SBC News

To begin last week’s SBC Digital – Player Protection online conference, Vixio explored four of the latest trends in player protection policy.

Affordability checks – when not if
Affordability checks have been the “dominant topic” of UK gambling policy and Joe Ewens, Gaming Compliance Managing Editor for Vixio, explained that it is a case of “when, not if” for markets globally.

From 30 August, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) began its pilot of frictionless ‘light touch’ financial risk assessments. Elsewhere, from 1 October operators in the Netherlands have also had to perform affordability checks linked to a system of deposit limits.

On the potential for expanded use of affordability checks, Ewens said: “From an operator’s standpoint, you can see that affordability checks are clearly a preferable option. It enables gamblers to potentially go past high deposit limits.

“But it’s also fair to say that that the concept has proved to be pretty controversial. Some [customers] don’t like ..

Montenegro will develop a “new legal solution for gambling,” as pledged by the Ministry of Finance, tasked with modernising the Law on Games of Chance.

The Ministry has begun consultations with key stakeholders, including the “public, media, state authorities, local communities, and businesses,” to discuss amendments and resolutions.

A new law is required “to establish safe and responsible gambling environments, foster sustainable growth in the gaming sector free from financial crime, and address public health and social concerns associated with gambling.”

The consultation process, which began on October 21 and was extended until November 25 due to high interest, will include a review of stakeholder suggestions to be incorporated into the final draft.

The key objective remains to establish a new legal framework to ensure fair competition among organisers, accompanied by enhanced supervision to enforce compliance with regulations.

Jovana Nišavić, State Secretary for Finance, stated..

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has assigned Bluehouse Technology to update its global integrity monitoring network.

Part of IBIA’s long-term strategy of investing in technology to strengthen its fight against betting-related manipulation, the tech update developed in partnership with Bluehouse Technology will provide the integrity body and its members with more safeguarding tools to protect regulated betting markets.

It will streamline the identification and reporting of suspicious betting activity, unlocking faster response times to prevent potential integrity threats. The enhanced monitoring capacity will be supplemented by improved data analysis and alert data streams for key stakeholders, including gambling regulators – fostering deepened collaboration within the industry.

Sharmila Pillai, Director at Bluehouse Technology, said: “We are thrilled to have worked closely with IBIA to develop this new monitoring and alert platform. Our team worked hard to ..

In Belgium, the Federal Public Service of Justice (FPS Justice), has updated rules on enforcement to strengthen measures against illegal gambling.

The updated texts were placed under Article XVII.34/1 of the Economic Code, giving any relevant party the ability to exercise ‘extraordinary powers’ against potential market infringements/threats by filing a complaint with the Brussels Commercial Court.

Any party claiming to have identified alleged infringements related to the exploitation of illegal online games of chance—including private entities, “a management company or collective management organisation, or a professional or inter-professional association with legal personality”—can act unilaterally or as part of a collective petition to bring the issue before the court.

The President of the Brussels Commercial Court can then grant an interim order against a bad actor and any related intermediary to stop the alleged infringements – in the case that the “infringement appears clear ..

Belgium’s judicial system overseer, the Federal Public Service of Justice (previously Ministry of Justice), has updated the country’s framework to better accommodate measures against illegal gambling.

The updated texts were placed under Article XVII.34/1 of the Economic Code, giving any interested party the ability to exercise extraordinary powers against potential market infringements by filing a complaint with the Brussels Commercial Court.

Any party that claims to have found alleged legal infringement through the exploitation of illegal online games of chance – including private entities, “a management company or collective management organisation, or a professional or interprofessional association with legal personality” – can either act unilaterally or as part of a collective petition to raise the issue to court.

The President of the Brussels Commercial Court can then grant an interim order against the alleged infringer and any related intermediary to stop the alleged infring..

Ensuring that the needs of the individual are met shapes the foundation from which Gordon Moody is built. However, in addition to moulding treatment to the specific needs of each user, it is equally as vital that support is offered to loved ones.

This outlook, says PlayItForward, which first donated to Gordon Moody in July 2021, is crucial in ensuring that those on this path can focus on building their confidence and making improvements to their life.

PlayItForward is committed to creating partnerships with charities who support those affected by gambling harm, making sure that service users’ needs are prioritised.

In conversation with SBC News, Ryan Murphy, Gordon Moody Commercial Director, hones in on the importance of treatment, as well as looking into projects and services that have received a funding boost courtesy of PlayItForward, and how the industry can enhance its support of those suffering from gambling harms.

SBC News: Who is Gordon Moody and what services does it provi..

Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Gambling Authority of the Netherlands, will fund a pilot program with Gamban to provide a comprehensive block of all online gambling websites and apps targeting Dutch audiences.

Operating in the UK since 2015, Gamban is recognised as the most comprehensive gambling block and self-exclusion solution, compatible across all devices and operating systems (Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android).

As detailed, the pilot aims to ensure that “anyone in the Netherlands can obtain a free one-year Gamban subscription by contacting the country’s national support service, Loket Kansspel, via the website, WhatsApp, email, or phone.”

Gamban will introduce its new Dutch version of the app, ensuring the most effective gambling block solution is available for the KSA, while also providing a new route to self-exclusion for Dutch gambling consumers.

Nathalie Smit, Director at Loket Kansspel, said: “At Loket Kansspel, we believe that taking control of your online environment is cr..

Can operators rely on revenue from VIP players while running an effective player protection strategy?

A trio of industry experts considered this question in a panel titled ‘Can operators focus on player protection and increase shareholder value’ – part of SBC Digital’s Player Protection online conference.

“From my perspective, good player protection doesn’t mean that you can’t have high-value customers,” said Andy Danson, Partner at Bird & Bird.

“It does mean that for high-value customers you’ve got to be particularly careful as an operator to ensure that they are in control of their gambling and that they can afford their losses, so there is more work to be done on the operator side.”

Floris Assies, Founder of Better World Casinos, argued that VIP players with greater disposable income are more likely to be gambling for “the right reasons”.

He said: “Some people gamble for entertainment and that’s perfect. It’s very likely that the people who have more disposable income gamble mo..

Games Global spoke with SBC News about its recent partnership with Better Change and other igaming organisations to support safer gambling in the workplace. The latest initiative provides tools and training to prevent gambling harm and support well-being in the igaming industry.

Ty Smith, Head of Environmental, Social & Governance at Games Global, and Rob Mabbett, Engagement Director at Better Change, elaborate on a range of issues; touching on how the alliance was formed to how these ongoing efforts help to heighten the effectiveness of work in harm prevention.

SBC News: How did the collaboration between Better Change and Games Global emerge, and what was the identified need?

Rob Mabbett: The collaboration began earlier this year when Ty Smith, Head of Environmental, Social & Governance at Games Global, approached Better Change to explore projects that could be supported by voluntary contributions aimed at Research, Education, and Treatment for gambling harm.
Better Change, togethe..

The Chamber of Deputies of Argentina has announced the principal stakeholders/committees in establishing a federal framework to “reduce gambling harms and eliminating pathological behaviours.”

On Wednesday, 13 November, a new “working project” will commence to establish federal protections, standards, and rights to combat gambling harms.

The project will involve input from five Argentine civic committees on “Addiction Prevention and Drug Trafficking Control, Social Action and Public Health, Communications and Information Technology, Criminal Legislation, and Families, Children, and Youth.”

These five committees are tasked with agreeing on the policies for a federal bill to be urgently voted on by the House of Representatives, aiming to supersede state laws on gambling.

Federal intervention is necessary as, in May, the executive government of Buenos Aires (BA) updated its Code of Contraventions to introduce tougher penalties on gambling operators, intended to restrict gambling to in..