Europe

UKGC Director slams Meta for black market inaction

Steve Hoare070 views

Tim Miller, the UK’s top man when it comes to regulating gambling, took a sharp stance against tech firm Meta.

Addressing an audience of gambling stakeholders at ICE Barcelona, the UK Gambling Commission’s (UKGC) Executive Director chose a single question to be the basis for his whole speech. This question was “whose side are you on?”.

The extended version of this sounds more like ‘whose side are you on in the fight against the black market’, and Miller was clear that he thinks Meta – the owner of Facebook and Instagram – has blurred the lines.

Not Meta’s first rodeo

This is not the first time Meta has found itself on the opposite side of conversations about ethics and transparency, certainly not from a gambling perspective.

In July last year, campaigners from a UK-based NGO raised concerns about the tech platform’s policies on flagging safer gambling messages as more risky than gambling adverts themselves – which, as a result, leads to gambling marketing enjoying more visibility.

Miller’s speech took this argument one step further, focusing on the amount of black market advertising found on Meta’s platforms, and particularly those tailored to promote “non-GamStop” casinos – with GamStop being the UK’s national self-exclusion registry.

Such adverts are easily trackable even by regular Meta users, Miller added, thanks to a publicly available marketing database that allows for direct searches through keywords.

Yet, such ads keep appearing on two of the biggest social media platforms, which Miller criticised by saying: “If we can find them, then so can Meta: they simply choose not to look.”

“It could leave you with the impression that they are quite happy to turn a blind eye and continue taking money from criminals and scammers until someone shouts about it. So it does leave Meta with the question of ‘Whose side are you on?’

“The consumers and users of your platforms, many of whom are seeking to escape gambling harm, or the criminals and con artists who are using your platforms to prey on vulnerable people right in front of your eyes and whose clutches you risk pushing those vulnerable people into?”

2026 will be a year of action

Besides this heavily charged criticism against Meta, the UKGC Director also hinted at tightening the scrutiny over licensed game suppliers whose products are also found on offshore websites – albeit this time around Miller was a bit softer in his critique, explaining that “pulling the legal action lever” will not always be practical or possible.

In conclusion, the speech ended on a positive note, reminding attendees of the £26m in UKGC funding set aside by the last UK Budget to fuel the fight against the black market over the next three years.

Finally, Miller also highlighted that the UKGC is expecting another major milestone this year, with the Crime and Policing Bill currently being reviewed in the House of Lords. If and when enacted, this law will give the UK regulator autonomous IP blocking powers, alleviating it from its current reliance on Google.

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Dutch regulator sets out five key priorities for 2026

Steve Hoare085 views

The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has made further commitments to increasing player safety in 2026.

Following a turbulent year for the Dutch gambling sector and politics overall, the gambling authority is ending January on a high note with its supervisory agenda for the next 12 months.

A total of five main pressing issues were outlined in the document, which KSA Chair Michel Groothuizen and his team will aim to address fully as the year rolls by.

These include black market operators, vulnerable groups protection, duty of care standards, advertising, and AML policies.

Offshore actors: public enemy number one

In the new year, the KSA has expressed willingness to tighten the coordination of all parties involved in the Dutch licensed gambling industry for a wide-scale counterattack against the growing shadow of the black market.

Such efforts will continue to build on a successful 2025 for the KSA, which managed to blacklist a large number of affiliates using the .nl domain through a partnership with the Foundation for Internet Domain Registration. Deepened communication between the regulator and social media companies to remove illegal content is also expected to expand.

One particularly interesting development to look forward to this year is KSA’s investigative work on tracking down slot machines that have come from bankrupt or closed down land-based venues.

Vulnerable groups take prevalence

Understandably, another top priority will be the protection of vulnerable demographics such as children and current or at-risk problem gamblers. The KSA has firmly declared that it will work towards reducing the number of minors coming into contact with gambling through extensive data controls and additional monitoring of gambling providers.

Beware of your duty of care

Operators were also promised heightened scrutiny of their duty of care compliance coming 2026. There is a long list of reforms in the online gambling sector that is gradually being implemented, and gambling providers can rest assured that they will be tried and tested for compliance issues by the KSA.

There are a number of studies into player behaviours scheduled to conclude sometime this year, on the result of which the KSA is likely to introduce even more market amendments. One such study is the effectiveness of player financial checks that operators currently deploy – with the concluding statement certain to amend KSA’s course of action.

Do you have receipts for this money?

Last but not least, this year’s KSA agenda envisions significant developments on the anti-money laundering front. It is safe to assume that the Netherlands already has robust policies in place given its location on the world map, but the gambling regulator anticipates even more scrutiny – especially once the newly-established European AML agency AMLA springs into action later this year.

All in all, it is shaping up to be an eventful 12-month period for the gambling sector in the land of the tulips – even more so now that there is a new government in place.

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UKGC picks Kirsty Caldwell as interim Industry Forum Chair 

Steve Hoare071 views

A new Interim Chair has been appointed for the Industry Forum of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The regulator has named Kirsty Caldwell as its choice for a temporary hire while the recruitment drive is underway for a permanent replacement of Nick Rust, who ended his term in November 2025. Caldwell is currently running Betsmart Consulting, which offers compliance and AML services…

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bet365: Dutch duty of care ‘allegations will be found to be unsubstantiated’

iGamingExpert070 views

bet365 has told iGaming Expert that it will continue contesting a binding instruction issued by the Netherlands gambling authority to improve its duty of care, believing the authority’s findings will be found to be “unsubstantiated”.

Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) stated that an audit of Hillside New Media Malta, the operator of bet365, discovered it had failed to “adequately respond to signals that players may no longer be able to bear the financial consequences of their gambling behaviour”.

In addition, the KSA said bet365 did not take “sufficient intervention measures when this signal was detected”. The audit took place between 6 December 2024 and 6 June 2025.

The Netherlands has policy rules in place for net deposits per calendar month, exceeding €300 for young adults aged 18-23, or €700 for those aged 24 and older.

Operators must conduct a means test to determine an appropriate net deposit limit to check if a player can deposit more without encountering financial difficulties. Player deposits must be blocked if this check can’t be performed.

Following an audit, the KSA noted that bet365 had “not adequately fulfilled its duty of care”.

The authority said: “Before March 2025, Hillside asked players to complete a questionnaire about their income. The KSA already informed gambling providers in early 2025 that a questionnaire is not suitable for conducting a means assessment.

“It was also found that the calculation of the net deposit limit was performed incorrectly. This allowed players to deposit more than they could possibly afford based on their financial situation.”

bet365 objects binding instruction

Under the binding instruction, bet365 now has four weeks to adequately complete the ability-to-pay test for the KSA.

This can be completed by recording and analysing the signals that could signify a player can no longer afford the financial consequences of their gambling behaviour, taking appropriate action if necessary.

If this instruction is not completed, further sanctions could be issued by the KSA, including a fine or the revocation of its gambling licence in the Netherlands.

However, bet365 has objected to the binding instruction, arguing that it has not committed any violation and did not commit a violation during the audit period, so there is no authority to impose such a binding instruction.

“bet365 does not recognise the allegations made by the Kansspelautoriteit,” a bet365 spokesperson told iGaming Expert.

“bet365 places customer safety at the forefront of its activities, and takes gambling protections extremely seriously. We will continue defending this matter through the proper legal process, and remain confident that the allegations will be found to be unsubstantiated.”

2026 supervisory agenda

Duty of care is one of the KSA’s five key themes published recently in its supervisory agenda for 2026, alongside tackling illegal gambling operators, protecting vulnerable groups, supervising advertising and supervising compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act (Wwft).

The authority stated that online operators’ duty of care compliance will continue to be monitored with a particular focus on the tightened regulations for duty of care, gaming limits and gaming behaviour.

Studies into how providers assess the financial capacity of players will take place. Other areas will be examined, including the speed of behaviour analysis, as well as negative forms of behavioural management by operators and the extent to which this violates the duty of care.

In the early stages of this year, investigations into Cruks notifications and personal interviews will be completed, with recommendations that will be monitored for compliance.

Guidance on AI and monitoring tools usage by operators will be published, while compliance with land-based duty of care will continue to be monitored in accordance with guidance published at the end of last year.

Key priority

Speaking last week at the Annual Gaming Industry Event at the Royal Industrieele Groote Club in Amsterdam, KSA Chair Michel Groothuizen stated that high deposits have been dropping on average, while duty of care has been improving, since the introduction of the mandatory affordability check and net deposit limits.

Groothuizen added that many case files that were examined recently and resulted in fines predated the tightening of regulations.

“Players are not spending such extreme amounts. While that is, of course, disadvantageous for your bottom line, I’m pleased, as the regulator, that these protective measures are working so well. And channelisation, in terms of number of players, doesn’t seem to have been hit too severely either.

“Although things are improving, there’s still plenty to do. The duty of care will therefore remain a key priority for the KSA in 2026.”

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GambleAware records 90% increase in safer gambling awareness

Steve Hoare077 views

GambleAware has recorded a landmark achievement with its three-year problem gambling awareness campaign reaching a 90% success rate.

The ‘Let’s Open Up About Gambling’ initiative was first launched back in April 2023 with the goal of lowering the stigma associated with gambling disorders. The campaign ran up until May 2025, and according to a GambleAware-commissioned report by Ipsos UK, it has proved notably successful.

Estimates produced by Ipsos put the percentage of the campaign’s effectiveness at over 90%, with almost all targeted individuals confirming that they’ve taken action after seeing the adverts, including seeking GambleAware’s online services for more advice.

This means that problem gambling education has been inadvertently increased to various degrees among over 90% of participants. Additionally, two in five of the target audience have said that they’ve been prompted to talk about gambling as a result of the campaign.

Not only that, GambleAware also tied the length of the campaign’s duration with an increase in the uptake of support and digital tools on its website.

In its report, Ipsos concluded that GambleAware’s strategy to utilise real stories of people with lived experiences has played a major role in the campaign’s success, and recommended that similar initiatives in the future should take the same approach to build trust through compassion.

This recommendation will mainly refer to the NHS starting April, as the health body replaces GambleAware as the Chief Commissioner of Research, Prevention and Treatment (RET) of gambling harms as part of the UK’s new statutory levy – with the charity officially closing on 31 March.

Gambling ads still a problem, GambleAware says

In addition to lauding the campaign’s success, GambleAware leadership remained adamant that gambling marketing spent in the UK should either be reduced or matched with safer gambling messaging.

Emma Munro-Faure, GambleAware Director of Marketing, said: “We’re proud that this campaign helped thousands of people to seek support for gambling harms.

“But stigma remains a major barrier, and with gambling companies spending £2bn a year on advertising, we need stronger restrictions and clearer signposting to the free help and support available.”

The £2bn figure cited by Munro-Faure is based on a 2025 report by The Guardian, which was published days prior to the 26 November UK Budget announcement that raised the Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) from 21% to 40%.

Raising taxes for the gambling industry caused numerous heated debates throughout last year, with proponents deeming the sector a social health concern that should be put on par with alcohol and tobacco, while gambling stakeholders pointed to the long list of taxes that the gambling industry was already being subjected to.

Regardless, results were divisive, with Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves increasing the RGD and the General Betting Duty (15% to 25%), sparing horse racing from any tax hikes, and abolishing the bingo duty completely – setting the foundations for a different UK gambling market in 2026.

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Former Entain Director Martin Lycka joins Oddin.gg as VP

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Former Entain Director of Regulatory Affairs Martin Lycka is joining Oddin.gg as VP Institutional Relations.  The Czech esports odds provider has grown quickly over the past few years and now numbers over 300 staff worldwide. In this global role Lycka will support the company’s growth plans by managing the business’s government affairs and regulatory matters. …

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Latest fine issued in long-running battle against Dutch black market

Steve Hoare075 views

Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch Gambling Authority has issued two fines, one for failure to comply with player protection standards and another for illegal operations.

The larger of the two fines, standing at €4.2m, was issued to Starscream Ltd, which was found operating the brands of rantcasino.com, allstarzcasino.com, and sugarcasino.com without a Dutch licence.

This is the second time Starscream has been fined for illegally operating in the Netherlands, having been issued a €840,000 penalty in April last year. Both cases may demonstrate the difficulty of finding illegal operators, however – if a company is not licensed in a country, how can a regulator enforce payment of its penalty?

On a wider scale, the two fines against Starscream also demonstrate the continuing battle against the black market being waged in the Netherlands. Operators often argue that marketing restrictions and high taxation are a cause of the country’s black market woes.

Michel Groothuizen, Chairman of the board of the KSA, said: “The Netherlands Gambling Authority has a wide range of tools at its disposal to tackle illegal providers. Imposing administrative fines is one of them.

“Although collecting such fines presents challenges, particularly for parties outside the EU, with these fines we continue to send the message that we are taking a tough stance against illegal offerings in the Netherlands.”

KSA not easing up

The second fine issued this week is a much more typical one in the Netherlands, centring around player protection. The KSA has made player protection, particularly protection of younger and more vulnerable customers, a top priority in recent years.

Notable fines for player protection reasons in 2025 were issued to Unibet, LeoVegas and JOI Gaming, for the reasons of player supervision in the cases of Unibet and LeoVegas and advertising infractions in JOI Gaming’s case.

In the most recent instance, the KSA has fined Tulipa Ent Ltd, which trades as ComeOn the Netherlands, for failing to detect signs of excessive gambling behviaour among 10 young adult players on time. This included setting ‘excessive deposit limits’ and incurring thousands in losses over short periods of time.

Groothuizen added: “The Ksa previously found that providers’ implementation of their duty of care varied too widely and often left much to be desired. We therefore conducted additional research with various providers, resulting in the various duty of care fines we are now seeing.

“Providers absolutely must not let slip something as essential as the duty of care, especially when it concerns vulnerable target groups such as young adults.”

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CJEU sides with Austria on gambling claims against Malta licences   

Steve Hoare092 views

The long-standing legal battle of Austrian courts to enforce national laws and rules on foreign-licensed operators has reached a significant turning point.

This morning, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) provided a preliminary determination on the dispute between Austria Supreme Court and Malta referred for arbitration to the European Commission (EC).

The legal challenge was initiated in 2022 by an Austrian player who sued the Maltese business Titanium Brace Ltd – the placeholder name for a defunct licence of DACH market operator DrückGlück (drueckglueck.com).

The case spans over twenty years of regulatory and legislative changes in European gambling and member state law. However, the original challenge remains, as the plaintiff seeks to hold foreign-licensed operators accountable for offering unregulated gambling across borders.

Austrian courts uphold that the plaintiff has a right to reclaim losses, as the player had sued the former Maltese licence that had no authorisation to provide online gambling services in Austria.

However, citing Maltese law, Titanium Brace denied any payout, stating that its authority and compliance were accountable to the jurisdiction of Malta.

The case has been closely monitored by legal observers, who deem it a test for the CJEU to interpret EU single-market freedoms and member state autonomy over gambling regimes.

Following an extended review, the CJEU views that under the EU’s Rome II Regulation, local laws are applicable as a “non-contractual obligation”.

As such, the interpretation deems that liabilities can be claimed in the member state where the damage occurs, regardless of the licensing parameters of a business.

In online gambling cases, “the damage arises where the player resides, as that is where the financial loss and consumer protection interests manifest.”

Accordingly, the CJEU held that Austrian law would apply to the case, allowing the player to pursue claims under “domestic tort law”. However, the Court noted that if a tort is closely aligned to another member state, judges may apply that country’s law instead.

“The law applicable to a non-contractual obligation arising out of a tort or delict shall be the law of the country in which the damage occurs.

“In games of chance organised in another Member State without the necessary national licence, the law applicable to that damage is, in principle, that of the Member State in which that person has their habitual residence.”

With regard to the long-standing dispute, the CJEU deems that Austrian laws are applicable, due to the condition that Austria has specific consumer protection rules , a determining factor that could be referenced against Titanium Brace.

The CJEU underscores that its ruling is a preliminary matter, as the arbitration aims to interpret EU law – the CJEU does not decide legal outcomes. To proceed with settlements, Austrian courts must apply the CJEU’s interpretation when ruling on the actual case.

Fragmented Europe

Though preliminary, the CJEU determination will have significant ramifications for wider challenges against Malta-licensed operators and its courts.

Similar disputes over player loss claims have been submitted by German courts, most notably a 2023 case (C-440/23) involving a customer in Hesse seeking to recover losses from Lottoland as an unlicensed operator. The challenge was referred to the European Court of Justice by the Regional Court of Gießen.

The German case has since received an Advocate General opinion favourable to Malta, stating that “claims for restitution of stakes under national law do not fall foul of the EU doctrine of abuse of rights.”

The Advocate General reasoned that “restitution claims are governed by national contract and civil law, not by EU market freedoms such as the freedom to provide services, and thus do not inherently constitute abuse of EU law.”

Malta stands by Bill 55

The conflicts have spanned significant changes in national legislation on gambling across multiple EU member states. In 2023, Malta’s government proceeded to codify Bill 55, endorsed by the Ministry of Finance and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), as Article 56A of the Gaming Act.

The amendment allowed Maltese courts to refuse recognition or enforcement of foreign judgments against Malta-licensed businesses, provided that the disputed gambling activities were lawful under Maltese regulation.

Upon its introduction, the Maltese government was requested to explain Bill 55 to the EC, as the member states of the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria raised objections.

Malta was accused of effectively shielded online gambling operators from legal responsibility and undermined enforcement of national authorities.

The government justified the measure as necessary to protect the integrity of its licensing regime and uphold EU principles of service freedom, arguing that Malta’s remote gaming framework should not be undermined by conflicting national laws elsewhere in Europe.

Malta maintains the provisions of Bill 55 within its Gaming Act. The government cites that, to date, no Maltese court has applied or enforced its protections in cross-border disputes concerning online gambling conflicts.

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Divisive Dugher sends final black market warning before BGC departure 

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The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has announced that Michael Dugher will be stepping down as Chair with immediate effect, bringing an end to six years at the standards body for the regulated UK betting and gaming industry.

Dugher will be moving into a new role as Head of UK Public Affairs Practice at global advisory firm Brunswick Group. He had been the BGC’s Chair since April 2024 and before that he was the organisation’s founding Chief Executive for over four years.

The change atop the BGC comes following some of the most volatile years in UK gaming, at a time when Dugher led the BGC in rallying back against intense lobbying efforts and increased regulatory pressure.

Dugher, who is a former Labour MP for Barnsley East, played a central role in navigating the standards body through the UK government’s Gambling Act review and the publication of the gambling white paper in 2023.

In what was the most significant evolution in UK gambling since 2005, a much-feared outcome was avoided, which would have seen a full blackout on gambling advertising.

However, there was a tightening of online casino restrictions, specifically when it came to slot stake limits and promotions. Dugher led the BGC campaign warning against these types of restrictions, given that they would handicap the regulated industry against the black market.

The outgoing Chair commented on the work with his peers at the BGC over the past few years, stating he was “immensely proud” of what was achieved, thanking BGC members and current Chief Executive Grainne Hurst, as well as ministers, shadow ministers and officials at DCMS.

He also highlighted how “in an era when there is sadly so much ignorance and snobbery about betting – not helped, in my view, by the decline in the number of working-class people in Parliament – the BGC did a difficult job in navigating the industry through the previous Government’s gambling review”..

Dugher continued: “This resulted in a White Paper that, though not without its challenges, avoided many of the most draconian and disproportionate measures advocated by anti-gambling prohibitionists.

“By embracing change and positively engaging with Government and Parliamentarians, we made the case for an evidence-led approach to regulation and legislation that raised standards, protected jobs and growth as much as possible, and delivered historic deregulation and investment for Britain’s world-leading casino sector – all while keeping customers safe in the regulated industry.

“This approach is increasingly at risk today, given the very worrying growth in harmful gambling in the unregulated online black market.”

Hostility between the BGC and Parliament escalated last year during the debate around the Budget, as warnings from the BGC and UK gambling seemed to fall on deaf ears in Westminster.

The BGC failed to hit home with its message during the debate around taxation, as Remote Gaming Duty was raised from 21% to 40%.

Regulatory hostility hasn’t waned amidst the tax hikes, which many have warned will cripple the profitability of operators, as MPs have seemingly taken aim at High Street betting.

It means that whoever comes in to replace Dugher has little time to settle before they are fending off aggressive political rhetoric and potential negative headlines.

Guiding the industry

The BGC spotlighted that, under Dugher’s leadership, 20 new safer gambling codes containing 100 new standards were introduced and adopted by the standards body. Several charity initiatives, including the Britannia Stakes charity race at Royal Ascot and the Grand National Charity Bet, were also launched.

Hurst praised Dugher for his contribution and for bringing “clarity of purpose, a trusted standing with policymakers and regulators, and a steadfast commitment to championing a responsible, well-regulated betting and gaming industry”.

“Under his leadership, the BGC was firmly established as a credible standards body, uniting a diverse membership around stronger consumer protections and a shared determination to do the right thing, often going beyond regulatory requirements,” added Hurst.

“He guided the industry through the most significant regulatory reform in a generation, helping to deliver the Gambling White Paper and shape its implementation in a way that balances consumer protection with the realities of a major UK leisure industry enjoyed safely by millions each month. His leadership was also pivotal in securing long-overdue casino modernisation and proportionate regulation.

“On a personal note, it has been a genuine privilege to work alongside Michael. He leaves a proud and lasting legacy at the BGC, having strengthened standards, unified the industry and ensured it is well prepared for the challenges ahead.”

Industry praise

Dugher has received thanks from industry operators as well, with Ian Proctor, Chair of Flutter UK & Ireland, stating: “Michael worked tirelessly to help establish the BGC as a strong and authoritative body for the regulated industry.

“During a period of significant policy change, his experience and judgement were invaluable in supporting constructive engagement with Government and the regulator, including through the Gambling Act Review and the delivery of the White Paper.

“I would like to thank Michael for all his hard work and, on behalf of the wider industry, wish him every success in the future.”

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