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Trinidad and Tobago set for major shift on gambling policy

iGamingExpertJuly 10, 20250303 views

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.

SBOTOP owner handed £3.9m penalty by Isle of Man regulator

iGamingExpertJuly 9, 20250278 views

Celton Manx, the parent company of SBOTOP, has been hit with a £3,937,500 penalty from the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) for anti-money laundering (AML) failures.

The GSC found that the company lacked evidence of proper risk assessments, ongoing customer monitoring, enhanced due diligence and sufficient identity verification procedures, as well as falling short when it comes to handling suspicious activity.

The regulator noted that the original penalty was £5,625.000, however, it was discounted by 30% after the company undertook “comprehensive remediation” to address the identified issues.

A GSC statement read: “The Commission is satisfied that the imposition of the Civil Penalty on Celton Manx reflects the serious nature of the identified non-compliance and the issues and risks identified.

“It was further noted that Celton Manx acknowledged the serious shortcomings in its operational and governance arrangements at an early stage of the Commission’s investigation and thereupon had entered into settlement discussions with the Commission and sought to resolve matters expeditiously.”

TGP Europe exits the UK

Celton Manx held an Isle of Man licence from August 2008 until surrendering it on 9 May 2025, a decision that was part of a wider exit of the UK by the Isle of Man-based TGP Europe.

Prior to its departure, TGP Europe operated SBOTOP in the UK via a white label agreement with Celton Manx, as well as operated the UK domain names of several Asia-focused brands, such as DEBET.

However, the platforms associated with TGP Europe ceased their UK operations after the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) uncovered significant AML failures by TGP. The company was handed a £3m penalty by the UKGC following its investigation.

John Pierce, UKGC Head of Enforcement, commented at the time of TGP’s exit: “This case involves a gambling company that was unwilling or unable to meet the regulatory standards we expect from our licensees. It is right that they have now exited the British market.

“Following TGP’s exit, several online gambling operators can no longer lawfully offer gambling facilities to consumers located in Great Britain. These sites, previously operating under TGP’s licence, may not provide adequate protection against criminal activity or gambling-related harm and should not be available to GB consumers with immediate effect.”

Criminal infiltration

Financial crime is an ongoing concern for the Isle of Man given its established financial sector and links to the UK, and it is often the destination for operators seeking regulatory approval.

However, media reports claim that the crown dependency has been subject to attacks by criminals to bypass its controls against financial crime and immigration.

As a result, the Isle of Man’s government has warned that there is “limited appetite” for iGaming businesses with links to East or Southeast Asia.

This sentiment was revealed upon the publication of Digital Isle of Man’s National Risk Appetite Statement (NRAS), a document that seeks to outline the attitude towards new and current iGaming business relationships on the island and identify risk factors.

Although entities are not expressly prohibited from engaging with what are considered higher-risk jurisdictions, they must implement enhanced measures to manage the risks effectively.

In addition, if there is an accumulation of identifiable risk factors, regulators “will not authorise new business, and will review the terms of any existing licences, on the basis of this being outside of the national risk appetite for the Isle of Man”.

According to the report, iGaming contributes 16% of the Isle of Man’s GDP and provides over 1,000 jobs.

SBC Summit preview: Deal Me Out consultant Iris den Boer on the importance of retaining human input on RG

iGamingExpertJuly 8, 20250251 views

Ahead of SBC Summit and the Affiliate Leader Summit, Iris den Boer, Consultant at Deal Me Out, emphasised her belief that sustainable online gambling depends on the use of reliable and well-designed technology.

She provided insights into the key technological innovations that are advancing player protection efforts, but warned that while it is important that operators and regulators tap into the latest tech, it must still be paired with informed human judgement.

iGaming Expert: Why is it so crucial that operators tap into the latest tech when it comes to ensuring player safety?

Iris den Boer: Sustainable online gambling depends on the use of reliable and well-designed technology. With so much data available, modern tools like real-time behavioural analytics, machine learning, and biometrics can help us move from reacting to issues to identifying them early. These technologies allow for consistent, accurate, and scalable risk detection.

It’s important that operators and regulators work together, using research to understand valuable early indicators of risk, and ensure the systems in place are able to detect them effectively. Early intervention supports safer play and shows that the platform is taking its responsibility to customers seriously in a practical, visible way.

How vital can tech be in creating an overall picture of the player?

In an online environment, protecting players isn’t possible without data that shows their play pattern, how much time and money they spend and highlights early risk indicators. We depend on this information, and it’s vital to collect it carefully and use it responsibly. Having access to so much data about player behaviour is a big opportunity to improve protection, but it also comes with the challenge of focusing on what matters and interpreting it correctly.

To me, the most important insight comes from understanding how a player’s behaviour changes over time. Is their play steady and consistent, or are there sudden increases or erratic patterns that could signal a problem? Early warning signs and timely interventions are crucial, but real understanding comes from combining monitoring with open dialogue, matching what the player explains about their experience with what their behavioural data shows. It’s the casino’s responsibility to analyse this data in a way that supports protection that’s both effective and proportionate. After all, the goal is to use this information to help players in the best way possible.

What steps can be taken to balance human intervention and automation in the player protection journey?

Technology should support human judgment, not replace it. Responsible Gaming analysts could never detect issues at the same speed and scale as automated systems. With so many customers, we rely on data and automation to filter player issues across different risk categories. But naturally, it still takes human interpretation to perform a thorough risk analysis, with the empathy and understanding only people can provide. Systems can spot risks quickly, but it’s trained staff who make the real difference in deciding how to respond.

That means having clear processes, investing in proper training, and embedding ethics into the design and use of technology. Technology can flag when something might be wrong, but it’s human care that decides what happens next. Finding that balance is important; that is why skilled analysts are invaluable in this process, and a humanistic approach will always play a key part in player protection.

What are the key protection tech developments that have come out in recent times to shift the industry?

The progress we’ve seen recently around early detection and, importantly, early intervention, has been really good. We now have tools that spot risky behaviour much earlier than before. Advances like natural language processing help identify signs of distress in how people communicate with support teams. AI is making affordability checks smarter and less intrusive, while self-exclusion tools, like the successful Betblocker platform, are becoming more effective across multiple sites.

There’s also an innovative shift toward using mindfulness techniques and gamification, not to encourage more play, but to help people make safer choices, reflect, and decide consciously whether to keep playing or take a break. All these developments signal a positive, holistic move beyond simply ticking compliance boxes, embracing innovation that drives genuine responsibility and recognises that player protection is always evolving.

Are there steps that regulators should take to ensure they keep up with new tech available to operators to ensure that the best approach is found to player protection?

Regulators need to stay up to date with both technology and research to avoid holding back progress. This means having people who understand new tech, maintaining close connections with industry innovators, and creating rules that can adapt as things evolve. Regulatory sandboxes can provide a safe space to explore innovative tools and ideas.

Collaboration across regions can also reduce duplication and help set clearer standards. At the same time, it’s important to remember that factors like demographics, cultural attitudes toward gambling, and local market differences influence study outcomes on effectiveness in player protection. Even if a standard works well in one place, not every casino or market is the same, and each faces unique challenges that require tailored approaches. Ultimately, the effectiveness of technology and how it’s used depends on how well regulators understand their markets, customers, and casino games, and how they apply tech tools to best support player protection.

Are there any markets that you believe have gotten it right in terms of the framework around player protection and what are the key lessons to be learned from these frameworks?

Several jurisdictions have taken commendable steps. The UK, despite its challenges, has set a high bar for data-driven risk identification and affordability checks. Sweden’s Spelpaus system is a strong example of centralised self-exclusion. And some emerging markets, such as Ontario, are embedding safer gambling principles into their licensing frameworks from the outset, rather than as a retrofit. The key lessons are threefold: embed protection early, collaborate across sectors, and ensure that frameworks are adaptable. One-size-fits-all approaches are no longer fit for purpose in a rapidly evolving global industry.

How excited are you about the SBC Summit in Lisbon?

I’m excited about the SBC Summit in Lisbon. To me, SBC events are more than just a conference; they’re a chance to bring together the industry, to share ideas, question the status quo, and find real solutions. Lisbon feels like the perfect place for this, given its growing role in the tech and gaming world. I’m excited to be part of it once again. I’m looking forward to the conversations that will shape policy, build new partnerships, and, most importantly, help evolve player protection.

Why do you believe that it is so crucial the industry unites to talk around major subjects within the industry?

The key challenges are found within opportunities we can address on topics, such as player safety, data privacy, and sustainability, that are not confined by borders or competitive interests. Meaningful progress requires open dialogue and a shared sense of responsibility. It’s about moving beyond minimum compliance to collectively raising standards. When the industry aligns around the common goal of providing safe, fair, and responsible entertainment, it builds trust. This trust is essential for long-term success and credibility with players, regulators, and the wider public. Sustainable change is only possible through coordinated effort.

Dutch regulator buoyant on deposit limit impacts, but trade bodies warn of a dangerous future

iGamingExpertJuly 4, 20250265 views

Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling regulator, has revealed the positive effects of its recently introduced player protection measures, but trade bodies have warned that the country’s black market is growing.

In the second half of 2024, the KSA mandated that players must contact an operator if they want to increase their deposit limits to more than €350 per month or €150 for young adults (18-24).

In addition, providers must now check whether a player can afford deposits of over €300 (young adults) or €700 (aged 24 and over).

The KSA claimed that just 1% of players lost more than €1,000 during the reporting period, falling from 4% before the rule changes.

The percentage of players depositing more than the deposit limits has dropped from 9.7% to 2.2% for adults, and from 12% to 1.9% for young adults. Also, the average player loss per account decreased by 31% to an average of €80 per month, falling from an average of €116 in the eight months before the rule changes.

The KSA argued that this shows the rules had reduced instances of excessive gambling at legal providers.

During this time, gross gaming result (total deposits minus prizes paid) fell by 8% compared to the previous year.

Channelisation and illegal market

The data also suggested that 93% of players only play with legal providers. However, the channelisation rate in the Netherlands, the percentage of gambling spend at legal operators, is widely reported to be just 50%.

This indicates that a large proportion of high-spending players in the Netherlands are customers of illegal operators, meaning the regulated market is losing out on significant revenue from these players.

Search volume for the top 100 illegal websites also increased following the rules changes, which the KSA conceded could indicate growth in the illegal market.

Fears over the lure of the black market have also been echoed by VNLOK, a trade body for the Dutch gambling industry.

VNLOK, which has recently announced a merger with the NOGA, warned that the black market remains too easily accessible, especially by vulnerable players who are not afforded the same protections as they would if they were playing on the regulated market.

Björn Fuchs, Chair of VNLOK, said: “We must not close our eyes to the other half: the illegal market. It is precisely the players who bet the most money and vulnerable groups, such as minors and young adults, that seem to continue to find their way to the illegal offer. That is exactly the group that is most at risk.”

In response to the results, VNLOK urged the KSA to consider the impact of new regulations, warning that an excess of new rules can have the undesirable effect of driving players to the black market.

It stated: “VNLOK calls for strict action against illegal providers and for a balanced approach to regulation: effective where necessary, but without unnecessarily hindering the player and the legal offer. All findings from the latest impact measurement must be taken into account in the development of new rules.”

Lack of sustainable funding sees GamCare close Young People’s provision

iGamingExpertJuly 3, 20250250 views

GamCare has announced that it will no longer provide its Young People’s provision services later this year due to a lack of sustainable funding.

At the end of September, GamCare will stop providing education, prevention or outreach programmes aimed at reducing gambling harm experienced by children and young people, or its specific treatment and support offer for under-18s.

The gambling harm support provider has been offering these services for children and young people for more than half a decade.

“For over five years, GamCare has delivered harm prevention programmes which have reached over 250,000 children and young people, parents, and professionals across the UK,” stated GamCare.

“Due to a lack of sustainable funding, GamCare has made the difficult decision to close its Young People’s provision at the end of September 2025.”

Statutory levy

Back in April, the UK Government implemented the new statutory levy on the gambling industry, which replaced the previous system of voluntary industry contributions.

Through the levy, up to £100m per year is expected to be raised, which will be collected and administered by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) under the strategic direction of the UK Government.

To generate funding for the levy, operators will be charged a percentage of their gross gambling yield from the previous year. These percentages are 1.1% for online operators, 0.5% for casinos and bookmakers and 0.2% for bingo operators.

Splitting up the levy funding, 20% will go to the Research Commissioner, UK Research and Innovation, to research to establish a bespoke Research Programme on Gambling, as well as the UKGC, to direct further research in line with licensing objectives.

The Prevention Commissioner, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), will receive 30% of the levy funding. OHID will develop a comprehensive approach to prevention and early intervention.

Meanwhile, 50% of the levy funding will go to the Treatment Commissioner, NHS England and relevant bodies in Scotland and Wales, who will commission treatment and support services in collaboration with the third sector.

Support still available for young people

GamCare added that while specialist services for young people will come to a halt later this year, its Youth Advisory Board will continue to operate to make sure that young people’s voices continue to inform its work, adding that it “remains committed to reducing gambling harm and none of our other services are affected by this change”.

“Children, young people and their families can still seek support by contacting the National Gambling Helpline on Freephone 0808 8020 133 or via live chat, available 24/7, and we will signpost them to the appropriate support for their circumstances,” noted GamCare.

“GamCare’s core focus will continue to be the provision of high-quality, accessible support to the thousands of people who come through our services each year, both those who are struggling with gambling directly as well as those who are affected by someone else’s gambling.”

UK Gambling Commission fines Fafabet £170,000 for T&Cs failures

iGamingExpertJuly 3, 20250248 views

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has issued a £170,000 fine to Taichi Tech Limited, which trades as Fafabet, for regulatory failures, including the use of unfair terms and conditions.

Taichi Tech, which has been licensed by the Commission since February 2021, will also be subject to a third-party audit to check that it is complying with anti-money laundering and safer gambling policies, procedures and controls.

The UKGC investigation once again raises the issue of fair, clear and transparent terms and conditions by operators following the High Court case involving Paddy Power earlier this year.

T&Cs lacked transparency

According to the investigation, the UKGC discovered that Taichi Tech contained the following statement within their bonus terms for new casino promotions:

“Fafabet have the right at their own discretion to close accounts or forfeit winnings.”

The Commission concluded from its investigation that Taichi Tech breached the fair and open licensing condition by “including a discretionary term allowing the operator to close customer accounts or forfeit winnings without clear justification”, adding that these kinds of terms “lack transparency and may lead to unfair outcomes for consumers”.

The UKGC noted that the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) that operators must abide by refer to the general consumer protection legislation of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA).

The LCCP states that licensees must ensure their terms and practices are “fair, clear, and do not breach consumer protection law” and so “must therefore have regard to the CRA as part of their overall compliance obligations under the LCCP”.

John Pierce, Director of Enforcement and Intelligence at the Gambling Commission, said: “We expect all operators — regardless of their size or customer base — to comply with consumer protection legislation and ensure their terms and conditions meet regulatory standards.

“Licensed operators must ensure their terms are clear, fair, and transparent, so customers fully understand what to expect.”

AML and social responsibility failures

The UKGC noted that its investigation also discovered AML and social responsibility breaches, including failures to “effectively manage risk and implement adequate consumer protection measures”.

These failures included some customers gambling large sums in a short period despite the operator holding limited customer information, individuals exhibiting potential markers of harm (such as high-velocity spending over short periods) being given “insufficient customer interaction from the operator”.

In addition, the Commission noted that the operator didn’t further follow-up or intervene with customers they had sent safer gambling emails to but who didn’t respond and their concerning behaviour continued.

In response, the UKGC stated that Fafabet “acknowledged that it previously fell short of the standards expected” and has since “taken steps to address these shortcomings”.

Fafabet is required to commission an independent third-party audit to assure ongoing compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements as part of the regulatory outcome.

Operator T&Cs highlighted again

Fafabet’s fine from the UKGC is another reminder that operators must make sure that their terms and conditions are fair, clear and transparent.

Back in March, Paddy Power lost a High Court case and was ordered to pay customer Corrinne Pearl Durber compensation of £1m in relation to a disputed pay-out of a “Monster Jackpot.”

Durber was denied a jackpot of £1.097m that she won on the slot game Wild Hatter with the operator, who opted instead to only initially pay her £20,000 due to what they claimed to be a “software error” which caused an incorrect display.

The court ruled in favour of Durber, stating that the rules advertised to customers should take precedence over the company’s terms and conditions, noting that Paddy Power’s “terms were not clearly signposted”.

The court added that Clause B1 – which stated that, in the event of a discrepancy between the screen display and the server records, the server records would be definitive – was “buried in 44 pages of dense text” and was an unfair contract term that granted absolute power to the defendant to override errors while excluding the customer’s right to challenge them.

Double Dutch warning for FDJ United’s Unibet

iGamingExpertJuly 3, 20250325 views

FDJ United’s Unibet brand has received two warnings from the Dutch gambling regulator for failures linked to advertising and autoplay.

Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gaming authority, issued the warnings to Optdeck, which provides games of chance under the Unibet brand in the Netherlands, for violations related to a cycling team sponsorship and a BonusBuy function in one of their titles.

In response, a Unibet spokesperson told iGaming Expert that the brand took the KSA’s warning “very seriously and took immediate action” to correct the errors, including adjusting branding and compensating affected players.

Sponsorship bus

As part of its sponsorship of the Unibet Tietema Rockets cycling team, the Unibet logo was shown on a coach, which was used to transport the team in the Netherlands and for additional purposes. The Dutch authority has stated that this violates the non-targeted advertising ban.

Speaking with Optdeck, the KSA said that the operator was “not aware that the bus was also used for other transport and that monitoring various sponsorship agreements can be complex”, adding that the team has been asked to stop using the bus immediately and modified stickers will be provided without the Unibet brand logo.

“The KSA has indicated that it is always the provider’s responsibility to guarantee that sponsorship agreements comply with the laws and regulations,” noted the regulator.

“In addition, the coach in this form will no longer be allowed on the road as of 1 July 2025, because that is also when the ban on sports sponsorship comes into effect.”

KSA Chair, Michael Groothuizen, has previously stated that current loopholes in sponsorship must be addressed by the forthcoming overhaul of the Remote Gambling Act undertaken by state secretary Teun Struycken.

A Unibet spokesperson told iGaming Expert: “Unibet takes the signals from the Dutch Gambling Authority very seriously and took immediate action upon notification. The broader use of the touring coach by the sponsored team was halted at our request.

“Ahead of the new regulations per July 1, all team vehicles in the Netherlands will be fitted with adjusted branding without the Unibet logo.”

BonusBuy not allowed

The second warning issued by the Dutch regulator to Unibet was due to a BonusBuy feature that was part of one of their titles. BonusBuy is a form of autoplay, which allows players to automatically continue playing with purchased bonuses without having to start a new game.

The KSA stated that this is prohibited as it encourages players to excessively gamble. In its conversation with Optdeck, the regulator stated that the BonusBuy feature was activated incorrectly by the supplier due to a third-party error.

The function was live for two hours, with players who suffered losses during that period being compensated, while measures have also been taken to make sure the same mistake isn’t repeated in the future.

“The identified autoplay functionality was unintentionally briefly available due to an error by an external supplier following the game’s launch,” noted a Unibet spokesperson to iGaming Expert.

“During our internal checks prior to launch, this functionality was still disabled. Affected players have been compensated, and we have implemented additional measures with the supplier to prevent such errors in the future.”

The Dutch regulator said in its release: “The KSA emphasised in the conversation that the provider itself is responsible for correctly following laws and regulations, even if there is a collaboration with third parties.

“Because both violations were stopped immediately as soon as they were noticed, the KSA will leave it at a warning for now. If Optdeck makes another mistake in the future, the KSA can impose stricter sanctions.”

New algorithm to lead Spain’s player protection charge following operator failures

iGamingExpertJuly 3, 20250244 views

Spain’s regulator has blamed significant operator player protection failures for the need to overhaul problem gambler detection systems in the country.

Mikel Arana, Director General of the Directorate General of the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), revealed at the Gaming in Spain Conference 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,” he explained.

Arana offered a behind-the-scenes insight into the responsible gambling algorithm that will step in to lead Spain’s player protection evolution, revealing the extensive picture being painted of players who engage with gambling in the country.

The data-driven tool is designed to be applied universally across Spain’s operators – as part of a strengthened approach to player protection

“The goal is to define an algorithm capable of distinguishing between two groups of players, regular players and risky players,” explained Arana. “To this end, we requested the authorisation of 506 individuals with a medical diagnosis of gambling disorder, whose complete gambling histories were available at the DGOJ.”

Following the analysis, the DGOJ was able to identify nine distinct groups of players and 81 variables that indicated problem gambling behaviours.

For example, some players spent significant amounts of time thinking about gambling even after placing themselves on a self-exclusion register. Meanwhile, others displayed trends of repeated deposits following losses.

At present, the DGOJ believes the algorithm is 80% accurate in correctly identifying risky players.

Ahead of finalisation, and boosted by a recently announced €1m research grant, the organisation is working with experts to validate the model and improve the system. Once complete, which is expected to be in March 2026, the use of the algorithm will be mandatory for all operators in the Spanish market.

When questioned, Arana confirmed that the identification of a risky player does not mean that they will be automatically prevented from gambling. Instead, depending on player behaviour, operators will be required to undertake actions such as contacting the player about their behaviour and not sending promotions to that player.

Sweeping regulatory changes

Alongside the government-backed algorithm, operators in Spain are also facing reforms of advertising restrictions and cross-platform deposit limits.

Currently, Spain enforces per-operator deposit limits of €600 daily, €1,500 weekly and €3,000 monthly. However, proposals are seeking to change this so that the limits are calculated across all the accounts a player uses.

In light of the changes, industry experts have warned that such stringent measures must be complemented by an efficient player experience to keep the market more competitive and stop players migrating to the black market.

GambleAware: eradicating stigma faced by women experiencing gambling harm

iGamingExpertJune 26, 20250263 views

GambleAware has spotlighted those who are most at risk of experiencing stigma related to gambling harms.

Commissioned by the gambling support charity, the newly-released research project revealed that women were one of several demographics that are most at risk of experiencing gambling harms stigma, as support catered for women has taken a long time to arrive.

Women also experienced another layer of stigma as “their experiences did not align with the traditional stereotype of a male gambler”.

Other demographics more likely to face greater stigma due to experiencing gambling harms include young people, single people, people with children, people from minority ethnic groups, people from religious groups and people with alcohol and drug-related difficulties.

Tracy Madlin, who has experience of gambling harms, said: “Gambling harms had a terrible effect on my life for many years. But it was really hard for me to reach out for help because of people not understanding gambling harms and there being a stigma around them.

“This made me worried that I was going to be judged if I opened up. I think things wouldn’t have gotten so bad for me if there hadn’t been that stigma around it and I would have been able to get help earlier.

“It was particularly hard for me as a woman, because women who are experiencing gambling harms are seen differently to men in the same situation. I was a mum and a homemaker, so people saw me in a certain way and wouldn’t have expected that I would have been experiencing gambling harm.

“Even when I did reach out for help, I found that there wasn’t much specifically for women. When I first walked into a fellowship looking for help, there were 54 men, and I was the only woman. Now I help run female-preferred groups, but it’s taken a long time to get this kind of help for women.”

Gambling harms stigma research

The studies also revealed how those who are subject to gambling harms stigma can suffer from poor mental health, depression, stress, a lack of self-esteem, reduced confidence and in some cases self-harm.

GambleAware added that the research highlights why stigma campaigns, such as the one launched by the charity back in April this year, are important as they challenge stigmatisation and help people who are suffering to reach out for support.

The research project – published across four reports through the combined efforts of the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), the University of Wolverhampton, Liverpool John Moores University and Magenta Research – examines how people in Britain who experience gambling harm are stigmatised and discriminated against.

Here are links to each of the four reports: Quantitative, Qualitative, Synthesis and Discourse.

Analysis was conducted of naturalistic data from online peer support forums, alongside a nationally representative survey of 3,567 people in Great Britain (including people with varying levels of experience of gambling harms).

35 people with gambling harms lived experience were also interviewed, as well as 24 people from groups who had come into contact with people who experience gambling harms, in addition to a discourse analysis exploring how people experiencing gambling harms are presented and perceived in public spaces, such as the media.

Game type and social stigma

The research project found that in-person gambling was associated with higher experienced stigma than online gambling, likely due to it being “a more visible means of gambling”.

In-person betting on football and gaming machines were associated with relatively high levels of experienced stigma, while playing the National Lottery was the least associated with experiences of stigma.

Some participants with experience of gambling harms felt judged and excluded by their family and friends, felt they lost respect in social circles and experienced long periods of estrangement from loved ones.

This resulted in social exclusion for many impacted by gambling harms to various degrees, from no longer receiving messages from family to not speaking to family for several years, contributing to stress, depression, low mood and poor overall mental health.

Previous research from the charity showed that stigma and shame stopped people who suffered from gambling harms from seeking help, as 28% of people who experience problems with gambling hide their activities from their family and friends, while 24% who experience the most serious harm do not seek support due to shame or embarrassment.

“This research shows the devastating impact stigma can have on people’s lives and their mental health,” commented Zoë Osmond OBE, Chief Executive of GambleAware.

“Gambling harms can affect anyone, so we all need to work to remove some of the myths and misconceptions that lead people to judge or discriminate against people experiencing these harms.

“Stigma and the fear of being judged is a powerful barrier which stops people coming forward to get much-needed help, so we need to minimise it and ensure people can feel able to be open with friends and family and others around them.”

Perception

The research project also examined how the general public perceives gambling harms, highlighting that while 90% of people said they would be friends with someone who gambles without issue, the figure drops to 70% when being friends with someone experiencing gambling harms.

In addition, 83% said they would be comfortable working closely with someone who gambled without harm, but the figure declines again to 58% for working with someone experiencing gambling harm.

Research participants felt that the media could do more to change the perception of gambling harms by having more discussions on the variety of harms people who gamble might experience, as well as showing people who have overcome such harms.

However, participants also highlighted how coverage of celebrities sharing their stories of gambling harm in the media helped to raise awareness and understanding of gambling harms in society, reducing stigma.

The gambling industry was also scrutinised for its advertising, as “people with lived experience spoke of being ‘bombarded’ by gambling advertisements, which they felt contributed to stigma” by perceiving gambling as “acceptable, fun and safe”.

The report stated that this contributes to the idea that “most people who gamble do so responsibly, and a few ‘stupid’ individuals are ‘ruining’ it for everyone else”, creating an “us versus them narrative” and leading to the perception of individuals with gambling harms being “a flawed minority”.

Research also suggested that those working in the gambling industry “may be particularly prone to holding stigmatising views about people who experience gambling harms – perhaps due to endorsement of narratives around ‘individual responsibility’ for gambling harms”.

Education

Recommendations on reducing gambling harms stigma were also provided.

This included increasing education on the topic for the public, young people and professionals (such as those working in the NHS or criminal justice system), more employment practices for tackling gambling harm stigma and discrimination, as well as additional research into developing interventions to reduce public and self-stigma.

Educational campaigns were also highlighted to challenge gambling harms stigma beliefs, framing it as a public health issue, emphasising the industry’s responsibility, involving individuals with lived experience in the development and implementation of interventions, as well as avoiding using stigmatising language in public discourse.

Professor Joanne Lloyd, the research project lead at the University of Wolverhampton, noted: “This research demonstrates how detrimental stigma can be for people who experience gambling harms, and highlights how important it is to challenge it.

“We hope that the insights we have gained into how a range of individual and societal factors increase the risk of stigma and associated harm can help direct educational interventions to reduce this harm.”

Senior TV official arrested over illegal gambling in Japan

iGamingExpertJune 26, 20250235 views

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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