iGamingExpert

FanDuel unveils predictive depositing tool

FanDuel has introduced Real-Time Check-In, a tool that uses machine learning to predict depositing behaviour.

Cory Fox, FanDuel’s SVP of Public Policy and Sustainability, unveiled the responsible gambling tool during a panel at SBC Summit Americas’ Player Protection Symposium.

The idea behind the tool is that it will combine data with machine learning to analyse and model personalised depositing behaviour of players, and estimate how much it expects an individual to be depositing.

If a player exceeds this projection or deposits an inconsistent amount compared to their established pattern, the Real-Time Check-In will prompt them to review the transaction and give them an option to lower their deposit amount, as well as direct them to other responsible gambling tools on the FanDuel platform.

The new tool sits alongside My Spend, introduced by FanDuel at the close of 2024, which provides a detailed breakdown of deposit and betting activity for customers, as well as encourages them to ..

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Viral debate intensifies focus on Brazil Bets advertising laws

Testimony from Brazilian influencer Virginia Fonseca has underpinned the urgent need for further clarity surrounding the advertising standards of the Bets regime.

Fonseca, a beauty and lifestyle influencer who has amassed over 50 million followers across various social media platforms, was questioned by Senators on the influence of celebrities promoting online gambling platforms – particularly prior to the establishment of the regulated Bets regime on 1 January 2025.

Investigators have unearthed examples of influencers using “demo accounts” to promote betting platforms, often displaying unrealistic or exaggerated winnings.

Fonseca appeared not to understand the concept of demo accounts and insisted that she only followed a script provided by brands and did not use her personal account for promotional footage. She revealed that any appearances on her social media were based on mock or platform-supplied accounts.

“I’m speaking for myself — I don’t know how other influencers operate…

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Spreadex sanctioned over social responsibility failures 

Spreadex has been hit with a £2m penalty from the UK Gambling Commission due to AML failings.

It comes after a compliance assessment undertaken in July 2023 shone a light on shortcomings in the approach of the firm.

Furthermore, the firm is set to undertake an independent third-party audit to ensure its AML and safer gambling controls are being properly enforced.

At the heart of the failings was Spreadex’s failure to consider core risk factors such as customer profiles, transaction methods and geographic exposure.

In terms of social responsibility, the report signified an example of when a customer hit a daily deposit cap of £3,340 on 12 separate days within two weeks. Despite this aggressive spend rate, Spreadex had minimal response or interaction with the customer.

John Pierce, UKGC Head of Enforcement, stated: “The conclusion of this case marks the second time Spreadex Limited has been subject to enforcement action. Its failure to uphold anti-money laundering standards, delay..

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AUSTRAC expands financial crime fightback

Australia’s financial intelligence unit, AUSTRAC, has expanded a partnership designed to fight back against financial crime, including illegal gambling scams.

The Fintel Alliance, established in 2017, is a private-public partnership between Australia’s law enforcement agencies and major banks, remittance service providers and gambling operators.

Following “significant law enforcement outcomes” due to the work of the alliance, AUSTRAC is now increasing its capacity through the establishment of a collaborative data analytics hub, a platform for data sharing which helps to identify criminal patterns and trends across the financial sector.

In addition, the Fintel Alliance’s capacity will be increased through additional staff, including a seconded senior manager from ANZ Bank who will help co-lead and build new pairings with the industry and government members.

“All members of Fintel Alliance continue to prioritise fighting financial crime and have strengthened our contribution to the ..

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Labour urged to review UK Gambling Act to improve gambling-related harms prevention

A letter from the UK Parliament’s Health and Social Care Committee has been sent to the Labour Government asking them to reevaluate the country’s gambling-related harms regulatory frameworks, including areas covering advertising, prevention and treatment.

Addressed to Labour’s Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention, Ashley Dalton MP, the letter also calls for another review of the Gambling Act to ensure the legislative framework gives “all agencies the power and responsibilities needed to deliver a total system response” to preventing gambling-related harm.

The letter was issued by the Health and Social Care Committee and signed by its Chair, Layla Moran MP, in response to the gambling-related harms evidence session held by the committee on 2 April, as well as a meeting between some of the committee’s members and the Gambling with Lives charity on 22 April.

Seven different topics were discussed in the letter: prevention, regulation and advertising; land-based gamb..

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South Africa set to strengthen approach to illegal gambling advertising 

Regulatory bodies in South Africa are elevating their focus on gambling marketing through the formation of a new monitoring body.

Reports from News24, Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, has ordered his department to begin the process of the appointment of a National Gambling Policy Council.

A new strategy is set to be undertaken in the region after a growing number of gambling marketing content appeared online on a myriad of platforms, including YouTube.

At the heart of the new strategy will be the focus on eradicating illegal online gambling ads and providing increasing clarity in gambling framework after a seven-year operational hiatus that last saw the Council convening in 2018.

Updating Parliament, Tau stated: “The National Gambling Act prohibits the placing of advertisements in media primarily directed at persons under the age of 18.

“There is an issue of sponsorship of family-friendly programmes, where major bookkeepers sponsor them. This results in ..

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CFTC case against Kalshi dismissed in dramatic moment for US iGaming 

In a monumental week for North American iGaming, a request from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) to dismiss its case against Kalshi has been approved by a DC Court, potentially having a major impact on the US market.

Sending ripples across North American iGaming, the case centres around election-related event contracts, shifting momentum for the drawn-out legal battle after former President Joe Biden had vehemently backed the case against Kalshi.

Any case against Kalshi seems dead in the water now though, given the dismissal of the case and the Trump premiership leaning strongly the other way in the case.

At the start of the year, the status of Kalshi and the prediction market model was brought further into the spotlight as the group was granted approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to offer contracts on sporting events hosted by America’s major professional sports leagues.

This move expanded upon the firm’s previous ability to offer pol..

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Bank of Ireland rolls out Gambling Block in support of GRAI

The Bank of Ireland (BoI) has launched its Gambling Block tool in support of the country’s new gambling regulatory regime led by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI).

It’s a step that comes amid mounting concern over increased online betting, especially among young adults, and coincides with a wider campaign led by the GRAI to promote financial safeguards across the banking sector.

The newly launched tool allows BoI customers to request a block that will prevent transactions with gambling operators, including online casinos, lotteries, and betting sites.

The blocking service is available for both personal and business debit cards, with plans to extend it to credit cards in the coming months. Customers in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland can activate the block via dedicated helplines or through the bank’s website.

According to the bank’s own analysis of Q1 2025 card spending, 90% of gambling transactions now occur online, and 99% are funded via debit card..

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GambleAware: Problem gambling self-referrals increased by 50%

Gambling harms charity GambleAware has reported a 50% increase in self-referrals to its network of regional support providers since April 2023.

Problem gamblers have accessed the providers via the GambleAware-commissioned National Gambling Support Network (NGSN), which offers varying levels of support.

The latest figures from the charity also revealed that over 110,000 people have accessed some level of support from the NGSN since its foundation in April 2023. Brief interventions, typically a short conversation on how to reduce the risk of gambling harm, also saw a 93% increase.

Anna Hargrave, Deputy Chief Executive of GambleAware, commented: “The second year of the National Gambling Support Network presented an opportunity to take the learnings from year one and focus on how we can best support those affected by gambling harms.

“We’ve seen an increase in the number of people being supported and, importantly, an increase in brief interventions and self-referrals, which means we ca..

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Buenos Aires raids underpin Argentine action on illicit gambling 

Police sources have revealed to the Argentine News Agency that an illegal casino operation has been shut down in Buenos Aires.

The move underlines the zero tolerance approach of law enforcement when it comes to illicit gambling operations in Argentina.

Close to $1.5m in cash was seized as a result of the raid, which took place during peak engagement time in the evening for the casino. Several sets of cards were also seized alongside numerous sets of dice and even a .38 calibre revolver with bullets.

A 27-year-old Paraguayan man was also charged as a result of the raid.

It comes at a pivotal and sensitive time for the regulation of Argentine gambling after confusion reigned following President Javier Milei proposing a new bill to regulate online gambling and sports betting.

The bill drafted by the Executive Branch (the office of the President) promotes the recommendations sought by Sedronar, the Argentine Secretariat for Addiction Policies.

However, it led to much confusion over..

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