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Buenos Aires raids underpin Argentine action on illicit gambling

iGamingExpertMay 7, 20250210 views

Police sources have revealed to the Argentine News Agency that an illegal casino operation has been shut down in Buenos Aires.

The move underlines the zero tolerance approach of law enforcement when it comes to illicit gambling operations in Argentina.

Close to $1.5m in cash was seized as a result of the raid, which took place during peak engagement time in the evening for the casino. Several sets of cards were also seized alongside numerous sets of dice and even a .38 calibre revolver with bullets.

A 27-year-old Paraguayan man was also charged as a result of the raid.

It comes at a pivotal and sensitive time for the regulation of Argentine gambling after confusion reigned following President Javier Milei proposing a new bill to regulate online gambling and sports betting.

The bill drafted by the Executive Branch (the office of the President) promotes the recommendations sought by Sedronar, the Argentine Secretariat for Addiction Policies.

However, it led to much confusion over..

India approaches key legislative moment with GST levy in focus

iGamingExpertMay 6, 20250187 views

A major period has commenced around the Indian iGaming market, as debate over the GST framework takes centre stage amongst government officials and iGaming operators.

The 28% GST tax levy has caused much debate in India, with operators departing the regulated market and the black market continuing to grow.

As reported by media outlet, The Hindu, the debate this week could have a key impact on the future of gambling within the Indian market.

The debate looks to tackle the issue of which games fall under the umbrella of the levy, with the senior advocate A.M. Singhvi underpinning his views that the character of the game isn’t altered simply because money is wagered.

His case has been put forward as the debate lines are intensifying between games of skill and games of chance, with the Government stating that skill games should transition into a new genre once bets have been placed on them.

Singhvi responded: “Is the government saying that in chess, the moment I put money on it, ..

Dutch regulator sends illegal slot machine warning

iGamingExpertMay 6, 20250202 views

Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gaming regulator, has issued a stark warning against gaming machines entering the illegal market.

The regulator revealed it is monitoring developments after several casino branches closed down due to ongoing pressure in the Dutch market, including an increase in gambling tax.

As a result, gaming machines from the failed venues are being auctioned or sold, and the KSA reminded buyers that they must hold the necessary licence to operate the machines.

“When gaming halls close and licensed operation stops, it is very important that the gaming machines present do not end up in the illegal circuit,” noted the regulator.

“It is important that buyers do not operate these slot machines without the necessary licences. The KSA has therefore sent a letter to all buyers in which the rules are clearly explained.”

Beginning on 1 January 2025, income taxes on gambling businesses rose to 34.2% from 30.5%, with a further increase planned to 37.8% in 2026.

At ..

EGBA pushes for targeted player protection regulation in Romania

iGamingExpertMay 6, 20250190 views

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) is encouraging Romanian officials to establish a national self-exclusion register for gambling to help protect players in the country from gambling harm.

In conversation with the Romanian news channel Antena 3 at a recent event held at the Romanian Parliament organised by the Romanian online gambling association (AOJND), the EGBA’s Secretary General, Maarten Haijer, explained why a gambling self-exclusion register is a must in the country to promote responsible play.

Haijer said: “We need to have very targeted, specific regulation that really addresses the prevention of harm of individuals, rather than very horizontal, one-size-fits-all regulation, because that has proven to be not as successful as more targeted.

“Our advice would be to set up a self-exclusion register as quickly as possible because that allows people who don’t want to gamble to self-exclude.”

The EGBA has recommended that Romania’s gambling self-exclusion system s..

BGC: Safer Gambling Week promotion drives over 20% surge in SG tool usage

iGamingExpertMay 2, 20250181 views

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has highlighted the promotion of Safer Gambling Week and the significant impact it is having on the conversation and support of responsible play with its annual data from the 2024 campaign week.

Data released by BGC revealed that during Safer Gambling Week – 18 to 24 November 2024 – more than 1.5 million unique accounts used a safer gambling tool, a 22% year-over-year increase in comparison to 2023 figures.

The number of deposit limits set during the week of the initiative rose by 14% YoY, with limits set by 47% of players for the first time. Safer Gambling messages delivered throughout the week increased by 10% YoY to 7.2 million.

“Safer Gambling Week has proved its worth once again by making a real impact, encouraging even more punters to make the most of the broad range of safer gambling tools only available in the regulated sector,” commented Grainne Hurst, CEO of the BGC.

Over 60 million impressions were generated during Safer Gambling Wee..

Mindway AI partners with BetComply to enhance player protection

iGamingExpertMay 1, 20250200 views

Mindway AI has announced a new partnership with BetComply focused on business strategy and player protection.

The player protection software provider will be seeking advice from BetComply on the future roadmap of its products and new business opportunities, in a bid to further develop its offering and support a wider range of operators.

The partnership will be led by BetComply’s Safer Gambling and Sustainability Specialist, Jez White, who previously served as Director of Player Protection Systems and Analytics at Entain.

On the collaboration, White commented: “Our goal is to help bridge the gap between innovation and implementation, ensuring operators can fully harness tools like GameScanner to deliver more effective, proactive player protection.”

Mindway AI’s CEO, Rasmus Kjaergaard, added that the addition of BetComply’s expertise and operational experience will be a “huge asset”.

A particular focus for BetComply will be the future development of GameScanner, a tool that uses ..

Kenya regulator suspends gambling adverts for 30 days

iGamingExpertApril 29, 20250210 views

Issuing a public notice on X, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) in Kenya has confirmed a sweeping move to prohibit adverts for 30 days.

It comes as scrutiny over the Kenyan gambling market is being intensified, especially as reports underline that a new generation of players are engaging with wagering.

Providing the update on X, the BCLB stated: “Kenyans will NOT see betting adverts on TV or hear them on radio for the next 30 days.

“We have SUSPENDED all gambling advertisements across media platforms until promoters fully comply with our set guidelines on responsible marketing.”

Recently, the country’s regulator also sought to cool claims that Kenyan players spent Ksh 766bn (approximately £4.4bn) on gambling in 2024.

The BCLB issued a statement to challenge the report, conducted by GeoPoll and titled Betting in Africa 2024, claiming that the figure “inaccurately inflates the size of the regulated market” by including figures from offshore platforms.

Reports had fur..

Malta regulator denounces association with operator in new licensing clarification

iGamingExpertApril 29, 20250189 views

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has denied its association with the online casino casinowinner.io.

It is unclear what has prompted the clarification. However, the regulatory body released a statement confirming that it has no connection with casinowinner and any reference to the regulatory body on the operator’s website is “false and misleading”.

At the time of writing, the casinowinner website states that it is operated by Winner Media N.V., holder of an E-gaming license issued by the Central Government of the Netherlands Antilles.

The MGA name or logo does not currently appear to be listed on the casinowinner’s platform.

God55 and Birmingham City

This is not the first time the MGA has been forced to release such a clarification of this nature.

Following an Insider Sport and iGaming Expert investigation, the MGA confirmed it had no connection with the Malaysia-based God55 brand following the announcement of the operator’s partnership with Birmingham City as the League One club’..

Debate escalates over fate of Brazilian marketing framework

iGamingExpertApril 28, 20250236 views

Polarisation over gambling advertising rules in Brazil continues to escalate, opinions were put forward by varied corners to the country’s Senate.

It comes as the case is being considered over potential changes to the ‘Bets’ regulating betting regime.

Developments rumbled on in terms of ironing out the regulatory framework, in Brazilian advertising, as stakeholders were summoned by Senators’ Carlos Portinho (PL-RJ) and Jorge Kajuru (PSB-GO) to discuss further.

The current state of play is that the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) has enabled solely licensed operators to advertise.

The regulatory framework currently progressing also looks to maintain that marketing must not be aimed at minors and also include responsible messaging.

In contention is whether there will be completely separate legislation around gambling market in Brazil, separate from the Bets regime.

Opposition over gambling advertising is fairly strong and vocal within the discussions, as Hermano Tavares, a..

DraftKings accused of “luring naive gamblers” in new lawsuit

iGamingExpertApril 24, 20250230 views

The advertising and bonus practices of DraftKings will be placed under the microscope following a new lawsuit filed in Pennsylvania.

Filed in the Eastern Pennsylvania District Court, the suit comes from five DraftKings customers, however, the class action will enable others affected to join down the line.

The plaintiffs argue that DraftKings’ promotion of “risk-free bets” combined with the “hidden and confusing terms” of its casino deposit match promotion leads to players placing a greater number of bets than initially intended, and in doing so, they “risk developing a dangerous gambling addiction”.

The suit claims that DraftKings is, among other allegations, legally negligent, violating Pennsylvania state consumer protection laws and practising intentional misrepresentation. The group is seeking damages for any qualifying members of the class.

Casino bonus

The suit specifically highlighted a 2023 promotion that offered a $2,000 deposit match bonus offered at DraftKings casino. H..