Europe

Germany cracks down on €6bn illegal gambling ring

A.J. Koehn011 views

Germany interstate authorities have begun targeting illegal gambling networks amid warnings by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) of heightened money-laundering risks as a direct threat to the German economy.

A three-year long investigation has resulted in the raiding of eleven premises by German authorities, Frankfurt’s Prosecutor’s Office revealed, with total stakes said to be worth almost €6bn (£5.1bn).

The raids were part of a coordinated operation between the Prosecutor’s Office, the Frankfurt Tax Office, the North Rhine-Westphalia Counter-Financial Crime State Office, and the Frankfurt police, involving more than 100 officers.

According to official government sources, five suspects were identified to be involved in the illegal gambling ring, which operated an online casino without the required licence for the period between 2021 and 2023. The casino processed more than €5.8bn worth of wagers.

Authorities seized several luxury vehicles, froze a number of bank accounts, an..

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Former Playtech exec Francesco Rodano joins Allwyn as RG chief

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Allwyn has appointed Francesco Rodano has joined the lottery-led gaming entertainment company as Group Head of Responsible Gaming, bringing substantial international experience spanning public policy, regulation and technology innovation. Francesco joins after 10 years at the technology-led gaming company Playtech, where he led a global initiative focused on player protection and long-term business sustainability. During this time, he also championed…

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iGaming Daily: The Dutch Dilemma – Duty of Care vs. Black Market Risk

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This episode explores the recent developments in Dutch online gambling regulation, including the proposed advertising ban, market challenges, and future outlook. Featuring insights from industry experts Ted Menmuir and Christian Lee, it provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape. Key Topics Dutch gambling market history and recent changes Proposed comprehensive ban on gambling advertising…

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Ruth Evans appointed as Gambling Commission Chair

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The appointment of Ruth Evans as the new Chair of the Gambling Commission (GC) comes at a vital moment for the UK iGaming market, as industry stakeholders continue to combat illegal operators.

Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), confirmed that Evans’ five-year term as Chair will begin later this month, on 30 September. She replaces Charles Counsell, who has filled the role as Chair on an interim basis since the departure of Marcus Boyle in January last year.

Evans’ appointment comes at a crucial time, with UK iGaming operators battling against a black market which is estimated to have generated $50bn in gross revenue in 2025, according to a Fincord Intelligence report recently shared by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).

Commenting on her appointment, Evans said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of the Gambling Commission at a time when its role in keeping gambling fair, safe and crime-free is more important than ever..

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Armenia tightens gambling oversight with telecoms block

A.J. Koehn014 views

Armenia is preparing to roll out more restrictions against illegal operators through a new reform package that would tighten the oversight of online gambling.

State news agency Armenpress has reported that the State Revenue Committee (SRC) is looking at measures to block unlicensed gambling websites through telecommunications operators.

According to the state press, the new rules will be enforced on 8 February 2027, revising existing provisions under the current Law On Regulation of Gaming Activities that relate to the blocking of unlicensed operators offering online gambling and lottery services.

The Committee added that the revisions are necessary to address the increased ease of access to offshore platforms through digital means. Under the new provisions, the advertising opportunities for these unlicensed operators will also be severely limited.

Armenia’s gambling legislation is already undergoing a complete overhaul, having been adopted by the National Assembly in June 2024 and..

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Zarb, Banks and the toxic nature of online debate

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The political debate around gambling has long been polarised and now it has plunged into obscenity. But where are those who should be representing the grown-ups? Steve Hoare investigates Gamban Director Matt Zarb-Cousin lost it the other day – although he doesn’t see it that way. He believes if somebody calls him a a c***,…

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Scott Burrows, Super: How tech is changing the safer gambling landscape

iGamingExpert017 views

Technology has changed the game across many aspects of the industry, and safer gambling monitoring is no different.

Ahead of appearing on a panel on the Regulation and Compliance Stage titled ‘Innovation in Tech: How Can Technology Keep Players Safe from Harm?‘, Super’s Head of Technical Compliance Scott Burrows spoke to iGaming Expert about the evolving role of tech in bringing a personalised approach to responsible gambling across the player spectrum.

Firstly, can you tell us about the role of tech in ensuring safer play and protecting players?

Tech has moved safer play from a reactive function to a predictive one. We’re no longer waiting for a player to self-report harm or for a manual review to catch something weeks later.

Real-time monitoring means deposit patterns, session length, loss-chasing, and time-of-day shifts get flagged as they happen. That shift alone changes what protection actually means in practice.

It also means we can personalise the response rather than b..

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BOYLE Sports director on prioritising “human connection” when treating problem gambling

A.J. Koehn015 views

In an age where it seems every sector is starting to become overrun by the presence of technology, data and AI, it would make sense for the practice of safer gambling to go down the same route.

And while those factors absolutely play a part in operators helping to reduce gambling harms, BOYLE Sports has revealed that it has doubled down on the human element in this area.

Hayley Smith, Group Compliance and Risk Director at the Irish bookmaker, tells SBC News that “creating a genuine human connection with our customers” is at the heart of its support.

Hayley Smith. Credit: LinkedIn

“We prioritise creating a genuine human connection with our customers, alongside our technology, which gives us more opportunity to identify problem gambling behaviour through talking to them,” she says.

“We place huge importance in someone being on the other end of the phone in addition to online support and have invested in our team to allow us to support our customers in that way.”

Why BOYLE Sports n..

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Gambling Commission suspends BresBet and Bet St George licences

iGamingExpert017 views

Licence suspensions have been issued by the Gambling Commission (GC) to two operators in the UK iGaming market, BresBet and Bet St George.

GC enquiries found suspected social responsibility and anti-money laundering (AML) failings, with reviews now being carried out into both licences under section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005.

The commission added that the suspension will remain in place until it’s satisfied that the businesses are compliant.

A statement on the GC’s website said: “It has been made clear to both operators that during the course of the suspension they are expected to treat consumers fairly and keep them fully informed of any developments which impact them.

“The suspension, which takes place immediately, does not prevent either operator from allowing consumers to access their accounts and withdrawing funds. Both businesses can be contacted through their websites.”

BresBet has been operational in the UK since February 2025, providing casino, bingo, sports betting and..

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