial intelligence unit to dismantle criminal networks and prosecute offenders. Spearheading a “collaborative approach,” the EEEP has called upon broader government agencies and public bodies to engage in joint initiatives.

A deep cooperation is needed as EEEP seeks to understand how illegal gambling networks have used technology to bypass regulatory systems and engage with Greek online consumers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the operational tactics of illegal networks including their use of social media, encrypted messaging apps, and database marketing and the methods through which they obscure financial flows via layered transactional systems.

New intelligence from this initiative will be shared with government stakeholders to shape new policies and protective measures aimed at fortifying Greece’s regulated online gambling sector.

“Members must take unified legal action in Greece and use their capabilities to address this matter. Some recent actions taken (e.g., with the UK) are being assessed by a working group. To this end, there are legal provisions and a legislative framework that the EEEP may activate when necessary,” the Commission stated.

The Hellas Gambling Law was last revised in 2021, formally empowering the EEEP to introduce a permanent online gambling licensing regime. The framework ended a decade-long “grey market transition” by issuing seven-year licences, taxed at €3 million each, for betting and casino operations. The reform brought regulatory clarity and tax accountability to foreign operators that had previously operated under provisional licences.

To underscore the need for continued vigilance, the EEEP has published its economic update on the Greek gambling market, revealing a Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of €1.24 billion for the period January to May 2025.

The data continues to illustrate a marked shift in consumer behaviour, with online gambling channels now firmly dominating the market. Of the total GGR, over €528 million was generated from online operators, compared to €456 million from land-based betting shops. This hyper divergence highlights the increasing preference of Greek consumers for digital platforms, particularly in sports betting and online casino gaming.

The EEEP emphasises that the creation of the task force is essential to counter growing concerns over the black market. Unlicensed operators are believed to be exploiting online channels to evade tax obligations and undercut licensed providers.

These trends, the Commission warns, pose a direct threat to state revenues and the integrity of the regulated market. Launching the task force and reinforcing its data capabilities, the EEEP aims to restore public trust, protect consumers, and ensure that gambling tax contributions from licensed operators remain robust.

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Research reveals worrying unregulated market trends in the Philippines 

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Research firm, the Fourth Wall, has identified the key differences between the regulated and the unregulated markets in the Philippines, sharing severe concerns over the continued offering of e-sabong, also known as cockfighting.

Utilisation of promotions was also integral to the differences between the two sectors, with promotions for the unlicensed sector being more prevalent and having elevated incentives compared to the regulated sector.

High value bonuses of up to 108% were found as being used to entice players on the unregulated market, underpinning the challenges faced by the regulated market in terms of competing.

At the heart of the differentiation in marketing approaches is the affiliate strategy undertaken by both the regulated and the unregulated sector.

The report revealed that many unregulated operators provide lucrative affiliate programs, sometimes offering 45–65% of Gross Gaming Revenue to attract strong collaborations.

The presence of e-sabong also caused concern, as unregulated operators continue to offer the illegal sport and even tap into audiences that engage with the sport through private groups.

John Brylle L. Bae, Research Director at The Fourth Wall, stated: “Our latest report demonstrates how prohibited games like e-sabong remain easily accessible on unregulated platforms even to high-profile figures, underscoring persistent enforcement challenges.

“Our report shows that the operational differences between regulated and unregulated platforms do not just define how platforms function but also shape the risks and potential harms players face, especially in unregulated spaces.”

He also revealed the need for targeted enforcement and increased public awareness as the threat of the sector continues to grow.

Unsurprisingly, the KYC approach of the unregulated sector is minimal, and according to the report elevates the level of risk associated with the sector – enabling underage players to engage with unregulated gambling sites.

The report also provides details of the impact of payment limitations on the sector and the AML checks implemented by the regulated market.

It leads to the experience of the unregulated market being more frictionless as the challenge for the regulated market to compete intensifies significantly.

The report arrives as the market sits at a crossroads of a vital moment for the gambling sector in the Philippines, with it being reported that a total of four bills, three resolutions and a privilege speech addressing the impact of the online gaming industry will be discussed by the Philippine Senate’s committee on games and amusements.

The outcome will determine whether the industry will be subject to tighter regulations or a total ban.

While increased regulation is not always preferable for the development of an industry, it is clear that change is afoot and greater scrutiny is preferable to an outright ban.In the days before the inquiry began, 19 operators, including Digiplus formed the PlaySafe Alliance of the Philippines. The group states that in doing so they have demonstrated their commitment to responsible gaming, regulatory compliance, consumer protection and combatting illegal gambling.

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

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Trinidad and Tobago PM seeks +25 age for gambling

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A Bill proposing sweeping social reforms is set to be presented to Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament, as new Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar delivers on key campaign pledges targeting youth welfare and broader public health objectives.

“As promised by Kamla” the UNC Party is committed to raising the legal drinking age to 21, while gambling and cannabis use would be restricted to those aged 25. The reforms mark a major policy shift, to position Trinidad and Tobago as the strictest Caribbean state on adult activities.

Persad-Bissessar unveiled the measures during her first official address since her general election victory on 28 April, reaffirming the UNC Party’s ambitions and promising “tough decisions” to bring long-term stability and fairness.

The reforms are being bundled into a wider legislative manifest that also includes a review of pension tax laws. The Prime Minister pledged to exempt retirement benefits from taxation for individuals over 60, arguing that taxing pensions after decades of contribution amounts to double taxation and imposes undue strain on seniors with fixed incomes.

“These changes are about fairness, safety, and building a healthier future. You don’t want the next five years to be as terrible as the last ten,” she told supporters during a UNC meeting in Penal.

Cautious Support from Business Community

The proposal has received early backing from three major business chambers, including the Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce (GSFCC), whose president Kiran Singh praised the government’s focus on addiction prevention and urged it to go further by restricting vaping among minors.

Singh downplayed concerns about potential losses to nightlife and gaming industries, stating that the societal benefits would outweigh economic costs, and noted that most youth spending in these sectors is marginal or reliant on borrowed money.

However, Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC) president Baldath Maharaj urged greater consultation, warning that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in tourism, hospitality, and entertainment could face setbacks during an already fragile post-pandemic recovery. He recommended a phased implementation strategy, backed by education campaigns and support measures for affected businesses.

The Fyzabad Chamber of Commerce also welcomed the intent but called for a balanced approach, citing concerns that the age increase may inadvertently hurt local businesses that cater to younger demographics. Its president, Anjie Jairam, emphasised the need for evidence-based policymaking and engagement with both the private sector and youth groups.

In Parliament Opposition to Kamla plans, have cautioned that stringent age restrictions—particularly if applied to nightlife, casinos, and recreational venues—could deter western visitors, opting for neighbouring Caribbean destinations perceived as more permissive

Unfinished Oversight of Gambling

While the government seeks to raise the legal gambling age, Trinidad and Tobago has yet to fully implement its 2021 Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Act. Though passed and partially proclaimed, the Act’s full regulatory framework including licensing, inspections, and enforcement remains inactive, in need of a final proclamation.

The law would establish a dedicated Gambling Control Commission to oversee five casino venues and 80 gambling/betting establishments (public and private) operating in Trinidad and Tobago

In parallel, the Financial Intelligence Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (FIUTT) has stepped up enforcement in the gambling sector to combat money laundering and financial crime. In 2024, it held multiple stakeholder engagement sessions and public consultations, and collaborated with the EU Global Facility on AML/CFT to align the sector with international standards.

The FIUTT has become a key actor in bridging the regulatory vacuum while the 2021 Act awaits full implementation, with increased scrutiny on unregulated gambling environments and risk-based supervision.

The proposed social reform Bill is expected to be introduced in Parliament in the upcoming session, yet the new government has made no statement on the proclamation of the Gambling Control Act.

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ACMA calls Betfair Australia ‘irresponsible’ after VIP spam failures

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Betfair Pty Limited, owned by Crown Resorts and operating under the brand Betfair Australia, has paid an AUS $871,660 penalty to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for failure to comply with the country’s spam laws.

Following an ACMA investigation, it was revealed that Betfair had sent commercial messages to its VIP programme customers without their consent, offering incentives such as account deposits and free event tickets.

In total, 148 emails and text messages were sent to customers who hadn’t consented or had withdrawn their consent to receive such messages between March and December 2024.

Over the same timeframe, the operator had sent six texts and emails which didn’t contain an unsubscribe option for customers.

“VIP programs are generally designed to attract and retain customers with high betting activity, however this doesn’t mean VIP customers are well off or can afford losses,” commented ACMA member Samantha Yorke.

“Sending promotional gambling messages to these customers without consent or with no option to opt-out is incredibly irresponsible in addition to being non-compliant. The spam laws have been in place for over twenty years and it is simply unacceptable for businesses not to respect the rights of their customers.”

Betfair is also entering a two-year court-enforceable undertaking, which will require investment in an independent marketing message review to see where improvements need to be made, as well as staff training, quarterly internal audits and regular reports to the ACMA.

Betfair isn’t the only operator recently to be subject to a penalty for spamming VIP customers.

Tabcorp Holdings was issued a penalty in excess of $4m after an ACMA investigation found the operator had sent over 5,700 marketing messages to its VIP programme customers between 1 February 2024 and 1 May 2024.

In total, 2,538 SMS and WhatsApp messages were sent to VIP customers without an option to unsubscribe from the messages, while 3,148 SMS and WhatsApp messages were sent over the same period without adequate sender information, and 11 SMS messages were sent without consent between 15 February and 29 April 2024.

Yorke added: “This is the second recent ACMA enforcement action concerning VIP customers in the gambling sector. Providers are on notice that they need to have their compliance systems in order.”

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

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Google proposes PlayStore changes to settle India RMG antitrust 

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Google seeks to apply a policy change to allow the distribution of all ‘permissible real-money games (RMGs) on PlayStore for Indian consumers. The changes aims to address competition concerns to ensure equal access for developers in the RMG category.

A policy revision has been submitted to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in response to an ongoing antitrust claim made by Winzo Games. A developer of skill and RMG titles, Winzo alleges that Google’s current policies unfairly deny market access to its games, but allow PlayStore to promote and distribute apps for fantasy sports and rummy verticals.

Reviewing Winzo’s complaint the CCI is examining whether Google rules set by its ‘pilot programme’ are unfairly restrictive to other RMG developers who have been denied a distribution channel on Android systems.

“Distribution on Google Play is essential for app developers to reach a large audience,” the CCI noted on preliminary findings. “The exclusion of certain RMG apps could result in a denial of market access.”

Playstore has distributed fantasy sports and rummy games since 2022, as they are qualified under Indian law as ‘skill games’. Last year, Google expanded RMG categories under a new ‘pilot porgamme’ for the markets of Brazil, India and Mexico, a decision taken with a view of forthcoming regulatory changes.

However due to a lack of regulatory clarity, Google paused the ‘pilot programme’, choosing to review PlayStore policies on an individual market basis.

In response, Google confirmed that it was willing to review the structure of its pilot programme for India. New policies would see Google accept “all real-money games deemed legal under Indian jurisprudence”.

Eligibility for the Playstore distribution would be granted on the condition of developers securing third-party certification from a recognised industry body, such as AIGF, EGF or FIFS, confirming the game qualifies as a “permissible game of skill.”

Google cites that “The RMG Policy Update ensures that any alleged advantage previously conferred to DFS and rummy apps is eliminated, and the competitive field is levelled.”

For India, Google is prepared to update its Developer Distribution Agreement (DDA) and Developer Programme Policies (DPP) to reflect the new terms. Developers would be required to meet compliance standards not only under Indian law, but also Google’s own platform rules.

Alongside the store update, Google has also proposed revisions to its advertising policies, which currently permit ads only for DFS and rummy games. The new ad policy would similarly apply to all certified RMGs, provided advertisers demonstrate legal standing and obtain third-party validation.

“Google will allow all RMGs… that constitute games of skill to be advertised in India,” the company added. “Any alleged concerns of restrictions imposed on non-DFS or Rummy RMG apps can or will no longer persist in relation to the Ads Policy.”

The CCI is reviewing whether Google’s conduct may have violated Section 4 of India’s Competition Act, which prohibits abuse of dominant market position. Its preliminary view raised concerns about “selective onboarding,” prolonged restrictions on distribution, and “potentially discriminatory enforcement” of Google’s advertising policies.

A final ruling is pending, but if the proposals are accepted, Google would be required to implement the new Play Store framework within 120 days and its ad policy overhaul within 150 days of the CCI’s approval.

“These commitments ensure inclusive access to Google Play and Google Ads for all compliant RMGs,” Google concluded, “eliminating any alleged competitive disadvantages.”

India is one of the largest mobile gaming markets globally, with over 600 million smartphone users and a rapidly expanding real-money gaming ecosystem. However, the space remains tightly contested and frequently litigated, with legal definitions of “skill” vs “chance” under constant scrutiny in state and federal courts.

Google’s proposed policy shift reflects both legal pressure and strategic recalibration, as it seeks to navigate an increasingly regulated and politically sensitive digital ecosystem. The outcome of this CCI case could have broader implications for how global platforms manage legal compliance and content governance in emerging markets.

“We welcome fair competition and are committed to working constructively with regulators to improve developer access and consumer choice,” Google noted.

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

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Government warned about threat to gambling harm support network after GambleAware closure

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The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has told iGaming Expert that the UK Government’s move to a statutory levy “must not mean handing control to a narrow group of anti-gambling campaigners or creating a publicly funded cottage industry driven by ideology rather than evidence”.

Representing the regulated UK betting and gaming industry, the standards body’s statement comes in response to GambleAware announcing last week that it would undergo a “managed closure” by the end of March next year as a result of the new levy system.

The BGC highlighted the work achieved by GambleAware in providing gambling harm support, before reminding the UK Government that it is important to make sure funding is still made available to services who can offer help to those that need it the most.

A BGC spokesperson said: “GambleAware has played a central role in funding and commissioning independent research, education and treatment for more than two decades, underpinned by the voluntary contributions of the betting and gaming industry.

“This long-standing commitment, unmatched by other sectors, has helped establish and fund services that support thousands of people every year.

“While we campaigned for and support the Government’s decision to move to mandatory contributions, this must not mean handing control to a narrow group of anti-gambling campaigners or creating a publicly funded cottage industry driven by ideology rather than evidence.

“What matters is that funding remains independent, ringfenced and focused on delivering real outcomes for those at risk of harm.”

Industry concerns

Many in the gambling industry have raised concerns about the funding of services once the switch to the statutory levy takes place.

Deal Me Out has written to the Government asking for services to be treated fairly, while GAMSTOP Group highlighted the vital work GambleAware has done and stated that it believes this will continue under the statutory levy, adding that player welfare must be the focal point of all work.

GambleAware’s CEO Zoë Osmond has called on the levy’s Research, Prevention and Treatment Commissioners – the UK Research and Innovation, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, as well as NHS England and relevant bodies in Scotland and Wales – to build on the charity’s work.

Dan Waugh, Partner at Regulus Partners, believes the funding system is not living up to its billing and is creating more uncertainty for gambling harm treatment providers. BetBlocker Founder and Trustee, Duncan Garvie, added that service providers must be protected during the statutory levy transition period

Some of these statements were also echoed by the BGC, calling for any decisions that will be made to be based on facts.

The standards body said: “Industry contributions have totalled over £170m since 2020 alone, supporting NHS clinics, third-sector providers, and national education programmes. BGC members remain unequivocally committed to safer gambling, and to a robust, independent, and evidence-led system.

“The transition to a statutory levy must protect existing expertise, maintain service continuity, and ensure that decisions are based on data, not dogma.”

UK Gov wants ‘smooth and stable transition’

In response to GambleAware’s closure, the UK Government’s Minister for Gambling, Baroness Twycross, praised the charity’s work and the wider third sector, adding that the levy will build on their work and that a smooth transition to the new system is a priority.

“GambleAware and others across the third sector, including the National Gambling Support Network, have worked with tireless commitment over the years to commission and deliver effective services for people experiencing gambling-related harm,” noted Twycross.

“As the new statutory gambling levy system comes into effect, managing a smooth and stable transition is an absolute priority, and we are taking significant steps to maintain service provision. The new levy system will build on the successes of the current system to improve and expand efforts to further understand, tackle and treat harmful gambling.

“I want to thank GambleAware and all their staff for their efforts to support those in need across our country.”

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