iGamingExpert - Player Protection Hub

Dan Waugh fearful of “openly prohibitionist” OHID

iGamingExpertMarch 7, 20250297 views

Regulus Partners’ Dan Waugh has expressed significant concerns over the mandate and funding of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparity (OHID), which he described as a prohibitionist department.

At the time of the OHID appointment, Waugh raised concerns over the intent of the department – suggesting that they had touted developing ‘tobacco-style’ plain packaging for gambling, including no colours, images or logos on any gambling products.

Speaking to iGaming Expert at the Deal Me Out conference, he stated: “That’s a clear statement of prohibitionist intent. So we should be very worried that they have been given a mandate and pot of money to go out and pursue this.”

Waugh was also scathing of OHID’s previous research into gambling, describing the department as having “low standards of quality and arguably low ethics in producing statistics on serious matters like suicide, with no real care or attention to what people might think is accurate”.

He did state that the ability t..

Is the Philippines set to further tighten gambling framework?

iGamingExpertMarch 7, 20250282 views

The Philippines Central Bank could be set to intensify its framework around gambling activity through proposed changes to the nation’s digital marketplace.

At the heart of the regulation is providing banks and Electronic Money Issuer license holders with enhanced authority over digital marketplaces, which includes the gambling industry.

The proposal states: “The activities in a digital marketplace operated by a bank or EMI shall be limited to the offering of its own products and services and/or presentation or display of the products and services of PSPs.”

Specifically, the bill stated that products and services that are associated with gambling activities will be prohibited.

Furthermore, it identified these as potentially “undermining the reputation of the marketplace participants and the financial system”.

Off the back of a period of significant regulatory change in its gambling industry that saw the government take the landmark step to outlaw POGOs, the Philippines was remov..

More offshore casinos put on blast by Michigan regulator

iGamingExpertMarch 7, 20250252 views

Michigan regulators have continued their push to eradicate offshore casinos from the state, sending cease and desist letters to a further five operators.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has given BetWhale Casino, Coins Game Casino, and Love 2 Play, all based in Curaçao, Black Lotus Casino (Belize), and Orion Stars 777 Players (China) 14 days to leave the state.

The regulator asserts that all five are breaking multiple state laws, including the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act and the Michigan Penal Code.

Collectively, the websites offer a variety of casino games, as well as sports betting.

“These illegal platforms not only violate Michigan’s gaming regulations but also put consumers at risk by offering unreliable withdrawal options and lacking essential consumer protections,” stated MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams.

Michigan takes hard line on offshore casinos

In his statement, Williams added that the regulator’s top priority..

“Incoherent” RET Levy shake-up threatens UK problem gambling treatment

iGamingExpertMarch 6, 20250251 views

The “lazy thinking” behind the introduction of the RET Levy risks being “incredibly damaging” to problem gambling treatment in the UK.

These were the words of Regulus Partners’ Dan Waugh, who delivered a stark warning on the consequences of the NHS’s appointment as chief commissioner of problem gambling treatment to those in attendance at the Deal Me Out conference.

“I think it’s rather concerning, not just for the organisation in the [third sector] who may be worried about losing the funding, but also from the people that are meant to be in health,” he said. “The line is emerging from the NHS which is to say that if you have a gaming disorder, it’s nothing to do with you, it’s entirely down to addictive products.

“There’s a real concern that this ideology which some people in the NHS appear to be peddling will get forced on the rest of the treatment, that could have devastating consequences for the people that need to be helped here.”

Commencing in April, operators will now be req..

Curacao eyes new era of regulation following EU list removal

iGamingExpertFebruary 28, 20250305 views

The Curacao Gaming Association (CGA) is seeking to strengthen player protection, social responsibility measures and regulatory compliance as it moves forward with the implementation of a new framework.

The introduction of the new Landsverordening op de Kansspelen (LOK) law, is set to implement a myriad of minimum requirements for operators around player verification and safety.

Whilst the minimum requirements are essential for operators in the market, the CGA has also emphasised its desire to see operators exceeding these protocols.

These checks include age verification, player self-assessments, deposit limits and additional training for marketing partners and affiliates.

Whilst there is a lack of definition around the levels of training that is required for each member of staff, the framework details that staff should be able to handle player interactions professionally and effectively.

Furthermore, it also emphasises the importance of staff being able to recognise the signs..

Curacao framework encouraging but ‘risks industry-centric ADR bias’

iGamingExpertFebruary 28, 20250299 views

Whilst there was encouragement at the steps being taken by the Curacao Gaming Authority, one area of concern remains around the Alternative Dispute Resolution practices currently being implemented as part of the framework.

Head of ADR Services at CasinoReviews.com, Duncan Garvie, warned that the current framework will “bake into the system an industry-centric bias to the management of complaints”.

He alerted that this was one of a number of technical issues within the ADR policy being proposed in the new framework, with it requiring a redrafting before implementation.

Garvie revealed that in terms of improvements, the most dramatic issue that he would highlight would be reporting requirements, which will see the regulator inundated with paperwork that it cannot reasonably expect to do anything with.

He added: “ADR accreditation standards effectively guarantee that every ADR will be overseen by a lawyer who has a background working for Curacao gambling operators. The latter of the..

Major changes confirmed for the UK market

iGamingExpertFebruary 28, 20250284 views

Baroness Twycross confirmed that regulatory changes in the UK will be implemented in April, with the first RET levy payment from operators due on 1 October.

Baroness Twycross gave her speech at the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) 2025 AGM, as safer gambling in the UK prepares to enter a new era.

She said: “I am sure many of you will have followed the progress of the statutory gambling levy in Parliament over the last few weeks. The legislation has been affirmed by both Houses and became law on Tuesday this week. It will come into force on 6 April, and operators will be required to make their first levy payments by 1 October.

“We are working at pace with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, NHS England, UK Research and Innovation, and partners in Scotland and Wales, to build robust foundations for the future system. It is crucial we put the right commissioning, accountability, and governance arrangements in place.”

The new system has guaranteed £100m+ in funding for..

Thailand makes major casino shift after President Xi meeting

iGamingExpertFebruary 18, 20250348 views

A major update to the regulatory framework for Thailand’s casino bill could see the exclusion of the vast majority of Thai nationals from integrated resorts.

Reported by the Bangkok Post, the changes have come as a significant surprise and will have a major impact on the landscape of Thailand’s gambling sector.

One of the key developments is the entry fee that is set to be applied to Thai citizens, charging them US$150 for access to the integrated resorts.

Furthermore, Thai residents would also have to have at least US$1.5m in fixed deposits in order to play at Thailand’s casino venues.

It’ll inevitably lead to venues becoming tourist destinations rather than venues for Thai citizens.

The landmark shift in the bill comes off the back of a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Thai Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who took the surprising step to intervene and enquire about the bill being put forward in Thailand.

Shinawatra revealed that Jinping issued stark..

Rwanda raises gambling taxes as political volatility intensifies

iGamingExpertFebruary 17, 20250365 views

The Ministry of Finance in Rwanda has moved to significantly raise taxes on the country’s gambling sector.

Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Yusuf Murangwa revealed during a press conference that GGR tax would be elevated from 13% to 40%.

Furthermore, adding the woes of regulated operators in the country, withholding tax on winnings will grow from 15% to 25%.

A statement from the country’s Minister of Finance and Economic planning said: “As we continue to build a robust economy and transform the livelihoods of all citizens, the reform of the gambling tax regime is a pivotal part of our medium-term strategy.

“These measures not only strengthen our resilience, but also promote self reliance, allowing us to meet our development goals effectively.

“In these challenging times, we recognise the importance of collaboration with our taxpayers. Our commitment to a prosperous future for all Rwandans remains steadfast, and we will work diligently to ensure that these reforms bene..

UK Government names OHID as Prevention Commissioner for statutory levy

iGamingExpertFebruary 13, 20250301 views

The UK Government has announced that the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) has been named as the Prevention Commissioner to help tackle gambling harm in the UK.

In response to the announcement, GambleAware has welcomed the appointment, but has called for current support to “continue to be recognised and sustained within the future system”. Gordon Moody has also welcomed the appointment.

However, concerns have also been raised by Deal Me Out Founder Jordan Lea and Dan Waugh of Regulus Partners.

OHID named as Prevention Commissioner

In a statement, the Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth, Stephanie Peacock, confirmed the OHID as Prevention Commissioner.

Within the new statutory levy system, the OHID will work alongside the Treatment Commissioner NHS England and relevant bodies in Scotland and Wales, as well as the Research Commissioner UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Peacock said: “To ensure that there is sufficient trust, expertise and authori..