Controversial evidence given at the UK Health & Social Care Committee has been placed under further scrutiny after a second letter was sent to Chair Layla Moran complaining about its “misleading” testimony. A diverse coalition of charities and commercial organisations working in gambling harm treatment, prevention and education have teamed up to challenge the narrative…
Shareholders from all corners of the industry have had their say on Norway’s upcoming national problem gambling strategy.
Gambling regulator Lotteritilsynet, Norway’s Directorate of Health, and the State Media Authority, Medietilsynet, are co-leading the country’s biggest problem gambling reform in years, scheduled for enforcement in 2026.
The three authorities have each reached out to a large number of relevant industry parties to gather as much of a nuanced response as possible as to which areas in Norway’s national problem gambling strategy need the most attention.
ADHD Norway makes its case…
Speaking to the Directorate of Health, non-profit support organisation ADHD Norway said that it wants to see more efforts being put into helping individuals with various neurological disorders.
The body says that between 70-75% of people with ADHD in Norway suffer from various levels of impulsivity, hence putting them at heightened risk of behavioural disorders such as risk gambling.
Gry Lunde, Secretary General of ADHD Norway, added that ADHD and its relation with problem gambling should be more prominently featured in the national health curriculum and social care education – both across the professional primary health care system and in schools.
Another interesting recommendation from ADHD Norway’s proposal is for the Norwegian Correctional Service to introduce targeted courses for the identification and treatment of gambling disorders among prisoners.
To achieve all of the above, the organisation suggests that more funds be allocated to municipalities for the development of better mental health care.
It also wants to see more problem gambling services rolled out across drug treatment wards, alongside more support tools for affected others. A final proposal includes stricter restrictions on gambling advertising.
…Gambling Addiction Norway’s voice heard…
It is perhaps of no surprise that better family aid is also a top recommendation in Gambling Addiction Norway’s (GAN) response – a support network whose work focuses on helping those suffering from gambling harm and their close ones move forward with their lives.
Magnus Pedersen, Political Advisor for GAN, added that the organisation is currently experiencing a steady influx of people reaching out because they’re in need of assistance.
Some of the recommended measures put forward by GAN include a nationwide educational campaign to help relatives of those affected better understand the specialist support tools currently available.
GAN concluded by welcoming the collaborative approach of the Norwegian Lottery Authority, the Norwegian Directorate of Health, and the Norwegian Media Authority, and that it remains open to further contributions towards the problem gambling action plan.
…and the operator, Norsk Tipping
Writing directly to Norway’s regulator, state-owned operator Norsk Tipping proposed for gambling harm efforts to concentrate more on younger people between the ages of 18 and 25, given the increasing proportion of casino games customers within that demographic.
An interesting take from the operator’s letter was a recommended strategy to investigate which minorities are the most exposed to problem gambling. This would be done through a series of language surveys, which Norsk Tipping says would further inform its safer gambling messaging campaigns.
Another proposed approach to Norway’s problem gambling action plan is to research the effects of government-imposed DNS blocking, or IP address blocking.
The company also viewed treatment in a social setting as a positive practice, directly referring to Gambling Addiction Norway as an ‘exemplary’ service in the field and – among others – in need of better financial support from the government.
Given that Norsk Tipping operates as a state-owned entity in a monopoly market, its recommendations carry significantly more weight compared to other responses in the consultations.
Regardless, the operator’s future is being constantly pondered on by politicians given Norway’s status as the last monopoly market in the Nordics.
FanDuel introduced its latest responsible gambling innovation at the Player Protection Symposium
A pair of bills filed in New Jersey would not only introduce new restrictions on where gambling can be advertised but also mandate a study of how the language used in ads affects bettors.
Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese and Assemblywoman Garnet Hall’s Bill A5562 was reported favorably out of the Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee on May 8 and is awaiting second reading in the full chamber. Sen. John McKeon and Sen. Renee Burgess’ S4366 introduced a companion piece to a committee in the Senate on May 12.
The bills propose banning gambling advertising in or close to schools or colleges as well as prohibiting marketing in any media that “predominantly” targets people aged under 21.
The stated aim is to, “deter illegal or irresponsible gambling, challenge perceptions of gambling and encourage the use of responsible gambling tools.” A lot of the language is vague, and appears to mostly relate to physical advertising such as billboards and signs while not taking into account th..
Polish gambling law expert Dr Justyna Grusza-Głębicka says Poland’s legal framework leaves consumers vulnerable to criminal liability when engaging with unlicensed operators—a detrimental condition that continues to fuel the country’s thriving black market
Recent judgments against Betano and Bet365 over restrictions on player accounts underscore a significant legislative blind spot in Brazil’s Bets regime regarding consumer rights an issue that requires a definitive settlement
SBC Summit Americas is reinforcing its commitment to promoting safer gambling by integrating the previously standalone Player Protection Symposium into the event’s core conference agenda.
This strategic move ensures that all registered delegates will have access to discussions, insights, and best practices around player protection, cementing the topic as a central pillar of the 2025 summit.
The Player Protection Symposium will be held on May 14 in the Palm Room (Level 2) at the Broward County Convention Center. Featuring a focused conference agenda and networking opportunities, the symposium will offer a dedicated space for operators, regulators, compliance experts and technology providers to share strategies for player protection.
“I think it’s clear to everyone that player safety is no longer a side conversation. It should be a central focus for every company operating in our industry,” said SBC CEO and Founder Rasmus Sojmark.
“That’s why we’ve integrated the Player Protection Sy..
“We need to get recognition for what we do well, rather than constant criticism for what we don’t do so well.” Breakeven CEO Ian Semel There was a recognition among treatment providers, regulators, operators and suppliers that the gambling industry has made great strides in recent years but you would not know it from reading…
Andrew Lyman previews new Gambling Act, while taking aim at politicians, media and prohibitionists in Ethical Gambling Forum address
The 17th European Economic Congress, held in Katowice, saw Polish gambling executives acknowledge that existing regulatory shortfalls have enabled the black market to encroach on Poland’s beleaguered and disoriented gambling sector.
A panel of gambling stakeholders at the European Economic Congress recognises that “the online casino market in Poland is largely beyond the state’s control”.
An earnest assessment of Poland’s gambling status was provided at an event hosted under the auspices of the trade body Graj Legalnie Association (Play Legally Association) and Poland’s Sports Lottery – Totalizator Sportowy.
The dire scenario is underscored by market data: since the 2017 reform of Poland’s gambling laws, which granted Totalizator Sportowy exclusive rights to operate online casino games, approximately PLN 230bn (€50bn) has flowed to offshore operators. The figure reflects a disheartening setback for Poland’s Treasury, which is estimated to have missed out on PLN 5.8bn (€1.3bn) in unpaid taxes.
Despite the government’s intentions, the sector remains mired in regulatory ambiguity. Since the legislative shift eight years ago, which was designed to limit the shadow economy and enhance enforcement, critics argue the situation has only grown opaquer.
Wojciech Szpil, former head of Totalizator Sportowy and current chairman of the UN Global Compact Network Poland, highlighted the challenges faced by regulators. The pace of digital change, he argued, has far outstripped the state’s capacity to respond.
“We are talking about the internet now — a medium that reaches all of us through the phones in our pockets,” he observed.
Enforcement, he added, is ultimately in the hands of the Ministry of Finance and the National Tax Administration (KAS), but the operational capacity to track and prosecute offshore entities, operating from the likes of Malta or Curaçao, remains severely limited.
Zdzisław Kostrubała, President of Graj Legalnie, was more blunt. “We are not opposed to regulation — we are opposed to regulation that doesn’t work,” he said. The eighth anniversary of the Gambling Act passed on 1 April, whose stated purpose was to limit unlicensed activity and boost tax compliance.
Yet the Ministry of Finance now maintains a blacklist of nearly 50,000 domains hosting illegal games, many of which continue to operate. Blocking such platforms, Kostrubała remarked, has become a futile game of cat and mouse. “Monopoly is an anachronism,” he added.
Others echoed the sentiment. Piotr Palutkiewicz of the Warsaw Enterprise Institute noted that most Polish consumers are unaware that only one online casino – Total Casino is legally sanctioned. “The law has not kept up with the facts,” he said.
Even consumers who wish to play legally often find themselves inadvertently on illegal platforms. In contrast, most European Union countries have adopted licensing models that permit multiple operators under regulatory supervision — balancing consumer freedom with state oversight.
Olgierd Cieślik, who chaired Totalizator Sportowy from 2017-2024 and was the architect of Total Casino, warned that the legal market is growing far too slowly.
According to data from H2 Gambling Capital, legal operators are expected to gain just 4–5% of market share over the next five years. In 2024, legal gambling revenue stood at PLN 67bn (€14.6bn) — nearly matched by an estimated PLN 65bn (€14bn) from the illegal sector.
Cieślik also drew comparisons with other digital industries, noting that users are accustomed to accessing multiple platforms for entertainment – be it streaming, social media, or betting. A single-state monopoly, he argued, fails to meet these evolving expectations.
As regulators across Europe gravitate toward more flexible, market-based systems, Poland’s rigid approach appears increasingly out of step. The grey zone persists, not for lack of law, but for lack of effective governance.
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The “Grey Zone” panel was held as part of the European Economic Congress. The debate was held under the patronage of: Graj Legalnie Association (Play Legally Association) and Totalizator Sportowy (Sports Lottery).