SBC News

UK enforcement action casts shade over Unibet’s net zero goals

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The operator of FDJ United’s Unibet brand in the UK has been charged by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) for social responsibility and AML licensing failures.

Platinum Gaming has received a warning, needs to pay the Commission £10m, and will have to undergo a third party audit to ensure it meets policies, procedures and controls.

Penalties and enforcement actions rarely reflect well on the companies involved, but this may be particularly bad PR for Unibet, which maintains its targets of one day achieving 0% revenue from gambling harm.

This is also the second time the London-headquartered firm, which operates FDJ’s Unibet under a white label deal as well as the bingo and online casino site UK.Bingo.com, has been hit with a regulator penalty.

The UKGC charged the firm £2.9m back in 2023, also for social responsibility and AML failures. 2022 and 2023 were particularly active years for the Commission with countless fines issued ranging from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of British pounds.

Various operators received penalties for similar infractions during this time, with records broken via penalties against Entain and William Hill. The regulator itself has noted a slowdown in breaches in 2025, however.

“While industry wide progress has been made in reducing unchecked high spending, the failings at Platinum Gaming are particularly disappointing,” said John Pierce, Commission Director of Enforcement

“The case revealed serious shortcomings in customer interaction systems, including failures to identify and act on clear markers of harm.”

What not to do
The incidents at Platinum will be familiar to many. The Commission found cases of Unibet and/or Bingo.com customers losing ‘thousands within hours or days of registration’ without intervention, according to Pierce.

Specific examples highlighted included the customer interaction system failing to identify a player who lost £5,000 within 24 hours of registration as being at risk of harm. Another customer was not interacted with despite losing £31,000 within nine months.

On AML, the Commission determined that Platinum Gaming’s money laundering and terrorist financing risk assessment did not factor in accounts closed due to AML or counter-terrorist financing (CTF) concerns prior to 2023.

The regulator further asserted that Platinum Gaming’s AML policy lacked clarity around customer due diligence and did not consider high risk occupations, high levels of transactions and high loss levels.

“Customer reviews did not consistently consider high-risk factors, despite these being outlined in the licensee’s own framework,” said Pierce.

Not great for Net Zero
Unibet launched its 0% mission back in 2021. At the time it was part of the Kindred Group – itself having previously been called the Unibet group – alongside the 32Red online casino brand.

Both became part of French state-owned betting group La Française des Jeux (FDJ) in October 2024 when the French National Lottery operator bought Stockholm-based Kindred for €2.45bn (£2.06bn/$2.70bn). FDJ subsequently rebranded itself as FDJ United.

The net zero campaign saw Kindred and its brands commit to achieving 0% of its revenue from harmful gambling. Kindred gave quarterly updates on its net zero progress with the figure routinely hovering around 3%, though it did fall below this for the first time in Q3 2024.

Post-FDJ acquisition, Unibet and 32Red’s new owner has incorporated the net zero campaign into its own responsible gaming strategy. A regulatory penalty issued to the firm’s UK operator is not exactly a good look for this, however.

The penalty also comes at a time when FDJ United’s expansion into international betting via the Kindred takeover continues to hit hurdles, with the firm struggling to find revenue growth in Q3 while also feeling its bottom line bit by tax hikes in France and elsewhere.

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BOS study signals clear channelisation liabilities of Swedish Gambling 

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Publishing a comparative study between Sweden and Denmark, trade body outlines clear liabilities of why a restrictive gambling regime is undermining online channelisation for online casino. As such, Swedish ministers must recognise mistakes and implement new policies and balanced protections in 2026.

The Riksdag has received the recommendations and insights on how to strengthen the channelisation rates of Sweden’s online gambling market, in the interest of maximising consumer protection.

A comparative study has been published by BOS, the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling, providing contrasts and comparisons with the neighbouring regime of Denmark.

The study, undertaken by independent law firm Nordic Legal, identifies why Sweden has failed to meet its 90% channelisation target — a principal objective of the 2019 re-regulation of gambling under the new regulatory framework of the Gambling Act (2018).

Audiences are reminded that neither Sweden nor Denmark are immune to offshore competition — a factor becoming increasingly opaque to consumers due to the recent rise of crypto casinos and skin betting websites targeting both nations regimes.

No hiding from data
Yet, on a comparative basis, the study finds that Denmark maintains higher overall channelisation due to more flexible controls and proportionate restrictions on online casinos, thereby supporting its regulatory strategy.

The study refers to two sources examining Swedish and Danish online casino trends. According to H2 Gambling Capital, both countries report an overall channelisation rate of 72%.

However, when broken down by segment, Sweden shows a lower channelisation rate in online casino (62%) compared to Denmark (70%), while Sweden outperforms Denmark in betting (83% vs 74%).

In contrast, an ATG Web Traffic Study reveals a more pronounced difference. It estimates Sweden’s overall channelisation at 68%, with only 57% for online casino and 77% for betting. Meanwhile, Denmark’s combined online casino and betting channelisation is significantly higher, ranging between 90% and 95%.

Sweden’s visible liabilities
Liabilities in online casino operations are particularly evident in the areas of product scope and advertising regulations. In Sweden, the narrow interpretation of permissible games — combined with the absence of a formal pre-approval mechanism — exposes operators to considerable compliance risks.

“New games must fall within the definitions of existing categories (casino, betting, etc.), which are subject to narrow interpretations. The Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) offers limited formal guidance, and there is no pre-approval system to confirm that a new product is compliant before launch.”

This creates a risk-averse environment where operators may avoid innovation altogether for fear of regulatory sanction. By comparison, Denmark uses a defined positive list, offering greater regulatory clarity on permitted games. However, flexibility remains limited, as the process for adding new game formats such as crash games is slow and bureaucratic.

“While Denmark’s approach is more predictable, it remains inflexible for approving new formats… innovation is still restricted by the rigidity of the permitted list.”

A further liability for operators in Sweden lies in its strict regulation of advertising and customer bonuses. Swedish law permits only a one-time welcome bonus, while ongoing incentives and loyalty rewards are strictly prohibited.

“The prohibition on ongoing bonuses means that licensed operators have far fewer tools to compete for player loyalty compared with unlicensed operators, who face no such constraints.”

This has placed licensed operators at a clear commercial disadvantage, particularly in the online casino segment, where consumer engagement and promotional flexibility are essential.

“Operators reported that the one-bonus rule puts them in an impossible position: the retention of customers is hindered, while the unlicensed market freely uses aggressive and continuous promotions.”

In contrast, Denmark permits both acquisition and retention bonuses under a structured framework, including caps and transparency requirements, allowing licensed operators to compete more effectively without compromising responsible gambling standards.

These differences not only affect business viability but also undermine consumer protection. Licensed Swedish operators are unable to effectively retain players, pushing users toward offshore sites that are unregulated, riskier, and untaxed, contributing directly to the country’s lagging channelisation rates in the online casino vertical.

Easy channelisation fixes
The headline recommendation for improving channelisation urges the Swedish government to repeal the current restrictions on customer bonuses and introduce a new framework for customer incentives and engagement.

To this end, BOS recommends that Swedish authorities collaborate more closely with licensed operators to broaden the scope and interpretation of permissible online casino features and functionalities.

BOS also supports the expansion of enforcement powers for Spelinspektionen, Sweden’s gambling regulator, particularly in enabling direct blocking measures against black market operators. However, for these powers to be effective, the Inspectorate must be adequately resourced and introduce a formal pre-approval process for new products.

Licensed operators should be empowered to play a greater role in consumer protection through enhanced regulatory guidance and open dialogue. Importantly, they must be informed of current channelisation rates as part of regulatory conditions, ensuring transparency and shared responsibility in maintaining a well-functioning gambling market.

BOS has also expressed support for the regulatory reforms proposed by Consumer Affairs Commissioner Marcus Isgren, particularly those aimed at broadening the scope and interpretation of the Swedish Gambling Act to improve competitiveness and regulatory clarity.

However, the trade body has firmly rejected the 81 smart proposals submitted by Svenska Spel CEO Anna Johnson, criticising them as overly restrictive and damaging to competition in the games of chance sector. BOS argues that the proposals would entrench monopoly-like conditions and hinder innovation within the licensed market.

Gustaf Hoffstedt: BOS
“We hope that the report will be a useful tool and encourage Sweden to find inspiration in several of the measures and approaches that have been so successfully implemented in Denmark. Some of them are strictly rule-based, such as how loyalty programmes are regulated. Some are more difficult to approach and of a cultural nature — but just as important — and are connected to the policymaker’s attitude towards the industry it is supervising,” said Gustaf Hoffstedt, Secretary General of BOS.

“Hopefully, this report can inspire policymakers in Sweden to choose the path of regulation that strengthens the licensed gambling market and, as a consequence, strengthens consumer protection — as neighbouring Denmark has successfully proven is possible,” Hoffstedt concludes.

2026: Year of Reckoning
Swedish gambling licensees have been advised to prepare for a transformative 2026, as the government prepares to implement a comprehensive ban on all credit-related transactions from April.

Spelinspektionen has also been granted expanded powers to strengthen enforcement and increase penalties for non-compliance and failures relating to duty of care.

As it stands, the Swedish Riksdag is expected to vote by the end of the year on a series of amendments to the Gambling Act. These include new definitions of unlicensed gambling activity, promotional restrictions, marketing rules, and customer engagement standards.

BOS has not yet received confirmation on whether the government will incorporate any of its key recommendations, as Sweden continues its ongoing and evolving review of national gambling legislation.

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Zambia, Kenya and a tale of fluctuating excise duties 

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The fluctuation of excise duty tax on the gambling industry has been a key topic across Africa in the past year.

In Zambia, there has been continued rallying against the touted introduction of a 10% excise duty tax on all betting stakes.

It prompted an application from BetPawa and Betway to halt the tax, however, this was dismissed by the country’s Constitutional Court.

At the heart of the appeal against the introduction of the tax were claims that it breached section 7 of the customs Excise (Amendment) Act No. 11 of 2025. Objections included an alleged lack of transparency, inadequate public consultation, and severe economic impact.

Furthermore, they also claimed that it was excessive, ambiguous, unimplementable and financially unsustainable, warning that it could have key impacts on their ability to operate in the country in the future.

Nonetheless, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) underpinned that the excise duty stems from consumption by bettors and not operators, affirming that it had engaged with stakeholders on the decision.

Following this, the operators looked to implement an interim injunction to stop enforcement of the excise duty pending the full hearing of their constitutional petition.

ZRA countered that the tax was lawful and implementable in its current form. The organisation emphasised that any interference at this stage would be an encroachment on its statutory duty.

Seemingly cementing a future for excise duty in Zambia, the Court decided that the petitioners failed to demonstrate a sufficiently serious constitutional issue to justify suspending the law at this stage.

Of note in Zambia is the 10% figure, which is intriguing as it sits between Kenya’s previous 15% threshold and the figure it was recently lowered to, 5%.

When lowering the levels of tax, Kenya also undertook a subtle but significant change in the way it takes excise duty, instead of taxing when a bet is placed, like Zambia, they opted to take it at the point in which funds are transferred from a mobile‐money wallet to a betting account.

The country’s chairman of the Finance Committee, MP Kimani Kuria, said: “When you are placing a bet, the current taxation regime is that when you have money in your mobile money account and then you transfer that money to the wallet of a betting company, the time of charging excise duty is when you place a bet.

“There are so many entities operating virtually, some outside the country from which we are not able to get this excise duty from them. This now means that every time a Kenyan transfers money from their mobile wallet to the wallet of the betting company, then that’s the time the excise duty is paid.”

It underpins that emerging markets are eyeing flexible measures in the way that they gain the maximum economic uplift from the gambling sector.

Whilst the two African markets are taking alternative strategies to the implementation of excise duty, both clearly view it as a strong avenue to elevating tax intake from the gambling industry.

If market forecasts are to be believed, the decision of Kenya to decrease its excise duty tax could be set to pay off as they are predicted to see an uplift in gaming tax intake. Zambia will provide an interesting comparison as time tests whether the implementation of excise duty has an overall benefit to the economy and the gambling sector’s output.

Rates in Nigeria also frame Zambia as setting a relatively high bar for excise duty tax. In Nigeria, a withholding tax of 5% on winnings for residents and 15% for non-residents has been introduced.

The need to ensure market nuances are met while at the same time retaining simplicity can’t be understated when it comes to a complex tax structure. However, critics right now argue that Zambia is lacking this as it heads towards a straight 10% rate.

In a recent interview with iGaming Expert, Christopher Coyne, Co-Founder and CEO of 888 Africa shared his trepidation that Zambia would take a lead from Kenya in terms of taxation rates, subsequently making it less appealing for operator expansion.

In terms of markets that present an opportunity, Coyne predicted that in five years, Nigeria will grow to become a giant, adding that Egypt has huge potential should it regulate in the coming years.

For many, Malawi remains one of the most alluring markets, following its drastic shift in gaming tax from 20% to 5%, in 2023.

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Curacao shifts gambling responsibility from PM following board departures 

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The implementation of the LOK (the country’s new regulatory framework) remains on track even amidst the mass departures of the Curacao Gaming Authority’s Supervisory Board, according to a defiant message from the regulator.

Following the board’s resignation in mid-September, Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas had reportedly taken direct oversight of the board to fulfill plans for Curacao gambling licences to enter a new era of higher compliance standards and regulatory governance.

However, the government has since denied Pisas’ intervention, stating that management of the CGA must fall under the oversight of the Ministry of Justice. According to the determination, the board’s ‘reshaping’ is fairly standard, given it was shifted from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Justice, a move that took place in August’.

The CGA’s Aideen Shortt told iGaming Expert: “The transfer of ministerial responsibility from Finance to Justice is a natural progression as Curaçao’s regulatory framework matures. Having built the legal and operational foundations for the new regime, the CGA is now focused on supervision and monitoring – areas that naturally fall within the Justice portfolio.”

The shifting of the CGA’s supervision from the Finance to the Justice department will be welcomed by many, given the challenges that Curacao’s Finance Minister, Javier Silvania, has faced.

At the end of the last year, forensic investigator Luigi Faneyte filed a report that laid out allegations against Silvania of misconduct, corruption, fraud, embezzlement and money laundering related to the issuance of online gambling licenses.

One of the key allegations levelled against Silvania related to the process of the issuing of “provisional” online gambling licences, with allegations that several had been granted prior to the Lok being enacted, which led to criticism around their legitimacy.

Just last week, Quincy Girigorie, leader of the opposition party PAR, lambasted Silvania, claiming that his dispute with the head of the Tax Receiver’s Office, Alfonso de Jesús Trona, “strikes at the heart of Curaçao’s democratic integrity”.

This dispute escalated at the end of last month when an audio clip was leaked, which captured a spat between the two.

The clip, which has gone viral across Curacao, features the two power figures firing allegations of corruption against each other.

Following the leak, PAR leader Quincy Girigorie took to a press conference to express the seriousness of the situation as he emphasised that “for the first time in our history, a senior official has publicly stated that a Minister of Finance has committed criminal offences.”

Despite the political tensions, the CGA issued assurances that the process to appoint new members of the board is underway, and the implementation of the Lok remains on course and uninterrupted.

Shortt stated: “Supervision and governance within the CGA continue uninterrupted. The Authority remains fully functional and independent, continuing to implement and enforce Curaçao’s new regulatory framework under the LOK.

“Despite sensationalist headlines and fake-news articles, there is no delay or deviation in the rollout of the LOK, and no disruption to the CGA’s licensing or compliance programmes.”

The Ministry of Finance is headed up by Shalten Hato, who has sought to take a tougher approach to money laundering in the country, publicly emphasising that there has been an increase in prosecutions for the crime.

During a recent Parliamentary meeting, he outlined statistics that revealed that 26 individuals had been prosecuted for money laundering. Furthermore, he also detailed that money laundering cases linked to drug trafficking had risen last year – as he sought to showcase a tougher stance against illicit money.

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Urgent warning that Chile’s gambling vacuum is becoming unaffordable

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Chile’s casino sector has escalated its call for urgent gambling reforms after the Supreme Court ruled that online betting operations are illegal.

Speaking to SBC Noticias, Cecilia Valdés, Executive President of the Asociación Chilena de Casinos de Juego (ACCJ), stated that the ruling must “serve as a catalyst for legislation, not as a temporary patch”, insisting that Chile needs a proper legal framework for its growing online gambling market.

“The Court did its job by upholding the law,” Valdés told SBC Noticias. “But now it’s Congress’s turn. The judiciary cannot continue to act as a substitute regulator for an industry that politicians have refused to legislate. Chile urgently needs a modern, clear and enforceable gambling law.”

Courts are not regulators

Valdés was clear that judicial interpretations cannot replace actual regulation. “The courts are not designed to regulate industries. They interpret the law but we still don’t have one,” she argued. “Every ruling offers short-term clarity but no long-term stability. Only Congress can provide that.”

Chile’s land-based casinos already operate under strict supervision from the Superintendence of Casinos, which enforces tax compliance and responsible gambling standards. Offshore online operators, however, operate without oversight or contribution to the economy.

“We need one system of rules for everyone,” Valdés said. “It’s unacceptable that regulated casinos are held to the highest standards while online platforms can operate freely from tax havens.”

Chile behind neighbours

The ACCJ has warned that political paralysis threatens to push Chile further behind regional peers such as Colombia, Peru and Brazil — all of which have already introduced online gambling frameworks.

“Every month without regulation means more capital leaving the country, more players exposed to unsafe environments, and more tax lost to the state,” Valdés said. “Not regulating is not neutral — it rewards those who break the law.”

The ACCJ believes that with the right framework, Chile could transform online gaming into a legitimate part of its emerging digital economy.

Matter rolls to a new election

The ACCJ expressed deep frustration that the government has failed to deliver a new Gambling Bill pledged by President Gabriel Boric at the last election. A lost opportunity to bring assurance to the market as Chile electorate heads to the polls in November

“We were told gaming regulation would be a priority,” Valdés said. “Instead, another election has come and gone without a law. Every delay creates more uncertainty and gives illegal operators more space to grow.”

“Chile’s gambling industry has been left in legal limbo for too long,” Valdés continued. “Each year without reform undermines legal operators, weakens tax revenues and damages public trust. We cannot keep relying on court rulings to patch a broken system.”

Clear Vision for 2030

Valdés outlined a vision for a hybrid gambling industry where physical casinos and regulated online platforms coexist under unified, transparent rules.

“Online gaming can help build Chile’s new economy,” she said. “It can create jobs, attract tech partnerships, and drive responsible entertainment — but only under proper regulation.”

She added that technologies such as artificial intelligence, gamification and virtual reality could enhance player protection and customer experience, provided they are implemented within an ethical and regulated structure.

“Our goal for 2030 is a stable, transparent and innovative industry — one that creates jobs, pays taxes and protects players,” Valdés concluded. “The time for political hesitation is over. Chile must legislate for the digital era — and stop asking the courts to fix what only the government can resolve.”

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Illegal casino bust underpins need for modernisation in Bolivia 

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A significant bust of an illegal casino operation in Bolivia has been confirmed by the Bolivia Gaming Control Authority (AJ).

The operation was disguised as a food venue, and players were recruited to play through WhatsApp engagement. In a market where inspections are frequent, the illicit actors also utilised an expansive camera network to avoid detection.

As a result of information provided to the authorities, two slot machine gaming devices were seized, and the operation was halted.

It continues action by Bolivian authorities to tackle the illicit market – so far this year, 61 illegal gambling sites have been raided, and 85 gambling facilities have been seized.

The Santa Cruz department currently holds the highest number of illegal gambling sites reported.

There is also a strengthened effort and strategy to ensure that none of the machines re-enter the illicit market, with 2024 seeing the destruction of 639 illegally confiscated gaming machines.

Whilst online gaming is prohibited in Bolivia, there are limited land-based gaming licenses, however, they operate under strict frameworks.

This has led to only one legal license being issued in Santa Cruz and has potentially enabled the grey and black market to thrive and tap into gaps in the market.

There is currently a proposal to evolve the framework for Bolivia’s gaming landscape, however, having first been put forward in 2020, it remains in prolonged deliberation.

At the heart of the potential change in legislation is the inclusion of online gambling within the country’s legal framework.

Central to this is the ability to attract new investors to the sector and boost jobs and wealth across the country.

Furthermore, the changes to the legislation have also been cited as potentially being significant when it comes to tackling the rise of illegal operations that are being engaged with across Bolivia.

An election looms in Bolivia, and the regulated industry will be hoping that whoever comes in will place something of a priority on ensuring gambling regulation is strengthened.

There is currently a two-horse race in the country between Rodrigo Paz Pereira of the Christian Democratic Party and former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga. Neither candidate has outlined a specific stance for the gambling industry.

iGaming Expert Analysis: The modernisation of the Bolivian gambling sector is desperately needed and that is underpinned by the latest significant haul of unlicensed operators across the country.

As of right now, the lack of a clear path to regulatory compliance and licensing presents a real challenge for operators that are looking to expand in the country.

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Unibet faces €75m Dutch consumer claim on pre-licence activities 

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Unibet Netherlands faces a collective compensation claim of €75m led by Dutch consumer-claims organisation Dynamiet.

A lawsuit has been filed representing 2,500 Dutch customers of Unibet NL who seek lost money from the operator,for facilitating illegal online gambling prior to the launch of the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) on 1 October 2021.

Dynamiet, which recently won a multi-million payout against the credit agency of Bureau Krediet Registratie (BKR), has now turned its focus to the online gambling sector.

The organisation stated that it is pursuing a “first-of-its-kind legal challenge” against a gambling firm seeking a Dutch licence, arguing that operators who profited from illegal activity before regulation should face restitution claims.

At that time, Unibet and other offshore casinos were operating without a Dutch licence — a status that claimants argue rendered their gambling losses unlawful.

Leading the claim, Deepak Thakoerdien, Dynamiet’s cofounder, said the move reflects the organisation’s broader mission to secure justice for those who were financially and emotionally harmed by unregulated online gambling.

“For many of these people, it’s not just about money — it’s about recognition,” he explained. “They were ignored for years while being drained by an illegal casino. Waiting is for spectators; we are here to act.”

Dynamiet has confirmed that it will initially file claims for 1,000 players, with the remaining 1,500 to be added in stages, bringing the total claim value to approximately €75 million. The action targets Kindred Group, Unibet’s parent company, and its subsidiary Risepoint.

According to Dutch iGaming news outlet CasinoNieuws.nl, the summons has already been formally served by a court bailiff. -“The case is being heard by the District Court of The Hague and concerns two entities: Kindred Group Limited (formerly Kindred Group Plc) and Risepoint Limited (formerly Trannel International Limited). Risepoint is no longer part of the group following Kindred’s recent acquisition by FDJ (now FDJ United).”

CasinoNieuws.nl further reports that Dynamiet accuses Unibet of admitting Dutch players for years without holding a valid licence, while failing to meet mandatory player-safety checks such as Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures.

The legal services provider claims that Dutch consumers could deposit via iDEAL, use Dutch-language customer service, and play on a Dutch-language website, all of which suggest that the operator specifically targeted the Dutch market in violation of gambling law.

The combined losses of the players involved have amounted to approximately €75 million, money Dynamiet argues was “unlawfully obtained”, since agreements between Unibet and Dutch players should be considered as “null and void.”

The organisation also points to a 2019 fine imposed by Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Netherlands Gambling Authority against Unibet for operating illegally, arguing that the company “deliberately acted in violation of the Gambling Act.”

“You can’t avoid responsibility,” Dynamiet stated in its press release.

In 2019, during the final phase of the KOA’s passage, the Dutch House of Representatives (Kamer) chose not to impose retroactive tax liabilities on operators for their pre-market activities — a decision that drew criticism from several ministers.

However, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) implemented a cooling-off period for operators such as Unibet, which already held a significant Dutch customer database, a judgement the regulator deemed to be in the market’s interest.

As a result, Unibet’s market launch was delayed until 4 July 2022, one year after the KOA regime came into effect.

The claim against Unibet forms part of a wider campaign by Dynamiet, which in early 2025 announced its intention to take legal action against six other foreign gambling brands including PokerStars, Betsson, N1 Casino, Bwin, LeoVegas, and 888 Casino. Collectively, these cases represent around 5,000 players and €100 million in alleged losses.

Unlike typical litigation funds, Dynamiet operates independently and self-finances its actions on a no-cure-no-fee basis, charging a 33% commission only upon success.

Legal experts see the Unibet case as a potential landmark for retroactive liability in Dutch gambling law. If successful, it could open the door for further mass claims against operators that accepted Dutch players before the KOA regime, setting a precedent for historic accountability in Europe’s regulated gambling markets.

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MA regulators consider rules around VIP sportsbook host compensation

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Just days after tackling the subject of limiting bettors, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) held a discussion on another hot-button issue.

On Thursday the group of five commissioners listened to a presentation from MGC Chief of Sports Wagering Carrie Torrisi and MGC Director of Research and Responsible Gambling Mark Vander Linden.

The two offered an overview of how the VIP industry works in sports betting based on information they requested from operators and obtained via the commission’s own research and offered recommendations for potential regulatory changes as it pertains to them going forward.

Sportsbook VIPs are generally men age 35-45

The presentation offered some insights into a facet of the business that lacks a lot of open information and clarity.

Torrisi and Vander Linden confirmed that the most common demo for VIP customers is men in their late 30s to early 40s and, on average, participated as a VIP for 10 months. The data varied substantially by operators, but..

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Newsletter: The goal is shared, the rulebook differs

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Stop, collaborate and listen SBC Media has published the first part of its International Player Safety Index today with partner 1xBet making a call for communication, clarity and consistency. The report is the first part of a series, with this one interviewing operators and regulators in Western Europe. It found: Something’s gotta give: Perhaps the most…

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Slovakia reshuffles Gambling Office leadership for second time in 2025

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The Republic of Slovakia has reorganised the leadership ranks of the Office for the Regulation of Gambling (ÚRHH) for the second time this year.

The Ministry of Finance confirmed that Libuša Baranová has been appointed Director General of the gambling authority, following a decision by Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický.

The change sees Jana Mravíková, who had led the ÚRHH since April, move to the position of Director of the Department of Economics and Operations, effective 1 October 2025.

Mravíková had assumed the top post earlier this year after the departure of Martin Bohoš, who had served as Director General since 2019.

Upon leaving office, Bohoš had called for a full review of Gambling Act of Slovakia, warning that the framework was failing to keep pace with rapid growth of online casino and insufficient consumer safeguards.

The latest leadership change arrives amid mounting political pressure to overhaul gambling governance in Slovakia. The Sports and Tourism Minister, Rudolf Huliak, has tabled a new set of amendments designed to deepen the social responsibility and duties of gambling operators towards Slovak consumers and sports funding.

Huliak has repeatedly argued that Slovakia must “regulate, not promote gambling“, emphasising greater protection for vulnerable players and stricter enforcement against illegal operators.

Elsewhere, opposition parties from the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) have demanded that the Ministry of Finance conduct a tax audit into the gambling sector. The party questions why national wagers have increased sharply, yet tax receipts remain stagnant at €340m.

KDH leaders have accused the ministry of neglecting oversight duties while regulated operators continue to benefit from low transparency and inconsistent enforcement.

Of significance, a series of reports by the Supreme Audit Office and the Institute for the Regulation of Gambling (IPRHH) have highlighted that regulatory shortcomings must be addressed, with Slovakia’s current system described as fragmented, under-resourced, and outdated.

As Baranová takes charge, industry observers expect the new leadership to focus on restoring public confidence, strengthening consumer protections, and ensuring that gambling taxation and regulatory practices are aligned with Slovakia’s broader fiscal and social policy goals.

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